USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 50
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
of the township; Jonathan ("Speck") Johnson on the Wilhelm place; William Cipher, one mile southeast of Peoria; Samuel Ram- sey in the same locality; Mr. Bosden, about two miles west of the village; Henry Watts in the vicinity of the town; Zachariah Wallick in the western part of the township; James and Thomas Keyes, near the central part; Thomas Timmons, Joseph Werhle, David and William Miller, James Long and Jeptha Long, near Peoria; John King, John Fegley, Solomon Fegley, Samuel Kiem, Benjamin Wal- lick and J. Thomas, whose places of settlement are at present unknown. The earliest settlement in the southern part of the town- ship was made late in the fifties by the Fenimores, who in 1848, projected and laid out the village of Santa Fe. Others came in dur- ing the following two years and by 1850 every part of the township was settled by an intelligent and thrifty population.
Mills .- The first mill patronized by the early settlers of north- ern Butler was a small log mill in Wabash County, erected by the general government for the Indians, prior to 1840. The first mill in the township was built at Peoria, in 1845, by Isaac Litzenbarger. The original structure was a primitive log building, supplied with machinery for sawing lumber, and one run of nigger head burrs, which ground a very coarse article of flour. After operating the mill several years Mr. Litzenbarger sold out to Dr. Helm. It was afterwards burned down, but has since been rebuilt, and is still in operation, belonging at this time to the heirs of E. H. Shirk, of Peru. With the exception of several steam saw-mills operated at different times, the above is the only mill of any kind in the town- ship.
The Religious History of Butler dates from its earliest settle- ment, though no attempts were made towards the organization of churches until a number of years later. The first religious service of which there is any definite knowledge was held at the cabin of Mr. Beard, by Rev. Mr. Beloit, of the Methodist church, in the year 1841. Ministers of several denominations began visiting the . settlements about that time, holding services in cabins and groves, which were attended by the early settlers for many miles around. These meetings were the means of accomplishing much good, and served to check many of the prevalent evils of the times. A number of settlers in the northern part of the township were members of the Baptist church and attended meetings of that de- nomination in Wabash County, where a society was organized at quite an early day. The Christians organized a society in Peoria a number of years ago, and erected the first house of worship there in 1856. This organization was never strong in numbers, and at this time no services are held. The Presbyter- ians organized a society in the township some years since, which is still maintained. The Methodists have a small class and a neat house
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of worship at the village of Santa Fe, at which place the Dunk- ards also hold services at regular intervals, using the school house for a meeting place.
The first frame dwelling houses in the township were built by Joel Davis, Job Morris and Joseph Votaw, and in 1841 the first orchard was planted by Jonah Sullivan, the trees of which were obtained from Matthias Moyer's nursery in Richland Town- ship. James Clayton and Joseph Votaw set out orchards about the same time, a number of the trees of which are still standing, bearing fruit. The first marriage celebrated in the township was that of James Wilhelm to Nancy White in 1841. Probably the first birth was that of Frank Litzenbarger, born to Isaac and Sarah Litzenbarger in 1841. William Sullivan, Esq., of Peru, son of Jonah and Louisa Sullivan, was born here, and early in the forties births occurred in the family of Joseph Votaw.
Among the earliest deaths in the township was that of Mr. Ullery, who was killed by Mr. Wilhelm, Sr. It appears that Wilhelm had a daughter to whom Ullery desired to pay his respects. This did not meet the approval of the father, who forbade the young man entering the house. The lover, how- ever, failing to comply with this request, continued his visits. This, with other things, so exasperated Wilhelm that, upon one occasion, he shot the young man, at the same time hallowing so as to attract the attention of his son, who came out of the house and fired, but, as he persisted afterward, at random. Ullery was killed, and the son, who was supposed to have committed the bloody deed, was arrested, tried and sentenced to the penitenti- ary. The father, just before his death acknowledged firing the fatal shot, upon which the son was released. Another very early death was that of Washington Godfroy, son of Chief Francis Godfroy. He was struck by lightning in the presence of a white man and a number of Indians, and instantly killed. This created the wildest excitement among the Indians, and in a very short time hundreds from different villages were assembled to witness the sad spectacle. James Clayton and Mrs. Thomas Clayton died many years ago and were among the earliest per- sons buried in the Clayton graveyard in the northeastern part of the township. A couple of children of Michael Bradley were early buried in the same, as were also several Indians, names unknown.
Village of Peoria is situated on the west bank of the Mississinewa River in Section 10, Township 26, North Range 5 East, and dates its history from 1849. The land upon which the village stands, was purchased in an early day by Isaac Litzenbarger, who, to further the interests of the locality, laid out the town in October of the above year. The original plan of the
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
town consisted of thirty-six lots and four streets, viz .: Hill, Wal- nut, High and Race. Mr. Litzenbarger opened a general store about the time the lots were surveyed, and sold goods for a num- ber of years thereafter. Previous to that time, however, Moses. Falk, to whom reference has already been made, established a trad- ing post on the town site, and during the early settlements of the county carried on a successful traffic with the Indians. Mr. McClain was an early merchant of the village, and since about the year 1865 the commercial business of the town has been carried on at at different times by Ira Litzenbarger, John Lieurance, Samuel Jameson, Noah Minnick and the present merchant, James A. Long. William Luce settled in the village in an early day, and worked at the tailor's trade. Among the earliest residents was John Younce, who operated the first blacksmith shop. Peoria was never a place of much importance, and at this time has one general store, kept by Mr. Long, and a blacksmith and repair shop carried on by John Hahn. The last physician of the village was Dr. Frank Black.
Santa Fe .- The little village of Santa Fe is situated in the ex- treme southern part of the township, on the southeast quarter of Section 32, Township 26, North, Range 5 East, and was laid out May, 1884, by Ebenezer Fenimore. An addition of 26 lots was. made to the town in January, 1850, by Matthew Fenimore, one of the first settlers in the southern part of the county. One of the first residents of the village was William S. White, who erected a business house and engaged in merchandising as early perhaps as 1848. Messrs. Bond & Harper brought a stock to the place about the same time and sold goods for a period of two or three years. Nelson McGraw kept a general store during the early history of the place, as did also Samuel Metret, David Bowers, Noah Reese, Thomas Jones, Henry Bowers, Noah Bowers and others. David Jewells, William Kessler, Noah Reese, David Jones and a Mr. Frick were among the early mechanics, and Drs. Hendricks, Barnes, Ginther, Stewart, Foraker, Pence and Pugh practiced the healing art from time to time. An industry of the place was a mill erected on Pipe Creek by Messrs. Fenimore & Britton, who operated it for a period of about eighteen or twenty years. They sold to Solomon Stout, who ran it for some time in partnership with Thomas Clayton. It was destroyed by fire in 1869 or 1870, and afterwards rebuilt by Amos West. The present proprietor is John Thorn, who is doing a fair business. .
Until the construction of the Pan Handle railroad through the county a couple of miles distant, Santa Fe enjoyed the repu- tation of one of the best country villages in Miami County, but the completion of the road and the consequent springing up of towns in the county, proved an effectual check to its further development. It still commands a respectable proportion of the
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
current trade, and supports a couple of general stores and about the usual uumber of shops found in a country village. The Methodists have an organization and a neat house of worship in the town, and the Dunkards have preaching at regular intervals in the school house.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
GEORGE BINKERD, of Butler Township, is a native of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, born near Miller's Eddy, December 20, 1816, being next eldest in a family of twelve children born to John and Elizabeth (Buzard) Binkerd, who were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respectively. Our subject was reared in his native state, receiving a limited educa- tion, mostly obtained by working and paying his own tuition. In 1845 he emigrated to and and settled on the farm where he now lives. November 7, 1850, his marriage with Mary A., daughter of John Miller, was solemnized and to their union three sons have been born, viz .: James P., who married Martha McDow- ell; Jacob, whose wife was Elizabeth Difert, and Isaac E., the latter living at home with his parents. Mr. Binkerd has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very successful. He now owns 280 acres of well improved land. In politics he is a Democrat, but he does not allow party bias or prejudice to control his vote. His property is the accumulation of his own industry and economy. He first worked as a farm hand, at which he was engaged one year, and at intervals cleared on his land.
OLIVER BORDEN, a prominent and early settler of But- ler Township, is a native of Hamilton County, Ohio, where he was born December 17, 1829, being the eldest in a family of four children, born to John and Jane (Ackley) Borden, who were both natives of New Jersey, the latter of Scotch-Swede descent. The mother came with her parents to Hamilton County about 1808 or 1810, and the father came to that county about 1823. They emigrated from there to Indiana, and settled in Miami County in 1848, of which they continued residents until their death. Our immediate subject was reared to manhood in his native county. He received a common school education. April 4, 1852, his marriage with Elizabeth Benner was solemnized and to their union four children were born, of which only this one is now living-Joseph. May 20, 1857, Mr. Borden suffered the be- reavement of losing his beloved wife. November 20, 1860, his and Sarah A. Blood's nuptials were celebrated, and their 'union has been blessed with four children, these three now living: Al-
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
bert, Mark and Alice. His father was a cooper, and he learned in early life that trade, continuing to follow it until 1826, when, for the five or six years immediately subsequent, he divided his attention between his trade and farming, since which time he has followed agricultural pursuits exclusively, and he has been very successful. He now owns 160 acres of well improved land. He and wife are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican, and he was honored with an election to the office of Township Trustee, which he filled in a very creditable manner.
JAMES BOWERS, of Butler Township, is a native of Scioto County, Ohio, where he was born July 26, 1828, being. the only child born to George and Mary (Deaver) Bowers, who were natives of Ohio and Maryland, respectively. They emigrated to Indiana and Miami County in the year 1848 and settled in Harri- son, living there until their death. Our subject was reared in his native state and received a common school education. June 13, 1850, his marriage with Martha M. Sitt was solemnized, and to their union thirteen children were born, of which these three are now living: Thomas J., who married Margaret Kessler; Charles S., whose wife was Flora Ogborn; Maggie F., wife of Ira McLane. Mary grew to womanhood and died at the age of twenty years. Mr. Bowers has always made farming his occupation and he has been very successful in that pursuit. He now owns 220 acres of of well-improved land. In politics he is an ardent Republican, and always manifests a good live interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives, where he enjoys the respect and esteem of all who know him. He was honored with an election to the office of Justice of the Peace in 1882.
JOHN S. CONN, a leading pioneer of Butler Township, is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, born near Salem, Janu- ary 24, 1842, being the fourth in a family of eight children born to Joseph H. and Alice A. (Pierce) Conn, who were natives of Ohio and Virginia respectively, the former of Irish descent; the latter dying in 1846 little is known of her origin. Subject's father emigrated to Indiana in 1851, locating in Wabash County, and died there July 22, 1860, since which time John S. has been upon his own resources. He had obtained a common. school education, such as was to be acquired in the primitive log school houses of those days. August 22, 1863, occurred his mar- riage with Elizabeth A. Manning, a native of Ohio, and daughter of Silas and Lydia Manning. To this union one child, Milo P., was born. August 5, 1873, Mr. Conn suffered the bereavement of losing his wife. September 10, 1875, his and Martha J. Webb's nuptials were celebrated. August 14, 1878, death re- moved Mr. Conn's second wife. March II, . 1880, Martha A. Wright became his wife, and their union has been blessed with
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
two children, Omer C., and Lettie L. His occupation has always been farming, and he has been very successful. He now owns 188 acres of improved land. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., holding membership in Miami Lodge, No. 52, both Subordi- nate and Encampment. In politics he is Democratic, and he always manifests a good, live interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives. He is at present acting as the Central Committeeman for his precinct.
GEORGE S. EVANS, a citizen of Butler Township, is a native of the adjoining County of Cass, where he was born Decem- ber 9, 1842, being the eldest of a family of six children, born to Hugh and Mary E. (Oliver) Evans, who were natives of Virginia and Indiana, respectively, and were among the pioneer settlers of Cass County. Both died before our subject had attained the age of fifteen years, and he was at that early age thrown upon his own resources. He engaged in 1858 with John W. Miller as a farm hand, with whom he continued four years. The next two years subsequent he rented farms, when, in 1863, he realized the neces- sity of the preservation of . our Union, and when the country needed aid, enlisted in Company G, 128th Indiana Vol- unteer Infantry as private, where he served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged at Indianapolis April 20, 1866. He participated in the following important engagements: Nash- ville, Tenn., Atlanta, Franklin, Tenn., Dalton, Ga., Resaca, Ga., Kenesaw Mountain, Lost Mountain, Burnt Hickory, Rough and Ready, Jonesboro, Lovejoy, Columbia, Kingston, N. C. Septem- ber 26, 1867, his marriage with Josephine Tillett was solemnized, and to their union eleven children have been born, of which these ten are now living: Mary A., Nora E., Susanna, Hattie P., Jessie M., Gracie O., Ira M., Geo. E., Frank O., and Carl G. The deceased child was James H., who died November 5, 1884, aged four years. Our subject has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very successful; he owns 507 acres of improved land; he is a member of the I. O. O. F., both Subordinate and En- campment, and G. A. R. fraternities. In politics he is a Democrat. and he has always manifested a good lively interest in the political affairs of the county and community in which he lives, where he has been honored with the election, in 1882, to the office of County Commissioner, and as a recognition of the creditable manner in which he filled that office he was re-elected.
JOHN B. IDDING, a resident of Butler Township, was born in Peru Township, August 1, 1847, being the youngest of seven children, born to John D. and Susan (Hoover) Iddings, who were natives of Ohio, both of German descent. They emigrated from there to Miami County about 1840, locating in Peru. A gunsmith by trade; he established a shop which he carried on about twenty-
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
five years. A part of the time he owned and operated a farm. About 1865, he closed his gun shop and devoted his entire atten- tion to farming in which he was successful, owning at the time of his death, a good farm. He died in June, 1880, at the advanced age of 68 years. He experienced religion a short time before his death and united with the Catholic Church. He formerly was a member of the I. O. O. F. fraternity. The immediate subject lived with his parents until their death, receiving a common school education. October 2, 1877, his marriage with Mary Huber, of Lancaster, Ohio, was solemnized and to their union these three children have been born; Edward, Samuel and Mary. He has always made farming his occupation and he has been very successful. He now owns over 200 acres of improved land. He is a member of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Republican.
JONATHAN JOHNSON, better known as "Spectacle" Johnson, a prominent citizen of Butler Township, is a native of Connecticut, born near the town of Greeidge, August 8, 1812, being the third in a family of nine children born to Robert and Dolly (Patterson) Johnson, who were also natives of the New England States. They emigrated to Ohio by wagon, coming to Pittsburg, then down the Ohio on a flat-boat, and locating in Hamilton, where they ever afterward lived until their death. Our subject was reared to manhood there, receiving a common education, such as the facilities of those days afforded-such as was to be obtained in the primitive log school houses. At the age of sixteen he was bound apprentice to learn the cooper's trade for four years and nine months, when he engaged in that trade for himself. February 26, 1836, his marriage with Rebecca Miller was solemnized, and to their union five children have been born, of which four are now living, viz .: Elizabeth J., wife of Josiah Hann; James L., who married Mary May; William, whose wife was Mary A. Keyes, and Jonathan, Jr., whose consort was Phoebe J. Armantrout. July 17, 1871, Mr. Johnson suffered the bereavement of losing his beloved wife. November 9, 1874, his and Eliza J. Wilson's nuptials were celebrated. Their union was of comparatively short duration, she dying August 12, 1878. October 4, 1883, Lorenia Daley became his wife. In 1849 he emigrated to Miami County, Indiana, settling on the farm where he now lives. Since 1873 he has devoted his entire attention to farming, prior to which time he followed coopering and farm- ing together. and he has been very successful. He now owns forty acres, and formerly owned about 400 acres, but started his children in life each with a farm. He is a member of the M. E. and his wife of the Presbyterian church. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, holding a membership at Peru. In politics he is
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
a Democrat, and he was honored with an election to the office of Township Trustee two terms.
JOHN LAVENGOOD, a citizen of Butler Township, is a native of Coshocton County, Ohio, born near New Bedford, Novem- ber 21, 1836, being the next eldest in a family of fourteen children born to George and Barbara (Bickel) Lavengood, who were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, respectively. John was reared in his native State and county, remaining at home and assisting his parents on the farm until he attained his majority. He received a limited edu- cation such as the schools of those days afforded. In 1857, at the age of 21, he emigrated to Indiana and Miami County, of which he has since remained a resident. January 22, 1864, his marriage with Margaret J., daughter of Robert Long, was solemnized, and to their union five children have been born, of which these three are living: William H., Levi and George M. The deceased children were Schuyler and Annie V. His occupation has always been farming, in connection with which he operated a saw-mill, and he has been very successful. He now owns IIO acres of well improved land, which is the accummulation of his own industry and economy, besides he is the proprietor of 80 acres located in Clarke County. February, 1864, Mr. Lavengood realized the necessity of the Union and enlisted in Company F., 153d Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, where he served until the war closed. He is a member of the Luthern and his wife of the M. E. Church. In politics he is a staunch Democrat and he always manifests an interest in the polit- ical affairs of the county and community in which he lives, where he was honored with an election to the office of Township Trustee in 1884, his term expiring in 1886.
JAMES A. LONG, merchant at Peoria, or Reserve Postoffice, embarked in business in 1883, purchasing the stock of Noah Minnick, who had been employed in the business for fourteen years. The present proprietor carries a stock of about $2,000, doing an annual business of about $6,000. Mr. Long is a native of Wabash County, born January 1, 1860, being the fourth in a family of seven children born to Joseph and Lavina (Lutz) Long, who were natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. He emigrated to Indiana about 1846. For some time thereafter Joseph worked as a farm hand at various places in Miami and Wabash Counties. In the spring of 1850 he went to Cuba, remaining there about eighteen months, when he returned and located in Wabash County, living there until 1874, when he removed to Peoria, of which he has since been a resident. By occupation he has always been a farmer, in which he has been very suc- cessful. He is now the proprietor of 588 acres of land, the accumulation of his own industry and economy. He is the father of the following named children : William, Martha, Nancy,
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
James, Mary, Lemora and Luville. The immediate subjeet of this sketch remained at home until he had attained his majority, receiving a common school education sufficient to enable him to teach, which he did for three terms, since which time he has been in the mercantile business. November 7, 1886, his mar- riage with Eva Poor was solemnized. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. In politics he is a Republican, and he is now postmaster for the village of Peoria.
DANIEL MALONEY, of Butler, is a native of the County of Karey, Ireland, where he was born, May, 1827, being the youngest of a family of six children born to Michael and Katharine (Flife) Maloney. Daniel was reared to manhood in his native country. He received a limited education. His parents were reasonably well-to-do. August, 1858, his mar- riage with Henora Rardon was solemnized; the day following they embarked for America and the United States. They were en route about sixty-six days. They landed at New York City, from whence they came to and located near Greenville, Ohio, where they lived about one year, when he moved to Blackford County, and one year later moved to Marion County, living there one year, thence to Wabash County, staying there seven years, when he came to Miami County where he has since lived. Mr. Maloney came to the United States a poor man; he worked at anything he could get to do, such as ditching, chop- ping cord wood, etc., principally as a farm hand. He rented a farm for 16 years and by untiring industry and the strictest economy he is now one of Miami County's most substantial citizens. He is the proprietor of 260 acres of well improved land. To the union there have been seven children born. Mary, wife of Michael Riley; James, who married Kate Hays; Kate, Joanna, Daniel, Ellen and Bridget. He and family are members of the Catholic Church. In politics he is a Democrat.
DR. SIMEON S. MARSH, physician and surgeon in Butler Township is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, born near Germantown, February 5, 1837; being the third in a family of eight children born to John and Catharine (Leavell) Marsh, who were natives of New York and North Carolina respectively. They em- igrated from Miami County, Ohio, to Cass County in September, 1842, locating in Adams Township, that County. Where the for- mer lived until killed by lightning in May, 1855,. His widow resided there until 1874, when she removed to and made Peru her home until her death, which occurred November 1, 1885. The immediate subject of our sketch was reared to manhood in Cass County. He received a common school education. At the age of nineteen he was thrown upon his own resources. He from that time worked at intervals and went to school, supplementing
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