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 59
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Methodist Episcopal Church of Xenia-Of the earliest efforts to establish a Methodist Church in Jackson Township no record now remains; the majority of the families of that faith who re- sided here in the first years of the country's history having moved away or passed to the life beyond. Meetings were held in the neighborhood by itinerant ministers, as early as 1845 and it was about that date, or perhaps a couple of years later, that an organization was effected which met regularly for worship at the residences of the different members. Among the early preach- ers were Revs. Bowman and Bradshaw, men noted for their zeal in the cause they represented. Among the first members of the class were Joseph Powell and family, John Powell and family, Louisa Kim- ball, Shadrock Elliott and family, and Jesse Elliott and family, the majority of whom have long since passed from the church mili- tant to the church triumphant. Services were held in private dwellings until the completion of the Wesleyan Church building in Xenia, when the society was granted the use of the same until it had gained sufficient strength to erect a house of its own. The church continued to grow apace and in 1855 a neat frame temple of worship adapted to the wants of the congrega- tion was erected on Wabash street at a cost of $600. This building answered the purposes for which it was intended until 1886, when the wants of the church began to foreshadow the necessity of the erection of a house of worship of enlarged pro- portions for the accommodation of its increased membership. Accordingly in that year the necessary steps were taken toward the erection of a new building, the church disposing of the old house with that object in view. In due time the present stately brick edifice occupying the original site, was pushed toward completion as rapidly as the magnitude of the undertaking would allow. This building is one of the finest specimens of church architecture in the county, 59x50 feet in size, surmounted by a stately spire and will cost when finished and furnished the sum
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of $7,000. The present pastor of the church is Rev. George S. V. Howard, to whose untiring efforts the success of the building enterprise is largely due. The condition of the Church at this time is very encouraging and the amount of good accomplished in the past gives hopeful assurance of a prosperous future. The membership is about 70. The officers are as follows: Mary Winters and Joseph Powell, class-leaders; Joseph Powell, R. Powell and James Douglass, stewards; R. Powell, A. Keys, J. E. Flinn, L. J. Reeves and James Douglass, trustees. The Sunday School is large and the teachers therein are active and zealous, doing all in their power to make their work interesting and beneficial. The school numbers about one hundred including teachers and pupils and is under the efficient superintendency of George W. Rider.
Christian (Disciple) Church .- This society was organized by Elder Henry Olinger, a pioneer preacher of piety and ability, and dates its history from about the year 1868. Meetings were first held in the village school house and private dwellings, and among the earliest members of the organization were W. J. T. Saucer and family, D. F. Howe and family, James Lewis and family, Joel R. Davis and family, George W. Ammon and family, and Lewis Winthrow and family. The first Elders were Henry Olinger and G. W. Ammon. The organization thus constituted soon increased in membership to such an extent that in 1872 a lot was purchased in the east part of town upon which a substantial house of worship was erected and dedicated that year. Since that time the church has prospered satisfactorily, the labors of the various pastors having been very efficient, and devoted' to the devolopment of Christian example, worthy of imitation. Commencing with 1873 the following are the names of the ministers who have sustained the relation of pastors of the society, viz: W. V. Trowbridge, J. A. Taylor, W. T. Huff, Mr. Mckenzie, W. R. Lowe and D. A. McDowell. The membership at this time is about seventy-five. Lewis Winthrow and J. R. Davis are the deacons and W. J. Sau- cer, elder.
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Presbyterian Church .-- The Xenia Presbyterian Church was organized November 12, 1870, by Rev. William Armstrong, who visited the town as missionary of the Muncie Presbytery, for the purpose of establishing a society. The petition for an organization was duly signed by the following members, viz: J. M. Darby, Catharine S. Darby, Lydia J. Kimbali, J. A. Douglass, J. K. Darby, A. D. Kimball, F. M. Shinn, T. N. Shinn, Elizabeth Piatt, Carrie D. Murray, Elizabeth Jones, A. B. Kimball, Henrietta S. Kimball, N. Dangerfield, David Coppock, Letelia Summers, James Parker, V. Flora Darby. A. Cordelia Douglass, J. M. Wright, Mrs. J. M. Wright, J. A. Phelps. Eunice Hand, Jackson Saxon, A. P. Stout,
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M. P. Keasby and Emma A. Zeek. The society has met since its organization in the U. B. Church, but at the present time steps are being taken to erect a house of worship. The pastor in charge at this time is Rev. C. T. White. The officers are A. B. Kimball, Elder, and Dr. Keasy, Deacon. The society, though no stronger in membership than at the time of organization, is in a prosperous con- dition and bids fair to remain one of the substantial churches of the town.
Xenia Christian Church .- To Elder J. J. Copeland is due the credit of sowing the first seed, which, under his careful culture, ger- minated and in due time developed into the Christian Church of Xenia. After visiting the town at intervals for several months and preaching with great acceptance, he succeeded in gathering together about thirty members of his faith, who, on the 13th day of May, 1886, were united into a society which has already increased until more than forty names now appear upon the record. In Sep- tember of the above year the Methodist house of worship was pur- chased and removed to the opposite side of the street, where it has undergone a complete remodeling, being at this time a comfortable and commodious edifice. The society, although in its infancy, has a substantial membership, and has already been the means of lead- ing many to forsake the ways of sin and seek the better way lead- ing to virtue and holiness. The officers at this time are as follows: Cyrus Babcock, Elder; E. Edwards, E. Smith and Nathan John- son, Deacons; Alfred Arrick, Treasurer; J. J. Copeland, Cyrus ยท Babcock, E. Edwards, Alfred Arrick and Nathan Johnson, Trustees.
Xenia To-day .- The growth of Xenia since the completion of the Pan Handle Railroad, in 1868, has been fully up to the expecta- tions of its friends, and it is to-day a flourishing town of over one thousand inhabitants. It commands the trade of a large and fertile area of country in Miami, Grant and Howard Counties, and is the principal shipping point between the cities of Logansport and Mar- ion. Its present business is as follows: General Stores-A. Keyes, William Minor, R. Powell, Henry J. Rausman and D. Mendenhall. Grocers-J. W. Dale, W. A. Banks, Amos Fowler, J. J. Ros- brough and G. W. Hayworth. Hardware-D. O. C. Marine and B. F. Agnes. Druggists-Agnes Brothers and O. A. Menden- hall. Boots and Shoes-J. E. Harrison. . Milliners-Mrs. H. J. Rausbaum, Mrs. J. S. Sellers and Mrs. Willcutts. Jewelers-James Sullivan and Amos Tillman. Photograph gallery-Mrs. Amos Fowler. Attorneys-J. W. Eward and Roscoe Kimple. Mechanics A. Michaels, J. S. St. Clair, Sylvester Meck and Peter Michaels, black- smith; Fisher Brothers and J. S. Wilson, wagon makers. Planing mill and lumber yard-L. G. Murphy. Lumber and coal dealers- Osborne & Anderson. Livery stables-Wimmer & Judy. Butchers -John J. Reyburn and A. J. Saxon. Barbers-William Bryan,
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Frank McCollins and Lemuel Ney. Undertaker-Mr. Acker. Tile mill-L. M. Reeves & Son. Saddle' and harness maker- A. L. McLane. Postmaster-C. M. Wales. Railroad Agent- Nathaniel Moore. Saloons-Joshua Barnes, Berry Goodwin and Silas Brumbaugh.
Amboy .- The town of Amboy, on the Pan Handle railroad, four miles northwest of Xenia, is situated in Section 23, Town- ship 25 North, Range 5 East, and dates its history from August, 1867, at which time the original plat, consisting of fifty-one lots, was laid out by Bennett Fellows, Abijah Ridge- way, John Ptomey and John A. Lamb. The village is an out- growth of the railroad, and for several years after the comple- tion of that thoroughfare acquired considerable reputation as a shipping point for lumber, which was first manufactured in im- mense quantities by Elisha Clark and Messrs. Lowder & Smith. Mr. Clark located his large steam saw mill in 1867, and the firm of Lowder & Smith came later the same year and did a flourishing business until some time in 1868, when their mill passed into the hands of other parties, who subsequently moved it from the place. Clark operated his mill quite success- fully for about two years, when he disposed of it and aban- doned the lumber business. These mills formed the nucleus of quite a flourishing village, and within a few months a number of residences were erected on the town site. In the summer of 1867 Benjamin Bond came to the place with a stock of general merchandise and erected a business house on the corner of Main and Pennsylvania streets, the location he has since occu- pied. A two-story building was shortly afterward erected on the northeast corner of the same crossing by J. F. Overman, who remained about two years, when he moved his stock of goods to Miami. In the meantime a number of substantial citi- zens became residents of the village, among whom were B. F. Reynolds, a carpenter and builder; Martin Morgan and D. Mc- Donald, blacksmith, and William Reynolds, who built a plan- ing mill in 1867, which he operated with good success until some time the following year. Messrs. Lowder & Smith, in connection with their lumber business built a grist mill shortly after locating in the village, and operated it as long as they remained in the place. William Patterson was probably the third merchant in the town, after whom came from time to time the following business men, viz: Thomas & Wilson, general store; Mr. Josephy, who carried on a clothing and dry goods house for a short time; Robert Coats, general merchandise, from 1875 until 1879; Spencer & Sweetser, general goods; Jacob Arnold, Dr. Schooley, Philip G. Yoars, Calvin Edgerton, Edgerton &
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Canady, Samuel Vinnedge and B. F. Crites, the last of whom started the first drug store in the place.
The mercantile interest at the present time is represented by the following men and firms, to-wit: Benjamin Bond, gen- eral merchandise; Jonathan Pearson, general stock; Overman & Son, groceries; W. M. Daly & Son, groceries, and Elleman & Sons, drugs and hardware.
In 1873 A. A. Votaw engaged in the manufacture of brooms, which he still carries on, operating a factory, requiring the work of several hands. The manufacture of drain tile has been an important industry of the village for several years, and at the present time a large and flourishing business is being conducted by Messrs. Ridgeway & Lamb.
Physicians .- The first physician in Amboy was Dr. J. A. Baldwin, who located in the fall of 1868, and is still in the active practice of his profession, being one of the oldest resident physicians in the township. Dr. H. D. Hattery, of Logansport, practiced there for some time, as did also Dr. John Wright, E. K. Friermood and Isaac Carey.
Additions and Incorporations .- The first addition to the original plat of the town was made November, 1871, by B. B. Lamb, who surveyed and offered for sale four lots, which were soon purchased and improved. An addition of seven lost was made the same month by E. C. Fellows, and in August, 1875, the last addition consisting of ten standard lots, was platted for Mr. Reynolds. In 1881 the citizens of the village by a very decided majority decided to take upon themselves the task of maintaining a corporation, and a board for putting the same into effect was accordingly elected and duly qualified. The officers of the town at this time are as follows, to-wit: L. D. Lamb, Lewis Daily and Elias Niccum, Trustees; E. F. Cox, Clerk and Treasurer, and George Woodward, Marshal.
Schools .- Amboy enjoys superior educational advantages, and boasts of two as fine and commodious brick school buildings as there are in the county. The first of these was erected by public donations in 1872, and afterward leased to the township for a graded school. It is a two-story building, with two large school rooms, and cost the sum of $3,300. The township build- ing, in the same part of the town, was erected a few years later, and represents a value of $1,500. It is a two-story brick, and with the other building affords ample accommodations for the children of the town and adjacent country. The present school board is composed of the following gentlemen, viz: J. A. Bald- win, Jonathan Pearson and T. C. Overman.
Amboy Friends Church, one of the largest and most influential religious societies in Miami County, was organized as early 1847 or
,
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'48, in a small cabin a short distance west of the present site of the village. Among the early members were John Pearson and family, Nathan Arnold and family, William Overman and family and Eli Overman and family, and one of the earliest mem- bers was Mordecai Painter. The house in which the first meetings of the society were held was a deserted dwelling, and this unpretentious building served the congregation until a more convenient log structure could be erected. About one year after the date of the organization a plat of ground, northwest of the village was purchased, and within a short time a hewed log struc- ture 25x40 feet in size was erected and ready for use. The build- served the purpose for which it was intended until about the year 1865, at which time the wants of the society foreshadowed the neces- sity of a house more in keeping with the rapidly increasing congre- gation; accordingly in that year work was commenced upon the present commodious frame building, just north of the village limits, which in due time was completed and formerly dedicated to the Master's service. This is one of the largest church edifices in the county, and will comfortably seat an audience of 500, and cost the sum of $2,000. The church is in a prosperous condition, and at this time has a membership of over 300. Alpheus Trueblood preaches for the congregation and William Small is the efficient Superintendent of the Sunday School, which has an average attend- ance of over one hundred, including teachers and pupils. The Elders of the Church at this time are Oliver Canady, William Small, Calvin Edgerton and William Overman.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
A. ACKER, Undertaker and Furniture Dealer, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1847, son of Edward and Mary (Haskell) Acker. The father was a native of Baden-Baden, Germany, and emigrated to America in 1832, and was a promin- ent physician in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, where he established a great water cure. He died October 25, 1855. His wife preceding him in 1850. Our subject received a good education in both Ger- man and English, and at the age of sixteen began for himself by going to Pittsburgh and learning the chair-making trade. In August, 1864, he enlisted in the Fifth Pennsylvania heavy artillery, and served until the close of the war. After that he resumed his trade, which he has since followed. Mr. Acker is perfectly conver- sant with all branches of his business, and has followed his occupa- tion in many of the large cities. He established his present busi- ness in March, 1886, where he has since done an increasing trade, and earning his reputation as an honest and reliable citizen.
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He was married July' 18, 1874, to Miss Harriet A. Darby, by whom he is the father of two children-Arminia F. and Agnes G. Politi- cally he is a Republican and a member of the G. A. R.
F. W. AYDELOTT, Miller, is a native of Wayne County, Indiana, and was born October 23, 1837, the youngest of a family of three children, born to Stewart and Sarah (Stuart) Aydelott, natives of North Carolina, and among the early settlers of Wayne County, Indiana. The father was a Miller, which occupation he followed all his life. Our subject was brought up in Wayne County, enjoying the usual educational advantages offered by the district schools and assisted his father in the mill. After obtain- ing a complete knowledge of milling he began for himself by working at his trade in various localities, and in 1874 came to Xenia and rented the McFeely mill which 'establishment he con- ducted for a time, and then removed to Wabash, Indiana, where he remained until 1884 when he returned to Xenia and again took charge of the McFeely mill which he has since successfully con- ducted. The mill is a frame building, propelled by steam, and is pre- pared to do both merchant and custom work. Mr. Aydelott was married in 1859 to Miss Catharine Halderman, by whom he is the father of two living children, Jacob and Mary A. Mrs. Aydelott died in 1873, and in 1874 Mr. Aydelott was united in maraiage with Pamelia Railsback, who died April 5, 1886. Politically he is a Republican and a good citizen.
ABRAHAM I. BEALL was born in Clark County, Ohio, the 27th of December, 1830. His parents were John and Martha (Inbow) Beall. The former was born in 1806 and died in 1834. The latter was born in 1810 and died in 1855. Both were natives of Ohio and were there married. Mr. Beall, the subject of this. sketch, was the second of a family of three children, viz: Mar- garet Ann, Abraham and Sabina, of whom Margaret Ann has passed away and Sabina having married J. L. Wilson, who has removed to Nebraska. Mr. Beall spent his boyhood days on the farm, receiving there a fair education in the public schools of that place, and at the age of twenty the family came to Miami County, and in 1858 settled on the farm on which he now resides. In 1855 he was married to Pauline Jump, of Cass County, a daughter of Charles and Mary (Hopkins) Jump, natives of Delaware, the former of English and the latter of Irish descent. This union was blessed by nine children, viz: Mary Etta, born June 5, 1857; Charles J., born October 31, 1858; Henry, born February 13, 1860; Becky, born December 15, 1862; William Morton, born December 27, 1864; Williard A., born November 9, 1866; Frank Mannie, born June 9, 1868; Pearl, born January 9, 1872; Nora, born January 31, 1875. Henry and Mannie have since passed away, Harry, the 21st of February, and Mannie January 23, 1886.
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Jannes Hallenskade-
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Mr. and Mrs. Beall are members of the M. E. Church of Xenia. Beginning life a poor boy on the farm, Mr. Beall has adopted farm- ing for a profession, and has by dint of industry gained a fine home of 200 acres of excellent land in sections 35 and 36, with first- class improvements. Mr. Beall is an enterprising and energetic farmer and a No. I citizen.
THOMAS M. BUSBY, the son of Silas and Elizabeth (McAllister) Busby, was born in Madison County, Indiana, Decem- ber 1, 1843. The parents were both of English descent, the father being born in 1821, in Indiana, and the mother in Virginia in 1820. The mother came to Indiana when a girl where she was married in 1841. To this union were born five children, viz: Thomas, John Isaac, Vinton, Hester and Elizabeth, all of whom are now living. Mr. Busby, the subject of this sketch, was raised on his father's farm in Madison County, received a good education for that day of log school houses and puncheon floors. On the IIth of Decem- ber, 1864, Mr. Busby was married to Eliza Ellen Morris, daugh- ter of Ephriam and Mary (McAllister) Morris, the former of Scotch and the mother of Irish descent, the father dying in 1844 Mr. Busby is a member of the I. O. O. F. They began life in Madison County, Indiana, and in February 1874, moved upon the farm on which he now lives in Section 13. To this marriage were born the following children, viz: Augustus, born September 23, 1865; Silas, born September 15, 1870, and Hester, born October 8, 1881; all of whom are living. Beginning life a poor boy at the age of twenty-one, Mr. Busby has worked hard and has by dint of industry and perseverence gained a fine farm of 108 acres of well improved land in Section 13. As his early life was spent on a farm he has adopted it as a profession and is now an industrious, enterprising young farmer and a number one citizen.
THOMAS CREVISTON, deceased, was born in the State of Pennsylvania, about the year 1805. He was a son of William and Katie (Brown) Creviston, who were also natives of Pennsylva- nia. He came to Miami County in 1842, and entered a tract of land in Jackson Township, and upon which his son and widow now lives. He was married in Grant County, Indiana, January 26, 1837, to Miss Rebecca Slagal, a native of Darke County, Ohio, born in the year 1820, and a daughter of Conrad and Polly (Homsley) Slagal. To their union the following children were born: Louisa, born November 26, 1837 (deceased), Ellen, born May 6, 1839, Lourinda, born January 14, 1841, David, born July 18, 1843, served in the late war in the One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Elmira, born March 6, 1847, Thomas J., born April 17, 1849, Mary A., born July 6, 1851, James, born March 14, 1854, and Sarah, born September 3, 1858. Mr. Creviston followed farming through life,
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HISTORY OF MIAMI. COUNTY.
was one of the leading citizens of the county, and died May 12, 1869, honored and respected by all who knew him. James Crevis- ton, the sixth child born to his parents, was reared upon the home farm, receiving his education at the common schools and selected farming as his vocation. He now owns 113 acres of the old home- stead, which is under a good state of cultivation, and upon which are all modern improvements. He is interested in all matters of public welfare and is an industrious, progressive young man.
J. W. DALE, grocer, Xenia, was born in Clinton County, Ohio, November 10, 1852, being the eldest of a family of four children born to Enoch and Margaret (Whittaker) Dale, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. The father removed to Howard County, Indiana, in 1855, where he followed his occupation-that of a shoemaker-until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Indiana Regiment, and was taken sick and died at Louisville, Kentucky, in 1864. His widow survived him till 1869, when she died at Xenia. Our subject at the early age of eleven years was thrown upon his own resources, and began for himself by working on the farm, at which he continued until eighteen years old. At this age he accepted a clerkship in a store at Nevada, Indiana, and in 1869 came to Xenia, and was employed as a clerk in a grocery store. In the fall of 1879 he began doing business for himself, and is now one of the substantial business men of Xenia. He carries a stock of $2,000, doing a business of $9,000 per year. He is a live business man, and has a large and profitable trade. Mr. Dale was married in 1876 to Miss Eliza Marine, a daughter of Asa and Ann (Somers) Marine. Four children were born to this union-Hale V., born October 31, 1877; Mabel, born November 4, 1879; Homer, born April 15, 1881, and Laura E., born November 1, 1883. Mr. Dale is a Republican in poli- tics, and is a member of the I. O. O. F.
HON. JOHN W. EWARD, a native of Decatur County, Indiana, was born September 6, 1836, and is the fifth son of a family of seven children, of whom James and Dorcas Eward were the parents, both natives of Nicholas County, Kentucky, the former born in 1803 and the latter in 1806. They were married in their native county, and in 1831 removed to Decatur County, Indiana. The father who was a farmer was also engaged in the manufac- ture of flax-seed oil, and in 1845 he removed to Marion, Indiana, where his death occurred a year later. He was an honored citizen, and was connected with the Christian Church from boyhood. The mother still resides at Marion. John W. received a thorough, ordin- ary education in the public schools at Marion, Indiana, and while yet a boy, began learning the tanner's trade, at which he worked dur- ing the winter, and during the summer worked in the printing office
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at Marion, continuing in the latter until 1860 when he began teach- ing school, and was thus engaged for two years. He then went into partnership with Judge Kelly and purchased the Grant County Union, which partnership existed until the fall of 1862, when Judge Kelly was appointed Provost-Marshal. He then became associated with Judge Wallace, of Marion, who in the fall of 1863, was appointed paymaster of the army, and Mr. Eward continued to man- age the Union until the return of Judge Wallace, which was in 1864. They then purchased the Marion fournal, consolidating it with the Union. The fournal was a Republican paper, and was published by the above named gentleman until 1865, when Mr. Wallace retired. Mr. Eward continued its publication one year, when he dis- posed of his interest and came to Xenia, where he has since resided, identified with the best interests of Miami County. Upon coming to Xenia he was, till 1870, engaged in the mercantile business with J. W. Flinn & Son. He then began the practice of law, and as a Republican, was in 1872, elected to the State Legislature from Miami County, and served in the special session of 1872 and the regular session of 1873, proving a wise and acceptable legislator. In 1876 he was elected Justice of the Peace of his township. He is one of the organizers and stock-holders of the Xenia Agricultural Society, of which he has been secretary twelve years. He also assisted in organizing the Old Settlers' Association, of which he has been president for eight years, and is a member of the I. O. O. F. and Masonic fraternities, and the Christian Church. He was mar- ried in 1865 to Miss Rebecca York, by whom he is the father of four living children-Jessie L., Edgar D., Freddie and Elbert.
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