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 62
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porary shelter for his family in some cabin already well filled by its owner, but which the simplicity of early manners and an unstinted hospitality rendered elastic enough to comfortably entertain the welcome addition to the community. A new arrival of this nature was heralded with a cordial welcome for miles around, and a neigh- borhood which scarcely knew limits, hastened to lend its friendly offices in rearing a cabin. A day was appointed, and no invitation was needed to draw together a company of willing, capable hands. To assist in raising a cabin for a new family was a duty which the unwritten law of the community imperatively laid upon every able bodied man, and to know of the occasion was a sufficient invi- vation. On gathering, one party was told off as choppers, whose business it was to fell the trees and cut the logs of proper dimen- sions. A man and team brought these logs to the site of the pro- posed building, others assorted, "saddled" and otherwise prepared the logs to form the structure which was finished in one day and occupied on the next. It was not infrequently the case that the necessity of preparing the ground for the first crop obliged the set- tler to forego the floor, and even a permanent roof, until the planted crop granted the opportunity. In its best estate, it was a rude, though not uncomfortable structure. A puncheon floor below and a clap- board roof above, a small window, with greased paper in lieu of glass, and a chimney carried up with "cal and clay" to the heighth of the ridge pole. The interior of the cabin was in harmony with the rude simplicity of the outward construction. Housekeeping
conveniences were not yet contained and the inside finish consisted solely of some pegs driven into the wall for the accommodation of the few articles of spare clothing, and the trusty rifle, without which. no pioneer's outfit was considered complete. "Moving in" was a trivial affair. The limited possessions of the settlers and the more restricted mode of early transportation compelled the emigrant to bring only such necessary things as the country did not furnish the the material for making. The furniture consisted of a few articles roughly made on the spot; a spit slab smoothed with an ax, and sup- ported by four legs, did duty as a table, three legged stools or long. benches of the same. material, supplied the place of chairs, a log trough cradled the baby, while the bed, if raised from the floor rested upon a one-legged fixture in the corner of the cabin. A sim- ilar ingenuity provided kitchen and table utensils which consisted principally of articles turned or "coopered" out of wood. These included trays, bowls, spoons, ladles, besides the larger vessels. such as buckets, churns, tubs, &c. A kettle and frying pan or Dutch oven, were frequently the only metal articles used in the cabin. A tin cup was an article of delicate luxury, almost as rare as knives and forks, few of which were found in the household outfit. In this. day of diversified industry, when one labor saving invention crowds.
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another off the stage in rapid succession, one can scarcely compre- hend the patient, persevering efforts required of the pioneer house- wife, even for the successful discharge of the ordinary duties of the cabin. She was both mistress and servant, matron and nurse maid, housekeeper and charwoman, dairy maid and cook. Neatness was not the less demanded of her than the modern housewife and her split broom and scrub brush found ample service in keeping floor and furniture clean and white.
Food was abundant and wholesome, but like everything else the pioneer possessed, it was to be derived only from the crude, natural product. The richest milk, the choicest butter and the finest meats with wild fruits, nuts and honey were to be had for the trouble of taking them from natures bountiful hand. Bread was most difficult to obtain and its scarcity was often a great privation. At such a time the corn pone was esteemed a great luxury but this would at length pall on the taste and the eater would yearn for the neat and "abounding wheat trays" of his earlier home. The labor involved in procuring the necessaries of life was not unequally divided between the sexes. The men hunted and brought in the meat; they planted and gathered the corn, while grating it or pound- ing into hominy in the mortar was the joint work of both. But with these offices women's work was scarcely begun. Custom and necessity united to lay upon her the duty of providing for every household need the rude agriculture of the period did not supply, and in all the multifarious activities which engaged her skill and energy, she labored, unaided by labor-saving machinery. And so she milked the cows in all weather, churned the butter and pressed the cheese, carried the tubs to the spring, or caught the rain-water for the weekly washing from the eaves in troughs or barrels, made her own soap, washed, picked, carded and dyed the wool; pulled, broke, hatcheled and bleached the flax; spun the thread and wove the cloth; contrived and made the garments; reared her children, and nursed the sick, sympathized with the distressed and encour- aged the disheartened laborer at her side. In all this and above it all women was the tutelary saint of the frontier. The dress of the woman consisted of linen and linsey woolsey combined. While heavier homespun and not unfrequently deerskins afforded the wearing apparel of the sterner sex. Social gatherings were fre- quent and were closely allied to useful occupations; meetings to raise cabins, roll up logs in a new clearing, or later for the opening of new roads, were occasions when the men, after a hard days work would spend the evenings in the rough sports of the period. Other gatherings in which the women took the leading part were quilting and spinning bees, while cornhuskings occasionally engaged both sexes and were popular sources of rude but absorbing amusement. The use of intoxicants was in an early day nearly universal. For a
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short time the first settlers were abstainers from force of circum- stance. But it was hardly to be expected that a class of people who had been educated to the use of ardent spirits as a regular beverage would settle down to total abstinance in a day when public senti- ment was not on that side of the question. For a friend to call on a neighbor and find the bottle empty occasioned a feeling of cha- grin and gave rise to a suspicion of stinginess in the mind of the caller. There were some however, who were exceptions to the general rule. These were usually Methodists and members of other churches, whose discipline required abstinence. Honesty was a characteristic trait of the pioneer and to lock a house was a thing never thought of during the early settlement of the country. Dancing, while a favorite amusement, was not a universal custom, as many of the settlers were piously opposed to this form of pastime but there were no settlements from which it was entirely excluded. We might go on with a description of the early weddings, the sing- ing school and other occasions which broke the monotony of the pioneers hard lot, but sufficient has already been said to convince us that the settlers enjoyed their wild, free life, as much as we who live surrounded by all the comforts and conveniences of civilization do ours.
Industries-To Burrel L. Daniels is due the honor of erect- ing the first mill in Jefferson Township. As already stated he came to the county in 1834, and the same year, or early in 1835, began building a little corncracker on Eel river, on the spot where the Dennison mill now stands. His mill was com- pleted in due time and the early settlers throughout the northern part of the county patronized it quite extremely until larger and better mills were erected elsewhere. Mr. Daniels subsequently attached machinery for the manufacture of lumber, in which branch of industry he was quite successful, supplying nearly all the building material for the early Eel river settlements. The present large flouring mill occupying the site of the original structure was built a number of years ago by E. A. Denison. It is a frame building supplied with good machinery and at one time did a successful business. It is still in operation, though not so extensively as formerly.
John Ratliff, in 1835, built a small water mill on Eel river about one and a half miles above Mexico, and operated it with fair success for several years. It was subsequently purchased by Isaac Marquis, who in turn sold to John G. McMurray, of New York, and he to a man by the name of Cole. Cole rebuilt the mill and it did a good business until the destruction of the building by a freshet about the year 1866. The last owner was Charles Stowman. A man by the name of Wagoner built a saw mill about one mile south of Mexico in an early day, and, after
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manufacturing lumber for some time, sold to other parties who subsequently converted it into a mill for the grinding of grain. Joseph Strouse operated it for some years, but at this time the machinery is standing idle. The present owner is Mr. Shirk, of Peru. The large frame flouring mill on Eel river, nearly oppo- site Mexico, was built as early as 1846 or '47 by the Wilkinsons, who, after running it some years, sold to B. L. Daniels. Mr. Daniels established a lucrative business and for a number of years the mill was considered one of the best on the river. It has passed through the hands of various parties and at this time is owned and operated by Edwards & Son, who have thor- oughly remodeled it, supplying it with machinery for the manu- facture of flour by the roller process. The Messrs. Edwards are doing a prosperous business, and their brand of flour has already acquired a reputation for superior quality.
The mill on Eel river opposite the Denison mill was erected some time prior to 1850 by Elijah Cox. It has been operated by different parties and is now run by Jacob Erb, who does a fair local business. A carding machine was built in an early day on the Stowman place above Mexico, but it did not prove a remunerative investment. It was in operation about two years. An early industry in the western part of the township was a tannery operated by Jacob Brower, who made a superior quality of leather, which found ready sale in Peru and other cities. The enterprise was subsequently purchased by Noah Brower, who operated it with good success for several years. John Slaybaugh was proprietor at one time, as was also George Olinger, who did the last business with it in 1856.
Religion in Jefferson .- It is a creditable feature of the early society of this township that, surrounded by the discouragements of poverty, lack of facilities and preachers, the people should have made such early efforts to secure the benefits of religious instruction. The pioneer minister was an important element in the early settle- ment of Jefferson, and his meetings proved the nightly agency in effectually checking much of the prevalent evils of that period. The lack of preachers, as well as of commodious buildings, led to frequent out-door meetings. To these a preacher who touched the popular chord would draw large numbers, who gathered at the appointed time from miles around. In inclement weather the cabins of the settlers would be thrown open and within the walls of many of these humble habitations were early heard the stirring appeal to repentance, which for real eloquence is scarcely to be surpassed by the polished pulpit oratory of more modern days. Several sects found the freedom of the newly-settled region con- genial to the propagation of their faith, and each was represented in the creeds of the first settlers. Of these the Methodists were
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perhaps the first to plant their organization here. As early as 1833 traveling ministers of that denomination visited the sparse settle- ment, and held Divine worship at the cabin of William Smith. These meetings were held at regular intervals for several years, and finally crystalized into the organization of the Mexico class, of which a full history will be found in the sketch of that village. The next denomination to gain a sure footing was the Christian Church, which was early represented by Elder Abraham Sneethen, a man widely and favorably known throughout the counties of Northern Indiana for his untiring industry and great piety. He began visiting the early settlements on Eel river about 1837, and one year later succeeded in organizing a society of about nine persons who agreed to be known only by the name of Christian, and to have no other creed save the Scriptures of Divine Truth.
Eel River Christian Church .- From a small beginning has. since grown one of the largest and most aggressive congregations in- the county known as the Eel River Christian Church, of which the following is a brief sketch: The members composing the original congregation were Richard Cox and wife, William Gallahan and wife, Thomas Skinner and wife, Elijah Cox, Mrs. Jane Reed and Mrs. Abraham Branaman. Among those who identified themselves with the church a little later were William Pearson, Nicholas Myers and wife, Henry Myers and wife, and Abraham Branaman. Meet- ings were held at the residence of William Gallahan until the fall of 1843, at which time a neat frame house of worship, costing the sum of $600, was built on the land of Elijah Cox, near Eel River, in the south-east quarter of Section 2, Township 27 North, Range 3 East. The building was formally dedicated the latter part of the above year, and was used for a period of thirty-nine years. The society increased in numbers quite rapidly and within a few years the majority of early settlers in the vicinity were enrolled among its- members. Revivals were frequently held on successive days and nights, and the amount of good accomplished in the neighborhood thereby is beyond human computation and calculation. The follow- ing is a nearly correct list of those who have sustained the pastoral relation to the church since its organization, viz: Abraham Snee- then, Isom Adkins, Thomas Whitman, Leonard Shoemaker, Joel Thomas, Joseph Roberts, John Hicks, William W. Winegardner, John S. Winters, James Atchison, K. E. West and C. V. Strick- land. The membership at this time is about ninety, and the society is reported in prosperous condition. The present brick temple of worship was erected in 1882 and represents a capital of $2,800. It is one of the best church edifices in the county, and reflects great credit upon the congregation and community.
The Dunkards, or German Baptists .- Were well represented in the early settlement of the township and an organization of
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that order was brought about in 1837 and '38 (see sketch of Mexico). Aside from the church in Mexico there are two other societies in the township, one of them being the "old order" of Dunkards, the other, an off-shoot from the Mexico congregation, has a large membership and a commodious house of worship near the eastern boundary of the township. The other religious societies of Jefferson will be appropriately mentioned in the history of Mexico and Denver.
Early Events-The first death in the township was that of Solomon Wilkinson, which occurred in 1832. His was the first burial in the cemetery at Mexico. Others buried there in an early day were members of the Wilkinson family and Mrs. Solomon Wilkinson. A small cemetery on the Walling farm in the south- western part of the township was consecrated to the burial of the dead as early as 1836 and within its narrow precincts were laid to rest many years ago, the bodies of Mrs. Burrel Daniels. and Mrs. Burns. It was abandoned as a burying ground many years ago and at this time the old graves are scarcely distinguish- able from the ground immediately surrounding. The Eel River graveyard, at the Eel River Chapel was laid aside for burial purposes as long ago as 1838 or '39, but the names of the first persons interred therein were not learned.
Among the earliest marriages in the township were those of Jesse Wilkinson to Sallie Jameson and William Wilkinson to Mary Jameson, both solemnized at the same time, in 1835. The following couples were early united in the holy bonds of wed- lock, to-wit: Hamilton Duff and Rhoda Jameson, Thomas Jam- eson and Maggie Jameson, Imri Murden and Rebecca Woolpert, Annie Woolpert and Nannie Murden, Abel Howes and Martha Murden. One of the first births in the township was that of a child of Jesse and Sallie Wilkinson, born about the year 1836 or '37.
Jefferson Township was organized as a separate jurisdiction in 1834. "The same year an election was held at the cabin of A. Leonard near Mexico." "Mr. Leonard was chosen first Justice of the Peace." "The names of the other township officers are at present unknown."
Mexico-The beautiful little town of Mexico is situated on the west bank of Eel river, near the geographical center of the township, and is one of the oldest villages in the county-its history proper dating from the year 1834. The town site, over- looking the fertile Eel river valley on the east, is one of the most beautiful and romantic spots in Miami County, while the country lying immediately back of the village is one of the most highly favored and best improved parts of Northern Indiana. We have been moderately curious to ascertain the motives which
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
lead to the founding of the town, and after some investigation learn that it was laid out for the purpose of securing a trading point for the early settlements along Eel river. A spirit of speculation undoubtedly had something to do in the matter, as the favorable location of the village in the midst of the oldest settlements in the county, promised much for its future welfare. The proprietors of the town were John B. and S. Wilkinson, who had previously purchased the land and several adjacent tracts from the Government. The original plat, consisting of twenty blocks and one hundred and twenty-six lots, was surveyed and recorded in August, 1834, at which time there were but one or two cabins on the town site. The first store was opened by D. R. Bearss and a Mr. Ewing, who established a trading post a short time after the survey of the village. Alexander Wilson was connected with the store for some time, and the firm is said to have done a very prosperous business during the early days of the county.
Asa Leonard built a two-story hewed-log building on the corner where Dr. Coe's office now stands, and embarked in the mercantile trade as early perhaps as 1835. He sold goods for a short time, closing out the following year. His building stood until about the year 1853. Washington Osborne was an early merchant, as was also John Griswold, the latter of whom carried on a general store on Main street until about the year 1852. Noah Sinks sold goods during the early days of the village, and was in business about two years. John Hartpence kept a gen- eral store in the Alexander Wilson building for a number of years, and about 1853 the firm of Train, Mason & Spencer opened a general goods business, which they continued until 1855 or '56.
The following business men and firms were engaged in the mercantile trade at different times, to-wit: C. B. Thompson & Bro., Griswold & Son, G. W. Train, successor to Mason & Spencer; Banks & Wilkinson, Ballou & Skinner, James L. Wil- son, Wesley Wilson, later Homan & Wilson, who carried on a very successful business until 1882; J. C. Faris & Sons, Arthur Bond, Dr. Banks, Willard Griswold, James M. Mason, Henry Graft and others.
Among the earliest residents of the town was one Samuel Brown, who built and operated a tailor shop where the Nelson & Homan business house now stands, as long ago as 1836. The first hotel, the River House, was built and opened by Jacob Wilkinson, many years ago. It early became a favorite stop- ping place, and was kept by different parties, among whom was H. W. Mason, a very popular landlord. The house is still stand- ing, owned at this time by John Benner. The early mechanics
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of the village were James Mason and a Mr. Leslie, blacksmiths, Mr. Reel, cabinet maker and wheel wright, and Frank Edwards, manufacturer of fanning mills. The latter business was subse- quently carried on by P. S. Kennedy, who run a shop for 'about five years, making during that period, over a thousand mills. Among the early industries of the town was a tannery, operated by Joseph Oldham, and an ashery established by John Griswold about the year 1845. Mr. Griswold did a successful business for about five years, and at the end of that time sold out to Mr. Oldham who subsequently started the tannery. The first physi- cians of Mexico and vicinity, were Drs. Brown and Reasoner. Others were Drs. Rose, Herriman, Thompson, John Constant, E. N. Banks. A. D. Coe, who came in 1856, and are still in active practice. Isaac Walker, Dr. Davis, Dr. Rowdabush, Marion Constant, John Allbaugh, William Mendenhall, James McKee and James Armstrong.
Additions to the Town .- For the first eighteen or twenty years of its history, Mexico enjoyed the reputation of the leading business place in the county, outside of Peru. Its growth, while not rapid, was substantial, and as early as 1850 all the lots in- cluded in the original plat were improved. The projection of a railroad through the county, early in the fifties, attracted consid- erable interest, and in August, 1854, a railroad addition of forty- five lots was surveyed and placed at the disposal of purchasers. This road was not built, however, and the reaction caused thereby had an unfavorable effect upon the town. Two additions have been made since that time, viz: Benjamin Graft's addition of 21 lots, in April 1873, and R. Bond's addition of 20 lots, in Octo- ber of the same year.
Mexico Manufacturing Company, was incorporated May 2, 1876, with a capital stock of $10,000. The first officers of the com- pany were Daniel Griswold, President; C. H. Kline, Secretary; J. L. Wilson, Treasurer, and the same gentlemen, with Benjamin Graft and Joseph Brower, Directors. The company was organized for the manufacture of all kinds of plain and fancy furniture, including school and church furniture and fine fixtures for banks, etc. The company has been represented on the road by competent salesmen, and the business amounts to something over $12,000 yearly. A good building, supplied with the finest modern machinery, stands on Eel river, in the northern part of the town, to operate which a force of twenty-five skilled mechanics is required. The business, while not so prosperous as formerly, is still quite remunerative, and the establishment is destined to remain the leading industry of Mexico. The following were the officers for 1886: C. H. Kline, President; Daniel Griswold, Secretary; V. C. Homan, Treasurer; Benjamin
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Graft, V. C. Homan, C. H. Kline, Daniel Griswold and Amos Gipe, Directors.
Present Business Register .- Mexico at this time is represented by the following exhibit of business: Elias Olinger, general store; Lantz & Duncan, general stock; C. H. Kline, hardware; Samuel Ridenour, drugs; T. H. Ireland, drugs; George Griswold, confec- tionery and restaurant; A. D. Coe and James Armstrong, physicians and surgeons; Elisha Lawrence and Joseph Lester, blacksmiths; James Stratton, George Coil and Samuel Jones, carpenters; Amos Mobley and David Fiske, wagon-makers; William Jenkings and Enoch Smith, shoe-makers; L. P. Rood, harness-maker; Miller, Stafford & Co., saw-mill and lumber business; Edward & Son, flour- ing mill; Daniel Griswold, railroad agent and grain buyer; B. D. Jacobs, proprietor of the Central Hotel; William Dillman, Postmas- ter, and Frank Tracy, barber.
Lodges .- Mexico Lodge, No. 347, F. & A. M., was organized a number of years ago, and is still in a prosperous condition. The officers at the present time are A. D. Coe, W. M .; Harvey Pearson, S. W .; Oliver Armantrout, J. W .; C. H. Kline, Secretary; Daniel Griswold, Treasurer; Chas. Skinner, S. D .; Edward Black, J. D .; James Merrick, Tyler. The hall in which the lodge was erected in 1880, and with other property owned by the organization, repre- sents a value of $1,200. The lodge is in the enjoyment of a reason- able degree of prosperiry, with a membership at this time of about sixty.
Mexico Lodge, No. 400, I. O. O. F., was instituted July, 1872, with the following charter members: George P. Kunse, W. V. Beecher, W. D. Allen, L. W. Hulce and R. R. Leonard. Nine members were initiated at the first meeting, and the records show the following elected upon this occasion: G. P. Kunse, N. G .; W. D. Allen, V. G .; C. H. Kline, secretary, and W. V. Beecher, treas- urer. The present officers are J. L. Clouse, N. G .; O. P. Cotterman, V. G .; L. P. Road, Rec. Sec .; C. H. Kline, Permanent Sec. ; and C. P. Kuns, Treasurer. The present membership is seventy-two. The lodge owns the hall in which it meets and also a good store room below. The building is a fine brick structure, erected in the year 1880 at a cost of $3,200. The hall is a model of neatness and con- venience, being elegantly furnished, and is one of the finest lodge rooms in the State.
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