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 63
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Mexico M. E. Church .- The history of Methodism in Jeffer- son Township dates from about the year 1835, at which time Rev. John A. Brouse, a pioneer missionary, visited the early Eel River settlements and preached wherever and whenever an opportunity presented itself. He was followed by others whose names were not learned, and from the above year until 1838 but little is known of the progress of the church in this part of the country. In the
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latter year Rev. J. B. Mashon was the regular pastor on the Roches- ter circuit, which at that time included a large area of the counties of North Central Indiana. He held services from time to time near Mexico, but it was not until the following year that an organization was attempted. It is not positively known what minister brought about the organization, but the generally accepted opinion seems to be that the real founder was Rev. Burroughs Westlake, the pastor in charge of the Rochester circuit in 1839. A small class was organized near Mexico that year, and among the early members were the following: Nathaniel Leonard and wife, William Eidson and wife, Charles Murden and wife, Nathan Raines and wife, Henry Howes, Sr., and wife, Joseph Burke and wife, Samuel Brown and wife, William Smith and wife, Thomas Henry, Asa Leonard, Mat- thew, Orpha, Elizabeth and Timothy Murden. Meetings were first held in the houses of the different members, and it was not until 1844 that the society found itself sufficiently able to erect a house of worship. In the fall of that year a substantial frame building, 30x40 feet in size, was erected in the northern part of the village, on what is known as the Rochester road. The completion of this house marked an era in the history of the society, and from that time it began to rapidly increase in numbers and influence. Among the early preachers were Revs. Eventus Dowd, Ansel Beech and Nel- son Green. Beginning with the year 1843, the following is a com- plete list of pastors and assistants to the present time: Allen Skill- man, Paul Jones, O. P. Boyden, Jacob Colclazer, D. F. Strite, Geo. Guild, P. J. Beswick, Mr. Hazen, Arthur Badley, who was the first pastor on the Mexico circuit, which was formed out of the southern part of Rochester circuit in 1849; P. F. Milner, John Davis, Wm. Reeder, J. C. Medsker, Mr. Carter, S. Woolpert, R. H. Calvert, S. P. Stephens, J. C. White, H. J. Lacy, R. Buchanan, A. S. Lakin, Lewis Roberts, W. J. Vigus, Enoch Waymire, W. J. Martindale, Samuel Lamb, under whose administration the circuit was again divided, and reduced to four points, to-wit: Chili, Mexico, Bethlehem and Bethel. This was done in the year 1864. Since then the following pastors have had charge of the work, viz: Wm. Comstock, V. M. Bea- mer, John Birt, David Thompson, P. Carland, James Leonard, C. E. Disbro, R. J. Parrott, W. R. Jordan, F. A. Robinson, James Johnson, J. H. Ford, George Hill, I. J. Smith and the present incumbent, G. B. Work. In 1864 the present brick house of worship was erected and formally dedicated. The building is 32x46 feet in size, has a comfortable and commodious audience room, and represents a capital of $2,200. The present member- ship of the church is about 86. The officers are Noah Hoover, class leader; A. Moore, John Harter, Noah Hoover, W. V .; Beecher and Vinton Homan, trustees. The Sunday School, under
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the superintendency of Thomas Whitecraft, is well attended and in a flourishing condition.
German Baptist (Dunkard) Church, of Mexico, is an old organization, its history dating as far back as the year 1837. Quite a number of the early settlers in the vicinity of Mexico, had formerly belonged to this denomination and they did not neglect their religious duties after locating in the new country. Among the early preachers of the faith in the township were Elders Jacob Brower and Moss, who held services at the resi- dence of Peter Fisher, prior to the date already referred to. These meetings finally culminated in the organization of a society, among the early members of which were Peter Fisher and wife, Nathaniel Clingenpeel and wife, Jacob Brower and wife, Henry Brower and wife and Salome Brower. Within a few years after the organization, the society had a substantial membership and from that time until 1861, the meetings were held at private residences, barns and groves. In the latter year the present large brick house of worship north of Mexicc was erected and dedicated to the service of God after the manner observed by the church. It is 44 x64 feet in size and will comfortably seat an audience of 500 persons. The society at this time has an active membership of 360 and is reported in a prosperous condition. It has been the means of accomplishing an untold amount of good in the community and its annual meetings are frequently attended by thousands of persons from all parts of the country. The follow- ing are the names of some of the preachers of the church, to-wit: Matthew Moyer, George Brower, William Moss, Jr., George Bair, Jonathan Swihart, Isaac Fisher, Jacob Barnhart, Daniel Balsbaugh, John Eikenberry, Samuel Myers, David Keifer, Noah Fisher, Joseph Brower, Jacob Fisher and Jacob Metsker. The officers at this time are Isaac Fisher and Jacob Barnhart, Elders; Samuel Myers, Noah Fisher and Joseph Brower ministers of the second degree. Robert Metsker and Jacob Fisher, ministers of the first degree. The deacons are, Noah Flory, Benjamin Fisher, Zeri Baldwin, John Earnest, David Fetrow, Henry Balsbaugh, James Himelick, Noah Sullivan, John Liar and Levi Eikenberry.
Mexico Baptist Church, was organized at the residence of George Hutchinson, near Mexico, on the 5th day of June, 1861. It is an offshoot from the Weasaw Creek Church, in Union Township, and at the date of the organization was composed of the following members: John Shadinger, Jacob Wilkinson, Eliza- beth Shadinger, Rebecca Strayer, George Ulch, Elizabeth Ulch, David Sloppy, William Cunningham, A. W. Hedges, George Hutchinson, Henry Howes, Mary Copeland, Lavina Wolfe, Nancy Burnett, Jesse Copeland, G. Copeland, Mary Wilkinson, Fanny Sloppy, Eliza Cunningham, Sophia House, Louis A. Shadinger,
Benjamin: Grapp
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Nancy E. Hutchinson, Cynthia Hutchinson, Catherine Sloppy, Lucy L. Strayer. The first officers were Wm. Cunningham, clerk; George Hutchinson, deacons. The Methodist Church was used for meet- ings until 1863, at which time a frame house of worship was built in the northwest part of the town. It is still in use and with recent repairs is quite a comfortable building. The following ministers have exercised pastoral control of the society since its organization, viz: J. M. Maxwell, J. Barrett, J. B. Allen, P. Rowden, C. Hall, Rev. Mr. Smith, Madison Reed, E. J. Delp and J. B. Bair, the last named being the pastor in charge at the present time. The church has a membership of sixty-nine. The officers are as fol- lows: John W. Turnipseed and J. J. Stafford, deacons; J. J. Stafford, Levi Fisher and David Sloppy, trustees. John W. Turnipseed is superintendent of the Sunday school, which has an average attendance of about seventy scholars.
Denver .- The thriving town of Denver is situated at the junction of the I., P. & C. and the Detroit branch of the Wabash railroad, in the northeast corner of the township, distance four miles from Mexico, and eight miles from Peru. "The original plat em- braces that portion of the northeast quarter of Section 21, Township 28 North, Range 4 East, which lies North of the limits of the Detroit railroad, and East of the right-of-way of the I., P. & C. railroad, and also one tier of lots in the Southeast quarter of Section 16." The town was surveyed August, 1872, for Harrison Grimes, proprie- tor, and the plat as described above consists of seven blocks and sixty-five lots, with the following streets: Chandler, Emmons, Pay- son, Bond and Harrison, the first four running North and South and the last named East and West. The town was the immediate out- growth of the Detroit railroad, and the advantages of its location are such as to indicate that it is destined to become a flourishing commercial and manufacturing center. Its close proximity by rail to many of the leading cities of Indiana, and its location in the midst of a rich agricultural district, unmistakably point to a future of per- manent prosperity. As originally surveyed the town laid in parts of three townships-Jefferson, Union and Richland, a fact which led to a great deal of inconvenience in the matter of schools, etc., and after much importuning on the part of the citizens, the County Board subsequently modified the boundaries of the different town- ships so as to throw the village entirely in Jefferson. The advantages of the railroad junction early attracted business to the place, and within a couple of years after the founding of the town, its growth and development was such as to astonish its most sanguine friends. According to the testimony of Mr. Wooley, who came to the place shortly after it was laid out, and who is still a resident, the earliest comers to Denver were Frank Moody, David and William Fetrow, Asel Griffith, W. H. Howe and Jerry Johns. Mr. Moody bought lots
25
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
number one and two in block one, and erected thereon a residence, probably the first in the town. He built a blacksmith shop on Har- rison street, and had the honor of being Denver's first mechanic. David Fetrow engaged in the blacksmithing business also, and W. W. Fetrow built a store room on the corner of Harrison and Pay- son streets, block four, which he stocked with groceries and drugs. Mr. Howe erected a dweliug on Harrison street, where Mr. Ander- son now lives. Mr. Johns built on the same street and Mr. Griffith started the first steam saw-mill in the town, with which he did a flourishing business. The first general store was opened by Harri- son Grimes and R. R. Charles, near the I., P. & C. railroad, north of the crossing. Their business house fronts Harrison street and is occupied at this time by Oscar Piper, who purchased the stock of the original proprietors. John Charles and Martin Wooley opened a hardware store a few years after the platting of the town, on Pay- son street, where the drug store of O. T. Snyder now stands. After continuing the business as a firm, for a short time, Mr. Charles pur- chased the stock and subsequently sold out to J. N. Wooley, who continued the business about two years. The following business men and firms carried on the mercantile trade at different times, to-wit: Clem Keys, N. B. Kiplinger, Trout & Hutchinson, Piper & Wilkinson, Piper & McGinley, Lon Wilson, S. D. Laden, Harry Armantrout, Jasper Downey, Hamilton & Enley, J. J. Cooper and perhaps others. The early mechanics were Messrs. Woody and Fetrow, already mentioned, H. M. Fox and H. M. Lambert, carpen- ters, and John DeBolt, shoemaker.
Industries .- As already stated the first manufacturing enter- prise of any kind brought to Denver, was the steam saw-mill ope- rated by Asa Griffith. After running the mill a short time, he moved it from the village, but subsequently brought it back. It is still in operation, the present proprietor being a Mr. Dickerman. The Kessler Brothers engaged in the saw-milling business in 1876, and for the time were quite successful. They subsequently supplied machinery for the planing of lumber, with which they did a fair business. The Constant Brothers, in 1876, purchased a large build- ing, which had been previously erected by Mr. Grimes, and sup- plied it with a planing mill and machinery for the manufacture of wind-mills, rakes, barrel hoops, washboards and various other arti- cles. They engaged in the business with every prospect of suc- cess, but after continuing it some time, disposed of the mill without realizing a fortune. The last proprietor was C. E. Noftzgar, who, in addition to planing lumber and manufacturing some of the articles mentioned above, did a fair business in the manufacture of wagon- felloes and spokes. The mill ceased operations about the year 1879.
The Denver flouring mill was built in the year 1880, by Cloud & Son, who operated it about eighteen months. It was then pur-
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chased by a joint stock company, and later Messrs. Amey & New- bold became the proprietors. They thoroughly refitted the mill and supplied roller machinery, since which time it has done a lucrative business-grinding about one hundred bushels of wheat per day. The present firm is Newbold, Stowman & Kessler.
Denver College was established in the year 1876, at which time a joint stock company was organized for the purpose of erecting a building. The college building, a large brick structure, was erected that year at a cost of $3,500, and under the management of Prof. J. A. Reubelt, the school was opened under very promising circum- stances. Mr. Reubelt taught two terms, and finding that the insti- tution did not come up to his expectations, resigned the charge into the hands of other parties. Profs. Hershey and McGinley after- wards took control of the school, but like their predecessors, they failed to make it a success. The company was subsequently dis- banded, and at this time the building is used for the public schools of the town.
Additions to Denver .- The following additions to the town have been surveyed and platted from time to time to time, viz: George Brower's addition of eighteen lots, December, 1872; R. R. Charles' addition, II lots, March, 1874; Charles' 2nd addition, 2 I lots, July, 1875; Grimes' addition, 16 lots, October, 1880; Howe's addition, 9 lots, June, 1881, and Noftzgar's addition in March, 1881.
The Denver Sun, a sprightly local paper devoted to the interests of the town and adjacent country, was established Novem- ber, 1883, by Dr. O. F. Snook. The Sun is a seven column folio, neutral in politics, but fearless in the advocacy of all measures and movements having for their end the public good. It is issued every Saturday and has already reached a circulation of about one thou- sand.
Physicians .- The following medical men have at different times practiced the healing art in Denver, to-wit: Drs. Smith, Ladue, Downey, Hewit, Abbott, Million, Martin and Jameson. The resi- dent physicians at this time are Drs. J. Q. A. Robbins, O. F. Snook and Newell.
Churches .- Denver has several healthy religious organizations, the oldest of which is the Methodist Episcopal Church, organized by Rev. R. J. Parrot in the year 1873. The original membership was about thirty or forty, the majority of whom had previously be- longed to the Chili and Mexico societies. The house of worship, a beautiful frame edifice, 36x50 feet, was completed in 1873, at a cost of $1,500. The following pastors have served the church from time to time: R. J. Parrot, W. R.Jordan, F. A. Robinson, James Johnson, J. H. Ford, George Hill, I. J. Smith and G. B. Work. The membership at this time is about 100 and the society is in the enjoy- ment of a reasonable degree of prosperity. W. J. Smith is Class
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Leader, J. P. Tharp and Imri Murden, Stewards, Charles Long, Quincy Howes, Joseph Smith, J. P. Tharp and Imri Murden, Trus- tees, and S. S. Bappert, Superintendent of the Sunday School.
Denver Baptist Church was organized April, 1886, by Rev. E. C. Robbins. Sixteen members were enrolled at the time of organization, a number which has since been increased by nine additions. Immediately after the organization, steps were taken towards the erection of a house of worship, and at this time the building is rapidly nearing completion. It stands on a beautiful elevation in the northern part of the town, and in size is 36x60 feet, and cost the sum of $2,500. It is a beautiful frame edifice, and reflects great credit upon the congregation. The little society has already accomplished a good work in the village, and we bespeak for it a prosperous future. Rev. E. C. Robbins, to whom credit is largely due for the erection of the building, is pastor in charge. The officers are: F. P. Stowman, deacon; Moses Murphy, clerk; William Cunningham, Moses Murphy and Dr. Ladue, trustees. The Sunday School recently organized is under the efficient superintendency of F. P. Stowman.
Church of the Seventh Day Adventists was organized about the year 1883 by Revs. Reese and Covert, with a membership of twenty persons. Meetings were held in the college building until 1885, at which time a neat frame temple of worship was erected in the southeast part of the town at a cost of $800. The organization is not very strong in numbers, there being at this time but thirty active members. Revs. William Covert and E. E. Marvin preach at regular intervals. The Sab- bath School is superintended by Jesse Woods.
Lodges .- Denver Lodge, No. 537, I. O. O. F., was insti- tuted August 14, 1876, with fourteen charter members. The organization has a valuable property, erected in 1880 or 1881, and the membership includes many of the leading citizens of the village and adjacent country. It is in a prosperous condition, with the following officers in the chairs, viz .: Rufus Pontius, N. G .; C. Bell, V. G .; J. Q. A. Robbins, permanent secretary ; W. J. Smith, recording secretary; W. O. Piper, treasurer, and W. W. Fetrow, district deputy.
Josiah Brower Post, No. 66, G. A. R., was established in 1881 with a membership of thirty. The following were among the first officers: William Trout, commander; Abraham Whist- ler, J. V. C .; M. Bappert, adjutant; O. Armantrout, officer of the day, and F. M. Moody, officer of the guard. The present membership is about forty. The officers are: M. Bappert, com- mander; C. Bell, S. V. C .; W. O. Piper, J. V. C .; G. A. Mar- tindale, adjutant; Joseph Smith, quartermaster; J. R. Waymire, chaplain; W. W. Fetrow, surgeon.
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Denver To-day .- The growth of Denver since the erection of the first building in 1872 has been all that its friends could reasonably desire, it being at this time the third town in point of population in the county. During the year 1886 buildings representing a capital of over $16,000 were erected in the vil- lage, and all kinds of real estate commands good prices. The recent discovery of rich deposits of iron and lead ores in the vicinity is attracting considerable interest to the place, and if the deposits prove as abundant as is anticipated, the time is not far distant when Denver will resound with the music of rolling mills and manufacturing establishments. Should the expectations of the people prove true in regard to the mineral wealth of the country, there is no doubt that the town will at no distant day be an important commercial and manufacturing point of Northern Indiana. The following is the business of the town at this time: Gen- eral stores, W. O. Piper and Pontious and McElwee; hardwares, Lockwood and Robbins; groceries and meat market, Richard Wright; drugs, W. W. Fetrow and O. T. Snyder; bakery and groceries, J. E. Million; restaurant, E. C. Bennett; milliners, Martindale & Wooley, Mrs. J. H. Johns and the Belt Sisters. Mechanics-E. A. Guyer and Mac. Lawrence, blacksmiths; J. N. Wooley and J. H. Johns, wagon makers; B. Bird, shoe- maker; Joseph Smith, Geo. A. Martindale and J. D. Arnest, carpenters; Andrew Yount, manufacturer of patent wire picket fence. Hotels-O. J. Hunt, Denver House, and Mrs. Lucy Medsker, Commercial Hotel. Livery stables, J. H. Johns and O. J. Hunt; attorneys, John Tudor and W. J. Smith; railroad agent, G. W. Cannon; express agent, W. W. Fetrow; postmaster, Frank Griffith; barber, W. H. Kirkpatrick.
Stringtown, the site of an early settlement, about two and a half miles southeast of Mexico, was so called on account of the number of houses scattered along both sides of the Peru road. A saw mill was operated here many years ago and at one time there was a general store kept by one Evans Bean. John S. Winters operated the mill for several years. It was afterwards completely destroyed by fire. Mr. Ireland, at present a resident of Mexico, moved to the locality many years ago and opened a cabinet shop. He made all kinds of furniture and met with reasonably fair success in that branch of industry. He subsequently moved to Mexico and took away with him the last vestige of business from Stringtown, which at this time is scarcely distinguishable from the surround- ing country.
Courter, a small station on the I., P. & C. Railroad in the eastern part of the township, was laid out August, 1869, by R. F. Donaldson. The plat consists of twenty lots and lies on a part of the northeast quarter of section 34, township 28, north range 4
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east. There are at this time a small general store, blacksmith shop, school house and several residences. It is a fair trading point and is situated in one of the best parts of Jefferson Township.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
OLIVER ARMANTROUT was born in Peru Township, this county, April 26, 1844. His parents, R. and Margaret (Hoover) Armantrout, were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively, and were born as follows: The father in Virginia July 25, 1809, and the mother in Pennsylvania, March 28, 181I. They were married in Montgomery County, Ohio, August 3, 1829, and from thence moved to Delaware County, Indiana, in 1831, and from there to Cass County, Indiana, and in 1835 to Miami County, settling at Peru, where he engaged in blacksmithing, and afterward resided until his death, which occurred November 3, 1843. His widow subsequently married Andrew Williams, and moved with him to Jefferson Township, where she still resides. Nine children were born to her, viz .: David H., born May 3, 1830; Margaret J., born Augnst 3, 1831 (deceased) ; Peter, born July 29, 1833; Lewis, born March 28, 1835 (deceased); John S., born March 18, 1837; Elizabeth J., born March 4, 1839 (deceased) ; William F., born July 13, 1841 (deceased), and Oliver, born April 26, 1844, by Mr. Ar- mantrout, and Mary (deceased), by Mr. Williams. Oliver, our sub- ject, was married in Richland Township, this county, June 24, 1866, to Martha J., daughter of Adam and Elizabeth (Shoop) Hersey. She was born in Butler Township, this county, June 3, 1849. After Mr. Armantrout, our subject's marriage, he settled on his present farm, where he has resided since. He owns at present 100 acres of fine and well improved land. Mr. Armantrout was elected to the office of trustee of Jefferson Township in 1882, and re-elected in 1884. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and a member of the G. A. R. Order. He enlisted in the service May, 1864, in Company K, 134th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served as a pri- vate until September, 1864. Mr. Armantrout is a wide-awake and enterprising man, and is highly esteemed by all.
JAMES S. BAIR (Trustee of Jefferson Township) is a native of Botetourt County, Virginia, born Nov. 13, 1848. His parents, George and Catherine (Crumpacker) Bair, were also both natives of Virginia, and were born as follows: The father in Franklin County, Jan. 1, 1812, and the mother in Botetourt County, Oct. 3, 1813. They were married in Bote- tourt County in October, 1839, where the mother died in June, 1856. The father subsequently married Barbara Snyder, and in
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
1857 moved to Miami County, Indiana. In 1858 he purchased and settled upon the farm on which our subject now resides, in Section 30, Jefferson Township, where he afterwards resided until his death, which occurred August 24, 1864. He was the father of seven children, viz: Mary J., Lewis E., Sarah, Ann, James S., Jones B. and Catharine E. James S., our subject, came with his parents to this county in 1857, was married Oct. 13, 1870, to Sarah, daughter of George and Catharine (Minick) Maus. She was born in Miami County, Ind., Jan. 7, 1850. After Mr. James S. Bair's marriage he first settled on the old home farm in Miami County, where he resided until the spring of 1872, at which time he moved to Fulton County, Ind., and resided until the following spring of 1873, when he removed to Miami County, Indiana, purchasing and settling upon the old home farm, where he has resided since. He owns eighty acres of fine and well-improved land. Has had born to him three children, viz: Leota A., born July II, 1871; Stella M., born Aug. 25, 1875; George F., born Sept. 9, 1878. Mr. Bair is an intelligent and enterprising man, and is highly esteemed by all who know him.
ZERI M. BALDWIN, a native of Wayne County, Indiana, was born November 16, 1827, and is the eldest son of Enos and and Elizabeth (Hoover) Baldwin, natives of Guilford County, North Carolina. The subject was reared in Jefferson Township, and received a very good education, attending the first school in the township, taught by William M. Sumalt. He has always followed the occupation of farming, and now owns eighty acres of good land. In November, 1849, he was married to Rachel S. Ptomey, a native of Wayne County, Indiana, and is the father of four children-James N., Author C., Pearlie M. and Emma F. His wife died in 1885, and in 1873 he was again married to Miss Amanda English, of Licking County, Ohio, to whom four children were born.
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