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 68
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In the fall of 1853, an attempt was made by these hood- lums to break up a temperance meeting in Gilead. The house in which the meeting was held was surrounded and a number of large stones thrown through the windows, causing no little con- sternation in the audience, the greater part of which was com- posed of women; one shot was fired into the crowd by one of the thugs, but fortunately no one was seriously injured. The same year one Nat Myers was arrested for passing counterfeit money, and so plain were the proofs of his guilt, that he was
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convicted and sentenced for a term of years to the penitentiary. He was subsequently pardoned upon a petition signed by his friends and neighbors, but the lesson served as an effectual check to any further attempt on his part to "shove the queer." Promi- nent among the citizens of Perry, who took an active part in inaugurating a spirit of law and order, and in bringing offenders to justice, was Dr. E. H. Sutton, whose early efforts in behalf of the moral welfare of the settlement, were not without their legitimate fruits in due season. He was chiefly. instrumental in bringing about the organization of the vigilance committee referred to, and also established the first temperance society in the township, a movement that encountered much opposition, not only from the lawless class mentioned, but also from many of the better citizens of the community, who looked upon the use and sale of whisky as not only legitimate, but eminently respectable. With the growth of the settlements, all species of outlawry were crowded out, and for a number of years Perry has possessed a reputation as a law abid- ing community second to no other township in the county.
Religious .- In the early settlements of the township the Methodists were the most numerous denomination here, and under the efficient preaching of the early circuit elders, was an important influence in shaping the character of the pioneer com- munity. The township owes a debt of gratitude to these early har- bingers of the cross, who frequently at their own expense labored for the spiritual advancement of its people at a time when no other help was nigh. So far as known, the first meeting for worship was held at the cabin of James Fiers as early as 1835. Soon after meetings were held at the residence of Alfred Doud by the same denomination, Revs. Arentis Doud and Ansel Beech con- ducting the services from time to time. While meetings were thus held at regular intervals, among the sparse settlements no churches were organized nor houses of worship erected for several years later. The oldest organization is the Gilead M. E. Church, a life sketch of which will be found in the his- tory of the village. The Otur Branch Methodist Church was organized about 1843, and for a number of years was the lead- ing religions society of the township. Its prosperity, however, began to decline several years ago, and on account of the death and removals of its members, the society was finally abandoned. The Niconza Baptist Church in the eastern part of the township, near the Wabash County line, is an old organization, and among its early members were a number of the first settlers of the county. The house of worship, a substantial frame, stands in Section 15, and has been used since about the year 1858. The church has enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity during the years of its his- tory, and is in a prosperous condition at this time, numbering
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among its members many of the substantial citizens of the com- munity. A society of the Evangelical Association (German), was organized a short distance east of Gilead, in an early day, and among the early members were Michael Smith and wife, Jacob Barnheisel and family, John Ault, Mr. Hawkins and Cornelius Barnheisel and wife. The first meetings were held in private residences and school houses, and among the earliest ministers were Revs. Platz and Schaffer. A house of worship was erected about the year 1858, on land donated by Cornelius Barnheisel. It is a frame structure, in good repair, and cost the sum of $700. The membership at this time is quite numerous, and the society is reported in a prosperous condition. Rev. James Wales is pas- tor in charge; Samuel Smith is class leader, and John Barnhei- sel, superintendent of the Sunday-school.
In 1880 a society of the Reformed Lutheran Church was organized at the Buffalo school house, in the northern part of the township, by Rev. E. Hershey; one year later a neat frame temple of worship was erected on land donated by Samuel King. The society, although small in numbers, has already accom- plished a good work in the community, and bids fair for a prosper- ous future. The following ministers have sustained the relation of pastor since the organization, viz: Revs. Hershey, Shultz, Uplin- ger, Myers and Rosenburg. Present membership about 20. An older Lutheran society formerly had an existence in the township, and meetings were held for a number of years in what is known as the Greenland school house. The organization for some cause was finally disbanded, and from the few scattered members was gathered the nucleus of the present class.
Village of Gilead .- The village of Gilead is situated a little north of the central part of the township, and is the site of one of the oldest settlements in the northeastern part of the county. The admirable location is in the midst of a rich agricultural region remote from any town, and the advantages it offered as a trading point for a large area of country, were the principal causes that led to the founding of the village. The projector of the town was Adam E. Rhodes, who about the year 1843 or 1844, employed a surveyor and laid out a plat of twenty-nine lots and two squares in Sections 7 and 18, Township 29 North, Range 5, East, and Sections 12 and 13, Township 29 North, Range 4 East, several of which were soon afterward purchased and improved. Among the first residents of the place was a Mr. Swayzee, who started a small store early in the forties, and sold goods with fair success for a limited period. Dr. E. H. Sutton became a resident about the year 1840, and that time until 1854, practiced the healing art from the village, acquiring a large and lucrative business in Perry and adjoining townships in the meantime.
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Another early comer to the town was Peter Onstatt, who started the first blacksmith shop, which he moved from his farm about two and a half miles distant. The second merchant was Wil- liam H. Wright, who opened a general store in 1845, and continued the business on quite an extensive scale for a period of about twenty- four years. Zera Sutherland engaged in merchandising about the year 1846. He subsequently effected a partnership in the business with Charles Sutherland, and the firm, thus constituted, lasted until 1849. Another early merchant was William D. Smith, who moved a stock of goods from Wabash some time in the forties, and remained three or four years. James T. McKim began merchan- dising in 1859, and continued until about the year 1865. John J. and O. P. Mohler opened a general mercantile house in 1865, and ran as partners several years, when the former purchased the entire interest and continued the business for about twelve or fourteen years. Prominent among the merchants of the town was John Akright, who engaged in business in 1868. He was quite successful for sev- eral years, but subsequently met with numerous reverses, and, in 1878, closed out and removed from the place. J. H. Waite and Jonas Lukenbill effected a partnership in the goods business early in the eighties, and in 1885 Mr. Waite purchased his partner's interest, and has since conducted a general store with the most encouraging suc- cess, his stock of goods being one of the largest and most complete in the county, outside of Peru. J. T. Castle started a small general store several years ago, and is still doing business on a limited scale. One of the earliest industries of the village was a tannery, estab- lished by Samuel Essex as long ago as 1837. It was moved to the town in 1844 and operated by different parties until 1856, at which time it was allowed to fall into disuse. A steam saw mill was brought to the town in 1868, by Caple & Brother, who operated it a short time, doing a good business. It has passed through a number of hands, and at this time is operated by Messrs. Caple & Smith. Jeremiah Anglemeyer engaged in the manufacture of shingles in 1884, and still operates his mill, which has a capacity of about 6,000 per day.
Among the early mechanics of the village were A. M. Grogg and a partner, name unknown, who opened a blacksmith and plow shop prior to 1840. They manufactured many of the plows used by the early settlers, and for a couple of years carried on a very thriving business. Barnes Dowd was the first shoe-maker, and among other early residents of the village are remembered Adam Rhodes, Adolphus Stone, Nelson Hawley and Peter Ihrig, all of whom came to the place about the time the survey of lots was made. As already stated, Dr. E. H. Sutton was the first practicing physi- cian of Gilead. Others who practiced in the village from time to time were as follows: William T. Cleland, John A. Marine, C.
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Hector, A. Case, William McCoy, A. J. Caples and F. W. Dennis. The resident physician at this time is Dr. C. C. Brady.
The present mechanics of the village are John J. McKee, blacksmith; Adam K. Daniel and B. F. Boyer, shoe-makers and Orlanda A. Paul, carpenter. The only hotel in the place, the Gilead House, is kept by Alvin K. Madeford.
Gilead Lodge, No. 354, F. and A. M .- Efforts to establish a Masonic Lodge in Gilead were first made on the 9th day of Feb- ruary, 1866, at which time a convention of the few members of the order in the vicinity, was convened for the purpose of petitioning for a dispensation, John Akright acting as chairman and J. H. Waite as secretary. The petition was granted, and on the 28th of June following, the lodge was instituted under a warrant of dispensation from the following officers, viz: James L. McKim, W. M .; Jacob Smith, S. W .; Jesse Elliott, J. W .; Wm. H. Wright, Treasurer; J. H. Waite, Secretary; John Akright, S. D .; Elijah Barnes, J. D. and William Kircher, Tyler. A charter was granted by the Grand Lodge, bearing date of May 29, 1867, at which time the member- ship did not exceed fourteen. The first meeting was held in a room over the store of John Akright. For a short time subsequently the meetings were held at the same place until a more convenient place could be procured. The hall in which the lodge now meets was built in 1868. The membership at this writing numbers thirty-one and the organization is enjoying a fair measure of prosperity. The present officers are : William H. Smith, W. M .; James H. Smith, S. W .; John J. McKee, J. W .; John Grogg, Treasurer; C. C. Brady, Secretary, J. H. Waite, S. D .; John Baker, J. D., and Jonas Luken- bill, Tyler.
Gilead M. E. Church was organized about the year 1843, the first meetings being held in the village school house. Among the early members were Alfred Dowd, first class leader; Dr. E. H. Sutton and wife, Nelson Hawley and wife, Mrs. Faith Dowd, Mary Dowd, Louisa Welton, Charles Cleland and wife, Lorenzo Dowd and wife, Sullivan Waite and wife, and Chauncy Welton. Rev. Mr. Bennett was one of the first preachers, and in an early day, Aventis Dowd, a local preacher, ministered to the society in the absence of the regular pastor. Revs. Green, Beech, Birch and Black ministered to the little class during the first few years of its history, and later came a number of others whose names were not given the writer. The first house of worship was a log structure, erected in 1846 on ground occupied by the present building. It had a comfortable audience room, and was used as a meeting place until 1867, at which time it was replaced by the present frame build- ing. The society at one time was quite strong in numbers, but, dur- ing the last few years, has so diminished until now it is one of the weakest points on the Perrysburg circuit. The present pastor is
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Rev. J. J. Cooper. The Sunday school, under the superintendency of L. R. Dukes, has been the means of accomplishing much good in the community.
Gilead Presbyterian Church was organized in 1846 by Revs. A. Johnson and O. V. Lemon. A frame house of worship was built in 1848, and for a number of years thereafter the society maintained services at regular intervals, and did a good work in the village. It was never strong in numbers, however, and the removal of several of its leading members from time to time, finally led to the abandonment of the organization. The last meetings were held in 1868, and among the latest pastors was Rev. Mr. Jack. The building standing is used at this time for a store room.
Stockdale-A part of the original plat of this village lies in Perry Township, but the greater part lies across the line in Wabash County. It was laid off by Thomas Goudy in the year 1837, and for a number of years was the chief source of supplies for a large community in the two counties. The construction of the Eel River Railroad through the country, and the consequent springing up of the town of Roan not far distant, served to check the growth of the place, and within the last few years its business interests have been trans- ferred to more favorable localities. A few woe-begone houses are all that now remain of the town.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
.GIDEON ALSPACH, one of Perry Township's substantial farmers, was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, May 25, 1830, the son of Jacob and Mary (Miller) Alspach, natives respec- tively of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Gideon was reared on the farm in Ohio, remaining with his parents until the death of his mother, which occured when he was fifteen years of age. He had received a limited education; he then engaged as a farm hand, until he attained his majority, when in 1851, he made a prospecting tour to Indiana and Miami County, purchasing land on which he permanently located the following year. February 22, 1855, Catherine Kensler became his wife, and to their union five children have been born, viz: Ambrose, who married Mag- gie Beard; Glendora, Abner, Albert and Laura. In his vocation of farming, Mr. Alspach has met with good success, owning 102 acres of well-improved land. He and wife are members of the Church of God. In politics he is a Democrat.
RICHARD W. BUTT, a prominent citizen of Perry Town- ship, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was born November 20, 1837, being the oldest child in a family of seven
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children born to Rignal and Phoebe (Kinsey) Butt, who were natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. They emigrated to Indiana and Miami County, October, 1845, made their first perma- nent settlement in Jefferson Township, where they lived for six years, then moved to Perry Township, and lived there until their deaths. Our subject was reared on the farm, remaining at home and assist- ing his parents until he attained the age of twenty-two years. He received a common education, such as the facilities of his day afforded. January 26, 1860, his marriage with Margaret D. Cover was solemnized, and to their union eight children have been born, of whom these six are now living: Phoebe L., wife of Aaron Plank; Viola E., Nettie A., Marietta, Sarah M., Ira E. The two deceased are Martha J. and John W. Mrs. Butt was a daughter of William and Lucinda ( Hiney) Cover, who were natives of Fred- erick County, Maryland, and came to Miami County in October, 1845. Mr. Butt always made farming his principal occupation, in connection with which he has worked at the carpenter and joiner trades, and he has been very successful. He now owns 80 acres of well improved land, which he has accumulated by his own industry and economy. March 28, 1865, he enlisted in the cause of his country in Company K, 155th Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, and served until August of the same year, when he was discharged on account of the close of the war. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church. In politics he is a Republican, and has been honored with an election to the office of Township Trustee.
HENRY K. BUTT, brother of the subject of the above sketch, was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, October 14, 1839, the second of a family of seven. He always made his home with his parents until their death, acquiring a common education. September, 1861, he enlisted to aid his country in the suppression of the rebellion, becom- ing a member of Company B, 40th Indiana Regiment of Volunteer Infantry, where he served until December, 1864. He participated in the following important engagements: Shiloh, Missionary Ridge, Chickamauga, the battles incident to Sherman's March to Atlanta, and Franklin, Tennessee. Soon after his return from the army, February 26, 1865, Mary P. Fites became his wife. He has always made farming his vocation, in which he has been successful. He is the proprietor of a fine little farm of sixty-two acres. He and wife belong to the M. E. Church. Politically he is a Republican.
JOHN CRAIG is a native of Clark County, Ohio, where he was born May 7, 1822, being the eldest of a family of ten children born to Robert and Fannie (Rogers) Craig, who were both natives of Vermont, the former of Irish descent. Their marriage occurred in Ohio, to which their parents had removed in an early date. Our subject was reared on a farm in his native State and county, and remained at home with his parents until he attained the age of 22
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
years. He received a limited education in consequence of the poor facilities of those days. January 25, 1843, his marriage with Paulie Laybourn was solemnized, and to their union twelve children have been born, of which these four are now living: Benjamin F., who married Clara A. Russell; Jasper, whose wife was Phoebe R. Brausser; Thomas, whose present consort was Fannie Akright, and Ida V. Mr. Craig came to Indiana and Miami County in 1846, and located permanently on the land where he now lives. He has always made farming his occupation, and he has been very success- ful. He now owns 300 acres of well-improved land. In politics he is a staunch Republican, but has never sought political preferment.
WILLIAM P. DRAKE, an enterprising citizen of Perry Township, is a native of Hunterdon County, New Jersey, born May 28, 1829, the son of Jacob and Phebe (Stout) Drake. Thomas Drake, paternal grandfather of our subject, was also a native of New Jersey; he served three months in the Revolutionary War when but fifteen years old. He died in his native State, and is buried in Hope- well Cemetery along with John Hart, one of the signers of the declaration for which he fought. Subjects maternal grandfather, Ira Stout, was born in New Jersey, and was colonel of a regiment which was sent to quell the "Whiskey Insurrection." Jacob Drake emi- grated to Ohio in 1830, where William P. was reared to manhood, he remaining with and assisting his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty-three years. His education was in keep- ing with the facilities afforded the children of his day. August 17, 1852, his marriage with Catharine Strock was solemnized. The year following they emigrated to Indiana and Miami County, of which they have since continued residents. Their union has been blessed with four children, these two now living: George W., who mar- ried Laura Bayles, and Eli T., who married Magdaline Butler, now deceased. Mr. Drake has been uniformly successful in his vocation of farming, owning 248 acres of well-improved land. He is a mem- ber of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge, No. 365, located at Roann. In politics he is a Democrat and has been hon- ored with an election to the offices of Justice of the Peace and Town- ship Trustee, filling both positions to the entire satisfaction of the individuals whose suffrages elected him.
JESSE ELLIOTT (farmer) is a native of North Carolina, where he was born December 4, 1817. His parents-Jesse and Rachel (Jordan) Elliott-of Scotch parentage, emigrated to Ohio «* about 1830, where they lived until the death of the father, when the mother went to live with her daughter in Iowa, remaining there until her death. Our subject was mostly reared in his native State, receiving a very limited education. In 1848 he emigrated to Grant County, living there until 1859, when he purchased and removed to the farm on which he now lives. August, 1844, he
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married Hannah B. Davis, by whom he is the father of these six living children: Henderson, who married Belle Bellew; Mary J., Sarah E., Asbury, Charles M. and Julia A., the latter now Mrs. William Kile. Mr. Elliott has always followed agricultural pursuits, in which he has met with good success, owning a well improved farm of 103 acres. His son Asbury, who makes his home with his parents, is also the proprietor of 40 acres. The family are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. E. belongs to the Masonic fraternity. Politically, he is a Republican.
JAMES FITES, a native of Frederick County, Maryland, was born April 12, 1832, the son of Andrew M. and Anna M. (Whitmore) Fites, both of German descent. They emigrated to Ohio in 1854, coming to Miami County, Indiana, one year later, and continuing residents of Perry Township, this county, until their deaths. James remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained the age of twenty years, receiving a common education. August, 1862, he en- listed in Company C, 87th Regiment of Indiana Volun- teer Infantry, where he served until December, 1863, when he was honorably discharged on account of disability. March, 1865, he re-enlisted in Company K, of the 155th Regiment of Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. January 1, 1867, his marriage with Isabella, daughter of John and Mary A. (Clendenning) Old, was solemnized. Her parents were among the earliest settlers of Miami County, com- ing about 1837. To the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fites five children have been born, viz: Eliza J., Richard, Albert, Elmer and Elva, the last two twins. Mr. Fites has been successful as an agriculturist, and now owns 140 acres of land in a good con- dition. He. and wife are members of the M. E. Church. In politics he is an ardent Republican.
JOHN GROGG, one of the few of Perry Township's early settlers yet living, is a native of Starke County, Ohio, born May 12, 1823, the youngest of a family of ten children born to John and Esther (Snyder) Grogg, who were both natives of Penn- sylvania, and of Dutch descent. The subject of our sketch was reared in his native State, receiving a limited education in the primitive log school houses of his day. At the age of fifteen, in company with his brother and two brothers-in-law, he emigrated to Miami County, locating in Perry Township, of which he has since remained a resident, with the exception of three years, during which time he lived in Ashland County, Ohio. August 5, 1847, Miss Mary Mussleman became his wife. She is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born November 11, 1824, the daugh- ter of Benjamin and Susanna (Walters) Mussleman, who were among the pioneer settlers of Miami County. To the union of
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Mr. and Mrs. Grogg five children have been born, of which these three are now living: John H., who married Ida Paul; Sophia C., wife of Samuel King, and B. Frank, whose consort was Anna Morris. The deceased children were Jacob and an infant unnamed. In his life vocation of farming, Mr. Grogg has been very successful. He is the proprietor of a well improved farm of 218 acres, which he accuumulated by his own industry and economy. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Politic- ally, he has been a life-long Democrat.
ANANIAS HARMAN is a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, where he was born, March 1, 1847, being the second child and oldest son of Jacob and Sarah (Seitner) Harman, of German descent, both natives of Pennsylvania. They emigrated from Ohio to Indiana and Miami County in 1847, settling in Perry Township, of which they ever afterwards continued residents. The former died about 1870. Our subject remained at home and assisted his parents on the farm until he attained his majority. He received a limited education, such as the facilities of those days afforded. His father was a carpenter by trade and Ananias followed in his foot- steps, learning that trade, at which he worked about three years, when he engaged in farming, which he has since made his occupa- tion. June 22, 1873, his marriage with Susanna Miles was solemn- ized, and to their union two children have been born, viz: Minnie S., born February 11, 1876, and Earl Andrew, born March 17, 1883. Mrs. Harman is a daughter of Jacob and Catharine (Swank ) Wiles. In his vocation of farming he has been very successful. . He now owns a fine farm of 151 acres handsomely improved. He and wife are members of the Church of God. In politics he is a Democrat.
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