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 73
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among its early members were Robert Miller, Rebecca Millei, E. I. Kidd and wife, Ellen Kidd, J. D. Cox, John Ellison and wife, Richard Miller and wife, John Miller and wife, Robert Miller, Allen Lockridge and wife, and others, whose names were not learned. Revs. Webster, Anderson, Holliday and Bradshaw were early pas- tors. School houses and private residences were used as meet- ing places until 1842, at which time a neat frame temple of worship was built on the land of Richard Miller, a short distance from Paw- Paw village. This house has been thoroughly remodeled, and at this time is one of the best country church edifices in the county. The church was formerly the head of the Paw-Paw circuit, but is now a point on the circuit of Roann. The society has been a potent factor for good in the community, and although not so strong as in former years, is still in a prosperous condition, with an active mem- bership of 50. The officers at this time are: J. M. Jones, Class Leader; J. C. Miller and J. M. Jones, Stewards; A. E. King, T. C. Miller, J. D. Cox, J. M. Jones and J. C. Miller, Trustees.
Chili M. E. Church was organized at the residence of John Long in 1838 or '39, from which date, until some time in the forties, meetings for public worship were held at the houses of different members. The early history of the society is somewhat obscure, owing to the absence of anything like an authentic record. But from the oldest member now living we learn that Frederick Long, Moses Martindale and Samuel Woolpert, with members of their respective families, were among the first to identify them- selves with the organization. For several years the growth of the society was somewhat slow, but as the settlers increased it began to take on new life, and, early in the forties, the propriety of erecting a house of worship began to be discussed. The under- taking, once inaugurated, was in due time prosecuted to comple- tion, and, about the year 1845, a frame building was erected in Chili, a short distance from the spot occupied by the present edi- fice. Beginning with the year 1843, the following were among the pastors of the church until within a comparatively recent date, viz: Allen Skillman, Paul Jones, O. P. Boyden, Jacob Colclazer, D. F. Strite, George Guild, P. J. Beswick, Mr. Hazen, Arthur Badley, P. F. Milner, John Davis, William Reeder, J. C. Medsker, Mr. McCaster, S. Woolpert, R. H. Calvert, S. P. Stephens, J. C. White, A. V. Garrell, H. J. Lacy, R. Buchanan, A. S. Lakin, Lewis Roberts, W. J. Vigus, Enoch Waymire, W. J. Martindale, Samuel Lamb, William Comstock, V. M. Beamer, 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 and George Hill. The present substantial brick temple of worship, the largest and most commodious church edifice in the township, was finished and formally dedicated in the year 1866. The mem-
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
bership of the society at this time numbers about fifty-eight. David Woolpert is class leader, and David Woolpert, steward.
Chili Baptist Church .- The history of this organization dates from about the year 1856; although meetings by ministers of the Baptist denomination were held at different places throughout the township several years prior to that time. The original member- ship was quite small, and for a number of years a neighboring school house and the school building of Chili were used as places of public worship. The society continued to increase to such an extent that a house of worship became necessary, and measures for providing the same were inaugurated in 1877. The following year the present building, a handsome frame structure 36x60 feet in size, was completed at a cost of $2,000. It stands in the western part of the village and is a credit to the congregation. Among the first pastors of the church was Rev. J. Barrett, a man of scholarly attain- ments and great personal popularity. His labors were greatly blessed, and the evidence of his devotion to the cause he represented will long be remembered by his people. The next pastor was Rev. P. Rowden, D. D., one of the most brilliant Baptist ministers of Northern Indiana. During his pastoral the society increased in numbers and unusual interest was manifested through the agency of his extraordinary pulpit efforts. Rev. E. J. Delp ministered to the church with great acceptance for some time, as did also Rev. J. B. Bair. The pastor in charge at this time is Rev. Mr. Graham. The membership numbers about 130, and the society is in every way in a healthy condition and prosperous, indicating that the pastor and people are mutually satisfied with existing relations. The officers are: E. S. Landis, clerk; Evan Bell, James Holinshade, Samuel Griffith and N. C. Hall, deacons.
Village of Chili .- It is not expected that the simple narrative of these pages will be anything more than a mere record of the events pertaining to the founding and development of this quiet little town. The village of Chili is beautifully situated on the north bank of Eel River, three miles east of Denver, and is surrounded by a region of country which, in point of fertility and improvement, is second to no other part of Miami County. The events which led to the birth of the town originated in the general desire on the part of the early settlers in the vicinity for a trading point, and we may . also say a desire on the part of the founders to realize a little for- tune from the sale of lots, as the admirable location promised much for the future welfare of the proposed city. The area embraced within the original plat lies in the northeast quarter of Section 24, Township 28 north, range 4 east, and comprised a part of the land purchased from the government by Jesse Mendenhall, who had the village surveyed in October, 1839, and recorded under the name of New Market. The plat shows 22 lots and six streets, viz: Broad-
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way, North, Third, South, Bluff and Lime; the first four running East and West, and the other two North and South. Among the first residents within the present limits of the village, was Daniel Lander, who built a small store building, which is still standing, occupied at the present time by George Hammond. Mr. Lander was a ruling spirit in an early day, holding the office of Justice of Peace, and was also the first Postmaster of the town. Lemuel Osborne was an early settler also. He built a residence near the present site of the Baptist Church, and was one of the first mechan- ics of the place. The house in which he resided is still stand- ing, occupied at this time by J. C. Belew. John Belew came to the village when it was but a mere opening in the surrounding forest, and engaged in the manufacture and repair of saddles and harness. The first business man was the present veteran merchant, N. C. Hall, who bought a general stock of goods in 1845, and offered the same for sale in a little log cabin that stood on the spot now occupied by the residence of Parvin Fike. Mr. Hall early acquired the reputation of an honest, fair- dealing business man, and with the exception of eight years, has been identified with the commercial interests of the town from the date of his arrival until the present time. Mr. Belew sold goods in an early day, engaging in the trade a little later than than Hall, and continuing for a limited period. The next busi- ness men were probably Messrs. Guy & Norris, who ran a general store, as partners, for a short time. Among other busi- ness men, from time to time, were the following: Mr. Moffatt, Hurst, Lash, William Connor, Mr. Sargent, Samuel Kessling, Adam Awalt, D. Sturgis and George Awalt.
The first physician to locate in the town was Dr. W. J. Chamb- lin, whose arrival antedates the year 1847. After him came from time to time the following medical men, viz: Drs. Beckner, Rob- bins, J. Q. A. Robbins, Miranda and others. At this time there are two resident physicians, viz: Drs. D. Ridenour and J. C. Wait. The early mechanics were Lemuel Osborn, cabinet-maker; Mr. Awalt, wood-workman; John DeBolt, shoe-maker; Frederick Gil- bert, Henry Fike and John Shilling, blacksmiths. The first hotel was kept by Thomas Otter. For many years Chili sustained the reputation of one of the best trading points in Miami County, but with the advent of the railroad and the consequent building up of Denver, three miles distant, its prosperity began to decline. It is still, however, a place of considerable local importance, and in conse- quence of its location in the midst of a fine agricultural district, is destined always to enjoy a fair proportion of the current trade. Its population does not probably exceed 300. There are two pros- perous church organizations, Methodist and Baptist, sketches of which have already been given, and a fine two-story graded school
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
building, one of the best in the county. There are at this time two good general stores kept by N. C. Hall and and T. P. Swigart, and one drug store kept by Harrison Gilbert.
The mechanics are Frederick Gilbert and John Shilling, shoe- makers; Amos Wilkinson and George Hammond, carpenters; Henry Oden, shoe-maker; Parvin Fike, carpenter and wagon-maker. The only hotel in the place is kept by George Williams. Mr. McDon- ald operates a large steam saw-mill near the railroad, and is in the enjoyment of a very prosperous lumber business. John Fetrow is the gentlemanly railroad agent and Mrs. Lottie Awalt attends to the duties of the postoffice.
Chili Lodge, No. 302, I. O. O. F., was instituted about the year 1867 or '68 with five charter members. Among the early officers were William Tubbs, N. G .; William Beecher, V. G .; A. B. Andrews, Secretary; M. Hurst, Permanent Secretary. A large hall was erected in 1872, and at one time the lodge had a membership of over fifty. It is not nearly so prosperous as for- merly, there being at this time not to exceed twenty names upon the records. The officers for 1886 are as follows: C. Latta, N. G .; J. C. Wait, V. G .; S. O. Bigley, Secretary; D. G. Wool- pert, Permanent Secretary, and R. N. Norris, Treasurer.
Chili Lodge, No. 568, F. & A. M., was organized September, 1882, with the following charter members: N. C. Hall, J. W. Fetrow, H. W. Baltimore, John C. Belew, David Ridenour, James Davis, J. Q. A. Robbins, W. Huddleston, John Thomp- son and Joseph Asphalt. The first officers were: J. Q. A. Rob- bins, W. M .; J. C. Belew, S. W .; David Ridenour, J. W .; James C. Davis, Secretary; H. F. DeHaven, S. D .; John W. Fetrow, J. D., and John Thompson, Tyler. The lodge is in the enjoyment of a reasonable degree of prosperity, and at this time has an active membership of nineteen. Present officers-J. C. Belew, W. M .; John W. Fetrow, S. W .; Joseph Asphalt, J. W .; David Ridenour, Secretary; William Watson, Treasurer; H. F. DeHaven, S. D .; John Thompson, J. D., and James Davis, Tyler.
Paw-Paw .- The village of Paw-Paw, situated in the eastern part of the township, was founded by Richard Miller, who estab- lished a trading post upon the present site, so long ago, perhaps, as 1840. His place of business in time became the nucleus of quite a thriving settlement, and to further the interest of the locality, he with Joseph Hall, employed a surveyor and laid out a plat of twenty-four lots, the record of which bears date of April, 1847. The town thus started soon attracted the usual number of mechanics and artisans, and within a short time several shops of different kinds were in active operation. Among the first workers to ply their trades in the place were James Wright, blacksmith; B. Vandergriff, Alvin Kite and George King, wagon-makers; George Brown and Lawson Hum-
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phreys were the cabinet-makers of the town, the latter of whom did quite a successful business for several years. An early industry was a tannery, operated by Richard Miller. It was subsequently run by J. D. Bolton, who did a good business. J. Jones was the first physician of the place, and the last one to practice his profession here was Dr. Wm. Hill. Richard Miller carried on a general mer- cantile business for a number of years, and was succeeded by Daniel McCahan. William Miller was, perhaps, the next merchant, after whom came in G. B. Miller, John Armantrout and Daniel Rep. The town continued to be a good local trading point until the com- pletion of the Eel River Railroad through the country, a couple of miles distant, which proved its death blow. The mechanics who had ventured to the place in prosperous days now quietly departed for more promising fields. The last merchant disposed of his mer- chandise, and within a short time the epitaph of ancient Carthage was written for Paw-Paw. Through the instrumentality of N. G. Miller, who purchased the lots from time to time and removed the buildings, the plat was finally vacated, and the greater part of the town that once gave much promise has been converted into a culti- vated field. A few dismantled dwellings and other buildings, time stained and bearing every evidence of decay, are all that now remain to mark the spot where once stood the beautiful and pros- perous little town of Paw-Paw.
Wooleytown .- In the year 1846 Amos Wooley and his sons, William, J. N. and Amos, Jr., came to Richland and located near the northwest corner of the township, a couple of miles from the present site of Denver. The Wooley brothers were mechanics, and a short time after their arrival they started a a blacksmith and wagon shop on their place, which, at that time, was the center of a very thriving settlement. They did well at their respective vocations, and, the locality being remote from any trading point, it was finally determined to bring a store to the place. Accordingly, in 1850, William Harp, a son-in-law of the elder Wooley, opened out with a miscellaneous assortment of merchandise in the upper room of J. N. Wooley's wagon shop. Encouraged by the success of his venture, he subse- quently erected a good frame store building, in which he carried on a thriving business until about the year 1865. He left the place that year, moving his stock of merchandise to the village of Five Corners, in what is now Allen Township. The next vender of goods was one Abraham Leedy, who, though not so successful as his predecessor, did a reasonably prosperous busi- ness, until the growth of neighboring villages interfered with the success of his trade. His was the last mercantile establish- ment in Wooleytown. W. W. Fetrow and Levi Hill worked at the blacksmith's trade for some time in the village, and J. M. Hoof-
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man earlyacquired considerable reputation as a manufacturer of looms for the weaivng of all kinds of common woolen fabrics. Another industry of this place was the shop of Peter Hand & Son, man- ufacturers of grain cradles, which at one time had quite an ex- tensive sale throughout Miami and adjoining counties. Wooley- town, like the villages of Chili and Paw-Paw, saw its best days before the advent of the railroads, upon the completion of which its star sank behind the horizon, never again to become visible. No plat of the place was ever made, and at this time its site is difficult to distinguish from the surrounding country.
Anson, a paper town in Sections 14 and 15, 22 and 23, of Townships 27 and 28, North Range 4 East, was laid out in May, 1853, by Benjamin Griffith, Michael Taylor, Eli Free- stone and Thomas Jameson. The site is a short distance east of Denver, and the town was projected for the purpose of securing the I., P. & C. Railroad. The road being surveyed through the country a short distance west, no efforts were made to improve the town, and the plat was subsequently vacated. The physicians of the village were Drs. Baker and Griffith.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
THOMAS BLACK, an old and highly esteemed citizen of Miami County, is a native of Preble County, Ohio, and dates his birth from November 21, 1812. His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Deem) Black, were natives of Pennsylvania and Ken- tucky, respectively, born as follows: The father born Septem- ber 2, 1776, and the mother was born November 6, 1783. They were married in Kentucky, April 25, 1802, and subsequently settled in Butler County, Ohio, and later moved to Preble County, Ohio, where they afterwards resided until their respec- tive deaths, which occurred as follows: The father died March 16, 1863, and the mother June 4, 1867. They were the parents of four children, viz: John, David, Uri and Thomas, our sub- ject, the youngest member of the family. He was married in Preble County, Ohio, August 21, 1838, to Barbara, daughter of John and Catherine (Siler) Craft. She was born in Preble County, Ohio, March 25, 1814. In the fall of 1843, Mr. Black moved to Miami County, Indiana, and settled upon the farm where he now resides, in Richland Township. He owns 158 acres of fine and well-improved land. He has had born to him eight children, viz: William H., born November 14, 1841, John, born March 10, 1844; Malissa C., born May 8, 1846 (deceased) ; Clementine, born August 20, 1848 (deceased); ยท Deem, born
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. - 773
June 20, 1852 (dece ased) ; Thomas F., born March 22, 1855, and two which died in infancy and not named. Mr. Black is a highly esteemed and enterprising citizen.
JOSEPH L. BROWER is a native of Miami County, Indiana, son of the old and highly esteemed pioneers, Noah and Sarah ( Ly- brook ) Brower, who were natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. Noah Brower was a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Teal) Brower, who settled in Miami County, Indiana, in a very early day. They were the parents of ten children, viz: Aaron, Joseph, Noah, Mary, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Abraham, Sarah, Susannah and Jacob. Noah, the father of our subject, was born in Preble County, Ohio, January 28, 1817. He came to Miami County, Indiana, about the year 1836, and was married in Jefferson Township, this county, May 3, 1840, to the above Sarah, daughter of Balser and Mary (Eikenberry) Lybrook. She was born in Union County, Indiana, March 28, 1823. After Noah Brower's marriage he settled near Mexico, Indiana, and for a number of years carried on tanning. He afterwards purchased land near Mexico, upon which he settled and resided for eighteen years. He then purchased a farm near Denver, Indiana, upon which he resided until death, July 22, 1877. His wife survived him until Jan- uary 3, 1885. They were the parents of four children, viz: Mariah, born August 2, 1841; Joseph L., born May 22, 1845; Balser J., born September 14, 1856; and Albert C., born May 21, 1861. Joseph L. Brower was married in Richland Township, this county, November 17, 1867, to Samantha O., daughter of Benjamin F. and Catherine C. (Wooley) Kirby. She was born in Richland Township, October 24, 1848. In about the year 1874, Mr. Brower settled upon his present farm in Richland Township, where he has since resided. He owns 170 acres of fine land, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He has had born
to him eight children, viz: Almedia M., born October 10, 1868; Deo O., born August 13, 1870; Noah B., born February 22, 1873; Nettie M., born January 4, 1875; Grace M., born December 27, 1876, and died June 6, 1878; Clarence A., born July 27, 1879, and died August 3, 1881; Sylvia I., born July 10, 1881, and Sarah E., born September 20, 1884. Mr. Brower and wife are members of the German Baptist Church, in which he has been a minister since the year 1880.
JOHN C. DAVIS (farmer, stock raiser and grain dealer), of Richland Township, was born in Madison County, Ohio, Sep- tember 8, 1838. His parents-Samuel and Zuba (Patterson) Davis-were both natives of Ohio, and were united in marriage in Guernsey County in September, 1837. They subsequently settled in Madison County, Ohio, where the mother died, Novem- ber 9, 1839. The father subsequently married Martha Smith, and in 1852 moved to Miami County, Indiana, settling upon the
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
same farm on which our subject now resides, in Richland Town- ship, Section 16. He died August 19, 1866. He was the father of seven children, viz: John C., by Miss Patterson, and Isaac M., James J., Joseph T., Eliza J., Mary C. and Alice E., by Miss Smith. John C., our subject, the eldest member of the family, came with his parents to this county in 1852, and has resided here ever since. He was united in marriage in Rich- land Township, September 20, 1868, to Julia A., daughter of Reuben C. and Judith A. (Keever) Harrison. She was born in Randolph County, Indiana, June 21, 1834. Soon after Mr. Davis' marriage he settled upon his present farm. He owns at present 300 acres of fine and well improved land. Mr. Davis was elected to the office of Commissioner of Miami County in 1876, and re-elected again in 1882. He was a member of the Board of Commissioners when the County Asylum was built; also 'when the Wabash bridge, of Peru; the Dennison mill bridge, the Pet- tysville bridge and a number of other small bridges were con- structed. Mr. Davis is an intelligent and enterprising man, and one of Richland's representative citizens.
DAVID FOUTS, son of Michael and Sarah (Brower ) Fouts, was born in Preble County, Ohio, April 22, 1831. He came with his parents to this county in 1837, and has resided here ever since. He was married in Richland Township, this county, February 18, 1858, to Mary J., daughter of Benavil and Sarah (Keim) Derck. She was born in Perry County, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1839. After his marriage Mr. Fouts settled in Richland Township, Section 8, where he resided until the spring of 1882, when he settled upon his present farm, in Section 18, Richland Township, where he has resided since. He owns at present 240 acres of land. Has had born to him five children, viz: Andrew, born November 30, 1859; George L., born November 2, 1863; Sarah E., born November 4, 1866; Lewis E., born October 15, 1870, and Oren, born November 18, 1884.
SAMUEL T. GRIFFITH was born in Wayne County, Indi- ana, June 26, 1833. His parents, Benjamin and Martha (Mar- tindale) Griffith, were natives of Virginia and Ohio, respectively. They settled in Wayne County, Indiana, in an early day, and from thence moved to Cass County, Indiana, in 1835, and in 1836 to Miami County, Indiana, settling in Richland Township. They were the parents of seven children, viz: Azel, William, Moses, Samuel T., Harrison, Sarah A., and Martha J. Samuel T. Griffith came with his parents to this county in 1836. He was married in Richland Township, July 27, 1856, to Mary A., daughter of Jesse Wilkinson. She was born in Miami County, Indiana, March 4, 1837. After Mr. Griffith married he settled upon the same farm on which he now resides. His wife died August 9, 1872, hav- ing borne him three children, viz: Jesse W., born April 12,
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1857; Martha J., born February 19, 1859, and died June 19, 1873; Samuel A., born October 3, 1869, and died November 5, 1878. On November 25, 1874, Mr. Griffith married Mrs. Eliza J. Long, and daughter of James M. and Anna E. (Mitton) Jones. She is a native of Indiana, and was born March 4, 1845. Six chil- dren have been born to this union, viz: Oscar E., born Decem- ber 8, 1875; James O., born January 25, 1877; Minnie L., born February 17, 1879; Harrison G., born February 23, 1881; James L., born August 21, 1882; and Annie, born March 3, 1884. Mr. Griffith and wife are members of the Baptist Church. He owns, at present, 166 acres of fine land. His wife has one child born to her by Mr. Long, Amos E., born June 26, 1864.
JAMES HOLLENSHADE, one of the pioneers of Miami County, is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, and born July I, 1812. His parents, James and Catharine (Weist) Hollen- shade, were natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was born in County Down, Ireland, in June, 1770. He was one of five children born to Tites and Jane Hollenshade. He immigrated to the United States in about the year 1792, landing at Norfolk, Virginia, and from thence went to Baltimore, Maryland, and subsequently to York County, Pennsylvania, where he was married to Catherine Weist. In 1809. he moved to the State of Ohio, where he resided until death, which occurred in Preble County, March 25, 1840. His widow subse- quently moved to Jersey County, Illinois, where she died July 12, 1855, at the age of seventy-four years, seven months and twenty-two days. They were the parents of six children, viz: John, Jane, Jacob, James, Nancy and Margaret. James Hollen- shade was married in Preble County, Ohio, January 29, 1835, to Elizabeth, daughter of John and Barbara (Sherer) Spacht. She was born in Preble County, Ohio, October 30, 1812. After their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Hollenshade settled near Eaton, Ohio, where they resided until 1850, when they moved to Miami County, Indiana, settling upon the same farm on which he now resides, in Richland Township, Section 23. Mr. Hol- lenshade owns at present 230 acres of fine and well-improved land. His wife died June 8, 1872; and on April 16, 1874, he mar- ried Anna E., daughter of Absalom and Rebecca (Homes) Boi- court. She was born in Decatur County, Indiana, June 27, 1848. Mr. Hollenshade has had born to him five children, viz: Catharine, born October 1, 1837, and died August 6, 1857; Mary B., born May 27, 1840; Jacob M., born March 28, 1842; Elizabeth M., born January 22, 1846, and died September 17, 1871, by his first wife; and Jesse L., born October 21, 1876, by his last wife; also one adopted child, Bertha W., born September 2, 1871.
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