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 75
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Land Entries .- The land of Union Township was placed upon the market, subject to entry, in 1834, but it was not until the follow- ing year that home seekers and speculators began to take advan- tage of the opportunities thus afforded them. During the year 1835, the following persons entered lands and obtained patents for the
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same: William Conner, in Section 35, Township 29, North, Range 3, East; Plenty Sexton, Section I, Township 28, North, Range 3, East; John R. Wilkinson and Zephaniah Wade, Section 2, same township and range; Christian Krider, Jacob Wilkinson, William Wilkinson, Jerry Wilkinson, William Strowd and Jonathan Shep- herd, Section II, Township 28, North, Range 3, East; David L. McCalm, Richard Hyatt, B. Jett, James Wilson, W. N. Hood and Martin Butterfield, Section 12; Christian Krider, Henry Elsworth and Jonathan Shepherd, Section 13; Aaron Rush, Elijah Parkins and R. Leaville, Section 14; William Cooper and John Piper, Sec- tion 4, Township 28, North, Range 4, East; William Clidell, John Zook, Abraham Leedy and Jacob Harshbarger, Section. 5, same township and range; Joseph A. Leech, Abraham Neff and William Cannon, Section 6; Jesse L. Williams, Section 7; John Plaster, Michael Bolingbaugh and Samuel Burson, Section 8; Martin Hoover and Charles Strowd, Section 9; Abraham Neff, Anderson Wilkinson and Baldwin Wilkinson, Section 31, Township 29, North, Range 4, East; John R. Wright, Section 32; James Wilson and William Bane, Section 33. The entries of 1836 were as follows, in Township 29, North, Range 3, East: John Gore and James B. Fulwiler, Section 35; Josesh Holman and William R. McFar- land, Section 36; in Township 28, North, Range 3, East; Wil- liam Strowd and Matthew Fenimore, Section I. In 1837 patents for land were obtained by the following persons: Richard Har- grove, Chas. Lowe and Lewis Conner, Section 35, Township 29, North, Range 3, East; John Barron, J. B. McKee, John Scott and James Personett, Section 4, Township 28, North, Range 4, East; William McClure and John A. Taylor, Section 6. The above is a complete list of those who purchased government lands within the present limits of Union Township prior to the year 1838.
Early Industries .- The first mill in Union Township was built by John A. Taylor, on Weasaw Creek, about the year 1838. It stood on what is now the John Hann farm, and was originally constructed for the sole purpose of manufacturing lumber, much of which found ready purchasers among the early settlers in the vicinity. Mr. Taylor subsequently built a three-story frame grist mill on the Hann farm, which was highly prized by the people of the township, many of whom had been previously compelled to go long distances to procure their flour and meal. The mill was sup- plied with good machinery for that day, had two run of buhrs, and was operated very successfully for a number of years. The last owner was Silas Goodwin, who did no work after the year 1872. Mr. Zook built a small saw mill on the east branch of Weasaw Creek as early as 1839 or '40, and operated the same with fair success for several years. It was afterwards purchased and rebuilt by a Mr. Matthias, but eventually fell into disuse,
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and at this time but few vestiges remain to mark the spot it occupied. One of the earliest mills in the township was built by Joseph Holman, about the year 1839. It was a saw mill, with a corn-cracker attached, and, although an indifferent affair, was for several years the chief source of supplies for quite an extensive neighborhood. It was subsequently rebuilt and sup- plied with improved machinery, and operated by different parties until destroyed by fire, about the year 1881. Mr. Allbright was the last owner. Abraham Ally built a saw mill on Weasaw Creek, near the central part of the township, some time in the sixties, which is still in operation. The first steam mill in the township was built by William Conner south of Perrysburg, a number of years ago, the frame of which is still standing. This mill was operated on quite an extensive scale, and did much more than a local business. An early industry in the southeast corner of the township was a tannery operated by Joseph Hol- man, who manufactured much of the leather used by the first settlers of the country. It was in operation only a few years. In addition to the industries enumerated, there have been a num- ber of steam saw mills in the township at different times, besides several tile factories, all of which, so far as known, proved remunerative investments.
Early Marriages, Births and Deaths .- The first marriage in the Township was that of Jacob Bartlett to a daughter of Hugh A. B. People, solemnized in the spring of 1838 by A. H. Leedy, Justice of the Peace. A little later the same year, John Scott and Mary Gilliland were united in the holy bonds of wedlock by Rev. Wil- liam Nelson. It is impossible to determine when or in whose fam- ily the first birth in the township occurred, as the early settlers seem to have been a prolific people, bent upon literally carrying out the scriptural injunction, "to multiply and replenish the earth." A good natured rivalry seemed to have been aroused in this respect, and within a short period after the first settlement of the country, sec- ond editions of the pioneers began to rapidly increase, and ere long, the hills and valleys of Union, were peopled by a young native race. The majority of those born in the township in an early day, after arriving at the years of manhood and womanhood, left their homes and emigrated to other parts, while a few still live near the place where they first saw the light. "On the 6th day of January, 1838, there was born to Sarah, wife of Martin Hoover, a daughter, Mary, who was probably the first white child born in the township." Births occurred about the same time in the families of various other settlers, but unfortunately, the records giving exact dates are not accessible. "The first death is said to have been that of Susan Baltimore, which occurred some time in the year 1837. "Her funeral was held at the residence of Martin Hoover and the sermon
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on the occasion is said to have been the first one preached in the township. Another early death was that of a child of John R. Wright in 1837. The Weasaw Cemetery was consecrated to the burial of the dead in 1845, and the first person buried therein was Andrew House, who departed this life early in 1846. The Perrys- burg Cemetery was laid out in an early day and within its silent precincts are sleeping a number of the early settlers of the town- ship.
Mysterious Disappearance .- "Among the casualties we notice the sudden and mysterious disappearance of a Mr. Douglass. This gentleman had been laboring for some time on Eel River, in Jefferson Township, and was regarded by all as an honorable, upright young man. By close attention to business and studious habits, he soon accumulated considerable money, with which he intended to enter land. On a certain Saturday evening in 1836, he came in company with Mr. Smith, a brother-in-law to Mr. Cannon, to the residence of the latter in the township. Here it was arranged to borrow horses of Cannon, and for Smith to accompany Douglass a certain distance on his journey to Fort' Wayne, the nearest land office, where the latter was to enter his land. The following morning the two men started upon their
journey. Tuesday Smith returned, saying that Douglass had gone on to Fort Wayne alone. The latter was never heard of afterwards. The land records being examined showed that he never appeared at Fort Wayne to enter land. The general sup- position of all who were acquainted with the circumstances was that Douglass had received foul treatment at the hands of Smith. Suspicion rested so heavily upon the families of Smith and Can- non that they soon after left the country for parts unknown, and their names have almost sunk into oblivion.
Township Organization .- As originally formed, Union in- cluded the present township of Allen, and was organized as a distinct jurisdiction on the 6th day of November, 1837. Under this organization an election for the purpose of choosing the nec- essary officers was held the same fall in the store-rooms of Mat- thew Fenimore, in the village of Perrysburg. Abraham H. Leedy acted as inspector at this election, and was also chosen Justice of the Peace. The names of the other township officers are at present unknown.
Church History .- The religious history of this part of the county, dates from its earliest settlement, and on nearly every wave of immigration was borne some good seed destined to become the nucleus around which gathered those loftier and better feelings nec- essary to carry society onward to a state of comparative perfection and happiness. This good seed was usually sufficient to begin the work of raising the early society to a higher level of civilization, and
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its transforming power counteracted those demoralizing influences which tended to social degeneration and disruption, as the lawless and vicious frequently sought the newly settled country when there was less restraint from civil power. Among the pioneers of Union, were many God fearing men and women, who, amid the many dan- gers and trials incident to their isolated condition, never faltered in the discharge of their religious duties, and meetings for public worship were early held in the little cabins of the various settle- ments. At these meetings would gather the neighbors for many miles around, and the exercises in which all participated, irre- spective of creed or dogma, served as a means of social and mental, as well as spiritual improvement. Itinerant ministers of the Methodist Church, were the first to introduce the good work in this township, and as early as 1837, Revs. William Williams and John Dabney, had regular appointments at the residence of Daniel Cox. The Christians or Disciples, were the next in order, and the tenets of that faith were early introduced by Elder Will- iam Nelson, who preached from time to time at the house of Martin Hoover, in the northern part of the township. The Bap- tists followed close in the work of the above denominations, and organized the first church in the township prior to 1840.
Weasaw Creek Baptist Church .- In December, 1839, a few persons met at William Cool's residence for prayer and conference meetings, led by Christopher Cool; the first services of the kind ever held in this part of the country. By agreement these meet- ings were kept up at regular intervals until March, 1840, when a church organization was effected and articles of faith adopted. The original members were Christopher Cool, William Cool, Sallie Hall, Ezra Griffith and wife, Juda Cool, Charles Cole, Mary Boss, Leon- ard Cool and Powell Cool; all of whom, except William Cool, have passed from the church militant to the church triumphant. Meet- ings were held once a month until October, 1840, at which time Revs. William Corbin and William Pratt, formally organized them into a regular Baptist Church; the former delivering an address and making constituent prayer, and the latter addressing the church and giving the members the right hand of fellowship. This church was called the Weasaw Creek Baptist Church, a name by which it has since been known. In December, 1840, was held the first covenant meeting, when Mariah Cool united by baptism; the first addition. July, 1841, the society joined the sister churches, in form- ing the Huntington association, and subsequently, in 1853, it became the head of the Weasaw Creek Association, organized the latter year. Meetings were held regularly every Sabbath in houses, barns and groves, and it was not until January, 1851, that the first house of worship, erected on land donated by William Cool, was finally dedicated. In May, 1855, Leonard and William Cool were
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ordained to the ministry, and in May, 1856, the first Sabbath school was organized. The pastors of the church have been as follows: Rev. William Corbin took charge at the time of the organization and served until his death, September, 1841. He was succeeded by Rev. David Lewis, who remained until 1843, since which time the following ministers have sustained the pastoral relation, viz: E. Desbrough, James Babcock, T. C. Townsend, John Dunham, Leonard Cool, J. B. Allen, S. B. Serrells, William Cool, J. B. Mor- ris, Calvin Babcock, E. J. Delp, J. T. Smith, H. W. Ball, J. M. Max- well, and the present incumbent, Joseph Merley. In January, 1876, the present imposing brick temple of worship, 36x50 feet in size, occupying the site of the original building, was dedicated to the service of God, Rev. J. Whiteside officiating. The church has been the means of accomplishing much good in the community, and is at this time in a healthy and prosperous condition, with an active mem- bership of about one hundred. The officers are David Coon, M. D. Leavell and Henry Kine, Deacons, and Fernando Moon, ,Clerk. The Sunday School, which is well attended, is under the Superin- tendency of O. F. Cool.
Perrysburg Presbyterian Church .- The history of Presby- terianism in Union Township dates from about the year 1849, at which time Rev. Andrew C. McClelland, then stationed at Peru, visited the village and began holding meetings in the neighboring school house and the residence of Hamilton Simon- ton. These services finally culminated into an organization, of which the following persons were early members, to-wit: Lucy Leach (now Mrs. Cline), John Leach, Hamilton Simonton, Anna Gamble, Elizabeth Black, Adaline Simonton, Mary Jane Simon- ton, Jeunie Rannells, Hattie Simonton (Mrs. Wright), Maggie Simonton, Calvin Simonton, John Simonton, Anna Kiplinger, John Kiplinger and wife, John McConahay and wife and Louisa Mcconahay. Within a short time after the date of organization, steps were taken towards building a house of worship, and work on the same was commenced about the year 1850, or perhaps a
little earlier. Owing to the limited number composing the church, the building was not completed until 1854. The first services in the same, however, were held prior to that date, the occasion being the funeral of Hamilton Simonton, the principal promoter of the society and its first elder, conducted by Rev. McClelland, in August, in 1852. After the completion of the house of worship, the little church for some years enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity, but its growth from various causes subsequently became retarded, and at this time the mem- bership is not as numerous so formerly, numbering only about thirteen. The following ministers sustained the pastoral relation from time to time, viz: Rev. A. G. McClelland, Samuel McKee,
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Robert Irwin, MacKnight Williamson, S. F. Hershey, W. A. Hoover and Francis Linn. The present incumbent is Rev. Dr. Craig, of Noblesville, a man of great learning and piety. The officers of the church at this time are Calvin Simonton, elder; George Wright and Calvin Simonton, trustees.
Methodist Church of Perrysburg. From the settlement of Union Township up to 1854, services were held by ministers of the Methodist Church in various parts of the country, but a permanent organization did not gain a footing until some time that year. The Perrysburg class was organized by Rev. Enoch Waymire and Stephen S. Long in 1854, with a membership of about twenty, quite a number of whom had belonged to the church before moving to this part of the country. The organi- zation took place at the residence of William Bennett, which was used as a meeting place for some months. As the society increased in numbers, a more commodious place of worship became necessary. Accordingly, the Presbyterian Church was procured and used at regular intervals until 1865. In the mean- time, the wants of the constantly increasing society foreshadowed the necessity of erecting a building of its own, and, in 1865, the present beautiful temple of worship, one of the finest country church edifices in the county, was erected in the village, at a cost of $2,300. To the untiring efforts of Rev. Enoch Way- mire, whose means were liberally expended in its behalf, was the success of the building enterprise largely due. As no authentic records of the church were accessible, it will be im- possible to give a full list of pastors, but among those who have had charge of the society from- time to time, were the following: Revs. L. Roberts, Mr. White, J. Lacy, N. Shackle- ford, A. H. Curry, R. J. Smith, J. H. McMahon, J. W. Miller, N. Peddycord, M. H. Miller, and the present imcumbent, Rev. J. J. Cooper. The church at one time was one of the most prosperous societies in the county, but, owing to deaths and removals, has lost quite a number of its members, the com- municants at this time numbering only about thirty. The officers are as follows: John R. Waymire and Henry Lininger, stewards; John Waymire, Samuel McElwee, T. S. McElwee, Samuel Losher and Jacob Losher, trustees. The Sunday School, under the efficient management of John Waymire, is well attended, and has been a valuable auxilliary to the work of the church.
Villages .- Perrysburg .- Some towns grow up where they are from the very nature of things. A water course or a crossing will give rise to a shop or little store, and by gradual accretion, there comes to be an assemblage of houses and an increase of busi- ness, which at length necessitates the laying out and incorporation of a village. Other towns have their origin in the speculative minds
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of men. A combination of these two causes undoubtedly led to the founding of the little village of Perrysburg. Early in 1837, Matthew Fenimore ard John R. Wilkinson, purchased a tract of land, embracing the present site of the town, the State road lead- ing from Peru to Rochester, dividing their respective places. The location being at that time near the center of a large area of sparsely settled country, and remote from any trading point, the advisability of laying out a town suggested itself to Messrs. Feni- more and Wilkinson, who, after carefully weighing the matter from a business stand point, concluded that such a venture would be both safe and profitable. Accordingly a surveyer was employed, and in June of the above year, the town plat, consisting of thirty-six lots, was laid out and duly recorded. The State road forms the main street, running North and South, and crossing this at right angles, are Bridge, Second and High streets. In the summer of 1837, Mr. Fenimore brought a stock of goods to the new town, and also opened a hotel for the accommodation of the traveling public, in both of which he was quite successful. He was in business about two years, at the end of that time sold out to Richard Britton and moved to Peru. He subsequently settled in the southern part of But- ler Township, where in the year 1848, he laid out the town of Santa Fe.
William Burnett was one of the early residents of Perrys- burg, and for a number of years kept a hotel; first in the Feni- more building and later in a house of his own, which became a favorite stopping place. John Harris afterward became proprie- tor of this hotel, and his reputation as an experienced and accom- modating landlord was such that the house was never in want of paying guests, many of whom pronounced it the best place of entertainment in the county. Dr. Henry Howe moved to the village about the year 1846, and in connection with the practice of the healing art, engaged in the goods business, which he sub- sequently disposed of to John Howe, who carried on a success- ful trade for several years. His successor was Wesley McFar- land, who, in turn, sold out to Jacob Rannells. The latter was identified with the business interests of the town until 1884, and during the period of his stay carried on a larger trade than any other merchant in the county, outside of Peru. He suffered a severe loss by fire, in 1884, which, with other troubles growing out of the involved condition of his business, led to his unhappy death by suicide, in the spring of that year. Jesse Friend sold goods in the village for a short time, and in 1874, G. W. Wright opened a general store, which he has since successfully carried on, his business house being the only one in the town at this time. The early mechanics of the village were George Bosh, blacksmith; Thomas Garlinghouse, wagonmaker, and Hamilton 32
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Simonton, carpenter and cabinet-maker. The present mechanics are Erwin Bosh and Frank Moody, both of whom work at the blacksmith trade. As already stated, Dr. Henry Howe was the first practicing physician in the place. Since his departure, the following medical men have practiced their profession here, from time to time, to-wit: Drs. Ladue, Shadwick, Detric and Con- ner. The resident physician at this time, is Dr. W. A. Ager, who has a large and lucrative business in Miami, Cass and Ful- ton Counties. Perrysburg, while never coming up to the expec- tations of its founders, has always sustained the reputation of a good local trading point, and situated, as it is, in the midst of a rich agricultural region, will, perhaps, continue to be the chief source of supplies for a large area of territory. It has a beauti- ful graded school building, two church organizattons, sketches of which have been given, and its inhabitants, in point of thrift and intelligence, will compare favorably with those of any other town of its size in the State.
Deedsville, a small village on the I., P. & C. Railroad, in the eastern part of the township, was laid out July, 1870, by Samuel M. Leedy and Albert Deeds. The original plat consists of eighty-four lots, to which an addition of twelve lots was made by Samuel Leedy in December, 1872. The village, while not a place of exten- sive business, has enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity, and, in conse- quence of its advantages as a shipping point, is likely to remain a place of more than ordinary local importance. The first business of the village was a general store started sometime in 1870 by E. H. Hill and W. H. Leedy, and a short time thereafter a small stock of groceries was brought to the place by J. Kepler. The business at this time is as follows: E. H. Hill, grain buyer and dealer in general merchandise; G. S. Steiner, dealer in groceries, hardware and notions; Steiner & Robbins, manufacturers of drain tile; Fenton & Moon operate a large steam saw mill and do a successful lumber business; G. S. Steiner is the village blacksmith, and E. H. Hill represents the Government in the capacity of Postmaster.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
DR. UPTON A. AGER, of Perrysburg, is a native of Starke County, Ohio, and was born January 24, 1839. He was the only son born to John G. and Mary (Lineroad) Ager, natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectively, the former of Ger- man and Irish and the latter of German descent. When our subject was eight years old he accompanied his parents to Hunt- ington County, this State, where his youth was spent working
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upon his father's farm. During this time he attended the pub- lic school, in which he received a good common school educa- tion. This was supplemented by a course of instruction in select schools at Roanoke and Huntington, by which he received a knowledge of some of the higher branches of learning. After quitting school he accepted a position as clerk in a hardware store in Huntington. This position he held about eighteen months, after which he had a like position in Indianapolis six months. He then returned to Huntington and began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. O. A. Lewis, a graduate of both Rush and Bellevue Colleges. He remained under his instruc- tion two years. During the winter of 1865 and '66 he attended a course of lectures in the Chicago Medical College. The sum- mer of 1866 was spent in the office of Drs. Laymon & Shafer, of Huntington. During the winter of 1866 and '67 he attended a course of lectures in the Rush Medical College, of Chicago, from which he graduated in February, 1867. He returned to Huntington County and entered upon his professional labors at Antioch. A few months later he removed to Rochester, Fulton County. In April, 1868, he came to this county and located at Perrysburg, where he has ever since been actively engaged in the practice of his profession. October 18, 1870, he was mar- ried to Cinderilla Wood, a native of Fulton County, and daugh- ter of Christopher and Rebecca (Rannells) Woods. She was born June 20, 1852. Dr. and Mrs. Ager have had five chil- dren. They are Mary E., born March 17, 1872; L. Edgerton, born January 20, 1874; Fleetwood C., born July 22, 1877; Zulu B., born September 9, 1880, and Robbie, born February 2, 1882, and died February 3, 1882. Dr. Ager is a member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge and a Republican in politics. As a practi- tioner he is a complete success. His professional career has been a brilliant one. It was not long after his location at Perrysburg until he had built up an extensive practice. At times his practice has made such demands upon him as to imperil his own physi- cal condition, in consequence of which his health is somewhat impaired. He began life without a dollar, and though he scarcely is past the meridian of life, he has accumulated considerable property. Besides a pleasant home in Perrysburg and a good farm in this county, he owns a farm of 158 acres in Cass County, all of which is the result of his industry, perseverance and economy.
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