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 77
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
" From the most reliable information at our command we give to Thomas Henton the credit of being the first white man to make a permanent settlement in what is now Washington Township." He moved to the country as early as 1838, and made some improve- ments upon what is now the Demuth farm. Mr. Henton was a pioneer in all the term implies, and for the first five years after his settling, did little else than hunt, a sport of which he was passion-
803
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
ately fond. His first habitation was the conventional round log cabin of that period, in which he lived a life of happy bachelorhood. He subsequently resigned the life of a bachelor by uniting himself in marriage to a lady, who, after his death, became the wife of Mr. Demuth. The year 1839 was signalized by the arrival of a num- ber of home seekers; among whom were Patrick O'Brien, who set- tled where his son is still living; Thomas O'Mera, on the Haver farm; John Bargerhoof, on the Bearss place; Daniel Taggett, near the north end of the township; Mr. McManis, near where the Widow Myers lives; John Gindling, on the Smith farm; George Beck, on the Brown farm; Guinton Key, on the Puterbaugh place; Michael Duffy, on the place which still bears his name, and John Cleiker, where his son lives.
Early in the forties came the following pioneers: Malachi Kuhn, at present a resident of Peru, settled on the Miller farm about the year 1840; Alexander Wilson also became a resident about the same time and located on the farm where his son, George Wilson, is still living; Emanuel Charpie came in 1840 or '41, and chose for his home the Whiteside farm. Others who came about the same time or perhaps a year or two later, were William Weakler, on the farm which is still known as the Weak- ler place; James Dabney, on the Mosely farm; William Lyce, on the Sherman farm; John Miller, on land in the possession of his heirs; Charles Brown, on the George Haver farm; Isaac Miller, on the Shipler place; John Allen, where he still resides; A. Henen, on the Blood farm; James Downey, on the Blood farm; John Hunt, on the Coleman place; Patrick Colgan, where he is still living; Jacob Keller and Amos Ranks, whose exact locations were not learned. The following settlers came a little later than the foregoing: James Sharp, where he still lives; William King, near the central part of the township; John David- son, on land belonging to Joseph Miller, near Big Pipe Creek; Joseph Scott, in the south end of the township; Frederick Har- ter, near Pipe Creek, on the Strawtown road; Thomas Goudy, in the southeastern part of the township; Arthur Bland, on the Strawtown road; Otis Fish, in Section 35; B. F. York, in the northeast corner of the township, on Little Pipe Creek; W. H. Misener, in the Richardville Reserve, not far from the Butler Township line; Samuel Jameson, on Little Pipe Creek, where his son-in-law, Irvin Jones, lives; John Betzner, in the southwest- ern part.of the township; Philip and William Mort, near the western boundary, in Section 16; Stephen Frazer, in Section 33; Frederick Coleman, near the central part of the township; John and Ben York, on Little Pipe Creek; Jerry Shaffer, in the northwest cor- ner of the township; Samuel Shenebarger, where H. Mosely lives; Jacob Strouble, near the poor farm; Martin Flagg, near
804
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
where Shenebarger settled; Ephraim Bearss, on the Strawtown road, near Pipe Creek; David Dunn, place of settlement not known; Joseph Scott, in southeast corner of the township; P. Blake, on Big Pipe Creek; William and N. Corey, near Little Pipe Creek; Franklin Fitchhorn, in southern part; Samuel Beall, Sylvester Tumblin, John Hawes, Conrad Hawes, Bernard Hawes, Robert Mckinney, James McClary, John Allen, John Flagg and Abraham Billheimer, in the south end of the township. The fol- lowing were also among the pioneers of Washington, settling in various parts of the township, to-wit: Bradley Witham, Zachariah O'Connell, John Eichelberger, John E. Shively, Martin Flagg, Joseph Bupert, Israel Leer, William Scott, J. T. Miller, J. Marshall, John Hann, Barney Blue, Mr. Farlow, David Dunn, Jacob Sherman, Captain Drouillard, George Rettick, Mark McKane, Peter Criss- man, Joseph Hopkins, Mr. Strogler, David Kronister, M. Ray- burn, A. M. Higgins, John Glass, Charles Trippeer, G. H. Ely, Benjamin Trippeer, John Ballen, Charles Brown, Elijah Baker, Romanus Charpie, Michael Werhle, Jacob Shawman, Isaac Crane, Michael Case, David Myers, Daniel B. Mark, Patrick O'Brien, Michael Whaling, John Demuth, John Allen, James Striker, John Pines, Samuel and John Glass, Martin Flagg, George H. Ely, Arthur Bland and many others whose names were not given the writer.
The following are the names of the persons who secured lands in Washington Township, by entry, during the years 1840 and 184I. Bradley Withan, Zachariah O'Connell, John T. Miller, Michael Duffy, Patrick Corbett, Charles Bourke and John Eichelberger, in Section I and 2; John E. Shively, Alexander Wilson, James M. Raybourn, and A. M. Higgins, Section 3; Jeremiah Shaffer, Daniel Kronister, Elijah Baker and R. Charpie, Section 5; Michael Werhle, Mal- achi Kuhn, John Gindling, Jacob Strouble, Jacob Shawman, Isaac Crane and D. R. Bearss, in Section 10; Samuel Lucas, P. O'Brien, David Myers, D. B. Marks, John Stunt, George Cleiker and Mich- ael Case, in Section 12. The above were the first entries made in the township. "The township was formerly organized June 6, 1843, and named in honor of George Washington." "Shortly after the organization was perfected, an election was held at the cabin of Thomas Hinton." "Isaac Miller was chosen first Justice of the Peace and Patrick O'Brien, Constable."
The four great factors of modern civilization are the family, the school, the church and the press, important in the order of their enumeration. Of these we have to do with the church in its various forms, commencing with the earliest preacher in Washington Township-Rev. Mr. Johnson, who held divine services at the residence of John Allen, as long ago as 1843. Meetings were held the same year at the cabins of Mr. Henen and Mr.
805
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
McManis, but our informant was not able to state by what denomination. Revs. Simons and Hoover, ministers of the United Brethern Church, visited the settlements early in the forties, and held meetings in school houses and private residences. These meetings awoke considerable interest, and were the means of leading to the organization of a small society about the year 1846. This organization flourished apace, and among its mem- bers were early enrolled many of the first settlers of Washing- ton and Butler Townships. It is now known as the Grider Chapel. The earliest pastors were Revs. Mr. Simons, Eli Hoover, William Ault, and later, Eli Seithman and John Fetter- hoff. In 1867 a frame house of worship, 30x40 feet in size, costing the sum of $900, was erected on land donated for the purpose by John Grider, in Section 24, near the eastern boun- dary of the township. The church has been a potent factor for good in the community, and, though not so strong in numbers as formerly, still has an active membership, composed of some of the best citizens of Washington and adjoining townships. The officers of the society at this time are: George Cline, Class Leader; David Crane, Steward; William York, David Crane and John Grider, Trustees. Rev. Mr. Groves is the pastor in charge.
The Presbyterians organized a church in this township a num- ber of years ago, and erected a house of worship on what is known as the White farm. The organization was kept alive for some years, and at one time enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity. Owing to deaths, removals and other causes, it was finally disbanded. The German Baptists or Dunkards have a large and flourishing congregation in the extreme southern part of the township, the his- tory of which dates from about the year 1866. It is the principal point on the Santa Fe Church district, which was formed by the division of the Pipe Creek district, in the above year. The early meetings were held at the residences and barns of the different mem- bers, by John E. Shively, Samuel Murray, Godlove Keller and
Abraham Shepler. When the division was made John E. Shively was chosen Biship of the new district and preached with great acceptance until his death. John P. Wolf succeeded him as Bishop, and about the same time N. R. Bowman was elected preacher. The other preachers who ministered to the church from time to time, were P. T. Jenkins, Joseph Shepler and J. J. Fox, the last named being the oldest preacher in the district at this time. Shortly after the division took place the church decided to erect a house of worship; accordingly a plat of ground, near Pipe Creek, in Sec- tion 34, was donated by William Biggs, and before the close of 1866, a large and substantial frame building, 45x70 feet, was ready for occupancy. This is one of the largest church edifices
806
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
in Miami County, and will comfortably accommodate an audience of a thousand persons. The original membership of the congre- gation numbered about 118. It is not so strong at this time, the present membership being about 76. The following is the official status of the society at this, viz: First degree preachers, John S. Bohn and Morris Dillman; second degree, Jacob J. Fox and D. B. Wolf. Deacons, Jacob Ray, William Austine, Henry Aus- tine, George Cunningham and William Hostetler; Treasurer and Clerk, Henry Austine; Directors, Morris Dillman, Henry Austine and William Hostetler. The church has a meeting place at the village of Waupecong, Clay Township, where services are held at regular intervals.
There have been few manufacturing enterprises of any kind in Washington Township, owing to its close proximity to Peru and other manufacturing centers. Sometime in the latter part of the forties, a Mr. Blood built a saw-mill on Little Pipe Creek, near the central part of the township, which was in operation a number of years. It received its motive power from the waters of the creek, and was extensively patronized. The last owner was George Davis. A saw-mill was built on Big Pipe Creek, in Section 33, as early as 1848 or '49, by John Flagg. It passed through the hands of various parties, and ceased operations a number of years ago. Sylvester Kirkpat- rick was the last proprietor. There have been at different times, steam saw-mills in operation in the township, and the lumber business was formerly an important industry. Several parties in the last few years ยท have been engaged in the manufacture of drain tile, an enterprise which has proved quite remunerative. At this time there is a factory for the manufacture of an improved picket wire fence, in successful operation on the Strawtown Pike, near the central part of the township, and a large jelly factory and hydraulic cider press, operated on an extensive scale by Mr. Mosely. The Cole Brewery in South Peru is one of the largest and most successful establishments of the kind in the State. The buildings are substan- tially constructed and supplied with the modern appliances for the manufacture of beer, and the capacity is excelled by that of few brewing establishments in the West.
There are several burial places in Washington Township, one of the oldest of which is the Wickler graveyard, in Section 15. One of the first persons buried in this place was a child of Robert Love, which was carried to the grave on horseback, by Mr. Miller. Mr. Love, himself, was also buried here in an early day. The Rankin graveyard, in Section 34, on the Bearss land, was con- secrated to the burial of the dead many years ago, and among the first persons laid to rest therein were Mrs. Harter and Caleb Adams. The Haws graveyard, near Pipe Creek, is an old bury- ing ground. The following were among the early interments: A
807
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Mr. Haws, Mr. Larimer and the children of David Hockman. " The first marriage in the township was that of Patrick Col- gan to Bridget Kennedy in 1841." To this couple was born a son, Lawrence, the following year, who was probably the first white child born in the township. " The first death is supposed to have been that of John Hunt, which occurred February, 1842." Abra- ham Bilheimer, who came to the country in an early day, was one of the first mechanics of the township. He settled on the Straw- town road, in Section 7, and worked at the cabinetmaker's trade during the early settlement of the county. John Allen, who located near the southern boundary of the township, early, worked at the trade of wagon-making. A sad occurrence in the township was the death, many years ago, of Conrad Haws, killed by lightning. The only town in Washington Township is South Peru, a suburb of the city of Peru lying just across the river from the latter. It has a population of a couple of hundred, the majority of whom find employment in the main city. Here is located the mammoth brew- ing establishment of Omer Cole, one of the largest and most suc- cessful enterprises of the kind in the State. There are, besides, several shops, a couple of saloons and a saw-mill in South Peru, but the history of the place is closely identified with that of the city.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CHARLES L. ARMSTRONG was born December 14, 1833, in Highland County, Virginia, the only son of James and Mariah (Hiner) Armstrong, natives of Pennsylvania and Vir- ginia, respectively. They emigrated to Miami County and settled at Peru in 1846. Charles L. was reared on a farm, receiving a common school education. In 1858 he was married to Mary C. Leas, born in Preble County, Ohio, who died in 1870 or 1871. Three children were born to this union: Laura, Jesse and Claude. He was again united in marriage in April, 1874, to Mrs. R. A. Remine Vance, a native of Washington County, Virginia. He now owns land adjoining Peru, and his principal business is dairy farming. His politics are Republican, and he affiliates with the Masonic Order.
JOHN CLIFTON, SR., a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, was born February 2, 1826. He is the fourth son of Henry and Rhoda (Nichols) Clifton, natives of Virginia, and of English and Dutch origin. They emigrated to Ohio in 1808 or 1809. John Clifton was reared in Dayton, receiving an education at the common schools. When eighteen years of age he learned brick-making, and December 24, 1844, was united in
33
808
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
marriage with Miss Martha Addis, a native of Mississippi, but who was reared in Kentucky. To them these children were born: George, John and Amos. They located in Peru, Miami County, April, 1855. In 1862 he entered his country's service in the 29th Indiana Volunteers, and was mustered out in 1863. He now holds membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, and politically is a Republican.
ISAAC CRANE, a native of Warren County, Ohio, was born near Lebanon, January 26, 1811, the eldest son of Abner and Huldah (Robertson) Crane, natives of New York and Ohio. The subject was reared on a farm in his native County; came to Miami County in 1843, and located in Washington Township, having bought eighty acres of land in 1840, at five dollars per acre. He was married in 1862, to Miss Margaret J. (Logan) James, of Ohio. He owns eighty acres of land in Washington, and 120 in Clay Township. He is an anti-mason and is opposed to absolute prohibition. When young he received a common school education, and in later years has been grasping for a knowledge of chemistry and natural philos- ophy.
JOSEPH S. GORDON was born in Frederick County, Maryland, July 3, 1834, and is a son of John and Margaret (McClain) Gordon, natives of Maryland. Our subject received his early training on a farm in Maryland, and received a common school education. Came to Miami County in 1861, and located in Washington Township. In 1862 he entered the army in the Eighty-seventh Regiment of Indiana Infantry, and was mustered in, in 1865. He participated in the battles of Chickamauga, Mis- sion Ridge and Atlanta. Was married on January 22, 1867, to Miss Anna M. Snider, of Burks County, Pennsylvania, a union blessed with the birth of two children-Charles Albert, born Janu- ary 26, 1870, and Howard O., born December 6, 1878. Mr. Gor- don owns eighty acres of land located five miles from Peru, which is well improved. He votes the Republican ticket.
CHRISTOPHER C. HAUKS, a native of Germany, was born on the 20th day of April, 1848, and is the sixth son of Chris- topher and Margaret Hauks, natives of Germany. The parents came to Miami County in 1846, and located on a farm in Washing- ton Township. The father was born in 1801, and died in 1875. The mother died in 1846. Our subject was reared on a farm and now owns 113 acres of well improved land and is a practical farmer. In August, 1862, he volunteered his services to his country, and entered the service in the 87th Indiana Infantry, and with which he served until mustered out June 10, 1865. He was wounded at Chickamaugua, and returned to his farm in 1865. He was first mar- ried, September 4, 1866, to Miss Rhoda Jameson, of Jefferson Town- ship. Her death occurred February 4, 1880. To this union were
809
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
born six children, four of whom are living: Charles N., Mattie, Frank A. and Elmer E .; and John P. and an infant, deceased. He was again married, June 2, 1881, to Miss Ella Bell, a native of Jefferson County, Indiana. Mr. Hauks is a Democrat.
ALFRED I. JONES is a native of North Carolina, born June 1, 1830. He is the eldest son of William M. and Eliza- beth (Wood) Jones, natives of South Carolina. They left North Carolina in the early part of 1833 and located in Rush County, where they remained until 1852, and then came to Miami County. They now reside in Wabash County. The subject was reared on the farm, and secured a fair education. He is the owner of 113 acres of land. He was married in the spring of 1853 to Miss Mary Jameson, a native of Kentucky, whose father came to Miami County in an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Jones are parents of seven children, five of whom are living. Their names are: Martha, William H., Frances, Emma and Mary, living, and Amanda and an infant, deceased.
WILLIAM McGREW, a native of Washington County, Maryland, was born the roth of April, 1813, and is the son of Henry and Sarah (Huckwell) McGrew, both natives of Maryland. They emigrated to Montgomery County in 1819. The mother died in 1820, and the father in 1852. William McGrew received his early training on a farm in Montgomery County, Ohio. On the 4th of April, 1838, he was married to Miss Sophia Cramer, who was born in Huntington County, Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. McGrew were born eight children, four of whom are living, viz: Francis, Henry, William H. and Uraniah. Mr. McGrew has nineteen grand- children and two great-grand-children. Mr. McGrew possesses eighty acres of land in Washington Township, where he located in 1852. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church at Peru, a Royal Arch Mason, and a Democrat.
JOHN A. MELCHER was born in Germany, May 1, 1845, and is a son of John A. Melcher, who emigrated to Cleveland in 1846. The subject was reared and educated there in the com- mon schools, and afterwards entered a college at that place, and in 1865, came to Peru, where he engaged in cigar-making. He ran a factory at Michigan City for about two years. In 1880, he started a saloon and billiard hall. In November, 1867, he was married to Miss Liddie J. Holman, daughter of Solomon Hol- man, an old settler of Miami County. This union was blessed with the birth of six children, whose names are, Sol. A., Author E., Willie, Emma, Lottie and Jessie. Mr. M. is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a staunch Republican.
ORLANDO MOSELEY, a native of Washington Township, born April 8, 1851, and is the youngest of seven sons born to Eben
810
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
and Mariah (Bush) Moseley, natives respectively of Connecticut and New York. Eben Moseley, the father, came to Miami County about 1844, and followed the occupation of a farmer. He was born in 1799 and died in 1876. The mother is still living. Our subject was reared on the farm, and now owns 160 acres of well- improved land in Washington Township. Was married April 7, 1872, to Miss Sarah Bohn, daughter of John Bohn (deceased), of Washington Township. Mr. and Mrs. Moseley are the parents of two children-John and Ida. Mr. Moseley is engaged in the manu- facture of the "Excelsior " fencing machine, the patent for which is applied for. Mr. Moseley is a Republican, and is identified with the Masonic fraternity.
FREDERICK RADEL, a native of Germany, was born May 15, 1815. He came direct from the place of his birth to Peru, Indiana, in 1846, where he located and worked in a warehouse for about eight years. He is a shoemaker by trade. In the year 1862 he located on a farm of eighty acres, in Wash- ington Township. In October, 1837, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Beck, of Germany, to which union six children have been born, viz: Elizabeth Tracy (deceased), Frank, Adam, Fred, Frances and Peter. His wife died in November, 1877. He and family are members of the Catholic Church, and are strong believers of that faith. In political affairs he adheres to the teachings of the Democratic party.
JONAH SULLIVAN is a native of Mason County Kentucky, born June 30, 1817, the third son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Bennett ) Sullivan, also natives of Kentucky, and whose ancestors were Irish and German, respectively. At the age of seventeen our subject left his native State for Fayette County, Ohio, in company with his mother, his father having died in 1820. They located on a farm, he receiving a fair common school education. They remained in Ohio until 1841, and then came to Peru, having purchased land in Miami Couniy in 1840. He now owns 340 acres in Miami and Wabash Counties. He was married in July, 1841, to Miss Louisa Smith, of Ohio, to which union six children were born; William, Sarah E., James L., George and Lyman B. This wife died in 1862, and in 1863, he was again married to Lizzie A. Cox, a native of Ohio, to whom one child was born, named John M. Mr. Sulli- van and wife are members of the Baptist Church, and politically he is a Republican.
WILLIAM A. SUTTON, a native of Champaign County, Ohio, was born on the 14th day of February, 1843, the second son of John D. and Mary (Long) Sutton, of Westmoreland County, Virginia, who went to Pennsylvania in 1847, and came to Miami County, Indiana, in 1848, and established themselves on a farm where the subject grew to manhood. In 1861 he answered to the
SII
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
country's first call for volunteers and entered the 13th Indiana Regiment. He was mustered out in four years and six months- in the fall of 1865. Was wounded in the leg at the battle of Bull Run. In 1867 he and Miss Rebecca Kesler, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Kesler, were married, which marriage has been blessed by the birth of six children, viz: Minnie M., Charles H., David, Ursula, Edith and John. Was elected to the office of County Cor- oner in 1876 on the Republican ticket, but did not make out a bond. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and Masonic fraternity, and in politics votes the Republican ticket.
ALEXANDER B. WICKLER was born in Washington Township, January 7, 1851, and is the youngest son of Peter and Barbara (Keller) Wickler, of Germany, who came from Ohio to this township about 1838, and were among the early settlers. Our subject received his primary instructions in life while living on a farm, and received a common school education. He is now the possessor of 320 acres of fine farming land which he has placed under a high state of cultivation. In September, 1875, he married Miss Rebecca A. Ford, of Ohio, and to them have been born three children, viz: Ora, Georgia and Mary. In political matters he advocates the Republican doctrine; and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. AZRO WILKINSON is a native of Allen Township, Miami County, Indiana, and was born January 20, 1856, the youngest son of Anderson and Martha (Bond) Wilkinson, natives of Ohio and Kentucky, respectively. The father located in Miami County, in 1836, and is now living in Allen Township. Our subject received a common school education, and until he reached the age of twenty- one worked on the farm. He then engaged in the mercantile busi- ness with Ovis Case, at Macy, in 1879, and continued until 1884. Two years previous to 1879 he was railroad agent at Macy. In 1883, while in business, he came to Peru, and was Deputy County Treasurer under E. Humrickhouse, deceased, and also occupied the same position under J. C. Clymer. United with Miss Ella Lam- bert in marriage, November 20, 1879, to whom were born three children: Josephine, Glenn A. and Constance. Belongs to the Masonic and I. O. O. F. Fraternities, having represented the local Odd Fellows' Lodge in the Grand Lodge of the State on two occa- sions. In matters political he is Democratic.
GEORGE W. WILSON came to Miami County in 1834 from Cass County, where he was born August 16, 1832. He was the second son born to Alexander and Matilda (Thorp) Wilson, respective natives of Indiana and Maine, and who were of Scottish descendancy. The father located in Pennsylvania in 1834, and was engaged in the mercantile business. Had repre- sented his county in the Legislature several years ago. He was a sutler in the Mexican war, having gone out in 1846, and was
812
HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
killed three days after peace was declared. Our subject was reared in Peru, where he received a common school education. His vocation has been farming and dairying, and owns 115 acres in Washington Township. In November, 1857, he was married to Miss Mary Rettig, and six children have been born to them, whose names are Alexander R., Frank, Louis, Edward, Mary and Elizabeth. Was once elected Justice of the Peace of Wash- ington Township, and was once Township Trustee by appoint- ment, and in the spring of 1886 was elected to the office on the Republican ticket.
3340
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.