USA > Indiana > Wabash County > History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 36
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WABASH COUNCIL NO. 13 CHARTERED
With the record of its work, from the date of organization under dis- pensation and the prescribed code of by-laws, John B. Rose, the repre-
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sentative by proxy for Wabash Council, appeared in the Grand Council at its session of 1860, filed the necessary papers and records, and asked for a charter by which the Council should be governed. The commit- tre to whom the application was referred reported as follows: "The Committee on Charters and Dispensations have examined the proceed- ings and by-laws of Wabash Council ( under dispensation ) and find them correct, and recommend that a charter be granted to the companions to organize a Council under the name of Wabash Council No. 13, and that Companions Thomas Jay be appointed the first thrice illustrious grand master, Hugh Hanna, deputy t. i. g. m., and Edward S. Ross, principal conductor of the work." The charter was issued May 23, 1860, and the first officers chosen under it were: Thomas Jay, illustrious master ; Hugh Hanna, deputy illustrious master; E. S. Ross, p. c. w .; Thomas B. Me- Carty, recorder; D. M. Whiteside, treas .; N. D. Myers, e. g .; James E. MeClure, st. and s.
During the Civil war period the Council suspended its sittings, as most of its members were active Union soldiers. When work was re- sumed in 1866, there was a membership barely sufficient for a quorum. Hugh Hanna and John B. Rose, E. S. Ross and Nathan IIerff, N. D. Myers and A. L. Tyer, were prominent in the work of the Council dur- ing the first quarter of a century of its life.
Wabash Council No. 13 has maintained a steady growth since war times, its present membership being ninety-five. Present officers: Alex- ander Hess, t. i. g. m .; Val. Freising, d. t. i. g. m .; Aaron Simon, p. e. w .; Jacob Alber, treas .; Edwin G. Sackett, rec.
THE COMMANDERY
Wabash Commandery No. 37, K. T., was organized April 20, 1893, and has a membership of 140. Its offieers are as follows: Joseph A. Lay. eminent commander; W. J. Creighton, gen .; L. G. A. Powell, e. g .; Lee A. Carr, rec .; Frank V. Conner, s. w .; Burton E. Wolrod, j. w.
THE O. E. S.
Wabash Chapter No. 90, O. E. S., was organized April 23, 1890. The Chapter is in a flourishing condition and is officered as follows: M. S. Howe, worthy patron; Mrs. George S. Courtier, worthy matron; Mrs. M. L. Chapler, a. m .; Mrs. E. A. Edwards, sec.
THE MASONIC HIALL
In the early '90s the different Masonic bodies of Wabash joined issues for the erection of a building which should serve as headquarters for
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the craft. The result was the fine Masonic Hall erected in 1892. It is a substantial three-story structure, on Wabash Street, the Masonie rooms occupying the upper story. The Masonic Hall, both as a city building and a home for the fraternity, is a credit to Wabash and the craft which it represents.
ST. ANASTASIA MESNIL LODGE No. 46, I. O. O. F.
On August 27, 1847, St. Anastasia Mesnil Lodge No. 46, 1. O. O. F., was instituted in the Town of Wabash by Job B. Eldridge, of Neilson Lodge No. 12, of Logansport, Indiana. The charter was issued by the Grand Lodge of the State to the following petitioners, who therefore be- came charter members: George E. Gordon, Joseph Hopkins, Archibald Stitt, John U. Pettit and George Winters. The first officers were: John U. Pettit, noble grand; Joseph Hopkins, vice grand; George F. Gordon, sec .; Archibald Stift, treas. At this meeting Michael Black was also in- itiated, the five degrees were conferred upon him and he was appointed the first guardian of the lodge.
The affairs of the lodge progressed satisfactorily as to membership, but the fire of August 8, 1849, destroyed the hall, charter and regalia of the original body, making it necessary to reorganize and rebuild. Un- der a new charter, the lodge met in the summer of 1850 to dedicate an- other hall, situated in the third story of the building on the northeast corner of Wabash and Canal streets. The new charter was issued on the 10th of January, 1850, to John U. Pettit, Alanson P. Ferry, George E. Gordon, Michael Black, William Steele, Jr., Heury B. Olin, Daniel II. Tyner and James Davis.
Work on the Odd Fellows Hall on East Market Street was com- meneed in October, 1873, the building was completed in the fall of 1874 at a cost of $9,000, and the hall was appropriately dedicated in June, 1875.
LEADING ODD FELLOWS
Among those who were prominent in the earlier years of Odd Fel- lowship in Wabash, who served as noble grands and otherwise were closely and strongly identified with the work, may be mentioned Michael Black, William Steele, Jr., George E. Gordon, A. P. Ferry, William L. Russell, D. Brooks and B. F. Williams. The lodge has reached a mem- bership of 270 and is steadily growing. Present officers: Horatio Cop- pock, n. g .; Lloyd Kelch, v. g .; George E. Stands, f. sec .; Fred Bahler, rec. sec .; Val. Freising, treas.
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EBRONAH ENCAMPMENT
Ebronah Encampment No. 21, 1. O. O. F., was instituted at Wabash, on March 14, 1850, by D. D. G. P. James M. Warren of Logansport, In- diana, under a charter granted by the R. W. Grand Encampment of the State of Indiana. The charter members were Alanson P. Ferry, David T. Dedriek, Joseph Hopkins, Henry Lantz, William Steele, Jr., James Davis and Erastus Bingham. Its first officers were as follows: Joseph Hopkins, w. e. p .; William Steele, Jr., m. e. h. p .; A. P. Ferry, w. s. w. ; Erastus Bingham, w. j. w. ; D. T. Dedrick w. s .; James Davis, w. t.
At the time of organization, the Encampment was composed largely of residents of La Gro, and as the majority of members varied, now in favor of that place and then of Wabash, the places of meeting shifted back and forth. In 1857 La Gro became headquarters of the Encamp- ment, in 1860 Wabash, in 1865 La Gro and in 1867 Wabash ; since the last named year the county seat has remained permanent headquarters.
With the other bodies of the order, the Encampment has waxed in strength. having a present membership of 150 and the following officers : Charles Bahler, e. p .; Fred Bahler, h. p .; George E. Sands, s. w .; Valen- tine Freising, fin. soc .; A. II. Campbell, j. w. During the first thirty years of the Encampment, among those who were most prominent in the establishment of the body may be noted A. P. Ferry, William Steele, Jr., Daniel Sayre, JJohn U. Pettit, T. B. MeCarty, W. F. Rowan, William Murgotten, John H. Gamble, William Hoback, Thomas Underdown, M. R. C'rabill, C. W. James, B. F. Williams and C. E. ITutton.
DAUGIITERS OF REBEKAII
Wabash Lodge No. 304, Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted March 1, 1889, with the following charter members: Oliver II. Bogue, Abe Simons, II. II. Wheeler, C. E. Hutton, Sam Simons, M. R. Crabill, J. II. Weber, HI. B. Larelle, Mary L. Slaber, Frances Hutton, Eva Crabill, Sarah Ferry, Lib Laselle, Sarah Hoffman, Mary Mitten, and a few others. Its officers were : Adelia L. HIenly, n. g .; Alice P. Wheeler, v. g .; Anna MeClure, rec. sec. ; Hannah Kern, per. sec .; Frances E. Hutton, treas. The present noble grand of the lodge is Mrs. W. II. Derr; Mrs. Homer Stoops, v. g .; Mrs. Joseph Reed, secretary; Mrs. Arthur Grovers, treasurer; Mrs. W. J. Grass, financial secretary. Membership of the lodge about one hundred and twenty-five.
ROCK CITY LODGE OF ODD FELLOWS
Rock City Lodge No. 743, I. O. O. F., was instituted December 20, 1898, with J. M. Tyner as noble grand; Henry Bent as vice grand; C. E.
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Gift, secretary ; and R. E. Weesner, treasurer. Present officers: Curtis Elzroth, n. g .; Willard Pickering, v. g .; Milo Miller, treasurer ; and John Mills, secretary. The lodge has seventy-five members.
THE ELKS AND THEIR FINE HOME
Wabash Lodge No. 471, B. P. O. E., was organized in the spring of 1899. Its exalted rulers have been Charles Baker, W. G. Sayre, Dr. J. W. G. Stewart, J. D. Conner, Jr., Edward Beitman, N. S. Morris, R. B. Hunter, David Marks, A. N. Dunning, D. F. Brooks, John Kaiser, Louis D. Higson, Fred Hipskind and Charles Lyons. It is customary to change exalted rulers the first of April annually. For a number of years the Elks occupied the building which is now the home of the Knights of Pythias, but in 1907 Lodge No. 471 bought the Doctor Smith property, corner of Cass and Market streets, for which $12,000 was paid. This the Elks have since transformed into one of the most complete, comfortable and beautiful lodge homes in the city. The lodge is free of debt, has a membership of 300 and fully realizes the social and fra- ternal objects of its charter. Louis Wolf is the present exalted ruler, and Fred Walter, John A. Bruner and V. A. Mattern are the trustees.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS
Wabash Lodge No. 140, Knights of Pythias, was organized May 27, 1886, with officers as follows: James E. MeHenry, c. c .; Will Yarnelle, v. e .; A. L. Rohboek, p. c .; Abe Leedy, prel .; Henry C. Pettit, mat. a .; L. L. Daugherty, k. of r. and s .; Will Caul, m. of f .; Fred Snavely, m. of e .; Will Alber, o. g .; Angust Ilipskind, i. g .; Simon Cook, trustee. Present membership 290 and officers: Will MeCarty, e. e .; Glen Baker, v. e .; Otto Hipskind, p. e .; F. M. Dye, prel .; Ben. MeClure, m. at a .; J.G. Slegelmilch, k. of r. and s .; V. Freising, m. of f .; O. L. Talmage, m. of e .; Sam Burgess, i. g .; Martin Van Roe, o. g .; Elmer Burns, Will Urschel and M. G. Mitten, trustees.
KNIGIITS AND LADIES OF THE MACCABEES
The Knights of the Maccabees are represented by Wabash Tent No. 9, which was organized August 3, 1886, and has a membership of about one hundred and sixty. Present officers: Com., L. HI. Miller; lieut. com., August Sommers, and r. k., B. F. Johnson.
The Ladies of the Maccabees ( Wabash Ilive No. 30) were organized August 21, 1895. Alice Johnson is the present commander. There are
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two other organizations of Maccabees-South Wabash Tent No. 132 (Knights and Meredith Ilive No. 90 [ Ladies] ).
THE FORESTERS IN WABASH
Among the strongest fraternal orders in Wabash is that of the For- esters of America, or, more fully, the Independent Order of Foresters of America. The local Court, Wabash No. 9, was organized in December, 1893, with the following officers: John P. Martin, chief ranger; James Wigginson, rec. sec .; Edward Ditten, fin. sec .; George Hale, s. w .; Philip Schlemmer, j. w. At the time of its formation the Court had a member- ship of twenty-five, which has since increased to 320. Present officers: Edward Daynent, e. r .; Carl II. Lower, v. e. r .; Dan Showalter, sec .; Dr. P. G. Moore, treas. ; Joseph Hipskind, s. w. ; Lewis Banister, j. w. Doctor Moore is also the high medical examiner of the order in Indiana.
BEN HUR ( WABASH COURT NO. 23)
Although a comparatively young order, the Tribe of Ben Hur has made rapid progress in Wabash. The local body was organized March 9, 1895, but already has a membership of 400. Its present officers: Aurelia Dedrich, past chief ; William Kirkwood, chief; Elizabeth Zimmer, judge; Ada Mills, teacher; Edna Derr, seribe; Susie Snyder, keeper of tribute.
OKOBOJI TRIBE AND COUNCIL (1. O. R. M.)
These bodies of Moose which were organized November 12, 1912, mister some 350 strong in Wabash. Their officers are as follows: C. P. Callahan, d .; O. J. Kellogg, p. d .; Alto MeCarter, v. d .; Minor Coan, prel. ; William II. Durr, sec. ; Charles E. Bolte, treas.
THE EAGLES ( AERIE No. 549)
The Fraternal Order of Eagles have a growing lodge in Wabash, known as Wabash Aerie No. 549. It was organized December 10, 1903, has a membership of over one hundred, and is officered as follows: L. E. Logan, p. w. p .; A. M. Follis, w. p .; Irwin Gardner, w. chap .; O. W. Keller, w. treas .; E. C. Roberts, w. see.
OTHER SOCIETIES AND UNIONS
Besides the bodies mentioned in the foregoing the secret and fraternal orders are represented by the Royal Areamun, (Rock City Council No.
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379, with about fifty members), Ancient Order of United Woodmen, Modern Woodmen of America, B'nai Brith and Royal Neighbors.
The labor unions, which are of considerable strength, include the various Brotherhoods of Railway Men, and organizations of carpenters, machinists and boiler makers, as well as a Central Labor Union.
In the matter of societies, as of churches, the city is provided with mediums to satisfy all tastes and interests.
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CHIAPTER XXI
CHESTER TOWNSHIP
THE EEL RIVER VALLEY-STUMBLING BLOCKS FOR TIIE TOWNSHIP-A RACE FOR A HOMESTEAD-THE CREEKS AND THEIR NAMES-FIRST SET- TLER-FIRST PERMANENT RESIDENT-JAMES ABBOTT JOINS COLONEL HELVY-ELDER GEORGE ABBOTT-THIE OGANS-HENRY STRICKLER- THIE HARTERS-JOSEPH B. HARTER-SOME FIRST HAPPENINGS-LIB- ERTY MILLS FOUNDED-FIRST SETTLERS IN THE BEAR SWAMP REGION- CHESTER TOWNSHIP CREATED-LATER SETTLEMENT OF THE "BEAR SWAMP"-PIONEER VS. WILDERNESS-THE "MAIL TRACE"-TIIE. RAILROADS MAKE NORTH MANCHESTER-FIRST PREACHING BY ELDER FANNIN-PIONEER CHURCH-METHODISTS ORGANIZE CLASSES- SCHOOLS OF THE TOWNSHIP.
It was several years after the transfer of the former Indian lands in the Eel River Valley to the Government, and their survey into sec- tions, that settlers commenced to cast their eyes into what is now Chester Township in their search for homes. It is true that capitalists and speculators entered large tracts at the Government price of $1.25 per acre, and some times held them unimproved for years, to the great in- convenience and scorn of those who desired to become residents and real developers of the country.
THE EEL RIVER VALLEY
The land in the vicinity of Eel River is undulating, gradually de- veloping into gently sloping hilloeks to the northward. Between the rolling ground on either side of the river stretches a broad band of rich alluvial soil, specially adapted to corn raising. Toward the central por- tion of the township and extending well into the southern part is an area of gently rolling land diversified by patches of low prairie, while still further south the level lowlands are more pronounced. In fact, a large tract in that section of the township was returned by the early sur- veyors as "swamp land" and for many years was avoided by home-
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seekers as undesirable. That tract was designated by pioneers as the Bear Swamp, and was afterward transformed into a beautiful and fer- tile region mostly by settlers of German blood and habits.
STUMBLING BLOCKS FOR THE TOWNSHIP
But the fact that the obviously desirable lands of the Eel River re- gion were in the earlier years largely tied up by speculators and that it was a long time before this other fertile block of lands in Chester Township came to be recognized as valuable, proved real stumbling blocks in the progress of this part of the county.
In order to prevent the lands from falling into the hands of speen- lators, the early settlers resorted to various pretexts. One of them was to attend a sale in a body, and when the land was offered run up the price to a figure higher than the speculator dare offer, whether they had any intention of buying or not. In case the bona fide settler outbid the speculator, the land was put up the following day. The game would be repeated until the speculator became discouraged and withdrew. This may not have been strictly legitimate, but was generally exeused as a step necessary for self-preservation.
A RACE FOR A HOMESTEAD
Sometimes eligible tracts remained without an owner, parties often fearing to purchase land they had not seen, and in this way some pieces escaped attention. An incident may be related to show how these were sometimes entered. James Ridgely passing through the southeast part of the township discovered that part of section 30, town 29, range 8, was good land and had never been entered. While looking at the tract, another party put in an appearance with designs upon it also, and it then became a question as to which of them could get to the land office at Fort Wayne first. The stranger was afoot, but setting his pocket compass took a bee-line for his destination. Mr. Ridgely, being mounted, struck down to the towpath of the canal, a more circuitous route, but was fortunate enough to reach the land office at Fort Wayne about half an hour in advance of his competitor. Hle afterward returned to Mont- gomery County, Ohio, whence he set out for his near home in the forests of Chester Township, where he arrived in September, 1841, bringing with him abont a year's supply of provisions. Hle found the little hut he had previously built used as a sort of stable for the Indians' ponies. During the winter following he cleared up a patch of ground from which he raised a small crop of corn. The tops of the fallen trees served
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as "browse" for the eattle and horses, and were about all they had to live on until grass came in the spring. Mr. Ridgely was a typical set- tler, but he was by no means the first to arrive in Chester Township, as the progress of this story will show.
THE CREEKS AND THEIR NAMES
The township is so thoroughly watered that it has always been eon- sidered an ideal country for the raising of horses. Both Indians and white renegades made the region quite notorious in both the good and bad sense of the word, and one of its streams (Pony Creek) perpetuates the fact. It is a matter of record that with the coming of the first in- eursion of settlers in and near Bear Swamp both they and the Miamis managed to run these pony thieves out of the country, their headquarters being in the southwestern portion of the township between Bear Grass and Pony creeks. What Pony, or Ogan's Creek does for the southern portions of the township, Simonton Creek accomplishes for the northern -waters the soil well and makes of the adjacent lands, green and lux- uriant pastures.
FIRST SETTLER
The pioneer settlers within the limits of the present township located very near what is now North Manchester in the valley of the Eel River. In December, 1833, a man by the name of Brewer built himself a shaek near the site of the present town, and remained in that loeality during the winter. It is said that in the following spring he moved to the more lively town of Wabash, where he kept a boarding house for workmen em- ployed on the Wabash & Erie Canal. As he died shortly afterward, little is known of him.
FIRST PERMANENT RESIDENT
But in March, 1834, there eame a man of another type to the North Manchester locality-Col. Richard Helvy, who located on the bank of Eel River, about a mile northeast of the present town. He was a native of Virginia, but moved to Indianapolis at an early day, and about 1831 opened a farm at La Gro, Wabash County. The colonel was thus engaged until he ventured into the solitudes of the Eel River Valley at the time and the place mentioned. There he cleared a farm of more than a hundred acres-the first in the township-from which he raised the pioneer crop of corn in these parts. Vol. I -24
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JAMES ABBOTT JOINS COLONEL HELVY
In September, 1834, Colonel Helvy was joined by James Abbott, who located on the same stream a short distance above the present site of Liberty Mills. But although they were several miles apart, they were neighbors in those days. Mr. Abbott was a native of South Carolina, but at the age of eight years was bound out to a slaveholder in North Carolina with whom he remained until he was eighteen years of age. Ile then ran away from his master and escaped into Tennessee, where he was married in 1799 to Catharine Tillman. In 1805 he moved to Preble County, Ohio, where he purchased and improved a farm and reared ten children. Mr. Abbott served under General Wayne in the War of 1812 and his father was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. From his family, including his own children and grandchildren, no less than thirty soldiers were furnished to the Union army during the progress of the Civil war; which altogether speaks well for the patriotic blood of the Abbott family.
The family remained in Preble County, Ohio, until they located near the future Town of Liberty Mills in 1834. At that time James Abbott entered 160 acres of land on the present site of Liberty Mills and added enongh at a later date, to make. 400 aeres lying in Wabash and Kos- ciusco counties. Hle sold the land where Liberty Mills is now located to John Comstock, donating the mill site upon condition that the latter should erect and operate a gristmill there. Prior to this, he had offered the same site to Alexander McBride, who failed to comply with the stipu- lation.
ELDER GEORGE ABBOTT
. George Abbott, one of the sons of James, came to Wabash County with his parents when he was a youth of seventeen, and preached to a Christian congregation at Liberty Mills for thirty or forty years. Like his father he was a deacon in the church, and is said to have been instrumental in adding between two thousand and three thousand members to the Disciples of Christ during the many years of his service. In August, 1839, he mar- ried Miss Nancy Barrett, then the only white girl in Chester Township. She was a Kentucky girl, her father, Jesse, dying when she was quite young and the widow marrying Col. Richard Helvy.
The elder Abbott (James) died in 1867, at the age of ninety-one years, having sold his farm a few years before and made his home with his son George at North Manchester.
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THE OGANS
Before the close of 1834, the Abbotts and the Helvys were joined by John and Peter Ogan. The former located on the south side of Eel River, not far from the present Town of North Manchester and erected a rude corn mill on the bank of the ereek which still bears his name. Peter Ogan settled within the present corporate limits of North Manchester. Ile erected a flouring and sawmill on the bank of Eel River and was engaged in various other enterprises during the period of his residence in the community. As stated, the stream along whose banks the Ogans established their mills still bears the family name for several miles above North Manchester; below it is called Pony Creek.
JOHN SIMONTON
Early in 1835, John Simonton pushed his way up Eel River in a boat that contained himself, his family and household goods, disembarked and settled on a large farm on the south shore not far from the mouth of the ereek which bears his name. The locality is about midway between the sites of North Manchester and Liberty Mills, as we now know them. Mr. Simonton was long and favorably identified with the township.
HENRY STRICKLER
Henry Striekler came in February, 1836, and located on the south bank of the Eel River about a mile below North Manchester, where he cleared and improved a large farm, residing thereon until the time of his death. Ile was of sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch stock and his father was a Methodist preacher and a weaver. Upon coming to Wabash County Henry Striekler entered 320 acres of land at the loca- tion mentioned and hired a man from La Gro to assist him in the build- ing of a cabin. In 1836 he moved upon his purchase and commenced to elear away the forest growths. This traet, a short distance west of North Manchester, became a comfortable and attractive homestead, whereon was reared a large family of sons and daughters. Two of the former were in the Union army. Both parents died on the old home- stead, steadfast members of the Methodist Church, Mr. Strickler being given the main eredit for the erection of the First M. E. Church of North Manchester.
THE HARTERS
In September, 1836, Joseph Harter came from Montgomery County, Ohio, and, with his family, located within the present corporate limits
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of North Manchester. The family consisted of nine children, and several of the sons, as well as the father, were continuously identified with the milling and business interests of that place.
In the year of the arrival of the Harters, Peter Ogan had a portion of his land platted as the Town of North Manchester. As he put up the price of the lots to $10 apiece, the sales were at first rather slow. Joseph HIarter and his oldest son, Eli, at once commenced to take an active part in the development of the new town. The father purchased at different times twenty-eight quarter sections of land lying along the Eel River at and near North Manchester. In 1838 he built a sawmill and in 1839 a gristmill, the latter being upon the site of the present Eisenberger Mills. The father was a prominent citizen and a promoter of milling and business interests until his death in 1861.
Eli Harter, the son mentioned, arrived soon after his father, in the fall of 1836, and ereeted the second house in town. At a later period, Jacob and Joseph B., younger sons, became identified with North Man- chester and continued thus until a comparatively recent date. At first, until 1850, they were together in the drygoods business, and were after- ward associated in the drug business. Jacob died in 1909, but Joseph B. is living, in his eighty-eighth year. The latter retired from the drug business in 1907. He was the veteran druggist of that region and per- haps the oldest notary publie, having served in that capacity for more than forty-eight years.
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