History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume I, Part 37

Author: Weesner, Clarkson W., 1841-1924
Publication date: 1914
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1020


USA > Indiana > Wabash County > History of Wabash County, Indiana, Volume I > Part 37


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JOSEPH B. HARTER


Mr. Harter was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, May 3, 1827, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Brower) Harter. His mother was a Vir- ginian and it was from the Old Dominion that the Harter family mi- grated to Montgomery County, Ohio, in 1804. It has thus been resi- dent in "the territory northwest of the Ohio" for 110 years. Joseph B. was but nine years of age when his parents took the long overland trip from Ohio to Indiana, but still remembers the exciting journey through forests and over streams until they reached the city of Indianapolis and later, Logansport. They met Indians a-plenty, but no bears, and long after the family had settled at North Manchester the Pottawatomies and the Miamis were frequent visitors to the Harter mills and houses. Three quarters of a century have passed before the eyes and mind of Mr. Harter, and during that long period he has seen North Manchester and Wabash County grown from nothing to a fine eity and county; a New World has risen both before him and around him, and he still takes an interest in it all. He is one of the advisory editors of this work, and, in view of his record, it is well that he should be numbered on the staff.


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SOME FIRST HAPPENINGS


In April, 1835, a little over a year after their arrival, Colonel Helvy and his wife were blessed with their daughter, Sarah, the first native of Chester Township. In due time she married DeWitt West, of North Manchester, and both husband and wife resided there for many years.


Before the conclusion of his first month's stay, Mr. Brewer mourned the death of a young daughter, hers being the first death in Chester Township.


The first marriage was celebrated in 1838 by George Hapner and Eliz- abeth Simonton, daughter of John Simonton.


In August, 1839, George Abbott and Nancy Barrett were united by John W. Stephens, the first justice of the peace of the township, at Mr. Stephens' house. Mr. Abbott was about eighteen when he came to the township with his father, and Miss Barrett about the same age when she accompanied her step-father, Colonel Helvy. For some time, they were the only young man and young woman, respectively, in the locality, and were naturally often "thrown into each other's society." This propinquity, with a mutual attraction and willingness, could have but the one result. And Mr. and Mrs. George Abbott "lived happily ever afterward" in North Manchester.


LIBERTY MILLS FOUNDED


At the same time that North Manchester was being born through the efforts of Messrs. Ogan, Harter and others, the Town of Liberty Mills, two miles further up the river, was being created. The story has al- ready reached the point where James Abbott had sold the land upon which it was afterward platted to Alex MeBride upon the condition that he erect a gristmill upon the property. Mr. McBride failed to "make good," but in June, 1836, there came a man for whom the township and the county had been waiting, John Comstock, with his brave wife and six children. He assumed all the McBride obligations, building not only a gristmill, but a sawmill, a woolenmill, a distillery and a high- grade flourmill. In 1837 Mr. Comstock laid out the Town of Liberty Mills and, as we have fully described elsewhere, became in many ways the broadest, strongest and most helpful citizen in Wabash County. He put Liberty Mills fairly on the map and wrote himself into a large chapter of the county's history.


FIRST SETTLERS IN THE BEAR SWAMP REGION


Among the early settlers locating in the Bear Swamp and vicinity prior to 1836 were Caleb Antrim and George Dillon. In October, 1837,


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came Jesse Jenks; also Fleming and James Ayers and their widowed mother; Thomas Gilmore, at the same time, settled on section 18. Soon thereafter came Michael Burke, who located about one mile east of the Jenks settlement, and in 1838 Payton Daniels located about two miles south of that locality.


In 1838 Allen Halderman located upon a tract of land adjoining the Town of North Manchester on the east, and Abraham R. Switzer be- came a resident of North Manchester the same year and established the first cabinet shop in town. Gabriel Swihart located on a farm two miles north of town in 1839. He served one term in the Indiana Legislature, was otherwise prominent as a citizen and died in Kosciusco County.


Settlement in the southern and southeastern portions of the town- ship began at a later date than in the sections farther north along the Eel River and its tributaries. Progress in the portions of the township mentioned was retarded by the land speculators, to whom the editor's respects have already been paid; the consequence was that until after the unsold Government land had all been taken up, these properties failed to find purchasers. Among the first who located in these portions of the township was Andrew Freshour, who came about 1841; shortly afterward, Mr. Hoffman settled near him. In 1845 Peter Wright located on the farm which he so long occupied on section 27.


CHESTER TOWNSHIP CREATED


The year 1836 seems to have been an important one for Chester Town- ship. In fact, it was not created until that year, eight miles square be- ing set off from the north of La Gro Township under the name of Chester, in May, 1836; it was not until some years afterward that it attained its present area and form. As we have seen, North Manchester was also platted in 1836, and the lands which were platted as Liberty Mills came into the hands of John Comstock the same year. From that time on for several years North Manchester and Liberty Mills were industrial competitors.


LATER SETTLEMENT OF THE "BEAR SWAMP"


The Bear Swamp region of the south commenced to settle quite rapidly in the '50s. Previously, such settlers had located as Jonathan Hamilton and Stephen Jenks in 1840, and Alfred and Enos Hornady in 1841. The Hornadys took up lands on. sections 19 and 25. Samuel Ridgely came about two years later, and Cornelius Wilson about 1849. Then came a greater immigration to the region.


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In 1850-51 Nathan Iiland, Henry Howenstein, Hiram Filson, Enoel Ilarter and Lewis Harter, arrived; in 1854, Jacob Seheerer, Frederick Rickert, John Burkhart, Frederick Walter and Xavier Sell; and in 1855 Justus Gemmer and other good industrious Germans.


PIONEER VS. WILDERNESS


"Thus, within a period of little more than twenty years, the set- tlement which began along the banks of Eel River had become diffused over sixty-six square miles of territory, and in every quarter of the township was heard the ring of the pioneer's ax mingled with the sounds of the giant trees as they fell to give place to the cleared fields that everywhere blossomed in the heart of the wilderness. Game of all de- scriptions still ran wild in the forests, and venison was the most pop- ular meat on the daily bill of fare. So plentiful were the deer at that time that the problem of meat was not a serious one to a good marks- man.


"Wolves made night hideous by their howls to such an extent that the settlers were often robbed of their much-needed rest. A war of ex- termination was deeided upon, and at first carried on singly. But afterward coneerted action was taken, and the settlers for miles around would join in a wolf hunt. They would surround a swamp or other known rendezvous of the marauders, sending in men and hounds to 'beat the bush' and seare the game from its lair. It was pretty sure to run within range of a trusty rifle in the hands of a deadly foe, and by frequent repetitions of this sport the settlers were ultimately rid of their disagreeable neighbors, and their sheep and pigs slept undis- turbed. At one of these hunts, in 1849, seven wolves were killed in one afternoon."


THE "MAIL TRACE"


After North Manchester and Liberty Mills had been located and the two settlements commeneed to vie with each other in the founding of mills and business houses, the fame of the Eel River country in that part of the county began to draw a steady stream of new comers. The necessity for decent highways of travel thus became apparent. If we except the Indian trails leading from Eel River to Logansport and Fort Wayne, there were no roads penetrating that region from the Valley of the Wabash prior to the late '30s.


Largely through the exertions of Mr. Comstock, in 1838 and 1839, a road for a mail route was opened through the woods from the big


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"canal town," La Gro, to Liberty Mills and North Manchester. A party from La Gro worked north, and others from the northern towns worked southward, and so the road, erude though it was, came to be. The principal object in opening it was to make a highway for the transporta- tion of mail from La Gro to Liberty Mills. It was long called the Mail Trace, although it was generally used by travelers cutting across from the Wabash to the Eel River Valley.


Afterward, in 1850, this gave place to a plank road which took substantially the same course, and still later a railroad was projected up the Eel Valley in such a way as to make North Manchester and to. kill Liberty Mills as a thriving town.


THE RAILROADS MAKE NORTH MANCHESTER


Chester Township first agitated a railroad during 1850, the year of the completion of the plank road between La Gro and Liberty Mills; and the railway project gave North Manchester a broader outlook than she had heretofore enjoyed. It was proposed to place that town in direct communication with Detroit, and for a time it looked as if the hopes of the citizens were to be realized. A large amount of grading was done, but suddenly the company failed and the proposed railroad evaporated.


Twenty years passed and in 1871, when it became evident that North Manchester was to have two railroads, the town revived and all kinds. of enterprises blossomed within its limits. In the year named the De- troit, Eel River & Illinois was completed to Manchester, making its. terminal connection at Logansport late in 1872; and the Cineinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railroad was completed at about the same time, with its southern terminus at Wabash. Up to that time, surrounding towns had drawn from Manchester a large amount of trade which would have been hers, provided she had enjoyed sufficient transportation facilities to handle it. With the coming of these railroads the progress. of the place was rapid and unimpeded, and for many years she has been considered one of the most enterprising and flourishing towns in North- ern Indiana. The growth and present status of North Manchester will be described in detail in another chapter.


FIRST PREACHING BY ELDER FANNIN


From the best available testimony the church antedated the school by several years in Chester Township. In the fall of 1835, Elder Bryant Fannin made his appearance at the cabin of Peter Ogan, just south of North Manchester, and announced that he was searching for a home-


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CHESTER TOWNSHIP SCHOOL


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stead. He was a preacher of the Christian Church, as was James Ab- bott who had settled at Liberty. Mills. As Elder Fannin remained over Sunday, he was induced to conduct religious exercises at the Ogan cabin, the families of Colonel HIelvy, Mr. Abbott, and Peter and John Ogan assembling to participate in them. Upon that occasion the leader of the little class preached the first sermon in Chester Township.


Shortly after Elder Fannin located as a permanent resident (about 1841), he and his neighbor, Joseph Spencer, organized a society of the Disciples of Christ in the house of the former.


PIONEER CHURCH


This pioneer Christian society had an original membership of not more than a dozen, meeting twice a month in the Fannin cabin, and sub- sequently in a schoolhouse south of North Manchester, known as the Walters School. At a still later date the schoolhouse at New Madison, on the northwest quarter of section 22, was adopted as the meeting place, and thus continued until the close of the Civil war. About 1866 the con- gregation purchased a lot in the village of New Madison, or Servia, upon which a substantial briek church was erected and made permanent headquarters of the first religious body to be organized in Chester Township.


METHODISTS ORGANIZE CLASSES


About the time that Elder Fannin formed his class at North Man- chester, Rev. Aneil Beach formed a small class of Methodists both at that place and Liberty Mills; they were embraced in the Rochester Mission and assigned to him as regular appointments. In 1843 the Liberty Mills Cirenit was formed, with Rev. C. Wesley Miller, minister in charge. In the following year Rev. Warren A. Griffith was sent to that circuit. 1s there was no parsonage within his jurisdiction at this time, he moved his family to North Manchester and proceeded to arrange for the erection of one, as well as of a church. During the year Mr. Griffith succeeded in having a parsonage and five new meeting houses erected within the limits of the circuit.


At the conference of 1845 the name was changed from Liberty Mills to North Manchester Circuit, and Rev. George Guild was sent as minister in charge. lle was succeeded by Rev. D. F. Stright, Rev. John Hill and Rev. Eventus Doud. At the conference of 1850, North Manchester Circuit was divided, Akron Circuit being formed from the western por- tion of it. "During this year," it is stated, "Methodism took its first


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permanent stand in North Manchester;" where, for the present, we shall leave it.


SCHOOLS OF THE TOWNSHIP


As early as the winter of 1838-39, a subscription school was con- ducted by Miss Harriet Tullis in a cabin on lot 39, Liberty Mills, and about the same time Thomas Keeler taught the first school in North Manchester, a building having been erected for that purpose two squares north of the site of the present American House. This schoolhouse also served as a church for several religious denominations until their houses of worship were erected.


At Liberty Mills the schools were taught in different houses each winter until 1841, when a schoolhouse was erected on lot 51. This was a frame building erected by the citizens, whose labor was contributed free of charge, and the salary of the teacher was raised in the usual way, through subscriptions paid by those whose children were accommodated.


In the southern part of the township the first school was taught by Mr. McGuire about 1848, in a log cabin fifteen feet square. Two years later the citizens erected a hewed-log schoolhouse on the Hoffman farm which was used for some time.


During the years 1851 and 1852, the public funds began to be dis- tributed according to the provisions made by the revised constitution of the state, and district schools were established throughout the town- ship. Since that time their history has been one of constant improve- ment, although the progress of the early years was slow, as will be learned by reference to the chapter on educational matters.


CHAPTER XXII


NORTH MANCHIESTER


INCREASE IN AREA AND POPULATION-BEAUCHAMP, THORN AND FRAME, FIRST MERCHANTS-GEORGE W. LAWRENCE-THE AMERICAN HOUSE- THE GRIMES HOUSE-OTHER PIONEER MERCHANTS-MATERIAL IN- TERESTS IN THE EARLY '80$-PRESENT-DAY INDUSTRIES-THIE WATER SUPPLY-CITY HALL AND PUBLIC LIBRARY-THIE PUBLIC SCHOOLS- MANCHESTER COLLEGE-THE BANKS-LAWRENCE NATIONAL BANK- INDIANA STATE AND UNION TRUST BANKS-EARLY NEWSPAPERS- NORTHI MANCHESTER JOURNAL-NORTHI MANCHESTER NEWS-EARLY CHRISTIAN CHURCHES-NORTH MANCHESTER CHRISTIAN CHURCHI- FIRST CHURCH OF THE BRETHREN-THE METHODIST CHURCH-ZION EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH-UNITED BRETHREN CHURCHI- SOCIETIES-MASONIC BODIES-THE I. O. O. F .- AMUSEMENTS, RE- CREATIONS, ETC.


The original plat of North Manchester was laid out by Peter Ogan and William Neff in 1836, although it was not filed until the following year. The main site lies high and dry on the north side of Eel River, about thirty feet above the level of the stream, the plateau being slightly undulating and easily drained. The town is regularly laid off, its streets are wide and well kept, and its stores, banks, public buildings and resi- dences indieate thrift, good taste and progress. Its Carnegie Library, its city hall, schoolhouses and churches are all worthy the second munie- ipality in the county, and a brisk center of trade, as well as the higher activities of life.


INCREASE IN AREA AND POPULATION


From time to time various additions were made to the original plat, such as Shively's, Harter's, Willis's, IIalderman's, Hymer's, Hancy's, Shively & Metzger's, and J. B. & J. Harter's, until the town covered a section, or a square mile of land. This expansion of territory was made necessary by the increase of population, especially after the com-


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ing of the railroads in 1871-72. In 1870, it is estimated that there were not to exceed 450 within the limits of the town site. By 1874 the growth had been so rapid that the population had reached fully 1,200, and North Manchester became an incorporated town. In 1876 there were 1,600 people in town.


BEAUCHAMP, THORN AND FRAME, FIRST MERCHANTS


Probably the first store in town was opened by Asa Beauchamp in 1838, his limited stock of goods being displayed in a log house on the northeast corner of Main and Walnut streets. William Thorn and Mahlon C. Frame established a drygoods and grocery store on the op- posite corner during the following year. The latter developed into a large general establishment. Within a few years its trade extended over a wide circuit, the proprietors not only selling their goods to the towns- people for cash, but exchanging them for country produce and furs.


Beauchamp, the original merchant, continued at the old stand for a few years, after which he traded his store for a tract of land near town. Morris Place, the purchaser, finally moved to Jay County, In- diana.


GEORGE W. LAWRENCE


Thorn and Frame continued to flourish for a number of years, the former finally conducting it alone and in association with various part- ners for a long period. In 1851 George W. Lawrence became connected with the business as a clerk, buying the business in 1858 and commenc- ing a business career which, within the coming two decades, placed him at the head of North Manchester merchants. At first he associated him- self with L. J. Noftzer, then the firm was Lawrence & Whisler and later G. W. Lawrence & Company. In the early '80s the business was oc- cupying two large stores on Main Street.


The first drug store was established by John Aughinbaugh, about 1850, on the American House corner, where he also conducted a tavern. Later, he separated the two lines of business.


THE AMERICAN HOUSE


The old American House, northeast corner of Main and Walnut streets, was perhaps the leading landmark of the early times. It was a two-story frame building erected by Asa Beauchamp, the pioneer merchant, in 1841. After he had eondueted it for several years it was


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VIEW ON MILL STREET, NORTH MANCHESTER


SECOND STREET, NORTH MANCHESTER


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bought by Col. Richard Helvy, who had moved into town from his farm. If one is to judge from a rapid-fire change of proprietors, the usual business of the American House was not encouraging. In January, 1883, while Jesse C. Hoover was proprietor, it was destroyed by fire, a New American House having arisen from its ashes.


THE GRIMES HOUSE


The first Grimes House was built by Henry Lentz in 1848, but it was not originally known by that name. In 1881 Rufus R. Grimes was owner and conductor of the American House, purchased the old hotel and added to it a fair-sized brick structure, calling the united establishment the Grimes House. This was opened to the publie May 2, 1882.


OTHER PIONEER MERCHANTS


The Harters (J. & J. B.) were a elose second to John Aughinbaugh, as druggists, and they continued in the field longer than any other firm in that line.


In 1856 John W. Williams established a drug store in the building afterward occupied by the Bonewitz meat market. In the early '60s he moved to the old Aughinbaugh stand, in 1870 erected a building on Main Street and two years later associated himself with his son, J. B. Williams. J. W. Williams & Son was for years one of the well known business houses of North Manchester.


The first distinct boot and shoe house was established in the spring of 1863 by J. F. Eichholtz and John F. Kinney, under the firm name of Eichholtz & Kinney.


In the early '80s, about ten years after North Manchester had en- joyed railroad connections, the eity had quite an array of established business houses, industries and professional men. It is interesting, at this time, to reeall them :


MATERIAL INTERESTS IN THE EARLY '80s


Dry goods and general merchandise: G. W. Lawrence & Company and D. Smith & Company.


Drugs: J. W. Williams & Son, J. & J. B. Harter, Sala & Barsh, John W. Ulrey and G. W. Eekman.


Groceries: Daniel Lutz, Leonard & Leonard, Henry Mills, J. M. Jennings, T. Wheeler, W. L. Brookover & Brother and D. S. Miller.


Boots and shoes: John L. Cowgill and J. F. Eichholtz.


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Hardware: L. J. Noftzer & Company and D. Frame & Son.


Clothing: Abersohn & Wiener and JJacob Oppenheim.


Jewelry : Lavey & Son and JJ. C. Milliron.


Physicians: II. & C. HI. Winton, M. O. Lower, P. Shaffer, A. Gos- horn, D. Ginther, E. Ohmart and A. Simons. .


Attorneys: B. F. Clemens, I. E. Gingerich and J. M. Burdge.


Dentists : A. Miller and E. E. Quivey.


Bookstore: E. A. Ebbinghouse.


Cabinet organs: Ginther & Winton.


Furniture : Stewart & Ellwood and JJ. HI. Straw.


Photographer: J. J. Martin.


Merchant tailor: A. J. Sellers.


Millinery : Mrs E. T. Allen, Kaufman & Spencer and N. J. Ridgley. Agricultural implements: Bash & Hager, Samuel Hamilton and A. W. Bowman.


Grain dealers: C. Wood & Company.


Dealers in buggies : A. B. Miller.


Butter, eggs and poultry : Beyer Brothers.


Lumber dealers: Krisher & Reed.


Coal dealer : S. P. Young.


Flour and feed stores : Strauss & Shock and C. T. Banks & Company.


Meat markets: Keesey & Sandoz, Kelsey & Company and Summer- land Brothers.


Hides and pelts: A. Schoolcraft.


Restaurants : Sheller & Weber, Lewis Russell, Slusser & Mowrer and E. Stover.


Flour dealer: M. Harter.


Marble works: J. P. Noftzger.


Undertaker : Jacob Misener.


Barbers: Lewis Russell and R. Edgington.


Livery and feed stables : C. D. Johnson, M. Quinn and E. A. Willis. Ilarness and saddles: J. II. Butterbaugh, Levi Reed and M. Haney. Boot and shoe makers: George Gresso and P. B. Speed.


Gunsmith : Thomas J. Miller.


Blacksmiths: Whitlow & Enyeart, David Myers, S. P. Young, Wil- * liam Baker and Asa Weeks.


Wagon makers: William Stadler and S. P. Young.


Saloons : David IIamilton, M. Quinn, W. H. Strayer and F. Green.


PRESENT-DAY INDUSTRIES


Both the general and special stores of North Manchester are now large and well stocked. A good and widespread agricultural district Vol. 1-25


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is tributary to it, which, coupled to its ready transportation and bank- ing facilities, makes it the center of a flourishing and growing trade. North Manchester is also headquarters for quite an elevator business, the II. Kinzie Elevator Company and the Acme Grain Company having large interests there, as well as at Liberty Mills. The North Manchester Milling Company operates a modern plant. Ulrey, Tyler & Company are leading lumber dealers, the wagon factory of J. A. Browne & Com- pany is a large establishment, and among other plants worthy of spe- cial mention are the Peabody Manufacturing Company, S. S. Cox Show Case Company, Fred Horne's machine shop and the sawmill operated by J. W. Straus, as well as the creamery of Silas Holloway.


J. A. Browne & Company furnish the power for the electric plant which supplies North Manchester with light.


THIE WATER SUPPLY


The city water works which furnish both fire protection and a fine supply for drinking and other domestic purposes were commeneed in 1895. The system now embraces about twelve miles of pipes. The sup- ply is drawn from half a dozen wells, the water is pumped into a stand- pipe in the northwestern part of town, and thence distributed by direct pressure. The daily consumption is from three hundred thousand to three hundred and fifty thousand gallons, and the water is cool and palatable.


CITY HALL AND PUBLIC LIBRARY


The city hall is a little gem. It was erected in 1901 on Main Street, the engine house being on the ground floor and the municipal offices and couneil chamber above.


A bloek west of the city hall is the new public library, a pretty and striking building housing 2,300 volumes and standing for much of the best intelligence of the place. The movement for a library originated with the Woman's Club in the fall of 1908, and the first collection was accommodated in the town hall. From first to last Mrs. I. E. Gingeriek has been a leader in this fine work. The first library board commenced its service in June, 1909, and the new building now occupied was dedi- cated in April, 1912. It was made possible by a $10,000 gift from Mr. Carnegie, after the city council had voted $1,000 for its support and a lot had been donated for its site.




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