USA > Indiana > Whitley County > History of Whitley County, Indiana > Part 27
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John D. Harbor, John A. White.
COMPANY I, ONE IIUNDRED AND FIFTY- SECOND INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
March 3. 1865.
John Albright. John Kreider.
George H. Winters,
John Kesling,
Albert J. Koontz.
Alfred J. Koontz,
James Washburn.
Thos. B. Hathaway. William Brubaker. Reese Pritchard.
William Tannehill.
Henry Norris,
John P. Creager,
Joseph Kehlor. Anthony Kramer, Stephen Kelley, Charles Knocksin, Michael McCarty. Thomas McGuire, Charles W. Miller, Curtis V. Milman, Daniel Mellyers, Wm. F. Marshall, Adam Malone.
David E. Miller.
John Mendenhall,
Stephen McKinzie. Patrick Ney,
Simon Parker. Andrew Pettit, Arthur Peabody,
Simon Richards.
Jolın J. Rolly, Daniel Rickard,
Geo. P. Cullimore. J. P. Chamberlain, Alonzo T. Clark. Levi A. Creager,
1 saac F. Circle. Thomas Carpenter, Robert Chase.
George W. Kales. David Kyle. Samuel W. King,
H. W. Landsdown, M. B. Merriman. Joel More. John H. Mann.
Daniel Myers.
Luman A. Baker. Richard P. Miles, Henry M. Kendall, B. F. MacCallum, George Mayer.
William W. Jones. Claud C. Miller. William L. Hultz, Danl. H. Chandler, Sylvester Knapp. John R. Spear. Jasper N. Kuntz, John T. Prickett.
Martin Sloan.
Matthew Sheffer. John Smith,
Jefferson Scott, John A. Scarlett. Anderson Stanley, Benj. F. Seymour, Silas Snavely, Winfield S. Smith,
George D. French.
Jacob Greenwalt. Charles Gable.
John Snyder. Alfred Snyder,
Isaiah W. Site,
Henry Stultz,
Valentine Gordon. Andrew Hannen. John Haas,
Henry Humbarger.
William Henry,
Alexander Jordan, Jacob Kurtz, William D. King.
Norflett Keen.
John E. Kates,
Moses Beerbower, Lafayette Bushness. John Batz. Henry Bash,
Willis Dillon, John Lemon,
Jacob F. Ellison.
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WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Samuel Broughton. L. W. Ackley,
J. M. Armstrong. Michael Alms.
George C. Acker, Wesley Amos, Samuel T. Barth.
Isaac Barr,
A. Baumgartner.
Joel Beckner,
Joseph Blenk.
Henry Beckler.
Harrison Blowers. Conrad Brucker.
David Bricker,
Robert Bolton.
Nicholas Brue,
Charles Backhaus. Alonzo K. Bodle.
Thomas Cole.
McAdoo Crance.
Alexander Craig.
Michael Crance,
Harrison Cramer.
David Cool,
Daniel Culver, Samuel Culver,
Nicholas Cummins.
Jacob C. Clark.
Solomon Castle.
John S. Wade. Joseph Wilson,
Bouist, Vizina,
Albion Bair.
William H. Donly. James Felt.
Henry Gallentine. Abner D. Goble.
William Green.
John Eaton.
Frederick Ehrich, John Egner.
Abraham Forey,
John Fullerton, Harlow Fisk, Jacob Geiger, P. V. Gruesbeck, John C. Ginger. Henry Gwin.
Samuel J. Rollins. Jacob Shoemaker, David Shaffer,
Joel Shoup.
Solomon Shoup, W. A. F. Swayze. John H. Stewart, Christian Shaffer. George Shaffer.
William Snyder. John Sickafoose, Geo. W. Sickafoose.
William Sims, Solomon Simons. George Simons.
Phillip Gaddis. Wallace Gould, John Houston. Ormond Hupp, P. L. Hornebeck. Henry Hackett. Otis Heath,
Albert Homsher.
Benj. F. Homsher. Nelson W. Hall.
Alexander Hall. John Hutchison.
James R. Harvey,
David D. Holm. Jacob Hoffman.
Squire Mack, A. J. Parshall, William Phimmer,
James A. Price, Walter Rickard. Sylvester Ruckman, John W. Roberts. Clark Scott. John P. Schenier. Isaac Swihart, David M. Shufler. Gabriel Swihart.
Geo. W. Wilcox. Theodore Wilcox.
John Welker.
George Thomas. Leander P. Taylor. John C. Wigent.
Samuel Waters.
Edw. A. Wallace,
Oscar Worley,
James M. Waters. Alanson Washburn. Perry Ward. Fredk. Wampner.
John C. Walton, H. J. Weckerlin, Thomas Watson.
John E. Douglass. Joseph Davis. Jos. H. Donnelly. Wm. M. Darlington.
John Eberhart, John Eustice, Thomas Evans.
Omer Gruesbeck. Joseph Hughey. William Holt,
James H. Hufford. Geo. W. Hartsock, A. M. Kermaston, Alonzo King, John Kennedy. Wm. G. Lowman, Ephraim Mullen,
COMPANY G. I. N. G.
A company was organized through the efforts and influence of John Adams, then postmaster at Columbia City, also an aide on the staff of Governor Claude Mathews with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. In the organization he spent much time and money and can feel well paid for his efforts as the organization still exists. This company, consisting of three officers and fifty men. was mustered into the state service on the 28th day of June. 1895, becoming Company C, Fourth Regiment Infantry, till April 26. 1898. The state furnished all equipment and paid all expenses, but the officers and men received no compensation unless when called into active duty. During the spring of 1898, when the call was made for volun- teers to serve during the Spanish-American war, this company was among the first to respond. The call was made at 11 :30 p. m .. April 25th, and this company was in camp reporting for duty at Indianapolis at 3:20 p. m. April 26th. It. as Company G. One Hundred and Sixtieth Indiana Volunteers, entered upon active training for hard field
224
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
duty and was examined and mustered into the United States service on the 12th day of May, becoming a part of the One hun- dred and Sixtieth Indiana Volunteers. This regiment served till the close of the war and was then sent to Cuba to do garrison duty and served one year, all told, being mustered out of the service on the 25th day of April, 1899. This company and regiment saw no active service, but has the distinction of be- ing one of the best regiments called for the war. Also, the regiment traveled more miles and was in more camps during the war than any other volunteer troops in the United States service at the time, with the exception of those regiments that were after- ward sent to the Philippines.
After the muster out there was a move- ment started by Captain Harrison, Lieuten- ant Clapham and others to reorganize the old company and the same was mustered into the state service May 15, 1900, and was known as Company G, Third Infantry, Indiana National Guard. This company is still in the service and through the efforts of its officers has the reputation of being one of the most efficient in the state.
COMPANY G.
This company was organized at Colum- bia City, Whitley county, on June 28, 1895, and was assigned as Company G, Fourth Regiment, Indiana National Guard.
214A-Bowen Historical Captain.
Harrison, Joseph R.
First Lieutenant.
Linvill, David S.
Second Lieutenant.
Clapham, Lloyd D.
First Sergeant.
Gallivan. Thomas.
Quartermaster Sergeant.
Washburn. John L.
Sergeants.
Clapham. Simon P. Reese, Dr. J.
Malone, Otis. Erdman. August E.
Corporals.
Clapham, John T. Brown. Edwin M.
Gardner, William F. Wallace, Byron P. Kronk. Charles.
Musicians.
Ferren, Philip. Myers, Christian D.
Artificer.
Waterfall, Fred S.
Wagoner.
Hoose, William.
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
225
Privates.
Clark, Frank L.
Curtis. Elmer.
Crowel, Sai.
Pine. Charles R.
Crowel. Charles O.
Prugh, Raymond.
Easton, Clarence. Rindfusz, Clyde.
Fletcher. James.
Waugh, Harvey E.
Ferguson, Chas. M.
1
COST OF THE CIVIL WAR.
During the greater part of the years of the Civil war. the government expenses amounted to a million and a half dollars a day and at the end of the war the public debt amounted to $2,808,549,437.55. This debt must be extinguished with interest ac- cruing. Indirect or tariff tax was laid at a merciless rate on everything and no per- sons would attempt to compute the tax thus paid by a county, a township, municipality or an individual. Direct internal revenue or excise tax was also levied upon articles manufactured within the country, nearly if not quite as great, and in addition congress had been driven to enactments to provide revenue, that were more grievous than either of the others, because more easily as- certained and more directly collected.
In the year 1865 there was levied and collected in Whitley county the following revenue taxes :
Recruits.
*Baker, Judson. Garty, Robert W.
Barr, Alfred F.
Gilbert, Willis.
Buntain, Alva.
Kane. John.
Butler, Richard. Klingaman, James.
Brown, Eli. Klingaman, Gid.
Brand, Charles C.
Nott. Frank.
*Died December 14, 1898, at Colum- bus, Georgia.
Legacies
43.84
Anthes. Adolph.
Binkley, Daniel.
Long, Peter J. Lowry, Albert S.
Binkley. Lewis.
Markley. S. N.
Brenneman, F. R.
Miller, Horace W.
Brown. Erwin L.
Mitten, Frank L. Monroe. Stephen L.
Bryan, Howard.
Chapman, Carlos D.
Clark. Walter L.
Connolly, John.
Corse, Alfred E.
Pence, Elmer E.
Cotton, Elmer K.
Pickard, Walter H.
Croxton, Daniel C.
Croy, Daniel.
Croy, James.
Dull. Charles.
Ruckman, Chas. F.
Erb. Howard.
Russell, Earl D.
Fullam, John.
Shafer, Calvin. Slentz, Brodie.
Fuller. Jethro.
Graves, Edward.
Slesman, Wm. H.
Groesbeck. Fred.
Smith, Mell C.
Gross, Raymond. Groves, Laurtes H. Haynes, Jedd.
Souder, El. Squires, Horatio H. Squires, O. P. M.
Hammontree, Jos.
Harshbarger. Paul.
Vernon, N. E.
Holbrook, Chas. F. Jackson, L. E.
Jellison. Floyd O.
Jellison, Robert A.
Johnston. James. Kinney, James R.
Winegardner, A.
Yontz, Ralph.
Home manufactured products . . $1,355.17
Licenses 2,188.24
Carriages 105.00
Watches 20.00
Musical instruments 14.00
Incomes 2,875.70
Slaughtered animals 134.35
Auction sales 45.97
15
Miller, Harry W. Neiswonger, Elza.
Brown, Simon.
More, Charles H. Myers. Ira Sankey. Nott. George W. Norris. Fred.
Rapp. Fred. Rapp, John. Reid, Ralph.
Smoots, John.
Wallace. Frank M. Warner. Wayman. Webber. Harry E. Whiteleather, J. F.
226
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
Beer
136.00
Spirits
9,130.00
Revenue stamps sold
1,646.14
$17.694.41
Estimating according to the rule em- ployed for calculating the population in the middle of a decade, there were in 1865 12.564 people in the county, or 2.512 voters. This revenue tax levied and collected within the county for national purposes therefore amounted to one dollar and forty cents plus for each person, or over seven dollars for each voter, or over ten dollars for each poll
assessed for that year. In addition, there was levied for that year and collected on the county tax duplicate for the relief of sol- diers and soldiers' families, $12, 119.48. These two items alone cost almost six times the amount levied and collected for the sup- port of the common schools. There were other large expenditures, such as bounty, etc. At a very conservative estimate, the Civil war cost the county of Whitley at least one and one-third the entire assessed valuation of all her real estate in in 1865. And in this estimate we do not consider the burden of tariff taxation.
BANKS AND BANKING.
BY MARTIN L. GALBREATH.
The permanent place of operation or the definite locality of the operator. the act or operation of dealing in money, the opera- tion or business of a banker, the method he adopts in carrying into execution the various operations required in carrying out the details of his methods and the persistent and strict observance of these principles in the conduct of monetary operations may well be styled "Banks and Banking."
However interesting and instructive as these various commercial doings may ap- pear, it is not the purpose of this article to enter this broad scope of useful research. but merely give a brief synopsis of the time and place of some of the ancient bank opera- tions as a preliminary to the more detailed features of "Banks and Banking" in Whit- ley county.
Banking, like all other enterprises, could not have been much needed nor required un- til public sentiment and commercial neces- sity had developed to a degree which made it possible for their existence, yet the origin dates back to a remote time in the world's history. The practice of loaning money for interest is a part of the old Mosaic law which reads, "If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as a usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him excess usury." and as it was also said by the Divine Teacher after the days of the New Testament, "Thou oughtest to have put my money to the exchangers and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury."
Recent discovery which is highly inter- esting to the student of finance discloses be-
227
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
yond the shadow of a reasonable doubt that there was a banking establishment in the ancient city of Babylon as early as 604 B. C., which did a commercial business of the great Euphrates river that would have done no discredit to the Bank of England. Not long since it was my good fortune to be put in possession of a fine series of articles on this subject, showing that banking was well understood at Athens nearly as early as at Babylon.
Italy was one of the leaders in banking in the middle ages and in fact the English word "bank" comes from the Italian word "banco," which means a "bench" and points to the fact that while the first bankers were conducting their business they sat upon benches as the Hindoo money changers do to this day. All of us know more or less of the Bank of England. It was founded by the greatest financier of his day, Wil- liam Patterson, on July 27, 1694. This mighty financial concern stands practically alone as a bank, there being nothing supe- rior to it in the civilized world. It consti- tutes a category of itself. It is operated and ruled by a governor, a deputy governor and twenty-four directors. Its original capital was £1,200,000, or about $6,000,000. It is a bank of issue. It is often called upon to help the government in its need of finan- cial assistance, and in return the government frequently comes to the monetary rescue of this bank. With all of its gigantic power and worldwide possessions it has seen its days of distress and its prosperous seasons of success. Its vicissitudes have been fre- quent and great, and the day of adversity has shadowed at times its prosperous life. In 1696, when but two years old, it was
forced to suspend payment of its notes, and in 1797 and 1820 it was restricted from making its payments in gold. The directors of this bank meet every Tuesday for the purpose of fixing the rate of discount and for the adjustment of any and all matters relative to its successful operation. Com- ing nearer home, we find that the Bank of the United States was established in 1790. although it was not incorporated until 1816. This great American institution passed through many and varied changes as the outgrowth of conditions arising from the development of the country in general, and from the rise and fall of different political parties springing up along the line of our phenomenal expansion.
NATIONAL BANKS.
. During the stormy times of the Civil war the present national banking system was instituted, which is based upon the prin- ciple that United States bonds to an amount equal to the capital stock of the bank shall be purchased by the stockholders of any proposed bank and be placed on deposit with the comptroller of the currency at Washing- ton, as a positive, tangible security to the issue of the said bank. For many years but ninety per cent. of the amount of bonds so deposited was issued in currency for the bank's use, but of more recent years thie entire amount of the face of the bonds thus deposited has been issued in bank notes if desired by the stockholders of the bank ; however, five per cent. of the issue is held in reserve by the comptroller as a guarantee against losses by notes not returned for re- demption. By this method of procedure a
228
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
uniformity of bank notes is maintained and is a great protection to the government against counterfeiting.
The individual states of the Union had their own system of banking prior to the great Civil war, each being a thing of itself and a bank of issue and in many cases its notes were poorly secured, thus making sure a great loss to the holder thereof at the slightest commercial provocation or de- pression.
We think it will not be amiss here to briefly refer to our own state banks during this period of financial uncertainty and de- pression as a compliment to our credit, and to those in charge of our common- wealth at this critical time. The notes is- sted by the state banks of Indiana during this perilous season had almost a sterling value everywhere.
Our bank notes were never rejected by any of the other states nor by any individual, so well was their virtue known. They passed in payment of debts at all times and at par.
The character of the issue of our banks was practically established before its dis- tribution. The state had agents in the east busily engaged in detailing the character of our securities and strengthening the faith of the money centers in the sincerity of our purpose. This good work was due almost in the entirety to the efforts of two men whose names the financiers of today hold in reverence. We refer to the late Hugh Mc- Culloch and I. F. D. Lanier, now the head of the great financial concern of Winslow. Lanier & Co., of the city of New York. . The latter was a state agent in the east and in a position to come in direct contact with
the money centers and their operations, thus fitting him well for the directing of our monetary affairs toward an end worthy the dignity of a state. In order to accomplish this work Mr. Lanier spent liberally of his own personal means in the maintenance of a high standard of excellency in our state money, and the fact that not a dollar was lost to a single citizen of the United States. by virtue of a bad, unsecured bill cropping out from a bank of Indiana, seems to have been sufficient gratifictaion to him for all tlie money and effort so lavishly bestowed.
THE COLUMBIA CITY NATIONAL BANK.
November 26, 1867, marked the begin- ning of the banking business in Whitley county. Before that time no one was doing a strict banking business in the county, al- though Franklin H. Foust, a successful mer- chant since 1852, received deposits for safe keeping. issuing therefor a simple receipt payable on demand. This was followed by making settlements for traders, stock dealers and local merchants of their eastern ac- counts. But it was not until 1867 that Mr. Foust discontinued merchandising and turned his entire attention to banking.
The close of the war and the return of the soldiers gave a new impetus to industry along all lines in Whitley county and a reg- ular banking institution was one of the needs of the time. The bank was opened in a room fourteen by twenty feet, now occupied as a part of the Harter restaurant. Associ- ated with Mr. Foust in this venture was Adam Wolfe, of Muncie, Indiana, and the firm name was F. H. Foust & Co. Mr. Wolfe retained his interest in the bank until
229
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
his death in 1892. The office equipment of the original bank consisted of a large Hall safe and some plain office furniture, but these met all demands for the time being. It was a private bank and had the fortunes of the partners behind it.
FIRST DEPOSITORS.
The first depositor was James Taylor. Other depositors within a few days of the opening were the following well known cit- izens of Whitley county: C. D. Waidlich. H. S. Cobaugh, James S. Collins, J. O. Adams, Richard Collins, Nathan Levi, A. Y. Hooper, Taylor & Boyd, Eli W. Brown, Linvill & Edwards, Eyanson & Bro., Henry Swihart, N. D. Torbert, Samuel Freidger, Josiah Archer, Dr. M. Ireland, Jonathan Keirn. Henry Zumbrun, Colonel I. B. Mc- Donald, William Reed, M. E. Click, Samuel Raber. Augusta V. Ireland, William Wal- ters, Ben Steinfield, A. Kramer, Judge Rich- ard Knisely, Jeremiah Stiver, G. W. Harley, Samuel Braden, Warren Mason, S. G. North, Otha Clark, John J. Rhodes, Jacob Pentz. John A. Kaufman, Solomon Miller, Gove Davenport, H. C. Yontz, William Walker, William W. Kepner, J. H. Kepner, F. M. McDonald, Charles Shuh, W. A. Geiger, Dennis Walters, Zeph Jolinson. Julia Mauk, A. L. Sandmeyer. F. P. Grues- beck, A. J. Stouffs, James M. Barnes, Daniel Hively, James Shaw, Fred Magley, Charles Compton, Levi Waugh, M. D. Garrison, Joseph Waugh. W. M. Hughes, A. A. Ricker, Francis Tulley, Sarah Nickey, Jo- seph Egolf, George K. Hurd, Christian Lucke, W. M. Crowell, K. C. Hamilton, Michael Sickafoose, B. F. Ream, John
Brand, Sr .. J. F. Mossman, David James, Sanford T. Mosher, Ephraim Strong, Sr .. Isaac W. Prickett, Dan Daniel, Alfred West. Michael Yohe, R. B. Boyd.
.
THE NEW BUILDING.
By the year 1870 the bank had out- grown the quarters in which it was started. Banking was no longer an experiment in Whitley county. it had become a necessary institution. The wealth of the community was rapidly increasing, a new railroad was being constructed through the county, and Mr. Foust and his partner prepared to meet the needs of the public by providing more commodious quarters for the bank. The re- sult was that in 1873 the handsome brick and stone building at the corner of Main and Van Buren streets was erected as the permanent home of what was then known as the Columbia City Bank. The building was planned by Mr. Foust with special ref- erence to convenience and safety. The bank vaults, constructed under Mr. Foust's per- sonal supervision, were fire proof and bur- glar proof and at the time were the best and most substantial of any in the state north of Indianapolis.
The year 1873 was one that the old bankers of the state will never forget, and the resources of the Columbia City Bank passed through a trial such as was never known before or since. The New York correspondent of the bank failed and a large reserve deposit was tied up. The Chi- cago banks refused to do business with the country banks, and the Fort Wayne banks held all the currency they could get. Un- aided and alone Mr. Foust paid every check
230
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
and met every demand during the entire time of the great panic, and came through without the loss of a dollar to a depositor.
BECOMES A NATIONAL BANK.
After the death of Adam Wolfe Mr. Foust made a settlement with the heirs of his deceased partner and became the sole owner of the Columbia City Bank. He con- tinued to conduct the bank as a private in- stitution until his increasing years reminded him that if his life work was to live after him his bank should be organized as a na- tional bank. Application to incorporate un- der the national banking laws of the United States was approved by the comptroller of the currency and the IIth day of April. 1904, the Columbia City National Bank opened for business with a capital stock of fifty thousand dollars, the majority of which was held by Mr. Foust. Other stockholders and directors were S. J. Peabody, Andrew A. Adams, William H. Magley, Benton E. Gates and Cleon H. Foust. The officers were Franklin H. Foust, president; S. J. Peabody, vice-president; William H. Mag- ley, cashier, and Cleon H. Foust, assistant cashier. No change has been made in the officers, but Judge Walter Olds, of Fort Wayne, and Albert B. Tucker, of Etna, be- came stockholders and were in January, 1907, elected directors.
CONDENSED STATEMENT.
In the report to the comptroller of the condition of the bank at the close of busi- ness on January 26, 1907, the bank made the following statement :
Resources.
Loans and discounts $166,971.66
Overdrafts 3,489.49
U. S. Bonds, for circulation 50,000.00
U. S. and other bonds. 32,788.10
Banking house, real estate, fur-
niture and fixtures 22,495.80
Due from banks. 128,110.10
Redemption funds with U. S. . . 2,500.00
Cash
36,906.23
$443,261.38
Liabilities.
Capital stock $ 50,000.00
Surplus and profits 8,321.54
Circulation
48,800.00
Deposits
336,139.84
$443,261.38
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF COLUMBIA CITY.
This popular bank has the pre-eminent distinction of being the largest institution of its kind in the county and was established in 1873. Realizing the need of greater facil- ities for local banking in the city and county than were then enjoyed, Elisha L. McLallen, a retired merchant and capitalist of Larwill, his brother, Henry McLallen, of the same place, then county treasurer, and Theodore Reed, of Columbia City, formed a banking association named E. L. McLallen & Co. Mr. Reed retired at the end of the first year, disposing of his interest to the other members of the firm.
The McLallen brothers, with others, had
23I
WHITLEY COUNTY, INDIANA.
previously purchased from Hon. Thomas Washburn the row of dilapidated wooden buildings standing on the north side of Van- Buren street opposite the court house and they thereupon erected what is known as the Central block. The banking department of this building was designed and constructed by the members of the firm, who spared no means to make it the best protected bank building in this part of Indiana, thoroughly equipped and modernized for commercial banking. The vault in this structure is of solid burglar-proof masonry extending four- teen feet below the ground floor, is the first vault ever built in the county, and it contains the first burglar-proof steel safe in- stalled in the county. After having made prearrangements as stated, the business was launched on April 1, 1874, and that "open- ing day" found the new firm installed in its new and commodious quarters under the name of "The Farmers' Bank." E. L. Mc- Lallen & Co.
From the first the firm, encouraged by the substantial people of the community, met .with confidence and success and its growth has ever since been steady and continuous. Its business has increased with the develop- ment of its resources, as the city and county have progressed, until it has become an im- portant factor in maintaining our phenom- enal expansion. The fact that it passed, un- aided, through varied financial depressions and monetary disturbances for the third of a century explains in a measure at least the magnificent patronage it now enjoys. In the latter part of 1889 the junior members, E. L. McLallen, 2d, and W. F. McLallen, were admitted to partnership. The greatest blow the personnel of this institution has
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