USA > Indiana > Jasper County > Remington > History of the town of Remington and vicinity, Jasper County, Indiana > Part 10
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
Digitized by Google
Digitized by Google
.
IRA W. YEOMAN.
(See page 247.)
Digitized by Google
JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA. 113
vention of that year held at Monon. His Republican competitor for this office, was the Hon. Wm. D. Owens, of Logansport, Indiana. This election was held in Novem- ber, 1890, and resulted in the selection of Dr. Patton by about 1, 200 plurality over Mr. Owens. He served as Con- gressman for two years. The Democratic party having again come into power, Dr. Patton made application for and was appointed as a Receiver of Public Moneys at the land agency located at Woodward, in. the Cherokee strip, just thrown open to settlement.
At the breaking out of the great rebellion, Dr. Patton, who was then a young man, and attending college, prepara- tory to entering into his profession, responded to the call to arms and volunteered in the Thirty-fifth Regiment Indi- ana Infantry Volunteers. He was an excellent soldier, and in one of the great sanguinary engagements between the contending forces, he won lasting honors whilst per- forming the duties of color guard, after five of his comrades had lost their lives or been shot down at this post. He was regularly promoted for excellent behavior and bravery, until he received his commission as colonel of the regiment. Since his arrival in Remington, he has been greatly inter- ested in the welfare and improvement of the town and country, and has materially assisted in all enterprises tend- ing to advancement in any way. He has taken an especial interest in breeding good horses, and has since its organiz- ation been an active member of the Remington Agricul- tural Association, holding all of the time one of the respon- sible offices, and a great portion of the time being the society's President. Dr. Patton had, prior to his election to Congress, been a candidate for State Senator in this District, his opponent being Hon. S. P. Thompson, of Rensselaer, Republican. Mr. Thompson was elected by about 300 majority, in a District which had about 1, 200 Republican majority.
Dr. Hannibal Landon established himself in the medi- cal profession in Remington during the year 1870. He 8
Digitized by Google
-
1
114
REMINGTON AND VICINITY.
built for himself and family a fine residence, and soon had command of an excellent practice, which he held for a few years, when he removed to Kokomo, Ind., and engaged there in the practice of medicine; but Dr. Landon was not satisfied with his location at Kokomo, and after a short time he moved from there to Goodland, in Newton county, Ind., remaining there two or three years, when he again moved from Goodland, and returned to Remington; he now built an addition to his residence here, and established himself to stay. He has a first-class practice, and has been more than ordinarily successful in a financial way and also in benefiting his patients. He is regarded by all as a first-class physician, is a good citizen, and a christian gentleman, being a zealous member of the Christian church organization. He has two sons, the elder, Chauncey, being a dentist, and also a telegraph operator. His younger son, Ora, is at this time attending the Remington graded schools.
Dr. Michael W. Reigle located in Remington about the latter part of the seventies or first of the eighties, and has followed his profession since that time. He came to this town from Julian, Newton county, Indiana, having practiced there several years before locating in Remington. Dr. Reigle is a good physician, and since living here he has enjoyed a fair practice; he is now getting quite old, being about seventy-six years of age, and his practice on that account is limited to a certain extent to the town, his age and enfeebled condition interfering with his country practice. Dr. Reigle is, however, an excellent citizen, and the world is better by reason of his having lived in it.
About 1889, Dr. M. H. Walker came to Remington and entered into partnership with Dr. Patton, in the prac- tice of medicine. . He remained with Dr. Patton about two years, when the partnership was dissolved, and Dr. Walker left Remington and located in Wolcott, in White county, Ind. Dr. Walker is a good physician, and also a good citizen. He is a member also of the Christian Church.
Digitized by Google
,
.
115
JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA.
Dr. John P. Ramsay located in Remington in 1891, and went into partnership with Dr. Patton; he still remains here, and has a good practice. He is a son-in-law of Dr. Patton, is an excellent young man, and has been appointed a member of the Medical Board of Pension Examiners.
Dr. Pathuisje located in Remington in 1893. He is a young man, but has already secured a first-class prac- tice. He has an excellent medical education, being a graduate. Before coming to Remington he had been asso- ciated with Dr. B. W. Pratt, of Goodland.
CHURCHES.
HE Methodist Protestant church was perhaps the first church to organize in this locality, hav- ing perfected an organization as early as 1849, and in those earlier days this church had the largest membership of any church in this section of the country. In 1849, the first organization was ef- fected at Alter's Grove, about four miles northwest of Remington. This was accomplished by Rev. John Alter, who resided at that place. This church afterward, in the year 1858, established another church in Barkley township, northeast of Rensselaer, Rev. F. Long, officiating. The first circuit was established by Rev. John Alter and his daughter, Rev. Mrs. Helnora M. Draper, who afterward become the wife of Mr. Thomas Davisson, in 1863 or 1864, and Rev. Mrs. Davisson, ministered in this circuit for about three years, among other work accomplished by her being the organization of classes at several school houses in Jasper county. This church throughout this country has not prospered, and it has at this time the smallest number of members of any of the churches in the county.
Rev. Hillary H. Gobin arrived in Remington during the year 1869. He was a minister of the gospel, holding to the Methodist Episcopal faith. He proceeded at once
Digitized by Google
116
REMINGTON AND VICINITY.
to hold a series of meetings in the Christian church, and succeeded in creating a great revival in the religious work of the place, meeting with extraordinary success in turning sinners from their evil ways and building up a substantial M. E. church organization. The Methodist Episcopal and United Brethren people united in this great work, but the Methodists soon greatly outnumbered the United Brethren, many of the latter uniting with the former. This revival occurred the latter part of the year 1869, when Rev. Gobin organized the present Methodist Episcopal church, and during the year 1870 this church, which had among its membership many of the wealthiest citizens of Remington and surrounding country, built the present commodious house of worship. This church edifice was better than either the Presbyterian or Christian houses, which had been previously built, for the reason that it was erected later, and its membership was financially more able to build a good house in which to hold their meetings. After the corner stone for this church had been laid, Mr. George B. Clark took the contract to build it, which contract was filled to the strict letter, and the result was a church build- ing that was the pride of Remington. The church was dedicated in the fall of 1870. Rev. Mr. Gobin remained with his Remington charge two years, and in those two years he accomplished a great good for the community, as our older citizens will all testify. He was a small man in stature, but a giant in intellect. Being assigned to another field of labor, Rev. Gobin gave up his work here in the fall of 1870, much to the regret of his congregation, and the Rev. Mr. Foxworthy was sent here in his place. Mr. Fox- worthy filled this pulpit, was a very fine man and well liked by his people. He only remained one year, or until 1871, when the conference sent him to another field, and placed Rev. Mr. Andrews in charge of the congregation here, who remained only one year, or until the fall of 1872, and was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Meredith. Mr. Meredith remained only one year, or until the fall of 1873, when he
Digitized by Google
117
JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA.
in turn was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Blackstock, who came in the fall of 1873 and remained two years, or until the fall of 1875. Mr. Blackstock was much respected by his flock, but about this time the church did not appear to be in a very prosperous condition, owing, probably, to the cold- ness of its membership. But in time the M. E. church regained its wonted prosperity, both in its conversions and financial standing, holding its position over all the other organizations of Remington. The Methodist Episcopal church membership in 1874 built a parsonage for the accommodation of their minister, the greater portion of this expense being borne by a Mr. Lycurgus Rawles, a prominent member, and who was considered one of the wealthiest farmers of this vicinity. He did, however, about this time, or soon afterward, engage in some real estate speculations near Indianapolis, Ind., with other Remington speculators, and in these deals he became bank- rupt. In some way it appears that this parsonage reverted to Mr. Rawles. It has been said that this financial disas- ter was the cause of Mr. Rawles' death. This parsonage was built on the corner of New York and Second South streets, and is at present occupied by Mr. Z. K. Smith. The shadow under which this church had rested, a year or two previous to this time, was caused by the financial reverses overtaking some of the most prominent and wealthy mem- bers, and others moving away, one party, who was a member of the church, going away with some of the church funds. But those remaining stood firm, and soon had the organization on its feet again. In 1876 Rev. Mr. Webb was placed in the pulpit here and remained one year, when, in the fall of 1877, he was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Burns, who ministered one year, and in the fall of 1878, he was superseded by Rev. Mr. Clearwater, who remained one year, until the fall of 1879, and he in turn was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Hascall, and he 'by the Rev. Mr. Baycourt, who occupied the pulpit until the fall of the year 1880. Now, again, at this time, the church had
Digitized by Google
118
REMINGTON AND VICINITY.
regained most of its former strength and prestige. A young and unmarried man, Rev. Mr. Vance, was now sent here by the conference to take charge of this congregation. Mr. Vance was well educated for his mission and was an excel- lent minister, and did great good as he went along. He remained here longer than any other minister prior to this time, having been located here in 1880, and continued in charge until the spring of 1883. During this interval he had become attached to and had married a Miss Lottie Church, of Remington, and upon his departure from here, he took his bride with him. Her health, however, was very poor, and in a few years she passed away, and her body was brought back to Remington and buried in the cemetery here. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. W. Church, whose mortal remains are both reposing in the Remington cemetery. Rev. Mr. Vance is still a frequent visitor to Remington. Rev. Mr. Nebiker was appointed as successor to Rev. Mr. Vance, and he came here in the spring of 1883, and remained until the fall of 1884, when he was sent to another field of labor, and Rev. Mr. Wood- son, at the regular conference, was given the charge of the Remington Methodist Episcopal church at Remington. Mr. Woodson was an excellent man and good preacher, but his health was very poor. However, he remained with the congregation here for nearly three years, or about two years and six months, when he was compelled, through failing health, to cease his ministerial labors. and death resulted about this time-1887. We believe his remains were taken to Michigan City, his former home, for inter- ment. Rev. Mr. Coombs was, upon the death of Mr. Woodson, placed in charge of the congregation at Reming- ton, and he remained until the year 1888, when Rev. Mr. Greenway, formerly of the Brook circuit, was given the pastorate here. Mr. Greenway was a young man and sin- gle when he came here, remaining one year, and about this time he was married to one of the members of his church, Miss Turpin. Rev. Mr. Warrell was his successor, and he
Digitized by Google
119
JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA.
remained only one year, when he in turn was succeeded by Rev. DeLong in the fall of 1890. Mr. DeLong was an excellent organizer among the young people and did much good. He remained until the spring of 1893, when he in turn was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Handley. He is an old- time Methodist preacher, is still the M. E. pastor here and is much beloved by his congregation.
The Methodist Episcopal church building stands on the corner of Ohio and Second South streets. It is large and commodious, and fronts to the west. It has a nice lawn surrounding it, and has also a very high steeple. It has an excellent bell, and on the interior the walls and ceiling are nicely finished with frescoe work. This church has also an excellent choir and fine organ. The choir is led by Mr. H. N. Walker. The trustees of this church are Messrs. John E. Hollett, Albert G. Bellows, Thomas J. Turpin, Augustus Morris and Henry H. Walker, who are all members of long standing.
The United Brethren church has never kept up its organization in Remington, although this creed has many followers in close proximity to the town in Benton county, and also a goodly number near here in Jasper county. Yet they have preaching here occasionally, usually occupying the Christian church, through the courtesy of its officers. Their minister on such occasions being a circuit rider, who only comes here once in a great while. As before stated, many of its members have previously united with the M. E. church. This U. B. organization is the oldest repre- sented here, except the Methodist Protestant, and they held their meetings in the old school house prior to the construction of any of the church buildings here. Rev. Dennis Wiggins was their first pastor .. He had formerly been a resident of Pine township, Benton county, but finally moved into Remington, early in the sixties. We have not the data at hand to give the names of the pastors who have ministered to this class of religionists, and will only add that a Rev. Mr. Bird is at present their minister.
Digitized by Google
120
REMINGTON AND VICINITY.
He has a residence in the country in Benton county, south of Remington.
The Presbyterian church of Remington was organized on the 29th day of April, 1865, by Rev. Horace A. Mayhew, of Rensselaer, assisted by J. C. Irwin and Elder Cornelius Hutton, a committee appointed by the Logansport Synod, for this purpose. This church organization has a building in which they worship, 30x50 feet in dimension, which was first built in 1866, and was then valued at $2,000. The organized membership consisted of fifteen families, among whom we mention those of Samuel M. Black, David V. Garrison, Uriah Black, John Darlington, John N. Beal, John Miller, Samuel Miller, S. Searight, D. H. Patton, David Kaufman, two of the Weaver families and Miss Maggie Bolles. This church edifice was afterward remod- eled, and greatly improved, and it is now recognized as the finest and best arranged church building in Remington. We have not the data to give the names of all the pastors who have ministered to the wants of this church, but we believe we have partially and incidentally done so elsewhere in this work. We will therefore skip the interval from the organization of the same until the 9th day of June, 1891, when the Rev. John Crozier came here and assumed the pastorate of this church. He was an old man when he arrived here, but was very active in church work. He had passed the greater portion of his life in working for the cause of Jesus Christ, and had done a great amount of valuable work in the vineyard. In the fall of the year he was taken violently ill, and on the twenty-fourth day of December, 1891, he was called home to his master. On the twenty-sixth day of December his mortal remains were returned to Paris, Illinois, where they were interred. Rev. Mr. Crozier had made many friends during his short sojourn among the people here, and he was dearly beloved by his entire congregation. At the death of Mr. Crozier, the Rev. S. V. McKee was appointed to the pastorate of this church, and he has remained in charge from the date
Digitized by Google
121
JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA.
of his appointment to the present time, 1894. Mr. McKee is well beloved by his congregation, and it appears that he has steadily been accomplishing much good in his church, and also in the community generally.
In January, 1892, the writer, while sojourning in his former home on Black Oak, with an old friend, Mr. Jackson McCaleb, had the pleasure to attend a revival meeting held in the old Christian church which had been built in the year 1854. This revival meeting was being conducted by Rev. Mac Meyers, of Monticello. At this time most of the old members of the church had either removed to other places or had been gathered to "the Fathers" by the "fell destroyer." So that there were but few in attendance that were personally known to us. Yet those who had passed away, or at least many of them, were there represented by their children, the younger generation, who are remaining to follow in paths of righteousness, and the footsteps of their fathers and mothers. During this series of revival meetings it was our pleasure to note the conversion of six at least, who under the influence of Rev. Meyers were converted to the Christian faith, and renounced their sinful ways. Thus whilst the number at that place was not great, the good work went steadily forward.
On the 17th and 18th days of November, 1891, there was held in the Methodist Episcopal church at Remington, a notable Union Sunday school conference, to which all christian creeds and people were cordially invited to attend, and to which invitation many members of the various denominations both here and elsewhere cheerfully respond- ed. Rev. I. I. Gorby, of the M. E. church at Rensselaer, had a commission from the M. E. conference to superin- tend this work. In addition to the local laborers in the Sunday school field besides Rev. Gorby, there were present and in attendance, Revs. R. M. James, A. J. Bellows, G. B. Hollister, E. F. Blake, W. B. Matthews, W. B. Wil- son and J. B. Drake, and Rev. Dr. Rodman. It is
Digitized by Google
1
122
REMINGTON AND VICINITY.
believed that much good was accomplished at these meet- ings, in the manner of conducting the Sunday schools so as to excite a greater interest in them, etc.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
N numbers the Catholic people of this community very nearly equaled those of all the other denomina- tions combined, but as time passed along, although their numbers did not diminish, but rather strength- ened, yet at this time they will probably compare favorably in numbers with the M. E. or Presbyterian membership. For the first twelve years after their organization here they were without a church in which to worship, but during the year 1873 this obstacle was overcome by the construction of a good church building, 30x50 feet in dimensions. This church was built mainly through the influence of Rev. Father Messman, who came here in 1873. He at once called upon his people to build a church edifice, and they promptly responding, the work was accomplished without unnecessary delay. Father Messman did not remain a great length of time, and at his retirement from here the mission was placed in charge of Rev. Father John, in 1874. He was a good man, a good organizer, and held his church people well together. Father John the First, as he was called, remained with the charge here until during the year 1876, when he was superseded by Father John the Second. The church had been dedicated by Father John the First, and it was named St. John's church, in honor of the biblical St. John and Father John the First. Father John the Second then remained with his charge until during the year 1879, and in the meantime, whilst he was here he had built an addition of fifteen feet more to the rear of the church. This was done in 1878. Rev. Father Stilar superseded Father John in 1879, and he remained
Digitized by Google
1
JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA. 123
here performing his duties as priest for the church until during the year 1882. Father Stilar at once, on his arri- val, saw the necessity for a residence for the priest, and he accordingly prevailed on his people to erect one, which was an accomplished fact in the year 1880. From 1883 until 1885 the church here was practically without a permanent priest. But in 1885 Rev. Father Hellhake located here, and he had remained in charge of the church until the early spring of 1893, when he was placed over another charge and Rev. Father Kelly was duly installed as the priest at St. John's church in Remington. Rev. Father Hellhake was a very pleasant gentleman, a large man, always in an excellent humor, and had always a kind word for every person he chanced to meet. Father Kelly was a very nice gentleman, but his health was very indifferent, and during the early summer of 1893, he became unable to attend to the duties of his office, and was placed in the hospital for the Catholic church in the City of Lafayette, Indiana, where he lingered for a short time, and there died. His successor at the church at Remington is Rev. Father Berg, who is a kindly gentleman and apparently much respected, not alone by his own people, but by mostly all others with whom he comes in contact.
MRS. JOSEPH LARSH.
RS. JOSEPH LARSH left Remington for the city of Chicago on the 15th day of December, 1891; she was seen in Chicago on the 16th day of December, 1891, by her sister, Mrs. Hattie Shepherd. They had been with each other the night of the 15th, and on the 16th she proceeded to the depot in Chicago, with a friend, where Mrs. Larsh boarded a train for a suburban village called Lagrange. Her friends seeing her no more and not hearing from her became
Digitized by Google.
L
124
REMINGTON AND VICINITY.
greatly alarmed for her safety, and her husband, Joseph Larsh, learning of her mysterious disappearance, and being summoned to Chicago, immediately repaired thither, and upon his arrival there, he was met by his sister- in-law, Mrs. Shepherd, and also Mr. and Mrs. E. H. Briggs. Mrs. Briggs and Mr. Larsh had previously been bosom friends.
The people of Remington became much agitated over the mysterious disappearance of Mrs. Larsh, and were very eager to learn of her whereabouts. It was quite uncertain whether she was living, whether she had been abducted, or whether she had been foully murdered for her money and other valuables, and her body thrown into the lake. It was known that she had several hundred dollars in money and other valuables with her when she left Remington. Mr. Larsh upon his arrival in Chicago, after consultation with friends employed several detectives to solve the mys- tery of the disappearance of his wife, but after several days of diligent search and nothing being learned of the missing woman's whereabouts, the detectives gave up the search. They had labored on the theory that she had been mur- dered upon her arrival in the city after her visit to her friend at Lagrange, but no clue could be obtained to war- rant this theory.
They could gain no information from the conductor of the train, nor from any other source, further than upon her return the conductor remembered having assisted her to alight from the train, when she disappeared, and right here all trace of her was completely lost. The cab men at the depot could give no information concerning her, or any other person resembling her in the description given them of her general appearance. People generally, as well as the detectives and police labored under the impression that she had been either abducted or murdered, and after a time the search was discontinued.
For years Mrs. Larsh had been a staunch friend and had made a confident of Mrs. Briggs, who was the wife of
Digitized by Google
-
125
JASPER COUNTY, INDIANA.
Mr. Larsh's partner in business. Mrs. Larsh had spent much of her time at the home of Mrs. Briggs whilst the two families had lived in Remington. When she went to Chicago on the 15th day of December, 1891, she was in the company of both Mr. and Mrs. Briggs until after their arrival in the city. Mrs. Briggs had a sister living in the suburb of Lagrange, and it was at this sister's house where Mrs. Larsh had paid her visit. This sister had accom- panied Mrs. Larsh to the train, after her visit, and then she bade her good-bye, this being the last she had seen or heard of her. In every community, the people under like circumstances, became greatly excited, and there are generally as many opinions expressed concerning the cause of the disappearance, and the final result, as there are people to express them. This was certainly a most sad affair for the many friends of the missing woman, and more especially sad for her mother, Mrs. Lockwood, who has been a resident of Remington from 1863 up to the present time.
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.