USA > Indiana > Noble County > Obituaries and news items of early settlers of Noble County, Indiana : as published in the "The Albion new era" and other sources, 1876-1888 > Part 13
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Mrs. Pepple was the mother of nine children, one of whom died in infancy. The remaining eight, five sons and three daughters, were all present when she passed away, a few minutes after 8 o'clock p. n., April 24th, 1892, aged eighty years and seventeen days. She had been a church member since the age of seventeen and always endeavored to live a consistent christian life.
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ROME CITY ITEMS-Dec. 23, 1880
"One by one the leaves are falling", 01d folks are dropping off in and about Rome.
Father Donaldson, Uncle Sammy Smith, Father Bidlack, and Mrs. Osborn were all conveyed to that bourne from whence no traveler e'er returns, in the short space of one week.
Let all be prepared, for truly no one can tell when the messenger nay call."
ROME CITY ITEMS, Ligonier (Banner) ? Dec. 23, 1880
The largest funeral we have witnessed for a long time was that of Uncle Sammy Smith, last week. The old gentleman was universally respected and all wished to see his remains and bid him a long and last farewell.
Mrs. Catherine Smith, widow of Mr. Samuel Smith, deceased, takes this occasion to return to the citizens of this community her sincere thanks for attention shown her late husband, in his late sickness and on the funeral occasion, hoping that they will accept her kind regards and receive their appropriate rewards hereafter.
ROME CITY ITEMS, Jan. 27, 1881
The timber for Esq. Law's new office is now being sawed out and the building will soon go up.
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Rome City has lost another useful citizen. Esquire William Dixon died on Saturday night last and was buried on Tuesday.
Rome City Items, Dec. 31, 1880.
Rome City Item, Ligonier Banner
Ice harvest is now over. Lum Cain furnishes Some with beef by the quarter.
Hon. William Bunyan and lady, of Kendallville, witnessed the ice-packing here last week.
One hundred and thirty-five thousand tons of ice is packed here by the Indianapolis Ice Co. Feb. 10, 1881
Feb. 10, 1881
"The Brimfield 'Squire is mad because we intimated "that if the balance of the old buildings were removed the town site would make a good farm." The old Squire seems to be a chronic grumbler. We would not have his temper for the world.
Esquire Ed. Parkman is now fairly in the harness, and will show the people of Brimfield how to dispense (with) justice.
Feb. 10, 1881
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Mar. 24, 1881
A large drove of swan alighted upon the lake one day last week. None were captured. March 31, 1881
The blue birds have come; the robins have come; the wild geese and the swan have come. But spring still longers at a distance.
ROME CITY ITEMS, Mar. 24, 1881
Esq. David Law is no more.
After nine days illness, Esq. David Law died of lung fever.
Rome City is now without a justice of the peace. Who will be Esq. Law's successor?
Most any big-bellied fellow will make a "squire but suitable material for a good and efficient justice is not so plenty.
Esq. Law took the last dinner upon earth with us on Thursday.
March 10. Little did we think that this would be his last dinner.
On Monday of last week Uncle Jimmy Madison fell and broke his leg. Under the treatment of Doc. Green the old gent is doing well. This is a sad misfortune for a man seventy years of age.
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In the matter of Justice of the Peace the question is not "who needs the office"? but the vital question is, "whom do the people need to fill the office"? Let the Romanites themselves decide.
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Rome City will decide upon whom they want for justice of the peace, and we presume the county commissioners will accede to their wishes. It will be hard to fill the place of David Law. But from present indications a heavy pressure will be brought to bear upon Capt. Eden H. Fisher.
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David Law faithfully filled the office of Justice of the Peace in Orange twp. successfully for 24 years, and never had a decision reversed in a higher court. He was just about to enter upon his seventh term. He was certainly the oldest and most experienced if not the best justice of the peace in the county.
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The remains of David Law were consigned to their last resting place on Tuesday afternoon. He was buried according to the usages of the Masonic Order. Funeral sermon on the occasion by Rev. Shaffer, of Millersburg. A multitude of friends, relatives and Masons were in attendance. The M. E. Church was entirely too small to accomodate the anxious spectators. The sermon was & masterpiece of work. The choir acquitted themselves with credit. Everything passed off harmoniously and satisfactorily.
Obituary and memorial next week.
Alexis W. W. Skillen
The sermon of Rev. Shaffer at the funeral of David Law, Esq. was a masterly effort.
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"U Donnahue" says that several Masons from Albion attended the funeral of 'Squire Law. Please give us their names, U. D. Guess the roads were so bad that they failed to connect.
ROME CITY ITEMS to the Banner, Ligonier, March 31, 1881.
Cur old friend and fellow-citizen, Uncle Jacob Kessler, was run over by a switching train at Brimfield last week, instantly killed and mangled in a horrible manner. His remains were buried on Saturday last. Funeral sermon on the occasion at the M. E. Church by Rev. Blanchard of Wolcottville.
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Philip Bowers of Wolcottville informs the people that he is prepared to furnish coffins on short notice.
Assembly Items, Rome City, June 27, 1881
There is a street on the main land called Kendallville Avenue. Among the prominent citizens from the city of Kendallville we noticed Messrs. John Mitchell, F. P. Ford, A. A. Chapin, Wm. Bunyan, Horace Goodman, Mr. Gray, R. L. Graves, Mrs. J. Nellis, G. W. Harteuck, Dr. Gilbert, Samuel Erillhart, A. M. Boyer, Isaac Ayers, Rev. Grier, L. H. Johnson, J. B. Baker, Nick Neunam and Ed. Erickson.
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"We note in Millard F. Owen's scrap books, Vol. 17, Page 106 certificate #17385. Dated the 20th day of August, 1838.
"Whereas, Adochia Dunbar of Portage County, Chio, has deposited in the general Land offios of the United States, a certificate of the Register of Deeds of the Land Office at Pt. Wayne etc. etc. ....
Martin Van Buren
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OLD CITIZENS
Under date of Feb. 15, 1894
The following communication is from Rome City.
"We see the different county papers striving to locate the older people of Noble County.
There is Milo Jones, living in Orange Township, who was born in 1810, making him eighty-four years of age.
Also William Waldron, another old land mark. He came to Noble County in 1836, and settled on the same piece of land that he now lives on in Orange Township.
And Horace Holden, who came here June 9th, 1836, and has lived nearly all of the time since in Orange Township.
It has been stated to us that David Herriman of Northport fame, was President of the Canal Company, was elected, while living at Detroit, Mich., in 1834, entered a large tract of land, 640 acres, which title afterward passed to John Holsinger.
David Herriman left Indiana about 1858-59.
JAUGILLIT HO
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Hill and Ormeson had early land holdings, Orange Township.
H. R. Burnham pre-empted the N. W. Gr. Sec. One, Orange Township.
Edward Madic pre-empted at the east end of "Maple Street" and "Mail Trace" on old Kendallville to Sturgis road.
About the year 1843, was the date of the following settlers arrival in Orange Twp .- Bill Hill, Wm. Latta (second time) Henry F. Dyer, Geo. Ulmer, Isaac Grannis, There was also William Bird and Strod Beagle.
Written in 1874 County Atlas Orange
"Among the very earliest settlers were, David S. Field, from Springfield, Winsor County, Vermont, and Luke Diggins, who both settled as early as 1835.
David and Charles Law, Timothy Gaby, T. M. Watkins, Joel (or Joseph) Doolittle, William Imes and others.
The township, like others in Noble County, shows much variety of surface. The largest body of water "The Reservoir", is in this township, while the chain (West) Lakes, and Tamarack Lake are wholly or partly within its limits.
The northeastern, Northwestern, and extreme southern parts of the township contain some of the best farms. Henry F. Dyer, John Holsinger and Horace H. Warner in the north, while Mr. Timothy Gaby, William
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Imes, Wm. Bliss and others in the south.
Maggie Field, second daughter of David S. Field, was the first white girl born in the township.
David S. Field died in November, 1872, aged 72 years, at Wolcottville where his family yet resides.
There are three villages in the township; Rome City, on the "reservoir" and G. R. & I. R. R. Co. line. Brimfield, on the L. S. & M. S. Ry Line, and a part of Wolcottville on the G. R. & I. R. R. Line.
Brimfield is a small town containing some 400 people, and having considerable trade and business. It is a point for passengers and traffic for Albion, the County seat, which point has no railroad.
Rome City is beautifully located at the outlet of the "Reservoir", has a number of stores, some 400 people, has a fine Hotel, the Lakeside, Wma. R. Truesdall, Propr., the Woolen factory, Flour Mill, Saw Mill and a clothes rack factory.
A large Woolen Mill, owned by J. C. Geisendorff and Co, was destroyed by fire in May, 1874, involving a loss of $60,000. It is reported that it will be rebuilt.
The facilities for procuring and storing ice, and shipping the same are very superior, and material for the business is inexhaustable. Large quantities are annually shipped to Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati. The prospects for Rome City are very favorable."
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During the construction of the Northport Feeder, the work, most of the time was under the foremanship of Francis Aveline, who afterward built the Aveline Hotel of Ft. Wayne, Ind.
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There were many Frenchmen, and Irishmen employed who often times did not well agree, had their scrimmages. Wien "'r. Aveline had worked for some time from the north, filling in north end of the lem, he received Instruct- lons to put a gang to work at the south end of the works, he divided the forces, keeping the Frenchmen on the north side, and transferred the Irish to the south side works. There were better accomodations for men on north end of work, Northport, and a rude boarding shanty erected at the south end of the work.
Under the leadership of a big Irishman the Irish made a demand to be employed where they could be better accomodated. Until Foreman Aveline came over with some fighters, und gave the leaders a chestisement, instructed the leader after the promise of the majority that they would abide by the rules, the he, the sub-foreman must do as the Romans do.
This account of the many Roman Catholics, working on the south bank camp received the name of Rome, and ever after was known as Rome, and so commemorated by the founders of our village, being platted ROME by the commissioners.
3. A. Alvord was a young lawyer from the east, school teacher of early days and editor. Later in life, County Clerk.
Northport, he found next to Lisbon, and new born Rome nestled in second growth woods, Hotel and Factories a building. The William mentioned was the notorious "D111 Hill."
Alvord writes-That he came in September, 1849 on & visit to an Uncle!s family whom he had never seen, intending to return east in October. He arrived in Northport, Ind. his destination, on foot from Ft. Wayne, September 11th.
It happened that his pedestrian trip from Fort Wayne
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and its incidents taught hin much about Noble County, Orange Township, and the surroundings of Northport and Rome, which undoubtedly will be of interest to the present residents of this vicinity, as well as to many other renders.
The first ten miles from Ft. Wayne, Ind. he walked over the first plank road he had ever seen, (Ft. Wayne & Lima) , wondering how such a road through such a region could be profitable. Sections of the road in the worst places were then laid for the convenience of the teams engaged in the construction. About one o'clock P. M., Sept. 10th saw & shingle nailed to a log cabin about fifteen miles north of Fort Wayne. shingle said, "entertainment." and he stopped and got one of the best meals of his life-price one shilling. The proprietor was [avid S. Simons, whose amiable wife nine years thereafter, exercised her accomplishments as a splendid cook in behalf of a jail full of prisoners at Albion, Ind., her husband then being Sheriff of Noble County, when the "william" mentioned in the opening of this article, was one of these prisoners.
The
About four miles further on, the footsore traveler saw a veritable "frame" tavern, with the sign "Avilla House" by N. J. Hill. Here there was indications of a "village just begun." Being tired, spent the after- noon in conversation with the intelligent and genial Noah. I. Hill, from whom he received volumes of infor- mation about Noble County and Scores of citizens-little thinking, at the time, that it amounted to anything more than simless, agreeable gossip. Stayed all night at the "Avilla House" and on the morning of September 11, resumed the tramp northward.
Was surprised at Lisbon, Ind. to find quite a collection of houses, frame houses at that-a good sized good looking Hotel, two or three stores, an ashery and potash factory, a wagon shop and some other evidences of business and growth-all seemingly under the direct- ion of the hustling "Uncle Asa Brown" whose emphatic
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and breezy "By George, Sir" seemed to be a sort of shibboleth for the Lisbonites-distinguishing them and the village from other villages first begun or just beginning especially the one two miles north, "Mitchell's farm" now Kendallville, Ind. At that time Lisbon was conspicuous as the best town on the Mongoquinong Road in Noble County, and Brown's Hotel was a far famed resort from which, in Burn's witch time, "The wee sma' hours ayant the twal". Neither Kendallville or Avilla could compare with Lisbon, Northport "on the lake" was the next competitor, some ten miles northward. Lol the change. The then, predominant town, between those upper and nether millstones has been ground to the dust of oblivion-its very identity extinguished.
The tramp went on, to, and through (now Kendall- ville) in which the conspicuous objects were William Mitchell's house on the west side of the road; Samuel Minot's store on the opposite side, and a few rods further on, a tavern, "The Calico House", by Luke Diggins. The exterior was painted in colors like broad checked calico and this was the only feature of the place that attracted attention. What few homes there were, were not clustered; and no "village" appearance was presented. At the "Calico House" the predestraian ascertained, where the road turned off toward Northport.
First Interview with Willaim B. Hill.
About a mile east of Northport saw & farmer sitting on a little porch in front of his house and inquired how far it was to Northport. He answered very pleasantly and said "Young man, you look tired. Better sit down here and rest a while." The Invitation was accepted. The farmer drew a bucket of water from the well, brought out a pitcher and glass and a basket of splendid peaches and settled himself for a comfortable chat. For over an hour,
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the guest answered questions and listened to volunteered information about Noble County, and not too flattering facts relative to its leading citizens and settlers-especially as to the County officials and their designs and doings.
In that interview the guest first heard sarcastic flings and biting criticisms about all the County officers and especially of Orange Township-hearing that A. B. C. et cetera were Pharisees, full of guile and pretension-whining hypoorits in Butler's Hudibras, ever ready to "compound for sins they were inclined to, By daming those they had no mind to." All was said in a half-humorous manner, with an ease of espression that was admirable, though marred by some vulgarisms and profanity. About three o'clock he directed the listener to "D. Law's Tavern" and said goodbye. He was afterward known as the leading blackleg of Noble County-the Notorious "Bill Hill."
Northport, then, was a village-not just begun but just ending. It had grown to fair proportions during the rush of work on the "Feeder Dam", which was constructed to hold an immense reservoir of water, to feed a projected canal to connect the waters of Lake Erie and Michigan; but when Indiana's grand system of internal improvements of which this was a feature, collapsed under the pressure of the panic of 1837, and it was abandoned, the hum of industry at Northport, ceased; the host of diggers, contractors, bosses, traders, etcetera, some, yes many, departed, some purchased farms in the vicinity, and the blight of decay fell upon the nucleus of a visional great emporium. But the great dam had been completed and the reservoir now Sylvan Lake remained.
Bill Bill was a dominant individual in and around Northport. Many did not know the criminal aspect of his life, and he had, undoubtedly, a band of adherents at his command as subsequent revelations proved. -
With December came the Invitation to teach the winter schools as also the winter following, (these
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schools were at Northport, or Rome City, the writer fails to state which or if both. These terms of school would be the winter term of 1849-50, and 1850-51.
Early landmarks in Northern portion of Orange Township.
Previous to, and after Northport was platted by Francis Comparet, the main outlet of the few early settlers was by way of the road leading from Tamarack westward to Wolcott's Corners, now Wolcottville, and the southern road striking the old Fort Wayne and Lima road, near "The Old Red House" on the now Beucher farm, in section 12.
The main road from Wolcott's was southward about a mile, thenoe bearing westward, to the "Heaton clearing," where was situated the "Heaton Tavern" which we have had some trouble in locating, and of which we have heard mich, and confounded with "Dave Law's old Tavern", which was south and east of Heaton's-afterward Northport.
From Heaton's Tavern, the road bore southward to really the first school house in Orange Town- ship, which patrons were Abram Shears, George Nichols, Dave Herriman families, and others. This school was abandoned when the school house was erected at Northport and was converted into a dwelling occupied by Paul King. Austen C. Jennings taught school here.
From the school house one road branched south- westerly toward the old Fort Wayne road, in Northport, the other south and westerly passing over the hill on the now Randoll farm, where was situated at that time well known "Dug-Way Hill," as in excavating the side hill to reach the lower level, was struck a powerful spring, through which cut had to be built a "Corduroy" or log road, which old logs are probably yet in
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existance covered and cultivated farm land.
This seems to be the same vein of water which is yet found today, in excavating for graves in the "01d North-port Grave yard which is still higher.
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Earliest Land Entries.
First Church and school House. First Town Plats, and First State Work under Public Improvement Act, in Orange Township, sections 9-10-11-14-15
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First Town Plat. Northport. In Sec. 9. Date, Oot. 4th, 1836
Second Town Plat, Rome City in Sec. 16, Date June 1839.
A Dam constructed by the State in Sec. 16, in 1837 Known as the Northport Feeder Dam, and a canal commenced Intending to run from Northport, Ind. to intersect with the Fort Wayne system of canals. This formed the "reservoir", or Sylvan Lake, the largest body of water in Noble County.
Old Indian Village at the Narrows up to 1844.
First saw mill in County built in 1836 (see 01d Mill Site) The timbers for the Northport construction sawed here.
First school house in Orange Township at Northport in 1839.
First Hotel and store in Township, Northport, 1835. First Factories at Rome City built in 1855.
Second Saw Mill and first Grist Mill built Rome City 1851. Factory burned in 1874. Grist Mill burned in 1886
Magnet Woolen Mills, Rome City built 1869, burned 1877
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Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad through in 1869 First Ticket and Freight office at Rome City opened Dec. 15, 1874
First Agent, Ry. and Telegraph Opr. Millard F. Owen First Express Agent at Rome in 1870 James H. Alexander.
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Noble County is situated in the north eastern portion of the State. The Latitude of the Court House at Albion, the County Seat, being about 41 Deg. 30 mins. north and the Longitude about 8 Deg. west from Washington.
The first settlement in the County was made by Joel Bristol, Apr. 4th, 1827, one and one half miles southeast of Wolf Lake, in Noble Township.
The land of this County, occupied by the Indians was found by the white settlers to be well adapted to the production of winter wheat, Oats, Grass, Fruit and Stock of all kinds. There were many trees of natural fruit, know as Indian apples probably the out- rowth of "Apple-seed Johnnie" of early day.
Who the first white settler of the section of our present sketch, meaning the transient settler, is not known. They found an extensive orchard of wild plum trees covering some five acres, on the north banks of the Elkhart river, in Section nine.
Noble County was organized in 1836.
In 1840 the total population was 2402.
The original tom plat of Wolf Lake was recorded at Lima, Ind. (Now Hower) . And that of Ligonier at Ft. Wayne, Ind.
Sparta was the first seat of Justice in Noble County
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The first court house or seat of Justice building in the County, was built by Adam Engle, May 3rd, 1836, Judge Sample presiding. Augusta in Sparta Township, then big with expectations, now almost forgotten.
From 1790 to 1818 Noble County was an intergral part of Knox County which at first included all northern Indiana. The County seat was Vincennes; From 1819 to 1824, Noble County was a part of Bandolf County with County seat at Winchester.
From 1824 to 1829 it was all attached to Allen County with County seat at Ft. Wayne.
From 1829 to 1831 the south two thirds-Sparta Township, York Township, Jefferson Township, Allen Township, Washington Township, Noble Township, Green Township and Swan Township was a part of Allen County, while the north one third or Perry Township, Elkhart Township, Orange Township and Wayne Township was a part of Elkhart County with the County seat, Goshen.
For two years, 1831 and 1832 the six tomships constituting the east half of the county, Orange Town- ship, Wayne Township, Jefferson Township, Allen Tom- ship, Green Township and (Swan) Township was a part of Allen County.
Ft. Wayne the county seat, while the six Western townships, Perry Township, Elkhart Township, Sparta Township, York Township, Washinton Township and Noble Township was a part of Elkhart County with County seat at Goshen.
From 1832 to 1836 the northern two-thirds of now Noble County, Perry Township, Elkhart Township, Orange Township, Wayne Township, Sparta Township, York Town- ship Jefferson Township and Allen Township was a part of Lagrange County, with the County seat at Lima-now Howe, while the south one third, Washington Township, Noble Township, Green Township and Swan Township was a part of Allen County with County seat at Fort Wayne.
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ROME CITY ITEMS July 11th 1881
We attended the Old Settlers meeting at Albion on Thursday last. We could not get even standing space in the court room.
We got a glimpse of Esq. lasso Tibbott's old rail. There was a large crowd in town.
Tuesday morning. - The school superintendent question is settled. The child is born; its name is Nelson Prentisa. We gave our opinion freely and charged nothing for our advice. "experience teaches a dear school, but then there are some who will take lessons In no other." Mr. Prentiss has occupied that position for two years past and has filled it with credit to himself and the County. We say now as we said in the start, that Watt P. Demy is a model man composed of the very material necessary to fill every qualification for that office. But he was submerged with cold water, on account of his youth and inexperience (all bosh.) Mr. Prentiss has both age and experience, and of course fills the bill. We wish him abundant success. A good Joke on democratic engineering.
Aug. 29-1881 Rome City Items The Regatta
The following entries have been made, up to Aug. 29th in the regatta to be held at Rome City single pleasure boat race:
Lee Barron, Geo. Berhalter, Kendallville; George Moor, Rome City. Double pleasure boat race: Lee Barron, John McCray, Kendallville; Wm. Lawson, George Moor, Rome City. Wm. Teal, Miles Highbargain, Rome City. Single scull race: Chas. Prince, Fred Boltz, Ft. Wayne; Lee Barron, John Kelly, Kendallville.
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Four ored race : Hillsdales, Hillsdale; St. Joes, Ft. Wayne.
Swimming race: J. C. Heimerduger, James Graves, Kendallville; Geo. Valentine, Fort Wayne.
Tub race: Harry Reed, Kendallville.
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