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 14
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SYLVAN NOTES July 11th 1881
James Graves is considered one of the best swimmers in this section of country.
Home City Sept. 28th 1881
Esq. Ede Fisher has resigned his office and is now going on a journey west.
Rome City proposes to make a 'Squire out of a Cobb.
John Sherman and Zopher Case of Wright's Corners' were among those who attended the dance on Saturday night.
Squire Cobb starts in with a large amount of business.
Squire Cobb was inaugurated on Thursday last, and had his maiden suit on Saturday.
Lawyer Barr of Kendallville, is the "coming man."
Rome City Items Feb. 1882
Dr. Green, of Rome City, in conjunction with Dr. Gilbert of Kendallville, and Dr. Latta, of Goshen, have been treating Mrs. Hitchcock of this place for dropsy.
A note made by Mr. Owen says she died Feb. 6th at 5 A. M.
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Feb. 19, 1882 After a long protracted illness Uncle Potter has departed at last. Feb. 26, 1882
The M. E. church will come down town in the spring.
- Our town will undoubtedly incorporate in the spring. All good citizens are in favor of it.
Joshua Rinehart thinks the Gazette treated him a little cool for asking a civil question. Joshua, like many other readers of the Gazette here, is an honest consistent dyed in the wool Greenbacker. Joshua asks us if the Gazette did not during the war advocate the greenback. We refer him to the editor.
Ede Fisher is one of the most zealous temperance men in Rome. Ede means business.
Tommy Smith is now a leading spirit in the temperance cause. Tommy is a Staunch Democrat but he has now become a shining light by setting a glorious example for others.
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A movement is about to be made to move the Methodist church into town. This is a move in the right direction. By all means have the church moved into town, or else have a gravel pike built to where it is located.
Joe Bushong is clearing away the underbrush, etc., near the mineral springs and getting things ready for the new Mineral Springs Therapy, hotel, etc., which are soon to be erected there.
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Joshua Rinehart heard Gen. Weaver speak at Ft. Wayne on Saturday last. He came home very much enthused. There are many old Greenbackers in and about Rome who have been slumbering and are only awaiting a favorable opportunity to strike for liberty. "Men may change, but principles never."
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Rome City March 5th 1882
Elder Blanchard of Wolcottville preached the funeral sermon of Mrs. Elmer Warner at this place on Wednesday last.
Elder Chase, of Hillsdale, Nich., preached the funeral sermon Mrs. S. W. Dodge on Wednesday last.
Esq. Dunn, of Brimfield, attended the funeral of Mrs. Dodge last Wednesday. The old 'Squire solemni zed the marriage of S. W. Dodge and Lydia Knight, when they first appeared before the altar.
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Mar. 23-1882
John Damman's new restaurant is now undergoing valuable improvements. Uncle Jimmy Madison is doing the work. - Commodores Owen & Swinehart will soon command 100 vessels, 35 of which are bran, splinter new. They are all now receiving a new coat of paint and some of them have already taken to the water.
Rumor has it that we are to have a new bakery and restaurant in Rome. Fr. Mcleod, of Kendallville, has taken the Dodge restaurant and bakery, or leased the same from Esq. Cobbs, and will move here shortly and commence business.
Last Sabbath some of our citizens were called to attend the funeral of Mr. Henry Myers, who died in Lagrange Co. Mr. Myers was an uncle of our citizen Mr. Wm. Myers. The deceased was 70 years of age, and on Monday our church bell tolled, as the friends gathered to pay their last tribute of respect.
At the funeral of Mr. Jacob Shroyers, who died at Northport on Saturday evening at 10 o'clock P. M. ; Mr. Shroyers, was also a little past 70 years of age and like the other, seemed to have finished the work given him to do and is
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often said, died of old age. He also, was an uncle of our friends, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Myers.
Rome City Apr. 20, 1882
Judge Goodwin, a profound Lawyer of Kendallville, will probably be the National candidate for the Judgeship in this District. It remains for the Democracy to choose between him and Mr. Chapin.
Ex-Trustee Waldron on Saturday last surrendered his books, papers, etc., to his successor, Joshus Rinehart. As we predicted, Mr. Waldron's accounts came out as straight as a string, and no defalcations and no delay in paying over the essential "sponduliz". Why can say Orange township has not been benefitted by putting the National Greenbackers in power? Search the records.
April 27, 1882
George Malone, living north east of here, in the Dyer neighborhood, has lost his cow. She is a red cow, with short horns, and is four years old. Anybody giving any information concerning her will receive his most grateful thanks. George don't read the papers but now finds the need of one. He has resolved to take The Banner and try and find out where his cow is, as well as learn the other news of the county. Enclosed please find $1.00 and send him the paper to Wolcottville at once, that he may find his cow, and himself and family be made happy.
Alexis (Skillen)
April 27-1882 -
Miss Anna Brothwell, of Kendallville, is teaching school at Northport.
May 4-1882
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Judge Tousley is quite feebl
The Mineral Springs Theraphy is now raised and being enclosed, and Dr. Wilson is happy.
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We took the overland route to Ligonier last Sunday. and shook hands with many old acquaintances. Ligonier is (by far) the foremost town in the County.
Jake Hoffman has the most sightly residence we saw in Ligonier.
Henry Winebrenner uses his painting tools on Sunday. He is an adventist.
Silas Shobe and all his boys are getting rich.
We came very near getting lost in the suburbs of the city.
Springfield is fixing to have a new brick business house.
Wawaka looks thrifty, but the saloon has the most prominent sign in the town.
Dr. Wilson's new Sanitarium shows finely at a distance. It will be no doubt be a success.
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Dr. Williams hurt his lame leg over again, and has been laid up for several days.
Dr. Parker, of the Kendallville News, was in town one day last week. We hear it hinted that the Doctor wouldn't mind to be sent to the Legislature. Doc., would you stump it "ferninst Harry Reynolds?
"Early Business men of Rome some of these gentleman are mentioned as doing business as the sketches of the various business buildings are enumerated, while it is not known Just what doors some others were conducting their business.
Joel Doolittle is conceded as the first, while Mitchell and Weston are said to have opened the second business as merchants in Rome City.
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George H. Hale was another early merchant, he built what was known as the Berry residence, north side Front street opposite Lot no. 5. He was a strong anti-slavery man from principle, and after the enactment of the fugitive slave-law, assisted many runaway slaves to the dominion of the British Queen. He is known to have helped off fifteen or twenty slaves.
He was intelligent and had great force of character, especially as regards the propriety of human conduct. It is related that on one occasion, just at dark, a travel stained runaway, came into his yard, and in a most abject manner, took off his hat and bowed him- self into the presence of Mr. Gale, who was sitting in his yard.
The poor black man called him "Massa" and begged for food and protection. Mr. Gale immediately told him to put on his hat and stand erect, and not to call him "Massa" any more, as he was not his master. The runaway was treated like a man and sent on his way rejoicing. Such a man could not help becoming a good merchant.
Early Physicians of Northport and Rome City.
Dr. Stevens was an early Physician of Northport and Rome City. Known though Dr. Barber was an early physician.
Both men were good men and traveled over extensive sections.
Dr. W. W. Martin was another carly Rome City Doctor. The Doctor went to the war, returning to Rome City became identified in the business interests of the place, afterward moved to Kendallville, where he died.
Dr. James Z. Gower moved from Wolcottville to Rome City in 1853. Dr. Gower was highly educated, became one of the leading Physicians of Northern Indiana, and was a fine orator.
Dr. Horsheiser is another Physician of early days. Dr. S. W. Moyers came to Rome City from Wolcottville in 1864.
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It was a strenuous life, these early Physicians had, as many will testify, with broken dom constitut- lons and few collections.
The long haired Dr. Raby settled in Rome City about the time of the war, afterward moved to Wolcottville where he died.
Dr. Gower died in the Galehouse, Rome City, in 1875.
Dr. Covert located in Rome City, 1874 to 1878. Left for other fields. He was known as the Children's Doctor.
Dr. Robert B. Williams located in Rome City about 1875, having practiced in this vicinity east of Wolcott- ville previously for several years. He practiced in Rome City and neighborhood until his death about 1888.
Doctors Chas. Wilson and Doctor Yarnell were specialists and first introduced the water oure as adapted to the celebrated mineral springs, 1876. Dr. Wilson later opened a Sanitarium at Spring Beach. (The First Spring Beach Hotel. ) Afterward located at Witchita, Kans.
Dr. Wm. T. Green, a young unmarried man located in Rome City in December, 1880. He soon brought a young wife home, a Jones of Ft. Wayne, Ind. The Doctor at this time was often taken by those of short acquaint- ance, to be the Station Agent, and M. F. Owen mistaken for Dr. Green, which led to many amusing incidents, one of which the Doctor never allows mentioned. These occasional cases of mistaken identity is one reason probably of the life long friendship of these two.
Dr. Green was very successful in this locality and afterward located at Albion, Ind. where he is yet located. (He is now deceased) . He is of a family of Physicians, his Father and Grand father were doctors, his brother a Doctor, and a son.
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Dr. C. A. Stroupe was an arrival about 1893, leaving Rome City for some point in Ohio about 1905.
In 1895 Dr. C. B. Goodwin located in Rome City, a very successful practicing Physician, working up an extensive practice throughout the country, finally locating at Kendallville, Ind., where he is at this date (1916) one of Kendallville's leading citizens and physicians.
Other doctors were Dr. A. R. Wyatt, 1883-1889 Removed to Lagrange, Ind.
Dr. E. K. Strawn 1884 practiced several years.
Dr. Swigart, 1890
Dr. E. Kaughman 1891
Dr. J. Simons 1904
Dr. Pfaff 1900-1911 left for Gary, Ind.
We must not omit the white haired Dr. O. J. Vincent, who practised medicine in and about Rome City and Wolcottville as early as 1853 then off and on as late as 1879, living at Kendallville, along in the early 70s.
Fourth of July at Rome 1851
"The Citizens of Orange Township held a meeting at Rome City on the evening of June 9th to make arrange- ments for celebrating on the 4th day of July, 1851.
On motion the officers of the day were then chosen as follows :
Chief Marshall ....... James Kelly Asst. Marshall-A. C. Jennings Reader of Declaration of Independence J. Kessler Orator ..... Samuel A. Alvord
Committee on arrangements Wm. Bowyer J. C. Alvord
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Wm. Hitchcock Eri Allen John Weston Hon. Wm. Mitohell Hon. Devid B. Herriman Joel Doolittle Levi Wildman David Law Wm. D. Hill Jonathan Law Orlin Watkins Milo Jones.
Thereupon, on motion, the meeting adjourned to July 4th 1851.
D. B. Herriman, Pres. Wm. W. Martin, Sec.
The celebration exercises were held in the grove, south of the present Town Hall. There were several speeches made, toasts responded to-a great deal of hilarity and enjoyment.
The crowd was even greater (in proportion) than could be assembled there at an "Old Fashioned 4th now. It was easy to get together large assemblies at the various little hamlets of the country.
We are already beyond the proper limit of space, and ignoring our main purpose, which was to show Dave Herriman's ability as a speaker. He surprised his acquaintences, whose admiration had before been based upon his superiority in feats of very different character.
The above celebration was held on the day the writer of these pages was born."
From Mr. N. F. Owens type written historical Scrap book 1916
A Christmas Ball in 1853. The following is a copy of the invitation-
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New Year Cotillion Party. On with the dance. Let Joy be unconfined. No sleep till morn when youth and pleasure meet. Yourself and lady are solicited to attend a cotillion party at the Rome City Hotel.
Joel Doolittle, Proprietor Merry Christmas
on Monday evening, December 26, 1853 Managers:
William B. Dunn Kidford
David Low, Northport
A. J. Sloam, Albion
A. Cutler, Wolcottville
Elon Weston, Rome City
M. Crabb, Ligonier G. W. Stewart, Wolf Lake N. Dye, Milford William D. Hill, orange
Levi Wildman, Wolcottville
Jackson Dye, Rome City Alva Barnett, Hawpatch
A. Diggins, Kendallville
Floor Managers Cyrenus C. Highbargin William Buker
Music
Robinson and Hobson Bill, $2.50
"Up to 1866 the highway north from Rome City led northward from directly in front and north of the Lake Side Hotel (Lots 1 & 2) down across what was later the Magnet Woolen Mills grounds, (now the Burnett Lots) to and across a wooden bridge, the shore pilings of which yet stood in 1874. Where the highway followed
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the Reservoir embankment, with its curves to the old waste-wiers near the now Spring Beach Hotel, a bridge covering the waste-wiers, thence to road led northward past the Swinehart places to the Dave Law Corner. There was also a road leading northward from the John Turk corner down across the enbankment to the Orist-mill, Saw-mill and Woolen Factory grounds.
After the Railroad absorbed this highway the Hills road was made the highway northward, and continued at the foot of the Reservoir-Railroad embankment, & wooden bridge across the old stream bed into which the waste-wier discharged its waters, thence toward the (now Sanitarium), thence east to the Swinehart corner when it again took the old high way to the Law Corners. The "Old Town Hall" then a new building, and all the village southwest of it a wooded grove, with an occasional house scattered through it, the highway lesding southward from the public square diagonally south-west through the grove to the Brimfield highway. The now Station grounds a hill pasture field. The normal level of the Reservoir a foot higher than now with Pike as plenty as the bees are now. No church edifice. Two saloons.
But altogether larger volume of business transacted the year round than at the present time, 1916.
"Dave Law's" account book 1901
M. F. Owen of Sylvan Lake House of Rome City is the possessor of an account book in which David Law who kept a store at Northport in the late forties and early fifties recorded his business transactions.
If one may judge by the entries in this book, whiskey and tobacco were indispensable articles in those days and the total abstinence question was something unknown.
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There is not a page in the book in which there are not several charges for whiskeyaand in quantity and frequency to indicate that whiskey was used as a beverage and water as the exception.
Neither is there a page in the book on which the name of D. B. Herriman does not appear about like this "D. B. Herriman, To one gallon of whiskey, 40 cents. Two or three lines farther dom the page, D. B. Herriman, to one half gallon of whiskey, 20 cents; the next charge against Herriman is for one quart of whiskey, 10 cents; The same day is a charge against Herriman for one drink of whiskey, 3 cents. When the next charge is made-on the same day-Herriman is presumably a little ashamed, for the charge reads, D. B. Herriman, To one gallon of Bitters, 40 cents (the same price as one gallon of whiskey); When he came in again he must have been keenly sensitive, as the entry reads, To D. B. Herriman, Sundries, 40 cents. It is strange co-incidence that whiskey and sundries sold for the same price. Herriman is not the only one however, whose appetite craves copious and frequent potations, for there are a number of the early pioneers whose names are so recorded.
Sugar, and molasses, salleratus, coffee, tea, tallow, calico, delaines, soap, etc., were frequently bought, but in the entire book there are not a dozen cases, where whiskey, in quantity from a quart to a gallon does not appear on the bill of goods sold.
Although Mr. Law did a large credit business, he evidently collected slowly too, for on the same pages where the charges are recorded, is a statement that Mr ....... .has settled all he owes to Mr. Law.
He was ever particular about a cent, however, and there are several cases where 1 cent charges are made for a piece of candy, for one nutmeg, one cent worth of thread, or a whole hank of thread for seven cents."
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Old People living in Orange Township among whom are in Feb. 1893 as follows :
O. F. Rogers (formerly of Rome City, Ind. ) aged 83 years.
Abraham Sheaffer, aged 88 yrs. 1 mo. Crange Township. James MoQueen, Orange Twp. aged over 90 years. James Madison, Rome City, Ind. 84 years of age, and his wife, Mrs. Stella Madison, 78 yrs, 8 mo. of age. She was the first white woman to cross Grand River, Michigan, at the present site of the city of Grand Rapids, she being engaged in missionary work those early days of Michigan history. Mr. and Mrs. Madison settled in Rome City in 1836.
It is not known who was the first permanent settler in Orange Township. Several have claimed the distinction, but no one has successfully proved his claims. It is likely that the first came about the year 1833, or perhaps 1834, probably not sooner, as no evidence now exists of an earlier occupation of the soil by white men. It is probable that white hunters and trappers, those who followed the persuit exclusively, and dwelt temporarily in the township before the appearance of the first white settler. This is always a sort of connecting link between the Indians and their white successors. Orange evidently furnished good hunting, as the numerous swamps, forests, lakes and oak openings clearly prove.
All through the summer of 1836 the white covers of the emigrants wagons could be seen winding their way along the crooked paths that had been but through the timber-for we had not then any laid out roads; first the teamster cut out a track, and the others followed until the mud became too deep for travel, when another road was cut out, so that there were roads everywhere. This applies to the heavy timbered lands, or the south part of the township.
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On the oak openings, where the soil was generally sandy, the roads were generally good, and when a new track became necessary, you could drive anywhere with out hindrance, for at that day the country presented a very different appearance from what we see at the present day. It was the custom of the Indians to burn the woods, marshes and prairies, each spring and this annual burning kept down the undergrowth, so that the openings had naught to obstruct the view, except the large trees scattered here and there. In many places, where today a second growth of timber completely covers the ground, the openings were then like an open prairie, with here and there a giant oak.
No more enchanting scene was ever presented to the human eye than these openings in the spring. As far as the eye could reach was spread out a scene of surpassing loveliness. The tender grass just springing up and spreading a carpet of green over the whole land- scape. was further beautified by flowers of every hue, and as you survey the scene, a herd of deer appear in the distance, or the impudent prairie wolf approaches just near enough to be out of range of the trusty rifle- our inseperatable companion in these rambles.
Nor should we forget to bring upon the stage as a part of the ploture, the native, who once held undisputed sway and control over all this land, nor dreamed that the day would come when he would be driven from these scenes of his youth, and leave to desecration the graves of his fathers.
Talk of your flower gardens or your parks, or anything that man has made in his weak efforts to imitate nature; To one who has seen the oak openings of Orange Township, in all their pristine glory and loveliness, man's imitations are tame and insipid.
Thus it was, while many of the white topped wagons passed on many halted, saying "here will I make my home."
We find too, in new country settlements, the marshes furnish the hay, the land is more easily cleared, streams
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and lakes more abundant, springs more abundant, all tending to ease the labor of the settler, such tracts are first settled. So it was in the northern portion of Orange. After eighty years, we find too, that our summer home, or cottage lots, small though they be, bring better prices today, than village or city lots, The lakes, streams and the open augmenting the more and more popular, "Back to the land". Hundreds of wary deer wandered across the woodland, cropping the rich June grass which grew in abundance at each little opening. It was no trouble to shoot them, and each cabin had its choice venison steak.
Wolves were numerous, and proved a serious drawback to the rearing of sheep. Many a fine flock of the latter have been attacked in the night, and when the fond owner went to feed them the next morning have been found mangled and dead.
Bears were rarely seen when settlers first came in. They had been driven off by the appearance of white nen.
The Indians were still numerous, two of their temporary villages being in Orange Township-one near the narrows, at ( now Sylvan Lake) and the other in the western part of the township near Waldron Lake. They mingled freely with the settlers, but were not feared except when drunk. Then their savage and vicious dispositions came out in their true colors, and the people had to beware. On one occasion they had had a shooting match at their village at the "Narrows" and many of them had become intoxicated on whiskey which had probably been obtained at Northport. Two drunken Indians passing by the cabin of James Madison came to the door just at night, and wanted to come in, but were prevented by the inmates.
The Indians were notorious beggars, they were in the habit of resorting to all sorts of tricks and connivance to secure whiskey or provisions. They would enter a cabin without warning or invitation, and quietly demand pin-e-ack (potatoes), daunin (corn) , nop-ence (flour)
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co-coosh (pork) , or whatever their wants or fancy indicated. If they were refused they would probably scowl and say: Me-ah-net-shi-mo-ka-mong Kin-a-poo (very bad white white man, me kill) . If their wants were supplied, their dark eyes would gleam, and they would say, Nish-a-shin shi-mo-mong (very good white man) .
The settlers first built rude log cabins, as there were no saw mills nor lumber in the country. A large rude chimney was built on the outside of one end of the cabin, and one or two small windows furnished the onlyllight for the dismal room. The ample fire-place and a few pots and kettles were all that were necessary in preparing a bountiful repast. A small clearing was first made around the cabin, and this was gradually enlarged as time passed.
The men spent their time in clearing, fencing and improving their land, while the women had all they could do to make clothing for the family and prepare the meals. There were no loafers in those days. All were as busy as bees, and no one waited for an invitation to assist at a log rolling or cabin raising. Waving seas of wheat and corn were soon seen where erst the whoop of the red man resounded. Cabins dotted the forests, and the step of progress could be heard.
"In February, 1894, had several interesting interviews with Mr. James Madison, who on the 14th day of February this year was 84 years of age. Mrs. Stella Madison, his wife then lived in Rome City. Mrs. Madison was at this time 78 years, 8 months of age. She was the first white woman to cross Grand River, Michigan, at the present city of Grand Rapids, she being engaged in Missionary work in those early days of Michigan history. Mr. and Mrs. Madison settled in Rome in 1836.
With James Madison:
"I am an old California "49er". Crossed and recrossed
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overland, driving oxen most of the way. of Califor- nia, I have not much to say, decided not to stay there. I decided to locate at Northport at the building of the dam, on which I worked, living, however on the south side.
After Rome was platted in 1839, I having come here in 1836, I built my house on lot in southwestern part of Rome platt, it being platted on Seo. 16, school section. I have always rented the lot of the Auditor of the County, paying a yearly, nominal rental, and expect when I am able to purchase the lot.
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