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 4
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secured very remunerative positions as teacher, and was in turn, principal of the Auburn, Waterloo, and Decatur schools. While at Waterloo he studied medicine with Dr. Stowe, and about that time united with the Presbyterian church.
In 1869 he graduated from the law department of the Michigan University, and was one of the best scholars in his class. For two years he practiced law with Judge Wildman of Kendallville.
In May, 1872, he was married to Miss Sarah Hillegass, and shortly after he moved to this city and began practicing with his brother-in-law J. D. Hillegass. Since the latter's death which occurred three years ago, he practiced alone, and worked up a very fine business, and was highly esteemed by the members of the bar.
Mr. Stahl leaves a wife and three children, two daughters and one son.
New Era, August 22, 1878
The Standard says :
It is highly interesting to listen to the conversation of such old pioneers as Capt. Iddings and George Moon-who have resided in this country over forty years-and hear them tell their stories of pioneer life, log houses, punchen floors, driving oxen, coon stories, and thousands of Incidents that sound like romance to the young people of the present day. We now talk about "hardtimes", but we have not the most remote conception of the term as compared to the trials of pioneer life; and yet, the old pioneers did not complain of "hard times". Nearly every family of today squanders more in worse than worthless luxuries each week, than it cost the pioneers to live a year. They were happy and contented,
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whilest we of today, are terribly miserable. What will the next forty years develop. New Era, Sept. 5, 1878
Obituary
George Domer died in North Manchester, of Inward dropsy, Aug. 12, 1878, aged 61 years, 1 month and 13 days.
Mr. Domer was born near Shanesville, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, from whence, at the age of 22, he came with his brother-in-law to Noble County, Indiana. In the spring of 1843 he was married to Caroline Steinbarger, and settled on one hundred and sixty acres of land which he purchased, near the present site of Wawaka. Here he cleared nearly one hundred acres of heavy timber such as characterizes Noble county, and here it was that he received the germ of sickness which led to his death. In 1856 his wife died leaving him with five children, the youngest being a little more than four months old. He was afterward married to Lydia Juller who had three children at the time of marriage, and by whom two children were born to them after their marriage.
Mr. D. spent about four years in Kansas and Missouri, but returned in 1874, to Kosciusko county, where he resided until he removed to North Manchester last Cotober. He was a member in high standing of the German Baptist church for near 30 years. He leaves a widow and seven children. New Era, Sept. 5, 1878
El1 B. Weston, of Chicago, died a few days ago, at his residence in that city, and his body was
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brought to Kendallville for interment. He was a son of John Weston of Kendallville, and was well known to the people of this county of which he was formerly a resident.
New Era, Sept. 12, 1878
In regard to the death of Eli B. Weston, of Chicago, the Elkhart Review says :
Mr. El1 B. Weston, well known to our older citizens, died at his recidence in Chicago yesterday. While a resident of this city Mr. Weston nearly lost his life at the hands of a burglar whom he had chased out of his house, the case exciting much comment at the time because the would be murderer was never discovered. He has been a sufferer from an incurable disease for a number of months, and his death was not altoother unexpected. Mr. Weston leaves a wife(nee Minnie Rosselwin) and a daughter.
New Era, Sept. 12, 1378
Mr. George C. Seymoure, of near Wolf Lake, showed us the other day, an official document issued by the first clerk of Noble County. This document is dated May 25, 1839, and is signed "Isaac Spencer, Clerk, by w. White, Deputy Clerk", and certifies that Mcintyre Seymoure took an oath to support the constitution of the United States and also that of Indiana, and that he would "well and truly perform the duties of a constable of Noble township, in said county, agreeable to the best of his knowledge and ability." The document is in a good state of preservation. - Banner. New Era, Sept. 12, 1878
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Died
Weston .- On Sunday, Sept. 15, 1878, John Emory Weston.
John Emory Weston was born in Troy, Geauga County, Ohio, August 29, 1838, being at the time of his death forty years and seventeen days old. He came with his parents to this state in March, 1851, settling at Rome City, in this county. For about two years previous to 1861 he, with his father's family, resided in the city of Elkhart, in this state.
At the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, his father was appointed a sutler in one of the regiments, and Emery assisted him in this position.
He was married to Miss Matilda Wilson on December 20, 1864, at which time the young couple settled on the farm, where he has since lived and died. The deceased leaves a wife and two children his survivors, and & number of near relatives to mourn the loss of one they loved. In all conditions of life he has received and retained the warmest friendship and perfect confidence of his associates in business. He was free and generous to a fault, often suffering loss himself rather than seem over anxious by exacting what was only his due. New Era, Sept. 26, 1878.
Died .- In Jefferson township, September 21st, 1878, Polly Potts, aged 69 years, 1 month and 26 days.
Polly Potts was born in Morris county, in the State of New Jersey, on the 25th day of July, 1809. Moved with her parents-David and Prudence Jackson-to the state of Ohio in the year 1814, and settled in Knox county, where she was married to her now bereaved husband, John Potts, on the 20th day of November, 1828. Moved to the State of Indiana in 1841, and settled on the farm where
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she died on the 21st of September, 1878. She raised a large family. She was 69 years, 1 month and 26 days old at her death. A very large concourse of friends attended the funeral services, which were conducted by Rev. O. W. Bowen, st the Jefferson Union Church. New Era, Sept. 26, 1378
Obituary
Died, near Brimfield, Sept. 26th, 1878, Mr. John Bradley, aged 72 years, 2 months and 16 days. Mr. Bradley was born in York county, Pa. He removed to the state of Ohio in the year 1836, thence to Allen County, Indiana, in 1845, where he resided until the year 1869 when he removed to Noble County, in which county he died. During his residence in Ohio, he united with the Presbyterian church, and soon after his removal to Allen county, Indiana, ho was elected and ordained a ruling elder in the church with which he was comected, and continued to serve in that capacity during his long residence there. He also did long service as a colporteur scattering the seed of divine truth which we trust may bear much fruit.
Mr. Bradley leaves a wife, now past her three score years and ten, and suffering upon a sick bed, four daughters and one son.
New Era, October 3, 1878
Died-on October the 19th, 1878, after a long and severe illness, El1 Waldron, aged 52 years, 1 month and 8 days.
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The deceased was born in Delaware county, Ohio, Sept. 11th, 1826. He came to Noble county in the year 1836, where he has been engaged for many years in buying and shipping stock, and his transactions in this line at times were quite extensive. He bore the reputation among his neighbors as a fair dealer and an honest man. He leaves a wife and four children. The funeral services were held at the Methodist church in this place. The Bev. Cone preached the discourse. The body was interred near Brimfield, where friends have been buried .- News.
New Era, October 31, 1878.
Mr. Thomas Inks died a few days ago, at Springfield, this county, aged 66 years and 2 days. New Era, Nov. 7, 1878.
Joseph Homaher, of Jefferson township, is dead. New Era, Nov. 14, 1878.
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Obituaries from Albion New Era Early Settlers
Jan. 1, 1880-taken from Albion New Era
Mr. James Roscoe, So. west of Albion one of the well to do and prosperous and intelligent farmers ret'd on Friday from a visit to his old home in Erie Co., Ohio where he gad been attending a family reunion at his Mothers residence. The latter is an aged lady of 70 years and was not aware that a reunion of the family was contemplated until her Sons 7 in number-who live in various parts of the country-began to arrive.
Obituary Albion
Mrs. Martha Riddle Hadley died at her home near Albion, Indiana, Jan 17-1880 in the 76 year of her age. She was born May 3, 1804 in Washington Co. Penn.
The Black brothers (there are seven of them in this county, ) had a reunion at the residence of James Knox in Elkhart Township, on Christmas .- New Era, 1880
Wolf Lake Local. Albion New Era, Jan. 8, 1880
One by one the early pioneers of our county are passing away. Barney Scarlett, formerly an early settler here, but of latter years a resident of Albion County, died December 18th, 1879, aged 78 years.
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Scarcely one year ago he lost his companion. They were early connected with the F. W. B. and remained with them until death. They will be long remembered in this county.
The Past Speaks
A Remarkable Inscription is found upon a stone which was picked up in Sparta township, and which purports to have been made One Hundred and Twenty years ago by a white man held captive by the Indiana
Quite a Belic
When the first white settlers came to Indiana, large Indian villages were found scattered at intervals all over the country. One of these was located on the south side of Elkhart Prairie, in Elkhart County, on the farm now owned by Hon. John E. Thompson, and another near the present site of Indian Village, in Sparta township, this county. Occasionally, at this day, evidences are discovered that long before the white settlers invaded this portion of the red man's hunting ground, white men were held as captives, by the savages. These had evidently been captured in the far east, on what was then the western border of Civilization and in being transferred from tribe to tribe, in their intercourse with each other, had finally found their way into this country, far beyond the reach of civilization. One of the most remarkable of these relics of the past was shown to us on Wednesday of last week by ex-sheriff N. P. Eagles and his brother, Leander, who were in town on that day. It is a stone which was plowed up in one of the fields on the farm of Mr. Alvin Randall, in Sparta township, adjoining the farm of ex-sheriff Eagles, and upon which is the following inscription:
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"Taken prisoner by the Indians in 1760. I am here all alone. By the Delaware Tribe and taken west to the Big Waters. But here is A White man. He was taken five years before me. His name is Allen, and that is mine. He was treated hard.
E. Allen. J. Allen."
There are many things connected with this seemingly ancient relic that cause us to think that it is genuine, and that the inscription was cut upon the stone by some person who was held a captive by the Indians long before there were any white settlers in this western country.
We know that the Messrs. Eagles would not be parties to an attempt to humbug the people, and we have their assurance that Mr. Randall, who picked up the stone last fall, would not engage in anything of the kind. The stone is a piece of slate rock about 4x6 Inches in size, and about one half inch in thickness. One side is rough and undressed, just as it came from the ledge, while the other side, which bears the inscritpion, is polished smooth, and the words cut into it with some kind of a sharp Instrument. The stone has evidently been carried a long distance, as slate rook of this species, is not found in this country. One evidence of its genuineness is the fact that rock of this description was no rarity in the region of country occupied by the Delaware tribe of Indians at the time this man Allen claims to have been taken prisoner by them, viz .: in 1760. They then occupied the country in which Pittsburg is now situated, and there, we believe, slate rock, such as this piece, is very abundant. In the vicinity of where this stone was picked up, in the first settlement of this country, a large Indian encampment, or village was found, and it is very probable that a prisoner being carried west- ward to the "Big Waters" would have been taken to this village.
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In this commection it is well enough to state that the Delaware Indians were originally located on the Delaware river, and were embittered against the whites by being cheated out of a large tract of land by what is known in history as the "Walking Purchase", which took place in 1737. In this transaction the unsophisti- cated Delawares agreed to sell to the whites, for a mere trifle, lands on the Delavere as far as a man could walk in a day and a half. The whites stationed their best runners at regular intervals, to relieve each other, and in this manner go tenfold more land than the Indians had intended to sell to them. In describing the swindle, one of the tribe, in the expressive language of the red man, said: "White man no walk, no drink, no stop to rest or shoot squirrel, but run, run, run the whole time."
This was in 1737. Subsequently they removed west- ward and occupied the country in which "Fort Duquesne" (now Pittsburg) stood, just previous to or at the time this man Allen was taken prisoner by them.
In 1756, John McCulloch was taken prisoner by the Indians, while a child of eight or ten years, in the State of Delaware, directly east of Pittsburg, and remained with them eight years, being carried westward into the State of Ohio by them. In describing the manner of his capture, he says: "on the morning of July 26, 1756, my parents and oldest sister went home to pull flax, accompanied by one John Allen, a neighbor, who had business at Ft. London, and promised to come that way in the evening to accompany them back.
Allen proceeded about two miles toward London, when he heard that the Indians had killed a man that morning about a alle and a half from where my parents were at work; he then, instead of going back to accompany them home, agreeably to his promise, took a circuitous route of about six or seven miles for fear of the Indians". When Allen returned, young McCulloch started to go to his parents, was captured by the Indians,
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and remained a captive for eight years. He says nothing more about Allen, but the similarity of the name of one of these on the stone, and that of John Allen, and the further fact that the year 1756 would have been about the time the "J. Allen" referred to In the inscription on the stone, was taken prisoner, strikes us a a strange coincidence. Might not the captive "J. Allen" referred to in the inscription have been the "John Allen" spoken of by John McCulloch, or some member of his family?
New Era-Jan. 15, 1880
Obituary
Mrs. Martha Riddle Hadley died at her home near Albion, Indiana, January 17th, 1880, in the seventy- sixth year of her age. She was born May 3, 1804, in Washington County, Pennsylvania; removed with her parents in 1826 to Richland County, Chio; was married March 27, 1827, to Savannah Hadley, who still survives her. She was the mother of twelve children, ten of whom are now living. In the year 1864, she removed with her husband and family to Jefferson township, Noble County, Indiana, where she has since resided. She was a faithful, devoted and affectionate wife and mother, and a woman of far more than ordinary intellectual ability. She was a member of the Presbyterian church of Albion, and as to her christian character it was a noble enconium upon it when a daughter remarked. "Our mother's christianity seemed to us as natural as the air she breathed; born and brought up in the Church, she grew up a christian and always lived her religion."
Albion New Era. Jan. 22-1880
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Passing Away.
One by one the first settlers of the county are passing away, and soon none of the old pioneers will be left to tell the tale of the hardships and privations of those early pioneers who came to this country when it was the home of the redman, and the forests were almost unbroken by the woodman's ax. Mary Dingman, widow of Adam Dingman, who died in 1876, departed this life on Thursday of last week, Feb. 26th, 1880. She was one of these early pioneers, but we have not the date of her coming to this county. Her maiden name was Cleland, and she was born in the State of Ohio, Jan. 6th, 1823, and at the time of her death had reached the age of 57 years, 1 month and 23 days. Her husband, to whom she was married January 31st, 1840, came to Allen County in 1832, and to Noble County in 1835, and hence they were among the earliest settlers of Noble County. Mrs. Dingman was the mother of nine children, quite a number of whom survive her. Her remains were buried in the Albion cemetery on Saturday, and were followed to their last resting place by a large number of her friends and acquaint- enances.
Albion New Era, March 4, 1880
Death of an Old Citizen.
Another one of the aged citizens of the county has fallen. On Saturday last Mr. George Easterday, Sen., of Jefferson township, died after a long illness, and we believe was buried on Sunday. Fr. Easterday had attained a good old age, but we are without particulars in that regard. He was the father of George and William Easterday, of this county, and of Sylvester R. Easterday, of Albion. One by one the old pioneers are falling.
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P. S. Since the above was put in type we learn that Mr. Easterday was born Nov. 15th, 1800, and came to Noble County in 1853. Albion New Era-March 4, 1880.
Death of Mrs. Foster.
On Wednesday of last week, Mrs. Foster, wife of Jehu Foster, of Jefferson township, departed this life at a ripe old age. We have been unable to gather any facts connected with her precious history from which to write up an obituary notice, as we should have other- wise done, as the deceased was one of the very oldest residents of the county, having Immigrated to this state at a very early day in the settlement of the Country. We understand, however, that she was born In Pennsylvania. She was the mother of our townsman, Samuel M. Foster, and leaves a wide circle of relatives and acquaintenances to mourn her departure. She had been ill for quite a long time, and breathed her last on Wednesday last as stated above. Her remains were Interred on Friday, Rev. Blanchard, of Wolcotville, preaching the funeral discourse. Albion New Era-March 4, 1880
Mrs. Halferty, wife of John H. Halferty, of Jefferson township, died after a brief illness, on Wednesday of last week, and was buried on Friday. She was a daughter of Mr. Benjamin Melvin, and leaves a husband and four little children to mourn her departure. Albion New Era-March 4, 1880
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Sophronie Applegate, administratrix of the estate of James M. Applegate, deceased, will have a sale of the personal property of said estate at the late residence of the deceased, in Green township, on Friday April 2nd, 1880. Albion New Era-March 4, 1880
Mrs. Frances Imes, mother of Wm. Imes of Orange township, died Tuesday morning, aged 85 years. The funeral services were held yesterday at Jefferson Union Church, and the remains were interred in the Skinner Cemetery.
Albion New Era-March 11, 1880
An Old Settler gone.
Died, at his residence in Noble County, Ind., Isaac Pancake, Thursday evening, Feb. 26, 1880. Father Pancake was one of the oldest settlers of the Hawpatch and elder in the Ev. Luth. Church. The funeral services were held in the Salem Church, on Saturday, and were largely attended by a sympathising community. Rev. J. Shaffer, his pastor, officiating .- Lagrange Democrat
Copied in Albion New Era-March 11, 1880
In Death they were not Divided.
Mr. and Mrs. Zaccheus Butler, an old couple who had sojourned together for more than sixty years, the last 49 of which were spent in this county, died within four days of each other-Fra. Butler on the 26th
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of February, and her husband on March 1st-and were buried side by side in the Jackson cemetery in Benton township yesterday. Zaacheus Butler was born in Culpepper County, Va., Aug. 19th, 1795, and his wife Sarah, in London County, of the same state, May 11, 1803. They were married Feb. 28, 1820, and removed to this county in March, 1831. Mr. Butler had been a member of the Baptist Church for 40 years previous to his death. They have numerous descendants living in this vicinity, and were highly esteemed by all their neighbors and acquaintances.
Copied in Albion New Era from the Goshen Democrat.
Mr. and Mrs. Butler were the parents of Mr. A. I. Butler, of near Wolf Lake this county. Albion New Era-March 11, 1880.
Obituary Notice.
Died, at his residence in Troy township, Dekalb County, Indiana, Sunday, Feb. 15th 1880, Samuel Learned, aged 67 years and 11 months.
The deceased was born in New Hampshire, February 29, 1812, and after a long and useful life, over forty-four years of which was spent in this and the adjoining county, his spirit has sought its final above in the land of the blest.
Auburn Courier. copied in New Era.
Mr. Learned was a brother of J. W. Learned, of this county, and came to this country in 1836, with barely sufficient means to enter 80 acres of land, but at the time of his death was the possessor of between three and four hundred acres, and had acquired a
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handsome competency, by industry and frugality. He held the office of Justice of the Peace in his town- ship, for many years, and was regarded as one of the most worthy, generous, and respected citizens of that county. He was elected assessor under the law when there was but one assessor for each county. His son has been his successor as Justice of the Peace, for several years past .- Kendallville Standard Copied in Albion New Era-March 11, 1880
In Memory of Mrs. M. Halferty By Manda L. Crocker.
In days agone we loved thee well. When girlhood crowned the years, And in the sterner years that fell The love still lived, that life endears. We knew it not, when last we met, That soon would fall the last regret.
When last I kissed the sweet good-by, The blush of health was thine. The light of love was in thine eye; I held thy hand in mine. "Come and see me-good-by;" I hear it yet, I cannot come; oh; sad regret!
Not now; Oh had I thought of this- How gladly I would have "come;" How fervently given another last kidd, On lips now cold and dumb. "Come and see me." I am powerless now; The way is dark-I know not how.
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Can you think in your beautiful home? Can you think of those you have left? That the hearts full of love cannot come, But ache in sorrow-bereft! But the love that gathered thee to the Throne Will not leave the broken hearts alone.
We'll come and see thee, dear friend, If the Lord wills-perhaps soon. We cannot tell when the probation ends; In the morning, at night, or at noon. We'll come and see thee; yes, dear one. In the light of the love of God and the Son.
Rest the well-the flowers will bloom By the paths that are missing thy fee. They'll spread their fragrance, too o'er thy tomb And make the solitude sweet. We will be by them when tears fill the eye, But we'd wipe them away and "come" by and by.
Albion, March 8, 1880.
John M. Sticht, of Kendallville, died a few days ago at the age of 56 years. He had been a resident of that city for about thirteen years. Albion New Era-April 15, 1880
Catherine Eley, of Jefferson township, died on the second of this month, at the age of 72 years. She became a resident of Noble county in 1853. Albion New Era-April 15, 1880
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Biographies of the Old Settlers of Noble County who have died during the past year as read by Nelson Prentiss, Esq., at the Old Settlers Meeting in Albion, Saturday, June 5, 1880
Henry Cramer
I regret that I am not able today to present you with a more complete biography of Henry Cramer. He came to Noble County, with his parents, I think, in 1835, and lived all his life in Swan township, where he died last winter.
Mary Dingman.
Mrs. Mary Dingman was born in Ohio, Jan. 6, 1823. Her maiden name was Cleland, and she was the sister of Mr. John Cleland, of York township in this county. She came with her parents to Indiana in 1834.
She was married to Adam Dingman, Jan. 21, 1840 and from that time until her death she resided in this county. She died on the 26th day of March, 1880, aged 57 years.
She was the mother of 8 children, all but one of whom are living, and most of them in this county. Her husband died over two years before, and from the time of his death she lived on the homestead at Port Mitchell.
During the life of her husband they were always present at our annual gatherings and took a lively interest in our exercises, and another blank is left
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in our little circle. She had an influence for good over her family, and her husband was frequently heard to say that she made him a better man, than he would otherwise have been.
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