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 5
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John Baker
John Baker was born in Franklin County, Ohio, May 14, 1807, where he lived until the year 1833, when he moved to this County at the age of twenty-six years, being one of the earliest settlers. He was married to Jane Thompson, in Fayette county, Ohio, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living, and who are all well known to the most of the citizens of the west part of the County. His first wife, after having shared with him the hardships and privations of frontier life for thirteen years died in 1846. He was again married to Abigail Smith, by whom he had five children of whom four are living. He died August 26, 1879, at the age of 72 years.
Mrs. Mahala Hostetter is well worthy of a place among our records, and I can but regret that the task of recording her virtues has not been left to one more able to do justice to her memory. She was the daughter of John H. and Betsey Ramsby, and a sister of John H. Ramsby of Lagrange county and Robinson Ramsby late Sheriff of Noble County. She was born in Fairchild Co., Ohio, Jan. 19, 1812. Married to John Hostetter Oct. 21st, 1830. Moved to Noble County in May, 1832, and in the fall of that year her second son, Simon Hostetter, was born, who is claimed to be the first white child born in this county.
In the spring of 1833, her husband moved on the
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Haw-patch. She died April 19, 1880, having with her husband 49 years and 6 months. She was the mother of fourteen children, two of whom died in infancy, and one, having lived to manhood, gave his life for our country. Seven sons and four daughters remain. Ten of these visited her during her last sickness, and nine attended her funeral.
Mrs. Margaret Foster
The subject of this sketch was born in Bedford County, Penn., Oct. 26, 1804, and died at her home in Jefferson township on the 25th day of February, 1880, at the advanced age of 75 years and four months.
When about twelve years of age she removed with her parents to Morrow county, Ohio. In March, 1824, at the age of twenty years whe was married to John Foster, with whom she lived fifty-five years, and who is still with us. In 1837 they removed to Jefferson township, in this County, where for forty-three years they have lived on the same farm. She was the mother of nine children, of whom seven are living. She was an exemplary and consistent member of the New School Baptist Church, and while she was devotedly attached to the church of her choice, yet she was ever ready to accord to others that liberty of conscience she claimed for herself. Her cabin was the shelter of the itinerant preacher in early times, as Bro. Blanchard can testify.
Biographical.
The Ligonier Leader last week contained the following biographical sketch of Andrew Humphreys, one of the earliest settlers of Noble County, whose
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death at Ligonier we noticed briefly last week
The paper said:
At his home in Ligonier on Monday, June 28, 1880, Andrew Humphreys passed peacefully to rest, in the 69th year of his age. He was born in Clark county, Chio, November 27, 1811, where he resided until the family came west. On the 22nd of February, 1833, he married Mary Jones, and in the following October, in company with his father, they came and settled at Wolf Lake, Noble County, Indiana, where he afterward resided and still owned the homestead at the time of his death, but for the past seven or eight years he has lived in Ligonier.
At the time he and his father came to Wolf Lake there were only two white families there, and only four white families in the township, but plenty of Indians. In 1840 he joined the Free Will Baptist Church, and became a leading member, in fact, the main stay of the society, remaining as such up to the time of his death. So much had he the Interest of the church at heart that at one time he very strongly of selling his farm and clearing the church of debt. The first corpse that was deposited in the old cemetery in this place he hauled there, a Mrs. Hanshaw, of Port Mitchell, probably in 1835. He was a strong anti- secret society man, but was very philanthropic.
He is survived by his wife, two daughters and one son. His funeral took place on Wednesday and was largely attended, the services being held at the church at Wolf Lake and conducted by the pastor. Albion New Era-July 8, 1880
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Obituary.
Hannah Carr Wheeler passed from her earthly home to the life beyond, November 20th, 1880, in the 97th year of her age. She was born in Greenwish, Rhode Island, in the year 1784. In 1801 she and her father and mother's family removed to Wayne county, Pennsylvania. There, in the year 1804, she married Truman Wheeler. They settled in a dense forest, as was all of northeastern Pennsylvania at that time. Together they wrought until their home became cultivated fields, and their children men and women. Both were widely known for their strict adherence to principle and their firm belief that right will finally triumph over wrong and good over evil.
In the year 1841, they, with their farmily, emigrated to Noble county, Indiana. Together they traveled through the checkered scenes of life for sixty-four years. Then Death called him up higher, and now she, too, has passed over the great Divide to meet her loved ones who have gone before.
No one who knew her will say that she ever failed in all Life's Drama to act well her part. She dealt out kindness, and at the same time, strict justice to her family and those with whom she had to deal. She was one of those who make the world better for having lived in it.
Had she lived until the 28th of January, she would have been 97 years old.
She leaves six daughters and one Son. Her home for years has been with her son-in-law and daughters- Mrs. E. B. Spencer and Mrs. Mumfert Albion New Era-Dec., 1880
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Death of Judge Clapp.
The readers of the New Era will be pained to read the announcement which we are called upon to make, that William M. Clapp, of Albion, is no more. His death occurred early on Wednesday morning, January 5, 1881, and as we went to press at noon of that day it was impossible for us to make more than this brief announcement of his death, with the following additional facts. Mr. Clapp was one of the early settlers of Albion, and one of the prominent men of the state, having served the people in many official capacities among which were Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, for a number of years, member of the State legislature, and delegate to the Chicago convention of 1880, which nominated Garfield for the presidency.
In the early history of Albion, Judge Clapp engaged in merchandizing, in which avocation he accumulated a nice little fortune. In later years he abandoned mercantile pursuits and engaged in banking, which was more congenial to his tastes, and in this business he became one of the wealthiest citizens of Noble County. He was unassuming in manners, and possessed of a kind and genial disposition which made him respected and loved by all, and he will be greatly missed.
Judge Clapp was married twice, and leaves a widow, and three children (two sons and a daughter) by a former marriage, to mourn their great loss. Albion New Era, Jan. 6, 1881.
In the memorial and Resolutions adopted by the Bar of Noble County we find the following concerning Judge William M. Clapp: He was born in Ellington, Tolland County, Connecticut, on the 18th day of
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December, 1817, from which place he removed with his father in 1822, to Ashtabula County, Ohio, and lived there and in that vicinity until sometime in 1842, when he went to Peru, Indiana, and entered a law office and read law until the last of March, 1843, when, having been admitted to practice, he removed to Augusta, then the county seat of this county, and commenced the practice of law, and has from that time to his demise been a resident of this county.
Nov. 14, 1847, he married Mary A. Skinner, one of the most estimable women in Noble County. She died Nov. 14, 1875. She had two sons, W. Frank and Charles M., who are both residents of Albion, and one daughter, Adella, the wife of Thomas A. Starr, Editor of the Hicksville (0.) News.
On the 25th of December, 1877, he married Angie Skinner a cousin of his first wife, who survives him.
Died .- On Saturday, January 1, 1881, at his residence in Jefferson township, this county, Alexander Montouth, who had reached the advanced age of nearly 97 years. His remains were taken to Ohio for interment, and placed in their last resting place on Monday. Mr. Montouth was born in the State of Delaware, but subsequently moved to Pennsylvania, and thence to Ohio where he resided for a period of about sixty years. moved from Ohio to Noble County, Indiana, about two Hle years ago, where he lived until his death. Albion New Era. Jan. 6, 1881
A family reunion of the Black family of Jefferson and Allen townships, was held in this oity last Saturday, at the Brock House, and was a very enjoyable
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affair.
The following were present: P. A. Black, aged 67 years; Owen Black, 6 years; O. P. Black, 61 years; Cyrus Black; Davis Black, 55 years; Benj. Black, 52 years; Jas. M. Black, 41 years.
Among the ladies present were Mrs. O. P. Black, Mrs. Davis Black, Mrs. Benj. Black, Mrs. Jas. M. Black and son. Also ex-County Treasurer, John D. Black. There are twelve voters in the combined families, and they all vote the straight democratic ticket, except John D. Black, son of Amos. It has been their custom for a number of years to hold a re-union at the residence of one of the brothers every Christman, at which a sumptious dinner is served, and the day spent in a good social time. They are all among Noble County's most honored and respected citizens, all of them owning fine farms, and are well fixed in life. May they all live to enjoy many more family re-unions.
Hon. Jacob Shauck, as mine host, was equal to the emergency, and served up an excellent dinner of turkey, and other fixins.
Copied from Kendallville Standard in Albion New Era, Jan. 6, 1881
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1881
Allen Green, the land king of Sparta township, departed this life on Tuesday morning, January 4, aged 55 years. Mr. Green had been ailing for a year or more, principally heart trouble, but was in town on last Friday. He was the richest farmer in Noble County, owning nearly 2000 acres of land in Noble and Whitley Counties and in Michigan. His demise was rather sudden, but he will long be remembered as one of the wealthiest farmers in this section. He made no will. Albion New Era, Jan 13, 1881.
Died-at his residence, in Rome City, Ind., Jan. 9, 1881, of congestion of the brain, Mr. Wm. Dixon, Esq., in the 64th year of his age.
Mr. Dixon and wife came from Ohio to Indiana in 1853. He was a broad humanitarian in his religion, and engaged in every good work; was the great motor power of Rome City, for years in every benevolent enterprise. Funeral services conducted at the Methodist church by Dr. T. H. Stewart .- News.
Copied by the Albion New Era, Jan. 20, 1881.
William Dixon, who died recently at Rome City, was one of the most respected citizens of Noble County, and well known to all the old residents.
Albion New Era, Jan. 27, 1881.
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Mr. P. O. Black and Miss Carrie Elma Tyler were married at the residence of and by Rev. J. N. Barnett, Jan. 13, 1881, both of Kendallville, Ind.
Copied from Columbia City Commerical by Albion New Era, Jan. 27, 1881.
The bridegroom is a son of F. Amos Black of Jefferson township, and a brother of ex-treasurer John D. Black, while the bride is a sister of the wife of county recorder, John Baughman.
The New Era extends congratulations to the young couple, and in the language of Van Winkle, may they "live long and prosper."
From Steuben County items in Albion New Era, Feb. 10, 1881.
"In noting the death of the oldest resident of the county, and probably one of the oldest residents of the state, the Republican of last week said: "Last Friday morning, at a little past midnight, Uncle Willard DeWitt, the oldest surviving soldier of the war of 1812 and the oldest person in this section of the country, closed his eyes on the scenes of this world. According to the best authority obtainable he was born March 25, 1776, therefore was about 105 years of age at the time of his death. He served for some time in the war of 1812, being a member of Capt. I. Bartlett's New York militia. For the past nine years he has received a government pension of $2 per month, obtained for him by Lawrence Gates. He was married a few years ago to a woman many years his junior. She bore him several children. She still resides with them on their farm in Scott township.
New Era, Feb. 10, 1881.
From the local news from Avilla published in New Era, Feb. 10, 1881.
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"News has been received that Willard DeWitt, of Steuben county, has just died at the age of 107 years. He had formerly lived near Avilla, and was known by many of our citizens. His relatives here say that he is ten years younger than the age reported, thus making his correct age 97."
Died .- Tirey Huber, one of the old residents of Washington township, and a well known citizen of the county, died on the 24th day of January, 1881, at the age of 57 years. A correspondent of the Banner, in speaking of the death of this honored citizen, says that his affliction was almost past forbearing during several weeks prior to his death, which was caused by indigestion. In his death Washington township loses one of her most substantial citizens, a man of sound judgment, whose knowledge was extensive and composed of all general topics and whose council and decision were considered law. He had filled the office of justive for some twenty odd years up to last spring, when he was re-elected but refused to qualify, thinking he had served the people long enough. He leaves a family of five-wife and four children to mourn their loss, well provided for. His remains were interred at Salem by the Free Masons, of which order he was a member. Services by Rev. Jabez Shaffer. Peace to his ashes."
Albion New Era, Feb. 10, 1881.
Mrs. Isaac Tibbott of Wawaka, fell upon the ice and dislocated her right hip, last Tuesday A. M. Dr. Bartley of Wawaka, and Dr. Teal, of this city were called, and the hip was adjusted. Mr. and Mrs. Tibbott are the oldest living pioneers of the county. They were married and settled where they now live in 1834 .- Kendallville Standard.
Copied in Albion New Era, Feb. 17, 1881.
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Obituary
We clip the following obituary notice of one of the old and well known citizens of the county, from the Kendallville Standard of last week,
John Weston was born in Middlesex, Ontario county, N. Y., August 15th, 1809. In childhood his parents moved to Geauga County, Ohio. At the age of 21 he was married to Fidelia Lamb. They lived in northern Ohio until March, 1851, when he removed with his family to Rome City, Noble County, Indiana. In 1862, they came to Kendallville, where he died, February 9th, 1881- aged 71 years 6 months and 24 days. His companion survives him. Together they have shared the joys and sorrows of life for 50 years and 2 months. During his illness for the past two years she has watched over and cared for him entirely herself-it being her one great desire to do so. They reared a family of nine children, three of whom are living. The Methodist Episcopal church was the one of his choice, of which he was a strong and liberal supporter.
His friends know best what disappointments he has encountered in his long Journey, what bright hopes blasted, what sorrows felt, what agonies endured, how many loved one he has covered up in the grave. Albion New Era, Feb. 24, 1881.
The death of Israel Cooper, one of the early settlers of Washington township, is announced at the age of 78 years. Albion New Era, March 3, 1881.
Our Kansas City Letter
Personal Reminascences-Noble County at an early Day-Then and Now.
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Kansas City, Mo., Feb. 6, 1881.
Ed. New Era .- I have often wished, of late, that some one who is well posted in the early history of Noble county would write up a history of the early times in that county. If truthfully done, it would read like a romance. Noble has made about as much history as any county in the state, and some of it of the most thrilling kind.
My first acquaintance with that county was in the spring of 1838, and from that time until 1850 I was in the county quite frequently, and made the acquaintance of many of the old pioneers who laid the foundation of civilization in that county. The memory of my early rambles in the county often come back to me like a romantic dream, as, when I first saw it, I was in the prime of early manhood and saw things in a much more rosy light than I do now, and I cannot repress a feeling of sadness when I remember that all those who were then the leading active citizens, and gave character to society there have all passed off the stage of action and are nearly forgotten. Peace to their ashes.
In those early times the old road from Goshen to Ft. Wayne was a thoroughfare of no small importance, and during the rush of immigration, nearly all the settlers, along the road went into the hotel business, and some of them made it a source of considerable revenue. This fact tended to render many of those rough and ready, old pioneer landlords quite famous on account of their odd ways and eccentric habits. But as to that I think I never knew a place in all my experience that so abounded in eccentric characters as Noble county did then. I made about my first acquaintance in that county with old Jacob Shobe, who was then postmaster, and I took my first lessons in postoffice business under him. I used to go out there from Benton to make out his quarterly report for him, as he was not scholar enough to do it himself. About
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the same time I made the acquaintance of old Adam Engle, and old Mr. Hostetter, old Niah Wood and Gid Schlotterback, and I remember, also, that on my first trip out to Ft. Wayne in the spring of 1838, I first met my friend, Nelson Prentiss, at Stone's Tavern, where they had a small stock of goods, amongst which were some fluids, kept, of course, for "strictly medical purposes."
I remember I invested five cents in a glass of wine "for the stomach's sake." I expect Prentiss don't remember the circumstance now.
On the same trip I made the acquaintance of old Humphrey Nichols, and staid over night with him. About the first thing after I went in and took a seat, Nicholas went into another room and brought out an old fashioned quart bottle, which was about. half full of whiskey, with, if I remember right, about half a dozen flies floating on the top of it, and taking the bottle by the neck with his right hand, he gave it a brisk stamp on the palm of his left hand, and then holding it up to the light as if to show what a splendid "bead" it carried, remarked: "There's a little left in the old bottle yet, " and offered me the bottle, to drink. As I wasn't used to whiskey with that kind of a "fly" in it, I declined. Nichols then proceeded to give me a history of his connection with making bogus money, and all about his being sent to the Ohio penitentiary for it; in fact put in the whole evening talking on that subject, and I rather thought drew largely on his imagination, in order to make himself out a sort of a hero, which, I was afterward told, he was in the habit of doing with everybody, especially strangers. He was a queer old case.
Those were the days when Dave Herriman was King of Noble County, and Lotta and Bill Hill flourished, and the Tamarack House was a noted place. A history of the doings of the gang of outlaws that infested that neighborhood in those days, in connection with the
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history of their final overthrow by the "Regulators," would fill a good sized volume. It is gratifying to know that a better state of things prevails there now, and that a neighborhood once the shame and reproach of the county, is now looked upon with quite as much pride, for its order, good morals and refinement. s. Webster Albion New Era, Feb. 17, 1881.
Kansas City Letter
Personal Reminiscenoses-Some Traits in the Character of one of Noble County's early citizens.
Kansas City, No., March 15, 1881.
Ed. New Era .- When I wrote you some weeks ago, some reminiscenses of the early history of Noble County, I did not design saying anything further on that subject, but on looking over what I wrote, I feel impelled to add a few words more, partly by the way of explanation of some things I said in my former letter, and partly because there is a great deal more to write about.
The reader may wish to know what I meant in speaking of Dave Herriman as the "King of Noble County." I would say, as to that, that I alluded to his great and almost irresistable influence as a politician. There probably has never been a politician in the county that so thoroughly controlled the political elements of the county, as Herriman did, for some ten or twelve years before he left there. It seemed as though if he wished to have a certain position, that all he had to do was to let his wishes be known, and his election followed as a matter of course. I believe I never knew him to be beaten, for any office he sought for, until he aspired to a seat in congress, when his prestige all at once seemed to desert him; when he could have truth fully said with Cardinal Wolsey-
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"Nay then, farewell ;
I have touched the highest point of all my greatness; And, from that full meridian of my glory, I haste now to my setting."
He very soon after that abdicated his throne of political power, and his kingdom passed into other hands.
In many respects Herriman was more than an ordinary man. He possessed, in a remarkable degree, shrewdness and force of character that go to make up, not only the successful politician, but also the man who succeeds at anything. He was one of that kind of men that can't be kept down. They may be compelled for a time to succumb to adverse influences, but they are proverbially hard to kill. Herriman was a most genial companion, and had, withal, a kind of personal magnetism that seemed to disarm prejudice, and make friends, even of those who disapproved of much of his doings. His career as a public man would doubtless have been much more brilliant but for his lack of education, but he certainly made good use of what he had, and his native good sense, and shrewdness, well supplied the lack of learning. As a neighbor, he was generous and accomodating; his hospitality was unbounded, and differ as we may, as to the correctness of political teachings, I think he was fairly entitled to the credit of having wielded the scepter of political power as judiciously as could be expected, and that his reign was, upon the whole, beneficial to his subjects. He had, however, one peculiar trait of character that I always thought detracted somewhat from his usefulness as a public man, and that was his inveterate waggery. While that trait evidently stood him in good stead in his bush whacking style of elsctioneering, yet, as water will never rise above the level of the fountain whence it flows, so, while his taste led him to stoop to the level of the buffoon, he could hardly expect the world to regard him in the dignified character of a statesman. His waggery and hilarious disposition, however, if they
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detracted from the dignity of character to which he might otherwise have attained, had, at least, the compensating effect of keeping everybody around him in a good humor, and, I have no doubt, caused his departure to be greatly regretted by his old neighbors and associates.
Such is a brief review of the character of the man I invested with regal honors, ss I remember him. He acted the part of a political leader without making enemies; wore his regal honors with becoming modesty, and will long be remembered as a public-spirited and humane citizen of the old pioneer days.
S. Webster Albion New Era, March 24, 1881.
Three of the old settlers of Noble county passed away and were buried on one day last week. These three were: William Crispell, of York township; Jackson Sawyer, of Wayne, and David Law, of Orange. Verily the old pioneers are rapidly passing away to that unknown land beyond the dark river of death. New Era, March 24, 1881.
David Law died at his home in Orange township last Sunday. Mr. Law was one of the oldest residents of Noble County, and one of our most highly respected citizens. The funeral services were held Tuesday, with Masonic honors .- Kendallville Standard.
Copied in New Era, March 24, 1881.
William Crispell died at his home in York township, March 20th, 1881, aged 77 years, 7 months, 22 days. The deceased was born in Ulster county, N. Y., July 25, 1803, and settled on the farm where he died, in May, 1837, having lived on the same farm for nearly forty-four years. In early life he became a member of the presby- terian church, and at the time of his death was one of the Ruling Elders of the church at Albion.
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