USA > Indiana > Adams County > Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume I > Part 37
USA > Indiana > Wells County > Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country, Volume I > Part 37
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40
The general contract for the erection of the building was awarded
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to J. Sam Ozee, Jr., of Mattoon, Illinois, on June 7, 1917, for $28,194; that sum not including the equipment of the building. Dr. Allport himself was engaged as the supervising architect. The two had but recently completed similar hospitals at Mattoon and Connersville, Indiana. The corner stone of the hospital was laid on the afternoon of Labor Day, September 3, 1917, under the auspices of the Bluffton Masons. The music was furnished by the Hartford City Band and local vocal talent. After the formal ceremonies had been concluded in general charge of Elba L. Branigan, most worthy grand master of the state, short addresses were delivered by William H. Eichhorn and Judge David E. Smith, with other prominent Masons, the entire program being interspersed with music and closing with the benedic- tion by Rev. William T. Arnold.
The hospital stands in a natural grove in the southern outskirts of Bluffton, retired, but readily accessible. The two-story building has ground dimensions of 103 feet in length and 45 feet in width. Its main entrance is in the center of the east front. According to the plans the interior arrangement and appliances are as follows : On the first floor are the rooms for the janitor, the supplies and fuel, quarters for emergency and contagious cases, kitehen, laundry and dining room, X-ray and dark rooms and seven wards. In the south wing of the second floor are the operating rooms, the maternity and infant's wards, and quarters devoted to medical and surgical prepara- tion and the care of instrument, apparatus, etc. The remainder of the second floor is taken up by the reception and superintendent's rooms, sun parlor and beds for about a score of patients. The hospital is equipped with all such modern conveniences as laundry chutes, in- cinerating plant, sanitary wash basins and a complete call system. It is so arranged that a button pressed by a patient turns on a light over his door and at the superintendent's desk, which can be turned off only from within the patient's room. Although the Wells County Hospital is not among the large institutions of the kind in the state, it is among the most modern.
BROAD BREATHING SPACES
The pretty stretches of country within easy walking distance of Bluffton, especially along the Wabash River, make it unnecessary to provide its residents with large public parks, as is the case with larger and more congested eities, Its lungs, as such publie resorts have been called, are not confined to Washington Park, first improved in the late '80s, and the grounds around Central and High schools Vol. 1-26
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and the County Hospital, but embrace all "out-of-doors." Bluffton, therefore, is far from being stifled.
Elm Grove and Fairview cemeteries, east of Main Street bridge, are pretty spots, improvements in the former tract having been pro- gressing for about forty years.
BLUFFTON'S CHURCHES
The religious bodies of Bluffton began their good work early and have continued it unceasingly. During the earlier period they shared
BIRD'S EYE VIEW FROM THE WEST
the intense earnestness which marked the general propagation of doctrinal beliefs, but of late years such disenssions have largely sub- sided in favor of charitable and benevolent work in which all could unite; besides which, of course, each church body has had its special activities.
THE METHODIST CHURCHES
The writer has mentioned the coming to Bluffton of the first preacher, Rev. George W. Bowers, the Methodist clergyman and
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pioneer schoolmaster. The Methodists held their meetings in various places at the county seat, including that popular publie resort, the courthouse. Finally they erected a frame church at the corner of Cherry and Williams streets, which they oeeupied until the comple- tion of their brick house of worship, on the southwest corner of Washington and Williams. This was dedicated by Bishop Bowman on October 13, 1872, during the ministry of Rev. P. Carlan. The original building was 45 by 80 feet with spire more than 126 feet in height ; eost, $12,000. The present structure was completed in 1893 at a cost of about $45,000. The first parsonage was built in 1882. George W. Bowers, the first pastor of the society, remained the regulation year, and up to the building of the first church the follow- ing only exceeded that length of service: Rev. Joseph Ockerman, 1840-42; Rev. F. A. Sale, 1855-57; Rev. E. S. Preston, 1859-61: Rev. J. H. Hutchinson, 1861-63; Rev. J. P. Nash, 1865-67; Rev. J. Greer, 1868-70. Rev. P. Carlan was minister in 1871-73. There seems to have been no let-up in the progress of the First M. E. Church, and by the late '80s it had reached a membership of between 400 and 500, with a very large Sunday school. Prof. P. A. Allen was superintendent of the latter for many years. The resident mem- bership of the church is now (January, 1918) about 970 and the non- resident, 90. Rev. W. T. Arnold has served as pastor since March, 1913. Of late years those in charge have been granted longer terms of service than formerly, as witness: Rev. L. A. Beeks, 1901-06; Rev. J. K. Cecil, 1906-09 and Rev. M. M. Martin, 1909-11.
The Epworth M. E. Church is a mission of the First, in the western part of the eity, and the Wesleyan Methodist is in the south- eastern section of Bluffton.
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
The First Presbyterian Church was organized August 24, 1844, with twenty-two members, by John H. Russ, who had been appointed by the Presbytery of Miami for that purpose. The ruling elders were Andrew J. Riddle and Robert Marshall. Religious services were first held in the log courthouse. Succeeding Mr. Russ for several months only was Rev. Andrew C. MeClellan, after whom eame Rev. Wilson M. Donaldson, who served from October, 1848, to April, 1860. That is the longest period of service in the entire list. Rev. John W. Drake, who was pastor from November, 1873 to April 19, 1875, died suddenly on that day while apparently at the height of his usefulness. The first house of worship for the Presbyterians was built in 1853-54,
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and the parsonage in 1875. A Sunday school was organized in 1860. In 1883-84 a handsome brick church was erected at a cost, including the lot, of $13,000. Since that time the additions to the original building have virtually equalled the 1883 structure. The principal of these include the Akron Plan Sunday School department, pastor's study, choir loft, balcony and choir room. A $4,000 manse has also been purchased. Within the last six years a new vapor heating plant has been installed. The cost of the improvements from 1883 to the fall of 1917 was nearly $17,000. Rev. Thomas J. Simons has served the charge since November, 1911, his immediate predecessors for a decade having been Rev. Asher H. Brand, Rev. John MeMurray and Rev. Charles G. Miller. Including resident and non-resident members, the strength of the society is now about 400; the active resident members number 336 (March, 1918).
BLUFFTON BAPTIST CHURCH
The Bluffton Baptist Church was organized October 14, 1841, by Revs. Robert Tisdale and Jesse Corn, with Fleming Johns, Elizabeth Johns, Rebecca Stahl, Henry B. Elston and Martha Grimes as con- stitnent members. Fleming Johns was elected deacon and Rev. Robert Tisdale was chosen pastor. Ile served only a few months, but re- turned to the society as its pastor in 1844 and remained three years. The first meetings were held at the dwellings of the members, as it was impossible to even secure schoolhonses for that purpose. In August, 1844, the church was received into the Salamonie River Association. The pastors of the Bluffton Baptist Church who have . enjoyed the longest pastorates have been the following: Rev. Robert Tisdale, 1841-47; Rev. Abel Johnson, 1852-62; Rev. W. W. Robison, 1863-74, 1875-76; Rev. J. H. Reider, 1877-85; Rev. W. W. Hieks, 1892-98; Dr. O. R. MeKay, since 1913. The original house of wor- ship was dedicated in September, 1871. It was built of briek, was 36 by 50 feet in dimensions, and cost $3,000. . The church now occupied was completed in March, 1895, and has since been greatly improved. As late as 1916 its interior was re-frescoed and it was otherwise beautified. The present membership of the Baptist Church is 725.
OTHER ACTIVE RELIGIOUS BODIES
The St. Joseph Catholic Church has not a fair local membership, much of its strength being drawn from the adjacent country districts. Its house of worship is a modest frame building, at the corner of
OLD BRIDGES AT BLUFFTON
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Williams and Cherry streets, dedicated by Bishop Dwenger, of Fort Wayne, in 1875.
The Nazarene Church is located corner of Cherry and Williams streets, and is very active in that part of town.
The First Reformed Church of Bluffton is represented by a strong society, with a handsome house of worship at the corner of Marion and Cherry streets. The society is now under the pastorate of Rev. B. E. Reemsynder. The Reformed Church was organized March 1, 1884, in the Universalist Church on Cherry Street.
THE OLD UNIVERSALIST AND CHRISTIAN SOCIETIES
Mention of the latter recalls the old Universalist society organized in Bluffton in 1855, although Universalist preachers were heard there as early as 1843. In the early times it was this religious body, with its alert champions, which proved to be a firebrand in the ranks of such of the Orthodox churches as the Methodists, the Presbyterians and the Christians. The public discussions between the adherents of these various sects served to keep the community wide awake, if they resulted in no very definite conclusions. The rule was that each side finished the discussion still convinced that it had the best of the argument, and ready at any other time to convince the opposition. Among the most prominent Universalists of Bluffton were Bowen Hale and Dr. C. T. Melsheimer. In 1880 the society completed a church on Cherry Street.
Among the other churches, which were long active and are no more, were the old Six-Mile Christian Church and the First Christian Church of Bluffton. The former, three miles southeast of Bluffton, was organized September 2, 1838, by Elder Hallet Barber, who lived at Rockford, Wells County, died of Asiatic cholera about 1850 and was buried in the Mossburg Cemetery. Henry Markley was one of the early superintendents of its Sunday school. The first log church of the society was built in 1840; the second, a comparatively large frame building, was completed in 1859 and would comfortably seat 300 people.
The First Christian Church of Bluffton was organized in April, 1883, by its first pastor, Rev. W. D. Samuel. In the following year a small frame house of worship was erected at the corner of Cherry and Morgan streets.
SECRET AND BENEVOLENT SOCIETIES
Bluffton is represented in all the leading orders of a secret and a benevolent nature, as well as in some which are not so well known,
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but may be when another history of Wells County is written. The Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Maeeabees, Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica, Knights of Pythias, Red Men and the Tribe of Ben IIur have strong organizations; and "there are others." Although the Odd Fellows established themselves several months before the Masons and have organized all the degrees and bodies of their order at Bluffton, they are somewhat outnumbered by the latter. The Knights of Pythias, who were much later than either to come to the front, have a fine llome devoted both to official and social purposes.
THE MASONS
Bluffton Lodge No. 145, F. & A. M., was organized under dispensa- tion February 3, 1853, with A. W. Sanford as worshipful master ; O. P. Gilham, senior warden; and John Morgan, junior warden. The charter was granted May 25th following, when O. P. Gilham was installed as master, James MI. MeCleery as senior warden, and John Morgan as junior warden. Following Mr. Gilham as masters, for a period of sixty years, were the following: Amos Townsend, 1858-60; Newton Burwell, 1860-61; Amos Townsend, 1861-64; Thomas L. Wisner, 1864-66; Amos Townsend, 1866-67; Thomas L. Wisner, 1867-69; J. Sharle Wisner, 1869-September 18, 1870 (died in office) ; James W. Spake, A. Townsend and William Bassett, who filled the chairs as pro tem, masters until December, 1870; Newton Burwell, 1870-71; Jacob J. Todd, 1871-72; Thomas L. Wisner, 1872-74; Jere North, 1874-76: Jaeob J. Todd, 1876-79; Amos Townsend, 1879-80; Jere North, 1880-81 ; James R. Bennett, 1881-83; Cyrene Warner, 1883-85 ; James W. Spake, 1885-87 ; James H. Cliffton, 1887-89; C. M. Miller, Mareh-December, 1889; James P. Hale, 1889-91; C. M. Miller, 1891-93; Elmore Y. Sturgis, January-December, 1894; Horace L. Wisner, 1894-95; William A. Marsh, 1895-97; Samuel P. Roush, 1897-99; Joseph S. DeLong, 1899-1900; Samuel P. Roush, 1900-01; Charles E. Sturgis, 1901-02; Harry Lewis, 1902-04; Samuel E. Hiteh- eock, January-December., 1904; William W. Weisell, 1904-05; Herman W. Thoma, 1905-07; Charles A. Studabaker and Frank Ashbaucher (pro tem.), 1907-08; William H. Eichhorn and Samuel E. Iliteheock, 1907-10; Frank E. Ehle, 1910-11 ; William R. Barr, 1911-12; John A. Park, 1912-13; Grant Pyle, 1913-14; Harry B. Wiltse, 1914-16 ;. T H. Koontz, 1916-17. Mr. Bennett, who served the lodge as worshipful master over thirty-six years ago, is still living as well as the following past masters: Cyrene Warner, James H. Clifton, Charles M. Miller, Elmore Y. Sturgis, Horace L. Wisner, William A. Marsh, Samuel P.
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Roush, Joseph S. DeLong, Charles E. Sturgis, Harry Lewis, Samuel E. Hitchcock, William W. Weisell, Herman W. Thoma, Charles A. Studa- baker, William H. Eichhorn, Frank E. Ehle, William R. Barr, Grant Pyle and Harry B. Wiltse. The lodge has a present membership of 250, with the following in office: Thomas H. Koontz, worshipful mas- ter : Ned R. Conwell, senior warden; Edward E. Sunier, junior warden; Herman W. Thoma, treasurer; Hoy H. Nartman, secretary ; Charles V. MeKinney, senior deacon; Redford A. Cherry, junior deacon; Elmore Y. Sturgis, senior steward; Theodore Eddington, junior steward; Samuel MeCleery, tyler.
Bluffton Chapter No. 95, R. A. M., was instituted September 19, 1876, the following officers having been appointed under dispensa- tion of the preceding day: T. L. Wisner, high priest; W. B. Miller, king; W. W. Angel, seribe. A charter was granted October 19th. The foregoing officers were named in it, and they served until Decem- ber 29, 1876, when T. L. Wisner was elected high priest ; D. E. Bulger, king; E. M. Cook, scribe ; Jere North, C. H. ; J. J. Todd, P. S .; J. W. Zehrung, R. A. C .; W. J. Craig, M. 3d. V .; W. W. Angel, M. 2d. V .; G. T. Kocher, M. 1st. V .; S. Oppenheim, treasurer; H. L. Wisner, secretary ; M. M. Bassett, gnard. Within the following decade the following served as high priests of the chapter: Horace L. Wisner, J. J. Todd, J. P. Hale and James II. Clifton. Besides the first and the last mentioned, the living high priests of the chapter are Cyrene Warner, James R. Bennett, Charles M. Miller, Albert Oppenheim, Samuel E. Hitchcock, Harry Lewis, Herman W. Thoma, Frank E. Ehle and E. Y. Sturgis. The chapter has ( fall of 1917) a membership of 160, with these officers: Frank E. Ehle, M. E. H. P .; J. Park Elliott, E. K .; Samuel E. Hitchcock, treasurer; Henry B. Wiltse, secretary ; Ralph W. Rinear, P. S .; James B. Krill, R. A. C .; George E. Mosiman, M. 3d. V .; George L. Arnold, M. 2d. V .; George L. DeHaven, M. 1st. V .; Fred A. Wiecking, G.
Bluffton Council No. 63, R. & S. M., was chartered October 20, 1892, has a membership of about 115, and is officered as follows: J. Park Elliott, I. M .; Frank E. Ehle, D. I. M .; C. A. Breece, P. C. of W .; Herman W. Thoma, T .; F. K. Sale, R .; Ed. A. Sunier, C. of G .; Ralph Rinear, steward; S. E. Hitchcock, sentinel. The past illustri- ons masters of the council have been: Cyrene Warner, Horace L. Wisner, Alfred F. Bly, James P. Hale, Samuel P. Roush, Charles M. Miller, Herman W. Thoma, Wilbur W. Oman, Samuel E. Hitch- cock, C. M. Miller, William H. Eichhorn, Harry Lewis, Elmore Y. Sturgis and J. P. Elliott.
There are 120 members in Bluffton Commandary No. 38, K. T.,
.
MODERN BRIDGES AT BLUFFTON
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the officers of which in 1917 were as follows: William Weisell, E. C .; George E. Mosiman, G .; William L. Kiger, C. G .; Frank E. Ehle, S. W .; F. K. Sale, J. W .; George L. Arnold, E. P .; Elmore Y. Sturgis, Treas. ; Harmon H. Skiles, Rec. The past eminent commanders were as follows: Jacob J. Todd (deceased), Edwin C. Vaughn, Cyrene Warner, Ferdinand F. Boltz, James P. IIale (deceased), Emanuel E. Mosiman, Samuel P. Roush, William H. Eichhorn, Louis C. Daven- port, Thomas F. Hoffer, Samuel E. Hitchcock, W. L. Kiger, William R. Barr, Allen P. Smith, Charles M. Miller, Ernest Wiecking, Dell Locke, John G. McCleery and Herman W. Thoma.
Crescent Chapter No. 48, O. E. S., was chartered April 14, 1881, and up to 1917 its past worthy matrons had been Caroline Davenport, Mary E. Mason, Mary J. Todd, Delia W. Hale, Maggie K. Wisner, Maggie McCleery, Lavina North, Emma Dailey, Jennie Warner, Martha North, Jennie Miller, Harriet Hoffer, Stella Deam, Amelia Baumgardner, Lizzie Ashbaucher, Anna Sturgis, Jessie Stine, Emma Thoma, Nannie Rinear, Lettie Miller and Anna Sturgis. The chief officers of the chapter serving in 1917, until the annual election in December of that year, were: May Koontz, W. M .; T. H. Koontz, W. P .; Harriett MeKinney, A. M .; Sallie C. Sawyer, See .; Julia Duglay, Treas .; Marguerite Walmer, Cond .; Archie Conwell, A. Cond .; Sarah Hiester, C .; Stella Deam, M. The members in the chap- ter number about 170.
ODD FELLOWSHIP IN BLUFFTON
The history of Odd Fellowship in Wells County dates back to Octo- ber 6, 1852, when E. K. Bascom, Adnah Hall, Charles Smith, Lew A. Price and Dr. Charles T. Melsheimer met to organize, under authority of the Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana. That body granted them a charter under the name of Bluffton Lodge No. 114, I. O. O. F., which was instituted at the date named in the second story of what became known as the Wood Building on East Market Street. The first officers elected were: A. K. Bascom, N. G .; A. Hall, V. G .; Charles T. Melsheimer, Sec .; Lew A. Price, Treas. The first repre- sentative to the Grand Lodge was Past Grand C. T. Melsheimer who was appointed July 1, 1854. The local lodge has flourished, as have the other bodies of the order. Patriarchal Encampment No. 141 was chartered May 15, 1876, and was instituted with the following officers : Samuel L. Dailey, C. P .: James B. Plessinger, H. P .; James W. Ken- agy, S .; C. 1. Kline, G. W .; Charles Shaffer, J. W .; F. N. Kellogg, Treas. Patriarchal Militant, Uniform Degree, Camp No. 12. was
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chartered March 31, 1883, and J. B. Plessinger was elected com- mander. There is also a Daughters of Rebekah Lodge (No. 83) which was instituted at Bluffton March 27, 1872. Prior to that date the degree of Rebekah was conferred upon members of the third degree and their wives by the subordinate lodge.
The present encampment has a membership of 220, with the fol- lowing officers: Chief Patriarch, Allen Sheldon; High Priest, Elza Me Affee; Senior Warden, Perry Addingtou; Junior Warden, Claude Cole; Seribe, Uriah Rahrer; Treasurer, Edward Markley.
The Patriarchs Militant, with a membership of 45, are officered as follows: Captain, Adolph Witzeman; Lieutenant, Henry Gilliam ; Ensign, Sherman Bell; Clerk, C. A. Brunn; Accountant, Edward Markley.
KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS AND PYTHIAN SISTERS
As noted, the Knights of Pythias have a strong organization, which was instituted February 16, 1881, with C. M. France as its first past chancellor and W. C. Stockton as chancellor commander. The Pythian Sisters have also been organized for a number of years, and the combined Home of the order, corner of Washington and Marion streets, is comfortable, conveniently located and tasteful in outward appearance, as well as handsomely furnished. The original building was a large residence purchased in 1908. It was remodeled and re-frescoed and a handsome lodge hall added at a cost of $4,000. The Knights of Pythias Lodge is 92, and the title of the Sisters' organ- ization is Royal Temple No. 24. The lodge numbers more than 370 members and its present elective officers are as follows; Edgar Har- rell, M. of W .; Aaron L. Musselman, C. C .; Theo. V. Harsh, V. C .; Ray O. Snyder, Prel .; W. W. Rogers, M. of Ex .; George P. Becker, M. of F .; Harry Harvey, M. at A .; R. O. Stiles, I. G .; George Burhner, O. G.
Royal Temple No. 24 has about 230 members.
THE ELKS AND THEIR CLUBHOUSE
The Elks, a very strong organization, are represented by Bluffton Lodge No. 786, and they have a large and elegant Club House on Main Street near the business center.
The Bluffton Lodge No. 786, B. P. O. E., was instituted on July 9, 1902 under the direction of District Deputy Bavard Gray, of Frank- fort, Indiana, by Hartford City Lodge No. 625 with E. E. Cox, of
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Hartford City presiding as Grand Exalted Ruler, pro tem. On the night of institution the following Elks were admitted on dimit from other lodges: M. H. Ormsby, Frank S. Smith, W. A. Shumaker, E. B. Edmonds, Frank E. Elle, Frank Runyan, T. H. Gutelius, James A. McBride, Paul Herman. The following were initiated as charter members: J. S. Dailey, E. C. Vaughn, Sam Bender, J. H. C. Smith, C. E. Sturgis, Hugh Dougherty, S. C. Reid, Will Smith, Fred Plessinger, W. D. Mason, J. C. Hatfield, L. C. Davenport, Dan Lani- gan, F. J. Tangeman, Levi Mock, S. P. Roush, Clem Stair, W. II. Eichhorn, Harry Swisher, J. V. East, E. R. Horton, C. T. Kain, George L. Saunders, Herman Wiecking, M. A. Stont, M. Long, R. F. Cummins, Ralph Strow, Ilugh Kapp, E. L. Murray, R. A. Brown, J. S. Gilliland, Joseph Rose, George L. Arnold, W. W. Weisell, Jr., F. C. Dailey, R. W. Stine, Joseph Burns, Louis Severin, C. II. Ples- singer, Thomas Flynn, A. R. Grove, Harry C. Evans, T. H. Koontz, W. D. Burgan, G. P. Sharp, B. A. Batson, Frank Ulmer, A. G. King, W. W. Greek, George D. Shigley, N. K. Todd, Earl Francis, W. L. Jones, A. R. Bair, R. S. Todd, W. I. Allison, C. C. Sixbey, Albert Oppenheim, J. A. Morris.
The following officers were the first to serve the lodge: Exalted Ruler, M. H. Ormsby ; Esteemed Leading Knight, Frank Runyan; Esteemed Loyal Knight, T. II. Gutelius; Esteemed Lecturing Knight, F. C. Dailey ; Secretary, C. E. Sturgis; Treasurer, F. E. Ehle; Tyler, J. A. McBride; Trustees, W. H. Eichhorn, Hugh Kapp and J. S. Gilliland; Esquire, Frank S. Smith; Inner Guard, W. A. Shumaker; Chaplain, J. H. Smith.
The lodge was instituted in the Odd Fellows lodge hall aud for the first year or two held its meeting in the K. of P. lodge room in the MeFarren block at Main and Market streets, maintaining club rooms at the same time in the quarters over the Arnold feed store on Market Street. Later the lodge and club rooms were combined with quarters on the second and third floors of the Grand Theater Building. Later the lodge assimilated the membership of the Commercial Club and moved into the Commercial Club's quarters over the News office on West Market Street. The present lodge home on South Main Street was erected in 1912 at a cost of $25,000 and was dedicated in the spring of 1913.
The following past exalted rulers of Bluffton Lodge are still iden- tified with that body as its representatives before the Grand Lodge of the order: C. E. Sturgis, C. H. Plessinger, N. K. Todd, Clem Kain, E. B. Edmonds, Del Locke, F. J. Tangeman, H. R. Swisher, M. K. Williamson, O. W. Baumgardiner and W. H. Eichhorn.
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The present officers ( April 1, 1918 to April 1, 1919) are as follows : Exalted Ruler, George Mock; Esteemed Leading Knight, Paul E. Painter; Esteemed Lecturing Knight, Lloyd Sleppy ; Esteemed Loyal Knight, D. O. North; Seeretary, Harry B. Starr; Treasurer, F. C. Waugh; Tyler, F. R. Curtis and Trustees, J. L. Snyder, F. J. Tange- man and H. R. Swisher.
OTHER LODGES, TENTS, HIVES, CAMPS, ETC.
Other secret, social and benevolent organizations at Bluffton : the Eagles, Aerie No. 899; the Moose, Lodge No. 242; the Knights of the Maccabees, Bluffton Tent No. 163 and the Ladies, Asphalt City Hive No. 132; the Modern Woodmen of America, Camp No. 11,367, the Red Men, Minnetonka Tribe, No. 82, and the Daughters of Pocahontas, No. 20; and the Tribe of Ben Hur, Court No. 7. All of these societies have special fields of activities, more details of which would have been given had the officers who have them in their keeping been more gener- ous in responding to requests for information.
CHAPTER XXII
VILLAGE OF OSSIAN
THE FOUNDERS OF OSSIAN-JOHN T. GLASS-THE CRAIGS THE HAT- FIELDS-FIRST TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS-INDUSTRIAL UPS AND DOWNS- OSSIAN SCHOOLS IN THE MAKING-THE TELEPHONE AND THE LOCAL PRESS-OTHER PUBLIC UTILITIES-THE FARMERS STATE BANK- THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH-METHODISM IN JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP -BETHEL UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH -CHURCHIES NEAR OSSIAN -LOCAL LODGES.
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