USA > Indiana > Grant County > Fairmount > The making of a township, being an account of the early settlement and subsequent development of Fairmount Township, Grant County, Indiana, 1829 to 1917, based upon data secured by personal interviews, from numerous communications > Part 29
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CHAPTER XXX.
BUILDING FOWLERTON.
T HE SUCCESSFUL development of natural gas in various parts of Grant County stimulated enterprising men in many neighborhoods to make explorations for fuel. Nature had never before provided heat and illumination which were at once so reasonable in price or so con- venient for commercial and domestic purposes.
For many years fuel in the gas belt was a matter of nominal expense. while the simple turning of a key designed for the purpose tapped a reservoir of unlimited quantities, day and night.
For illuminating purposes, natural gas was quite an improvement over the coaloil lamp. Great flambeaus were frequently seen along highways and in the streets, lighting up an area equal in extent to a city block.
It was while excitement was running high that towns sprang up much as Western cities would appear in a single night.
In 1896 B. F. Leach built the first house on the present site of Fow- lerton.
Previous to this time a postoffice had been established in that neigh- borhood called Leach, after the well known family of that name, whose members were numerous and influential.
The first industry established in the community was a tile mill. erected in 1895 by Elbert and Jefferson Fowler.
In 1896 John L. Smith started a saw-mill and William J. and Charles E. Leach owned and operated a grain elevator. About the same time B. F. Leach began work on a bottle factory on land donated by William J. Leach.
In 1899 Favre Brothers started the Fowlerton Window Glass Fac- tory.
P. A. Dailey started a saw-mill about 1906. The Royal Window Factory was established soon after, and the Industrial Window Glass Factory came a little later. D. L. Adams bought the Dailey saw-mill about 1909, and after rebuilding and remodeling, converted it into a hoop and saw-mill. This hoop-mill burned in the summer of 1917 and was not rebuilt. These industries were all attracted by the discovery of natural gas in that territory in apparently unlimited quantities.
The Fowlerton Canning Company opened a canning factory about 1004. which was later operated by W. R. Bailey. It has since been
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Building Fowlerton.
made into a modern plant by the Fowlerton Packing Company, J. F. Morris in charge.
The Chicago, Indiana & Eastern Railroad, in 1897, erected a depot on the northwest corner of the Henry Simons farm, now owned by Oliver P. Buller. This building was, in 1900, moved to the present junction of the Big Four and Pennsylvania railroads in Fairmount.
The Cincinnati, Richmond & Muncie Railroad, afterward known as the Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville, was projected in 1900. This line connected Cincinnati and Chicago and proved to be of immense benefit to Fowlerton as a trading point. During the years 1901 and 1902 Fowlerton was the northern terminal station. The road has since been taken over and operated by the Chesapeake & Ohio and made a part of its system.
John Borrey owned and operated a brick factory in Fowlerton about 1902.
E. D. Fowler, Oliver P. Buller, William A. Miller, Jacob Dame, Allen Virgin, M. F. Partridge, Clyde Partridge and Will C. Smith have served as postmaster, Clyde Partridge having succeeded Smith in 1917.
Among the first merchants who located in Fowlerton were Doc Philpott, John Carter, William Millspaugh, Isaac Key, S. D. Key, J. A. Hardesty & Co., M. F. Partridge & Co., Moses Barnhart, Elias A. Wil- helm and William Dunlap & Son.
J. A. Roberts served as Justice of the Peace, having been appointed in 1892.
Former Township Trustee Joel O. Duling writes from Fowlerton, under date of September 22, 1917 :
"These old records need no explanation, as they explain themselves. I give them to you so that you can see when, where, how and by whom the first school house was built in this locality."
As copied from the old records by Mr. Duling, the facts are as here set forth :
"At a school meeting held in District No. 4, in Congressional Town- ship No. 23, Range No. 8 East, at the house of Jonathan F. Reeder. first we took up the subject of whether we should build a District school house or not, and the votes taken, yeas, 12: noes, none ; blank. Second, on motion we agree to build on a donation of land made by Abraham Myers, in the center of our District, at the northeast cor- ner of his land. On motion the votes taken, veas, 12; noes, blank. Third, on motion we unanimously agree to build our school house within ourselves and to make it 18x20 feet, of round logs, the work
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to be completed against the 30th of November, 1840; yeas, 12, unani- mous vote. Fourth, on motion we unanimously agree to support a free school three months in the year. Voters present: George W. Simons. Thomas Reynolds and William Leach, District Trustees ; Abraham Myers, Joseph Corn, James Leach, Jonathan F. Reeder, Samuel Myers, Isaac Myers, Jacob Myers, Elijah M. Searl and John Leach. On motion adjourned May the 9th, 1840. George W. Simons, Chairman : Wm. Leach, District Clerk."
Another record, made by the same hand, as Clerk, is shown as follows :
"December 4. 1840. After dne notice having been given there was a school meeting held in our school house, in District No. 4, in Congres- sional Township No. 23. Range 8 East. William Leach took the chair. First, we unanimously agree to commence our school on Monday, the 7th day of December. 1840. Second, on motion we agree to employ John Simons at ten dollars a month and board him. He is to teach sev- enty-two days for a quarter. Third, on motion Thomas Reynolds and Wm. Leach appoints George W. Simons District Treasurer. Voters present : A. Myers, J. Myers, W. Sade. James Leach and John Leach. Win. Leach, Clerk. 10 votes."
On July 20, 1898, B. F. Leach and others called a meeting for the purpose of talking over matters in relation to the erection of a new school house at Fowlerton.
A petition was prepared, the necessary signatures procured and presented to Trustee Joseph Ratliff.
Owing to the lateness of the season the petition was not acted upon by the Trustee.
The petitioners appealed to County Superintendent Alex Thompson. The Superintendent agreed with the view the Trustee had taken of the situation, and conceded that while the necessity for the improvement might exist, the season was late and there was not sufficient time in which to erect and equip a suitable building for school purposes before the time fixed for the beginning of the fall term.
In the summer of 1899, however, the first two rooms of the present commodious brick structure were completed. Will W. Ware was select- ed principal of this school. The first year the building proved to be inade- quate to accommodate all patrons. A frame school house was moved from the north to meet the demands.
In the summer of 1907 Trustee Alvin J. Wilson added two more rooms, which have since served the purpose to the satisfaction of patrons and pupils.
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Building Fowlerton.
In 1900 so much confusion arose over the difference in the name of the town and the name of the postoffice that steps were taken to adjust the matter in a way that would be satisfactory. Several names were suggested. A letter was addressed to the Postoffice Department by Warren M. Crawford asking that suggestions be made that would aid them in the matter. It was finally agreed that the postoffice be given the name of Fowlerton, a settlement of the question which seemed to be satisfactory to citizens generally. And so the name Leach was dropped, and since 1902 the town and the postoffice have borne the same name-Fowlerton.
Fowlerton was incorporated by authority of the Board of County Commissioners on the first Monday in April, 1903.
Ancil Ratliff made a preliminary survey of forty acres of the original site. George A. Fletcher, surveyor and civil engineer, was employed, in February, 1903, to run the corporation lines and make a map of the territory included in the proposed town.
Elias A. Wilhelm took a census of the inhabitants thirty days pre- vious to this time, the same being certified to by him as correct.
The petition for incorporation was presented to the Board of Com- missioners on March 2, 1903. The territory set apart for the purpose embraced land owned partly by Ellis Wright, partly by Frank H. Kirk- wood and partly by William J. Leach.
On Tuesday, March 17, 1903, the election was held, the date having been fixed by the Commissioners. Elbert D. Fowler, August Schmidt and Palmer J. Wall were selected to have charge of the election. The result of the voting showed one hundred and twenty-three for incorpo- ration and six against it.
The first election of officers was held between the hours of 6 a. m. and 6 p. m. on May 4, 1903, in Barnhart's block. The election board consisted of Elias A. Wilhelm, inspector ; William Gorton and Matthew Costello, judges ; Allen Virgin, clerk, and S. A. Marriott, sheriff.
The result of the balloting was as follows :
Clerk and Treasurer, James Chapman.
Marshal, Joseph Henisse.
Trustees, First Ward, James P. Brown; Second Ward, William Mitchener ; Third Ward, Elbert D. Fowler.
The Methodist Protestant Church was organized in 1900. The mem- bers of the denomination who had previous to this time been attending services at Salem transferred their membership and influence to Fow- lerton. The result is a strong church organization. Among the first members were John Duling and wife, Joel O. Duling, Solomon Duling
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and wife and William Duling and wife. Rev. McCaslan was the first pastor. The church was remodeled in 1914, and is now one of the strongest congregations in the Township.
The United Brethren organized a church in 1897. The charter mem- bers were R. W. White and wife. Mrs. Lavada Malone. William A. Miller and wife. John G. Corn and wife. Oliver P. Buller and wife. George Fear and wife. Henry Garrison. Mrs. Rebecca J. Corn. Frank Garrison and wife and Lewis Hayden and wife. Rev. John Rector was the first pastor.
The Baptist Church was organized in 1910. The charter members were William J. Leach and wife. Clark Leach and wife. Mrs. Levi Simons, Mrs. Naomi Deeren, Mrs. Margaret Corn, Mrs. Joanna Gregg. Mrs. Martha C. Hancock and John Leach and wife. Noah Ford was the pastor.
The Wesleyan Methodist Church was organized in 1912, with Rev. W. D. Baker. pastor. Charter members were W. L. Dickerson and wife. L. G. Richards and wife. Charles Malone and wife. George Fear and Alva Dickerson and wife.
John A. Hardesty was commissioned a notary public by Governor Marshall in 1000.
The Fowlerton Bank was established in October. 1916. with Mau- rice Warner as President : John F. P. Thurston. Vice-President : Oscar A. Vinson. Cashier, and Frank M. Hundley, Assistant Cashier.
Fowlerton is the only town in Grant County that has a park.
CHAPTER XXXI.
COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMENT.
PROF. ALVIN SEALE TO DR. A. HENLEY.
Dear Friend Dr. Alpheus Henley :
I see by the interesting letters that you are sending to The Fair- mount News that yourself and wife and Richard are in Melbourne, Florida. So, for ye sake of auld lang syne, I am going to write you a letter.
Probably you were the first person I saw in this "would," as you were our family physician for as long a period as I can remember.
How is the good wife, Louisa? I have a warm spot in my heart for her. I remember she was always thinking of good things for us boys to eat, and when I left Fairmount on my bicycle for the Leland Stanford University. in California, she made for me a most con- venient little case with thread, pins, buttons and such handy things in it. That little case has been with me over a large part of the world since then. I have since retired it with a pension for faithful service.
For the past ten years I have been in the Philippine Islands as Chief of all their Fisheries. A very good position and most interesting work. Among the things accomplished in this time I can only state a few.
I found and described more than one hundred new species of fishes. I took the black bass (the one you have in Florida) and stocked the lakes and streams of the Islands with it. They had no good fish in their streams. I started fish ponds and fish cultural work. I intro- duced from the Hawaiian Islands the "mosquito fish," a little fish that prefers mosquito larvae to any other food. I took over improved nets for the commercial fishermen. I took up the canning industry and got a sardine cannery started. I made a survey of the pearl beds and · platted them on the map and got a pearl button factory, employing more than two hundred people, started. I opened up the sponge fish- cries ; have written forty-two scientific and commercial papers relating to the fisheries. And, just before leaving Manila, I drew the plans and superintended the building of a fine $20,000 aquarium, which is a good success.
So, you see, I have not had much time for anything outside my work, although the work has been good fun and much like play, for it has taken me to all the islands of the Philippines-to Borneo, China, Japan, Australia, and other places.
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I even found time to go sea fishing, which is fine sport, and one has excellent success with this kind of fishing in the Philippines. We get Spanish mackerel of sixty pounds, barracuda of one hundred and five pounds, crovilla of eighty pounds, tuna, sea bass and albacore-all fine game fishes.
ALVIN SEALE
Zoologist, was born in Fairmount Township in 1871. He is the son of John and Amy (Davidson) Seale, the father emigrating from England in 1849. Prof. Seale attended the Fair- mount public schools, and in 1892 graduated from Fairmount Acad- emy. He received the degree of Bachelor of Arts from Leland Stan- ford University at a later date, and for ten years served as Chief of the Department of Fisheries for the Philippine Government; Professor in the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University; co- worker with Dr. Fufitu, of Japan, on the cultivation of pearls, and author of forty-two scientific publications. In politics he affiliates with the Re- publican party, and is a birthright member of- the Friends Church. He is a member of the Far Eastern Medical Association, member of American Association for Advance- ment of Science, National Geographi- ical Society, Biological Society of Washington, American Society of Ichthyologists, and one of founders of Stanford Zoological Club. "The more I delve into science," asserts Prof. Seale, "the more reverence I have for the simple teachings of Christ." In speaking of military matters and wars he expresses the sentiments of early Quakers in this very strong language. "I have never been forced by militarism to kill any of my fellowmen, thank God. And I would not trade this record for Grant's or Lee's, or Kaiser William's." Prof. Seale has traveled much in pursuit of scientific knowledge. He served as the zoologist on a scientific expedition to Point Barrow and the Arctic in 1895; was in charge of a scien- tific expedition to the South Seas and Australia in 1900; curator at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu in 1899; in charge of a scientific expedition to Alaska for the University of California in 1906. He has visited practically all the large Island groups of the Pacific, also New Zealand, Australia, Si- beria, China, Japan, Formosa and Borneo, besides every State and large city in the United States. Prof. Seale was married on June 23, 1909, in California, to Miss Ethel Alice Prouty, of Windsor, Vermont. His residence address is Cambridge, Mass., and his business address is San Augustine Ranch, Santa Cruz, California.
About six months ago I received a cable from Harvard University, offering me a good position on their staff to do special scientific re- search in their Museum of Comparative Zoology. This is a fine place.
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Communications and Comment.
The museum was founded by Louis Agassiz and I find lots of speci- mens here collected by him.
I have been in the tropics for fourteen years, and so find Boston climate rather cold. I shall not care to stay here very long. In fact, I have just received rather a tempting offer from my own alma mater at Palo Alto, California, so I may return there within the next year.
I saved enough money in the Philippines to buy me one of the nicest ranches in California-the San Augustine. It is located just a little way out of the town of Santa Cruz, on Monterey Bay, in Cali- fornia. It has a fine bearing orchard of six hundred trees, a nice bung- alow, a trout stream with real trout in it, a mineral spring and sixty of those great California big trees on it. I now have it rented, but that is where I am going to spend most of the remaining portion of my life, and as it is within easy reach of Palo Alto, Stanford University, it makes the offer from that place all the more tempting.
I frequently receive letters from my uncle, William P. Seale. He writes an interesting letter, but he misses my father sadly.
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Do you know probably no one was ever loved more by his children than our dear old father was. And the best of it is my memory of him is never sad, for I always remember some funny story, or incident, he would always tell us. His was truly a successful life. Everyone loved him, and I don't think he ever had an evil thought towards a man in all his life. I treasure his memory.
I would be glad to get a letter from you telling me of your life in Florida. When I was down there you had a place on Indian River, or near that place. I went up it with Ora Bogue one time.
With kindest regards to all, from
ALVIN SEALE.
Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts, January 22, 1917.
(Editor's Note .- The writer is indebted to Dr. A. Henley for per- mission to print this interesting letter. It is a private communication. Those who are acquainted with Prof. Seale, and are aware of his innate modesty about his professional achievements, will understand from the very nature of the letter that it was not written for publication. )
John Seale, Sr., was born in the village of Stock, near Chelmsford, in the County of Essex, about thirty-five miles northeast of London, England, December 27, 1827, and died at Whittier, California, Decem- ber 19, 1914, at the age of eighty-six years, eleven months and twenty-
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The Making of a Township.
two days. His father, Elijah John Seale, was born May 13, 1804, in Beech Street, London, and the mother, Elizabeth ( Radley) Seale, was born August 29, 1804, at Purleigh, Essex County, England. At the age of fifteen the subject of this sketch was apprenticed to a farmer named John Jasper Bull. Upon the completion of his apprenticeship he re- turned to his father's home at Plaistow Lodge, Essex. In 1848 John Jasper and Elizabeth Emson Bull came to America and entered a home-
THE BIG SNOW (February 22 and 23, 1914)
The above picture shows the big snow drift along the east side of Main Street, between Washington and Adams Streets. For three or four days traffice on the Interurban was almost entirely interrupted. Country roads were impassable, and in many places people were compelled to dig their way out of their homes. There were no schools open in Fairmount or surround- ing country for several days. In many places the snow drifts were more than six feet deep.
stead. This homestead adjoins Fairmount corporation on the west, and was for many years the property of Nathan D. Wilson. later pass- ing into the hands of Mr. Seale. In the home of John J. and Eliza- beth Bull lived an only daughter, for whom the young apprentice had formed an ardent affection. This attachment was increased by the separation. Upon reaching his majority John Scale left his native land and crossed the Atlantic on a sailing vessel. The voyage in those days required six weeks. Arriving in New York, he journeyed by river, lake and canal to Lagro, Indiana, and from Lagro by wagon to
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Jonesboro, walking from there to the double log house located on the knoll at what is now the west end of Second Street, arriving at the home of his sweetheart on May 12, 1849. In 1850 he was wedded to Miss Eliza Bull. After a brief but exceptionally happy married life the young husband was deprived by death of the object of his devotion. In 1859 he was married to Miss Amy Davidson, and to this union eight children were born, namely: Elizabeth Ann, Sarah Alice, Amy Ellen, Herbert E., and William Perry, all deceased ; Elijah John, Mary Anna Hancock and Isaac Alvin, the first two residing at Fairmount and the latter at Cambridge, Massachusetts. April 18, 1874, the wife and mother died. September 21, 1875, he was again married, to Asenath, daughter of Joseph and Miriam (Newby) Rich. Three children were . born of this marriage, namely: Dr. Joseph Pearle Seale, of Fair- mount, and Bertha S. Trueblood and Clista Seale, both residing at Whittier, California.
THE WAYNE TRAIL.
I think Joseph W. Baldwin gave the name Fairmount to your town. Mincher Cox gave it the name of Pucker, but it has long since out- grown that name.
I am sure Greely Bell and Dr. A. Henley have located the Fort Wayne road correctly. It ran through Summitville, and angling through the Kelsay farm, now owned by Mrs. Sluder, and thence north- east past the old Union school house and the farm then owned by Henry Osborn, and kept on the west side of the prairie past the farm of Otho Selby, and near Lake Galatia. I think it crossed the river at Wilson's ford.
I was deeply interested in your Sunday hike, and especially in that part of it relating to Back Creek Cemetery. Sleeping here for more than sixty years lies my grandfather. Jimmy Martin, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was present at Hull's disgraceful surrender. Here also sleep my uncle and aunt, who passed to their reward when your Township was in its infancy.
As I read the pathetic story of the young wife and the soldier and his sweetheart who slumber there, I am reminded of Knox's beautiful poem :
O, why should the spirit of mortal be proud ? Like a swift-fleeting meteor, a fast-flying cloud ;
A flash of the lightning, a break of the wave, Man passes from life to his rest in the grave.
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The maid on whose cheek, on whose brow, in whose eye, Shone beauty and pleasure-her triumphs are by : And the memory of those who loved her and praised. Are alike from the minds of the living erased.
I knew Thomas Wilson and was his schoolmate. He gave his life ·in defense of his country.
Reflections awakened by memories such as your correspondents de- scribe teaches us the frailty of man's hopes and the uncertainty of his undertakings. J. M. HUNDLEY.
Summitville, Indiana, February 2, 1917.
FEVER AND AGUE.
During the fifties and part of the sixties everyone, with very few exceptions (I don't remember an exception ), had the ague. One would begin about 9 a. m. to chill. I don't think it was possible to apply covering enough to relieve the chill for one hour, more or less. Then a severe headache and high fever for from two to four hours. The same thing over every alternate day until broken with quinine.
Another grade of ague was the third-day chills, which was harder to stop. Ague was in its prime from August to November. I remem- ber my father had the third day kind. Some recommended whiskey with wild cherry and dogwood bark, sarsaparilla root, prickly ash ber- ries (I don't remember what else). So it was decided I should go to Galatia after the whiskey.
They were using our horses tramping out wheat. John Helton said I could go past his house (on the north part of John Heavilin's farm). and his wife, Sarah, would saddle his old mare for me. She buckled a strap through the handle of the jug and around the horn of the saddle. I started southeast across Charles Child's place, N. A. Wilson's, through my own ; saw one little field on Thomas D. Duling's farm, struck a trail on the west bank of the prairie, followed it northeast, came through Selby farm, then the Norton farm ; all the cleared land was to my left.
There was a saw-mill to my right in the second bottom, as I re- member it. One house stood west of the mill, one nearly north. At the last house I asked the way to Galatia. The lady said I was in town then. She told me where the store was. It was four or five rods south- east of Bert Carroll's dwelling. I don't think there was an acre of cleared land in and adjoining town. I got my jug filled and gave the
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storekeeper a quarter. I don't think I saw over twenty-five acres of cleared land on the trip of over three miles. My memory is blank in regard to benefits received.
THOMAS WINSLOW.
Jonesboro, Indiana, February 12, 1917.
(Editor's Note .- The writer of the above communication is a grand- son of Thomas Winslow, who came to Fairmount Township in 1836. Milton Winslow, father of the contributor, was a Friends minister, and wrote a volume of poems which were widely read and appreciated. Reference is made by Hon. Edgar L. Goldthwait to this book of rhymes.
A PIONEER DOCTOR.
Our dear father, John Seale, as you know, was one of those grand old pioneers. He came to Fairmount in May, 1849.
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