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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
Under the Editorial Supervision of
JOHN W. TYNDALL, Decatur
For Adams Countv
O. E. LESH, Bluffton
For Wells County
Assisted by a Board of Advisory Editors
VOLUME
ILLUSTRATED
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO AND NEW YORK
1918
1204200
INTRODUCTION
Indiana has always stood for not only prosperity, but originality,
whether considered from the standpoint of the commonwealth or the
people. In politics it is often classed as doubtful, because its men and
women are thinkers, as well as doers, and are not led against their
wills. Especially is the northeastern part of Indiana typical of pros-
perity and energy, and Adams and Wells Counties are centers of
"God's country," as the real Hoosier calls his home hunting grounds,
his picturesque streams, his teeming fields and his hamlets, towns and
cities.
It is this diverse, useful and interesting country and people which
this history, now finished, has endeavored to depict. The counties,
which so worthily perpetuate the names of a great statesman and a
gallant soldier and Indian fighter, have put forth gallant soldiers of
the later days, successful business men, women of culture, and numer-
ous characters of both sexes whose strength and activity have been
given to social, moral and religious development.
From the very outset, it was the earnest aim of editors and pub-
lishers to gather all material information bearing upon the multitude
of topics which logically called for treatment and which the prospectus
had promised. As a rule, the responses were prompt and hearty,
although in scattered instances, and despite repeated requests, the
facts obtained were not as full as desired. Without mentioning all
who have thus promoted our enterprise, and co-operated in the light-
ening of our labors, the editors acknowledge their obligations to the
advisory boards of both counties and to the editors of the newspapers,
without exception. While it has been the constant aim of the editors
to give all credit who have materially contributed to the upbuilding
of any community or institution, the object has also been kept in mind
of endeavoring to observe literary proportions in the amount of space
accorded to the many topics considered. In the progress and com-
pletion of the work, we have endeavored to be impartial, as becomes
all historians, w ? hether writing of counties or of countries.
Although the United States refuses to be classed as a military na-
tion, or even as a country given over to money-making, whenever its
iv INTRODUCTION
people have been called upon to devote their energies and genius to
either specialty, the advances made have astounded the world. At
the outbreak of the Civil War the United States was only known for
its triumphs in the paths of peace; when the conflict had been con-
cluded military leaders of world-wide fame had been developed and
the scientific military leaders of Europe were studying its masterly
campaigns for original movements and tactics. It was America that
planted the seeds for the dreadnaughts and submarines of the warlike
world. The United States is now looming up as a young giant in the
World's War — every man, woman and child, with the true American
spirit, afire in mind and body.
Applying these truths to the small section of the Union covered
by Adams and Wells counties, the records of their achievements in
the Civil War and in the World's War of to-day stamp her people as
Americans in every fiber. Such centers as Decatur, Bluff ton and
Ossian have always given lavishly of their best manhood and woman-
hood, and the sons and daughters of the young soldiers of the present
will read with pride how their fathers bravely met all which they
were called upon to endure with the same spirit which animated the
soldiers of the Civil War.
The history of these counties will also illustrate the steadfastness
of numerous foreign-born residents, both in the peaceful development
of this section of Northeastern Indiana and in the contribution of
their young men to the various departments of war service at present.
The uplifting, inspiring work of women has also been worthily pic-
tured, and the one literary figure which is above all the rest is an
earnest woman of domestic genius. In short, we venture to claim that
there is material within the covers of this history to both interest and
instruct those of all ages and both sexes ; and every reasonable precau-
tion has been taken to make the subject matter reliable and complete.
With these general words of introduction the history of Adams and
Wells Counties must "speak, in detail, for itself.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
MIXED RED AND WHITE HISTORY
The Miamis and the Fur Trade — The Father of Little Turtle —
Little Turtle Himself — As a Statesman and a Man — Little
Turtle's Death — The Ml\mis Leave for Kansas— The Rivare
Indian Reservation — The Pottaw atomies — Watne's Campaign
of 1794 — The Old Wayne Trace — The Harmar Trail— The
Godfrey Trail, or Trace — State Roads, Successors of Trails. .1
CHAPTER II
PHYSICAL FEATURES AND PRIMAL INDUSTRIES
A Continental Water-Shed — Road-Building Materials — Soils of
the County — Topography — The Loblolly Country — Famous
Limberlost Region — Mrs. Gene Stratton-Porter's Descriptions
— Agriculture and Live Stock Organizations — -The County
Agents 11
CHAPTER III
GENERAL POLITICAL HISTORY
The American Northwest Founded — Authors of the Ordinance of
1787 — Manasseh Cutler's Practical Participation — Clearing
Indiana of Indians — St. Clair's Defeat — Changes in Civil Gov-
ernment — Evolution of Adams County — General Conditions
in 1819 24
vi CONTEXTS
CHAPTER IV
REAL PERIOD OF PIONEERING
Coming of First Actual Settlers — Thompson, op Thompson's
Prairie — First Out-and-Out Landlord — First Surveys and
Land Entries — The Reynolds Farm and Inn- — Samuel L. Rugg
— First to Settle in the North — Studabaker-Simison-McDow-
ell Colony — The Studabakers and Simisons — Simison's Bear
Story — Col. "William Vance — The Martins and Deffenbaughs
Enter the Limberlost Region — First Drowning in the Limber-
lost — 'Squire Martin Puts on Style— The Judays, McDaniels
and Eleys — John H. Fuelling — The Elzeys of Root Township
— Settled Near and at Decatur — Andrew Daugherty and His
$1.50 Residence — George A. and Byron H. Dent — First Town
of Adams County — The Bonds that Bind the Hoosiers — Early
Fourth of July Celebrations — The True Veterans of Adams
County — Patriotic Gatherings — Old Settlers' Meetings Re-
vived — The Oldest Twins in the United States 31
CHAPTER V
COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONS
First Gathering of County Officials — More Officials Named —
Three Commissioners' Districts — Two Road Districts — In :
spectors of Elections and Fence Viewers — Grand and Petit
Jurors — Johnson Site Selected as County Seat — Donations
at the County Seat — The Other Sites Offered — Organization
Further Perfected — County Finances and Jail — First Road
Improvements in County — Licenses, Vabious and Sundry —
Thrown into Debt the First Year — First County Jail — Crea-
tion and Organization of More Townships — The County Seal
— The Old Frame Courthouse — Contest of 1850 — The Court-
house of 1873 — Improved in Durability and Appearance — The
County Infirmary — Typical Pioneer and County Official —
Founder of Decatur — Roster of County Officials 50
CHAPTER VI
GENERAL COUNTY MATTERS
Population of the County — French and German Settlers —
Largest Land Owners in 1850 — Decadal Census Figures (1860-
CONTEXTS vii
1910) — Increase in Property Value, 1886-1916 — Taxes of the
County (1916) — Division of Farm Lands — Changes in Stand-
ard Crops and Live Stock — Early Roads — Wouldn 't be Forced
as "John Doe" — Direction of Travel Diverted — Grand Rapids
& Indiana Railroad — Toledo, St. Louis & Western — The
( Jhicago & Erie Railroad 70
CHAPTER VII
THE TIMES OF LONG AGO
A Country Home of the "40s — Building the Log House — The
Chimney and Fireplace — The Door and Latchstring — Interior
of the Cabin — Cooking Utensils — True Hominy and Samp —
Old-Style String Instruments — Suspicious "Boughten"
Clothes — Variety in Dress. Then and Now — Hospitality of
the Olden Time — In the Times of Barter — Peltries, Near-
Money — Stuff the Stayers Were Made of — Grinding Corn by
Hand — Mills and Agricultural Implements — Hoc. Shooting
and Sticking — Pork Packing and Marketing — Fighting Fire
with Fire — Eradicating the Wild Hogs — Exterminating the
Wolves — Hunting Bees — After the Snakes — How You Feel
with Chills and Fever — The Spelling School Thrills — More
for Fun Than Music — Industrious Amusements — Saturday, a
Half Holiday — A Militant Captain — Wolf and Bear Stories
— Running Down Indian Horse Thieves — Overlooking the
Vital Point 83
CHAPTER VIII
LEGAL AND MEDICAL
Early Local Judiciary — Didn't Like His Job — First Grand and
Petit Jurors — The Circuit and Probate Courts — Pioneer Res-
ident Lawyers — David Studabaker — James T. Merryman —
James R. Bobo — Daniel D. Heller — The Associate and Probate
Judges — Circuit and Common Pleas Judges — Prosecuting
Attorneys — Other Early Lawyers — Charles M. and John T.
France — Ten Years Ago and Now — A Legal Retrospect — Jin-
kinson Cleared His Man — The Country Doctor. — Pioneer Res-
ident Physicians — Leading Physicians in 1887 and 1917. . . .114
viii CONTENTS
CHAPTER IX
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADAMS COUNTY
Savage and Civilized Co-Education — Fur Traders and Mission-
aries — Negro Slavery in Indiana — Opinions of Free Schools —
Earliest Settlements — Free School System Enforced — Second
Constitution — School Property — Roads, Farms and Pioneers —
Parochial Schools — Graded Schools — Decatur City Schools —
Linn Grove Schools — Geneva Schools — Monmouth Graded
Schools — Pleasant Mills Graded School — Berne Schools —
Monroe Schools — Peterson Schools — Central High Schools —
Discontinued Graded Schools — Bobo, or Rivabe, Graded School
— Ceylon Graded Schools — The County Agent — Local School
Officers — The County Superintendence 126
CHAPTER X
MILITARY AND WAR MATTERS
Ante-Civil War Companies — Martial Spirit Springs Up Over-
Night — First Contributions of Men — Bounties and Relef —
Company C, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry — Byron H. Dent
— Three Companies of the Eighty-ninth Infantry — Capt. A.
J. Hill — Death of Maj. Sam Henry and Others — The
Eleventh Cavalry — Norval Blackburn — The Thirteenth Cav-
alry — Sam Henry Post No. 33, G. A. R. — Civil War Boddss at
Geneva — The Spanish-American War — Company B, Fourth In-
diana Infantry — Becomes the One Hundred Sixteth Regi-
ment in Federal Service — Movement for a Soldiers' Monument
— Site Selected and Cornerstone Laid — The Soldiers of FrvE
Wars — Dedication of the Monument — How the Memorial Ap-
pears — Adams County in the World's War — National Guard
Mustered into the United States Service — Company A, Fourth
Infantry — Men in Service, Sprung of 1918 — State University's
Honor Tablet 151
CHAPTER XI
CITY OF DECATUR
Original Town Platted — First House and Store — J. D. Nutman
Locates — A Growing Decade, 1S40-50 — Village or Town Gov-
INDEX ix
ernment organized general progress as a town decatur
a City — Fire Department Organized — Municipal Koster Cover-
ing Thirty Years — Improvement of Streets — Public Utilities
op the '90s — City Park — Construction of the Waterworks —
The Original Plant and System — Electric Department In-
stalled — No. 2 Reservoir Built — Combined Water and Electric
Services — Water Supply and Distribution — Cost and Distribu-
tion of Electric Department — Superintendents of Water-
works and Electric Service; — The Public School Buildings-
Superintendent Worthman's History — The Decatur Public
Library — Pioneer Local Newspapers — The Adams County
Democrat — The Lively Eagle — The Decatur Democrat
— Decatur Evening Herald — Banks of Decatur — Industries
— Horse Sales — Holland-St. Louis Sugar Works — The
Churches — St. Mary 's Catholic Church — Methodism in Adams
County — Decatur's First Methodist Resident Pastor — First
Methodist Meeting House — Progress of Decatur M. E. Church
— The Presbyterian Church — Decatur Baptist Church — Zion
Reformed Church — First Evangelical Church — Other Re-
ligious Bodies — Secret and Benevolent Societies — The Odd
Fellows — The Masons — Knights of Pythias — The Elks' Club
— Knights of Columbus — The Moose Lodge — Old Home
Week 174
CHAPTER XII
TOWN OF BERNE
Leading Mennonite Center in America — Original Swiss-German
Colony — Berne Founded — Descendants of Original Families —
The First Store — Extension of Town Area — Berne of Today —
The Pioneer Schools — The Berne Postoffice — Hotels — The
Mills — The Doctors and Lawyers — Berne Corporation — Sta-
tus of Local Matters in 1887 — A German Prohibition Town —
Municipal Roster — The Public School System — Fires and the
Fire Department — Municipal Electric Light Plant — As a
Shipping Center — Building Materials — Banks of Berne —
Mennonite Book Concern — The Berne Witness — Religious
Bodies — The Evangelical Church — First Mennonite Church —
The German Reformed Church — The Missionary Church —
John A. Sprunger and His Orphanage — The Local
Lodges 214
x CONTENTS
CHAPTER XIII
GENEVA AND MONROE
The Old Town op Alexander — Town op Buffalo Platted — Evo-
lution op Geneva — A Railroad Town — Geneva, the Infant —
Pen-Picture of Gene Stratton-Porter — Education, Early
and Late — As a Center of Methodism — United Brethren
Church — Geneva Incorporated — Early in the Newspaper
Field — Tlie Banks of Geneva — ■ Patriotic Organizations —
Secret and Benevolent Societies — Old Town of Monroe —
The Railroad Revival — The Bank and Telephone System —
Fine High School — Business Houses and Newspaper — The
Churches — Decatur and Monroe M. E. Circuits — Not a Strong
Lodge Town 237
CHAPTER XIV
OTHER ADAMS COUNTY TOWNS
Township of Churches and Schools — Magley — Town of Preble
Platted — Standard Oil Company's Station — Other Preble In-
stitutions — Pleasant Mills — Linn Grove (Buena Vista) —
— Coryville — Peterson — Monmouth and Williams — Steele
(Salem) — Ceylon . .251
CHAPTER XV
WELLS COUNTY
MATERIAL WEALTH AND PROGRESS
General Description — The Subsoil — Glacial Marks — The Founda-
tion Soil, — Topography and Drainage — Changes in Vegetation
— Animals, Early and Late — Artificial Drainage in Wells
County — First Open Ditches — Drainage Commissioners Under
State Laws — First Public Ditches Partially Tiled — The Lake
Erie Basin and Wabash River Valley — Ditches Paralleling
Main Streams — The Great Northeastern Ditch — The Rock
Creek Drain — Big Three Mile Ditch — Elick-Michaels Ditches
CONTEXTS xi
— Large Tile Drains — Open Drain Through Solid Kock — Other
Leading Ditches — Progress from 1908 to 1917 — Agricul-
tural Education — County Agricultural Organizations — The
County Agent's Work — Increasing the Production of Corn-
Protecting and Improving the Hogs — The Broad, Progressive
Farmer of Today — Changes in Cereals and Live Stock — Com-
parative Soil and Animal Wealth (1884-1917) — County Acre-
age (1917) — Cereals of County (1917)— Live Stock by Town-
ships (1917)— Population of the County (1860-1910)— Popula-
tion by Townships (1890-1910) — Comparative Property Valua-
tion (1884-1917) — Value of Taxable Property (1917) — Auto-
mobile Income and Roads — ■Finances of the County — Indebted-
ness on Account of Roads 260
CHAPTER XVI
UNORGANIZED PIONEER PERIOD
Counties Carved from Indian Country — Captain Wells, After
Whom the County Was Named — The Fort Dearborn Massacre
— Garrison Preparing for Departure — Captain Wells' Life of
Romance — Arrival of Captain Wells Too Late — Destruction
of Liquor Infuriates Savages — The Death March from Fort
Dearborn — The Ambuscade and Massacre; — Dr. Joseph Knox
and the Norcrosses — Nun McIntyre — Tree Dwellers of the
County — Bowen Hale, Pioneer Benedict and Merchant —
Starts Trading Post Near Murray — Not a Mighty Hunter —
A Bluffton Merchant — Lost a Good Lawyer But a Poor
Speller — The Harveys — Henry Miller — Pioneer Events —
Greatest Drawback to Settlement — Wells County Pioneer
Association — General Pioneer Pictures — The Chase in Wells
County — Isaac Covert — "Wils." Bulger — The Wild Woman —
Paying Postage Some Job 284
CHAPTER XVII
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
First Steps in Organizing Wells County — How Bluffton Won
the County Seat — Report of the Locating Commissioners —
CONTENTS
First County Board — Its First Meeting — Moderate Ta
Election Districts and Townships — Official Bowen Hale-
Surveyor Casebeer and the First Public Roads — Various
Official Appointments — Bluffton Surveyed and Platted —
First Treasury Report — The First Court House and Jail —
The Second (Brick) Court House — Present Jail and Sheriff's
Residence — The Court House of the Present — County
Infirmary and Orphans' Asylum — Roster of County Officials
1837-1917 — Some Old-Time Office Holders — Early Schools
and Teachers of the County — Tendency of Late Years —
Historic Development of the System — The High Schools of
the County — Uniform High School Course — Agriculture and
Domestic Science Introduced — Most Modern School Build-
ings^ — Teachers' Institutes — Professor Allen's Sketch of the
County Schools — Increased Value of School Property in
Thirty Years 304
CHAPTER XVIII
ALL KINDS OF ROADS
Bluffton-Fort Wayne Plank Road — Unrealized Railroad Proj-
ects — The Muncte Route — First Ties Laid in the County —
Driving the First Spikes — John Studabaker, Railroad Father
— Hugh Dougherty Describes the Building of the Road — Roads
and Traffic in 1865 — John Studabaker to the Front — Con-
tract Let for Muncie Road — Mr. Dougherty in Charge of Con-
struction — Collecting at the Point of the Gun — His Client
Not Favored — A Railroad or Not a Railroad (?) — Financial
Complications — Building of the Second Railroad — The
' ' Clover Leaf, ' ' or Bust — The Chicago & Erie Line — The Trac-
tion Lines 333
CHAPTER XIX
LEGAL AND MEDICAL MATTERS
Before the Circuit Court Was — Circuit Court Organized — A Dis-
couraging First Suit — First Indictments Presented — David Kil-
gore Succeeds Judge Ewing — Prominent Citizens Indicted for
CONTENTS xiii
Betting — First Divorce Suit — First Resident Lawyer — First
Probate Entry — Judge James W. Borden — David H. Colerick
— John W. Dawson — First Conviction op a Felon — Last As-
sociate Judge — James L. Worden — Old-Time Speedy Justice —
James F. McDowell and George S. Brown — The Murphy-Free-
man Trial — Judge Edwin R. Wilson — Wholesale Divorce Busi-
ness — Court Changes, 1865-84 — Crimes Against Life — The
Court op Common Pleas — Wells County Bar in 1887 — The
Bench and Bar Since 1885— The Old Country Doctor — Doctor
Melsheimer's Description — How It Was Thirty Years Ago —
Pioneer Physicians and Early Epidemics — The Wells County
Medical Society 349
CHAPTER XX
WAR PREPARATION
First Civil War Volunteers — The Drafts in Wells County — Fi-
nancial Contributions — Representation in Men — Lieut.-Col.
William Swaim — Last Battle of the CrviL War — Maj. Peter
Studabaker — The Home Guards — Officers and Privates Who
Died in the Civil War — Soldiers of the War of 1812 — The Lew
Dailey Post of Bluffton — Reunion of the Forty-seventh
Regiment — The Spanish-American War — Regimental Officers
— Companies E and F, One Hundred Sixtieth Volunteer In-
fantry — In the War Against Germany, Et Al. — Captain Dunn
and Company A — Volunteers and Drafted Men 364
CHAPTER XXI
CITY OF BLUFFTON
Original Town Surveyed as Bluffton — First Sale of Lots — First
Merchant and Town Trustees — Mayors of the City — Original
Officials and Ordinances — "Markers" of Progress — Pioneer
and Early Industries — The First Newspaper — The First Bank
— Industries of the '70s and '80s — The Bliss House Built —
Bridges Over the Wabash — Telephone Placed in Service: — The
Waterworks — City Buys Electric Plant — Professor Allen
Writes of the Schools — Teacher Lost in Bluffton Wilds —
xiv CONTENTS
Early Disciplinarians and Schools — The "High" School —
The Central Building and Superintendent Reefy — High
School Organized by Professor Allen — Completion of Dif-
ferent School Buildings — List of Superintendents — The Pub-
lic Library — The Local Press of Bluffton — The Banks of
Bluffton — Bluffton Industries — Wells County Hospital —
Broad Breathing Spaces — Bluffton 's Churches — The Metho-
dist Churches — First Presbyterian Church — Bluffton Baptist
Church — Other Active Religious Bodies — Old Unfversalist
and Christian Societies — Secret and Benevolent Societies —
The Masons — Odd Fellowship in Bluffton — Knights of
Pythias and Pythian Sisters — Other Lodges, Tents, Camps,
Hives, etc 378
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 Townshd?
— Bethel United Brethren Church — Churches Near Ossian
— Local Lodges 414
CHAPTER XXIII
LIBERTY CENTER
John W. Rinear— Schoolhouse, the First Building — The Liberty
Township High School — Local Pioneering — Liberty Center
Deposit Bank— Baptist and Methodist Protestant Churches —
Village of Today 425
CHAPTER XXIV
OTHER VILLAGES AND STATIONS
Keystone — Its Churches — State Farmers Bank — Luther Twibell,
Founder — Neighbors Scarce, Wolves Plentiful, — Unscientific
CONTEXTS xv
Crowding — Arrival of First Cook Stove — Poneto — Worthing-
ton, First Village — Early Poneto — The Chalpants and the
Bank — Farmers State Bank — Churches at and Near Poneto —
Odd Fellows and Rebekahs — Zanesville — Churches of Lo-
cality^Markle, Formerly Tracy — Steps in Progress — Its
Strong Points — The Farmers and Traders Bank — The Markle
Journal — -Uniondale — George C. Ditzler and His Sawmill-
Henry W. Lipkey, Merchant, Postmaster, Railroad Agent—
Also, President of the Bank and Village — The Present Union-
dale — Tocsin — Michael C. Blue — Samuel Kunkel, Owner of
Original Town — Grain Business and Bank Established — Vera
Cruz, a Veteran Village — The Town Now — The Vitzes, Fa-
ther and Sons — Old Village of Lancaster — Murray Platted —
Petroleum — Kingsland — Rockford — Other Small Population
Centers 431
INDEX
Acreage, Wells county, 277
Adams, Albert F., 869
Adams County Agricultural Associa-
tion, 20
Adams County Bank, 178, 196
Adams County Democrat, 193
Adams County Fair Association, 22
Adams County Farmers ' Institute, 22
Adams County Horsemen 's Associa-
tion, 22
Adams County Poultry and Pet Stock
Association, 23
Adams County, physical features, 11;
primal industries, 11; topography,
14; county formed, 29; conditions
in 1819, 29; first white man, 29;
common schools, 29 ; first settlers,
32; first surveys, 34; first land
entry, 34: first town, 44; census of
1 850, 46 ; pioneers, 46 ; veterans,
46; county organized, 50; civil his-
tory, 50; court house (view), 51;
Board of County Commissioners,
50 ; commissioners ' districts, 53 ;
road districts, 53 ; inspectors of
election, 53; fence viewers, 53;
grand jurors, 53 ; petit jurors, 53 ;
first county seat, 54; geographical
center, 56; first courthouse (view),
56; finances, 57; jail, 57; first
county jail, 58; first marriage li-
cense, 58; county seal, 60; old
frame courthouse, 61 ; new county
jail (view), 62; courthouse of 1873,
63; county infirmary, 64; roster of
officials, 67; township trustees (por-
trait), 68; population, 70; land
owners in 1850, 71 ; census figures
1860-1910, 72; increase in property
value, 73; division of farm lands,
74; taxes, 74; crops anil livestock,
76; corn, oats and timothy, 76;
horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, 77;
early local judiciary, 114; bar, 114;
justices of the peace, 115; first
justice of the peace, 115; circuit
and probate courts, 116; pioneer
lawyers, 116; first resident lawyer,
116; associate and probate judges,
119; circuit and common pleas
judges, 120; prosecuting attorneys,
120; bar, first cases, 122; first
divorce case, 122; doctors, 123; pi-
oneer resident physicians, 124; first
physician, 124; physicians in 1887
and 1917, 125; educational devel-
opment, 126; in the Civil war, 132;
first log schoolhouse (view), 133;
first brick schoolhouse, 134; first
mail carriers, 134; graded schools,
138; county agent, 143; school offi-
cers, 144; county superintendency,
145; educational development, 149;
G. A. R., 159; in the World's war,
168; first Methodist meeting house,
203 ; first steam power press, 243
Addington, A. P., 621
Adler, William, 713
Agricultural education, Wells county,
~272
Agricultural implements, 93
Agricultural organizations, Adams
county, 20 ; Wells county, 273
Agricultural Society, First, 20
A-gue-nack-gue, 3
Alberson, Dennis, 768
Alberson, William C, 769
Alexander, old town of, 237
Allen, Israel T., 628
Allen, Philemon A., 320, 387, 453;
portrait, 321
American Northwest, 24
Amish Christian Church, 135
Amish Christian Church school, 136
Amstutz, Anna, 792
Amusements, pioneer, 106
Animal wealth, Wells county, 277
Animals, Wells county, 264
Ante-Civil War companies, Adams
county, 151
Apple-paring, 106
Archbold, Roy, 676
Archbold. William J., 639
Area of Wells county, 272
Arnold, E. C, 880
Arnold, James F., 927
Arnold, Lewis E., 611
Artificial drainage, Wells county, 265
INDEX
Associate judges, Adams county, 119
Attorney-at-law, requirements for in
the '40s, 122
Auditors, Adams county, 67; Wells
county, 313
Augsburger, Christian, 231
Automobile income, Wells county, 282
Automobile lines, 81, 438
Babcock, James D., 614
Baker, Philip L., 726
Baker School House, 134
Banks of Decatur, 196; Berne, 226;
Geneva, 244; Monroe, 250; first in
Bluffton, 383; Bluffton, 397; Po-
neto, 435; Uniondale, 442; Tocsin,
445
Banner, 450
Banner Publishing Company, 393
Banter, John W., 680
Baptist church, Decatur, 206; Bluff-
ton, 404; Liberty Center, 429
Bar in 1887, Wells' county, 358
Barkley, Henry, 888
Barr, William E., 485
Barlett, Isaac, 700
Barton, William, 291
Battery A., 139th Field Artillery, 171
Baumgartner, Christian, 231
Baumgartner, David, 231
Baumgartner, Levi L„ 934
Bay, John W„ 526
Bear, 38
Bear stories, 108
Beaver, 264
Beaver dams, 14, 15
Beavers, Seth D., 972
Beerbower, Lewis M., 625
Beerbower, Theo A., 856
Bees, hunting, 99
Bell, Clarence E., 933
Bell, James, 314
Bell, John, 569
Bell, Sherman, 570
Bench and bar since 1885, Wells
county, 359
Benevolent Societies, Bluffton, 406
Bennett, Joseph E., 653
Berling, Garret C, 833
Boiling, Helena, 834
Berling, W. H., 477
Berne, population, 73 ; property value,
74; taxes, 74; schools, 141; school
enrollment, 150 ; leading Mennonite
center in America, 215; Swiss-Ger-
man colony, 215; founded. 215;
first store, 216; extension of town
area. 216; descendants of original
families, 216; present town, 217;
pioneer school, 217; postoffiee, 218;
hotels, 219; mills, 219; doctors and
lawyers. 220 ; incorporated a vil-
lage, 220; prohibition, 221; munic-
ipal roster, 223; public school sys-
tem, 223; fires and fire department,
224; municipal electric light plant,
224; shipping center, 225; banks,
226; religious bodies, 230; lodges,
236
Berne Lodge No. 398, Knights of
Pythias, 236
Berne Lodge No. 939, Independent
Order of Odd Fellows, 236
Berne Orphanage, 236
Berne Public School (view), 218
Berne Witness, 228
Bethel United Brethren Church,
Biberstin'e, Fred, 608
Bienz, Adam J., 801
Big Blue Creek, 14
Bird's Eye View, Markle, 439
Black bear, 264
Blackberries, Wells county, 264
Blackburn, Norval, 157
Blackman, Charles J., 500
Blakey, Arthur C, 800
Bleeke, Otto, 782
Bliss House built, 385
Blocher, William M., 896
Bloomfield, 134
Blue, Capolis L., 512
Blue Creek, 30
Blue Creek prairie, 14
Blue Creek township, pioneer period,
31; created, 60; population, 73;
property value, 74; taxes, 74; farm
lands, 76 ; crops, 76 ; live stock, 77 ;
school enrollment, 149; war boun-
ties, 153
Blue, Michael C, 442, 544
Bluffton, 10, 378; population, 280;
land value, 282; a merchant, 295;
how won county seat, 306; surveyed
and platted, 309; how named, 379;
first sale of lots, 380; first mer-
chant and town trustees, 380 ; may-
ors, 381 ; original officials and or-
dinances, 381; "markers" of
progress, 381; tavern, 382; first
schoolhouse, 382; churches, 382;
newspaper, 382; pioneer and early
industries, 383; first newspaper,
383; first bank, 383; corn planter
factory, 384; bridges, 385; fire de-
partment, 385; telephone, 386; wa-
ter works, 386; electric plant, 387;
schools, 387; early disciplinarians
and schools, 388; "High" school,
390; Central Building erected, 390;
Hia-h school organized, 391 ; com-
pletion of different school buildings,
391 ; superintendents of schools,
391; public library, 391; news-
papers, 393; banks, 397; industries,
INDEX
398; parks, 401; churches, 402;
secret and benevolent societies, 406
Bluffton Banner, 393
Bluffton Buildings (views), 389
Bluffton, Central School (view), 317
Bluffton Chapter No. 95, R. A. M.,
408
Bluffton Commandary No. 38, K. T.,
408
Bluffton Council No. 63, R. & S. M.,
408
BIuffton-Fort Wayne Plank Boad, 333
Bluffton from the East and South
(views), 394
Bluffton, Geneva & Celina Traction
line, 347
Bluffton Lodge No. 114, I. O. O. F.,
410
Bluffton Lodge No. 145, F. & A.
M., 407
Bluffton Lodge No. 786, B. P. O. E.,
411
Bluffton 's Public Library (view), 392
Board of County Commissioners,
Adams county, first meeting of, 50
Bobo, James R., 118
Bobo postoffice, 32, 252; school, 142
Borden, James W., 352
Boruin Run, 14
Bosse, John W., 974
Bowman, Isaac J., 734
Boxell, Ezekiel, 677
Bradford School House, 134
Brandyberry, Irvin, 147, 778
Braun, Peter, 838
Breiner, Henry A., 727
Bremcrkamp, H. Henry, 750
Brentlinger, C. L. 755
Brick house, first in Decatur, 176
Brickley, J. A., 693
Bridges, old, at Bluffton (views),
405; modern (views), 409
Bridges over the Wabash, 385
Briggs, Andrew 6., 881
Briggs, William W., 975
Brinneman, Daniel T., 660
Brite, Julius J., 900
Brotherton, James A., 528
Brown, Asa W., 484
Brown, George S., 355
Brown, James D., Jr., 728
Brown, T. Frank, 661
Brown, William, 626
Bryan, W. J., speaking during Old
Home Week (view). 212
Buckmaster, A. D.. 862
Buckner, Francis M., 515
Buckner. John T., 510
Buena Vista, 38, 257
Buffalo, town platted, 238
Bugh, Ezra, 733
Bugh, William A., 117
Bulger, Wilson M., 315
Bulger, "Wils", 301
Bultemeier, Fred, 704
Busche, Ernest W., 832
Bushee, William, 507
Butler, Benj. F., 709
Butler, Horace E., 749
Calico, 89
Canoper, 134
Canoper Creek, 14
Carington 's Ford, 9
Carroll, Edward L., 698
Carter, Luther E., 885
Case, Almon, 291
Case, Andrew J., 827 ~
Casebeer, John, 308
Case, Robert, 591
Case's tavern, 380
Cassell, Edgar N., 637
Catholic church, first mass in Adams
county, 137
Catholic church schools, 135
Cattle, Adams county, 77
Census figures, Adams county, 72
Census of 18:10, Adams county, 46
Center of Methodism, 242
Central High Schools, Adams county,
142
Central School, Bluffton (view), 317
Central School Building, Bluffton, 390
Cereals, changes in, 276; Wells
county, 279
Ceylon, 259; graded schools, 142
Chalfant, Abner, 435, 565
Chalfant, Chads, 435
Chalfant, Charles, 512
Chalfant, Reason, 435
Chalfant, Robert D., 508
Champer, J. C, 124
Chester township, first drainage ditch,
266; tile drains, 271; acreage, 277;
cereals, 279; live stock, 279; pop-
ulation, 280; land value, 282; in-
debtedness, 283 ; pioneers, 291 ; es-
tablished, 308; schools, 326; school
enrollment, 327; Civil war drafts,
365
Chicago & Atlantic Railroad, 179
Chicago & Erie Line, 347
Chills and fever, 100
Chimney Corner (view), 87
Cholera, 362
Christen, Charles N., 757
Christen, Edward S., 149, 958
Christen, Richard G., 975
Christian church, Decatur, 207
Christian Society, Bluffton, 406
Christianer, Conrad C. W., 731
"Christlicher Bvrades-Bote, " 227
Christman, George F., 522
Chronicle, Bluffton, 395
Churches, Decatur, 200; Monroe, 251;
Sylvanus, 315; Bluffton, 382, 402;
INDEX
near Ossian, 424; Keystone, 432;
Poneto, 436; Zanesville, 437
Church of Christ, Decatur, 208
Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne
Railroad, 179
Circuit courts, Adams county, 116;
Wells county, 349
Citizens Telephone Company, 183
City Park, Decatur, 183
Civil government, changes in, 28
Civil history of Adams county, 50
Civil war, first volunteers, Adams
county, 152; war bounties, 152;
volunteers, Wells county, 364; last
battle of, 367; officers and privates
of Wells county who died in, 371
Clark, Curtis W.. 615
Clark, General, 24
Clark, James S., 500
Clerks, Wells county, 313
Cline, Jay A., 783
Clingenpeel, William I., 598
Clover Leaf Railroad, 81, 345
Clover Leaf Bridge, Bluff ton (view
from), 346
Clowser, John W., 607
Coffee School House, 132
Coffroth, John R., 315
Cohoe, Asa, 388
Colchin, Herman A., 753
Colerick, David L., 352
Collins, John W., 660
Colter, Ben S., 822
Colter, Henry, 787
Common Pleas Court, 358
( 'ommissioners ' Districts, 53
Company A, Fourth Indiana National
Guard, 168
Company A, Fourth Infantry, 169
Company B, Fourth Indiana Infantry,
161
Company B, Fourth Regiment, I. N.
G., 160
Company C, Eleventh Cavalry, 157
Company C, Forty-Seventh Indiana
Infantry, 153
Company E, 160th Volunteer Infan-
try, Spanish-American War, 373;
leaving Bluffton (view), 374
Company F, 160th Volunteer Infan-
try, Spanish-American War, 375
Company G, Thirteenth Cavalry, 158
Company H, Eighty-ninth Infantry,
154
Company I, Eighty-ninth Infantry,
155
Company K, Eighty-ninth Infantrv,
155
Conrad, August, 714
Conrad, Louis, 738
Contest of 1850, 63
Continental water-shed, 11
Cook, Coat, 678
Cook, Elmore J., 845
Cooking utensils, 86
Corn, Adams County, 76; Wells
County, 276, 279; increasing pro-
duction, Wells County, 274
Corn and More Corn (view), 13
Corn grinding by hand, 93
Corn-husking, 106, 325
Cornlands, 14
Corn Planter Factory (view), 384
Coroners, Adams County, 69
Corson, John B., 890
Corson, William W., 117
Country doctor, 123
Country home of the '40s, 84
County agent, Adams County,- 143;
Wells County, 273
County Board^ Wells County, first,
306
County clerks, Adams County, 67
County Fair, 20
County jail, first in Adams County,
58
County officials, Wells County, 312
County Seal, Adams County, 60;
County seat, first in Adams County,
o4 ; other sites offered in Adams
County, 55
County seat donations, 55
County superintendency, Adams Coun-
ty, 145
Courthouse of Adams County, 51;
first at Decatur, 55 ; old frame,
Adams County, 61; 1873, Decatur,
63
Courthouse, Wells County, first, 309;
view of interior, 310; second
(brick), 311; present, 311
Court changes, 1865-84, Wells County,
357
Cottrell, Francis M., 872
Coverdale. Jonas S., 478
Covert, Ellison, 314
Covert, Isaac, 301
Crabbs, Austin, 153
Craig, Robert, 417
Craig, William, 417
Craigville, 450; High school, 318;
school enrollment, 327
Crawford brothers, 215
Crawford, John, 215
Crawford, Josiah, 215; portrait, 91
Crescent Chapter No. 48, O. E. S., 410
Crimes against life, Wells county, 357
Crops, Adams County, 76
Crownover, Henry M., 904
Crum, Jefferson G., 729
Cullins, Fay W., 504.
Curran. Patrick, 523
Curyville, 257
Cutler, Manasseh, 25, 26
INDEX
Dailey, Esais W., 153, 956
Dailey, James, 315
Dailey, John O., 901
Dairy Herd (view), 265
Dane, Nathan, 25
Daniel, Emma, 568
Daniel, William H., 567
Daugherty, Andrew, 4.'!
Daughters of Pocahontas, No. 20,
Bluffton, 413
Daughters of Rebekah Lodge (No.
83), Bluffton, 411
Dawley, John C, 538
Dawson, John W., 353
Deam, Harry, 954
Deam, Jessie, 955
Deam, John C, 517
Debating societies, 325
Decatur, 45, 60, 63, 134, 174; first
courthouse, 55; founder of town,
66; population, 73; property value,
74; taxes, 74; first schoolhouse,
135; Lutheran schools, 136; city
schools, 138; school enrollment,
150; named in honor of American
naval hero, 175; first residence,
175; first store, 175; first brick
house, 176; village or town govern-
ment organized, 177; an incorpo-
rated town, 177; fires, 178; Masons,
178; population, 179; incorporated
as a city, 179; fire department,
180 ; municipal roster, 180 ; street
improvements, 181; pioneers (por-
traits), 178; public utilities of the
'90s, 183; waterworks, 184; water
supply and distribution, 185; public
school buildings, 187 ; first school-
house, 187; schools, 190; news-
papers, 193; banks, 196; industries,
197; horse sales, 198; churches,
200 ; Old Home week,. 213 ; secret
and benevolent societies, 208
Decatur and Monroe M. E. Circuits,
Decatur Baptist church, 206
Decatur Christian church, 207
Decatur Church of Christ, 208
Decatur Circuit, 252
Decatur Democrat, 21, 194
Decatur Driving Association, 21
Decatur Evening Herald, 195
Decatur First Evangelical church, 207
Decatur High School (view), 188
Decatur Presbyterian church, 204
Decatur Public Librarv, 191 ; view,
192
Decatur United Brethren church, 207
Decatur Waterworks Company, 184
Decker, Charles W., 489
Decker, Samuel, 315
Deem's Ford, 10
Deer, 264, 294
Den'eiibaugh, John, 39
Dent, Byron H., 43, 153, 154
Dent, George A., 43
De Yore, Ross, 628
Dismal Run, 14
Ditches, 270
Ditzler, George C, 441
Ditzler, William H., 573
Divorce case, first in Adams county,
122; first in Wells county, 351
Doctors, Berne, 220
Domestic, 450
Dougherty, Hugh, 336, 397
Douglas, Robert, 32
Drafted men, World war, Wells
county, 377
Drain through solid rock, 270
Drainage, Wells county, 262; arti-
ficial, 265
Drainage commissioners, 266
Dugau, Charles A., 778
Drum, Dorphis L., 613
Drummond, Robert, 42
Dubach, Fred, 711
Dunbar, Leander L., 861
Dunn, Charles R., 376
Dunn, John W., 903
Durbin, A. Q., 953
Durkin, Thomas J., 929
Dyar, E. W., 463
Eagles, Aerie No. 899, Bluffton, 413
Earliest settlements, 130
Early fairs, 20
Early roads, 77
Eastern Star, Order of the, Decatur,
210; Chapter No. 127, 210; Geneva,
No. 263, 248
Eckhart, William A., 604
Edris, Henry M., 501
Education, Geneva, 241
Education, savage and civilized, 127
Educational development, Adams
county, 126; statistics, 149
Edwards Electric Light Plant, 183
Egly, Abraham, 702
Ehinger, Edward X., 944
Ehle, Frank E., 594
Ehrmann, Nathan, 707
Eieher, Christian, 754
Eicher, John, 828
Eight-Mile Creek, 263
Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteer In-
fantry, 154, 369
Eiting, " Henry, 836
Election districts, Wells county, 308
Electric plant, Bluffton, 387
Electric service, superintendents of,
186
Eleventh Cavalrv Regiment, 157, 370
Eley, Michael, 41
Elick-Michaels ditches, 269
Elks, Bluffton, 411
Elks Club, 211
Elm Grove cemetery, 402
Elzey, Elisha V., 42
Emanuel Lutheran Church school, 136
Emmaus Society, Ossian, 423
Enabling Act of 1816, 29
English Northwest, 24
Erhart, Julius, 761
Erie Bridge, Bluffton, 343
Erie Railroad, 81
Erwin, Bichard K., 119
Evangelical Association, Breble town-
ship, 254
Evangelical church, Berne, 230
Evangelical Lutheran church, 135
Evans, John K., 52
Evening News, Bluffton, 395, 396
Everett, John, 756
Eversole, Charles T., 561
Evidences of material wealth (view),
261
Ewing, Charles W., 350
Exchange Bank, Bluffton, 384, 397
Exchange Hotel, Bluffton, 380
Fairs, first, 20; early, 20
Fairview cemetery, 402
Farlow, William, 860
Farlow, William R., 630
Farming scenes (views), 75
Farm lands, division of, Adams
county, 74
Farmers and Merchants State Bank
of Geneva, 245
Farmers and Traders Bank, Markle,
439
Farmers' Fair, 22
Farmers ' Institutes of Adams County,
22 ''
Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association,
21
Farmers State Bank, Ossian, 421
Farmers State Bank, Poneto, 435
Farmers State Bank, Preble, 256
Feasel, Charles W„ 824
Fellows, William, 362
Fence viewers, 53
Finances, Adams county, 57; Wells
county, 282
Fire departments, Decatur, 180;
Berne. 224; Bluffton, 385
Fire fighting with fire, 96
Fires in Decatur, 178; in Berne, 224
First Agricultural Society, 20
First cook stove, 433
First courthouse, Decatur, 55
First Evangelical Church, Decatur,
207
First fair, 20
First Fourth of July Celebration, 45
First grand and petit jurors, 115
First land entrv, Adams county, 34
First landlord, 34
First mail carriers, 134
First meeting of Adams County Board
of County Commissioners, 50
First Mennonite church, Berne, 230
First National Bank of Bluffton, 384
First National Bank, Decatur, 178,
196, 197, 777
First Presbyterian Church, Bluffton,
403
First Reformed Church, Bluffton, 406
First road improvements in Adams
county, 57
First settlers, 32
First surveys, 34
First Territorial Legislature con-
vened, 28
First white man in Adams county, 29
Fisher, George A., 505
Fisher, John O., 759
Flag of the Thirtv-fourth Regiment,
(view), 368
Flanders, David, 806
Fluckiger, Emil, 815
Fordyce, Simeon B., 642
Foreman, Edward L., 828
Foreman, James M., 785
Forests, modern clearing of (view),
295; Wells county, 264
Fort Dearborn Massacre, 286
Fort Defiance, 6
Fort Recovery, 8
Fort Recovery road, 8
Fort Wayne, 3, 8, 30; site of, 7
Fort Wayne & Northern Indiana
Traction Company, 347
Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville
Railroad, 334
Fort Wayne Plank Road, 417
Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, 153,
368; Reunion of, 372
Foundation soil, Wells county, 262
Founder of Decatur, 66
Founders of Ossian, 414
Fourth Indiana National Guard, 376
Fourth of July celebrations, 44; first
at Decatur, 45
Foxes, 264
France, Charles M., 121
France, John T., 121
Frantz, Peter, 564
Frantz, Winfield B., 565
Frauhiger, Noah, 475
Frazier, William, 766
"Freckles," 16
Free school system enforced, 131
Free schools,' 129; first in Indiana,
131
French, Andrew J., 739
French, Eli, 563
French, J. P., 4(>2
French Northwest, 24
French settlors, 71
INDEX
XXUl
French township, topography, 14;
population, 73; property value, 74;
taxes, 74; farm lands* 7H; erops,
77; live stock, 77; school enroll-
ment, 149
French traders, 3, 15
French Voyageur (portrait i, 2
Friedheim, first Lutheran Society,
254
Frisinger, John M., 732
Frisinger, Maynard A., 897
Fritzinger, Erastus, 818
I'm. elite, Edward, SKili
Fruechte, John, 936
Fruehte, .1. Fred, 695
Fuelling, Ernst, 72.3
Fuelling, Henry F., 730
Fuelling, John'H., 41
Fuhrman school, 254
Fulk, P. M., 718
Fulton, James, 315
Fur-bearing animals, 15
Fur traders, 128
Gallmeier, August, 912
Gallmeier, Conrad, 705
Gallmeier, William C, 710
Gallmeyer, Edward, 763
G. A. E. in Adams County, 159; John
P. Porter Post, Geneva, 160, 245;
Lew Dailey Post No. 33, Bluft'ton,
371
Garrett, Fanny, 635
Garrett, Frank C, 527
Garrett, I. V. L., 635
Garrett, Orin E\, 532
Gartou, Jonathan, 353
Gaunt, Ola L., 826
Gavin, Charles B., 595
Gavin, "William J., 631
Gazette, 193
Gehrett, Samuel, 652
Geneva, 15, 237; population, 73;
property value, 74; taxes, 74;
schools, 139; school enrollment,
150; Civil war bodies, 160; evolu-
tion of, 238 ; first regular passenger
trains, 239; education, 241; center
of Methodism, 242; incorporated,
243; newspapers, 243; banks, 244;
patriotic organizations, 245; secret
and benevolent societies, 247
Geneva's Business Street (view), 244
Geneva High School (view), 140
Geneva Lodge No. 514, Knights of
Pythias, 248
Geneva Lodge No. 621, A. F. & A. M.,
247
Geneva News, 244
Gephart, Philip, 775
Gerber, David, 583
German Reformed church, Berne, 234
German Reformed Congregation,
Preble township, 254
German settlers, 71
Gilbert, Perry E., 622
Gillig, Herman M., 819
(Milium, Henry, 752
(iilliom, Simon, 964
"Girl of the Limberlost, " 16
Glacial marks, Wells county, 262
Glass, John T., 415
Glendening, George F., 716
Godfrey trail, 9
Goodin, James L., 589
Goodspeed, George W., 531
Gordon, Frank W., 918
Gottsehalk, Andrew, 866
Graber, Jacob, 829
Graber, Peter F., 950
Graber, Victor, 794
Graded schools, 138
(.rain Germination, Variety of (view),
263
Grand Jurors, 53; first in Adams
county, 115; first in Wells county,
350
Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad,
16, 80, 215, 248
Gravel, 12
Gray, Harry, 273
(ire.it Northeastern Ditch, 268
Green, Edward, 471
Greer, John P., 352
Gregg, Fannie, 635
Gregg, John, 634
Griffith, James B., 685
Grim 's prairie, 14
Grove, Thomas F., 770
Guldin, Thomas C, 265, 579
Habegger, Peter A., 793
ffadley, Walter L., 493
Haitiey, Ralph W., 909
Hale, Bowen, 30S; portrait, 292
Hale, John D., 893
Hale, Silas W., 460
Hammell, Will, 765
Hamtramck, John F., 7
Hardison, James H., 886
Hardman Daniel K.. 594
Harkless, James C, 708
Harmar, General, 8
Harmar Trail, 8
Harris, Mathew F., 978
Harrison, General, 5
Harrison Guards, 370
Harrison township, streams, 263, 267;
drainage, 268; acreage, 277; ce-
reals, 279; live stock, 279; popula-
tion, 280; land value, 282; in-
debtedness, 283; first settlers, 298;
established, 30S; schools, 315, 316;
school enrollment, 327; Civil war
drafts, 365
INDEX
Hartford township, gravel, 12 ;
beaver dams, 15; first settlers, 39;
population, 73; property value, 74;
taxes, 74; farm lands, 76; crops,
77; live stock, 77; school enroll-
ment, 149 ; war bounties, 153
Hartle, John F., 617
Harvey, Charles E., Sr., 606
Harvey, James, 296
Harvey, John R., 618
Harvey, Robert, 296
Hatfield, Adam, Jr., 418
Hau<rk, Julius, 979
Hank, A. A., 595
Heath, William, Sr., 50
Heller, Daniel I), 145
Heller, Frank, 908
feller, Henry D., 9S4
Heller, John'H., 931
Hendricks, James A., 943
Henry, Andrew M., 922
Henry, S. D., 705
Henry, Sam. dentl) of, 156
Hesher, Frank, 574
Hesher, James, 588
Heuer, Fred H., 674
Hi'<-o'ins. Earl, 534
"High" school, Bluffton, 390
High schools, Bluffton, organized by
Professor Allen, 39]
High Schools, Geneva, (view), 140;
Decatur (view), 188; Monroe
250; Rural (view), 251; Liberty
Center (view), 317; Wells county,
uniform course, 318; agriculture
and domestic science introduced,
319
High, William A., 663
Hilgemann, John, 715
Hill, A. J., 155
Hitchcock, Samuel E., 645
Hite, Henry, 757
Hite, Samuel E., 773
Hoffacker, Charles, 606
Hoffman, James D., 891
Hoffman, John 6., 764
Hofstetter, John J., 856
Hogs (views), 21, 278; Adams county,
77; shooting and sticking, 94; wild,
97; cholera, 275; protecting and
improving, 275
Holland-St. Louis Sugar Works, 198;
(view), 199
Holthouse, John B., 810
Home-comings, 44
Home guards, Wells county, 370
Home Store, Monroe, 251
Hominy and samp, 87
Hooper, Paul G., 790
"Hoosier Schoolmaster, The," 325
Horses, Adams county, 77
Horse-racing, 21
Horse sales, 198
Horse thieves, 110
Hotels, Berne, 219
Houck, George M. T. t 720
Houk. John C, 736
House-raising, 106
Hower. Milton E.. 681
Huff, Henry H., 679
Huffman, D. C, 604
Huffman, Edward L., 624
Huffman, Levi, 592
Hunnicutt, Ulysses, 610
Hunsieker, Albert D., 690
Hunting bees, 99
Hunt, Perry F., 672
Hunt, William J., 780
Hu^er, Albert, 707
Huyette, Arthur R., 670
Illinois Territory, 29
Illustrations, French Voyageur, 2;
Anthony Wayne, 7; Corn, 13;
Hogs. 21 ; Major General St. Clair,
25 ; Northwest Territory, 25 ; A
Contented Old-time Couple, 33:
Peter Studabaker, 37; The McGriff
Twins, 47; Courthouse of Adams
County, 51; Adams' Countv 's First
Courthouse, 56; Old Log Jail, 59;
County Jail, Adams county. 62;
Adams County Infirmary, 65; Town-
shin Trustees of Adams County, 68;
Modern Fanning Scenes, 75; Modern
Live Stock Farm, 78; Log Cabin of
Our Ancestors. 84; Old-time Chim-
ney Corner, 87; Josiah Crawford,
91; Rustic Water Mill, 94; Spell-
ins School. 102; Johnny Appleseed,
105; David Studabaker, 117; First
Log Schoolhouse in Adams County,
133: High School. Geneva. 140;
Soldiers' Memorial at Decatur,
164; Two Decatur pioneers, 178;
Tvi.ical Street Improvements, 182;
High School, Decatur, 188; Decatur
Public Library. 192; Holland-St.
Louis Sugar Plant, Decatur, 199;
Scenes during Old Home Week at
Decatur, October 14-19, 1912, 202;
Old Home gathering at the Pres-
byterian Church in October, 1912,
205: W. J. Brvan Sneaking during
Old Home Week, 212; Berne Public
School, 218; The Mennonite church
at Berne. 231 ; Gene Stratton-Por-
ter's Limberlost Cabin, 240; Gen-
eva 's Business Street, 244; Twelve-
cornered Church South of Monroe,
249; Rural High School, 251; Evi-
dences of Material Wealth, ?61 :
Variety of Grain Germination. 263:
Special Dairv Herd, 265; Wabash at
Higli Water,' 267; A Seed Corn Se-
XXV
lective Meeting, 274; Seen at a
Live Stock Improvement Tour,
276; Hogs, 278; Wells County Per-
cherons, 281; Pioneer Utensils, 285 ;
Bowen Hale, 292 ; Modern Clearing
of the Forests, 295; Home-made
Self-feeder, 299; Old Mail Coach
Loaded, 302; Present Wells County
Courthouse, 305; Interior of Old
Courthouse, Wells County, 310;
Wells County Schools, 317; P. A.
Allen, 321; Forty Years ago and
Today, 331; John Studahaker, 338;
Erie ' Bridge, Bluff ton, 343 ; View
from Clover Leaf Bridge, 346; Old
Flag of the Thirty-fourth Regi-
ment. 36S; Company E Leaving
Bluffton (Spanish-American War),
374; Villa North, Bluffton, 379;
Corn Planter Factory, 384; Water
Works, Bluffton, 386; Three Old
Bluffton Buildings, 389; Bluffton 's
Pnl lie Library, 392; Bird's-eye
Views of Bluffton. 394; West Mar-
ket Street, Bluffton, 399; Old
Bridges at Bluffton, 405; Modern
Budges at Bluffton, 409; Street
Scene, Ossian, 415; Street Scene,
Poneto, 435; Bird's-eye View of
Markle, 439; Bird's-eve View.
Uniondale, 440; Oil Well, 447;
Wreck on the Clover Leaf Boad,
449
Increase in property value, Adams
county, 73
Indebtedness, Wells county, 283
Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
No. 719, Ossian, 424
I iidian Creek, 14
Indian horse thieves, 110
Indian trails, 9
Indiana State, 29
Indiana Territory, 28
Indians, clearing Indiana of, 26
Indictments, first in Wells county,
351
Industries, Adams county, 11; Deca-
tur, 197 ; pioneer and early in
Bluffton, 383; of '70s and '80s,
385; Bluffton, 398
Ineichen, George, 911
Infirmary, Adams county, 64; (view),
65
Infirmary, Wells county, 312
Inn, early, 32
Inspectors of Election, 53
Interior of Old Courthouse, Wells
County (view), 310
Isch, Ernest, 739
Isch, Fred J., 717
Ivins, Harvey L., 502
Jackson, James U., 530
Jackson, Samuel J., 529
Jackson township, streams, 263, 267.
ditches, 271; acreage, 277; cereals,
279; live stock, 279; population;
280; land value, 282; indebtedness,
283; lost township, 308; estab
lished, 308; early schools, 322
school enrollment, 327; Civil War
drafts, 365
Jacobs, Isaac L., 509
Jacobs, Leroy, 510
Jaebker, William P., 722
Jail, Adams county, 57; Old Log
(view), 59; Jail, new (view), 62
Jail, Wells county, first, 309; present,
Jefferson Guards, 371
Jefferson township, Adams county,
streams, 12; created, 60; popula-
tion, 73; property value, 74; taxes,
74; farm lands, 76; crops, 77; live
stock, 77; school enrollment, 149;
war bounties, 153
Jefferson township, Wells county,
streams, 263; drainage ditch, 266-
drainage, 207; ditches, 268; tile
drams, 270; acreage, 277; cereals,
279; live stock, 279; population,
280; land value. 2S2; indebtedness,
283; established, 308; first school,
322; school enrollment, 327; Civil
War drafts, 365; early settlers,
418; first schools, 418; Methodism
422
Jellison, John, 640
Johnny Appleseed (view), 105
John P. Porter Post No. 83, G. A R
Geneva, 160, 245
Johns, Henry E., 552
Johnson, David S., 514
Johnson, Edward H., 936
Johnson, Richard B., 937
Johnson, Ricklef B., 723
Johnson selected as county seat,
Adams county, 54
Johnson, Walter P., 786
Johnston, Jacob W., 835
Joliet, 1
Jones, Benjamin O., 878
Jones, Charles J., 947
Jones, John T., 784
Jones, William L., 602
Juday, Henry S., 40
Judges, Associate and Probate, 119;
Circuit and Common pleas, 120
Judiciary, Adams county early local
114
Justices of the Peace, Adams county,
35^ 115; first in Adams county,
INDEX
Kain, Clement T., 671
Kalver, Isadore A., 961
Kaltwasser, Charles, 495
Kasler, Herbert, 507
Keller, Henry E., 776
Kelley, B. C, 499
Kelley, John W., 499
Kellogg, Nelson, 315
Kennedy, John, 550
Keystone, population, 280; land
value, 282; public school (view),
317; high schools, 318; school en-
rollment, 327; churches, 432; bank,
432; founder of town, 432
Kiger, W. L., 498
Kilgore, David, 351
"Kinder Bote," 228
King, Benjamin J., 620
King, Rufus, 25
Kingsland, 448; railroad accident
near, 448
Kinsey, Samuel A., 724
Kintz, George A., 836
Kinzle, George E., 825
Kipfer, Ulrich, 231
Kirchner, Martin H., 902
Kirkland township, early settlers, 46;
population, 73 ; property value, 74 ;
taxes, 74; farm lands, 76; crops,
76; live stock, 77; school enroll-
ment, 149
Kirkwood, William, 315
Kirchner, Martin H., 902
Kirsch, Mathias, 688
Kirsch, Otto L., 972
Klingel, Charles T., 609
Knights of Columbus, 211
Knights of the Maccabees, Bluffton
Tent No. 163, 413; Geneva, 247
Knights of Pythias, 211; Berne, 236;
Lodge No. 398, 236; Geneva Lodge
No. 514, 248; Bluffton Lodge No.
92, 411; No. 343, Ossian, 424
Knox, Joseph, 290, 362
Kohler, Frederick A., 710
Kohne, Alphons C, 923
Kolter, Fred E., 745
Koons, George G., 852
Koontz, Thomas H., 475
Kraner, A. G., 853
Kreigh, John F., 633
Kremers, William, 935
Kribbs, Edwin R., 502
Krick, George M., 797
Krick, Henry, 925
Kunkel, Calvin D., 464
Kunkel, John O., 662
Kunkel, Samuel, 444
Kunkel, William A., 467
Ladies of the Maccabees, Asphalt
City Hive No. 132. Bluffton, 413
Lake Erie Basin, 267
Lammert, William, 849
Lancaster, 446
Lancaster, Louis G., 616
Lancaster, Orley L., 751
Lancaster township, streams, 263;
drainage, 267; ditehes, 268; acre-
age, 277; cereals, 279; live stock,
279; population, 280; land value,
282; indebtedness, 283; first white
man in Wells county, 290; early
settler, 297; first settlers, 298;
established, 308; first school, 320;
school enrollment, 327; Civil War
drafts, 365
Land appraisers, Adams county, 69
Land entry, first, 34
Landlord, first, 34
Land owners in 1850, Adams county,
71
Land values, Wells county, 282
Laughlin, Martin, 843
Law suit, first in Wells county, 350
Lawyers, Adams county pioneer, 116;
Berne, 220 ; Wells county, first resi-
dent, 352
Lee, William A., 553
Lee, Wilson H., 895
Lehman, Charles H., 805
Lehmann, Edith S., 923
Lehman, Manas, 821
Lehrman, Henry, 823
Leimgrubev, Adolph, 483
Lenhart, E. Burt, 788
Lenhart 's Run, 14
Leonard, Delmer F., 961
Lesh, Herman F., 619
Lesh, Orlo E., 497
Lew Dailey Post No. 33, G. A. R.,
371
Liberty Center Deposit Bank, 429
Liberty Center High School (view),
317
Liberty Center, school enrollment,
327; schoolhouse, first building,
427; pioneers, 428; bank, 429;
churches, 429
Liberty township, streams, 263;
drainage, 268; large tile drains,
270; acreage, 277; cereals, 279;
live stock, 279; population, 280;
land value, 282; indebtedness, 283;
established, 308; schools, 326;
school enrollment, 327; Civil War
drafts, 365; owner of government
land, 426; High School, 428
Librarv, Bluffton, 391
Library, Decatur, 191
Libraries, township, 325
Licenses, 57
Lick Run, 14
Liechty, Jacob J., 960
Limberlost, 14, 134
Limberlost region, 10, 15
INDEX
xxvu
Limberlost Cabin (view), 240
Limberlost Creek, 16
Limestone, 12
Liniger, Benediekt, 900
Linnemeier, Lawrence, 762
Linn Grove schools, 139
Linn Grove (Buena Vista), 257
Linn, Henry F., 764
Linsey, 89
Lipkey, Henrv W., 441
Little, John N., 124
Little Turtle, 3; death of, 4
Little, William B., 650
Lively Eagle, 194
Live stock, Adams County, 76; changes
in, 276; Wells county, 279
Live Stock Farm (view), 78
Live Stock Improvement Tour (view),
276
Live stock organizations, 20
Loblolly country, 15
Loblolly region, 12
Lockwood, James S., 560
Lockwood, Joseph P., 531
Lodges, Berne, 236
Log cabin description of, 84; view,
84; building of. 85
Log-rollings, 106, 325
Los Schoolhouse, First in Adams
County (view), 133
Long, Russell R., 859
Loom, 88
Lord, Reuben, 41
Lowdermilk, David M., 654
Lowe, Henrv, 31, 32
Lower, William A., 743
Lucky, George W. A., 146
Ludwig, David A., 644
Luginbill, Eli A., 870
Luginbill, Emela, 802
Luginbill, Samuel, 802
Lutz, Clark J., 816
MacMin, Philip L., 914
Maddox, Joseph C. G., 535
Man-ley, 255
Mail carriers, first in Adams county,
134
Mail Coach (view), 302
Mangold, Burt. 740
Mann, Enos, 42
Mann, George P., 315
Mann, James M.. 579
Mann, Josenh, 36
Marbaugh, Henry, 779
Marion & Blufft.on Traction line, 347
Markle, 438; Markle, population,
280; land value, 282; formerly
Tracy. 438; automobile bus lines,
138; bank, 439; bird's-eye view,
439: newspaper. 440; schools, 440
Markle Journal, 440
Markley, George F., 494
Marquart, Leo H., 559
Marquette, 1
Marriage license, first in Adams
county, 58
Marsh miasma, 998
Marshall, Louisa E., 887
Martin, George, 747
Martin, Joseph, 39
Martin, Josephus, 875
Martin, Luther, 734
Masons, Decatur, 178, 209; Chapter
No. 112, E. A. M., 209; Lodge No.
571, F. & A. M., 209; Lodge No.
252, A. F. & A. M., 209; Berne,
. 236; Geneva, 247; Bluffton, 407
Mass, first said in Adams county, 137
Mattax School House, 134
Mattox, Lemuel L., 885
Mayors of Bluffton, 381
Mazelin, Daniel, 814
Mazelin, David J., 824
MeBride, James A., 655
McClain, Mandeville W., 557
MoCleery, Samuel, 474
McClellan, Beatty, 116
McCray, John W., 948
McCullough, Nimrod, 773
McDaniei; Perry, 41
McDowell, James F., 355
McFarren, Earl R., 601
McFarren, George F., 600
MeGeath, Franklin P., 575
McGriff, John (portrait), 47
McGriff, Richard (portrait), 47
McGriff Twins, 47
Mi-Intvre, Nun, 291
McKean, T. J., 865
McKnight, David, 52
McKnight's Run, 14
McPherson Camp No. 11, Sons of
Veterans, Geneva, 246
Mead, C. H., 482
Medical Society, Wells County, 363
M. E. Circuits, Decatur and Monroe,
252
Me-she-ke-noquah, 3
Melslieimer, C. T., 360
Men in U. S. service, Spring of 1918,
171
Mennonite Book Concern, 226
Mennonite Center, leading in Amer-
ica, 215
Mennonite church, First, Berne, 230
Mennonite Church, The Berne (view),
231
Merchant, first in Bluffton, 380
Merriman, I. A., 651
Merryman, James T., 119
Methodism, Adams county, 201 ;
Geneva, 242 ; Jefferson township,
Wells county, 422
Methodist churches, Bluffton, 402
INDEX
Methodist meeting bouse, first in
Adams county, 203
Methodist pastor, Decatur 's first, 203
Methodist Protestant church, Liberty
Center, 429
Meyers School House, 134
Miami Confederacy, 3
Miamis, 1; principal chief of, 3;
leave for Kansas, 5
Michaels ditch, 269
Mickle, Samuel S., 20
Military company, first organized in
Adams county, 151
Military drafts in Wells county, 365
Military matters, 151
Miller, Andrew, 691
Miller, B. F., 610
Miller, Henry, 297
Miller, James M., 808
Miller, John, 729
Miller, John B., 566
Miller, John M., 625
Miller, Michael, 315, 920
Miller, Sephus, 576
Miller, William W., 781
Mills, 93; Berne, 219; first in Wells
county, 297
Mills, Fred V., 926
Missionaries, 128; among the Mia-
mis, 3
Missionary church, Berne, 234
Modern bridges at Bluff ton (views),
409
Modern Woodmen of American Camp
No. 11, 367; Bluffton, 413
Moesehberger, William, 855
Moltz, Harry B., 659
Monmouth, 44, 56, 63, 134, 258;
graded schools, 140
Monroe Centre, 134
Monroe Circuit, 252
Monroe M. E. Circuit, 252
Monroe, 63 ; population, 73 ; property
value, 74; taxes, 74; schools, 141;
old town of, 248; first sawmill at,
249; bank and telephone system,
250; high school, 250; newspaper,
251; churches, 251
Monroe State Bank, 250
Monroe township, pioneer families,
41 ; population, 73 ; property value,
74; taxes, 74; farm lands, 76;
crops, 76; school enrollment, 149;
war bounties, 153
Moore, William, 124
Moose Lodge, 211; No. 242, Bluffton,
413
Moran, John C, 916
Morris, David H.. 638
Morris, George B., 883
Morris, George S., 666
Morris, John A., 578
Morris, Mary E., 578
Morris, Sarah, 884
Morris, Thomas, 883
Morrison, John A., 700
Moser, Abraham J., 907
Moses, Annette L., 930
Mosure, John, 767
Mounsey, George R., 542
Muncie route, 334
Municipal electric light plant, Berne,
224
Municipal roster, Decatur, 180 ; Berne,
223
Murphy-Freeman trial, 356
Murray, 293, 296, 446; high schools,
:;18; school enrollment, 327
Musselman, Aaron L., 607
Mutschler, Fred, 831
Mver, Peter, 977
Myers, Dilman, 629
Myers, William J., 968
Mylott, Martin J., 946
National Guard mustered into the U.
S. service, 169
Nazarene Church, Bluffton, 406
Neff, Jacob J., 514
Nelson, John E., 803
Neptune, J. Q., 687
Neuenschwander, Christ A., 518
Neuenschwander, Edward, 634
Neuenschwander, Jonas, 706
Newhard, William F., 603
News, Ossian, 421
Newspapers, Decatur, 193; Gazette
first, 193; Geneva, 243; Bluffton,
382, 393; first in Bluffton, 383
Niblick, Charles S., 469
Niblick, George W., 503
Niblick, John, 456
Nidlinger, Jonathan D., 791
Norcross, Allen, 290
Noreross, Isaac, 290
Northern Indiana Fair, 23
Northwest Territory (map), 25
Nottingham township, streams, 263;
drainage, 268, 269; tile drains,
271; acreage, 277; cereals, 279;
live stock, 279; population, 280;
land value, 282; indebtedness, 283;
township established, 308; schools,
323, 328; school enrollment, 327;
Civil War drafts, 365
Numbers Creek, 14
Nutman, J. D., 176
Oats, Adams county, 76; Wells
county, 276, 279
Od.l Fellows, Decatur, 208; Berne,
236; Lodee No. 838. 236; Geneva,
247: Bluffton, 410; Lodge No. 752,
Poneto. 436
Office-holders, Wells countv, old-time,
314
INDEX
Officials, Adams county, roster of, 67
Officials, Bluff ton, 381
Ogle, William, 613
Oil station, Preble, 255
Oil wells (view), 447
Old Bridges at Bluff ton (views), 405
Old Buffalo, 10
Old Courthouse, Well* county (view
of interior), 310
Old Home Gathering at the Presby-
terian Church in October, 1912
(view), 205
Old Home Week, 213
Old Home Week at Decatur, October
14-19, 1912 (view), 202
Old Mail Coach (view), 302
Old Settlers' Meetings revived, 48
Old-time speedv justice, 354
Oliver, Austin, 616
Omlor, Jacob, 842
One Hundred and First Indiana In-
fantry, 369
One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana
Infantry, 369
One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regi-
ment, 370
One Hundred and Thirty-eighth In-
fantry, 370
One Hundred Thirty-ninth Field Ar-
tillery (World War), 171
One Hundred and Fifty-third In-
fantry, 370
One Hundred Sixtieth Indiana Volun-
teer Inf antrv, 161 ; Spanish-Ameri-
can War, 373
Onion fields, 14
Open ditches, first in Wells county,
266
Opliger, Lawrence, 148
Opossums, 264
Ordinance of 1787, 24, 304
Ordinances, Bluffton, 381
Original families of Berne, descend-
ants of, 216
Orphans' Asylum, Wells County, 312
Ossian, 414; population, 280; land
value, 282 ; first high school in
Wells county, 318; school enroll-
ment, 327; founders of, 414; first
township schools, 418; early days,
419; schools, 420; telephone, 420;
newspaper, 421 ; banks, 421 •
churches, 421 ; lodges, 424
Ossian Circuit, 422
Ossian Creamery, 419
Ossian Journal, 421
Ossian Lodge No. 297, Free & Ac-
cepted Masons, 424
Otters, 15
Owens, Grant G., 854
Palmer, Charles A.. 632
Parochial schools, 135
Parrish, Joshua R., 682
Parrish, M. F., 814
Passenger trains, first regular through
Geneva, 239
Patriotic organizations, Geneva, 243
Patriotic gatherings, 48
Pease, Joseph V., 746
Pence, George O., 647
People's Loan and Trust Company,
Decatur, 196
People's State Bank, Berne, 226
Peoples, Ferguson A., 967
Peppard, David, 315
Peterson, 257
Peterson schools, 141
Peterson, John S., 971
Peterson, Robert S., 121
Petit Jurors, 53 ; first in Adams
county, 115
Petroleum, 448; high s.-hools, 318;
school enrollment, 327 ; school
building (view), 317
Physical features, Adams county, 11
Phvsicians, Adams county, in "1887
and 1917, 125; Wells County, early,
361; pioneer, 362
Pierce, Jacob, 124
Pierce, John, 124
Pierce, Thomas, 124
Pike road, 36
Pioneer amusements, 106
Pioneer carpet weaving loom, 33
Pioneer events, Wells county, 297
Pioneer lawyers, Wells county, 359
Pioneer pictures, Wells county, 300
Pioneer schools, Berne, 217
Pioneer Utensils (view), 285
Pioneers, 31, 92, 428; Adams county,
46
Picjua Road, 78
Plank road, 78, 334
Pleasant Mills, 63, 256; graded
schools, 140
Plummer, Charles W., 631
Poe, 134
Poling, Charles B., 850
Poneto, 434; population, 280; land
value, 282; first called Worthing-
ton, 434; early days, 434; bank,
435; churches, '436; lodges, 436
Pontiac, 5
Pontius, Daniel, 879
Pontoon bridge, 40
Population, Adams countv, 70; Deca-
tur. 179; Wells county,' 279
Pork packing and marketing, 95
Portland, 134
Postage. 303
Post office, Berne, 218
Pottawatomies, 5
Prairie fire, 96
Preble, 255; oil station, 255
Preble Elevator Company, 256
Preble township, streams, 11; first
settler, 36; organized, 60; popula-
tion, 73; property value, 74; taxes,
74; farm lands, 76; crops, 76; live
stock, 77; school enrollment, 150;
war bounties, 153; schools, 254;
churches, 254
Presbyterian church, First, Bluffton,
403
Presbyterian church, Decatur, 204
Presbyterian church, Ossian, 421
Prillaman, Lewis, 315
Probate courts, Adams county, 116
Probate entry, first in Wells county,
Probate judges, Adams county, 119,
Prohibition town, 221
Prominent citizens of Wells county
indicted for betting, 351
Proper, Claude E., 677
Property valuation, Adams county,
increase in, 73 ; Wells county, 281
Prosecuting attorneys, Adams county,
120
Prospect Society, Ossian, 423
Public library, Bluffton, 391
Public library. Decatur, 191
Public road, Wells county, first, 308
Public school buildings, Decatur, 187
Public school system, Berne, 223
Public School, Kevstone (view). 317
Public School, Tocsin (view). 317
Public utilities of the '90s, Decatur,
183
Pyle, Grant, 476
Pythian Sisters, Bluffton, 411
Quakers, 8
Quinn, John P., US
Raber, John C, 506
Race track, 20
Raccoons, 264
Railroads, 80; revival, 248; projects,
334; first ties laid in the county,
335; building of second, 344; ac-
cident near Kingsland, 448
Rainbow Division. 169
Rainier, Charles F., 249
Randall, Joshua R., 314
Rawley. Jacob, 841
Ray, Edwin M., 905
Ray, Jesse A., 717
Ray schoolhouse, 134
Rebekahs, Order of, Poneto, 436
Recorders, Adams county, 67 ; Wells
county, 313
Redding, John L., 581
Red Men, Minnetonka Tribe, No. 82,
Bluffton. 413
Reic.heldeffer, Charles, 877
Reiff, J. H., 735
I.Viffton, 450
Religious bodies, Berne, 230
Reporter, Monroe, 251
Reppert, Fred, Jr., 940
Reppert, Otto, 966
Republican Bugle, 393
Reservoir No. 2 built, 185
Reynolds, David L., 741
Reynolds Farm, 34
Reynolds, John, 56
Rhea, Jehu S., 50
Rice, Sampson, 41
Rich, Peter, 830
Kichardville, Chief, 5
RiiMile, Forrest, 596
Rinear, John W., 425
Rivare graded school, 142
Rivare Indian Reservation, 530
Rivers, 11
Road-building materials, 12
Road districts, 53
Roads and traffic in 1865, 337
Roads, first improvements in Adams
county, 57 ; early, 77 ; Wells county,
282, 333; first public, 308
Robinson, William, 32
Robison, Homer E., 541
Rohison, Peter L., 541
Rock Creek, 263
Rock Creek drain, 268
Rock Creek township, streams, 263,
267, drainage. 268, tiled ditches,
269: acreage, 277; cereals, 279; live
stock, 279; population, 280; land
value, 282: indebtedness, 283; first
settlers. 298; township established,
308; school enrollment, 327; Civil
War drafts, 365
Rockford, 450
Roe, Jeremiah, 52
Rogers, Wharton W., 648
Rook, Clem, 537
Roop, Samuel A., 787
Root township, streams, 11 ; early set-
tler, 32; naming of, 35; pioneers,
41 ; population, 73 ; property value,
74; taxes, 74; farm lands, 76;
crops, 76; live stock, 77; school en-
rollment, 150; war bounties, 153
Royal Temple No. 24, Pythian Sisters,
Bluffton, 411
Pugg. Samuel L., 35, 64
Rumple, Daniel A., 846
Rumple. Jonathan, 851
Rumschlae, Joseph. 839
Pumschla?, Rosie T., 840
Runkle, Carry R.. 684
Runyon, David, 712
Run'ert. Anna. 830
Rural High School (view), 251
Snlnmonie River, 263
Salem, 258
INDEX
XXXI
Sam Henry Post No. 33, G. A. R. 159
Sawmill, first at Monroe, 249
Sawyer, Amos W., 562
Scene from Erie Bridge, Blnffton,
343
Sehaefer, Cornelius, 910
Schafer, Fred, 898
Sehenck, Charles D., 822
Seherry, Daniel J. C, 747
Scheumamr, August, 715
Sehieferstein, Phil L., 727
School Building, Petroleum (view),
317
School Building, Vera Cruz (view),
317
School buildings, Bluft'ton, completion
of, 391
Schoolhouse, first brick in Adams
county, 134
Schoolhouse, first in Bluffton, 382
Schoolhouse, first in Decatur, 135, 187
Schoolhouse the first building at Lib-
erty ( 'enter, 427
School property, 132; Wells county,
valuation in thirty years, 327
Schools, 129 ; free system enforced,
131; parochial, 135; Forty Years
Ago anil Today (views), 331
Schools, Adams Co., 29; graded, 138;
officers, 144— Bluffton, 388; city
superintendents of, 391 — Decatur,
187; statistic*, 190— first in Jef-
ferson township, Wells county, 418;
Osian. 420; Markle, 140— Monroe,
250— Wells county, early, 298, 315;
modern buildings, 319; enrollment
of pupils and teachers employed,
327
Schroeder, P. R., 233
Schueler, Jacob, 873
Schug, Philip, 871
Schulte, Henry, 772
Sehurger, John, 795
Sehwartz, David, 938
Schwartz, Jacob J., 803
Schwartz, Thomas F., 511
Scott, General, 6
Scott, Thomas E., 328
Secret and Benevolent Societies, De-
catur, 2Q8; Bluffton, 406
Seed Corn Selective Meeting (view),
274
Seimetz, Julius A., 585
Self-feeder, Home-made (view), 299
Sellemever, Herman W., 851
Settle, James E.. 694
Settle, Thomas J., 554
Settle. William H., 744
Settlement, Wells county, 284
Settlements, earliest in Indiana, 130
Settlers. First. 32; French and Ger-
man, 71
Seventeen Creek, 14
Seventy-fifth Infantry, 368
Severin, Louis, 487
Shadle, E. A., 581
Shadle, James N., 636
Shadle, John E., 572
Shafer, John W., 942
Shaffer graveyard, 32
Shalley, Earl K., 869
Shanks, Alonzo, 754
Sheep, Adams county, 77; Wells
county, 276
Shell, Albert, 780
Shepherd, Nathan B., 874
Sheriffs, Adams county, 69 ; Wells
county, 314
Sheriff 's residence, Wells county, 311
Shi] i] dug center at Berne, 225
Shoaf, Ambros F., 965
Shoemaker, Bruce W., 599
Shoemaker, Daniel P., 864
Shoemaker, John P., 876
Shrock, Gabriel, 587
Shrock, J. A., 588
Simison, Robert, 36 .
Simison 's bear story, 38
Sinning school, 104
Six-Mile Creek, 14, 263
Slack, James R., 153
Slavery in Indiana, 129
Smeltzer, William, 608
Smith, Adam, 981
Smith, Benjamin J., 760
Smith, David E., 114, 465
Smith, Herbert F., 6S4
Smith, John W., 481
Smith, John W., 667
Smith, Samuel, 50
Smith, Waldo E., 770
Smith, William R., 521
Smith, William S., 485
Snakes, 99
Snider, Samuel M., 496
Snow, John F., 84, 126, 146, 857
Snyder, Franklin, 853
Snyder, George D„ 479
Snyder, Susannah, 597
Snyder, Walter D., 598
Soil. 12; Wells county, 262; wealth,
277
Soldiers' Monument, Decatur, 162;
(view), 164
Soldiers of five wars, 165
Somers. L. E., 694
Sons of Veterans, McPherson Camp
No. 11, Geneva, 246
Sou.ler. Robert K., 653
Spanish-American war, 160, 373
Snelling school, 101. 325; (view), 102
S-encer, W. G., 117
Sm-ang, Daniel, 649
S' Ting Run. 14
S- runeer, John A.. 235
Sprunger, Joshua, 820
XXX11
INDEX
Sprunger, S. F., 222, 232
Sprunger, Ulrieh, 833
St. Clair, Major General, 4; portrait,
25
St. Clair's Defeat, 28
St. John's Lutheran Church, Preble
township, 254
St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Bluff-
ton, 404
St. Joseph 's Parochial Schools, 135,
137
St. Mary.'s Catholic Church, Decatur,
200, 584
St. Mary's river, 11, 14, 263
St. Mary's township, 256; streams,
11; Indian reservation, 30; town-
ship divided, 53 ; population, 73 ;
property value, 74; taxes, 74; farm
lands, 76; crops, 76; live stock, 77;
school enrollment, 150
St. Paul Lutheran Church school, 136
St. Peter's Lutheran Church, Preble
township, 255
St. Peter's Lutheran Church school,
136
Stafford, Frank, 586
Stage coach between Decatur and
Fort Wayne, 112
Standard Oil Company's Station,
Preble, 255
State Fanners Bank, Keystone, 432
State roads, 9
State University's honor tablet, 173
Steam power press, first in Adams
county, 243
Steele, Albert N., 657
Steele, George E., 641
Steele Park, 23
Steele fSalem), 258
Steiner, Oscar, 794
Steiner, Samuel, 794
Stepler, William F., 702
Stoutenbery, Jay B., 724
Strahm, Matthias, 231
Stratton-Porter, Gene, 16; pen-pic-
ture of, 240; view of Limberlost
Cabin, 240
Street Scene, Ossian, 415
Street Scene, Poneto, 435
Street improvements (view), 182
Street improvements, Decatur, 180
String instruments, old-style, 88
Stucky, David, 863
Studabaker Bank, The, Bluffton, 384,
397
Studabaker, David, 454; portrait, 117
Studabaker, John, 335; railroad fa-
ther, 336; portrait, 338
Studabaker, Peter, 36, 369; portrait,
37
Studler, Fred W., 952
Subsoil, Wells county, 261
Suman, O. J., 774
Superintendents of schools, Bluffton,
391
Superintendents of waterworks and
electric service, 186
Surveyors, Adams county, 69 ; Wells
county, 313
Surveys, first, Adams county, 34
Sutton & Heller, 983
Sutton, .Jesse C, 984
Sutton, John J., 762
Swaim Post No. 169, Ossian, 367
Swaim, William, 366
Swamp prairies, 14
Swisher, Harry B., 492
Swiss-German colony, original, 215
Taber, Goerge W., 513
Tangeman, Fred J., 491
Tate, Oliver F., 539
Taverns, 176; first in Geneva, 238
Taxable property valuation, Wells
county, 281
Taxes, Adams county, 74; Wells
county, 307
Teacher lost in Bluffton wilds, 388
Teachers ' Institutes, 326 ; Wells
county, 320
Teeple, David F., 919
Teeple, Isaac, 848
Teeple, Judson W., 805
Teeple, Samuel H., 882
Teeple, William B., 667
Telephone system, Monroe, 250; Bluff-
ton, 386; Ossian, 420
Temperance, 222
Templin, George, 555
Templin, Sanford H., 551
Territorial Legislature, first convened,
28
Territory of Illinois, 29
Tester, George W., 669
Thirteenth Cavalry, 158
Thirteenth Cavalry Regiment, 370
Thirtieth Regiment Volunteer Infan-
try, 366
Thirty-fourth Regiment, 366; Old
Flag of (view), 368
Thoma, Herman. 673
Thomas, Ralph C, 556
Thompson, Catherine, 742
Thompson, Ernest E., 525
Thompson, Howard W., 742
Thompson, William H., 530
Thompson 's prairie, 14, 32
Thornhil], Walter L., 865
Three-Mile Ditch, 269
Tieman, William H., 917
Tile drains, 269
Tiling open drains, 272
Timothy, Adams county, 76; Wells
county, 276, 279
To=cin, 442; Public School (view),
317; high school, 318; school en-
rollment, 327
Todd, Ralph S., 459
Toledo, St. Louis & Western Rail-
road, 80, 430
Toll gate, 79
Tolls, 79
Tonner, John, 848
Topography, Adams county, 14; Wells
county, 262.
Town, first in Adams county, 44
Townsend, Dick, 962
Township libraries, 325
Township organization, Adams coun-
ty, 60
Township Trustees, Adams county,
1912-1916 (portrait), 68
Townships, Wells county, 308
Town Trustees, first in Bluffton, 380
Traction lines, 81; Wells county, 347
Tracy, 438
Traveling preacher, 90
Truesdale, David, 315
Treasury report, Wells county, first,
309
Treasurers, Adams county, 69; Wells
county, 313
Tribe of Ben Hur, Court No. 7, Bluff-
ton, 413
Triumph, The, 243
Trout, William, 124
Trustees, Adams county, 68
Turtle Village, 3
Twelfth regiment, 366
Twelve-cornered Church South of
Monroe ( view ) , 249
Twenty-second Regiment, 366
Twentv-seven Mile Creek, 14
Twibeli, Luther, 432
Twins, oldest in United States, 49
Tyndall, John W., 472
Union Center high school, 318; school
enrollment, 327
Uniondale, 440 ; population of, 280 ;
land value, 282 ; bird 's-eve view of,
440
Uniondale Society, Ossian, 423
Union Savings & Trust Company, 398
Union township, Adams county, topog-
raphy, 14 ; population, 73 ; prop-
erty value, 74; taxes, 74; farm
lands, 76; crops, 76; live stock, 77;
school enrollment, 150; war boun-
ties, 153
Union township, Wells county, ditches,
268, 269; acreage, 277; population,
280; land value, 282; indebtedness,
283; township established, 308;
first school, 323 ; school enrollment,
327; Civil war drafts, 365
United Brethren church, Decatur, 207
United Brethren church, Geneva, 243
Universalist Society, Bluffton, 406
Vail, John W., 798
Valuation of school property, Wells
county, 327
Vance, Oscar L., 697
Vance, William, 39
Vera Cruz, 445 ; population, 280 ; land
value, 282; School Building (view I,
317
Veterans of Adams county, 46
Villa North, Bluffton (view), 379
Vitz, J. Otto, 446
Vitz, Oswald P., 446
Vitz, Peter, 446
Volunteers, World war, Wells county,
377
Voyageur, French, 2
Wabash river, 11, 14. 263; at High
Water (view), 267
Wabash river valley, 267
Wabash township, streams, 12; to-
pography, 14; beaver dams, 15;
first settlers, 37; population, 73;
property value, 74; taxes, 74; farm
hinds, 76; crops, 77; live stock, 77;
school enrollment, 150; war boun-
Wafel schoolhouse, Preble township,
254
Waggoner, Benjamin J., 909
Waggoner, William T., 812
Wagoner, John, 570
Wait, N. E., 524
Walmer, Edwin S., 488
Walser, Eric D., 482
Walters, Clement L., 948
Walters, William M., 145
Wandel, Dal, 493
Wandle, John, 315
War against Germany, 375
War bounties. Civil war, 152
War of 1812, soldiers from Wells
countv, 371
Warden", James L.. 314
Waring, L. C, 686
Warner, Joseph W„ 526
Warner, Samuel, 558
Washington Park, 401
Washington township, streams, 11 ;
early settler, 43; created, 60; pop-
ulation, 73 ; property value, 74 ;
taxes, 74; farm lands, 76; crops,
76; live stock, 77; school enrollment,
150; war bounties, 153
Wasson, Irvin W., 519
Water Mill (view), 94
Water supply and distribution, Deca-
tur, 185
Water Works, Bluffton (view), 386
Wat«r works, Decatur, construction of,
184, superintendents of, 186
Watson, George W., 657
Watson, Sherman A., 752
Wayne, Anthony, 4; portrait, 7
Wayne's Campaign of 1794, 6
Wayne Plank Boad, 78
Wayne road, 35
"Wayne trace," 8, 78
Weeh'ter, Jacob, 952
Wechter, John E., 953
Wedding, first iu Wells county, 297
Weimer, Henry C, 153
Weinland, John, 627
Weinland, William H., 623
Weldy, William B., 721
Wells County Agricultural Associa-
tion, 273
Wells county agricultural organiza-
tions, 273
Wells County Agricultural Society,
273
Wells County Infirmary and Orphans '
Asylum, 312
Wells County Bank, 397
Wells County Courthouse (view), 305
Wells County Medical Society, 363
Wells County Pioneer Association, 300
Wells County Standard, 396
Wells County Union, 396
Wells county, 260; general descrip-
tion, 261 ; subsoil, 261 ; glacial
marks, 262; foundation soil, 262;
topography and drainage, 262; veg-
etation, 264; forests, 264; animals,
264 ; drainage, 265 ; first open
ditches, 266; area, 272; agricultural
education, 272; agricultural organ-
izations, 273; county agent, 273;
corn production increasing, 274;
hogs, 275; wheat production, 275;
live stock, 276; cereals, 276, 279;
comparative soil and animal
wealth, 277: live stock, 279;
population, 279 ; property valua-
tion, 281 ; taxable property value,
281 ; automobile income and roads,
282; finances, 282; early settlement,
284; county named for Captain
Wells, 286; first white man, 290;
pioneer events, 297; first white child
born in county, 297 ; first wedding,
297; first mill, 297; first school,
298; pioneer association, 300; first
steps in county organization, 305;
eountv seat, 306; first county board,
306; taxes. 307; election districts
and townships, 308; first public
road, 308 ; first treasury report,
309; first courthouse and jail, 309;
second (brick) courthouse, 311;
present jail and sheriff's residence,
311; courthouse of the present, 311;
county infirmary and orphans'
asylum, 312; county officials, 312;
auditors, 313; clerks, 313; treas-
urers, 313; recorders, 313; survey-
ors, 313; sheriffs, 314; old-time
office holders, 314; early schools,
315; first school, 315; high schools,
318; agriculture, 319; domestic
science in schools, 319; modern
school buildings, 319; libraries, 325;
valuation of school property in
thirty years, 327; roads, 333; rail-
road projects, 334; first railroad
ties laid in county, 335; roads and
traffic in 1865, 337; traction lines,
347 ; circuit court, 349 ; first grand
jury, 350; first lawsuit, 350; first
indictments, 351 ; first divorce suit,
351; first resident lawyer, 352;
last associate judge, 353; court
changes, 1865-84, 357; court of
common pleas, 358; bar in 1887,
358; pioneer lawyers, 359; bench
and bar since i885, 359; early
physicians, 360; Civil war volun-
teers, 364; drafts, 365; home
guards, 370; officers and privates
who died in Civil war, 371 ; soldiers
of War of 1812. 371; Spanish-
American war, 373; World War,
375; volunteers and drafted men
in the National Army, 377
Wells county hospital, 400
Wells County Percherons (view), 281
Wells County Schools (views), 317
Wells, William, 286, 287
Wemhoff, George E., 748
West Market Street, Bluffton, (view),
399
Wheat production. Wells county, 275
White, Amza, 314
White child, first born in Wells coun-
ty, 297
White man, first in Adams county,
29; first in Wells county, 290
Wild animals. 98
Wild hogs, 97, 264
"Wilds of Adams County," 14
Wild woman, The, 302
Wiley, John, 588
Wilk'ins, David L., 586
Williams, 252
Williams, Amos B.. 537
Williams. Andrew B., 556
Wilson, Edwin B., 356
Wilson, John B., 951
Winchester State Boad, 9
Winnes, Annie E., 809
Winters, John R,. 605
Wisner. Thomas L., 314
Wolfe, Edward S., 540
Wolfe, Jncob N., 562
Wolf and bear stories, 108
Wolves, 264, 301, 433; extermination
of, 98
Wolpert, Andrew, 703
Wood-choppings, 325
Woods, Emanuel, 20
Woodward, C. G., 719
Woodward, George T., 522
Worden, James L., 354
World War, 375; National Guard
mustered into U. S. service, 169;
Rainbow Division, 169; Adams
county men in service, spring of
1918, 171; volunteers and drafted
men, 377
Worthington, 434
Worthman, Martin F., 188, 957
Wreck on the Clover Leaf Road
(view), 449
Yaney, Job L., 847
Yellow Creek, 14
Zanesville, 436; churches, 437
Zimmerman, George W., 913
Zion Lutheran Church school, 136
Zion Reformed church, Decatur, 206
Adams and Wells Counties
CHAPTER I
MIXED RED AND WHITE HISTORY
The Miamis and the Fur Trade — The Father of Little Turtle —
Little Turtle Himself — As a Statesman and a Man — Little
Turtle's Death — The Miamis Leave for Kansas — The Rivare
Indian Reservation — The Pottaw atomies — Wayne's Campaign
of 1794— The Old Wayne Trace— The Harmar Trail— The
Godfrey Trail, or Trace; — State Roads, Successors of Trails.
The country now included in Northwestern Ohio and Northeastern
Indiana is traversed by the Maumee, St. Joseph, St. Mary's and the
Wabash rivers, and in the trough along which pour the waters which
all but join the Great Lakes with the Ohio Valley. It was foreordained
by the forces of nature that this great system of waterways should de-
termine the migrations of the races which battled for dominion over
a large area of interior America for a period of more than two cen-
turies. That cycle of history, not vast, as time goes, but great in
events, covers the record stretching from the pioneer explorations of
Marquette and Joliet in 1673 to the creation of the Northwest Terri-
tory in 1787. France, through these great and intrepid characters,
made possible a Northwest and a greater America than was bounded
by the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. In acknowl-
edging their indebtedness to the splendid European republic, the peo-
ple of America must never forget that far-reaching fact which ante-
dates the French salvation of Revolutionary times by more than a
century.
The Miamis and the Fur Trade
When the French reached the valley of the Wabash, the entire
country now embraced within the State of Indiana was occupied by
Vol. I— 1
A French Voyageur
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 3
the Miami Confederacy of Indians. But in blocking the western in-
vasions of the tierce Iroquois they had been greatly decimated and their
strength as a nation had declined. The rum and brandy introduced
to them by the French traders had also contributed to their decline.
The work of the traders, to a very large extent, counteracted the
efforts of the missionaries among the Miamis, but even in the first
portion of the eighteenth century they were of such commercial im-
portance in the prosecution of the fur trade that the English com-
menced to cast covetous eyes at the business transacted with them
through the villages and posts on the Maurnee and the Wabash. One
of the most flourishing centers of that trade was near the confluence
of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph rivers, at the present site of Fort
Wayne.
The Father of Little Turtle
The early history of the Miami Indians is veiled in tradition and
obscurity, and little is known of the chiefs or head men prior to
July '■], 1748. On that date a treaty of peace and friendship was con-
cluded at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, between commissioners appointed
by the English colonial authorities and the chiefs of several tribes in
the interior. In that treaty the name A-gue-nack-gue appears as
"principal chief of the Miamis," and it is said that he then lived at
Turtle Village, a few miles northeast of the present City of Fort
Wayne. Two other Miami chiefs from the Wabash country also
signed that treaty, which lasted until the Government of the United
States was established.
Little Turtle Himself
A-gue-naek-gue married a Mohican woman according to the Indian
custom and one of their sons was Me-she-ke-no-quah, or Little Turtle,
who became principal chief of the Miami Nation at the death of his
father. Little Turtle was born at Turtle Village about 1747, and at
the time he succeeded to the chieftaincy, his tribe was regarded as the
leading one of the West. He was not lacking in any of the essential
qualifications of a great chief. He has been described as '•short in
stature, well built, with symmetrical form, prominent forehead, heavy
eyebrows, keen, black eyes and a large chin." From his mother he
inherited many of the finer qualities of the Mohicans. Agile and ath-
letic, his physical ability was not to be questioned for a moment. As
a youth his influence was made manifest on more than one occasion,
4 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
even the older warriors listening with respect when he presented his
views in council. After he became chief, not only of his own tribe,
but of other tribes of the Miami Confederacy, he was acknowledged by
all as their great leader, and they followed him without the slightest
envy or jealousy. Wise in council, he was equally brave in battle. No
military academy taught him the art of war, yet in the management
of an army he showed the skill and strategy of a Napoleon. His
prowess as a commander is seen in the masterly manner in which he
handled his warriors in the defeat of General St. Clair. Not until he
met General Anthony Wayne, whom he designated as "the man who
never sleeps, ' ' did Little Turtle acknowledge defeat.
As a Statesman and a Man
As a statesman, Little Turtle was a conspicuous figure in the nego-
tiations of several of the early treaties with the United States. Hav-
ing once affixed his signature to a treaty, he considered it so much
more than a scrap of paper that it never seemed to occur to him,
savage though he might me, to violate the least of its provisions. The
"culture" of the white man had not hardened his conscience or his
manly honor. Thus he won the confidence and esteem of the whites,
although many of his nation did not support him in this straight-
forwardness, and referred to him contemptuously as ' ' an Indian with
a white man's heart."
Little Turtle's Death
Washington, when president, presented Little Turtle with a medal
and a handsome sword as tokens of personal and national regard. The
last days of the upright chief were spent at Little Turtle Village. He
was sorely afflicted with the gout, and a few months before his death
went to Fort Wayne to consult a physician regarding his disease, but
passed away on July 14, 1812, at his lodge in the Old Orchard not
far from the confluence of the St. Joseph and St. Mary 's rivers. Brice
in his history of Fort Wayne says: "His body was borne to the
grave with the highest honors by his great enemy, the white man.
The muffled drum, the solemn march, the funeral salute, announced
that a great soldier had fallen, and that even his enemies paid tribute
to his memory. ' ' Deposited in the grave with him were the sword and
medal presented to him by Washington, together with the Indian
ornaments and implements of war customarily buried with the war-
riors of his race. Little Turtle was a credit to the bravery and mor-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 5
ality of humanity ; in his person were centered some of the best traits
of both the red and the white races.
The Miamis Leave for Kansas
Chief Richardville, the successor of Little Turtle, was born at Fort
Wayne, which was the scene of several important treaties with the
tribes which were dominant in Indiana. After the return of the Mi-
amis to Indiana, following the treaty of 1763, a number of new
villages were established along the Wabash in what is now Allen,
Huntington, Wabash and Miami counties. Prophetstown was the site
of an ancient Miami village, but after it was destroyed by General
Harrison in 1811 it was never rebuilt. In 1846, after several treaties,
the Miamis were moved to their Kansas reservation.
The Rivare Indian Reservation
The old Rivare Indian Reservation, covering about 1,600 acres of
land in Sections 15, 16, 21 and 22, St. Mary's Township, Adams
county, is more than a century old. The tract was granted and re-
served to the children of Cho-a-pin-a-mois, alias Antoine Rivard, a
half-breed, at the treaty concluded at St. Mary's, Ohio, on the 6th of
October, 1818, between the United States land commissioners and the
chiefs and warriors of the Miami Nation. The Indian title to the
reservation was extinguished partly by purchase and partly by an
action at law in the Adams County Circuit Court (See Francis Com-
parete and John B. Boure vs. Cho-a-pin-a-mois, alias Antoine Rivard,
son of Anthony Rivard; action brought in that court, October 14,
1837). On the 26th of the month named, the west half of the tract
was platted into lots 1-8, inclusive, of about forty acres each, and on
May 26, 1855, part of the east half was divided, also into eight lots,
containing over forty-one acres each. Thus was the old Indian Reser-
vation incorporated into the regular records of Adams County.
The Pottawatomies
The Pottawatomies, who shared with the Miamis the soil of Indiana
when the French first came upon the scene were also of the Algonquin
family. They were rather docile and always very friendly to the
French. They joined Pontiac in the uprising of 1763, and at the
beginning of the Revolution sided with the British and opposed the
colonists. At the treaty of Greenville in 1795 they notified the Miami
6 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Indians that it was the intention of their chiefs to move some of their
people from the region around Southern Lake Michigan to the valley
of the Wabash. To this the Miamis objected, claiming all of Northern
Indiana by right of possession. But the Pottawatomies came into
Northern and Northeastern Indiana, notwithstanding, and at the be-
ginning of the nineteenth century claimed all the territory now within
the state north of the Wabash River. Within that area they had about
fifty villages. The Pottawatomies concluded more than forty treaties
with the United States, the last important one being that of February,
1837, by which they ceded all their lands in Indiana to the United
States and agreed to move to their Kansas reservation; and they
actually left the state soon afterward. The Miamis had ceded any
lands which they claimed within the same domain more than ten years
previously. So that the white settlers of Adams County saw the red
cloud upon their real estate completely lifted about a year after they
organized a civil government.
Wayne's Campaign of 1794
It was the Wayne campaign of 1794 which broke the power of the
Miamis, the Pottawatomies and all the other tribes which were a men-
ace to the progress of American civilization in the valleys of the Mau-
mee and the Wabash. It was along the Indian trails then well beaten,
and the military roads which were to be built as a result of the de-
cisive operations of Mad Anthony, that the pioneer settlers were to
come into Adams County. Wayne thoroughly avenged the defeat of
St. Clair at Greenville, Western Ohio, in 1791. Little Turtle's tri-
umph was to be short-lived.
General Wayne organized his forces at Pittsburgh, and in October,
1793, moved westward from that point at the head of 3,600 men. He
proposed an offensive campaign. The Indians, instigated by the Brit-
ish, insisted that the Ohio River should be the boundary between their
lands and the domain of the United States, and were convinced that
they could maintain that line.
General Scott of Kentucky joined General Wayne with 1,600
mounted men, and erected Fort Defiance at the mouth of the Auglaize
River. On August 15th the army moved toward the British fort near
the rapids of the Maumee, where, on the morning of the 20th, they
defeated 2,000 Indians and British almost within range of the guns
of the fort. Of the 900 American troops actually engaged, thirty-
three were killed and one hundred wounded, the enemy's loss being
more than double. Wayne remained in that region for three days,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 7
destroying villages and crops, and then returned to Fort Defiance, his
course for many miles on either sides of the route being marked by
a clean sweep of every vestige of Indian occupancy.
On September 14, 1794, General Wayne moved his army in the di-
rection of the deserted Miami villages at the confluence of the St.
Joseph and the St. Mary's, near Little Turtle's home. The American
Mad Anthony Wayne
commander arrived October 17th and on the following day selected
the site of Fort Wayne. The fort was completed November 22nd, and
garrisoned by a strong detachment of infantry and artillery com-
manded by Colonel John F. Hamtramck, who named it in honor of
the intrepid Wayne. Soon afterward the latter concluded the Green-
ville treaty, which placed a stamp of permanency upon his military
successes.
8 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The Old Wayne Trace
The road, still known as "Wayne trace," was first an Indian trail,
and after Mad Anthony's victory over the Indians the main-traveled
route over which supplies went for the troops garrisoned at Fort
Wayne until that military post was abandoned in 1819. It enters
Adams County about a mile northwest of Willshire, Ohio, passes
through the Rivare Reservation in St. Mary's Township, then through
Washington and Root townships, via Monmouth, toward the north.
Wayne 's army is known to have passed through that portion of Adams
County in August, 1794. The road thus traveled was made some-
what permanent at the time by the slow and laborious advance of the
troops, caused by the vigilance of the Indians. The soldiers generally
halted and pitched their tents about the middle of the afternoon and,
the ground of the encampment having been previously marked out by
the surveyor, each company fortified iu front of its position by cut-
ting down trees and erecting a breastwork, so that by dark a complete
fortification enclosed the camp. The army entered the county at a
point very little north of where the St. Mary's River passes from Ohio
into Indiana, about a mile northwest of Willshire, Van Wert County,
in the former state. It marched in a northwesterly direction through
what is now known as the Rivare Reservation in St. Mary's Township,
and then through Washington and Root townships, via Monmouth,
into the present Allen County at a point where the Grand Rapids &
Indiana Railroad leaves Adams County. After Wayne's victory over
the Indians was won, the route of the army march became the main-
traveled highway over which supplies were sent to the Fort Wayne
troops.
The Wayne trace connected Fort Recovery with Fort Wayne, and
in 1819 a colony of Quakers residing at Richmond, Wayne County,
cut a road through the woods which ran from Winchester, Randolph
County, and joined the Wayne trace in Adams County, near the mouth
of Yellow Creek. Some of the first settlers of the county, as will be-
come evident later, located on the old Wayne and Quaker traces. The
Quaker trace was often called the Fort Recovery road.
The Harmar Trail
Perhaps an older military road was that located by General Har-
mai\ It has been virtually abandoned. Formerly it angled in a
southeasterly direction across the northeast corner of Union Township
toward Shane's Crossing, Ohio, at which place Wayne's army crossed
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 9
the Harmar trail in the route from Fort Jefferson, south of Green-
ville, to what is now Fort Wayne.
The Godfrey Trail or Trace
The Godfrey trail, or trace, as stated in "Snow's History of
Adams County," extended "from the Godfrey Reservation on the
Salamonie River southwest of Balbest, in Jay County, to the north of
the Loblolly, down the Limberlost Creek to the Wabash River, and
down that river to Carington's Ford near the northwest corner of
Section 22, Wabash Township ; thence in a northeasterly direction to
the eastern end of Thompson's Prairie, and on past Big Blue Creek
east of Salem (Steele) to the Rivare Reservation north of St. Mary's
River. This crossed the Flint Springs and Recovery trail between
Alexander and Geneva. The Godfrey trail became a public high-
way. Several old residents state that they well remember seeing Indian
families passing to and from their reservations along the Godfrey
trace; that it was not unusual to see a squaw leading a pony well
loaded with lodge poles, sheet-iron kettles, skins of animals and other
trappings; that there were frequently several ponies passing along
one after another at the same time; that some had as many as three
or four children on one hoi-se; that the Indian man seemed to have
little to do but. to follow along the trail with the dogs; that in the
main these Indians were a very dirty, shaggy-looking set of people;
some wore blankets and others were dressed partly in skins, with
some white men's clothing; that some of the children and squaws had
highly colored scarfs of yellow, red or blue cotton goods wrapped
around their bodies over their clothing of skins ; that the men were
all armed with rifles, knives and tomahawks, and usually carried them
wherever they went."
State Roads, Successors of Trails
Many of the Indian trails in the old Northwest were cleared and
widened by the French traders that the crude highways might be
made more accessible for their pack trains, and the same routes were
further improved by the permanent settlers of a later period. At still
a subsequent date, taking these easy routes as a general guide, the
state laid out permanent highways in various sections of the com-
monwealth, and they were generally used by the emigrants who came
to Adams County in the pioneer period of its settlement. An im-
portant section of the Winchester State Road extended through the
10 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Limberlost region of southern Adams county, with Old Buffalo
(Geneva) as one of its stations; northward to the Wabash River in
what is now Section 17, and thence down the river in a northwesterly
direction to Deeni's Ford, east of the present city of Bluff ton. At that
point the road forked, one branch extending to Fort Wayne and the
other down the valley of the Wabash to Huntington. The trunk line
of the Winchester Road extended from Winchester directly north to
Buffalo, crossed the Wabash River at what is now known as the Price
Bridge, continued northward to the old Reynolds farm on the St.
Mary's River and there intersected the Fort Wayne and Wiltshire
Road. The latter was another military road that came from Willshire,
Ohio, and passed through Decatur northward to Fort Wayne. The
Winchester Road was constructed at a day (1833) when Randolph
County (of which Winchester was the county seat) comprised both
Adams and Allen counties, and when Fort Wayne was the only real
village between its southern and its northern terminus.
The traces and roads mentioned, although minor highways were
opened as the country developed, were the main routes which gave
the easiest access to the reds and the pioneer whites who entered the
territory now included in Adams County.
CHAPTER II
PHYSICAL FEATURES AND PRIMAL INDUSTRIES
A Continental Water-Shed — Road-Building Materials — Soils of
the County — Topography — The Loblolly Country — Famous
LlMBERLOST REGION MRS. GENE StRATTON-PoRTER 's DESCRIPTIONS
— Agriculture and Live Stock Organizations — The County
Agents.
Before further steps are taken in the historic development of
Adams County, it seems that clearness would be added to the nar-
rative by presenting a chapter dealing with the physical and geo-
graphical features of the region. This includes the origin of some of
the names which have been popularly applied to special sections of the
county. After this subject has been fairly expanded, readers of long
residence will perhaps have their memories jogged and re-enlightened,
while those of later settlement and less thoroughly informed, should
follow the narrative with clearer understanding and therefore with
more interest.
A Continental Water-Shed
Adams County, comprising twelve townships, is twenty-four miles
in length and fourteen in breadth, and consequently contains 336
square miles. The surface is nearly level or gently undulating, ex-
cept near the rivers, where it is slightly broken. The controlling
physical feature is its numerous streams, of which the Wabash and
St. Mary's rivers are the most important. They present several
striking coincidences. Each measured by its windings traverses the
county for about twenty-five miles ; is nearly 150 feet wide ; inter-
sects four townships, and flows from southeast to northwest. The
Wabash, within the county, receives the waters of sixteen and the
St. Mary's, of twenty-two affluents. Eventually, the waters of the
Wabash reach the Gulf of Mexico. The St. Mary's, which rises in
Ohio, flows through the northern part of Adams County — intersecting
portions of St. Mary's, Washington, Root and Preble townships —
11
12 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
and terminates at Fort Wayne, where its union with the St. Joseph
forms the Maumee. The latter empties into the head of Lake Erie
and its waters therefore finally mingle with those of the St. Lawrence
and the northern Atlantic. In Adams County some of the headwaters
of two mighty water systems begin their diverging courses toward
the north and the south. In Jefferson and Wabash townships branches
of these two principal streams are very narrowly separated, and there
is found the distinct watershed sloping toward the Gulf of Mexico
and the valley of the St. Lawrence.
Road-Building Materials
A short distance from the right bank of each as you ascend the
streams, are ridges largely composed of clay soil. Occasionally there
are beds of gravel just above the rock, where the limestone abounds.
These places are along the Wabash in Jefferson and Hartford town-
ships; on Big Blue creek and along the St. Mary's in Washington
and St. Mary's townships. Several good sand and gravel pits are
found in the county, but some of them are nearly exhausted from
the amount of road material used in building gravel roads before the
macadamized road construction was commenced.
Soils of the County
Most of the county is underlaid with rock at a depth of from fifty
to seventy-five feet, except perhaps the Loblolly region. The St.
Mary's region is somewhat more undulating and the river has more
current than that of the Wabash. The Wabash River bottoms are
more nearly a black loam than those of the St. Mary's valley, except
in Hartford and French townships where they overlay a deep ledge
of limestone. Generally the land along the St. Mary's is a sandy loam.
The uplands usually consist of a mixed clay and marl which will
grow almost any cereal or other crop produced in the middle west.
The lands of Adams County may be thus described geologically:
"The soil is clay overlying the silica and calcareous upper Silurian
rocks of the Niagara group, in most cases the resulting soil being
from two to ten feet deep. Although fertile, it is inclined to be tena-
cious, and the surface of the country being rather level the character
of the land may be designated as frequently too retentious of moisture
except in very dry weather. ' ' From the foregoing we can readily see
the need of tiling, as have the actual cidtivators of the soil. The re-
sult is that the lands which were once too wet for cultivation are
Corn and More Corn
U ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
drained and comprise some of the most valuable farms in the county.
' " There is no worthless land in Adams county. From the particu-
lar topography and the richness of its soil and the advantages of
water and drainage offered by its rivers and numerous smaller
streams, it is well adapted to the various branches of agriculture.
From the onion fields in the Yellow creek, Blue creek and Thompson 's
prairies its rich cornlands along the Wabash and St. Mary's rivers,
and its other fertile and productive farms throughout the more ele-
vated parts of the county, it may be placed in the front rank as one
of the leading agricultural counties of the' state."
Topography
Union and French townships, respectively in the northeastern
and western parts of the county, are characterized by a number of
ponds or sinks, which are small but from three to six feet in depth.
French Township, especially just east of Vera Cruz, and Wabash
Township, south of the river near Ceylon, present the most distinct-
ively rolling land of any sections in the county. The largest prairie
tracts, which were formerly undrained swamps, are as follows:
Thompson's prairie, about five miles long and from half a mile to a mile
and a half in width ; Grim 's prairie, some three miles in length ; Blue
Creek prairie, described as "a continuous chain of small, swamp
prairies extending through Monroe and French townships, with here
and there a sort of Beaver dam or small strip of land between them ' ' ;
and Belt's and Yellow Creek prairies. The Blue Creek prairie was
the last considerable portion of Adams County to be settled, as it
comprised the last of the old swamp lands to be thoroughly drained.
Even shortly before the Civil war it was known as the "wilds of
Adams County."
The principal tributaries of the Wabash River are Indian Creek,
Limberlost, Lick Run, Canoper Creek, and Dismal Run, in Wabash
Township, and Six Mile Creek, Hartford Township; of St. Mary's
River, Spring Run, Big Blue Creek, Twenty-seven Mile, Yellow Creek,
Borum Run, Lenhart's Run, Numbers Creek, Seventeen and Mc-
Knight's Run. "In Adams County," says Snow's history, "the Saint
Mary's carries about three times the volume of water that is carried
by the Wabash. This is caused to a certain extent by the feeder from
the reservoir in Ohio supplying water-power for the mills at St.
Mary 's.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 15
The Loblolly Country
In the early settlement of Wabash and Hartford townships many
beaver dams were found and some may yet be seen. Many years be-
fore the permanent white settlement, the French traders and trappers
nearly swept the little animals from the country by slaughtering
them, for their furs. The otters also paid a heavy tribute. In what
is now the southwestern part of Wabash Township and the southern
sections of Hartford, there was almost a continuous series of beaver
clams, which were specially centered in a shallow pond near Geneva
and half a dozen small lakes seven or eight miles to the southwest.
This region so thickly inhabited by the fur-bearing animals, especially
the pond mentioned, has the general form of an oval, or the shape of
the leaf of the swamp pine, the Loblolly. Sometimes the pond, at
other times the entire region, is called the Loblolly. The pond was
dredged about ten years ago and much of the adjacent land was re-
claimed for agricultural purposes. A number of beaver dams are still
to be seen in the Loblolly region of Wabash Township. Just west of
Ceylon, on the south bank of the river, is one that required a six-foot
cut through the bank to drain the pond above it, and on a tributary of
the Canoper Creek which comes in from the north, near the center
of section 15. is the largest beaver dam in the country, 100 yards in
length and 5 or 6 feet in height.
Famous Limberlost Region
The Limberlost is the most widely known of the streams in Adams
County which are tributary to the Wabash. Not a few of the resi-
dents of the county, including even some of the older generation have
an idea that the name has something to do with the variation of the
volume of water carried by the bed of the stream, and which has, at
times, been almost "lost." But an authentic tale accounts for the
name in this wise: A boy of about fifteen living near Fort Recov-
ery had acquired the name of Limber Jim, because of his suppleness,
and finally this was contracted to Limber. The boy was out in the
woods one day and lost his way. A man on horseback saw him and
called him. Lost Limber thought the man was an Indian and took to
his heels. The mounted man finally ran him down and brought the
boy to his friends. Not long afterward when the creek was discovered
in the neighborhood and there was a question as to what it should be
called, Lost Limber, who claimed to have seen it during his adventure
16 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
in the woods, suggested that it be named Limberlost. Although some-
what vain, the boy was popular, and his suggestion was adopted.
In the early times Limberlost Creek and the Limberlost region
became w r idely known. Limberlost. was also one of the first postoffiees
to be established in the count}', giving place to Geneva with the com-
ing of the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad more than forty-five years
ago. But the name was not to be lost, for Adams County's most dis-
tinguished author, Mrs. Gene Stratton-Porter, laid the quaint scenes
of "Freckles" and "A Girl of the Limberlost," in that unique
region of the Wabash. All her stories are colorful and warm, but
' ' Freckles, ' ' her first real romance, is richly laden with these charms
of fiction. Though Freckles and the Angel are blocked out by the
author as its chief characters, the reader finds himself charged with
an ever-growing affection for the Bird Woman. Adams County is
proud to have had the Bird Woman as a resident of Geneva and the
Limberlost region for many years, and we believe that all will agree
that her descriptions of that country, when it was among the "wilds"
of the Middle West, enveloped by a weird and varied charm, are
pictures of nature which have been surpassed by few American
writers. With present-day drainage and the projection of good roads
everywhere in the county, many of the old picturesque features of
the Limberlost have been eliminated.
Freckles was a "timber guard." His boss, McLean, was the only
son of a wealthy Scotch ship-builder, who had been "ordered through
Southern Canada and Michigan to purchase a consignment of tall,
straight timber for masts and down into Indiana for oak beams. The
young man entered these mighty forests, parts of which still lay
untouched since the dawn of the morning of time. The cool, clear,
pungent atmosphere was intoxicating. The intense silence, like that of
a great empty cathedral, fascinated him. He gradually learned that,
to the shy wood creatures that darted across his path or peeped in-
quiringly from leafy ambush, he was a brother. He found himself
approaching, with a feeling of reverence those majestic trees that
had stood through ages of sun, wind and snow. Soon it became a dif-
ficult thing to fell them. When he had filled his order and returned
home, he was amazed to find that in the swamps and forests he had lost
his heart, and they were calling, forever calling him." Thus McLean
was drawn to live in America and in the Limberlost, having founded
a lumber company and a furniture factory in Michigan, and bought
large tracts of hard-wood lands in that region. Freckles, the young
orphan, was engaged to guard the valuable trees against the desperate
timber thieves of the region. The great swamps were all new to him,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 17
a Chicago outcome. "His heart stood still every time he saw the
beautiful marsh-grass begin a sinuous waving against the play of the
wind, as McLean had told him it would. He bolted a half-mile with
his first boom of the bittern, and his hat lifted with every yelp of the
sheitpoke.
"The first afternoon that he found his wires down and he was
compelled to plunge knee deep into the black swamp-muck to restring
them, he became so ill from fear and nervousness that he could scarcely
control his shaking hand to do the work. With every step he felt that
he would miss secure footing and be swallowed up in that clinging sea
of blackness. In dumb agony he plunged along, clinging to the posts
and trees until he had finished restringing and testing the wire. He
had consumed much time. Night closed in. The Limberlost stirred
gently, then shook herself, growled and awoke about him. There
seemed to be a great owl hooting from every hollow tree and a little
one screeching from every knot-hole. The bellowing of monster bull-
frogs was not sufficiently deafening to shut out the wailing of whip-
poor-wills that seemed to come from every bush. Night-hawks swept
past him with their shivery cry and bats struck his face. A prowling
wildcat missed its catch and screamed with rage. A lost fox bayed
incessantly for its mate. * * * His heart seemed to be in his
mouth when his first rattler disputed the trail with him, but he mus-
tered courage and let drive at it with his club. After its head had
been crushed, he mastered the Irishman 's inborn repugnance to snakes
sufficiently to cut off its rattles. With the inastery of his first snake,
his greatest fear of them was gone. Then he began to realize that with
the abundance of food in the swamp, flesh hunters would not come
out on the trail and attack him; and he had his revolver for defense
if they did. He soon learned to laugh at the big floppy birds that
made horrible noises. One day, watching from behind a tree, he saw a
crane solemnly performing a few measures of a belated nuptial song-
and-dance with his mate. Realizing that it was intended in tender-
ness, no matter how it appeared, the lonely, starved heart of the boy
went out to them in sympathy. When, day after day, the only thing
that relieved his utter loneliness was the companionship of the birds
and beasts of the swamp, it was the most natural thing in the world
that Freckles should turn to them for friendship." And so he did,
and so tamed all the wild birds of the swamp that they became known
to his friends as Freckles' Chickens. That was the work of winter.
"When the first breath of spring touched the Limberlost, and the
snow receded from it; when the calkins began to bloom; when there
came a hint of green to the trees, bushes and swale; when the rushes
18 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
lifted their heads, and the pulse of the newly resurrected season beat
strong in the heart of nature, something new stirred in the breast of
the boj'. * * *
"About the bridge spanning Sleepy Snake Creek, the swale spread
wide, the timber largely dropped away, and the willows, rushes,
marsh-grass and splendid wild flowers grew abundantly. Here lazy,
big, black water-snakes, for which the creek was named, sunned on
the bushes, wild ducks and grebe chattered, cranes and herons fished,
and musk-rats plowed the banks in queer, rolling furrows. Where
the creek entered the swamp was a place of unusual beauty. The
water spread out in darksome, mossy, green pools. Water-plants and
lilies grew abundantly, throwing up great, rank, rich green leaves.
Nowhere else in the Limberlost could be found a frog-chorus to equal
that at the mouth of the creek. The drumming and piping went on
in never-ending orchestral effect, and the full chorus rang to its ac-
companiment throughout the season."
Freckles made a wonderful garden in the Limberlost swamp, to
which he retired for rest and to read about his beloved birds and ani-
mals and which he called the Cathedral. There the Angel first found
him. But the Boss' gang commenced to cut away the trees for the
Grand Rapids furniture factory, as they were instructed to do. One
day Freckles said to the Angel : ' ' The gang got there a little after
noon and took out the tree, but I must tell you, and you must tell the
Bird Woman, that there's no doubt but they will be coming back."
"Oh, what a shame!" cried the Angel. "They'll clear out roads,
cut down the beautiful trees and tear up everything. They'll drive
away the birds and spoil the Cathedral. When they have done their
worst, then all these mills about here will follow in and take out the
cheap timber. Then the land owners will dig a few ditches, build
some fires, and in two summers more the Limberlost will be in corn
and potatoes."
They looked at each other and groaned despairingly in unison.
"You like it, too," said Freckles.
"Yes," said the Angel, "I love it. Your room is a little piece
right out of the heart of Fairyland, and the Cathedral is God's work,
not yours. You only found it and opened the door after he had it
completed. The birds, flowers and vines are all so lovely. The Bird
Woman says it is really a fact that the mallows, foxfire, iris and lilies
are larger and of richer coloring there than about the rest of the
country. She says it is because of the rich loam and muck. I hate
seeing the swamp torn up, and to you it will seem like losing your
best friend : won 't it ? "
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 19
"Something like," said Freckles. "Still, I've the Limberlost
in me heart, so that all of it will be real to me while I live, no matter
what they do to it."
The Limberlost in autumn: "The Limberlost was now arrayed
like the Queen of Sheba in all her glory. The first frosts of autumn
had bejeweled her crown in flashing topaz, ruby and emerald. About
her feet trailed the purple of her garments and in her hand was her
golden scepter. Everything was at full tide. It seemed as if nothing
could grow lovelier, and it was all standing still a few weeks, waiting
coming destruction. The swamp was palpitant with life. Every pair
of birds that had flocked to it in the spring was now multiplied by from
two to ten. The young were tame from Freckles' tri-parenthood, and
so plump and sleek that they were quite as beautiful as their elders,
even if in many cases they lacked their brilliant plumage. It was the
same story of increase everywhere. There were chubby little ground
hogs scudding along the trail. There were cunning baby coons and
opossums peeping from hollow logs and trees. Young muskrats fol-
lowed their parents across the lagoons. If you could come across a
family of foxes that had not yet disbanded, and see the young playing
with a wild duck's carcass that their mother had brought, and note
the pride and satisfaction in her eyes as she lay at one side guarding
them, it would be a picture not to be forgotten. Freckles never tired
of studying the devotion of a fox-mother to her babies. To him,
whose early life had been so embittered by continual proof of neg-
lect and cruelty in human parents toward their children, the love of
these furred and feathered folk of the Limberlost was even more of a
miracle than to the Bird Woman and the Angel. The Angel was wild
about the baby rabbits and squirrels. She had carried several of the
squirrel and bunny babies home, and had the conservatory littered
with them. Her care of them was perfect. She was learning her
natural history from nature, and was getting much healthful exercise.
To her, they were the most interesting of all, but the Bird Woman pre-
ferred the birds, with a close second in the butterflies.
"Brown butterfly time had come. The outer edge of the swale
was tilled with milkweed and other plants beloved of them, and the
air was golden with the flashing satin wings of the monarch, viceroy
and argargynnis. They outnumbered those of any other color three
to one.
"Among the birds, it really seemed as if the little yellow fellows
were in the preponderance. At least, they were until the red-winged
blackbirds and bobolinks, that had nested on the uplands, suddenly saw
in the swamp the garden of the Lord and came swarming by hundreds
20 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
to feast and adventure upon it these last few weeks before migration.
Never was there a finer feast spread for the birds. The grasses were
filled with seeds; so too, were weeds of every variety. Fall berries
were ripe. Wild grapes and black haws were ready. Bugs were
creeping everywhere. The muck was yeasty with worms. Insects
filled the air. Nature made glorious pause for holiday before her next
change. ' '
In these and other pictures, drawn by Gene Stratton-Porter, much
of the natural history of the Limberlost region, as well as of Southern
Adams County, is depicted. The expressed dread of Freckles and
the Angel that Improvements would march over it and blot out all
but the utilitarian has largely come to pass, but with many still living
the old Limberlost is yet fresh in the heart and memory and, with the
aid of the gifted author's pen, can never be completely effaced.
Agricultural and Live Stock Organizations
The first movement of the agriculturists of Adams County to organ-
ize themselves for mutual benefit, as well as social co-operation, was
on the 28th of December, 1852, when the first County Agricultural
Society was formed at Decatur, with Samuel S. Mickle, as president ;
George A. Dent, vice president; David Studabaker, secretary; John
McConnell, treasurer, and William G. Spencer, librarian. At that
time the chief efforts of the farmers appear to have been directed to-
ward the improvement of the orchard products and the cattle, hogs
and sheep of the county. The expenses of the organization were met
by the membership fees of $1.00 and the license fees collected from
circuses and other shows which exhibited on the grounds southeast of
Decatur. The early fairs of the old society were successful and the
enterprise made substantial progress until it struck the snag of Civil
war times, when it was discontinued altogether. In 1875 the twenty-
acre tract in the southeastern part of Decatur was leased to Emanuel
Woods and others, who built a race track, fenced the grounds and
erected the necessary buildings to revive the county fair on a more
extended scale than it had been previously conducted.
The result was the formation of the second organization known as
the Adams County Agricultural Association, with the following offi-
cers: Emanuel Woods, president; John W. Rout, secretary; Daniel
Weldy, treasurer; John Rupright, Henry Fuelling, A. J. Teeple,
Timothy Coffee and Richard Winans, directors. In September, 1875,
the first fair was held on these improved grounds. But the associa-
tion did not flourish, as its activities seemed to gradually be turned
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 21
more into the channel of horse-racing than an exposition of the coun-
ty's resources in agricultural lines. The fairs of 1885 and 1886 were
held by private enterprise, and about 1889 the last fair was held on
the old grounds.
In'the spring of 1900 the Decatur Driving Association was organ-
ized to meet the wishes of horsemen who, for many years, had so
labored as to make the city one of the recognized live stock centers
(in their line) in the country. Grounds were leased at what is now
known as Steele's park, a race track completed and suitable buildings
erected for stabling the horses. In October, 1901, a very successful
three days' horse fair was held at the grounds prepared for it.
Hogs Fattening for Market
At a meeting of the Farmers' Mutual Benefit Association held
at Monroe, on Oetober 23, 1901, a committee was appointed, consist-
ing of Jonathan Fleming, George W. Gladden and Leimiel Heading-
ton, to draft articles of association for another agricultural society
and to report the same at the next November meeting. That was done
and the committee then commenced to look around for fair grounds.
The Board of County Commissioners refused to sell the old fair
grounds, but an election for directors to conduct a county fair in
1903 was held through the agency of the Decatur Democrat. The
following were selected : Frank Berger, Frank Gideon, Lewis Fruehte,
Joshua Bright, Michael Miller, George Tricker, David Dailey, J. S.
Beatty, Peter Ashbaucher, Jonas Neuenschwander, L. O. Bears, Mar-
22 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
tin II. Herr and Peter Kinney. The organization became known as
the Adams County Fair Association, and in July, 1903, Willard Steele
proposed to lease to the directors named his 115-acre farm just east of
Decatur for a county fair ; also agreeing that, under certain conditions,
he would erect the necessary buildings to conduct the same. • In the
following September the Farmers' Fair was held near Steele, Blue
Creek Township. The fair of 1904 was as well attended as the one
named.
Iii June of 1904 the Adams County Horsemen's Association was
organized with Willard Steele, Henry Kohn, Davis Dailey, August
Bly, Sampson Pillars, James Bell, V. D. Bell, George W. Martz,
J. II. Beatty, Calvin Teeters, M. L. Smith, Dan Beery, David Eckrote,
John S. Peterson, S. W. Hale and J. B. Rice as directors. As stated
in its by-laws, the purposes of the association were "to encourage the
breeding, training and use of trotting, pacing and running horses."
Its first officers were : Abe Boch, president ; Elmer Johnson, secre-
tary; J. M. Miller, treasurer; and J. B. Rice, S. W. Hale, Willard
Steele, Dan Beery and J. S. Peterson, board of managers. The horse
fairs and races held both in 1904 and 1905 drew a good attendance
and commensurate receipts.
The Farmers' Institutes of Adams County have been in operation
since 1897. They have from the first accomplished splendid work
in educating the farmer, through both the non-resident instructors
and local talent. The details of their activities are so familiar that
it really seems superfluous to give space to them here. The farmer
of today finds in them his best advisers, his most helpful friends and,
altogether, his wisest mentor, in affairs agricultural, social and intel-
lectual.
The Adams County Farmers' Institute was formally organized in
July, 1901, and the officers selected were: George Tricker, presi-
dent; Martin L. Smith, vice president; Thomas H. Harris, secretary
and Rudolph H. Schugg, treasurer. The present management com-
prises: Charles E. Magley, president; J. O. Tricker, secretary-treas-
urer.
Of late years the farmer has also found a coworker for his best
interests in the county agent, the official representative of the Federal
Department of Agriculture. While representing Uncle Sam he is in
thorough co-operation with the Farmers' Institutes of the county, and
comes to them backed by the great machinery of the Nation as a
worker specially trained to assist them. He is often a university grad-
uate (as is the case with the present agent of Adams County), thor-
oughly versed in the latest development affecting the growth and pro-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 23
tection of crops, the raising of live stock, and the later-day conservation
of every vegetable and animal product of the farm. His activities
have been well set forth in John F. Snow's "History of Educational
Development."
The Great Northern Indiana Fair was organized in 1904, and its
headquarters were at Steele Park. Several fairs were held there
before the property was taken over by the Adams County Fair Asso-
ciation, since which the grounds have been greatly improved. They
have been laid out into substantial drives and walks, beautiful flower
beds, groups of ornamental shrubbery and artificial lakes. Electric
lights and an abundance of pure city water add to the modern features
of the park.
In December, 1904, the importance of the smaller varieties of live
stock in the scheme of prosperity which blessed Adams County was .
recognized in the organization of the Adams County Poultry and Pet
Stock Association.
CHAPTER III
GENERAL POLITICAL HISTORY
The American Northwest Founded — Authors of the Ordinance op
1787 — Manasseh Cutler's Practical Participation — Clearing
Indiana of Indians — St. Clair's Defeat — Changes in Civil Gov-
ernment — Evolution of Adams County — General Conditions
in 1819.
There was both a French Northwest and an English Northwest be-
fore the civil territory northwest of the Ohio River was created by the
Ordinance of 1787. The territory was far too vague when claimed by
the French to be covered by any definite laws. The English were too
busy consolidating their gains over the French, previous to the Revo-
lutionary war, to attempt much in the way of civil administration.
The American Northwest Founded
General Clark, by his capture of Vincennes in 1779, cleared the
way for the founding of the American Northwest. Col. John Todd,
who had already been appointed lieutenant for the County of Illinois,
visited both Vincennes and Kaskaskia in the following spring, and
established temporary courts at those points, headquarters of the
French civilization of what was to be the Northwest Territory of the
United States.
Authors op the Ordinance of 1787
Three years after Virginia had ceded to the General Government
the territory which the commonwealth claimed, by right of Clerk's
conquest, Congress passed the famous Ordinance for the government
of the Northwest Territory. The Ordinance of 1787 has an interest-
ing history. Considerable controversy has arisen as to whom is en-
titled to the credit of fanning it. The principles finally incorporated
into the ordinance had been earnestly discussed by the leading states-
men and thinkers of the day, and represented the best sentiment of
?4
ADA-MS AND WELLS COUNTIES
25
the young republic. Jefferson himself had vainly endeavored to se-
cure a system of government for the Northwest Territory excluding
slavery from it forever. The southern members of Congress as a
body were opposed to any such provision and had consistently voted
15
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14
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State Divisions op Old Northwest Territory
against it. Undoubtedly Jefferson's views had much influence in the
final framing of the Ordinance of 1787, but the weight of history now
gives credit to the active consolidation and the actual composition of
that great instrument to Nathan Dane, Rufus King and Manasseh
Cutler.
26 ADAMS AXD WELLS COUNTIES
Manasseh Cutler's Practical Participation
Doctor Cutler's connection with the framing of the ordinance was
perhaps more complicated than that of its other authors. In July,
1787, an organizing act for the Northwest Territory, without the anti-
slavery clause, was before the Congress then sitting in New York. On
the fifth of that month Doctor Cutler, of Massachusetts, came to the
national capital as the accredited representative of an eastern com-
pany which wished to purchase and colonize 5,000,000 acres of land
in the new Northwest. He was one of the most learned men in the
country, a graduate of Yale who had taken the degrees in medicine,
law and divinity, and a scientist second only to Franklin, whose fame
had extended into Europe. Doctor Cutler was also a courtly, at-
tractive gentleman, and a shrewd student of men and their practical
affairs — one who could approach all classes with confidence and good
effect. Jefferson and his administration, with the southern members
of Congress, wished to make a record on the reduction of the public
debt, and the fund to be raised from the sale of 5,000,000 acres of land
would go far toward that end. The members of Congress from Mas-
sachusetts would not vote against the proposed land purchase, as many
of their constituents were interested in the measure — and the Old Bay
State was the leader of the North.
It thus came about that Doctor Cutler held the key to the situa-
tion and dictated the terms which resulted in the formation of those
provisions in the Ordinance of 1787 excluding slavery forever from
the Northwest Territory and donating one thirty-sixth of all public
lands to the support of the common schools. He insisted firmly upon
the adoption of these provisions, stating that unless the company could
procure the lands under desirable conditions and surroundings they
did not want them. The result was the passage of the ordinance, on
the 13th of July, containing the provisions which have made that
great measure most famous — those excluding slavery and donating
public lands for the support of the schools. They consecrated the
great states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin to
freedom, intelligence and morality and, as commonwealths, they have
never been back-sliders.
Clearing Indiana of Indians
But before the civil administration had been fairly inaugurated
Governor St. Clair decided that something decisive must be done to
chastise enemv Indians about the headwaters of the Wabash. After
Major General St. Clair
28 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
consultation with General Hamiar at Fort Washington, in the fall of
1790, he sent an expedition of about 1,500 men under that commander.
Another expedition had marched up the Wabash from Vincennes. Gen-
eral Harmar's men reached the Mauinee and after campaigning against
the Miarnis for about a month returned to Fort Washington, with a
loss of 183 soldiers killed and 31 wounded. The military venture
among the W T abash savages in 1791, under General Scott, resulted in
the destruction of some Indian villages, but a scarcity of even bad
horses made it impossible to follow up the advantage. That was in
the spring of 1791.
St. Clair's Defeat
During the summer the Secretary of War authorized Governor St.
Clair himself to conduct a campaign of extermination, if necessary.
In June, one of his commanders, General Wilkinson, made some prog-
ress along that line, and in September the governor took matters in
his own hands. During that month he moved from Fort Washington
with a force of 2,000 men and a number of pieces of artillery. On
November 3d he reached the headquarters of the Wabash in Western
Ohio, where Fort Recovery was afterward built by General W 7 ayne,
and there the army encamped. On the following morning its 1,400
effective men engaged the 1,200 Indians under Little Turtle, and were
disastrously defeated. The American loss was 39 officers and 539
men killed and missing, and 22 officers aud 232 men wounded.
St. Clair resigned his commission as major general and was suc-
ceeded by Anthony W T ayne, who, two years later, avenged the gov-
ernor's defeat by crushing the dangerous Indians of Indiana beyond
revival.
Changes in Civil Government
As has already been noted the routes taken by the unfortunate
Harmar expedition through Adams County against the defiant Miamis
of the Wabash County, and the whirlwind and triumphant campaigns
of Wayne over the same region, were subsequently defined as the
Harmar and Wayne trails, traces or roads. The treaty of peace con-
cluded at Greenville, or Fort Recovery, brought quiet to the regions
along the Wabash and the Maumee, with all the adjacent areas, and
in 1800 Congress organized the Territory of Indiana, with the civil
seat of government fixed at Vincennes. The first Territorial Legis-
lature convened in March of the following year.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 29
Indiana acquired its present limits in 1809, when the Territory of
Illinois was erected, to comprise all that part of its former domain
west of the Wabash River and a line drawn from that river at the
longitude of Vincennes due north to the international line between
the United States and Canada. In April, 1816, the President ap-
proved the Congressional bill creating the State of Indiana, and its
first General Assembly met at Corydon in November of that year.
Evolution of Adams County
When Indiana was admitted into the Union as a state it com-
prised the counties of Wayne, Franklin. Dearborn, Switzerland, Jef-
ferson, Clark, Washington, Harrison, Knox, Gibson, Posey, Warrick
and Perry. Thirty counties were subsequently carved from Knox,
the territory of which included what is now Adams. From 1S18 to
1823 Randolph County embraced it. When Allen County was organ-
ized in the latter year, the present Adams County formed a portion
of it. From 1823 to 1836 the territory within the present limits of
Adams County was a part of Allen. It became an independent civil
body by the Legislative organic act which was approved by the gov-
ernor January 23, 1836.
General Conditions in 1819
At the time of its civil organization, the county had enjoyed a
progressive settlement for a period of seventeen years, but there were
only a very few people within its limits. The commencement of this
era of pioneer settlement marked a distinct line in the development of
Indiana as a state. It had been graduated from the territorial form
but three years. At Tippecanoe, eight years before, Harrison had
completed the work of Wayne, and the Indian power was forever
broken in Indiana. A popular system of education had been born
three years before, through the provision of the enabling act of 1816,
granting to the inhabitants of each Congressional township Section 16
for the use of the schools. These lands were sold and the proceeds
thereof form the Congressional school fund, which is apportioned by
the state to each county. This money is loaned out under the direc-
tion of the auditor of each county on first mortgage securities and
the income thus derived is used for the maintenance of the common
schools. Of course, these common school funds which really dated
back to the Ordinance of 1787 were, in 1819, credited to Randolph
Countv. When the cabin of the first white man to settle in what is
30 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
now Adams County was completed on Blue Creek, the treaty held at
St. Mary's, Ohio, was only a few months old. Its proceedings covered
the period October 2-6, 1818, and by the terms of that agreement a
large tract of land was ceded to the National Government by the Miami
Indian Nation. It extended across the center of Indiana and included
virtually all of the Adams County of today. The Rivai-e Indian Res-
ervation, in the present Township of St. Mary's, was granted on the
last day of the treaty proceedings to the children of Antoine Rivard,
as described more particularly in another place. The year 1819
further marked the abandonment of Fort Wayne as a military post,
the national authorities having decided that there was no possible
danger from Indian depredations which could not be effectually met
by home forces. In other words the commencement of the permanent
period of settlement in Adams County indicated the dawn of an era
of security and substantial development which was widespread and
generally recognized.
CHAPTER IV
REAL PERIOD OF PIONEERING
Coming of First Actual Settler* — Thompson, of Thompson's
Prairie — First Out-and-Out Landlord — First Surveys and
Land Entries — The Reynolds Farm and Inn — Samuel L. Rugg
— First to Settle in the North — Studabaker-Simison-McDow-
ell Colony — The Studabakers and Simisons — Simison's Bear
Story — Col. "William Vance — The Martins and Deffenbaughs
Enter the Limberlost Region — First Drowning in the Limber-
lost — 'Squire Martin Puts on Style; — The Judays, McDaniels
and Eleys — John H. Fuelling — The Elzeys of Root Township
— Settled Near and at Decatur — Andrew Daugherty. and His
$1.50 Residence — George A. and Byron H. Dent — First Town
of Adams County — The Bonds that Bind the Hoosiers — Early
Fourth of July Celebrations — The True Veterans of Adams
County — Patriotic Gatherings — Old Settlers' Meetings Re-
vived — The Oldest Twins in the United States.
From the time that Henry Lowe built his cabin at the head of
Thompson's Prairie, in Blue Creek Township, until the county was
organized as a civil body, represents the real period of pioneering: in
that section of the state. In fact, so few entered its territory within
that era that they are nearly all known by name, and their goings and
comings have been described quite in detail. It was not until 1832
when 1,100 Indians — the bulk of the remaining Miamis and Potta-
watomies in the state — were moved to their Kansas Reservations from
the Valley of the Wabash and the headquarters of the St. Mary's
River near the town by that name in Ohio, that the Red Men were
considered "out of it." Although the latter did not formally re-
linquish their title until 1837. for all practical purposes — that is, as
any material impediment to the coming of white settlers — they were
a negligible quantity after 1832. Being thus convinced, pioneers who
had already selected their homes commenced to improve the main roads
coming from such older towns as Fort Wayne to the north and Win-
31
32 • ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Chester to the south, so that immigration was encouraged and actually
stimulated.
Coming of First Actual Settlers
But first as to the few leading pioneers who came into the country
during the years of famine — considered from the standpoint of set-
tlement. In 1819 Henry Lowe, the first settler of Adams County,
located on the old Godfrey trace, at the head of the east end of
Thompson's Prairie. His location is otherwise described as in section
29, Blue Creek Township, "on or near what has been known as the
Pruden farm."
In the following year (1820) Robert Douglas, finding about an
acre of cleared land at the Springs on St. Mary's River, in what is
now section 20, Root Township, decided to make that locality his
stopping place. His land formerly comprised one of Wayne's military
camps and was also a part of the Reynolds farm. Mr. Douglas added
a few acres to the old clearing, built the second cabin in Adams
County, and in the summer of 1820 raised a crop of corn upon his little
farm. But he soon tired of this country life and moved northward to
the hamlet of Fort Wayne, which had been abandoned during the pre-
vious year as a military post and was now busy growing as a village.
From Fort Wayne he moved to Peru and there died.
It appears, also, that Mr. Lowe was an uneasy settler, for he disap-
peared in 1820, and his place was taken by one William Robinson.
Mr. Robinson resided two years in Blue Creek Township and in 1822
returned to his old home in Greenville, Ohio.
Thompson, op Thompson's Prairie
Thompson's Prairie, in the southern part of Blue Creek Town-
ship, was yet to be named. In 1822 a "man whose name was Thomp-
son" settled in that locality and lived there about ten years. He
succeeded Robinson on the old Rowe place and there opened his cabin
as a sort of inn for anyone traveling through those parts. Without
any formal christening, the prairie on which his popular house of
entertainment stood, took the name of the proprietor; and Thomp-
son's Prairie it has remained. Mr. Thompson died in 1831, the first
of the settlers to pass away in Adams County, although probably not
the first white to die within its bounds. It is said that six of Wayne 's
soldiers, who died while returning from the fort in 1794, are buried
in the Shaffer graveyard southeast of where the Town of Rivare
(Bobo postoffice) is situated.
A Contented Old-Time. Couple
34 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
First Out-and-Out Landlord
A Mr. Ayers, iu 1821, also settled in St. Mary's Township. He
located on the old Wayne trace, where it crossed Twenty-four Mile
Creek, and his place was subsequently known as the Acker and Shaffer
farms. It was rumored that the gentleman had, in years gone by,
deserted from the British army, which did not make him any the less
popular with the good Americans of Adams County among whom he
settled. Mr. Ayers made a regular business of furnishing meals and
lodgings, and is generally considered the first out-and-out landlord of
the county.
When mention is made of "a Mr. Green," who became a neighbor
of the Ayers family near the St. Mary 's River, the list has been com-
pleted of all those who are known to have settled within the present
limits of Adams County previous to 1826. In that year, therefore,
there were four log cabins within the 336 square miles comprising
that section of Indiana.
First Surveys and Land Entries
In 1820 Capt. James Riley had commenced his settlement at
Willshire, Ohio, near the state line; in a few years the town had
spread nearly to Indiana, and had been regularly platted. He was
one of the Government surveyors, who, in 1822-23, laid out Root -Town-
ship, Allen County (now Adams County) into sections. The sur-
veyors, thus engaged, camped in the woods and had their provisions
brought to them on pack horses, generally over the Wayne trace.
Fort Wayne and Willshire were laid out at about the same time.
The Reynolds Farm and Inn
In 1821 the first land entry made in Adams County was recorded
by Benjamin Kerchaville and comprised a fraction more than five
acres above the Rivare reservation. The next was made by Benjamin
Bentley and comprised part of what is known as the Reynolds Farm,
including the improvements made by Douglas. The third entry to be
recorded was by John Ross, December 20, 1829, at the mouth of Blue
Creek, although in the preceding year Joshua Lister had settled near
the Wayne trace northwest of the present Town of Monmouth, in
Root Township.
Mr. Bentley, who entered the second piece of land, was one of the
Government surveyors. After thus securing it, he returned to his
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 35
home in Chillicothe, Ohio, and sold the tract to John Reynolds, who,
in 1S31 came to reside on it. The tract was located on the old Wayne
road near the St. Mary's River below the present City of Decatur. It
was on the main thoroughfare between Southwestern Ohio and North-
eastern Indiana, between the Ohio and the Maumee rivers, and, in
those days, was one of the grand trunk lines of travel in the North-
west. As Mr. Reynolds was a man of kind heart, excellent character
and much enterprise, his house became a popular stopping place for
travelers and assumed the character of a homelike and popular tav-
ern. As man and landlord he became widely known, took a prominent
part in the organization of the county and died in Decatur, of which
he was one of the proprietors, in 1844. Mr. Ross outlived most of the
early settlers of the country, dying in the late '60s on the homestead
which he had founded at the mouth of Blue Creek in 1829.
Samuel L. Rugg
12C4200
In 1S32 Samuel L. Rugg, a late arrival, became interested with
Mr. Reynolds in the promotion of a town which was to be a possible
county seat. In the following year he also started the movement to
organize a new township "up the St. Mary's River." Mr. Rugg
headed a petition for that purpose which was presented to the Board
of Commissioners of Allen County. The prayer was granted and the
leader was allowed to name the new township. An incident happened
at the session during which his petition was received which was the
deciding factor in the matter. In the course of the meeting, one of
those present read from a newspaper an account of the celebration
which marked the completion of the Erie Canal. Being called upon
for a toast, Governor Root was represented as having proposed the
following: "The military of the country — may they never want."
He then stammered and well nigh broke down. The self-possessed
De Witt Clinton, who was standing by, nudged the embarrassed speaker
and added, in a whisper, "and may they never be wanted." Governor
Root caught at the words and repeated "and may they never be
wanted," his brilliant conclusion bringing rounds of applause.
Although Clinton had "saved Root's face," the governor was a great
favorite, and Mr. Rugg's suggestion that the new township be named
in his honor was unanimously adopted by the Board of Commissi* rs.
Soon after the organization of the township in 1833, the firsl
election ever held in what is now Adams County occurred at the house
of Jeremiah Roe for the selection of a justice of the peace. The can-
didates were Esaias Dailey and Mr. Rugg, and the latter was elected.
36 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
In the same year occurred an event of importance to the progress of
the southern part of Allen County — that is, the laying out, as a per-
manent pike, of the road from Winchester, Randolph County, to Fort
Wayne, the county seat of Allen.
First to Settle in the North
Joseph Mann was one of the first to settle in what is now the
northern part of Adams County, locating in the present Preble Town-
ship near the route afterward selected of the Winchester Road. He
came in 1830 and resided in the locality for many years.
The year which marked the coming of Mr. Reynolds (1831)
recorded the death of Mr. Thompson, of Thompson's Prairie, one of
the owners of the tract first settled in Adams County. He was buried
at his former home in Greenville, Ohio. Mr. Thompson's widow after-
ward married a man named Baze, but her brothers, Daniel and David
Miller, had previously come to reside with her, and themselves joined
the ranks of the wedded. These three were the only families in the
southern half of the county until 1834.
Studabaker-Simison-McDowell Colony
In the preceding year, however, two single young men, of great
force of character, appeared in the Limberlost region. They were
Robert Simison and Peter Studabaker. They both came from the
neighborhood of Greenville and Fort Recovery, Ohio, in November,
1833. At that time there was not a settler in what is now Wabash
Township, and not even the Winchester road was completed. The
entire party, who were two days making the trip, comprised Peter
Studabaker and Robert Simison. with the latter 's younger brother,
Irwin, and John McDowell. They crossed the Wabash at the con-
fluence of the Limberlost and Loblolly, and upon arriving at the end
of their journey set about making a cabin. Robert cut the logs, his
brother and McDowell laid them, and Studabaker hauled them. The
Studabaker-Simison-McDowell colony arrived in time to witness the
wonderful display of meteors, or "shooting stars," which so awed
or alarmed multitudes of Americans in 1833.
The Studabakers and Simisons
After the cabin was erected Mr. Studabaker returned to Fort Re-
covery for his family, intending to bring his household within a few
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
■M
days, but a. scries of freshets delayed his coming until spring, and
Robert Simison spent the late fall and winter alone, but not idle.
During these long winter months Mr. Simison was engaged in
splitting rails, cutting wood and clearing land, and, in order to keep
the larder in operation, was obliged to put in some of his time in
hunting game. After Studabaker's return with his family, Simison
Peter Studabaker
went back to Ohio to work and replenish his cash box. As it hap-
pened, he had a good reason for doing this, as he married in Novem-
ber, 1836, and rejoined Studabaker in Wabash Township. He and
his young wife remained with the Studabakers until he had erected a
cabin on his claim in Hartford Township. As soon as spring fairly
opened he cleared about three acres and planted the land to corn, and
in the following year added an orchard to his improvements.
In LS40 Mr. Studabaker died at his homestead in Wabash Town-
38 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
ship, but Mr. Simison lived nearly seventy years longer, reaching a
remarkable age — approaching, as he did, the century mark. Like not
a few of the early settlers, he and his good wife, whom he married in
Wells County, reared a large family. Their first home was a log cabin
nineteen feet square, with puncheon floor, and, his ingenuity spurred
on by necessity, not a nail was used in its construction. When he
first settled his land was heavily timbered, and the wolves were his
closest neighbors. After living in the log house for several years the
father built a frame building, which the family occupied until 1874,
when another and larger residence was erected. Mr. Simison was the
owner of the town site of Buena Vista, which he platted in 1856, the
sale of lots beginning on New Year's day of 1857. He always took
an active interest in the public affairs of his township and county, and
preserved his mental faculties in remarkable strength and clearness.
Mr. Simison passed the later years of his life at the home of one of
his sons in Bluffton.
Simison 's Bear Story
As is often the case with those who reach a ripe age, Mr. Simison 's
recollections were most vivid for that period which covered his earlier
experiences, and his stories were well worth listening to and repeat-
ing. All the pioneers of his time and country had their tales of
Bruin, especially illustrative of his troublesome, as well as unique dis-
position. Among all the wild animals, it was the bears which made
the most inroads upon the finest of the porkers. Mr. Simison used to
tell a very illustrative tale in this connection. He had borrowed a
neighbor's horses, had returned them and was on his way home afoot.
Upon arriving near his own clearing, he came upon several of his hogs,
bearing toward him, squealing and grunting their disapproval of
some hidden disturbance. Soon a large bear appeared close behind
them, coming along with his usual awkward lope. He was so close
to one of the porkers that he seemed about to reach out with his paws
and take it in, but, spying the human being, the bear stopped short.
Mr. Simison was standing on the end of a log perfectly quiet. Old
hunters say that a bear will seldom attack a man under such circum-
stances, and Simison always insisted that the truth of that assertion
was never more sorely tested and conclusively proven. First, the
bear looked in an inquiring way at the rigid and mysterious figure of
Mr. S., then the animal's longing gaze followed the retreating and
squealing hogs, again Bruin considered the figure of the weird man
on the log, and finally turned his rollicking stump of a tail and rolled
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 39
off toward the Wabash. Simison ran to his house to get his gun and
give chase ; returned and followed the bear's trail to the river, and then
saw Bruin on the other side of the Wabash, up stream, loping across
country after some other settler's hogs who was not given to
' ' posing. ' '
Col. William Vance
In 1833-34, in addition to those mentioned, the following became
permanent residents of the territory afterward incorporated as Adams
County : Ezekiel Hooper, James Niblack, Benjamin P. Gorsline, John
S. Rhea, Enos W. Butler, Samuel Smith, Marvin R. Gorsline, Benja-
min Pillars, Eli Zimmerman and William Lewis.
Col. William Vance came in the Spring of 1885 and settled on
section 18, Wabash Township. He was widely known in Eastern In-
diana and served three terms in the General Assembly of the state as
a representative of Adams, Wells, Huntington, Jay and Blackford. A
child of Colonel Vance died in the spring of 1835, soon after the
family settled in Wabash Township, and this death was the first in the
extreme southern part of the county. The Vanees, Simisons and
Studabakers virtually monopolized that section of the county for
several years.
The Martins and Deffenbaughs Enter the Limberlost Region
Joseph Martin and John Deffenbaugh spent several weeks travel-
ing from Piqua, Ohio, to Adams County. They finally found locations
which were satisfactory along the Wabash River near what is now
Hartford Township, and started for Fort Wayne on horseback to
make their entries at the land office. On their homeward trip they
went down the Maumee River by way of the old Indian trace as far
as the juncture of the Auglaize, up that stream to Fort Findlay, Han-
cock County, Ohio, and thence to Upper Sandusky, then a Wyandotte
Indian town. Garrett, a white man, had married an Indian girl at
that point and kept a tavern there. The return trip of the Martin
and Deffenbaugh families to the Limberlost region was made in
thirteen days. Six horses and two wagons drew the families with their
household effects and, besides the men of the families, two hired hands
were employed in cutting the road free of underbrush and small trees
when it was impossible otherwise to advance through the country.
40 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
First Drowning in the Limberlost
Much difficulty was also experienced by those who entered the
southern portions of the county for purposes of settlement on account
of the numerous streams, many of which, at high water, were not
fordable. The most common way of getting across them was to build
a sort of pontoon bridge. A tree was selected near the bank and felled
so that, it reached the opposite bank; another was thrown across the
stream not far away and as near parallel to the first as possible. The
two trees were then covered with puncheons and pinned together, thus
making quite a substantial bridge. Not a few of them, planned to
be only temporary, were so well built as to last for years. Accidents
sometimes happened in crossing them when the water was high. David
Studabaker related an instance wherein a boy was drowned. The
father and son had been to mill, a trip of that kind sometimes taking
from four to six days. While they were away the water raised and the
placid little Limberlost became a raging torrent, bearing swiftly in
its current, trees, logs and debris of every description. To reach the
half submerged bridge, father and son were obliged to swim their
horses. The man led, but had scarcely reached the center of the foam-
ing stream when he heard a scream and, turning, saw both boy and
horse carried under. Powerless to be of any assistance, the father
struggled to the opposite shore, hurried to the residence of Peter
Studabaker, who organized a squad of neighbors and, after the waters
of the Limberlost had somewhat subsided, the men succeeded in find-
ing the body of the unfortunate lad. The accident occurred July 4,
1834.
Squire Martin Puts on Style
When Martin and Deffenbaugh arrived at their entries they built
a double half-faced camp and lived therein until each completed his
cabin. The former built his mud and stick chimney above the roof.
This was unheard-of grandeur, the settlers seldom building them
higher than six feet. Studabaker, Vance and the others who had as-
sisted in the raising, when they realized what Martin had done insisted
that, he "must treat all 'round" for putting on so much style.
The Judays, McDaniels and Eleys
Henry S. Juday, who settled on the northwest quarter of section
2S, Wabash Township, was of an old Virginia family, the members of
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 41
which moved into Preble and Darke counties, Ohio, in the early part
of the nineteenth century. Mr. Juday's father died in the latter
county at the age of more than one hundred years. He himself resided
on his Wabash Township farm until 1864, when he moved to Fulton
County, Illinois, where he died in 1867. Andrew J. Juday, a son, was
born on the Indian homestead and became one of the early merchants
of Geneva.
Perry MeDaniel settled in the woods in the eastern part of Blue
Creek Township on the eighty acres which he entered at Fort Wayne.
As he came with a family, he built a cabin before he did any clearing
for a farm. Mr. MeDaniel remained in the county until his death in
May, 1850. His son, by the same name, who lived for years upon
his farm in the western part of the same township, was an infant of
only a few months- when the family first came from Greene County,
Ohio.
Michael Eley headed one of the pioneer families of Monroe Town-
ship. His son, David Eley, became a law student at Decatur and in
the early '80s represented Adams and Jay counties in the Legislature.
John II. Fuelling
The Fuelling family, of which John H. was the eldest among the
children, settled in a clearing around Seventeen-mile Pond in Root
Township. The father had entered 120 acres of land at Fort Wayne
and with John II. Fuelling, the youth of sixteen, set out to establish
a homestead in that locality. While the home cabin was being built the
family stopped with John H. Wise, who was their nearest neighbor.
There were no neighbors immediately north of them, but soon after
their arrival immigrants commenced to locate around them. The
father of the family died in Root Township in December, 1854, and
the mother more than twenty years afterward. They were both earnest
Lutherans. John II. Fuelling raised a large family in Root Township
and became one of the most prosperous farmers of the county, owning
and cultivating large farms both in Root and Jefferson townships.
Reuben Lord was also a settler of Root Township, and left nu-
merous descendants.
Sampson Rice, still another Root Township pioneer, resided for
twelve years in that part of the county. He died in January. 1848,
and his son, Benjamin Rice, lived for many years on his farm in
section 21 near the present site of Monmouth.
42 ADAMS AXI) WELLS COUNTIES
The Elzeys of Root Township
Elisha V. Elzey was a representative of one of those stanch Ohio
families of southern blood which formed such a large portion of the
pioneer element which started Adams County on the upward road.
His father was a native of Delaware who was reared in Maryland, and
his first wife was born in that state. Elisha was twenty-one years of
age when he came to Adams County with his parents, three brothers
and three sisters. The family came from Clinton County, Ohio, and
the father proceeded to take possession of section 31, in the south-
western corner of Root Township, which he had entered at the Gov-
ernment land office at Fort Wayne in May, 1836. Four big wagons
and nine horses brought the sizable Elzey family to Adams County.
Its father eventually divided the section among his children, keeping
280 acres for himself. The son. Elisha V., soon had a log cabin com-
pleted on his "eighty," and in the following winter returned to Ohio
and married. In a short time he had started on his wedding trip
through the Ohio and Indiana wilds to the little log house in Root
Township. He lived at that locality for more than forty years, bring-
ing three wives to the old homestead, which, as the years passed, was
improved into a substantial estate and blessed with numerous children.
Mr. Elzey moved to Decatur in 1S80 and in that city he married his
fourth wife, when he was sixty-seven years of age. When he came to
the county with his father to occupy his "eighty" in section 31,
Root Township, there was no Decatur. Its first house was built in the
following October and a surveyor named Jacob Hoffer lived in it.
Settled Near and at Decatur
Robert Drummond was a Pennsylvanian who was reared in Ohio
and lived on his farm in Root Township until his death in 1874, a
period of thirty-eight years. His son, William D., moved to Decatur
where he engaged in the lumber business.
When Enos Mann settled in what is now Washington Township,
in 1836, his son, Justin C, was fifteen years of age. A decade later
the latter married the widow of John Reynolds, a farmer of Root
Township, and not long afterward settled on a farm which was sub-
sequently absorbed by the City of Decatur. In 1858 he removed to a
farm in Washington Township, adjoining Decatur, where he died in
the spring of 1884.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 43
Andrew Daugherty and His $1.50 Kesidence
Andrew Daugherty was of Irish blood, his grandfather having been
born in the Emerald Isle. The story runs that the latter and his three
brothers were kidnapped from the coast of Ireland, in 1738, brought to
America, and sold for their passage money. Mr. Daugherty 's parents
were both natives of Delaware. He himself was a West Virginian
who was taken to Fairfield County, Ohio, when he was five years of
age. In September, 1836, after he had been married a number of
years and was the father of two children, he entered land in Root
Township. Building a log house, IS by 20 feet, lie covered it witli
clapboards which he had chopped out of the logs himself, and laid a
floor which was part puncheons and part boards. When the assessor
first visited him and his residence, Mr. Daugherty was asked to place
a value on the house — rather was asked how "much it cost." The
builder who had done almost everything himself, truthfully replied
'"One dollar and fifty cents." Mr. Daughterv had six children by
his first wife. He passed the last years of his life on his farm of
120 acres on sections 8 and 16, Root Township.
George A. and Byron H. Dent
Byron II. Dent was only about seven months old when he was
brought by his parents from Licking County, Ohio, and commenced
his infant life on the farm in section 35, Washington Township, upon
which he was to pass most of his existence. At the time the Dent fam-
ily settled in that locality Jeremiah Roe lived half a mile northwest,
and Zachariah Smith four miles southeast. Mr. Huffer resided on the
west side of the river at the point where it is now spanned by the
bridge. The father, George A. Dent, entered his farm from the Gov-
ernment at the usual $1.25 per acre; years afterward his son. Byron
II., was offered $150 per acre for the same property. There was a log
cabin on the place built by Jonathan Roe the spring before the Dent
family came. Mr. Roe had also a claim on forty acres of the tract
which was purchased by Mr. Dent. George A. Dent lived in that cabin,
with his family, until 1844, when he was elected county auditor and
moved to Decatur. He was the first to hold that office in Adams
County and served four years. Mr. Dent then returned to his farm
and resided on it until it was cleared and otherwise improved, after
which he returned to Decatur, where he died in February, 1878. The
son, Byron II. Dent, succeeded to the ownership of the old farm. He
became quite a democratic leader, and served as county clerk, clerk
of the Circuit Court and mayor of Decatur.
44 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
First Town of Adams County
The Town of Monmouth was the first village in the county to be
platted and was the only one laid out previous to the organization of
the county in May, 1S36. The organic act was approved by the gov-
ernor in January, the first county officers were elected on the first
Monday in April and the first meeting of the board of county com-
missioners was held May 9th. The county was not considered fully
organized until its official board had met aaid become duly qualified to
sit. The Town of Monmouth was platted in section 21, Root Township,
and, although the plat was not dated, it was recorded on January 26,
1S36, three days after the governor had approved the act organizing
the County of Adams.
The Bonds that Bind the Hoosiers
Indiana as a state has always maintained a reputation among her
sister commonwealths of the old Northwest for a certain hearty affec-
tion tending to bind her sons and daughters to her soil and the scenes
of the old days. Adams County shares the reputation of the state
as a whole in that regard and the meetings of the old settlers which
have been held at Fourth of July celebrations, and at other stated
times, the "home comings" of a later day organized by various sec-
tions of the county, and even less formal gatherings of the pioneers,
have tended to closely cement the generations of her residents.
Early Fourth op July Celebrations
The first celebration which could have come to the attention of
any resident of Adams County was the Fourth of July observed at
Wiltshire, just over the Ohio line in Van Wert County, for the year
1825. Thompson, of Thompson's Prairie, was the only one of the three
or four settlers within "hailing distance" who remained within its
limits. Douglas and Ayres were in the far northern wilds of Root
Township, outside the pale of all such civilization as Fourth of July
celebrations. There is no positive evidence that even Mr. Thompson
was in attendance, but that is possible. Captain Riley's words which
describe the celebration are : ' ' An arbor was erected under some oak
trees on the river bank just north of the mill, and a very long table of
boards was formed. The meats were bear, venison, roast pig, turkey
and chicken pie baked in tin milk basins in old New England style.
(A meaty day, truly! — Editor.) The speaker's stand faced the east
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 45
and was between two large trees. A salute was fired by charging the
hole in a blacksmith's anvil, which made a loud report. The oration
being ended, the people, to the number of about seventy-live, took
their places at the table, which had been loaded with all the luxuries
that the country afforded. Mr. Golden Gree, of Shane's Crossing,
asked the blessing, and those who were skilled commenced to do the
carving. After-dinner toasts were drunk, using what we called
metheglin, made from honey, very delicious but not intoxicating. I
only remember my father's toast, which was: 'The State of Ohio,
the first born of the Ordinance of 1787. May she lead the van in the
cause of freedom and equity.' My Uncle Roswell sung some comic
songs; also, 'Perry's Victory' and 'Hull's Surrender.' A plank floor
had been laid upon scantling on the ground, and a dance by moonlight
wound up the first celebration of Fourth of July in Van Wert
County. ' '
Within about a month of ten years from the time Decatur was
platted as a town the first Fourth of July celebration within the
actual bounds of the county was held at the seat of government. At
that time there were enough people abroad to make a very respectable
crowd. The anvil was '•fired" at sunrise and at intervals through the
forenoon, the powder being provided by J. D. Nutman, the banker,
and some of his clerks. The martial music was provided by Samuel
Linton and John Walker, who brought a drum and fife from the Wa-
bash; by Messrs. Fleming and King, of Decatur, and by some Fort
Wayne patriots who provided two drums and a fife. Snow in Ins
"History of Adams County," gives an interesting picture of this
Fourth of July gathering, which, more than seventy years ago, had,
as its most notable features, two venerable men of that time and
generation. The account notes: "After the dinner hour a procession
was formed on Second Street — the militia in the lead, the oldest men in
the crowd coming next, then the general public — and marched to the
courthouse square, dodging stumps in the street as they went, where
a platform and bower had been erected for the speaker's stand. Flags
and decorations made the tenth anniversary of Decatur Town one of
the events in history. The oldest residents, with others, were seated on
the speaker's stand, where it was more shady and comfortable. The
Declaration of Independence was read by Samuel L. Rugg, and short
speeches were made and reminiscences related by some of the older
men, who recited the many trials and troubles the Nation and its
people had passed through on its journey to the present time. The
occasion was made more real by the presence of the military company
that marched in the procession and gave some drill exercises in the
46 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
court yard. Some members of the company had flintlock muskets,
and others were provided with small staff's cut from the growing
grubs that lined the streets in several places. Though these were not
guns, they answered for drill purposes on this occasion. Some of the
members of this company were Samuel Patterson, John Reed, Joseph
Miller, George Steele, J. M. Nutman and Samuel S. Miekle. The of-
ficer in command was Mr. Miekle. This celebration did not call out
a great crowd of people, but it was thoroughly patriotic.
The True Veterans of Adams County
"In the audience was a white Jiaired old man, perhaps a soldier of
the War of 1812. He sat close to one of the speakers who is said to
have been one of the local circuit rider preachers invited to participate
in the exercises of the day. At the close of his remarks he made an
eloquent reference to the national stars and stripes as they waved
near him in the breeze. Then turning round he placed both hands
upon the old man's head and said in substance: 'Here is a long-
haired, gray-headed brother who spent his youthful years to save
his nation's colors from traitors' hands. God bless his old gray head !'
The minister's name was Jesse Sparks. The old man was William
Nottingham, who then claimed to be one hundred and three years old.
At that time he resided in what is now Kirkland Township, and was
perhaps the oldest person who ever lived in Adams County."
The census of 1850 showed that in the year named the following
persons were residing in Adams County who were more than sixty
years of age : William Nottingham, 107 years old ; Ephraim Robinson,
98; Daniel Baumgartner, 86; Solomon Fuller, 85: John Yost, 80;
Charles Selby, 75; Christian Kieffer, 75; Elisha Leisure, 75; John
Smith, 74; Robert Truesdale, 72; Christian Young, 70; William
Brown, 70 ; Daniel Harmon, 69 ; Joseph Ross, 69 ; Jonathan Ray, 68 ;
John Buckingham, 68; John Augspurger, 68; Andrew Lucky, 68;
Jacob Schroll, 66; Jonathan Elzey, 65; John Johnson, 78; Tunis
Young, 76 ; Leonard Sehatzer, 75 ; Roger Barton, 75 ; John Gessinger,
74; Abraham Baughman, 71; John Cowan, 70; George T. Baker, 70;
Samuel Allen, 69 ; Joseph Stoops, 68 ; Jacob Abnett, 68 ; Jacob Cook,
68; Holman Reynolds, 68; Jacob Schulte, 66; William Elzey, 66;
Nicholas Ramey, 63; Elisha Gulich, 65; John Holmes, 64: Alvan
Randal, 63; William Shepherd, 62; Wade Lufborough, 62; Nicholas
Stuckey, 60 ; John Cox, 60 ; Alexander Stuart, 60 ; John Former, 60 ;
Jacob Rush, 65 ; John Pine, 64 ; David S. Bennett, 62 ; Simon Yutter,
48 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
62; Christian Mersman, 61; William Hill, 62; William Sypliers, 60;
George Home, 60 ; John Hart, 60.
Patriotic Gatherings
After the return of the Civil war soldiers to their homes, reunions
commenced to be held which, as the years went by, developed into old
settlers' meetings of a peculiarly interesting nature. With the forma-
tion of G. A. R. posts and the institution of Decoration Day the cele-
brations naturally assumed a patriotic, as well as a social nature, and
largely took the place of the old-fashioned Fourth of July celebra-
tions. The first gathering of the ex-boys in blue in Adams County
was held in Fonner's Grove near Monmouth, and a later one, in the
fall of 1865, at the grove in the old county fairgrounds southeast of
Decatur. In the latter, the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, Forty-seventh
Indiana and the Eighty-ninth Indiana regiments were the principal
participants.
Old Settlers' Meetings Revived
In 1894 the Old Settlers' meetings were revived, irrespective of
Civil war experience. On the 23d of August of that year the surviv-
ing pioneers had a reunion at Shaffer's Grove, Town of Rivare, in St.
Mary's Township. It is said fully 2,500 people were in attendance,
and they were of all ages, although the old people had the seats of
honor and were the special guests of the occasion. The home-coming
feature of the gathering was very prominent and many were present
who had been away from Adams County for many years. Music,
speech-making and reminiscences, formal and informal, occupied most
of the day, and among the "old-timers" who made the program pos-
sible, both by their management and participation, were the following :
Samuel Schafer, of St. Mary's Township, proprietor of the grove
where the reunion was held; David Studabaker, Washington Town-
ship; Xorval Blackburn, and Jacob S. Hart, Decatur; Joshua Bright.
Kirkland Township; John Woy and Jonathan Fleming, Root Town-
ship; Norman Acker, William Comer, William Jackson, Joseph W.
Smith and John E. Teeple, St. Mary's, and J. T. Arcbbold and Jerry
Archbold, Decatur and Root townships, respectively. Alva Miller, of
Union Township, and Dr. J. Q. Neptune, of Decatur, sang pioneer
songs. Rev. B. F. Kohn and his church choir of Willshire, the Meth-
odist choir of Rivare (Bobo) and Reverend Freeland of Monroe Cir-
cuit, aided in the oratorical and musical portions of the program.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 49
At the revival of the old settlers' meetings in 1894 David Studa-
baker was chosen president, Samuel A. Sehafer, vice president, and
Norval Blackburn, secretary and treasurer. The last old settlers'
meeting of consequence occurred on September 1, 1898, at Chris-
tainer's Grove, about a mile west of Decatur.
The oldest person present at the latter meeting was Uncle Johnny
Reed, of Root Township, whose ninety-ninth birthday had occurred
in April, 1897, and who therefore lacked a few months of being one
hundred years of age.
The Oldest Twins in the United States
Uncle Johnny McGriff, one of the MeGriff twins, at that time re-
sided with his son. Mike McGriff, at Geneva, and sent his regrets at
not being able to be present at the meeting. On the 31st of August.
1804, John and Richard McGriff were born in what is now Darke
County, Ohio, near Greenville. They were reared to manhood in Ohio
and later came to reside in Indiana. Until the 10th of March, 1899,
the McGriff brothers bore the distinction of being the oldest twins in
the United States. John McGriff outlived his brother, his death oc-
curring August 29, 1900, his life stretching over ninety-six years
within two days.
CHAPTER V
COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND INSTITUTIONS
First Gathering of County Officials — More Officials Named —
Three Commissioners' Districts — Two Road Districts — In-
spectors of Elections and Fence Viewers — Grand and Petit
Jurors — Johnson Site Selected as County Seat — Donations
at the County Seat — The Other Sites Offered — Organization
Further Perfected — County Finances and Jail — First Road
Improvements in County — Licenses, Various and Sundry —
Thrown into Debt the First Year — First County Jatl — Crea-
tion and Organization of More Townships — The County Seal
— The Old Frame Courthouse — Contest of 1850 — The Court-
house of 1873 — Improved in Durability and Appearance — The
County Infirmary — Typical Pioneer and County Official —
Founder of Decatur — Roster of County Officials.
The Root Township, Allen County, of 1833, became Adams County
by the legislative act which was approved by the governor in January,
1836. The new county was divided into Root and St. Mary's town-
ships, the former constituting a strip six miles wide from north to
south and ten miles from east to west. St. Mary's Township was the
southern and Root, the northern division.
First Gathering of County Officials
The early civil history of Adams County is epitomized in the
official report of the first meeting of the Board of County Commis-
sioners, held May 9, 1836, which is as follows : "After the passage of the
act organizing the County of Adams, which was approved January
23, 1836, the Governor, in conformity to law, issued a writ of election
for the election of the necessary county officers on the first Monday in
April, 1836, at which time Jehu S. Rhea, Samuel Smith and William
Heath, Sr., were elected county commissioners in and for said county.
"Present, Jehu S. Rhea, who presented his certificate of election
from the sheriff of Adams County that he was elected county com-
50
'■•
m to
:,v»>rv> '■■■f-it
Present Courthouse of Adams County
52 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
missioner for the terra of two years from the first Monday in August
next; present also, Samuel Smith, who presented his certificate of
office from the hand of the sheriff of the county, certifying that he was
duly elected county commissioner of Adams County for the term of
one year from the first Monday in August next. And by an endorse-
ment on the back of each of the said certificates it appears that each of
the said commissioners has taken the oath of office prescribed by law,
and they therefore took their seats as a Board of Commissioners for
the County of Adams in conformity to law.
"Present also, Samuel L. Rugg, clerk, and David McKnight, sher-
iff, and the Board therefore proceeded to business.
' ' Thomas Ruble, Esq., made a report on oath of the fines imposed
by him since the organization of the county, which amounted to five
dollars.
' ' Ordered, that David McKnight be allowed the sum of one dollar
and fifty cents for advertising in the Fort Wayne Sentinel the act
organizing the County of Adams.
"Ordered, that John K. Adams be appointed seminary trustee until
the first Monday in May, 1837, and that he give bond and security in
the sum of $25 for the performance of his duties in said office.
"Ordered that Joshua Major lie appointed constable in St. Mary's
Township until the first Monday in April next, and that he appear and
give security according to law.
"The Board adjourned until tomorrow at nine o'clock.
"Jehu S. Rhea,
"President.
"Sam tel L. Rugg,
"Clerk."
More Officials Named
The second day's proceedings are thus recorded: "Ordered, that
Jeremiah Roe be appointed treasurer of Adams County until Febru-
ary next, and that he be summoned to appear and give bond and
security for the acceptance of the Board for the performance of the
duties of his office.
"Ordered, that David McKnight be appointed assessor to serve
until the first Monday in January, 1837, and that he give bond and
security for the performance of the duties of his office.
"Ordered, that John K. Evans be appointed collector for the state
and countv revenues for one vear from the first Monday in May. 1836.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 53
Three Commissioners' Districts
""Ordered that the county be divided into three commissioners'
districts, as follows: All that part of the county which is north of
the township line dividing towns 27 and 28 north, shall form Com-
missioners' District No. 1 ; all that part north of the township line
dividing towns 26 and 27 north and south of the first mentioned line,
Commissioners' District No. 2; all south of the line dividing townships
26 and 27, Commissioners' District No. 3. (District No. 1 thus in-
cluded the present townships of Union, Root and Preble; No. 2, Kirk-
land, Washington and St. Mary's; No. 3, the southern half of the
county, comprising Blue Creek, Monroe, French, Hartford, Wabash
and Jefferson.)
Two Road Districts
"Ordered that Root Township be divided into two road districts,
to-wit : All of the township on the east side of the St. Mary's river
shall form Road District No. 1, and Jonathan Roe is appointed read
supervisor in said district; all west of said river to form District No.
2, and William Ball is appointed supervisor of roads in said district.
•'Ordered that St. Mary's Township be divided into two road dis-
tricts, to-wit: All that part of the township which lies east of St.
Mary's River to form District No. 1, and Elias Dailey is appointed
supervisor of roads; and all that part of the township lying on the
west side of the St. Mary's River and east of the north and south cen-
ter line of Adams County shall form District No. 2, and Thomas
Ruble is appointed supervisor of roads. ' '
Inspectors of Election and Fence Viewers
Other "orders" made Enos W. Butler inspector of elections in
Root Township until the first Monday in March, 1837; Thomas Ruble
appointed to the same office for the same term in St. Mary's; William
Heath, Sr., and Eli Zimmerman became overseers of the poor for St.
Mary's Township and Vachel Ball and John W. Wise, for Root Town-
ship, until the first Monday in April, 1837 ; Jonas Pence and Bail W.
Butler, fence viewers for Root Township covering the same period,
and Joel Roe and Zachariah Smith, Jr., for St. Mary's Township.
Grand and Petit Jurors
The grand jurors named for the fall term of the Adams County
Circuit Court were Joel Roe, John Ross, Sr., Michael Roe, Bail W.
54 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Butler, William Heath, Sr., Jonas Pence, Robert Smith, Jehu S. Rhea,
Benjamin F. Gorsline, Samuel Smith, William Ball William Thatcher,
William Biram, John Catterlin, Jonathan Roe, Eli Zimmerman, James
Ball and Abraham Elifrits. Petit jurors: John W. Wise, Thomas
Ruble, John W. Cooler, Joseph Wise, Joseph Thatcher, Peter Studa-
baker, Enos W. Butler, William Major, Otha Gandy, James H. Ball,
Esaias Dailey, Jacob Fitsimmons. Vachel Ball, Joshua Major, Joseph
Troutner, George Wimer. Benjamin F. Blossom, Job Wolf, Joseph
Hill, Jacob England, Philip Everman, Daniel Ball, Theron Harper and
Zachariah Smith.
Johnson Site Selected as County Seat
At the special meeting of the commissioners held May 18, 1836, the
only business transacted of historic importance (and it comes fairly
within that classification) was the reception and the consideration of
the report of the commissioners appointed by the state to locate the
seat of justice for the new county. This was the report which covers
their labors of three days:
"May 16 — The commissioners appointed to locate the county seat
of the County of Adams, agreeably to the provisions of an act of the
General Assembly of the State of Indiana approved January 23, 1836,
met at the house of John Reynolds in said county. Present, William
Stewart, Joseph H. McMaken, Robert Hood and William G. John-
son ; who, being duly sworn according to law, proceeded to examine the
different sites offered for the county seat of said county, and after
examining four sites presented for the county seat, to-wit, the sites of
Thomas Johnson, R. L. Britton & Henry Work, Joseph Morgan &
Thomas Prichard, and Samuel L. Rugg, the commissioners returned to
the house of John Reynolds, as aforesaid, and adjourned until tomor-
row morning.
"May 17 — The commissioners aforesaid now proceeded as far to-
ward the center of the county as they deemed expedient, and found it
impracticable to establish the county seat of said county at the center ;
and after returning to the house of John Reynolds organized them-
selves by appointing William Stewart president, and Robert Hood,
secretary, and thereupon notified the proprietors of the town sites to
hand in their proposals: whereupon Thomas Johnson handed in his
proposals marked A: R. L. Britton & Henry Work, B; Samuel L.
Rugg, C, and Joseph Morgan & Thomas Pritchard, D.
"May 18 — The commissioners aforesaid met pursuant to adjourn-
ment ; present, the same commissioners as yesterday. There being no
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 55
further sites offered or proposals made, the commissioners aforesaid,
after due deliberation, do select the site offered by Thomas .Johnson
as the most suitable, aud thereupon permanently fixed and established
the county seat of the County of Adams on the said site, being part of
the northeast quarter of section 3, township 27 north, range 14 east ;
and thereupon proceeded to the aforesaid town site and marked a
white oak tree about two feet in diameter with two blazes on four sides.
on each of which the commissioners individually subscribed his name ;
which tree is to be within the said town site.
"And the commissioners adjourned without day.
"William Stewart,
"Joseph II. McMaken,
"William G. Johnson,
"Robert Hood."
The site thus chosen included what afterward became the business
section of Decatur, and Mr. Johnson turned over his property on
terms very favorable to the county. The purchase price was $3,100 ;
$500 payable in one year, the remainder in three years. He also
donated four lots for churches, favoring the Presbyterians, the Cath-
olics, the Methodists and the Baptists. Mr. Johnson further paid the
expense of the locating commissioners, and furnished a building for
holding court and as a place of meeting for the board of county com-
missioners, as well as providing accommodations for the county of-
ficers. This building was understood to be temporary, to be used
only until a courthouse could be provided.
Donations at the County Seat
Jehu S. Rhea donated to the county twenty acres off the west end
of an eighty-acre lot on the southwest quarter of section 2 (the old
county fairground), and Samuel L. Rugg added ten acres adjoining
Mr. Johnson's land in section 3, which included the present Water
Works Park. The original plat of Decatur was filed September 22,
1836. Various additions were afterward made extending the site into
the northeast quarter of section 4, Washington Township, and into
the south half of section 34. Root Township.
The Other Sites Offered
It is said that the site for the county seat proposed by Samuel
L. Rugg was what afterward was the Tonnelier farm on the south side
56 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
of St. Mary's River, adjoining what is now Decatur near where the
Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad crosses the St. Mary's River. The
Morgan & Pritchard site included the present Town of Monmouth
and land lying west of that locality to St. Mary's River. The Britton
& Work site was in the geographical center of the county, but was low
and swampy, and as there was no prospect of bringing it within con-
venient reach of the eastern and northeastern sections of the county,
which were receiving the bulk of the new settlers, the location met
Adams County's First Courthouse
with little consideration. From the first, Decatur had no serious op-
position as the seat of justice, although it was over three years before
a regular courthouse was provided for the use of court, board and
county officers.
Organization Further Perfected
A month and two days after the locating commissioners had de-
cided in favor of Decatur, the county board held a meeting to further
perfect civil organization. At that session John Reynolds was ap-
pointed county treasurer to succeed Jeremiah Roe, resigned, and
Joseph Wise and John W. Cooley were chosen constables for Root
Township. Wabash was created as the third township of the county,
and then covered the southern tier of the present townships, and half
of the next tier north. This meeting was held on June 20, 1836,
and in the following August David Studabaker was appointed in-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 57
spector of election for the officers who were to he chosen for Wabash
Township. At that election a supervisor, constable, two overseers of
the poor and two fence viewers were selected.
County Finances and Jail
Sheriff David McKnight was also allowed nearly $9 for making
the first assessment of property in Adams County, and the tax levy for
county purposes was fixed at one-half of 1 per cent. The clerk was
directed to advertise for proposals for building a county jail, to be
completed by July 1, LS37. The courthouse could wait; the jail had
to be built. It was evident that the expenses for providing accom-
modations for the county officials were not crushing, as the board
of county commissioners allowed John Reynolds only $12 for the
use of his house up to September, as a place of meeting for that body
and for the voters of the county, when any matters pressed either
for solution.
First Road Improvements in County
At the September session of the county board, Esaias Dailey was
appointed county road commissioner to take charge of the proportion
of the 3 per cent fund recently created by the State Legislature to
encourage the building of roads in various sections of Indiana. The
sum of $600 was appropriated for the State Road "leading from the
State line to the Allen county line on the west side of the St. Mary's"
and $400 for the State road "leading from the State line near Will-
shire to the Allen county line on the east side of the St. Mary's river."
These sums represent the first expenditures for the improvement of
roads within Adams County after its erection as a separate political
body. The roads to which reference is made were improved and re-
improved and are still sections of well known and often traveled
highways in Adams County. They run northwest and southeast,
nearly parallel with the St. Mary's River between them. The road
on the east side was virtually the old Wayne trace, and only needed
to be repaired and supplied with bridges to be in good shape.
Licenses, Various and Sundry
The board of commissioners at the September session of 1836 fixed
various licenses, as follows: For taverns and groceries, $10 each;
merchants, $10 for the first $3,000 invested in business, and an addi-
58 .ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
tional amount proportionate to the capital involved; $5 for peddling
wooden clocks. James M. Wilson was granted the first license to sell
"spirituous and strong liquors and foreign and domestic groceries."
The first marriage license was issued by the clerk of the court to
Joseph Troutner and Sarah Weimer, and the ceremony was performed
on July 3, 1836, by Thomas Ruble, justice of the peace. Another
license was issued the 2d of August to Philip Evermore and Lydia
Liste, who were married two days later by 'Squire E. W. Butler.
Thrown Into Debt the First Year
At the end of the year 1S36 Adams County found itself in debt.
The tax collector had turned $107.22 into the treasury and $10 had
been received for a grocery license, making the total income $117.22.
During the same period the county had paid out for services on ac-
count of official business, with contingent expenses, $157.44 ; for books
and stationery, $67.43 and a fraction of a cent, and for jury fees, $45,
making the total expenditures $272.27 and a fraction. From which
figures it is evident that Adams County had an indebtedness of more
than $155 at the conclusion of its first j-ear of official life.
It appears from the records that Elias Dailey was licensed to sell
liquors and groceries in February, 1837, and that James M. Wilson
was allowed $11.50 for making the 1837 assessment on all the property
then possessed — real estate and personal, including lands and live
stock but not bank stock, railroad stock, tractors or automobiles. The
tax levy for 1837 was placed at one-third of one per cent for county
purposes, and 20 cents per $100 and 50 cents per capita, for state pur-
poses. Each poll tax was 75 cents.
First County Jail
The county jail was completed in July, 1837. The contract was
first let to Richard McKnight and William Lewis, but they appear to
have sublet to Bazil Browning. At all events, late in the fall an
order was drawn on the county treasury in Mr. Browning's favor "in
the sum of three hundred dollars as payment for completion of the
jail." The total amount donated for the building of the jail was $650.
It was a double-hewed log affair, and comprised two rooms above
and two below. The jail was used, according to circumstances, for
more than thirty years. It is said that the circumstance which led the
authorities to believe that its usefulness was at an end occurred in
1868. Some time in that vear one John W. Williams was confined
60 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
in the jail, but readily released by some outsider who bored through
the logs into his cell. Lafayette Riley was arrested for aiding the
prisoner to escape, but although it does not appear that the charge
was proven, it was evident that the jail did not meet the requirements
of a secure place of confinement, and was little used after that
episode.
The jail stood on the southeast corner of the courthouse square. It
was not entirely abandoned until 1879, when it was destroyed by fire.
The new brick jail on Market Street was completed in 1886.
Creation and Organization of More Townships
At the March term of the board of commissioners for 1838, the
Townships of Blue Creek, Jefferson and Washington were created, and
elections ordered in each of them to be held on the first Monday of
the following April, for a justice of the peace, a constable, an inspector
of elections, one or two supervisors of roads, two overseers of the poor
and two fence viewers. The inspectors of elections chosen were as
follows: Pliny Flagg, Blue Creek, election at the house of Samuel
Flagg; Robert Webster, Jefferson; Jacob Huffer, Washington. At
the time that Jefferson Township was thus organized, two tiers of
sections on the west were attached temporarily, but were afterward
restored to Wabash. That part of section 34 west of St. Mary's River,
which includes a part of the City of Decatur, was also attached to
Washington Township in March, 1838, and it has retained that po-
litical connection ever since.
At the next session of the Commissioners' Court iu the same year
Preble Township was organized from St, Mary's, and comprised a
tract four miles wide from east to west and six miles long, from north
to south, in the extreme northwestern corner of the county.
The County Seal
In January, 1839, the board of commissioners adopted a seal which
had been purchased by the clerk. Its official description: "It is of
brass, five eighths of an inch thick, and circular in opposite dimensions,
one inch and three quarters in diameter. Within the periphery are,
first, one heavy and one light circular lines, within which lines are the
words 'Adams Board of County Commissioners, Indiana'; next to
which words is a heavy circular line, then a broad ornamental cir-
cular line, then another plain line, within which is the figure of a
Durham short-horned cow, represented standing with her head to the
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 61
right hand on the seal.*' This seal was used until considerably worn,
and then the one now in use was obtained, which is of substantially
the same design.
The Old Frame Courthouse
The May session of that year was a maker of county history.
French Township drew for its composition from both the southwest
of St. Mary's Township and the northwest corner of Wabash. But
the creation of a new township was not the chief historical happening
of that meeting. A "permanent" frame courthouse was put under
way through the following order passed by the board of commissioners,
which named as contractors County Treasurer Reynolds and County
Clerk Rugg: "Ordered, that John Reynolds and Samuel L. Rugg
be authorized to build a courthouse on Lot No. 94 in the Town of
Decatur, which shall be a framed house built of good material, thirty
by forty feet in size and two stories high ; the lower story or room to
be left without any partitions, and the upper story or room divided
into rooms to accommodate the grand and petit juries, and that they
convey the said lot to the county by its proper agent, for which lot
they shall be allowed the sum of $50, the cost of which, together with
the cost of building the said house, shall be paid out of the donation
soon to become due from the said John Reynolds and Samuel L. Rugg.
The expenses of building the said house shall be adjusted and agreed
upon by the county agent with the said contractors, and said county
agent shall exercise a kind of superintendence over the completion of
the said building and adjust the costs of the said building with the
said builders in a fair and equable manner, and that the said building
shall be completed by the October term of the Adams Circuit Court, if
possible. The weather boarding on the two sides next to the streets
shall be planed."
The old frame courthouse was used only for holding court, and
its construction and interior arrangement were generally supervised
by the county agent, who at the time was Enos W. Butler. The county
officers appear to have occupied rented quarters until 1849, when two
small brick buildings were erected on the northeast and southeast cor-
ners of the square ; in the former were the county clerk's and recorder's
offices, and in the latter, those of the treasurer and auditor. The
county sold the old frame courthouse when the brick structure was
completed in 1873. It stood at the corner of Madison and Third
streets to the west of the courthouse of the present, on the opposite
side of the street. The frame house was used for a variety of pur-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 6:J
poses. In the late "80s it found its way to First Street, where it was
placed in service as a warehouse for the woolen mill. Still later it
was moved to Front Street near Jefferson and occupied as a lodging
house, being located on the property of Willard Steele.
Contest op 1850
The records of the county seat contest in 1850 show that Pleasant
Mills received two votes for the location; Monmouth, 14; Monroe, 343,
and Decatur, 474. It is said that had it not been for the influence
swung by James Crabbs and J. D. Nutman, with their large mer-
cantile, lumber and hotel interests at Decatur, that Monroe would have
been selected.
The Courthouse of 1873
When the courthouse now occupied was completed in 1873, at a
cost of some $90,000, it was considered a fine public building. At that
time it was described as "a beautiful and commodious structure of
Philadelphia pressed brick, Berea sandstone and iron, with hall floors
of marble. It is tire-proof, and its court room is beautifully frescoed
and painted. The building is two stories high, 70 by 120 feet in di-
mensions, with a mansard roof and a tower, the latter nearly 160
feet high from the basement."
The corner-stone of the present courthouse was laid with Masonic
and Odd Fellows ceremonies on the 4th of July, 1872. It is on the
north side of the structure and bears the following inscription :
"George W. Luckey, Josiah Crawford, George Frank, county commis-
sioners. Seymour Worden, auditor. James R. Robo, attorney. J. C.
Johnson, architect, Fremont, Ohio. Christian Boseker, contractor and
Improved in Durability and Appearance
John W. Snow states : ' ' Originally, the tower was not properly
supported. It was massive and was in the center of the building, right
over the large court room, with no support directly under the center
that reached the foundation on the ground. It was upon a bridge
work that rested on the side walls of the building, and its swaying
back and forth by the wind storms caused so much apprehension that
in 1900 it was taken down. A new tower, with suitable anchorage
and supports, was then constructed at the front of the structure.
64 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Made of solid brick work sixty or seventy feet above the main building,
it not only adds much to the appearance of the court house, but makes
it a durable structure."
The County Infirmary
The county infirmary is located half a mile south of Decatur on
high rolling land of good quality. The farm, comprising 270 acres,
was originally purchased by the county in 1875. With the exception
of ten acres of timber and the area occupied by the buildings, the en-
tire tract has been cultivated to wheat, oats and corn, vegetables, fruit,
and pasturage for the live stock. The farm includes a fine pasture of
5 acres, the infirmary live stock comprising 20 milch cows, 30 head
of young cattle, 40 head of hogs and 8 horses; an apple orchard of two
acres, and a 4-acre garden in which are raised potatoes, beans and
other truck. The farm is thoroughly drained with tiling and two large
barns provide storage for the produce and shelter for the live stock.
The infirmary building is a large two-story structure of brick,
with basement; contains more than eight.y rooms and was erected at
a cost of about $35,000. That was in 1901. The original infirmary-
was a temporary building erected at a cost of only $2,000 to shelter
the county charges until a more suitable structure could be built. A
house which already stood on the property was used by the superin-
tendent as his residence. The first inmate was admitted June 15, 1875 ;
the present number is thirty-four, of whom ten are women. About ten
per cent of the inmates are called upon to perform some work, either
domestic or in connection with the farm.
The superintendents of the infirmary have been Hampton Fristoe,
Andrew J. Teefle, W. H. H. France, George W. Hafeling, J. R.
Graber and Martin Laughlin, the present incumbent. Mr. Graber,
who was superintendent for sixteen years, concluded his long term of
service in February, 1911.
Typical Pioneer and County Official
Samuel L. Rugg, who has been mentioned in connection with the
early and official history of Adams County, was a popular and able
pioneer. He was at one time a Cincinnati machinist, and a man of
some means suggested to him a partnership in a mill enterprise to be
pushed in the new Indiana country. Mr. Rngg accordingly came on
several years before the county was organized. He managed to push
and wade through what is now the southern part of Adams and headed
66 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
for the southern bank of the Wabash. At the present site of Decatur
he found what he sought — a good water power ; another necessity was
lacking, the demand for a mill because of grain to be ground, for
when Mr. Rugg reached the locality he could not find a bushel of grain
to grind within a radius of twenty miles. Although he decided to
remain and await settlement, he wrote to his partner suggesting a post-
ponement of the mill project. A year or two later, as new settlers did
not appear to any great extent, the partners relinquished the idea
altogether, and the machinery which was to have been used in the
Adams County mill went into a similar establishment in Huntington
County.
When Adams County was organized in 1836 Mr. Rugg was elected
its first clerk and held the office for eighteen years. Then, in 1854,
he was chosen joint senator for Allen and Adams counties, and a year
later became a resident of Fort Wayne. In 1858 he was elected state
superintendent of public instruction. He was popular, honest and
altogether a man of large caliber. Although he died at Nashville,
Tennessee, in 1871, his remains were returned to Decatur which he
always considered his home town.
The Founder op Decatur
Mr. Rugg was considered the founder of Decatur. From the first
he was loyal to her interests, and the town and the city reciprocated
his confidence in her. As Mr. Snow adds in his history: "Through
his untiring effort the old plank road from Fort Wayne to Saint
Mary's left the straight and graded roadway up the Piqua line to
pass through Decatur, then his new town. Before it came, no busi-
ness thrived or trade of any consequence left the Piqua road. In
this enterprise Mr. Rugg spent hundreds of dollars and was financially
crippled from its results. He built the first steam saw mill in the
county, and furnished the lumber for a number of miles of the plank
road in 1852-53, in order that it pass through Decatur. To four of
the principal churches in Decatur he donated their church lots. When
Mr. Rugg entered these lands in 1833 and petitioned that a new
township be made in Allen county, he saw a future county. When
he petitioned the State Legislature for a separate county, in 1835,
he saw a prospective county seat on the lands he had entered. When
his county seat was established, he saw an exercise of power, an action
he more coveted than the money received in all his office holding or
from the town lots sold. Yet that power was all for public good ; not
his own aggrandizement. He went to the Senate in 1854, and a more
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 67
diligent, member could not be found in the General Assembly. Many
of the state laws on town and county matters date from the '50s.
"It has been truly said that ofttimes the most thoroughly educated
men are not the most practical in public service. It is equally true
that many who have not enjoyed extensive school training have execu-
tive ability in a high degree and are natural leaders of men. Mr. Rugg
was a thorough business man, a skilful accountant, a man of legal
knowledge and one who was not afraid to perform the duties required
of him. When a state public officer, his plans for the collection and
distribution of the revenues for tuition show him to have been an
economist of rare merit. Much of the interest on congressional funds
had not been accounted for, and he at once begun legal proceedings
against the delinquent officers of the various counties, and secured
many thousands of dollars which rightfully were intended to educate
the youth of the state. Here he again shows his desire to control,
not wealth, but what money will buy, the education of the children of
the country. After retiring from office he took up his residence at
Huntsville, Alabama, and while visiting a son at Nashville, Tennessee,
died a poor man at the age of sixty-five years and seven months, on
the 28th of March, 1871. A marble monument in the old cemetery at
Decatur, his old home, marks the last resting place of one of the
ablest and best of Adam's county citizens."
Roster op County Officials
Mr. Rugg's name is a worthy one with which to introduce the of-
ficial roster of Adams County. The chief officials are given below,
with the exception of those connected with the judiciary and the
school systems of the county who are recorded in the chapters devoted
to those special topics.
County clerks — Samuel L. Rugg, 1836: Samuel S. Mickle, 1854;
James B. Simeoke, 1855 ; John McConnell, 1863 ; A. Judson Hid,
1875; Norval Blackburn, 1S78; John D. Hale, 1882; John H. Lenhar't,
1890; Elmer Johnson, 1898; David Gerber, 1902; James P. Hoefling,
1906 ; Ferdinand Bleeke, 1908 ; Will Hammell, 1914.
Auditors— George A. Dent, 1841; William Trout, 1S45; John Mc-
Connell, 1850; William G. Spencer, 1859; Seymour Worden, 1867;
Godfrey Christen, 1875; Lewis C. Miller. 1883; W. H. H. France,
1891-1895 (died in office) ; Irvin Brandyberry, appointed to fill out
the unexpired term; Noah Mangold, 1896; Abe A. Boch, 1900: Carey
D. Lewton, 1904; Henry S. Michaud, 1908; Thomas II. Boltzell, 1912;
John Mosure, 1916.
Recorders— Samuel L. Rugg, 1841; Oliver T. Hart. 1848; William
J. Adelspurger, 1858; M. V. B. Simeoke, 1S66; J. J. Chubb, 1870;
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ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 69
John Schurger, 1874 ; A. McW. Bollrnan, 1882 ; William Baughman,
1890 ; Harvey H. Harruff, 1894 ; Thomas M. Gallogley, 1898 ; Clinton
C. Cloud, 1902; Hervey S. Steele, 1906; Andrew P. Welfley, 1910;
Aaron Augsburger, 1914.
Treasurers — Jeremiah Roe, 1836 ; John Reynolds, 1836 ; James
Crabbs, 1841 ; Samuel S. Miekle, 1847 ; James B. Simcoke, 1848 ; John
Crawford, 1852 ; David Showers, 1856 ; Charles L. Schirmeyer, 1860 ;
Jesse Niblick, 1864 ; John Meibers, 1868 ; John Dirkson, 1872 ; Anthony
Holthouse, 1876 ; Robert D. Patterson, 1880 ; Andrew Gottschalk, 1884 ;
Perry Robison, 1S88 ; Daniel P. Bolds, 1892 ; Jonas Neuenschwander,
1896; J. H. Voglewede, 1900; John P. Lachot, 1904; Charles W.
Yager, 1908; W. J. Archbold, 1912; George Kinzle, 1914.
Sheriffs— Daniel McKnight, 1836; Zaehariah Smith, 1836; Alvin
Randall, 1840; Alexander Fleming, 1842; James B. Simcoke, 1846;
John N. Little, 1848; David McDonald, 1850; Jacob King, 1854;
David McDonald, 1856; George Frank, 1858; Jacob Stults, 1862;
James Stoops, Jr., 1866; David King, 1870; E. Philison Stoops, 1874;
Henry Krick, 1878 ; Michael MeGriff, 1882 ; Perry A. Lewton, 1886
(died in office) ; L. W. Lewton, filled out the term from 1889; Mark
M. McConnell, 1890 ; Samuel Doak, 1892 ; Peter P. Ashbaucher, 1894 ;
Dan N. Erwin, 1898 ; Albert A. Butler, 1902 ; Eli Meyer, 1906 ; Thomas
J. Durkin, 1910; Edward Green, 1914.
Surveyors— Philemon N. Collins, 1852 ; E. W. Reed, 1858 ; H. Hart,
1859; Christian F. Stauffer, I860; H. C. Peterson, 1868; Harry B.
Knoff, 1870 ; Gabriel F. Kintz, 1874 ; James T. Simcoke, 1882 ; John
W. Tyndall, 1886; William E. Fulk, 1894; George McKean, 1900;
Levi L. Baumgartner, 1906 ; Charles C. Ernst, 1908 ; Phil. L. Maeklin,
1912 ; Orval Harruff, 1916.
Coroners— Jonas Pence, 1836; John W. Cooley, 1837; Enos M.
Butler, 1838; Daniel Weimer, 1839; James Niblick, 1840; William
Elzey, 1844; Jacob King, 1846; Jesse Niblick, 1848; Thomas W.
Andrews, 1850 ; Charles Gorsline, 1852 ; Levi Ewing, 1853 ; Cornelius
B. Lemaster, 1854; Levi Ewing, 1856; John King, Jr., 1859; D. D.
Barnhart, 1860 ; William D. Baker, 1868 ; John E. Smith, 1870 ; Sam-
uel C. Bolman, 1874; John E. Smith, 1876; A. B. Tullis, 1878; J.
E. Smith, 1880; Charles A. Jelleff, 1886; O. T. May, 1890; C. S.
Clark, 1894; C. H. Schenck, 1902; J. S. Falk, 1904; John C. Grand-
staff, 1906 ; David D. Clark, 1912.
Land appraisers — George Frank, 1863 ; Andrew Barkley, 1869 ;
Ferdinand Reinking, 1875. Office abolished.
(For prosecuting attorneys, associate judges, probate judges and
circuit judges, see Bench and Bar.)
(For superintendents of schools, see County Schools.)
CHAPTER VI
GENERAL COUNTY MATTERS
Population of the County — French and German Settlers —
Largest Land Owners in 1850 — Decadal Census Figures (1860-
1910) — Increase in Property Value, 1886-1916 — Taxes of the
County (1916) — Division of Farm Lands — Changes in Stand-
ard Crops and Live Stock — Early Roads — Wouldn 't be Forced
as "John Doe" — Direction of Travel Diverted — Grand Rapids
& Indiana Railroad — Toledo, St. Louis & Western — The
Chicago & Erie Railroad.
There are certain matters intimately relating to the county which
concern neither its government nor its institutions. They are mostly
represented by hard-headed facts; they are proofs by figures and
statistics of general statements which have been made, or may be
hereafter advanced as to the growth of the county in the things which
lie at the basis of its material prosperity ; development in good drains,
good roads, in population and in wealth of grain crops and live stock.
The reader who has long lived in Adams County and knows such
general statements are true need not read this chapter, and the com-
paratively uninformed may also pass it, if he has no liking for such a
brand of literature. The author believes that much may be learned
from even a hasty perusal of the facts and figures here presented.
Population of the County
Along about 1840 the influx of settlers to Adams County com-
menced to take on such proportions that every new arrival did not
create a sensation and later, as the Wabash & Erie Canal and the
Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad penetrated the interior of Indiana
through the valley of the Wabash, this section of the state received its
share of the general impetus. As the means of entry and exit became
easier, prospectors increased in number and, once having tasted of the
comforts and delights of the country, remained to achieve permanent
prosperity and enjoyment. The decade preceding the Civil war was
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 71
a period of remarkably vigorous development, both French and Ger-
man immigrants forming a number of prosperous settlements.
French and German Settlers
The census of 1850 shows a French settlement in Southern Kirk-
land and Northern French Townships, and German settlements in
Northwestern Wabash and Southwestern Monroe Townships, as well
as in Western Root and Northern Preble. At that time Hartford
Township reported but one German family and Jefferson Township,
three German residents. Soon afterward numerous immigrants, many
of whom had come to America as a result of the Revolution of 1848,
commenced to take up farms in the Wabash Valley through the opera-
tions of speculators and land companies. Many an eighty-acre farm in
Adams and adjoining counties was thus purchased with French or
German gold; and. at the breaking out of the Civil war, not a few of
these Americanized farmers went to the front and sturdily performed
their part in the great contest for a united country.
From 1845 to 1855 it was not uncommon to see land buyers going
on horseback, in bands of from six to ten, conducted by well posted
residents. These prospectors were often speculators, who were look-
ing for profitable investments in western lands. They often bought
large tracts and retailed them to smaller purchasers from the older
states who desired to become actual settlers. By thus putting up the
price of land to be purchased by those who came to found homes, per-
manent settlement was somewhat retarded, although this class of land
speculators were not in such bad repute as those who kept large tracts
of land out of the market, waiting for a rise of values which was sure
to come with the passage of the years.
Largest Land Owners in 1850
In 1850, as shown by the census records, the following were the
largest land owners in Adams County: M. F. Burkhead, 1,080 acres;
Eli Zimmerman, 1,000 acres; Denison Tinkham, 530 acres; Morgan
Smith, 465 acres; Samuel Acker, 410 acres; Bazil Hendricks, 400
acres; Henry Fuelling, 400 acres; Peter Moyer, 400" acres; Peter
Moser, 375 acres; John Watson, 360 acres; John Hartman, 360 acres;
Josiah Crawford,' 360 acres; John Everhart, 360 acres; J. Buffen-
barger, 360 acres; Reuben Lord, 355 acres; Alexander Fleming, 352
acres; Thomas Fisher, 346 acres; Daniel Ball, 330 acres; George A.
Dent, 329 acres: James Glendening, 325 acres; Thomas Watson, 320
72 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
acres ; Peter Lahman, 320 acres ; Samuel Agit, 320 acres ; Henry Gal-
braith, 320 acres; John H. Blakey, 320 acres; John K. Evans, 310
acres; Adam Faey, 310 acres; John Stephens, 280 acres; Isaac Falb,
275 acres ; William McDonald, 275 acres. In the foregoing list will he
recognized the names of some of the "solid" residents of Adams
county; not a few well known officials of the county. At that time
the foreign element had not filtered in to any extent, many of the
settlers having come from Western Ohio.
Decadal Census Figures (1860-1910)
By 1860 the population of Adams County had reached 9,252 ; 1870,
11,382; 1880, 15,385. In the decade 1870-80, which showed such a
marked increase in population, the two principal lines of railroad
which accommodate Adams County were completed — one traversing
it substantially from north to south and the other, from east to west.
Obviously, the census enumerators considered 1880 a favorable year in
which to exploit their work and therefore put forth some very inter-
esting data.
The population of 1880 by townships was as follows : Blue Creek,
931; French, 1,032; Hartford, 1,103; Jefferson, 648; Kirkland, 793;
Monroe, 1,534; Preble, 997; Root, 1,270; St. Mary's, 979; Union, 912;
Wabash, 1,991 (including Geneva Village, 567) ; Washington, 3,159
(including Decatur Town, 1,905).
The native-born population in 1880 was 13,948, of which number
9,418 were born in Indiana, 3,442 in Ohio, 584 in Pennsylvania, 89
in New York; 44 in Illinois and 22 in Kentucky. The foreign-bom
population was 1,401, of which 757 were born in Germany.
The decade 1880-90 was also one of decided expansion, the in-
crease was less marked for the following decade, and the decadal cen-
sus for the year 1910 shows an actual decline, compared with the fig-
ures of 1900. The conclusion of the decade ending 1920 may exhibit
either a decrease or an increase — the matter will be determined, as in
so many other questions at issue, by the duration of the world's war
and the influence which it is to exert on the population of Adams
County.
By townships and corporations the population of the county has
been as follows for the last three decadal years of the national census :
1900
1890
22,232
20,181
1,127
1,212
1,115
1,095
1,424
1,276
1,183
1,092
1,090
1,094
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
1910
Civil Divisions 21,840
Blue Creek Township 1,168
French Township 974
Hartford Township 1,285
Jefferson Township 1,093
Kirkland Township 919
Monroe Township (including Monroe Town
and part of Berne Town) 3,050 3,326 2,685
Berne Town (part of) 800
Total of Berne Town in Monroe and
Wabash Townships 1,316 1,037 544
Monroe Town 334
Preble Township 1,051
Root Township 1,264
St. Mary's Township 1,085
Union Township 956
Wabash Township (including Geneva Town
and part of Berne Town) 3,171
Berne Town (part of) 516
Geneva Town 1,140
Washington Township (including Decatur
City) 5,824
Decatur City, Ward 1 1,505
Ward 2 1,348
Ward 3 1,618 4,471 4,142 3,142
Increase in Property Value, 1886-1916
According to the figures collected by the assessors thirty years
ago the total value of the land in Adams County was $2,201,685;
value of improvements, $766,818 ; value of lots, $176,050 ; improve-
ments, $269,900; personal property, $1,477,754. Total value of all
taxable property, $4,892,207. The foregoing were the figures for 1886.
The statistics for 1916, published in January, 1917, were as fol-
lows, the "real estate" including both country lands and corporation
lots; the "corporation property" in the second column refers to rail-
roads, telephones, etc. The record is by townships, towns and the City
of Decatur :
1,180
1,234
1,090
1,040
1,122
1,394
1,066
991
2,870
2,429
1,076
748
5,553
4,725
74
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Net Value
Townships — Real Estate
Union $ 586,075
Root 964,005
Preble 628,580
Kirkland 623,095
Washington 930,170
St. Mary's 598,795
Blue Creek 557,550
Monroe 905,995
French 601,710
Hartford 619,755
Wabash 830,615
Jefferson 527,770
City of Decatur 1,353,095
Town of Monroe 54,665
Town of Berne 294,435
Town of Geneva 224,840
Personal,
Corporation N
Property of
$ 202,900 i
683.765
598,410
524,620
743,340
572,490
258,985
553,880
287,285
390,305
431,285
259,855
864,870
98,975
535,555
196,675
et Value
Taxables
: 788,975
1,647,770
1,226,990
1,147,715
1,673,510
1,171,285
816,535
1,459,875
888.995
1,010,060
1,261,900
787,625
2.217.965
153,640
829,990
421,515
+10.301.150 $7,203,195 $17,5(14,345
The value of steam and electric railway property, as shown by the
gures for 1916, $11,881.45; value of telegraph and tele-
phone property, $601,285 ; value of express property, $11,005.
Taxes op the County (1916)
The total taxes of the county, including delinquents for 1916, were
as follows: Union Township, $20,839.37; Root, $39,920.77; Preble,
$30,878.18 ; Kirkland, $26,750.43 ; Washington, $49,337.60; St. Mary's,
$30,679.69 ; Blue Creek, $24,994.51 ; Monroe, $40,519.42 ; French, $"20,-
907.49; Hartford, $27,296.42; Wabash, $35,241.93; Jefferson, $22,-
946.60; City of Decatur. $118,991.89: Town of Monroe, $5,424.12;
Town of Berne, $31,413.37; Town of Geneva. $21,460.63. Total,
$547,602.42.
The taxes levied for the repair of gravel roads amounted to $348,-
S33.64; for bonds and interest on same account, $139,026.25.
Division of Farm Lands
As to the farm lands of the county, the assessors found that in
1916 nearly 190,000 acres were leased or rented ; that 36,929 com-
Modern Farming Scj
76 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
prised pasture lands and only 20,305 timber lands. These divisions
by townships were as follows:
Land Leased
Townships— or Rented Pasture Timber
Union 13,693 1,843 1,560
Root 21,295 4,713 2,226
Preble 14,718 2,513 2,373
Kirkland 13,863 1,838 1,540
Washington 21,082 3,994 1,996
St. Mary's 13,293 2,520 1,072
Blue Creek 15,243 3,112 1,279
Monroe 13,789 2,122 1,205
French 15,465 3,408 1,318
Hartford 13,325 2,586 1,540
Wabash . . .'. 19,091 4,792 2,550
Jefferson 14,764 3,488 1,646
Totals 189,621 36,929 20,305
Changes in Standard Crops and Live Stock
In the production of the standard crops and the wealth of the
chief varieties of live stock, several radical changes have occurred
within the past thirty years. Wheat, which was then one of the prin-
cipal cereals, is now a small crop in comparison with corn and oats.
The total production of timothy has not greatly increased, but the
yield per acre appears to have been larger in the earlier period. Hogs
have held their own all these years, sheep have almost disappeared
and cattle and horses show a marked increase. The agricultural and
live stock wealth of the county in 1916 is thus represented :
— Corn — — Oats — — Timothy-
Townships — Acres Bushels Acres Bushels Acres Tons
Union 3,384 123,195 2,357 54,474 2,265 2,656
Root 4,113 151,898 3,180 78,670 3,060 3.200
Preble 2,985 92,550 2,016 48,460 1,671 2,115
Kirkland .... 3,459 137,050 2,475 58,975 2,615 3,422
Washington .. 5,645 202.130 3,720 83,335 2,943 3,675
St. Mary's... 3,004 95,055 2,146 48,577 2,019 2,429
Blue Creek... 4,748 180,520 2,773 60,620 1,898 2,093
Monroe 3,929 167,615 2,715 70,835 1,411 2,619
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
77
— Corn— — Oats — —Timothy —
Townships — Acres Bushels Acres Bushels Acres Tons
French 3,242 150,150 2,341 60,280 1,597 1,597
Hartford .... 3,938 113,795 2,010 46,269 2,929 3,142
Wabash 4,907 155,155 2,810 59,299 2,980 4,214
Jeffersou 3,918 123,555 2,395 53,735 2,159 2,987
Totals 47,272 1,692,6
Townships— Horses
Union 597
Preble 624
Root 861
Kirkland 421
Washington 932
St. Mary's 540
Blue Creek 855
French 557
Hartford 625
Wabash '. 1,060
Jefferson 983
Totals 8,055
30,938
723,529 28,547
34,149
Cattle
Hogs
Sheep
963
2,294
123
1,611
2,859
259
1,815
2,463
403
707
779
24
1,563
3,546
442
826
1,527
449
981
2,786
515
1,341
1,655
198
1,268
2,101
231
1,808
2,791
479
803
1,739
508
14.686
24.540
3,611
As against the foregoing statistics may be placed the figures taken
from the National Bureau of Statistics as they relate to Adams County
in 1884. An acreage of about one congressional township, or, to
be exact, 22,755, was planted to wheat during that year. The pro-
duction of that cereal was 269,527 bushels, or about twelve bushels
per acre. An area of 24,235 acres was planted to corn; production,
755,530 bushels, or over thirty per acre. Oats were raised on 10,284
acres, and the yield was 386,596 bushels, or nearly forty per acre.
The acreage in timothy was 15,467, and tons of product 27,849. The
timber acreage, which once virtually included the county, had, even
in 1884, been reduced to 70,091. Over 12,000 acres of plowed land
was reported idle, and nearly 5,000 acres as covered with blue and
other wild
Early Roads
When the early influx of settlers first set toward northeastern
Indiana from western and northwestern Ohio, the highways which
78 . ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
were put through such counties as Allen, Adams and Wells, were links
which connected the Ohio and Wabash valleys with the Lake Erie
region and its tributary streams, such as the St. Joseph, the Maumee
and the St. Mary's. The old Piqua Road, or Wayne trace, which ex-
tended from Fort Recovery, Ohio, to Fort Wayne, Indiana, was
planked, in 1852-53, from the latter terminus to about a mile north of
Decatur. As stated, it entered Adams County about a mile to the
northwest of Wiltshire, Van Wert County, Ohio; passed through the
Modern Live Stock Farm
Rivare Indian Reservation in St. Mary's Township; thence extended
through the northeast corner of Washington and the southwest cor-
ner of Root Township by way of the pioneer Town of Monmouth to
Fort Wayne.
The Wayne Plank Road
The Wayne plank road was one of the most famous highways in
northeastern Indiana, especially for the number and the quality of its
hotels. It is said that ' ' at an early day about every other house was
a tavern," and this condition of affairs, so encouraging to the influx of
travelers and settlers to Adams County, continued until 1865.
As time passed, however, it was found that the old plank road was
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 79
at best but a make-shift until something better (always a railroad)
could be provided. The company which owned and operated it during
the later years of its existence received so few tolls that the road went
without repairs, and, in places, was almost impassable. The interest
on its bonded debt was also allowed to lapse, and finally the property
was sold under a decree of the court and was bid in by J. D. Nutman.
This disposition of the road was preceded by not a few legal compli-
cations and threatened bloodshed.
Wouldn't be Forced as "John Doe"
Along this line Mr. Snow writes: "Travelers refused to pay the
tolls, and a test ease was brought by the arrest of a stranger in one of
the taverns at Monmouth. Ezra Malloney kept the toll gate and the
house. The gate was torn down and the house went up in smoke. As
the story goes, along about the last days of the plank road tolls a man
came riding along on horseback and the gate-keeper tried to collect
tolls from him, but he passed on through and stopped at the Fleming
Hotel in Monmouth. An affidavit was procured and a warrant issued
and put into the hands of the local constable for his arrest. The officer
located him at Ziba Dorwin 's grocery, which at that time was a general
loafing place for the villagers in the long fall and winter evenings.
The warrant was read to the stranger as 'You are hereby directed
to arrest John Doe and forthwith, etc., etc., person whose true name
is unknown.' When the officer had read the warrant he reached to
take hold of the mau to make his arrest complete. The stranger
stepped back and drew a brace of pistols and said: 'No man with
a Peter Funk warrant can take me.' It is needless to say that there
was a general scramble from in front of his guns. He ordered his
horse and at once proceeded on his way toward Fort Wayne. No
further attempt was ever made to collect tolls by process of law."
Direction op Travel Diverted
By the late '60s the region around the lower end of Lake Michigan,
with Chicago as its nucleus, had developed with such rapidity that the
attention and the business of the people of northeastern Indiana were
directed more in that direction than toward the Lake Erie country.
This fact largely determined the routes of the railroads which were
built through Adams and Wells counties during the decade 1871-81.
80 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Grand Rapids & Indiana "Railroad
The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was the pioneer steam line
to enter Adams County, coming up from the south by way of the old
Winchester Road, retaining substantially a northerly direction, and
from Decatur bending toward Fort Wayne, as did the trails and
traces in the good old days. The original organization was known
as the Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne Railroad, and its route was
first projected through Bluffton, further to the south and west. But
after the Muncie road was built through Wells County, the line was
so chauged that the Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne came to De-
catur. The work of construction through Adams County was com-
pleted in 1871, the first regular passenger trains commencing to run
on Christmas day of that year — a gift which the people of Adams
County have never failed to appreciate, although it was some years
before the affairs of the railroad company were solidly organized. The
old company became embarrassed, as was the custom with the early
concerns of that character, and in the '80s the Cincinnati, Hamilton
& Dayton, the Pennsylvania and the Grand Rapids & Indiana rail-
road companies were jointly assuming the interest of its bonds. The
last named finally assumed the entire responsibility. About that time
its condition is thus described: "The mileage of main track in the
county is 24.61, assessed at $4,500 per mile, or $110,745. There are
2.93 miles of side track assessed at $2,500 per mile, or $12,305. The
improvements (depots, etc.) are assessed at $2,075, making the total
assessed value of the road in Adams County, $132,450. It crosses
Root, Washington, Monroe, and Wabash townships, and has the sta-
tions of Monmouth, Decatur, Monroe, Berne and Geneva.
Toledo, St. Louis & Western
In 1878 a narrow gauge line was built through Adams County in
a generally east-and-west direction, under the name of the Delphos,
Bluffton & Kokomo Railroad. It was afterward consolidated with
other lines under the title of the Toledo, Frankfort & Burlington, and
later with other short roads, to form the Toledo, Cincinnati & St.
Louis. This was a continuous narrow gauge line from Toledo to the
Mississippi River. But the railroad did not prosper, and in 1886 was
purchased by a reorganized company known as the Toledo, St. Louis
& Kansas City. Soon afterward the tracks were widened to standard
gauge. The interested townships and individuals in Adams County
donated $45,000 to aid in its construction, and it has long been known
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 81
as the Toledo, St. Louis & Western. It passes through St. Mary's,
Washington and Kirkland townships, in a generally northwesterly
direction to Decatur and thence south-by -west. Outside the county
seat, the main stations on the line are Pleasant Mills, in St. Mary's.
and Peterson, in Kirkland. The Western has about twenty-four and
a half miles of main track in the county. It is so popularly known
as the Clover Leaf that many residents of the county are not aware
that it has any other name. In fact, one of the most bitter arguments
which the writer remembers to have heard within recent years was
between a sturdy country woman and a country man, old residents
of the comity, who pluckily stood to their guns on opposite sides of an
argument on the question. The lady just knew it was the Clover Leaf
and had never been anything else; that it should have any other
name was silly, and that ended the matter!
The Chicago & Erie Railroad
This line, which is nearer a direct east-and-west line than the
Clover Leaf, crosses the northern portions of St. Mary's and Wash-
ington townships, takes a nick out of the southwest corner of Root
Township and thence runs straight across the southern border of
Preble Township. It was originally built as the Chicago & Atlantic
Railroad in 1881-82 and received about $35,000 from the townships
named. It gave the most direct connections with Chicago, and its
original eastern terminus was Marion, Ohio. The main purpose of
its construction was to encourage through business from Central Ohio
to the lake metropolis. The Clover Leaf was also primarily a Chicago
road. These two trunk lines, with the Grand Rapids & Indiana, place
Adams County in close communication with Ohio, Illinois and Michi-
gan. The Erie Road has more than fourteen miles of main track in
the county, its stations being Rivare (Bobo), Decatur, Preble and Mag-
ley. The total trackage of the three railroads whch accommodate
Adams County amounts to 55.74 miles.
Traction and Automobile Lines
The traction and automobile lines have so added to the transporta-
tion conveniences of Adams and Wells counties within the past dec-
ade that there is no point of any real consequence which cannot now
be easily reached. Altogether, there are nearly nineteen miles of
traction lines in Adams County, the Fort Wayne & Decatur Traction
Company owning and operating the longest and most important line.
82 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
It runs directly to Fort Wayne, where it connects with the Fort Wayne
& Northern Indiana Traction System. The Bluft'ton, Geneva & Celina
line joins the latter at the county seat of Wells and has not been ad-
vanced beyond Geneva in Southern Adams County. Linn Grove is a
station on the road. The line named has not been a profitable invest-
ment, was placed in the hands of a receiver and sold at auction in
November, 1917. In addition to the traction lines named, Decatur's
means of communication include an automobile 'bus line which fur-
nished daily transportation to Bluffton, Huntington and intermediate
points over one route and from Decatur to Geneva over another,
through Monroe and Berne.
CHAPTER VII
THE TIMES OF LONG AGO
A Country Home of the '40s — Building the Log House — The
Chimney and Fireplace — The Door and Latchstring — Interior
op the Cabin — Cooking Utensils — True Hominy and Samp —
Old-Style String Instruments — Suspicious "Boughten"
Clothes — Variety in Dress, Then and Now — Hospitality op
the Olden Time — In the Times op Barter — Peltries, Near-
Money — Stuff the Stayers Were Made of — Grinding Corn by
Hand — Mills and Agricultural Implements — Hog Shooting
and Sticking — Pork Packing and Marketing — Fighting Fire
with Fire — Eradicating the Wild Hogs — Exterminating the
Wolves — Hunting Bees — After the Snakes — How You Feel
with Chills and Fever — The Spelling School Thrills — More
for Fun Than Music — Industrious Amusements — Saturday, a
Half Holiday — A Militant Captain — Wolf and Bear Stories
— Running Down Indian Horse Thieves — Overlooking the
Vital Point.
Before the writer makes a business of exploiting Adams County
and of methodically dissecting its various institutions and developing
movements, there are certain fragmentary pictures which should he
etched as background. They are not only produced as meat to place
on the hones of necessary facts, but as really a feature of the history
which, in no wise, could be omitted with any pretense of completeness.
Modern history, especially that dealing with circumscribed areas, must
depict the people and their ways as keys to their actions and their
institutions. This chapter, therefore, expressly avoids method and
classification ; it simply is written to introduce the pioneers of Adams
County as a people, with occasional mention of individuals to illustrate
a special phase of their life or a special trait of character, and if they
and their lives are brought to the clear comprehension of readers
whose lines have not crossed this human field of history, much of the
narrative covering the later periods will he more clearly comprehended
and the comforts and blessings of the present more fully appreciated.
83
84
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
A Country Home of the '40s
The following description of a model country home in Adams
County was given to John F. Snow by an old resident, as representa-
tive of the '40s : "Our house was a single-room cabin of round logs
with puncheon floor and clapboard roof. At the front we had a porch.
The clapboard roof was held in place by weight poles. The puncheon
floor was hewed smooth on the upper side and was substantial and
solid. It had a stick chimney plastered with mud, with 'nigger head'
Log Cabin op Our Ancestors
hearth and fire-place. The door hung on wooden hinges and was
made of thick clapboards. Our loft had a clapboard floor, and we
went up stairs on a ladder made of iron-wood poles. The openings
between the logs were chinked with small pieces of wood and daubed
with clay mortar. We had plenty of fresh air from above, as the
clapboard floor was not very closely laid. We had two pole beds with
one post each. The two back corners of the room by means of an
auger hole in the logs at the side and end of the wall, made good
sides and end fastenings. Over these sides smaller poles were
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 85
placed and held by linn bark tied at the ends, which made a very
comfortable bed. Now, to save light and fuel and for general con-
venience, we arranged to have our kitchen, dining room, sitting room
and parlor all in the same room, and, when the occasion demanded it,
we converted this room, which was about sixteen by twenty feet in
size, into a shoe shop, a corn-grating shop, a spinning and weaving
room, and sometimes used it for a gun shop, spinning room, and ax-
handle factory. So thus the years came and went, and we enjoyed
them in our simple cabin houses and were happier in our freedom
than a king on his throne. Then every settler knew every man, woman
and child in the neighborhood, and could count them without much
trouble or figuring."
Building the Log House
After arriving and selecting a suitable location, the next move on
the part of the forehanded Hoosier pioneer was to build such a log
house as fell within his means and his constructive abilities. Trees of
uniform size were chosen and cut into logs of the desired length, gen-
erally 12 to 15 feet, and hauled to the building site. On an appointed
day the few available neighbors would assemble and have a "'house-
raising." Each end of every log was saddled and notched so that they
would fit as closely as possible, and on the following days the pro-
prietor would chink and daub the cabin to keep out the rain, wind and
cold. The cabin had to be re-daubed every fall, as the rains would wasli
out much of the inortar. The usual height of the house was 7 or 8
feet. The gables were formed by shortening the logs gradually at
each end of the building near the top. The roof was made by laying
very straight small logs or stout poles about two and a half feet apart
from gable to gable, and on these poles were laid the clapboards after
the manner of shingles, showing about two and a half feet to the
weather. Weight poles fastened the clapboards, and the latter were
held in place by chunks of wood about 20 inches long fitted between
, them near the ends and called runs or knees. Clapboards were made
from the best of oaks by chopping or sawing the logs into four-foot
blocks, and splitting these with a frow, or a broad blade fixed at right
angles to the handle.
The Chimney and Fireplace
The chimney of the cabin was made by leaving in the building a
large open place in one of the walls, or by cutting one after the house
86 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
was raised, and by building on the outside from the ground up, a
column of stones or sticks and mud. The fireplace thus made was
sometimes large enough to receive firewood 6 to 8 feet long; the back
log might be as large as a good-sized saw log. In those days the pio-
neer considered it a great advantage to burn up wood as rapidly as
possible, as the sooner he cleared the timber from his land the more
rapidly approached the day when he could cultivate his farm to ad-
vantage. So the old-time fireplace was usually a hot place even in
cold weather.
The Door and the Latchstring
For a window the old settler cut out a piece of one of the wall
logs about two feet long and closed the hole with greased paper,
greased deer-hide, or thick green glass. If a saw was among the
household belongings, a doorway was cut through one of the log walls ;
otherwise it would be made by shortening the logs at the proper place.
The door itself was fashioned by pinning two or three wooden bars to
clapboards, and was hung on wooden hinges. A wooden latch, with
a catch, finished the door; the latch could be raised from the outside
by pulling a leather string. For security at night this latchstring
was drawn in; but for friends and neighbors, and even strangers, if
the householder was of a specially sociable or confiding disposition,
"the latchstring was always hanging out."
Interior of the Cabin
In the interior of the cabin over the fireplace would be a shelf
called a mantle, on which stood the candlestick or lamp, some cooking
and table-ware, possibly an old clock, and other articles. Well within
the fireplace would be the crane, of iron or wood, on which were hung
the cooking pots. Over the front door, in forked cleats, hung the
rifle and powder horn, as necessary a part of the pioneer furnishings
as the crane itself, as they stood for a vital item of the family pro-
visions.
Cooking Utensils
To witness the various processes of cooking in those days would
alike surprise and amuse those who have grown up since cooking-
stoves and ranges came into use. Kettles were hung over the large
fire, suspended with pot-hooks, iron or wooden, on the crane, or on
poles, one end of which would rest upon a chair. The long-handled
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
87
frying-pan was used for cooking meat. It was either held over the
blaze by hand or set down upon coals drawn out upon the hearth.
This pan was also used for baking pan-cakes, also called "flap-jacks,"
"batter-cakes," etc. A better article for this, however, was the east-
iron spider or Dutch skillet. The best thing for baking bread in those
days, and possibly even yet in these latter days, was the Hat-bottomed
Old-Time Chimney Corner
bake-kettle, of greater depth, with closely-fitting cast-iron cover, and
commonly known as the "Dutch oven." With coals over and under
it, bread and biscuit would quickly and nicely bake. Turkey and
spareribs were sometimes roasted before the fire, suspended by a
string, a dish being placed underneath to catch the drippings.
True Hominy and Samp
Hominy and samp were very much used. The hominy, however,
was generally hulled corn — boiled corn from which the hull, or bran,
88 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
had been taken by hot lye; hence sometimes called "lye hominy."
True hominy and samp were made of pounded corn. A popular
method of making this, as well as real meal for bread, was to cut out
or burn a large hole in the top of a huge stump, in the shape of a
mortar, and pound the corn in this by a maul or beetle suspended on
the end of a swing pole, like a well-sweep. When the samp was suf-
ficiently pounded it was taken out, the bran floated off, and the de-
licious grain boiled like rice.
The chief articles of diet in early days were corn bread, hominy,
or samp, venison, pork, honey, beans, pumpkin (dried pumpkin for
more than half the year), turkey, prairie chicken, squirrel and some
other game, with a few additional vegetables a portion of the year.
Wheat bread, tea, coffee and fruit were luxuries not to be indulged
in except on special occasions, as when visitors were present.
Old-Style String Instruments
Besides cooking in the manner described, the women had many
other arduous duties to perform, one of the chief of which was spin-
ning. The "big wheel" was used for spinning yarn, and the "little
wheel" for spinning flax. These stringed instruments furnished the
principal music of the family, and were operated by our mothers and
grandmothers with great skill attained without pecuniary expense
and with far less practice than is necessary for the girls of our period
to acquire a skilful use of their costly and elegant instruments.
The loom was not less necessary than the wheel, though they were
not needed in such great numbers. Not every house had a loom; one
loom had a capacity for the needs of several families. Settlers hav-
ing succeeded in spite of the wolves in raising sheep, commenced the
manufacture of woolen cloth ; wool was carded and made into rolls
by hand cards, and the rolls were spun on the "big wheel." We still
occasionally find in the houses of old settlers a wheel of this kind,
sometimes used for spinning and twisting stocking yarn. They are
turned with the hand, and with such velocity that it will run itself
while the nimble worker, by her backward step, draws out and twists
her thread nearly the whole length of the cabin.
Suspicious "Boughten" Clothes
A common article woven on the loom was linsey, or linsey-woolsey,
the chain being linen and the filling woolen. This cloth was used for
dresses for the women and girls. Nearly all the cloths worn by the
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 89
men were also homemade; rarely was a farmer or his son seen in a
coat made of any other. If, occasionally, a young man appeared in
a suit of "boughten" clothes, he was suspected of having gotten it for
a particular occasion, which occurs in the life of nearly every youug
Variety in Dress, Then and Now
Linsey, neat and fine, manufactured at home, composed generally
the outside garments of the females as well as the males. The ladies
had linsey colored and woven to suit their fancy. A bonnet, com-
posed of calico, or some gay goods, was worn on the head when they
were in the open air. Jewelry on the pioneer ladies was uncommon ;
a gold ring was an ornament not often seen.
The chronicler of to-day, looking back to the days of 1830 to 1840,
and comparing them with the present, must be struck with the tendency
of an almost monotonous uniformity in dress and manners that comes
from the easy intercommunication afforded by steamer, railway, tele-
graph and newspaper. Home manufactures have been driven from
the household by the lower-priced fabrics of distant mills. The
Kentucky jeans, and the copperas-colored clothing of home manufac-
ture, so familiar in the long ago, having given place to the cassimeres
and cloths of noted factories. The ready-made clothing stores, like
a touch of nature, made the whole world kin, aDd may drape the char-
coal man in a dress-coat and a stovepipe hat. The prints and silks
of England and France tended to give a variety of choice and an as-
sortment of colors and shades such as the pioneer women could hardly
have dreamed of.
Hospitality op the Olden Time
The traveler always found a welcome at the pioneer's cabin. It
•was never full. Although there might be already a guest for every
puncheon, there was still "room for one more," and a wider circle
would be made for the new-comer at the log fire. If the stranger was
in search of land, he was doubly welcome, and his host would volun-
teer to show him all the "first-rate claims in this neck of the woods,"
going with him for days, showing the corners and advantages of every
"Congress tracts," within a dozen miles of his own cabin.
To his neighbors the pioneer was equally liberal. If a deer was
killed, the choicest bits were sent to his nearest neighbor, a half-dozen
miles away, perhaps. When a "shoat" was butchered the same eus-
90 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
torn prevailed. If the new-comer came in too late for "cropping" the
neighbors would supply his table with just the same luxuries they
themselves enjoyed, and in as liberal quantity, until a crop could be
raised. When a new-comer had located his claim, the neighbors for
miles around would assemble at the site of the new-comer's proposed
cabin and aid him in "bittin" " it up. One party with axes would
cut down the trees and hew the logs; another with teams would haul
the logs to the ground; another party would "raise" the cabin; while
several of the old men would "rive the clapboards" for the roof. By
night the little forest domicil would be up and ready for a "house-
warming," which was the dedicatory occupation of the house, when
music and dancing and festivity would be enjoyed at full height. The
next day the new-comer would be as well situated as his neighbors.
An instance of primitive hospitable manners will be in place here.
A traveling Methodist preacher arrived in a distant neighborhood to
fill an appointment. The house where services were to be held did not
belong to a church member, but no matter for that. Boards were
raked up from all quarters with which to make temporary seats, one
of the neighbors volunteering to lead off in the work, while the man
of the house, with the faithful rifle on his shoulder, sallied forth in
epiest of meat, for this truly was a "ground-hog" case — the preacher
coming and no meat in the house ! The host ceased not to chase until
he found the meat, in the shape of a deer ; returning he sent a boy out
after it, with directions on what "pint" to find it. After services,
which had been listened to with rapt attention by all the audience,
mine host said to his wife, "Old woman, I reckon this 'ere preacher is
pretty hungry and you must get him a bite to eat." "What shall I git
him?" asked the wife, who had not seen the deer; "thar's nuthin'
in the house to eat." "Why, look thar," returned he; "thar's a deer,
and thar's plenty of corn in the field; you git some corn and grate
it. while I skin the deer, and we'll have a good supper for him." It
is needless to add that venison and corn bread made a supper fit for
any pioneer preacher, and was thankfully eaten.
In the Times of Barter
In pioneer times the transactions of commerce were generally
carried on by neighborhood exchanges. Now and then a farmer
would load a flat-boat with beeswax, honey, tallow and peltries, with
perhaps a few bushels of wheat or corn or a few hundred clapboards,
and float down the rivers into the Ohio and thence to New Orleans,
where he would exchange his produce for substantials in the shape of
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 91
groceries and a little ready money, with which he would return by some
one of the two or three steamboats then running-. Betimes there ap-
peared at the best steamboat landing's a number of "middle men"
engaged in the "commission and forwarding" business, buying up
the farmers' produce and the trophies of the chase and the trap, and
sending them to the various distant markets. Their winter's accum-
JB
Josiah Crawford, Settler of 1839
ulations would be shipped in the spring, and the manufactured goods
of the far East or distant South would come back in return; and in
all these transactions scarcely any money was seen or used. Goods
were sold on a year's time to the fanners, and payment made from the
proceeds of the ensuing crops. When the crops were sold and the
merchant satisfied, the surplus was paid out in orders on the store to
laboring men and to satisfy other creditors. When a day's work was
done by a working man, his employer would ask. "Well, what store
92 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
do you want your order on?" The answer being given, the order
was written and always cheerfully accepted.
Money was an article little known and seldom seen among the
earlier settlers. Indeed, they had but little use for it, as they could
transact all their business about as well without it, on the "barter"
system, wherein great ingenuity was sometimes displayed. When it
failed in any instance, long credits contributed to the convenience of
the citizens. But for taxes and postage neither the barter nor the
credit system would answer, and often letters were suffered to remain
a long time in the postoffice for the want of the twenty-five cents de-
manded by the Government. With all this high price on postage, by
the way, the letter had not been brought 500 miles in a day or two, as
is the case nowadays, but had probably been weeks on the route, and
the mail was delivered at the pioneer's postoffice, several miles dis-
tant from his residence, only once in a week or two. All the mail
would be carried by a lone horseman. Instances are related illustrat-
ing how misrepresentation would be resorted to in order to elicit the
sympathies of some one who was known to have "two bits" (25 cents)
of money with him, and procure the recpiired governmental fee for a
letter.
Peltries Near-Monet
Peltries came nearer being money than anything else, as it came
to be custom to estimate the value of everything in that commodity.
Such an article was worth so many peltries. Even some tax collectors
and postmasters were known to take peltries and exchange them for
money required by the Government.
Stuff the Stayers Were Made of
When the first settlers came into the wilderness they generally
supposed that their hard struggle would be principally over after the
first year; but alas! they often looked for "easier times next year"
for many years before realizing them, and then they came in so grad-
ually as to be almost imperceptible. The sturdy pioneer thus learned
to bear hardships, privation and hard living, as good soldiers do. As
the facilities for making money were not great, they lived pretty well
satisfied in an atmosphere of good, social, friendly feeling, and thought
themselves as good as those they had left behind in the East. But
among the early settlers who came to this state were many who. ac-
customed to the advantages of an older civilization, to churches, schools
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 93
and society, became speedily home-sick and dissatisfied. They would
remain perhaps one summer, or at most two, then, selling- whatever
claim with its improvements they had made, would return to the older
states, spreading reports of the hardships endured by the settlers
here and the disadvantages which they had found, or imagined they
had found in the country. These weaklings were not an unmitigated
curse. The slight improvements they had made were sold to men of
sterner stuff, who were the sooner able to surround themselves with
the necessities of life, while their unfavorable report deterred other
weaklings from coming. The men who stayed, who were willing to
endure privations, belonged to a different guild : they were heroes
every one, — men to whom hardships were things to be overcome, and
present privations things to be endured for the sake of posterity, and
they never shrank from this duty. It is to these hardy pioneers who
could endure that is mainly credited the wonderful developments that
have brought every section of Indiana from a wilderness to a finely
developed American product.
Grinding Corn by Hand
Not the least of the hardships of the pioneers was the procuring
of bread. The first settlers must be supplied at least once a year
from other sources than their own lands; but the first crops, however
abundant, gave only partial relief, there being no mills to grind the
grain. Hence the necessity of grinding by hand-power, and many
families were poorly provided with means for doing this. Another
way was to grate the corn. A grater was made from a piece of tin,
sometimes taken from an old, worn-out tin bucket or other vessel. It
was thickly perforated, bent into a semi-circular form, rough side up-
ward, on a board. The corn was taken in the ear, and grated before
it got dry and hard. Corn, however, was eaten in various ways.
Mills and Agricultural Implements
Soon after the country became more generally settled, enterpris-
ing men were ready to embark in the milling business. Sites along
the streams were selected for water-power. A person looking for a
mill-site would follow up and down the stream for a desired location,
and when found he would go before the authorities and secure a writ of
ad quad damnum. This would enable the miller to have the adjoining
land officially examined, and the amount, of damage by making a dam
was named. Mills being so great a public necessity, they were per-
94
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
mitted to be located upon any person's land where the miller thought
the site desirable.
The agricultural implements used by the first farmers of Adams
County would in this age of improvement be great curiosities. The
plow used was called the "bar-share" plow; the iron point consisted
of a bar of iron about two feet long, and a broad share of iron welded
to it. At the extreme point was a coulter that passed through a beam
6 or 7 feet long, to which were attached handles of corresponding-
length. The mold-board was a wooden one split out of winding tim-
ber, or hewed into a winding shape, in order to turn the soil over.
Rustic Water Mill
Sown seed wa.s brushed in by dragging over the ground a sapling
with a bushy top. In harvesting the change is most striking. Instead
of the reapers and mowers of today, the sickle and cradle were used.
The grain was threshed with a flail, or trodden out by horses or oxen.
Hog Shooting and Sticking
Hogs were always dressed before they were taken to market. The
farmer, if fore-handed, would call in his neighbors some bright fall
or winter morning to help "kill hogs." Immense kettles of water
were heated; a sled or two, covered with loose boards or plank, con-
stituted the platform on which the hog was cleaned, and was placed
near an inclined hogshead in which the scalding was done; a quilt
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 95
was thrown over the top of the latter to retain the heat; from a crotch
of some convenient tree a projecting pole was rigged to hold the ani-
mals for disemboweling and thorough cleaning. When everything
was arranged, the best shot of the neighborhood loaded his rifle, and
the work of killing was commenced. It was considered a disgrace to
make a hog "squeal" by bad shooting or by a "shoulder-stick"; that
is, running the point of the butcher-knife into the shoulder instead of
the cavity of the breast. As each hog fell, the "sticker" mounted him
and plunged the butcher-knife, long and well sharpened, into his
throat; two persons would then catch him by the hind legs, draw him
up to the scalding tub, which had just been filled with boiling-hot
water with a shovelful of good green wood ashes thrown in; in this
the carcass was plunged and moved around a minute or so, that is,
until the hair would slip off easily, then placed on the platform, where
the cleaners would pitch into him with all their might and clean him
as quickly as possible, with knives and other sharp-edged implements;
then two stout fellows would take him up between them, and a third
man to manage the "gambrel" (which was a stout stick about two
feet long, sharpened at both ends, to be inserted between the muscles
of the hind legs at or near the hock joint), the animal would be ele-
vated to the pole, where the work of cleaning was finished.
Pork Packing and Marketing
After the slaughter was over and the hogs had had time to cool,
such as were intended for domestic use were cut up, the lard "tried"
out by the women of the household, and the surplus hogs taken to
market, while the weather was cold, if possible. In those days almost
every merchant had, at the rear end of his place of business, or at
some convenient building, a "pork-house," and would buy the pork
of his customers and of such others as would sell to him, and cut it
for the market. This gave employment to a large number of hands
in every village, who would cut and pack pork all winter. The hauling
of all this to the river would also give employment to a large number
of teams, and the manufacture of pork barrels would keep many
coopers employed.
There was one feature in the method of marketing pork that made
the country a paradise for the poor man in the winter time. Spare-
ribs, tenderloins, pigs' heads and pigs' feet were not considered of any
value, and were freely given to all who could use them. If a barrel
was taken to any pork-house and salt furnished, the barrel would be
filled and salted down with tenderloins and spare-ribs gratuitously.
96 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
So great in many eases was the quantity of spare-ribs, etc., to be dis-
posed of, that they would be hauled awaj r in wagon-loads and dumped
in the woods out of town.
In those early times much wheat was marketed at 25 to 50 cents
a bushel, oats the same or less, and corn 10 cents a bushel. A good
young milch cow could be bought for $5 to $10, and that payable in
work.
Those might truly be called "close times," yet the citizens of the
country were accommodating, and but very little suffering for the
actual necessities of life was ever known to exist.
Fighting Fire with Fire
Fires, set by Indians or settlers, sometimes purposely and some-
times permitted through carelessness, would visit the prairies every
autumn, and sometimes the forests, either in autumn or spring, and
settlers could not always succeed in defending themselves against
them. Many interesting incidents are related. Often a fire was
started to bewilder game, or to bare a piece of ground for the early
grazing of stock the ensuing spring, and it would get away under a
wind, and soon be beyond control. Violent winds would often arise
and drive the flames with such rapidity that riders on the fleetest
steeds could scarcely escape. On the approach of a prairie fire the
farmer would immediately set about "cutting off supplies" for the
flames by a ' ' back fire. ' ' Thus, by starting a small fire near the bare
ground about his premises and keeping it under control next to his
property, he would burn off a strip around him and prevent the at-
tack of the on-coming flames. A few furrows or a ditch around the
farm constituted a help in the work of protection.
An original prairie of tall and exuberant grass on fire, especially
at night, was a magnificent spectacle, enjoyed only by the pioneer.
Here is an instance where the frontiersman, proverbially deprived of
the sights and pleasures of an old community, is privileged far be-
yond the people of the present day in this country. One could
scarcely tire of beholding the scene, as its awe-inspiring features
seemed constantly to increase, and the whole panorama unceasingly
changed like the dissolving views of a magic lantern, or like the aurora
borealis. Language cannot convey the splendor and grandeur of such
a conflagration at night.
The following graphic description of prairie fires was written by
a traveler through this region in 1849 : "Soon the fires began to kindle
wider and rise higher from the long grass ; the gentle breeze increased
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 97
to stronger currents, and soon fanned the small, flickering blaze into
fierce torrent flames, which curled up and leaped along in resistless
splendor; and like quickly raising the dark curtain from the luminous
stage, the scenes before me were suddenly changed, as if by the ma-
gician's wand, into one boundless amphitheatre blazing from the earth
to heaven and sweeping the horizon round, — columns of lurid flames
sportively mounting up to the zenith, and dark clouds of crimson
smoke em-ling away and aloft till they nearly obscured stars and moon,
while the rushing, crashing sounds, like roaring cataracts mingled
with distant thunders, were almost deafening; danger, death, glared
all around; it screamed for victims; yet, notwithstanding the imminent
peril of prairie fires, one is loth, irresolute, almost unable to withdraw
or seek refuge. ' '
Eradicating the Wild Hogs
When the earliest pioneer reached this western wilderness, game
was his principal food until he had conquered a farm from the forest
or prairie — rarely, then, from the latter. As the country settled game
grew scarce, and by 1850 he who would live by his rifle would have
had but a precarious subsistence had it not been for "wild hogs."
These animals left by home-sick immigrants whom the chills or fever
and ague had driven out, had strayed into the woods, and began to
multiply in a wild state. The woods each fall were full of acorns,
walnuts and hazelnuts, and on these hogs would grow fat and multi-
ply at a wonderful rate in the bottoms and along the bluffs. The
second and third immigration to the country found these wild hogs
an unfailing source of meat supply up to that period when they had
in the townships contiguous to the river became so numerous as to be
an evil, breaking in herds into the farmer's corn-fields or tolling their
domestic swine into their retreats, where they too became in a season
as wild as those in the woods. In 183S or 1839, in a certain town-
ship, a meeting was called of citizens of the township to take steps to
get rid of wild hogs. At this meeting, which was held in the spring,
the people of the township were notified to turn out en masse on a
certain day and engage in the work of catching, trimming and brand-
ing wild hogs, which were to be turned loose, and the next winter
were to be hunted and killed by the people of the township, the meat
to be divided pro rata among the citizens of the township. This plan
was fully carried into effect, two or three days being spent in the ex-
citing work in the spring.
In the early part of the ensuing winter the settlers again turned
<J8 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
out, supplied at convenient points in the bottom with large kettles
and barrels for scalding, and while the hunters were engaged in kill-
ing, others with horses dragged the carcasses to the scalding plat-
forms where they were dressed; and when all that could be were
killed and dressed a division was made, every farmer getting more
meat than enough for his winter's supply. Like energetic measures
were resorted to in other townships, so that in two or three years the
breed of wild hogs became extinct.
Exterminating the Wolves
The principal wild animals found in the state by the early settlers
were the deer, wolf, bear, wild-cat, fox, otter, raccoon, generally called
"coon," woodchuck, or ground hog, skunk, mink, weasel muskrat,
opossum, rabbit and squirrel; and the principal feathered game
were the quail, prairie chicken and wild turkey. Hawks, turkey buz-
zards, crows, black-birds, were also very abundant. Several of these
animals furnished meat for the settlers; but their principal meat did
not long consist of game ; pork and poultry were raised in abundance.
Wolves were the most troublesome of the wild animals, being the
common enemy of the sheep, and sometimes attacking other domestic
animals, and even human beings. But their hideous howlings at night
were so constant and terrifying that they almost seemed to do more
mischief by that annoyance than by direct attack. They would keep
everybody and every animal about the farmhouse awake and fright-
ened, and set all the dogs in the neighborhood to barking. As one
man described it : " Suppose six boys, having six dogs tied, whipped
them all at the same time, you would hear such music as two wolves
would make." To effect the destruction of these animals the county
authorities offered a bounty for their scalps, and, besides, big hunts
were common.
In early days more mischief was done by wolves than by any
other wild animal, and no small part of their mischief consisted in
their almost constant barking at night, which always seemed so men-
acing and frightful to the settlers. Like mosquitoes, the noise they
made appeared to be about as dreadful as the real depredations they
committed. The most effectual, as well as the most exciting method
of ridding the country of these hateful pests was that known as the
"circular wolf hunt," by which all the men and boys would turn out
on an appointed day, in a kind of circle comprising many square miles
of territory, with horses and dogs, and then close up toward the cen-
ter of their field of operation, gathering not only wolves, but also deer
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 99
and many smaller "varmint. " Five, ten or more wolves by this means
would sometimes be killed in a single day. The men would be organ-
ized with as much system as a little army, every one being well posted
in the meaning of every signal and the application of every rule. Guns
were scarcely ever allowed to be brought on such occasions, as their
use would be unavoidably dangerous. The dogs were depended on for
the final slaughter. The dogs, by the way, had all to be held in check
by a cord in the hands of their keepers until the final signal was
given to let them loose, when away they would go to the center of
battle, and a more exciting scene would follow than can be easily de-
scribed.
Hunting Bees
This recreation was a peculiar one, and many a sturdy backwoods-
man gloried in excelling in this art. He would carefully watch a bee
as it filled itself with, the sweet product of some flower or leaf-bud, and
notice particularly the direction taken by it as it struck a "bee-line"
for its home, which when found would be generally high up in the
hollow of a tree. The tree would be marked, and in September a
party would go and cut down the tree and capture the honey as
quickly as they could before it wasted away through the broken walls
in which it had been so carefully stowed away by the little busy bee.
Several gallons would often be thus taken from a single tree, and by
a very little work, and pleasant at that, the early settlers could keep
themselves in honey the year round. By the time the honey was a
year old, or before, it would turn white and granulate, yet be as good
and healthful as when fresh. This was by some called "candied"
honey.
In some districts, the resorts of bees would be so plentiful that all
the available hollow T trees would he occupied and many colonies of
bees would be found at work in crevices in the rock and holes in the
ground. A considerable quantity of honey has even been taken from
such places.
After the Snakes
In pioneer times snakes were numerous, such as the rattlesnake,
viper, adder, blood snake and many varieties of large blue and preen
snakes, milk snake, garter and water snakes, black snakes, etc., etc.
If. on meeting one of these, you would retreat, they would chase you
very fiercely; but if you would turn and give them battle, they would
100 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
immediately crawl away with all possible speed, hide in the grass and
weeds, and wait for a "greener" customer. These really harmless
snakes served to put people on their guard against the more danger-
ous and venomous kinds.
It was the practice of some sections of the country to turn out in
companies, with spades, mattocks and crow-bars, attack the princi-
pal snake dens and slay large numbers of them. In early spring the
snakes were somewhat torpid and easily captured. Scores of rattle-
snakes were sometimes frightened out of a single den, which, as soon
as they showed their heads through the crevices of the rocks, were
dispatched, and left to be devoured by the numerous wild hogs of that
day. Some of the fattest of these snakes were taken to the house and
oil extracted from them, and their glittering skins were saved as spe-
cifics for rheumatism.
Another method was to so fix a heavy stick over the door of their
dens, with a long grape-vine attached, that one at a distance could
plug the entrance to the den when the snakes were all out sunning
themselves. Then a large company of the citizens, on hand by ap-
pointment, could kill scores of the reptiles in a few minutes.
How You Feel with Chills and Fever
One of the greatest obstacles in the early settlement and prosperity
of this state was the "chills and fever," "fever and ague," or
"shakes," as it was variously called. It was a terror to new-comers;
in the fall of the year almost everybody was afflicted with it. It was
no respecter of persons; everybody looked pale and sallow as though
he were frost-bitten. It was not contagious, but derived from impure
water and air, which are always developed in the opening of a new
country of rank soil like that of old Indiana. The impurities continue
to be absorbed from day to day, and from week to week, until the
whole body became saturated with them as with electricity, and then
the shock came; and the shock was a regular shake, with a fixed be-
ginning and ending, coming on in some cases each day, but generally
on alternate days, with a regularity that was surprising. After the
shake came the fever, and this "last estate was worse than the first."
It was a burning hot fever and lasted for hours. When you had the
chill you couldn 't get warm, and when you had the fever you couldn 't
get cool. It was exceedingly awkward in this respect; indeed it was.
Nor would it stop for any sort of contingency; not even a wedding in
the family would stop it. It was imperative and tyrannical. When
the appointed time came around, everything else had to be stopped
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 101
to attend to its demands. It didn't even have any Sundays or holi-
days; after the fever went down you still didn't feel much better.
You felt as though you had gone through some sort of collision,
threshing-machine or jarring-machine, and came out not killed, but
next thing to it. You felt weak, as though you had run too far after
something, and then didn't catch it. You felt languid, stupid and
sore, and were down in the mouth and heel and partially raveled out.
Your back was out of fix, your head ached and your appetite was
crazy. Your eyes had too much white in them, your ears, especially
after taking quinine, had too much roar in them, and your whole body
and soul were woe-begone, disconsolate, sad, poor and good for noth-
ing. You didn't think much of yourself, and didn't care. You didn't
quite make up your mind to commit suicide, but sometimes wished
some accident would happen to knock either the malady or yourself
out of existence. You imagined that even the dogs looked at you with
a kind of self-complacency. You thought the sun had a kind of sickly
shine about it.
About this time you came to the conclusion that you would not ac-
cept the whole State of Indiana as a gift ; and if you had the strength
and means, you picked up Hannah and the baby, and your traps, and
went back "yander" to "Old Yirginny," the "Jarseys," .Maryland or
"Pennsylvany. "
The Spelling-School Thrills
The chief public evening entertainment for the first twenty years 1
of the Adams County pioneer was the celebrated "spelling-school."
Both young people and old look forward to the next spelling-school
with as much anticipation and anxiety as they afterward anticipated
a general Fourth of July celebration; and when the time arrived the
whole neighborhood, yea, and sometimes several neighborhoods, would
flock together to the scene of the academical combat, where the ex-
citement was often more intense than had been expected. It was
far better, (if course, when there was good sleighing; then the young
folks would turn out in high glee and be fairly beside themselves.
When the appointed hour arrived, the usual plan of com-
mencing battle was for two of the young people who might agree to
play against each other, or who might be selected to do so by the
school-teacher of the neighborhood, to "choose sides;" that is, each
contestant, or "captain," as he was generally called, would choose the
best speller from the assembled crowd. Each one choosing alternately,
the ultimate strength of the respective parties would be about equal.
102
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
When all were chosen that could be made to serve, each side would
"number," so as to ascertain whether amid the confusion one cap-
tain had more spellers than the other. In case he had, some com-
promise would be made by the aid of the teacher, the master of cere-
monies, and then the plan of conducting the campaign, or counting
the misspelled words, would be canvassed for a moment by the cap-
tains, sometimes by the aid of the teacher and others. There were
many ways of conducting the contest and keeping tally. Every sec-
tion of the country had several favorite methods, and all or most of
these were different from what other communities had. At one time
Ring in the Spelling School
they would commence spelling at the head, at another time at the
foot; at one time they would "spell across," that is, the first on one
side would spell the first word, then the first on the other side;
next the second in the line on each side, alternately, down to the other
end of each line. The question who would spell the first word was
determined by the captains guessing what page the teacher would
have before him in partially opened book at a distance; the captain
guessing the nearest would spell the first word pronounced. When
a word was missed, it would be repronouneed, or passed along with-
out re-pronouncing (as some teachers strictly followed the rule never
to re-pronounce a word), until it was spelled correctly. If a speller
on the opposite side finally spelled the missed word correctly, it was
counted a gain of one to that side; if the word was finally corrected
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 103
by some speller on the same side on which it was originated as a
missed word, it was "saved," and no tally mark was made.
Another popular method was to commence at one end of the line
of spellers and go directly around, and the missed words caught up
quickly and corrected by "word-catchers," appointed by the cap-
tains from among their best spellers. These word-catchers would at-
tempt to correct all the words missed on his opponent's side, and
failing to do this, the catcher on the other side would catch him up
with a peculiar zest, and then there was fun.
Still another very interesting, though somewhat disorderly, method
was this: Each word-catcher would go to the foot of the adversary's
line, and every time he "catched" a word he would go up one, thus
"turning them down" in regular spelling-class style. When one
catcher in this way turned all down in the opposing side, his own
party was victorious by as many as the opposing catcher was behind.
This method required no slate or blackboard tally to be kept.
One turn, by either of the foregoing or other metheds, would oc-
cupy forty minutes to an hour, and by this time an intermission or
recess was bad, when the buzzing, crackling and hurrahing that en-
sued for ten or fifteen minutes were beyond description.
Coming to order again, the next style of battle to be illustrated
was to "spell down," by which process it was ascertained who were
the best spellers and could continue standing as a soldier the longest.
But very often good spellers would inadvertently miss a word in an
early stage of the contest and would have to sit down humiliated, while
a comparatively poor speller would often stand till nearly or quite
the last, amid the cheers of the assemblage. Sometimes the two par-
ties first ' ' chosen up ' ' in the evening would re-take their places after
recess, so that by the "spelling-down" process there would virtually
be another race, in another form; sometimes there would be a new
" choosing-up " for the "spelling-down" contest; and sometimes the
spelling-down would be conducted without any party lines being made.
It would occasionally happen that two or three very good spellers
would retain the floor so long that the exercise would become mo-
notonous, when a few outlandish words like "chevaux-de-frise, '* "om-
pompanoosuc" or "baugh-naugh-claughber," as they used to spell
it sometimes, would create a little ripple of excitement to close with.
Sometimes these words would decide the contest, but generally when
two or three good spellers kept the floor until the exercise became
monotonous, the teacher would declare the race closed and the stand-
ing spellers acquitted with a "drawn game."
The audience dismissed, the next thing was to "go home." very
104 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
often by a round-about way, "a-sleighing with the girls," which, of
course, was with many the most interesting part of the evening's per-
formances; sometimes, however, too rough to be commended, as the
boys were often inclined to be somewhat rowdyish.
More for Fun than Music
Next to the night spelling-school the singing-school was an occa-
sion of much jollity, wherein it was difficult for the average singing-
master to preserve order, as many went more for fun than for music.
This species of evening entertainment, in its introduction to the
West, was later than the spelling-school, and served, as it were, as the
second step toward the more modern civilization. Good sleighing
weather was, of course, almost a necessity for the success of these
schools, but how many of them have been prevented by mud and
rain ! Perhaps a greater part of the time from November to April
the roads would be muddy and often half-frozen, which would have
a very dampening and freezing effect upon the souls, as well as the
bodies of the young people who longed for a good time on such
occasions.
The old-time method of conducting singing-school was also some-
what different from that of modern times. It was more plodding and
heavy, the attention being kept upon the simplest rudiments, as the
names of the notes on the staff, and their pitch, and beating time,
while comparatively little attention was given to expression and
light, gleeful music. The very earliest scale introduced in the West
was from the South, and the notes, from their peculiar shape, were
denominated "patent" or ''buckwheat" notes. They were four, of
which the round one was called sol, the square one la, the triangular
one fa, and the "diamond-shaped" one mi, pronounced me, and the
diatonic scale or "gamut" as it was called then, ran thus: fa, sol, la,
fa, sol, la, mi, fa. The part of a tune nowadays called "treble," or
"soprano," was then called "tenor"; the part now called "tenor"
was called "treble," and what is now "alto" was then "counter,"
and when sung according to the oldest rule, was sung by a female
an octave higher than marked, and still on the "chest register." The
"old" "Missouri Harmony" and Mason's "Sacred Harp" were the
principal books used with this style of musical notation.
In 1850 the "round-note" system began to "come around," be-
ing introduced by the Yankee singing-master. The scale was do, re,
mi, fa, sol, la, si, do; and for many years thereafter there was much
more do-re-mi-ing than is practiced at the present day, when a mu-
"JOHNNY APPLESEKD '
106 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
sical instrument is always under the hand. The ' ' Carolina Sacra" was
the pioneer round-note book, in which the tunes partook more of
German or Puritan character, and was generally regarded by the old
folks as being far more spiritless than the old "Pisgah, " "Fiducia,"
"Tender Thought," "New Durham," "Windsor," "Mount Zion."
"Devotion," etc., of the old "Missouri Harmony" and tradition.
Industrious Amusements
The history of pioneer life generally presents the dark side of the
picture; but the toils and privations of the early settlers were not
a series of unmitigated sufferings. No; for while the fathers and
mothers toiled hard, they were not averse to a little relaxation, and
had their seasons of fun and enjoyment. They contrived to do some-
thing to break the monotony of their daily life and furnish them a
good, hearty laugh. Among the more general forms of amusements
were the "quilting bee," "corn-husking," "apple-paring," "log-roll-
ing," and "house-raising." Young readers will doubtless be inter-
ested in a description of these forms of amusement, when labor was
made to afford fun and enjoyment to all participating. The " quilt -
ing-bee, " as its name implies, was when the industrious qualities of
the busy little insect that "improves each shining hour" were ex-
emplified in the manufacture of quilts for the household. In the
afternoon ladies for miles around gathered at an appointed place,
and while their tongues would not -cease to play, the hands were as
busily engaged in making the quilt ; and desire was always manifested
to get it out as quickly as possible, for then the fun would begin. In
the evening the gentlemen came, and the hours would then pass swiftly
in playing games or dancing. "Corn-huskings" were when both sexes
united in the work. They usually assembled in a large barn, which
was arranged for the occasion; and when each gentleman had se-
lected a lady partner the husking began. When a lady found a red
ear she was entitled to a kiss from every gentleman present ; when a
gentleman found one he was allowed to kiss every lady present, After
the corn was all husked a good supper was served; then the "old
folks" would leave, and the remainder of the evening was spent in
the dancing and in having a general good time. The recreation af-
forded to the young people on the annual recurrence of these festive
occasions was as highly enjoyed, and quite as innocent, as the amuse-
ments of the present boasted age of refinement and culture.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 107
Saturday a Half-Holiday
The amusements of the pioneers were peculiar to theineslves—
Saturday afternoon was a holiday in which no man was expected to
work. A load of produce might be taken to "town" for sale or traffic
without violence to custom, but no more serious labor could be tolerated.
"When on Saturday afternoon the town was reached, "fun com-
menced." Had two neighbors business to transact, here it was done.
Horses were "swapped," difficulties settled, and free fights indulged
in. Blue and red ribbons were not worn in those days, and whisky
was as free as water; 12y 2 cents would buy a quart, and 35 or 40
cents a gallon, and at such prices enormous quantities were consumed.
Go to any town in the county and ask the first pioneer you meet, and
he would tell you of notable Saturday afternoon fights, either of
which to-day would fill a column of the Police News, with elaborate
engravings to match.
A Militant Captain
In the days of muster and military drill (say 1846) the following
scene is said to have been laid not a hundred miles from Adams Coun-
ty : The Captain was a stout-built, muscular man, who stood six feet
four in his boots, and weighed over 200 pounds; when dressed in
his uniform, a blue hunting-shirt fastened with a wide red sash,
with epaulettes on each shoulder, his large sword fastened by his side,
and tall plume waving in the wind, he looked like another William
Wallace, or Roderick Dhu, unsheathing his claymore in defense of
his country. His company consisted of about seventy men, who had
reluctantly turned out to muster to avoid paying a fine; some with
guns, some with sticks, and others carrying corn-stalks. The Captain,
who had but recently been elected, understood his business better
than his men supposed he did. He intended to give them a thorough
drilling and show them that he understood the maneuvers of the
military art as well as he did farming and hog hunting, the latter of
which was one of his favorite amusements. After forming a hollow
square, marching and counter-marching, and putting them through
several other evolutions, according to Scott 's tactics, he commanded his
men to "form a line." They partially complied, but the line was
crooked. He took his sword and passed it along in' front of his men.
straightening the line. By the time he passed from one end of the
line to the other, on casting his eye back, he discovered that the line
presented a zig-zag and unmilitary appearance. Some of the men
108 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
were leaning on their guns, some on their sticks a yard in advance
of the line, and others as far in the rear. The Captain's dander arose;
he threw his cocked hat, feather and all, on the ground, took off his
red sash and hunting-shirt and threw them, with his sword, upon his
hat ; he then rolled up his sleeves and shouted with the voice of a sten-
tor, "Gentlemen, form a line and keep it, or I'll thrash the whole
company. ' ' Instantly the whole line was straight as an arrow. The
Captain was satisfied, put on his clothes again, and never had any
more trouble in drilling his company.
Wolf and Bear Stories
The early residents of this part of the country tell us that the
wolves gave them more trouble and were more dangerous than any
other wild animals in the country. Abraham Studabaker related an
incident in which he was an actor that shows how nearly he was killed
when a child of about fourteen years of age. He was sent up to "Dis-
mal" creek to hunt the cows one day in June and was returning home
somewhere to the east of the present residence of Christian Burg-
halter, when he heard the leaves rattling a few rods away from him,
and upon looking in that direction he saw a large gray wolf going
seemingly in the same direction that he was traveling. The wolf was
evidently following him and was hungry, as he could see its tongue
occasionally passed out over the end of its nose. He sprung to the
nearest sapling, which was nearly too small to keep him out of the
wolf's reach. He climbed up as far as he could but the tree began
to bend over with his weight. As soon as he started for the tree the
wolf started after him, and he barely got out of its reach. It would
go back from the tree, run and jump up and snap at him. But he
was just beyond its reach. He said if ever a boy yelled it was he,
but his yelling did him no good, as no one came to his assistance.
After numerous efforts to reach him by jumping, the wolf ran rap-
idly away, a hundred yards or more, and got behind a large elm tree
and would put its head just past the tree to watch him. This ordeal
lasted for about two hours or more, when it returned and again tried
to reach him by jumping. This time it became discouraged and ran
away out of sight to the southwest. When clear beyond his view he
got down and ran home. His story was related to his father, who at
once returned with him to see the place where the wolf had treed
him. When nearing the spot they saw the wolf trailing around in a
circle about the tree, but upon their approach it soon ran away.
Another incident is related in which Mrs. Jacob Closs was lost
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 109
and was attacked by the wolves. She was the mother of Mrs. Jesse
Niblick, of Decatur. Her husband was at work southeast of Decatur
and one afternoon she went out to see him. She expected to soon re-
turn home and left her little babe in charge of one of the older chil-
dren. Along in the middle of the afternoon she started home, but
missed her way. Instead of going north, she went west, and when
night overtook her the wolves began to howl in all directions. They
came nearer and nearer and she could easily hear the running in
the leaves. She selected a young tree or sapling with some good-
sized limbs that she could hold on to and climbed up beyond the
reach of the wolves. They closed in upon her and sat upon the ground
and howled. She heard some men chopping and hallooed as loud as
she could. The men stopped and she hallooed again. They then
came to her relief with hickory bark torches. They helped her to
find her way home. They were coon hunters that chanced to be in that
part of the country. When she was found she was near Grim's prairie,
just the other side of where the present Town of Peterson is located.
On her return home she found that her neighbors were out hunting
for her and her little babe was using its utmost energy to find its
mother.
Robert Simison relates an incident of an easterner who came with
a hunting party to Fort Recovery when he was at home with his
father. North of Fort Recovery there was some fallen timber on some
low lands. This was a favorable haunt for bear. It is the custom of
the bear to make their winter quarters in a thicket as near some fallen
tree as convenient. They would build on the ground and carry dry
grass, leaves and small branches of trees and make a covering over the
nest, leaving it hollow inside. Those nests were frequently a fair-
sized brush heap, but always built in about the same manner and
readily recognized by the experienced hunter. When completed the
bear would crawl into the nest under the heap of brush and remain
there throughout the winter. A certain "tenderfoot'' hunter walked
up along the trunk of a fallen tree and jumped over onto the top of
one of these brush piles, as he supposed it to be. The bear had not yet
started in for his winter's nap and sprang out and ran off at full
speed. When asked why he did not shoot the bear, in much excite-
ment he said: "Why, I didn't know that I had a gun."
Another incident in which Mr. Simison was a prominent factor
is thus related: The location was on Three Mile Creek, just smith-
west of Buena Vista, about the year 1840. He was returning home
one afternoon and saw some young hogs running almost directly
toward him. On looking again, he saw that a bear was after them.
110 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
He at once climbed upon the trunk of a fallen tree near him. The
hogs ran on past him, the bear following to within about twenty feet
from him, when it stopped and stood on its hind feet and seemed to be
looking directly at him. He knew that he had no gun, but felt badly
in need of one. Somehow bruin did not like his looks and started off
on a canter toward the river and was soon out of sight.
Running Down Indian Horse Thieves
In the early times of Adams County the stealing of horses, as it
always has been in new countries, was a very serious offense. Indians,
as well as white men, were adepts in that line of crime, and many of
the pioneers were called upon to pit their wits against those of their
dusky kind. Along this line, Snow says, in his history of Adams
County : ' ' There is an incident related by Robert Simison, who fol-
lowed some Indian horse-thieves and secured the stolen property.
The horse belonged to his brother, who lived near Fort Recovery
when the horse was taken. Robert and his brother were near Fort
Jefferson working in the harvest. His brother became sick and they
both returned home and found that the horse had been gone for two
days. Arrangements were at once made to follow the trail of the
thieves and recover the horse. An ample supply of ammunition, bul-
lets, etc., was provided and a supply of rations for several days. The
brother being sick, Robert started alone. The first day's travel took
him in west of where Portland is situated. A campfire showed that
the Indians had stopped there. The next stop was southwest of Penn- ■
ville, or Camden. The next camp was nearly a day's travel to the
northwest and was on a small stream, perhaps the Mississinewa river.
Here he overtook the Indians in the afternoon, perhaps about three
o'clock. He could hear them talking and see some of their horses
that were tied to trees in the distance. He considered it dangerous
to attempt a rescue of his property alone in the daytime, so he cast
about, for a suitable hiding place till the darkness should shroud his
movements. Such a place was found in the top of a leafy elm tree
that had recently been blown down. He had hardly secreted himself
among the leafy boughs when he saw his horse coming into camp rid-
den by an Indian, who was carrying a deer on before him. At that
time there was an unwritten law that permitted the killing of the
thief if found with the stolen property, especially so if it was slaves,
horses or cattle. Mr. Simison says he could easily have shot the In-
dian off the horse, but chose to resort to other means of securing the
stolen animal. Said he: 'I lay in concealment until away after dark,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES HI
then crept up cautiously near their camp. They had some dogs with
them and one came within a rod of me, but I was unobserved. They
put a bell on my horse and tied his front legs, or feet, together with
bark so he could not travel. I had no trouble in reaching him, gave
him some salt and cut the bark from his feet. I then took some dry
leaves and stuffed them into the bell and put it on the neck of an
old pony near by. I then unstopped the bell that it might jingle
as the pony moved, and in this way not arouse any suspicion should
they awake at any time within the night. I led my horse a little way
off and got on him and rode away as fast as I could through the woods.
After a while, in the after part of the night, the moon went down
and it was too dark for me to see which way to go. So I got off of
the horse and waited — it seemed hours to me — until daylight came
and the birds began to sing. I then started on and got home that
evening. In the morning I took the horse, and went with him to
Greenville and left him there. The next day I walked back to my
brother's. I got there about noon and found the Indian who had
been riding the horse and another Indian there, and my brother's
wife getting dinner for them. As soon as I came up I noticed them
looking at my feet. I had changed the moccasins that I wore when
I went after the horse for the shoes I had on. This perhaps removed
their suspicions from me and may have saved my life. These were
Miami Indians whose reservation was near Peru, Indiana.' "
Overlooking the Vital Point
The most successful of defectives have come to agree upon one
point; that is, the invariable custom of the criminal to overlook some
vital point in his efforts to perpetrate his misdeed, or to cover it when
committed. A good story is told of a gang of Decatur robbers which
illustrates the former statement. Sometime in the '40s, when J. D.
Nutman & Company were operating a bank and drygoods store in
the little village of Decatur, also lived a wealthy farmer across the
river by the name of Eli Zimmerman. At that period a certain state
law required a banker to always have on hand an amount of actual
cash proportionate to the capital stock of the institution. As cash
was scarce, that legal requirement was sometimes quite a hardship.
Not so while Mr. Zimmerman lived in the neighborhood; for he was
a large land owner, very thrifty, did not believe in long-time deposits
in a bank, and his stock of cash could always be temporarily drawn
upon when required to fulfil the letter of the law. Mr. Zimmerman
kept his money in his old log house; in a crack of the wall, in a
112 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
coffee pot, au old stocking, or any other handy place or article. So it
came to pass that during the years when this law was in effect Mr.
Nutman frequently had occasion to call upon his neighbor across the
river for a large amount of cash. The banker would deposit securities
with Mr. Zimmerman and have the cash on hand to satisfy the bank
examiner, and upon the departure of that official the money would be
returned and the securities taken up.
But it happened upon one occasion that Mr. Zimmerman had pur-
chased a large tract of land and made other investments. Therefore,
when the banker called upon him for the ready cash it was not forth-
coming, and it became necessary to go to Fort Wayne for it. In those
days a stage coach ran between Decatur and Fort Wayne twice a
week. The road between the two towns was lined on both sides by
dense forests, broken only here and there by a few clear fields cul-
tivated by early settlers. The northern part of the state was almost
covered by a swampy .wilderness known as the Haw Patch, not unlike
the Limberlost region. These wilds were infested by a band of horse-
thieves and other outlaws. They were supposed to follow various
routes from Southern Ohio to Northern Indiana, with stations along
the ways where horses and other plunder were secreted until the
stolen property could be safely moved and disposed of. Decatur was
said to be the headquarters of several of this gang.
Word is believed to have passed to these outlaws that Mr. Nutman
had gone to Fort Wayne to obtain quite an amount of cash in an-
ticipation of a visit from the bank examiner. At all events the coach
started from Fort Wayne at about 9 o'clock in the morning and at
a gloomy portion of the road about two miles north of Monmouth, as
the driver was floundering through the mud of the St. Mary's bottom
lands and just as he pulled up on a corduroy bridge crossing the creek,
a light was flashed in his face and he was ordered to hold up his
hands. At the same time a long-barreled rifle was thrust into his face
and the coach was surrounded by five or six outlaws. The four or
five passengers besides Mr. Nutman were ordered to climb out, hold
up their hands and be searched. To the evident surprise of the rob-
bers the only booty secured were two or three silver watches, a few
dollars in silver and a little currency of small denominations. The
search of Banker Nutman had been especially thorough, but he yielded
no richer results than the others, although every one of his pockets
had been turned inside out, the lining of his coat ripped open and
his shoes taken from his feet and carefully examined. On the fol-
lowing day it was learned through an intimate friend that Mr. Nut-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 113
man had placed his big- bank roll in perhaps the most conspicuous
article of his apparel— his elegant lofty silk tile. The obvious was
so plain that the robbers entirely overlooked it. Residents freely ex-
pressed their belief as to the identity of the criminals, but they were
never identified or brought to trial.
CHAPTER VIII
LEGAL AND .MEDICAL
Early Local Judiciary — Didn't Like His Job — First Grand and
Petit Jurors — The Circuit and Probate Courts — Pioneer Res-
ident Lawyers — David Studabaker — James T. Merryman —
James R. Bobo — Daniel D. Heller — The Associate and Probate
Judges — Circuit and Common Pleas Judges — Prosecuting
Attorneys — Other Early Lawyers — Charles M. and John T.
France — Ten Years Ago and Now — A Legal Retrospect — Jin-
kinson Cleared His Man — The Country Doctor — Pioneer Res-
ident Physicians — Leading Physicians in 1887 and 1917.
By David E. Smith
The pioneer members of the professions as represented in Adams
County, especially the lawyers and doctors, were like those of other
raw sections of the country. They were quite apt to be deficient in
book learning, but had a natural talent for their work, or the obstacles
with which they were obliged to contend speedily weaned them from
it. The practitioner at the bar considered that he had a working
library if possessed of half a dozen Statutes and books on Practice,
and the average physician was held to be well equipped if his medicines
and instruments overran his leather traveling ease. Common sense, in
both fields of professional work, was deemed much more necessary than
any parchment from a law school or a medical college. To a certain
extent the rule holds in the modern days, as a thorough technical or
scientific training in either law or medicine is not now an assurance
of advancement without the saving grace of sympathy, practical
knowledge and sound judgment of men and circumstances.
Early Local Judiciary
Before there were any settled lawyers in Adams County, a local
judiciary had to be constituted before which the people could bring
any grievance which could not be compromised out of court. These
114
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 115
judicial bodies were represented by the justices of the peace and the
associate judges of the Circuit Court. People would die, estates had
to be settled, guardians appointed for minors, and other matters adju-
dicated, which called for the activities of a Probate Court. And such
bodies were in operation before Adams County could be said to have
had a Bar. The Bench preceded the Bar by several years.
The first justice of the peace to preside in what is now Adams
County was Samuel L. Rugg, and he was elected over Esaias Dailey in
1833, when Root Township (which became Adams County) was
attached to Allen.
Mr. Rugg, who eventually went to the Legislature and served as
state superintendent of public instruction, was far above the caliber of
the early justices of the peace, although he had sprung from the ranks
of the mechanics and was entirely self-educated. Joseph Martin, who
settled in what is now Hart Township in 1837, the year after county
organization, was the first justice of that section, and Thomas Watson,
an Englishman, the first constable.
Didn't Like His Job
The first, ca.se requiring Constable Watson's services was also his
last. A civil action came before 'Squire Martin and to carry out the
decision of the court in the matter it was necessary that Mr. Watson
levy upon the property of the defendant to satisfy judgment. Accord-
ingly, the constable went to the house of said defendant and found no
one at home except the "lady of the house." When he stated his busi-
ness to that dame, as he reported to the 'Squire, "The hold woman
bate me with the pokin stick." The court ordered the constable to
return and get some property equal in value at least to the amount of
the judgment. He again gained admittance to the house, seized a
clock, and retreated from the irate "hold woman," using it as a shield
to ward off the blows which she was showering upon him with a stout
broomstick. Constable Watson thereupon resigned and could never be
induced to return to office.
First Grand and Petit Jurors
At the second day's proceedings of the first session of the County
Board of Commissioners, May 10, 1836, the following eighteen men
were appointed grand jurors for the fall term of the Adams Circuit
Court : Joel Roe. John Ross, Sr.. Michael Roe, Bail W. Butler. Wil-
liam Heath, Sr., Jonas Pence, Robert Smith, Jehu S. Rhea. Benjamin
116 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
S. Gorsline, Samuel Smith, William Ball, William Thatcher, William
Biram, John Catterlin, Jonathan Roe, Eli Zimmerman, James Ball
and Abraham Elifrits. The petit jurors (twenty-four) were: John
W. Wise, Thomas Ruble, John W. Cooley, Joseph Wise, Joseph
Thatcher, Peter Studabaker, Enos W. Butler, William Major, Otha
Gaudy, James H. Ball, Esaias Dailey, Jacob Fitzsimmons, Vachel
Ball, Joshua Major, Joseph Troutner, George Wimer, Benjamin F.
Blossom, Job Wolf, Joseph Hill, Jacob England, Philip Everman,
Daniel Ball, Theron Harper and Zachariah Smith.
The list was virtually the same, which was drawn by the County
Board in January of the following year and represented the jurors
who were to serve at the spring term of the Circuit Court: it would be
difficult to go far outside of that list, as it stood for substantially the
citizenship of Adams County in 1836-37.
The Circuit and Probate Courts
Little is known of the first judges who presided over the Circuit
Court, as they were "foreigners," most of the cases — which were few
indeed, in the very early times — being tried or settled out of court by
the associate judges. The court had been organized under state laws
in 1835, provision having been made for two associates; local men of
character, but not necessarily of legal education, who should cooperate
with the presiding judge in the adjudication of matters which espe-
cially affected their county. The Probate Court was created in the fol-
lowing year (1836), and these bodies were therefore already made
when Adams County was organized. In 1852. under the new consti-
tution, the Probate Court was abolished and its business transferred to
the Court of Common Pleas. That body was legislated out of existence
in 1873, since which year the Circuit Court has had almost the sole
responsibility of guarding the scales of justice in Adams County.
During the early years of the county's history lawyers frequently
came to practice at Decatur from Fort Wayne, and later from Bluffton
and Portland, Jay County. They followed the circuit and picked up
any crumbs of business which might be gathered.
Pioneer Resident Lawyers
Beatty McClellan may be called the first resident lawyer of
Adams County; but he only remained a few months. He came to
Decatur from Greene County, Ohio, and taught school as well as took
what law practice he could find ; but even both fields did not yield him
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
11'
enough for a livelihood, and he soon departed for the older and more
settled town of Winchester, Randolph County.
William A. Bugh and William W. Corson located at Decatur in
18-48 and left in 1851. They appeared to have been lively young men,
for during the few years of their stay in the community they were
elected to the office of prosecuting attorney, and Mr. Bugh was a can-
David Studabaker
didate for the Legislature. He moved to Wisconsin and Mr. Corson
returned to Fort Wayne.
W. G. Spencer practiced law from 1849 to 1860, then was elected
county auditor for two terms of four years each. Afterward he
engaged in the hardware business.
David Studabaker
David Studabaker studied law with Judge Jacob Haynes, of Port-
land, and in June, 1852, chose Decatur as his first location for practice.
118 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
He practiced continuously for thirty-one years, longer than any other
attorney. During that period he was associated with James R. Bobo
and John P. Quinn, both of whom were formerly students in his office.
In 1852 he was elected prosecuting attorney for the district comprising
Adams and Allen counties, serving as such two years; in 1854 was
chosen a member of the Legislative House of Representatives for
Adams County, and re-elected in 1856. He represented the district
comprising Adams, Allen, Huntington and Wells counties in the State
Senate for the session commencing 1868, and in the following year
became identified with the building of the Cincinnati, Richmond &
Fort Wayne Railroad (the forerunner of the Grand Rapids & Indi-
ana). The last years of his life were mainly devoted to banking, and
he was for a long time president of the Adams County Bank.
James R. Bobo
James R. Bobo, who served as circuit judge in 1876-88, lived in
Adams County from boyhood until his death at the age of sixty-two.
In 1860, after having studied for two years in the law office of David
Studabaker, he was admitted to the bar of the Adams Circuit Court.
The county board chose him school examiner in 1862 and he held that
position four years, when he resigned to serve as a representative in
the lower house of the State Legislature. In 1870 he was elected to
the upper house, and in 1876 commenced his twelve years of service as
circuit judge. His death occurred on June 4, 1901.
Daniel D. Heller
Daniel D. Heller was admitted to the bar three years after Judge
Bobo. He located first at Millersburg, Ohio, but located at Decatur in
1867, and there he has since resided — for a large portion of the fifty
years in active practice. In 1872 he was appointed school examiner
and by the act of the Legislature of 1873, which created the office of
county superintendent, was made the first to hold that office in Adams
County. But his eloquence and general ability as an advocate and a
lawyer had won him such a practice in 1874 that he resigned the super-
iutendency to devote all his time to the practice. He was elected
mayor of Decatur in 1885 and served as such until 1888, when he was
nominated for the circuit judgeship, and, like his predecessor. Judge
Bobo, served with credit for twelve years. He then formed a partner-
ship with H. B. Heller, his son, who was prosecuting attorney of the
Twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit in 1906-13.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 119
It was during Judge Heller's term of office as circuit judge that
the first regular court reporter was employed. Miss Adda Snow was
the first incumbent of that office and held it for eight years.
Richard K. Erwin
Richard Kenney Erwin, who succeeded Judge Heller on the Circuit
Bench iu 1900, was born in Adams County (Union Township), July
11, 1860, one of ten children and the second of sis sons. He reached
the period of his youth on the old homestead farm, but as his district
school education had been supplemented by a short course at the M. E.
College at Fort Wayne he commenced to teach before he was twenty.
After a short experience in that line in Allen County, he returned to
Adams and taught for six years in his home county — that is, during
the months when his time was not taken with farm duties. In 1886,
after serving a short time as justice of the peace, he began the study of
law in the office of France & Merryman, and was admitted to the bar
at Decatur in the spring of 1887. He at once engaged in practice and
the solid standing which he earned as a lawyer caused his elevation to
the bench as Judge Heller's successor.
James T. Merryman
James T. Merryman, the predecessor of Judge David E. Smith on
the Adams Circuit Bench, has been a prominent practitioner and citi-
zen of Decatur for nearly forty years. He is a native of Washington
Township and is therefore doubly entitled to a record in this chapter.
When a young man he served as deputy clerk of the Circuit Court and
as deputy sheriff, and afterward had a short banking experience prior
to the study of the law. In 1881 he took up the active practice of his
profession and in the following year was elected the first mayor of
Decatur. Judge Merryman formed professional partnerships with
such members of the bar as Edgar X. Wicks, William J. Vesey. John
T. France and Jesse C. Sutton. He was elected judge of the Twenty-
sixth Judicial Circuit in November, 1906, and during his term of
service acquitted himself with his customary ability.
The Associate and Probate Judges
The associate judges of the Circuit Court who served Adams
County were as follows: William Elzey and T. Hooper. 1838-42;
John K. Evans and Ezekiel Hooper. lS4:2-4!) : William Stoekham and
E. A. Bunner, 1849-51.
120 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The probate judges were: Jacob Barks, 1837; James Crabs,
1839 ; Robert D. Tisdale, 1840 ; Joseph Martin, 1841 ; Alvin Randall,
1842; David Showers, 1849-51.
Circuit and Common Pleas Judges
Among the best known who have served the Circuit and Common
Pleas Courts in Adams County are the following: E. A. McMahan,
Circuit, and James W. Borden, Common Pleas, 1852; Joseph S.
Prance, Common Pleas, 1859 ; David Studabaker, Common Pleas,
1S68; J. M. Hayes, Common Pleas, 1869; Robert Lowery, Circuit,
1870. Judge Lowery was on the Circuit Bench when the Common
Pleas Court was abolished, and his successors have been as follows :
J. R. Bobo, 1876 ; D. D. Heller, 1889 ; R. K. Erwin, 1900 ; J. T. Merry-
man, 1906 ; David E. Smith, 1912.
Prosecuting Attorneys
The prosecuting attorneys of Adams County have been as follows :
R J. Dawson, 1843; E. A. McMahon, 1845; William A. Bugh, 1848;
William W. Corson, 1849 ; James B. Simcoke, 1851 ; John MeConnell,
1852; James L. Worden, 1853; E. R. Wilson, 1854; W. G. Spencer,
1855; William Smith, 1857; J. H. Shell, 1S5S; W. S. Smith, 1860;
James H. Shell, 1862; B. F. Ibaugh (for Common Pleas Court) and
Joseph W. Dailey (for Circuit Court), 1868; J. R. Bittenger (Com-
mon Pleas), 1872. The Common Pleas Court was abolished in 1873
and since that year the duties of the prosecuting attorney have been
confined to theT'ircuit Court. The incumbents of the office since have
been as follows: J. W. Dailey, 1874; Joshua Bishop, 1876: L. I.
Baker, 1878; John T. France, 1880; E. G. Vaughn, 1884; Richard
Hartford, 1888 ; George T. Whittaker, 1890 ; Richard Hartford, 1892 ;
David E. Smith, 1896; John C. Moran, 1900; Henry B. Heller, 1906;
J. Fred Fruchte, 1914—
Other Early Lawyers
As stated, James R. Bobo studied law in Judge Studabaker 's office.
He commenced the .practice of his profession at Decatur in I860 and
devoted himself to it continuously until 1877. He then assumed the
office of circuit judge, to which he had been elected in the preceding
year and served two full terms of six years each. Judge Bobo had
already served in hoth houses of the Legislature and was always con-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 121
sidered among the ablest and most honored members of either the
bench or bar.
Forty years ago the following was recorded: "Robert S. Peter-
son, the oldest attorney now regularly devoted to the profession, who
read law with Mr. Studabaker; John T. France, Daniel D. Heller, E.
A. Huffman, Paul G. Hooper, J. T. Merryrnan, Elias G. Coverdale,
Jay Dorwin, John T. Bailey, Judson W. Teeple, Clark J. Lutz. L. C.
Devoss, J. F. Mann, J. E. Thomas, Philip L. Andrews and J. Fred
France — all of Decatur. At Geneva, in the south part of the county,
is P. B. Manley and William Drew."
Charles M. and John T. France
The Frances, father and son, were both early practitioners at De-
catur. Charles M. France, the elder, a Vermonter, came to Adams
County as a young man, and after engaging in farming operations
for a number of years read law, was admitted to the bar and in 1S68
commenced practice at Decatur. He was associated with his son,
John T., for several years before he moved to Bluffton (1879).
John T. France was reared and educated in Decatur. For a time
after graduating from the high school he taught school, then studied
law in Ins father's office, was admitted to the bar in 187.") and at
once began practice as a member of the firm France. Miller & Fiance.
The partnership afterward became France & Son, and after the senior
member moved to Bluffton John T. associated himself in practice with
several well known members of the local bar; among them, with J. T.
Merryman. In 1876-77 he had served as deputy prosecuting attorney
under Joshua Bishop, of Jay County, and in the fall of 1880 was
elected prosecuting attorney of the Twenty-sixth Judicial Circuit com-
prising the counties of Adams, Jay and Wells. In 1882 he was re-
elected for a second term. During his service as prosecuting attorney
he tried several murder cases, perhaps the most noted being that of
1883, entitled the State vs. Fred Richards and Charles Werst. Both
defendants were found guilty and sent to the penitentiary. After a
long and wearing trial in one of the defalcation suits against the ex-
county treasurer, he had a physical collapse which resulted in his
death, November 12, 1899, at the comparatively early age of forty-
six years.
Ten Years Ago and Now
In 1907 Robert S. Peterson, the veteran attorney of the county,
was still living, although he had practically discontinued active work.
122 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
At that time Judsou W. Teeple, Clark J. Lutz, Shaffer Peterson, Paul
G. Hooper and D. D. Heller had been engaged in practice at Decatur
for more than twenty-five years. Others of the old practitioners had
died or moved away. Among the deceased were Jeremiah Mauley,
Johu Bailey, Elias Coverdale, E. A. Huffman and David Studabaker.
Those who resided in other localities : C. M. France, at Van Wert,
Ohio; J. F. Mann, Anderson, Indiana; J. E. Thomas, Cardwell,
Missouri ; J. Fred France, Huntington, Indiana ; P. B. Manly, Marion,
Indiana ; P. L. Andrews, identified with the Decatur Journal (now
editor of the Herald).
At the present time, the leaders of the Adams County Bar may
be named as follows. Clai'k J. Lutz, Paul G. Hooper, J. T. Merry-
man, Shaffer Peterson, Johu C. Manan. Dore B. Erwin, Jesse C. Sut-
ton, Henry B. Heller, Lewis C. DeVoss, E. Bert Lenhart, R. C. Par-
rish, Judson W. Tuple and Fred Fruchte, all of Decatur; Francis M.
Cathell, Berne; William B. Drew and Frank Armantrout, Geneva.
A Legal Retrospect
Says one of the old lawyers and residents of the county: "The
requirements for an attorney-at-law in the '40s were far different
from what they are now. Then but few lawyers had more books than
could be carried under one arni, and some of them not of recent date.
However, justice was the thing sought after then, as now. And in
certain instances there was much less ceremony in procuring it.
"All the judges along in the '40s, and even later, were supposed
to dress within the dignity of their office. A pai't of their apparel
must consist of a silk hat, known as a tile or plug hat now, a silk or
satin vest, tall standing white collar, doeskin pantaloons and pumps,
a low, comfortable slipper. An attorney who did not properly ad-
dress the Court was reprimanded, and if he entered his objections was
summarily fined. The Court that attempted to hold sessions without
his silk tile and other equipage was not worthy any special recognition,
and an attorney was exempt from the fine or reprimand until the
dignity of the court was maintained.
"One of the first cases docketed was Alexander Smith, treasurer
school section 16, Township 27, Range 15 east vs. Thomas Ruble. Dis-
missed and costs paid. This dates from 1838.
"The first divorce case was docketed in 1849 — Joseph Ross vs.
Mary Ross. The case was decided against Mr. Ross, with $13.78 costs
and $35 alimony. The next divorce case was Ruthanett Gillispie vs.
John B. Gillispie. This is marked 'continued' and is still pending.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 123
Jinkinson Cleared His Max
"There was rather an amusing incident in the ease of the State
of Indiana vs. J. C. Finley. The court then sat much as the County
Board of Commissioners, the two together, but the 'dignity of the
court' was 'on;' that made some difference, perhaps. Finley had
been arrested on a charge of horse stealing. The Court was on the
bench, but in the old court house there were no consultation rooms
down on the first iioor. The prisoner was brought in by the sheriff,
and as all w r as read}- for the trial he was asked to plea'd to the in-
dictment. He plead 'Not guilty.' The Court asked him if he had
counsel. He said that he had not. Turning to a young attorney,
whose home was then at Fort Wayne, the Court said ' Jinkinson, clear
that man ! '
"Mr. Jinkinson then asked permission to take the prisoner just
around the corner of the court house for a consultation with him,
which the Court granted. When back of the court house with his
client, he said: 'Are you guilty of the offense as charged in the in-
dictment?' 'Yes,' said the prisoner, 'they caught me with the goods.'
'Have you any money.'" 'Yes, I have ten dollars.' 'Well, let's have
it. Now you see the woods there, don't you? See how long it will
take you to be through them to the Indiana state line.'
"Mr. Jinkinson paced back and forth outside the house for thirty
minutes or more. The sheriff came and called from the court house
door 'Jinkinson, the court is ready to go on with the trial; bring
your client and come in. '
"Mr. Jinkinson walked leisurely in and took his seat. The Court
inquired: 'Mr. Jinkinson, where is your client?' "Why. your honor,
I cleared him.'
"The sheriff threatened, and the Court gave each other a be-
wildered look, but the prisoner never returned."
The Country Doctor
The section devoted to the medical fraternity, and matters con-
nected with his profession, is largely a collection of biographies; a
grouping of honest, honorable, hard-working men, endeavoring bravely
through such rude remedies as calomel, epicae and quinine, to combat
fevers, malaria, pneumonia, diphtheria, and a longer and a more
serious list of chronic diseases than the physician of the present has
to meet, with all the sanitary precautions and appliances by which
his task is lightened. In cases of confinement, broken limb or other
124 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
surgical call, the country doctor had nothing at hand but the crudest
instruments, assistance and accommodations; at times, while making
his long rounds through the wilds of the country, he would have to
meet an emergency with no surgical instruments whatever. And de-
spite his hard calling, which subjected him to travel at all hours and
in all weathers, much of his work was pure benevolence, and he carried
it through with Christian cheerfulness. Even his "pay eases" often
subjected him to vexatious delays and uncertainties. In those times,
as the present, moneyed citizens who could well afford to pay the
doctor promptly, often placed his bill, if perchance he rendered one,
at the bottom of the pile. Notwithstanding, he never wearied at his
unprofitable tasks and received, as one of his rewards, a whole-souled
affection which even the parson sometimes failed to earn.
Pioneer Kesident Physicians
The first physician resident at Decatur was named Williams. He
came from Ohio about 1837, and after a residence at the county seat
of five or six years moved to Wiltshire, Ohio.
In 1840 William Trout arrived from Pennsylvania, and practiced
in Adams County until his death in 1885 ; his incessant and kindly
labors during that forty years made him the typical country doctor,
as described above.
Pomeroy Porter settled early in the '40s and was killed as a
Union soldier.
William Moore was also an early physician, and remained in prac-
tice at Decatur for many years. Afterward he moved to Iowa, but
returned to the Wabash Valley and located at Bluffton.
John N. Little settled just southeast of Decatur sometime before
1850 and J. C. Champer at Monmouth, several miles north. Their
practice was largely at the county seat, where they died.
Among the physicians best remembered in Adams County are the
Pierces. John Pierce came from Wiltshire, Ohio, about 1850, and re-
turned to that place after a practice of nearly twenty years at De-
catur. Jacob Pierce was a physician there for nearly a decade and
died previous to the Civil war. Thomas Pierce, a third brother, also
became well known during his honorable practice at Decatur.
The census of 1850 shows that the following physicians and
surgeons were then practicing in Adams County: William Trout,
Alexander Porter, John P. Porter and Jacob Pierce, at Decatur ; John
F. Alsop, near Pleasant Mills; J. C. Champer, Monmouth; John N.
Little, southeast of Decatur on what afterward became the Elmer
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 12.'.
Johnson farm; Thomas B. Kimsey, northwest of Monmouth, in Root
Township.
A little later than the foregoing came Dr. Lemuel Coverdale from
Allen County, perhaps in 1855; Thomas and John Pierce, in 1858;
Dr. Barton B. Snow, in I860, to the southern hanks of the Wabash
where he bought land upon which was platted the Town of Ceylon,
practicing in that locality for ten years and dying in 1875 ; Dr. James
B. Snow, his brother, who located in 1862 near Buena Vista (Linn
Grove), and after practicing there for some three years bought a
farm near what was then Buffalo (now Geneva), where he died in
1876; Dr. William C. Vance, of New Corydon, in 1866, whose practice
extended into the southern part of the county and who had served
as an army surgeon; Drs. James McDowell and Dr. S. G. Ralston,
1865, and Mrs. A. G. VanCamp and John Burdg, 1868.
Leading Physicians in 1887 and 1917
In 1887 the physicians engaged in practice at Decatur were as fol-
lows: T. T. Dorwin, D. G. M. Trout, Jonas Coverdale, 15. R. Freeman,
C. A. Jelleff, J. S. Boyers, J. S. Mann. P. B. Thomas and H. F. Cos-
tello; at Geneva, II. M. Aspy, James Brelsford and S. G. Ralston; at
Berne, W. Broadwell.
In 1918, or more than forty years after the foregoing list was
compiled, the following were among the leaders in the medical and
surgical profession in Adams County: Decatur — Dr. J. S. Boyers,
member Indiana Board of Health; J. M. Miller, J. S. Coverdale, E.
G. Coverdale. H. F. Costello, S. D. Beavers, D. D. Clark, C. S. Clark,
II. E. Keller, A. D. Clark, W. E. Smith, Elizabeth Burns and C. R.
Weaver (osteopath); Pleasant Mills — Dr. J. W. Vizzard; Preble —
Dr. J. C. Grandstaff; Monroe— Drs. M. F. Parrish and C. C. Ravi;
Berne — Doctors Franz, II. 0. and D. D. Jones; Linn Grove — Doctor
McKean ; Geneva — Drs. 0. M. Graham and M. M. Mattox ; veterinary
— Dr. C. V. Council and Lieutenant Maglcy; dentists — Drs. Roy
Archbold, J. Q. Neptune, Fred Patterson and Burt Mangold, all of
Decatur: Dr. Raymond Knoff, Geneva.
CHAPTER IX
EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN ADAMS COUNTY
Savage and Civilized Co-Education — Fur Traders and Mission-
aries — Negro Slavery in Indiana — Opinions of Free Schools —
Earliest Settlements — Free School System Enforced — Second
Constitution — School Property — Roads, Farms and Pioneers —
Parochial Schools — Graded Schools — Decatur City Schools —
Linn Grove Schools — Geneva Schools — Monmouth Graded
Schools — Pleasant Mills Graded School — Berne Schools —
Monroe Schools — Peterson Schools — Central High Schools —
Discontinued Graded Schools — Bobo, or Rivare, Graded School
— Ceylon Graded Schools — The County Agent — Local School
Officers — The County Superintendent cy.
Communicated by John F. Snow, Ex-County Superintendent of
Adams C aunty
Education, in a general sense, is an assimilation of knowledge. Any
animal acquires knowledge the easiest of the things in which it is
personally the most interested. Natural inherent capacity for acquir-
ing knowledge is as different, and varied, as is the facial or physical
appearance of men. When once educated, in a certain line, reflex
action takes the place of reason and the individual acts, as it were,
from intuition. This accounts for a man being of this or that political
or religious faith, without being able to give a very good reason for
his belief.
When and where did educational development begin in Indiana?
Shall we say that it began when the first white man crossed the great
divide between the Atlantic slope and the Mississippi Valley? Or
woidd it be better to consider the red-savage as an educational factor
in some of the lines of development commonly accredited to the white
race? There is no question about the white invaders becoming edu-
cated in the use of maise — or Indian corn, and the ever present cigars
and snuff, made from Indian tobacco. Not a few of the present suc-
cessful farmers plant their fields of beans, potatoes, corn and squashes,
126
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 127
— and never consider the fact that the original seeds for planting
were furnished by the American Indian. There is no denying the fact
that the white race was ever ready to enlist the services of the Indians
as their allies, in the prosecution and settlement of the international
troubles that were begun in Europe. The Indian, though a savage
with seemingly an untamable disposition, was not the worst man in the
world. He was an intelligent barbarian who worshipped at the shrine
of a Great Spirit, aud expected a. fine luxuriant hunting ground in a
future existence. He was grossly superstitious, and dwelt in the tradi-
tions of his ancestors. These traditions, in time, became a ruling
element of his nature ; from a result of them he acted, rather than
from a logical conclusion of facts.
Savage and Civilized Co-Educatiox
Though by nature adverse to the white man's civilization, he was
quick to perceive what would advance his own individual interests ; he
saw the steel ax and the knife used by the white trader, he knew it was
superior to his flint knife or to his stone tomahawk, and was glad to
accept the white man's education so far as his interests were served by
the change. When the Indian saw and realized the deadly effects of
the white man's rifle, he was amazed and terrified. He soon learned
its workings and would give all of his possessions for a rifle. Later he
was admitted to a stockade and there saw a cannon ; he enquired as to
its use. He was informed that ''by and by" he would find out. He
returned to the village and related that he had seen a "by and by" but
did not know its use.
Some educators claim that all educational development is from the
known to the closely related unknown. It seems that the Indian was
a ready learner, for of all fire arms he soon learned to hate the effects
and even the sound of a cannon.
At about the beginning of the eighteenth century the French
Government fortified many of the trading posts and built stockades as
a protection of their own traders and also their friendly Indian allies.
In 1720, "Fort Chartres" at the trading post of Kaskaskia. was built
and fortified. Father DeBeaubois, was stationed there as a parish mis-
sionary priest. In 1730, post Vincennes was made a fortified French
post. In 1717, Kekionga Village, known as Post Miamis. was the prin-
cipal Indian town between the Ohio River and the Great Lakes.
According to French records it contained "four hundred warriors well
formed and tatooed," who were Miamis and Pottawatomies.
128 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Fur Traders and Missionaries
The fur trader, the missionary, and the adventurer, traversed
these regions along the lakes and the navigable rivers first, as they
were a means of transportation for their merchandise, and for better
protection of themselves from the many dangers to which they were
exposed. Jesuit priests filled with the novelty of adventure, and
anxious to gratify such ambition and exhibit their devotion to the
cause of Christianity, and a general civilization, made long inland
journeys up and down the principal rivers going from village to village
iu pursuit of their mission. It is to them that the Saint Joseph and
Saint Mary 's rivers owe their names. At the headwaters of the Saint
Mary's River, was a trading post known as Gerty's Town; it was so
named after the noted renegade Indian scout and interpreter, who so
ably helped the British in the Revolutionary war. He was also present
at Saint Clair's defeat.
In 1791, at what subsequently became Fort Recovery in Ohio,
between Gerty's Town — what is now known as Saint Mary's — and
Post Miami was a trading post named Shayne's Crossing. It took its
name from the Indian trader located there at the time Wayne's army,
in 1794, crossed the river in its march into the Maumee country.
Shayne was a half-breed Indian and Frenchman, who went west in
1832, with his people, at the request of the United States. A town was
subsequently built at this trading post and named Shaynesville. Later
its name was changed to Rockford.
Louis T. Bourie was a Frenchman, an Indian fur trader and gov-
ernment interpreter, who came to reside in Fort Wayne in 1817.
With him came his family, one member of which was a daughter, Caro-
line, who was then three years old. She grew to womanhood and mar-
ried Lucian P. Ferry, who was a Frenchman and an official of some
prominence later in Fort Wayne's early history. When Mrs. Ferry
was a mere child she attended school in one of the buildings within the
stockades of the old fort; her teacher was a Baptist minister. She
well remembers of supplies being carried on the Saint Mary's and
Maumee rivers in long broad canoes they called pirogues. Subsequent
to the death of her husband Mrs. Ferry lived for years in Decatur,
with her daughter, the late Mrs. Dr. W. P. McMillen.
The French advance guards, as fur traders, or as missionaries, had
far less trouble than some others who endeavored to educate and
Christianize the Indians. Many of the early frontiermen had squaw
wives, and their cabins in the clearing were the first evidence of
French civilization. They, as pioneers, were hunters, little given to
ADA-MS AND WELLS COUNTIES 129
agricultural pursuits; neither very thrifty, nor wholly followers of
Indian customs. They were the connecting links between the races
then in possession; they could speak several languages and were in-
terpreters.
Much of the territory east of the Alleghanies, previous to the colo-
nization by the whites, was occupied by the "Five Nations" or Iro-
quois, who, subsequent to the French and Indian war in 1754, were
allies of the English. They were forced back by the westward march
of civilization and were soon at war with the Miamis and their allied
tribes, west of the mountains, who were friends of the French. The
English offered their Indian allies a cash price for each Frenchman's
scalplock. The French authorities armed the Miamis with rifles and
new dangers followed each other in close succession. No settlement
was safe from plunder and murder; if it escaped one roving band (if
savages it was only to be destroyed by their enemies. Exploration
was abandoned, the fur trade was much lessened, and frontier emigra-
tion was retarded. It was not until the United States concluded the
War of 1812 with Great Britain that a moderate degree of security
on the frontier was secured.
Negro Slavery in Indiana
After the adoption of the Ordinance of 1787, eastern colonies
formed land companies that opened large tracts on both sides of the
Ohio River for settlement. Those on the north side were largely from
the New England states, who were opposed to negro slavery. They
also wished to seek a milder climate as homes for themselves and
families. When Indiana was admitted as a state, there were large
plantations in the southern part of the state. These were worked by
negro slaves. An effort was made by some of the congressmen to have
the conditions so changed that slavery should not be abolished; they
were unsuccessful and the slave owners either removed across the
river into slave territory or sold their slaves and gave up their planta-
tions. At the adoption of the state constitution there was a vigorous
opposition to the plan of organizing and conducting the free schools.
The free school idea had not yet taken sufficient root to bear fruits of
any value.
Opinions op Free Schools
Gen. Arthur Saint Clair was one of the first governors of Indiana
Territory, and he favored the continuation of slavery. He gave as his
130 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
reason that the United States Government, on accepting the French
settlers as citizens, had guaranteed to them protection of life and
property; that slaves were a part of their property, and should be
protected.
The slave owning element, and others, opposed the free schools and
the common school system, claimed that it fostered discontent among
the masses of the people, and made mean rebellious "niggers." That
if education was wanted, it should be gotten at select schools and paid
for by those who received it. That no valuable education could be
acquired unless imparted along with religious instructions. That
denominational, or church schools, were the only ones fit for the forma-
tion of correct moral training of the youth. That a general education
of all of the people would place the shopkeeper and the day laborer
on an equality with those of wealth, and with the land owners, in
particular, who by custom and the laws of the territory only were
eligible to hold office, as bestowed by the Legislature.
As settlements grew, community church organizations had their
own local schools. These schools combined the rudiments of general
learning with religious instructions, and, as a rule, saw very little
merit or good in any other doctrines than those advanced by their
own church. To those of like religious faith, whose residence was in
distant settlements and were willing to pay tuition, private tutors
were sent.
Earliest Settlements
The earliest settlements within the present State of Indiana, wens
made by the French Catholics. Their first church and school organ-
izations were at Vincennes and date from 1749, with Father Meurin,
the first local resident priest.
In Clark's grant, on the Ohio, at Charleston, the Baptists had their
first church and schools in 1798. A few years earlier the great Meth-
odist evangelist, George Whitfield, who favored slavery, shook the
South with his logic and superior eloquence. Clarksville, in 1803, had
its first Methodist organization and Sunday schools.
This church had its circulating Sunday school libraries, its camp
meetings and its church paper, The Christian Advocate, which reached
the remotest settlements. In 1806, the Presbyterians began a local
church organization and schools at Vincennes. The next year, in
1807, the Friends, or Quakers, as they are commonly known, made
settlements near Richmond, and had their church organization. They
were bitterly opposed to negro slavery, and were active advocates of
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 131
the common schools. About forty years later, in 1847, they began the
Friend's Boarding School at Whitewater, near Richmond, which sub-
sequently became Earlham College. Earlham is now well patronized,
and is one of the accredited educational institutions of the state. It
was not until 1825 that Fort Wayne had sufficient interest in the
common schools to demand a seminary. The Methodist Episcopal ( Al-
lege at Fort Wayne began in 1848. Liber College near Portland was
opened for students in 185-'^, ami was very pronounced in its views on
slavery.
An Allen County historian tells us- that: "As early as 1820,
Rev. Isaac McCoy, a missionary among the Indian tribes of this
state appointed and sustained by the American Baptist Missionary
Union, came to Foi-t Wayne and preached the gospel, as he had op-
portunity, to all that he could reach, and taught such children as
would come to a school that he opened, as well for white people as for
Indians." This is doubtless the school taught in the old fort, as
spoken of by the late Mrs. Caroline Ferry.
The first actually free school within the State of Indiana was be-
gun about the year 1815 by what was then known as the New Har-
mony Community. It was located at New Harmony, on the Wabash
River, at the extreme southwestern part of the state. It offered equal
advantages to boys and girls and advocated coeducation. It intro-
duced the Pestalozzian system of education in the Northwest Territory.
Its originators were Robert Owen and Francis Nicholas Neef. Mr.
Neef was a student of Pestalozzi in Switzerland and his new ideas
of education were finally utilized by many of the best teachers through-
out the country. Many students who later became famous men and
women, were pupils at this institution. Among them may be men-
tioned Fanny Wright, a noted teacher, and Admiral Farragut, one of
the successful fighters in the late Civil war.
Free School System Enforced
It was not until Indiana had its second constitution, or Novem-
ber 1, 1851, that its free school ideas could be utilized and enforced
to any great extent. Before this time property owners only were
legal voters; township and town trustees had no power to levy and
collect taxes without the consent of a majority of the resident citizens
of the school township in which the funds so collected were to be ex-
pended. There was no state superintendent of public instruction to
enforce the collection of sequestered fines and funds withheld by town-
ship, county and state officials. There were comparatively few sem-
132 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
iuaries, and these chiefly derived the benefits from the school fund
interest. There were pitifully few country district schools that made
any pretense of being exclusively free public schools. The trustees
hired the teacher as cheaply as possible. He boarded "around"
airiong his school patrons, and finished the term frequently, with an
additional month or so for which the pupils paid him tuition.
School Property
Before the new constitution of 1852 went into effect the township
trustees were limited to the sum of $50 for each school district, with
which to build and equip a schoolhouse. The provisions of the law
were that: "Every able, bodied male person of the age of twenty-one
years, and upward, residing within the boundaries of such school dis-
trict, shall be liable to work one day in each work, until such building
may be completed, or pay the sum of thirty-seven and one half cents
for every day he may so fail to work." That "in all eases such
schoolhouse shall be eight feet between the floors, and at least one
foot from the surface of the ground, to the first floor, and finished
in a manner calculated to render comfortable the teacher and pupils,
with a suitable number of seats, tables, and everything necessary for
the convenience of such school, which shall be forever open for the
education of all children, within the district without distinction."
"Provided, that the school trustees shall alw r ays be bound to receive
at cash price, in lieu of any such labor or money, as aforesaid, any
plank, nails, glass, or other materials, which may be needed about the
said building."
These schoolhouses were commonly made of logs, and had puncheon
floors, and stone or stick chimneys, with large fireplaces, four or five
feet in width, with plastered jams and inside walls.
The seats were usually puncheon benches without backs. The
windows were mere openings in the side walls and had greased paper,
or small glass windows to let in the light and keep out the wind and
cold. When the house was finished it was numbered and named, and
subsequent repairs were made when needed. From about 1855 to
1860 the first set of frame schoolhouses were built. Commonly they
were sealed inside with green lumber and as a result there was no lack
of fresh air. These houses were equipped with big box stoves that
would burn three foot wood in chunks as large as one could lift.
The "Mud Pike" Road, south from Decatur, was one of the first
of the "cut-out" roads south through the county. On this road, as
you go south to the Limberlost at Buffalo, were the "Coffee School
134 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
House," "the Ray School House," the "Mattax School House," the
"Meyers School House," the "Baker School House," and the "Brad-
ford School House." As none of these districts were located at the
one or the three-mile distances from the township lines there are now
none to show that the Mud Pike Road was a principal educational
thoroughfare through the county.
From the state superintendent 's report of 1853 we learn that there
were then but seven schoolhouses in Adams County, and only 3,300
schoolhouses within the limits of Indiana.
In 1872, the first brick schoolhouse in Adams County was built.
It was located in the "Dent District," which is just east of the Bel-
mont Stock Farm, now owned and operated by Col. Fred Reppert.
This schoolhouse was built by Township Trustees John Christen, Sr.,
and his report shows that it cost the Township of Root the sum of
$500. At this time there were thirteen log schoolhouses in Adams
County, five of which were in Jefferson Township.
Roads, Farms and Pioneers
There was a mail route through Adams County from Winchester
to Fort Wayne some fifty years ago. Jesse Conner was one of the
first mail carriers.
This distance of some sixty miles required a five-day trip to go
and return. He touched postoffices then along his route, at Poe, Mon-
mouth, Decatur, Monroe Centre, Canoper, Limber Lost, Bloomfiehl,
Portland, etc. In this whole line of travel possibly he would not see
a half dozen frame buildings outside of the villages.
The houses were log cabins of one or two rooms ; the barns, where
there were any, were poles and logs. The fences were brush, poles, or
rails. The fields were small, from five to ten acres each: these were
full of stumps and deadened trees. The roads, which now are straight
lines of travel, were then snake tracks of crookedness, in order to pass
around the wet prairies and ponds that lay in the route. Then game
was plentiful, and everybody had his dogs and rifle.
Log rollings and house raisings were of frequent occurrence. Every
citizen-settler considered it his duty and pleasure to attend these
neighborhood gatherings. The work commonly began at sunrise and
pleasant rivalry enlivened the occasion. When the work was done, the
rest of the day was used in such amusements as foot-racing, jumping
contests, wrestling, matches, boxing, and among those so inclined,
the "fisti-cuff" to determine "who is the best man" were engaged in.
It is a mistake to imagine that. the pioneers did not enjoy themselves,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 135
though they were all poor. Though deprived of many of the con-
veniences that came later, sociability and hospitality were everywhere
to be found. It matters little which district was first to have a school-
house, as they were all on practically the same plan. The Gorsline
School in Root Township and the Mc.IIugh School in Wabash Town-
ship were both built about 1839.
Decatur's first schoolhouse was log, and stood on inlot 270, just east
of the new traction station on North Second Street. It was built about
1840 and for the next decade of years was used for church, town and
school purposes.
What a wonderful change in development in the last three-score of
years in Adams County! The forests are gone and the stumps have
been cleared away. The log cabin has disappeared and the big red
barn shows where the crops are housed away. The stumpy little
fields have given place to the meadow lands with their herds of fine cat-
tle and fat horses. There now seems to be but one little hindrance
to the best future results. That is an "itis" of some kind or other,
that may be incurable. Everything now travels at a great rate of
speed under the late and new schedules. With over 600 miles of
stoned road and about 2,000 automobiles in Adams County in 1918,
the country folks, as well, have become educated to like the looks of
the city street lights in the evening. They come long distances to
town, and return home wiser than when they come. The farmer's
family may have all the advantages of city life and yet live in the
country.
Parochial Schools
There are but three church organizations, at the present time, in
Adams County, that conduct parochial schools in connection with
their churches. They are the Amish Christian Church, in the western
part of Monroe Township ; the Evangelical Lutheran Church, which
has three church schools in Preble Township, one in Root Township,
one in Union Township and one in the city of Decatur; and the Cath-
olic Church schools which are located in Decatur and are known as
the St. Joseph's Parochial schools.
These operate under a course of study, embracing among other
subjects, the rudimentary studies, as reading, writing, spelling, arith-
metic, etc., and also instructions in church history and catechism, and
in those of graded students — drawing, music, bookkeeping, etc. It has
been stated that, in general, these schools are under the immediate
supervision of the pastor in charge. That he stimulates the attend-
136 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
ance by his efforts, and if he is not the teacher in charge, he uses his
efforts to assist him in discipline, and the observance of church rules
and regulations by the school children in attendance.
The Amish Christian Church school, in Monroe Township, has
been conducted for about ten years. It is located in section 17, about
equal distance from Berne and Monroe towns. Some of the influential
members of this church school at its organization were Jacob J.
Schwartz, Peter EL Habegger, David Mazlin, Peter Stuckey and
Victor Garber. Its present enumeration is forty-five school children.
Its teacher is Jacob J. Schwartz.
The Decatur Lutheran schools were begun in 1902, soon after the
completion of the church building on Eleventh Street in Decatur.
The school building is a convenient frame, and the school was first
taught by Henry Lankenau, who wa.s largely instrumental in its be-
ginning here. The enrollment at the present time is seventeen pupils,
three of whom live outside of Decatur. The teacher now in charge is
the Rev. A. W. Henz, who is also pastor of the church here.
The St. Paul Lutheran Church School is located in southern Preble
Township. It has ample school accommodations, and its organization
is of more recent date than some others of this denomination within
the county. It has an enrollment of forty-two pupils, and William P.
Goede is its teacher.
The Zion Lutheran Church school is located in the northern part
of Preble Township. This school has quite a large attendance, and
is one of the oldest schools of the kind in the county. Its organ-
ization dates back to the log sehoolhouse days, and its attendance is
still large. Just who its first teacher really was is not stated.
However, a Mr. Christopher Kirsch was one of the earliest ones. Its
present school enrollment is seventy-one pupils, twelve of whom are
from Allen County, and its teacher is Edward Sehuricht.
The St. Peter's Lutheran Church school is located in northern
Root Township, in what is sometimes known as the Fuelling neigh-
borhood, from some of the influential citizens who at an early date
began a settlement there. The school building here is a fine large
brick edifice, modern in construction. In this school there is an en-
rollment of fifty-five school children, eleven of whom live in Allen
County. Paul W. Dorn is the teacher here at this time.
The Emanuel Lutheran Church school is situated in the northwest
part of Union Township, and had its beginning in about 1850. Some
of the earliest members of the church, in this locality, were John H.
Bleeke, and Christian F. Blakey, who came to Adams County in
about 1839 or 1840. For a number of years the church membership
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 137
was small and missionary ministers would come to the Blakey neigh-
borhood, and hold meetings in the residences of members. Rev. Fred-
erick Wyneken was one of these first ministers; he came in 1845.
Later, Andrew Fritze came as a minister and teacher and remained as
a resident instructor for a number of years. After the present church
building was erected, the old building was used for school purposes.
The present new brick schoolhouse was erected in 1915, at a cost of
about $8,500. It is modern in construction and thoroughly equipped
with modem appliances. At the present, all the children of this
school reside in Adams County, and the number enrolled is forty-
four. Walter Gotsch is the teacher in charge.
The Saint Joseph Parochial schools are located in the City of De-
catur, and are taught by the Sisters of Saint Agnes, with the local
pastor as superintendent. The present system of management was
begun in 1882, with the completion of the first brick schoolhouse,
erected by the congregation of the Saint Mary's Catholic Church in
Decatur. While there was no church building here, missionary priests
came from Fort Wayne, and other points, to say mass and attend the
sick. The first permanently located pastor at Fort Wayne was Rev.
Louis Mueller. He began there in 1836, and Decatur was a part of
the mission work assigned to him. In 1838, the first mass was said
at the residence of George Fettieh. Later religious instructions were
given in the Closs Tavern and the old courthouse. In 1840 Rev. J.
Benoit succeeded Reverend Mueller, and came to Decatur to say mass
and preach in English and French. At that time there were not a
dozen Catholic families in the neighborhood of Decatur.
In 1848 the first church building was ready for use; and at that
time regular instructions in school subjects were begun.
In 1852 the first priest's house was built, and thereafter there was
a local teacher as well as pastor here, to conduct the schools.
The brick church building was erected in 1872, and the old frame
church building was used for school purposes. In 1880. Rev. H.
Theodore Wilken came, as the resident priest, and remained here as
such for the next succeeding number of years. In 1895, two more
school rooms were added, and a sister's house was built. In 1907
several school rooms were added and other valuable improvements
made. There are now seven school rooms, and four music rooms in
use. In these schools at the present, are taught the eight grades,
religious instructions, and one school year in music, and a two years'
commercial course. The enrollment for 1918 is 273 children, of which
number seventy-nine reside outside the city of Decatur.
For about the two years last past, the management of the church
138 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
affairs and the St. Joseph schools have been under the guidance of
Rev. J. A. Seimetz, a man in his prime, of strong, vigorous mind and
body, who is capable of doing much good in his parish and community.
It is said that he has introduced several modifications of the school 's
previous management, which places its teaching in the line of more
modern methods of instruction.
Graded Schools
When the term "graded" was first applied to a school, or schools,
in Indiana, it had more reference to the school with two or more
teachers than to the separation of pupils of the school, as regards their
advancement, in the subjects of study. With the first schools, classifi-
cation even was difficult. There was no uniformity of text books and
gradation was impossible. At the present time, all of the common
schools are classified, and are working under a course of study with
grades from one to eight. A test of completion of the eighth grade is
made by the county diploma examinations held from printed lists of
questions sent out by the State Board of Education. The county dip-
loma admits its holder to the district and commissioned high schools
without entrance examinations. The graded school course of study
comprises the first year, or more, of the Commissioned High School
course of study. The certificate of graduation from the Commissioned
High School admits the holder to credits in the State Normal School
and the Indiana University.
Decatur City Schools
With regard to the dates of their organization, a brief sketch of
the ten graded schools, now in session in Adams County, is given.
About sixty years ago Decatur became an incorporated town. Pre-
vious to this time, the schools were under the control of the township
trustees. In 1854 a six-room frame building was erected at the cost of
about $3,000 and it occupied inlots 100, 101 and 102. where the
present Central. School building is now situated. The old frame build-
ing may now be seen at the corner of Second and Jefferson streets, as
it is used for a seed store on lot number 45. In 1886 the Central
building was erected and the school became a Commissioned High
School, with G. W. A. Lucky as city superintendent. As the school
population increased, ward buildings were erected in various parts of
the city— the "West Ward" in 1899; the "North Ward" in 1893. and
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 139
the ".South Ward" in 1896. These are all brick structures, with up-
to-date modern improvements.
In 1917, inlots numbers 175, 176 and 177, at the corner of Fifth
and Adams streets, were purchased and the contract let for a modern
fifteen-room High School building, which, when completed, is esti-
mated to cost about $90,000. This building- is to be ready for the begin-
ning of school in the fall of 1918.
The present board of school trustees is composed of John S. Falk,
Dick Myers, and Arthur Suttles. The city school superintendent is
Martin Worthman.
Linn Grove Schools
The second graded school in the county, was at the village of
Buena Vista, Linn Grove, as the post office is called. In 1877 Lewis
C. Miller, the trustee of Hartford Township, was petitioned to build a
two-room house at Buena Vista and employ two teachers. He claimed
that he had not sufficient funds to maintain such a school there. A
meeting was called at which the county superintendent, William Wal-
ters, was present. An arrangement was agreed to by which the pro-
moters of the plan subscribed a sum sufficient to build the second story
and the trustee agreed to hire a second teacher. We are unable to get
a list of all of those who aided in meeting the expense of the second
story of the Linn Grove graded school building, but the following were
among the promoters of the project : Eugene Morrow, Peter Huffman,
L. L. Dunbar and a Mr. Lindsey. After the other exercises were over
"Billy Walters," the county superintendent, recited some of his special
selections, among which w 7 as "Sheridan's Ride," and the graded school
at Buena Vista was an assured fact.
In time this small two-story frame became too small to meet
the demands of the township and village. In 1892, Frederick Hoffman,
then trustee, built a modern two-story four-room brick school building
at Linn Grove. He employed three teachers at first and John II.
Bryan was the first school principal in the new building. Amos
Stauffer is now the principal in this school.
Geneva Schools
The third brick school building in the county, was built in Geneva,
in 1878. It was a two-story four-room building, fairly modern and
cost about $3,500.
Several years previous to this date, two or more teachers were
140 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
employed at Buffalo and the old log church was used as a school room
for awhile, in conjunction with the one-room frame schoolhouse built
by trustee Henry Miller to the southeast of where the present school
building is located.
In 1893 the school corporation of Geneva made an addition to its
school building by which several more rooms were added, and more
teachers employed for the work. About 1900 the entire school build-
ing was destroyed by fire. The coming year the present commodious
brick building was built at a probable cost of about $25,000. The
superintendent of the Geneva schools at the present time is A. E.
Harbin.
Monmouth Graded Schools
In 1S79, a two-room two-story brick school building was built in
Monmouth, by trustee Perry Robinson. This was the fourth brick
school building in the county, and the second one in Root Township.
In 1911 this building was torn down and a new commodious modern
five-room graded school building was erected by Trustee Charles Mag-
ley, at a cost of about $12,000. The present principal of the Mon-
mouth schools is L. B. Sawyer.
Pleasant Mills Graded School
Under the direction of Trustee A. M. Fuller, the graded schools
were begun in 1881. This was the fifth graded school organized in the
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 141
county. In 1907 Trustee William II. Teeple had an addition of two
rooms placed to this building which for a time seemed to meet the
demands of the village of Pleasant Mills and the adjacent locality.
In 1916 Trustee Erwin W. France began the erection of a com-
modious District High School building that will he in readiness for
the fall schools of 1018. This will he one of the best and finest school
buildings in the county and when completed will cost in the neighbor-
hood of $25,000. The principal of the Pleasant Mills schools for the
present school year is A. E. Downey.
Berne Schools
Within the year 1879, the township trustee of Monroe Township.
Robert E. Smith, built a frame schoolhouse in the north part of the
village of Berne. This was its first school building. This served its
purpose until the year 1888, when the school authorities built a two-
story two-room brick building in the south part of the village and
employed Frank G. Haecker and Lila G. Schrock as its teachers.
Within a few years it became necessary to add another school room and
an assembly room on the second story. In 19119 another revision of
the buildings was made, and now there are a superintendent and
twelve teachers employed with ample school rooms for the accommoda-
tion of all pupils who are here in attendance. The estimated valua-
tion of the school property at Berne is $45,000, and the present school
principal is C. E. Beck.
Monroe Schools
The Monroe Township graded school building was erected in 1886,
by Township Trustee Christ W. Hocker, at an estimated cost of about
$3,500. It was a two-room building and fairly modern in construc-
tion. This building served the town and township for a number of
years, and supplied a large number of county diploma graduates. In
the year 1912. the school building was remodeled and some other
rooms added. It now contains eight rooms, is modern in construction,
and is under the control jointly of the Monroe Township trustee and
the town school authorities of the Town of Monroe. Its present High
School principal is W. II. Oliver.
Peterson Schools
In 1893. Trustee Joshua Bright built the Peterson graded school
building. The first teachers in the graded school here were Joseph W.
142 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
"Walker and Ella Fleming. This school building has the distinction
of occupying the ground held by the last log school house in use in
Kirkland Township. Since Kirkland Township has a Central High
School, but one teacher is now here employed.
Central High Schools
Within the county there are two Central High School buildings
erected. One is in Kirkland Township and was built in 1917 by
Trustee George Haugh at a cost of about $12,000. At present it
employs three teachers. 0. D. Eider is principal.
There is also a Central High School building in Hartford Township,
south of Buena Vista. This building was erected in 1917 by Peter
Pox, township 'trustee of Hartford Township, at a cost of about
$20,000. It employs three teachers and at the present time the prin-
cipal of this school is Alfred Habegger. These buildings have an
ample supply of recitation and study rooms, an assembly room each,
and are modern in construction in all respects.
Discontinued Graded Schools
Washington Township graded school building was erected in 1880,
by Trustee John King, and John H. Walters and Anna C. Christen
were its first teachers. This school was continued for several years
and finally a district school, with but one teacher, was provided for
this locality.
Bobo or Kivare Graded School
In 1S87 Trustee John C. Cowan built a two-story brick two-room
building in the Village of Bobo, for the use of a graded school. This
was the second graded school for Saint Mary's Township. It had a
good attendance and there were a number of county diploma grad-
uates from this school, but with the enlargement of the Pleasant Mills
School building which is in the same township, this was made a single
room school. It is now one of the "concentration" schools to which
pupils are hauled in conveyances to a school of larger attendance.
Ceylon Graded Schools
The schools at Ceylon were provided with two departments in
1884, by Township Trustee LaFayette Rape, and William A. Aspy and
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 143
Adda V. Snow were its first teachers. This school for several years
was one of the chief educational centers in the south part of the
county; and was one of the first township graded schools in the
county to establish a school library. This school was continued in
operation for eight consecutive years and furnished a large number
of county diploma graduates — many of whom subsequently became
teachers. The transfer school law made it possible for advanced stu-
dents, who could lie better accommodated, to be transferred to town
or city schools. The High School at Geneva offering better advantages,
the graded schools at Ceylon were discontinued and a district
school of one room made to take its place in 1892.
The County Agent
Education development is not limited only to the common schools
or their surrounding influences. There are several lines of develop-
ment through which there have been many marked changes within the
last forty or fifty years in Indiana. Changes are different in the vari-
ous sections of the country, owing to the environment of that particu-
lar locality.
Adams County is right in the heart of one of the most productive
agricultural countries within the United States. There is not a foot
of waste land within the limits of the county; not a farm without its
valuable improvements. Taking the lands, the buildings, the drainage
and the roads, there is no county within the state that makes a better
showing, in advancement, than Adams County. The best breeds of
horses, hogs, sheep and cattle that can be found anywhere are found
right here in Adams County. Along in the '90s the Great Northern
Indiana Fair was held near Decatur. Its stock shows were equal to
the State Fair at Indianapolis those days. Farmer's Institutes have
received much encouragement. They have developed into farmer's
schools, with the county agent as the directing supervisor. Some of
the subjects receiving his attention recently are such as ' ' Hog Cholera :
Its Cure;" "Rotation of Crops;" "Culture and Profits of Soy
Beans;" "The Best Uses of Fertilizers;" "When and How to Spray
Apple Trees," etc. Among some of the requirements and duties of
the county agent are to aid progressive farmers and stockraisers by his
special visits to investigate and give advice and practical instructions
from a scientific basis, to help get the best results from the time and
money expended by the farmer in his line of business.
In December, 1915, Mr. A. J. Hutchens was chosen as county agent
for Adams County for one year. The following year M. II. Overton
144 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
was selected to the position and has served continuously to the present
time — January 1918. This educational instruction is at the expense
of the United States Department of Agriculture, working with the
local authorities and the Purdue University Agricultural Extension
Department. Mr. Overton's report to the National Department of
Agriculture for 1917 shows that he has mailed to resident farmers
over 20,000 circular letters; has written and mailed nearly 1,400 indi-
vidual letters to stockraisers and rural residents; that within the year
there had been 118 meetings held within the county, with a total of
6,700 persons in attendance. Some of these meetings were held at
farm residences and others at public school buildings. That over
1,300 persons have called at the agent's office, which is in the county
school superintendent 's room, for information, advice and instructions
covering their own special needs or wants. And that the agent has
within the past year, made 325 farm visits to make special investiga-
tions and suggestions of the most approved methods. To perform his
duties, as is required by law, he is compelled to travel all over the
county and in many places. The last year's record places over 5,000
miles of travel to his credit.
Local School Officers
For nearly fifty years there were three school trustees in each
township in Indiana. They examined, licensed and employed their
own teachers. These were known as the Township School Board, of
which one member was president, one clerk and one treasurer. Section
8, of the law of 1852, says that "Such board shall take charge of
the educational affairs of the township, employ teachers and visit
schools, either as a board or by one of their members, at least twice
during each term thereof." School trustees were paid one dollar per
day for the time actually employed in the management of the school
affairs of the township. In 1861 the number was reduced to one trus-
tee in each township with the term of office one year between elections.
Previous to 1850, each county had its county school commissioner,
who was chosen by a vote of the people. His duties among others
were to look after the school lands, school funds, etc. The school
commissioners of Adams County were : Benjamin Blossom, 1837 ;
Ezekiel Hooper, 1839 ; Edward G. Casten, 1843 ; John N. Little, 1846 ;
James H. Brown, 184S, and Josiah Randall, 1850.
For the next ten years after 1850 there was a deputy state superin ;
tendent for each county. He was a medium between the state and
township and county administrations, and was appointed by the state
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 145
superintendent. The deputy state superintendents were: John II.
Nevious, 1852; J. D. Nutman, 185:5; J. P. Porter, 1854; Josiah Craw-
ford, 1S56, and David Studabaker, 1858. In 1861 a county school ex-
aminer was appointed by the county commissioners for a term of
three years. He was required by law to examine and license teachers;
to visit the schools; have oversight of the collection of tines, escheats,
etc., which, when recovered, went to the common school fund of tic
state. This law also provided for a County Board of Education com-
posed of the county school examiner and the township school trustees.
The county school examiners were: James R. Hobo, 1862; Samuel
C. Bolman, 1868; and Daniel 1). Heller, May, 1872, to October, 1875.
The law of 1873 made .Mr. Heller the first county superintendent, as
he was the school examiner at the time the change in the officer was
made.
The County Superintexdexcy
Daniel D. Heller was born and reared in Ohio, graduated from
New Hagerstown Academy, came to Indiana and was the first county
school superintendent of Adams County. In March, 1873, the school
examiners' office was abolished, and the county school examiner, by
enactment, became the county school superintendent. Visitation of
the public, schools was made obligatory, and for neglect of duty the
county superintendent could be removed from office by the County
Board of Commissioners. In October, 1875, Mr. Heller resigned and
William M. Walters was chosen to till out his unexpired term.
At that time Adams County had ninety schoolhouses all of which
were log or frame, with the exception of two — the Dent school, and the
Hartman school, which were brick. Decatur had a frame two-story
six-room schoolhouse — the only school building with more than one
room within the county. At that time there was a sentiment that the
superintendent's visitation of schools was a valueless requirement.
Bills were introduced in many succeeding legislatures to abolish the
office of county superintendent. Instead of these measures being-
adopted, the superintendency was strengthened by new and needed
legislation. The superintendency was made the chief local medium
between the township officers and the State Board of Education.
The second county superintendent was William M. Walters, who
was a former resident of Pennsylvania. He studied al the Shippen-
burg State Normal School of that state. He was a successful teacher,
a good scholar, and quite an accomplished elocutionist. He aided in
giving special instructions throughout his work as superintendent, and
146 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
assisted in a short normal term each year to better prepare the teach-
ers for their duties in the school room. The great lack of text books
was one of the chief hindrances to even a fair degree of advancement.
He did what was possible to have a uniform system of school books
brought into general use in the common schools of the county.
Mr. Heller and Mr. Walters are now both deceased — the former
departed this life in January, 1917, and the latter in 1910. After quit-
ting the superintendeney, Mr. Heller devoted his whole attention to
the law ; was elected circuit judge of the Twenty-sixth Indiana Judicial
District and served in that capacity for twelve years. Mr. Walters
went from here to Clay Centre, Nebraska, and again took up the work
of teaching. Later he was elected county treasurer. He subsequently
removed to Thedford and was elected probate judge of Thomas County,
a position he held for two terms.
The next county school superintendent was George W. A. Lucky,
who was born and reared in Adams County, Indiana, and was an at-
tendant at the Northern Indiana Normal School at Valparaiso. He
was conscientious, earnest, and very resolute in his efforts to place
the schools that were under his charge in the best possible working
order. One of the first effective acts of the County Board of Educa-
tion, of which the county superintendent was president, was to adopt
a general series of common-school text books, and to enforce their use
in the common schools. Previous to this time, in almost any school
district one could find a variety of text books, and in some instances
there were three or four series of readers. A course of study was also
adopted which when followed closely, aided greatly in classification of
the school. Mr. Lucky also assisted, each year, in conducting a county
normal for the advancement of those who wished to better fit them-
selves as teachers. Among the common school subjects then taught
English grammar seemed to be the hobby of some schools.
The county superintendent devoted especial attention to this sub-
ject and there were very few important points in Clark's, Holbrook's
or Harvey's grammars that were not made axioms in teachers' ex-
aminations. Mr. Lucky continued in the school work, after leaving
the county superintendeney, as superintendent of the Decatur city
schools for four years. Subsequently he went to Nebraska and be-'
came a professor in the Nebraska State Normal School, at Omaha.
John P. Snow was the next county superintendent. He was born
at Portland, Indiana, educated in the common schools, county nor-
mals and at the Kidgeville College. He began the work as county
superintendent in 1883. Within his fourteen years of service, in this
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 147
capacity, the educational tide ebbed and flowed in several directions,
in Indiana.
School graduation and classification attained a more satisfactory
basis. Graduation from the common school course began in 1883,
with twenty-one successful applicants for graduation. These passed
a written examination on printed lists sent out to the county superin-
tendents by the State Board of Education. The county diploma ad-
mitted its holder to the first-year high, school class without further
examination. The teacher's license law was changed in 1883, a thirty-
six months' license was issued to applicants making the highest re-
quired grades, and but one six-months' license could be issued to any
applicant. This change permanently separated a large number of
old teachers from work in the public schools. It stimulated the young
and aspiring teachers to better preparation for the teacher's work.
A few years later the subject of "success" as estimated by the
teacher's record in the school, was made a part of his or her grade, in
examination. The Teachers' Reading Circle, in 1885, and the Young
People's Reading Circle, a little later, added new duties to the county
superintendent, as he was expected to distribute the books, and hold
the examinations to test the teachers' proficiency in having read them.
In 1886 the Indiana School Book Company furnished all of the school
books for the state. The county superintendent had the books to or-
der, deliver and settle for. In those days there were no deputies, no
time for play, and little for anything but hard work.
After the first few years, Mr. Snow discontinued taking part in
the county normal, each fall, and these schools were conducted by the
various graded school principals and the city superintendent at De-
catur.
Among some of the matters most impressed upon the school au-
thorities by Mr. Snow were that district school lots should be not less
than one acre each of land. That none but modern brick school build-
ings should be erected, and that the best positions in the county should
be given to those resident home teachers who had fitted themselves by
the proper education to handle them.
The fifth county superintendent was Irvin Brandyberry. who was
born and reared in Adams County, Indiana, and received his educa-
tion in the district schools, county normals, and the Tri-State Normal
School at Angola, Indiana. He became county superintendent in
June, 1897, and resigned the office on the tenth day of January. 1906.
Within his term of office, the subject of supplemental reading in the
intermediate grades and the introduction and use of district school
libraries, of which the Young People's Reading Circle books were a
148 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
part, received particular attention. A return to the neglected subject
of spelling, for a time created more excitement than the basket-ball
games of a few years later. Requirements were made that those who
were employed to teach in the district high schools, or the city and
town high schools, must have had some normal training; also that
applicants for high school licenses shall have their manuscripts, made
in teacher's examinations, graded by the state superintendent, or his
deputy, "and that the graded school course of study be strictly
followed. ' '
In 1901, the compulsory education law went into effect. The
county board of education selected the attendant officer, and it was
his duty in cooperation with the other school officers of the county, —
to see that all children of school age as designated by the law, shall at-
tend some school during the whole term that such schools are in ses-
sion.
Lawrence Opliger was the sixth county superintendent. He was
born in Wayne County, Ohio, and attended the district and graded
schools in Adams County and was an attendant at the Normal Schools
at Marion and Angola, Indiana. He was elected to the county super-
intendency on the 15th day of January, 1906, and served until the
13th day of July. 1914. Domestic science was given a plax-e in the
course of study. The concentration of district schools was favorably
considered. By concentration, the districts with small attendance were
abandoned, and the children who were there eurolled were conveyed
at public expense to graded schools or to those districts with larger
enrollments, and better attendance. Within Mr. Opliger's term of
office, several new conditions arose and some new subjects were added
to the requirements of teachers. Within his term of office, the attend-
ance at the State University and State Normal School from Adams
County was increased, and many manuscripts made in teacher's ex-
aminations were sent to the state superintendent for grading. Mr.
Opliger instituted the public observance of graduation of the district
common school graduates, all at one time and all in one place for that
school year. This was known as the County School Commencement.
The plan was to secure a noted speaker to address the assembled class
for that year, at Decatur, Berne, or Geneva, and announce the grades
and deliver the diplomas at the time of graduation.
Byron S. King, a noted lecturer and elocutionist, of Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, was once present, and delivered the diplomas and made
the address to the graduates. At another time, the then governor of
Michigan, Hon. N. C. Ferris, performed a like duty ; made an earnest
appeal for further development and higher education.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 149
Ed 8. Christen, the present incumbent, became county superin-
tendent of Adams County on the 13th day of July, 1914. He was
born in that county, and educated in the district schools, the State
Normal School and the Indiana University. At the June, 1917. meet-
ing of the County Board of Education he was re-elected for a term of
four years. To him have come some new duties no1 required of his
predecessors. The local district high school sentiment is asking- a hear-
ing. In answer to this demand the county superintendent must pass
upon the cost, location, etc., of such buildings.
The Kirkland Township High School building was erected in 1917-
18 at a cost of about $12,000. The Central High School building of
Hartford Township was built within the past year at the cost of about
$20,000. It is the purpose to secure as many high school commissions
for the schools in Adams County the next year as possible. These
last named schools may be in the list.
The State Board of Education prescribes the requirements upon
which these buildings must lie constructed. The actual cash value of
all the property in Adams County at the present time is ahout $52,000,-
000 ; the assessed valuation as returned by the various school corpora-
tions is $17,350,705 — which is estimated as about one-third of the
actual cash value of the whole amount of property in the year 1917.
In connection with the County Board of Education, is the "Agri-
cultural Extension Service" of Purdue University, a reference to
which is heretofore made under the title of ■'The County Agent."'
Though the county superintendent may have a deputy for certain
parts of his work, the requirements of him have been so increased
that all his time, and more, are required to properly conduct the busi-
ness of His office.
To the foregoing very interesting and complete history of edu-
cational development in the county is added the statistical matter
which gives a specific idea of the present material status of the schools,
the strength of their teaching force, and various financial items. The
following table was compiled by Superintendent Christen late in the
fall of 1917 :
Townships Enrollment
Blue Creek 274
French 192
Hartford 300
Jefferson : 214
Kirkland 195
Monroe 514
Slum!
ler
of
Value of
Teat
hei
•s
Property
7
$ 25.(H)il
6
8,400
10
27.0(H)
6
16,100
6
27,800
17
60,000
4
$ 22,000
6
13,500
11
19,000
5
12,000
11
22,900
9
32,000
13
45,000
9
27,500
29
106,000
150 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Number of Value of
Townships Enrollment Teachers Property
Preble 165
Root 191
St. Mary's 269
Union 132
Wabash 346
Washington 279
Berne 390
Geneva i« 304
Decatur 924
Total 4,689 149 $464,200
Various financial items taken from the superintendent's last re-
port :
Amount on hand July 31. 1916: Townships, $21,705.26; Berne,
$857.85; Geneva, $1,568.18; Decatur, $31,393.00. Total $55,524.29.
Total revenue for tuition: Townships, $83,148.23; Berne, $13,-
215.81; Geneva, $9,536.24; Decatur, $28,627.94. Total, $134,528.22.
Amount of special school revenue for year ending July 31, 1917 :
Townships, $39,435.79; Berne, $883.94; Geneva, $2,103.67; Decatur,
$65,858.01. Total, $108,281.41.
Amount expended for teaching for year ending July 31, 1917 : By
townships, $70,832.87 ; Berne, $4,278.30 ; Geneva, $5,718.23 ; Decatur,
$24,008.61. Total, $104,838.01.
Amount expended for teaching for the year ending July 31, 1917:
Townships, $41,472.15; Berne, $7,808.00; Geneva, $4,761.49; De-
catur, $20,610.85. Total, $74,652.49.
CHAPTER X
MILITARY AND WAR MATTERS
Ante-Civil War Companies — Martial Spirit Springs Up Over-
Night — First Contributions of Men — Bounties and Relief —
Company C, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry — Byron H. Dent
— Three Companies of the Eighty-ninth Infantry — Capt. A.
J. Hill — Death of Maj. Sam Henry and Others — The
Eleventh Cavalry — Norval Blackburn — The Trirteenth Cav-
alry — Sam Henry Post No. 33, G. A. R. — Civil War Bodies at
Geneva — The Spanish-American War — Company B, Fourth In-
diana Infantry — Becomes the One Hundred Sixtieth Regi-
ment in Federal Service — Movement for a Soldiers' Monument
— Site Selected and Cornerstone Laid — The Soldiers of Five
Wars — Dedication of the Monument — How the Memorial Ap-
pears — Adams County in the Worid's War — National Guard
Mustered into the United States Service — Company A, Fourth
Infantry — Men in Service, Spring of 1918 — State University's
Honor Tablet.
From the Civil war to the World's war, Adams County has done
its full part in supporting the causes which the bulk of its people be-
lieve to be right, with all the men, the money and the stanch backing
of public sentiment at its command. Like the remainder of Indiana
and the United States, it has always loved peace and has only gone
to war when it was obliged to fight for the free development of peace-
ful pursuits and a high average of ideals.
Ante-Civil War Companies
So far as can be ascertained, the first company organized in Adams
County was raised about 1845. It is known that Samuel S. Mickle,
William Trout and James Niblick were officers; that the company was
mustered twice a month and was drilled by either an officer from the
governor's staff or from the United States service. In 1S62. besides
the several companies raised for active service at the front, some of
151
152 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the citizens who remained at home for various good reasons were
organized as Home Guards.
Martial Spirit Springs Up Over-Night
When the Civil war broke upon the country, Adams County had
a population of only about 9,000 inhabitants. With a population
mainly devoted to agriculture which knew nothing of war except by
history and tradition, it could hardly be expected that a martial spirit
would spring up over-night. But that was exactly what happened
fifty-six years ago, as in the year of Grace and Our Lord, 1917. After
the Sumter news was flashed over the country, the transformation in
Adams County as in every other rural section of the North, was as if
born in electricity and lightning. Men stopped talking promiscuously
at the corner grocery, or on the streets, and gathered in crowds at
country sehoolhouses and public halls, freely offering of their means
and their lives to stamp out what they considered a menace to their
homes and their typical institutions.
First Contributions of Men
A number of volunteers at once proceeded to Richmond, Fort Wayne,
Indianapolis and other centers, there to enlist in various companies
and regiments. For such contributions of soldiers the county never
received special credit. It was four or five months after the begin-
ning of the war before a full company was raised in Adams County.
These contributions of its best young men continued as long as the
Government called for recruits until some 700 soldiers had been fur-
nished, or nearly one in ten of the total population of the county.
The draft was enforced but once — in October, 1862. Then thirty-seven
men were drawn from these townships : Preble, 13 ; French, 13 ; Hart-
ford, 8 ; Kirkland, 3.
Bounties and Relief
About this time, the county offered a $100 bounty to each volunteer,
with $5 monthly to a wife and $1 monthly to each child under fourteen
years of age. In January, 1865, under the last call of President
Lincoln, when another draft was threatened, the Board of County
Commissioners, under authority of a special popular vote, offered a
bounty of $300. In the fulfilment of these measures, the county paid
out in the progress of the war $50,000 for bounties and over $18,000
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 153
for the relief of families. Most of the townships also gave bounties to
fill their quotas as fixed by the Government. These reported amounts
were: Hartford, $2,200; Root, $2,200; Union, $2,000; Preble, $1,800;
Blue Creek, $1,800; Washington, $1,600; Wabash, $1,400; Monroe,
$400; Jefferson, $400. Altogether, by county and townships, there
was expended in Adams County, during the Civil war, the sum of
$82,894. In consideration of its population, wealth and the disturbed
condition of all occupations and business, that was a record for ex-
cusable pride.
Company C, Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry
It was not until the fall of 1861 that a full company of volunteers
was raised in Adams County. That unit, which became Company C
of the Forty-seventh Indiana Infantry, was organized with the fol-
lowing officers: Captain, Esaias Dailey; first lieutenant, Byron H.
Dent, and second lieutenant, Henry C. Weinier. Samuel S. Mickle
was major of the regiment, but resigned April 12, 1862. Captain
Dailey resigned in February, 1862, and Lieutenant Dent was promoted
to his place, while Austin Crabbs became first lieutenant. Lieutenant
Weimer died at Bardstown, Kentucky, February 18, 1862, and Calvin
D. Hart succeeded him. In April, 1862, Captain Dent resigned and
Lieutenant Crabbs received another promotion. He was captain until
December, 1S64, when his term of service expired and he was mustered
out. Horatio G. P. Jennings became first lieutenant when Austin
Crabbs was promoted and served until the expiration of his term.
Lieutenant Hart resigned October 18, 1862, and next day William A.
Dailey was given his shoulder straps. He resigned October 23, 1864.
Ira A. Blossom was first lieutenant from January 1, 1865, and captain
from March 1st following, John T. Weimer then becoming first lieu-
tenant. Originally, the company had ninety-eight enlisted men; to
there were added, at different times, twenty-three recruits, making
121 as its maximum strength.
The Forty-seventh Indiana Volunteer Infantry, of which Com-
pany C was a unit, was composed of companies raised in the Eleventh
Congressional District and was commanded by James R. Slack. It
was with Buell and Pope's armies in the Missouri campaigns, being
the first regiment to enter Fort Thompson, New Madrid. Thence it
was moved to Tennessee and after the capture of Fort Pillow was trans-
ferred to Arkansas, and soon afterward joined General Grant's army
before Vicksburg. It participated in the siege and was there at the
surrender on the 4th of July, 1863. The battle of Champion Hills
154 i ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
levied sadly from its ranks. Subsequently the regiment participated
in the unfortunate Banks expeditions in Louisiana, and during that
period reenlisted as a body and became veterans in the official ac-
ceptation of that word; "veterans," in that sense, including all those
Union soldiers who reenlisted, after their three years' term of service
expired, for the "period of the war," whatever that might be. In
December, 1864, Colonel Slack was commissioned a brigadier general,
and John A. McLaughlin was promoted to the colonelcy of the Forty-
seventh. Under its new commander it participated in the campaigns
near and against Mobile, and was with General Herron's army at
Shreveport, Louisiana, which received the surrender of General
Price's army of the Trans-Mississippi department. It was mustered
out of the service, at that point, in October, 1865. Reaching Indian-
apolis with 530 men and 32 officers, it was present, on the first of
November, at a reception given to the regiment in the capitol grounds,
and was addressed by Governor Morton, General Slack, and Cols.
Milton S. Robinson and John A. McLaughlin. On the following day
the regiment was finally discharged.
Byron H. Dent
Byron H. Dent, who went into the service as first lieutenant of
Company C, resigned that commission after a few months and later
was appointed adjutant of the Eighty-ninth Indiana, serving thus
for nearly two years. His father, George A. Dent, was one of the
pioneers of the county and its first auditor.
Three Companies op the Eighty-ninth Infantry
In the summer of 1862 Adams County raised three entire com-
panies, about 325 men, for the Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteer In-
fantry, of which Charles D. Murray, of Kokomo, was colonel. Be-
sides Adjutant Dent, there were upon its regimental staff the follow-
ing: Barnabas Collins and Jacob M. Crabbs, quartermasters, the
former serving a few months in 1862 and the latter for more than a
year of the regiment's term: Enos W. Erick, for about a year in
1862-63 as chaplain, and John P. Porter, as assistant surgeon and
surgeon in 1862-64, being killed by guerrillas in November of the latter
year.
The first captain of Company H was Enos W. Erick, who became
chaplain of the regiment when it was fully organized. Adoniram J.
Hill was then promoted from the first lieutenancy to the captaincy.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 155
and James H. Browning, formerly second lieutenant, moved up a
grade. Martin V. B. Spencer was promoted from the ranks to second
lieutenant. Captain Hill was mustered out in January, 1865, and
Robert D. Patterson commanded the company during the remainder
of the war. Upon the resignation of Lieutenant Browning in Feb-
ruary, 1865, William A. Wisner was promoted to his place, several
changes having already been made in the second lieutenancy.
Of Company I, Henry Banta was captain in 1862-63 ; Peter Litzel,
in 1863-65, and John J. Chubb until the muster-out in September of
the latter year. Captains Litzel and Chubb had both been first lieu-
tenants, and the latter had also been a second lieutenant. John Blood
who had been a second lieutenant held a first lieutenancy during the
last year of the war in which the Eighty-ninth saw service.
Edwin S. Metzger was captain and Henry McLean first lieutenant
of Company K during the entire term of service from August, 1862,
to September, 1865. James Stoops, Jr., was second lieutenant, but
resigned in June, 1863, and was succeeded by Henry H. Hart. When
quite young he had joined Company I and was afterward promoted
to be drum major of his regiment. He was discharged at Mobile, Ala-
bama, in Jul}', 1865, and after the war was engaged in the lumber and
milling business at Decatur. His father, Jacob S. Hart, was an old
miller of that city.
The movements and campaigns of the Eighty-ninth Regiment were
substantially the same as those of the Forty-seventh. It participated
in the operations in the southwest, in Missouri, Tennessee, Alabama,
Mississippi and Louisiana. The Eighty-ninth w r as in the assaults and
sieges against Fort Pillow, Vicksburg and Mobile; was a part of
Banks' Red River expeditions, and was mustered out of the Union
service at Mobile, July 19, 1865. Proceeding homeward, it reached
Indianapolis on the 4th of August, when, after having been publicly
received by Governor Morton in the State House Grove, it was dis-
charged. The remaining recruits of the Eighty-ninth were transferred
to the Fifty-second Indiana, and continued to serve with that organiza-
tion until September 10, 1865, when they were mustered out with the
regiment. During its term of service the Eighty-ninth suffered losses
as follows : 31 killed, 167 wounded and 4 missing, making a total loss
of 202. It marched 2,363 miles on foot, traveled by steamer 7,112
miles and by rail 1.232 miles. Total distance traveled, 10,707 miles.
Capt. A. J. Hill
Capt. A. J. Hill, of Company H, was one of several well known
newspaper men who enthusiastically dropped the pen for the sword.
156 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
A New Yorker by birth, he had been educated in Virginia and at
the age of twenty settled in Decatur. Graduated he became interested
in newspaper work, and in the spring of 1859 purchased a half in-
terest in the Eagle. He was then in his twenty-seventh year. Soon
afterward he became sole owner of the paper and was conducting it
in the fall of 1862 when he was elected captain of Company H. He
took with him to the front the entire force of the office, including the
"devil" for a drummer boy. Captain Hill continued in command of
the company until the fall of 1864, when his health failed and in
January, 1865, he returned home. At that time a draft was pending
in the county, but by his personal efforts its necessity was completely
neutralized through the enlistment of sixty volunteers, which filled
all demands made by the President for troops during the war. With
this work accomplished, he resumed his old position on the Eagle, the
office having been rented during his absence at the front. After the
war (1867) he was elected clerk of the Adams Circuit Court and
served for two terms. Although he disposed of his interest in the
Eagle in 1874, when its name was changed to the Democrat, and en-
gaged for several years in business, he returned to newspaper work
for a time, previous to his retirement from active pursuits on account
of ill health.
Death of Maj. Sam Henry and Others
In the fall of 1864 the Eighty-ninth was engaged in guarding Hem-
phis against the threatened cavalry raids of the Confederate General
Price and in pursuit of his force in Missouri. While employed in the
latter movements at Greenton, some distance south of Lexington,
Maj. Sam Henry, who resided at Pendleton, Howard Ashler, quar-
termaster, of Kokomo, and John P. Porter, of Decatur, the regimental
surgeon, were killed by guerrillas on the 1st day of November. As
told by a member of the brigade, who passed along soon after the
shooting: "They were with their command on a march to St. Louis,
about forty miles from the town of Lexington, and had stopped at
a farm home to get something to eat. The lady served them, 'but pleaded
with them to leave, telling them that they were in danger. They
scoffed at the idea, however, and finished their meal. They had left
their horses at the gate and their revolvers in the holsters. The
guerrillas slipped up, surrounded the horses and captured the three
officers. They took the men to the rear of the command, and entered
a small woods, where they stripped the men, shot them and, taking
all their possessions, left them there, riddled with bullets. The next
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 157
brigade found them and, recognizing the brave officers, took the bodies
on to their own regiments and the remains were immediately shipped
home for interment." Seventeen years afterward the G. A. R. post at
Decatur was named in honor of the brave and popular Major, Sam
Henry. On the walls of the 0. A. R. hall hangs a fine likeness of the
major, presented by his brother, Charles L. Henry, while he was con-
gressman from the Eighth Indiana district.
The Eleventh Cavalry
In the autumn of 1863 a number of men were raised in Adams
County for the Eleventh Cavalry and became Company C of the
126th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. James C. Wilson, a Decatur
carpenter who had served in the Mexican war, was second lieutenant.
Soon afterward he became captain of Company G, Thirteenth Cavalry,
in which he served until the close of the war. He was in command of
the company at the battle of Nashville. While in the army Captain
Wilson contracted a disease, which caused his death on November 29,
1S66.
Norval Blackburn
Norval Blackburn was second lieutenant of Company C from
March 1. 1864, first lieutenant from August 1st of that year and cap-
tain from June 1, 1S65. At the time of his enlistment in the previous
September he was in his twenty-first year. He was mustered out of
the service in September, 1865. After the war he held various county
offices, serving as clerk of the Circuit Court in 1879-83. Soon after-
ward he bought a half-interest in the Democrat, in 1884 became sole
proprietor and in 1885 commenced his term as postmaster of Decatur.
The several companies of the Eleventh Cavalry were raised and or-
ganized during the fall of 1863 and the winter of 1863-64. On the
first of March of the latter year the regimental organization was per-
fected at Indianapolis, and the command given to Robert R. Stewart,
who had been promoted from the lieutenant colonelcy of the Second
Cavalry. On the first of May the regiment left Indianapolis and
moved by rail to Nashville, only a small portion of the command be-
ing mounted. After remaining in a camp of instruction for sev-
eral weeks, it was assigned to guard various railway lines in Northern
Alabama. In the fall it was mounted as a regiment and joined in the
pursuit of Hood's forces from Nashville to Northern Alabama. It
was then dismounted and again placed on guard duty. Subsequently,
158 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
as cavalry, it operated in Missouri and Kansas, and it was mustered
out at Port Leavenworth, in the latter state, in September, 1865.
On the 26th of that month the regiment reached Indianapolis with
thirty officers and 579 men, under command of Col. Abram Sharra,
for final discharge and payment. On the 28th, after partaking of a
satisfying dinner at the Soldiers' Home, the Eleventh Cavalry
marched to the State House, where it was publicly welcomed by
speeches from General Mansfield, Colonel Stewart and Surgeon Reed,
to which responses were made by Colonel Sharra, Majors Crowder and
Showalter and Chaplain Barnhart. After the reception the regi-
ment was marched to Camp Carrington, where the men and officers
were paid and discharged from the service of the United States.
The Thirteenth Cavalry
A large part of Company G, Thirteenth Cavah'y (131st Regiment),
was composed of men enlisted in Adams County in the winter of
1864. As stated, James C. Wilson was captain of the company. Wil-
liam Bettenberg, Andre J. Simcoke and Robert T. Patterson were given
lieutenants' commissions during 1865, but mustered out before taking
the rank thus conferred. The Thirteenth was the last cavalry or-
ganization raised in the state. In April, 1864, the regiment was
mustered into the service, with Gilbert M. L. Johnson as colonel. On
the 30th of that month it left for the Nashville camp of instruction as
an infantry command, and in the following month engaged in several
skirmishes with Confederate cavalry in Alabama. In the fall, six of
the twelve companies forming the regiment went to Louisville to be
equipped as cavalry units, and, as such, hovered for observation
around Hood's army. They also had a number of brisk skirmishes
with the enemy and suffered some losses. Company G was not in-
cluded in these operations. That command, with five other com-
panies, was placed under Lieutenant Colonel Pepper, and. dismounted,
participated in the battle of Nashville, December, 1864. Soon after-
ward they were remounted, and joined by the other companies, and
the entire regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, Seventh Divi-
sion of the Cavalry Corps of the Military Division of the Mississippi,
Colonel Johnson commanding the brigade.
In 1865 the Thirteenth Cavalry was engaged in raids on the Mo-
bile & Ohio Railroad around Vicksburg and in the operations against
the forts and defenses of Mobile. After the fall of Mobile, under
command of General Grierson. the regiment started on a raid of
some 800 miles through Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, arriving at
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 159
Columbus, the state last named, in May. Its operations had extended
over a period of more than a month. The Thirteenth then proceeded
to Macon, Mississippi, garrisoning that point and sixty miles of rail-
road tributary to it. Immense quantities of supplies and ordnance
were also confiscated. The muster-out occurred at Vicksburg in No-
vember, 1865. It reached Indianapolis for final discharge, on the
25th, with 23 officers and 633 men.
This was the last of the commands from Adams County to be
mustered out of the service, and therefore concluded the Civil war
as far as that section of the state was especially concerned.
Sam Henry Post, No. 33, G. A. R.
About three years after the conclusion of the Civil war the first
post of the Grand Army of the Republic was organized at Decatur,
Illinois. The pioneer post and the patriotic order itself were born
in that city, Auril 6, 1S66. On May 12, 1882, was organized the post
at Decatur, Indiana. In the evening of that day, at the Masonic Hall,
Col. R. S. Robertson called the twenty-nine Union soldiers together,
who had signified their intention to become charter members, and
A. C. Gregory, of Decatur, was elected secretary. A belated comrade
arrived soon after, making the original thirty of the post. I. S. Blos-
som was first initiated by Colonel Robertson, assisted by Comrade
Drake of Post 21, Michigan, and Comrade Todd, Indiana Post, No.
33. After the thirty had been initiated, the post selected its first elec-
tive officers, as follows: Henry H. Hart, post commander; David
Lanian, senior vice commander; B. W. Sholty, junior vice com-
mander; J. P. Quinn, officer of the day; J. S. McLeod, officer of the
guard; L. A. Counter, quartermaster; Washington Kern, chaplain;
R. B. Freeman, surgeon. Commander Hart appoointed A. C. Gregory,
adjutant. Soon after the organization of the post a committee was
appointed to suggest a name, and on August 5th its recommendation
that it adopt "Sam Henry" as such was adopted. The organization
therefore became from that date, Sam Henry Post No. 33, Grand
Army of the Republic.
The successive commanders of the post have been as follows:
II. H. Hart, 1882; B. H. Dent, 1883; B. W. Sholty. 1884; J. D. Hale,
1885; C. 0. Bly, 1886 ; II. H. Hart (second term), 1887; D. K. Shack-
ley, 1888; A, J. Hill, 1889; David Laman. 1890; Ira A. Blossom, 1891 :
G. Christen, 1892; Norval Blackburn, 1893; Theodore R. Moore. 1894;
R. S. Peterson, 1895; J. H. Smith, 1901; George Woodward, 1902;
Henry Lankenau, 1903; Theodore Kennedy, 1904; J. D. Hah-. 1905
160 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
(second term) ; M. J. Wertzberger, 1906; C. T. Rainier. 1007; D. K.
Shackley (second term), 1908; R. D. Patterson, 1909; J. R. Parrish,
1910 ; L. N. Grandstaff, 1911 ; T. W. Mallonee, 1912 ; F. F. French,
1912; W. H. Myers, 1914-18. On New Year's Day of 1918 the Post
had fifty-two members in good standing. During the thirty-five years
of its existence the Post has had its headquarters in five different halls
— located in the Masonic, the Patterson, the Forbing, the Railing and
the Wilder buildings. The last named is opposite the courthouse.
Civil War Bodies at Geneva
On July 24, 1882 (the same year of the organization of the Decatur
Post ) , the John P. Porter Post No. 83, of Geneva, was organized with
fifteen members, thus commemorating the services of the brave and
efficient Decatur surgeon, whose fate was similar to that of Maj.
Sam Henry. The first elective officers of the Geneva Post were : John
M. Holloway, commander; W. H. Fought, senior vice commander;
Lafayette Rape, junior vice commander; J. C. Hale, adjutant; S. G.
Ralston, surgeon; W. R. Meeks, chaplain. The John P. Porter Post
was fairly prosperous for a number of years, as it drew its member-
ship from quite an area of country covering the southern townships,
but with the decline of Geneva and natural removals and deaths, it
has gradually gone out of existence. In 1884 the McPherson Camp
No. 11, Sons of Veterans, was also organized at Geneva, and was for
some time not only the only active organization of the kind in the
county, but in the entire state. The John P. Porter Relief Corps No.
119 was mustered on January 20, 1898.
In 1886 both a Woman's Relief Corps and a Sons of Veteran Camp
were organized at Decatur, but they have become quiescent ; the issues
of another, and a greater war, now agitate every home and all genera-
tions and classes.
The Spanish-American War
The first military organization in Adams County to have what
may be called a substantial history was Company B, of the Fourth
Regiment, I. N. G. It was formed June 7, 1889, with Dr. Jonas Cover-
dale as captain. Its records show that in 1891 the company was called
out to guard the jail against a mob, and in 1894 it served twelve days
at Hammond during the railroad riots at that point, under Capt.
John Myers. Shortly afterward the organization was transferred to
the Indiana National Guard, and upon the declaration of war against
Spain in April, 1898, Edmond P. Miller, who since 1892 had risen
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 161
from the ranks to the captaincy of the company, assumed its com-
mand. On the 23d of that month President MeKinley issued a call
for 125,000 volunteers to serve for two years unless sooner discharged,
and two days afterward Governor Mount received a message from
the War Department announcing the quota assigned to Indiana.
Company B, Fourth Indiana Infantry
To Camp Mount, named in honor of the governor, were ordered
the First, Second, Third and Fourth regiments of the National
Guard, aud the first company to arrive on the ground was the or-
ganization from Frankfort, Clinton County, the headquarters of
which were almost within marching distance of Indianapolis. The
first company of the Fourth Regiment to report was B, made up al-
most entirely of Adams County men — sixty-nine from Decatur alone ;
the remainder of the 110 from Berne, Geneva, Monmouth, Steele,
Monroe, Pleasant Mills, Curryville, and a few outside points, several
going from Wells Comity and Indianapolis. In May Captain Miller
was promoted to be major of the Fourth Regiment and John M. Len-
hart, who had served as first lieutenant since 1895, was advanced to
the captaincy. He retained the command until the muster-out of the
company in April, 1899.
Becomes the 160th Regiment in Federal Service
The Fourth, which was composed of companies from Decatur,
Bluffton, Ossian, Marion, Lafayette, Wabash, Columbia City, War-
saw, Tipton. Huntington, Anderson and Logansport, had all as-
sembled at Camp Mount lief ore the close of April 26, 1898, and on
May 16th was mustered into the volunteer sendee of the LTnited
States as the 160th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. The regi-
ment left Camp Mount and arrived at Camp Thomas, Chiekamauga
Park, Georgia, ou the 18th of May. Under orders to proceed to Porto
Rico, it reached Newport News, Virginia, on the 30th of July. The
orders calling the regiment to Porto Rico having been countermanded,
the 160th proceeded to Camp Hamilton, Lexington, Kentucky, where
it arrived on August 23d. In November it was transferred to Co-
lumbus, Georgia, and in January of the following year was ordered
in three sections to Matanzas, Cuba, where they were united on the
27th of that month and went into camp. The regiment remained in
Cuba until March 27th, when it proceeded to Savannah, Georgia, to
prepare for muster-out, which occurred April 25, 1899. The 160th
162 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
thus shared the common experience of other Indiana regiments, in
that it had no active part in the Spanish-American war, although
always ready and eager to participate. During this period of what,
nevertheless, was faithful service, there were several changes in the
lieutenancies. Solomon C. Edington, who resigned as first lieutenant
in August, 1898, was succeeded by Charles E. Barnhart, who had been
advanced a grade, and Lieutenant Barnhart 's place was assumed by
Richard D. Myers, formerly first sergeant.
Some of the volunteers of the 160th Eegiment who went from
Adams County returned ahead of the main body, but the larger part
of Company B arrived home on the 5th of May. Although quite an
impressive program had been arranged to welcome the boys as they
stepped from the southern train, which included a speech by Mayor
A. P. Beatty, the soldiers precipitately broke for their relatives and
friends, evidently preferring more private welcomes ; the prearranged
ceremonies therefore were never "pulled off."
Movement for a Soldiers' Monument
Before the erection of the impressive memorial in the Courthouse
Square, the Sam Henry Post had a movable cenotaph commemorat-
ing those who had served the Union from Adams County, which, on
Decoration Day, was moved to the lawn or other scene of services and
hung with wreaths and flags.
As Decoration Day came, year after year, with the ever-thinning
ranks of those who placed the wreaths and the pathetic increase of the
soldier graves, an idea took form in the minds of the younger, the
stronger, and the still grateful generations, which developed into
a definite plan to symbolize the gratitude and honor flowing in a
steady tide from the stalwart, progressive present to the old-time
patriots who had sacrificed so much in the line of duty, and most of
whom had passed away — not unhonored, but not honored as befitting
their faithful services. The movement which finally resulted in the
soldiers' memorial monument at Decatur, the first in Indiana to be of-
ficially supported by a county, seems to have had its inception in the
aroused conscience and determination of French Quinn, who served as
marshal of the Decoration Day for 1912. On the following Sunday,
while reviewing in his mind the touching pictures of devotion dis-
played in the thinning ranks of the old soldiers who still advanced
bravely but tremblingly to the sad office of paying tribute to 1heir
former comrades in the flesh, Mr. Quinn wrote an earnest article
for the Daily Democrat, urging the building of a soldiers' monu-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 163
mcnt. lie secured the co-operation of John II. Heller, and the Sam
Henry Post was also soon working for the project. Thomas Mal-
lonee, who' was then commander, appointed a committee to "devise
ways and means," comprising S. B. Fordyce, D. K. Shackley, Joshua
R. Parrish, Fred F. French and L. N. Grandstaff. Having secured
legal advice from A. P. Beatty and P. L. Andrews, a way was found
to raise the necessary money to erect the memorial other than by the
rather tedious and uncertain method of gathering the funds through
individual subscriptions. The county, as a solid body, was placed
behind the enterprise ; the county, backed by the taxpayers. At the
September session of the Board of County Commissioners the Ways
and Means Committee of the Grand Army Post presented a petition
signed by 2,500 voters (more than required by law) asking that an
appropriation of $10,000 be made for the erection of a memorial to
the soldiers of Adams County. The board, then comprising James
D. Hendricks, Henry Zwick and Christ Eicher, granted it unani-
mously.
Site Selected and Cornerstone Laid
In the following month, while on a business trip to Chicago, Mr.
Quinn and F. M. Schirmeyer were introduced by the late William
French, director of the Art Institute, to Charles Mulligan, as a sculp-
tor well qualified to undertake the execution of the proposed me-
morial. He was therefore selected for the work, submitted his de-
sign to an advisory committee of citizens, and finished the work to
the satisfaction of all. The contract for its execution in stone and
bronze was awarded to the Wemhoff Monumental Works of Decatur
for over $6,400. In April, 1913, a site for the work was selected on
the southwest corner of the Courthouse Square, the monument to
be set diagonally. Charles M. Dodd did the actual chiseling of the
figures from the Bedford sandstone. Comrade Joshua Parrish had
the honor of taking the first shovelful of earth when the ground was
broken for the foundation and Comrade William H. Myers, a mason
by trade, laid the first brick.
The cornerstone was laid September 6, 1913, by the comrades of
the post as a whole. The exercises were opened by Mayor Judson
W. Teeple, and James A. Hendricks, president of the Board of Com-
missioners, turned the monument over to the post for the expressed
purpose of laying the cornerstone. The guard of honor then un-
furled the post flag, Chaplain J. R. Parrish read a Scriptural lesson,
and Quartermaster T. R. Mallonee placed in the vault at the north-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 165
east corner of the monument a box containing papers which gave a
complete record of the monument movement and of the post and Re-
lief Corps, with names of all those who had assisted in the work. Then
the mechanical steps progressed rapidly, and when the last stone had
been set, under the supervision of Chief Engineer George Wemhoff,
Sculptors Mulligan and Dodd both came and personally gave the
finishing touches to the monument. With Mr. Mulligan came Mar-
garet McMasters Van Slyke, said to be Chicago's most perfectly
formed woman, who posed for the figure of Peace, the central figure
of the monument, during its retouching.
The Soldiers op Five Wars
The compiling of the soldiers' names for engraving on the monu-
ment was quite a task. It was decided to place on the bronze plates
on the two wings of the monument the names of all the soldiers of
the Civil, Spanish-American and Mexican wars and the War of
1812, who had resided in the county, were buried within its limits
or were living therein at the time the monument was dedicated. The
members of the committee who had charge of the work were B. W.
Sholty (chairman), P. L. Andrews, D. P. Quinn, R. D. Myers and
L. N. Grandstaff. The result was the collection of 1,276 names, repre-
senting 1,152 soldiers of the Civil war, 111 of the Spanish-American,
8 of the Mexican and 5 of the War of 1812. Even thought it was
thought that the greatest vigilance had been used in the search, it
was found after the names had been engraved that one omission had
been made — that of Thomas Archbold, grandfather of Judge J. T.
Merryman and County Treasurer W. J. Archbold, and a great-grand-
father of Dr. Roy Archbold, the Decatur dentist. He is the sole repre
sentative of the Revolutionary war.
Dedication op the Monument
The completed monument was unveiled and dedicated in the midst
of elaborate and appropriate ceremonies on the 30th of October. 1913.
Business houses, residences and the monument, with surrounding
grounds, were beautifully decorated under the general supervision of
D. K. Shackley, and R. D. Myers, the Spanish-American war veteran,
served as marshall of the parade. Governor Samuel M. Ralston de-
livered the principal address at the unveiling and dedicatory exer-
cises of the afternoon, and was attended by a number of state officials.
Congressman John A. M. Adair was also present. Ex-State Senator
166 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
John W. Tyndall, son of a Civil war veteran, served as master of
ceremonies. County Attorney Clark Lutz, in behalf of the Board of
commissioners, turned the monument over to the Grand Army of
the Republic, after explaining that the $10,000 appropriation was se-
cured by a tax levy of seven cents per hundred dollars of all taxable
property, and that the monument, therefore, substantially repre-
sented the entire people of the county. Miss Mary Hale, of Geneva,
granddaughter of ex-Senator S. W. Hale, unveiled the monument.
The exercises closed with addresses by Daniel W. Comstock, state com-
mander of the Grand Army of the Republic, Col. W. L. Kiger, of
Bluffton, B. W. Sholty and Col. Simeon Fordyce, chainnan of the
Monumental Committee, of Decatur. The last named concluded by
returning the monument, after its dedication, to the representatives of
the Board of County Commissioners for "its care and protection."
How the Memorial Appears
The following description of the monument is from the Decatur
Daily Democrat, and was published at the time it was dedicated :
"Facing the southland, the scene of the late conflict, to which
the greater number of our soldiers were given, stands our memorial
for our brave soldiers. Since they made our country that of a liberty-
loving, peace-loving nation, it is not strange that the conception of
our monument should be a departure from the usual militant idea — ■
that its dominant figure should be that of Peace, the result of the
conflict, rather than an expression of the means of the conflict.
Peace is represented by the female figure of the nation, in heroic
size, facing the right. Her left hand rests on the American shield,
which in turn rests at her feet, as the conflict is over and she no
longer has need of it on her arm for vital protection. On the shield
are the thirteen stars and thirteen stripes. Back of the shield, at the
side of the figure of Peace hangs the scabbard and sword, sheathed
and at rest. Her right arm is extended and rests along the top of
the monument, on the implements of war, now at rest — the gun, the
cartridge box, the canteen, and the flags which are draped, or looped,
around a now unused bier. In her hand she holds a laurel twig,
symbolical of perseverance, ambition and glory. Her noble figure is
clad in the flowing gown, falling from her steels or breastplate, which
is formed of the spreading wings of the American eagle, the head of
which pulsates with life, courage and inspiration, on her breast.
"The head of Peace is bowed in reverence and respect, as in
mourning for those who gave their lives for hers. The monument is
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 167
built in Pylon or Exedra style. On either side of the central figure
of Peace, extend the two wings of the main shaft of the monument, in
open-book form. On each of the wings is a bronze tablet, bearing
the names of all soldiers of the county, for whom the monument is
erected. At the four corners of this shaft are spreading-winged
American eagles, in the Egyptian style of architecture. At the base
of the shaft is a seat-like projection for the accommodation of speak-
ers, with a forum at the front of the figure of Peace. The seat is a
distinctly new arrangement, and very admirable for the purpose. On
either side of the forum are .two vases on pedestals, which will be
filled with flowers. Leading to the wide plaza that surrounds the
shaft of the monuments are a series of five steps, nearly surrounding
the monument. To the women of the war, has the rear of the monu-
ment, which is equally if not more beautiful, been dedicated. The
central figure of this represents in alto-relief a nurse on the field min-
istering to a wounded soldier. A tree forms a battleground. The
nurse is of the type of woman ever ready to do good, the type of
woman, who at a call wraps a towel about her head, if there is no
other head dress near, flings another over her arm and hastens forth
to aid the needy. She is shown half kneeling, supporting the wounded
soldier, whose shattered right hand she has just bandaged and on
which she is putting the last kind touches. The soldier, exhausted
and fainting, supports his weak frame on the ground with the other
hand, the long, slender fingers of which, show the weakness and ema-
ciation of the body which has passed through many hardships. The
soldier is very truly portrayed in his uniform, with eagle and cap.
Above this alto-relief figure is engraved a tribute to the, women of
the war composed by French Quinn of this city, as follows: 'To
the women of our nation, as a tribute to their courage, devotion and
sacrifice.' On the cast wing of the monument is inscribed: 'To the
glory of our country and in loving memory of our soldier heroes. ' On
the west wing will be engraved the names of the several soldiers whose
names were overlooked in the compiling of the list for the bronze
plates. Among these is the only one in the county, thus far known,
who served in the Revolutionary war— that of Thomas Archbold,
grandfather of Judge Merryman, and great grandfather of Roy Arch-
bold, of this city. Beneath the central figure is the fountain, which
forms a balance for the forum at the front. From the base of the alto-
relief figure, the water falls in a broad sheet, through which, at the base
can be seen the 'Maine tablet.' This is the tablet made from the metal
of the battleship Maine, which was resurrected from its watery grave,
and whose wanton destruction brought on the Spanish-American war.
168 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
in which 111 of our soldiers fought. The relief figures on the tablet
show up especially pretty through the water-fall. The fountain is
also rendered the more beautiful at night, by the electric lights, which
show alternately red, white and blue, and then appear in unison. In
front of the fountain, at either side, are pedestals for vases, which
the Tri-Kappa girls agree to keep filled with flowers on special oc-
casions.
"The monument is built from the native stone of the state — that
of blue Bedford oolitic limestone, from the quarries of Lawrence
County. The stone for the state soldiers' monument at Indianapolis
was cut from the same quarries. The monument is of noble propor-
tions. In length it is forty-two feet, six inches; in width, eighteen
feet, six inches, and in height, eighteen feet. The female figure is
twelve feet and three inches in height."
To complete the history of the soldiers' monument at Decatur is
required the additional fact that space has been reserved on the re-
verse side of the face for the carving of the names of 1,000 heroes
of the future. It is to be most devoutly wished that the terrible
world's war which is now raging will not be the means of crowd-
ing that reserved space on the memorial monument. If it does
continue much longer, however, some sculptor of the future may be
obliged to perform that sad and sacred duty.
Adams County in the World's War
On April 1, 1917, a few days after it had been declared that the
United States was in a state of war with Germany, Charles R. Dunn,
of Bluffton, commenced to raise a new company for service against
the arch enemy of democracy. After a short time he was joined in
the work by Robert H. Peterson, of Decatur. In a comparatively short
time, enough enlistments had been secured to insure a new unit, and
on April 25th, after the required physical examinations had been
passed, the boys were mustered into the service as Company A,
Fourth Indiana National Guard. The formal ceremony of joining
the service took place on the evening of April 27th, at the soldiers'
monument, in the presence of a large and interested crowd. Maj.
P. A. Davis, of Indianapolis, had charge of the muster-in, after which
a. telling address was delivered by Clark Lutz, of Decatur. While
in the National Guard service the company was faithfully drilled
by Capt. Prank Livengood, afterward of Company C, Hunting-
ton. On August 11-12, the company was given its Federal inspec-
tion by Lieut. R. B. Moore. As a result, five were honorably dis-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 169
charged, bringing the roster down to 109. With a vaccination for
small-pox and an inoculation for typhoid fever by Lieutenant Moore,
the history of the company as a unit of the National Guard ended, and
at noon, on August 15th, it was absorbed into the Federal forces.
National Guard Mustered into the U. S. Service
The mustering-in was done by Captain Davis, of Winchester, on
Court Street, all of the members being mustered with the exception
of John H. Debolt, who received an honorable discharge on the fol-
lowing day, because of having dependents, a wife and children. On
the 19th of August, ten men were selected from the company and
ordered to Fort Benjamin Harrison to be mustered into a field bat-
tery and sent to France as a part of the famous Rainbow Division.
They were George F. Schultz (in charge of the squad), Fred Sheets,
Burl Johnson, William Johnson, Merl McCroskey, Omer F. Nevil,
Clarence Passwaters, Lester Robinson, Clarence Statler and Harry
Steed. Statler was returned two weeks later and rejoined Company
A-. The others went to France in November, 1917.
Company A, Fourth Infantry
The Fourth Indiana Infantry, of which Company A is a unit,
is commanded by Col. Robert L. Moorhead, of Indianapolis, who
was a sergeant major in the Spanish-American war, connected with
the 158th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After the war he was com-
missioned Captain of Company D, Second Indiana Infantry, a com-
mand which had more expert sharp-shooters than any other com-
pany in the United States. Still later Colonel Moorhead was pro-
moted major of ordnance and then full major. Lieut. -Col. Robert
P. Youngman, of Crawfordsville; Major Clyde F. Dreisback, of Fort
Wayne, and Capt. Charles Dunn, of Bluffton, had also had expe-
rience in the Spanish-American war. First Lieut. Robert Peterson
had been only four years out of high school and had but recently
completed his course at the State University. On the other hand.
Second Lieut. George J. Rollison, who is a native of Mississippi, had
enjoyed about eleven years of experience in various branches of the
Regular Army.
Camp Shelby, at Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where the Iloosier regi-
ment and Company A were sent for training, is a little over 100
miles northeast of New Orleans, in the midst of pine-woods, truck
gardens and productive farms. It nestles among the cool hills on
170 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
a rolling, healthful site, and is said to be one of the most healthful
camps, or cantonments, in the country.
The original roster of Company A, as in force in September,
1917, not long before it started for Camp Shelby, was as follows,
the names being alphabetically arranged:
Robert Allspaw, Berne ; Hosea Andrews, Monroe ; Dwight Archer,
Decatur; Frank Bacon, Decatur; Cass Bacon, Decatur; Carroll Bacon,
Decatur; John C. Bair, Bryant; Albert Beery, Decatur; Lloyd D.
Beery, Decatur ; Leo Bogner, Decatur ; Edward Bovine, Decatur ;
Gust Borne, Magley ; James B. Brill, Indianapolis ; Jefferson Brin-
neman, Liberty Center; Dallas Brown, Decatur; Chester Bryan, Mon-
roe; Racy Burrell, Decatur; Irvin Butler, Decatur; Leroy Cable,
Preble; Paul H. Cook, Poneto (Wells County); Floyd Cook, De-
catur; Jesse Cole, Decatur; Virgil Cross, Decatur; Earl Crozier, De-
catur; Elmer Darwachter, Decatur; Ernest Dettinger, Magley; John
H. Debolt, Decatur; Russell Dull, Wiltshire (Ohio) ; Charles R. Dunn,
Bluffton (Wells County); Leo Ehinger, Decatur; Fred Elzey, De-
catur; Herman Emery, Berne; Floyd G. Enos, Decatur; Carlyle
Flanders, Decatur; Heber Fonner, Decatur; Frank Foltz, Wiltshire
(Ohio) ; Charles Fryback, Bluffton (Wells County) ; Lawrence Garard,
Fort Wayne ; Fred Gay, Decatur ; Melvin Gallogly, Decatur ; Leon Gass,
Decatur; James Ginley, Decatur; Earl Grossman, Wren (Ohio) ; Her-
man Haag, Decatur; Walter Hammond, Decatur; Richard Harden,
Bluffton (Wells County) ; John Helmrich, Magley; Hugh Hitchcock,
Decatur; Howard Hixon, Decatur; Dewey Hooker, Lima (Ohio);
Garth Hoover, Decatur; Burt Hower, Decatur; Frank Hower, Deca-
tur ; Edward Jaberg, Magley ; Burl Johnson, Decatur ; William John-
son, Magley; Bernard Keller, Decatur; Herbert Kern, Decatur; May
Knavel, Decatur ; Adolph Kolter, Magley ; Edward Kreutzmann, Mag-
ley; Sherman Kumpf, Bluffton (Wells County) : Joseph C. Laurent,
Decatur; Lawrence Lord, Decatur; Charles Maloney, Monroe; Lee
May, Decatur; Fred McConnell, Decatur; Joe McConnell, Decatur;
Marl McCrosky, Geneva ; Lohnas Mcintosh, Decatur ; Robert A. Merry-
man, Decatur ; Eugene Meibers, Fort Wayne ; Chalmer Miller, Mon-
roeville ; Homer Miller, Bluffton (Wells County) ; Hubert Miller, Mag-
ley ; Ira Miller, Uniondale ; Otto Miller, Magley ; Floyd Monday, De-
catur; Charles H. Morgan, Monroe; Howard Mowery, Bluffton (Wells
County) ; Morris Mummaw, Magley; John Muntz, Monroeville: Omer
Neville, Geneva; Mike Nicholas, Bluffton (Wells County) ; Arbie
Owens, Pleasant Mills; Harry Parr. Decatur; Homer Parrish, Decatur;
Clarence Passwaters, Pleasant Mills; Donald C. Patterson, Decatur;
Robert H. Peterson, Decatur; Edward Rademacher, Fort Wayne; Les-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 171
ter Robinson, Decatur; George J. Rollison, Vicksburg (Mississippi) ;
Frank Schultz, Decatur; Lloyd Shackley, Decatur; Fred Sheets, De-
catur; Lynn Shoemaker, Indianapolis (Indiana); Giles Smelzer,
Berne; Harry B. Smith, Bluffton (Wells County) ; George Sprague,
Monroe; Clarence Statler, Magley; James K. Staley, Decatur; Harry
Steed, Geneva; Harve Steele, Monroe; Clarence Stevens, Decatur:
Roscoe Stout, Bluffton (Wells County) ; Tony Uher, Decatur; Bernard
Ulman, Decatur; Glen Venis, Decatur; James Ward, Decatur; Marion
L. Watkins, Monroe; Clarence Weber, Decatur; Vaughn Weldy, De-
catur ; Otto Wilson, Berne ; Chai'les Wise, Decatur ; Medford Wynne,
Bluffton (Wells County); Edward F. Yaney, Decatur; and Frank
Young, Decatur.
Men in Service, Spring of 1918
The "Adams County roll of honor,'" embracing those who were
serving their country in the spring of 1918, was as follows. When
it appeared in the local press in March of that year it was pro-
nounced somewhat incomplete and, as time went on. doubtless other
names were added; but the list is the best that is available and is
therefore reproduced, as follows :
Members op Battery "A," 139th Field Artillery
Andrews, Hosea; Bacon, Carroll; Bacon, Frank; Bair, John;
Beery, Lloyd ; Bogner, Leo ; Borne, Gust ; Bovine, Edward ; Brown,
Dallas; Bryan, Chester; Burrell, Racy; Butler, Irvin; Cole. Jesse ;
Cross, Virgil; Crozier, Earl; Darweehter, Elmer; Dettinger, Ernest;
Ehinger, Leo; Elzey, Fred; Emery, Herman; Enos, Floyd; Gallogly,
Melvin; Flanders, Carlisle; Fonner, Heber; Garard, Lawrence; Gass,
Leon; Gay, Fred; Ginley, James; Haag, Herman; Hammond, Walter;
Helmrich, John ; Hitchcock, Hugh ; Hooker, Dewey ; Hoover. Garth ;
Hower, Burt; Jaberg, Edward; Keller, Bernard; Kern, Herbert;
Knavel, May ; Kreutzman, Edward ; Laurent, Joseph ; Lord, Law-
rence; Malony, Charles; May, Lee; Meibers, Eugene; Merryman, Rob-
ert; Miller. Chalmer; Miller, Hubert; Miller, Otto ; Monday. Floyd;
Morgan, Charles: Mummaw, Morris; Muntz, John; McConnell. Joe;
Mcintosh, Lonas; Owens, Arbie; Parr, Harry; Parrish, Homer; Pat-
terson, Donald; Shackley, Lloyd; Smelser, Giles; Staley, James;
Steele, Harve; Ulman, Bernard; Venis, Glen; Ward, James; Wat-
kins. Marion: Weldy, Vaughn; Wilson, Otto: Weis, Charley; Wynn.
Melford ; and Yahne. Edward. -
172 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
"Somewhere in France''
Ball, Clelland, Q. M. C, A. E. F. ; Burdg, Joe L., Battery D, 150
F. A. D., 42nd Div. ; Corbett, John D. ; Teeple, J. H., Co. K, 16th I.;
MeConnell, Fred; Gass, Kaymond, 2nd Co., 1st Div., M. G. Bt. ; John-
son, Byrl, Hdq. Co., 150 F. A.; Thornburg, Chalres R., I. M. C. Sup-
ply Co. 305 ; Buckmaster, Leland, 77th Aero Squad. ; Schultz, Geo. F.,
Hdq. Co., 150 F. A.; Railing, Jesse, Co. C, 23 Inf.; Sheets, Fred,
Hdq. Co., 150th F. A.; Daniels, Harold; Neptune, Glenn, Q. M. C, 1st
Div. ; and Kerr, Lieut. R. C.
In Other Divisions
Beery, 1st Lieut. Arthur ; Lenhart, Robert E., Co. C, 42 I. ; Potts,
Ralph E., Co. E, 151st Ind. I.; Billman, Flavins E., M. O. T. C. ;
Haines, Chester L., Co. D, 113th E. ; Battenberg, H. B„ 27th Cav. ;
Smith, C. R., Co. C, 4th Div., 5th F. B. S. C. ; Briggs, W. C, 46th
Reg. I. ; Adler, William C, Bat. A, 10th F. A. ; Harvey, Harold G.,
Bakers Co., 310; Miller, Bernard; Ehinger, Herbert, Base Hospital,
Camp Green; Rabbitt, Edwin, Co. B, 126 M. B. Baty. ; Kintz,
Eugene G., Co. 2, M. P. ; Magley, Dr. L. J. ; Davis, Elso R. ; Roop,
Rufus S., Co. E, 151st I.; Christen, Jesse F., Hdq. Co., F. A.;
Colter, Earl D., Q. M. C. ; Parr, H. E. G„ 339th F. A.;
Woods, Ulysses B., 113 E. Corps; Eley, Howard; Hirschy,
Menno; Peterson, E. W., C. O. T. Bri., 165th Depot Bri. ; An-
drews, Harrison, Co. C, 113th F. S. Corps; Merriman, Ralph
M., Baty. D, 322d F. A. M. A.; Miller, Lawrence, Co. C, 113th F.
S. Bri.; Miller, Bennard J., 377th Squad., 4th Platoon, 13th Co. ;
Miller, Harry F., Co. 113th F. S. Bri.; Miller, Herman F., 182 Areo
Squad., Aviation Field; Chronister, Fred, 8th Bat.. R. O. F. C. ;
Hard, Otto F., Co. F, 46th I.; Gehrig, Tillman Henry; Fuller,
Ralph E. H., Corps H. A., 2nd Class Naval Base Station; Fuller, Mel-
ville W., Eng. Detach. ; Bebout, Harold ; Colchin, Joseph A., Aero
Sta., Co. 24 ; Holthouse, Norbert, Ordnance Dept. ; Mills, Edgar M. ;
Burger, Paul; Grandstaff, Francis; Blackburn, Lieut. R. M., Q. M. C. ;
Decatchent, T. A.; Enos, Roy; Myers, Fred; Wisehaupt, Howard;
Jahn, Roy; Steigmeyer, Lieut. Clem., Q. M. C; Steigmeyer. Lynn;
Fruchte, Ernest ; Long, Taylor ; Lord, Lawrence ; Everett, Harvey ;
Miller, Ralph ; Archer, Lloyd ; Graham, Harold ; Hower, Burt ; Miller,
Roy; Porter, Chalmer, 139th F. A. Band; Rider, Sumner: McCul-
lough, Charles ; Hunter, Floyd ; Baltzell, Dent : Falk, John ; Carper,
Beauford ; Hammond, Herman ; Gessinger, Albert ; Atz, Carl ; Smith,
Nolan A.; Weisling, Edward Daniel; Barcher, Floyd; Gaffer, John
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 173
E.; Mattox, Harold; Kohne, Raymond; Rash, Philip A.; Clark, Var-
lando; Warren, Charles E.; Pickett, Frank Pierce; Johnson, Ralph
Lee; Burris, Fred; Gerber, George L. ; Gerber, Abraham 0.; Bumier,
Forest Zeno; Koos, Vernon; Zeser, Timothy Herbert; McKean, Harve
Wesley; Gillig, Leo Theodore; Zeaser, Daniel Joseph; Hower. Chal-
mer Otis; Heath, Ilarland Wellington; Smith, Elmo ; Sprunger, Sy-
lan; Barton, Wm. ; Wells, Orville; Johnson, Ellery Edward:
Lehman, Elmer M. ; Miller, Harry Francis; Woodruff, Parker
Curtis; Neuenschwander, Omer; Christener, Albert; Neuenschwan-
der, Abraham; Reusser, Omer; Walter, Robert Kenyon ; Sprunger,
Walter; Debolt, William P.; Christen, Jesse F„ Hdg. Co., 180th
F. A.; Nesswald, Anthony John; Halberstadt, George Glen; Eichen-
berger, Edward; Debolt, Rudolph Floyd; Long, Archie A.; Coffelt,
Roy ; Wood, W. B. ; Rumschlag, Albert Henry ; Liechty, John P. ; Zeser,
Edward Conrad; Jahn, Roy Gideon; Parent, Omer; Gerber, Joseph
Emanuel ; Baxter, E. ; Bruchy, Daniel ; Grey, Rolan C. ; Sprague, Floyd
Joshua ; Brimner, Herman ; Andrews, Harrison ; Hammond, Lewis ;
Callihan, Thomas F.; Miller, Peter Lawrence; Omlor, Lawrence
Dyonis ; Murphy, James F. ; Soldner, Tilman ; Ziegler, Clifford ; Leh-
man, Christian; Bailey. John L. ; Mazelin, Jacob; Stucky. Jacob;
Yoder, Levi; Herman, Bert Floyd; Baker, Ivan William; Hains,
Chester; Liechty, Elmer; Fiske, Forest A.; Reinhart, Henry; Christy,
Russell; Nussbaum, Willie; Durbin, Lawrence John; Schug, Carl;
Mayer, Marcus; Ehlerding, Albert IT. ; Frisinger, J. F., 515 Eng. Pit. ;
Lee, William W. ; Duff, Ross Forrest; Buckmaster, Albert A.; Case.
Marion; Conner, Earl D. ; Meibers, Robert E. ; Nolan, Frank; Johns,
Joe; Kortenbrer, Clem; Bremerkamp, Eugene.
State University's Honor Tablet
An item of interest, which may be called a side issue of the war
even as it relates to Adams County, is the movement set afoot by
the management of Indiana University to erect on the campus, on
Foundation Day, a great bronze tablet bearing the names of all stu-
dents and graduates who shall have been in any way honorably identi-
fied with the war. The tablet will be an immense one, as each in-
dividual inscription is to embrace the name, rank and record of the
soldier up to the time of its erection, with a space left to record
later data. In November. 1917, the Adams County contingent in-
cluded the following : Lieut. Robert Peterson, of Decatur, who would
have been a senior at that time; Lieut. Clem Steigmeyer, a graduate;
Harvey Everett, private (not in the alphabetical list), who would
have been a sophomore, and Harold Wegmeyer, who was then in the
hospital corps in France.
CHAPTER XI
CITY OF DECATUR
Original Town Platted — First House and Store — J. D. Nutmam
Locates — A Growing Decade, 1840-50 — Village or Town Gov-
ernment Organized — General Progress as a Town — Decatur
a City — Fire Department. Organized — Municipal Roster Cover-
ing Thirty Years — Improvement of Streets — Public Utilities
op the '90s — City Park — Construction of the Waterworks —
The Original Plant and System — Electric Department In-
stalled — No. 2 Reservoir Built — Combined Water and Electric
Services — Water Supply and Distribution — Cost and Distribu-
tion of Electric Department — Superintendents of Water-
works and Electric Service — The Public School Buildings —
Superintendent Worthman's History — The Decatur Public
Library — Pioneer Local Newspapers — The Adams County
Democrat — The Lively Eagle — The Decatur Democrat
— Decatur Evening Herald — Banks of Decatur — Industries
— Horse Sales — Holland-St. Louis Sugar Works — The
Churches.— St. Mary 's Catholic Church — Methodism in Adams
County — Decatur's First Methodist. Resident Pastor — First
Methodist Meeting House — Progress of Decatur M. E. Church
— The Presbyterian Church — Decatur Baptist Church — Zion
Reformed Church — First Evangelical Church — Other Re-
ligious Bodies — Secret and Benevolent Socdzties — The Odd
Fellows — The Masons — Knights of Pythias — The Elks' Club
— Knights of Columbus — The Moose Lodge — Old Home Week.
Decatur, the metropolis and the county seat of Adams County, is
situated on the physical slope and in the water system which are trib-
utary to the Lake Erie region. Its early progress was vitally affected
by this fact, as many of its pioneers and builders either came from
the East, by way of Fort Wayne, or from the St. Mary's and Maumee
valleys of Northwestern Ohio. As a rule, they were substantial, in-
telligent citizens, who had enjoyed a good taste of pioneer life, and
were earnest and capable members of the newer communities in which
174
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 175
they settled, fully prepared to make worthy contributions to the gen-
eral advancement. In the very early days, the tide of immigration
threatened to assume fixed channels along the old Piqua Road on the
eastern side of the St. Mary's River toward Fort Wayne, passing to
the east of the Decatur site, but when it became evident that there
was no immediate danger of a transfer of the county seat, travel set
in strongly to the most promising center of settlement, and Decatur
grew apace. In 1850 when the difference of a few miles in the geo-
graphical position of the several towns had much more bearing on the
county seat question than after the railroads wiped out that consid-
eration, there was a spasmodic attempt to snatch the seat of justice
from Decatur and give it to Monroe. But the attempt and the clanger
passed and when the railroads commenced to enter the doors of the
town in the '70s, and did not rest until three lines had been estab-
lished there, the secure position of Decatur was assured. Soon after-
ward the village became a city, and, since that other transformation,
has grown into one of the most prosperous municipalities in North-
eastern Indiana.
Original Town Platted
Decatur was named in honor of the American naval hero and the
original town was platted June 23, 1836, occupying a northern por-
tion of section 3 in Washington Township. Thomas Johnson and
Samuel L. Rugg were the proprietors. Their plat contained 177
lots, each 66 by 132 feet in size. The four east and west streets were
Monroe, Madison, Jefferson and Adams, and those which run north
and south, Front, Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth. In the spring of
1838 the residents of Decatur numbered Messrs. Rugg and James
Crabbs; Jacob Hofer, who had surveyed and platted the town and
built the first residence on the site: George Fittich and Jacob Closs.
Previous to 1839 the structures which had been erected in Decatur
comprised three log cabins and two unfurnished frame buildings.
First House and Store
The first residence in Decatur and the first store are thus described
in "Snow's History of Adams County": "It (the Jacob Hofer
house) was located on in-lot No. 291, at the corner of Front and Jack-
son streets, just east of the Bosse Opera House. It was a log cabin
of the pioneer type.
176 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
J. D. Nutman Locates
' ' The first store building was also a log structure, and was erected
at the corner of Monroe and Front street on in-lot No. 274, where
the Waring mitten factory is situated. The storekeeper was Henry
Rcichard, who came to Decatur from Willshire, Ohio, about 1838,
and began a store when there were but two or three other buildings
in the town. He did not long remain in Decatur, as J. D. Nutman,
then a young unmarried man, came in and chose Decatur as his field
of operations. He bought out Mr. Reichard's interests and began the
store business. His energy and business ability soon brought him a
good trade. In a few years, perhaps in 1845, he built a two-story
frame building at the corner of Second and Monroe streets on in-lot
No. 57, where the Holthouse & Schulte clothing store is situated. He
eventually accumulated a fortune, sold his store interests and engaged
in the banking business. ' '
A Growing Decade, 1840-50
The southern addition to Decatur was platted in 1844, and ex-
tensions of the town site were soon afterward made toward the west
and, eventually, toward the northwest into section 4 and northward
into section 34, Root Township. During the decade from 1840 to
1850 the population slowly increased, until, by the latter year it con-
tained forty-three families and 231 persons.
The decade mentioned was a period of many local improvements.
James Crabbs and Jacob Closs had taverns, which were in full swing
— the former since 1838 and the latter since 1844. Mr. Crabbs had
also opened a store in 1845, in competition with the Nutman concern,
and since 1840 Mr. Rugg had been residing in a sure-enough brick
house, the first of the kind in Decatur. At the close of this decade
of local note Mr. Nutman, whose business had so extended that he
had opened a branch at Pleasant Mills, commenced to furnish banking
accommodations to the residents of the St. Mary's Valley and Northern
Adams County. Mr. Nutman was Decatur's first postmaster. About
1845 he built a two-story frame store at the corner of Monroe and
Second streets, and a few years afterward a little one-story brick
office just south of his store on Second Street. Some called it a bank
and others " Nutman 's Shaving Office," as its owner was known to in-
dulge quite industriously and profitably in the occupation of "shaving
notes. ' '
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 177
Village or Town Government Organized
Under the bright circumstances, it is little wonder that the people
of Decatur commenced to look with sheep's eyes at town or village
organization as an outward sign of local progress. A small frame
schoolhouse stood at the corner of Second and Jackson streets and the
frame house of worship which the Catholics occupied stood at the corner
of Fourth and Madison streets. The Methodists were talking of put-
ting up an even larger frame church to accommodate their increasing
numbers. These two denominations had already availed themselves
of the offer made by the owners of the original town to donate four
lots to the religious bodies winch should first improve them by the
erection of church buildings. Decatur, in 1850 and the early '50s, was
therefore buttressed about by noticeable advantages of material things
and educational and religious accommodations.
Though formally laid out and named (in honor of the well-known
naval hero) in 1836, it was some years later before it was even much
of a village. Previous to 1839 there were but three cabins and two
unfurnished frames here. The residents in the spring of 1838 were
Samuel L. Rugg, James Crabbs, Jacob Hofer, Fittick and Closs. Dur-
ing the decade from 1840 to 1850 the population slowly increased to
about 250.
After considerable agitation, the State Legislature authorized
the voters of Decatur to decide whether or not they desired to become
an incorporated town. The matter was decided in the affirmative, at
an election held on the last day of December, 1853. The town then
had a population of 287 and sixty-four votes were cast in the election.
Jacob King, David Humbert and William G. Spencer were inspectors
of election, which resulted in the choice of the following trustees : Dis-
trict No. 1, James Crabbs ; District No. 2, James Stoops; District No. 3,
Thomas J. Pearce ; District No. 4, Jacob Crabbs ; District No. 5, Parker
L. Wise. William G. Spencer was chosen clerk and also treasurer;
and Hamilton J. Wise was elected marshal and assessor. In May fol-
lowing the first regular election was held, and the officers elected were :
Trustees, J. D. Xutman. Simon Friberger, James Stoops, David Mc-
Donald and Jacob Bodle ; treasurer, A. Bollman ; clerk and assessor,
William G. Spencer; marshal, A. Bollman.
General Progress as a Town
Decatur remained under town government for nearly thirty years,
and that period was the one of its greatest changes. For some twenty-
178
ADAMS AM) WELLS COUNTIES
five years of that era about a dozeu local newspapers had come and
gone, leaving at last only the Democrat and the Journal. The latter
had been alive only a few years in 1882, while the Democrat was the
virtual successor of the old Eagle of 1S57.
The churches had also had a varied experience. The Presbyterians
had early come into the field with a new church building, and both
the German Reformed Society and the Evangelical Association had
organized at a later period. Still later, in the early '80s, the women
had rallied to the standard of the Christian Temperance Union, and
the Masons organized a lodge. The Adams County Bank had been
in business for nearly ten years and the First National was to open
its doors about a year after Decatur was incorporated as a city. Not
long previous to the assumption of that dignity, it had been twice
chastened by fire — in 1878 and 1882 — and those who have ever ex-
tracted good from such happenings hold that they cleared away "quite
a-many" inferior, if not disgraceful wooden buildings, in order that
those of a better grade, mostly brick, might replace them. The fire
of 1878 swept along the east side of Second Street from east of
Court to Madison, and that of September, 1882, along the same side
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 179
of that thoroughfare from Madison to Monroe. It may be that the
better class of buildings which appeared after the conflagration of
1878 had something to do with the general demand for better streets ;
at all events, in 1890 its main streets commenced to be graveled and
paved and, within a few years, the city assumed the work and ma-
cadamized streets appeared.
By 1860 there were 500 inhabitants in Decatur; by 1870, 1.000;
and in 1880 the enumeration footed up 1,905. The construction of the
Cincinnati, Richmond & Fort Wayne Railroad in 1871 fixed Decatur
as the county seat, so that the present substantial courthouse was
built soon after, and raised the place to the dignity of an important
town. The building of the narrow gauge road in 187S, and the Chi-
cago & Atlantic in 1881 and 1882 added' greatly to the prospects of
the growing county seat, which now has an assured future, as a resi-
dence, business and manufacturing town.
The dozen years preceding the incorporation of the city brought
large additions to the original town site. The County Seminary Ad-
dition in North Decatur, south of the Waterworks Park, was laid out
into lots, from 1 to 12. North of the Seminary Addition to the
juncture of Third and Fifth streets is a part of the ten acres donated
by Samuel L. Rugg to secure the location of the county seat at De-
catur. In June, 1875, this ground was platted into town lots by
County Commissioners George W. Luckey, George Frank and Ben-
jamin Runyon.
Decatur a City
Decatur was incorporated as a city on the 5th of September, 18S2,
and the officers elected and appointed to serve during the following
year (1882-83) were as follows: James T. Merry man, mayor; L. J.
Gast, city clerk; Henry H. Bremerkamp, treasurer; Robert Malonee,
marshal ; J. T. Simcoke. city engineer ; J. T. Archbold, street commis-
sioner; E. A. Huffman, attorney. Members of the first city council:
First Ward, D. O. Jackson and George W. Patterson; Second Ward,
J. H. Voglewede and Solomon Linn ; Third Ward, William P. Moon
and Jesse Niblick.
The officers for 1883-84 and 1884-85 were the same, except that B.
H. Dent served as mayor. H. C. Stetler succeeded Solomon Linn as
councilman in the Second Ward and S. Spangler was elected in place
of W. P. Moon, in the Third Ward.
180 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Fire Department Organized
A department for protection against fire was organized in De-
catur before the end of the year 18S5. James Hurst was its first
chief, and the apparatus included a hand-engine, hose-cart with 800
feet of hose, and a hook and ladder truck, each manned by a volun-
teer company. Since that year the department has developed into
one (if the most efficient organizations of the kind in Northern In-
diana, although much of the responsibility for the protection of prop-
erty has devolved upon the waterworks system. The present chief
of the fire department is Henry Dellinger and the apparatus, which
is housed in fine quarters in the city hall building, comprises a hand-
some and powerful auto-fire-engine, a hook and ladder, hose-cart and an
abundant supply of hose. All but two of the twenty members of the
department are volunteers.
Municipal Roster Covering Thirty Years
In 1886-87, thirty-two years ago, the following officers were serv-
ing the city: Mayor, D. D. Heller; clerk, J. C. Patterson; treasurer,
II. II. Bremcrkamp ; marshal, Robert Malonee ; attorney, E. A. Huff-
man ; engineer, J. W. Tyndall. The city council: First Ward, W.
S. Congleton (succeeded by A. L. De Vilbiss, in October. 1886) and
Henry Krick : Second Ward, James II. Stone and H. Stetler; Third
Ward, S. Spangler and Jesse Niblick.
The mayors who served the city during the twenty years from
1887 to 1907 were as follows: B. H. Dent, elected in May, 1887, and
re-elected in May. 1889, but died on December 29, 1S90 ; W. H. Reed,
elected at a special election held on January 23, 1891, served out Mr.
Dent's unexpired term, was re-elected for the full term, 1891-93, but
served until September, 1894, on account of change in law as to the
time of choosing municipal officers; B. W. Quinn, 1894-98; A. P.
Beatty, 1898-1902; D. D. Coffee, elected in 1902, 1904 and 1906— on
January 15th of the last named year for a four-year term.
In 1907 the municipal officers were: Mayor, David D. Coffee;
city marshal, Edward Green; Carl O. France, city clerk; William J.
Archbold, city treasurer; James D. Stults, street commissioner; Wil-
liam H. Fulk, superintendent of the waterworks; H. C. Voght, city
engineer; Lewis C. DeVoss, city attorney; city councilmen, Jacob
Martin, Milieu Burns, Isaac Chronister, Charles N. Christen and
Anson Van Camp.
Mr. Coffee was impeached as mayor in 1907, and was succeeded
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 18]
by C. 0. France. Judson W. Teeple was mayor in 1909-13 and Charles
N. Christen from the latter year until 1917, when Charles W. Yager
was elected.
Thomas Ehinger was appointed city clerk to succeed Carl 0.
France, in 1007, the latter having been elected mayor of the city.
In 1909 Mr. Ehinger was succeeded by H. M. DeVoss, who continued
to serve as city clerk until 1917, when R. G. Christen was elected to
the office.
As to the councilmen-at-large, Jacob Martin has served since 1!MI7.
Levi L. Baumgartner held the postion from 1913 to 1916, when he
resigned to accept the position of city engineer, which he still holds.
J. M. Miller was appointed in Mr. Baumgartner 's place and elected
for the full term in the fall of 1917.
W. -1. Archbold was city treasurer from 1897 to 1913, and Joseph
D. McFarland since the latter year. He was re-elected with almost
the entire democratic ticket in the municipal election of 1917.
The ward councilmen now serving as a result of that election are :
First Ward, H. Fred Linn; Second Ward, John Logan; Third Ward,
L. C. Helm. Councilmen-at-large : Jacob Martin and Dr. J. M. Miller.
L. C. Helm was chief of the tire department in 1907 ; Louis Ham-
mond served from 1909-13, and O. B. Wemhoff was its head until
January, 1918, when H. Dellinger succeeded him.
Edward Green, now sheriff of the county, was city marshal for
many years preceding 1909. He was succeeded by Frank S. Peterson
in the year named. Mr. Peterson served until 1913, when Sephus
Melchi was appointed by the city council. Fred Handler was ap-
pointed January 7, 1918.
The city hall, which is the headquarters of the municipal officers
and the city council, with the tire department, is a large modern
two-story brick building, completed in May, 1912, at a cost (including
the fire apparatus) of about $26,000. The accommodations for both
the fire and police departments are on the ground floor, while the
council chamber and the offices of the city clerk, treasurer, engineer
and superintendent of the waterworks and electric department are
in the second story. It is a handsome structure, a real credit to the
city. Before it was completed the council room was in the library
building, and the central fire station at No. 87 Monroe Street.
Improvement of Streets
The late '80s and the early '90s witnessed rapid improvements of
a public nature in Decatur. In 1S89 the work of macadamizing some
1*2
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
of the streets, which had been agitated ever since the place was in-
corporated as a city, commenced in earnest, under contracts mainly
prosecuted by Rice & Bowers and Robinson & Gillig. Within the
succeeding five years most of the wooden walks on the main streets
were replaced by those of cement, and not a few of the thoroughfares
were improved with brick pavements. Second Street, which for ten
years had been distinguished by its "'cobble stone" pavement, was
clad in a brick suit from Monroe to Jefferson, in 1893. In the fol-
Typical Strekt Improvements
lowing year the improvement was extended to Mercer and Win-
chester streets at the Five Points. According to the figures furnished
by City Engineer L. L. Baumgartner there are now nearly fifteen miles
of improved streets, of which eight miles are of brick and six of
macadam. In 1906 the city council required Second Street north of
Madison to be provided with cement walks at least five feet in width,
and that move was the commencement of the systematic improvement
in that line which has brought so marked a change for the better in
the general appearance of Decatur's most frequented thoroughfares.
ADAMS AXD WELLS COUNTIES 183
There are now about thirty-two miles of sidewalks within the city-
limits.
Public Utilities of the '90s
The very complete and strictly modern municipal plant and sys-
tem through which the citizens of Decatur are furnished water and
electric light and power in abundance were placed in service in -Jan-
uary, 1896. The Edwards Electric Light Plant had been started as a
private enterprise, in 1892, and a number of arc street lights had al-
ready been installed for the city. In the same year natural gas was
first piped in from the Camden field. As private consumers had also
patronized the Edwards Electric Light Company, the public was being
placed in an appreciative attitude toward these utilities and con-
veniences. In 1894 the Citizens Telephone Company had also been
placed in operation and Decatur could talk and cooperate with Berne
and a large extent of adjacent country. Private enterprise and man-
agement had advantageously placed these conveniences and agents of
progress within general reach, and the citizens of Decatur were, on
the whole, satisfied with this arrangement. But, in the matter of
water supply and the better protection of property interests agaiust
fire, the sentiment increased in strength favorable to the establishment
of a municipal plant, fully responsible to the city for its efficiency.
When that point had been decided, it logically followed that the means
of supplying both water and electricity should be combined in one
plant. Under modern mechanical conditions the two are natural
twins.
City Park
The present site of the plant used jointly by the water and light
departments of the municipality was bought by the city from the
board of county commissioners in September, 1892, and is known as
City Park. It is irregular in shape, 337 feet on Maple Street, 537
feet on Park, 437 feet on Fifth and 475 feet on Third, and contains
190,969 square feet, or 4.384 acres. The power house, two reservoirs
and ten wells are all located on this ground. The location is readily
accessible, being about four squares from the business section.
The original plans and specifications were thrown out, first, be-
cause the Toledo Construction Company to which the contract was
awarded did not comply with certain necessary requirements and,
secondly, because the city engineer pronounced them inadequate to
meet the probable future of the city. Thus the fall of 1894 and the
184 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
early spring of 1895 passed, with the waterworks still uncertain. An-
other attempt to commence the work in May, 1895, under a new set
of plans and specifications, was prevented by injunction proceedings
through the courts.
Construction of the "Waterworks
Then the Decatur Waterworks Company was formed, with G.
Christen as president and E. X. Ehinger as secretary. On June 5,
1895, the company named was granted the right to construct, main-
tain and operate a system of waterworks in Decatur, and, with that
authority from the city council contracts were made for the building
of the works with the Howe Pump and Engine Company of Indian-
apolis, Indiana. The plant was erected by the Indianapolis concern
and turned over to the Decatur Waterworks Company on January 7,
1896, for the contract price of $63,500, with certain minor amounts
which were added as extras due to changes in the original plans.
This price did not include real estate or drilling of wells. The city
had previously contracted with a firm of well drillers for the latter
work, so that the total cost of the water department, as originally
installed, was $71,144.51.
The Original Plant and System
The original building consisted of the rooms now occupied by the
water pumps and the air compressor, and the one occupied by electric
engine No. 2. The latter was the boiler room. The two Worthington
pumps were installed in their present location and the air compressor
was placed in the basement, being moved to its present location at
the time the room containing electric engine No. 1 was built in 1897.
Originally, three boilers were installed. These are now used as feed-
water heaters, having been replaced by two of the present set of boilers
in 1909.
The original installation consisted of wells Nos. 1 to 7. inclusive,
and the old, or No. 1 reservoir. The pipe lines in the distribution
system comprised eleven miles and ranged in size from four- to
twelve-inch pipes.
Electric Department Installed
In 1897 the city decided to install an electric department and
engine No. 1 was purchased and the addition to the station building
ADAJIS AND WELLS COUNTIES 185
erected. Owing to the increase in electric current consumption, it
was found necessary, in 1907, to add several units to the electrical
equipment. The present boiler room was then built and equipped
as now, and the new engine No. 2 installed in the old boiler room.
No. 2 Reservoir Built
During 1913 the tire underwriters recommended certain changes
and additions to the water plant and, as a consequence, reservoir No.
2 was built in 1914. Some improvements have also been made in the
distribution systems of both departments, the electrical distribution
growing faster than the water.
Combined Water and Electric Services
The combined plants now serve practically all the industrial estab-
lishments with electric current for power and lighting, and water
for all users, as well as fire protection and street lighting for the
entire city. There are about 860 electric light consumers, 50 electric
power consumers and 700 water consumers. All such services are
metered. According to the latest accessible figures supplied by the
city water and light department, the water system has cost the mu-
nicipality nearly $184,000 and the electric plant $82,000. Allowing
for depreciation of property, it is estimated that the present value of
the waterworks is $134,000 and of the electric plant and system,
$54,000.
The chief items in the cost of the construction of the water de-
partment were as follows: Real estate, $8,820; source of supply
(wells, etc.), $20,147; distribution system (cost of pipes, laying, etc.),
$91,833 ; paving, $42,842.
Water Supply and Distribution
The water supply is drawn from ten deep wells located in the
north part of the plat. Nine of them are eight feet in diameter and
one, ten feet, and they have an average depth of 250 feet. Most of
the wells are pumped by compressed air. There are two storage
reservoirs, the older one being 33 feet in diameter and 21 feet deep,
with brick walls 3 feet thick at the bottom and 22 inches at the top,
and a brick floor 14 inches thick. It is covered by a circular brick
house, well ventilated and lighted. The capacity of the old, or No. 1
reservoir, is 135,000 gallons. The new reservoir, completed in March,
186 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
1914, is of reinforced concrete, 56 feet in diameter and 14 feet in
depth. It is covered with a flat concrete roof 8 inches thick, supported
by 10 columns and thoroughly ventilated. The side walls are 9 inches
thick and the floor, 6 inches thick. It is connected with piping in
such a way that either reservoir may be out of use for cleaning, or
both may be in use at the same time. The capacity of the second
reservoir is 214,000 gallons. The cost of the old reservoir was $5,580 ;
of the new, $3,999.
The water distribution system embraces nearly 13 miles of pipe,
mostly 4-, 6- and 8-inch, divided as follows: 6-inch pipe, 35,268 feet;
4-inch, 13,886 ; 8-inch, 10,245. The cost of laying the pipe was nearly
$70,000.
Cost axd Distribution of Electric Department
The cost items embraced in the electric department since it was
established in 1897 are as follows: Real estate, $3,780; building,
$8,817 ; steam generation equipment, $9,818.53 ; generating equipment,
$23,460 ; auxiliary equipment, $8,577.25 ; distribution system, $26,-
892.95 ; miscellaneous supplies, $500. Total, $81,845.73.
The electric distribution system comprises two arc circuits, a
primary and secondary circuit, all being generally carried on the
same poles. There are only a few poles carrying individual circuits.
There are more than 100 arc lamps and Watt alley lights. In the arc
circuits 70,636 feet of wire are used; in the primary, 126,779, and in
the secondary, 189,780.
Superintendents of Waterworks and Electric Service
The present superintendent of the joint plant, Martin J. Mylott,
has been connected with the service for many years, and has had much
to do with maintaining the departments up to a high grade of ef-
ficiency.
John W. Tyndall was first superintendent of the waterworks,
serving from 1897 to 1904 ; H. B. Knoff, 1904-06 ; W. E. Fulk, 1906-08 ;
C. Vogt, 1908-11, the management of both waterworks and electric
service being combined in one superintendency during September of
the latter year. Martin J. Mylott was superintendent of the electric
light and power system in 1897-1900; A. E. Rose and W. Stephenson,
in 1900-01, and Mr. Mylott during the succeeding decade. Since Sep-
tember, 1911, he has been superintendent of both departments of the
city service.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 187
The Public School Buildings
Decatur has always given much attention to matters relating to its
public schools. As has been stated, the first of its buildings specially
dedicated to the education of its juveniles was a small round log
house located near Jackson Street east of Second. This was displaced
by a little frame schoolhouse at the corner of the streets named, and
when the town was incorporated an even more pretentious building
was erected and opened — a six-room two-story frame, corner of Jef-
ferson and Fourth streets. It cost $3,000, was 40 by 60 feet in di-
mensions, and was in use until 1886, when it was sold to Henry Krick
and moved to Second Street, where it is now used as a warehouse
and store. In 1880, when the building had become uncomfortably
crowded, a one-story frame schoolhouse was erected on the same lot
for the primary pupils.
When the old frame schoolhouse was moved to Second Street, the
city commenced the erection of what was then a large modern Cen-
tral schoolhouse. It was completed July 1, 1886, at a cost of $16,000,
and was then described as: "The present model schoolhouse is two
stories in height, contains eight rooms and is heated by furnace (Smead
& Company, of Toledo). It is all paid for, and there are no bonds
to pay interest on. The course of study now in use was adopted in
1879, when Dr. S. G. Hastings was principal."
When the first Central Building was opened to pupils there was
an enrollment of 521 in the Decatur schools, w r ith an average daily
attendance of 372. The teachers' payroll amounted to $3,216 for the
year and the total expenditures for school purposes fell a little below
$4,000. The High School offered a three years' course, fitting pupils
either for college, or for the "school of life." There was also a one-
year post-graduate (normal) course for the training of those who
planned to teach. Classes had been graduating from the high school
since 1881. Although improvements were made iu the furnishings
and accommodations of the old Central Building during the twenty
years of its occupancy, in 1906 the growing demands of the higher
grades resulted in a large addition being made to the southern portion
of the structure. With that increase in accommodations, no other or
larger schoolhouses were erected until 1917, when the magnificent
high school building now occupied was virtually completed.
Besides the Central Building and the new high school, Decatur has
three two-story four-room buildings to accommodate the pupils of the
west, north and south wards.
188 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Superintendent Worthman's History
Martin F. Worthman, the present superintendent of schools, has
furnished the following information concerning the local educational
system of today.
"The first temple of learning in Decatur was a log school build-
ing erected on in-lot 270 just across the street from where the new
Interurban station now stands, and was built in 1839. Up to this
time Adams county had two other school log buildings. One in Root
township, (Gorsline School), and the other one in Washington Town-
ship, (McHugh School).
The High School, Decatur
' ' The Decatur first log school building was thirty feet long, twenty
feet wide and eight feet high. It had a puncheon floor, stick chimney,
a fire place, five feet wide, puncheon benches without any backs, and
a door on wooden hinges. Greased paper let in the light and kept
out the wind. Straw mixed with mud plugged the cracks. In 1841 a
box stove replaced the large fire place. This building was a com-
munity centre. It was used for school works, for church gatherings,
for town purposes, for singing school and for spelling bees. The first
teacher in this building was Parker Wise. He received $12.00 a
month.
"In 1845, on account of crowded conditions a second school build-
ing was built at the rear of the lot on which the first one stood. The
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 189
second building was a 'chip out of the old block,' its capacity was
doubled, the stick chimney was replaced by brick and stone, ll was
ceiled with green lumber consequently there was no lack of fresh air.
Candles at first furnished light for their airy debates 'and singing
schools.
"In 1854 the School Board erected a frame building, one hundred
feet by one-hundred-two, by fifty, on the lot where the two buildings
now stand. It cost $3,000. This building contained 6 rooms and a
box stove in each room. The mill boards, glass windows, seats with
backs, white washed walls, were features newly added. In 1886 this
building was moved from the Central school lot to lot 45 on Second
Street. This building which at one time was the fountain for out-
pouring of wisdom is now a seed store and a coal exchange. Mr.
Carrol and Son occupies it at present. After this old frame building
was taken away it was replaced by a brick structure. The cost of
erection was $11,990. Mr. Solomon Linn was its contractor. This
building contains the 'Rutten Smead' ventilation system and the 'Rut-
ten Smead' heating equipment. However in 1906 on account of
crowded conditions the school board added a large assembly room for
the high school and two rooms for eighth grade work. This addi-
tion cost $7,790. Mr. W. M. Christen was contractor.
"In 1SS9 David Studabaker sold iu-lots No. 243, 244, 245, to the
Decatur school board for $70(1. Upon these lots the West Ward
building or Riley building as it was named was erected in March,
1917. It was named after James Whiteomb Riley. The erection of
the Riley building cost $6,747.
"On May 27, 1893, John Niblick and William Blackburn, allowed
a contract for a school building in the Third Ward. Robison and
Selly erected the north ward building, as it now stands, at the cost
of $9,495.
"On January 9, 1S96, A. J. Smith and J. E. Kern contracted with
Mr. J. W. Merryman to erect a school building in the First Ward at
a total cost of $8,702.
"In August, 1917, the Decatur School Board composed of R. D.
Myers, J. S. Falk and A. D. Suttles, entered into a contract with
E. S. Peterson, a contractor from Chicago, to build a new high school
building. This new high school building stands at the corner of
Fifth and Adams Street. Its capacity of twenty-eight rooms is fitted
out with the newest and latest equipments. It has indirect lighting
system, ('Split System') for ventilation and heating, inter-communi-
cating telephone system, and vacuum machine for sweeping and shower
rooms. The building is completely a fireproof structure and will cost
190
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the school board $93,000. The building including the gymnasium aud
auditorium was to have cost $128,000 but since there was a lack of
funds the erection of a gymnasium and auditorium addition will take
place later. However at present the board is trying its best to secure
enough money to erect this at once."
The superintendents of the Decatur public schools from the or-
ganization of the high school in 1878 to the present time have been
as follows : S. G. Hastings, 1878-1881 ; C. G. White, 1881-1883 ; G. W.
A. Luckey. 1883-1887? C. A. Dugan, 1887-1891; J. Lewis, 1891-1892;
A. D. Moffett, 1S92-1897 ; W. F. Brittson, 1897-1899 ; H. A. Hartman,
1899-1906; Win. Beehler, 1906-1909: E. E. Rice, 1909-1913; C. E.
Spaulding, 1913-1916 ; and M. F. Worthman, 1916—.
The enrollment of the Decatur High School for each year begin-
ning with 1878 ; also total enrollment of both grades and high school,
together with the number in the teaching force, is as follows :
High
School Tear — School
1878-1879 19
1879-1880 33
1880-1881 26
1881-1882 23
1882-1883 20
1883-1884 24
1884-1885 34
1885-1886 40
1886-1887 39
1887-1888 39
1888-1889 46
1889-1890 44
1890-1891 37
1891-1892 60
1892-1893 43
1893-1894 56
1894-1895 106
1895-1896 108
1896-1897 105
1897-1898 78
1898-1899 81
1899-1900 76
1900-1901 67
In Grades
and High
No. op
School
Teachers
303
6
303
6
308
6
357
8
411
8
456
9
395
8
445
9
534
10
543
10
554
11
585
11
637
12
658
13
749
13
727
17
758
17
826
18
835
18
785
19
766
20
826
21
818
22
In Grades
and High
No. OF
School
Teachers
737
23
817
23
777
2?
718
23
767
23
737
23
741
24
781
24
797
24
781
24
818
25
880
26
974
28
940
29
932
29
930
29
928
29
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
High
School Year — School
1901-1902 66
1902-1903 67
1903-1904 69
1904-1905 69
1905-1906 S4
1906-1907 83
1907-1908 98
1908-1909 Ill
1909-1910 138
1910-1911 155'
1911-1912 170
1912-1913 206
1913-1914 208
1914-1915 215
1915-1916 209
1916-1917 187
1917-1918 178
The Decatur Public Library
Decatur is also fortunate in having one of the most complete and
best-managed libraries in Northeastern Indiana. It is in the busi-
ness center, nearly opposite the court house, and occupies an elevated
and imposing site. The movement which finally culminated in the
established library was launched in 1904 by a few club members and
the Board of Education. George Woodward being at the time presi-
dent of that body. In July of the year named a Public Library Board
was formed comprising Rev. E. A. Allen (president), Sara Y. Ken-
yon (vice president^, C.J. Lutz (secretary) and E. X. Ehinger ( trrns-
urer'i ; with Mesdames Morrison, and Ellingham, and T. C. Corbett,
members. On the 24th of October. 1904. a donation of $10,000 was
secured from Andrew Carnegie, which was increased on June 8, 1905,
to $12,000. A lot on South Third Street was then purchased ; plans
and specifications were accepted from Oscar Hoffman, Mann & Chris-
ten were awarded the building contract, and minor specialties in the
construction and finishing were arranged.
The library building was dedicated and presented to the city on
July 19, 1906, and as it now stands the ornate property is valued at
about $15,000. In June, 1905, Miss Annette L. Moses was elected
192
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
librarian ; in the following August, President Allen moved from the.
city and Mrs. Elizabeth Morrison was chosen head of the Library
Board, serving- as such until September, 1912. In September, 1905,
M. Kirseh was appointed to succeed Mr. Allen as a member of the
Board. In 1905 the School Board also transferred its library to the
Carnegie building, and as the collection numbered about 1,000 books,
with another 200 added by citizens as gifts, that action may be said
to mark the funding of the institution on a substantial basis.
The building is beautiful, convenient and, in every respect, mod-
ern in its architecture and appointments, and, what is more to the
point, with Decatur people, it is purely a home product, architects,
The Decatur Public Library
contractors, builders, furnishers and supporters being all residents
of the city. The library itself is maintained by a tax of seven mills on
the dollar of city property.
In July, 1908, H. B. Heller succeeded C. J. Lutz as secretary of
the Library Board, and Mrs. C. D. Lewton was added as a member.
At the same time Miss Nellie M. Blackburn was placed in charge of the
Sunday work, to succeed Miss Jessie Blossom. In August, 1914, Miss
Nellie M. Blackburn was elected assistant librarian.
The repoi-ts of the work accomplished from year to year show a
steady development in all directions. The circulation has increased
from about 9,000 to 27,000 ; at the present time the actual number
of volumes is 8,000; periodicals, 38; newspapers, 7. In October, 1915,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 193
Washington Township was made an auxiliary, a tax of two mills on
the dollar being assessed for the extension of such privileges; nine
substations were also established, to accommodate the corresponding
number of school districts. The influence of the Decatur Public Li-
brary is therefore active and widespread. Its present official Board
is as follows: President, Mrs. John Niblick; vice president, Mrs.
C. D. Lewton; secretary, H. B. Heller; treasurer, E. X. Ehinger;
menrbers of the Board, Mrs. Mary Eley, M. Kirsch and T. C. Corbett.
Pioneer Local Newspapers
The local press of Decatur has been active for seventy years, hav-
ing experienced its full share of ventures which have fallen by the
wayside ; the living progeny comprises two newspapers, the Democrat
and the Herald. In their columns are crystallized the news of the
county and the country, the sentiments of the local community and
the political views of Democracy and Republicanism.
The first newspaper to appear in Decatur was the Gazette,
which was issued in the summer of 1845 by Joshua Randall as pro-
prietor and James H. Smith as editor. It was a Whig paper, and in
1851 was purchased by John W. Peterson, who, in the following year
sold it to James B. Simcoke.
The Adams County Democrat
Mr. Simcoke discontinued the Gazette and in 1852 established
the Adams County Democrat. The original owners of the Gazette
lived in Monmouth, which, in the year named was considerable
more of a town than Decatur. It was larger and its outlook was con-
sidered by many to be brighter, as it was then on the direct line of
travel between Fort Wayne and Western Ohio. But Mr. Simcoke
was confident that Decatur was the coming place, and acted ac-
cordingly in making the county seat the headquarters of the new
Adams County Democrat. He was an ardent advocate of the
Fort Wayne, Decatur & Piqua Plank Road, which was designed to
slightly change the direction of the current of travel so that Decatur,
on the western shore of the St. Mary's River, should be included in
its course. This was brought about largely through the activity of
Mr. Simcoke and the Democrat, and the Piqua Plank Road stim-
ulated Decatur as nothing had before. The town and surrounding
country settled quite rapidly; so rapidly, that a rival newspaper
entered the field in 1857. As editor Simcoke was also County Clerk
Vol. 1—13
194 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Simcoke, he had political rivals to meet, as well as those of news-
paperdom. The Democratic party was divided into several national
factions, which had their counterpart in Adams County. Mr. Sim-
coke was a Breckenridge Democrat, and played a losing game both in
politics and newspaper warfare. He was wounded when the De-
catur Eagle was founded as an opposition Democratic paper in 1857,
received a terrible thrust when Breckenridge was defeated for the
presidency in 1S60, and in 1863 his political and journalistic status
had reached such a low ebb that the Adams County Democrat sus-
pended altogether. Although he still supported the paper, T. Adles-
purger had become its owner, as well as a candidate for county auditor.
W. G. Spencer had succeeded Mr. Phillips as editor of the Eagle,
and he was also opposing Mr. Adlespurger in the race for the county
auditorship. Mr. Spencer was elected to the office and the final qui-
etus was placed on the career of the Adams County Democrat.
The Lively Eagle
In 1863, A. J. Hill, who had been ably editing the Eagle for sev-
eral years, commenced his honorable service as a soldier of the Civil
War. His record is given in the chapter on "Military and War Mat-
ters." While he was away at the front, from that time until May,
1865, the Eagle office was a lively place. The plant was leased by
Mr. Hill, and in 1864 re-leased to Callen & Hudgel. Dan J. Callen
was a sharp, bold writer, and said things in the Eagle about the
conduct of the war which caused his arrest by Federal authorities
and his trial before a military court at Indianapolis. When Captain
Hill returned to the Eagle, in 1865, its affairs had become more
composed under the editorial and business management of James R.
Bobo and T. Adlespurger. Mr. Hill continued to publish and edit
the paper until November, 1874, when he sold it to Joseph McGonagle,
who discontinued the Eagle and started the Decatur Democrat.
The Decatur Democrat
In May of the preceding year the Decatur Herald had been
started as a rival of the Eagle by Seymour Worden, then county
auditor, and James R. Bobo, county attorney. When Mr. McGonagle
bought the Eagle of Captain Hill and discontinued it, the pub-
lishers of the Herald also ended the existence of that paper; so
that the Decatur Democrat occupied the entire field.
In 1879 the Decatur Democrat passed to the ownership of
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 195
S. Eay Williams, and in 1881-83 it was in the hands of Gapt. A. J.
Hill and Roth & Cummons (of Blnffton). Norval Blackburn was
its editor and proprietor from the fall of 1883 to August, 1896, when
the office and plant were sold to the Democratic Press Company, in
which Lew 6. Ellingham held a controlling interest. Mr. Ellingham,
although still a young man, had had newspaper experience at Win-
chester and Geneva, and in 1894 had moved to Decatur and founded
the Democratic Press. In August, 1896, the stock company which
he formed purchased the Decatur Democrat. In July of the fol-
lowing year he became the owner of all the stock of the Democratic
Press Company, and on January 12, 1903, founded the Daily Demo-
crat. Mr. Ellingham purchased the daily edition of the Decatur
Journal in July, 1906, and consolidated it with the Daily Demo-
crat. The Journal had established the pioneer daily of Decatur
in 1897, while under the editorship of Frank E. Everett, the paper
then having been alive for a period of eighteen years. Both the
daily and weekly editions of the Democrat have since been pub-
lished by the Decatur Democrat Company, of which John H. Heller
is president and Arthur R. Holthouse, secretary. Mr. Heller also
has the editorial management of the paper. Mr. Ellingham had con-
trol of the publishing company until November, 1910, when he was
elected Secretary of State and, assuming that office, turned the edi-
torial pen over to Mr. Heller, who had been associated with him for
many years and who had managed the Daily Democrat since its
foundation. In May, 1916, Mr. Ellingham purchased a half-interest
in the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette and sold his entire interest in
the Decatur Democrat to Mr. Heller.
Decatur Evening Herald
The Evening Herald, of Decatur, is an outgrowth of the De-
catur Journal, the first number of which appeared September 16,
1879, with D. G. M. Trout as editor and George S. Staunton as pub-
lisher. It was the second republican newspaper published in the
county, the Young American, which was established about three
years after the birth of the party and which suspended in 1860, being
the first organ of the republicans in Adams County. Within a dozen
years from the founding of the Journal, in 1879, Mr. Trout had
been succeeded by E. A. Phillips, then the veteran of local editors;
Shaffer Peterson, E. D. Moffett, B. W. Sholty, Kirby & Andrews, and
William E. Ashcraft. Mr. Ashcraft, in 1892, installed the first steam
power press at Decatur. From that year until 1906, when the Jour-
196 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
nal went into the hands of a receiver, the plant and the good will
of the paper were owned by Douglas & Porter, Frank E. Everetts, C.
M. Kenyon, and Harry Daniels. Soon afterward Philip L. Andrews,
who had served a term as postmaster, was a lawyer by profession, and
earlier still a school-teacher, assumed charge of the Journal as
its editor and business manager. In 1911 the Decatur Herald Com-
pany was incorporated to conduct it. Mr. Andrews is identified with
the paper as city editor. The active officers of the company are as
follows: Morton Stults, president; C. A. Butler, vice president;
C. P. Davison, secretary-treasurer, editor and manager.
Banks of Decatur
The industries and business of Decatur maintain the general cur-
rent of their activities through the medium of three financial insti-
tutions — the Old Adams County Bank, the First National Bank and
the People's Loan and Trust Company. An account has already been
given of the indirect origin of the Old Adams County Bank, when, as
early as 1857, Joseph D. Nutman, the old store-keeper, started a pri-
vate concern called by some of the local business men a "shaving
office." Just before the Civil war broke out it was moved to Fort
Wayne, and no further attempt was made to found a similar institu-
tion until nearly a decade afterward. In 1871 Mr. Nutman and
Jesse Niblick became associated in a private banking enterprise, under
the name of Niblick & Nutman. In November of that year, Robert W.
Allison, then a merchant at Buena Vista, and David Studabaker, a
Decatur lawyer, were admitted to the partnership, the style of which
became Niblick, Nutman & Company. In 1872 Mr. Nutman retired
from active membership, the firm name becoming Niblick, Studabaker
& Company.
In August, 1871, the Adams County Bank was organized under a
state charter, with a capital of $50,000, which was increased to $75,-
000 in 1882. Jesse Niblick was the first president of the bank, and it
was under his management, in 1876, that the building it still occupies
on the northwest corner of Second and Monroe streets was erected.
David Studabaker was its first vice president. The first charter of
the bank expired in 1894, and it was renewed under the name of the
"Old Adams County Bank." Jesse Niblick was then succeeded by
his son, William H. Niblick, and the father and founder of the bank
died in October of the following year. The new president did not
long survive his own election, as his death occurred in November,
1896. William H. Niblick was succeeded in the presidency by Robert
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 197
B. Allison, the first cashier. Charles S. Niblick, another son of Jesse,
was elected cashier of the hank in 1896, and in December, 1906, be-
came its president at the resignation of Mr. Allison. Since that time,
or, officially, since January 1. 1907, Edward N. Ehinger has been
cashier of the bank.
In 1914 the institution was rechartered under the name of the
"Old Adams County Bank." It has a capital, at the present time, of
about $10,000; surplus of $10,000, and resources of $1,200,000.
The First National Bank of Decatur was founded in that place in
1883. On the 16th of July, of that year, it was incorporated by these
residents and stockholders of Decatur and Delphos (Ohio) : Dr. T. T.
Dorwin, president; Henry Dicrkes. vice president; Gus. A. Kolbe,
cashier; J. D. Hale. Godfrey Christen, B. W. Sholty. Henry II. Myers,
Daniel Weldy, R. S. Peterson, J. H. Hobrock, Henderich Chrishaner,
L. C. Miller, John Dirkson and J. B. Dolthouse. On the 15th of the
following month the bank was chartered and opened for business,
with a capital of $50,000 and the officers named. In 1895 the capital
was increased to $100,000. Since its organization, the First National
has paid out over $250,000 in dividends to its shareholders. Its sur-
plus and undivided profits amount of $26,000 ; average deposits, $875,-
000; total resources, $1,100,000.
Since the founding of the First National Bank of Decatur its man-
agement has comprised the following officers: Presidents — Dr. Thomas
T. Dorwin, 1883-93 ; P. W. Smith, 1893—
Vice presidents— Henry Dierkes, 1883-87: P. W. Smith, 1887-93;
Daniel Weldy, 1893-95: J. B. Dolthouse, 1895-99; W. A. Kuebler,
1899—
Cashiers— Gus Kalke, 1883-86; Henry Oherwagner, 1886-87: R. S.
Peterson, 1887-94; C. A. Dugan. 1894—
The People's Loan and Trust Company is the youngest of the
city's financial institutions. It was organized in January, 1915, with
the following officers : James Rupel, Bryant, Ind., president ; John
La Follette, Portland, Ind.. vice president; Mathias Kirsch, cashier;
W. A. Lower, secretary. The capital of the company is $50,000: re-
sources, $330,000.
Mr. Rupel died early in 1918. He retired as president of the trust
company in November, 1917, Mathias Hirsch succeeding him as presi-
dent.
Industries
Decatur has never striven to become a manufacturing center, with
all that term implies — smoke, dirt, unsightly blots on the city and un-
198 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
sanitary conditions, which always accompany congestion of popula-
tion, whether in large or small areas. The manufactories which have
arisen naturally and in response to a compelling demand, on the other
hand, have been supported and encouraged. As the city is the center
of a large, productive and thrifty country a number of industries
have been established and have nourished, especially within recent
years. The sugar beet factory, the tile works, the Adams County
creamery, the Hoosier packing plant, the egg case manufactory, the
saddlery works and the glove factory, are all institutions in point.
These and others are logical and practical outgrowths of the
natural productive wealth of this section of Indiana, stimulated im-
mensely by special war conditions. Further, in the encouragement of
legitimate and feasible enterprises the Decatur Retail Merchants' As-
sociation, with a number of similar predecessors, has accomplished
good results within recent years.
Horse Sales
Right in the class named is the large business in the sale of horses,
which, for many years past, has given Adams County a national fame.
The first large sales commenced in Decatur about a decade ago and
the business has expanded so rapidly since the commencement of the
world's war that they are now held regularly semi-monthly. The
horses are purchased by experts in a territory with a radius of about
a hundred miles from Decatur, and by the later part of 1917 the sales
were averaging fully 400 head every two weeks. The great bulk of
the sales was being placed by the U. S. Army, mostly for the cavalry
and artillery service. As an expert in this business, or industry, no
man in Indiana and Ohio is more widely known than Daniel W.
Beery.
Holland-St. Louis Sugar Works
There is one industry in Decatur which is the acknowledged leader
— the manufacture of sugar from beets as demonstrated at the great
plant of the Holland-St. Louis Sugar Company. The capacity of the
plant is 1,000 tons daily, with at least fifty tons of valuable by-
products. The latter consists of the fiber, or pulp, which is left after
the sugar is extracted, and a good grade of potash manufactured from
the sirupy elements which fail to crystallize. The dried fibre is sold to
dairymen and poultry dealers and is said to be an effective stimulant
to milk-production and egg-laying. At the plant proper some 250
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 199
people are employed, night and day. It is no uncommon sight to see
a hundred great open freight cars overflowing with the beets des-
tined for the factory, which have been bought and shipped in by the
buyers of the plant from the farmers of northeastern Indiana who
have thus carried out their contracts with the Holland-St. Louis
Sugar Company. Thus the industry gives employment to hundreds
outside the actual manufacturing plant. The Decatur concern em-
ploys fifteen field men, under a local manager, who contracts with
growers in the spring for specified tracts devoted to the raising of
sugar beets, and, with the gathering of the crops in the fall, actively
Holland-St. Louis Sugar Plant, Decatur
engage in the loading of the raw product and see that it is properly
shipped to the factory. The field men, or agents, have under them
seventy-five or a hundred men at the way stations, who attend to the
manual labor of getting the beets aboard the cars, on their way to
Decatur.
The Decatur manufactory is a branch of the parent enterprise
established at Holland, Michigan, and there is another at St. Louis,
also in that state. Of the three plants the Decatur factory has out-
stripped the others. Their combined output is now 25,000,000 pounds
annually, and they plan to increase that by at least 5,000,000 pounds
in 1918. The Decatur plant commenced operations in October,
1912, its construction' having been under the immediate supervision
of William Kremers, who had been identified for twelve years with the
200 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Holland enterprise, and is still superintendent of the branch at this
place which has since outgrown the parent stem.
The Churches
The nine churches of Decatur cover altogether a period of seventy
years, or the biblical three score years and ten, indicative of the
fact that the religious life of the city is fully matured. Several of
them were established to meet the wishes of German Protestants, who
were especially strong in the earlier years and are still largely repre-
sented in the membership of their descendants going to make up such
churches as the German Reformed and the Evangelical Association.
A large proportion of the St. Mary 's Catholic church is also composed
of German-Americans, many of whom would even refuse to be hyphen-
ated. Decatur as a moral and law-abiding city certainly owes much
to these elements of its population. The membership of the Methodist,
Presbyterian, Baptist and Christian churches is principally drawn
from the descendants of early settlers from the East, Ohio, Michigan,
Illinois and the older counties of Indiana, with later accessories from
the country at large.
St. Mary's Catholic Church
St. Mary's Catholic church obtained the first real foothold in De-
catur and the Methodists organized about a year after first mass was
celebrated by the local members of that faith. In 1836 Jacob L.
Rugg, John Reynolds and Joseph Johnson platted the town of De-
catur and the first named gave the square for the court house ; also lots
for four churches, including the Catholic. In the spring of 1838
Father Mueller celebrated the first mass in Decatur at the house of
George Fettich, a little colony of Catholics having gathered at the
place. Two years afterward, when their number had somewhat in-
creased, Father Hannow came to the charge. In January, 1841, he
solemnized the first Roman Catholic marriage at Decatur between
Timothy Coffee and Margaret Mueller. The first Catholic baptism
in the hamlet was that of Minnie Holthouse. The third local priest
was Rev. Joseph Rudolph, under whom the cemetery in the south-
eastern part of the village was purchased. In 1846 Father E. M.
Faller began the erection of the old frame church, the timbers for
which were hauled to the building site by oxen through the deep
mud. Until it was completed mass was said in 'the Fettich house, the
Closs Tavern and the old court house. Father Faller also added to
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 201
the church property until it comprised half a block of land, upon
which have since been erected the present house of worship, the
priest's house, the Sisters' house and the school building:. The first
priest's house was built in 1852 and, what at the time, was called
the "new" priest's house, in 1885. In 1873 the "new brick church"
was finished and the Catholics of St. Mary's worshipped in it for more
than thirty years, or until it commenced to be spoken of as the "old
church." In 1907 a large two-story addition was made to it. The
original brick schoolhouse was completed in 1881.
After Father Fader's service until 1865 quite a number of priests
came and went. In the fall of the year mentioned Father John Wem-
hoff was placed in charge of St. Mary's parish, and it was under his
pastorate that the move for a brick church was put under way. Father
S. Von Schwedler completed it. and he was followed by Rev. J. Nus-
baum, who gave place to Father H. Theodore Wilken. Father Wilken
served St. Mary's church longer than any other of its resident priests,
his pastorate extending from July 23, 1880, until his death, October
20, 1913. Rev. Julius A. Seimetz, the present incumbent, assumed the
charge in February, 1914. There are 300 families within his jurisdic-
tion. The parochial school has an enrollment of 275 pupils, with
eight teachers.
Methodism in Adams County
Although the special theme of this portion of the Decatur chapter
is the local Methodist organization, there are several outside matters
connected with the subject that should be mentioned. Fortunately,
they have lately been recorded by a veteran of the faith, Rev. W. J.
Myers, who, as historian of Adams County, prepared a paper for the
"North Indiana Conference History." Condensations are here made
from his complete and interesting paper.
Decatur and the county were fortunate in the character of their
first settlers. Like Jacob of old, they "erected an altar wherever they
lodged for the night." Among these pioneer Methodists may be
mentioned William Heath, Charles W. Merryman, Joseph R. Smith.
Jeremiah Andrews, Levi Russell, Thomas Arehbold, Thomas Fisher,
Ezekiel Hooper, John Reynolds and Samuel L. Rugg. Of that list,
as will be seen, are the proprietors of the original town of Decatur. In
1839 a regular Methodist class was organized in the Andrews-Smith-
Merryman neighborhood, afterward called Washington. At South
Salem, Monmouth and Pleasant Mills, classes had already been formed.
In 1844 the Decatur class suffered a great loss in the death of John
Reynolds.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 203
Decatur's First Methodist Resident Pastor
At the first session of the North Indiana Conference, held at Fort
Wayne in that year, the Fort Wayne district was organized with
Decatur as one of its circuits, and Elijah Lilliston was sent as its
first resident pastor. He found loosely organized classes at Decatur,
Washington, Salem, Pleasant Mills and Mt. Tabor (now Boho). ' But
he enrolled the members, organized them, planned to visit each class
every two weeks; and so the work went on under these untiring circuit
preachers, the classes sometimes meeting in the log schoolhouses and
at other times in the homes of the different leaders. Rev. D. B. Clarey
was an especially stirring brother, as he was a fine singer and a good
speaker. Some of his protracted meetings were so swelled in attend-
ance that they overflowed the bounds of the schoolhouse and had to
be held in the court house.
First Methodist Meeting House
In the meantime the Me'thodists at and near Pleasant Mills had so
increased in numbers and confidence that they decided to erect a
house of worship ; and they did complete one, about 1847, a mile east
of that place which they called Hopewell meeting house. It was the
first Methodist church building in Adams County, and is even said to
have antedated the old frame St. Mary's by several months.
Progress op the Decatur Methodist Episcopal Church
The summer of 1851 also witnessed the building of a fair-sized
frame church by the Decatur Methodists at the corner of Front and
Jackson streets, and during the succeeding fall Rev. M. M. Hahn was
sent to the circuit as pastor. More than forty years afterward the
church was made into an opera house. A number of pastors followed
him in quick succession ; notwithstanding, the Decatur church pros-
pered and a parsonage was built. In 1860 it became a station with
Rev. Thomas Comstock as pastor. The Civil war seriously depleted the
church membership and also split the church into factions. Rev. E.
W. Erriek went into the Union army first as captain and then as chap-
plain. After the war, disturbances gradually adjusted themselves. A
number of pastors followed, and in 1881 Rev. J. B. Cams so increased
the membership of the church that a handsome new brick house of
worship was commenced at the corner of Monroe and Fifth. It was
not dedicated until June, 1882, under the pastorate of Rev. M. A.
204 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Lague. In 1890-91 the two-story frame parsonage was built and the
church grounds enlarged, Rev. J. B. Work being pastor at the time.
In 1896 a large addition was made to the church building, which ex-
tended the accommodations both of the auditorium and the class
rooms. In 1899 the North Indiana Conference held its annual ses-
sion in the enlarged and improved audience room of the Decatur
church. The society, with all its auxiliaries, has steadily increased un-
til its membership is more than 800. Rev. Fred F. Thornburg, the
present, pastor, has been serving since April, 1916.
The Presbyterian Church
The Presbyterian church was organized in September. 1840, by
Rev. Isaac A. Ogden, a member of the Presbytery of Miami. The
initial meeting was held in the court house, and the following were
the charter members : Samuel A. Patterson, Julia A. Patterson, Sam-
uel Allen, Harriet Allen, David Allen and wife, William Allen, George
Caskey, Elizabeth Caskey, Mary Watkins, Mrs. Elizabeth A. Patter-
son, Mrs. Rebecca Rice and Adam Showers. Samuel A. Patterson and
David Allen were the first ruling elders. The lot originally given by
the town proprietors to the Presbyterians for the erection of a church
building, located on Fourth Street, was afterward sold and out-lot No.
6 purchased. As early as July, 1844, a meeting was held to commence
the erection of a meeting house. Plans were adopted in the following
year, but nothing decisive was accomplished for nearly ten years. In
1850 the society again decided to erect a church, and in the following
year bought two lots (Nos. 329 and 330) of Samuel L. Rugg for $35!
On one of these the first house of worship was completed in 1854.
The first settled pastor of the church was Rev. John H. Nevius, who
remained thirteen years. During that period, until the building was
completed, services were generally held in the court house. The
church was completed early in 1854 and on February 6th of that year
all the pews (except one reserved for the pastor) were sold at auction.
It is said that the highest price paid for a pew was $26. and the total
amount received was $796.25. The sale was not for one year, but for
as long as the building should stand. This was not as long as expected ;
for the meeting house was burned in November, 1862, and in the fol-
lowing year the edifice was completed at Five Points — the intersection
of Second, Adams, Mercer and Winchester streets — which, for more
than forty years, was noted as the first brick church to be built in
Adams County.
Among the earlier pastors of that period may be mentioned
206 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Revs. Thomas Eleock, Norman Jones, C. A. Kanouse, A. J. Reynolds
and I. T. Holt. During Mr. Jones' pastorate, 1872-77, a parsonage was
built. In 1905 the Presbyterian meeting house was again partially
destroyed by fire; the furniture and the inner walls of the structure
were so badly damaged that a new building was erected on the site of
the old. It is still occupied. It is said that the preacher in charge at
the time of its construction, Rev. E. A. Allen, furnished the one-tenth
part of the cost of the building and its equipment and furnishings.
During the past ten years the pastors serving the Presbyterian church
have been Rev. Alfred Fowler (1906-07); Rev. Richard Spetnagle
(1908-10); Rev. William II. Gleiser (1911-15); Rev. J. C. Hanna,
since February, 1915. The present membership of the church is 250.
Decatur Baptist Church
The Baptists of Decatur organized many years before the Civil
war, but had no house of worship, and during that disturbing period
most of the original members scattered and the society virtually was
lifeless until its revival in the summer of 1884. At that time an
organization was effected by eighteen members and in 1886, while
Rev. D. B. Record was pastor, work was commenced on a brick house
of worship on the east side of Fourth Street near Adams. It was com-
pleted in the following year. The permanent re-establishment of the
Baptist society at Decatur is largely due to the labors and influence of
Mr. Record which covered many years. Within the past decade the
church has been served by Rev. E. E. Bergman, Rev. C. E. Ehle, Rev.
T. L. Jones, Rev. R. N. Ball, Rev. F. G. Rogers and Rev. G. Butler.
The society has a present membership of about seventy-five.
Zion Reformed Church
The religious body above mentioned was organized in November,
1861, and a house of worship was erected during the same year. The
combined church and school occupied near the corner of Jackson and
Third streets is a substantial building. The original structure has
been improved to meet present-day requirements. The membership
of the church has reached more than two hundred, and in the nearly
sixty years which have passed since the society was formed the fol-
lowing have served as its pastors: Revs. Carl Jaekel, William Spies,
G. Beisser, H. W. Vitz, E. W. Kruse, George Grether, L. C. Hessert
and L. W. Stolte.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 207
First Evangelical Church
The Evangelical Association was one of the first religious organi-
zations to conduct services in Adams County. Ministers of that de-
nomination commenced to preach at various points outside of Decatur,
in the late '40s, and organized societies among the Germans of
Preble, Union and St. Mary's townships. When Rev. S. S. Condo
commenced to preach to members of the faith in the old court house,
in 1871, four or five churches had already been formed in those sec-
tions of Northwestern and Northeastern Adams County.
The First Evangelical church of Decatur was organized by
Rev. George Frehafer in 1872 and in the following year a frame meet-
ing house was erected on the east side of Winchester Street. In 1887
the church building was remodeled and greatly improved both in ap-
pearance and comfort, and in March, 1916, a massive and tasteful
edifice w-as completed to meet the growing demands of later years.
It cost $17,000, and has a seating capacity for 500 people.
Among the early pastors of the First Evangelical, following Rev.
George Frehafer, were Rev. John Baughman, Rev. James Wales,
Rev. Joseph Fisher, Rev. I. B. Fisher, Rev. J. M. Dustman, Rev. A. R.
Shafer and Rev. J. E. Stoops. The first parsonage, just south of the
church, w r as built in 1883. The Decatur charge became a mission
about 1890. During the past twenty years the following have served
the First Evangelical church as pastors : Rev. W. H. Mygrant, 1898-
1900; Rev. D. Martz, 1900-01; Rev. S. I. Zeehiel, 1901-04; Rev. E. B.
Haist, 1904-08; Rev. D. O. Wise, 1908-12; Rev. J. II. Rilling, 1912-17;
Rev. W. S. Mills, present pastor. The society now numbers over 200
members.
Other Religious Bodies
The Christian Church of Decatur was organized in March, 1881,
and Rev. Myron Gleason was its first pastor. The house of worship
was purchased of the Methodists on Front Street and its site is now
occupied by the Opera House. The new church at the corner of Fifth
and Monroe streets was built about thirty years ago. Among other
early ministers may be mentioned Revs. Grant Lewis, Harry Sutton,
J. H. O. Smith and Charles Scoville. Rev. W. Paul .Marsh is the
present pastor.
The United Brethren Church of Decatur was organized in 1885
and two years later a house of worship was completed on the corner
of Ninth and Madison streets. It has a present membership of over
208 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
300 and the following have served as pastors: Reverends Wilgus,
1885-86; T. Coats, 1886-88; Jacob Miller, 1888-90; D. A. Boyd, 1890-
92 : Shepherd, 1892-97; Kline, 1897-1901; Pontius, 1901-04; Luke,
1904-06 ; Stangle, 1906-07 ; Kessinger, 1907-08 ; Imler, 1908-12 ; Love,
1912-14; Harmon, 1914-17; C. J. Miner, 1917-18.
The Church of Christ, while under the pastorage of Rev. Monroe
E. Ilinz, erected a brick house of worship in 1902, corner of Eleventh
and Monroe streets. The society is now in charge of Rev. J. Elmer
Cook.
Secret and Benevolent Societies
The Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights of Colum-
bus, Elks and Moose, with their respective auxiliaries, have strong
organizations at Decatur, the I. O. O. F. taking precedence, chron-
ologically, of all the secret and benevolent orders locally represented.
The Odd Fellows
St. Mary's Lodge No. 167, I. O. 0. F., was organized on Septem-
ber 1, 1859, by six charter members — W. G. Spencer, David Studa-
baker, Thomas J. Pierce, Daniel Miller, Timothy J. Matheny and John
McConnehey. First officers: Mr. Pierce, N. G. ; Mr. Miller, V. G. ;
Mr. Spencer, secretary; Mr. McConnehey, treasurer. During the
earlier years, the lodge met in the upper rooms of the Houston build-
ing on Second Street, but in 1875 occupied its new hall at the corner
of Monroe and that street. The Odd Fellows' building was then the
most expensive structure in the business district. The present mem-
bership of the lodge is 132, with the following officers: District
Deputy Grand Master, Homer H. Knodle ; Noble Grand, William Mc-
Cague ; Vice Grand, Reuben Lord ; Recording Secretary, Edwin Macy ;•
Financial Secretary, John Logan ; Treasurer, John McCrory.
Olive Lodge of the Rebekah degree dates from 1872. Its first
members were Mrs. Mary E. Spencer, Mrs. Mary Simcoke, Mrs. Har-
riet Studabaker, Mrs. Catherine Gillette, Mrs. Sophie Reider, Mrs.
Victoria Hill, W. G. Spencer. Dan Miller, F. J. Gillig, David Studa-
baker and G. Reider.
Decatur also has an encampment of Odd Fellows which was organ-
ized under dispensation in October, 1875, with the following mem-
bers : William G. Spencer, W. P. Moon, A. J. Hill, B. II. Dent, Henry
Winnes, Dietrich Reider, Jeremiah Archbold, Jesse Butler, D. O. Jack-
son, D. J. Spencer and F. J. Gillig. That organization was known
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 209
as Decatur Encampment Xo. 136. It was reorganized October 17,
1893, as' the Reiter Encampment Xo. 214, I. 0. 0. P., with the fol-
lowing officers: W. G. Spencer, C. P.; B. H. Dent, J. W.; J. P. Moon,
S. W. ; J. Archbold, II. P.; Henry Whines, treasurer; and A. J. Hill,
scribe.
The Masons
Masonry had its rise at Decatur in the chartering of Lodge Xo.
252, A. F. & A. M., about I860. Its original members were Samuel
Mickle, Augustus Gregory, George II. Martz, Washington Steele,
Thomas T. Dorwin, J. E. Teele and Washington Kern. The lodge
first met in a hall on the east side of Second Street, winch was after-
ward occupied by the Good Templars and the Knights of Pythias. In
1870 the Masons commenced to meet in the hall over Dorwin 's Drug
Store, and the lodge now in the work, which was organized in 1884,
still meets in Dorwin \s block.
Decatur Lodge Xo. 571, F. & A. M., was chartered May 27,
1884, with Jonas Coverdale as W. M. ; John D. Hale, S. W.; and
Benjamin W. Sholty, J. W. It was organized under dispensation
June 9, 1883, with the same officers as under the charter, except that
Robert S. Peterson was senior warden instead of Mr. Hale. Old
Decatur Lodge Xo. 254 surrendered its charter in May, 1882.
The past masters of Decatur Lodge Xo. 571 have been as follows:
Jonas Coverdale, 1883-88: John D. Hale, 1889; James T. Merry-
man, 1890; Lewis C. Miller, 1891-97: John W. Tyndall, 1893-4; Wil-
lard B. Suttles, 1898; David E. Smith, 1899-1901; John H. Len-
hart, 1900; Lewis C. Helm, 1902; George Kinzle, 1903; Phillip L. An-
drews. 1904; Henry B. Heller, 1905; X. G. Lenhart, 1906; D. E.
Smith, 1907-12; Charles Dunn, 1913; D. E. Smith, 1914-17; George
Kinzle, 1918.
The lodge has a present membership of 180, with the following
elective officers : David E. Smith, W. M. ; Levi L. Baumgartner, S. W. ;
Richard D. Myers, J. W.; Calvin E. Peterson, S. D. : Harry Frit-
zinger, J. D. ; E. B. Adams, secretary; George T. Burke, treasure]-;
Barney Kalver. tyler.
Decatur Chapter Xo. 112, R. A. M., was organized under dispen-
sation granted Xovember 20, 1895. It was chartered October 22, 1896.
First officers of the chapter : Lewis C. Miller, II. P. ; John W. Tyn-
dall, K. ; John D. Hale, S. ; David E. Smith, C. II. : Jonas S. Cover-
dale, P. S.; Charles A. Dugan, R. A. C. ; Dan Sprang. G. M. 3rd Y. ;
Benj. W. Sholty, G. M. 2nd V. ; John W. Vail, G. M. 1st V. ; D. French
Quinn, treasurer; Godfrey Christen, secretary.
210 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Past High Priests: Lewis C. Miller, 1896-1904; Philip L. An-
drews, 1904-05; Lewis C. Miller, 1907-08; P. L. Andrews, 1908-10;
Lewis C. Helm, 1910-12 ; David E. Smith, 1913-18.
Present Officers: David E. Smith, H. P.; Lewis C. Helm, K.;
Jonas S. Coverdale, S. ; Levi L. Baumgartner, treasurer ; Roy Arch-
bold, secretary; Henry B. Heller, C. H. ; Phil L. Andrews, P. S. ;
William P. Sehrock, R. A. C. ; Arthur Suttles, G. M. 3rd V. ; Arthur
Ford, G. M. 2nd V. ; Earl Adams, G. M. 1st V. ; Barney Kalver, guard.
The chapter has now about ninety members.
The first chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star at Decatur was
known as "The Family of Constellation," and was organized in 1869.
It was dissolved a number of years before the one now active was
chartered. Mrs. Sarah Blackburn, the oldest living member of Decatur
Chapter No. 127, O. E. S., was identified with the original organiza-
tion.
The present chapter (No. 127) effected a preliminary organization
on July 18, 1892, when Special Deputy Todd, of Bluffton, assisted by
the officers of Crescent Chapter No. 48, of that city, installed the fol-
lowing: Mrs. R. S. Peterson, W. M. ; D. E. Smith, W. P.: Mrs.
Hannah Moore, A. M. ; Mrs. Barbara Winnes, treasurer ; Miss Rose
Christen, secretary ; Mrs. J. D. Hale, cond. ; Mrs. J. B. Ford, assistant
cond. ; Miss Dora Peterson, Warder; Barney Kalver, sentinel; Ethel
Hale, Adah; Mrs. Emanuel Brown, Ruth; Anna Winnes, Esther;
Alice Peterson, Martha ; Mrs. John Peterson, Electa.
The charter of the chapter was granted April 26, 1893, and the
following have been its past worthy matrons: Fannie Peterson,
1893-4; Nellie Ford, 1895-6; Monta Hensley, 1897-8; Mary Tyndall,
1899; Nora Parrish, 1900; Olive Peterson, 1901; Angeline Archbold,
1902; Minnie Reid, 1903-4; Mary Stoneburner, 1905; Nellie Black-
burn, 1906; Lettie Ernst, 1907; Mrs. George Kinzle, 1908-9; Mrs.
Olive Peterson, 1910.
The worthy patrons of the chapter have been D. E. Smith, L. C.
Miller, Dr. J. S. Coverdale, J. D. Hale and G. T. Burk. Mr. Miller
was serving his thirteenth year in that office when he died in 1907.
The principal elective officers now serving (December, 1917) :
Mrs. Olive Hi Peterson, W. M. ; G. T. Burk, W. P. ; Mrs. Ethel Smith,
Asso. M. ; Mrs. Flora Kinzel, treasurer ; Miss Anna Winnes, secretary ;
Miss Nellie Blackburn, conductress; Mrs. Mamie Myers, asso. con-
ductress; Mrs. Martha Burk, warder; Mrs. Laura Crill, sentinel; Mrs.
Nellie Sholty, chaplain. The chapter has a membership of about 130.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 211
Knights op Pythias
Kekionga Lodge No. 65, Knights of Pythias, was instituted in the
Good Templars' Hall on Second Street opposite the court house, on
August 20, 1875, with these charter members: C. T. Dorwin, God-
frey Christen, W. S. Congleton, N. Blackburn. A. R. Bell, M. Burns,
J. P. Quinn, Fred Shaffer, W. W. Van Ness, Frank Railing and D. L.
Phelps. For years the lodge met in the Derks Building next to the
Odd Fellows block, but for some time has occupied its fine club house
and home near the corner of Second and Monroe streets, completed
January 20, 1910, at a cost of over $12,000. It is a beautiful two-
story brick building, with tile roof. The lodge has a membership of
over 200.
The Elks Club
The Elks Club No. 993, of Decatur, was organized in Septem-
ber, 1905, with fifty-eight charter members. Its successive heads have
been H. L. Couter, D. E. Smith, A. P. Beatty, W. A. Lower, David
Studabaker, H. J. Yager, J. J. Helm, Charles N. Christen, Albert L.
Colehin, W. R. Dorwin and Clem Vogelwede. The club, as consti-
tuted in December, 1917, had about 140 members, and was officered
as follows: R. C. Parrish, E. L. K.; Wiley Austin, E. L. K. ; Albert
L. Colehin, secretary; C. S. Niblick, treasurer; W. R. Dorwin, esquire;
P. L. Maeklin, tiler; Shaffer Peterson, chaplain; J. B. Meibers, I. G.;
W. R. Dorwin, E. F. Gass and D. M. Hensley, trustees.
Knights op Columbus
The Knights of Columbus, No. 864, organized in February, 1905,
and have since increased their membership in Decatur to over 270.
The first grand knight of the local organization was E. X. Ehinger,
who served two years; C. N. Christen, one year; H. J. Yager, one;
Dynos Schmidt, one; Martin J. Mylott, two; Joseph Lose, present
grand knight, two years. The other elective officers in service are :
Martin Smith, D. G. K; D. M. Niblick, F. S.; H. M. Gillig. R. S.;
Julius Heideman, chancellor; Peter Miller, warden; C. S. Niblick,
treasurer.
The Moose Lodge
Adams Lodge No. 1311, Loyal Order of Moose, although young, is
strong, having a membership of more than 250. It was organized in
W. J.
During Old Home Week
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 213
May, 1914. Its first officers were II. S. Lachot, M. E. Hower, S. E.
Brown, S. E. Whitman, and G. II. McNamara. E. II. Faust, A. C.
Foos, A. W. Tanvas, Leo Bogner, William G. Kist, R. V. Miller,
Richard Roop, Clyde Berry, G. E. Kinzle, Lawrence Green. Irwin
Elzey and H. M. Gillig are now in office.
Old Home Week
Among the events most talked about in Adams County because of
its wonderful and complete success is the Old Home Week held Octo-
ber 14-19, 1912. From every state in the union came the sons and
daughters of the old county, including many who had won fame and
fortune, for a week of reunion and a visit with the old friends. The
program included a street fair, with parades, display of live stock,
numerous attractions, features of various kind, including balloon
races, speeches by famous men, a visit to the city by Governor Marshall
and his staff and a general good time. The City of Decatur where the
event was held was packed every day, the largest crowd on Friday
being estimated at 25,000. The week closed Saturday night at mid-
night with hundreds marching the street singing, "There's No Place
Like Home." The event, was given by a committee of citizens includ-
ing F. M. Schirmeyer, chairman, and E. X. Ehinger, C. A. Dugan,
J. H. Heller, H. R. Moltz, H. J. Yager, French Quinn, C. N. Christen,
C. C. Schafer, Will P. Schrock, secretary, Morton Stults, and C. S. Nib-
lick. The most important feature of the week was the formal opening
on Wednesday of the first sugar factory in the state, participated in
by city, county and state officials and representatives of the Holland-
St. Louis Company.
CHAPTER XII
TOWN OF BERNE
Leading Mennonite Center in America — Original Swiss-German
Colony — Berne Founded — Descendants op Original Families —
The First Store — Extension of Town Area — Berne of Today —
The Pioneer Schools — The Berne Postoffice — Hotels — -The
Mills — The Doctors and Lawyers — Berne Corporation — Sta-
tus of Local Matters in 1887 — A German Prohibition Town —
Municipal Roster — The Public School System — Fires and the
Fire Department — Municipal Electric Light Plant — As a
Shipping Center — Building Materials — Banks of Berne —
Mennonite Book Concern — The Berne Witness — Religious
Bodies — The Evangelical Chltrch — First Mennonite Church —
The German Reformed Church — The Missionary Church —
John A. Sprunger and His Orphanage — The Local Lodges.
The town of Berne, in the southern part of the county, represents
one of the most moral and thrifty communities in the state. The
basis of its substantial life as an American village was laid more than
half a century ago, when a colony of about seventy Swiss Mennonites
from the region of the Jura Alps arrived in the vicinity of Berne and
took up cheap lands in a tract of lowlands and white oak woods. That
was in the spring of 1852. To the average American farmer the out-
look would not have -seemed bright, but to these hardy immigrants
accustomed to the barren mountain slopes, the tough clay soil of their
newly acquired lands which lay level before them teemed with possi-
bilities. They were not only trained to meet exposures, hardships and
unremitting toil, but were sustained in their labors by the religious
faith that they were working for God as well as themselves. Strength-
ened by such racial stalwartness and deep faith they, and their de-
scendants after them, could not conceive of failure ; and the result has
been, as is widely known, a noteworthy center of material prosperity
and strict religious inspiration.
214
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 215
Leading Mennonite Center in America
Specifically, Berne is the leading center of Mennonite propaganda
in the United States and in the world. It has acquired that position
largely through the activities of the Book Concern, the official publish-
ing house of the church, and the Berne Witness, with printing and
publishing facilities of an extensive and high order.
Original Swiss-German Colony
The original colony of Swiss immigrants, who formed a slowly in-
creasing community near the present site of Berne, were from the
Commune of Moutier, Switzerland, where they had been renters of
small mountain farms. Within the succeeding twenty years, in spite
of many seasons of fever and ague and malarial diseases, their faithful
and hard labor had resulted in transforming an unattractive and un-
productive countryside into an area of neat and richly-yielding farms
and gardens, dotted with clean and comfortable houses and out-build-
ings. Most of the original company were members of the Sprunger
family and its relatives by marriage; nearly all brothers, sisters and
cousins, and brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. As the years passed,
other relatives from the Jura region of Switzerland also joined the
Adams County colony, which therefore retained its distinct stamp of
unfailing thrift and an unflinching stand on matters of religious
observance and discipline.
Berne Founded
In the early part of 1871, when it became certain that the Grand
Rapids & Indiana Railroad would build through the county from north
to south, coming up from the south by way of Geneva and striking
Decatur to the north, the members of the Swiss colony had visions of
a thrifty new town to be centered in a plat adjacent to the railroad
station. The Crawford brothers, Josiah and John, had been residents
of the county since 1839, and were among the first to bring live stock
to this section from Darke County and the older settled districts of
Ohio. Josiah, especially, took much interest in the projected town,
and when it was certain that it would be platted suggested that it be
called Crawford, Crawfordsville and a variety of other names which
should perpetuate his family. He had held the office of county com-
missioner since 1856, was very popular and of sufficient general prom-
inence to give force to his suggestion, but it happened that the State
216 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
of Indiana was overburdened with the names of villages and post-
offices which commenced with "Crawford," and as a repetition was
against the law he was completely blocked in his attempt to thus honor
the family name. But as the great preponderance of the local settlers
were Swiss, Mr. Crawford gracefully receded from his forlorn hope,
and became an earnest champion of the name which the railroad town
finally adopted. Thus Berne it became, in honor of the capital of the
beloved little republic ; and there has been no appeal from that decision.
That name was first inscribed on the original town plat of August 15,
1871, but was not recorded until April 5, 1872. Mr. Crawford died in
the early '90s.
Descendants op Original, Families
The proprietors of the original site of Berne were Abraham Leh-
man and John Hilty, and the first settlers upon it were Mr. Lehman,
who located in the southwestern section, Peter Sprunger in the north-
western, Christian Schneck in the northeastern and Christian Liechty,
in the southeastern. Not a few of the pioneer Swiss families are still
represented in Berne by numerous descendants. There are nearly
sixty Sprungers, including E. H. Sprunger, editor of the Berne Wit-
ness ; thirty-four Lehmans, including J. F. Lehman, president of the
Mennonite Book Concern; sixteen Reussers, and three Hiltys.
The First Store
The first building erected on the village site was a frame storehouse
built by Thomas Harris in August, 1871. Mr. Han-is kept a general
stock of merchandise for a year or so, and then sold to J. J. Hirschy &
Company. The original lot was bought of Abraham Lehman and,
within a period of a dozen or fifteen years, was occupied by the Ellen-
herger Meat Market, the old store building then being used as a shed
in the rear of the brick structure. The Harris store preceded the
platting of the town by several weeks, the original site of which ex-
tended from the railroad west to the present Bank of Berne.
Extension op Town Area
As stated by the Berne Witness: "This plat was rapidly occu-
pied by enterprising business men and additional plats were made in
rapid succession by Messrs. Lehman, Liechty and Hilty and built up
rapidly. In ten years the town had grown westward to the People's
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 217
State Bank, eastward to -John Martz's residence, northward to Water
Street and southward to the Stock Yards, with a population of about
two hundred. The next ten years the town stretched out its wings
northward to the present northern limits one-half mile from .Main
Street, and westward along Main Street to the Mennonite Church, and
the population trebled. The former farms of Peter Sprunger and
Abraham Lehman (now owned by Isaac Lehman) were rapidly cov-
ered with town residences to the present limits." It is said that Berne
has had more additions — sixty, or over — than all the other towns of
the county together.. Its site now covers about a square mile, nearly
all the south half of section 33, and portions of the north half of sec-
tions 4 and 5, in Monroe and Wabash townships.
Berne op Today
Berne is located almost on the ridge of the watershed of the Saint
Lawrence Valley and the Gulf of Mexico, seven and a half miles from
the eastern boundary of Indiana. Its natural surroundings are poor,
but its thrifty citizens have counteracted all disadvantages by their
industry and energy and the neat, well-paved streets, and handsome
brick buildings; its well-financed banks, fully-stocked stores and sub-
stantial churches and public structures, are but striking reflections of
its people. There arc few other communities of its size which can
claim a mile of good brick pavement and a mile and a half of macadam.
The shipments of grain, hay and livestock from Berne are large. It
has several lumber yards, plants for the manufacture of brick and
artificial stone, overall and shirt factories, a milk condensing plant, a
mill, and, in the line of business, about twenty general, drygoods,
hardware, grocery and other stores.
The Pioneer Schools
The log schoolhouse, built by "'Grandpa" John Sprunger during
1856 in the northwestern part of town, is typical of Berne: has been
stamped by many of its old-time residents as "where Berne got its
start." It was the first district school in the neighborhood and not a
few founders of the town were taught their A, B, C's therein by the
late Abraham J. Sprunger. In May, 1859, it was the scene of the
wedding of Miss Elizabeth Sprunger to Ulrich Amstutz.
This really historic building was razed about fifteen years ago and
stood on the farm which, for many years, was the home of Daniel
Welty and is now owned by Carl Lehman. It had been used for a
218 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
carpenter shop and a variety of other purposes. It was occupied for
school purposes only a short time, as District School No. 8 of Monroe
Township and No. 2, of Wabash Township, were soon opened and
filled with children. In 1879 the first public sehoolhouse to accommo-
date the pupils of the growing town was completed and was afterward
remodeled for religious purposes. It came successively under the
ownership of the German Reformed and Missionary churches, and is
now devoted to the "movies." Robert E. Christen was the first
teacher in this pioneer public school, and among others who held forth
The Berne Public School
at an early day therein were Joel Welty, H. S. Michaud, Levi L.
Baumgartner (now city engineer of Decatur) and John C. Lehman.
The Berne Postoffice
Berne did not have a postoffice of its own until after it had become
a railroad station on the Grand Rapids & Indiana line. The postoffices
in the southern part of the county at the time were the Limberlost, at
what is now Geneva, and the Canoper, which was maintained at the
homes of various farmers east and northeast of the present town of
Berne. Some of the postmasters of the Canoper office were Jacob
Ruble, John R. Burdge, Lewis Mattax and A. B. McClurg. When the
passenger trains commenced to run on the Grand Rapids & Indiana,
the mails were carried by the railroad. Limberlost and Canoper post-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 219
offices were dropped, and Geneva and Berne substituted. Philip
Sheets, who was a grain merchant and storekeeper at the latter place,
was appointed the first postmaster at Berne, and among his successors
have been Andrew Gottschalk, William Sheets, Joel Welty, Harvey
Harruff, William Waggoner, H. S. Michaud, J. F. Lehman, John II.
Hilty and Earl K. Shally. The bulk of business transacted by the
Berne postoffice is noticeably large, chiefly on account of the wide-
spread activities of the Mennonite Book Concern and the Berne Wit-
ness.
Berne was made a money-order office July 10, 1883. The first
order was issued to Adolph Huffer, the same day, in favor of L.
Bremes & Company, Fort Wayne. The first order paid was on August
8, 1883, to James Young, issued from Troy, Ohio.
Hotels
The first hotel in Berne was built by Daniel Luginbill in 1873.
About two years afterward Mont Rose erected what was known as the
Cottage Hotel. Some years afterward Mr. Rose obtained control of
the original inn and re-christened it the Cottage Hotel. It was long
quite well known among the hostelries of this section of the state, but
has for some time been occupied as a residence. The Alpine Hotel
now furnishes the local accommodations in that line.
The Mills
Berne has enjoyed a good flouring mill for nearly forty years. Its
first manufactory in this line was erected in 1881 by David S.
Sprunger, Daniel Z. Sprunger and A. S. Lehman. Two years after-
ward it was burned. The fire was supposed to have been of incendiary
origin. The first lumber company had been formed in 1880, and two
elevators for the storage of grain had been built previous to that year ;
that is, in 1872 and 1875, respectively. In the summer of 1884 the
Hoosier Roller Mills Company was formed by A. A. Sprunger, Jeffer-
son Lehman, Levi Moses, D. C. Neuensehwander, Abraham Sprunger
and Samuel Lehman. They built a planing mill, bought one of the
grain elevators and the lumber yard, and conducted a large combined
business. In September, 1888, the Hoosier flouring mill was burned.
Another soon replaced it and that also was destroyed by fire in about
a year. The third flour mill was burned in 1894 and in duly of the
following year the plant was completed on the old site which is now
operated by the Berne Milling Company, of which Wesley 0. Neuen-
schwander is the manager.
220 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The Doctors and Lawyers
Of the different members of the professions, it is natural, and it
was very necessary, that the doctors should come early and remain at
their posts. Fevers and agues seized the people of the Swiss-German
colony and the founders of Berne and hold them in their grip for
years. Quinine was consumed by the ton, even after Homeopathy had
made some progress. For about fifteen years after Berne was laid out,
Drs. John and Daniel Neuenschwander and Peter A. Sprunger had
the monopoly of the medical field at Berne and in the adjacent coun-
try. It seems that John Neuenschwander had served Doctor Stoll, a
well-known homeopathic physician of Ohio, as a hostler, and, becoming
interested in medical matters, when he joined the Mennonite colony in
the late '60s he brought some books on homeopathy to read and study.
Both he and his brother, Daniel, continued their studies together and
gradually commenced to apply their medical knowledge by practicing
among their relatives and neighbors. Their competitor of the regular
school was Dr. Cleophas Baumgartner. In June, 1873, Dr. John Neu-
enschwander moved to Missouri and his brother had the homeopathic
field virtually to himself for about ten years. In the meantime Dr.
Peter A. Sprunger had been inspired by Dr. Daniel Neuenschwander
to study homeopathy, and when the latter moved away Doctor
Sprunger was prepared to take up his duties and was busy night and
day in a broad region, with Berne as its nucleus. He continued a large
practice until his sudden death in 1895. Among other early physicians
may be mentioned Dr. Ernest Franz, who pursued his first studies in
the office of Dr. Peter A. Sprunger, and Dr. Amos Reusser, whose pre-
ceptor, in turn, w r as Doctor Franz.
One of the first lawyers to open an office at Berne was Frank M.
Cottrel, who, after having served as justice of the peace in Jefferson
Township and been admitted to the bar, in 1890, located in that place
and commenced practice. Patrick Bobo, John C. Moran and Emil
Franz have also represented the local bar, both as practicing and pro-
secuting attorneys. Rudolph Lehman, who located at Berne in 1887,
was the first local justice of the peace. Several years afterward he
became identified with the Bank of Berne.
Berne Corporation
The year 1887 marked the commencement of an important era in
the civic and material affairs of Berne. The village was incorporated
as a tow T n on the 30th of March, of that vear, with Daniel \Yelty, J. F.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 221
Lehman and John C. Lehman as its first board of trustees; F. P. Men-
denhall, clerk; David Bixler, treasurer, and J. P. Lachot, marshal.
On the following 2d of May (1887), the following officers were regu-
larly elected: Trustees — Harvey Earruff, First Ward, who served
one year; Samuel Simison, Second Ward, who was its councilman for
ten years, and John C. Lehman. Third Ward councilman, 1887-90.
During the year the Local saloons were taxed and the "calaboose" was
built. The fact that the latter is still sufficient to house law-breakers
may be accounted for by the fact that Berne has been "dry" since
1904.
Status of Local Matters in 1887
In 1887, when Berne was incorporated as a village, the local busi-
ness and professional men were as follows, their names being alpha-
betically arranged: Allison, Morrow & Company, general store;
Eugene Aschleman, saloon; Jacob Atz, saddler; Berne Manufacturing
Company, saw-mill; David Bixler, jeweler-, M. Boiler, tinner; Jacob
Branneman, saloon; W. Broadwell, physician; Brown & Koenig, black-
smiths; Edward Dro, meat market; Joseph Giauque, grocer; J. P.
Habegger & Company, hardware; Harvey Harruff, postmaster;
Abram Hocker, blacksmith ; Fred Ilofer, barber; Hoosier Roller Mill-
ing Company, flour mill, elevator and lumber yard: Hoffman & Gott-
schalk, drugs; Lehman & Muzabaum, meat market; Fred Meister, tin-
ner; Mendenhall, Harruff & Company, drugs; Frank Monosmith, sta-
tion agent ; C. D. Sheets, groceries and drugs; Philip Shug. agricultural
implements; Sprunger, Lehman & Company, general store; Philip
Sprunger, architect and builder ; John Wagner, boots and shoes ; Jacob
Wegmueller, saloon; Welty & Sprunger. Mennonite Publishing House;
Charles Wilson, saloon; Wittever & Yoder, livery and feed stable;
D. S. Wittever, Eagle Hotel.
A German Prohibition Town
It will be seen by a casual review of this rather imposing list that
Berne already had three saloons: but the movement for a sober, moral
town had already commenced, and had borne fruit in the organization
of the German Temperance Society. Even before its formation, and
when no citizen was severely criticized for patronizing the saloons,
there was a considerable element in the community, headed and sus-
tained by such men as Rev. S. F. Sprunger, pastor of the Mennonite
Church and J. Christian Bohrer, father of Fred Rohrer, who were
222 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
solidifying the sentiment against the innocence of the tippling habit.
Strong and persistent co-workers in the field were also J. F. Lehman,
Moses Moser (afterward a resident of Detroit), Joel Welty, John A.
Sprunger, Levi A. Sprunger, F. G. Eichenberger, C. C. Sprunger and
N. G. Fankhanser. These gentlemen, and other good citizens com-
menced to hold meetings, more or less formal, in the Sprunger-Lehman
store, during the winter of 1885-86, and on February 4th of the latter
year the matter came to a head in the temporary organization of a
temperance society, with Mr. Lehman as chairman. As stated by the
Witness in 1906: "The original object of the society was more
that of an anti-saloon society than that of strictly temperance, to
create a sentiment to compel the saloonkeepers to run their business
within the bounds of the law; but as the society took definite shape
and grew in membership, which it did very rapidly, the sentiment of
strict personal temperance of its members approaching total abstinence,
also grew very rapidly, as the only effective means by which to fur-
ther the temperance cause. In the first year the membership of the
society, despite the most violent opposition against the new move-
ment, even among the majority of church members, grew to 79, and
since then it has grown steadily until at present 300 names are on its
roll. (Membership now considerably over 300. — Editor.)
"But the temperance idea in Berne antedates the organization of
the society for j'ears. Despite the popular custom in those days of
patronizing the three or four saloons then existing in the little village,
when no one looked askance on anybody, not even on church members
and ministers of the Gospel, for visiting the public drinking places,
there were a number of earnest devoted souls that abhorred the custom
and shunned the cup that inebriates, and both privately and openly
preached the doctrine of temperance.
"Certainly no person in Berne has done more to create a temper-
ance sentiment and further the temperance cause than Rev. S. F.
Sprunger, retired pastor of the Mennonite Church. For years before
the founding of the society he preached temperance openly from the
pulpit and condemned the patronizing of saloons, and since the organi-
zation of the society he has been its very soul and impetus. Next to
him J. Christian Rohrer, father of Fred Rohrer, who came to this
place a year before the temperance society was organized, was chiefly
instrumental in agitating the personal abstinence idea, which he
brought with him from Berne, Switzerland, where he was a charter
member of the Blue Cross Total Abstinence Society now numbering
tens of thousands in membership. Father Rohrer was the first person
to sign a total abstinence pledge in Switzerland.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 22:5
"The society quietly worked as a leaven in the community and
gradually changed the public sentiment in favor of temperance and
against saloons. Whereas twenty years ago about everybody patron-
ized saloons, it is now actually but little short of a disgrace to visit a
saloon.
"The first aggressive move against the saloons in Berne was made
in October, 1902, when the Ministerial Association of Berne, relying
on the strength of public sentiment created by the temperance society,
and the temperance sentiment prevailing in many churches and over
the township generally, instituted a remonstrance campaign, resulting
in an overwhelming majority for the remonstrators. This remonstrance
was filed by E. M. Ray on November 27th of the same year, and the
result was that two of the old time saloons were closed on Tuesday,
December 2, 1902." After a series of exciting contests both in courts
and without, the saloons were permanently closed in March, 1904.
Municipal Roster
Since the incorporation of the Town of Berne the following have
served as the presidents of its council and as town clerks: Presi-
dents—Jeff Lehman, 1887; Samuel Simison, 1887-1897; Christ
Stengle, 1897-1898; A. J. Hawk, 1898-1901; J. H. Sullivan. 1901-
1902; Abe Baegly, 1902-1904; Sam Schindler, 1904-1905; Philip
Schug, 1905-1906; W. H. Parr, 1906-1910; Philip Schug, 1910-1916;
C. D. Balsiger, 1916-1918;; and Anthony Michaud, 1918.
Town Clerks— F. F. Mendenhall, 1887-1889; J. F. Lachot, 1889-
1894; Amos Hirschy, 1894-1901; Christ Stengle, 1901-1907; Emil
Franz, 1907-1910; Lawrence Yager, 1910-1912; Chauncy Lautzen-
hauser, 1912; F. C. Foreman, 1912-1914; N. G. Fankhauser, 1914-
1915; A. P. Sprunger, 1915-1917, and Elmer W. Baumgartner, 1917.
The Public School System
Of the public departments which collectively constitute the Town
of Berne the common school system is the oldest and, if anything, the
most earnestly supported. In 1888, the year after the town incor-
poration, the first public schoolhouse was constructed, a two-room brick
structure now composing the northwest quarter of the present school
building. Franklin G. Ilaeker was the first principal in that building
and Miss Lila C. Schrock, who afterward moved to Decatur, the first
primary teacher. Mr. Haecker continued for three school years and
Miss Schrock for four. In the summer of 1892 the school building
224 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
was enlarged to its present size, eight rooms. The handsome building,
as it now stands, is valued at about .$25,000.
Since Mr. Haeeker's superintendency, the heads of the local
system of education have been X. C. Hirsehy, John A. Anderson, John
Bryan, P. G. Haeckcr (second term), Benjamin A. Winans, F. D.
Huff and C. E. Beck. It was Mr. Winans who introduced a high
school course of two years, which has since been extended to three.
Mr. Huff served some eight years as superintendent and made a fine
record.
Fires and the Fire Department
A number of rather costly fires swept through different portions of
Berne before its citizens, as a whole, decided that a fire department
was a public necessity. In the spring of 1883 Sprunger Brothers' mill
on the north side of Main Street burned: on September 12, 1888, the
flames made a meal of the Hoosier Roller Mills, the sawmill, the har-
row factory and other structures; Daniel Z. Sprunger 's shop followed
in the spring of 1892 ; the last part of 1894 saw a fire of some propor-
tions on Water Street, and in the fall of 1895, before the recently pur-
chased apparatus had arrived, the stave factory south of the stock-
yards was so completely consumed that it was never rebuilt.
In the summer of 1895 the town hall and engine house, under one
roof, was erected, and an engine and other apparatus purchased. The
engine arrived on September 23d, about a week after the stave factory
fire, and was found, after a trial, to be in prime condition. On the
30th of October the first fire company was organized with twenty-five
members — J. F. Lehman, president ; F. G. Eiehenberger, secretary ;
Louis Gehrig, chief.
Municipal Electric Light Plant
The plant which furnishes the people of Berne with electric light
and power is municipal property, and its citizens take a just pride in
its service. In the early '90s natural gas was introduced as a means of
both heating and lighting, but the supply gave out and for several
years Berne labored under not a few inconveniences thereby. But in
1904 Henry Stuckey obtained a franchise from the town for estab-
lishing and operating an electric light plant. A stock company was
then formed with a capital of $18,500 and the present plant was con-
structed just north of the grist mill. William Baumgartner is gen-
eral manager of the plant.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 225
As a Shipping Center
Berne was known as a livestock center even before the Grand
Rapids & Indiana Railroad provided it with facilities to meet any con-
siderable expansion of its trade in that line. Among the leading pio-
neer shippers of the locality were Lemuel Headington, Harry Evans
and Abe Sprunger. With the coming of the railroad he commenced
to ship from Berne over the Grand Rapids & Indiana line, was soon
joined by Abraham A. Sprunger, Robert Schwartz, Edward Lugin-
bill, Fred Meshberger, Levi Atz, Eli Riesen, William Farlow and
others, while Daniel Sprunger and David Bixler established scales for
the weighing of the stock at the yards. The stock yards were fully
established near the depot by the late '80s.
Building Materials
Berne also became known as a shipping point because of the lumber
trade which centered there at an early period. The town was in the
center of a natural hardwood district, and sawmills were established
in the early '80s by such men as Laban Boegly and John A. Sprunger,
D. C. Neuensehwander, D. Z. Sprunger and others. Hickory and ash
were especially sawed into timber for both home and foreign use. The
Berne Lumber Company was formed in the fall of 1883, which estab-
lished and operated also a planing mill, a flouring mill and a harrow
factory. In 1888 its property in the north part of town was nearly
all burned. The Berne Grain & Hay Company also built a large eleva-
tor and under the original proprietorship of John J. Hirsehy, con-
ducted a large business. It afterward was merged into the Berne
Lumber Company. One of the pioneer lumber firms of the place was
P. W. Smith & Company, which placed a large sawmill in operation in
1890. It was located east of the railroad tracks in the north part of
town. While the hardwood for its raw supplies could be cut in the
vicinity of Berne the enterprise flourished, but with the stripping of
the home timber its business gradually declined.
The manufacture of bricks and cement blocks has meant consider-
able to the industrial progress of the place. In 1882 the first brick
yard was opened by Samuel Simison, Laban Boegly and Harvey Har-
ruff along the west side of the railroad south of town. During the
early part of 1903 the Artificial Stone Company was organized, Abe
Boegly having introduced the manufacture of cement blocks or arti-
ficial stone during the previous year. The overall industry had its
226 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
origin in the little factory established in 1898 by Peter Longaker just
north of the sawmill of the Berne Lumber Company.
Banks of Berne
Berne's business houses and industries are backed by two substan-
tial banks, the oldest of which is more than a quarter of a century old.
On October 18, 1891, the people of the place declared their financial
independence of Decatur by rallying to the support of the Bank of
Berne, organized that day by A. A. Sprunger, president: Joe Rich,
vice president; R. K. Allison, cashier, and C. A. Neuenschwander,
Peter Soldner, David Studabaker and William Niblick. Rudolph Leh-
man, assistant cashier, was elected cashier of the bank in July, 1894,
and held the office for twelve years, or until the fall of 1903. Mr.
Sprunger continued as president until his death in 1906. when he was
succeeded by C. A. Neuenschwander, still in office. Mr. Neuenschwan-
der followed Mr. Rich as vice president in the fall of 1892 and thus
served until he became head of the bank, as stated. Mr. Neuen-
schwander had frequently assisted in the bank as cashier, especially in
the interim between the resignation of Rudolph Lehman in the fall of
1903 and the coming of Jesse Rupp in April, 1905. Mr. Rupp served
as cashier until June, 1913, when the duties of the position were as-
sumed by the present incumbent, J. D. Winteregg. The surplus and
undivided profits of the bank amount to more than $19,000; average
deposits, about $360,000 ; capital stock paid in, $50,000.
In February, 1903, the People's State Bank was organized at Berne
with a capital of $40,000, and the following as its directors : Joseph
Rich, president; Rudolph Schug, cashier: Julius C. Schug, Nelson K.
Kerr, Samuel Egly and Charles E. Dugan (Decatur). The bank
was opened for business April 2, 1903. Its capital stock was increased
to $50,000 in 1906. Since the organization of the People's State Bank
there has been no change in the management with the exception of the
presidency, Julius C. Schug succeeding Mr. Rich in 1914.
The Mennonite Book Concern
The history of the Mennonite Book Concern at Berne covers a
large part of the town record and stands for the typical religious life
of the home community. The Berne Witness, in its tenth anni-
versary souvenir edition, has the following concise account of the rise
and development of the Book Concern from a private enterprise to the
representative publishing house of the Mennonite Church in America :
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 227
"It was on May 9, 1882, that Joel Welty, deceased, opened the first
book store in town in an old one-story frame shack which stood on the
present site of the Bank of Berne and was bought of Jacob Braun, who
had used it as a dwelling. In 1883 Mr. Welty and his brother Daniel
built a new two-story frame structure which stood on the site of Rie-
sen's barber shop and was torn down when the new bank block was
erected. In connection with the book store, Welty Brothers also did
a furniture business for a number of years. Rev. S. P. Sprunger
assisted them especially in' the selection of books, which were always of
wholesome, instructive or religious character, and his name was there-
fore also incorporated in the firm name, Welty & Sprunger, in 1884.
" " In the fall of 1884 the Mennonites of Amei'ica held a general con-
ference here (that is, those that belonged to this organization), and
upon the offer of a three years' loan of $1,000 capital to the conference
on the part of Welty & Sprunger, the conference took up the offer and
the book store, heretofore a private concern, became a church institu-
tion — the publishing house and book store of the General Conference
of Mennonites — the largest Mennonite concern of the kind in the
world, under the name Christian Central Publishing House, Welty &
Sprunger publishing agents, and Joel Welty, manager; who remained
as such until the fall of 1896. The local firm name of Welty & Sprun-
ger continued meanwhile until the fall of 1893.
"In the fall of 1888, after the great mill and factory fire on North
Jefferson Street, in which he had been a heavy loser, J. F. Lehman
went into the employ of the publishing concern, and has remained in
it ever since, now almost eighteen years. Until 1896 he was Mr.
Welty 's assistant in the management, and since then its full-fledged
manager.
"The present name of the firm, 'Mennonite Book Concern,' dates
from 1893 when the General Conference was in session at Blurfton,
Ohio. Early in the '90s the furniture business was disposed of and a
bindery was established instead, superintended by Peter Boegly, now
at Fort Wayne. About New Year, 1895, this bindery was moved to
Fort Wayne by Mr. Welty where it continued under his management
as a branch of the Mennonite Book Concern until the fall of 1896,
when it was sold to Mr. Welty and others as a private undertaking.
In the fall of 1904, the book store was moved to its present comfortable
quarters."
The Mennonite Book Concern publishes a German weekly paper
called "Christlicher Bundes-Bote," established in 1882, and the
Mennonite. founded in 1884. Rev. C. Van der Smissen has' been
general editor of the publishing house as well as special editor of the
228 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Bundes-Bote, since January, 1912. The Kinder Bote should
also be mentioned, and a German Sunday School quarterly. The
Mennonite Book Concern is a publishing and a sales house, but has no
printing facilities. For a number of years the printing of its publica-
tions was done at St. Louis, Dayton and at Elkhart, but since 1900 the
contract for that class of work has been carried out by the Berne Wit-
ness Company. The good results have been mutual and have also
greatly added to the postoffiee business of Berne.
The Berne Witness
The Berne Witness Company, which may be called the official
printing house of the Mennonite Church in the United States, has one
of the most complete establishments of the kind in Indiana. The
Berne Witness, now a tri-weekly, which gave the company its
name was founded by Fred Rohrer in 1896, some time after he grad-
uated from the Tri-State Normal College. The history of the paper
and the company, from first to last, was prepared for the thirtieth
anniversary number of the Berne Witness, from which, with slight
changes in text to conform to the historical plan of this work, the
following account is taken :
On July 31, 1896, Fred Rohrer returned home from attending Tri-
State Normal College, and on August 4th, with the financial aid given
by his brother, John, bought the job printing plant of Joel Welty, then
leased by J. F. Lehman, and moved it into rooms over the Sprunger,
Lehman & Company store. An old Washington hand press was also
bought, and this with a few other articles purchased at Decatur, and
100 pounds of body type, composed a plant costing less than $600 —
the full capitalization of the first newspaper in Berne.
At 4 p. m., on Thursday, September 3, 1896, in the presence of a
large number of bystanders, the first proof of the first newspaper
printed in Berne was taken off the press. For the first year the paper
appeared in the form of a seven-column folio. The next year it was
enlarged to a five-column quarto, and the force of two increased to
three. In April, 1899, it was again enlarged, to a six-column quarto,
and the force increased to four, and soon to five persons. March 1,
1900, a German edition was also added and continued until November
1, 1901, when the two were merged and issued semi-weekly.
In 1900 a deal was made with the Mennonite Book Concern for
the printing of its publications, a weekly, a semi-monthly and a quar-
terly, which were then being printed at Elkhart. To cope with the
great increase of printing matter, the force was increased from five to
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 229
eleven and some of the old machinery gave place to more modern and
efficient equipment. About $3,000 worth of machinery and material
were added to the already fair equipment, and the plant was moved
into the entire west third of Champion Block.
In November, 1900, Mr. Rohrer, who heretofore had owned the
plant alone, formed a partnership with Henry M. Reusser, William
Narr and David C. Welty. The business grew steadily from year to
year, more machinery and hands being added until a force of eighteen
were kept busy almost constantly.
Early in 1906 two more partners were taken into the firm, and it
was thought best to incorporate, which was done in May of that year.
The capital stock was made .$12,000, and the business was managed by
three directors. A book bindery had also been added to the equipment.
At the end of the first decade the gross earnings had grown from
$1,200 the first year to about $12,000 the tenth year. With the record
of the first decade as an incentive, it was up to the management to
continue progressively. The business kept growing from year to year,
more machinery and hands being added annually until the year 190!),
when some of the lady typos were displaced by a new model 5 linotype.
In 1911 the Berne Witness Corporation outgrew its quarters in the
Champion block and the old business property of Sam Kuntz and the
lots on both sides of it were bought. The old fire-trap frame buildings
were removed anil a fire-proof structure was erected. The first floor
is devoted to the office and the press room, as well as a stock room. On
the second floor are the composing room and the bindery department.
After moving into the new quarters, a new model 8 linotype was added
to the model 5, as well as other composing room equipment.
In September, 1911, the capital stock of the company was again
increased to $30,000, and there it has remained to the present. In the
same month the Witness made its appearance in a different form,
as a tri-weekly, and has since continued to appear thus. With the
ample quarters afforded by the new building, more business was solic-
ited, and as a result the company is now printing thirteen different
I ublications from various states. Besides, the job department has been
improved to a higher efficiency so that a great deal of catalog and bul-
letin work is being turned out by this department for various insti-
tutions and societies in this and other states.
On March 1. 1915, in order that he might devote himself exclusively
to the business end of the plant, Fred Rohrer, the founder and editor
up to this time, resigned from the editorship, and C. T. Habegger, a
graduate of Oberlin College, was elected to fill the vacancy until June,
230 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
1916, when E. H. Sprunger was elected to fill the vacancy left by Mr.
Habegger's election as business manager.
Religious Bodies
There are four organizations at Berne actively engaged in religious
work, and they are mentioned in the order of their accepted seniority
—the Evangelical, the Mennonite, the German Reformed and the Mis-
sionary churches.
The Evangelical Church
As stated, the Evangelical Association organized the first congrega-
tion, or society, within the limits of the village. In the fall of 1882
fifteen members of that faith met at the schoolhouse (now the Mission-
ary Church Building) and, under the lead of Rev. George Roederer,
organized a society. Andrew Gottschalk was elected class leader and
Sunday school superintendent. Meetings continued to be held in the
schoolhouse until 1887, when Abe Hocker built his brick blacksmith
shop, with a hall on the second floor which he furnished free to the
Evangelical Church. In 1900, when the $6,000 church was built which
is now occupied by the society, the membership had reached nearly
100; now (December, 1917) it is 250. The following pastors have
served the church since its inception : Revs. George Roederer, J. M.
Dustman, A. K. Schaefer, J. E. Stoops, H. E. Overmeyer, Timothy
Carrol, J. H. Evans, H. Steininger, J. W. Metzner, C. M. Pierce, D. E.
Zechiel, D. B. Koenig, Frank Hartman, C. P. Maas, D. Alfred Kaley,
J. O. Mosier and D. O. Wise.
First Mennonite Church
The handsome and massive house of worship at Berne which is
the home of its First Mennonite Church is in keeping with its strength
and leadership as a religious body. It is the headquarters building of
the national organization of the United States and, in age, is now in
its sixth year. At the time of its dedication April 7, 1912, the "Men-
nonite" published the following history of the local organization,
which, it is needless to say, is authoritative :
"The Mennonite Church of Berne had its origin in the union of
two independent congregations which existed in the wilderness of this
community from the year 1838 the one, and 1852 the other until 1879,
or strictly speaking until 1886, for it was not until then that the two
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
2M
congregations, though having used the same church building alter-
nately for many years, fully united as one congregation. There are
nearly a score of people in the church still living who remember the
building of the first church in 1856. Up to that year the meetings were
held in the log cabins of the various members. The first church stood
in the old little grave yard that is now being abandoned, and was fac-
ing the east. It was torn down in the year 1880 and bought by David
Sprunger for $25.00. With the lumber he built a number of horse
sheds at the new church, which stood for 30 years.
"The oldest of the two original congregations were organized in
1838 by David Baumgartner. He was followed in the ministry by
The Mexxoxite Chcrch at Berxe
Christian Baumgartner, Ulrich Kipfer, Matthias Strahm, and Chris-
tian Augsburger. About the year 1857 or 1858 there was a three-
cornered split in this church which caused some members to leave and
join the Evangelical Association at New Ville, while Kev. Strahm and
a few members went to the New Mennonites, then called 'froelieh-
anern,' and the balance held together with Christian Baumgartner
and Ulrich Kipfer as pastors until Kipfer 's death in 1866.
"In the year before, 1865, one Christian Augsburger, father of
Aaron C. Augsburger in Berne, was also chosen minister, but in 1869
he associated himself with the Old Mennonites. Thus Rev. C. Baum-
gartner was the only pastor of this church until 1871. The congrega-
tion then had a church building in French Township. The other
232 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
branch, organized in 1852, had Peter S. Lehman, father of J. F. Leh-
man, present Sunday school superintendent, as its first pastor, and
then Christian Sprunger, 1856, Peter Habegger, 1865, and Peter
Neuenschwander, 1876.
' ' Of all the preachers named thus far only the last one is still liv-
ing. He seceded from the organization in 1879 or 1880 when the
second church was built, because it was too stylish for him. He still
has a congregation of his own, mostly his own household and relatives
numbering in all between 25 and 30 members, who hold meetings in a
small building on the Schweizer Schwander farm one-half mile west of
Berne.
"All these ministers who served these early congregations were
chosen to their important calling by lot, and this is the way it was
usually done, after a certain Sunday had been designated as the day
on which a new preacher was to be chosen.
"Any member of the congregation had the privilege of nominating
any one as candidate for the lot, and nominations were continued until
closed by a motion to that effect. Then they took a number of books,
sometimes equal to the number of candidates nominated and sometimes
one more, and in one of these books they placed a slip of paper, and
set them in a row on a table or on the pulpit and made all candidates
march by and take one of the books, and the one who happened to get
the book with the slip of paper in it, was regarded as the one whom
God had chosen to be the shepherd of His sheep.
' ' The last time a lot was cast in this way by the congregation here
was in 1868 when it fell on S. F. Sprunger, then a young man with a
vivacious disposition. Rev. Christian Baumgartner, pastor of the
other congregation in French Township, came and ordained him, but
before young Mr. Sprunger took up the preaching of the Word he
went to Wadsworth, Ohio, and attended a Mennonite School for two
years and a half to prepare himself for his life work. In doing this,
however, he sinned in the eyes of the senior pastor, Rev. Christian
Sprunger, and many members of the congregation, which had called
him to the ministry; and consequently, when he returned from
Wadsworth, in 1871, they refused to let him preach, because they did
not believe in an educated ministry. On the other hand, Rev. C.
Baumgartner, of the French Township society, was glad to open the
doors of his church for him and listen to him. Also a certain per cent
of C. Sprunger 's congregation who went to French Township to hear
S. F. Sprunger when he preached there, finally demanded that he be
given the use of the church here on such Sundays when Christian
Sprunger did not preach himself. Nearly all churches in those days
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 233
held meetings only every other Sunday. Thus Rev. S. P. Sprunger
preached here and in French Township alternately for about ten years.
Rev. Christian Baumgartner died in 1878 and a few years after that
the French Township church was abandoned and the building sold.
"In 187!) a new church was built here and used alternately by
Revs. Christian and S. F. Sprunger and their respective followers
until 1886 when the two congregations fully united as one body. In
the same year a large addition was built to the church, and two more
in 1899, so that it easily seats 1200, and many times on special occa-
sions sheltered from 1,500 to 1,600 people.
"On June 11, 1903, after having preached to the same people
nearly every Sunday for thirty-three years, Rev. S. F. Sprunger re-
signed on account of failing health, and on October 18th of the same
year Rev. Christian Sprunger died. He had been unable to preach for
many years prior to his death, and had lost all his faculties. In the
meantime the congregation had secured Rev. J. W. Kliewer, a young
Russian Mennonite and graduate of the Theological Seminary at
Evanston, Illinois, as its pastor and he proved a worthy successor of
Rev. S. F. Sprunger whose place was hard to nil. It was he who
urged the building of the new church as much as anybody else and laid
the corner-stone on July 10, 1910, but was called away from this field
before the church was completed, to accept the presidency of Bethel
College, a Mennonite institution at Newton, Kansas."
A number of important and interesting facts must be added to
complete the history of the First Mennonite Church of Berne. On
Sunday, March 31, 1912, the last Sunday school was held in the old
church, about 1,000 members and teachers being in attend-
ance. Good Friday following marked the last gathering of the church
society in the old home, and the new church was dedicated on Sun-
day, April 7th. The evolutions from the old to the new included the
following steps : Building of the first church in 1856 ; erection of the
second, 1879; second old church enlarged in 1886 and 1899; corner-
stone of the new church laid July 10, 1910, and dedicated on Easter
Sunday, April 7, 1912. The total cost of the church property was
more than $56,000, and of the building alone $52,000. The style of
the edifice is modernized Renaissance. It is built mainly of brick and
its ground dimensions are 158 by 85 feet. For the accommodation of
members who attend from a distance and must ride to the services a
huge barn was constructed on the grounds 132 by 180 feet, inclosed
under one roof.
The present pastor of the church is Rev. P. R. Schroeder, who suc-
ceeded Rev. S. F. Sprunger in June, 1912. Mr. Sprunger is pastor
234 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
emeritus, but has retired from active work iu favor of the younger
man. The membership of the church is now 920. Among the various
activities inaugurated by the congregation under Mr. Schroeder's
ministry may be noted the organization of an Intermediate Christian
Endeavor Society and a nursery for the care of children under four
years, open for the Sunday morning services, both founded in 1913 ;
and the commencement of English evening services in the spring of
1917.
The German Reformed Church
The Reformed Cross congregation of the German Reformed Church
at Berne is about thirty years old, although the denomination had
been represented in the country a few miles from the present site of the
city since 1869. In December of that year Rev. F. Huellhorst, pastor
of the Reformed Church at Vera Cruz, Indiana, organized a congrega-
tion by that name and in the following year the members built a house
of worship three miles southwest of Berne. It was served as a part of
the Vera Cruz charge for almost thirty years, Revs. F. Huellhorst, A.
Bollinger, Peter Vitz, J. Otto Vitz and Herman Heusser being its minis-
ters. In 1888, during the pastorate of the last named, the old school
building was bought for a house of worship to accommodate those
who resided in the village. In the following year the two congrega-
tions felt themselves strong enough to call a resident pastor, and Rev.
A. Baeder located at Berne in that capacity. Since his time, the Re-
formed Cross congregation has been served by Revs. B. Ruf, E. H.
Vornholt, H. H. Kattmann and F. W. Hoernemann. The large brick
church now occupied was completed in 1896, and is the home of 365
communicants.
The Missionary Church
The Missionary Church at Berne, under the pastorate of Rev. S. J.
Grabill, originated in the defection of John A. Sprunger from the
Mennonite Church, in 1900, and the organization of the Light and
Hope Society under his leadership. The movement was under the
general control of the Christian Missionary Alliance and it was then
that its members at Berne assumed the name by which the society is
still known, the Missionary Church. Services were first held in the
old Reformed Church. In the year named (1900) new congregations
were formed both at Berne and about three and one-half miles west
of the city.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 235
John A. Sprungeb and His Orphanage
John A. Sprunger was one of the strongest and, in some ways, the
most remarkable man who ever lived at Berne. Especially during the
decade of 1880-90, his activities and his personality seemed to be every-
where. He was a man of striking energy and enthusiasm, and what-
ever he undertook completely possessed him. During the earlier period
of his residence at Berne he devoted himself, with all his practical
powers, to the material upbuilding of the community with which he
had cast his lot. A native of Berne, Switzerland, and a son of Abra-
ham B. Sprunger, who was also one of the prominent men of the coun-
ty and town, he was brought to Ohio by his parents when an infant
and soon afterward the family home was fixed on section 32, Monroe
Township, just west of the present town plat. There he lived until
he had reached his twenty-first year, farming and attending the
German schools in the neighborhood. His first decided step toward
independence was to "buy his time" of his father by giving his note
for $100, and to engage in saw-milling and running a threshing
machine. In the meantime the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad had
commenced to open up the country and Berne had been platted and
made some steps forward as a town ; so much so, that in 1875 Mr.
Sprunger established himself in the new place as a dealer in hardware
and machinery. In 1876 he engaged in general building and erected
a grain elevator and several residences at Berne. He commenced to
deal in live stock during 1878-79, and in the latter year became a
member of the firm of Sprunger, Lehman & Company, of which he was
the manager — and surely a very active one. In 1883 he built what was
then considered a very fine residence and in the following year erected
the flour mills. In 1884-85 he erected twelve dwelling houses, and the
Champion Block, then the most substantial business structure in Berne
and in which his firm conducted its large business. In 1883 he built
the Eagle Hotel, which added to the general standing of the town.
In short, as intimated, for many years Mr. Sprunger was the dominat-
ing force at Berne in all its business and industrial advancement.
At the height of such activities, the tide was turned into another
channel. Mr. Sprunger had always been a leader in the Mennonite
Church and its Sunday school, and his wife, nee Katie Sprunger,
had also gone hand in hand with him in all religious work. Both
their children had died and their strong natural love of home and
family turned their minds and hearts toward the care of orphans.
Soon Mr. Sprunger 's entire time and strength were dedicated to the
founding of a local orphanage, and in the fall of 1891 he erected a
236 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
large frame building as a home for children thus bereft. Mrs.
Sprunger cooperated with him in every possible way to make the
enterprise a noble success, and at one period of its Home life more
than one hundred orphans found a shelter and parental affection and
protection at the Berne Orphanage. The undertaking met with a
sad set-back in April, 1895, when three children were burned in the
fire which destroyed the building completely. A more substantial
brick structure replaced it, but in 1902 the Home was closed and
Mr. and Mrs. Sprunger moved to Cleveland, where they again em-
barked in the same line of philanthropic work. Mr. Sprunger died
in 1911, and his remains were brought to Berne for burial. His useful
and benevolent works have brought honor and love for his memory.
His honored widow still resides at Berne and is continuing the work
of his later years by caring at her own home for eight orphans who
could not ask for a kinder or more thoughtful mother than she.
The Local Lodges
The churches are so active in Berne that the secret and benevolent
lodges are not as strong as in many other communities. The Knights
of Pythias, Odd Fellows and Masons, however, have had organiza-
tions of more or less prosperity, especially the first named. The Berne
Lodge No. 398, Knights of Pythias, w y as instituted December 5, 1893,
with twenty-three charter members and three admitted by card. The
first officers of the lodge were as follows : Andrew Gottschalk, P. C. ;
J. W. Stoneburner, C. C. ; R. K. Allison, V. C. ; J. A. Anderson, prel-
ate; R. Lehman, M. of E. ; P. T. Longacher, M. of F. ; T. G. Hopkins,
K. of R. & S. ; F. C. Foreman, M. at A. ; J. E. Mahoney, I. G. ; D. L.
Shalley, O. G. The present membership is about eighty, and the
officers in service: P. C, T. A. Gottschalk; C. G, H. A. \Yhiteman;
V. C, C. G. Emick; prelate, Charles Braun; M. of W., T. A. Gott-
schalk; K. of R. & S., C. H. Schenk; M. of F., F. C. Foreman;
M. of E., J. G. Kerr; M. at A., Charles Heare; I. G., Cy. Liechty;
0. G., William Thompson.
Berne Lodge No. 838, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was in-
stituted in January, 1906, and the Masons at Berne effected an organi-
zation at a still later date.
CHAPTER XIII
GENEVA AND MONROE
The Old Town of Alexander — Town of Buffalo Platted — Evo-
lution of Geneva — A Railroad Town — Geneva, the Infant —
Pen-Picture of Gene Stratton-Porter — Education, Early
and Late — As a Center of Methodism — United Brethren
Church — Geneva Incorporated — Early in the Newspaper
Field — The Banks of Geneva — Patriotic Organizations —
Secret and Benevolent Societies — Old Town of Monroe —
The Railroad Revival, — The Bank and Telephone System —
Fine High School — Business Houses and Newspaper — The
Churches — Decatur and Monroe M. E. Circuits — Not a Strong
Lodge Town.
The Town of Geneva, in the southern part of Adams County
seventeen miles south of Decatur, is a neat and growing place on
the Grand Rapids & Indiana line and the center of the Limberlost
region, made memorable by several of Gene Stratton-Porter 's best
stories and, since its swampy lands were drained and cultivated,
brought to a. high standard of agricultural efficiency and prosperity.
The town, which has been known under several "aliases," is now the
shipping and the banking point for a large district permanently
productive of live stock, grain, sugar beets, and other riches of the
soil. It numbers among its industries and business establishments a
mill, an elevator, two banks, and a score of stores, general and special.
The town has a good school, two churches, and, to round out its life,
a newspaper which has been established for more than thirty years.
The Old Town of Alexander
The original town from which Geneva was evolved was called
Alexander, and was located near where the old Godfrey trace crossed
the Fort Recovery, or Huntington Road in section 32, Wabash Town-
ship. There stood the log cabin of one Alexander Hill, a pioneer of
hospitality and prominence, and when Charles Lindley laid out a
237
238 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
town at the cross-roads on August 4, 1838, he gave it the imposing
name which Mr. Hill bore. Alexander, as then laid out, comprised
twenty-eight lots, and was divided north and south by Main, Jackson
and Van Buren streets, and east and west by North and South streets.
On the east side of Main, on the banks of the Lirnberlost Creek, Mr.
Hill erected the first tavern and some of the first settlers went so far
as to say that it even preceded the town itself. The building is said
to have been a two-story hewn-log structure, with a front of rough
boards. Jacob Conkle was also an early resident of enterprise,
burned the first brick kiln in Wabash Township, built the first saw-
mill operated by steam at Alexander in the early '50s, and was the
first postmaster after the office of Lirnberlost was established.
Town of Buffalo Platted
But Judge David Studabaker is generally accorded the honor of
being the father of Geneva ; for on the 28th of July, 1853, he platted
the Town of Buffalo directly to the north in section 29, Wabash
Township. The postoffiee of Lirnberlost accommodated both settle-
ments, Jacob Conkle being first placed in charge of it. During the
period of their partial development and until about five years before
Geneva (half a mile north of Buffalo) became a railroad station on
the newly-completed Grand Rapids & Indiana line, the steam saw-
mill at Alexander conducted a brisk business. In 1866 it was almost
wrecked by an explosion.
Evolution of Geneva
The original Town of Buffalo, platted by Judge Studabaker in 1853,
contained thirty lots, the streets named being Van Buren and Ring-
gold streets running north and south, which were crossed by Kossuth
Street. In August of that year C. A. Wilkinson laid out an addition
of twenty-nine lots, which extended the town to the then proposed
Cincinnati, Union City & Fort Wayne Railroad, the right-of-way of
which had recently been located. Judge Studabaker then extended
his addition still further to the north by purchase ; the Butcher heirs
also platted an addition, and then in 1871 came the Grand Rapids
& Indiana Railroad, and in the northern border of what had become
a continuous settlement fixed a station called Geneva. That name was
the rallying point for a consolidated town.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 239
A Railroad Town
The first regular passenger trains on the railroad commenced to
run on Christmas day of 1871. The surveyors located the station at
the crossing of the railroad by what is now Line Street, and the
company arranged with J. D. Hale to erect a building which should
serve as a depot and a grain house, and over which he was to preside
as station agent. Mr. Hale let the contract to a carpenter, who built
such a structure for $100, 14 by 28 feet in dimensions. This building,
which was completed very early in 1872, was the first structure of any
kind erected on the railroad plat, and served even as a grain house
until the Hale warehouse and elevator were finished in 1877. The
depot part of the building was used for a ticket, express and telegraph
office, with Mr. Hale and his brother, S. W. Hale, as agents and
operators.
Geneva, the Infant
In regard to the early matters connected with the original Geneva,
Snow's History of Adams County states: "As soon as convenient
office room could be secured at Geneva the postoffice was moved to the
new part of the town. Charles D. Porter and Emerson Kern built
store houses south on Main Street in Buffalo, but as the station was
located further north and buildings began going up, they abandoned
their first store-rooms and built on Line Street. Mr. Porter established
the first drugstore in Geneva, but if he had not married Geneva Strat-
ton, a. country girl who was the daughter of Mark and Mary Stratton,
of Wabash, it is probable that the historian would have cut this matter
short. But the fact that the pioneer druggist of the place became the
husband of the naturalist-authoress brings his own life into reflected
prominence.
Charles D. Porter was born in Decatur, April 3, 1850, the eldest
son of Dr. John P. Porter, and soon after leaving school engaged in
the drug trade at Fort Wayne. He moved to his native place not
long after and located at Geneva in 1872. His father, a brave surgeon
connected with the Eighty-ninth Infantry, was killed by guerrillas
during the Civil war and the local post of the Grand Army of the
Republic honored his name by assuming it officially. The son, Charles
D., married Miss Stratton April 21, 1886, so that his claims to dis-
tinction appear to be mainly by blood inheritance and by marriage.
Some years after that event, which occurred twenty-three years after
the birth of the bride on a farm near North Manchester. Mr. Porter
also engaged in the banking business.
240 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Pen-Picture of Gene Stratton-Porter
Several of the present-day residents of Geneva were acquainted
with young Mrs. Gene Stratton-Porter before she had made a literary
name. One of them, Silas W. Hale, an advisory editor, writes: "She
was a very domestic woman and devoted herself to her household
duties, and to the study of botany and birds. She was so engrossed in
her studies that she had no time for society, and seldom appeared at
any of its functions. But she delighted in hitching up her horse to
a small buggy, or wagon — loading in her gum boots, ladders, spade
Gene Stratton-Porter 's Limberlost Cabin
and mattock — and going to the woods and swamps in quest of bird
specimens. She was quite an artist, and would spend days in digging
out, and trying to get the photo of a king fisher on her nest. The
water and mud were never too deep, nor the brush too thick, nor the
trees too tell for her, if she thought there was a specimen anywhere
in the neighborhood that she wanted. She was determined on a liter-
ary career — an ambition in which her husband did not at first share —
but she had the faith and the nerve which it takes to succeed in any
line of work. Her first book, 'The Song of the Cardinal,' was pub-
lished in 1903, and had a very good sale. 'What I Have Done with
Birds' and 'The Birds of the Bible,' were excellent works, but the
books that brought her fortune and made her known over the entire
country were 'Freckles' and the 'Girl of the Limberlost.' As stated,
ADAMS AXD WELLS COUNTIES 241
and illustrated in this history by extracts especially from 'Freckles,'
the foundation for these works was laid in a large extent of country,
very dense, wet and boggy, that was almost inaccessible except in
certain seasons of the year. It was known as the Limbcrlost or Lob
country. The author built what is known as the Limberlost cabin,
in which all of her literary work has been done. She still owns it,
but having built a home similar to the Limberlost cahin on the banks
of a lake at Rome City, Indiana, with a farm in connection with it,
she spends practically all her time there." In Mr. Hale's pen-picture
of Gene Stratton-Porter one clearly recognizes the Bird Woman of
"Freckles" and "The Girl of the Limberlost."
Mr. Kern, the merchant, was the first postmaster at Geneva. The
next buildings erected there after those of Messrs. Porter and Kern
were some small plank business rooms on the south side of Line
Street west of the railroad. Another that was among the first was
George Iholt's store room that occupied the ground where the I. 0.
0. F. building is located. In 1876 Jerry L. Cartwright built a two-
story store room to the east of this, and furnished the amusement-
loving public its first opportunity to see shows by theater troupes
in Geneva. At this time there were a great many strangers in and
about the timber towns, and the dances and masquerades were well
attended. Perhaps the third building in the Town of Geneva was the
Heaston Hotel. It was located just east of the railroad on Line
Street. This was built about the latter part of 1872 and had a good
patronage. The Watson House was the next in the line of taverns
or boarding houses. About this time the Shackley Wheel Company
started a spoke and heading factory in Geneva. Several sawmills
were put in operation and employment was given to a large number
of men in the timber industries.
Education, Early and Late
Continuing, as regards early and late efforts to educate the juve-
niles of Geneva, Mr. Snow writes in 1906 : "Before their incorporation
as a town with Geneva, the residents of Alexander and Buffalo sent
their children to the district school. The schoolhouse was located at
the present corner of Railroad and Bradford streets in North Geneva,
on the corner now occupied by the residence of Dr. L. L. Mattax.
This schoolhouse was a small frame building with five little windows,
two in each side and one at the end opposite the door. The inside
walls were ceiled with rough oak and ash boards when the lumber was
unseasoned, and the openings between the boards furnished plenty
Vol. I 16
242 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
of ventilation in winter and a fine escape for wasps and lizards in
the spring and summer time.
"In 1873 the township trustee built, a frame schoolhouse on West
Shackley Street near Main. In 1877 the attendance could not be
accommodated in a single-room house and the school was divided, a
part attending school in the old log church building. The first brick
schoolhouse was built in 1878. This was also the first brick school-
house with more than one room in the county. The first brick school-
house in Boot Township was a district school building of one room
built in 1873. The Geneva graded school building was a large two-
story, four-room building with seating capacity for about two hundred
pupils. This building was destroyed by fire in 1904 and has been
recently (1906) replaced by a. commodious structure not exceeded
in appearance or convenience by any in the county. The cost of the
building is not far from $20,000. It is located on the north side of
Line Street in West Geneva."' Within the past decade Geneva has
maintained a high grade public school. The building was erected in
1902 at a cost of $20,000. It is now (January, 1918) under the super-
intendency of A. E. Harbin and has an enrollment of 202 pupils, of
whom 86 are in the high school.
As a Center of Methodism
What is now Geneva has long been a strong center of Methodism,
and has been to the southern part of the county what Decatur has
been to the northern. That field of the work has been described by
that pioneer, Rev. W. J. Myers, of Decatur, as follows: "Geneva is
the second largest and strongest society in the county. In 1856 the
New Corydon circuit was organized, and Rev. E. E. Pearman was the
first pastor. There had been Methodist preaching and prayer, and
class meetings held in schoolhouses and. private houses for a number
of years. Nuclei of Methodist societies sprang up at Hartford, Ceylon,
Union Chapel, Buffalo, Oakland and New Corydon, all of which were
brought together by Presiding Elder D. F. Strite, organized into the
New Corydon circuit and a preacher sent to them the following year.
The population of this part of Adams County increased rapidly
during the following years. Methodism did not suffer so much in
the southern part of the county, as the northern, during the Civil
war. The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was completed in 1871,
and the town of Buffalo was rechristened Geneva. Owing to mail
and railroad facilities, the pastor of New Corydon circuit found it
convenient to live at Geneva, and, in a few years, the society there
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 243
outgrew the others. In 1876 the work was called the Geneva circuit
and the first pastor was Rev. R. II. Smith. Geneva was made a
station in 1896, and the other appointments were called Ceylon circuit.
Rev. J. B. Cook was sent in 1898 to Geneva. After twenty years and
more the old frame church building: became too small aud was not in
keeping with the demands of the people. During the three years of
his pastorate. Brother Cook, with his usual energy, raised the money
and built the present, commodious and tasteful brick building. When
Geneva became a station, the membership was less than 100; now
(1915) it is nearly 300." It may be added that the present society
is in charge of Rev. J. F. Lutey.
United Brethren Church
The United Brethren Church of Geneva was organized in 1875,
with about a dozen active members, among whom were Daniel MeCol-
lum, George W. Pyle, Adam Cully and their families. Rev. E. B.
Cunningham is in charge of the present society.
Geneva Incorporated
Geneva was incorporated by act of the Legislature and the charter
election held January 27, 1874, when the following officials were
chosen: Trustees — R. Todd (president), John D. Hale and N. P.
Heaton ; clerk, John Q. Anderson ; treasurer, Charles D. Porter. As
stated, the postoffice was originally named Limberlost, from the
stream thus known and continued so until 1871 when it was given the
name of the railroad station. The first recorded addition to Geneva
was Pyle's, filed on the 29th of March, 1877. Additions filed previ-
ously are shown as parts of the Town of Buffalo.
Early in Newspaper Field
Geneva was early in the newspaper field and entered it with an
enterprising spirit. In April, 1876, largely through the initiative of
William Fought and Jerry Cartwright, C. K. Thompson brought a
printing outfit and a press from Fountain City, Indiana, and set up
his plant on High Street, Geneva ; his was the first steam power press
in Adams County. It was established as a weekly, and its publication
was continued for more than four years. It was suspended in June,
1881, and was published during the last six months of its existence
as the second daily newspaper in the county. The Triumph was then
moved to Shane's Crossing, Ohio.
244 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The Geneva News issued its first number September 20, 1881,
soon after the suspension of the Triumph. In May, 1883, after several
changes in proprietorship, it was sold to II. S. Thomas, a Willshire
editor and publisher, who moved his own plant from that point to
Geneva, discontinued the News and started the Independent. In the
fall of 1885 he sold his establishment to E. B. Detter, who had issued
the first number of the Herald November 8, 1883. The combined
establishment took the name of the Geneva Herald, which it has
retained to this day. Among its proprietors, besides Mr. Detter,
have been Lew G. Ellingham, W. Fred Pyle, 0. G. Rayn, Shephard
& Mattax and Mattax (Harold) & Conner (Earl).
The Banks of Geneva
Although the Bank of Geneva, under its present state organization,
was not established until 1895, its real history antedates that year by
a decade. In 1885 Charles D. Porter opened a sort of a bank in the
rear of his drug store, and four years afterward came out in the
open as a full-fledged banker. In 1892 he started the Geneva Bank,
with himself as president and cashier and M. E. Beall as assistant
cashier. When it was organized as a state bank in 1895, with a
capital of $45,000, the following were elected its officers : A. G. Briggs,
president; C. D. Porter, cashier; W. B. Hale, assistant cashier; J. W.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 245
Watson, vice president. The present officers are: C. D. Porter, presi-
dent ; A. G. Briggs, vice president ; J. A. Miller, cashier. The capital
of the Bank of Geneva is $50,000 ; surplus and undivided profits,
$9,500; average deposits, $300,000; total resources, $375,000.
The Farmers and .Merchants State Bank of Geneva was incorpo-
rated in June, 1910, and opened for business in October of that year,
with a capital of $25,000. Its first offcers were as follows: Martin
Laughlin, president: J. W. McCray, vice president; other members
of the Board of Directors— Isaac Teeple, Samuel H. Teeple, George
Ineichen, George Shoemaker, G. W. Schaefer, Thomas Drew and A.
G. Kraner. The bank was organized largely through the efforts of
S. H. Teeple and E. C. Arnold, the latter being elected cashier. There
have been a few changes in the management, Mr. McCray being now
president, and Isaac Teeple, vice president. Mr. Arnold is still cashier.
The capital of the bank is $35,000; surplus and undivided profits,
$5,000; average deposits, $270,000.
Patriotic Organizations
Its favored position in the southern part of the county made
Geneva a natural center of many activities identified with trade and
banking, Civil war work, religious influence and the secret and
benevolent propaganda of the standard lodges. The soldiers of the
Civil war had been organized at Geneva long before any other bodies
were in the field. The John P. Porter Post, as has been stated in
the War chapter, was mustered in July, 1882, with John M. Hollo-
way as commander, and the Relief Corps was established in January,
189S. The Sons of Veterans had followed their fathers as an organ-
ization in May, 1884, and all of these patriotic societies, based on the
memories of .the Civil war, after having remained in the field with
noticeable activity to the limit of their membership strength, have, in
the natural order of events, been largely displayed by patriotic organ-
izations founded by younger men and women on the great patriotic
issues of today.
As matters of interesting local history, however, sketches of the
John P. Porter Post and the McPherson Camp, Sons of Veterans,
both organized over thirty years ago and for many years very active
in the community, should here be given before they are further, and
perhaps permanently obscured by the vital issues of the present.
Unfortunately, the books of the Post were burned in 1895, but through
the courtesy of William H. Fought, a Civil war veteran of Geneva,
246 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
and J. R. Fesler, assistant adjutant general of Indiana, the facts
sought in the destroyed records were supplied.
John P. Porter Post No. 83, G. A. R., was mustered July 24, 1882,
by Col. R. S. Robertson, with the following charter members: J.
M. Holloway, commander; William H. Fought, senior vice com-
mander; Lafayette Rape, junior vice commander; John C. Hale,
adjutant; S. G. Ralston, surgeon; W. R. Meeks, chaplain; G. W. H.
Riley, officer of the day; William Drew, officer of the guard; A. J.
Judy, quartermaster; J. P. Scheer, quartermaster sergeant; John D.
Hale, sergeant-major. Since the mustering of the Post the following
have served as its commanders: John M. Holloway, 1883; William
H. Fought, 1884; John M. Holloway, 1885; Michael O'Harra, 1886;
J. P. Scheer, 1887 ; S. W. Hale, 188S ; John J. Watson, 1889 ; J. A.
Hendricks, 1890-91; Lafayette Rape, 1892-93; J. P. Scheer, 1894;
J. A. Hendricks, 1895 ; John M. Holloway, 1896-98 ; A. Burris, 1899 ;
John M. Holloway, 1900; J. L. Juday, 1901-02; I. N. Veley, 1903-04;
John J. Juday, 1905 ; Socrates Cook, 1906-07 ; J. G. Breuner, 1908 ;
J. L. Juday, 1909-10; William Drew, 1911; S. Cook, 1912-13; J. L.
Juday, 1914-18. Five years after the organization of the Post, it
had a membership of 124 — 90 in good standing ; a decade afterward, it
numbered 165 ; but at present there are only thirty-five, with a pros-
pect that it will before long be disbanded.
McPherson Camp No. 11, Sous of Veterans, was organized May 6,
1884, with the following sixteen members: Charles Rhone (captain),
Joseph Wagner, Gus. Wagner, Joe W. Hendricks, C. E. Lyons, Allen
Sholtz, W. E. Buckingham, Dan P. Bolds, I. N. Havelin. Thomas
Drew, William Harris, W. A. Lyon, J. A. Lyon, A. L. Coolman, John
Iliff and Atris Buckingham. Succeeding Mr. Rhone as captain were
Charles D. Porter, 1885; J. A. Hendricks, 1886-88; A. L. Coolman,
1889; E. E. Fredline, 1890; F. H. Hale. 1891; D. F. Connor, .1892-
93 ; H. V. Juday, 1894 ; R. R. Bradford, 1895 ; Thomas Drew, 1896 ;
Lon. Burdg, 1897; D. F. Connor, 1898; W. C. Glendening, 1899;
W. C. Campbell, 1900; C. W. Miith, 1901; L. E. Rape, 1902; W. C.
Glendening, 1903: I. M. Dickerson, 1904; R. L. Towns, 1905; M.
Keller, 1906 ; John Leichty, 1907 ; D. F. Connor, 1908 ; W. M. Potter.
1909;* C. D. Porter, 1910; J. A. Coolman, 1911-13; Henry Muth,
1914; W. C. Glendening, 1915: Alfred Burk, 1916; Henry Muth,
1917. The Sons of Veterans and the Woman's Relief Corps, as well
as the Post, have decreased steadily in membership, and the active
patriotic organizations are now connected with the Red Cross, the
war work of the Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A., and the activities
centering in government conservation of food and fuel.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 217
Secret and Benevolent Societies.
After the Post and the Sons of Veterans, the Odd Fellows were
the first to organize at Geneva, forming Lodge No. 634, April 7. 1887.
The first officers were : C. H. Bell, N. G. ; W. H. H. Briggs, V. G. ;
Frank H. Hale, secretary ; A. G. Briggs, Per. See. ; F. M. Kynearson,
treasurer; H. M. Aspy, warden; Samuel Biteman, Cond. ; Ervin
Thompson, I. G. ; W. II. II. Briggs, host; M. Gottschalk, R. S. N. G. ;
W. S. Sutton, L. S. N. G.; M. O'Harra, R. S. V. G. ; Martin Herr,
R. S. S. ; Hiram Kraner, L. S. S. ; B. F. Aspy, chaplain. The succes-
sive noble grands have been C. H. Bell, W. H. H. Briggs, Frank H.
Hale, Hiram Kraner, S. F. Biteman, E. Barnes, M. J. O'Harra,
L. G. Ellingham, W. F. Pylc, I. N. Veley, E. P. Menefee, A. J. Byrd,
N. Shepherd, Jacob Butcher, A. T. Lyon, L. D. Mason, M. Schindler,
F. F. Gregg, B. R. Waite, T. K. Williams, E. S. Callihan. F. M.
Rynearson, Alonzo Burdge, Henry Stahl, M. Rynearson, D. C. Baker,
F. N. Hale, E. M. Atkinson, D. B. Linton, Emmett Le Favour. J. M.
Pease, Jacob Stahl, M. T. Atwood, F. M. Connor, I. N. Ford, Jesse
Thorp. John Kraner. John W. Burris, C. 0. Rayn. F. K. Haughton,
A. J. Sanders, John Dilts, Harry Moore, A. Harlow, W. J. Nelson,
F. S. Armentrout, S. W. Hale, Jesse Mann. J. A. Coolman, D. F. Odle,
Roscoe Glendening, I. C. Lybarger, George 0. Staley, W. W. Le
Favour, A. Haughton, W. H. Bradford and E. H. Shepherd. Be-
sides Mr. Shepherd, the following are now serving the lodge: C.
Lybarger, V. G. ; W. B. Hardison, secretary: J. L. Love. P. Secy.;
George 0. Staley, treasurer and warden ; F. F. Gregg, Cond. ; W. H.
Bradford, I. G. ; P. E. Glendening, 0. S. ; A. Haughton, R. S. N. G. ;
Fred Burris, L. S. N. G. ; Henry Stahl, L. S. V. G. ; John Miller,
R. S. S. ; Ira Lybarger. L. S. S. ; D. F. Odle. chaplain. The present
membership is nearly 130.
After the Odd Fellows, the next order to institute a lodge, at Ge-
neva were the Knights of the Maccabees of the World, who, in April,
1895, formed Geneva Tent, No. 106.
Geneva Lodge No. 621, A. F. & A. M., was organized July 29,
1898 (A. L. 5898), with the following charter members: Silas W.
Hale, Frederick McWhinney. James B. Brown, Charles Reicheldaffer,
Charles D. Porter, John E. Lung, J. H. Hardison, W. B. Hale, W. C.
Campbell, Adolph Liebert, John P. Scheer and Rinaldo Sumption.
The worthy masters of the lodge have been : William B. Hale, William
C. Campbell, James B. Broas, William C. Campbell. Frederick J.
McWhinney, William B. Hale, John A. Anderson, William C. Camp-
bell, Jesse Throp, Frederick J. McWhinney, Orous E. Johnson, Ezra
248 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
E. Rupel, Wallace B. Hardison, Alva Rupel, Everett C. Arnold and
John A. Miller. The first officers of the lodge; William B. Hale,
W. M.; William C. Campbell, S. W.; Frank L. Rinehart, J. W. ;
Silas W. Hale, Treas. ; John E. Lung, Secy.; James B. Broas, S. D.;
Fred E. Lindsey, J. D. ; Rinaldo Sumption, S. S. ; James H. Hardi-
son, J. S. ; Adolph Liebert, Tyler. Present officers : John A. Miller,
W. M. ; Josephus Martin, S. W. ; Earl II. Shepherd, J. W. ; Gottlieb
W. Schaefer, Secy. ; Wallace B. Hardison, S. D. ; Frank J. Ineichen,
J. D. ; Alva Rupel, S. S. ; William E. Shepherd, J. S.; Albert Pontius,
Tyler. The lodge has a membership of about 115.
There is also a chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star (No.
263), which was organized in 1900 and chartered in April of the fol-
lowing year.
The Geneva Lodge No. 514, Knights of Pythias, was instituted in
April, 1904, with forty-eight members. It has a present membeship
of 120, Frank Ineichen being chancellor commander.
Old Town of Monroe
Fleeting glimpses have been obtained of the settlement and Town
of .Monroe, located in the township by that name in the geographical
center of Adams County, and, therefore, long ambitious to become
its seat of justice and the gathering place of its lawyers, judges and
politicians. With this special idea in view, on the 11th of December,
1847, John Everhart recorded it as a plat embracing eighty lots in
the extreme northeast corner of section 4, Monroe Township. Its
four original streets were Washington, Jackson, Van Buren and
Polk. In the contest for the county seat, which was a feature of the
general election of 1850 — at least, for Adams County — Monroe was
considered the leader of the southern voters, but, although the candi-
dates for county offices who hailed from that section were elected,
it is believed that the strong influence of the "solid" merchants of
Decatur decided the issue. That was Monroe's most valiant attempt
to secure the prize, and it was the last serious effort to wrest it from
Decatur. Soon afterward a part of the recorded plat was vacated
by order of the County Board, and for twenty years Monroe barely
existed.
The Railway Revival
When the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad was completed to
the site of Monroe, in 1871, less than half a dozen buildings appeared
there. It was in that vear that the first frame house was built in
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
L'4!
the village by Dr. Charles P. Rainier, who afterward practiced in
Monroe and vicinity for more than twenty years. For many years
before the railroad revived the settlement, the leading citizen of Mon-
roe was William Stockham. He was also reputed to have been its
first permanent resident. About 1853 he built a two-room log but
on the south side of Jackson Street near the location of what was
afterwards Hocker's drugstore. Mr. Stockham was an ex-soldier of
the War of 1812, was also an associate judge, and opened a store in
his log house at Monroe, at which he sold everything from whiskey
and tobacco to ax handles and ox yokes, and received in exchange
Twelve-! 'ok:
South of Monroe
articles ranging from coon skins to maple sugar. He was really "con-
siderable of a man."
For several .years after the coming of the railroad, Monroe prom-
ised to be quite a shipping point for timber, lumber and wooden manu-
factures. In fact, much was shipped for nearly ten years, including
railroad ties, heading and staves. In 1873 Gillig & Hower com-
pleted the first sawmill at Monroe, and still later C. W. Hocker es-
tablished a hoop factory and a burr for chopping grain. Gradually,
the surrounding county developed and Monroe drew such strength
to itself that an elevator was built to handle the large quantities of
grain which were brought to that point for shipment. The farmers
also commenced to raise and deal extensively in live stock, especially
hogs, cattle and calves, and to facilitate the handling of that trade,
250 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the citizens of Monroe built convenient Stock Yards. The town also
became the center of a productive sugar-beet district, most of the
growers sending their crops to the great Holland-St. Louis factory
at Decatur. While awaiting shipment, the beets had to be provided
with storage room and means of handling, and a modern Dump was
therefore constructed for the purpose. At the present time, Monroe
has two large grain elevators; a sale yard for fuel and building ma-
terials; the facilities mentioned, as well as others, to meet the de-
mands upon it as the center of a country rich in natural products;
a tile factory, patronized by neighborhood farmers, who see that their
lands are thoroughly drained and scientifically improved and a
well-organized bank, which is ten years of age.
The Bank and Telephone System
The Monroe State Bank was organized in March, 1907, chartered
in the following April, and opened to the public in September of
that year. Its first officers were as follows : President, W. S. Smith ;
vice president, J. F. Hocker; cashier, M. S. Liechtey. In 190S Mr.
Hocker became president and M. F. Parrish vice president, serving
thus until 1911. Dr. Parrish was chosen president in the latter year
and W. L. Keller, vice president, and continued in these offices until
1915, when E. W. Busche, the present incumbent, was elected head
of the bank. In 1916 Mr. Liechtey, who had been cashier of the in-
stitution since its organization, resigned that position and was elected
to the vice presidency, which he still holds. W. S. Smith then be-
came cashier. The capital of the. Monroe State Bank is $25,000;
surplus and undivided profits, $2,500; average deposits, $100,000; re-
sources, $132,000.
Another institution should be mentioned which tends to give Mon-
roe standing as a rural center of growing importance, as well as pres-
ent strength. It has a good telephone system, established recently
by Dr. M. F. Parrish, and which already embraces an area of some
thirty square miles and includes nearly 400 machines.
Fine High School
As an incorporated town. Monroe is well into its thirteenth year.
In that connection, its birthday dates from April 17, 1905. For thirty
years its citizens have supported and encouraged a good school, which
has finally developed into something like a modern rural high school.
The first school building erected in the village was completed in
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
151
1887, and it was the second brick schoolhouse in the township. It
was remodeled and increased in size during 1902. It was located on
Section Line Street in the eastern part of town and afterward he-
came a graded school building. The handsome two-story and base-
ment building, with imposing tower, known as the Rural High
School, was erected in 1911, at a cost of $22,000. The number of
i*t
Rural High School
pupils enrolled is now (December, 1917) 145. W. H. Oliver is the
principal of the Monroe High School.
Business Houses and Newspaper
Monroe has quite a number of substantial business houses, in-
cluding two general, hardware and drug stores. "What is known as
the Home Store is capitalized at $25,000.
Monroe has also a newspaper, the Reporter. It was established
by I. H. Drollinger in May, 1912, and in the following August was
purchased by John L. Mayer, its present editor and proprietor.
The Churches
The local churches include societies organized by the Methodists
and Friends. During the few years previous to 1871, while Mon-
roe as a village was very dormant, most of the church-going people
in the neighborhood attended the Twelve-Cornered meeting house of
2.32 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the United Brethren, a mile and a half south of the settlement. The
Methodists and the United Brethren had erected it jointly, in 186b,
and it stood on the farm of Robert E. Smith, in section 9, Monroe
Township. This quaint old house of worship is still standing and,
although it may not be as picturesque as Hawthorne's "House of
Seven Gables," it is far more interesting to the average man and
woman of Adams County.
The first building to be erected within the Village of Monroe,
dedicated to religious service, was the Methodist Church, winch was
completed in 1877. Some of the most active members in securing its
construction were Bazil Hendricks, William and Phillip Hendricks,
David Reefy and James Davey. They were also assisted by contribu-
tions of labor, lumber and cash from business men of the town and
neighborhood. In 1904 the church was remodeled and greatly im-
proved. The Monroe society is now in charge of Rev. John Phillips.
Decatur and Monroe M. E. Circuits
Various points in Northern and Central Adams County have given
the name to the Methodist Circuits at different periods, as thus de-
scribed by Rev. W. J. Myers, county historian for the North Indiana
Conference History: "When Decatur was made a station in 1860
under Rev. Thomas Comstock. the other Methodist societies around
Decatur were called Decatur Circuit. Rev. H. Woolport, in 1861, was
the first regular pastor. In 1864 the name was changed to Mon-
mouth Circuit, Rev. I. P. Nash, pastor. In 1867 the name was changed
to Pleasant Mills Circuit, N. T. Peddycord, pastor. The next change
was in 1875, and was called Monroe Circuit, Rev. I. M. Wolverton,
pastor. The work contained Washington, Monroe, Salem, Pleasant
Mills, and Mount Tabor (now Bobo). Monroe, being located on the
Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, and more central than some of
the others, was a rival with Bobo for the parsonage. Bobo won the
day. Then an old building they had at Monroe was sold and the
money used to build a parsonage at Bobo. In 1907 Monroe asked
to be set off with Salem in a work of two appointments. Then Bobo
Circuit had Pleasant Mills, Bobo, Clark's Chapel and Alpha. Monroe
was made a station in 1909 and Salem was added to Bobo Circuit.
Monroe has easily maintained itself a station since that year. While
Rev. J. A. Sprague was its pastor, its church building was enlarged
and remodeled, and in 1914, under Rev. John Phillips, the present
pastor, a parsonage was built."
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 253
Not a Strong Lodge Town
Monroe is not strongly inclined to lodge life ; in fact, its support
in that regard may be said to consist of the identification of a lim-
ited number of its people with the Modern Woodmen and auxiliary,
the Royal Neighbors. The parent body was organized in 1904, and
has a present membership of about thirty.
CHAPTER XIV
OTHER ADAMS COUNTY TOWNS
Township op Churches and Schools — Magley — Town of Preble
Platted — Standard Oil Company 's Station — Other Preble In-
stitutions — Pleasant Mills — Linn Grove (Buena Vista) —
— Coryville — Peterson — Monmouth and Williams — Steele
( Salem ) — Ceylon.
The Township of Preble, in the northwestern part of the county,
Mas chiefly settled by Germans, commencing in 1830 and continuing
to the present. The pioneers of this section located along the old
Winchester Road, which runs to Fort Wayne, and the St. Mary's River,
which cuts across the northeastern corner of the township, was an-
other good means of transportation to the northwestern metropolis.
Preble Township is not only overwhelmingly German-American, but
is the stronghold of Lutheranism in Adams County. The German
Lutheran and Reformed churches are everywhere.
Township op Churches and Schools
The first Lutheran Society was organized at Friedheim in 1838.
Not long afterward the central and southern parts of the township
founded several churches, and the intelligent settlers of those parts
also commenced to build schoolhouses for the education of their
sturdy children. The Wafel schoolhouse was erected about 1841 and
was located in the west part of section 26, and the Fuhrman School,
about two miles north, in section 23, was built in 1843. They were
both rough log houses. Later came the frame schoolhouses — the Dirk-
son, completed in 1852, and the Fruchte, in 1853.
In 1848 the Evangelical Association built a church at the south-
west corner of section 13, about a mile west of the river, and in 1857
the German Reformed Congregation erected the Salem house of
worship in the eastern portion of section 28, in the southwestern part
of the township. In 1847 the St. John's Lutheran Church was built
in the Dirkson neighborhood, and was occupied for thirty years, or
254
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 255
until a substantial brick meeting house replaced it. In 1S7S the St.
Peter's Lutheran Church was completed a short distance from what
is now Preble station and village. While the different congrega-
tions were preparing to provide their people with meeting houses, re-
ligious services were usually held in the sehoolhouses, which were
most convenient to the various neighborhoods.
Magley
Preble Township has two villages, which were founded when the
Erie road named them as stations on its line. Magley was fathered
by Jacob Magley, who in 1882 was appointed station agent and opened
a general store. A creamery and stock yards were aftei-wards es-
tablished at the station, which became considerable of a shipping
point and around which collected a small group of buildings, some-
times dignified by the name of village. The only church of a strictly
local nature is the Salem Keformed, of which Rev. J. Otto Engleman
is pastor. The public school building at Magley was erected in 1902
at a cost of $16,000.
Town of Preble Platted
The Town of Preble, which was platted November 14, 1884, on
the southwest corner of section 36, and the southeast corner of sec-
tion 35, has developed into a brisk village, largely as the result of
the concentration of large Standard Oil Company's interests at that
point. The original proprietors of the town were Daniel Hoffman and
David Werling, and the plat comprised thirteen lots. Soon after
Preble was laid out, tile and saw-mills were located there, and within
a few years the expansion of the place induced Mr. Werling to make
an addition to the original town.
Standard Oil Company's Station
The oil station at Preble was built by the Indiana Pipe Line Com-
pany in 1889-90, and has been improved and increased in size several
times. The plant is one of a chain of fifteen or twenty pumping
stations forwarding oil from the Mid-Continental Field to the Sea
Board. The oil from the west is simply received at the Preble sta-
tion and pumped on to the next station. The plant now comprises
sixteen iron storage tanks, with a total capacity of about 568,000
barrels, and in its operation employs a considerable number of men
256 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
and represents an important local industry. S. D. Henry is the man-
ager at Preble.
Other Preble Institutions
The Preble Elevator Company, managed by Albert Huser, and
the Farmers' State Bank, are also evidences of local trade and neigh-
borhood thrift and productiveness. The bank was organized by
John G. Hoffman, in January, 1915, that gentleman having been its
president ever since. Its cashier is L. Adler. The capital of the
bank is $25,000, and its resources, $130,000.
At Preble and in the immediate neighborhood are four Lutheran
churches and a German Reformed Congregation. The latter is the
well-known Salem's Congregation, which was organized in June,
1856. Its first meeting house was completed in January, 1857, and
the present house of worship in July, 1893. The successive pastors of
the congregation have been Revs. Peter Vitz, Carl Jaeckel, Peter Gred-
ing, Wilhelm Spietz, Gustav Beisser, E. Delorme, Eduard Voenholt,
Calvin Schneider, Chris Baum and Otto J. Engelmann. The present
membership of the Reformed Salem's Congregation is 180.
Pleasant Mills
Pleasant Mills, on the western bank of St. Mary's River, in the
township by that name, is an old and a pretty rural settlement and
postoffice, which was platted September 8, 1846, from parts of sec-
tions 20, 21 and 28. The first settlers of the township located on the
old Wayne trace twenty years or more before, but there was no set-
tlement of any note until Pleasant Mills was laid out by E. A. God-
dard and George W. Heath. In December, 1850, they made an addi-
tion to it, and in the '50s it was quite a flourishing place. Although
the first mill in the neighborhood was built as early as 1834 on the
east side of the river, it was rather an insignificant affair compared
with the grist mill completed in 1837 on the opposite shore by Mr.
Goddard. He also opened large general stores in connection with his
mills. In 1846 the original plant was transformed into a woolen
factory and a new grist mill was erected. The combined plant was
operated for about fifty years and rebuilt, in 1896, by J. C. Cowan
and W. W. Smith. It was around these industries that Pleasant Mills
developed, taking on new life, when the Clover Leaf touched it as
a station, in 1880. It has never outgrown its status as a modest rural
town, which is the shipping point of a considerable grain trade and
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 257
maintains an elevator and a few stores. The local brick schoolhouse
was erected in 1881, having been enlarged and remodeled in 1897.
At various periods it has supported Baptist, United Brethren and
Methodist churches. The Methodist Society is of many years' stand-
ing, and is at present in the Bobo Circuit.
Linn Grove (Buena Vista)
Linn Grove, a postoffice in the southeastern corner of section 3,
Hartford Township, was platted as Buena Vista, on March 25, 1857,
and originally embraced portions of sections 2, 3, 10 and 11. Its site
covered old Jamestown, which in 1838, was laid out in section 11, on
the south bank of the Wabash, and was soon flooded out of existence
by the spring freshets of that inconsiderate stream. In 1845 James
McDowell built a union mill for sawing lumber and grinding grain
on the present site of Linn Grove. This, with its successors, probably
prompted Robert Simison to lay out Buena Vista on the west bank
of the Wabash, in 1857. The original town, situated on the Fort Re-
covery & Huntington Road, contained sixteen lots and nine outlots,
and an addition to it was made in 1869. Before the Grand Rapids
& Indiana Railroad was built through the county to the east, in 1871,
giving Geneva advantages over it which could not be overcome, Buena
Vista was a brisk mill town and center of trade, as well as quite a
political point for the conventions to nominate prosecutors and rep-
resentatives for Adams and Jay and Adams and Wells counties. Its
successor, Linn Grove, stands for a small collection of stores and
houses, a feed mill, garage, a school and churches maintained by the
Evangelical Association and Christian denomination. Linn Grove also
has an Odd Fellows' Lodge (No. 683) organized in January, 1892.
CURYVILLE
Curyville, which was platted February 26, 1880, is a station on the
Clover Leaf line which was laid out on the northwest quarter of
section 21, Kirkland Township. Henry Jackson was the original
owner of the site. At first it was a timber town and, as such, pos-
sessed some promise of growth until the surrounding country was
denuded.
Peterson
Peterson, a few miles to the northeast, on the same road, has had a
similar history, although it was never platted as a town. In the '70s
258 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Steele & Lenhart were operating- a large sawmill arid heading factory
at that place, but the neighborhood supply of raw material gave out
and made the enterprise finally unprofitable. Peterson, like Cury-
ville, has reverted to a rural community, its trade being almost con-
fined to handling grain and live stock.
Monmouth and Williams
Root Township, in the northern part of the county, has been rather
unfortunate in founding towns which last. Old Monmouth, platted
in 1836 and once' considered a rival of Decatur, is but a memory;
and the days of its prime were so long ago that it is hardly a memory
except in the minds of the very aged.
The little town of Williams, which is situated on the north line
of the county on the Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad, was platted
in June, 1872, but has gone the way of all the other communities
which depended upon the local timber supply for its growth. The
original owners of the site were David Crabbs and Benjamin Rice.
Williams is now simply one of the hundreds of railway stations which
at one time "amounted to something," but which, from circumstances
not within its control, '"lost out," "went wrong," etc.
Steele (Salem)
Blue Creek Township was in the direct line of the old Quaker trace,
or Fort Recovery Road to Port Wayne, with a cross branch to the
Wabash River on the southwest. Some of the earliest pioneers of the
county located in that section of the county, Thompson's Prairie being
an especially favored locality in that regard. In November, 1867,
at the crossing of the Fort Recovery and Willshire roads, in section
17, George W. Syphers laid out a town to which he gave the name of
Salem. It was afterward reehristened Steele and, although it had
no promise of business growth after all the railroads which were built
through the county gave it the go-by, at lone time it was quite a church
center for the people of the southeastern part of the county. Its
Presbyterian Church, built in 1850. was the only one of that denomina-
tion in Adams County south of Decatur, and the Methodists erected
a meeting house later, while about a mile and a half east of Salem
the Union Chapel was built by the United Brethren. Some of the
first sehoolhouses erected in the county, such as the Burde and Bryan,
were also built in the central and southern parts of Blue Creek
Township.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 259
Ceylon
In Wabash Township, besides the old towns of Alexander and
Buffalo which were absorbed by Geneva, there is Ceylon, now but a
little group of buildings, but in the 70s. when timber in the adjacent
country was still plentiful, a busy, if small, industrial center. The
town was platted June 24, 1873, by Dr. B. B. Snow, and the paper
recorded in the following month. Ceylon lies just south of the Wabash
River in sections 20 and 21, and at the height of its prosperity had
spoke, wheel, heading and stave factories, saw and grist mills, cooper
shops, and a number of well-stocked stores. The Snow grist mill,
built in 1873, was the first steam plant of that kind to be operated in
Adams County south of Decatur. At the present time the most sub-
stantial looking building in the little rural settlement is the brick
schoolhouse which was completed in 1894. The Ceylon Methodist Cir-
cuit had supplies for two or more years after it was set off from Gen-
eva, and in the year mentioned erected a house of worship at that
place.
CHAPTER XV
WELLS COUNTY
MATERIAL WEALTH AND PROGRESS
General Description — The Subsoil — Glacial, Marks — The Founda-
tion Soil, — Topography and Drainage — Changes in Vegetation
— Animals, Early and Late — Artificial Drainage in Wells
County — First Open Ditches — Drainage Commissioners Under
State Laws — First Public Ditches Partially Tiled — The Lake
Erie Basin and Wabash River Valley — Ditches Paralleling
Main Streams — The Great Northeastern Ditch — The Rock
Creek Drain — Big Three Mile Ditch — Elick-Michaels Ditches
— Large Tile Drains — Open Drain Through Solid Rock — Other
Leading Ditches — Progress prom 1908 to 1917 — Agricul-
tural Education — County Agricultural Organizations — The
County Agent's Work — Increasing the Production of Corn —
Protecting and Improving the Hogs — The Broad, Progressive
Farmer of Today — Changes in Cereals and Live Stock — Com-
parative Soil and Animal Wealth (1884-1917) — County Acre-
age (1917) — Cereals of County (1917) — Live Stock by Town-
ships (1917) — Population of the County (1860-1910) — Popula-
tion by Townships (1890-1910) — Comparative Property Valua-
tion (1884-1917)— Value of Taxable Property (1917) — Auto-
mobile Income and Roads — Finances of the County — Indebted-
ness on Account of Roads.
Wells County lies mostly in the Valley of the Wabash, or in the
Ohio-Mississippi-Gulf of Mexico system of waterways. Like Adams
County, it was in the natural course of travel pursued by both the
reds and the whites in their jourheyings from the more settled East
and Northeast to the wilder West and Southwest. The general history
of the two political divisions is therefore the same and the background
of Indian migrations over trails fairly well denned when the American
pioneers first made their homes in the Northwest Territory, as well as
the earlier era of French exploration and exploitation, applies as
260
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
261
closely to Wells as to Adams County. It would therefore be a useless
expenditure of mental effort either to repeat, even in substance, the
earlier portions of this work, which dealt with such general historical
matters, and with subjects of later date relating to American civil
government over the territory now embraced in Adams and Wells
counties while it was attached to other political bodies than those
specially organized under those names.
General Description
The surface geology of the two counties has many points of re-
semblance, the most marked difference being that the watershed be-
tween the Great Lakes and the gulf systems, which passes almost
Evidences op Material Wealti
diagonally through Adams County, cuts across only a small corner
of Northeastern Wells. The county now under special consideration
is in Northeastern Indiana, and extends for twenty-four miles north
and south. It comprises nine municipal townships — two tiers of four
townships north and south, with Jackson Township jutting out to the
west from the southern tier. It is 372 square miles in area, is the sec-
ond county from the eastern state line and the fourth from the
northern.
The Subsoil
Northern Indiana is covered with what is called in geology the
"drift," consisting of gravel, sand and clay, deposited by water when
it lay under that element. The "lake region" was one great body of
262 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
water, covering Northern Indiana, Illinois and Ohio, as well as Michi-
gan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, etc. The dip of the underlying strata in
Northern Indiana is generally westward, but in Adams and Wells
counties it is nearly northward and about eight feet to the mile.
Although most of the subsoil in this part of the state is gravelly,
good commercial clay abounds in many places, so that brick can al-
ways be made convenient to the place of building. Valuable limestone
for foundations, bridge abutments, etc., also abounds along the Wa-
bash, Salamonie and St. Mary's rivers, near the surface, even cropping
out in places.
Glacial Marks
South of the Maumee Valley is a terminal moraine, which is the
summit of the watershed dividing the waters of the Ohio from those
of Lake Erie, known as the St. John's Ridge in Ohio, extending west-
ward into Jay County, Indiana, where it is known as the "Lost Moun-
tains." The elevation of this ridge is nearly 350 feet above Lake
Erie. The boulder clay is thicker here than in any other part of
Northeastern Indiana. In Jay and Wells counties, scattered pro-
miscuously, are found many specimens on top of the drift, of streaked
and grooved boulders, the rounded and polished surfaces, often on the
upper side, demonstrating that they had been ground and polished
at a higher level, and then frozen in ice, transported, and dropped
from the melting ice. Another expansion of the torrid zone drove
the ice further north, leaving the great lake basin filled with water,
which covered Upper Canada, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and
the northern portions (about half) of Illinois. Indiana and Ohio.
The Foundation Soil
Wells and Jay counties have other superficial ridges, knolls,
mounds, etc., the origin of which may be easily accounted for by
any one familiar with the effects of winds and currents. Compar-
atively, these accumulations of sand and gravel are recent. Underly-
ing them, and above the coarse gravel resting upon the bed-rock, is a
thick stratum of fine clay, which is the foundation of the agricultural
resources of this region.
Topography and Drainage
The surface of Wells and Adams counties varies from level to
gently undulating, the level being inclined to have a swampy appear-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
263
ance; .but as the land is generally high above the rapidly running
water-courses, it cau be thoroughly drained, and ditches and tile
drains are in rapid process of construction. The southeastern portion
of this section, as before noted, is much the highest, and therefore
the streams run in a northwesterly direction.
The largest stream is the Wabash, which runs northwesterly
through Harrison, Lancaster and Rock Creek townships, Wells County.
The second in size is the St. Mary's, draining the most of Adams
County. Third, the Salamonie enters Wells County about a mile
Variety op Grain Germination
west of the center of the south line, aud leaves the county a mile west
of the middle of the north line of Jackson Township. Rock Creek
rises in the western portion of Nottingham Township, flows a little
west of north through Liberty and Rock Creek townships, emptying
into the Wabash in Huntington County. Six-Mile Creek drains the
eastern portion of Nottingham Township, and empties into the Wa-
bash about three miles above Bluffton ; and Eight-Mile Creek rises
in the eastern part of Jefferson Township, and flowing a little north
of west, leaves the county at its northwestern corner.
264 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Changes in Vegetation
When the white man first entered this region he found it covered
with a dense growth of white, burr and black oak, white elm, bass-
wood (lin), ash of two or three varieties, beech, sugar maple, hickory,
yellow poplar and walnut. Two or three specimens of sweet gum
were noticed in early days. The blackberry was the most valuable
of the wild fruits in this section. About eleven miles south of Bluff-
ton, thirty years ago, there were 320 acres of blackberry in one piece.
Cultivation has introduced weeds from the East to supplant, in
a great measure, the native herbs. The first introduced were the dog
fennel or mayweed, jimson-weed, cocklebur and smart-weed ; but as
no plant can hold a spot of ground beyond a limited number of sea-
sons, some of these have given way to the ragweed ; and this, in turn,
shortly yielded the situation to the sweet clover, a more welcome
visitor than all, as it is a prolific source of honey, and no disagreeable
feature. The ox-eye daisy also flourished in a gravelly soil. Dande-
lion, white clover and blue-grass carpeted most of the ground in the
early days.
Animals, Early and Late
The largest and most conspicuous animals found here by the early
settlers were the following: Black bear, in limited numbers, and
soon killed off. Rarely, in later years, an individual or two might
be seen straying along here from Michigan. The Virginia deer, in
great abundance. The last seen in this region was about 1875.
Panthers and wild cats, beaver and porcupine, were rare. Raccoons,
once abundant, are now rare. Opossums came in between 1840 and
1850, became common, but a severe winter in the '80s killed off what
the dogs and hunters had left. Foxes, once common, are now seldom
seen. Wolves, at first numerous, were all killed off many years ago.
Ground-hogs, or "wood-chucks," were never plentiful, and are so
scarce now that seldom can one be found. No otters have been seen
for many years, though they were frequent in early days. A few
muskrats remain. Wild hogs, that is, domestic hogs escaped and
running at large until they fully attained the savage state, were com-
mon in pioneer times. In a few generations these animals became
as furious and dangerous as wolves. In primeval times there some-
times occurred a "raid," when squirrels, pigeons, etc., would migrate
across the country in inci*edible numbers. About the year 1855 there
was a squirrel raid here, eastward in its direction. Wild turkeys,
once plentiful, are now rare.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 265
Very early the farmers of Wells County — and nearly everyone
was a farmer to a certain extent in the pioneer times — realized that
in order to make the progress which was warranted by the natural
richness of their soil they must subject it to systematic and scientific
artificial drainage. As already seen, the physical features of the
country were well adapted to aid this purpose of the settlers; this
fact, combined with their determination, energy and foresight, has
brought about a potent change in the line of marked development.
The successive steps of this great evolution in the advancement of
Wells County, with brief mention of those substantial citizens who
■linTWtUr-*
Special Dairy Herd
have stood by these drainage improvements from first to last, are
described in a paper which has been furnished by Thomas C. Guldin,
the surveyor of Wells County, than whom none can speak with more
practical authority. The article follows.
Artifical Drainage in Wells County
By Thomas V. Guldin
The early settlers that came to Wells County made their homes
along the natural water courses and on the more undulating portions
of the county because of the natural drainage. Much of this land in
the county is too level, and the soil too heavy and compact, to be suc-
cessfully farmed without some artificial drainage. Even the more
rolling land which sheds the surface water quite readily is improved
by subdrainage.
In the earliest efforts at artificial drainage the farmers either in-
dividually or by agreement cut shallow open channels to drain the
266 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
surface water more readily. These channels were extended farther
and farther back from the natural streams and deepened from time to
time, as the increase in population demanded.
First Open Ditches
The first drainage ditch established by law was the Burns Ditch,
which is located in Chester Township. Joseph Burns et al. were the
petitioners. The petition was presented to the Board of County Com-
missioners in March, 18T6. Henry Oman, Jacob Stahl and James
Crosbie were appointed as viewers and they were ordered to report
their proceedings at the September, 1876, session of the County Com
missioners.
The viewers reported favorably and the ditch was ordered con-
structed. The ditch was 24,700 feet in length and the estimated cost
of construction was $1,789.60, the excavating being estimated at
12^4 cents per cubic yard. The ditch was constructed by allotting to
each interested party whose lands were benefited, a certain portion of
said ditch for construction.
Drainage Commissioners Under State Laws
Until 1881, all public ditches were constructed by petition in the
Commissioners Court. In 1881 a law was passed by the General As-
sembly of Indiana whereby ditches could be established through Cir-
cuit Court. William Kirkwood of Nottingham Township was the first
man to serve as drainage commissioner as provided in that act. W. H.
Gregg of Rock Creek Township, W. A. Popejoy of Poneto, and R. C.
Stewart of Lancaster Township have served as drainage commissioners.
John F. Stine of Jefferson Township is the present incumbent. The
first ditch established under the law was petitioned for by Jonathan
A. Markley of Lancaster Township.
First Public Ditches Partially Tiled
A few public ditches were partially tiled as early as 1886, but only
.1 few were thus established before 1903. In the year 1903 William J.
Smith et al. of Jefferson Township petitioned for an open drain,
known as the Parkison Ditch and a portion of the Ballinger Ditch to be
reconstructed by tiling the same. The viewers reported favorably and
said drain was tiled to the center of section 27, in Jefferson Township.
By subsequent petition another tile ditch parallel with the former
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
L'lM
ditch was established and the tile was extended more than a mile, the
terminus now being at the Fort Wayne Road one mile south of Ossian.
Since 1903 many open ditches have been tiled and are at the present
time being thus improved.
The Lake Erie Basin and Wabash River Valley
A very small portion of the eastern part of Lancaster Township
and about one-third of Jefferson Township drain into Adams and Allen
The Wabash at High Water
counties, and the water goes through the Saint Mary's and Maumee
rivers to Lake Erie. The Wabash River enters Wells County near the
center along the east line of Harrison Township and flows north-
westerly through the county, leaving it near the northwest corner of
Rock Creek Township. The Salamonie River enters Wells County
near the center of the south line of Chester Township, flows north-
westerly and leaves Wells County about two miles east of the north-
west corner of Jackson Township.
268 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Ditches Paralleling Main Streams
Eight Mile Ditch and Rock Creek Ditch are two channels which
parallel the main rivers, both draining large portions of the county
and both having been enlarged by dredge construction, whereby many
acres of land have been reclaimed and now constitute the very best
farm lands within the bounds of Wells County.
The Great Northeastern Ditch
In 1888 the Eight Mile No. 2 Ditch was petitioned to be recon-
structed. Several interested parties remonstrated, reviewers were
appointed and the ditch was ordered established and reconstructed
in 1891 at a cost of a little more than .+25,000. The main ditch com-
mences on the Wells-Adams County line at the northeast corner of
Lancaster Township. Wells ( 'ounty. Indiana, runs thence in a north-
westerly direction across Jefferson and Union townships to a point
about sixty rods north of the southwest corner of the southeast quarter
of section 12 in Union Township. At the present time there is a peti-
tion on file to widen and deepen this drain and to extend it to a point
about sixty rods west of the northeast corner of section 6 in Union
Township where said ditch crosses into Allen County. The viewer's
report has not yet been filed, but enough work has been done on the
same to give an approximate estimate of its cost which will be more
than $150,000 and will affect and benefit approximately 40,000 to
45,000 acres of land ; about 10,000 acres in Lancaster Township, 20,000
in Jefferson Township, 9,000 in Union Township and about 4,000 in
LaFayette Township in Allen County.
The Rock Creek Drain
Rock Creek, another drain which has been enlarged by dredge,
commences near the southwest corner of section 28 in range 12 east in
Nottingham Township and flows in a northwesterly direction through
Nottingham, Harrison, Liberty and Rock Creek townships and crosses
the county line on the west about one-half mile north of the southwest
corner of section 18 in Rock Creek Township, Wells County, and
affects about 300 acres in Jay County, 8,000 acres in Nottingham
Township, 4,000 acres in Harrison Township, 7,000 acres in Chester
Township, 19,000 acres in Liberty Township, 4,000 acres in Rock Creek
Township, besides 6,000 or 8,000 acres in Huntington County. The
portion of the ditch in Harrison and Liberty townships was con-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 269
structed and enlarged by dredging in 1893-97, and about two miles in
Koek Creek Township was made deeper through solid rock. The
estimated cost of this reconstruction was $59,971.64. At the present
time the portion of the ditch in Nottingham and Harrison townships
is being reconstructed with a dry land dredge. It was petitioned for
by Abraham Haines et al. and the estimated cost is nearly $17,000.
A petition is on file and viewers have been appointed for the recon-
struction and extension by widening and deepening that portion of
the ditch located in Liberty and Rock Creek townships. The viewers
have done no work on this project and it is impossible to give an
estimate of the extent, cost and number of acres that will be affected.
Big Three Mile Ditch
The Daniel C. Shoemaker et al. Ditch, more commonly known as
Big Three Mile, is a ditch now under construction. This drain is a
joint drain with Adams ( 'ounty and affects about 5,000 acres in east
Nottingham Township. It commences near the center of section 32,
township 25, north range 13 cast, runs northerly and empties into the
Wabash River near Linn Grove. To give proper drainage to much of
the land affected at the upper end of this drain it is necessary to exca-
vate through solid rock for a distance of over a mile. The estimated
cost of the ditch is nearly $15,000.
Elick-Michaels Ditches
The A. J. Elick and Harvey Michaels ditches in Union Township,
are among the largest tile drains in the county. The A. J. Elick et al.
Ditch affects about 1,500 acres of land. The main ditch with its lat-
erals constitutes a system of drainage of about 6 miles in length, includ-
ing 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 22, 24 and 30-inch cement tile. This ditch was
constructed in 1915 and 1916. The estimated cost was $9,501.43. The
Harvey Michaels et al. Ditch is now under construction. It is a system
of drainage made up of tw T o main lines, one terminating with 27-inch
tile and the other with 24-inch tile. The whole system affects about
1,600 acres of land; main and laterals is about 7 miles in length in-
eluding 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 27-inch cement tile.
The estimated cost of said ditch is $13,075.77.
Large Tile Drains
In Rock Creek Township several open ditches have been tiled
since 1908. John Raber No. 1 estimated cost $2,701.24, John Raber
270 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
No. 2 estimated cost $6,667.95, Peter McAfee No. 1 estimated cost
$4,281.42, Peter McAfee No. 2 estimated cost $5,129.20, John Falk
estimated cost $3,992.37 and D. W. Lesh estimated cost $3,596.08. All
have been constructed since 1900. A petition is now on file to tile an
open drain commencing near the center of section 34 in Kock Creek
Township and running thence in a general northerly direction about
three miles. This petition was filed by Simon Houtz et al., and it will
affect about 2,300 acres of land. It probably will require from 18 to
36-inch tile if the viewers grant the ditch, as prayed for.
In Liberty Township, the Peter Gaskill and I. N. Roush ditches are
among the largest tile drains. The Peter Gaskill drain includes about
three miles of tile ranging from 12 to 24-inch cement tile. This drain
was constructed in 1913-14 at a cost of $7,648.39. The I. N. Roush
Ditch is now under construction. There are about five miles of tile
ranging from 6 to 30-inch, and three miles of open drain. The entire
drain was estimated at $8,128.58. This ditch is located in the south-
west part of the township and runs in au easterly direction.
Open Drain Through Solid Rock
The viewers' report on the Joseph Delong et al. Ditch is on file at
this time and, if ordered established as reported on, will be one of the
most expensive drainage systems ever established in this county for
the number of acres affected. This ditch commences in section 18,
township 26, north range 12 east, and runs thence easterly and north-
erly about five miles to the Wabash River. The total length of that
drain, main and laterals, being about 6 miles of tile and about 3 miles
of open drain ; 1,200 feet of the open drain will be in solid rock from
one to three feet deep. The estimated cost of the entire project is
$36,000.
Other Leading Ditches
In Jefferson Township, the William J. Smith No. 2 Ditch referred
to before, the Valentine, the Ira Beck, J. H. Zimmerman, James
McNeal and Fred Lipp ditches are tile drains of recent construction.
The Valentine Ditch is a joint ditch with Allen County estimated
cost $41,248.15. The Fred Lipp Ditch was tiled at a cost of $3,487.80.
The McNeal Ditch was tiled at a cost of $4,665.35. The William J.
Smith No. 3 Ditch was tiled at a cost of $11,000.00. The Ira Beck
et al. Ditch was tiled at a cost of $6,704.00. All of these ditches were
constructed with clay tile except the Smith Ditch. The J. H. Simmer-
man petition calls for a tile drain to affect about 1,800 acres of land
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 271
in Jefferson Township and for an open drain of about four miles into
Allen County. The viewers have made no report on the petition, but
will, no doubt, be the largest drainage project affecting Jefferson
Township, except the Eight Mile No. 2.
The James T. Shady, the John Kehrn and the Peter Steffen ditches
are the largest tile drains that have been constructed in Lancaster
Township. The James T. Shady Ditch is a tile drain about 21/, miles
long and has tile ranging from 12 to 24-inch cement tile. Estimated
cost was $5,210.95. The John Kehrn Ditch is about 3% miles in length
and has tile ranging from 18 to 24-inch clay tile. The estimated cost
was $6,998.09. The Peter Steffen Ditch is a joint ditch with Adams
County and was constructed with cement tile ranging from 22 to 27-
inch. The estimated cost was $5,772.59.
The largest tile drains constructed in Nottingham Township were
petitioned for by Geo. B. Schott and P. B. Alberson. The Geo. B.
Schott Ditch is about 2 1 / 4 miles in length, was constructed of cement
tile ranging in size from 8-inch to 24-ineh. The estimated cost was
$4,222.92. The P. B. Alberson Ditch was constructed by using cement
tile ranging from 8 inch to 22 inch tile and it is approximately 3 miles
in length. The estimated cost was $4,608.39.
In Chester Township the largest tile drains constructed by petition
are the Frank Mowery, and the John W. Gregg drains. The Frank
Mowery Ditch is about one mile long and was constructed with tile
ranging from 15 to 22-inch tile. The estimated cost was $2,658.51.
The John W. Gregg Ditch is about one mile long and was constructed
with 10-inch to 18-inch tile. The estimated cost was $1,241.71.
In Jackson Township the Davids Open Drain, the Clarinda Knott
Ditch, the Arthur Kelley Ditch, and the Thomas Morris Ditch are the
largest ditches constructed in recent years. The Davids is about iy 2
miles in length and was reconstructed as an open drain in 1910 at a
cost of $3,344.40. The Clarinda Knott Ditch is a tile drain which was
constructed in 1908-9 primarily to drain the sw T amps a mile east of the
center of Jackson Township at a cost of $3,833.74. The Thomas Morris
Tile Ditch is in the northeast part of the township and was a joint
ditch with Huntington County. It was constructed in 1910 at a cost
of $4,699.00. The Arthur Kelley Ditch is a joint ditch with Blackford
County. It is partly tiled and partly open ditch. The estimated cost
of construction was $6,602.95.
Progress from 1908 to 1917
Prior to 1908 there were very few public ditches tiled. Since 1908
many of our smaller open ditches have been and are being tiled. As
272 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the land is being thoroughly under-drained, thus forcing the water
into our open ditches much quicker and faster, the open drains are in-
sufficient to take care of the water and many of our open drains will
have to be cut wider and deeper. Farmers are beginning to realize
that, thorough drainage is one of their biggest assets. Tile drains are
being put in deeper aud more systematically than ever before.
From 1908 to 1917 inclusive the farmers of Wells County have
been assessed for constructing public drains the enormous sum of
$523,474.11, most of which has been spent in tiling open drains. This
does not include money and labor spent in the repair and maintenance
of these drains.
The records in the county surveyor's office show that there are
approximately 328 miles of open drain in Wells County, that have
been constructed 'by petition. There are also several short open drains
which were constructed by the interested parties without resorting
to law. Approximately 244 miles of tile drain have been constructed
by petition. Open drains not constructed by a dredge are repaired
and maintained by the interested parties. The county surveyor allots
to each tract of land affected a portion of said drain to keep in re-
pair, in accordance with the original specifications. The township
trustee of each township has supervision of the maintenance of all
ditches that lie within the bounds of his township, except dredge
ditches. Tile drains are repaired under the supervision of the town-
ship trustee, and paid for by the lands affected by such drains in
proportion to the assessments for the construction of said drains.
Open drains constructed by dredging are repaired and maintained
under the supervision of the county commissioners and the county
surveyor.
Wells County contains 572 sections of land or approximately 366,-
000 acres, almost all of which is tillable when properly drained. The
undulating land along the northeast bank of the natural streams,
approximately 50.000 acres, may be farmed without artificial drain-
age. However, proper subdrainage improves this land for farm
crops.
Agricultural Education
Most of the really effective work which has resulted in the im-
provement of the farmers and their properties in Wells County has
been accomplished through the cooperation of the rural communities
with various officials of the county and the national governments. In
the former class may be placed the county drainage commissioners
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 273
and surveyors (the duties of both officials usually being combined].
the county superintendents of schools and the county agents. The
last named an official creation in Wells County only four years of age,
represents the United States Department of Agriculture in coopera-
tion with the Purdue University Agricultural Exteution Department
and the county board of education.
County Agricultural Organizations
Wells County had an agricultural society as early as 1S53. when
Rev. D. H. Drummond was elected its president. The Civil war inter-
rupted the holding of its annual fairs, and in 1867 the society was
reorganized, John McFadden being its president for some years there-
after. The second organization went out of existence about 1S82. and
the old fair grounds were sold for a park, which, in turn, reverted to
farm land. The Wells County Agricultural Association, which was
incorporated in 1906, has held eleven exhibits and street fairs, and
it has always been considered that its main object has been accom-
plished when provision has been made for the recurrence of those
affairs through the legal amount appropriated by the Board of County
Commissioners and the funds raised by private subscription. Matters
relating t,> the education and social uplift of the rural communities,
in former years largely undertaken by the County Agricultural So-
ciety, have been assumed by the county superintendent of schools in
cooperative work with the county agent. The officers of the Wells
County Agricultural Association, who managed the fair and exhibit
of September 25-29. 1917, were: D. V. Lamm, president: A. R. Wil-
liams, vice president; George L. Saunders, manager; C. W. Decker,
secretary-treasurer.
The County Agent's Work
The first and only county agricultural agent who has been as-
signed to Wells County is Harry Gray, and the functions of his
office are thus described in the section of the vocational educational
law passed by the Legislature of 1913 : "It shall be the duty of such
agent, under the supervision of the Purdue University, to cooperate
with farmers' institutes, farmers' clubs and other organizations, to
conduct practical farm demonstrations, boys' and girls' clubs and
contest work, and other movements for the advancement of agriculture
and country life, and to give advice to farmers on practical farm
problems, and aid the county superintendent of schools and teachers
in giving practical education in agriculture and domestic science."
Vol. I— 1 s
274 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Increasing the Production of Corn
As the corn crop is Wells County's prime source of wealth, steps
taken in improving the production of that cereal logically take first
place in the work of the county agent. As he himself says : ' ' This
has perhaps been our most important work, as Wells County is pri-
marily a corn and hog county, and an increase of only one bushel per
acre on our sixty thousand acres, in a single year would pay the
salary of the county agent for twenty years. The work was com-
menced in October of 1914 by holding seed corn selection meetings
in each of the nine townships of the county, where the type of ear and
stalk was studied and attention paid to methods of storing seed corn.
A Seed Corn Selective Meeting
Great stress was laid upon the importance of selecting seed from the
fields before it was injured by killing frosts. The nine meetings were
held upon farms where we could go into the corn fields and were at-
tended by 167 men and 334 children. This was followed by putting
cards into the schools for the purpose of getting reports of the probable
corn acreage of 1915, the amount of seed corn selected from the field
and when and how it was stored. Not a great number of these cards
came back to me, but those that did showed that the farmers were
depending too much on crib-selected corn.
"At the meetings we used charts showing the possible yields with
given stands and weights or ears, and the per cent of stand and cost of
production in the Five-acre Corn Contest in Indiana in 1914. We also
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 275
showed the difference in vitality of different ears of corn by exhibiting
the sprouted grains as taken from the germination box. As a result
of these various efforts more farmers in this county this season tested
their seed corn than in any previous seasons. This means better stands
of corn and consequently increased yields. If we could get only one
farmer in each four in the county to discard a single dead ear and
plant a good one in its stead, we would secure the one bushel increase."
Protecting and Improving the Hogs
In the line of "hog improvement" work, the county agent re-
ported: "This has been along the line of Hog Cholera control and
the feeding of better rations. A serum depot was maintained in
Bluffton in 1915 and one Anti-Hog Cholera organization formed. The
great difficulty in the control work is to get men to realize that
cholera is a community problem, and there is an immense amount ot
work ahead along this line. A number of hog owners have been per-
suaded to feed better rations to their sows and growing pigs."
The Broad, Progressive Farmer of Today
There have also been "wheat production" campaigns, horticultural
and dairy extension work, horse improvement meetings, "drives" to
control oat smut, potato scab and other fungus and insect threats,
and farm surveys for the purpose of collecting data on management
and business efficiency. Before the county agent commenced his work
two farmers' clubs had been organized in his territory and since
then many have been established. Under direction of the county
superintendent of schools, he has met with teachers' institutes, visited
schools and, in numerous instances, has listened to recitations, and
examined the pupils themselves, on agricultural matters which came
within the scope of his work. Each Saturday during the school terms
it is the custom of some of the teachers to call at his office in Bluffton,
in order to consult and co-operate with him. Perhaps the most com-
mon topic of consultation between the county agent and the teachers of
the country schools relates to the contests in corn growing, poultry
raising and sewing, which were inaugurated by the county superin-
tendent several years ago. In this special work the county superin-
tendent of schools is the leader and the county agent is directly under
him. Their close and warm co-operation in Wells County has resulted
in striking benefit to its boys and girls. These activities, coupled
with the social and literary benefits enjoyed by the members of the
276
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
farmers' institutes and clubs; the extended advantages of school and
traveling libraries, telephone service, automobiles, traction machinery,
improved roads, scientific drainage, and a bundred other blessings of
today (so widespread that they have become almost necessities), have
made the typical agricultural life of Wells County not only one of
independence, but of breadth, health and true development.
Changes in Cereals and Live Stock
As an agricultural and live stock county, Wells has witnessed a
number of positive transformations within the past thirty years.
Seen at a Live Stock Improvement Tour
Its wheat crop, which in the '80s was such a source of wealth and
pride is now small, while its corn lands have almost doubled in area
and much more than doubled in productiveness. Both in the acreage
sown and the yield, oats have increased more than threefold. Timothy
has about held its own in acreage and quantity produced. In live
stock the greatest gain has been in milch cows and the most pro-
nounced loss in sheep. Thirty years ago Wells County was raising
three times as many sheep as it is today. The actual number of its
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 2
reased, although all of the
horses, cattle and hogs has not much i
show a decided improvement in breeds
Comparative Soil and Animal Wealth (1884-1917)
In 1884 the chief cereals of Wells County were the following, as
indicated by the figures: Corn, 34,607 acres, with a production of
821. 5S5 bushels; wheat, 28,272 acres, 370,507 bushels; oats, 7,727
acres, 253,921 bushels; timothy. 16,289 acres, 25,880 tons. The live
stock : • Num'ber of horses, 6,679 ; cattle, 13,149 ; hogs, 26,672 ; sheep,
12,045. Division of lands: Timber, 66,260; newly-cleared, 2,039;
idle plowed, 8,144; grass lands, 5,741.
Accompanying these and other figures taken from the census of
1884 is the note : ' ' But it must be borne in mind that the official
census generally falls far short of giving the full amount."' The
same may be said of the statistics gleaned from the township as-
sessors books which assume to bring these items up to January 1,
1917; in fact, some of these officials, such as those representing Lan-
caster and LTnion, have the grace to admit that their returns are '•in-
complete." It is probable that from 25 to 30 per cent added to the
total of any of these items would be much nearer correct than the
figures as they stand ; but they are the best which are accessible.
County Acreage
Township Leased or
Rented
Chester 17,082
Harrison 21,159
Jackson 22,649
Jefferson 19,816
Lancaster 4,986
Liberty 20,150
Nottingham 13,953
Rock Creek 21,937
Union 4,416
Totals 146,148
Timber
5.176
1,323
2.273
1,431
6,474
2.4:i3
3,131
1.920
896
359
4,405
1,587
2.323
959
3,310
2,226
675
205
Mabel and Litter Mate
4 *
i % %
,«;^r^^"^
['/ > '
Coming Live Stock Man
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Cereals op County (1917)
Townships Corn
Acres Bushels
Chester 4,447 130,455
Harrison 6,323 237.962
Jackson 6,197 204,466
Jefferson 5,252 210,080
Lancaster 3,240 93,315
Liberty 5,308 267,340
Nottingham 3,833 140,720
Rock Creek .... 6,200 276,360
Marion
Oats
Timothy
Acres
Bushels
Acres
Tons
2,708
62,420
2,57.4
2,444
3,677
114,630
2.18S
2,510
3.281
83,067
1,985
2,456
3,347
100,310
3,109
4.305
2,050
53,737
1,885
2,278
3,928
116,370
2.500
2,743
2,326
62,101
1,500
1,596
3,666
135,418
1,758
2,326
Totals ...40,800 1,560,688 24,983 728,053 17.429 20,658
Live Stock by Townships (1917)
Townships Horses
Chester 702 '
Harrison 859
Jackson 855
Jefferson 781
Lancaster 1,493
Liberty 958
Nottingham 516
Rock Creek 871
Total 7,055
Cattle
Hogs
Sheep
1,232
2,500
463
1,839
2,873
1,082
1,657
5,054
578
1,362
2,863
551
1,395
2,850
188
1,596
5,019
399
1,074
1,976
315
2,063
5,437
966
28.562
4.542
Population of the County, 1860-1910
The first United States census of "Wells County was taken in 1860,
when it had a population of 10,844; the figures had increased to
13,585 in 1870; 18,442 in 1880; 21,514 in 1890, and 23,449 in 1900.
The decadal enumeration of 1910 indicated a decrease of population,
being given at 22,418.
The census of 1880 produces a number of interesting items. In
that year the population by townships was as follows: Chester,
1,668; Harrison, 4,389 (including Bluffton, with 2,354 and Vera
Cruz, 260); Jackson, 1,496; Jefferson, 2,262; Lancaster, 1.806; Lib-
erty, 1,752; Nottingham, 2,057; Rock Creek, 1.412. and Union, 1,600.
280 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Nativity : American, 17,851 ; foreign, 591. Of the American-born, the
division by states was: Indiana, 11,879; Ohio, 3,958; Pennsylvania,
991 ; New York, 136 ; Illinois, 86 ; Kentucky, 83. Of the foreign-born,
Germany furnished 206 ; Ireland, 133 ; England and Wales, 55 ; Scot-
land, 26 ; British America, 16 ; France, 1 ; Sweden and Norway, 1 each.
Population by Townships, 1890-1910
1910
Totals 22.41S
Civil Divisions
Chester Township, including Keystone Town. . 1,929
Keystone Town 212
Harrison Township, including Vera Cruz
Town, and parts of Bluffton and Poneto
Town 6.742
Bluffton City (part of) 4,848
Total for Bluffton City in Harrison and Lan-
caster townships — Ward 1, 1,269; Ward
2, 2,022 ; Ward 3, 1,696 4,987
Poneto Town (part of) 112
Total for Poneto Town in Harrison and Lib-
erty counties 308
Jackson Township 1,778
Jefferson Township, including Ossian Town. . 2,617
Ossian Town 661
Lancaster Township, including part of Ward
1, Bluffton City 2,371 2,169 2,030
Bluffton City (part of) '. 139
Liberty Township, including part of Poneto
Town 1,S46 1,976 2,037
Poneto Town (part of) 196 261
Nottingham Township 2,219 2,654 2,284
Rock Creek Township, including parts of
Markle and Uniondale Towns 1,442 1,560 1,609
Markle Town (part of in Huntington Town-
ship) 74
Uniondale Town (part of) 158
Total for Uniondale Town in Rock Creek and
Union townships 189
Union Township (including part of Union-
dale Town) 1,474 1,505 1,646
1900
!3.449
1890
21,514
2,345
250
1,937
6,548
4.479
5,764
3,589
4,479
71
3,589
332
2,237
2,455
529
1,731
2,476
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
281
Comparative Property V
ligation (1884-1917)
The assessors who went among: the farmers and villagers of Wells
County in 1884 reported the following as their grand conclusions:
Number of acres of land, 231,098, valued at $3,177,635, with improve-
ments amounting to $795,005; lots, $263,545, and improvements,
$374,615 ; personal property, $1,568,165. Total value of taxable prop-
erty, $6,178,865. It will be seen by a comparison of the valuation of
the farming lands with improvements and the improved village and
town lots that the latter were assessed at between IS and 19 per cent
Wells County Percherons
of the former. At first thought, a resident of Wells County would
be rather positive that the more than thirty years which had passed
since that time would have advanced city and village property much
more proportionately than agricultural lands; but such is not the
ease, and the figures which cover the same items for 1917 show that
there has not been a change of 1 per cent in the comparative value of
urban and farming real estate in Wells County.
Value of Taxable Property (1917)
The following table exhibits the total value of taxable property in
Wells County in January, 1917, by townships, town and city (Bluff-
2s2
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
ton). It shows the area of the county in acres, and the real estate is
divided into "lands," or farms, and "lots," or village and city
property. The lands and lots, with improvements, make the total
real estate assessed for taxable purposes.
Townships Acres
Jackson 22,844.60
Chester 22,869.68
Keystone (town) . . . 42.32
Liberty 21,824.03
Poneto (town) 7.79
Nottingham 30,5111. lili
Rock Creek 22,630.05
Markle (town) ....
Uniondale (town) . . 40.01
Union 22,450.48
Jefferson 29,929.76
Ossian (town) 5,854.
Lancaster (town) . . 30,151.40
Harrison 29,116.47
Vera Cruz (town) . . 5,124.
Bluffton (city) 19,807.
Totals 232,545.10
Lands and Lots and Total
Improve- Improve- Personal of Taxable
ments ments Property Property
$ 916,300
943,235
10,850
912,600
1,120
1,263,155
999,920
12,195
915,375
1,129,380
28,195
1,281,570
1,378,300
3,050
138,040
$ 5,840
4,695
10,725
13,040
23,480
20,945
3,495
11,360
. 33,760
20,500
18,055
84,260
30,355
7,410
12,635
1,619,765
354,175
64,500
508,880
474,200
27.S.260
370,155
126,970
462,830
518,565
28,270
190,990
$ 1,300,115
'"33',800
1,279,815
89,100
1,792,980
1,477,615
19,740
115,650
1,214,140
1,517,890
239,425
1,774,755
1,904,275
43,955
2,554,795
,933,285 $1,920,325 $4,730,810 $16,584,420
Automobile Income and Roads
The assessors also collected a number of interesting items, both in
their "round-up" of personal property and real estate. It was ascer-
tained that the gross receipts turned into the county treasury from
the registration of motor vehicles (chiefly automobiles) amounted dur-
ing the year 1916 to over $15,000. They also learned that there were
756 miles of gravel and macadam roads in Wells County, and 31,992
in the entire State of Indiana.
Finances of the County
The report of County Auditor C. T. Kain for the year ending
December 31, 1916, adds much in the way of information about schools,
roads and other vital subjects, to the facts already conveyed, and also
gives a definite idea of the county government as a financial and a
business organization. The total received from all sources for the
year amounted to $815,818.85 ; disbursements, $726,308.40 ; balance De-
cember 31, 1916, $97,193.96. This sum, less overdrafts of $7,683.51,
left a net balance of $89,510.45. The schools and the roads of the
county drew most heavily on the treasury, the former to the extent of
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
2s:j
about $170,000 and the latter (roads) about $100,000 more. The books
further showed that more than $6,000 was expended on the up-keep
of the County Poor Farm, some $5,500 on the' Bluffton Library and
nearly $12,000 on the electric light and waterworks plant.
Indebtedness on Account op Roads
The following table shows the bonded indebtedness of the various
townships on account of free gravel and stone roads, and forcibly in-
dicates the preponderance of Harrison Township in that regard :
Bonds
Outstanding
Townships — January 1,
1917
Jackson $ 8,424.00
Chester 54,048.00
Liberty 42.814.00
Rock Creek 71,793.72
Union 41,766.28
Nottingham 35,588.00
Harrison 196.524.00
Lancaster 72,660.00
Jefferson 90,702.00
Totals $614,320.00
Net Bonded
Principal
Indebtedness
on Bonds
After Deduct-
Payable
ing 1917
in 1917
Payment
$ 1,128.00
$ 7,296.00
8.664.00
45,384.00
8,950.00
33,864.00
10,717.32
61,076.40
8,394.68
33,371.60
10.624.00
24,964.00
30,012.00
166,512.00
15,630.00
57,030.00
16,588.00
74,114.00
$110,708.00
$503,612.00
CHAPTER XVI
UNORGANIZED PIONEER PERIOD
Counties Carved prom Indian Country — Captain Wells, After
Whom the County Was Named — The Fort Dearborn Massacre
— Garrison Preparing for Departure — Captain Wells' Life of
Romance — Arrival of Captain Wells Too Late — Destruction
of Liquor Infuriates Savages — The Death March from Fort
Dearborn — The Ambuscade and Massacre. — Dr. Joseph Knox
and the norcrosses nun mclntyre tree dwellers of the
County — Bowen Hale, Pioneer Benedict and Merchant —
Starts Trading Post Near Murray — Not a Mighty Hunter —
A Bluffton Merchant — Lost a Good Lawyer But a Poor
Speller — The Harveys — Henry Miller — Pioneer Events — ■
Greatest Drawback to Settlement — Wells County Pioneer
Association — General Pioneer Pictures — The Chase in Wells
County — Isaac Covert — ' ' Wils. ' ' Bulger — The Wild Woman —
Paying Postage Some Job.
The early settlement of what is now Wells County, before it was
organized as a body political and civil, covers the eight years from
1829 to 1837 ; the period commencing with the coming of Dr. Joseph
Knox, the good doctor, without patients, who located near the present
postoffice of Murray, and concluding with the assembling of the first
board of county commissioners before even Bluffton had been staked
out. Two years before the county government was organized it was
"given a name and a place on the statute books of the State Legislature.
Counties Carved from Indian Country
During the winter of 1835 Col. John Vawter, of Jennings County,
chairman of the Legislative Committee on New Counties introduced a
bill in the assembly to "lay out all the unorganized territory to which
the Indian title had been extinguished in the state into a suitable
number of counties." It was approved February 7th of that year,
and under that measure the following counties in Northeastern and
284
286 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Northern Indiana were laid out — that is, legally created, although not
organized as civil bodies : Wells, Jay, DeKalb, Steuben, Whitley,
Kosciusco, Fulton, Marshall, Stark, Pulaski, Jasper, Newton and
Porter.
Captain Wells, After Whom the County Was Named
As will be noticed, the new counties carved out of this raw Indian
country were named mainly in honor of well known statesmen and
Revolutionary heroes. Perhaps of the entire list the average reader
will be less familiar with the personality of the man honored by the
sponsors of Wells County, although there was probably no hero identi-
fied with the War of 1812 whose life was more romantic and whose
fate at the Fort Dearborn massacre was more to the credit of a brave
soul than Capt. William Wells. By reading the following narrative
of the captain's death at the hands of treacherous savages, with an
account of his previous career, none need be ashamed of the man
chosen to give his name to Wells County.
The Fort Dearborn Massacre
On the 18th of June, 1812, the United States declared war against
England, and on the 16th of July, Fort Mackinac surrendered to the
British. On the 9th of August following, an Indian runner from
General Hull, at Detroit, brought news of the war and the fall of
Mackinac, to Captain Heald, with orders to evacuate Fort Dear-
born and proceed with his command to Detroit, by land, leaving it
to the discretion of the commandant to dispose of the public property
as he thought proper. Within the next three days neighboring Indians
came in from all quarters to receive the goods which they under-
stood were to be given them. It might seem as if no other course was
open to Captain Heald but to obey the orders of General Hull. His
force was not as strong as that at Fort Mackinac. It consisted of fifty-
four privates, and two officers, Lieut. L. T. Helm and Ensign George
Ronau. Twelve militia men were also under his orders. Of the regu-
lars, a large number were on the sick list. Altogether there were not
probably forty able-bodied fighting men. With them were about a
dozen women and twenty children. He received his orders on the 9th.
But he trusted to the friendly reputation of the Pottawatomies,
through whose country he must pass, and waited for six days, until
400 or 500 warriors were assembled at the fort, before he moved. He
was then at their mercy.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 287
Garrison Preparing for Departure
The Pottawatomie chief who had brought General Hull's orders
was Winnemeg, a friendly Indian, who well knew the feelings of the
Indians. He at first advised that the fort be held, until reinforce-
ments should arrive. To this Captain Heald would not agree. Win-
nemeg 's next advice was instantaneous departure, so that before the
Indians could assemble or agree upon definite action, and while they
would be taking possession of the goods, the force might make its
escape. Mr. John Kinzie, who had long known the Indians, approved
of the same course. The younger officers were in favor of holding
the fort — but Captain Heald resolved to pursue his own way. This
was to assemble the Indians, divide the property among them, and
get from them a friendly escort to Fort Wayne. On the 12th a con-
ference was held with the Indians by Captain Heald, and they agreed
to his proposals. They would take the property, and furnished him
a guard of safety. Whether they really would have done so it is im-
possible to know, but Black Hawk, who was not present at the mas-
sacre, but knew the Indian version of it, subsequently said that the
attack took place because the whites did not keep their agreement.
There were two species of property that the Indians chiefly wanted,
whiskey and ammunition. There were large quantities of both at the
fort, and the Indians were aware of that fact.
Captain Wells' Life of Romance
On the 13th, Captain William Wells, Indian agent at Fort Wayne,
arrived at Fort Dearborn with thirty friendly Miamis, for the purpose
of bringing Captain Heald on his way. Captain Wells had lived
among the Indians, and was cognizant of their character. He was the
uncle of Mrs. Heald : born in Kentucky, and belonged to a family
of Indian fighters. When he was a lad of twelve, he was stolen by
the Miamis and adopted by Little Turtle, their great chief. He
served with the Indians at. the outbreak of the w T ar in 1790, and was
present at the battle where St. Clair was defeated. But he then began
to realize that he was fighting against his own kindred, and resolved
to take leave of the Indians. He asked Little Turtle to accompany
him to a point on the Maumee, about two miles east of Fort Wayne,
long known as the Big Elm, where he thus spoke: "Father, we have
long been friends. I now leave you to go to my own people. We
will be friends until the sun reaches the midday height. From that
time we will be enemies; and if you want to kill me then, you may.
288 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
And if I want to kill you, I may.'* He then set out for General
Wayne's army, and was made captain of a company of scouts. He
fought under General Wayne until the Treaty of Greenville, after
which lie removed to Fort Wayne, where he was joined by his wife,
who was a daughter of Little Turtle. He settled upon a farm and
was made Indian agent and justice of the peace. He rendered ef-
fective service to General Harrison, the governor.
Arrival of Captain Wells Too Late
When Captain Wells heard of the intended evacuation of Fort
Dearborn he volunteered to go there and act as escort to the soldiers.
He arrived at the fort on the 13th of August, too late, however, to
have any influence on the question of evacuation. Captain Heald had
up to this point resisted the advice of Winnemeg, the friendly In-
dians, John Kinzie and his junior officers, as to adopting any other
course. But now after all his firmness came a period of irresolution.
Destruction of Liquor Infuriates Savages
The supply of muskets, ammunition and liquor was large. It was
madness to hand over to the Indians these supplies with which first
to excite and infuriate them, and then to leave them with still more
abundant means of wrecking that fury on the garrison. This fact
was strongly urged by both Captain Wells and John Kinzie. Captain
Heald yielded, and on the night of the 13th destroyed all the am-
munition and muskets he could not carry with him. The liquor was
thrown into the lake. Xo sooner was this done than the older chiefs
professed that they could no longer restrain - their young men.
Black Partridge, one of the most noted Pottawatomie chiefs, and
always friendly to the whites since the Treaty of Greenville, had re-
ceived a medal from General Wayne at the time of that treaty. On
the evening of the 14th he came to the fort and entered Captain
Heald 's quarters. "Father." he said, "I come to deliver up to you
the medal I wear. It was given me by the Americans and I have long
worn it in token of our mutual friendship. But our young men are
resolved to imbrue their hands in the blood of the whites. I can not
restrain them, and I will not wear a token of peace while I am com-
pelled to act as an enemy."
The Death March from Fort Dearborn
The Indians held a council and resolved on the destruction of the
garrison. And yet, with the most heroic fortitude and constancy, the
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 289
officers made their final arrangements for the evacuation, sustaining
and encouraging the men by their words and by their example. At
9 o'clock on the morning of the 15th of August, all being in readi-
ness, the gates of the fort were thrown open for the last time and
the march commenced. In accordance with Indian custom and in
premonition of his fate, Captain Wells had blackened his face. With
fifteen of his Miami braves, whom he supposed to be trusty, he led the
advance. The other fifteen wagons brought up the rear. The women
and children were in wagons or on horseback. Brave John Kinzie de-
termined to accompany the troops, hoping that his presence would be
the means of restraining the Indians. Entrusting his family to the
care of some friendly Indians to be taken around the head of the lake
in a boat to a point near St. Joseph, he marched out with the troops.
He was warned by several friendly chiefs not to accompany the sol-
diers, but he was determined to do' all in his power to bring some re-
straining influence to bear, if possible, on the savages. The strains of
music, as the soldiers passed beyond the gates, were certainly not en-
livening. By some strange wierd choice of the bandmaster, who was
among the killed, the "Dead March" was played as the soldiers filed
out from the protection of the fortifications on the open plain. Scarcely
had the troops departed, when the fort became a scene of plundering.
The Ambuscade and Massacre
Along the lake shore ran a beaten Indian trail, which was the path
pursued. Westward from this, at about 100 yards distance, commenc-
ing perhaps a quarter of a mile from the fort, a sand bank, or range
of hills, separated the lake from the prairie. When the troops started
an escort of 500 Pottawatomies accompanied tbem, but when the sand
hills were reached the Indians struck out towards the prairie, instead
of keeping along the beach. Concealing their movements behind the
sand hills, they hurried forward and placed an ambuscade in readiness
for the troops. The little band had marched about a mile and a half
when Captain Wells, who had led the advance, came riding swiftly
back, saying that the Indians were about to open an attack from be-
hind the sand bank. The company charged up the bank, firing one
round which the Indians returned. The savages, getting in upon the
rear, were soon in possession of the horses, provisions and baggage,
slaughtering many of the women and children in the attempt. Against
fearful odds, and hand to hand, the officers and men, and even the
women, fought for their lives. But it was soon over. Drawing his
little remnant of survivors off an elevation on the open prairie, out of
290 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
range, Captain Heald himself wounded, proceeded to examine the situa-
tion. The Indians did not follow, but, after some consultation of the
chiefs, made signs for Captain Heald to approach them. He advanced
alone and met Black Bird, who promised to spare their lives if they
would surrender. Upon these terms, Captain Heald complied with the
demand.
Among the killed were Captain Wells, Ensign Ronau and Surgeon
De Isaac Van Voorhis. The wounded were Captain and Mrs. Heald
and Lieutenant Helm and wife. Every other wounded prisoner was
put to death. Of the whole number that left the fort but an hour
before, there remained only twenty-five non-commissioned officers and
privates and eleven women and children.
The number of Indians engaged was between 400 and 500. Their
loss was about fifteen. The Miamis fled at the first attack, and took
no part whatever in the fight.
Captain Wells, after fighting desperately, was surrounded and
stabbed in the back. His body was horribly mangled, his head cut
off, and his heart taken out and eaten by the savages, who thought, by
so doing, some of the courage of the heroic scout would be conveyed to
them.
The day following the massacre, the fort and agency building were
burned to the ground and the first Fort Dearborn ceased to be. The
prisoners were scattered among the various tribes, and a large num-
ber of warriors hastened to attempt the destruction of Fort Wayne.
Dr. Joseph Knox and the Norcrosses
Dr. Joseph Knox was the first white man to make his home in Wells
County, being also the first to settle at any point between Fort Recov-
ery and Huntington, and that was in the year 1829, on the southeast
quarter of section 18, Lancaster Township, near Murray postoffice, or
the. village of Lancaster. Shortly after his location there he was
joined by his two sons-in-law, Vantrees and Warner, who "took up"
the tracts since known as the Robert and James Harvey farms. Both
came with their families and remained until 1832, when they were all
frightened out of the country by wild rumors concerning the Black
Hawk war.
Allen and Isaac Norcross came in 1831, settling near the river
below Bluffton, the former locating on the eastern bank. They also
left during the Indian excitement of 1832, returning to New Jersey,
their native state. After the Black Hawk war, Allen came again to
his chosen location. He was a rather singidar character, although in-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 291
telligent and well-educated and sociable. Although he resided here
until his death in 1879, except a number of years in Texas, he passed
a sort of hermit life, scarcely ever appearing in town or in public
except on circus days, when he was sure to be present, with a smiling,
happy countenance. At these shows he would take his seat early, rest
his hands and chin on the top of his cane, and take in everything with
the utmost eagerness. Indeed, it is said that one of his chief objec-
tions to removing further west was the fact that he would in a great
measure be deprived of the privilege of attending circuses. He had a
wife and five children, the latter of whom went to Texas. After the
loss of his wife Mr. Norcross partially "kept bach," and, although
affable with visitors, kept himself singularly dissociated from the out-
side world. His death was the result of injuries received in a runaway,
and his remains lie buried in the Murray graveyard.
After his death there was found in his possession Government
bonds to the amount of $13,000, concealed in a stack of sugar buckets
in the smoke-house. To the different classes of these bonds he had a
unique system of indexing. He was in the habit of keeping Ins cur-
rency sealed in fruit-cans, and buried in the ground a hundred yards
from the house. In his hermit leisure he contracted many peculiar
habits. William Norcross moved to Texas in 1844.
Nun McIntyre
Among the pioneers who located in Wells County previous to May,
1837, when its civil organization was effected, were Nun Mclntyrc, who
was a native of Virginia, came to the county in 1836, served as a pro-
bate judge and in other public offices and died in 1881, and Henry
MeCullock, who located in Chester Township in 1835, but was not so
well known.
Tree Dwellers of the County
Almon Case, a Yankee of good sense and ready wit, arrived about
1836, and celebrated his coming by having a "spell of the ague" of
three weeks duration, during which period he curled up in a hollow
sycamore log lying on the future site of Bluffton, near where McFar-
ren's clothing store stood many years afterward. Mr. Case became the
first hotelkeeper in Bluffton and was the original contractor of the
1845 court house. He died at Vera Cruz, Wells County, in 1875.
William Barton came from Vermont in 1836 and. like Mr. Case,
is said to have first occupied a hollow sycamore tree. His improved
292 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
residence was in Roek Creek Township on land which subsequently
became the McAfee farm. As Mr. Barton was six feet three inches
tall (long), it is said that in order to get the full benefit of the shelter
he kept his body inside the 'trunk of the tree and inserted his feet,
Bowen Hale
which were "left over," in the hollow of a protruding root. He
moved to Allen County in 1839 and died in that part of the state.
Bowen Hale, Pioneer Benedict and Merchant
Few of the older generation of Wells County pioneers retained the
confidence and affection of all classes as long or as firmly as Bowen
Hale. He was a Kentuckian, born in Mason County, July 4, 1801.
His grandfather was an Englishman and a slaveholder, who freed his
chattels after they had cleared his Maryland plantation and partially
transformed the tract into a family homestead. John Hale, his
father, was born in that state, but moved to Ohio while Bowen was an
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 293
infant, served in the War of 1912 from that state, and in 1837 located
in Whitley County, Indiana, where he died at the age of seventy-three.
The youth of Bowen Hale was passed on his father's farm in Greene
County, Ohio, near the old town of Bellbrook. He assisted his father
both in his tannery and on his farm. In that neighborhood, also he
attended school in a backwoods cabin and even taught a few months
himself. His mother having died when he was quite young the boy
remained with his father until lie reached his majority, when he left
home and learned the chair-making business, which he followed for
several years, working in Dayton. Xenia and Cincinnati. During this
period he took a trip South, going down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers
in a steamboat. In the state of Mississippi he followed house-painting,
having become skilled in that trade while painting chairs in the shop.
Starts Trading Post Near Murray
After his return from this trip Mr. Hale engaged in the mercantile
business in Bellbrook, Ohio, until 1834, when he sold his interest in
the store, and came to Wells County in 1835, his physician having
advised him to go West for his health, telling him that unless he did so
he could not hope to live very long. ' Consequently, he started into the
woods to seek a home. He came down the Wabash River, and being
charmed with the fertile lands along the Wabash, he stopped near the
Town of Murray and resolved to make this his home. His father three
years later passed by these lands and settled on the higher and more
broken lands in Whitley County. Here Mr. Hale entered forty acres
of land, hired a man to build him a cabin, and started to Cincinnati
for a stock of goods, having resolved to start a post to trade with the
Indians and the few white inhabitants in the county, there being only
about twelve white families within the limits of Wells. On his re-
turn, in the spring of 1836, he found that his cabin had not been
built ; but he went to work, and with the assistance of Henry Miller
and others, soon had a comfortable cabin, suitable for store-room and
living-room. His customers were mostly Indians, who were peaceable,
yet like most men, red or white, were dangerous when filled with fire-
water. His stock of goods consisting of brass rings, whiskey and
such articles of clothing as the Indians usually wore, were converted
into pelts, there being but little money in the country. These pelts
were conveyed usually on Henry Miller's wagon to Dayton, Ohio, or
Cincinnati, and there sold. As a matter of course, he left nothing be-
hind in his cabin, as the Indians ransacked that as soon as he was gone.
The trip to Dayton and Cincinnati usually took about three weeks or
longer.
294 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Not a Mighty Hunter
Although Mr. Hale had made his home in this wild country, and iu
common with all that hardy race of pioneers, the first settlers of Wells
County, had many narrow escapes from wild animals and wild men,
yet he was strictly a man of peace, and never was a hunter, and tells
with considerable satisfaction that he never killed but one deer in his
life, and that he stood in the door of his cabin and shot. Seeing the
deer quietly grazing in front of his door, an Indian who -was present
picked up his gun to shoot it, when Mr. Hale asked him to let him
shoot, and he took his gun and shot, killing the deer. He often said
he had all the hunting he wanted in keeping the turkeys, squirrels
and other animals out of his corn fields.
Mr. Hale was first married in 1837 to Miss Sarah James, a native of
Virginia, who died in two years and three months after her marriage,
without children. His was the first marriage of a resident of Wells
County. At the time there was no justice of the peace accessible and
he therefore took his bride to Fort Wayne to have the knot legally
tied. In the year 1840 he married Miss Mary Ann Deam, of Mont-
gomery County, Ohio, a daughter of Adam Deam, probably from Vir-
ginia, who afterward removed to Wells County and settled near Mur-
ray and built the first grist mill at that place. Adam Deam had four
sons — Abraham, William, John and James P. — William and James P.
each served as treasurer of Wells County; and four daughters,
Rachel, Mary Ann, Harriet and Ann. Mrs. Hale died in the year 1872,
leaving Mr. Hale again a widower. They had eight children, seven of
whom survive — John D.. clerk of Adams County; Hon. Silas W., of
Geneva, Adams County; James P., of Bluffton, deceased; Lewis B.,
deceased, residing on the old homestead ; Emerillas, wife of A. R.
Vanemon ; Jane, the wife of Daniel Markley, and Mary, living at home
with her father. At the organization of Wells County in 1837, Bowen
Hale was elected to the offices of auditor, clerk and recorder, or rather
these three offices were then combined in one. He continued to hold
these three offices until 1841, when an auditor was elected and he was
relieved of the duties of that office. Ten years later Wilson M. Bulger
was elected recorder, leaving Mr. Hale with the office of clerk, which
he continued to hold until 1855, making a total of twenty years in the
clerk's office alone, his time having expired by the limit of the consti-
tution, and although urged to accept it again he declined to do so. He
also for a short time during this period held the office of postmaster,
he being the first postmaster in the county. In the year 1858 he was
elected to the office of magistrate and filled the office for three years.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
•J! 1.1
Again, in the year 1865, he was elected, against his wishes, to the
office of county commissioner. Being indisposed at the time, he
was not even aware that lie was a candidate until the day of Ins elec-
tion. Thus is his history the history of Wells County; coming into
public life before the organization of the county, for twenty-six years
he was a servant of the people of Wells County, and her interest was
his interest, and to say that he did his work well is wholly unnecessary.
The people have said as much by their ballots. Never were the
Modern Clearing of the Forests
affairs of any county better or more honestly administered. His
records are neat, legible, perfectly formed, accurate and complete and
excite the admiration of the most skilled attorneys.
A Bluffton Merchant
When he removed from his farm near Murray Mr. Bowen brought
his dry goods store with him and continued in that business for a short
time, his store being a log cabin on Market Street, the town being then
in the woods with heavy timber and thick underbrush in all the
296 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
streets. Hon. John Stndabaker became his rival in business, his store
being also on Market Street, and they cleared the brush out of the
street so that they might be able to see from their boarding-house a
square away, to their respective places of business.
Lost a Good Lawyer But Poor Speller
Mr. Hale tells, among many instances of his early pioneer life, of a
young limb of the law who landed in Bluffton with the avowed inten-
tion of practicing his chosen profession. He sought Mr. Hale and
asked permission to make the clerk's office his law office for a short
time, which request was granted, and the young lawyer sat down to
work. Concluding it would be well to advertise his business, he wrote
his card on a sheet of paper and posted the same on a tree standing at
the crossing of Main and Market streets. When Mr. Hale went to
supper he walked up and read it, and after the young lawyer's name,
in large letters, w r ere the words "Eterney at Law." Mr. Hale in-
formed the young man of his mistake, who immediately tore down the
advertisement and left town ; he located in an adjoining county, and
now bears the honorable title of "Judge." Thus, by a mistake in
spelling, the town lost a lawyer, judge and citizen.
Mr. Hale was always a democrat, his first vote for president being
east for Andrew Jackson. He never was, however, much of a politi-
cian, according to the usual application of that term, and never elec-
tioneered for himself ; it is said that he once started out for that pur-
pose, but was so disgusted with the business that after going a few
miles in the country he turned his horse toward home and never tried
it again. When the Civil war broke out, two of Mr. Hale's sons en-
listed, and at the Battle of Missionary Ridge John D. was shot through
the body, and lay in the hospital at Chattanooga, Tennessee. Mr.
Hale, even then an old man, went to Chattanooga and brought him '
home. In 1858 Mr. Hale retired with his family to his farm, where he
passed his last years at a venerable age. In his earlier life he became a
member of the Universalist Church, and was for many years a trustee
of that church at Bluffton, and was to the end a believer in the doc-
trines as taught by Ballou, Chapin and others. He also joined the
Masonic Lodge at Bluffton, was for many years a member of Bluffton
Lodge, No. 145, and, to the last, maintained the high standard of their
tenets.
The Habveys
Robert and James Harvey were among the real pioneers of the
county, and settled at what became the site of the village of Murray,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 297
in Lancaster Township. The former, who was born near Knoxville,
Tennessee, located in 1832, and died ten years later after he had made
a home for his wife and family. Mrs. Harvey afterward married
David Aker, and lived for many years on the old Harvey homestead.
In the autumn of 1833 he followed the Indian trails to section 19, Lan-
caster Township, and threw up a rude log cabin without doors or
windows in which he lived the following winter. He brought his
family with him. In the spring they were able to raise a few vege-
tables, but life was a fierce struggle for several years.
Henry Miller
For many years previous to his death in Lancaster June 25, 1882,
Henry Miller held the undisputed title of "oldest settler of Wells
County." On the 10th of November, 1832, he made his home near
where Murray now stands, having been preceded only by Dr. Joseph
Knox and the Norcrosses. There he purchased the land on which he
lived almost fifty years. Mrs. Miller died in 1887, the mother of ten
children. Henry Miller was among the best known of the old settlers.
Although he never became wealthy, he was hospitable and generous,
and was a steadfast patron of churches, schools, roads, bridges, and
everything else which could make the community a better and more
comfortable locality in which to live and bring up families to be good
Americans.
Pioneer Events
The first white child born in what is now Wells County was
Elizabeth, daughter of Mr. and Mi's. Henry Miller. She was born
in 1835, married Jacob R. Harvey and, for many years, lived at
Murray.
Before county organization, while Wells was still attached polit-
ically to Allen County, ten or twelve votes were east by the citizens
of the region (in 1836).
The first wedding in Wells County was that of Robert Simison to
Miss Rebecca Davis, in February, 1S37. at the residence of James
Harvey. It was solemnized bj^ 'Squire Hood, of Fort Wayne, as at
that time there was no minister or justice of the peace any nearer who
could tie the knot. Mr. and Mrs. Simison celebrated their golden
wedding at Buena Vista.
The first mill was built at Murray in 1837 by Jesse Gerhart.
Through many alterations and remodelings it continued to be operated
298 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
for many years. It is said that Michael Miller brought the first barrel
of flour iuto the county in that year.
The first school in tiie county was taught by Jesse B. McGrew in
1837. It was located on the farm of Adam Miller up the river from
Bluffton.
Thus, in a fashion, has the historical gi'ound been cleared which
covers the eight years of pioneer settlement in Wells County before
its citizens organized a government of their own.
Greatest Drawback to Settlement
The first settlers within the present limits of Wells County thus
located along the Wabash River, in Lancaster, Harrison and Rock
Creek townships. Rock Creek, the principal tributary of the Wabash,
runs between the parent stream and the Salamonie River. All their
tributaries had their origin in the many swails, or "slashes," as they
were called in the local dialect of the country, and the water supply,
in the early times, was purely of a surface character. Before thorough
drainage changed the condition of the lowlands along the Wabash and
its tributaries, they were covered with water during the thaws of
winter and the freshets of spring. Later, the surface waters were
heated by the summer suns, evaporation followed and the final result
was a steaming country covered with a putrid mass of vegetable and
animal matter. Then arose the marsh miasma and vitiated air hov-
ered over all the land ; the impartial sapping of the vitality of its
dweller, whatever his age, or precaution, and the insidious approach
of a dozen forms of disease.
One of the old-time physicians draws the picture of the country
and its pioneers thus, and his description is an explanation of why
the early doctors of the county chose to cast their lots where they did :
"However limited our knowledge is in regard to what marsh miasm
is, whether gaseous, meteoric, vegeto-animal, or vegetable spores, as
some claim, the fact remains patent that it requires a temperature of
sixty degrees and upward, a soil rich in organic elements, and a suf-
ficient amount of moisture to generate a cause that will always weaken
and retard the efforts of the pioneer to pave the way for a higher
civilization in a fertile country. There is no other cause that will pro-
duce so many pathological deviations as this has done in times past,
before the hand of improvement sapped its strength, and reduced it
from a primal cause to an unimportant factor in the complication of
other diseases as we see it to-day. Its effects were impartially dis-
tributed ; neither age, sex or condition were spared its inflictions. The
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 299
springtime of life, the summer of manhood, and the autumn of hoary
age, were equally alike the subject of its visitations. It had no limit
to its pathological range, from the simplest intermittent down to the
deadly algid, and from the harmless remittent to that of a malignant
or pernicious type, that frequently ended in sudden death. In some
instances the stomach and bowels received the shock, and produced
gastro-enteric hemorrhages that threatened the life of the patient, for
the time being. In others the cranial nerves received the brunt that
conveyed the impression of an acute attack of meningitis. While in
others again, a coma so profound was developed suggesting a fatal case
Home-Made Self-Feeder
of apoplexy, while yet in others a gentle soporific condition was
wrought simulating a tranced state resembling death, by the apparent
suspension of all functional movements. Such and many more uncom-
mon deviations might be noticed as falling under the observations of
those physicians who first aided in the development of this country.
"The old settler's improvement, or rather clearings, as they were
called, rarely exceeded a few acres in extent, with the primitive log
cabin somewhere near the center and a log stable off to one side. It
was nothing but a mere hole or opening in the forest that permitted
the heat of the summer's sun to reach the earth and warm it, and the
300 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
air enclosed within. As the latter became heated it also became
buoyant through rarifaction, ascended upward, leaving a partial
vacuum, which was filled by the cooler air of the surrounding forest
in the daytime. While toward the approach of night, with the de-
clining sun, evaporation was partially stayed, a thin vaporous cloud
was formed which covered the entire improvement like a blanket sus-
pended a few feet above the earth's surface. In most instances in
which the settler was located the soil was so constantly saturated with
moisture that a shallow excavation lined with a few feet of Sycamore
gum furnished an ample supply of water. During the winter's cold
it answered every purpose, but as warm weather approached there
was an increased demand for its use which was not so satisfactory. It
had lost its refrigerating qualities, and its warmth had developed a
disagreeable brackish taste that no species of filtration could remove.
In this condition some boiled it, and after it settled, used it, and con-
sidered this made quite an improvement upon the original, and no
doubt but what it was, as it destroyed all the germs and microbes
that an open soil failed to retain.
"It was from such conditions that malaria gathered strength, and
became the primal cause in the genesis of disease that gave to the
fertile valleys of the Maumee and Wabash the unsavory reputation
of the white man's necropolis. "
Wells County Pioneer Association
On September 10, 1879, the Wells County Pioneer Association was
organized at Bluffton. At the same meeting the members arranged
to visit the state fair at Indianapolis, as the managers of the exhibi-
tion had promised passes to all persons over seventy years of age
who had resided in the state forty years or more. N. Kellogg was
elected president; Michael Karris, treasurer, and J. C. Silver, secre-
tary. Under the stipulated conditions, seventeen residents of Wells
County attended the state fair in 1879. The fifth old settlers' picnic
and celebration had been held during the previous Fourth of July;
the first occasion of the kind had been celebrated July 4, 1859. The
Pioneer Assocation of 1879 endured only a few years, when it was
allowed to lapse, and there has since been no regular organization of
the kind.
General Pioneer Pictures
Before getting into the details of county organization, professional
experiences and personalities, military matters and the histories of
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 30]
the corporations and the townships of Wells County., there are several
pictures of pioneer times which naturally arise for presentation. That
done, the preliminaries necessary to a general advance all along the
line may be considered as cleared away. Hunting subjects are ever-
perennial; hence, they lead this list.
The Chase in Wells County
Pioneer life naturally develops great hunters. Conspicuous among
such in the early epoch of Well County were Isaac Covert, "Wils. "
Bulger and others. Messrs. Covert and Miller indulged in the luxury
of killing she bears and robbing them of their cubs. On one occasion,
in ]836, Messrs. Covert and Isaac Lewallen were trapping near Sam-
uel Cram's farm in Rock Creek Township, and discovered that an
otter had burrowed itself in the bank of the river. They dug it out,
but it sprang into the stream. They had no gun, and Covert, a large
and plucky man, fearing that he woidd lose the object for which he
had labored, jumped in after it. A combat ensued, in which Covert
came out victorious, though with several wounds. He killed the
otter by choking and drowning. Lewallen stood off and participated
in the conflict by "hurrahing for our side."
Isaac Covert
Mr. Covert trapped many wolves through the country, which he
lashed into slavery, tied lin bark in their mouths, strapped them on his
back and brought them to market. But the unaided efforts of all the
hunters were not sufficient to extirpate the howling fraternity, and
the Board of Commissioners, with an eye to wool-growing, offered, in
January, 1S39, a premium of $1 for every wolf scalp brought them.
This encouraged the slaughtering business and made the trade lively.
Covert then had plenty of help, yet the board, in March, 1840, in-
creased the premium to $2. In a short time, however, they rescinded
this order, as they ascertained that an old gentleman southwest of
Bluffton had domesticated a lot of she-wolves and at divers times sold
scalps of their young to the commissioners.
As late as the spring of 1886 a circular fox hunt was oi'ganized in
the county, resulting in the slaughter of several foxes.
"Wils." Bulger
"Wils." Bulger, the "Davy Crockett" of Indiana, the "Killbuck
of the Wilderness," is noted as being one of the greatest hunters of
:;o2
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
his day, killing as high as sixty-four deer in one season. Of course,
his anecdotes of the chase are numerous and interesting, and he has
not a reputation for exaggerating. In calling a turkey, and in the
imitation of the tones, etc., of many other animals, he could deceive
the most practiced disciple of Nimrod. Many a laugh has he created
at the expense of rival hunters. Mr. Bulger (Wilson M.) spent the
last year of his long life in his quiet home near the foot of Main Street,
Bluffton. He was a great reader, though deeply and continuously
careful of what he read, and was, therefore, self-refined and truly
cultured. His old age was sweet and mellow, and, although he was
a firm believer in Universalism when those of his creed were often
Old Mail Coach Loaded
bitterly criticised, in his arguments with the equally positive Metho-
dists of Bluffton, which were lively and of long duration, good old
"Wils." Bulger never was known to lose his even temper.
The Wild Woman
Between 1840 and 1850, in the woods east of Bluffton, there resided
a woman who was held to be "wild." Although occasionally she
would venture to a pioneer's cabin and beg for something to eat or
wear, as a rule she obtained what she needed or wanted by system-
atic thievery of neighborhood gardens and fields. While specula-
tion was at its height, as to whether the woman was an escaped lunatic
from some asylum, or just "queer," Abram W. Johnson and his wife
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 303
were out walking in the woods one day, when they were assailed by
an overpowering odor of decay. They traced its origin to a hollow
log, in which was the corpse of the Wild Woman of Bluffton.
Paying Postage Some Job
In the early times of Wells County, when postage on a letter
destined for a point five hundred miles away was twelve and a half
cents, and the wages for a day's work was not much more than that
sum, Benjamin Starr, who had located about nine miles south of
Bluffton, in the edge of Chester Township, came to town one fine morn-
ing and found a letter in the postoffice coming to him when the postage
upon it could be paid. He was in real trouble, for the communication
was from his old home in the East and he was naturally anxious to
read it ; but he had no money with which to pay the postage, and
others to whom he might apply with good grace were equally short.
But 'Squire Hale came to the rescue. He had a well which had to
be cleaned out and gave Brother Starr the job ; which occupied the
balance of the day, but enabled him to meet his postage bill.
CHAPTER XVII
THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT
First Steps in Organizing "Wells County — How Bluffton Won
the County Seat — Report of the Locating Commissioners —
First County Board — Its First Meeting — Moderate Taxes —
Election Districts and Townships — Official Bowen Hale — ■
Surveyor Casebeer and the First Public Roads — Various
Official Appointments — Bluffton Surveyed and Platted —
First Treasury Report — The First Court House and Jail—
The Second (Brick) Court House — Present Jail and Sheriff's
Residence — The Court House of the Present — County
Infirmary and Orphans' Asylum — Roster of County Officials
1837-1917 — Some Old-Time Office Holders — Early Schools
and Teachers of the County — Tendency of Late Years —
Historic Development of the System — The High Schools of
the County — Uniform High School Course — Agriculture and
Domestic Science Introduced — Most Modern School Build-
ings — Teachers' Institutes — Professor Allen's Sketch of the
County Schools — Increased Value of School Property in
Thirty Years.
Historically, the first form of American government which had
jurisdiction over the country now included in Wells County was that
extended by the General Government through the Northwest Terri-
tory, by the Ordinance of 1787. The first county government which
embraced it was organized in 1796. In that year Wayne County was
created and its civil jurisdiction extended over an empire — twenty-
six counties in the present Northwestern Ohio, the southern peninsula
of Michigan and Northern Indiana. How that domain was divided
and subdivided within the following sixty years has already been
described, and the civil historical record, as it affects Northeastern
Indiana and Wells County, has been brought down to the general
act of February 7, 1835, by which the Indiana Assembly, through its
committee on new counties, created thirteen counties, including Wells,
from the former Indian country embraced in old Wayne County.
304
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 305
First Steps in Organizing Wells County
An act was passed, and approved February 2, 1837, to organize
Wells County May 1st following, appointing David Bennett, sheriff,
to notify the electors to meet at the house of Robert C. Bennett, to
elect three commissioners, and also appointing five commissioners,
non-residents, to locate the county seat. As these five commissioners
Present Wells County Court House
for some cause failed to meet, a special act of the Legislature was
passed, and approved January 20, 1838, appointing Zachariah Smith,
of Adams County, Christopher Hanna, of Jay County, Champion
Helvy, of Huntington County, William Kizer, of Randolph County,
and John Rogers, of Grant County, commissioners to locate the per-
manent seat of justice for Wells County. Having been duly notified
by Isaac Covert, by this time elected sheriff, of their appointment,
four of them came, the absent member being Zachariah Smith.
306 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
How Bluffton Won the County Seat
The contestants for the county seat of government were Bluffton
and Murray, and at first the four commissioners were evenly divided
between the two points. Their first vote was taken about dusk in the.
evening. Mr. Abraham Studabaker, whose land lay at Bluffton, con-
ferred with Daniel Miller, of Adams County, who also owned prop-
erty near Bluffton, and was present at the county seat contest. The
result of the deliberation was that Miller should immediately post
off on horseback to Adams County, and fetch in Smith, the absentee,
in time for the final vote in the morning.
It was a very cold March morning ; ten inches of snow was on the
ground ; not a single road had been cut ; and there were only traces
through the timber. Mr. Miller followed the Wabash fourteen miles,
to the residence of Peter Studabaker, where he obtained a fresh horse,
and on he pushed twenty miles more to the St. Mary's River, near
the state line, where he found his man, at 3 o'clock in the morning.
Returning with him, they again obtained fresh horses at Peter Studa-
baker 's, and reached Bluffton before the commissioners met in the
morning, after the messenger had traveled nearly seventy miles, mostly
during the night, through a deep, unbroken snow and severe cold.
The vote thus procured cast the die in favor of Bluffton. One histo-
rian says that the victory was won for Bluffton by the $270 cash which
Messrs. Bennett and Studabaker donated.
Report of the Locating Commissioners
The report of the commissioners reads thus: "We met at the
house of Robert C. Bennett, in said county of Wells, on the first
Monday of March, 1838, and have selected the west half of the north-
east quarter of Section 4, Township 26, Range 12, for the site for
the seat of justice of Wells County, which land was donated by
Abram Studabaker with a reserve of two choice lots. He also donated
31.90 acres off the east end of the south half of the southwest quarter
of Section 33, Town 27, Range 12 east. Robert C. Bennett donates the
southeast fraction of the northeast corner. Studabaker and Bennett
also donated $270 in cash.
"Signed, March 9, 1838, Christopher Hanna, John Rogers, William
Kizer, Zachariah Smith, Locating Commissioners."
First County Board
But county government did not wait for the locating commissioners
to do their duty. Long before the county seat was located the citizens,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 307
in June, 1837, proceeded to elect their County Board of three com-
missioners, namely, Solomon Johnson, James Scott and R. C. Bennett,
Sr., for three, two and one years, in the order named. At this election
six or seven non-resident land-holders living in Ohio were permitted
to vote, especially as they intended soon to move into the county,
among them being Dr. George T. Riddile, Adam Hatfield and John
Greer.
Its First Meeting
The first acts of these commissioners, as condensed from their
journal, were as follows:
The Board met Friday, July 21, 1837, at the house of R. C.
Bennett, in accordance with the above recited act, and produced the
certificates of the sheriff that they had been duly elected and qualified.
David Bennett produced his commission appointing him sheriff
(signed by Governor Noble) until the next annual election. Bowen
Hale also produced a similar document appointing him clerk of Wells
County. Both were certified to as having taken the oath as required
by law. This being done, the Board was organized, with Solomon
Johnson as president.
1. Ordered that W. II. Parmalee be appointed agent of the three
per cent fund donated to the county by the state for roads and bridges.
He accepted and gave bond.
2. That Adnah Hall be appointed treasurer of Wells County.
He also accepted and gave bond, in the sum of $3,000.
3. That David Whitman be appointed assessor and collector of
revenues for the county. His bond was fixed at $800.
4. That for county purposes there be levied 18 cents on each
$100 valuation, and 50 cents on each poll.
Moderate Taxes
For several years taxes were often settled for by a promissory
note, endorsed by two good men. Adnah Hall, treasurer, had a little
book of blank notes printed and bound' for the purpose, with his name
as payee. For the first three years after the organization of the
county it is said that the treasurer kept his office in his jacket pocket,
but was never corrupted or approached with a bribe while discharging
his trust. The fees of the office for a while necessarily exceeded the
funds in the treasury.
As at that time the Government lands were exempt from taxation
308 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
five years after entry, there were but three tracts of laud in the county
subject to taxation. The first tax duplicate was made out on a single
sheet of paper.
Election Districts and Townships
The fifth order made by the board next day was that Wells
County be divided into two election districts, by a line commencing
on the southern boundary of the county and running north between
what is now Chester and Nottingham townships, and Harrison and
Liberty townships ; thence east two miles between Harrison and Lan-
caster townships; thence north to the county line. The territory
on the east of this line was designated as Harrison Township, and
that on the west as Rock Creek Township.
Since then the townships have been set off as follows: Jackson,
September 4, 1837; Jefferson, March 3, 1840; Nottingham, January
4, 1S41 ; Chester and Lancaster, March 1, 1841; Liberty, June 8, 1841,
and Union, June 7, 1847 — immediately after the land there came into
market, subsequent to the extinguishment of the Indian title. Jackson
has been called the "lost township," because the counties around it
happened to be so formed that it could not be attached to any one of
them without forming a geographical projection.
Official Bowen Hale
At the above session of the board, Bowen Hale was granted a license
for one year, for the sum of $5, to retail merchandise and foreign
groceries "not a product of the State or of the United States."
On September 4, 1837, the board met, and "on motion took their
seats. ' ' Bowen Hale was allowed $56 for books for the use of the office,
and other stationery, namely, inkstands, ink powder, etc.
Surveyor Casebeer and the First Public Road
John Casebeer was appointed the first surveyor, and the first road
established in the county was that part of the state road leading
from Greenville, Ohio, to Marion, Indiana. The expense of location
through Wells County was $56.62y 2 - The next located in the county
was the Fort Recovery and Huntington Road, at the November session,
1837. For the opening of this road the board appropriated $1,000
of the three per cent fund.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 309
Various Officials Appointed
David Bennett was paid $32.50 in full for his services as sheriff;
Solomon Johnson, $8 for his services as commissioner; David Whit-
man, $6.56 for his services as "assessor of the revenue - ' of Wells
County for 1837. John Casebeer was appointed assessor for 1838,
and Thomas T. Smith school commissioner — the first in the county.
In August, 1837, an election was held, when Isaac Covert was
chosen sheriff, and James K. Greer associate judge.
March 9, 1838, Mr. Greer was appointed county agent, and gave
bond in the sum of $5,000.
Bluffton Surveyed and Platted
John Casebeer was allowed $38, May 7th following, for surveying
and platting the site of Bluff ton. The recorded plat bears the date
March 23, 1838.
In January, 1839, the commissioners offered a premium of $1 for
each wolf killed, the evidence of killing being the presentation of a
fresh scalp. Adam Hatfield presented the first one the following May.
First Treasury Beport
At the close of this year Adnah Hall, treasurer, made his report,
covering a period from November 6, 1838, to November 6, 1839, which
showed that there had been received into the treasury from all sources
the sum of $1,419.40. His commission was $19.43 ; notes $301. Total
assets of the county $1,701.41. This was principally derived from fines
and sales of lots.
At the November session, 1S39, Bowen Hale, clerk, reported that
he had procured for the county a metallic seal, and the following
description of the design was ordered to be placed on the minutes:
"A sheaf of wheat is the main design; a plane, a rake, a pitchfork;
surrounded by the following words: 'Commissioners of Wells
County.' " Prior to this date a scrawl seal had been used in official
business.
The First Court House and Jail
Thus the government life of Wells County has been brought into
its third year. Its officials, not yet seriously pressed by their duties.
had provided themselves witli headquarters, the appointments of
:S10
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
which were measured by the very limited capacities of the county
treasury. The first court house was situated on the west side of
Main Street, between Market and Wabash streets. It was built of
square hewn logs, was two stories high, the first floor being occupied
for courts and all sorts of meetings, and the upper by one or two
county offices that were, in existence at that time.
On June 18, 1838, the commissioners ordered that John R. Greer,
countv agent, should advertise for the letting and building of a court
>r op Old Loukt
house in Bluffton, on the first day of August next. Specifications:
The house to be built of hewn logs, 18x24 feet, two stories high, and
covered with 3-foot boards, nailed on; floor to be oak or ash; with
six 12Jight windows, four below and two above, and stairs to upper
room. Also one jail, of hewn timber one foot square, 18x20 feet,
two stories high.
These structures were accordingly built, and were therefore very
similar in appearance. They were erected by David Whitman, an
old farmer residing in the country a few miles from Bluffton. The
ADA-MS AND WELLS COUNTIES 31]
jail was situated some twenty rods to the south, on the southwest
corner of the lot, where the present court house now stands. Both
these buildings were destroyed by tire many years ago.
The Second (Brick) Court House
On April 24. 1843, the board of commissioners contracted with
Almon Case for the construction of the second court house at $5,000.
He sold the contract to George W. Webster, of Marion, Indiana, who
completed the structure in 1845; it was accepted by the board Octo-
ber 4, that year, and at the time it was one of the finest court houses
in Northern Indiana; but the times have now far outgrown it. It
was built of brick manufactured near by, fronted the east, with four
large, tall columns forming the main portico, two stories high, the
lower for court and the upper for county offices; but the upper story
was partly abandoned. The county offices were accommodated in
smaller brick buildings adjoining or on the premises.
About the years 1855-56, a brick jail was built a little south of
the court house, but subsequently it was temporarily occupied by
some of the county offices.
Present Jail and Sheriff's Residence
The third and present jail and sheriff's residence was built in
1880, at a cost of $21,400. Its dimensions were 44x80 feet, and 75 feet
from the ground to the top of the spire: two stories high, mansard roof,
of slate, cellar throughout, walls of brick, and the exterior of the
French renaissance style. It is situated one square southwest of
the court house. Jonathan P. Smith, of Bluft'ton was the contractor,
and E. I. Hodgson, of Indianapolis, architect.
The Court House of the Present
By the late '80s the court house had become so dilapidated, not to
say unsafe, that the project of providing a new one, and a building
more suitable to the standing of Wells County, was made a legal
issue. The result was that, in 1888, at the February term of the
Circuit Court, Judge Henry Y. Savior, issued an order from the
bench condemning the old court house, and the Board of County
Commissioners were, in a way, forced to erect a new one. The corner-
stone of the structure now occupied was laid August 20, 1889. and
it was dedicated by the bench and bar of the county on the 2d of
312 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
March, 1891. The total cost of the new court house, including erec-
tion and furnishings, was $140,000. Commissioners W. H. Rupright,
Charles Scotten and Nathaniel McTntire awarded the contract, and
accepted it complete in behalf of the county. The bills were 0. K. 'd
by Charles M. Miller as county auditor. A general description of the
court house of 1891 gives its dimensions as 87 by 135 feet; its chief
constructive material sandstone; height of tower, 130 feet; interior
finish, quarter-sawed oak ; style of exterior architecture, Romanesque.
Since the court house was completed more than twenty-five years ago,
numerous improvements have been made in its heating, lighting and
sanitary conveniences. Among the late additions to its utilities as a
public building are the pleasant rest room provided for women and
girls and the 6. A. R. headquarters furnished the few remaining
veterans of the Civil Mar.
County Infirmary and Orphans' Asylum
The County Infirmary and Orphans' Asylum is located a few
miles southeast of Bluffton, on the southwest quarter of section 23,
Harrison Township. The original farm of 156 acres was purchased
in 1864, and the main building of the Infirmary, a substantial brick
structure, was completed in 1875 at a cost of about $16,000. Various
improvements have been made, including the installation of a modern
steam heating plant, electric light plant, individual baths, and toilet
accommodations within doors. In 1900 the large barn was destroyed
by fire and a new building erected soon after at a cost of $6,000. The
County Infirmary has accommodations for about sixty inmates. For
the past forty years the superintendents of the Wells County Infirm-
ary have been as follows : Amos Warner, two years ; Joseph Cobbin,
two years; Amos Rowe, nine years; David Gottschalk, nine years;
John Ditsler, twelve years; Adam Hesher, three years, and James
Hesher (present incumbent), four years. The two superintendents
last mentioned are father and son. It may be added to the account
bearing on the present status of the Infirmary that the raising of
live stock has been carried on with marked success for a number of
years past. Last year Mr. Hesher sold 140 head of cattle from the
Farm, for which the county realized over $6,000.
Roster of County Officials, 1837-1917
The auditors, treasurers, clerks, recorders, surveyors and sheriffs
of Wells County commenced to serve in 1837, and have continued in
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 313
unbroken lines for the past eighty years. The county clerk lias al-
ways been rather a dual official, as he has performed the duties at-
taching to strictly county matters and, in addition, those connected
with the Circuit Court of Wells County. The first county clerk also
acted as auditor, and for at least four years was the most important
official connected with the county government.
Auditors— Bowen Hale, 1837-41; Lewis S. Grove, 1841-50; James
Dailey, 1850-59 ; John MeFadden, 1859-63 ; Theodore Horton, 1863-67 ;
Samuel M. Dailey, 1867-71: Michael C. Blue, 1871-75; George E.
Gardiner, 1875-79; Elmore Y. Sturgis, 1879-83; Naaman T. Miller,
1883-87; Charles M. Miller, 1887-91; William H. Ernest, 1891-95;
George W. Studabaker, 1895-99; William A. Marsh, 1899-1903;
Clement S. Brineman, January 1, 1904-08; Orin D. Garrett, 1908-12;
L. A. Williamson, 1912-14; Clement T. Kain, appointed December,
1914, for unexpired term, ending December 31, 1915, and elected for
term 1916-20.
-Clerks— Bowen Hale, 1837-55 ; George McDowell, 1855-59 ; Thomas
L. Wisner, 1859-67; James R. McClcery, 1867, died in office, April,
1874; William J. Craig. 1874-82; John H. Ormsby, 1882-90; Albert
Oppenheim, 1890-94; Robert F. Cummins, 1894-98; James C. Hat-
field, 1898-1902; Hugh D. Studabaker, 1903-07; Augustus N. Pies-
singer, 1907-11; Adalgo Waudel, 1911-15; Herman F. Lesh, 1915-—.
Treasurers— Adnah Hall, 1837-48 ; Henry Courtney, 1848-50 ; Wil-
liam H. Deam, 1850-55; John Wandle, 1855-59; Peter Studabaker,
1859-62; Elijah A. Horton, 1862-64; Jacob V. Geary, 1864-66; Wil-
liam H. Deam, 1866-70; John Ogden, 1870-74; Lemuel Bachelor,
1874-78; Lawson Popejoy. 1878-82: James P. Deam, 1882-86; John
E. Sturgis, 1886-90; William Cover, 1890-94; Benjamin F. Kain,
1894-98; Eli C. Bierie, 1898-1900; Amos G. King, January 1, 1901-05;
Edward Saura\ 1905-09: William J. Dustman, 1909-13; James A.
McBride, 1913-17; Ervin Lesh, 1917-—.
Recorders — Bowen Hale, 1837-51 ; Wilson M. Bulger, 1851-59 ;
Samuel M. Dailey, 1859-63; Wilson M. Bulger, 1863-71; James R.
Benuett, 1871-79 ; David E. Bulger, 1879-82 ; E. B. McDowell, 1882-
87; John C. Baumgartner, 1887-91; William F. Guyones. 1891-95;
John F. Stine, 1895-99: John Miller, 1899-1903; John II. Crum,
January 1, 1904-08; Josiah Feeser, 190S-12; John B. Kreigh, 1912-16;
Daniel T. Brinneman, 1916-—.
Surveyors — John Casebeer. 1837 ; Sylvanus Church, ; Sam-
uel G. Upton, 1853; George P. Mann, 1853-57; Elijah A. Horton,
1857-62; James A. Gavin. 1862-67; Michael C. Blue, 1867-71; Finley
H. Rhodes, 1871-73; James P. Hale, 1873-77; John E. Beil, 1877-83;
314 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
T. W. Barton, 1883-87; Gabriel T. Markley, 1887-90; William A."
Kunkel, 1890-94 ; John H. Trostcl, 1894-98 ; B. A. Batson, 1898-1902 ;
Daniel 0. North, January, 1903-07; H. B. Sark, 1907-11: Charles
W. Decker, 1911-15 ; Thomas C. Guldin, 1915 — .
Under a general state law, passed in 1881, the public ditches of the
county were placed under the direct control of drainage commis-
sioners, appointed by the Circuit Court, through which body said
ditches are authorized to be established. Theretofore the ditches were
constructed by petition in the Commissioners' Court, and were under
the general supervision of the county surveyor. These matters are
taken up more in detail by County Surveyor Guldin in his article
on the "Artificial Drainage of the County."
Sheriffs— David Bennett, 1837; Isaac Covert,. 1837-41 ; Lewis Linn,
1841-43; Isaac Covert, 1843-45; Lewis Linn, 1845-47; Isaac Covert,
1847-49; Amza White, 1849-53; Michael Miller, 1653-57; Evan H.
Phillips, 1S57-59 ; Michael Miller, 1859-61 ; Nathaniel DeHaven, 1861-
65; Manuel Chalfant, 1865-67: Isaiah J. Covault, 1867-69; Manuel
Chalfant, 1869-71; Isaiah J. Covault. 1871-73; William W. Wisell,
1873-77 ; James B. Plessinger. 1877-81 ; M. M. Justus, 1881-85 ; Henry
Kirkwood, 1885-89; James T. Dailey, 1889-93; George W. Huffman,
1893-97; William Higgins, 1897-1901; James K. Johnston, January
1, 1902-06; William A. Lipkey, 1906-10; Freeman Carlisle, 1910-14;
John A. Johnston, 1914-18.
Some Old-Time Office Holders
Besides the many old settlers noticed in the previous chapter,
many will query what has become of the old-time office holders.
Amza White, elected sheriff in 1848, died many years ago. His
widow and children long resided in Bluffton.
Joshua R. Randall, candidate for representative in 1848, lived
on a farm six miles northeast of Bluffton, forty years thereafter.
James Bell, county commissioner, 1849- '51, was a station agent
at Keystone in the late '80s.
James L. Warden, prosecuting attorney in 1851, afterward circuit
and supreme judge, was an able and honorable jurist. He died at
Fort Wayne, when he was judge of the Superior Court of Allen
County.
Thomas L. Wisner, who was in office much of his life, lived in
Bluffton as late as the '90s.
Ellison Covert and Joseph Gorrell resided at Ossian.
Nun Mclntyre and Joseph A. Williams are not living.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 315
James Fulton died in the early '80s.
William A. Deam lost a great deal of property in Wells County,
but did well in Wichita, Kansas.
William Kirkwood, father of Henry Kirkwood (formerly sheriff),
lived south of Bluffton, ten or twelve miles.
George P. Mann (surveyor), John Wandle, Sylvanus Church and
Samuel Decker have been dead many years.
Lewis Prillaman moved to his farm three miles above Bluffton,
where he resided many years.
Wilson M. Bulger, David Peppard, Nelson Kellogg and Michael
Miller resided in Bluffton, retired from the activities of a business life.
David Truesdale lived five miles north of Bluffton.
James Dailey, father of Hon. Joseph S. Dailey, had a home north-
east of Bluffton.
John R. Coffroth became a prominent lawyer in Lafayette, Indiana.
Early Schools and Teachers of the County
The first school in Wells County was taught by .Jesse B. McGrew,
in 1837, on the farm of Adam Miller, above Bluffton. on Six Mile
Creek, in the south part of section 11, Harrison Township. Another
school, one of the earliest, if not the second, was taught on a place
adjoining the above, where David Powell's tannery afterward stood
for so many years.
In 1841 a schoolhouse was built on the land of William Studabaker,
north of Bluffton. Wonderful to relate, it had a real stove ! The first
teacher to grace this school was Charles Grimes, at from thirty to
thirty-eight dollars per term of seventy-eight days, with board 'round.
His near successors were Lewis Prillaman and Abraham Studabaker.
In 1843 a schoolhouse was erected on the land of Thomas W. Van
Horn, about four miles above Bluffton. in which the teachers were
Henry Prillaman, John H. Moore and Ellison Covert.
Of course, all these and other early schools were supported In-
private subscriptions, and their standard was largely determined by
the intelligence and generosity of neighborhood citizens. Besides
those mentioned, Charles F. Cruickshank, Absolom Brewster, Asa
Coho, George C. Fellows, James Turner, W. P. Mann, Henry Atchi-
son, James Ferguson and Ann Maria Fields wielded the birch and
ruler, with milder forms of oral discipline. The last named taught
a school in the rear of T. L. Wisner's residence, at Bluffton, and put
her own case by saying that she occasionally "had to use Birch Tea
in order to preserve the peace."
316 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The first school commissioner, Judge W. H. Parmalee, was an
energetic, efficient officer. He received $238.79 for school purposes,
but how the money was obtained the records do not show.
Tendency op Late Years
Of late years the county systems of schools, as well as the metro-
politan boards of education, have made special and progressive efforts
to give the pupils under their jurisdiction a practical training in
those subjects upon which, in all probability, they should be best in-
formed, in order to develop into useful members of the home com-
munities. How the county superintendent of schools and his teachers
L'o-operate with the county agent, representing the Federal Depart-
ment of Agriculture, has already been described in detail.
Historical Development of the System
How the broad historic development of the county system has
progressed since it was placed under a responsible superintendent,
more than forty years ago, is thus set forth by Superintendent Huy-
ette in his last report to the State Superintendent of Public Instruc-
tion, which was transmitted to the Indiana General Assembly in
January, 1917: "A school, which is claimed by some to be the first
in the county, was taught by Jesse McGrew, in 1837, east of Bluff-
ton, in a schoolhouse which stood on the Adam Miller farm, in Harri-
son Township. It was a log building, eleven by eighteen feet in
size, with a clapboard roof, held on with weight poles. The seats
were arranged in semi-circular form about the fire-place ; the writ-
ing desks were of hewn slabs, pinned to the walls, and a row of back-
less benches in front of them for use of the more advanced pupils;
this was the typical schoolhouse of the period.
"In the early days, the teachers were licensed by an officer called
the school examiner, and there was no uniformity; sometimes a few
questions, more or less remotely connected with sehoolwork, were
asked and the applicant granted a license ; some examiners maintained
a high standard of scholarship for the times, yet it was frequently
the case that very crude scholarship passed all right before the
examiners.
'"In 1873 the law Avas changed, the office of county school su-
perintendent was created and this officer took the place of the ex-
aminer. Since this law was passed, the following persons have held
the office of county school superintendent : J. S. McCleery, John H.
Group of Wells County Schools
School Building. Petroleum
Public School, Keystone
Central School, Bluffton
School Building. Vera Cruz
Public School. Tocsin
High School, Liberty Center
318 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Ormsby, Smith Goodin, S. S. Roth, elected in 1877; W. H. Ernst,
elected in 1878 : W. A. Luce, elected in 1887 ; S. A. Shoemaker, elected
in February, 1891; W. H. Eiehhom, in June, 1891; R. W. Stine, in
August, 1893 ; and the present incumbent, Arthur R. Huyette, elected
in June, 1903.
"The old-fashioned round log schoolhouses were later replaced
by hewn log or frame buildings; sometime later, the one-room build-
ings were built of brick ; some oblong in shape, while others were of the
L-shape, known as the 'Baker Plan' one-room schoolhouse, which
afforded cloakrooms. At the present time, all schoolhouses in the
county are built of brick, with the exception of one, which is of ce-
ment blocks.
The High Schools of the County
"The first high school in the county, outside of Bluffton, was es-
tablished in Ossian ; for a long time Bluffton and Ossiau were the
only places in the county offering high school work. About the
year 1896, there was a revival of interest in high school work through-
out the county; during this year graded high school buildings were
built at Keystone and Liberty Center ; in 1899, Murry and Petroleum
erected high school buildings; in 1903, Craigsville remodeled a two-
room building into a graded high school building; in 1904, a graded
high school building was erected at Union Center, Union Township,
to accommodate the pupils of her township seeking high school work.
Tocsin, in Jefferson Township, erected a high school building in 1908 ;
in 1911, the Petroleum building, in Nottingham Township, was re-
modeled, and several rooms added to its structure.
Uniform High School Course
"All of the above schools are under the direction of the town-
ship trustee, Bluffton having the only school board in the county.
At first one, two, and three years of high school work was offered, as
pupils were ready for the work ; there was no uniformity in course of
study or text books, and the terms of the high schools were six, six
and one-half and seven months in length. In 1906, the county su-
perintendent, A. R. Huyette, outlined a uniform high school course
of study for the high schools of the county, and selected, with the
aid of the high school principals, uniform texts to be used in the high
schools throughout the county; this plan continued until the State
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 319
adopted uniform texts and established a uniform course of study
for the high schools of the State.
"The County Board of Education took another advanced stand
for education when they unanimously decided that the term in the
high schools of the comity should not be less than eight months.
"Bluffton City, Ossian, Petroleum, Liberty Center and Tocsin are
now commissioned schools : Keystone is a certificated school ; Union
Center will add another teacher in the high school next year, in-
crease her library, and apply to the State Board of Education for
recognition.
Agriculture and Domestic Science Introduced
"Agriculture and Domestic Science were introduced into the
schools in 1911, before the law was passed requiring those subjects
to be taught in the public schools of Indiana.
"There is no complete consolidation of schools in the county, al-
though several schools have been abandoned and the pupils trans-
ported to graded high schools.
"The first County Common School Commencement was held in
the Grand Opera House, Bluffton, in 1907 ; this proved to be the
greatest school event of the year, and has been continued; the one
held May 26, 1916. was the tenth annual commencement, and the
class numbered 232, the largest one ever graduating.
Most Modern School Buildings
' ' The most modern one-room district building in the county is No.
1, Jackson Township; it lias a basement under the entire building, fur-
nace, air pressure water system, flush toilet system, and flowing
drinking fountains on the first floor. Three modern one-room build-
ings are now in the process of construction, to replace those that were
completely wrecked by the windstorm during the early spring of
1916. • * C
"The most modern graded high school building is at Liberty Cen-
ter; this building was constructed in 1913- '14; Manual Training and
Domestic Science rooms are fitted up in the basement. The building
is lighted with electricity and fourteen electric hot plates are installed
in the Domestic Science room. An air pressure tank furnishes water
for the entire building; flowing drinking fountains are installed on
each floor; a flowing drinking fountain is also installed in front of
the building near the sidewalk for the use of the public. A direct
indirect steam heating plant. is used to heat the building.
320 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
"The school spirit in Wells County is excellent and the citizens
generally take great pride in the growth of the public school system."
Teachers' Institutes
Teachers' Institutes have been held annually, or oftenei-, since
about the 3 r ear 1852, and since 1875 normals of six to ten weeks' dura-
tion have been held during the summer at Bluffton, conducted by the
county superintendent.
Professor Allen's Sketch of the Country Schools
To Mr. Huyette's historical sketch may be added details con-
tributed to the description of pioneer schools and teachers of the
county outside of Bluffton, by Prof. P. A. Allen, a beloved veteran
of education, identified with its progress throughout Wells County
for many years. No one is better qualified to write or speak on such
topics. He need not have apologized in the following strain: "The
beginnings in the rural districts of the county are full of interest,
but we are sorry to say that data for that part of the sketch is very
meager. A comparatively few names were obtainable from the availa-
ble sources of information, and we regret we are not able to enrich
this chapter with a profusion of the incidents and happenings which
must have belonged to that time.
"The first school in Lancaster Township, and probably the first
in the county, was the one taught by A. B. Waugh, father of Repre-
sentative A. A. Waugh. The building was made of round logs, and
greased paper served for windows. It had in it the old-fashioned
school furniture of that period, and must have been very primitive
indeed. Some of those who attended school at that time were 0. F.
Sutton, Jacob Harvey, William Harvey, Tom Logan, Campbell Scott,
William Metts, afterward a minister in the Methodist Episcopal
Church; Dr. J. I. Metts, and Mary Ellen Metts (now Mrs. T. A.
Doan). It was a subscription school. One of the incidents of that
first school was a lawsuit, which grew out of a whipping which was
administered by Mr. Waugh to one of the big boys. It was inflicted
by the use of a rule. The suit resulted in Mr. Waugh 's favor, the
court deciding that not only was the punishment deserved, but reas-
onable. Another incident of the first school, which illustrates the
progress which has been made in temperance occurred at the close
of the term. It was known to be the custom to treat the scholars on
such occasions, and Mr. Waugh, in complying with this unwritten
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 321
custom, provided a washtub full of eggnog, and all present were in-
vited to help themselves freely to the beverage. A natural result of
the free use of this kind of refreshment was that several of the larger
boys became too drunk to get home without assistance. The fact that
this incident met with only a slight protest from a very few of the
stricter ones shows how ideas have changed.
Professor P. A. Allen
"The second schoolhouse in Lancaster Township was built about
ten years later, four miles east of Murray, on Allen Clark's land, not
far from Souder's farm. A man from Ohio was employed to teach,
but he encountered the conditions described in The 'Hoosier School-
master,' and not having the grit and tact of Ralph Hartsock, was
driven off by the larger boys before the school had progressed very
322 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
far. The plan of these boys was to combine whenever the teacher
attempted to punish one of their number. After the Ohio man had
been driven from the field, David Clark was employed, but he shared
the same fate as his predecessor. His father, Allen Clark, was then
employed, and he fared no better than his son. As a fourth effort
in that term, Sutton Metts was engaged to teach the school out with
the understanding that he must succeed or he would not get any
money for his services. The third day it became necessary for him
to punish one of the disturbers. At this juncture some of the other
boys attempted to carry out the tactics which had proven so suc-
cessful with the other teachers. But they met with a surprising and
very effective defeat. Mr. Metts, determined to profit by the ex-
perience of his predecessors, had provided himself with a lot of
short clubs, which he had hidden until needed. When the boys be-
gan to concentrate their forces, Mr. Metts had recourse to his supply
of clubs, which he used with such rapidity and skill over the heads of
his assailants that they were effectually knocked out in the first round
and the rumpus settled in short order. Mr. Metts taught the term
out, and it is said there was never any more trouble in that district
afterward.
"The first school in Jefferson Township was taught by Isaac Hat-
field, two miles northeast of Ossian. The second was in the Ogden
neighborhood, southeast of Ossian. There were established a few years
before the opening of any school at Ossian. The history of the schools
of Jefferson Township is closely identified with the official career of
Dr. J. I. Metts, who served as trustee in all nearly twenty years. He
was elected in 1859 and served until 1878. A class of four mem-
bers was graduated from the Ossian high school in the spring of
1881, which was the first class to be graduated in the county.
"One of the early schools in Jackson Township was called the
Colbert school, and was in the north part of the township. In 1851
the teacher, who had been selected for the place, gave up the job, and
James R. Bannett was chosen, but declined to take the position, mod-
estly contending that he was too young for the place. He was then
asked if he would assist, in ease W. H. Parmelee, living near Bluff-
ton, should be chosen to take charge of the school. Mr. Bennett's
duties were to solve all difficult problems, write all the copies and
take full charge in the absence of Mr. Parmelee. A year later the
school at Dillman was built of logs, and it was regarded as the finest
schoolhouse in the county at that time. J. R. Bennett and R. L.
McFadden were among the number who helped to raise the building.
Robert Alexander was the first teacher to have charge in this build-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 323
ing. Among the scholars in that first Dillman School were R. L. Me-
Fadden, Martha McFadden, D. K. Elkins, Sarah Elkins and the fam-
ilies of William Duckwall and Jacob Banter. Among the prominent
teachers in the earlier days of the township, were Eli Arnold, B. M.
Elkins, Fanny Rieketts and Mr. Lockwood. It is remarked by one
identified with the early days in Jackson Township that the prevailing
idea was 'no lickin', no larnin',' and for that reason, the gad was
held in high esteem by the teachers, and regarded with great fear
by the scholars. This was, no doubt, true of every township in the
county. The same authority states that the people of the township
prided themselves on their good spelling, and it was the highest am-
bition of larger scholars to be able to master the old Webster's Ele-
mentary Spelling Book.
"An old resident of Nottingham Township states that Stanton
Scott, father of Thomas E. Scott, was actively identified with the
school interests at the beginning of that township. Beginning with
1849, he was trustee and treasurer until the close of 1853. Jason R.
Blackledge was a trustee and clerk during that period. An old record
shows that the first election for school officers of the township was
held in 1849. The enumeration of school children taken in September
of that year shows that there were 149 children of school age in the
township, which was divided into nine school districts. The clerk
received twenty-five cents for taking this first enumeration. The
names of Gabriel Burgess, E. Harlan Phillips, James S. Williams, and
others, appear as having been trustees. Martha Marmon was paid
$1.25 for half an acre of ground, on which to built a schoolhouse at
District No. 9, known as the Scott School.
"The first school in Union Township was erected in 1848 or 1849,
and was built of round logs, puncheon floor, stick and mud chimney,
roof of clapboards, held in place by weight poles. The seats were of
linden or basswood from trees eight to ten inches in diameter, split
in halves, with pegs in each end for supports. Such were the ma-
terials and furnishings of Zion's schoolhouse, or Old Zion, as it
was called, that stood one mile south of Zanesville. Abraham Beaber,
who lived three-fourths of a mile south, taught there during the win-
ter of 1850. Nothing now remains to show where this once great
institution of learning stood. Ormsby's School near the old Ormsby
farm, was of the same class, as was Center School and College Corner.
At the latter place the first school was during the winter of 1851-52,
and was taught by a Mr. Hixon, a brother of John Hixon, the grand-
father of Frank Hixon of this city (Bluffton). The schoolhouse in
the south part of the township was built in the woods somewhere near
324 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the present location of Jeremiah Roe's farm buildings. The late
John Kain was largely instrumental in having it erected. He had
a large family of boys and girls of school age, among them Rev.
D. F. Kain and Frank Kain, of Bluffton. James Jennings, who went
west during the Pike's Peak gold excitement, was the first teacher. He
was a brother of Peter Jennings, still a resident of Union Town-
ship. E. J. Felts, who died in this city a few years ago, taught the
second term at Kain's schoolhouse. Stephen D. Cartwright, who
wielded the birch in the old log schoolhouse at Uniontown, is yet an
honored resident of the township.
'"The furniture of all the schools taught was usually about the
same. The teacher occupied a split-bottomed chair at the point in
the room opposite the door. In his left hand he held a book, pen or
slate, as might be required, while in his right hand he held the em-
blem of his power — a water beech gad, from four to six feet long.
First he called the little boys and girls, who came individually and
stood by his knee while they said the a, b, c's. One book served all
the boys, and one the girls, if there were two ; if not, one served for
all. Then came the first spelling class, second spelling class; first,
second, third and fourth reading classes, in the order given. Scholars,
while reciting, stood in line close to the wall opposite the teacher's
seat. One or two books answered for half a dozen pupils. The teacher
looked over the shoulders of one of the pupils, or, if he had a book
of his own, he looked on and assisted in pronouncing the hard words.
If some boy or girl came across a sum that he could not 'work,' the
teacher was called upon at any time to 'do the sum,' and woe to him
if he refused for any reason to comply. What was he paid the enor-
mous salary of one dollar per day for, if not to do sums for the
scholars ?
"Before dismissing school, all the scholars stood in a row and
spelled a prepared lesson. The teacher pronounced the words, and the
scholar at one end of the row, called the head of the class, named the
letters in their proper order and pronounced each syllable. If this one
failed, then the next one attempted the task, and so on until the word
was correctly spelled and pronounced. The successful speller went
above the first one to miss, and if he got to the head of the class, and
maintained that position until the end of the day's session, he was cred-
ited with a 'head mark,' and very up-to-date teachers gave prizes at
the end of the term to the scholars who secured the most of these
marks. There was often lively competition at the beginning of the
term among a number of pupils, but later it narrowed down to two
or three contestants, who actually competed for the prize, while the
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 325
other pupils arrayed themselves as friends of the one or the other
of the leaders and aided or opposed them by means not always fair.
•'The spelling school was the great social feature of the school.
Log-rollings, raisings, eorn-huskings and wood-choppings, were the
social gatherings of the country, attended by young men and women
and older persons, but it was at the spelling school that the small boy
and girl were allowed to have sport, and felt themselves a real part of
the procession. Every week the pupils clamored for a 'spellin'.'
When the teacher after roll call in the evening, announced that if can-
dles could be furnished a spelling school would be held on a certain
night during the week, there was immediate excitement. 'We'll fur-
nish one,' called out some representative of a family; and then there
- was a whispering between brothers and sisters, and it usually took all
the resources of the district in that line to furnish the three or four
candles necessary to dimly light the room, and the teacher had to hold
one in hand to 'give out' by. The spelling school of those days is well
described in 'The Hoosier Schoolmaster.' Pupils did their best to have
the announcement made through their own and adjoining districts.
'The more the merrier' was their motto, while the teacher who had to
manage the crowd in the little twenty by twenty-four school-room,
took an opposite view. Aside from the fun to be derived from the
spelling school, there was no little benefit. The rivalry between the
different schools and the desire to be chosen among the first caused
many a boy and girl to spend hours in their efforts to master all the
words in the old Elementary Spelling Book.
"Another social and intellectual feature of many of the schools
was the debating societies. These were participated in by the boys
and young men, and often the patrons of the district. Embryo states-
men, with all the fervor of actual combat in congressional halls, de-
bated such questions as these : ' Resolved, that the dog is of more use
to man than the gun.' 'Resolved, that cattle are of greater use to man-
kind than the horse,' 'War is a greater evil than intemperance,' 'The
Negro has greater reason to complain than the Indian.'
"About the year 1S54 township libraries were established, which
w r ere kept at the homes of the trustees. As there were then three
trustees in each township, when the books were divided among them
they were so distributed that every boy who wished to debate could
have access to them, and every volume was carefully searched for
material with which to down the other fellows in the great debates.
"There were few church buildings in the country and religious
meetings of all kinds were held in the schoolhouses. The protracted,
or 'big meetings,' always conducted in the winter, were often con-
326 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
tinued for a period of six consecutive weeks, evening meetings only
being held on Sundays. Thus they largely took the place of the spell-
hig school and the debating society. Young people and old attended
and, even if not interested in their spiritual welfare, they met their
friends and enjoyed a social hour together.
"Up to the time of the Civil War few or no lady teachers were
employed. It was often thought that 'school inarms' could not govern
the big boys. What led to the introduction of lady teachers at this
time was the fact that the big boys had mostly gone to the army, and
consequently were not in attendance as pupils and could not be em-
ployed as teachers. Teachers were a necessity, and this necessity was
the school ma'am's opportunity. She -was employed then, and has
ever since held her position. One of the first to take command at
College Corners was Miss Smith. The boys 'reckoned they could run
her out afore three weeks. ' They did not, however. The larger num-
ber of the scholars liked her, and obeyed her for that reason. Those
that did not, found that she could lick with a stick just like a 'master.'
She taught two or three terms at the same place and fully demon-
strated that a school 'marm' could keep winter school.
"The Teachers' Institute was a very potent means of advancing
both teachers and patrons. Many of those who taught in the town-
ship had attended the Academy at Roanoke, at which Professor Reefy,
who later had charge of the Bluffton schools, was the head. He at-
tended the early institutes, and his teaching and talks reached every
home and had much to do with placing the schools of the township in
the very front rank of Wells County's schools. Among the old-time
teachers were the following named persons: Frank Hamilton, W. J.
Beatty, John A. Walker, Daniel K. Shoup, William Shoup, J. K.
Rinehart. John Ormsby, James C. Kain, Elijah Sink, Henry Mygrants
and John L. Thomas. We must not fail to mention Noah Walker,
who taught successfully in the early '50s."
Chester Township took a great stride in its educational interests
in 1896, when its fine high school building was erected. A. R. Huyette,
the present county superintendent, was principal for a number of
years. In the same year, while W. C. Arnold was school trustee,
Liberty Township built the imposing high school at the Center. The
handsome Lancaster Township High School building at Murray
was erected in 1899, under the direction of Trustee N. E. Stafford.
Nottingham Township through the energy and good management of
Samuel Gehrett, trustee, went and did likewise during that year, the
building being erected near Petroleum.
ADAMS AND >YELLS COUNTIES 327
Increase in Valuation op School Property in Thirty Years
The marked increase in the valuation of school property during
the past thirty years is a noteworthy illustration of the progress of
the county system of education in providing improved buildings and
apparatus for the benefit of the pupils under its control. The figures
which are available for the year 1886 include Bluffton in their scope.
In the year mentioned, within the limits of Wells County, were fifty-
one brick and fifty-seven frame schoolhouses, which, with furniture,
apparatus and grounds, were valued at $105,185.
In 1917, not including the Bluffton school property, the valuation
and number of schools (virtually all brick) for the various townships
were as follows : Chester, $26,000, and 10 houses ; Harrison, $12,350,
11 schools ; Jackson, $30,000, 10 schools; Jefferson, $30,000, 11 schools;
Lancaster, $27,000, 12 schools; Liberty, $39,000, 8 schools; Notting-
ham, $50,000, 12 schools; Rock Creek, $12,000, 9 schools; Union,
$20,000, 8 schools. Total valuation of school property in the present
county system, $246,350; number of schoolhouses, 91.
Enrollment of Pupils and Teachers Employed
The number of teachers employed and the enrollment in the ele-
mentary, or first eight grades, are as follows :
Teachers Enrollment
Chester 16 309
Harrison 11 282
Jackson 10 277
Jefferson 21 422
Lancaster 16 305
Liberty 20 321
Nottingham 19 360
Rock Creek 10 224
Union 15 300
Total 141 2,800
The high school enrollment in 1917 was as follows: Ossian, 94;
Liberty Center, 82; Petroleum. 60: Union Center. 55: Tocsin. 29;
Keystone, 28 ; Murray, 16 ; Craigville, 13. Total, 377.
The total enrollment in the grades and high schools is thus dis-
tributed : In the commissioned high schools at Keystone. Ossian,
328 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Tocsin, Union Center, Liberty Center and Petroleum, 62 seniors; 279
eighth-grade pupils, of whom 128 are enrolled in the graded high
schools and 151 in the one-room buildings; 280 seventh and eighth
grade boys study agriculture and 30-1 girls in the same grades are in
the sewing classes.
Schools of Nottingham Township
By Thomas E. Scott
The first school in Wells County was taught, as the earliest records
show, by Jesse McGrew in the year 1837, in Harrison Township. It
was like all the schools throughout the different townships up to 1849-
50, a private or subscription school.
There is no record to show there was any school taught in Notting-
ham Township until the public schools were established in the first
years mentioned.
The first settler in the township was Joseph Blacklege, in 1837.
John Dawson, Isaac and Edward Haines, Win. Nutter and some others
came in 1838.
The township was organized January 4, 1841, and an election held
about that time, showing fifteen voters, but for what purpose, there
is no available record to show.
The movement to establish the public schools was in 1849, and the
first, schools were commenced in the spring of 1850.
The first election for school purposes was held in September,
1849, and some school officers elected, and in the same month an enu-
meration was taken showing the township was divided into districts
pretty much as they are at the present time and that there were then
nine districts, containing children of school age and were distributed
as follows. District No. 1, 25 ; No. 2, 19 ; No. 3, 7 ; No. 4, 5 ; No. 5, 16 ;
No. 6, 5 ; No. 7, 21 ; No. 8, 31 and No. 9. 20, making 149 to the town-
ship. This last district is now known as No. 12, and has always been
popularly known as the "Scott School."
At the election last mentioned Stanton Scott was elected trustee-
treasurer; Jason B. Blackledge, trustee-clerk; and they were continued
till the fall of 1853, so that they conducted and did the larger part
of the school business up to that time. However, in each of the
school districts having a sufficient number of scholars to justify a
school there was a district trustee elected, who was later known as
district school-director. Some of the others that were actively con-
nected with the school interests up to 1853, were Gabriel Burgess,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 329
E. Harlin Philips, Samuel Hurt, James S. Williams, Samuel Watts,
John Dawson, Henry King, John K. Reiff, Alonzo Lockwood, Abram
Stahl, Stephen Proudy, James Green and others.
Not all the districts seemed to have schools the first year because
of lack of sufficient funds to hire teachers, as the amounts were allotted
somewhat according to the number of pupils enrolled.
It will be epiite difficult to give the names of all the teachers, at
first and their location, at which certain persons taught, but it can
be stated that Ann Lupton taught No. 8, known as Nottingham, in
1850-51, and that Lydia C. Watts taught at No. 2 in 1850, and at
the same place in 1852; and a Miss Wood taught at No. 2 in 1851.
The surprise will be at the small pay the teachers received the first
few years, ranging about fifty cents a day and "boarded" by the
patrons, or as it was termed "boarded around.'* Some as low as one
dollar a week and board. Some of the teachers, from the first up to
1853, besides those mentioned, were Elizabeth Hulbert. Holyfurnas
Wood, Mary Watts, Dr. Sawyer. Samuel Hurst, Wm. Gray, Roland
Sparks, and others. It can be stated that Mary Watts taught four
summer terms in the township up to 1854. These were at the Harper
School, and one at the Scott School in 1853. For these first schools
her wages were first .$20.00 and board, and the last $30.00 per term
and board herself. This before she was 19 years of age. Altogether
she taught 18 terms in Nottingham Township, besides other places.
Brief mention may be made of a few more incidents relative to
the township affairs, and then the No. 9, or "Scott School" may be
taken up and referred to more minutely, which will illustrate clearly
in a general way what might lie stated of most all the schools for the
first few years.
There were no funds at first with which to build schoolhouses.
and it was necessary for the patrons to volunteer and contribute their
labor, which they did with few or no exceptions, going into the woods
which surrounded the site on which the proposed building was to be
erected, and cut the timber, haul in the logs, and erect the "old log
schoolhouse. " The few things that will be referred to as relating to
the whole township, are as was stated previously, the first enumera-
tion showed 149 pupils, and three years later, 168. That for taking
of the enumeration the clerk was paid 25 cents, 37* ' 2 cents and 50 cents
respectively. That the first tuition fund received in 1850, was $41.42
on January 1st, and on May 1st, $37.04, making a total of $78.46, an
average of $8.71 5-9 to the district, but stated before, all the school
districts did not have a sufficient number of pupils to justify having
schools.
330 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
One might be led to think there would be no indifference or lack of
interest in school affairs, after the "public" took up the educational
interests of the commonwealth, but an incident or two will indicate
differently. In 1851 an election was held the 30th day of August — •
Samuel Watts as inspector, Stanton Scott and John Dawson, judges
and Jason R. Blackledge, clerk. That the electors present were Gabriel
Burgess, Alonzo Lockwood, Judson Blackledge, John Dawson, Samuel
Watts and Stanton Scott, and that of the six votes cast one candidate
got three votes, another two, and another one vote.
The round log house at the "Scott School" was as indicated,
built of timber in the manner referred to. The building was about
20x22 feet, cabled off, and roofed with clapboards held in place by
"weight poles." The chimney was made of sticks and "mud," the
floors of puncheons split from the timber, which, if it had been sawed
and dressed, would have made elegant finishing for the best school-
house or residence of today.
The seats were made of linden, or bass wood saplings, eight to ten
inches in diameter, split in halves and dressed with an ax and draw-
ing knife, with wooden pegs in each end for supports. The building
was erected on a half acre of ground at the northwest corner of
section 32, in said township, bought of one Martha Marmon, of Logan
County, Ohio, who was paid $1.25 for the plot, she making this price
to "encourage the educational enterprise of the locality." It stood
with the ends to the north and south, the door being in the south, and
in the north end was a large open fire place wdiich would take in about
four foot wood. The back wall and jambs were built of clay, pounded
in behind wooden supports, in moist condition, well saturated with
salt to help form a glazing over the surface and give it durability.
About three feet from the floor on each side a couple of logs were cut
and removed almost the full length of the house, and in the spaces,
two sashes to each opening were fitted for the glass, so they would
slide past each other, to let in air, and these were the windows. The
cracks between the logs were "chinked" and plastered over with clay
mortar. For a writing desk for this house a black walnut "slab" or
board about 3y 2 or 4 inches thick, three feet wide and about twelve
feet long, that had been used formerly by one of the patrons of the
new school for a "bench" to dress leather on, as he had been a tanner
by trade. This bench was laid on two trestle benches, one under each
end; can you realize what a superb writing desk this made as it was
thus placed a little to one side of the center of the house, and that
it was always a treat, a fair delight to be privileged to sit by it to
study the lessons and write?
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
:;:il
The first schools were all summer schools up to about 1856 or '57,
when the terms were changed to winter terms. The teachers at this
particular place were, in their rotation: Catherine Hunter, 1850;
Lydia C. Watts, 1851; Susan Karker, 1852; Mary Watts, 1853, and
probably again in 1854 ; Mary Cole taught in 1855, but on account of
sickness, did not finish her school. In 1856 Meriam Griest taught.
Then the schools were changed to winter terms, and Jacob Mann
taught in the winter of 1857-58, S. J. S. Davis, 1858-59; Hiram
Tewksbury in 1859-60; Mary Watts again in 1860-61, and Benj.
Shinn in 1861-62. Elizabeth Seott taught next, or soon after.
About this time the need of a new and better house was being
felt and agitating the patrons of the "Scott School," and owing to the
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fact that a house had been built a while before one mile east of this
one, there was a disposition to move the location farther west, and
after considerable of wrangling it was decided to build the new house
on the southwest corner of the Scott farm, one-fourth of a mile west
in section 30, and in 1868 or '69. a new frame house was erected under
the trusteeship of Thos. Aker, and schools were taught here by
Joshua Scott, Amanda E. C. Scott, two terms; Win. Lee. L. L. Howard,
Estella Doster. and perhaps others, till about 1889 or '90. when the
location was again changed back to the lot first secured of Mrs. Mor-
man, and the present substantial and commodious brick building was
erected under the supervision of Trustee Wm Higgins. Before leaving
the local history of -the "Seott School," which was No. 12, it will
seem fair to state that four of Stanton Scott's children, two sons and
two daughters began and finished the common school course here, and
after further completing their equipment for the task, taught several
terms, each, in the township, and one of them in Chester Township.
332 ADAMS AND AVELLS COUNTIES
They were Nathan M., Elizabeth, Elma Jane and Joshua. The late
Dr. H. Doster, of Poneto, also began and completed the common school
course here before attending college, and taking his medical course at
Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Some of the "characteristics" of these schools were: First, that
they were surrounded by dense forests, through which the pupils of
the incoming and rising generation beat their way, and made their
own paths and roads, as they chose, or as best they could, as up to
about this time no regular roads had been laid out and opened up.
Besides the dense brush and undergrowth in many places, the chief
difficulties they had to encounter were logs and swamps, and often
they were glad of the logs to help them across the swamps. For though
the forests were practically full of beasts, birds and vermine. the chil-
dren were often quite as interesting to them as they were to the children,
and each enjoyed the exchange of glances and community of interests,
one about as much as the other. And this was one of the "wheres,"
and will illustrate nearly all the others, that the children and youths
of fifty and sixty years ago were taught their "A. B. C's.," and to
spell out of the same old elementary spelling books — (Webster's) ; to
write, and to read from that series of school readers — (McGuffey 's),
than which there never has probably been a better in the country in its
helpful illustrations of emphasis and tone, and in the superior excel-
lence of its literary character, up to the present time ;. and to solve their
mathematical problems from old Ray's series of helps, which were
plain and common-sense in its examples and rules as illustrative of the
science, and the principles involved; and grammar, from Pine's series,
where things were made plain with graduating rise from start to
finish, etc.
With these surroundings, natural parks, which were full of life
and energy of all kinds, those youths, who were measurably and neces-
sarily free from care, inspired by nature's growing, blooming flowers
of plant, grass, shrubs and trees, and by songs of birds, bees and in-
sects, singing their own joyous, rollicking songs of childhood and
youth, while they lived a life of joy and hopeful expectation ; may it
not well be asked : Are those of the present generation making better
.use of their time, energies, opportunities and privileges than did those
of earlier times? If this can be answered in the affirmative, we may
well quote the old axiom and almost trite saying: "The only value of
bringing forward the past lies in its helping us to a better future."
And so applied to these notes and sketches of earlier times may inspire
to press hopefully forward and upward, and will close with the other
axiom: "Whatever in the past will help to make us stronger, more
loving, more humble and tender, that let us learn and remember."
CHAPTER XVIII
ALL KINDS OF ROADS
Blupfton-Fort Wayne Plank Road — Unrealized Railroad Proj-
ects — The Muncie Route — First Ties Laid en the County —
Driving the First Spikes — John Studabaker, Railroad Father
— Hugh Dougherty Describes the Building of the Road — Roads
and Traffic in 1865 — John Studabaker to the Front — Con-
tract Let for Muncie Road — Mr. Dougherty in Charge of Con-
struction — Collecting at the Point of the Gun — His Client
Not Favored — A Railroad or Not a Railroad ( ?) — Financial
Complications — Building of the Second Railroad — The
"Clover Leaf," or Bust — The Chicago & Erie Line — The Trac-
tion Lines.
The necessity of building passable roads through Wells County was
fully realized twenty years before a real start had been made in their
actual construction. Wood was then plentiful, and gravel had not
come into general use as road material. In fact, until the original
railroad project which eventually materialized had been well under
way, the substantial gravel road was a thing of the future.
Bluffton-Fort Wayne Plank Road
As early as 1848, in the second year of the Republican Bugle, of
Bluffton, the first newspaper of the county, the local press noted that
a movement was on foot for the laying of a plank road from the county
seat to Fort Wayne. Naturally, the movement progressed, for that
publication of January 6, 1849, gives an account of a public meeting
held at the court house in Fort Wayne, December 16th previous, for
the purpose of appointing delegates to attend the plank road conven-
tion at Bluffton on the 19th. Twelve delegates were appointed, but
only the following appeared at the convention: Hugh MeCulloch
(afterward a member of President Johnson's cabinet), P. Hoagland,
S. Edsall, P. P. Bailey. H. B. Reed, C. W. Aylsworth and S. C. Free-
man. The mere attendance of these men at the convention was suffi-
333
334 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
cient proof of their zeal in the cause, for a trip from Fort Wayne to
Bluffton those times, and especially at that season, was fraught with
great difficulties. In some places the roads surpassed description.
It was really amusing to see one of the horses walk on a pole and step
on stumps, while another would be standing still with his head stuck
into the mud up to his eyes, apparently meditating whether it were
better to give up or make another effort to get out.
On arrival at Bluffton the delegates found some of the citizens in
favor of a plank road to Fort Wayne, and some opposed, favoring a
railroad instead; but the latter were readily convinced that a rail-
road was impracticable at that early day, and joined the others in the
plank road enterprise. They combined their forces and pledged them-
selves to build ten miles of the road, and, if possible, to the county line.
The road was actually planked from Bluffton to Fort Wayne between
1852 and 1856, except in some places it was graveled only, kept in
repair for a number of years, toll paid on it, and then it was suffered
to run down.
Unrealized Railroad Projects
As early as 1840 to 1850 railroad projects were talked of, various
routes proposed, etc., but the people were too poor to build railways,
and Eastern capital was busier with the main lines running east and
west, north of Wells County.
The route for the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville line popu-
larly known as the "Muncie Railroad," was surveyed through Wells
County as early as 1852 ; but, before the work of construction actually
commenced, the Civil war interrupted all railroad enterprises. In
looking over the old files of the Bluffton newspapers, one constantly
meets with the characteristic, universal wail of "0 how long, how long
shall we have to wait for those Eastern men to go ahead and build the
railroad, as they have encouraged us to believe they would," inter-
spersed with a setting forth of the advantages of a railroad "through
this point" and to a certain other point beyond, with exhortations to
the people to wake up and take an interest in it, and with news of
some railroad meeting somewhere, or interview with some railroad
magnate at some distant point, where some encouragement was con-
tingently expressed.
The Muncie Route
In 1867- '68 Messrs. Hugh Dougherty, John Studabaker and others
took the Muncie Route in hand and soon had the road built. They
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 335
first signed bonds to the amount of $100,000, then canvassed the county
for support, finally securing the endorsement of the Board of County
Commissioners, who made an appropriation of the above amount. The
work of construction then went rapidly on to completion.
First Ties Laid in the County
As the track was being laid south from Fort Wayne, on approach-
ing the county line, great excitement prevailed in Bluffton, and a
pleasant strife was indulged in for being the first to lay a tie within
the limits of Wells County.
On Tuesday, October 12, 1869, a great procession, with a band of
music, cannon, etc., went with wagons to the point, where a dinner was
enjoyed, etc., and when the critical moment arrived, Hon. Newton
Burwell and J. Gerry Smith (the Banner editor) carried a tie to
the county line, or a little south of it as they thought, and dropped it
in place. Next came W. B. Wolfe and J. J. Todd with a tie and laid
it, claiming that Burwell & Smith's tie was not far enough south to lie
in Wells County. Many others also laid ties, continuing for several
rods, amid music and cheers and roaring of cannon indescribable.
Driving the First Spikes
By previous agreement, the honor of driving the first two spikes
was conferred upon Colonel Hall, of Bhiffton, and James Metts, of
Murray. This occurred at half past three o'clock in the afternoon.
Similar scenes occurred November 10th following, as the track readied
Bluffton, at 11:30 A. M., where the first spikes were driven by John
Studabaker, then the oldest citizen, and by William Bluffton Miller,
the eldest male child born in this town. Lively addresses were deliv-
ered by Levi Mock (then mayor), J. J. Todd, T. W. Wilson and others,
a free dinner was given in Studabaker's new warehouse, silver cornet
bands played, everybody shouted, and the "Little Giant" cannon
fairly split its throat in endeavoring to overtop the noise of the crowd.
Indeed, it blew itself all to pieces, knocking even the wheels of its car-
riage to splinters, and yet, providentially, no one was killed, and but
one or two injured !
It should be stated that John Studabaker, above referred to, was
for a time director of this road, and W. W. Worthington. of Fort
Wayne, was superintendent for many years. Mr. Dougherty con-
tinued to aid the road on its southward extension, until connection was
made at Connersville with the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Koad.
3;36 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
For a time the name was the "Fort Wayne, Muncie & Cincinnati Rail-
road," and subsequently the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville
Railroad.
John Studabakek, Railroad Father
Doubtless, John Studabaker and his nephew, Hugh Dougherty,
were the pillar's which braced up the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louis-
ville Railroad so sturdily that it was able to stand alone. Mr. Studa-
baker had been retired for twelve years as a merchant and had become
the leading banker of Bluffton, and about the time the railroad project
was most critical he discontinued the First National Bank, of which
he had been president for five years, and associated himself with his
brother, Peter, and Mr. Dougherty, in a reorganized institution which
became The Studabaker Bank. Even before Mr. Dougherty appeared
upon the scene of transportation development in Wells County, Mr.
Studabaker had been much interested in the Bluffton & Fort Wayne.
Plank Road, and in 1851 was identified with the proposed Fort Wayne
& Southern Railroad, which rested for a term of years after having
been graded through the county. It was, in fact, the father of the
Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad.
Hugh Dougherty Describes the Building of the Road
Mr. Dougherty had barely passed his majority when, in 1865, after
having enjoyed some rather exciting Civil war experiences in Ken-
tucky and Tennessee, he joined his uncle in his grain and banking
enterprises at Bluffton. He was therefore still very young when the
railroad was put through. He thus describes those times and the
special enterprise with which John Studabaker, Louis Worthington, of
Cincinnati, himself and others were identified: "The writer's per-
sonal knowledge of Wells County dates back only to November 5,
1865, at which time there was not a gravel road, railroad, nor any of
the important ditches constructed. Bluffton being the county seat, was
the largest town, having less than eight hundred inhabitants. The
most important improvements in Bluffton at that time were three
brick business blocks. The best and most imposing was built by John
Studabaker, which included the east half of the Leader store
and the building adjoining those on the north, and one brick building
where George F. McFarren's store now stands, which was torn away
some years ago to give way to the more spacious building which he now
occupies; the third one is now occupied by Cline & Zimmer's hardware
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 337
store and was built by Drs. Melsheimer and MeClcery. There were
scarcely any sidewalks and they were made of plank; there were no
crossings, so that pedestrians had little use for shoe blacking, as they
would not be able to cross the street after their shoes were polished
without losing- their lustre. The school houses of the town would
scarcely accommodate one hundred students and the seating- capacity
of all the churches could not be mure than three hundred. The court
house, jail and other public improvements were on the same line; the
private homes were no more pretentious — and still the town was ahead
of the country at that time.
Roads and Traffic in 1865
"There were no gravel roads, the farmers doing well during the
muddy season if they averaged getting to town twice a month. On
this account there was very little reading matter found in the country
homes. Dr. B. F. Cummins, who had a large country practice, once
said to me that he was always prepared with paper in which to do up
his powders, as he could not rely on the people to furnish it. For at
least three months, and sometimes as much as five months in the year,
it was impossible for farmers to get to town with their wagons and, in
order to get over the corduroy roads and through the mud, they were
frequently to be found with a yoke of oxen or two horses hitched to
the front wheels of a wagon, with a load of but two bags of wheat, the
toilsome trip being necessary for the purpose of having the latter
ground into flour for family use. The main outlet for trade was Fort
Wayne. There had been, several years previous, a plank road built
from Fort Wayne to Bluffton, but the planks had become worn out and
in many places had broken through, which made it impossible for
heavy freight to be hauled in a wagon, so when snow came in the
winter with good sleighing all the teamsters in and about the town
were employed to haul the produce and provisions to market. A hack
made the trip one way each day to Fort Wayne and return. It usually
had four horses, though in the muddy season of the year they were
unable to pull the hack and its passengers, so that very often the latter
were compelled to get out and walk a good portion of the way. The
writer paid two dollars for his hack fare from Fort Wayne to Bluffton
on his first trip here, which reduced his total wealth to less than four
dollars. After leaving Fort Wayne and driving about seven miles, we
found the road so bad that the passengers found it more comfortable
and speedy to walk. We would not have complained of this, if we had
not been compelled to assist in prying out the hack on several occasions.
;i;;s
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
This trip was made in April for the purpose of taking a view of the
country, but the writer soon decided not to remain ; later, however, in
the following autumn he returned to stay.
John Studabaker to the Front
"This condition of roads and transportation improved but little
until the spring of 1868, when John Studabaker received a letter from
John Studabaker
D. T. Haines, of Muncie, saying there was a chance to get a railroad
from Fort Wayne to Muncie; and thereupon Mr. Studabaker promptly
joined Mr. Haines and Louis Worthington, of Cincinnati, at the Rock-
hill House, Fort Wayne, where a number of gentlemen from that city
met them, and at a conference it was proposed to construct the road,
if Wells County would contribute $100,000 to the enterprise and if
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 339
responsible private citizens would guarantee this amount by a bond to
be executed by them therefor. Public sentiment was strong enough to
have voted a donation to this amount by the county, but there was no
statute authorizing the vote or an appropriation for railroad purposes,
so there was no other way to do but to create a sentiment strong
enough to induce the county commissioners to appropriate the money
without regard to existing laws. With that indomitable will and
energy which have made John Studabaker 's business life such a suc-
cess, he proposed that the bond should be signed by four hundred citi-
zens, all real estate owners, he first putting his name to the bond.
Then a canvass was made of the county, meetings held and speeches
made, until the four hundred freeholders' names were secured. Im-
mediately following this, Mr. Studabaker was made a director of the
railroad.
Contract Let for Muncie Road
"The contract was let to Byrd, Sturgis & Ney, of Fort Wayne, and
the work was commenced and progressed for three months. The
desire on the part of the people of Bluff ton to have the road completed
at an early date caused frequent inquiries to be made as to progress,
when it was found that the contractors were not paying their hands,
nor for the material, but that each member of the firm had received
the pay for the monthly estimate and kept the money. The writer was
sent by Mr. Studabaker to see what could be done to hurry the work
along, when he accidentally overheard a conversation that divulged
the fact that the Junction Railroad, of which Louis Worthington was
the president and which was supposed to be furnishing the money to
build our road, was in financial trouble. When this was reported to
Mr. Studabaker he called Mr. Worthington, the president of the road,
and a number of directors, to Fort Wayne, and at that conference it
was decided to take the work away from the contractors and put it in
the hands of a receiver ; and if any profits were made they were to go
to the contractors.
Mr. Dougherty in Charge of Construction
"A number of citizens were discussed as to who should take charge
of the work and put it through with as much haste as possible, when Mr.
Studabaker proposed the writer who was then twenty-four years old.
Some objections were made on account of his age, but, with Mr. Studa-
baker's keen foresight, he was determined to have control of the con-
340 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
struction so that it might be put through as rapidly as possible and
before auy failure might occur with the Junction Railroad. So lie
proposed that the receiver should give a $100,000 bond, which was
promptly given by Mr. Studabaker signing the bond, with Jesse R.
Williams of Fort Wayne and other gentlemen. He brought it to
Bluffton for the signature of the principal, and on the next day the
writer took charge of the enterprise, hiring all labor, buying the ma-
terial and securing the right-of-way.
Collecting at the Point of His Gun
"Among the first men hired to hew ties was Augustus N. Martin,
who afterward was elected reporter of the Supreme Court and was
also representative in Congress for three times from this district.
There was much annoyance in getting the right-of-way, because of
many unfulfilled promises made by the men who undertook to build
this railroad years prior to this time. One of the instances that now
comes to our mind occurred on the farm of George P. Burgan, through
which the road ran a mile north of Bluffton. lie was very agreeable
as to the question of amount, and we agreed with him as to what he was
to have, and told him to let the men go to work and we would be out
and pay him next day. This conversation was in the yard, and he
immediately stepped into the house, took down his rifle and said : ' You
will pay me now, or the first man that steps on my land will be shot. '
So we were compelled to return to Bluffton at once and obtain the
money to pay him, for the men were there ready to go to work. From
that time on, the road had no better friend than Mr. Burgan.
His Client Not Favored
"We had several lawsuits for right-of-way, in which we found
David Coleriek, of Fort Wayne, a very able lawyer, always on the
opposite side. After we had the right-of-way through the farms,
Coleriek came to us and asked that there might be a cattle-guard put
in so that a crossing could be made for a client of his, that the latter
might drive his stock from one side of the farm to the other. We said
to him, 'Mr. Coleriek, we do not consider you a friend of the road;
therefore, do not believe we can grant your request in behalf of your
client. ' He yelled out, at the top of his voice, 'Friend ! I am no man's
friend, nor the road's either. I never had but one friend — myself —
and he d d near ruined me. ' His client did not get the crossing.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 341
A Railroad, or Not a Railroad ( ?)
"The intimation we had that the Junction Railroad and Louis
Worthington, the president, were in financial straits, caused great
fears that the road never could lie completed for lack of money. So it
was agreed that the Junction Railroad would secure the iron, and wc
would do the work, and furnish the ties and bridges to complete the
line to Bluffton, and hold the $100,000 eitizens' bond as security for
what money we had advanced and would advance, until the road
should be completed to Bluffton. The condition of the bond was such
that the $100,000 would be due whenever a train of ears would have
run over the road from the City of Fort Wayne into the Town of
Bluffton, where Market Street would cross the railroad. This made it
extremely important that the road should be completed to Market
Street, Bluffton, before November 30, 1869.
"As the time drew near for the completion of the road, there had
been a large number of men and teams put on the grade and in the
woods, making ties and getting out timber, and the last month we had
three hundred names on the pay roll, which required over $30,000.
On November 10, 1869, twenty days before the time was up, we had
run a train from Fort Wayne to Market Street, Bluffton, which made
the citizens' bond binding and worth $100,000. Then came the great
jollification, large numbers of people coming in from all parts of the
county with well-filled baskets.
"Up to this time there had been but one engine on the road, it
being under the care of the writer, and the contractors, Byrd, Sturgis
& Ney, refusing to surrender the possession of the road to the Junction
Railroad until they were settled with for their profits. The Junction
Railroad bribed the fireman to run away with the engine. While the
engineer was temporarily off his engine at Fort Wayne, the fireman
cut loose and started it down the Pennsylvania track to Lima, with all
speed possible. This created great excitement at Bluffton, and the
question then arose in the minds of the wiseacres whether, from a legal
stand-point, we had a railroad or not ; and it was a mooted question as
to whether the $100,000 citizens' bond could be collected: but it was
only a few days until a train of cars was placed on the road.
Financial Complications
"While Mr. Studabaker and the writer were delighted to have com-
pleted the road in time to leave them secure for what had been ad-
vanced, yet there was great trouble ahead. About $50,000 of the
342 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
money which had been appropriated by the county commissioners to
the railroad had been paid in by tax payers to the county treasurer, he
having deposited it in our bank. We, in turn, deposited it in the Cen-
tral National Bank of Cincinnati ; but when we made the last payment
to the laborers and for the material, and our bank undertook to draw
the money from the Central National Bank of Cincinnati, we were told
that Louis Worthington had already drawn the money, claiming it due
them as soon as the railroad reached Market Street, Bluffton. After
spending two days making every effort to get them to give up the
money peaceably, we employed lawyers with the intention of forcing
them to pay us the money, for the reason that we had never given the
Central National Bank any authority to pay Mr. Worthington the
money, and if they had advanced it to him on his word they must rely
on that for their pay. This settled one-half of the citizens' bond.
"The other half was settled so far as it could be done by the
county commissioners, who ordered the county auditor to issue county
orders covering the other $50,000, which was to be paid out of money
as soon as collected for that purpose. The county commissioners ap-
pointed Mr. John Studabaker trustee to take charge of these county
orders, but Hon. Newton Burwell, who had just held a term in the
lower house of the Legislature and was quite active in politics, raised
an objection to Mr. Studabaker being made trustee because of his
being a republican. He had little trouble in convincing the county
commissioners that Mr. Studabaker could not be trusted with these
county orders on account of his politics, this being made especially
easy because of there having been quite a contest over Manuel Popejoy,
who was nominated as one of the commissioners on the democratic
ticket. However, when the committee appointed by the four hundred
on the citizens' bond called on Mr. Popejoy and asked what he would
do in regard to pledging himself to appropriate the money for the rail-
road, his reply was, ' If the law warrants such an appropriation and I
am elected, I w r ill vote for it. ' The signers of the bond knew there was
no law authorizing a levy for railroad purposes ; so they set about to
defeat him, and did so by electing Louis Prilliman, a republican. Thus
Mr. Burwell's objection to Mr. Studabaker on account of his politics
was accepted by the commissioners as being sufficient to remove him,
and it was proposed that the writer, whose politics was regular, be put
in his place, and he was appointed.
"This only increased trouble for the writer, as the county orders
were then placed in his hands and he started for Cincinnati to ex-
change them for the citizens' bond. He found it in the hands of a
pork-packer named Joseph Rawson, who had advanced Mr. Worthing-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
343
ton the money on the last half of the bond, this being the money that
paid for the railroad iron. Although we offered to sell them at ninety
cents on the dollar, they had no attraction for Mr. Rawson and he
promptly declined to take anything- but cash. So we returned from
Cincinnati with a heavy heart, feeling it would he from one to two
years at least before the orders could he paid. The citizens' bond was
now due, as the railroad had already reached Market Street, Bluffton.
When we reached Bluffton it was late at night, and we found Amos
Scene from Erie Bridge, Bluffton
Townsend walking up and down the street waiting for us. He said
he had word that the taxpayers in the northern part of the county
would enjoin us from disposing of the orders, if they were able to pro-
cure legal service on us.
"We called on Mr. Studabaker and decided there was only cue
thing for us to do, and that was for us to get out of the reach of the
officers and make some disposition of the r orders. We concluded it
was not safe to wait for the train the next morning and, after some
deliberation, hitched up and went to Fort Wayne in a private rig. If
we were unable to sell the orders in Fort Wayne, we must keep on
344 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
going, even to New York if necessary, until they were disposed of.
We reached Fort Wayne a little before daylight. The writer, having
traveled several nights, and being much worried, was directed to go
to bed until called by Mr. Studabaker. The next morning, about nine
o'clock, we were directed to go to the First National Bank of Fort
Wayne, of which J. D. Nuttman was president, and to take whatever
paper he offered in exchange for the orders, but we were to go through
the form of making a sale by first offering at par, and when he offered
ninety cents to agree to take it. We went through the performance
and Mr. Nuttman handed over a paper together with two letters, one
written to the auditor and the other to the treasurer of Wells County.
"As we were so nearly exhausted, Mr. Studabaker sent us home on
the train and he drove back. On our way home we opened the papers
and found a certificate of deposit from Nuttman calling for the amount
of the face of the orders, less ten per cent to be paid when the orders
w y ere paid. When we got home we delivered one letter to W. H. Deam,
treasurer, and one to S. M. Dailey, auditor. They opened the letters,
which said that the First National Bank of Fort Wayne had bought
the orders and would expect payment for them as soon as the money
could be collected. Mr. Dailey, the auditor, in a very excited way,
began to announce to everyone he met that the orders were sold and
the money was in the Exchange Bank of John Studabaker & Company,
ready to pay off the citizens' bond; all of which was glad news to
everyone who had signed the bond. But this was but the beginning of
our troubles. ' '
Building op the Second Railroad
It would be unprofitable and of little general interest to follow
the many involved details which were finally untangled and the citi-
zens' bond paid off in full; thus clearing off all the obligations cover-
ing the construction of the first railroad to Bluffton and penetrating
Wells County. Continuing, Mr. Dougherty says: "The building of
the second road, running east and west through Bluffton, had been
agitated from time to time for a number of years. At times a line
was proposed from Lima to Logansville, at other times from Van Wert
in a southwesterly direction and thence west, through Crawfordsville ;
but finally the narrow-gauge fever struck the country, and Joe
Boehmr and Doctor Evans, of Delphos, Ohio, came along and proposed
to build a road from that point through Bluffton west. At this time,
townships were authorized to vote aid, which was done by Harrison,
Lancaster and Liberty townships. James Crosbie and the writer
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 345
were given the contract to build the road from Bluffton to Warren.
The iron covering that point of the road was to be furnished by the
company. The grade was constructed and the iron furnished, but
before it was delivered it was necessary to have the officers of the
company sign a note covering $7,000 for the iron. The note was
signed by Joseph Boehmr, Doctor Evans, W. J. Craig and the writer.
Mr. Crosbie and the writer were given notes covering their contract,
executed by the citizens of Warren and payable when the road was
completed to that place. These were paid promptly, but the $7,000
was unprovided for, and after considerable manipulation the road was
sold and the $7,000 paid by the succeeding company, so that Bluffton
had the second railroad. From this small start it has since been con-
verted into a standard gauge, with first-class day coaches and sleepers
and with through trains from Toledo to St. Louis."
As intimated, an east-and-west line of railroad had ever been
thought to be the greatest desideratum in respect to thoroughfares.
Accordingly, a movement was set on foot, immediately after the
completion of the Muncie Railroad, for the building a narrow-gauge
railroad running from Toledo to some western metropolis, through
Wells County, under the impression that such a road could be more
cheaply built, and more cheaply operated after it was built. The long-
delaying, soul-sickening hide-and-seek, now-you-see-it and now-you-
don't performances of various supposed capitalists, characterized the
early history of this line to an unusual extent. The numerous chame-
leon changes and skillful prestidigitations of the various "companies,"
building or proposing to build the various links between Toledo and
the great West, generally are too tedious to relate here, and, in fact,
uncalled for. Even the names of the routes are too numerous to cata-
logue, the most prominent of which have been the "Toledo, Cincinnati
& St. Louis" and the "Narrow-Gauge Railroad."
The "Clover Leaf," or "Bust"
May we be pardoned for relating, in this connection, what took
place in a Bluffton Sunday school, illustrating the long and intensely
felt desire of the citizens to have this line of road hurried up ? It is
related that a Sunday school teacher had a boy in her class who had
not failed in his penny contribution for more than a year ; and when
he was found empty-handed one Sunday, his teacher observed, "Why,
Johnny, did you forget your penny today?" "No, Ma'am," he
humbly replied, "but. father says the narrow gauge railroad will do
this town more good than any fourteen Sunday schools; and I am
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 347
going to elmck my coppers into that enterprise for the next few-
weeks." "Won't the heathen miss your pennies?" she asked. "I
suppose they will; but we've got to come right down for this road or
this town is busted."
To condense the history of Wells County's connection with this
road into a few lines, let it be sufficient to repeat that Messrs. Hugh
Dougherty, James Crosby. W. J. Craig, clerk of the Wells County
Court at that time, and others of more distant points took hold of the
enterprise, and, under the new law enabling townships to vote aid or
take stock, raised the money on their individual credit, and soon built
the road from the state line to Warren, the first train reaching Bluff-
ton in August, 1879.
The new Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas City Railroad was adopted by
the company in 1886 and it was determined to widen the track to the
standard gauge, run through trains to Kansas City, and bring the
whole line up to first-class condition, which was eventually done under
the name Toledo, St. Louis & Western (Clover Leaf).
The Chicago & Erie Line
The Chicago & Atlantic line was proposed about 1872, and the
following year Wells County, by a majority of 247, voted to aid in its
construction. It was pushed through the northern part of Adams
County striking Decatur; also through the northern sections of Wells
County, missing Bluffton by about six miles. Through trains com-
menced to run in July, 1883 ; and the forerunner of the Chicago &
Erie line had been placed on the map.
The Traction Lines
Besides the three lines of railroad mentioned a number of traction
roads accommodate the people of Wells County. The Fort Wayne &
Northern Indiana Traction Company operates a section of its north
and south line through the county, taking in Ossian, Kingsland,
Bluffton, Poneto and Keystone ; the Marion & Bluffton Traction line
branches out toward the southwest, Liberty Center being its chief
station in Wells County, and the Bluffton. Geneva & Celina line ex-
tends toward the southeast, the ears making regular stops at Vera
Cruz in Wells County. In November, 1917, the line last named, which
had been for some time in the hands of a receiver was sold at auction
348 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
to Thomas Flynn for the sum of $118,000. Mr. Flynn already owned
four-fifths of the stock of the road, which had been built at a cost of
$450,000.
It is estimated that there are within the limits of Wells County
over eighty miles of steam railroads and forty-three miles of electric
lines.
CHAPTER XIX
LEGAL AND MEDICAL MATTERS
Before the Circuit Court Was — Circuit Court Organized — A Dis-
couraging First Suit — First Indictments Presented — David Kil-
gore Succeeds Judge Ewing — Prominent Citizens Indicted for
Betting — First Divorce Suit — First Resident Lawyer — First
Probate Entry — Judge James W. Borden — David H. Colerick
— John W. Dawson — First Conviction of a Felon — Last As-
sociate Judge — James L. Worden — Old-Time Speedy Justice — ■
James F. McDowell and George S. Brown— The Murphy-Free-
man Trial — Judge Edwin R. Wilson — Wholesale Divorce Busi-
ness — Court Changes, 1865-84 — Crimes Against Life — The
Court of Common Pleas— Wells County Bar in 18S7— The
Bench and Bar Since 1885 — The Old Country Doctor — Doctor
Melsheimer's Description — How It Was Thirty Years Ago —
Pioneer Physicians and Early Epidemics— The Wells County
Medical Society.
Matters connected with the professions of the law and medicine
are especially personal in their nature, and for that reason of unusual
interest. The items concerning the legal profession are strung upon
the framework of the bench, the organization and changes in the va-
rious courts forming a substantial groundwork for individual sketches
of judges and lawyers. As to the physicians and surgeons, the Wells
County Medical Society is the only organized body around which they
may be grouped, and they were practicing their scientific, humane and
human arts long before they were formally associated. In many a
community, in the old trying times, it was a friendly and a Christian
rivalry for preeminence between the country doctor and the parson,
the comparative preponderance of affection engendered depending
largely on individual traits of warm-heartedness and charity.
Before the Circuit Court Was
Previous to the organization of the Circuit Court of Wells County,
its citizens were obliged to call upon the local 'squire for assistance.
349
350 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
On September 2, 1837, Benjamin Brown tried the first ease as a
justice of the peace of Wells County. It was styled The State of In-
diana versus Simon Miller, charged with assault and battery against
the person of Elam Hooker. The defendant was found guilty and
fined $1, for the benefit of the seminary fund of Wells County.
The second law suit before a justice occurred in 1837, when Thomas
W. Van Horn was called upon to decide which of two traps caught
the wolf.
Circuit Court Organized
The first term of the Circuit Court of Wells County convened
at the residence of Robert C. Bennett, where Bluffton is now situated,
in October, 1837, with the following officers: Charles W. Ewing,
judge; John Swett and James R. Greer, associate judges; Bowen Hale,
clerk; Isaac Covert, sheriff, and Thomas Johnson, prosecuting at-
torney. The first court entry was made on the 19th of the month
named.
The first grand jury consisted of Abraham McDowell, James
Wright, James Cobbum, David Bennett, Christopher Miller, William
Ray, William P. Davis, Henry Mace, Jeremiah Masterson, Nathaniel
Batson, Isaac Dewitt, James Harvey, Isaac Wright, Isaac Lewellyn,
Joseph Jones and Buell Baldwin, and petit jurors, Joseph Sparks,
John MeCullick, Noah Tobey, John Seek, Newton Putnam, Allen
Noi-cross, Andrew Brown, John Higgins, John Casebeer, Goldsmith
Baldwin. Samuel Wallace, Conklin Masterson, Henry Miller, Henry
Myers, Daniel Miller, John C. Whitman, James Jarrett, David Snyder,
Mason Powell, William Foncannon, Samuel Myers, Adam Miller, John
Swett and James R, Greer, all of whom but Newton Putnam are dead.
A Discouraging First Suit
The first lawsuit in the Circuit Court was in 1838, when Andrew
Ferguson was tried for assault and battery upon the person of John
Mace. David Bennett prosecuted the case vigorously and Moses
Jenkinson, subsequently of Fort Wayne, defended. Mr. Jenkinson
had walked all the way from Geneva, Southern Adams County, to de-
fend bis client, thereby proving conclusively that he needed his pro-
fessional fees; but the culprit learned that he was not licensed to
practice and refused to pay him for his services. So poor Jenkinson
went footing it back through the mud to his Geneva home, a rather
dejected victim of ingratitude.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 351
First Indictments Presented
The grand jurors previous to the April term, 1839, failed to pre-
sent any one for crime, but at this term Jehu T. Elliott, of New Castle,
Indiana, afterward supreme judge, appeared as prosecuting attorney,
and the first indictments in the county were then found and pre-
sented, and the court made the following entry in relation thereto,
which will lie found on page 21, Minute Book "A": "Ordered by
the court that in all bills of indictment found at the present term of
this court for assaults and batteries, betting, and selling and giving
spirits to Indians, the defendants be required to enter into recogni-
zance in the sum of $25 each and security in a like sum, and in all in-
dictments for grand larceny and for suffering gaming in grocery or
tavern the defendants be required to enter into recognizance in the
sum of $100 each with security in a like sum."
David Kilgore Succeeds Judge Ewing
At the September term, 1839, Judge Ewing was succeeded on the
bench by Hon. David Kilgore, of Muncie, afterward speaker of the
Indiana House of Representatives and subsequently for two terms a
member of Congress from the ' ' Old Burnt District.
At this term, among others, the famous Moses Jenkinson, Judge
Jeremiah Smith, of Winchester, and Judge Jacob B. Julian, later of
Indianapolis, were admitted to practice in the Circuit Court.
Prominent Citizens Indicted for Betting
The first criminal proceeding tried was against Associate Judge
James R. Greer, who entered a plea of guilty to a charge of betting
and was fined $1. It seems that the judges in those days dealt out
justice impartially and in proof of this made one of their own number
the first victim of the majesty of the law. At this term John Brown-
lee, of Grant County, afterward a leading member of the Marion Bar,
was the prosecuting attorney. The criminal docket contained fifty-
two causes, of which forty-five were for betting, and most of the prom-'
inent citizens of the county were placed under indictment.
At the March term, 1840, the late Jeremiah Smith appeared as
prosecuting attorney.
First Divorce Suit
At the October term, 1840, the first divorce petition in the county
was filled. Prior to that event domestic bliss and felicity seem to
have reigned supreme.
352 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
First Resident Lawyer
At the April term, 1841, Samuel Ogden succeeded John Swett as
associate judge, and at this term John P. Greer, who spent the last
years of his long life at Topeka, Kansas, became the first resident
member of the Wells County Bar and was one of its leading lights
until his removal from the state in 1857.
First Probate Entry
The first entry in the probate docket of the county was made by
William Wallace, probate judge, on November 10, 1841, ordering a
writ of habeas corpus for the body of one Martin Perry.
Judge James W. Borden
At the March term, 1842, James W. Borden, of Fort Wayne, suc-
ceeded to the judgeship and Lucien P. Ferry of the same place ap-
peared as prosecuting attorney. Judge Borden, though only a mod-
erate lawyer, was a man of fine physical proportions, an excellent con-
versationalist, and spent the subsequent years of his life in office, hav-
ing been a member of the Constitutional Convention, judge of the
Court of Common Pleas, minister to the Sandwich Islands under Bu-
chanan, again common pleas judge, and he died in the harness as
judge of the Allen Criminal Court about 1881. The court as then con-
stituted had an equitable but arbitrary way of apportioning costs,
and at this term, in the case of "Andy" Ferguson v. Almon Case,
where the jury found for the plaintiff in the sum of $2, the court
ordered ' ' that each party pay one-half the costs. ' '
At the September term, 1842, the name of Horatio M. Slack, the
second resident attorney of Bluffton, appears of record. At this term
William H. Coombs of Fort Wayne appeared as prosecuting attorney.
After having practiced at that city for more than one-half century,
he rounded off his career by a brief service on the Supreme Bench,
and retired from active practice at a venerable age. During his term
the judge and ex-Prosecuting Attorney Ferry were jointly indicted
on the novel charge of "aiding in the escape of a prisoner."
David L. Colerick
At the March term, 1843, the venerable David H. Colerick appeared
as prosecuting attorney. In his prime he was a man of excellent de-
livery and surpassing eloquence, and several of his sons have in-
herited great ability in these respects.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 353
John W. Dawson
At this term John W. Dawson, afterward editor of the Fort Wayne
Times, and subsequently governor of Utah Territory, was admitted
to the bar. He was a ready writer and a strong, aggressive man, but
his pilgrimage closed in the late 70s. Two important events occurred
at this term, the conviction of Associate Justice Greer for violating
the revenue laws, and the indictment of S. G. Upton, the third resi-
dent attorney admitted to the bar, for barratry; but for the credit of
the fraternity let it be said that he was acquitted of the charge.
At the September term, 1843, Robert B. Turner became associate
judge with Mr. Greer, and Lewis Lynn was then sheriff.
Fikst, Conviction op a Felon
At the March term, 1844. Lysander C. Jacoby was special prose-
cutor. During this session Ezekiel Parker was convicted of obtaining
goods under false pretense, which was the first successful prosecution
of a felony in the county.
Last Associate Judge
At the March term, 1845, Jonathan Garton became associate judge,
and continued in this capacity with Judge Greer until the office was
abolished by the adoption of the new Constitution in 1852. At this
term James R. Slack, a Union general during the Rebellion and after-
ward judge of the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit, acted as prosecut-
ing attorney. He was a man of rugged sense and old-fashioned
honesty.
At the August term, 1845, and March term, 1846, Elza A. Mc-
Mahon, afterward judge of this circuit, but long a resident of Min-
nesota, acted as prosecuting attorney.
In 1847 Isaac Covert again became sheriff, but with this exception
the same judges and officers continued until March, 1848, when Sam-
uel G. Upton was commissioned prosecuting attorney. He was a
straight dignified New Yorker, prematurely gray, but though his
frosty head may have been the result of hard study, he never was a
dangerous lawyer. He engaged for a number of years in editing and
publishing the Bluffton Banner, and was for a time postmaster at
this place, but ended his career about 1883 at New Orleans, Louisiana,
at the advanced age of seventy-five years. In 1849 Isaac Covert re-
tired from the shrievalty and was succeeded by Amza White.
354 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
James L. Worden
At the December term, 1S-A9, James L. Worden acted as prosecut-
ing attorney. He was born in Massachusetts in 1819, but lost his
father in infancy, removed to Portage County, Ohio, when a child, and
was deprived of the advantages of an early education. He was largely
self-taught, and moved to Indiana during his early manhood, where,
by his real merits, he gained rapid promotions, first to the office of
prosecuting attorney, next to the nisi prius bench, and afterward to
the Supreme Bench of Indiana, where he remained nineteen years,
and his opinions were so highly regarded that he was styled the "old
reliable" and the "John Marshall" of that court.
At the March term, 1851, the accomplished and persuasive John
R. Coffroth, who needs no introduction to our people, was admitted to
practice before the Circuit Court. Judges L. M. Ninde, William W.
Carson, Jacob M. Haynes and Isaac Jenkinson were admitted at
the same time, and Benedict Burns was added as the fourth resident
member of the bar.
Old-Time Speedy Justice
At the March term, 1852, Amza White, an original character in his
day, and Arthur W. Sanford, afterward a prominent clergyman of
Marion, Indiana, but now of Michigan, were admitted to the force of
local counsel. At this term James L. Worden acted as prosecuting
attorney, and in March, 1853, he produced his commission and quali-
fied as prosecutor. William Porter was then added to the list of
resident attorneys. In the earlier court practice they disposed of
business in a summary manner after the fashion of the old English
"dusty foot" court, and, while it was rough on the victim, little com-
plaint was made of the law's delay. One notable instance of this kind
was the trial of Detro and Brown, in 1851, for the larceny of a horse
belonging to Daniel Miller. They had taken the stolen property into
Ohio. The vigilance committee got upon their trail, pursued them to
near the City of Dayton, captured the thieves with their plunder, and
re-crossed the state line without the aid of a requisition, brought the
captives to Bluffton, and on the day of their arrival they were in-
dicted, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary ; on the
morning of the next day the sheriff started with his prisoners to Jef-
fersonville to execute the judgment of the court. It was claimed that
this was done in obedience to that clause in the organic law of the
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 355
state which declares that "justice shall be administered speedily and
without delay."
At the August term, 1853, Edwin E. Wilson was admitted and
became a resident member of the bar. Michael Miller succeeded White
as sheriff, and at the February term, 1854, Mr. Wilson became prose-
cuting attorney.
At the February term, 1855, his brother, John L. Wilson, recently
on the Common Pleas Bench at Morrow, Ohio, was placed on the
roll of local attorneys, and also the name of John N. Reynolds, an
auctioneer and pettifogger of great tact, who "lost his grip" when
he reached the Circuit Court.
At the August term, 18-14, James L. Worden qualified as circuit
judge, and in the November following George McDowell, a brother
of the late Hon. James F. McDowell, of Marion, succeeded Bowen
Hale as clerk (who had retired after a service of seventeen years).
At the February term, 1857, Robert E. Hutcheson, afterward
somewhat distinguished at the Columbus, Ohio, bar, was added to the
list of resident counsel, but he remained only a brief time. At this
term David T. Smith was admitted to practice.
James F. McDowell and Geoege S. Brown
At the February term, 1858, Reuben J. Dawson, of Albion, In-
diana, became circuit judge, James F. McDowell, subsequently a mem-
ber of Congress from this district and a man of charming eloquence,
was admitted to the bar, and George S. Brown, a scholarly man of fine
appearance, located here and was also admitted to the bar. He sub-
sequently located at Huntington, Indiana, where he for a time was
engaged in business with Col. L. P. Milligan, one of the finest logicians
of the Wabash Valley, and thence moved to Topeka, Kansas, where
in the midst of an extensive and growing practice he died of cancer.
During this year Newton Burwell, a fluent speaker, ready writer
and well-read man, was admitted to the bar, and for many years
was identified with much important litigation in our courts, but the
hand of business adversity was laid heavily upon him, and after fol-
lowing a diversity of pursuits and rowing against the tide, he at
last took up the line of march and drifted to Rapid City, Dakota. At
this term Nicholas Van Horn commenced the practice here, but being
of a somewhat notional disposition, he alternately became lawyer,
preacher and doctor, and later tried his hand at a variety of voca-
tions in Texas.
356 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The Murphy-Freeman Trial
During this term one of the most important criminal trials oc-
curred that has ever transpired in the history of the county. One
Moses T. Murphy, a merchant of Vera Cruz, had gone into the country
for the purpose of procuring teams to haul wheat to Fort Wayne,
and while in the woods between the residences of John Linn and
Harvey Risley, he was slain. His continued absence excited the sus-
23icion of his family, friends and neighbors, who instituted a thorough
search for him. His body was found with marks of violence upon
his head, indicating that he had been felled by some blunt instrument,
and upon closer inspection it was ascertained that his jugular vein
was severed. A club bespattered with blood and hair was also found
near the body. Suspicion at once, whether justly or otherwise, rested
upon Dr. William Freeman, who was Mr. Murphy's neighbor. He
was arrested and indicted for the crime, and after an exciting trial,
was acquitted. The case was ably prosecuted by Sanford J. Stoughton,
prosecuting attorney, assisted by Messrs. Ninde and Wilson, and was
defended by Messrs. McDowell, Milligan and Coffroth.
Judge Edwin R. Wilson
Edwin R. Wilson became judge at the December term, 1858, and
James M. Defrees, of Goshen, prosecuting attorney. Thomas L. Wis-
ner became clerk in November, 1859.
At the February term, 1860, John Colerick, a man of magnetic and
persuasive eloquence, succeeded to the office of prosecutor, and in
February, 1861, was in turn succeeded by Augustus A. Chapin, after-
ward judge of the Allen Superior Court.
On August 23, 1861, Thomas W. Wilson became a member of the
Wells County Bar, and Nathaniel De Haven became sheriff. In No-
vember, 1864, James H. Schell became prosecutor and in the follow-
ing February Robert Lowry, a member of the Forty-eighth and Forty-
ninth Congresses from the Fort Wayne District, took his seat upon
the bench.
Wholesale Divorce Business
The chief business transacted in the courts of this county from
the year 1861 to 1867 inclusive, was by some general divorce agent
residing at Fort Wayne, who operated for the Middle, Eastern and
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 357
New England states and Canada. Divorces under the lax laws then
existing were ground out by the half-bushel.
Court Changes, 1865-84
Judge Lowry served until April, 1873, when he was succeeded by
Jacob M. Haynes, who continued until November, 1878. when his
successor, James R. Bobo, qualified, and continued as such until April,
1885, at which time be was succeeded by Henry B. Sayler. James R.
McCleery succeeded Wisner as clerk in November, 1867, and con-
tinued as such until his death in April, 1875. Thomas L. Wisner was
commissioned as his successor and held until November, 1875. Wil-
liam J. Craig was clerk from November, 1875, to November, 1883,
when John H. Ormsby was appointed. Manuel Chalfant was sheriff
from 1865 to 1867 and from 1869 to 1871, Isaiah J. Covault from
1867 to 1869 and from 1871 to 1873, William W. Wisell from 1873 to
1877, James B. Plessinger from 1877 to 1881, Marcellus M. Justus
from 1881 to 1885, when Henry Kirkwood was elected sheriff. This
court was supplied with the following prosecutors during the interim
named: Thomas W. Wilson from November, 1866, to November,
1868 ; Joseph S. Dailey, from November, 1868, to November, 1876 ;
Joshua Bishop from November, 1876, to November, 1877 ; Luther I.
Baker from 1877 to 1880; John T. France from November, 1880, to
November, 1884, when Edwin C. Vaughn became prosecutor.
Crimes Against Life
Writing in 1887 a Wells County historian says: "At the Novem-
ber term, 1870, James Gillen was tried for the murder of William
J. McCleery, but was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to the
penitentiary for twelve years. It was a case that created great ex-
citement and much interest, and was ably conducted by both sides,
but as most of the actors in that forensic contest are yet living, the
writer deems it proper not to particularize in the matter. The usually
quiet and law-abiding county of Wells has been at times under great
commotion by reason of homicides in her midst. In late years John
Strode was tried for the murder of Daniel Miller, an old pioneer of
the county ; Mary M. Eddingfield for the alleged poisoning of her
children ; Frank Hoopengarner for killing Needham McBride ; George
W. King for killing Martin Thayer, and William Walker for slaying
George Shaw. Some of these cases were of great moral turpitude,
and are a blotch upon the otherwise fair escutcheon of the county;
358 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
but a portion of the cases had many extenuating circumstances, and
in the case of Hoopengarner the jury wisely found it to be one of
justifiable homicide. The actors in these contests are nearly all upon
the state, and for the reasons' heretofore stated we will not individual-
ize in reference to them.
The Court of Common Pleas
"Under the present Constitution we had the anomaly, from 1853
to 1873, of a 'Court of Common Pleas erected and organized with
almost concurrent jurisdiction with the Circuit Court, and during
its existence it contained the following officers: Wilson B. Lough-
ridge was judge from its organization to January, 1861, when he
was succeeded by Joseph Brackenridge. James W. Borden became
judge in January, 1865, and continued until January, 1868, when
Robert S. Taylor, one of the learned and best equipped attorneys of
this State, was commissioned his successor. David Studabaker suc-
ceeded him in January, 1869, but resigned in September, 1869, and
Robert S. Taylor was then re-appointed by Governor Baker. In Jan-
uary, 1871, William W. Carson became judge, and in January, 1873,
Samuel E. Sinclair was commissioned and held the office until it
was abolished as a needless expense about three months thereafter.
The prosecutors of this court were Benedict Bums, Newton Burwell,
James G. Smith, David T. Smith, David Colerick, Joseph S. Dailey
and Benjamin F. Ibach.
Wells County Bar ix 1887
"During the first thirty years of our country's history the busi-
ness transactions were small, and one order book of this court embraces
all the civil and criminal causes there tried from its organization up to
and including the January terms, 1859. During the subsequent period
of our jurisprudence several parties were admitted to the bar, and
for a time were engaged as counsel here, who no longer responded
to the roll call. Among these were Thomas A. R. Eaton, now deceased
and a most excellent citizen of the county, and William J. Bright, ■
who edited the Wells County Union. He was 'bright' by name and
nature, but died at the beginning of his career in our midst. In 1863
Daniel J. Callen, an eloquent orator and 'word-painter,' came and
practiced here, but soon returned to his native State, Ohio, which he
for a time served with distinction in her legislative councils. Mr.
Callen has been in his grave for the last decade. Benjamin G. Shinn,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 359
now a prominent lawyer of Hartford City, was admitted to the prac-
tice here on September 19, 1865. Hon. Daniel Waugh, ex-judge of
the Tipton and Howard circuit, was admitted May 22, 1866, with
the well-known Jacob J. Todd, and James A. Cotton, Hay 20, 1867.
William J. Davis, a graduate of Washington College, Pennsylvania,
located here and was admitted to the bar in 1871, and Captain Wil-
liam J. Hilligass in the year succeeding. Joseph W. Ady, who now
enjoys a State-wide reputation in Kansas, was raised in Wells County
and admitted to the bar, but shortly after this event obeyed the in-
junction of the white-hatted philosopher who said, 'Young man, go
West. '
"Our present bar comprises more than one-half of all the mem-
bers who ever engaged as resident attorneys at this place, and em-
braces the names of Edwin R. Wilson, David T. Smith, Joseph S.
Dailey, Jacob J. Todd. Levi Mock, Augustus N. Martin (ex-reporter
supreme court and ex-congressman), John K. Rinehart. James P. Hale,
A. L. Sharpe, J. H. C. Smith, Homer L. Martin, Edwin C. Vaughn,
Charles M. France, Mines W. Lee, George W. Kibble, David II.
Swaim, William T. T. Swaim, Win. S. Silver, Asbury Duglay, Abram
Simmons, Luther B. Simmons and Charles E. Lacey; and without
particularizing, or making any invidious distinctions, the writer with
confidence states that this list comprises a galaxy of attorneys as well
equipped for the great work of the profession as can be found in
any county of Indiana.
"Since the influx of railroads into the county in the autumn of
1869 the county has more than doubled in population and tripled in
material wealth; 2,000 miles of open ditches have been constructed
and many of turnpikes.
"All kinds of commercial pursuits are being actively conducted,
and the county is rapidly gaining a front rank as an educated, enter-
prising and public-spirited locality; and as a result of the growth
and development of her material interests much litigation has neces-
sarily followed in the last fifteen years. But the Wells County bar
have been equal to the emergency, fully qualified for the great work
they have been called upon to perform, and in their efforts to establish
rights and redress wrongs they have been aided at all times by an
intelligent and incorruptible judiciary."
The Bench and Bar Since 1885
Since the foregoing was written, thirty years ago, the bench and
bar of Wells County have made many steps forward. Judge Sayler,
360 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the last occupant of the Circuit bench mentioned served from April,
1885, to November, 1888, when he retired in favor of Joseph S. Dailey.
The latter was promoted from the Circuit to the State Supreme
bench in July, 1893, and Edwin C. Vaughn was appointed as his suc-
cessor. Judge Vaughn served until 1906 ; Charles E. Sturgis was the
incumbent for the six years' term, 1906-12, and William EL Eichhorn
has served since the latter year, his term expiring in 1918.
The successive clerks and sheriffs have been noted in the roster
of county officials, although legally and specifically they may be classed
as court officials.
Within the past thirty years many able lawyers have practiced
at the Wells County bar, some having graduated to the bench and
others to high legislative bodies. Augustus N. Martin, who studied
law with Jacob J. Todd and was afterward in partnership with him,
became a member of the State Legislature and a reporter of the Su-
preme Court of Indiana, and finally a representative in the Lower
House of Congress, in which he served for six years. Mr. Martin
died in 1901. .
The prosecutors since 1901 have been as follows: John Burns,
1901-05 ; Ashley G. Emshwiller, 1905-09 ; Ethan W. Secrest, 1909-13 ;
Lee F. Sprague, 1913-17; Ovid A. Pursley, 1917-—.
The Old Country Doctor
The physician has always had a large place in the community, and
the old-time country doctor was especially near to the people of
Wells County. Like the Good Samaritan, he never passed the sufferer
because he had no fee. He took it as a matter of course that he was
to go whenever called, without looking at the weather, considering the
roads or the creeks, or even asking the reason why. And there is
nothing to indicate that in the days of difficult travel and little shelter
the applicant for medical or surgical relief was more considerate of
the exposure of the doctor than he is today, when it is so much easier
for the physician to reach the bedside of the sick either real or fancied.
Dr. Melsheimer's Description
Dr. C. T. Melsheimer. president of the old Wells County Medical
Society when it was formed in 1S78, who settled at Bluff ton in 1844
as a practitioner and long continued as such, has drawn this etching
of the typical country doctor with rare skill and evident sympathy.
Here it is: "The Country doctor was a kind of medical nondescript
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 361
in comparison with the members of the profession to-day. As a
general thing, he had the greater part of his life's works before him,
was full of energy, and possessed a surplus of vitality that required
just such environments to keep him within the bounds of moral
rectitude. He was very courteous to his patients, so much so, that all
who were old enough he dignified as uncles and aunts, and few of
the elders received the honors of grandparents. He had schooled him-
self to coolness and deliberation amidst all the excitements due to ac-
cidents by 'flood or field. ' Whatever misfortunes occurred were viewed
as unavoidable under the circumstances, so far as he was concerned.
With him the past was beyond his recall — the future he knew nothing
about; but the ever present was his, and he utilized it in such a
manner as to give the most satisfactory results. He was from the
very nature of his surroundings a concentrated embodiment of all
the specialties so markedly characteristic of the profession to-day, and
was compelled to assume the role of physician, surgeon, obstetrician,
dentist, aurist, oculist and. if there had been occasion for the gyne-
cologist, this would have been added as an appendix to his other duties.
These various callings of his required quite a collection of drugs to
meet the demand, and, together with a certain degree of self-reliance
which isolation imparts, made him master of the situation in a vast
majority of instances. When contemplating a visit in the country,
which was a daily occurrence, he meant rough business and wa.s pre-
pared for it. Hence his usual outfit was an old slouched hat or cap
that had borne the brunt of many exposures, and which adorned his
head, while the lower extremities were encased in a pair of coarse
stogy boots ; and the ever present green flannel leggings, as further pro-
tections against mud and water, together with the compulsory spur
attached to the heel, completed the outfits. The protection of his body
by some species of mathematical adaptability was made equal to the
extremes, and the result was a kind of object that required a rapid
evolution of Darwinism to bring him up to the present regulation
standard. Thus equipped and armed with a portly pair of pill bags,
he started on horseback upon his humane mission, over wagon tracks,
along bridle paths, through slashes of water and mud midsides deep,
and not unfrequently with no other directions than the blazed track
to the lonely cabin in the forest. At night the hickory bark torch
or the punctured tin lantern lighted with a tallow dip furnished a frail
substitiite for the light of the sun."
"Thus in brief," says Dr. Melsheimer, who was writing in 1887,
"you have the biography of a pioneer physician from the pen of a
junior member who participated in the events which the mutations of
362 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
time had wrought some forty-three years ago, and were shrouded in
the obscurities of the past until resurrected by one who stands a rep-
resentative of that period without a constituency. In the providence
of God all his co-laborers have laid down their burdens, and joined
their kindred spirits across the dark waters of Lethe.
How It Was Thirty Years Ago
"The contrast between the past and the present is so great that
its reality appears 'like the baseless fabric of a vision that leaves no
trace behind.' The steady hand of improvement has measurably de-
stroyed the cause that annually furnished a very prolific harvest of
miasmatic diseases to the physician. So, too, the wilderness has been
converted into many fruitful fields. The old log cabin, that virtue of
pioneer necessity, has long since given place to the more pretentious
dwelling. An increasing commerce has demanded gravel roads instead
of wagon tracks and bridle paths. And the intercourse of the outer
world is maintained by railroads and telegraphs, through which dis-
tance is diminished by the locomotive's flight and time annihilated by
the electric flash. Numerous villages have sprung up as if by the hand
of the magician, and the country is teeming with an intelligent and
enterprising population that thus far has kept step in the progressive
march of the nineteenth century."
Pioneer Physicians and Early Epidemics
The first physician in the chronological order was Dr. Joseph Knox,
who immigrated to Wells County in 1829 and located near Murray
on the farm subsequently owned by Henry Miller.
The second physician, Doctor Williams, located in the village
of Murray in 1838. By what few settlers that neighborhood contained
lie had the reputation of being a successful practitioner. His death
occurred a few years afterward in that place.
The third in the county was Dr. William Fellows, a regular prac-
titioner, who was located some two miles south of Bluffton in 1838,
on the farm now owned by David Studabaker.
The first epidemic of typhoid fever occurred in the fall and winter
of 1845.
The first epidemic of scarlet fever occurred in the latter part of
June, 1849.
First ease of cholera (Asiatic), August 9, 1839, imported from
Huntington, Indiana.
ADA-MS AND WELLS COUNTIES 363
First epidemic of measles in September, 1849.
First case of small-pox in June, 1S54, at Bluffton.
The Wells County Medical Society
The Wells County Medical Society was organized April 9, 1878,
with the following as its officers: Dr. C. T. Melsheimer, president;
Dr. T. H. Crosby, seci-etary; Dr. Theodore Horton, treasurer; B. F.
Cummins, Dr. W. R, S. Clark and Dr. L. A. Spaulding, censors. Per-
haps of these first officials of the society, Doctor Horton was as widely
known as any, since he had not only been practicing for thirty years,
but had become prominent in the affairs of both Bluffton and the
state. During the Civil war his speeches as a democrat opposed to
the conflict had caused his arrest. The original society adopted the
code of the American Medical Association and then, as now, was an
auxiliary to the Indiana State Medical Society. Doctor Crosby, who
died in 1883, came to Bluffton from Fort Wayne in 1848, and served
as a surgeon in the Civil war. Doctor Clark, who had died in the
previous year, was an Ohio physician until 1873, when he moved to
Bluffton.
Dr. George E. Fulton, who is still practicing at that place and is
president of the society of today, is a native of the county, his father
locating in Jefferson Township in 1840. He first located at Murray,
but has practiced at the county seat since 1882. Doctor Fulton has
served in the State Legislature and as health officer of the county.
His brother, Dr. J. C. Fulton, is a well known member of the pro-
fession. Among the leaders of long and substantial standing may also
be mentioned Dr. L. A. Spaulding, who also commenced to practice
at Bluffton in 1882; Dr. Isaac X. Hatfield, secretary-treasurer of the
present Wells County Medical Society, who came from Kansas in
1887 to throw his lot with the Bluffton people ; Dr. E. W. Dyer, Dr.
J. W. McKinney, Dr. A. W. Brown, Dr. Louis Severin, Dr. C. H.
Mead and Dr. Ray E. DeWeese. The last named, however, is now
a resident of Hartford City.
The present Wells County Medical Society comprises twenty-three
members: only four physicians in the county have not joined the or-
ganization. Regular meetings of the society are scheduled to be held
on the first and third Tuesday evenings of each month, but on ac-
count of the war, which absorbed so much time and energy of its
members, its gatherings have virtually become subject to call only.
CHAPTER XX
WAR PREPARATION
First Civil War Volunteers — The Drafts in Wells County — Fi-
nancial Contributions — Representation in Men — Lieut. -Col.
William Swaim — Last Battle of the Civil War — Maj. Peter
Studabaker — The Home Guards — Officers and Privates Who
Died in the Civil War — Soldiers of the War of 1812 — The Lew
Dailey Post of Bluffton — Reunion of the Forty-seventh
Regiment — The Spanish-American War — Regimental Officers
— Companies E and F, One Hundred Sixtieth Volunteer In-
fantry — In the War Against Germany, Et Al. — Captain Dunn
and Company A — Volunteers and Drafted Men.
Wells is no exception to any other county or section of the state
which has ever had anything to do with an American war; it has
risen to the height of the occasion, whatever sacrifice was demanded
in vindication of individual conscience and the adjudged rights de-
pending upon its exercise. From the period of the Civil war of
1861-65 to the World war of 1914 , its men and women, its boys
and girls, have never faltered in their stanch support of what they
believed to be right : and the greatest tribute which can be paid to
the patriotism of Wells County is to simply say that it has the
American spirit.
First Civil War Volunteers
Following the day of the bombardment of Fort Sumter, the fol-
lowing sixteen men of Wells County loaded themselves into wagons
at Bluffton and started for Fort Wayne : W. W. Angel, Samuel M.
Karns, Dwight Klinck, Samuel D. Silver, Phillip W. Silver, Jacob V.
Kenagy, John T. Cartwright, James A. Starbuck, George M. Burwell,
Andrew J. Barlow, Thomas J. Barlow, James A. Rounds, John C.
Campbell, Isaac H. Lefever, Robert J. Rogers and Isaac P. Wilming-
ton. At the same time Uriah Todd, another resident of the county,
enlisted in Ohio.
364
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 365
Throughout the war, there was no "slacking" on the part of
Wells County men. A typical section was known as the Glass School
district, two miles west of Ossian, which, with its twenty-two fam-
ilies, sent fifty soldiers to the Civil war.
The Drafts in Wells County
The draft was popular with many citizens who would not have
waited for its demands to join the ranks, but who believed that it
was the fairest way to levy upon the man power of the nation; and
their views have since been enthusiastically adopted by the most demo-
cratic nation of the world. In October, 1862, the following were
drafted from the different townships of the county : Jackson, 18 ;
Chester, 19; Liberty. 2; Rock Creek, 6; Union, 17; Nottingham, 28;
Harrison, 19. Total, 109. Jefferson and Lancaster, having furnished
their full cpiotas, through their volunteers, escaped altogether.
The only other draft which operated in Wells County was that of
1864, in which eleven men altogether were selected. There was no
open resistance to the draft, or any other military measure enforced
during the war, although there undoubtedly existed in the county
treasonable organizations known as the Knights of the Golden Circle,
composed of sympathizers with the Confederate cause.
Financial Contributions
In these days of millions and billions raised for the support of
the "allies" and their "associate," the United States, the financial
statistics representing the contributions of Wells County to the main-
tenance of the Union, do not appear especially imposing, but consider-
ing the population of the county (about 11,000) and the comparative
wealth of the United States at that time, the contributions of money
were generous indeed. During the Civil war the county paid $100,000
in bounties and the townships, $26,650; while for the relief of soldiers'
families, the county contributed $1,424, and the townships, $10,000.
Grand total for bounties and relief, $138,074. Adams County, with
a population of about 9,000, contributed nearly $83,000. If anything,
therefore, Wells "had it" a little on its twin county.
Representation in Men
Wells County was represented in a number of regimental units,
such as the Twelfth, Twenty-second, Thirtieth, Thirty-fourth. Forty-
366 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
seventh, Seventy-fifth, Eighty-ninth, One Hundred and First, One
Hundred and Thirtieth, One Hundred and. Thirty-seventh, One Hun-
dred and Thirty-eighth and One Hundred and Fifty-third Infantry
and the Eleventh and Thirteenth Cavalry.
The Twelfth was a one-year regiment, was accepted for service
in .May, 1861, and after its term had expired in connection with the
Army of the Shenandoah, it veteranized for three years, joined Sher-
man's grand army, the fortunes of which it followed until mustered
out in June, 1865, only 270 strong. During its military life it was
commanded by Cols. John M. Wallace and William H. Link.
In July, 1861, the Twenty-second was organized at Madison, In-
diana, with Jefferson C. Davis, then a captain in the regular army,
as colonel. It was a three years' regiment and, after serving in
Southern Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee, it also was absorbed by
Sherman's command, and had the honor of enduring to the last.
The Thirtieth Regiment of Volunteer Infantry went into service
during September, 1861, marched, skirmished and fought in Kentucky,
Tennessee, Alabama and Texas, and remained in the last named state,
engaged in guard duty, until the Confederacy had long been a govern-
ment of the past. Its first colonel, Sion S. Bass, died at Paducah,
Kentucky, as the result of a severe wound, and he was succeeded by
Joseph B. Dodge.
The record of the Thirty-fourth was much the same. Its first active
engagement was at New Madrid, Missouri, in March, 1861 ; it played
a leading part in the capture of Island No. 10, and in May, 1863, was
in the engagement at Port Gibson, and in the battle of Champion
Hills, losing heavily in both. Among those severely wounded in the
latter action was Lieut.-Col. William Swaim, who died as the result
of his injuries on the 17th of June. His son, James, was a member
of Company A, of the Thirty- fourth, and served until his muster-
out at Brownsville, Texas, February 4, 1866.
Lieut.-Col. William Swaim
Lieutenant-Colonel Swaim was a carriage manufacturer in New
Jersey before he bought a farm near Ossian in 1857. He was en-
gaged in its cultivation and improvement when the Civil war aroused
him. He raised Company A from Ossian, Murray and Bluffton volun-
teers, and when the Thirty-fourth was organized he was elected its
captain. In February, 1862, he was promoted to be major of the regi-
ment and June 15th, a year before his death, was advanced to the
lieutenant-colonelcy. He was leading the regiment at Champion Hills,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 367
May 16, 1863, when lie received his death wound. He died from its
effects on the 17th of the following month, while aboard a steamboat
bound for the North. His remains were buried at Ossian cemetery,
and at the head of his grave stands a beautiful monument erected to
his memory by the officers of his regiment. On the 30th of June,
succeeding Colonel Swaim 's death two weeks before, his fellow officers
had gathered to pass resolutions expressive of their sense of loss on
his death. Post No. 169 of Ossian was well named in his honor.
James Swaim, the son mentioned above, resumed farming when
discharged from the service, and subsequently became a justice of
the peace, school trustee and otherwise 'prominent in local public af-
fairs. He is also an old and leading Mason; an honored citizen of
Ossian, now in his seventy-third year.
Last Battle of the Civil "War
After the death of Colonel Swaim the Thirty-fourth Regiment
participated in the siege of Vicksburg ; was in the Banks expedition ;
went home on a veteran *s furlough and returned to Texas to fight the
last battle of the Civil war. This occurred May 12-13, 1865, at Pal-
metto Ranche, adjoining the old battlefield of Palo Alto, near the
mouth of the Rio Grande. With a battery of six field pieces, 250 of
the regiment drove 500 of the enemy mounted, a distance of three
miles in three hours. The colonel, David Bransom, having received
news of the surrender of Kirby Smith, the last of the Confederate
leaders to hold out in the older states, gave the order to cease firing,
as he considered the Civil war closed. Not so the enemy ; as he got
his gun in position and poured such a destructive fire into the ranks
of the Thirty-fourth as to cause a general withdrawal. Colonel Bran-
som ordered Companies B and E to remain toward the front as
skirmishers to cover the retreat, but they were soon surrounded and
forced to surrender. The Thirty-fourth lost in killed, wounded and
captured, during this historic engagement, eighty-four men. Thus
the last battle of the Civil war was a virtual defeat for Union troops.
It was witnessed by hundreds of men perched in the rigging of eighty
men-of-war and other shipping moored at the mouth of the Rio Grande,
as the hazy sun set in a fading glamour behind the sandy hills on
the western bank of the great river.
After this last battle of the Civil war, the Thirty-fourth was or-
dered to various places in Texas and. as stated, was mustered out in
February, 1866. Besides Lieutenant-Colonel Swaim, the following of-
ficers were credited to Wells County: Maj. John L. Wilson. Maj.
:;(>s
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Harrison L. Deam, Capts. William Wilmington and John Phipps, and
Lieuts. George Harter and Andrew C. Fulton. Three Harter broth-
ers served from Wells County. The lieutenant was discharged for
disability in 186L Another brother, Andrew, who enlisted in Com-
pany K, Seventy-fifth Regiment, was shot at Chiekamauga, in Septem-
ber, 1863, and Thomas, who took Andrew's place, died of disease.
Although the Forty-seventh Regiment was a mixed command —
that is, no county or counties had a great preponderance of men in
the ranks — a few volunteers went from Wells County and a full com-
.„.„
aiilBiiiliii
HP"""
Old Flag of the Thirty-fourth Regimbni
pany was raised in Adams. All the men were raised in the Eleventh
Congressional District. It was organized in the fall of 1862 and served
in the southwest; participated in the engagements at New Madrid,
Fort Pillow, Champion Hills and Vicksburg, in Bank's Re"d River
expedition and before Mobile.
The Seventy-fifth Infantry, also organized in the Eleventh Con-
gressional District, was mustered into service in August, 1862, with
John U. Pettit as colonel and a force of more than 1,000 men. With
the Eighty-seventh and One Hundred and Thirty-first regiments, it
composed the Indiana Brigade. It was the first to enter Tullahoma in
the following June, and in September it met with considerable losses
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 369
at Chickamauga. Then followed Missionary Ridge, the siege of At-
lanta, the march of Sherman to the sea, the progress through the Caro-
linas and the grand review at Washington. Many men from Wells
County were in the Seventy-fifth, among whom were Capt. Sandford
R. Karns and Lieut. James A. Starbuck.
There were fewer men in the Eighty-ninth, but Adams County
was strongly represented, furnishing three full companies. It was
still another command raised in the patriotic Eleventh, and was
mustered into the Union service in August, 1862. The Eighty-ninth
participated in the operations around Memphis and Vicksburg, in
Northern Mississippi and in pursuit of Price through Missouri and of
Hood through Tennessee. It was in at the fall of Mobile, and was
finally mustered out of the service at that point in July, 1865.
The One Hundred and First Indiana Infantry claimed more of
Wells County men than any other regiment. In it were Major Peter
Studabaker, Dr. C. T. Melsheimer (assistant surgeon), Capt. Andrew
J. Barlow, Capt. George Lindsey, Lieut. William Miller and Lieut.
Simon Krewsen.
Major Peter Studabaker
Major Studabaker was serving as county treasurer at Bhiffton
when the war broke out and was active in organizing Company B, of
which he was commissioned captain in August, 1862. In June of the
following year he was promoted to be major. The regiment saw much
active service and was in most of the battles under General Thomas in
the Fourteenth Army Corps. In the battle of Chickamauga it was the
last to leave the field. At the battle of Kenesaw Mountain Major
Studabaker was wounded in the left foot, but while in the service never
lost a day from sickness or any other cause. After the war he was
mustered out with his men in June, 1865, and returned to his farming,
banking and public interests, fulfilling the full expectations of those
who had previously shown their confidence in his stalwart abilities.
The One Hundred and Thirtieth Indiana Infantry, another regi-
mental unit drawn from the Eleventh Congressional District, had not
a few representatives from Wells County who did their part in repell-
ing the furious Confederate charge at Resaca. They were also engaged
in the battles at Pine and Kenesaw mountains, the siege of Atlanta, at
Jonesboro and in the campaigns waged against Hood's forces near
Nashville. Finally, the regiment joined Sherman's army at Golds-
boro, and was mustered out of service in December, 1865, with 27
officers and 540 men. The officers from Wells Countv who served in
370 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
his regiment were Captains William H. Covert and James A. Millikin
and Lieut. John S. Campbell.
The One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Regiment, which had a
number of soldiers from Wells County in it, was mustered into the
service in May, 1864, for one hundred days. Under Edward J. Robin-
son, of North Madison, as colonel, it exceeded its term, doing duty
along the lines of the railroads which supported Sherman in his
advance upon Atlanta.
The One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Infantry, under Col. James
H. Shannon, of LaPorte, was mustered in upon the same date as the
preceding and the nature of its service was similar.
The One Hundred and Fifty-third Infantry contained a full com-
pany of volunteers from Wells County — Company E of which Ben-
jamin F. Wiley, of Bluffton, was captain ; John M. Henry, of Ossian,
first lieutenant, and Marvin W. Bennett, of the same place, second
lieutenant. It was a one-year regiment and left Indianapolis for the
front in March, 1865, being mustered out in the following September
after considerable skirmishing with the enemy and guard duty at
Louisville.
A number of men from Wells County joined both the Eleventh and
the Thirteenth Cavalry regiments. The Eleventh, known numerically
as the One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Indiana Regiment, was fully
organized at Indianapolis, in March, 1864, and the command given to
Robert R. Stewart, formerly lieutenant colonel of the Second Cavalry.
It saw service in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi and Kansas.
The Thirteenth, the last cavalry organization to be raised in the
state, was the One Hundred and Thirty-first Regiment of Volunteers.
When fully organized in April, 1864, Gilbert M. L. Johnson was its
colonel. Both regiments served a portion of the time as cavalry and
a part of their term as dismounted infantry. The last eight months of
the military life of the Thirteenth, however, was spent as cavalry, pure
and simple. It was mustered out at Vicksburg in November, 1865.
The Home Guards
Besides the commands which went to the front with their various
quotas of Wells County men, the citizens at home, whose age or other
circumstances prevented them from accepting active military service,
formed organizations to meet any emergencies which might arise call-
ing for the protection of their firesides and families. Fortunately they
were not called out for such service, but at least two bodies of Home
Guards were ready and thus officered: Harrison Guards — captain,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 371
Herod T. True, and first lieutenant. Picket P. Connett, of Bluffton;
Jefferson Guards — captain, James Gorrell, and first lieutenant, John
W. Todd, of Ossian.
Officers and Privates Who Died in the Civil War
In 1885 the Bluffton Banner compiled a list of the Civil war sol-
diers from Wells County who were killed in action, or who died as a
result of wounds received and disease contracted during that period.
The officers who gave their lives : Lieut.-Col. William Swain, Thirty-
fourth Infantry, buried at Ossian; First Lieut. J. Sharpe Wisner,
Company A, Forty-seventh Infantry, Bluffton ; Second Lieut. John B.
Louis, Company A. Forty-seventh Infantry, Bluffton; First Lieut.
Lewis W. Dailey, Company I, Twenty-second Infantry, Murray ; Sec-
ond Lieut. Uriah Todd, Company K, Seventy-fifth Infantry, Prospect ;
Capt. Sanford R. Earns, Company K, Seventy-fifth Infantry, Bluff-
ton; First Lieut. Simon Erewson, Company G, One Hundred and
First Infantry, Prospect ; Second Lieut. Abe S. Masterson, Company
B, One Hundred and First Infantry, Six Mile; Capt. James A. Milli-
kin, Company F, One Hundred and Thirtieth Infantry, Ossian.
Total, 9 officers.
Casualties among the privates of the different commands: Thir-
teenth Regiment, 4 ; Thirty-fourth, 35 ; Forty-seventh, 37 ; Seventy-
fifth, 48 ; One Hundred and First, 53 ; One Hundred and Thirtieth, 14 ;
scattering commands, 34. Total of officers and privates, 234.
Soldiers of the War of 1812
In addition to the foregoing Civil war soldiers whose bodies lie in
Wells County cemeteries, are the remains of the following who served
in the War of 1812: James Jackson (Mendenhall Cemetery), Henry
Mossburg (Mossburg Cemetery), Rural Wright, Thomas Deaver, Wil-
liam Griffey, David Miller and William Beasley.
The Lew Dailey Post of Bluffton
Lew Dailey Post Xo. 33, G. A. R., of Bluffton, was named in honor
of Lewis W. Dailey. brother of Judge Joseph S. Dailey, who was only
nineteen years of age when he died as first lieutenant of Company T,
Twenty-second Infantry. Lieutenant Dailey was the first Wells
County soldier to be killed in the Civil war. He is buried at Murray
near the old family homestead in Lancaster Township. The Post was
372' ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
organized October 6, 1881, by Gen. James R. Carnalian. mustering
officer, of Indianapolis, with the following charter members : Capt. E.
Y. Sturgis, commander; William B. Miller, senior vice commander;
William II. Cover, junior vice commander; Levi L. Martz, quarter-
master; Dr. Andrew J. Gorrell. surgeon; Jacob J. Todd, chaplain;
George W T . Louis, officer of the day ; Samuel M. Karnes, officer of the
guard ; F. X. Kellogg, adjutant ; James W T . Spake, William S. Knapp,
Jacob K. Oman, M. M. Justus, Thomas Sturgis, Curtis Burgan, Wil-
liam T. McAfee, Hiram E. Grave, John North, William L. Swan, H.
Stejhamper, C. J. Kline and J. V. Kenagy. The commanders of the
Lew Dailey Post, in succession, have been as follows: E. Y. Sturgis,
1SS2; James B. Plessinger, 1883-84; Jacob K. Oman, 1885; Henry
Stejhamper, 1886 ; Benjamin F. Fry, 1887-88 ; W. H. Stevenson, 1889 ;
John W T asson, 1890 ; James B. Plessinger, 1891 ; Joseph L. Myers,
1892; Levi L. Martz, 1893; William J. McAfee and John H. Yose,
1894; J. J. Todd. 1895; C. J. Kline. 1896; 0. P. Koontz, 1897; M.
Morquart. 1898; H. Stejhamper, 1899; M. M. Justus, 1900; C. W T arner,
1901 ; M. M. Justus, 1902 ; W. W. Angell. 1903 ; M. M. Justus, 1901-06 ;
James Chaddock, 1907; Jacob V. Kenagy, 1908; H. C. Melick, 1909;
John Wisner, Jr., 1910; J. C. Fulton. 1911; E. M. Rinear, 1912;
James Worster, 1913 ; Benjamin F. Plessinger, 1916 ; John Klein-
knight, 1917. Of the foregoing Messrs. James B. Plessinger, John
W r asson, J. J. Todd, C. J. Kline, O. P. Koontz. James Chaddock,
Jacob Y. Kenagy, John W T isner, Jr., E. M. Rinear, and James W T orster
are deceased, and up to October 24, 1917, the Post had buried 176 of
its comrades.
Reunion of the Forty-seventh Regiment
A noteworthy reunion of Civil war veterans from the old Eleventh
Congressional District who had joined the Forty-seventh Regiment was
held in Bluffton in August. 1917. Sixty-three members chiefly resi-
dents of Whitley, Huntington, Wabash and Adams and Wells coun-
ties, assembled in the little court room on the second floor of the court-
house, where the arriving veterans presented their credentials and
were presented with badges. The forenoon was given over to a
heart reunion of "vets." and their families, and at noon a dinner was
served by the local W'oman's Relief Corps. Capt. W x illiam Henley was
chosen president of the organization which is to have charge of the
thirty-sixth reunion at Wabash in 1918, and T. B. Ayres, of Hunting-
ton, was named as secretary. Thus closed the thirty-fifth reunion of
the survivors of the Fortv-seventh.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 373
The Spanish-American War
The Wells County companies which were identified with the
Spanish-American war were originally E and F, of the Fourth Regi-
ment, Indiana National Guard. Company E was organized at Bluff-
ton on December 12, 1890, and Company F at Ossian, May 3, 1897.
For service in the Spanish American war. the Fourth National Guard
of Indiana became the One Hundred and Sixtieth Volunteer Infantry,
and was composed of companies also from Marion, Decatur, Lafayette,
Wabash, Columbia City, Warsaw, Tipton, Huntington, Anderson and
Logansport.
Regimental Officers
The regimental officers from Wells County comprised the follow-
ing: Lieut. -Col. William L. Kiger, Bluffton; Quartermaster Ransom
Allen, Ossian; Battalion Adjutant Levi L. Martz, Quartermaster Ser-
geant D. C. C. Kocher and Commissary Sergeant S. E. Hitchcock, all
of Bluffton. Colonel Kiger had joined Company E as captain in
December, 1890; was promoted to be major in April, 1892, and lieu-
tenant colonel of the Fourth Regiment. Indiana National Guard, in
August, 1895. He is still a resident of Bluffton, in active business.
Quartermaster Ransom was a Civil war veteran, having served in
Company A, Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, the later portion
of his service as corporal. In July, 1896, he was appointed quarter-
master of the Fourth Indiana National Guard. Adjutant Martz,
who still resides at Bluffton, had also seen varied service in the Civil
war, in connection with the Thirty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infan-
try. He had been principal musician of his company (A), sergeant
and quartermaster, and was not mustered out until February, 1866.
Adjutant Martz entered the Fourth Regiment of the National Guard
as quartermaster sergeant in 1891 and was appointed adjutant of the
second battalion in May. 1892, holding that position when mustered
into the service of the United States for the war with Spain.
Companies E and F, One Hundred Sixtieth Volunteer Infantry
The Bluffton organization, Company E, arrived at Camp Mount,
Georgia, with other units of the regiment, April 26, 1898, when the
following officers were enrolled : Captain, Charles F. Brunn, Bluffton ;
first lieutenant, Charles Pugh, Bluffton ; second lieutenant, Henry
Johnson, Bluffton ; first sergeant, H. Clyde Brown, Bluffton ; quarter-
374
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
master sergeant, Lester A. Burgan. Bluffton ; sergeants, Jacob Britt,
Bluffton, and Jacob M. Kress, Fort Wayne ; John W. McCormick and
Samuel Pence, Bluffton ; corporals, Orlando Bennett and Reuben Ben-
nett, William G. Jones, X. Frank Smith, Dillon Myers and Fred J.
Tangemanu, all of Bluffton; musicians, Carl T. Hathaway and Wil-
liam Stewart, of Warsaw,- artificer, John A. Masterson, Bluffton;
wagoner, George W. Hart, Poneto.
Second Lieutenant Johnson and Sergeant Clyde succeeded Captain
Brunn in command of the company, and Lester A. Burgan followed
Company E Leaving Bluffton
Charles Pugh as first lieutenant, serving until the muster-out of the
regiment April 25, 1899. Corp. Fred J. Tangemann succeeded Henry
Johnson as second lieutenant in January, 1899, the latter having been
commissioned captain a short time before. Of the 90 men in the
ranks of Company E. 71 were from Bluffton, 4 from Montpelier, 4 from
Pennville, 2 from Petroleum. 2 from Warren, and scattering singles
from Craigville. Vera Cruz. "Murray. Poneto, Elwood, Fiat and Do-
mestic.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 375
Company F, mostly composed of Montpelier and Ossian men, was,
as stated, organized as a National Guard unit May 3, 1897. When
mustered into the United States service April 26, 1898. it was of-
ficered as follows: Captain, Elmer E. Derr: first lieutenant, Floyd
R. Wilson; second lieutenant, George M. Mills; first sergeant. Stanley
Allen; quartermaster sergeant, Levi A. Todd; sergeants, Lafayette
Allen, Warner J. Deam. Wilson Hoopengardner and Palmer 0. Norris,
all of the foregoing hut the last named being from Ossian — Sergeant
Norris of Roanoke; corporals, Harry W. Beatty, Frank E. Foughty,
Victor H. Beatty and Robert F. Tisron, all of Ossian, as well as Frank
L. Riley, of Sheldon, and Davis W. Wolfcale, of Uniondale; musicians,
Marion P. Allen and Clyde Wagner, of Ossian; artificer, Samuel Al-
bertson, Ossian ; wagoner, Franklin B. Snarr, Wells County. Of the
89 privates in Company P, 128 were from Montpelier. 21 from Ossian. li
from Sheldon, 5 from Hartford City, 3' from Kingsland, 2 each from
Tocsin, Prospect, Zanesville, Roanoke and Poe, and one each from
Uniondale, Warsaw. Marion and other scattering places. There was
virtually no change in the officers.
The men of Companies E and F, like other units of the One Hun-
dred and Sixtieth Regiment, were subjected to a thorough physical
examination before being mustered into the volunteer service of the
United States on May 12, 1898. The command left Camp Mount
May 16th and proceeded by rail to Camp Thomas. Chickamauga Park,
Georgia, arriving there two days afterward. Under orders to proceed
to Porto Rico, the regiment departed from Camp Thomas on July
28th and arived at Newport News, Virginia, on the 30th. As the
orders for Porto Riean service had been countermanded, its next
destination was Camp Hamilton, Lexington, Kentucky, and it arrived
there on August 23d. It was at Columbus, Georgia, in November,
189S. On January 15. 1899, the regiment was ordered to proceed, in
three sections, to Matanzas. Cuba, where it was reunited on January
27th and went into camp. There it remained until March 27th, ready
for action, but denied any experience of real Cuban warfare. On
the date named the men were ordered to proceed to Savannah, Georgia,
to prepare for muster out. which occurred at that city April 25. 1899.
In the War Against Germany, Et Al.
A number of the young men of Wells County volunteered to
serve in the war of 1917-18 ( ?) against Germany and the other Cen-
tral Powers of Europe.
376 . ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Captain Dunn and Company A
In April Charles R. Dunn, of Bluffton, organized Company A,
of the Fourth Indiana National Guard, the members of which were
largely citizens of Decatur and Adams County. This being the case,
it was sworn into the service of the United States at Decatur in Au-
gust. Captain Dunn had served in the Spanish- American war as a
member of Company E, which had been organized in his home town.
His connection with the organization of the company is thus de-
scribed in the Decatur Evening Herald: "The history of Company
A, Fourth Indiana Infantry, starts on April 1, 1917, a few days after
our relations with the German Empire were broken off, when Capt.
Charles R. Dunn began soliciting for recruits for a new company.
After a short time he was joined in the work by Lieut. Robert Pat-
terson. It was also at about this time that it was decided to have
the headquarters of the new organization in this city (Decatur).
"In a comparatively short time enough enlistments had been, se-
cured to assure a company, and on April 25th, after the physical
examination was given by an officer designated for the purpose, the
boys were mustered in as Company A, Fourth Indiana National
Guard. The ceremony took place on the evening of April 27th, at
the Soldiers' Monument, in the presence of a large crowd. Maj P.
A. Davis, of Indianapolis, having charge. At the conclusion of this
service, an impressive and appropriate address was given by Hon.
Clark Lutz, of Decatur. Subsequent to the above event, Captain
Dunn and Lieutenant Peterson were given their respective commis-
sions by Governor Goodrich.
"On August 11th and 12th, the company was given its federal
inspection by Lieut. R. B. Moore. The results of the examination
were given out later, and showed that five had failed to pass, a num-
ber very small in comparison with those of other companies in the
vicinity. Members who received their honorable discharges were
Dwight N. Archer and M. Richardin. of Bluffton; Robert Allspaw,
of Berne ; George H. Sprague, of Monroe, and Frank Hower, of
Decatur. This brought the roster down to 109. ' '
The Fourth Indiana Regiment was commanded by Col. Robert
L. Moorehead, of Indianapolis, who, during the Spanish-American
war, had served as a sergeant major in the One Hundred and Fifty-
eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry. Subsequently, he rose to the rank
of major in the Second Indiana National Guard. Company A, with
other units of the regiment, went to Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg, Mis-
sissippi.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 377
Volunteers and Drafted Men
, Li the first quota of volunteers the following boys went from
Wells County : Jefferson Brinneman, Liberty Center ; Paul H. Cook,
Poneto; Charles Fryback, Richard Harden, Sherman Kumpf, Homer
Miller, Roseoe Stout and Medford Wynne, Bluffton.
Later came the series of drafts, with the result that, by November,
1917, the following were at Camp Shelby, distributed among various
commands of the National Army : From Bluffton — Clarence A.
Martin, Ray 0. Vondersmith, Claude E. Zackmire, James H. Mason,
Otis V. Plank, David Eddington, Elwin B. Johnson, Charles E.
Grandlienard, George S. Studabaker, William II. Inskeep, William
C. Ilumerickhouse, Alphonso Vaehon, John Groh, Earl E. Strolim,
Emery L. Cotton, John D. Helms, Gerald M. Dailey, Floyd E. Sands,
Jesse Brown, Urban M. Pence, C. B. Ratliff, Charles R. Sturgeon,
Raymond J. Tinsman, Hiram Lockwood, Grant S. Hughes, True W.
Shepherd, Rudolph W. Borne, William E. Pennington, John A. Ever-
sole, Harmon F. Brubaker, Robert E. Nash, Oral Meyers, Vaughn
Abshire, Gordon Graham, Ray Gordon, Wayne Summers, Frank Wet-
rick and Manuel E. Stinson. The seven last named were the first
of the drafted boys to leave for camp. The Ossian contingent com-
prised : Walter E. Werling, William F. Meyer, Fred A. Heekman,
Adolph H. Bauermeister, Clarence A. Jackson, Charles M. Neuen-
schwander, Milo C. Vance Wilson, Harold Travis, Benjamin F. H.
King, Jerre Clark, Hubert Cochran, Robert N. Wolf, Ora C. Toppin,
Curtis E. Quaekenbush ; from Markle — Ralph E. Allen, Harry King
and B. E. Swaim; Petroleum — Chauncy King, Forrest C. Johnson,
John W. Fox, Lester Knigand, John Shoemaker; Vera Cruz — Fred
Heiniger, Albert Baumgardner, Harry Heche and George Heiniger;
Poneto — James II. Huffman, Otto C. Cossairt, Arch S. Davis and
Hugh Kindlesparger ; Tocsin — Warren G. Kleinknight ; Craigville —
Frank R. Diehl; Fort Wayne — Lloyd Moore; Warren — Lawrence L.
Beavans, Verl C. Ebert, Ray B. Clickand, Lawrence Earhart ; Union-
dale — Frederick T. Rice; Detroit — Albert L. Lewis; Montpelier —
Guy A. Kilander, Ralph J. Carter and William E. Riggs; Keystone
— Cary E. Mounsey, Frederick D. Day and Edgar L. Lowery; Lib-
erty Center — Robert B. Moore; Kingsland — Carroll P. Pursley. Up
to the 15th of November, 1917, when the names were published in the
Bluffton papers, eighty-seven boys had been selected through the
drafts to represent Wells County in the National Army.
CHAPTER XXI
CITY OF BLUFFTON
Original Town Surveyed as Bluffton — First Sale of Lots — First
Merchant and Town Trustees — Mayors of the City — Original
Officials and Ordinances — "Markers" of Progress — Pioneer
and Early Industries — The First Xewspaper — The First Bank
— Industries of the '70s and '80s — The Bliss House Built —
Bridges Over the Wabash — Telephone Placed in Service — The
Waterworks — City Buys Electric Plant — Professor Allen
Writes of the Schools — Teacher Lost in Bluffton Wilds — ■
Early Disciplinarians and Schools — The "High" School' —
The Central Building and Superintendent Reefy — High
School Organized by Professor Allen — Completion of Dif-
ferent School Buildings — List of Superintendents — The Pub-
lic Library — The Local Press of Bluffton — The Banks of
Bluffton — Bluffton Industries — Wells County Hospital-
Broad Breathing Spaces — Bluffton 's Churches — The Metho-
dist Churches — First Presbyterian Church — Bluffton Baptist
Church — Other Active Religious Bodies — Old Universalist
and Christian Societies — Secret and Benevolent Societies —
The Masons — Odd Fellowship in Bluffton— Knights of
Pythias and Pythian Sisters — Other Lodges, Tents, Camps,
Hives, etc.
Bluffton' is one of the smaller cities of Indiana, which combines
an unusual variety of advantages, growing from its geographical po-
sition as the natural center of a rich area, which has induced con-
tinuous accessions of population, as well as from the enterprising and
substantial character of those who founded the community. Thus
were established the assurances of comfortable homes, good schools,
and a high grade of social and religious life. Men and women came,
remained, reared families, and induced capital to flow in from the
more settled and richer sections of the country, until the community
was closely woven into the great systems of railways destined to bind
the Valley of the Ohio and the East with the Lakes Region of the
378
ADAMS AXD WELLS COUNTIES 379
West. Bluffton has thus become a strong link in the industrial, com-
mercial and civic chain of brisk municipalities, which have made
Eastern Indiana famous. It lies almost midway between Fort Wayne
and Muncie, with which cities its history has been intimately mingled,
and from which it drew much of its earlier inspiration and stamina.
Original Town Surveyed as Bluffton
Bluffton was not a town until it had been created as the county
seat, and the original survey was made by John Casebeer, the county
Scene in Villa North, Bluffton
surveyor, in March, 1838. The plat was recorded on the 23d of the
month, and the name of the new town and county seat was suggested
by Robert C. Bennett, Sr., one of the commissioners, who had do-
nated land for its site, and, with Peter Studabaker, was considered
its sturdiest champion. The name was suggested, not because of the
land on the south side of the Wabash River at that point is par-
ticularly high or abrupt, but merely from the fact that the town site
was on the bluff side of the stream.
380 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
First Sale op Lots
James R. Greer, the county ageut, laid out the original town of
Bluffton into 191 lots, and put them up for sale on the 16th of June,
following the recording of the plat. Only the alternate lots were
sold, and three or four were reserved for Almon Case, to pay him
for entertaining visitors at the sale. It was provided that the pur-
chasers should have the privilege of cutting all timber that might en-
danger themselves or their property.
The day arriving (June 16, 1838), the first lot was sold by Mr.
Greer for $92, and others in like proportion. The sale was said to have
been very "spirit-ed," the records showing that Almon Case was
allowed five dollars for whisky on that occasion, and James Scott
seventy-five cents for a jug of the same. The liquor was furnished
free to all prospective buyers of town lots, being handed around in
buckets, "straight." It is reported that all were more or less in-
toxicated. Mr. Case had been granted a yearly tavern license, the
first one in the county, which, in those times, carried with it the
right to make as many of the citizens drunk as he and they saw fit-
that is, the tavern license carried with it the right to retail whisky.
Mr. Case's tavern was succeeded by the Exchange Hotel, on the south-
east corner of Main and Market streets. Both were noted stopping
places in the days of the stage coaches.
Ten per cent of the funds derived from the sale of lots was re-
served for a county library. On the 16th day of August, following
the first sale of lots, in June, the county agent laid out an addition
of fifty-six lots, which was the first of a long progeny.
First Merchant, and Town Trustees
The next month John Studabaker obtained from the commissioners
a license to sell merchandise, and has, therefore, always been classed
as the "first regular merchant" of Bluffton. He erected a log pen,
with clapboard doors, into which he moved his little stock. This he
bartered, instead of selling it for cash, coon-skins and furs being
the common mediums of exchange. At about the same time the
office of the county clerk was built. These two structures then com-
prised all the improvements on Market Street, and the view between
them was obstructed by various patches of timber, so that strangers
usually had to be guided from one to the other.
In 1840 Bluffton had 225 inhabitants, while the entire County of
Wells had 1,822.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 381
The first trustees of Blufftou were Nelson Kellogg, Lewis S. Grove,
Joseph A. Williams, Eagle Starr and William Strode. Mr. Kellogg
was elected president and Mr. Grove appointed clerk.
Mayors of the City
Bluffton was incorporated February 12, 1851, since which date
the following have acted as mayors: David Angel, 1851; Samuel
Decker, 1852; J. II. Buckles, 1853; C. W. Beardsley, 1854; S. R.
Karns, 1855 ; C. S. Bergan, 1856 ; J. E. Brown, 1857 ; J. R. McCleery,
1858; I. A. Godard, 1859; W. R. Ferguson, 1859; Robert Russell,
I860; Newton Burwell, 1861; John McFadden, 1865; C. G. Quick,
1866; N. Kellogg, 186S; Levi Mock, 1869; William Blackstone, 1877;
David T. Smith, 1879; E. C. Vaughn, 1881; II. L. Martin, 1S83 ;
James P. Hale, 1883-89; Martin W. Walbert, 1889-94; La Vergne B.
Stevens, 1894-97; James P. Hale, appointed May 26, 1897, for un-
expired term of four years ; James P. Plessinger, elected for term
1898-1902 ; John .Mock. 1902-06 ; Walter Hamilton, 1906-10 ; Frank
Smith, 1910-14: John .Mock. 1914-8; William B. Little, ex-county
assessor, mayor-elect.
Original Officials and Ordinances
The first councilmen of Bluffton, who served in 1851-52, were
Thomas L. Wisner, Bowen Hale, John Eby and C. T. Melsheimer. The
pioneers among the village officials comprised : John Plessinger, mar-
shal ; Erastus K. Bascom, treasurer; George McDowell, street com-
missioner. The original municipal year was from May to May.
It is of record that the first ordinances passed by the council after
Bluffton was incorporated, in February, 1851, were as follows:
1. Taxing each family for the first dog, 50 cents, and for each
additional dog, $1 ; also 50 cents on each $100 of real and personal
property, and a poll tax of 50 cents for street improvements.
2. Imposing fines for driving or riding within the corporation
limits faster than a common trot, except when going for a physician ;
shooting for sport, gambling or disorderly conduct, retailing spirituous
liquors in less quantities than a quart without a license from the
corporation; selling or giving liquors to minors or drunkards.
"Markers" of Progress
In the lives of villages and cities, as in those of individuals, the
occurrence of certain events are recognized as "markers," or, in
382 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
time-worn phraseology — therefore, in a way, tried, true and valuable
— "mile posts." The founding of the first schools and churches, the
establishment of distinctive industries, the spanning of the home
river by a permanent bridge, the building of the pioneer railroad, the
opening of good hotels and stores and the coming of the most de-
sirable community-builders, are some of the happenings which are
admitted to be worthy of special and consecutive note before the
continuous development of such seedlings into laudable, institutions
and successful men and women is described in detail.
Almon Case had scarcely got his tavern under way, and John
Studabaker had been bartering his meager stock of goods for only
a very short time, before those who believed that education and re-
ligion should walk together as handmaidens in all American com-
munities were active at Bluffton. In the year of the platting of the
town, Rev. George W. Bowers, a Methodist missionary, preached the
first sermon at the county seat, under an oak tree at the foot of John-
son Street. He lived many years in an adjoining county to enjoy
that honor. Sometime in the following year, 1839-40, the first school-
house was built within the town limits. It was a log shack, thrown
up on the land of "William Studabaker, its more exact location being
the northeast corner of the lot afterward occupied by the residence
of Henry Thoma, on Scott Street. The first teacher to hold forth
in this crude schoolhouse was a United Brethren minister, Asa Cohoe
by name. It is said that even his combined duties did not overwork
him, but Mr. Cohoe centered in his person many of the best hopes
and ambitions of what was then Bluffton.
The Baptists, Universalists and Presbyterians entered the religious
field within the succeeding four years, and in 1847 the Bugle gave
notice that from that year on, the local newspaper could not be ignored
as a Bluffton inspiration and stimulus. Also, in 1840, Robert C.
Bennett, Sr., one of the founders of the town, transformed a large
frame house, across the street and east from the courthouse, into
the Exchange Hotel. Mr. Case was its landlord, and made it a credit
to Bluffton, in the way of comfort and sociability. It became one of
the most popular stopping places in Eastern Indiana for travelers
passing through the country, and for the lawyers and out-of-town
people who came to Bluffton on various errands of business and
pleasure. Besides Mr. Bennett and John Studabaker, Henry Thoma
had come into prominence as a leading merchant and business man,
and he later established a furniture business, which developed into
an extensive mercantile house.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 383
Pioneer and Early Industries
The two representative industries of Bluffton, in the early times,
were the grist mill, built in 1849 by Williams & Morgan, at the foot
of Main Street, and the Bluffton Woolen Mills. The latter proved a
most unprofitable venture, and the enterprise was finally crushed be-
yond revival by the tire of 1879, which destroyed the plant. The
grist mill enterprise, however, passed through the usual stages of be-
ing operated by water power and steam. Regular flour mills after-
ward came into this field of industry. The Clayton Mill was built
on South Street, east of Main, in the late '50s, and in 1861 was pur-
chased by J. T. Clayton. In 1886 he introduced the roller system
to the millers and public of Wells County. After the Civil war pe-
riod, was erected the flour mill near the railroad bridge, of which
C. S. Burgan and U. Brown & Son were proprietors at different
periods.
The First Newspaper
Although there is no hard and fast rule by which to measure the
"pioneer period" of any community, in the case of Bluffton it would
probably be safe to say that the decade or dozen years from the plat-
ting of the town as the' county seat would fall well within that desig-
nation. In fact, if any rule could be applied to American communi-
ties by which they could be said to have graduated from the raw state
of existence, it was that such condition virtually ceased with the
establishment of the press in their midst. It will be remembered that
the Republican Bugle first commenced to blow at Bluffton in 1847.
Two years later that newspaper quoted the following as the ruling
prices of the local market : Wheat, 50 cents ; rye, 28 cents ; corn,
shelled, 25 cents; oats, 19 cents; flaxseed, 56 cents; butter, per pound,
8 cents ; ginseng, 25 cents ; beeswax, 18 cents ; feathers, 25 cents ;
eggs, per dozen, 5 cents. The foregoing prices are certainly inter-
esting, by comparison with the war prices of 1918; but many things
can happen in seventy years besides a complete revolution in living
conditions as they simply affect the stomach.
The First Bank
Perhaps the next most epochal event from the viewpoint of local
happenings after the establishment of the Bugle was the founding
of the first bank as a local necessity. Business men demanded it and
384
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the business warranted it. In 1856 John Studabaker commenced
Lending i y and Belling New York exchange in connection with
bis produce trade. In 1863, in company with George Arnold, Jeffrey
Bliss, Amos Townsend and James Van Emon, he organized the First
National Bank of Bluffton, with a capital of $50,000. In 1868 it
closed business, and on New Year's Day of 1869, he associated him-
self with John and Peter Studabaker and Hugh Dougherty in the
formation of the Exchange Bank, which, still later, became The Studa-
baker Bank.
mISkM
Old Corn Planter Factory
In the '70s, a Dumber of local industries assumed form. One of
the firsl was placed on its feet by Dr. T. Horton, who furnished the
capital to the Bluffton Manufacturing Company in 1871. for the
primary purpose of making the corn planter invented by Samuel
Jones, a poor blacksmith of the place. A washing machine was after-
ward added to the output of the factory, as well as a new rotary corn
(planter. Imt two of the original partners withdrew, complications arose
with the patentees, the business went into the hands of a receiver,
and. with the passage of the years, •'petered out."
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 385
Industries of the 70s and '80s
In 1870 G. W. Breckenridge, of Fort Wayne, built a factory on
Washington Street, near the railroad, for the manufacture of hubs
and spokes and other forms of hard-wood products. The Norths —
Jere and Brother — afterward assumed the industry. In 1877, J. E.
and C. A. McKendry, father and son, established a mill at the junc-
tion of South Street with the railroad, for the manufacture of barrel
staves and heading. A portion of the plant was moved to Muncie
by the elder McKendry in 1884. In the same year Theodore Horton
founded the Bluffton Shovel Handle Works, the products of which
were shipped to the famous firm of Oliver Ames & Sons, of Massa-
chusetts. In 1886 Frank Adams also established a mill for the manu-
facture of barrel parts, at South Street and the Wabash Railroad.
The Bliss House Built
In April, 1884, the Bliss House was thrown open to the public,
and it has since been the leading hotel of Bluffton, having been im-
proved several times and brought up to date. The original building
was erected by Jeffrey Bliss, at a cost of about $10,000.
Bridges Over the Wabash
As to the various bridges which have been thrown across the
Wabash, to bind the people of Bluffton to the landsmen of the re-
gion, near and far, the first structure of the kind was a stout frame
near the dam ; the second, also an uncovered frame, was built on Main
Street ; the third, a covered frame, was carried away in the Winter
of 1887. The bridge last named was replaced by an iron structure,
on Main Street, completed in March of that year, at a cost, with
masonry, of $12,000. The contractor and builder was the Indiana
Bridge Company of Muncie.
In the meantime a number of distinctive public improvements
had been completed. In 1879 the City Building, a large two-story
brick structure, had been erected for the accommodation of the City
Council, the fire department and other municipal business. A few
years afterward the fire department had so developed that it pos-
sessed two chemical engines, two hose carts and hook and ladder,
which, in connection with the Holly System of Water Works, consti-
tuted an efficient protection against fire.
386 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Telephone Placed in Service
The telephone was first placed in service at Bluffton in 1882, and
James Sales was the first manager of the local exchange.
The Water Works
The original city water works were built during the summer ot
1886, at a cost of $17,755, and commenced operations in September
The Water Works
of that year. Their daily capacity was 1,000,000 gallons. The pump-
ing station was near the river and the eastern corporation line, and
the original distributing system embraced 2 1 / i miles of water mains.
Thirty-three fire hydrants were in commission as a part of the system
of fire protection.
The original water works were under the management of three
trustees — L. A. Williamson, Charles G. Quick and George F. Mc-
Farren. The well from which the supply was drawn was thirty feet
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 387
across and was sunk to a depth of 480 feet. In 1890 a deep well,
eight inches in diameter, was bored to a depth of 1,200 feet, and in
the following year one was put down more than twice that depth.
A new set of pumps was installed in 1892, at a cost of $3,000, and
four 450-foot wells were added to the plant the same year. In 1902
three more were sunk.
City Buys Electric Plant
The City of Bluffton has owned its water works since their es-
tablishment, and in 1896, after its residents had been supplied with
electric lights and power for some time by a private company, the
municipality bought the arc-lighting system for the benefit of its
streets, and in 1903 took over the commercial part of the business.
Since that time the combined plants and systems for the supply of
both water and electricity have been municipal property. The total
number of water consumers is now 825 ; number of electric con-
sumers, 1,200; appraised value of the plant, $140,000. Within the
city limits are 110 arc street lights, 12 arches and 35 ornamental posts.
The present number of fire hydrants is 110, the annual tax for their
maintenance being $5,000. The same amount is raised annually for
lighting the streets. The last accessible figures as to the finances of
the two departments indicate that the gross earnings, on account of
water, are about $14,000 annually, and the expenses, nearly $10,000;
the same items on the electrical account being respectively, $37,000
and $23,000. .
Professor Allen Writes op the Schools
The present system of city schools, which has brought such thor-
ough advantages to the young people of Bluffton, was born in 1868,
when all the schools and scholars were first brought under the su-
pervision of one superintendent ; but thirty years of struggles and
slow advances were to be recorded before that consummation, so much
to be desired, should be reached. Albeit the system was born in 1868,
it would never have been recognized as that of the present until 1881,
when the high school was organized by Prof. P. A. Allen. No one
living is better qualified to write the history of the system than this
same Professor Allen, present superintendent of the Bluffton schools,
and the following facts are condensed from a paper which he con-
tributed to a local publication several years ago, as well as from sev-
eral personal interviews accorded to the writer.
388 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Teacher Lost in Bluffton Wilds
Rev. Asa Cohoe, already mentioned as the first teacher in town,
went hunting one day, and was returning in the dusk of the eve-
ning. In trying to find his home, which was located at the corner of
Market and Marion streets, he became hopelessly lost and came to
the conclusion that he was in the depths of the forest, he knew not
how far from his home. Despairing of being able to find his home
that night, he decided to make the best of the situation and prepared
to spend the night in the woods. He crawled into a hollow log, and
barricaded the entrance with logs and chunks, to protect himself from
the wolves, which were very plentiful at that time. He thus spent the
night in safety, and in the morning was awakened by the crowing of
roosters at the home of Nelson Kellogg, at the corner of Main and
Cherry streets, only a block away. The log in which he had lain was
where the First Baptist Church now stands, on Cherry Street.
Early Disciplinarians and Schools
In 1843 Nelson Kellogg taught a school in a shed-roofed building
at the north end of Johnson Street, on the banks of the Wabash. J.
B. Plessinger had occasion to remember that year, as he froze his
feet while gathering firewood with which to keep the rest of the school
from freezing to death. Ann Maria Hubbell, a niece of Adnah Hall,
taught school in the same building later. The next winter George
Brown taught school in the log schoolhouse, which was the first temple
of learning built in the county. Robinson McKinney taught school
the next year in a double room, which stood on the present site of the
Studabaker Bank. Several men still living in this city, who were
boys under the tuition of George Brown, can tell interesting stories
of that gentleman's unsuccessful attempts to use formidable bundles
of willow gads on the backs of the larger pupils. James Donaldson
and James McQuade taught school at one time in a building at the
east end of Market Street, on the river bank. Both these gentlemen
are remembered, not only for their profound scholastic attainments,
but for the severe means of discipline to which they resorted.
Another of the early school buildings was a brick structure which
stood on Miller Street, just north of the old Baptist Church. This
is still standing, and forms part of the Linn residence. In this build-
ing, R. H. Jackson and wife were among the early teachers. Mr.
Jackson was a Presbyterian minister and his wife was the first music
teacher in town.
!390 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The "High" School
The third brick sehoolhouse to be erected in the city was the two-
story building at the corner of Marion and Cherry streets, which
was called the High School, not only because of its imposing ap-
pearance, but for the reason that the larger scholars attended there.
Two teachers were employed in this building. This was used for school
purposes until the erection of the old Central Building, after which
it was used as a corn-planter factory, and then as a residence. It
also served as the home of the free kindergarten for one year.
Among the early teachers in Bluffton, remembered by our oldest
citizens, were Elizabeth Jane Burwell, who became the wife of Cyrus
Burgan; Mrs. Wilson M. Bulger; Miss Belle Hanna, of Wooster,
Ohio; Mrs. Martha Wilson, John J. Cooper, John Foreman, Jack
Drummond, Crawford Marquis, Charles Cruickshank ; Cynthia Parker,
of Huntertown; Elizabeth Blackledge, now Mrs. E. M. C. Ninde;
Lizzie Cozier, of Pennsylvania: T. A. R. Eaton, John S. McCleery,
Mrs. H. C. Arnold, Newton Burwell and Nelson Kellogg. Lewis S.
Grove, the first county auditor, taught a school in a building on the
hill where the Henry Oman house once stood. The present imposing
structure of the First Reformed Church, corner of Marion and
Cherry streets, occupies the site of the original building.
The Central Building and Superintendent Reefy
In 1868 the first six rooms of the Central Building were erected,
and the other three school properties disposed of. In the erection
of the new building the School Board came in for very sharp criticism.
It was pronounced by many a very foolish piece of extravagance, and it
was predicted that the time would never come when it would all be
needed for school purposes. But time has justified the wisdom of those
who planned and built at that time, for it was not long until the six
rooms were overcrowded, and it became necessary to build more
rooms, making it a ten-roon building.
After the erection of the Central Building, in 1868, all the pupils
were brought together and were placed under the care of Professor
Reefy, the first city superintendent. He was an excellent man for
the place, and soon had the school system of the city in satisfactory
operation. The magnificent maples, which adorned the campus of
the High School and Central buildings were monuments to his mem-
ory, as he planted them with his own hands the first year of his school
work in Bluffton.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 391
High School Organized by Professor Allen
The High School was organized by Prof. P. A. Allen in 1881, and
in 1883 graduated its first class. It was commissioned in 1885, and its
courses have heen strengthened from year to year by the addition
of studies, and its work has been made more effective by the equip-
ment of good chemical, physical and biological laboratories. Its dis-
tinctive departments now comprise Manual Training, Domestic Sci-
ence, Art ami Music, each under a supervisor. The High School has
nine other teachers on its faculty. As an institution, it is a member
of the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools,
and its graduates are admitted to all colleges without re-examination.
The teaching force of the Central School comprises thirteen; of the
Columbian, four, and the Park. four. The total number of teachers
within the city system is thirty-four. The enrollment is 1,125, of
which the average attendance is about 90 per cent.
Completion of Different School Buildings
The increase in school accommodations has kept pace with the
growth of the city, and its juvenile population. As stated, the six
rooms of the Central Building were erected in 1868, and four rooms
were added in 1879. The old Central Building was razed in 1910, and
the fine sixteen-room structure of the present erected in its place, at
a cost of $55,000. Perhaps the most striking feature of the school-
house is its magnificent assembly hall. It is modern in every way;
and that tells the story to the average American.
The present High School Building was erected in 1890-91. Two
rooms of the Washington Park Building were completed in 1883, and
the other two in 1886. The Columbian Building was completed in
1893.
Superintendents
The city superintendents of Bluffton have been, in succession :
F. S. Reefy, Samuel Lilly and Mr. Thomas, from 1868 to 1S78 ; E. A.
Buckley. E. C. Vaughn, G. W. Guilder and W. Ernst, 1878-81 ; P. A.
Allen. 1881-91; W. P. Burris, 1891-97; E. D. Walker, 1897-99; W. A.
Wirt. 1899-1907; P. A. Allen (second term), 1907-—.
The Public Library
The latest addition to the municipal utilities which have been ap-
plied to the intellectual and moral uplift of the community is the
392 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Bluff tou Public Library. Its nucleus was formed when Prof. P. A.
Allen organized the High School in 1881. Year by year funds were
raised by means of entertainments and voluntary donations of books
and money, until the collection had reached several thousands of
volumes.
As a distinctive public institution, the library dates from 1902.
In that year its first Board of Trustees was organized, as follows:
Charles C. Deam, president; Mrs. W. H. Eichhorn, vice president;
Delia W. Hale, secretary; Mrs. Abram Simmons, Mrs. Dana Brown,
Samuel E. Hitchcock and W. H. Tribolet. The meeting at which the
organization was completed, was held at the home of Mrs. Hale, May
Bluffton's Public Library
15, 1902. Rooms in the courthouse were secured for library use, and
the library placed in charge of Miss Bertha Craven.
Some years later, steps were taken looking toward a permanent
library building. After some correspondence with Andrew Carnegie,
a donation of $13,000 was secured. This fund was supplemented by
more than $5,000, subscribed by citizens of the community. A lot
was purchased, and the present building erected. The total amount
expended in building, furnishings and lot was $18,909.20. The build-
ing is an unusually artistic and well-planned structure, and has served
well even the growing needs of the institution and the public. It was
thrown open to the public on May 15, 1905, a general reception and
an art exhibit marking the occasion.
From a small beginning, the collection of books has grown to
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 393
9,620 volumes. For the year 1916, the report showed a circulation of
39,040, a gain of 12,000 during the year. There are more than three
thousand card holders.
In 1912, the library was reorganized, and the work of cataloging
the books was undertaken. This has since been completed, and a
card catalog of the modern type furnishes a complete index to the
resources of the library. Since 1914, rural extension work has been
■in operation. At the present time, Harrison and Lancaster townships
have service from the Bluffton Library. Books may be borrowed di-
rect from the central library, and from twenty deposit stations and
branches throughout the territory served. In 1916. 15,000 loans were
made in the townships, outside of Bluffton. Books are delivered to
the stations by automobile, a new supply being sent out every six
weeks or two months, and the books which have been read returned to
the library. These rural stations, with two stations in the ward schools
of Bluffton, make in all twenty-two lending agencies besides the Cen-
tral Library.
The library building has been equipped in a manner to make it
suitable for use as a social center. Assembly and committee rooms,
comfortably furnished and made free to all community organizations,
greatly increase the usefulness of the building. About 200 meet-
ings are held in the building each year, with an attendance of
several thousand persons. This brings the library into close touch
with the people. Special work with children, schools, clubs and other
organizations, and co-operation with all movements for community
betterment are considered an essential part of the work of the libra-
rian and her assistants.
The members of the board at the present time are W. L. Kiger,
president ; Mrs. W. II. Eichhorn, vice president ; Mrs. Abram Sim-
mons, secretary; Mrs. M. W. Walbert, Chas. G. Dailey, C. E. Sturgis,
P. A. Allen, F. M. Buckner, Frank Heekathorn and N. D. Klein-
knight. The librarian is Miss Nannie W. Jayne, and the assistants
are Mrs. Ida Ashbaucher and Miss Vera Sturgis.
The Local Press of Bluffton
For nearly seventy years Bluffton has had an established place
as a newspaper town in the journalistic annals of Indiana. The Banner
Publishing Company, of which George L. Saunders is editor, issues
the veteran of the local press. Its weekly reverts to 1850, when Sam-
uel G. Upton and Lewis S. Grove commenced to publish the Bluffton
Banner, successor to the Republican Bugle, the first newspaper in
Bluffton from the East
The City from the South
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 395
Wells County, whose editor, Thomas Smith, had but recently died.
Until 1884 the Banner waved very fitfully, as it changed ownership
on an average every two years. The transfers occurred in the fol-
lowing order: T. J. McDowell, George McDowell, James 6. Smith,
D. J. Callen, T. B. Gutelius, J. H. Smith, Theodore Horton &
Company, J. G. Smith again, William J. Craig, Homer L. Martin.
E. A. K. Hackett, Martin & Roth, Samuel S. Roth, Sturgis, Gorrell
& Gorrell and E. Y. Sturgis. The paper was enlarged and other-
wise improved in 1881 and Capt. E. Y. Sturgis did much to bring it
forward. Mr. Cram, who edited the paper at an earlier date, served
as clerk of the court for eight years, and was afterward appointed
receiver of the Narrow Gauge Railroad, and still later was placed
in editorial control of the Indianapolis Sentinel. Mr. Hackett, after
making an indifferent success of his editorship of the Banner, raised
the Fort Wayne Sentinel to substantial prosperity and influence. Not
a few other influential, even brilliant democrats, were identified with
the Banner and assisted to establish it as an influential organ of the
party in Eastern Indiana. By 1899 the affairs of the paper warranted
the establishment of an evening daily edition, and three years later
George L. Saunders, its present editor, added his inspiring personality
to its forces. He had been trained and educated as an editor and
printer in the Portland (Indiana) Sun, and the Government Printing
Office, Washington. Mr. Saunders had also had an interest in that
publication, had done much to improve it and was therefore well
qualified to assume the editorial management of the Banner. In
January. 1902, he purchased an interest in the Bluffton Daily and
Weekly Banner, which he retained after the formation of the Banner
Publishing Company, which has since conducted both editions, as
well as the job printing plant.
The Evening News, of Bluffton, and its weekly edition. The Chron-
icle, are published and edited by David H. Swaim, an old and able
member of the local bar. as well as of the newspaper craft. He has
been identified with republican journalism, in this connection, for
thirty years, during the earlier portion of that period with his younger
brother, William T. T. Swaim. The Chronicle and its immediate
predecessors had already spanned thirty-five years of newspaper un-
certainties and trials when the Swaim Brothers ventured to assume the
enterprise. The story runs in this wise: In 1853 the People's Press,
a republican organ, was established in Bluffton by John Wilson and
Michael Karnes, who employed as editor a Mr. Knox, a newspaper
man of considerable experience and a fair writer. Subsequently,
James Branigan and James Gorrell served as editors, and under their
396 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
management the paper continued to make its weekly appearance until
1857, when the plant was purchased by T. N. Kellogg and a Mr.
Bixler, Nelson Kellogg taking charge of the editorial work. Messrs.
Kellogg and Bixler conducted the paper with fair success until 1861,
when it passed into the hands of W. J. Bright. He changed its name
to the Wells County Union, under which title it was issued until the
stringent financial conditions of the time caused its temporary sus-
pension.
After a time the enterprise was revived by Cephas Hogg, who,
as editor and proprietor, labored against many obstacles until suc-
ceeded by J. H. Smith, under whose management the name of the
paper was changed, in 1866, to the Wells County Standard, the edi-
torial department in the meantime being in charge of James Sewell.
Subsequently A. Callon and J. Sewell became owners, and in 1869
the title was a third time changed, the name of Bluffton Chronicle
being substituted and S. Davenport becoming editor. Under the
proprietors named, the Chronicle was issued until 1S73, when the pub-
lication again suspended, but after a short time, J. W. Kuekman took
charge of the plant and brought the business to a paying standard. In
1877 he sold it to C. A. Arnold; in 1878 George Arnold & Son be-
came proprietors, and conducted the business for ten years. This
brings the history of the enterprise up to the time when the Swaim
Brothers became connected with it.
David H. and William T. T. Swaim were both born near the Town
of Ossian, on a farm. When the former was five years of age, and the
latter two years old, their father was killed in the Civil war, and
the widowed mother moved into the village, in order to give the boys
better educational advantages than could be enjoyed in the district
schools. About the time of reaching his majority, David H. Swaim
became associated with Prof. P. A. Allen in the management of a select
school at Ossian. In 1880 the brothers entered Fort Wayne Col-
lege. William graduated and taught in the Bluffton Schools, while
David became a teacher at Ossian. In 1882 they both entered the
law school of the University of Michigan, and graduated two years
later, moving to Bluffton for practice in September, 1884.
Swaim & Swaim, the law firm, established a substantial and high-
grade business, but in May, 1888, withdrew from the legal field and,
in partnership with Asbury Duglay, purchased the Bluffton Chronicle,
in May, 1888. Mr. Duglay died in August, 1891, after which the
Swaim Brothers bought the interest of the deceased from his estate.
William T. T. Swaim died October 6, 1895, and since his death, David
H. has remained sole pi-oprietor of the business. In 1893 the Evening
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 397
News had made its appearance as the daily edition of the enterprise,
so that Mr. Swaim has a double title to prominence in the newspaper
field. He had a monopoly in the daily field until 1899, when, as stated,
the Banner became a competitior.
The Banks of Blcffton
The banks of Bulffton, three in number, are well managed and
supported by the merchants, manufacturers and citizens of the place.
The origin of The Studabaker Bank, the oldest and strongest of them
all, has been noted in the modest financial venture of John Studabaker
in 1856. Founded as a National Bank in 1863, it was afterward re-
organized by its founder as the Exchange Bank. That was in 1869,
when Peter Studabaker and Hugh Dougherty became identified with
it. The history and substantial career of The Studabaker Bank com-
mences in 1903, when it was organized as a financial institution under
the state laws, although it had assumed that name three years pre-
viously. Its original directors were Hugh Dougherty, Henry C.
Arnold, Samuel Bender, Fred Ashbaucher, Albert B. Cline, James
W. Sale and Herman D. Cook. Mr. Dougherty was elected president
and Mr. Arnold, vice president, while John S. Gilliland was chosen
cashier. After being at the head of the bank's affairs for a year,
Mr. Dougherty was elected president of the Marion Trust Company
and moved to Indianapolis. Henry C. Arnold was elected president
of The Studabaker Bank in place of Hugh Dougherty, in July, 1904,
and held the position for five years. He resigned the presidency in
July, 1909, and R. S. Todd was elected in his place, John S. Gilliland,
the cashier, being advanced to the vice presidency. W. W. Rogers,
the present incumbent of that office, at the same time succeeded Mr.
Gilliland. The Studabaker Bank is now the largest state institution
of the kind in the state outside of Indianapolis. Its total resources
amount to $1,942,753.77. The capital of the bank is $200,000 ; surplus
and undivided profits, $52,603, and average deposits (fall of 1917)
nearly $1,700,000.
The Wells County Bank has been organized for thirty years. On
June 7, 1888, the following gentlemen met at the law office of Dailey,
Mock & Simmons, at Bluffton, to discuss the project of establishing
a state bank : Amos Cole, Frederick Engeler, J. W. Goodyear, G. A.
Harnish, J. F. Krehl, G. F. McFarren. Levi Mock, Eugene Morrow,
William Mertz, John North, Abe Simmons, Thomas Sturgis, J. E.
Sturgis, G. T. Williamson and L. A. Williamson. On the 23d of
the month the directors were elected and they chose from among their
398 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
number L. A. Williamson as president, Eugene Morrow and F. P.
Engeler, vice presidents, and J. W. Goodyear, cashier. There was
no change in that management until 1905, when Mr. Goodyear re-
signed the cashiership and E. B. Williamson was selected to succeed
him. The bank opened its doors in its own home at the corner of
Market and Main streets, and these quarters were occupied con-
tinuously for over twenty years, when the constantly increasing busi-
ness rendered them inadequate, and on October 30, 1909, the banking
room was vacated for the purpose of being thoroughly remodeled.
The Wells County Bank began business with a capital of $45,000;
in 1902 this was increased to $100,000, as at present. It has a sur-
plus of $25,000, with demand deposits of over $303,000 and demand
certificates of $724,000. Its total resources (fall of 1917) amounted to
$1,254,000.
The Union Savings & Trust Company was organized in July, 1906,
with L. C. Davenport as president, W. A. Kunkel, vice president, and
Fred J. Tangeman as secretary and treasurer. Soon after the death
of Mr. Davenport in January, 1917, D. A. Walmer was elected presi-
dent, and still holds the position. Harry Swisher is vice president and
Mr. Tangeman retains his position as secretary and treasurer. In
January, 1918, the financial status of the company was represented
by the following items : Capital, $25,000 ; surplus and undivided
profits, $5,000; average deposits, $175,000.
Blupfton Industries
The industries of the city include manufactures of wood, furni-
ture, gloves, machinery, cement and flour and, specially, include the
following establishments : II. C. Baye Piano Company, employing
some 300 hands; the Boss Manufacturing Company (D. A. Wilkins,
manager) and the Great Northern Glove Factory, both makers of
gloves, and the former employing about 200 hands; Bluff ton Cement
Products Company, manufacturers of blocks and tile, and North,
Frazier & Company, whose output is clay tile alone ; Bed Cross Manu-
facturing Company, the products of which are lawn swings, wind-
mills, pumps and towers, with a galvanizing department which is one
of the largest in the state ; George W. Grimes ' Foundry, which turns
out power oil machinery and ships it to Oklahoma and other points
in the United States and abroad; W. B. Brown Manufacturing Com-
pany, the products of which are chandeliers and novelties; Will H.
Ditzler, manufacturer of hard lumber ; Bluffton Milling Company, N.
E. Stafford, proprietor, and the large interests controlled by the
400 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Studabaker Grain and Seed Company. The last named include ele-
vators, with capacities named, located as follows: Bluffton, 45,000
bushels; Liberty Center, 20,000 bushels; Tocsin, 18,000 bushels, and
Keystone, 18,000 bushels. For a number of years previous to the sale
and junking of the Bluffton, Geneva & Celina Traction Line in 1917,
the Studabaker Grain and Seed Company also owned and operated
elevators at Vera Cruz and Linn Grove, with capacities respectively
of 10,000 and 18,000; but when the road was closed and these points
were left without adequate shipping facilities, the business of the
elevators naturally came to a standstill.
Wells County Hospital
A handsome and substantial two-story red brick building with
stone trimmings at the south end of Main Street, represents the new
Wells County Hospital which is not yet (March, 1918) entirely
completed. During the month of this writing an additional $12,000
was appropriated and added to the original contract price of about
$28,000 and the intention now is to have the hospital completed by
May. The project was placed under way, in the spring of 1916,
when a number of Bluffton citizens, who had long recognized the
desirability of establishing such an institution, met to consider the
proposal of Dr. J. E. Allport, of Cleveland, who undertook to lead
the campaign to draw a sufficient sum of money from the County
Board for the erection of a County Hospital under the state laws
providing means for establishing such institutions. Previously,
there had been considerable sentiment in favor of a hospital, but Dr.
Allport 's proposal served to crystallize it and lead it toward accom-
plishment.
The preliminary procedure involved the signing of a petition by
a stated number of freeholders resident in the county, and this was
accomplished without difficulty by a number of physicians and other
interested citizens, working under the direction of Dr. Allport. After
the petition was completed, the County Council and the county com-
missioners took favorable action upon it, and the latter appointed
a Board of Hospital Trustees to take charge of the erection and
operation of the building. The members of that board were: Carl
Bonham, president; J. A. McBride, Levi Huffman, A. H. Knight
and W. H. Lipkey. The order appointing the board and thereby
establishing the hospital was entered by the county commissioners
March 6, 1917.
The general contract for the erection of the building was awarded
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 401
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, kitchen, 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 cpxarters 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 cities. Its lungs, as such public resorts
have been called, are not confined to Washington Park, first improved
in the late '80s, and the grounds around Central and High schools
402
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
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 discussions 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
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 403
pioneer schoolmaster. The Methodists held their meetings in various
places at the county seat, including' that popular public resort, the
courthouse. Finally they erected a frame church at the corner of
Cherry and "Williams streets, which they occupied 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, 1S72, during the ministry of Rev. P. Carlan. The
original building was 45 by 80 feet with spire more than 126 feet in
height; cost, $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 city, and the Wesleyan Methodist is in the south-
eastern section of Bluffton.
First Presbyterian- Church
The First Presbyterian Church was organized August 24, 1S44.
with twenty-two members, by John II. 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. McClellan, after whom came 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 lit, 1S75. 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,
404 ADAMS AM) WELLS COUNTIES
and the parsonage in 1S75. 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 McMurray
and Rev. Charles 6. Miller. Including resident and non-resident
members, the strength of the society is now abcut 400 ; the active
resident members number 336 (March, 1918).
Bu'ffton 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-
stituent members. Fleming Johns was elected deacon and Rev. Robert
Tisdale was chosen pastor. He 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 schoolhouses for that purpose. In
August, 1844, the church was received into the Salamonie River
Association. The pasters of the Bluffton Baptist Church who have
enjoyed the longest pastorates have been the following : Rev. Robert
Tisdale, 1841-47; Rev. Abel Johnson, 1S52-62 ; Rev. W. W. Robison,
1863-74, 1875-76; Rev. J. H. Reider, 1S77-85; Rev. W. W. Hicks,
1892-98; Dr. O. R. McKay, since 1913. The original house of wor-
ship was dedicated in September, 1871. It was built of brick, 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
406 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
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 Christl^n 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,
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 407
but may be when another history of Wells County is written. The
Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Maccabees, Modern Woodmen of Amer-
ica, Knights of Pythias, Red Men and the Tribe of Ben Ilur 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 Home 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;
0. P. Gilham, senior warden; and John Morgan, junior warden.
The charter was granted May 25th following, when 0. P. Gilham
was installed as master, James M. McCleery 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 Burwe'll, 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 tern, masters until December, 1870; Newton Burwell,
1870-71 ; Jacob J. Todd, 1871-72 ; Thomas L. Wisner, 1872-74 ; Jere
North, 1874-76; Jacob 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, March-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. Hitch-
cock, 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. Eiehhorn and Samuel E. Hitchcock,
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.
408 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
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. McKinney, senior deacon; Redford A. Cherry, junior deacon;
Elmore Y. Sturgis, senior steward; Theodore Eddington, junior
steward; Samuel McCleery, 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, scribe. 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, guard. Within the following decade the
following served as high priests of the chapter : Horace L. Wisner,
J. J. Todd, J. P. Hale and James H. 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, Prank 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-
ous 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
410 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the officers of which in 1917 were as follows: William Weisell, E. C;
George E. Mosiman, G. ; William L. Kiger, C. G. ; Prank 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. Hale (deceased), Emanuel E.
Mosiman, Samuel P. Roush, William H. Eiehhorn, 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, 0. 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. II. Koontz,
W. P.; Harriett McKiuney, A. M. ; Sallie C. Sawyer, Sec.; 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. 0. 0. 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. I. Kline, G. W. ; Charles Shaffelr, J. W. ; F. N. Kellogg,
Treas. Patriarchal Militant, Uniform Degree. Camp No. 12, was
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 411
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 Aft'ee ; Senior Warden, Perry Addington ; Junior Warden, Claude
Cole; Scribe, 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 op 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 Bayard Gray, of Frank-
fort, Indiana, by Hartford City Lodge No. 625 with E. E. Cox, of
412 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Hartford City presiding as Grand Exalted Ruler, pro tern. 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. Ehle, 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. Tang'eman, Levi Mock, S. P. Roush, Clem Stair, W. H.
Eichhorn, Harry Swisher, J. V. East, E. R. Horton, C. T. Kain,
George L. Saunders, Herman Wieeking, M. A. Stout, M. Long, R. F.
Cummins, Ralph Strow, Hugh 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. Pies-
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. II. 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. II. 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 and for the
first year or two held its meeting in the K. of P. lodge room in the
McFarren 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 elub rooms were combined with quarters
on the second and third floors of the Grand Theater Building. Later
the lodge assimilated the membei'ship 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, 0. W. Baumgardiner and W. H. Eichhorn.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 413
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. 0. North; Secretary, 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 op Ossian — John T. Glass — The Craigs — The Hat-
fields — First Township Schools — Industrial Ups and Downs—
( >ssian 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 — Churches Near Ossian
— Local Lodges.
In the northeastern part of Wells County, on the line of the Fort
Wayne, Lake Erie & Western Railroad, is the Village of Ossian, the
second community in that political division of Eastern Indiana, in
commercial and trade importance. It probably has somewhat less than
a thousand people, but is, nevertheless, enterprising and influential
as a. substantial body of citizens representing the banking, trade,
social, educational and religious center of quite an area of prosperous
and developing country. One of its typical manifestations of firm
standing in the agricultural community of which it is the nucleus is
the large grain elevator owned and managed by Steifel & Levy. Os-
sian has a well managed bank, a good school, and several growing
churches ; so that it possesses all the best elements of a desirable resi-
dence town where old, young, middle-aged, and all in the intermediate
stages, may live comfortably and prosper in body, mind and religious
manifestations.
The Founders of Ossian
As a really reliable community, Ossian dates from 1869, when
the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad was built through
ihe county, although it was not in complete operation until the fol-
lowing year. But thirty years before that decisive event was brought
to a head, the country around what is now the village commenced
to be settled. The advance agents of these pioneers were Robert and
William Craig, John Davis, John Snyder, James Ferguson and Levi
414
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 415
Young, who came to the locality in 1837-38. William Craig soon had
his family from the East with him. At this time and into the early
'40s, the few who had ventured into the locality went to Fort Wayne
for their supplies. Then Levi Young was the only resident upon
the present site of Ossian, and in 1845 he was joined by John T. Glass,
a Wayne County (Ohio) bachelor of twenty-nine, who married into
the Hatfield family within the following year. He was the first hut-
Street Scene
chant of the little settlement, and as such, as well as for what he after-
ward accomplished, is entitled to more than passing notice.
John T. Glass
When Mr. Glass first came to the neighborhood, it is said that his
only errand was to assist his brother in settling in the new country.
In 1840 each had purchased half a section of land in the neighborhood.
At that time there were no settlers in the immediate vicinity of the
Glass claims. The wild woods were full of game; the pea vines were
very high, and not a domestic animal could be found in the neighbor-
hood. The Hatfield family lived near the south line of what is now
Jefferson Township, and there the strangers were made welcome,
housed and fed. The uninviting prospect was not such as to inspire
the brothers to remain, and they returned to Pennsylvania. Not until
1845 did John T. Glass return to Wells County. Jonathan Eddy,
Amos Schoonover and Mrs. Mary Wallace, with their families, had
416 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
moved in, and altogether they comprised all the families in the neigh-
borhood. Mr. Glass had erected a cabin and a milk house on his land.
The cabin was 22 by 18 feet and two stories in height, and was com-
pleted for occupancy, except the floor, at a cost of $16. It was built
by Abram and John Fulton. At that time it was the best cabin in the
neighborhood, having- three windows and a good clapboard roof. Mr.
Glass was the first man to purchase stock in the township, beginning
the business soon after he settled there. In 1845 he paid from one-half
to three-quarters of a cent gross for live stock, and the farmers of
whom he bought at that figure allowed him to guess at the weight of
the hogs and cattle, as there were no scales in the neighborhood. Not-
withstanding that advantage, he and his brother put in the first
stock scales in the northern part of the county in 1856. He had a
good retail trade with Fort Wayne butcjiers, and furnished the
money that paid for the first car of stock ever shipped over the Pitts-
burg & Fort Wayne line from that city. The prices paid for hogs
and sheep from 1845 to 1855 were as follows: The first year for
dressed pork iy 2 cents, purchased from John Studabaker. the Bluff-
ton packer. The few sheep which were in the country averaged about
a dollar per head. Good steers brought .$10. A first-class farm horse
brought from $30 to $40. Wheat was worth from 40 to 50 cents, and
corn 16 or 17 cents per bushel.
After spending one summer in the woods and trading successfully,
Mr. Glass concluded that it would improve his circumstances for him
to have a permanent housekeeper. On December 24, 1846, he there-
fore married Miss Margaret Hatfield, and his was the second marriage
ceremony in the township. The young couple commenced house-
keeping in the $16 cabin. The husband was not strong physically
and the giant oaks on the home place were felled by other hands than
his. But he managed his farm and his stock trade wisely, his wife
made his home cheerful and brought children to him to complete the
fireside life, and happiness, comfort and final prosperity were his.
The old cabin was replaced by a large two-story frame mansion, and
fine cattle and other stock crowded his big barns and grazed over his
broad fields. Mr. Glass engaged in the live stock business almost
half a century, and became one of the most extensive purchasers in
Eastern Indiana, buying of almost every farmer in Wells, Adams,
Jay, Allen and Blackford counties.
The opening of the Glass store in 1845 was the sign of coming
growth. A general store, however modest, is always the nucleus for
a settlement; and it certainly was not always convenient to take a
jaunt to Fort Wayne for sugar, coffee, flour, pork, "et ceteras."
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 417
Even in the following year, the promise of a future town seemed so
good that William Craig, John Ogden and 'Squire LeFever laid out
Ossian and advertised a sale of lots. Murray and Bluft'ton, a few miles
south, were already in the running as ambitious villages ; but what
mattered that ! Ossian finally got the better of Murray, as we all know.
The Craigs
The Craigs were thrifty, persistent Scotch people, and were held
in high esteem. As stated, William was part proprietor of the original
town and obtained substantial standing as a farmer, merchant and
citizen. The Craigs made a permanent location in Jefferson Township
July 12, 1838, where the parents remained until death. Mr. Craig
well remembered the first train of ears that ever passed over a line
of railroad in Michigan. The date was July 4. 1838, he being at that
time in his fifteenth year. The train left Detroit and stopped at
Ypsilanti, that being the terminus of what is now the Michigan
Central. The farm upon which the Craig family settled was after-
ward owned by Warren Mills. The father erected the second log
cabin in Jefferson Township in the autumn of 1837. Robert Craig, a
brother of William, came with his wife the same year, and the brothers
entered adjoining tracts. The cabin of Robert being first completed
for occupancy made his the first actual settlement in the township.
He moved with his family to Illinois a few years later. The father
was the first naturalized citizen of Jefferson Township and was one
of the best known men in the county. His death occurred in 1863
and his wife survived him eight years.
William Craig married Margaret, daughter of Robert and Mary
A. (Stout) McConnell, natives of New Jersey, in which state Mrs.
Craig was born October 4, 1827. Their marriage oceurred April 11,
1850, at the home of the bride's parents in Jefferson Township. The
young couple began their domestic life on a farm. During his most
active life Mr. Craig was a merchant of Ossian, but subsequently
retired with sufficient means to make him independent.
The first election held in the township was at the house of William
Craig. Samuel Saul Weston was elected justice of the peace and J.
R. Zepever, township clerk. Robert Burns, the poet, was a near neigh-
bor of Mr. Craig's grandparents, and Mr. Craig was born in the
neighborhood and was familiar with the scenes pictured in some of
his most famous poems.
Ossian and neighborhood felt the stimulus of the Fort Wayne
Plank Road, which was begun in 1850 and afterwards completed, and
418 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the standing of the town on the county map was further recognized
when the railroad was first surveyed in 1854 and it was made a sta-
tion on the paper line. It waited fifteen years for the realization, but,
as time goes, that was another small matter. It happened, also, that
when the rails were laid to Ossian in 1869 David Craig, a son of Wil-
liam, one of the town proprietors had the honor of driving the third
spike used on the ties in Wells County.
The Hatfields
As the Craigs may be said to be specially identified with the
material development of the Ossian neighborhood, the Hatfields are
credited with having accomplished fundamental results connected
with its growth in educational and religious ways. They were of the
famous English family of Hatfields and their inclinations w-ere doubt-
less largely inherited. The stock from which sprung the Wells County
branch was planted in Wayne County, Ohio, and in 1838 Adam
Hatfield, Jr., with his wife, Martha Kirkpatrick, and their family,
settled in Jefferson Township, three miles north of Murray, upon a
tract of three quarter sections of land which he had previously entered.
A rude log cabin was erected and during the winter a plat of ten
acres was cleared for planting in the spring. Adam Hatfield was
one of the early officials of the township and served in several official
capacities. He was a man of great force of character, although his
education was limited. He was a whig and a stalwart abolitionist.
Both himself and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church
before they came to the county, and they may be termed the parents
of that faith in Wells County. The first Presbyterian services in the
county were held in their house, Rev. Isaac A. Ogden officiating. The
church was organized by a committee of the Presbytery, and Rev.
John H. Russ was the first pastor. The death of Mrs. Martha Hatfield
occurred in 1840, and her remains were interred in the old Henry
Miller Cemetery, the first burying-ground in the northern part of the
county. Later, they were disinterred and deposited in the Murray
Cemetery. Adam Hatfield afterward married Mrs. Elizabeth Steward,
a widow, with whom he passed the remainder of his life. He died in
1848, aged fifty-four years.
First Township Schools
The school taught by Miss Margaret Hatfield was the first to be
organized in Jefferson Township, and was superintended by the three
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 41!)
trustees, Levi Young, J. R. LeFever and John Ogden, who were elected
in 1841. They appointed Miss Hatfield to teach what is known as
the Craig School. She was followed by Isaac Hatfield, Joseph LeFever
and Dr. William Johnston.
The first school opened in the Town of Ossian was taught by Robert
M. Johnston, during 1850, being opened in the kitchen of one of the
settlers and was located near the site of what was afterward the
residence of Walter Craig. In the following year (1851) the first
public school was erected near what is now Doctor Metts' office. Mr.
Johnston was also engaged to teach that school in 1851-52. His
successor was Miss Mary Cartwright, who subsequently married Milo
J. Gorrell.
So first one thing and then another appeared among the essentials
of real growth, and at the commencement of the Civil war Ossian
probably numbered 200 inhabitants and several stores. By
this time the rude village schoolhouse of logs had been replaced by
a frame building which was then listed among the village improve-
ments, but which some years afterward was being used as a shed on
the property of one of the well-to-do townsmen. But the little frame
house was outgrown in the late '60s and a two-story building erected.
Long before the war a Baptist and two Methodist societies had
been organized to meet the natural demands of a moral and intelligent
community, and midway in the Civil war period the Masons had
organized their lodge. Soon afterward (in 1864) the first flour mill
was erected at Ossian by Woodward & Rnpright.
Industrial IJps and Downs
Various industries commenced to look, toward Ossian after the
completion of the Fort Wayne, Cincinnati & Louisville Railroad, espe-
cially those devoted to wood manufactures. In 1872 a mill was erected
near the depot for the manufacture of lumber, shingles, lath and
mouldings. The first industry in that line, however, was a stave and
heading factory, which was completed in 1870, burned two years
afterward, and subsequently rebuilt. It was owned at one time by
H. Hatfield. But with the clearing of wooded lands and the consequent
withdrawal of available sources of raw material from the local fac-
tories they were eventually discontinued, with hundreds of their
kind in the middle western states, as Indiana was then classified.
Then followed the experiments connected with the manufactures based
on products of the soil. The Ossian Creamery was a fair success for a
time, although it was founded in the hopes that the farmers of the
420 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
county would turn to dairying and thereby insure the manufacturer
a steady supply of milk; but instead they became more and more
wedded to the idea of raising cattle and hogs upon which they could
realize more readily than on milch cows. The somewhat famous
Climax butter also melted away with the creamery project. But the
grain elevator enterprise endured and developed. In 1890 the Hat-
fields aud T. A. Doan built a fair-sized elevator near the switch-track
and Ossian has never since been without good accommodations for
storing and handling grain.
Ossian Schools in the Making
In 1878 a two-story schoolhouse was erected at a cost of .^5,000 by
John B. Woods, contractor, and James Gorrell, trustee. Prof. P. A.
Allen, Bluff ton's superintendent of schools, was the first principal in
this first brick schoolhouse to be built in Ossian. After being occupied
for twenty years, it was condemned in 1898, and two years later it was
rebuilt and a large northern addition made to the original structure,
making the entire school building a modern schoolhouse of eight
rooms. When the local system was in the formative period Professor
Allen and his successor as principal, David H. Swaim, for years editor
of the Bluffton News and Chronicle, were mainly influential in
grading and organizing the schools. Charles Pepe is the present super-
intendent.
Among the pioneer teachers of Ossian were, besides those already
mentioned, Jacob J. Todd, Miss Maggie Hawkins, A. B. Cartwright,
Mrs. Rena Howard and Mrs. Mary Wilmington. Of a somewhat later
generation of teachers whose labors are specially identified with the old
"two-story frame," were J. B. Donaldson, Serepta (Metts) Worley,
S. N. Vail, Nellie (Rankin) Baker, William Mygrants, R. Houser,
Lizzie J. N. Johnston, Joe (Metts) Walmer, Ida (Johnston) Em-
manuel and May (Gorrell) Swaim.
The Telephone and the Local Press
Ossian has had the benefit of a local newspaper for many years.
The first newspaper to be established there was a rank failure. It
(The Ossian Weekly Telephone) lasted only a few months in the
middle of the '80s. Its brief existence was passed at a time when the
telephone was a young invention. It had reached Ossian from the
outside world and through the Bell Telephone Company, in 1882, but
it was many years before it had been adopted locally and was anything
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 421
more than "long distance.'' Then James H. Keefer came into the
field both of newspaperdom and the local telephone system, hi
December, 1890, he commenced to issue the News, which he con-
ducted successfully until its suspension in 1914. In February, 1896,
he built a private telephone line between his newspaper office and res-
idence ; and then the railroad agent, the merchants and others woke up
to the advantages of a local system. In the summer of 1899 Koe
Brothers, representing the Central Union Telephone Company, estab-
lished a local exchange, giving their subscribers also the privilege of
long-distance communication ; since which time the telephone has been
one of Ossian's most valued public utilities.
Other Public Utilities
In 1895 the Village Board of Trustees bought a chemical engine as
a means of protection against fire, the water supply being cisterns or
reservoirs placed at strategic points within the corporate limits. Fuel
and light are supplied by the Fort Wayne Gas Company, with which
arrangements were perfected in 1896, by which natural gas could be
drawn from the 12-inch main of the system controlled by that corpora-
tion.
The present representative of the local press is the Ossian Jour-
nal, which was founded in April, 1914, by B. F. Spmnger. Two
years afterward the enterprise was purchased by those who still own
and conduct it, W. E. Hostetler & Company.
The Farmers State Bank
Another institution of a semi-public character, young, but neces-
sary to the well-being of the village, is the Farmers State Bank. It
was founded in November, 1912, by the following who arc still in
office: E. W. Dyar, president; L. M. Springer, vice president; A. A.
Melching, cashier. It has a capital of $25,000; surplus and undivided
profits, $5,000 ; average deposits. $175,000.
The Presbyterian Church
The veteran of all the churches in Ossian is easily the Presbyterian,
now in its seventy-ninth year. As stated, it was originally known as
the Pleasant Ridge Presbyterian Church, and was organized June 10,
1840, at the house of Adam Hatfield. Its first members numbered
twenty and were all received by letter. The first pastor was Rev.
422 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
John H. Russ, who did not long remain at that time, although the
records seemed to show that he held the pastorate from 1843 to 1845.
In 1846 Joseph Gorrell and Adam Hatfield secured the services of
Rev. Wilson M. Donaldson, who was pastor of the Pleasant Ridge
Church for thirty years and founded the society on the strength of his
character and spiritual faithfulness. In 1847 the first house of wor-
ship was completed in the form of a small log building about two miles
and a half southwest of town. This gave place in 1867 to a plain frame
church accommodating about four hundred people and completed, of
course, in the long and productive ministry of Mr. Donaldson. This
second house of worship was located in Ossian, but, although the old
Pleasant Ridge building was vacated, the society was not known as
the Ossian Presbyterian Church until the spring of 1876, or during
the concluding year of Mr. Donaldson's ministry. In 1877 Rev. John
Mitchell assumed the pastorate, and his successors have been as fol-
lows: Rev. J. P. Lloyd, 1881-83; Rev. M. M. Lawson, 1883-92; Rev.
Edwin Craven, 1892-97; Rev. Edward Campbell, 1897-1900; Rev. E.
P. Gilchrist, 1900-03; Rev. C. E. Combrink, 1903-09; Rev. W. E.
Hunter, 1909-12 ; Rev. Frank K. Baker, since 1912. During the pas-
torate of Rev. E. P. Gilchrist, in 1902, the handsome brick church
which is now the home of the society was occupied. Its present mem-
bership (fall of 1917) is 300.
Methodism in Jefferson Township
Methodism took root in Jefferson Township as early as 1848 and
the Ossian Circuit was organized two years later. Its history in the
neighborhood of Ossian for a period of forty years is thus presented
in a well-authenticated sketch: "We find the territory that now em-
braces the Ossian Circuit was included in the Saint Mary's Mission
on October 30, 1848, the earliest date of Methodism in this section
of the country. The Mission included all the territory south of Fort
Wayne and north of the Wabash River (and was) supposed to em-
brace a part of Adams, Huntington and Whitley counties.
"The Ossian Circuit was organized in September, 1850, with
Ossian as its head. The Prospect Society was among the classes that
entered into the formation of the circuit. The boundaries of the cir-
cuit were defined so as to embrace about all St. Mary's Mission outside
of Fort Wayne. The boundaries of the circuit have been changed from
time to time until the present boundary marks its limits, which is prop-
erly the county line between Wells and Allen counties and westward
the southern boundary being the Wabash River near Murray, thence
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 423
east and west, leaving- the boundaries about all in the north part of
the county. The Ossian Society was organized in 1851, and worshiped
in the schoolhouse and dwelling houses until 1853, when the first
church was completed. Rev. J. W. Foughty was the first class leader.
"The Prospect Society was organized September 30, 1848, with
William Cotton, now deceased, as leader. Services were held in the
dwelling houses of John A. Lepper and Simon Krewson and in the
school house (which was, it might be mentioned, for two years the
extra room of the cabin home of Simon Krewson. A log church was
built about 1853, which was the house of worship until 1861, when the
present church house was erected.
' ' The Emmaus Society was organized in 1876, with Robert W. Hall,
now deceased, as leader. They worshiped in the schoolhouse until the
present church edifice was completed. This society was a part of the
Sheldon Circuit until 18S1 when it was attached to Ossian.
"The Uniondale Society was first organized in 1884 and attached
to the Markle Circuit, but in 1885 it was attached to the Ossian Cir-
cuit. The services were held in the Lutheran Church of Uniondale
until September, 1886, when the society was abandoned. This society
was again organized January 13, 1883, and the services were held in
the Lutheran Church until December, when the present church build-
ing was completed.
"The first parsonage house was built in 1852. The second house
was erected in 1866. To this there was built a wing in 1877."
Since the above history of the church was written changes in the
circuit have been made until now the Ossian and Prospect churches are
the only ones in this charge.
The pastors who served St. Mary's Mission were Revs. T. F. Pal-
mer, 1848, and Dennis B. Clary, 1849. Among those called to the
Ossian charge have been Revs. J. W. Miller, Almon Greenman, W. S.
Birsh, James Johnson, W. T. Smith, A. Andrews, A. Douglas, J. M.
Mann, B. F. Armstrong, S. H. Clark, E. S. McNeal, J. T. Nash, T.
Colclazer, J. H. Slade, 0. D. Watkins, W. E. Curtis, L. Roberts, J. H.
McMahin, J. M. "Wolverton, J. M. Mann, Y. B. Meredith, N. Burwell,
J. L. Ramsey, E. P. Church, J. A. Llewellyn, Henry Bridge, J. B.
Alleman, S. C. Norris, C. M. Hollopeter and William E. Hamilton
(present incumbent).
Bethel United Brethren Church
The Bethel United Brethren Church is probably about fifty years
old and until 1901 belonged to what was known as the Auglaize Con-
ference. In the records of that body there is no mention of the Bethel
424 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
Class at Ossian until 1869.- From 1901 to the present the Bethel
United Brethren Church has been in the St. Joseph Conference, as
have all other bodies of that denomination in Adams and Wells coun-
ties north of the Wabash River. The successive pastors of the local
church have been as follows : Revs. George Miller, 1869-71 ; D. J.
Schenck, 1871-73; T. Coats, 1873-74; Merritt Miller, 1874-77; P. B.
Williams, 1877-79; S. T. Mahan, 1881; D. A. Johnson, 1881-82; R. W.
Wilgus, 1882-85; L. T. Johnson, 1885-86; D. W. Abbott, 1886-87;
W. E. Bay, 1887-88; T. M. Harvey, 1888-89; R. W. Wilgus, 1889-90;
H. C. Smith, 1890-91 ; J. N. Holmes, 1891-92 ; H. D. Meads, 1892-93 ;
J. W. Lake, 1893-96 ; W. Z. Roberts. 1896-97 ; S. M. Leidy, 1897-98 ;
W. H. Shepherd, 1898-99 ; D. M. Luttrell, 1899-1900 ; J. A. Kek, 1900-
03; O. L. Riehhart, 1903-04; M. V. Mullikin, 1904-06; I. N. Shilling,
1906-08 ; J. A. Farmer, 1908-09 ; J. L. Powers, 1909-11 ; H. C. Beau-
champ, 1911-15 ; J. A. Sherrill, 1915-17 ; D. W. Zartman, since 1917.
The membership of the present church in December, 1917, w r as about
fifty.
Churches Near Ossian
There are also two churches within four miles of Ossian which are
fairly strong, and one of them, at least, is quite well known to county
history. El Hanan Presbyterian Church, three miles east and one
mile north of town, was organized in the early '40s, and in 1845 a log
church was built ou a lot donated by Robert Ewell for religious and
cemetery purposes.
The Emmaus (formerly Salem) M. E. Church was established
four and a half miles southeast of Ossian, and a small frame building
was erected for worship in 1876. For many years, also, the Olive
Branch Baptist Church occupied a building three miles northeast of
Ossian, the society having been organized prior to 1840.
Local Lodges
The chief lodges with headquarters at Ossian are the Ossian No.
297, Free & Accepted Masons ; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows,
No. 719, and the Knights of Pythias. No. 343. The Masons first
organized in September, 1863, John P. Nash being their first worship-
ful master. J. I. Metts, James Gorrell, C. W. Beardsley, William B.
Miller, James P. Swaim and William Stine also served as heads of the
lodge in the early times. The Knights of Pythias orgauized in 1892,
with thirty-four charter members, with W. A. Woodward as P. C.
H. W. Beaty is now in office, the membership of the lodge late in the
fall of 1917 being nearly 150.
CHAPTER XXIII
LIBERTY CENTER
John W. Rinear — Schoolhouse, the First Building— The Liberty
Township High School — Local Pioneering — Liberty Center
Deposit Bank — Baptist and Methodist Protestant Churches —
Village of Today.
The village above named is so called because it is the geographical
center of Liberty Township. It is also one of the central towns of
Wells County and is a leading center for the live stock and grain trade
of a large country district. The village is in the midst of a productive
section devoted to the raising of sugar beets. The practical signs of
such mentioned facts are extensive yards at Liberty Center for the
handling of hogs and cattle and a large ' ' beet dump ' ' for the storing
and shipping of that produce. The Studabaker Grain and Seed Com-
pany has also a good-sized elevator (capacity, 20,000 bushels) at this
point. A grist mill is also in operation. These evidences of pros-
perity are reflected in the neat appearance of the town, and the addi-
tional fact that its banking facilities are fully adequate to all demands
made by business men, farmers and householders. The village ad-
vances another good claim to leadership among the villages of the
villages of the county. None has more complete educational advan-
tages than Liberty Center; in fact, Superintendent Huyette has in-
stanced its high school, completed in 1913, as the most modern in the
county within his jurisdiction. Two churches and several lodges also
confirm the social and religious character of the village.
John W. Rinear
If any one man may claim the right to the fatherhood of Liberty
Center it is Hon. John W. Rinear, and a record of his earlier services
as a farmer, a town-builder and a public man goes far toward covering
the pioneer history of Liberty Center. Mr. Rinear, now a sturdy and
typical American in comfortable circumstances, who has done so large
a share in building the community in which he has long lived and
425
426 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
thrived, is an Ohio man, born near Cleveland, May 4, 1S42. His
grandparents had located in that city when his father was five years
old. In Cleveland, also, his parents were married and resided there
until 1847, when they moved to Huntington County, Indiana, and in
1854 to Liberty Township. John \V. Rinear was then twelve years of
age.
The region where the Rinear family settled at that time was cov-
ered with dense woods, but Charles Rinear, its head, was a powerful
man physically, and his physique was backed by a brave spirit ; so, with
the assistance of the plucky lad and a splendid wife, he promptly
commenced the task of clearing, cultivating and taming the 120-acre
tract which he had purchased for a homestead. When the father died
in 1887 and the mother in 1894, both more than seventy years of age,
they had accomplished that task and much more. They had not only
become prosperous in worldly goods, but had obtained a laudable
standing in their home community.
To such faithful, sturdy parents John W. Rinear proudly
acknowledges his indebtedness. He received his education in the com-
mon schools of Liberty Township until he was nineteen years of age,
after which he saw fourteen months' service in the Forty-seventh In-
diana Infantry, and was invalided home with a bullet wound in his
right arm.
On April 2, 1863, after returning from the war, Mr. Rinear was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. First, a native of Liberty Town-
ship born in 1843. Her father, a Pennsylvanian, entered a tract of
land in that part of Wells Comity in 1836 and commenced to reside
thereon five years later. During his residence in the county he held
every office in the township with the exception of assessor. During
the last years of his patriarchal life, which advanced well toward the
century mark, he lived with his daughter, Mrs. John W. Rinear, and
had the distinction of being the only resident of Liberty Township
who had retained the ownership of the land which he had originally
secured from the Government.
For three years after his marriage Mr. Rinear rented and lived
upon the farm of Doctor Melsheimer. In the meantime, having saved
some money, he purchased a tract of forty acres uf land which now
forms a part of Liberty Center. He laid out the east half of the orig-
inal plat on his land, which was then dense woods. He then threw up
a log cabin 18 by 20 feet, and commenced life at that locality with a
wife, a team of horses, a cow, a few shoats and other minor possessions.
For the greater part of the purchase price of the land he borrowed
money, but no note was ever defaulted and payment was sometimes
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 427
made before it became due. With the faithful help of his wife every-
thing prospered.
In 1S66 Mr. Rinear came into possession of his present farm, and
on the 28th of December, of that year, was born his daughter, Hannah
S., the first native child of Liberty Center. She is now the wife of
John B. Funk, druggist and postmaster. In 1874 Mr. Rinear pur-
chased twenty acres adjoining his place on the north. The railroad
reached the locality in 1878, and in the same year he platted the east
half of Liberty Center. He is now the oldest continuous resident of
the place. Mr. Rinear was justice of the peace from 1873 to 1885 ; was
in the mercantile business at the center in 1877-82, and during that
period served as postmaster for three years. At the same time he con-
tinued his farming operations, and has a farm of 320 acres a mile east
of Liberty Center which is not surpassed in Wells County. Both
grain and live stock are raised. Besides he owns thirty-five acres of
his old home place in town and resides in a large comfortable residence
on Lot 1 of the original plat.
In 1894, at the session of the Democratic Joint Senatorial Conven-
tion of Wells and Huntington counties, Mr. Rinear was nominated for
the State Senate, and subsequently elected by a large majority. Dur-
ing his term of service he was placed on such important committees as
those of corporations, railroads, public health, banks, finance and
county and township business. In June, 1899, he was appointed by
the Circuit Court a member of the County Council, and has been re-
peatedly elected councilman-at-large, having served as chairman of
that body for a period of twelve years. He was appointed a trustee
of the Indiana Soldiers' Home at Lafayette by Governor Hanly in
1906, and by successive gubernatorial appointments has served con-
tinuously in that position, his present term expiring in April, 1921.
During the entire period he has held the position of treasurer of the
home. A mere enumeration of such facts indicates Mr. Rinear *s high
and substantial standing.
SCHOOLHOUSE, THE FlRST BUILDING
"Resuming the thread of our discourse," as the stock phrase goes,
Liberty Center was laid out by Messrs. Rinear and John Ernst on the
12th of November, 1878 — the same year the Toledo, St. Louis & Kansas
City Railroad went through that part of the county. Previous to
that date there had been a schoolhouse at the Center for many years,
and for a considerable time a store and two or three dwellings ; but no
collection of buildings which could be stretched to the dignity of a
settlement.
428 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
The Liberty Township High School
The first log schoolhouse was erected on the site of the handsome
Liberty Township High School of today. The second, built in the fall
of 1859, was a frame building 24 by 30 feet. It was occupied both for
school purposes and public meetings of all kinds until 1881, when a
two-story brick schoolhouse was erected under the supervision of G. H.
King. Quite early this became a leading educational center of the
county, and normal schools were repeatedly conducted therein. The
schoolhouse was improved radically as the years passed and demands
became insistent, until several years ago it became evident that the time
was ripe for erecting an edifice not only for present but future needs.
The result was the $35,000 high school described in Superintendent
Huyette's report. Henry Snyder, its principal, has 230 pupils en-
rolled under him, of whom 82 were in the high school department dur-
ing the fall of 1917.
It would thus appear that a schoolhouse was the first thing to
appear on the site of Liberty Center; and the crude log affair has
grown into something fine, representative of progressive intelligence
and a careful outlook for the future men and women of the com-
munity.
Local Pioneering
There are other first things, persons and events also worthy of
note.
John "W. Rinear. the longest a resident of Liberty Center, was the
first justice of the peace at this point. During his term of office, twelve
years, he married 104 couples. The next justice was Henry J. John-
son.
The first born at Liberty was Hattie S., daughter of John W.
Rinear, and now the wife of John B. Funk. Having received a good
education, previous to marriage, she taught a number of years in the
public schools.
The first born male was Charles W., son of Samuel J. Jackson.
The first marriage was of X. N. Johnson to Mary E. Ernst; the first
death was that of Mrs. Clark Morgan.
S. S. Jackson was postmaster at the Center before the town was
platted.
J. AY. Rinear, the first postmaster, afterward served until Jan-
uary 1, 1880.
Frank W. Garrett, who succeeded Mr. Rinear, afterward studied
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 429
medicine with Dr. John A. Morrison, the first physician, and himself
commenced practice in 1882.
The earliest industries to be established appeared in 187!)— the tile
factory by Adams & Plank, and the sawmills built by Charles Cole and
Jacob Jones. In 1882 G. H. King; & Sons erected a flour mill, which
adopted the roller system in 1887. Its successor, of comparatively
late date, was the Garrett & Funk establishment.
Liberty Center Deposit Bank
The Liberty Center Deposit Bank was founded in 1907, with Frank
W. Garrett as president and Ira E. Yelton as cashier. It speaks well
for its management that there has been no change whatever since the
establishment of the bank. The present capital of the institution is
$25,000; surplus and undivided profits, $19,000; average deposits (in
November, 1917), .$175,000.
Baptist and Methodist Protestant Churches
The two local churches arc the Baptist and the Methodist Protes-
tant. The former is the oldest. The Baptists erected their first house
of worship, a plain frame building, in 1S69, and completed what was
then a handsome brick church in 1884. The pastor now serving the
society is Rev. Jesse Mitchell.
The Liberty Center Methodist Protestant Circuit has two classes —
the Liberty Center class in the town of that name, and the Boehmer
class three miles west and half a mile south of town. The Liberty
Center class was organized by Eev. D. S. Boswell in February, 1882,
in the high school building; the Boehmer class, by Rev. E. Robison,
in March, 1886, at the Roberts schoolhouse. Liberty Center has had
two church buildings, the first dedicated in February, 1888, and the
second, in March, 1909. The local class has a present membership of
165. The Boehmer church was dedicated in November, 1888, and has
a membership of 125. Since Rev. D. S. Boswell's time (1882-83). the
following have served the Liberty Center Circuit : AY. H. Fisher, W.
H. Rogers, W. G. Callahan, E. Robison, J. H. Nehers, J. C. Macklin.
A. G. Mendenhall. J. R. French, S. J. Jones, G. W. Bundy, L. Coomer.
J. L. Barclay, S. S. Stanton. M. F. Illiff, J. L. Barclay. Hillis L. Avery,
A. R. Corn, W. Smith Harper and B. M. Petty. Rev. W. S. Harper,
who preceded the pastor now in charge of the circuit, is now a mis-
sionary, or field worker.
The people of Liberty Center are not strong supporters of lodges,
430 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
their school and church work occupying most of their time. The Odd
Fellows, however, have made considerable headway, and there is also
a Rebekah organization.
The Village of Today
The village, which now numbers more than four hundred people,
enjoys good transportation facilities. It is on the steam line of the
Toledo, St. Louis & Western and is also a station on the Marion &
Bluffton Traction route. Aside from its live stock yards, elevator,
grist mill, beet dump and other interests, Liberty Center has a boiler
shop, a garage, three or four general stores, a hardware store, drug
store, and perhaps other business houses not mentioned. It is, in fact,
a desirable town in which to live.
CHAPTER XXIV
OTHER VILLAGES AND STATIONS
Keystone — Its Churches — State Farmers Bank — Luther Twibell,
Founder — Neighbors Scarce, Wolves Plentiful — Unscientific
Crowding — Arrival of First Cook Stove; — Poneto — Worthing-
ton, First Village — Early Poneto — The Chalfants and the
Bank — Farmers State Bank — Churches at and Near Poneto —
Odd Fellows and Rebekahs — Zanesville — Churches of Lo-
cality — Markle, Formerly Tracy — Steps in Progress — Its
Strong Points — The Farmers and Traders Bank — The Markle
Journal — Uniondale — George C. Ditzler and His Sawmill —
Henry W. Lipkey, Merchant, Postmaster, Railroad Agent —
Also, President of the Bank and Village — The Present Union-
dale — Tocsin — Michael C. Blue — Samuel Kunkel, Owner of
Original Town — Grain Business and Bank Established — Vera
Cruz, a Veteran Village — The Town Now — The Vitzes, Fa-
ther and Sons — Old Village of Lancaster — Murray Platted —
Petroleum — Kingsland — Rockford — Other Small Population
Centers.
Keystone is one of the southern villages of the county, lying a
few miles north of the Blackford line, on both the Lake Erie & Western
Railroad and the line of the Union Traction Company of Indiana. It
is south of the center of Chester Township. Until 1917, or for forty-
five years after it was platted. Keystone depended upon Montpelier,
Blackford County, for its banking accommodations, but its growth
of late has made that arrangement no longer feasible, and the State
Farmers Bank is now one of its active institutions. At Keystone is
also one of the elevators in the chain owned by the Studabaker Grain
& Seed Company (capacity, 15,000 bushels), and it has several well-
stocked and well-managed stores. There are two religious bodies at
Keystone, a modern school and other evidences of pronounced ad-
vancement usually found in typical American communities. •
431
432 ADAMS AXD WELLS COUNTIES
Its Churches
The Methodist Protestant Church, of which Rev. S. T. Sturgeon
is pastor, was organized in 1883-84, with ten members. Revs. J. C.
McLin and T. F. Ransopher were the first two clergymen to have
charge of the Keystone Society. It was during the incumbency of the
latter, in 1885, that the society erected its first house of worship.
The United Brethren Church, Rev. A. A. Ireland pastor, was or-
ganized in the winter of 1886 with about fifty members. Rev. E.
Balduc was its first settled pastor.
The Friends, or Quakers, also have a society at Keystone, Rev.
Frank Edwards having charge of their organization.
The Ebenezer Baptist Church, the headquarters of which were
east of Keystone, was organized in the late '50s, and its first house
of worship erected in 1875.
Soon after the town was platted in 1872 a schoolhouse was erected,
the one now occupied having been built in 1896. Charles H. Markley
is the principal at present writing (December, 1917).
State Farmers Bank
The State Farmers Bank of Keystone was organized in the summer
of 1917 by the following: Simeon Crosby, president; J. A. Jarrett,
first vice president; Frank Kirkwood, second vice president; Cecil
Lockwood, cashier. In November of that year the capital of the bank
was $25,000; surplus, $2,500; average deposits, $15,000.
Luther Twibell, Founder
Carrying out the prophecy that "the first shall be last," this place
in the sketch of Keystone has been reserved for its founder, Luther
Twibell. He was a Virginian, of Irish ancestry; was reared on a
plantation and late in youth moved to Henry County, Indiana. In
1840, still before he had attained his majority, he accompanied his
parents to Blackford County, traveling thence by team.
Luther Twibell remained with his parents until his marriage, in
his twentieth year, on March 7, 1841. In the following October the
young couple moved into Wells County, and purchased eighty acres of
land, a portion of which was afterward platted as the site of Key-
stone. Young Mrs. Twibell was born in Pennsylvania, of Dutch de-
scent, and it is supposed that the village was named as a tribute to
her and the Kevstone State of her nativity.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 433
Neighbors Scarce, Wolves Plentiful
When Mr. and Mrs. Luther Twibell first settled in the locality on
their SO-acre homestead, everything was very new. Human neighbors
were scarce, but of wolves there were plenty. Wild game was also
abundant. Here the young husband made his clearing and cut the
logs with which he erected his first cabin and necessary farm build-
ings. All the milling was then done at Muncie, and there was no
regular road thither. There were only four teams in what are now
Chester and Harrison townships. It is known that Mr. Twibell was
not fond of hunting and that he spent most of his time industriously
clearing and improving his land. When he and his wife moved to
the site of Keystone their cabin was raised in one day. The occupants
moved in before even a hole was cut for the chimney, and the first
fire was built in the middle of the room.
Unscientific Crowding
Upon the arrival of a new family, of course the most pressing act
was to get its members under cover, especially if the weather was cold.
At times those who were fortunate enough to have roofs over their
heads were put to their wits' end to meet an unexpected influx. But
each helped the other and "crowding" was the watchword. It is re-
lated that to meet such an emergency in the Keystone neighborhood,
upon one occasion three families, comprising twenty -two persons, oc-
cupied a log house 16 by 18 feet. In those days, it was surely im-
possible to allow a scientific and sanitary number of cubic feet of
bi*eathing space for each person. So the Twibell cabin was raised one
day and occupied the next, the center-piece being the dining table
made by driving stakes in the ground and laying clapboards on top
of them.
Arrival of First Cook Stove
An event in the household and entire neighborhood was the arrival
of their first cook stove. It had been purchased by the two sons.
William and David, who had sold the wheat they raised on a piece of
land set apart as the origin of the stove fund. William M. Twibell,
who was born on the old farm, is now in his seventy-first year, an
honored resident of Keystone, and probably has never been as proud
as when he and his brother brought that first stove into the neighbor-
hood, earned from the proceeds of their wheat money. The people of
434 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
the village and vicinity have always had a tender place in their hearts
for the Twibells, without whom they might not have had a Keystone
at all.
Poneto
Poneto. the village on the Lake Erie & Western Kailroad and the
Mnncie, Bluffton & Fort Wayne Traction line, is located in the ex-
treme southwest corner of Harrison Township and the southeast corner
of Liberty Township, about seven miles southwest of Bluffton. It has
some 400 inhabitants and is incorporated. In the midst of a pro-
ductive grain country, the large local elevator is controlled not by an
outside corporation, but by a cooperative organization known as the
Farmers Elevator Company. It also has a number of good stores and
two banks.
WORTHINGTON, FlRST VILLAGE
The village is a creature of the railroad, and was laid out by
Simeon Tappy September 4, 1871. With Dr. H. Doster, he was
chiefly instrumental in the location of the station at this point. Both
raised money for the purpose and paid it out of their own pockets,
and Mr. Tappy also donated land for the depot site. The latter was
finally secured, in successful opposition to Wellsburg, across Kock
Creek, to the north, which is consequently an abandoned point. It
was first named Worthington Crossing, or Worthington, in honor of
the superintendent of the railroad ; but as it was afterward found that
a postoffiee in Indiana already had that name, it was rechristened
Poneto in 1880.
Early Poxeto
When the town was platted in 1S71 the only building on the
ground was Mr. Tappy "s residence, and a sawmill owned by Dr. C.
T. Melsheimer, which was afterward moved. The large brick business
block, long so conspicuous, was originally built by John Hardwidge
in 1881 and afterward enlarged. The S. M. King saw, planing and
corn-feed mills were built in 1882-83. During that period Frank
Courtney also brought his saw and planing mills to Poneto.
The Chalfants and the Bank
But the village did not reach a firm footing as a trade center until
it ceased to rely upon Bluffton for its banking accommodations; and
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
4:;r,
it was the old Chalfant family which came to the rescue in that con-
nection. Chads Chalfant, the grandfather of Abner, had planted the
family in the southwest quarter of section 25, Harrison Township, in
1837, and the succeeding- generations had increased the reputation of
the family for thrift, honesty and ability. Reason, the son of Chads,
inherited the estate, then greatly improved and increased in value,
and in 1888 Abner, the son of Reason, succeeded to it. His manage-
ment of the old-time properties also brought him large incomes, and
he decided to give Poneto, in which he also had real estate interests,
one of the prime necessities for its growth, a local bank. That institu-
Street Scene, Poneto
tion was organized as the Bank of Poneto. The present officers are :
Abner Chalfant, president ; S. C. Sheperd. first vice president ; F. M.
Buckner, second vice president; Robert Lee, cashier. Mr. Chalfant
has resided in Bluffton since January, 1915.
Farmers State Bank
The Farmers State Bank was founded in March, 1912, with J. W.
Cook as president; W. A. Popejoy, vice president, and Earl French,
cashier. There has been no change in either the presidency or vice
presidency; but Mr. French was cashier for only a few months, when
he was succeeded by George Barrington, who held the position until
July, 1917. Mr. Barrington was then followed in the cashiership by
A. L. Musselman, the present incumbent. Following are the items
436 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
indicative of the financial status of the bank in December, 1917 : Cap-
ital, $25,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, $4,000 ; average deposits,
$110,000.
Churches at and Near Poneto
Poneto has had a number of churches, the First M. E., in charge
of Rev. E. E. Wright, having still a substantial membership. A
frame church building was completed in 1880. Among its earlier
pastors were Revs. J. W. Paschall, Charles Bacon, J. C. McLin, Henry
C. Myers, I. N. Rhodes, Henry Bridge, J. B. Cook and B. S. Holapeter.
The Reifftown M. E. Church, a few miles east of town, is also
an old religious body, its house of worship being dedicated August
8, 1880. The United Brethren Church was organized at Poneto in
1877 and a frame meeting house was built in 1882. The society was
discontinued some time ago. The Baptists, who also have no regular
services, were first organized, locally, in 1880.
Odd Fellows and Rebekahs
The Odd Fellows have the strongest lodge in town, No. 752. It
was organized June 30, 1899, with the following chief elective officers:
L. A. Nutter, N. G. ; W. J. Clark, V. G. ; H. B. Sark, Secretary. Dur-
ing the twenty years of its lodge life the following have served as
noble grands: L. A. Nutter, W. J. Clark, Hezekiah Doster, Samuel
Henley, R. K. Johnson, F. M. Buckner, G. F. Mowery, H. B. Sark,
W. R. Smith, David Ochsenrider, Daniel Jones, L. C. Nutter, H. A.
Grove, R. F. Gavin, W. L. Schock, Charles Fuller, Karl Lee, John
Hardwidge, O. W. Weinland, James Quick, George Hatfield, William
Singer, D. E. Leist, Charles Mossburg, Hiram Davis, J. H. Ogalsbee,
William Jones, Jr., Adam King, William King, Vincent Barrington,
L. E. Carroll, H. H. Toms, R. B. Kunkel. R. A. Lee and Gay Jones.
Officers now serving : Paul Oman, N. G. : Ray Kimes, V. G. ; Karl
Lee, secretary. The lodge now numbers more than 100 members, and
is growing.
The auxiliary of the I. O. O. F., the Order of Rebekahs, is also
organized at Poneto.
Zanesville
A village of over 300 people, Zanesville is cut by the line which
separates Wells from Allen County. Although it has never been
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 437
favored with steam railroad communication, for some years it has
been a station on the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction
route, and has all the required means of communication. The site of
the town is on a high ridge skirted by Davis Creek. Its older por-
tion was laid out March 4, 1849, by J. and L. Walker. It has a good
school, the first substantial building devoted to that purpose being
erected in 1876.
Churches of the Locality
The people of Zanesville have always endeavored to provide the
best means available for the education of the younger generation.
Neither have they been deficient in churches. The United Brethren
effected the first permanent organization at the schoolhouse in 1855,
and William Haverstock served as their class leader for many years.
Their first church building, a little frame structure, which was erected
in 1857, was afterward used as a carriage factory. A meeting house
combined of wood and brick was built in 1884. The Church of God is
also an old organization. Its members worshipped in the early years
at private houses, the schoolhouse and the United Brethren meeting
house. In 1868 they erected a house of worship. These are the strong-
est religious bodies now active in Zanesville, although the United
Brethren have had a division in their ranks, the offshot being known
as Radicals.
The St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized at
Zanesville in 1860, and endured for some .years.
One of the first organizations of the United Brethren in the county
was that known as the Eight Mile District Brethren Church, which
was founded by Rev. J. H. Bowman, of Kansas, in 1833. Their meet-
ing house was about three miles southwest of Zanesville; first pastor,
Rev. W. M. M. Hamilton, and deacons, George A. G. Sonner and
Ezekiel Roe.
Another pioneer in religious work was the Church of the Disciples,
whose house of worship a mile southeast of the village was built in
1853. At a later period the German Baptists organized some two
miles southwest and built a church in 1875.
It is evident that Zanesville is reenforced and buttressed about
by churches, which is largely accounted for by the fact that its found-
ers and many of those who have come after them have been Germans
and German-Americans of a most pronounced religious type. That
same fact may also explain the circumstance that the secret lodges have
never obtained a strong foothold in the village, the time and strength
438 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
of its people being largely absorbed by their activities in connection
with the churches and auxiliary societies. There are, however, both
lodges of the Odd Fellows and the Masons, the latter (No. 517) having
been chartered in May, 1875. At one time Zanesville had a newspaper,
the Hoosier Advertiser and Printer, published by J. W. Keplinger.
As a center of trade for a limited area, the village is supplied with a
roller flour mill, of which Charles 0. Keplinger is proprietor, and a
bank with a fair average of deposits.
Markle, Formerly Tracy
Markle, which is on the border line between Wells and Hunting-
ton counties, is a well-built village of nearly 900 people, but only a
small section of its eastern site lies within the limits of the former.
The original town, known as Tracy, was platted as early as 1836, but
it was still in a state of torpidity in 1850, when Dr. Joseph Scott,
the first physician of the locality, also erected its first permanent
residence.
Steps in Progress
Although within the succeeding twenty years or so the Curry tan-
nery and a few other small industries were established, it was not
until the narrow-gauge line which developed into the Chicago & Erie
was completed between Huntington and Markle that the latter (still
known as Tracy) was inspired with anything which could be called
energy. Two years afterward, or in the late '70s, the town was in-
corporated as Markle. Soon afterward John Stults erected a saw and
planing mill ; other factories followed ; a large stone and lime, feed and
hay business was developed ; additions were made to the original town,
which expanded over the Wells County line, and Markle became one
of the brisk small villages of Eastern Indiana. The Cincinnati, Bluff-
ton & Chicago line at first added to its transportation advantages;
but, although the latter is now "junk," permanent automobile 'bus
lines have been established between Bluffton and Huntington, with
Markle as the most important intermediate point.
Its Strong Points
Markle 's strong points— and they can be dwelt upon only in a
general way — are that it is the trading and banking center of a solidly
prosperous country district; that it enjoys ready facilities for han-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
4:i!>
dling grain and transporting all the natural products of the locality to
the best markets; that its industrial plants include a large modern
flour mill, an up-to-date creamery and a hard-wood manufactory;
that it has an extensive establishment devoted to the handling and
sale of eggs and poultry, including a packing house (its only important
industry in Wells County) ; and that its churches and schools are sup-
ported as they should be by a thoroughly intelligent community; and,
to cap and conclude all, that Markle has a newspaper which sets forth
such advantages and others too numerous to mention, in a convincing
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Now, a few pertinent details, and this
The Farmers and Traders Bank
The Farmers and Traders was organized as a state bank No-
vember 30, 1003, with James W. Sales as president; Hugh Dougherty.
vice president, and W. S. Smith, cashier. Its capital was $25,000. In
December, 1904. Chester E. Wirt succeeded Mr. Smith as cashier, and
in the following year R. W. Redding became vice president. R. C.
McGuffey was chosen vice president in December, 1909. and D. B.
Garber was named as cashier, to succeed Mr. Wirt, in January, 1913.
Since December of that year Mr. McGuffey has acted as president and
R. H. Fishbaugh as vice president of the bank. Its capital stock re-
440
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
mains at .$25,000 ; surplus and undivided profits, .$10,000 ; average de-
posits, $350,000.
The Markle Journal
The Markle Journal was founded in 1892 by W. W. Rogers. In
1911 it was purchased by D. C. Bichart and L. L. Rogers, and con-
ducted by them under the firm name of Bichart & Rogers until the
Bird's Eye View, Uniondale
following year, when Mr. Rogers became its sole proprietor. In May,
1917, it was bought by H. F. Symonds, the present owner and editor.
The Schools
The management of the local schools has been most creditable to
both the boards and the principals, and the substantial two-story brick
building now occupied by the grammar grades and the high school
is ornamental as well as decidedly useful. It was a remodeled struc-
ture completed in 1912 at a cost of $12,400. The principal of the
I T nion School is J. M. Hughes. About 230 pupils are enrolled, of
whom 93 were high school scholars in November, 1917.
Uniondale
> Uniondale, a village of about 250 people, on the Chicago & Erie
and the Cincinnati, Bluffton & Chicago railroads, is three miles west
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 441
of Kingsland and nine miles northwest of Bluffton. For many years
it had the distinction of being headquarters of the largest sawmill
in Wells County, built by George C. Ditzler and operated by him for
many years. Mr. Ditzler and Henry W. Lipkey are, in fact, recorded
as the founders of Uniondale.
George C. Ditzler and His Sawmill
Mr. Ditzler surveyed and platted the village, in 1882, as a station
on the Chicago & Erie Railroad. He had sold his sawmill at Murray
and as he had just taken a large contract from the old Chicago &
Atlantic for supplying the railroad company with ties, bridge timbers
and other building material, he leased two acres at the southwest cor-
ner of the Gardenour farm aud there erected a new mill. He was
soon employing fifty hands and a dozen teams, and before long it
was the largest sawmill in Wells County, having a capacity of 15,000
feet. After its completion in May, 1882, Mr. Ditzler furnished all
the building material required by the railroad for some distance either
side of L T niondale. It afterward became a general merchant mill, as
well as furnishing ties and timbers to several railroads, and turned
out 2,000,000 feet of lumber annually. Mr. Ditzler 's residence was
the first one completed at Uniondale, and his mill sawed the lumber
for it, as well as for all the other buildings constructed in the village
while he remained at the head of the business. Uniondale still has
a sawmill of good standing, the proprietor of which is Homer Harsh-
Hexry W. Lipkey, Merchant. Postmaster, Railroad Agent
Henry W. Lipkey built and conducted the first store in Uniondale,
and when a postoffice was established January 21, 1886, he was ap-
pointed postmaster. He was also appointed agent for the railroad com-
pany and perhaps held equal honors with Mr. Ditzler as "leading
citizen." Mr. Lipkey opened his store shortly after the village was
platted, and in November, 1883, formed a partnership with William
Newhard. The latter afterward branched out into the grain busi-
ness and built the first warehouse in town.
Also President of the Bank and Village
Mr. Lipkey has continued to develop as a merchant and a citizen
and has invested the proceeds of his large business in various lines.
412 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
He is president of the Bank of Uuiondale, of which Joshua A. Briekley
is cashier. Messrs. Briekley and J. B. Miller also own and operate the
grain elevator, and George Briekley is a manufacturer of cement
blocks. The foregoing facts give an idea of the character of the local
industries.
The Bank of Uuiondale opened for business on December 5, 1908,
with the following officers: H. W. Lipkey, president; P. E. Gilbert,
vice president; J. A. Briekley, cashier. In June, 1917, it was reor-
ganized as a state bank, it having been established as a private con-
cern. At that time it assumed the name of the State Bank of Uuion-
dale. Its capital stock has been increased from $10,000 to $25,000;
surplus and undivided profits of $2,000; average deposits, $200,000.
The official management of the bank has never been changed.
The Present Uniondale
When it is learned that Mr. Lipkey is also president of the village
board and that Mr. Briekley is clerk, their leadership in the com-
munity must be recognized. Although the town has not yet established
any system of waterworks, it is well lighted, both as to its streets and
residences, through contract with the Wabash Valley Utility Company
which furnishes electricity in any form. Uniondale has a number of
general stores, as well as several of a special character.
The town has a school of good standing, and several churches and
lodges. The oldest religious body, the Evangelical Lutheran Church,
has been without a pastor for some time. The Methodist Episcopal
Church is in charge of Rev. Leroy Huddleston. As to secret and
benevolent societies, the Knights of Pythias and Red Men are the
strongest of the local bodies.
Tocsin
Toesin is a modest rural settlement of some 200 residents about
five miles east of Kingsland and nine miles northeast of Bluffton on
the Chicago & Erie line. It has a few stores, but nothing in the way
of industries. The surrounding country, however, is naturally rich
and actually productive, and. as the farmers are a thrifty class, for
nearly ten years they have been accommodated with a bank at Tocsin.
The townspeople, with their stores, are also favored in that direction.
Michael C. Blue
When Tocsin was platted in 1882 by Michael C. Blue, it was
simply a station on the old Chicago & Atlantic Railroad. He has
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 413
made the place his home ever since, and his energy, honesty and abil-
ities have carried him several times into the halls of the State Legis-
lature. He surveyed the village, gave it its name, made a large ad-
dition to the original site on the west and his homestead is near the
town site. To the local historian, therefore, the earlier years which he
spent in the neighborhood are the most interesting, and the details cov-
ering them are reproduced from an account written thirty years ago.
It says: "Michael C. Blue was born in Miami County, Ohio, April 16,
1836, son of Uriah and Rachel (Moore) Blue, who were among the
earliest settlers of the Miami Valley. In March, 1840, Uriah Blue
emigrated to this county with his family, and settled upon the north-
west quarter of section 15, Lancaster Township. He entered this land
in 1836. The patent is now in Mr. Blue's possession and bears the
signature of President Van Buren. They had four children when
they came to the county — Mary, Lucinda, Michael C. and James.
Their household goods were transported witli teams, and a few cows
were driven through. No improvements had been made upon the
land, and the family pitched their tent beside a great log. During
the night a violent snowstorm came up, which almost covered both
tent and wagons. Wolves howled on every side, and their snapping
teeth, added to their dismal howls, drove the dog inside. Their first
introduction to Wells County was anything but pleasant. Word was
received by the neighbors who lived down the river that a new family
had arrived, and in three or four days a number of them put in an
appearance. They helped cut the logs, raise and cover the new cabin,
and made the family as comfortable as possible. All were strangers,
and Mr. Blue does not remember any 6f their names, as he was then
only four years old. There was not a mouthful of feed for the cattle,
and during the spring they became very poor and a part of them
perished before the snow was gone. To add to their vexations, the
horses strayed away and returned to Miami County. Uriah went after
them and was fortunate enough to recover them. The father was a
cooper by trade, and was rather an unsuccessful farmer. He finally
cleared forty acres, but his chief delight consisted in hunting. He
was very successful, and the larder was well supplied with wild meats.
Hundreds of deer fell victims to his unerring aim, and the products
of the chase maintained his family almost exclusively. Upon his ar-
rival he had $5 in money, $4 of which was expended for four bushels
of corn. Being the only cooper in the neighborhood, he made all the
barrels, well-buckets and kraut-tubs that were used for miles around.
There were no schools in the neighborhood, and the youth was fifteen
years old before he could read his first spelling-bonk, which was pur-
444 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
chased with money from the sale of wild blackberries. Sallie Bald-
win taught a ''select" school at her home, and Michael was one of her
first pupils. He early learned the mysteries of the chase, and he also
became an expert hunter and trapper. In speaking of his schoolboy
costume, Mr. Blue says : ' My pantaloons were made of dressed buck-
skin ; vest and cap of fawn skin, tanned with the hair on, while moc-
casins of deer skin ornamented my feet.' His father did not favor
education in any sense, but Michael was delighted with books. He
made barrels until money enough was earned to buy Ray's Third
Arithmetic, and he frequently stole out to the w r oods, where most of
his problems were mentally solved. At an early day they had neither
lamps nor candles, and Michael would stretch himself on the floor in
front of the fire, and with a pile of shavings, lighting one by one,
pursued his studies. His persistency brought its reward, and when
twenty-five years of age he attended one term at the Murray Academy,
and later he taught at Roanoke College. His proficiency entitled him
to a certificate and he taught school in Jackson Township, Hunting-
ton County, and later eight terms in Wells County. His commission
bears the signature of Governor Oliver P. Morton and Lieutenant
Governor Conrad Baker. From the age of twenty-one until his term
of auditor expired, Mr. Blue was kept continuously in office — first, as
constable, then assessor, notary public, surveyor, auditor, etc. He
was elected auditor in 1890, but ill-health caused his retirement from
office at the end of his term. Mr. Blue was afterward elected to the
Legislature and served most creditably for two terms. A story is
told of his exciting canvass when he was a candidate for surveyor,
during his earlier official career, which is too good to pass over. The
office was quite unsolicited by him until very near election day. Then
he would have made no effort had not Joseph Meredith called upon
him at his log cabin, 12 by 14 feet, and pressed the matter upon him.
Mr. Meredith told him that he must make a canvass, as election day
was close at hand. The house was small and all thrown together in one
room, and Michael disliked to ask his guest to step outside while he
changed his clothes. So taking his best suit under his arm he retired
to his cornfield near by, and soon returned completely transformed
into a presentable candidate for public favor. Borrowing a horse
from Iven Richey, he started on the canvass with Meredith. Taking
in Rockford and Bluffton, he returned to his home the same day and
was elected by a handsome majority."
Samuel Kunkel, Owner of Original Town
Samuel Kunkel, the brother-in-law of Michael C. Blue, bought the
original forty-acre tract upon which the latter laid out the village.
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 445
Mr. Kuukel erected its first store during the season of 1882, laid in a
stock of merchandise, and was appointed the first postmaster of Tocsin,
holding the office until February, 1887. Wesley Sowers erected the
first residence on the town site, and Dr. Noah Bergman, who had
practiced several years at Berne, Adams County, located at Tocsin
soon after it was platted as its first physician. The first child born in
Tocsin was of the Kunkel family, and it is probable that Doctor Berg-
man was "called in," although it was not the rule with these pioneer
women to have a regular physician to supervise such events.
Grain Business and Bank Established
Mr. Kunkel founded the first grain business which was established
at Tocsin, and the place has never been without some kind of a ware-
house or elevator since. The present plant is a Studabaker elevator
with a capacity of 18,000 bushels.
The Bank of Tocsin, already briefly noted, was established in 1909,
with T. J. Sowards as president ; G. W. Kupright, vice president, and
Frank Garton, cashier. Mr. Sowards still holds the presidency. In
the spring of 1910 Mr. Rupright resigned as vice president and was
succeeded by I. W. Wasson, who holds not only that position, but is
the active cashier, and has the full management of the affairs of the
bank. Frank Garton, the original cashier died in September, 1913,
and was succeeded by his son, H. S. Garton, who held the position for
a year. The latter 's successor was John O. Dailey, the present in-
cumbent. The capital of the Bank of Tocsin is $10,000 ; surplus and
undivided profits, $1,600 ; average deposits, $125,000.
There is only one church within the village limits, that which rep-
resents the United Brethren and is in charge of Rev. J. Farmer.
Vera Cruz, a Veteran Village
Vera Cruz is a settlement of perhaps 200 people on the Bluffton,
Geneva & Celina Traction line ; also located on the Wabash River about
seven miles southeast of the county seat. It was called Newville until
about 1870, when it was incorporated, and was originally laid out by
James Higgins and Christian Sowers in September, 1848. It is one
of the oldest villages in the county. Vera Cruz was the site and the
center of quite a number of mills in the '70s and '80s. Its first im-
portant industry was a woolen factory which was started several years
before the former period. Yarn was its principal product. It also
had quite a flour mill, which was operated many years by Isaac North
446 ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES
& Company. At the height of its productiveness it ground both wheat
and corn. A tile factory and brick yard were operated in the village
and a sawmill across the river and to the south.
The Town Now
Its leading industry now is represented by the elevator owned and
operated by the Studabaker Grain and Seed Company, which has a
capacity of 10,000 bushels. It has also a milk condensing plant and
several stores and blacksmith shops. Vera Cruz has a good graded
school, the first house provided for it having been erected in 1868.
The village was early settled by German Lutherans, and adherents to
that faith are still numerous there and in the neighborhood.
The Yitzes, Father and Sons
The St. John's Reformed Lutheran Church was organized at Vera
Cruz in 1849, and a regular pastor was engaged five years later.
Within the past forty years the name of Vitz has figured prominently
in the affairs of this old and tried society. Rev. Peter Vitz, one of the
most widely known pastors of that denomination in Indiana, was
in charge from 1877 to 1883, and two of his sons, Revs. J. Otto and
Oswald P. Vitz, have also been pastors of the society, the latter at a
comparatively recent date. Rev. William Schroer is now in service.
The Evangelical Association, which has no local minister, was or-
ganized in 1853, was formerly quite strong.
Old Village of Lancaster
The postoffice of Murray, west of the center of Lancaster Township,
is little more than a memory of the old village of Lancaster (some-
times called New Lancaster), which is considered the pioneer "per-
manent" settlement of Wells County. The Millers came in 1832 and
located in what was called the "Knox clearing," Jacob remaining in
the locality for many years. Mrs. Harvey (afterward Mrs. Sally
Aker) was also one of those who came in the early '30s, before even
Murray was platted, and remained there for fifty or sixty years.
Murray Platted
The Town of Murray was platted by Jesse Gerhard in October,
1839, and subsequently W. H. Deam and a Mr. Matthews made ad-
ADAMS AND WELLS COUNTIES 447
ditions. But although pleasantly situated on the north hank of the
Wabash, it was too near the successful county seat: and no railroad
ever touched it. So thai now, virtually all that can be said of Murray
is to be classified as long-past history, and nothing in the making.
Mr. Gerhard built the grist-mill in 1837, the first in the county, and
Oil "Wells at Their Best
it continued to do business under various proprietors for fifty or sixty
years. A sawmill wa 
