Huntington County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 10 of those read), 1887

TACKSON TOWNSHIP lies in the extreme northeast corner tJ of Huntington County, and includes a geographical area of thirty-six square miles, designated as Congressional Township 39 north. Range 10 east. Little Wabash, the principal water course, flows through the township from northeast to southwest, and receives a number of small tributaries, among which are those having the euphonious names of Bull, Cow and Calf creeks, all of which water and drain considerable areas of rich farming lands. The surface of the township is diversified, being broken along the creeks and gently undulating in the central, western and northern parts. The inhabitants are an agricultural people, and within the borders of the township are some of the best improved farms, fine dwellings and other evidences of prosperity as are to be seen in any other division of the county.

Era of Settlement. - The completion of the Wabash & Erie Canal through Jackson Township, early in the thirties, offered inducements to settlers, and among the first comers were a number of workmen employed in the construction of that waterway. Several of these were sojourners rather than settlers, and their stay being limited to a very short period. Their names, together with all facts concerning them, have long since faded from the memory of the oldest inhabitants. From the most reliable information accessible, the first permanent settlement within the present area of the township appears to have been made by Jared Darrow, as early as the year 1837. He moved here from Rochester, New York, "and settled a short distance south of the present site of Roanoke, where he made substantial improvements, clearing the first land and raising the first crop in the northeastern part of Huntington County. His family, at the time, consisted of. four persons, one of whom, a son, Dr. D. C. Darrow, afterward became a leading physician and prominent business man of Peru, Indiana.

The following year, 1838, Frank Dupuy moved to the township and settled where David Roberts now lives, about half a mile west of Roanoke. Others of 1838, were: Nathaniel Decker and father, Mr. South wick, James Thompson and Kennel L. Eskridge, all of whom located in the vicinity of Roanoke Village. In May, 1829, Paul H. Salts joined the settlement, locating near what was then known as the Dickey Lock, on the present site of Roanoke, where he lived a couple of years, working in the naeantime on the canal, then in process of construction. He subsequently moved two miles north of the town and located the farm now owned by George Hamilton, upon which he made some of the earliest improvements in the township. He was a i-esident of Jackson for a number of years, and is still living, making his home at this time with his children in Whitley County and the City of Huntington. Samuel and Edward Gettis were perhaps the next permament settlers in the township, their arrival antedating the year 1840. They were originally from Ohio, but moved here from Blackford County, the former settling the Daniel Richard farm two miles west of Roanoke, and the latter improving a farm about one and a half miles southwest of the village. Samuel died about 1862, and Edward was drowned in the canal a number of years ago. David Hallowell moved to the township in an early day and settled on land now owned by the Cutter family west of Roanoke, where he lived until his removal to Iowa, in 1853. He was a man of local prominence, took an active interest in the development of the country, and early held the oflSce of Justice of the Peace. Andrew Boggs came as early as 1839 or '40, and settled the Young farm west of Roanoke. He moved to Indiana from Delaware, and remained a resident of Jackson until 1850 or '51, and is remembered as a very intelligent and public spirited citizen. Conspicuous among the early settlers between Roanoke and the Union township line were the Mahon family consisting of ArcniDald, Samuel, William and Monroe Mahon, all of whom located near the village which still bears their name. Samuel followed boating for a number of years, and at one time gave considerable attention to the practice of law in which he is said to have been quite well versed. Archibald was master of a packet on the canal for some time, and William is remembered as a lawyer and a very skillful hunter.

Horace Rockwell about the year 1840, settled where Jacob John now lives, in the northwestern part of the township, and about the same time Nicholas Friend and son Harvey, made improvements in the same locality, the former locating the Robertson farm and the latter clearing land in the vicinity. Nicholas Friend was a true type of the backwoods pioneer, a daring hunter, and found his greatest pleasure in pursuing the game, in which the woods at that time abounded.

Between the years 1840 and 1847 the population of the township was increased by the arrival of a number of families, the names of only a few of which were given to the writer. One of the earliest in the forties was John Jester, who made improvements one mile east of Roanoke, and a little later came David Voorhis, who settled first on the "Col." Jones farm, from which he subsequently moved two miles northwest of the town, to the place now owned by Hiram Dustan. Eli Blount, a trader and fur buyer, was an early settler in the northern part of the township, as were also S. C. Putnam, Elsworth Morrison, Daniel Welker,

Peter Erick entered land in Section 3, near the Whitley County line, in 1835, and moved to the same several years later. He was one of the earliest settlers m Northern Jackson, and in addition to farming, carried on the blacksmith trade for a num- - her of years. W. Crakes, in 1836, entered land in Section 1, but did not become a resident of the township until several years after that da,te. He lived at different places, but finally located where his widow now resides, a short distance west of Eoanoke, in Section 16. In 181:3, F. A. and Emanuel Yahne, father and son, former residents of Union Township, moved to this part of the county, the former settling where James Young now lives, and the latter making temporary improvements about two and a half miles southwest of Roanoke. F. A. Yahne, the father, moved from the township a number of years ago, and has long since passed from earth to the life beyond. E. Yahne moved to his present farm, two miles west of Roanoke, in 1848, and later moved to the town, where he still resides - the oldest living settler in the township at this time. Prominent among the pioneers in the southern part of Jackson, was James Purviance^ who about the year 1843 or '44, settled where his son William is now living. He was a successful business man, accumulated a handsome estate, and departed this life a number of years ago. Additional to those enumerated the following men came to the township in an early day and participated in the many hardships and dangers incident to a life in the wilderness, namely : Andrew and J ames Branstater, Artis Campbell, George Shank, Joseph Collins, Andrew Sours,

Land Entries. - It is a notable fact that nearly all the land the present limits of Jackson Township was originally entered by speculators, who disposed of it at good prices to the settlers. The first entries were made in 1835, during which year patents were obtained by the following persons, to- wit: J. O. Moore, Levi Beardsley and Peter Erick, in Section 3. William H. Bell, in Sections 4 and 5. Jesse Mendenhall, Vincent Gilpin and John Gilpin, in Sections 6 and 7. William H. Bell and Henry Elsworth in Section 9. J. O. Morse, Levi Beardsley, Charles Walker and Charlotte Walker, Section 10. Jesse Vermilyea and Madison Sweetser, in Section 14. Charles Ewing, Lousia Ewing and Latimer R. Shaw, Section 15. Munson Beech, Section 18. Joseph S. Cabot, Peter Olden and Oliver Benton,

Section 19. Sinclair, Section 31. Peter Odlin, Oliver Banton and Jacob Ricker, Section 28. Valentine Armitage, Section 32. Irrace T. Conley, Section 33. Of the above, Vincent and John Gilpin, William H. Bell, Peter Odlin and Latimer Shaw, purchased lands in various parts of the township. Entries during the year 1836, were made as follows by M. L. Barber, S. A. Russell and McTaggett, in Section 1. Lott M. Bayless, Section 3. Allen Barnett, Sections 6 and 7. Brown, Morrison, McDowgall, Witt and Bracken bridge, in Section 8. William Rookhill, Edward Gettis and Eli Blount, Section 10. John S. Bobbs, Section 12. L. G. Thompson, L. A. Morris, Section 17. Theodore Olcott and Allen Barnett, Section 18. S. Hanna and J. S. Hanna, Section 20, and John Stephenson, Section 21. A number of entries were made in the years 1837 and '38, and by the latter part of the forties nearly all the available lands of the township were purchased, and patents for the same obtained from the government; the last recorded entry has date of January, 1851, at which time Lots No. 1, 2, 3, and i, 276 acres in Section 23, were purchased by Jacob Miller.

Organization. - Prior to the year 1841, the territory constituting Jackson, was comprised within the boundaries of Clear Creek Township, but at the September term of the Commissioners' Court that year it was laid off with its present area and organized as a separate jurisdiction. The order of the Board providing for the organization also designates the time and place at which an election for the purpose of choosing the necessary officials for the new township shall be held. This election was held at the residence of Samuel Gettis, April, 1812. The contest was attended with considerable excitement, there being two contending factions, known as the "Mahon" and "People's Party" respectively, each pressing the claims of favorite candidates. "More than sixty votes were cast, and as that exceeded the number of qualified voters in the township, it was generally believed that illegal means had been employed to carry the election." When the votes were counted, the following persons were found to have been elected, viz.: John Johnson, Justice of the Peace; Eli Blount, William Mahon, and Samuel Mahon, Trustees, and Mr. Mahon, Senior Clerk - a decided victory for the " Mahon Party." The following persons held the office of Justice of the Peace in an early day, viz.: E. Hallo well, William Parrott, Thomas Hackett, and Samuel Dougherty. Among the early Trustees were: George Shank, Stephen Wilson, Thomas Hackett, Elsworth Morrison, and Rufus Blount. The first Trustee elected under the present Constitution was John Dinius, since the expiration of whose term the following gentlemen have discharged the duties of the office, viz.: Dr. H. S. Heath, R. C. Ebersole, R. G. Morrison, Thomas Eakin, Michael Minnich, Samuel H. Grim, William T. Purviance, James Highland, A. S. Goodin, and the present incumbent, Oliver Johns. The following citizens of Jackson have been called at different times to fill county offices, to-wit: David Christian,

Commissioner and Treasurer; T. A. Eakin, Commissioner; John H. Barr, Representative; William Hendry, Representative; George Keefer, Henry Dinius, and R. C. Ebersole, Commissioners, and William Windle, County Treasurer.

Religious. - " Until 1849 the cabins of the settlers served as churches, and religious services were conducted by ministers of various denominations, who came by chance to the township." "The first religious meeting was conducted at the cabin of Nicholas Friend, about the year 1810j and subsequently services were held at the residence of Andrew Boggs." These and other early meetings were attended by all the settlers for miles around, and were occasions of bringing the people together in a social as well as religious capacity. Denominational lines were not so strongly drawn as in later years, and the religious services conducted by preachers who paid little attention to elaborate preparation, were participated in by all, irrespective of church or creed. Ministers of the Methodist Church were the first to preach the gospel among the sparse settlements of Jackson, and at quite an early day a class was organized in the northern part of the township, to which the name Wesley Chapel was subsequently attached. Among the first members of this organization were Peter Erick and family, David Voorhis and family, and Thomas Hackett and family. The first meetings were held at the residences of the different members, and in a neighboring school house, and it was not until about the year 1850 or 1851 that the erection of a house of worship was attempted. The first church edifice - a hewed log structure - was built on the land of Peter Erick, about two miles north of Roanoke, and answered the purpose for which it was intended for a period of eight or ten years. It was then torn away and replaced by the present frame building. The church, owing to deaths and removals, is not so strong as formerly, but is still in a healthy condition, and capable of accomplishing much good in the community. The pastor in charge at this time is Rev. Francis Robinson. Following the Methodists came ministers of the Lutheran Church, and in an early day quite a flourishing society of that denomination was organized in the southern part of the township, where a neat temple of worship was subsequently erected. The church has an active membership, and is reported in very prosperous condition.

Among the early settlers of Jackson, were a number of persons belonging to the United Brethren Church, and ere long they met and organized a society in the southwestern part of the township, which has since grown to be one of the most aggressive congregations in the country. A house of worship was erected in 1860, since which time the organization has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity . Rev. A. Cummings, of Huntington, is the present pastor.

Pleasant Chapel, United Brethren Church, in the northwest corner of the township, was organized in an early day, and a frame house of worship subsequently erected on the land of

Moses Brandenburgh. In 1883-4 the old building was replaced by the present commodious brick structure, which, supplied with all the modern improvements, is one of the finest church edifices outside the city of Huntington, in the county. The congregation is large and the church, under the efficient labors of Eev. M. Parker, the present pastor, is reported in a very prosperous condition. "The denominations above represented in this township, have been very successful in their efforts for the spiritual good of the community, and have been marked by increasing memberships."

Improvements. - ^The Wabash & Erie Canal, which passes through the eastern part of the township, was an important factor in inducing immigration to this part of the county, and its influence in developing the resources of the country was more marked than any other public enterprise. Along its line were made the first settlements of the township, and until the completion of the Wabash Railroad it was the principal means offered for the transportation of the surplus products of the country. The first legally established highway in Jackson, was the road which traverses the township in a northwesterly direction, from Huntington to Fort Wayne, known as the Fort Wayne road. It was surveyed and improved in 1838. The township is at this time supplied with a number of good highways, which traverse the country in different directions. They are all well improved and their superior condition speaks well for the public spirit of the citizens. The first mill in the township was built by Lemuel G. Jones, at Roanjke, in 1845, a description of which will be found in the sketch of that village. The first saw mill outside of Roanoke, was built by John Isiewman, in the southern part of the township. It was in operation a number of years and did quite an extensive business. Thomas Hackett, in 1850, erected a saw mill on Cow Creek, a short distance west of Roanoke, which he operated until about the year 1864. It was a water mill, and did a successful business until the latter year, when the dam was washed out, after which the building fell into decay. There have been other mills in operation throughout the township at different times, and the lumber business was at one time the leading industry of the country. The other manufacturing interests of the township will be mentioned in the sketch of Roanoke.

Sundry Events. - The first white child born in Jackson Township was Lemuel S. Salts, son of Paul H. Salts, whose birth occurred in 1539. The union of Joseph Satel and Sarah Darrow, daughter of Jared Darrow, in 1838, was the first marriage celebrated in the township. Joseph Blount and Elesta Boggs were united in marriage about the year 1841, and the year following Harvey Friend and Jane Hallowell were united in the holy bonds of wedlock. Other early marriages were those of Frank Dupuy to Sarah Chading, about 1841, and Emanuel Yahne to Emily, daughter of Edward Gettys, December 7, 1843.

that of Francis Dupuy. Nicholas, son of Samuel and Harriet Gettys, died about the year ISii or 1843, and Susan, daughter of the same parents, departed this life a little later. They were both laid to rest in the old burying-ground, two miles west of Roanoke, where were also buried in an early day many of the first residents of the township, among whom may be mentioned: Sarah, the wife of Edward Gettys, Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Boggs, David Hallowell, Mrs. Margaret Hallowell, Edward Gettys, Samuel Gettys, Mr. Morrison and Hiram Wade. The cemetery at Wesley Chapel was consecrated to the burial of the dead sometime in the forties, and the grave yard south of Eoanoke was used for burial purposes about the same time. There are, in addition to the above, two other cemeteries in thetownship, viz.: Odd Fellows and Catholic grave yards, near the town of Roanoke.

While Jackson has always sustained the reputation of a peaceable and law-abiding community, there was at an early day, a cruel and unprovoked murder committed on the canal, near the little place called Mahon. It appears that one Mr. Sterman, a man of a very quarrelsome disposition, had a little misunderstanding with a boatman, and in the altercation the latter was shot down without any provocation whatever. The murderer was arrested, tried and sentenced for a term of years in the State's Prison, from which he was subsequently released to enter the army. At the close of the war he went to Kansas, where, with two other men as wicked as himself, he was afterward implicated in the murder of an innocent settler, for which all three were banged by a mob of indignant citizens. The names of his accomplices were Ross and Miller, both at one time residents of this township. About the year 1852, or 1853, a man by the name Lloyd Nelson, while looking after his fishing nets, was drowned in the Little Wabash River, one mile from Roanoke. When discovered, his body was partly on the shore, and being a dissipated man, the supposition was that he was under the influence of whisky when he fell into the water. One Lewis Ross, was accidentally drowned in the canal basin at Roanoke early in the fifties, and a little later a boatman, name unknown, met death in the same way by falling into the lock while a boat was passing. Another accidental death was that of William Mahon, who shot himself while hunting on the Little Wabash. He was in a canoe at the time, and in attempting to row under a log, the hammer of his gun was caught by a twig and the contents discharged in his leg and body. When discovered he was lying in the water quite dead.

The death of Mrs. Horace Rockwell at Roanoke, a number of years ago, was an event that cast a shadow of gloom over the entire community. The death of her husband a short time previous, occasioned her such intense grief that for a period of over one week she absolutely refused all food and nourishment of any kind, and when at length she was prevailed upon to take some nourishment^ the weakened conditioned of her stomach was such, that the reaction proved almost immediately fatal. Samuel Gettys was accidentiy drowned in the canal many years ago, and the recent death of Dr. A. B. Chaffee, in 1886, by an overdose of morphine, supposed by some to have been taken for the purpose of committing suicide, is still fresh in the minds of the people. Toiun of Roanoke. - The Town of Roanoke is situated in Sections 14, 15 and 38, Township 29 north. Range 10 east, and dates its history from about the year 1847 or '48. The town was an outgrowth of the Wabash & Erie Canal, and early became not only a prominent shipping point, but also the chief source of supplies for a large area of territory in Huntington, Allen and Whitley Counties, being at that time the principal trading place between Fort Wayne and the town of Wabash. The construction of the Dickey Lock was the immediate cause that led to the birth of the village, and within a short time thereafter the first building was erected on the town site by Capt. Columbia, said to have been the first residence of the town. Among the earliest comers to the place were a number of canal employes, and about the year 1847 a man by the name of Bilby opened a small store in a little frame building that stood near the lock on the east bank of the canal. Lemuel G. Jones, in 1848, purchased the building, and for about three years thereafter, carried on a fairly successful mercantile business, his principal customers being those who ran boats on the canal. Prior to engaging in merchandizing, Mr. Jones erected a saw-mill at the lock, and a couple of years later, built a large flouring-mill on the same spot, which began operations in the fall of 1848. The mill received its motive power from the waters of the canal, and for a number of years was the largest and most successful enterprise of the kind in Huntington County. It was operated from tinae to time by different parties, and did an extensive business until destroyed by fire a few years ago. This mill and the store early formed the nucleus of quite a flourishing settlement, and within a couple of years the influx of population was such that the owner of the land, George A. Chapman, determined to lay out a town, which was accordingly done in September, 1850. The original plat recorded September 11, of the above year, shows forty lots, the first four of which, bordering on the canal are fractional, the others being of standard, varying from 100x225 feet to 93^x225 feet in size. To this plat several additions have been made from time to time, the first of which. Chapman & Horton's sixty-four standard and several outlots bears date of November, 1851. Chapman's second addition, twenty-two lots was platted June, 1852, and in 1853, additions were made by Messrs Viberg and Dinius, the former's consisting of twenty-one and the latter of eight lots. Corkin's addition, twenty- four standard and several outlets were made August, 1855. T. V. Horton's addition, June, 1856, and William Wilkerson's addition of twelve lots in December, 1868. Since the latter year no additions have been made.

Enrlij Residents and Business Men. - Among the first residents ot' the town were George A. Chapman, and T. V. Horton, both of whom came late in the forties. A Mr. Chading, an early blacksmith, bought lots and built one of the first residences in the northeast part of the town; and George CUngle purchased and improved a lot in the locality about the same time. Chading, after operating a shop a short time, sold out and engaged in boating. Clingle was a painter and followed his trade in the village during the early years of its history. S. H. Grim, Benjamin ISTave, A. P. Koontzand William Vannerder were fearly cabinet makers. Hank Row, Samuel Taylor, shoemakers, anii Samuel Wertsbaugh, still a resident of the town, was the first tailor, all of whom moved to the place when it was a mere country hamlet. William Bilby, after a short absence, returned to the town and erected a new building east of the lock, where he sold goods for a couple of years, closing out at the end of that time to William Peyton, who carried on business until about 1853. Horton and Chapman were among the early merchants of the place. They were succeeded by Jacob Peyton, after whom came, in an early day, Martin Henry and Solomon Bash. The following men and firms were in business at different times, viz.: Bash & Grim, Bash & Windle, Bash & Son, Hall & Windle, Peter Grim, R. C. Ebersole, C. B. Richart, Blount & Bro., Jacob Brown, J. G. Price, Dr. H. S. Heath, Tarrance & McCombs, John Fulton, F. M. Searles, W. Holmes, R. D. Olds, E. C. Olds, J. S. Grim, D. N. Grim, D. M. Bye, H. J. Shulty, \yilliam Smith, W. W. Walton, Henry Price, Albert Hatfield, Morton Murray, John D. Myers, George W. Myers, George Triplett, S. C. Putnam, John Greek, R. G. Morrison, J. E. Kelley, James L. Mitchell, F. C. Bross and J. P. Young.

Manufacturers. - As already stated, the saw and grist mills of Lemuel G. Jones was the first manufacturing industry of Roanoke. The next was a steam saw mill erected about the year 1852, by T. Y. Horton. It has been remodeled at differ ent times, and is now owned and operated by John Swaidner. Prominent among the industries of the town was a large woolen factory, built early in the sixties by Mr. Horton who operated upon quite an extensive scale during the days of the canal. It brought a great deal of trade to the place and for a number of years was one of the largest and most successful manufacturing establishments of Huntington County. It ceased operations about the year 1869 or 1870. Messrs. Keefer and Minnich about 1868, erected a large fiouring mill which was destroyed by fire in 1871. It was first operated by Mr. Minnich and later by Minnich and Barger. The present grist mill was built about the year 1879 by James Ward and Josiah King, who still run it. It has four run of buhrs and is doing a fairly successful business. A saw mill and spoke factory was in successful operation a number of years ago by Messrs. Slusser & Richard, and after its destruction by fire a saw mill and wagon gearing factory was erected on the same spot by Messrs. Eichard & Bryson. The latter was burned about the year 1883. A stair factory was started about 1868 by Colton & Jones, to which machinery for the manufacture of shingles was subsequently attached. Like several of the mills mentioned, it was destroyed by fire, having met its doom about the year 1872. All the above mills and factories were operated quite extensively and proved the source of considerable revenue to the town. The first hotel in Roanoke was built in 18.52, by William Peyton, who dispensed his hospitalities to the traveling public for a period of about one year. D. H. Rose was the next landlord, and after him the house was kept for some time by Dr. Irwin. The building stands on the corner of Third and Commercial Streets, and is now occupied as a dwelling by C. Bross. C. H. Viberg, prior to 1852, kept a hotel near the town, and his house was a favorite stopping place for several years. The St. James Hotel was erected by Messrs. Thorp & Ream, and first used as a store building. It was afterward purchased and refitted by Samuel Dougherty, who kept a public house for some time. It has passed through a number of hands, and is now conducted by Mrs. Welch. The Kahn House was erected in 1886, by Mrs. Kahn, who is at present proprietor. It is extensively patronized and has already become one of the best hotels in the county.

Physicians. - The first man to practice the healing art in Roanoke was Dr. C. B. Richart, who moved to the town about the time the survey was made. The following medical men have practiced here from time to time, to wit: J. S. Brown, Dr. Irwin, J. R. Miller, James Jones, W. C. Chaffee, J. H. Jones, E. N. Brown, J. R. Howes, J. H. Harris, W. F. Carson, A. B. Chaffee and the present M. D's., E. Wright and Henry Gregg.

Incorporation. - In the year 1873, a petition gotten up by John H. Barr was circulated at Roanoke and largely signed, addressed to the County Commissioners, praying that an election might be held to decjde whether the town might have the privilege of a municipal government. In response to this petition the Board ordered that the polls be opened on the 4th of May, 1874, at which time the election was duly held, resulting in a majority of votes for the corporation. An election of officers was then ordered held, at which the following gentlemen were chosen to fill the various positions, viz.: William H. Meech, William B. Thorp, and Samuel Stump, Trustees; E. C. Olds, Clerk; C. B. Richart, Treasurer; K P. Mowry, Assessor, and Samuel Wertsbaugher, Marshal. The officers at this time are: G. L. Miner, N. B. Mowry and E. Wright, Trustees; D. K Grim, Clerk; E. C. Olds, Treasurer, and Henry Atwood, Marshal.

Churches. - The early religious history of Roanoke is involved in considerable obscurity, owing to the fact that no definite records of the different church organizations have been kept. The United Brethren organized the first society, and some time in the fifties a frame house of worship was erected. Among the pastors of the church were: Revs. Bash, Light, Wood, Johnson, Todd, Fisher, Brown, Lee, Morrison and Long. The present pastor is Rev. D. N. Howe. Early in the seventies the church exchanged the house of worship with the Methodists, for the hall in the Seminary building, where meetings have since been held. The organization is in a prosperous condition and at this time has an active membership of over one hundred.

Roanoke. Methodist Episcopal Church, an outgrowth of a class that formerly met in the Center School House, about two miles west of the town, was established sometime in the fifties, and among the early members were: Thomas Hackett- and wife, D Yahne and wife, William Peyton, David Sibert and wife, avid Roberts and wife, J. P. Christie and wife, and others. Meetings were held for five or six years in the school house, at the end of which time the upper part of the Seminary building was finished and furnished for church purposes. Here the congregation met until the change above mentioned was effected, since which time worship has been held in the house belonging to the society in the northern part of the town. The church has been a potent factor for good, and numbers at this time about 110 members. The present officers are: William Hackett, J. A. Erwin, and Wesley Van Arsdol, Class Leaders; J. A. Ervin, N. P. Mowry and J. P. Slusser^ Stewards. Rev. F. A. Robinson is pastor. The Presbyterians at one time had a congregation in the town and the beautiful brick temple of worship now used by the Catholic Church was built by them about the year 1869. The erection of this building overtaxed the finances of the congregation, the effect of which subsequently led to the dissolution of the society. The house was purchased by the Catholics in 1874.

The Christians or Disciples organized a church in the village a number of years ago, but its growth never came up to the expectations of the founders. A building on Main Street, near the central part of town was used for public worship for several years, but the society, owing to deaths and removals was subsequently disbanded.

St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church was organized in 1860, by Rev. Father Fox, of Huntington, who succeeded in gathering together a membership of about ten or twelve families in the town and adjacent country. Worship was conducted in the house formerly used by the Disciples until 1874, at which time the Presbyterian Church was purchased. The following pastors have had charge of the society since its organization, to- wit: Fathers Fox, Walters, Vanderpool, Segelac, Moeste, Miller and the present incumbent. Father Guithoft'. The church is in prosperous condition, and has at this time a membership of about thirty families.

Boanoke Begister. - The only newspaper venture was established in 1871, by H. D. Carroll, assisted by the citizens, who purchased the press and other office fixtures. Mr. Carroll rai> the paper about one year, disposing of it at the end of that time to

A. J. Salts, who was editor and proprietor for the same length of time. His successor was Prof. P. D. Lee, who in turn sold out to Mr. Makepeace, by whom the oflBce was moved to Illinois. The Begisier was a small folio, devoted to the interests of the town, and had for its motto the trite sentence, " Independent in all things, and neutral in nothing." It was a sprightly sheet, quite ably edited, and at one time had a circulation of over 500.

Lodges. - Roanoke Lodge, No. 195, F. &A. M., was organized under a charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Indiana, on the 27th of May, ] 856. The first oflScers were: Caleb Edwards, W. M.; Samuel Daugherty, S. W., and William Hendry, J. W. The growth of this lodge during the early years of its history was rapid and substantial, and in 1870 there was an active membership of over 100. The organization of new lodges within its former territory drew away members from time to time, and number at this writing (1887) about fifty-two. In 1874 the lodge room and its contents were completely destroyed by fire, entailing quite a heavy loss upon the organization. The present hall owned by the lodge was erected in 1883, and is a very commodious and comfortable meeting place. The officers at this time are: Samuel H. Grim, W. M.; William F. Bryson, S. W.; Samuel Liggett, J. W.; L. D. Fash, Sec; A. P. Koontz, Treas.; A. P. Grim, S. D.; J. A. Bash, J. D., and D. N. Grim. Tyler.

Little River Lodge, No. 275, J. O. 0. F., was instituted May 9, 1867, by D. G. M., John Morgan, with the following charter members; J. S. Grim, David Glippinger, Jehu Swaidner, Albertus Bowen and William Blair. The charter was signed by J. A. Funk, G. M., and C. H. Barry, G. Sec. The lodge room erected in 1870 is one of the neatest and most tastefully furnished halls in northern Indiana, being handsomely carpeted and supplied with all the modern improvements. Glenwood Cemetery, consisting of ten acres of ground one-half mile east of the town, was purchased and consecrated for the burial of the dead of the order, in 1883. The lodge is in a prosperous condition, and has upon the records the names of sixty members. Officers: William Hackett, K G.; John W. Moore, V. G.; D. N. Grim, Recording Sec; J. W. Hart, Per. Sec, and Augustus Wasmxith, Treasurer.

Ridgely Lodge, No. 246, Daughters of Rebecca, was instituted April 14, 1885, with the following charter members: W. K. Windle, Edwin Sewell. James Highland, Mary Highland, A. Wasmuth, J. S. Grim, Elizabeth Grim, E. W. Jamison, Daniel N. Grim, Melissa E. Grim, Elizabeth Grim, W. L. Zent, E. E. Richards, Mary B. Windle, Ion B. Windle, Georgie Ebersole, Margaret Roberts, Ellen Wasmuth, Margaret Chippinger, Sylvester Dinius, Mrs. M. E. Dinius, George N. Wilkerson and Jennie E. Wilkerson. The lodge has enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity, and at the present time numbers about fifty active members. The officers for 1887, are as follows: M. E. Grim, N. G.; Ida Zent, V. G.; M. E. Wasmuth, Recording Secretary; R. E. Reigh, Financial Secretary, and J. Shroyer, Treasurer.

William McGinnis Post, No. 167, G. A. E., was organized May 11, 1883. The following is a list of the charter members, viz.: J. B. Slusser, John Hackett, A. Wasmuth, Frank Rose, E. C. Olds, J. B. Bryson, W. F. Bryson, F. M, Searles, William Barrett, Kyle Gaskill, Deroy Welch, Samuel Liggett, Thomas Thrasher, Frederick Shock, C. W. E. Payne, W. N. Goff, James Highland, E. O. Smith, J. W. Hart, J. W. John, J. A. Bash, George Knowlton, John M. Wohlford, W. H. Bobbins, James Morrison, William J. Fultz, W. Bump, James O. Ward, and John Keefer. The following have been the Post Commanders since the organization, to wit: W. F. Bryson, A. Wasmuth, J. B. Hyser, and the present incumbent, James Coe. The other officers at this time are J. M. Kemp, S. V. C; J. M. Wohlford, J. V. C; J. W. John, Adjutant; J. B. Slusser, Quartermaster; James Morrison, Surgeon; Rev. F .A. Robinson, Chaplain; W. F. Bryson, Officer of the Day; R. Gaddis, 0. G.,and Thomas Morris, Sargeant Major. Present membership, thirty-four.

Boanoke Lodge, No. 5, I. O. Q. T. - The first Lodge of Good Templars, in Roanoke was organized in 1883, but continued only a few months. On the first of July, 1885, a rere-organization was effected with the following charter members, to-wit: C. R. Slusser, Henry Atwood, J. A. Lewellen, W. H. Hines, Lottie Mitchell, Katie Cressinger, Clara Truax, C. L. Hackett and Cora Mowry. The first officers were Henry Atwood, W. C. T.; Kate Cressinger, W. V. T.; W. H. Hines, Secretary; C. R. Slusser, Treasurer, and J. A. Lewellen, Chaplain and Lodge Deputy. The organization has been the means of accomplishing much good, in the cause of temperance reform, and its growth has been all that its most sanguine friends could reasonably desire. There are at this time the names of sixtyseven members on the roll, and the number is constantly increasing. Present officers: E. M. Wasmuth, W. C. T.; F. L. Brock, W. V. T.; Robert Mitchell, Secretary; Lottie Mitchell, Financial Secretary; W. T. Peigh, Treasurer; H. A. Atwood, Lodge Deputy; W. W. Van Arsdol, Marshal, Drusie Christie, Deputy Marshal; Millie Hamilton, I. G., and J. H. Peigh, O. G.

Present Business. - Roanoke, while still a place of considerable business importance, is not so flourishing as it was in former years, when the canal was in operation. The interim between the years 1865 and 1873, was perhaps the most prosperous period of the town's history, during which time it sustained the reputation of the best trading and shipping point on the canal between the cities of Fort Wayne and Peru. Business of all kinds was in a very prosperous condition, the mills and factories were kept running at their full capacities, while the shipment of agricultural products and live stock exceeded that of any other town of its size in Northern Indiana. It was emphatically a canal town, and when that water way was abandoned, the fortunes of the place at once began to decline, and since the completion of the railroad, and the consequent springing up of numerous small

Mahon. - The village of Mahon, on the old Wabash & Erie Canal, of which it was an outgrowth, situated a short distance west of Roanoke, was laid out June, 1853, by Archibald Mahon. The plat of the town shows ninety-four lots, a public square, and six streets, to- wit: Hannah, State, Durbin, Mill, Wilt and Main, the first four running north and south and the other two east and west. The early residents of the place were composed principally of workmen on the canal, and among the first business houses were a few small stores, kept by different parties, whose chief stock in trade were boat supplies. Among these merchants are remembered Messrs. Yahne, Smith and Neff. A distillery was erected in the village in an early day by Monroe Mahon and a Mr. Thurston, who, in addition to manufacturing a cheap article of " Jacksonian simplicity " by an " improved process," bought and shipped quite a large number of hogs - the latter business proving very remunerative. A Mr. Savage built a saw mill near the village for the purpose of sawing railroad timber, and shortly after the completion of the road a large ware-house was erected by the company and operated for some time by Samuel Mahon. This building was subsequently destroyed by fire. At one time Mahon was a fair local trading point, but its location so near Roanoke, and the low flat land immediately surrounding, soon militated against it, consequently the town began to go down. At this time there are a few old houses on the town site, occupied principally by section hands employed on the Wabash Railroad.