Huntington County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 12 of those read), 1887

Lancaster Township - Situation and Surface - Early Settlers - Mills and Improve ments - Churches - Miscella- NEOus Items - New Lancaster - Charleston - Mt. Etna - Kelso - Biographical Sketches.

of County Commissioners, bearing date of May 15, 1837. It lies south of Huntington, east of Polk, north of Jefferson and west of Rock Creek Townships, and is watered and drained by the Salamonie River in the southern, and Loon Creek in the northern part. The surface, with the exception of land adjacent to Salamonie River is quite level, and characterized by a soil which for depth and richness, is not surpassed by that of any other part of the county. In its primitive state, the country was covered by heavy timber, the greater part of which has been removed in preparing the ground for cultivation. In point of material prosperity, the township deservedly takes a front rank and its development, since the appearance of the first pioneers, has been all that could reasonably have been desired. The inhabitants are mostly descendants of the original settlers, who were drawn hither from older communities. As a class they are intelligent and thrifty, while their broad charity and public spirit find them foremost in every enterprise conducive to the general welfare.

Settlement. - The first settler within the present limits of Lancaster, was an old man by the name of Joseph Sprowl, who moved from Ohio in May, 1834, and built a cabin on the place now owned by Edward Starbuck, in Section 34. The following year Joseph P. Anthony settled in Section 31, and two years later laid out the town of Charleston, one of the oldest villages in Huntington County. Mr. Anthony was a carpenter by trade, and is remembered as a man who had mastered the true philosophy of life, working when it suited his convenience, but resting the greater part of his time. He died in Huntington many years ago. Abraham Nordyke in an early day settled the Whitmore place, in the southern part of the township, and about the year 1837 or 1838, Moses Wiles located where his widow still lives, a short distance north of the village of Mt. Etna. John Heiney was an early settler in Section 32, locating a farm at what is known as the Godfrey Bend, on the Salamonie River, on which stream he erected one of the earliest flouring mills in the southern part of the county. Mollison Fisher and his sons, Simon and Caleb, were reputed to have settled on Majenica Creek, north of Mt.

Etna, about the year 1837, and a son-in-law of the first named, John Pilcher, made improvements near by about the same time. A little later came a number of settlers, prominent among whom was Joel Burkett, who settled where he is still living, a short distance east of the village of New Lancaster. John Fulton settled north of New Lancaster, in Section ai, in quite an early day ^nd is one of the oldest residents of the township living at this time. Joshua Powell came as early perhaps as 1836, and settled about one mile north of Mt. Etna. His son, John Powell, who came the same time, is one of the oldest residents in the southern part of Huntington County. Thomas and Tavner Slagel located in the western part of the township prior to 1839, but before their arrival, a settlement had been made near the present site of New Lancaster, by Solomon Shideler, who was one of the very earliest permanent settlers in the township. Mr. Shideler moved here from Wayne County, and is said to have been the second settler in Lancaster, coming a few months after Mr. Sprowl's arrival. He laid off the village of New Lancaster, and was a man of sterling worth, highly respected by the people of the community. Among other settlers, late in the thirties or early in the forties, were Daniel Say res, in Section 22; Eev. Joseph Hardman, a minister of the German Baptist Church, in central part of the township; John Hardman, in same locality; George and Henry Kimmel, in northwestern part; Christian Heaston, near the Salamonie River; Jacob Heaston, near the southern boundary; Jacob Funderburgh, about one mile north of Mt. Etna; Charles Shaffer and his sons, John and Charles, in the northern part of the township; Henry Portis, north of New Lancaster; Charles A. Nordyke, son of Abraham Nordyke, near where the latter settled; George Brown, west of New Lancaster; John Wagner, in southern part of the township; Enos Boyd, near Lancaster Village; Mr. Stewart, Andrew Stewart, John Stewart, Jacob Heaston, Jr., John Morgan, Thomas Chinn, David Funderburgh, Samuel Batson, James Denand, Jacob Dilling, Elias Shideler, David Calor, William Gardner, John Hawkins and Charles Shaffer, who made permanent improvements in various parts of the township.

Land Entries. - The following were some of the earliest land entries in Lancaster Township: Nathan Jenks, southwest quarter of Section 10, in 1830; Robert Randall and E. W. Madison, parts of Section 1, in 1835. The same year entries were made by Abram Allen, Levi Wallisten, Isaac Long, in Section 3; Thomas Morris, Fletcher Emley, John Steeler, in Section 5; Robert J. Demmett, Section 10; William McClurg and William Mackey, Section 12; Samuel Batson and Moses Robinson, Section 19; Isaac Bedsall, James Fulton and John Haller, in Section 20; Robert Mitchell, John Hardman and Henry W. Moore, Section 21; James Denand and Jacob Dilling, in Section 25; Charles Anthony and Henry Hindman, Section 31.

Improvements. - To John D. Campbell is due the honor of building the first mill in the township, which was constructed on the Salamonie River, as long ago as 1839 or 1840. It was used for grinding corn and wheat, and notwithstanding its primitive character, was fairly well patronized for several years. About the year 1840, or perhaps a little later, John Heiney built a saw mill on what is now the Calvert place in the southern part of the township, about two miles northeast of Mt. Etna. He subsequently erected a flouring mill, which was operated upon quite an extensive scale until its destruction by fire a number of years later (about 1858). A new mill was afterward erected on the same site, owned at this time by Frank Calvert. Another early mill on the Salamonie River, a short distance from Mt. Etna, was built late in the thirties or early in the forties, by Henry Hildebrand, Sr., and Henry Hildebrand, Jr. It was a small affair, supplied with one run of buhrs, and fell into disuse with the building of other and better mills in the country. A saw mill was built on the Salamonie River, Section 3;j, in an early day by Philip Shutt, who afterward attached machinery for the purpose of carding and spinning wool. It was operated for some time by David Shutt, and later by different parties, among whom were Collins & Bennett and Robert Langston. It ceased operations some time in the seventies. There have been several steam saw mills in the township from time to time besides tile factories, all of which proved fairly remunerative to the proprietors.

Churches. - The first religious services in the township were held in a small cabin on the present site of the village of New Lancaster, in 1837, by a traveling minister of the United Brethren Church. Rev. Benjamin Bowman, of the German Baptist denomination early visited the township and preached at the residence of Solomon Shideler. Revs. Hubbard and Abbott of the Christian Church preached in the township from time to time, and a little later ministers of the Disciples Church began holding meetings among the various settlements. In 1840, the Methodist Episcopal denomination built a log house of worship in Mt. Etna, and about the same time the Wesleyans erected a frame house in that village where an organization is still kept up. The Methodist Episcopal Church have four organizations at this time, one at Mt. Etna, the Pilcher Chapel in the western part of the township, the church at Kelso, and the New Lancaster church, all of which are reported in prosperous condition. The German Baptists have two churches in the township, one at New Lancaster and one not far from the northern border, both having large and influential memberships.

Miscellaneous. - The first marriage in the township is said to have been that of Charles Morgan and Elizabeth Fisher, solemnized in November, 1837. The first death, was that of a Mrs. Wol- garmouth, which occurred in April of the same year. In 1874, occurred the accidental death of William Updike, who was drowned while bathing in the Salamonie River in Jefferson Township. He was a resident of Lancaster. A Mr. Price was drowned near Mt. Etna, in 1885. He was fishing at the time and got in water over his depth.

New Lancaster. - The village of New Lancaster, one of the oldest towns in Huntington County, is situated on the Salamonie River, in the south fractional one half of the northeast quarter of Section 33, Township 27 north, Range 9 east. Was laid out May, 1836, for Solomon Shideler. It early became quite a business point, and among the first merchants are remembered a Mr. Wood, Michael Calor, Isaiah Reed, Mr. Randolph, Randolph & Leedy, Samuel Fenstermaker, William Cook and Joseph Ewart. Later came David Portis, Thomas Hacker, Andrew Wire, Portis & Frame, William Hoover, Henry Wyck, Jonas Calvert and William Calvert, the last named gentleman being still connected witn the business interests of the place.

Among the first mechanics were Daniel Wright and Richard Barnett, and among the early physicians can be recorded the names of Drs. Gephart and Caster. One of the earliest industries of the town was a pottery shop operated for some years by George Fletcher, who is said to have done a very good business. Like most small inland towns remote from railroads New Lancaster's growth never came up to the expectation of the founder, and, although situated in one of the most fertile and highly favored agricultural districts of Northern Indiana, and being one of the oldest villages in the county, it is but a mere hamlet of about seventy -five or a hundred inhabitants. Its business is represented by two general stores kept by William C. Calvert and J efferson Sprinkle, and two blacksmith shops operated by John W. Zell and Abraham B. Shideler. The Methodists and German Baptists have churches in the village, the former of which is a very old organization. It has a membership of about sixty, and the beautiful brick temple of worship erected in 1884, is one of the finest specimens of church architecture in the county. Among the ministers of the church in later years were Revs. Samuel S. Lamb, Mr. Coho, William Bell, E. P. Church, F. M. Robinson, Joseph Cook, Albert Kerwood. Mr. Fetro, Peter Bilderback, 0. V. Harber, and the present incumbent Rev. Mr. Gamble. The officers of the society at this time are Lewis T. Shutt, Class Leader; J. M. Boyd and John Heiney, Stewards. The large and flourishing Sunday School is under the efficient superintendency of Benjamin Heaston.

The German Baptist Church was organized sometime in the forties, and for a number of years meetings were held in barns, groves and the residences of the different members. Among the early preachers were Revs. Joseph Hardman and Michael Minnich. The present house of worship in Lancaster was erected about the year 1868, and, with the exception of the Catholic and

Lutheran Churches in Huntington, is the largest church edifice in the county, being 50x80 feet in size, with a seating capacity of over 600. The membership is quite strong, the present number being about 300. Present preachers, John Eikensberry, Daniel Shideler, Henry Wyck, Samuel Murray and Jacob Eckman. In the northern part of the township, on Loon Creek, is another church of this order, being a branch of the Lancaster Society. A substantial brick building, 35x50 feet was erected a few years ago, in which meetings are held alternately with the society worshipping in the village.

Charleston. - The town of Charleston was laid out November 27, 1837, by Joseph P. Anthony, who had surveyed and placed at the disposal of purchasers a plat of forty lots on the southeast quarter of Section 31, Township 27 north. Range 9 east. But few of these lots were sold, however, the village, owing to the laying out of Mt. Etna, a little over a mile distant, soon fell into decline, its interests being absorbed by the latter place. It is said that a small stock of goods, consisting of a few groceries, several pieces of calico and a barrel of whisky was brought to the place shortly after the survey by Garrett Hefifner, who failed to realize a fortune from his business venture. The first actual store was opened by Samuel Jennings, who, after selling a short time, disposed of his stock to John McGlinn. Mr. McGlinn increased the stock, and for several years carried on a very successful business. This was the last business venture of any kind in the village, and within a short time after he closed out, the few houses in the town were either torn down or removed to Mt. Etna. The plat was subsequently vacated and a cultivated field is all that now remains of the once flourishing little village.

Mt. Etna. - The town of Mt. Etna, in. the extreme southwest corner of the township, on the Salamonie River, is the site of one of the earliest settlements in the southern part of the county, and dates its history proper from November, 1839. The original plat consisting of seventy-four lots, lies wholly within Lancaster, but additions subsequently made embrace portions of the adjoining townships.

The town was laid out by John Heffner, who for several years after the survey kept a hotel in a little building which is still standing near the eastern boundary of the village. William Watson moved to the village early in the forties, and engaged in the manufacture of furniture, erecting a small shop on Main Street, in which he did a very successful business for some years. Another early resident was Michael Minnich, a carpenter and mill-wright, who assisted in building many of the first houses and mills in the country. The first store was opened by Clark Cubberly, who engaged in general merchandising about the year 1845, offering the goods for sale in a little log building on the public square. In addition to merchandising, Mr. Cubberly carried on a shoe shop, the store being in one end of the building, and his bench and tools in the other. He remained but a short time, but notwithstanding his limited stock of goods is said to have done a fairly successful business. A Mr. Dorch was the second merchant. He brought a good stock of general merchandise to the place and carried on a prosperous business for several years. Since his time the mercantile interests of the place have been represented by quite a number of business men, among whom were the following, to-wit: Samuel Swayzee, Henry Hildebrand, Frank Calvert, Samuel Brelsford, John Jeffrey^ Lewis Van Antwerp, Thomas A. Gibb, Isaiah Reed, Robert Reed, Marshall Wright, Conrad Plasterer, Ellis & McGovney, John S. Martin, K. R. Collins, William Cook, Calvert & Chenoweth, WiUiam Fulhart, Plasterer & Scott, William Parker, Frank Talbott, Planck Purviance and others.

Thomas Mahoney, in 1844, began the cabinet maker's trade, and later effected a partnership in the same with John Cowling, which lasted for some years. Mahoney finally purchased his partner's interest and continued the business several years longer, manufacturing a great deal of furniture in the meantime. An early industry of the town was a tannery, operated by various parties until about the year 1880, the last owner being a Mr. Billiter.

The first mill in the village was built in 1848, by Jacob Epley, who after operating it a short time, sold out to Elijah Snowden. It stood on the Salamonie River, near the site of the present flouring mill, and as originally constructed manufactured nothing but lumber. Mr. Snowden, about the year 1851 or 1852, erected the large three story grist mill, still standing, which he operated very successfully until 1860, when it was purchased by Mr. Shirk, of Peru. It subsequently passed through the hands of several owners, and finally, in 1880, was purchased by Thomas Mahoney, by whom it has since been operated. The mill is a three- story building, with three run of buhrs, and has for years been the leading industry of the village. The first saw mill has long since disappeared, but in 1881, Mr. Mahoney moved a mill from the country, which is at this time one of the best mills of the kind in the southern part of the county.

Physicians. - The following list includes the names of the majority of the medical men who have practiced the healing art in Mt. Etna, to-wit; Drs. Kersey, Mills, Patty, Croninger, Sheffield, Blackstone, Wickersham, Beckford, Thomas, Layman, Moore, Snyder, Bobbitt, Chadwick, Anderson, Palmer, Bigelow, and the present physicians, Drs. G. P. Chenoweth and S. P. Mitchell.

The early landlords of the village were John Heffner, Luke Williams and James Howard, and among the first mechanics were Samuel Pressler and John Yantis. For a number of years during the early history of the county, Mt. Etna was a very important trading point, but with the construction of railroads and the consequent springing up of other towns in the vicinity, its fortunes began to decline somewhat, though it is still the chief source of supplies for a large area of territory. Several years ago the citizens in order to inaugurate a system of street and other improvements, decided, by a handsome majority, to assume the responsibility of maintaining a corporation. Accordingly a town board was elected and put the municipal machinery in motion. The first officers were A. R. Large, Elam Purviance, and John Bowman, Trustees; John S. Martin, Clerk, and Samuel Fisher, Treasurer. The officers at this time are as follows: J. J. Jackson, T. A. Eodgers and Joseph Burkett, Trustees; Jasper Blake, Marshal; George E. Plasterer, Clerk, and E. E. Jeffrey, Treasurer.

Lodges. - Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 333 F. & A. M., was organized March 31, 1866, with the following charter members: K. R. Collins, William B. Morgan, John B. Harris, M. R. Chad wick, David Shutt, A. R. Large, A. B. JSTordyke, J. R. Williamson and Riley Fleming. The first officers were: K. R. Collins, W. M.; William B. Morgan, S..W.; John B. Harris, J. W., and M. R. Chadwick, Secretary. The first members initiated after organization were Daniel Smith and L. C. Beckford. The Lodge, while not so strong in numbers as formerly, is still in good working order, and at this time has an active membership of twenty five. The following are the officers for 1887, viz.: I. E. Fisher, W. M.; L. T. Shutt, S. W.; David Heiney, J. W.; A. R. Large, Secretary; S. P. Mitchell, Treasurer; James Gallagher, S. D.; T. A. Rodgers, J. D., and Phineas Snyder, Tiler.

Mt. Etna Lodge, No. 304, J. O. 0. F., was instituted May 20th, 1868, the charter containing the names of the following original members, to wit.: E. J. Anderson, James M. Marshall, L. W. Anderson, George W. Giltner, Aaron McKinney and Aden J. Wiles. The lodge is in a very prosperous condition, with thirtyseven contributing memb^s, and the resources as shown by the June report for 1886, is $1,411.11. In connection with the Masonic fraterni^jr, the society has a beautiful cemetery near the village, and the hall in which the meetings are held is one of the neatest and most tastefully arranged lodge rooms in the county. The following are the elective officers: John M. Blowse, N. G.; Levi Hawkins, V. G.; James Vernon, Recording Secretary; Henry Ruggles, Permanent Secretary, and J. J. Jackson, Treasurer.

B. S. Thomas Post, No. 241, G. A. E., was established September 27, 1883, with the following members: Levi Hawkins, Henry Ruggles, Jeremiah J. Jackson, G. W. Gundy, James E. Gordon, William Couch, S. R. Aldrich, A. R. Large, W. L. Ruggles, Wilson Breckner, George Erwin, Charles Hooker, Robert Ruggles, H. H. Jeffries, George Freshour, John J. Ruggles, W. K. Hadley, John T. Campbell, William Ham, G. W. Halsey, Elihu Comler, J. A. Pinkerton, James Gallagher, Wesley Giltner, Presley, Johnson and Peter Weller. The organization was effected under the name of Champion Hill Post, but owing to there being an older post of the same name in the State, it was subsequently changed to that of R. S. Thomas. Present membership thirty- five. The following is a list of officers for 1887, to wit: Levi Hawkins, Post Commander; Henry Ruggles, S. V. C; Peter Weller, J. V. C; George Plasterer, Adjutant; William Pritchett, Quartermaster; Charles Hooker, Surgeon; J. W. Giltner, Chaplain; James Gallagher^ Officer of the Day, and W. James, Officer of the Guard.

Churches. - There are two religious organizations in Mt. Etna, i. e., the Methodist Episcopal, and Wesleyan Methodist, both of which have active memberships and substantial houses of worship. The former is quite an old society and among its members were many of the earliest settlers of the village and adjacent country. Their house of worship is a beautiful brick edifice recently erected, and the membership while not large, has shown commendable zeal in counteracting many of the prevalent evils of the times. The "Wesleyan Church, at one time the strongest religious society in the township, has gradually decreased until its membership' is now quite small. A frame house of worship built a number of years ago is still used by the congregation.

Present Business. - The business interests of Mt. Etna at this time may be summarized as follows: Frank Calvert, I. N. Hildebrand and Charles Bain, dealers in general merchandise; J.J. Jackson, drugs; A. E. Large, cabinet maker and undertaker; J. T. Planck, tinner; L. T. Marks, blacksmith and wagon maker; T. A. Rogers, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes; E. J. Ingham and E. E. E. Jeffrey, blacksmiths; Charles Bain, hotel, George Wines, saloon; Sallie Anderson, milliner; Mahoney Bros., A. J. Steele, and Levi Hawkins, saw mills, and Thomas Mahoney, grist mill. Population of the village, about 300.

Kelso. - Situated on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 25, Township 27 north, range 9 east, was laid out November 8. 1856, by J. Crosby. The plat recorded January 24, 1857, consists of nineteen lots, to which additions have been subsequently made. Kelso while a thriving little village has never been a place of extensive business but has always enjoyed a fair proportion of the current trade.

Its population does not probably exceed 200, but it is supplied with all the necessary auxiliaries of the kind and quality of trade demanded by the people there, and in the country surrounding. There are a couple of general stores, a church, and about the usual number of mechanics and artisans found in country villages.