Marshall County, Indiana - The whole text, 1908 (part 8 of 12)

While the advertisement was signed by the writer and the business conducted in his name, as a matter of fact he had nothing to do with it. It happened in this way : When the firm of Barber, Hutchinson & Co. failed the writer was appointed assignee to wind up the affairs of the firm. Eugene Hutchinson, of the firm, was a young man, a personal friend of the assignee, and a tinner by trade. In the final settlement of the affairs of the company the assignee managed to save the tinner's tools for his friend Hutchinson, but as he was badly involved and could not do business in his own name, he was permitted to open a tin and stove store in the writer's name. A letter from A. L. Wheeler, a well known capitalist, recommending the writer to a hardware firm in Chicago as honest and trustworthy, enabled Mr. Hutchinson to purchase on credit all the goods he needed and they were accordingly charged to the account of the writer. Having opened up his shop and commenced business, the advertisement appeared in the writer's name as above quoted. After a year or two Mr. Hutchinson's wife became an invalid and finally died. Mr. Hutchinson's health began to fail and he passed away not long afterwards. When the writer came to settle his estate and the business which had been transacted by Hutchinson in his name, he found the indebtedness charged to his account to be about $350 more than the assets. The writer was an inexperienced boy then, without any available means of his own, or without any employment by which he could earn anything. What to do he did not know, but as his financial reputation was at stake he resolved to pay it if such a thing were possible. He therefore entered into correspondence with the firm to whom he was indebted, explaining fully the situation, and proposing that whatever he earned above a bare living he would remit from time to time; that he would pay it if he lived, and that he did not wish the firm to call on ^Ir. Wheeler, who had recommended him for credit. The firm therefore agreed to hold the account open until the writer could pay it> no matter how long it might be. In 1856 he was appointed deputy recorder under Johnson Brownlee at $1 per day. On this salary he supported himself and in two years saved enough to pay ol¥ the indebtedness, although at the end of that time he did not have a cent left out of his two years' work after paying the account in full. The following letter acknowledging the receipt of the last payment is self-explanatory : Vincent, Himrod & Co., Wholesale Dealers in Hardware, Stoves, Etc.

Dear Sir: Your favor of the 9th inst., inclosing a cheek for $50 to be credited to your account and asking that a statement of the balance due with interest be sent to you, is received.

We have placed the amount you sent ($50) to your credit in full of principal and interest of your indebtedness to us, and the account is finally closed.

Allow us to thank you for the honorable and upright manner in which your dealings with us have been conducted, and to assure you that at no time during the pendency of this matter has our confidence in your honesty and integrity wavered in the least. Your credit with us is fully established for any amount you may hereafter wish to purchase in our line.

It is nearly half a century since the foregoing occurred, and being the first business experience the writer ever had, he looks upon the course he pursued under adverse circumstances as being one of the brightest pages in his life's history. To Rockefeller or Morgan, or any of the numerous multi-millionaires it would have been but as a drop of mist in the ocean, but to a boy just starting in the world with nothing and without occupation it seemed like as great a task to cancel the indebtedness as to attempt to remove the rock of Gibraltar!

Courts of law and equity are a public necessity in every well regulated community. A brief sketch of the courts of Marshall county and those who have presided over them will therefore be of historical interest. The first term of court held in the county was at Plymouth in October, 1836. It was known as the circuit court, and under the law as it then existed there were three judges, one called the president judge, who sat on the bench in the center, and two associate judges, who sat on each side of the president judge. The associate judges did not have much to do. They occupied their seats on the bench, looked solemn and dignified, and when the president judge had decided a point or a case he would turn to one of the associates and ask him if he agreed with him in that opinion; he would nod his head in assent, when he would turn to the other associate, who would also give his consent, and that was all the duties they had to perform. The associate judge part of the system was so nearly a farce that the constitutional convention of 1850 abolished it entirely.

"At the October term of the Marshall circuit court for the year 1836, there were present the Hon. Samuel C. Sample, president judge of the eighth judicial circuit of the state of Indiana, who produced in open court his commission as such, by his Excellency, Noah Noble, governor of the state of Indiana ; also Peter Schroeder, one of the associate judges of the county of Marshall ; also Jeremiah Muncy, clerk of said court, and Abner Caldwell, sherifi^ of said county, and also Joseph L. Jernegan, the attorney prosecuting the pleas of the state of Indiana for the eighth judicial circuit, and court was opened in due form of law. The sheriff returned into court the venire heretofore issued with the following panel of grand jurors to serve during the present term, to-wit : John Houghton, who was sworn as foreman; Grove O. Pomeroy, Samuel B. Patterson, John Benson, John Moore, William Johnson, Jacob Crisman, Abel C. Hickman, George Owens, William Bishop, Enos Ward, William Blakeley, Milborn Coe, John Kilgore, John Johnson - in all fifteen in number, who retired to discharge their duty, under the charge of Joseph Griffith, a sworn bailiff' of the court."

The grand jury, composed of fifteen members, proved to be bunglesome and expensive, and it was not many years until it was reduced to twelve, and in the last score or two years has been reduced to six. Of late years prosecuting attorneys have been given so much power in drafting

The first term of the ^Marshall circuit court was held in a frame building erected for that purpose by the proprietors of the town as a part of the contract for fixing the seat of justice at Plymouth, October 25, 1836, with Samuel C. Sample, judge of the eighth judicial circuit of said state, presiding. Giistavus A. Everts, William O. Ross, John H. Bradley, Joseph L. Jernegan and Jonathan A. Liston were the first attorneys admitted to practice law in the court. Mr. Sample served as judge until October 19, 1843. He was an excellent penman, and his signature to the last court record on Order Book A, page 673, is equal to the famous signature of John Hancock to the Declaration of Independence, and more enduring to commemorate his name than a tablet cut in marble.

At the October term, 1843, there were present the Hon. John B. Xiles of La Porte, president judge of the ninth judicial circuit, and David Steel and Samuel D. Taber of Marshall county, associate judges.

At the April term, 1844, Ebenezer M. Chamberlain, of Goshen, appeared as president judge. Mr. Taber was succeeded as associate judge by Elias Jacoby. At the November term, 185 1, owing to the taking effect of the new constitution, the associate judges were abolished and do not appear after that time. J\Ir. Chamberlain closed his official career during the May term, 1852, and at the same term Thomas S. Stanfield took his seat as judge of the court. Mr. Stanfield continued to preside as judge until February 8, 1858, when he was succeeded by Andrew L. Osborne, of La Porte, who served as judge until the close of the February term, 1871. Thomas S. Stanfield was elected and again became judge, and served as such until the beginning of the April term, 1873, when the act redistricting the state for judicial purposes took effect, and Elisha V. Long was appointed judge of the new district, composed of the counties of Marshall, Kosciusko and Fulton. Judge Long served from April 28, 1873, to January, 1875, when the district having again been divided and a new district having been created composed of the counties of Marshall and Fulton, Horace Corbin was appointed and served until the election in 1876, when he was succeeded by Sydney Keith, of Rochester. Judge Keith served one term of six years, when he was succeeded by Jacob Slick, of Rochester, December, 1882. He served until March 5, 1883, when he resigned to accept the appointment as railroad attorney for one of the great trunk lines. The vacancy was filled by the appointment of William B. Hess, who served until the November election, 1884, when he was succeeded by Isaiah Conner, who served one term of six years, when he was succeeded by Albertus C. Capron, who served two terms, twelve years in all, ending November, 1902, when he was succeeded by Harry Bernetha, the present judge.

No person was sent from Marshall county to the penitentiary until 1840. In September of that year Noah PI. Simmons was tried and convicted for passing counterfeit money, and sent to Jeffersonville for the period of five years.

in the early history of the state, Indiana had a probate system of transacting the business pertaining to estates and guardianships. Grove Pomeroy was the first judge who presided in that capacity in Marshall county. The first term at which Mr. Pomeroy was present and presented his commission from Gov. Noah Noble with his oath of office attached was held November 14, 1836. After adopting a seal for the use of the court an adjournment was taken until February 13, 1837, when the court was again opened, as the record states, "in due form of law, by the sheriff, at the house formerly occupied by Grove Pomeroy, in Plymouth." No business was transacted, and court adjourned until court in course to meet at the courthouse in Plymouth. Court assembled again in May in "the new courthouse," then completed, but there being no business, court adjourned until court in course. No business was transacted at the August term. At the November term, 1*^37. a seal was adopted by the court as follows : "A circular scrawl, which may be seen standing on the left margin, with the words, 'Indiana, Marshall County Probate Court,' written within the said scrawl." The scrawl is an artistic piece of goose quill penmanship, and may be seen by reference to Order Book A, page 4, in the clerk's office. Thomas B. Ward was the first one admitted as an attorney. Thomas Robb was the first guardian appointed by the court and Nancy Robb the first ward. The first administrator was Adam Vinnedge, to whom letters were issued on the personal estate of Daniel Pattingale. Samuel D. Taber and Charles Ousterhaute were accepted as bondsmen. The same term of court Daniel Roberts was appointed special guardian of Nancy M. Catney, a minor and foreigner, who was charged with the protection of her person and property. Grove Pomeroy served as judge until November, 1843, when Austin Fuller was elected and qualified. On the thirteenth day of the November term, 1843, the following «ntry appears :

"The court now devise and adopt a seal for this court, a description of -which is as follows, to-wit : In the center of the seal is engraved a square and compasses (in the center of which is the letter G). The words in the margin of the seal are 'Marshall County Probate Court,' an impression of which seal is made on the margin of the record (Probate Order Book A, page 158) opposite this order."

How this Masonic symbol came to be adopted is a mystery that cannot be solved. There was no Masonic lodge in the north part of the state at that time, and none of the officers of the court, so far as can be learned, were members of the fraternity. The seal continued to be used until November, 1850, when James A. Corse was elected and served until October 6, 1852, when the probate court was abolished.

Was established in 1852. Elisha Egbert was elected judge of this court, composed of the counties of Marshall. St. Joseph and Starke, and presided at the first term held in October, 1852, and retained the position uninterruptedly until the fourth of November, 1870, the date of his death. Edward J. Wood was then appointed and served until the election in October, 1872, when he was defeated for reelection by Daniel Noyes, of La Porte, who served until the act abolishing the court was passed. March 6, 1873, and the business transferred to the circuit court.

The commissioners' court was the first court organized in the county. This occurred in May, 1836. Robert Blair, the first commissioner, was one of the original proprietors of Plymouth. He served but one year. He and Abraham Johnson and Charles Ousterhaute, who composed the first board, are all long since dead.

Samuel C. Sample, the first circuit judge, was a resident of South Bend, having settled there in 1833. He became president judge of his circuit, which embraced Logansport and Fort Wayne, and all the territory in the state north, in 1835, and continued on the bench until 1843, when he was elected to congress. He was a very exemplary man, and in all his business transactions, whether in public or private capacity, he ever exhibited the most sterling integrity, totally uninfluenced by the least unworthy or selfish motive. He died December 2. 1855.

Ebenezer M. Chamberlain was a resident of Goshen and came to Indiana from Maine in 1832. Fie was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, of sterling integrity, and firm and decided in character. In personal appearance he was tall and slender, with a solemn cast of countenance. On the bench he was quite dignified and rendered his decisions very deliberately. After his retirement from the bench he was elected to congress one term, and died in 1859.

John B. Niles resided in La Porte and was, until his death in 1879, considered one of the ablest lawyers in the state. He was born in Vermont in 1808, and settled in La Porte in 1832. He was a member of the constitutional convention in 1850, and was later a member of the state senate. He was quite slender and had been in feeble health for a number of years prior to his death. He was very precise in his speech, always clothing his language in the most elegant terms ; for instance, in speaking of a dirty little building, he would say, "it is an exceedingly untidy little edifice." He was a bad penman and there were few who could readily read his hieroglyphics. Notwithstanding this defect he was an excellent business man and left a reputation that anyone might envy.

Thomas S. Stanfield is perhaps better and more favorably known to the people of Marshall county than any of the other judges that have presided in our courts. He was born in Logan county, Ohio, in 1814, and settled in South Bend in 1831, where he continued to reside until he died several years ago. He served several years in the legislature and was a candidate for lieutenant governor on the whig ticket in 1849, but failed of election. He had a Websterian appearance, made an excellent judge, and was a gentleman against whom the breath of scandal had never been blown.

Andrew L. Osborn, of La Porte, was another judge who will be long remembered. He was born in Connecticut in 1814 and settled in Michigan City in 1836. He was a diligent student, a man of remarkable memory, quick in his perceptions, and an excellent judge. He served a term as one of the supreme judges of the state, and at the time of his death several years ago was principal attorney of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad Company.

Elisha V. Long resided at Warsaw, and some time after his term as judge expired he was appointed United States district judge of New Mexico, in which position he served several years. He still resides in Las Vegas, New Mexico.

Horace Corbin, William B. Hess and Albertus C. Capron were the onlyjudges residing in Plymouth who presided as judge of the Marshall circuit court. Judges Corbin and Capron are both dead. Judge Hess is still a resident here, engaged in the active practice of law. He has been prosecuting attorney and consul general to Constantinople.

Sidney Keith, Isaiah Conner, Jacob Slick and Harry Bernetha, the present incumbent, resided at Rochester. Of these Judges Keith and Slick are dead.

Elisha Egbert was our judge of the common pleas court for a period of about twenty years. He was born in New Jersey in 1806 and died at his home in South Bend, November 4, 1870. He discharged all his duties as an impartial and upright judge.

Edward J. Wood, of Goshen, succeeded Judge Egbert, by appointment. He had no special fitness for the position, never having made the legal profession a study. He was a bright, genial, convivial gentleman. In a fit of despondency he killed himself with a pistol, somewhere in Michigan, in 1872.

Daniel Noyes succeeded Judge Wood, but served but one term of court, at the end of which time the court was abolished. He resides in La Porte, and for a number of years afterwards was the judge of the circuit court of South Bend and La Porte. He was considered the most prompt and efficient judge in the state. He was never a minute late, and required the same promptness on the part of all others with whom he was associated in business.

Lawyers are officers of the court, and without them the machinery of justice would hardly be able to move. The first term of the Marshall circuit court was held in Ph'mouth in the new courthouse erected by the proprietors of the town on the northwest corner of Michigan and Adams streets, and the first business after the court was declared opened was the admission of the following named persons to practice law at the bar of the court: Gustavus A. Evarts, William O. Ross, John H. Bradley, Joseph L. Jernegan and Jonathan A. Liston. None of these old-time lawyers resided in Plymouth or afterwards for any length of time. They all lived either at La Porte or South Bend, but for several years were the principal lawyers here. For a good while there was not much law business to do, and the first three or four years about all the court had to do was to meet, listen to a few stories by the lawyers, and adjourn.

The First Permanent Lawyer. Hon. Charles H. Reeve was probably the first real lawyer to locate permanently in the county for the purpose of practicing law. In a copy of the Indiana Tocsin, published at La Porte, dated February 5, 1847, the law card of Mr. Reeve appears as follows: "Charles H. Reeve, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, and Solicitor in Chancery. Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana, December i, 1846." But Mr. Reeve had located in Plymouth two years prior to that time and was deputy for County Clerk Isaac How during most of his term - 1844 to 1848. It was while acting in this capacity that he became acquainted with Mr. How's oldest daughter, Miss Abby Jane How, whom he afterwards married. He entered the law office of James Bradley, of La Porte, when eighteen years old, read law under him, and later under Judge Samuel C. Sample and Jonathan A. Liston, of South Bend, and was admitted to the bar in 1842, just before he became of age. Coming to Plymouth when everything was in a crude and unorganized condition, he had ample opportunity to develop his ability to assist in building up everything looking to a systematic form of government. In his early days he was the life of the young society of the town. He was a splendid violinist, could play the guitar, and sing negro melodies equal to the best minstrels traveling; understood the flute and clarinet, and could play the piano ; could call all the figures, and when it came to dancing himself, he was a perfect French dancing master in his movements. He was pretty near the whole thing at singing and spelling schools, corn huskings and barn raisings. He could make an offhand speech or tell a story better than any of them, and sing a comic song to "beat the band !" As he grew older and the cares of a busy life pressed harder and harder upon him, he drifted away from what might be called "frivolities of life" and turned his attention, outside the practice of law, to writing on various subjects for the newspapers and magazines, and later to book and pamphlet work on the subject of prison reform. His most pretentious work on this subject was a book of 200 pages, in 1890, entitled, "The Prison Question - A Philosophical Review." Another important work was "Dependent Children - A Report Before the International Penitentiary Congress at St. Petersburg, Russia, 1890." For this report he was awarded an international medal, which was sent to him by the Czar of Russia through thi? United States government. Since the death of ]\Ir. Reeve the medal has been in the possession of his son, Mr. C. A. Reeve. Mr. Reeve had unusual command of language, and as a fluent and rapid talker he had few equals. As the leading attorney, for many years he easily commanded the first place at the bar of the court. He was rapid and methodical in his work and went into the trial of every case thoroughly prepared to meet every point of his opposing counsel. He was not a politician as that word has come to be understood, but served his county as prosecuting attorney, and was elected as a democrat and served four years as state senator. In both of these positions he discharged the duties with zeal, industry and fidelity, according to his best judgment. He died at his home in Plymouth about the first of the vear 1905.

James O. Parks was a resident of Bourbon, twelve miles east of the county seat, where he had lived since his settlement here, in 1835, to the time of his death several years ago. His early life was engaged in farming and civil engineering and surveying. He served a term as justice of the peace in 1844-47, and in 1852 was admitted to practice law in the courts of Marshall county, which he continued until the time of his death. Mr.

Parks' practice was mostly devoted to matters originating in the locality where he lived. He was associated with his two sons, Sinclair D. and John W., both of whom had taken a course of study in the law department of Michigan University, and for many years the three made a strong team in the management of their business.

John G. 0 shorn came to Plymouth in 1852 as minister for the Methodist church. In 1854 he abandoned the ministry and engaged in the practice of the law in the courts of Marshall county, in which he continued until the time of his death in the '70's. He was for two or three years, during the war, editor of the Plymouth Democrat, and later left the Methodist denomination and united with the Episcopalians. For many years prior to his death he was a great sufiferer from inflammatory rheumatism, which finally resulted in his death. He was a pleasant talker and his addresses before the jury were logical and generally convincing.

Charles Hiigus located in Plymouth in the practice of law about 1855, having formed a partnership with Judge James S. Frazier, of Warsaw. Mr. Hugus was a sprightly young man and was quite a prominent figure in the local affairs of the town during his stay here. In 1856 he united with the new republican party just then forming, and was the first to call a "ratification meeting" as soon as the news came that Fremont had been nominated as the republican candidate for president. The meeting was held at the courthouse, and Mr. Hugus was pretty much the whole thing. He called the meeting to order, announced the object of it, proposed three cheers for "the next President of the United States," the "Path Finder," John Charles Fremont; but there were not very many people there, and what there were did not know much about Fremont or the republican party at that time, and so the cheering was a failure. Mr. Hugus addressed the meeting, giving a brief outline of the principles of the republican party, and a sketch of the life of Mr. Fremont, which pleased the audience, as none of them knew anything about him. Within a year from that time J\Ir. Hugus was taken sick with typhoid fever and died at the Dodridge hotel, which stood on the northeast corner of Michigan and Washington streets.

Albcrtus C. Capron came from New York state in 1852 and located in Plymouth, forming a- partnership with C. H. Reeve in the practice of the law, and continued in the practice either as a lawyer or judge of the court until his death, ]\Iay 13. 1905. During his career he was considered one of the best lawyers at the bar of the court. As a pleader he was not considered equal to many other members of the bar, but in his addresses before the court and jury he was deliberate, conversational and persuasive. In 1890 he was elected as a democratic judge of the district composed of Marshall and Fulton counties, and reelected in 1896, and served in all twelve years as judge of the circuit court. It was as judge of the court, more than as a lawyer, that his judicial mind shone with peculiar splendor. As judge on the bench he was always calm and deliberate, treating the members of the bar, litigants and witnesses with a courtesy and affability that made him friends with all with whom he came in contact. Both as a lawyer and a judge he was incorruptible. He was no "grafter," as that word is now understood, and no taint rests upon his memory in connection with his dealings with the public. He was well educated, a studious reader, and a profound thinker. During the later years of his hfe he occupied his leisure time in the preparation of many papers on abstruse subjects that were of a high order of literary merit and were worthy of being preserved in book form, but his modesty would not permit him to consent to give them to the public. He was peculiar in this respect, doing all this laborious work apparently for his own satisfaction and those of the few friends who were privileged to read them. He never sought public notoriety and was always averse to having his name appear in the newspapers except where some public end was to be subserved. He was a well matured, intellectual, manly man, who under all circumstances never allowed himself to forget to be a gentleman. He had a pleasant word for all with whom he came in contact, and went in and out among the people for more than half a century scattering sunshine in his path wherever he went.

Horace Corbin came to Marshall county about 1852, and settled in Plymouth and began the practice of law. He was born and reared in New York state and was a schoolmate of United States Senator Thomas C. Piatt, of New York. When he came here he was a young man without money or friends, but he had ability and plenty of energy, and determined to succeed in his chosen profession if such a thing was possible. It was not long until he built up a living practice, and, having happily married into a wealthy family, the remainder of his life was one of ease and comfort. In politics he was a democrat, and in 1862, at the beginning of the war of the Rebellion, he secured the democratic nomination for state senator from the counties of St. Joseph and Marshall, and although it was naturally and largely a republican locality, he surprised everyone by carrying the district by a considerable majority. He served in the state senate from 1863 to 1867, and was regarded as one of the strongest men in that body. The circuit court district was changed in 1875, creating a vacancy in the new district of Marshall and Fulton, and Mr. Corbin was appointed judge to fill the vacancy, serving as such until December 18, 1876, having been defeated for reelection by Sidney Keith, of Rochester, republican.

IVilliam J. Burns settled in Plymouth about 1852, having removed here from LaFayette. Indiana, where he had studied and practiced law, and had also while there been engaged in the newspaper business. When he located in Plymouth he "hung out his shingle" as attorney and counsellor at law. It was not long, however, until he was induced to purchase the old Plymouth Banner, and become its editor and publisher. His experience in that line of business will be found under the head of "'Newspapers." He was a man more than ordinarily bright and was a much better editor than he was a lawyer. He went from here during war times to Knox, where he started the Starke County Democrat, which he conducted for a few years, when it passed into other brands, and he finally died in that place many years ago.

William G. Pomcroy was one of the earliest residents of Marshall county, having come here with his parents in 1834, and took an active part from the first in helping to build up the organization of the county and the business interests of the county seat. Prior to 1850 he had served as auditor and clerk of the county, a member of the state .senate and a member of the house of representatives. He engaged largely in mercantile business, and in the buying and slaughtering of cattle. During the panic of 1857 he failed and went into the hands of a receiver. He engaged in the practice of the law for some time, but he could not secure business to justify him in continuing it, and finally removed to Rolla, Missouri, where he died many years ago. During his residence here he was one of the brightest men that took an active part in public affairs, and left his impress for good in the matters with which he had to do to a greater extent than the people of his time were inclined to give him credit for.

John S. Dodridgc came to Plymouth between 1850 and 1855. Just what in particular he came for he hardly knew himself, but he rented an ofiice and hung up his sign as a lawyer. There was not much law business in the county at that time and the business mostly went to those lawyers who had located here before him. But he was not lazy and while waiting for court cases he engaged in other business. He purchased the lot on the northeast corner of Alichigan and Washington streets, on which he erected the Dodridge hotel, afterwards known as the Edwards House, and later the Parker House. He was a man of good character, pleasant and afifable. He never made any particular reputation as a lawyer and left here many years ago to find a home elsewhere.

Among those who still reside here and constitute the active attorneys are Wm. B. Hess, John W. Parks, Charles Kellison, Leo 'M. Lauer, E. C. Martindale, S. N. Stevens, H. A. Logan, Adam E. Wise, J. S. Reeve, H. L. Unger, J. A. Molter, W. H. Mathew and Perry O. Jones.

Those who have practiced law here, but reside in towns outside of the county seat, may be mentioned Joseph W. Davis, Z. D. Boulton, S. D. Parks, Jesse Chaplain. James L. Cook, John D. Thomas, Bourbon ; R. C. O'Blenis, W. J. Benner, George W. Paul, M. L. Smith, Argos ; Samuel J. Hayes, Bremen.

A large number of the names of persons admitted to practice law at the bar of the courts of the county appear on the records of the court, many of whom never had any business to transact in the court - in fact, about two-thirds of the 160 names which appear as lawyers were admitted and sworn as attorneys because all they had to do to be admitted was to prove that they were men of good moral character. The names of all the lawyers from the surrounding counties, when having business in the court, were also sworn and admitted to practice, although many never had more than one case in the court. From the long list are given the following names of some of the lawyers residing here, whose names do not appear in the sketch above made :

William Everly, Ed Fish, Herbert E. Hess, John R. Jones, James A. Marshall. Daniel McDonald, David McDuffie, Iden S. Romig, David E. Snyder, D. A. Snyder, Otto H. Weber, Charles M. Walker and Mrs. Elizabeth Christian. This lady was the wife of Mr. R. D. Christian, who was associated with John S. IBender in the law practice for a short time. She has the distinction of being the only woman ever admitted to the bar of the court as a lawyer. She never appeared in court in that capacity, and after a few months' stay here she and her husband removed elsewhere.

Early Jury System. The grand and petit jury system existing under the law in force at the time of the organization of the county was exceedingly cumbersome. At the special session of the board of commissioners' court, September, 1836, the following grand and petit jury were drawn, as follows :

Petit Jurors Grand Jurors

Since that time the jury system has been greatly changed. The grand jury has been reduced from twenty-one to six, and the petit jury from twenty-six to twelve. At the time these juries were drawn it required a large proportion of the male residents of the county who possessed the necessary qualifications to fill up the number for each jury. At that time, too, there was practically nothing for either of the juries to do, and for a long time the jurors were empaneled, sworn, paid oft' and discharged for the term.

Xlhl Judges And Other Officers

Those who have acted as prosecuting attorneys for Marshall county were in the earlier history of the county residents of other counties in the judicial district. They qualified in the county in which they resided, and so their names do not appear on the register of officers in this county. The following are the names of those prosecuting attorneys who were elected from and resided in this county:

1835 - David H. Colerick, from the counties of Allen, Wabash, Huntington, Elkhart, La Grange, St. Joseph, and the territory thereto attached. 1836 - Jonathan A. Listen, St. Joseph, Marshall, Kosciusko and Stark. 1837-39 - Thomas D. Baird, St. Joseph, Marshall, Kosciusko and Stark. 1842-44 - John D. Defrees, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1845-49 - Wm. G. Pomeroy, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1849-50 - Norman Eddy, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1853 - A. P. Richardson, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1855 - A. P. Richardson, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1857 - Hugh Miller, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1858 - Rufus Brown, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1861 - John F. jMiller, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1863-67 - Horace Corbin, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1867-69 - John Reynolds, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1869-72 - Lucius Hubbard, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1873-75 - Milo R. Smith, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1876-80 - Charles H. Reeve, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1880-84 - W. H. Davidson, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1884-88 - Valentine Zimmerman, St. Joseph, Marshall and Fulton. 1888-92 - Perry O. Jones, Marshall and Fulton. 1892-96 - Samuel Parker, Marshall and Fulton. 1896-1900 - C. P. Drummond, Marshall and Fulton. 1901-09 - John W. Parks, Marshall and Kosciusko.

Representatives in the Indiana Legislature From Marshall County. 1836-37 - Joel Long, Marshall and Kosciusko. 1839 - Amzi L. Wheeler, Marshall, Kosciusko and Stark. 1840 - Peter L. Runyan, Marshall, Kosciusko and Stark. 1 841 - William Rannels, Marshall and Fulton. 1842 - Amzi L. Wheeler, Marshall and Fulton. 1843 - Joseph Robbins, Marshall and Fulton. 1844 - William G. Pomeroy, Marshall and Fulton. 184s - Anthony F. Smith, Marshall and Fulton. 1846 - James O. Parks, Marshall and Fulton. 1847 - John R. Shryock, Marshall and Fulton. 1848 - Enos S. Tuttlc, Marshall and Fulton. 1849 - Hugh Miller, Marshall and Fulton. 1850 - Wm. M. Patterson, Marshall and Fulton. 1852 - Thomas Sumner, Marshall and Stark. 1853 - Eli Brown, Marshall and Stark. 1855 - Amzi L. Wheeler, Marshall and Stark. 1857 - Eli Brown, Marshall and Stark. 1859 - James O. Parks, Marshall and Stark. 1861 - M. A. O. Packard, Marshall and Stark. 1863 - M. A. O. Packard, Marshall and Stark. 1865 - Lloyd Glazebrook, Marshall and Stark. 1867 - D. E. Van Valkenburgh, Marshall and Stark. i86g - Amasa Jolmson, joint, St. Joseph and Marshall.

Richard Corbaley, elected September 24, 1850, to November i, 1855. (This was occasioned by the adoption of the new state constitution of 1850.)

John C. Cushman, November i, 1863, to April 3, 1871. (Resigned on account of being a member of the building committee of the new courthouse.)

Coroners of Marshall County. The early records of the coroners of this county were so imperfectly kept that only the names have been procured. They are as follows: John Johnson, 1836. James Bannon. Lyman H. Andrews. John K. Brooke. William Bailey. James Logan. Isaac Shadel. Robert McFarlin. Lorenzo Matteson. Keim K. Brooke. Adam Vinnedge. Henry M. Logan. Eli R. Shook. John Bauer, Jr.

Since the organization of the county in 1836, Marshall county has had eight representatives in the state senate, viz: Wm. G. Pomeroy, Dr. Rufus Brown, Horace Corbin, Charles H. Reeve, Perry O. Jones, Samuel Parker, C. P. Drummond and John W. Parks. The first four are dead, the remainder are living. Of these, Pomeroy and Brown were whigs, and Parks republican ; Corbin, Reeve, Jones, Parker and Drummond were democrats.

David Colerick, who represented the greater portion of northern Indiana in the senate in 1835 - a territory sufficiently large to make a good sized state, - was a resident of Fort VVayne, and was an intelligent man, an enterprising citizen, and respected by all who knew him.

Jonathan A. Liston was a resident of South Bend, a lawyer by profession, and was looked upon as being one of the foremost men of his time. He practiced law in the courts of this county for many years and was well known to most of the early settlers here.

John D. Defreese was one of the early pioneers of northern Indiana, and from the beginning took an active part in politics in opposition to the democrats. He was a resident of Goshen.

Norman Eddy was a resident of South Bend, and was perhaps as well and favorably known as any man in the state. His career as a citizen, a politician and a soldier in the war of the Rebellion is without blemish. At the time of his death in 1871 he was holding the office of secretary of state.

John F. Miller also resided in South Bend. He was elected to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Rufus Brown. The Rebellion coming on, he went into the army and was promoted to the rank of general. After the close of the war he received an appointment from the government and removed to California. In 1881 he was elected United States senator from the state of California, and died while holding that office a few years afterward.

A. P. Richardson resided in St. Joseph county, and served one term in the senate, after which he removed to McGregor, Iowa, where he established the McGregor Times, which was, under his editorial management, one of the spiciest local papers in the west. He was of Irish descent, and was familiarly known as "Pat Richardson." He died at his home in Mc- Gregor several years ago, lamented by all who knew him.

Of Pomeroy, Brown, Corbin and Reeve, all of whom served with distinction in the' senate, historical reference will be found in various places in this work, and it is therefore unnecessary to repeat it here. Of those that are living. Senators Jones and Parks reside in Plymouth, and Senators Parker and Drummond are residents of South Bend. All of these public officials served with distinction in the upper branch of the general assembly, and are all so well and favorably known that special mention of them is unnecessary.

Ahhough prior to 1869 Marshall county had been attached to other counties for representative purposes, it has had its full share of members of the lower branch of the legislature. Of the personal history of those who have represented Marshall county, residents of other counties, it is not necessary to speak at length.

Joel Long, the first representative after the county was organized, was a resident of Kosciusko county. He is said to have owned a large farm on a beautiful prairie about midway between Warsaw and Milford. He passed off the stage of action many years ago, and sleeps with the innumerable throng who passed on before him.

Enos S. Tuttle was born near New Haven, Connecticut, in 1796, removed to the southwestern part of Indiana in 1817, and settled in Marshall county in 1841. He was elected and served one term as county commissioner in 1845-46. In 1848 he was elected representative from the counties of Marshall and Fulton, and served during the session of that year. He died in Marshall county in 1850, aged 54 years.

James O. Parks was a native of Kentucky, born March 20, 1813. He came to Marshall county in 1836, and settled in what is now the town of Bourbon. He was twice elected to the legislature, in 1846 from Marshall and Fulton, and in 1859 from Marshall and Starke. He made an efficient member. He died at his home in Bourbon several years ago.

William M. Patterson was born in Cincinnati, February 10, 1807. From there he moved with his parents in an early day to Lexington, Indiana, where he was married in 1824. He took a liking to politics in his youth, and was an active participant in all the campaigns that followed until the day of his death. He was a democrat of the Jeffersonian school, and any one who disputed his democracy was sure to hear from him in the most emphatic language. He was elected and served as sherifif of Scott county, Indiana, in 1832, and moved with his family and settled in La Porte in 1836, where he resided until the fall of 1847, when he became a resident of Plymouth. In 1850 he was elected a member of the legislature from the counties of Marshall, Fulton and Starke, served one term, was defeated for reelection by Thomas Sumner in 1851, and as a slight recompense he was elected doorkeeper of the state senate in 1851, and the same year was appointed appraiser of canal lands ; in 1856 he was appointed receiver of the land office in Winamac ; was appointed deputy United States marshal in i860, and died at his home in Plymouth, August 9, 1871.

Since 1869 Marshall county has been entitled to a representative alone. Of the seventeen who have been elected since that time the following are dead: Reason B. Eaton, Joseph W. Davis, James M. Confer, Thomas Sumner, William Shaw, Arthur L. Thomson, Millard W. Simons. Of those still living it is unnecessary here to speak.

The clerk's office is, if one office may be said to be of more importance than another, the most important office in the county. Here the judge of the court sits as arbiter of the disputes between man and man, and here the jury sits and determines the law and the evidence and the facts in matters of great import to the people, even the life or death of the individual ; and all these decisions are recorded on the records of the clerk's office, and are binding on all the people for all time to come. Therefore a brief sketch of a few of the earliest clerks who opened the books and without any plans of procedure to guide them did their work so well that it has stood the test of three-quarters of a century without any errors of consequence having happened, is in place here.

Jeremiah Muncy, the first clerk, held the office by appointment from the board of county commissioners. They were in session July 20, 1836, at the time the commissioners designated to organize the county were assembled, and as soon as they had made their report that the county had been legally organized, the board of county commissioners immediately appointed Mr. Muncy clerk of the court, it being the first business transacted by them after the county was organized. Those who knew Mr. Muncy then will remember him to have been a sprightly business man about forty years old, not very tall and somewhat heavy built, and somewhat handsome in appearance. His court records are clean and perfectly legible, and showplainly the traces of the now almost forgotten goose quill pen. The office at that time was more honorable than profitable, and having extracted all the honor there was in it, he went off with the Indians about February, 1839, locating in Clay county, Missouri, where he undoubtedly passed away many years ago.

William G. Pomeroy followed Mr. Muncy by appointment of the associate judges of the circuit court, as appears from the following entry on the order book of the court:

"At a meeting held at the house of David Steel in Plymouth, Marshall county, Indiana, on the twenty-third day of February, 1839, there were present Peter Schroeder and David Steel, the associate judges of the Marshall county circuit court. As Jeremiah Muncy, clerk of the same, had vacated said office by removing from said county, thereupon said judges, according to the statute in such case made and provided, proceeded to fill said vacancy, and thereupon appointed William G. Pomeroy clerk of the Marshall circuit court pro tempore."

Mr. Pomeroy resigned the office April 17, 1843, and was succeeded by Oscar F. Norton, who held the office until he died, and Mr. Pomeroy was again appointed February 10, 1844, to fill the vacancy. He held the office until March 14th, of the same year, when he resigned. i\Ir. Pomeroy was a man of more than ordinary capabilities, being competent to conduct the clerk's office, act as justice of the peace, practice law, keep a hotel, run a slaughter house, keep a dry goods store, a hardware store, and do anything else that happened to come in his way all at the same time. He removed to Rolla, IMissouri, where he died many years ago. He was succeeded as clerk by the appointment of Isaac How, March 14, 1844. He served under the appointment until he was elected at the August election following. He died

Charles Palmer was appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. How. He very quickly determined that he would not serve as clerk, for the next day the following entry appears on the records :

At that time Mr. Palmer was a dry goods merchant. In conversation with him as to the reason he declined the appointment he said on the day of the appointment he went to the clerk's office to look over the condition of things, and finding it locked, returned to his place of business. The next day he went to the office, and made an examination of the work the clerk was required to do, and the pay he was to receive for it, and at once decided that there was nothing in it for him, and within a few minutes after he had entered the office he took up a pen and wrote the above declination. Mr. Palmer was one of the early business men of Plymouth, and was one of the most substantial and reliable citizens of his time. He died many years ago.

Rufus Hewett was then appointed and served until March 26, 1849, when he died. Mr. Hewett was engaged in merchandising with Norman Woodward, in the firm name of Hewett & Woodward. He was in every way a splendid man.

James Buffum was appointed to fill the vacancy and served until September, when he went to California. He was followed by Richard Corbaley, by election, who served six years in all, ending November i, 1855. He died in the state of Washington about 1895.

The auditor's office is one of the most important parts of the machinery of the county government. Here is made out the tax duplicate from which the taxes are collected to keep the machinery moving. Here are recorded the transactions of the board of county commissioners and here are made out the orders on the treasurer for the allowances made by the board ; here the accounts of the township trustees are audited ; here all the roads, public buildings, bridges, and many other matters too numerous to mention are authorized and provided for ; and as the auditor has charge of all the records, and is supposed to be fully conversant with the details of everything connected with the office, the men who had charge of the office for the first quarter of a century are entitled to mention here as being important factors in starting the machinery of that part of the county government in such a manner as to reflect honor and credit upon them and the county as well.

Jeremiah Muncy served as auditor and clerk, the two offices being combined in one, or rather under one management, until June, 1844. He left the auditor's office in the same unceremonious manner that he vacated the clerk's office. The county was in its infancy at that time, and the emoluments accruing by virtue of his two official positions were hardly sufficient to support himself and family. Nevertheless the records now in the auditor's office made by him seem to have been thoroughly made and well kept during his stay in the office. He is represented to have been a man of the world, and kept himself up to if not a little ahead of the age in which he lived. He left in 1839, and is probably dead long ago.

William G. Pomeroy w^as appointed auditor in 1839, and discharged the duties of the office until June 29, 1844. At that date the offices of auditor and clerk were separated and the business of each office since that time has been performed by one officer appointed or elected for each. Mr. Pomeroy was an excellent business man, wrote a fine hand and left the office in good shape when his term expired.

William M. Dunham was appointed first auditor after the two offices were separated, June 29, 1844. Mr. Dunham had served as justice of the peace, and was one of the leading men of the county at that time. He was small in stature, but was "wide enough out" to make up for the deficiency in height. He delighted in smoking a white clay pipe, and if there was any comfort he did not derive from it it was not because he did not make an honest effort to patiently distil it out. He wrote a peculiar up and down hand, and his records are uniform, clean and perfectly legible. He died in Plymouth, February 25, 1855.

Thomas McDonald succeeded Mr. Dunham March 4, 1850, and owing to the change made in the commencement of the term of that office by the adoption of the new constitution of Indiana, and a reelection when his first term expired, he served in all nine years. He was one of the pioneers of the county, having arrived here six days after the county had been organized. He was attentive to business, and prided himself on the facility and correctness with which he could add up a row of figures, his knowledge of the description of lands, and the number of people he was personally acquainted with. During his life he served as justice of the peace ; assessed the property of the county for taxable purposes ; was elected county commissioner; appointed county school examiner; and was the first county superintendent of schools after the law was passed creating that office, which office he was holding at the time of his death, March 26, 1875. He also established the Plymouth Democrat November 15, 1855.

Rev. Austin Fuller was elected in 1859 ''"d served four years. He came here in an early day, and managed the Plymouth water mills, which were then known as "Fuller's Mills." He was a preacher of the gospel according to the Wesleyan view of Methodism for many years, and on several occasions had taken an active part in politics - always in opposition to the democracy. He died in Plymouth in the later eighties.

Of those who have had charge of the office since Mr. Fuller's term it is not necessary to speak in detail. All discharged the duties of the office with credit to themselves and satisfaction to all concerned.

This office, like all the other offices, since its existence has been exceptionally well managed. John Houghton was the first treasurer. He was appointed by the board of commissioners May 3, 1836. He was elected in August, 1836, qualified September 5th, and held the office under the election until August, 1839, when he was again reelected, and, having served out the term, was again reelected and held the office until 1850. His first report as county treasurer is inserted here as a matter of historical interest:

Contra

Mr. Houghton was an Englishman, having been born near Southampton, England, in 1790. He learned the shipwright carpenter trade and worked in the King's navy yard during the reign of George IV. at Portsmouth. He came to America in 1820, and to Marshall county in 1835, and remained here continuously until his death in 1877.

Joseph Evans, the second treasurer, was one of the early settlers in Marshall county. He was an affable, pleasant gentleman, and a straightforward citizen, of whom nothing but good could be said. In addition to his services as treasurer, during his life he had served two terms as sheriff and one term as county commissioner, and other official positions of less importance. He died in the eighties.

David Vinnedge was the third treasurer. He came from Butler county, Ohio, where he was born, to Marshall county in 1846, settling in North township, where he resided until he was elected treasurer, when he removed to Plymouth, where he remained until his death, October 14, 1859. He made an excellent treasurer; was kind-hearted, liberal to a fault and peculiarly jovial and social.

Nathan H. Oglesbee was twice elected treasurer, coming in on the tidal wave of the newly organized Republican party, which was assisted by the American party, commonly known as the Know Nothings. He was a gentleman of good business qualifications, pleasant manners, attended strictly to business, and performed the duties of his office with honor to himself and satisfaction to the people. He died several years ago.

Daniel O. Ouivey was a young man of more than ordinary experience in business matters, and, being honorable and upright in all his dealings with mankind, he was well liked and very popular with all who knew him. His peculiar fitness for political positions attracted the attention of the voters of the county holding to the Democratic faith, and he was elevated to the office of county treasurer from among a large number of aspirants. He held the office two terms and transacted the business in a satisfactory manner to the people. His health began to fail during his term of office, and finally culminated m a paralytic stroke, from the effects of which he died at his home in this place July ii, 1869.

Of those who have served in that office since that time it is unnecessary to speak. The office from the beginning has been well kept, no shortages or scandals of any kind ever having occurred. Nathan H. Oglesbee, Frederick Tescher, William J. Rankin and Jones Grant were republicans ; all the others were democrats.

The Sheriff's Office. Adam Vinnedge, the first sheriff, held the office by appointment of the board of commissioners immediately after the county was organized. An election was held in August following 1836, at which a successor was elected, and he seems to have dropped out of politics entirely, as his name does not appear as an official after that time.

Abner Caldwell was the first sheriff elected after the organization of the county. He was a resident of what is now Walnut township, - then Green township. He resided with Sidney Williams or near his farm, which is now the town of Argos. When his first term expired the political elements began to work and the race for reelection was spirited and hotly contested. He was defeated by seven majority out of between three and four hundred votes in the county.

Patrick Logan was elected in August, 1838, over Abner Caldwell by a bare majority of seven votes. The race for sheriff was an exciting one and was conducted more on personal considerations than on political principles, although the candidates were members and representatives of their respective parties, Mr. Caldwell being a Whig and Mr. Logan a Democrat. Mr. Logan served two years and was reelected. His second election was contested by Silas Morgan, as appears by the records in the auditor's office. The office, however, was awarded to Mr. Logan and he served out his full term. In 1852 he removed with his family to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he died about i860.

Jacob K. Hupp was one of the pioneers of the county and built and operated a sawmill on Yellow river, four or five miles southwest of Plymouth. He was twice elected and served four years as sheriff. From an accident which happened to him in his sawmill he died March 7, 1856.

Seth Hussey was elected in August, 1850, and served until February 25, 1852, when he resigned. He was a shoemaker by trade, and some time before his election to the office of sheriff he accidentally cut one of his arms with a shoe knife, producing a severe wound. He suffered great pain for a long time, and finally amputation became necessary. He died shortly after he vacated the office.

to fill the vacancy and served until November of the same year. He made a good officer. A few years before he died his mind failed him and he became demented, so much so that he was unable to take care of himself.

John L. Thompson, a Republican in politics, was one of the early settlers and resided on a farm near Wolf Creek mills until he was elected sheriff, when he took up his residence in Plymouth, where he remained until his death, which occurred in ]May, 1856, five months before his second term expired. He was a kind-hearted social man and made an acceptable officer.

James F. Van Valkenburg was appointed to fill the vacancy of Mr. Thompson, and was elected at the election following. He served as postmaster a short time under Pierce's administration and also under a portion of Buchanan's. He died at Walnut station, this county, December 15, 1880.

The others who have filled the office since that time have all performed their duties well, nothing having occurred worthy of special historical note.

Silas Morgan, first recorder, served one year and then resigned. He was a dignified-appearing gentleman, about six feet tall and of slender build. He was a carpenter by trade and built the first bridge across Yellow river at Plymouth. He was also architect and builder of the first seminary building on the grounds where the Washington school building now stands. His health declined rapidly during the last year of his life and he died December 19, 1863.

Evan B. Hobson served less than one year. Outside his services as recorder, nothing of importance concerning him is known. He seems to have been a fair business man and kept the books in good shape. He died before his term expired in 1838.

Gilson S. Cleaveland held the office about fifteen years. His wife, who was Caroline Rose, daughter of Oliver Rose, one of the first merchants in Plymouth, was an excellent penman and a bright, intelligent business woman. She assisted him in the discharge of his duties, in fact had charge of the office most of the time, thus giving Mr. Cleaveland an opportunity to attend to his mercantile business. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cleaveland are now dead.

Johnson Brownlee came to Plymouth in 1840 and engaged in the mercantile business. He was a working Democrat and endeared himself to his party to such an extent that without his asking for it they gave him the nomination for recorder, and he was elected. He did not attend to the office in person, but employed deputies to do the work. Samuel B. Corbaley took charge of the office the first two years, and Daniel McDonald the remainder of his term of four years. He was a very industrious man. He had not a lazy bone in his body, and during his business career had done as much or more to advance the general prosperity of Plymouth as any other man in it. He died of heart failure sitting in a chair at his home in Plymouth, January 12, 1898.

Thomas K. Houghton and John W. Houghton were brothers, one a Republican and the other a Democrat. They were the sons of John Houghton, the first treasurer of the county. They came to the county in 1835 and had resided here to the time of their deaths a few years ago. They

Jacob B. N. Klinger served one term as recorder after having served six years as county surveyor. He left Preble county, Ohio, where he resided in 1 84 1 and settled in Bourbon township a short distance north of the town of Bourbon. He came west in 1835 and footed it from La Porte to Plymouth on his return home. The country from Lemon's bridge across the Kankakee to Plymouth was "one vast wilderness," with only a few. houses to mark the commencement of civilization ; prairie wolves were numerous ; Indians were still prowling around seeking whom they might devour, and a journey on foot and alone through the swamps and marshes, brush and tree tops under such circumstances was not calculated to inspire him with the most agreeable assurances of safety. Nevertheless he reached home without meeting with any serious mishaps and returned five years later to Marshall county, where he resided until the date of his death. Mr. Klinger was an excellent citizen in all the walks of life, and all his work as a public official was performed conscientiously, faithfully and well.

From the time the office was opened for business in 1836 to the present time the records have been well and correctly kept, few mistakes ever having been made that were discovered and had to be corrected through the courts.

The county surveyor is, in a way, one of the most important officers in the county. He fixes the corners and subdivisions of all the lands in the county, lays out the roads, fixes the abutments to all the bridges, surveys and superintends the construction of ditches, etc., a record of which is made on the books of his office.

Daniel Roberts, the first surveyor, served as such four years. The records are .somewhat imperfect, owing probablv to the lack of proper books and materials. He left the county many years ago and died in or near Indianapolis.

Grove Pomeroy, who was appointed in 1840 and served until 1841, was among the first settlers in Marshall county, and was well known to the people up to the time of his death. He was the first resident of Plymouth, and built the first "tavern" in the then village, which he named "The Yellow River House," but which was afterward changed to the "Plymouth Hotel." It stood on the northeast corner of Michigan and La Porte streets. For many years this tavern was the stopping place for the stage lines passing between Logansport, Indiana, and Niles, Michigan, and to and from La Porte. There were no sawmills in those days, and the lumber for the "tavern" was made with a "whip-saw." Roll your log up on a frame si.x feet high, with one man on top and one below, and push and pull your "whip-saw" alternately, and you will have a practical illustration of the modus operandi of making lumber hereway three score years ago. Mr. Pomeroy was judge of the probate court, being the first who held that office, from 1836 to 1843, and took an active part in the organization of the county, and in everything looking to its prosperity. He died in Plymouth in 1854.

Henry B. Pershing was also one of the earliest pioneers, and when he first settled here was engaged in the tailoring business. Later he engaged in the drug business for a long time, and while so engaged discovered "Dr. Leibig's Ague Cure." which was warranted to take the chill out of everything animate and inanimate. He also discovered what he called "The Philosopher's Stone." He claimed to manufacture stone by a chemical process by which it was made so hard that a "nigger's head" could not break it. He made a good surveyor ; at least that was the verdict of those who professed to know, and there in no reason to doubt it. He died in South Bend about 1899.

Jacob B. N. Klinger served as surveyor six years in all, and was said by those who were informed on the subject to understand the intricacies of county surveying better than any other of the distinguished gentlemen who carried the tripod before or since his time. (See under Recorder.)

Xlv. Benevolent And Fraternal Societies

With the advancement of civilization' and the increase of population came the necessity for the organization of societies for mutual benefit and social enjoyment. The oldest of all the numerous secret organizations, of which there are scores now in existence, is that known as "Free and Accepted Masons." It being the oldest, and from which all other secret orders have sprung, it is proper to speak of it first in this historical review. The traditions in regard to the history of Masonry are numerous, and, so far as is now known, its origin was in the builders' associations of ancient times, which attained their greatest perfection at the building of King Solomon's temple. Since that time, perhaps about 200 years ago, it was changed into a speculative science, still retaining the working tools of operative masonry, and giving them a symbolic meaning, illustrating the erection of a human temple, complete in all its parts.

The first lodge of any kind after the county was organized was a lodge of Odd Fellows in Plymouth, March 4, 1851, but it continued to work only until July 22, 1855, when it ceased to exist by the surrender of its charter.

Plymouth Lodge No. 149, F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation April 2, 1853, and chartered May 23, 1853. Freemasonry was introduced into Plymouth mainly through the efforts of Rev. John G. Osborn, who died in this place thirty odd years ago. He was a preacher of the gospel, and came to Plymouth as the pastor of the Methodist congregation, occupying the little frame church building which stood on Center street, on the lot second door south of the Lutheran church. This was the second church building in Plymouth, the Presbyterian house of worship having been erected some time previous. At the time the dispensation was asked for there were but seven Masons in the jurisdiction, just enough to form a lodge, and two of these resided in Bremen, fourteen miles away, namely, George Pomeroy and Jacob Knoblock. The other five petitioners were John G. Osix)rn, Henrv B. Pershing, Y. T. Moore, Greenville P. Oierry and David Steel. The dis'- pensation was granted and the lodge organized on the afternoon and evening of April 15, 1853. The first business transacted after the lodge was organ- ized was the election to membership of the following Masons who had settled in Plymouth after the petition had been forwarded : John Coleman, William J. Burns, John Hall and Wm. D. Moore. The lodge then elected the following officers for the ensuing year : Master, John G. Osborn ; senior warden, G. P. Cherry; junior warden, H. B. Pershing; treasurer. George Pomeroy ; secretary, Wm. J. Burns ; senior deacon, Jacob Knoblock ; junior deacon, Y. T. Moore : tyler, Wm. K. Logan. All these ancient workmen on the spiritual temple have laid down their working tools and gone to their eternal rest.

June 26, i860, the lodge had a public installation of officers in a grove near town. After the ceremonies were concluded, Mr. Osborn, master elect, delivered a masonic address, after which the members of the lodge and visiting brethren from Warsaw. La Porte, Valparaiso and Columbia City were marched to the Edwards House, where a banquet was served ; at the conclusion of which the lodge returned to the lodge room. The lodge was chartered May 23, 1853, as Plymouth Lodge No. 149, F. & A. ]\L

In 1871 another lodge was organized called Kilwinning Lodge No. 435, F. & A. M., Daniel McDonald being first master. This lodge continued until 1888 when, by mutual agreement, the two lodges were consolidated in the name of Plymouth-Kilwinning Lodge No. 149, and has continued as such to the present time. In 1902 the masonic lodges of the city erected a masonic temple at a cost of about $6,000, which they now occupy, on the corner of Michigan and Garro streets.

Each of the lodges above named furnished a grand master, grand high priest and illustrious grand master, viz. : Alartin H. Rice and Daniel Mc- Donald. Henry G. Thayer served as grand commander Knights Templar of Indiana, and all three were honored by being elected grand patrons of the Order of the Eastern Star.

The most noted event of a local nature the masonic fraternity of Plymouth took part in was the laving of the corner stone of the present courthouse, August 25, 1870, a full description of which will be found under the article headed "Public Buildings."

Plymouth Conimandery No. 26. Knights Templar, was organized under dispensation April 8. 1875, and under charter May 13, 1875, H. G. Thayer, eminent commander; Horace Corbin, generalissimo, and Daniel McDonald, captain general. The conimandery now has a membership of 100, and is considered one among the best in the state.

Plymouth Chapter No. 26, Order Eastern Star, whose membership is made up of Master ]\Iasons, their wives, widows, mothers, sisters and daughters, was organized October 4, 1875. and under charter May 12, 1876. It now has over 200 members, and is the fifth largest chapter in the state.

Bremen Lodge No. 414. F. & A. M., was organized under the dispensation issued by the grand master of Masons in Indiana, March 2, 1869, with the following as the first officers: Lewis Theobold, master; Jacob Schilt, senior warden; Moses Keyser, junior warden. A charter was granted at the May session of the masonic grand lodge, the number attached to it being 414. Under this charter it was regularly organized June 16, 1870, by Eli R. Shook of Plymouth lodge, acting as deputy grand master. Since then it has continued to work without interruption ; it has a splendid lodge room of its own and a membership of sixty, composed of among the best men in the community.

Argos Lodge No. jpp, F. & A. M., was organized at Argos with ten charter members in October, 1869, and was given a charter at the May session of the grand lodge, 1870. It has gone along steadily and now has a splendid membership of about sixty. Within the last few years it has erected a lodge hall of its own, which is furnished with all the necessary comforts and conveniences for masonic work. It is one of the prominent organizations in that place, and of which the membership are justly proud.

Bourbon Lodge No. 22/, F. & A. M., was organized under a dispensation January 9, 1866. John W. Hagan, who had been master of Goshen lodge and had then recently located in Bourbon in the boot and shoe trade, was the moving spirit in the organization, and was selected to be the first master. Others who assisted were Rev. George H. Thayer, Lucius Caul, Milton M. Galentine, A. C. Matchett, Daniel McDonald and N. E. Manville. At the May meeting of the grand lodge in 1866 a charter was granted and the lodge given the number 227. the number of a lodge whose charter had been surrendered. Since then the grand lodge has ceased to assign the vacant numbers to new lodges. If this rule had been observed when the charter was granted its number would have been about 375. Mr. Hagan, the master during the first year under charter, failed in business, and removed from the town, leaving the lodge without a master. The members, however, went to work with a will, and the lodge moved along satisfactorily.

In the earlier years of the organization of this lodge several fine entertainments were given. On one occasion, the Rev. A. Merine, then of Warsaw, delivered an address which was spoken of in the highest terms of praise. On another occasion Rev. Wm. Lusk, of Plymouth, perfonned the oratorical part of the program. A glee club furnished the music and the P>ourbon band the instrumental music. Two banquets were spread at the American House, then kept by M. C. Henshaw, and one in the masonic hall. These enjoyable occasions are recollected by all who participated in them with a great deal of pleasure.

Several years ago the masonic hall was destroyed by fire, in which the lodge lost most of its furniture and fixtures, which cast a gloom over the members, and for a few years the lodge did but little work. New life and new blood has been infused into the lodge, and during the past few years it has regained its former vigor, and the rapid increase in membership has placed it as one among the most substantial lodges in this section of the state.

Henry H. Culver Lodge No. 61 /, F. & A. M. - A dispensation for the formation of this lodge was issued by the grand master November 10, 1897, in the name of Culver lodge. It worked under that name until the meeting of the grand lodge May 24, 1898, when a charter was granted and the name changed to Henry H. Culver lodge, and as such it was given number 617. The first officers named in the dispensation and also in the charter were as follows : Samuel C. Loring, master ; John F. Behmer, senior warden, and Foster Groves, junior warden. The lodge was instituted under charter, by Daniel McDonald, past grand master, June 8, 1898. The name was given to the lodge in honor of Henry H. Culver, the founder of Culver Military Academy, on the northeast shore of the lake, and for whom the town of Culver had been named, and for the further reason he was a member of the Masonic fraternity. Since its organization the following have served as worshipful masters : Samuel C. Loring, under dispensation, 1897; under charter, 1898 and 1899; Monroe C. McCormick, 1900; Al N. Bogardus, 1901-1904; Foster Groves, 1902; O. A. Rhea, 1903; George W. Voreis, 1905, 1906, 1907. The lodge has a total membership of fifty, and is in every way in a prosperous condition.

There is quite a similarity in the work and teachings of this order to that of the masonic organization. It differs mainly in the ceremonial ritual, the qualification of candidates for membership, and the manner of dispensing its charities. Each member disabled by sickness or bodily injury receives a stipulated amount per week, and in case of death a specific amount is appropriated for funeral expenses. Thomas Wildy, whose -mortal remains lie buried in the city of Baltimore, was the founder of the order in America, about 1817. Within the past half century it has grown quite rapidly, its regulation for the admission of candidates being more liberal than that of some other orders. In Indiana it has about 700 subordinate lodges, and a membership in the state of over 50,000. Its motto is F. L. & T., signifying friendship, love and truth, and its badge is three links, linked together, and worn on the breast or on the left lapel of the coat or vest.

AmcricHS Lodge No. pi was the first Odd Fellows' lodge organized in Plymouth, and also the first lodge of any kind in the county. It was instituted March 4, 185 1. The petitioners were Wesley Gregg, W. G. Pomeroy, Gilson S. Cleaveland, William C. Edwards, Grove O. Pomeroy and Joshua W. Bennett. These were all prominent men in their day. They are now all dead. As the lodge worked along, discordant elements crept in and on July 22, 1855, the charter was surrendered and it- ceased to e.xist. In the meantime a masonic lodge having been organized, naturally enough it absorbed much of the material that would otherwise have gone to the Odd Fellows' lodge. The lodge was again resuscitated July 14, 1859, t»"t the trouble that had formerly existed soon showed itself again, and after continuing three years with indififerent success the charter was again surrendered July 18, 1862. After remaining dormant six years, on April 16, 1868, the charter was again restored. In the meantime those that had caused the disturbance had either died or removed, and peace and harmony has since prevailed within the walls of the lodge room, and the lodge has continued uninterruptedly to the present time.

A branch of the order is represented in what is called an "Encampment." It is composed of fifth degree members, and occupies the same position toward the Odd Fellows that the Knights Templar does to the masonic lodges. Plymouth Encampment No. 113 was organized under charter May 24, 1872. Robert McCance, John C. Kuhn. John A. Palmer, Simon Becker, Sigmund Meyer, Henry Speyer, A. L. Reeves, and others, eighteen in all, were the charter members. The encampment prospered and continued for several years, when for various reasons the interest flagged and the charter was surrendered.

Attached to the Order of Odd Fellows is a woman's department called "The Daughters of Rebecca." This degree was originated by the Hon. Schuyler Colfax many years ago, and has become quite popular among the wives, mothers, sisters and daughters of Odd Fellows, and the Odd Fellows themselves, who alone are entitled to receive it. Plymouth has a branch of this order, also Bourbon and Argos, all of which are in a healthy condition.

Bourbon Lodge No. 203, Order of Odd Fellozvs, was organized December 13, 1858, with six charter members as follows: R. S. Gordon, D. O. Beeman, B. G. Cosgrove, W. M. Cosgrove, R. Richard and J. R. Dodge. All these are long since dead. The organization, being the only secret benevolent order in that place for several years, was prosperous from the beginning, among the best citizens of the town uniting with it. No discordant elements crept into it, and so friendship, love and truth have prevailed to the present time. In 1867 the lodge purchased a building for its use, for which $882 was paid. In 1877 ground was purchased for an Odd Fellows' cemetery at a cost of over $1,000. The lodge has, during its existence, had a number of festivals and social entertainments, and the large amount paid for benevolent purposes shows that it has accomplished great good within the circle of its work.

Bremen Lodge No. 421, Odd Fellozvs, was organized November 20, 1873, with the following charter members : A. C. Holtzendorff, Andrew Berger, John Bauer, Gotlieb Rosenbaum and Jacob Walter. This organization continued its existence until about 1888, when it surrendered its charter and has not since reorganized.

Argos Lodge No. 26J, L 0. O. F. - The dispensation to organize this lodge was issued August 2, 1866, and on the twenty-first of November, 1866, a charter was granted to the following members : Hugh Bowman, Henry Krause, Gideon Wolf, James M. Wickizer, Thompson Cannon, W. H. Tuttle and Finley Stevens. This lodge has pursued the even tenor of its way for forty odd years, and during that time has contributed aid to many in need of assistance, and in the sphere of its work has been a controlling influence for good.

Ma.vinkuckee Lodge No. S73, I- 0. 0. F., was organized at the village of Maxinkuckee, on the east of Maxinkuckee lake, in the '70s, and has kept up its organization with regularity ever since. Mr. Eli Parker, the principal business man in the village for many years, was one of the petitioners and charter members, and it was mainly through his influence during his life that the lodge grew and prospered to the present time. The lodge owned the building adjoining Mr. Parker's business building where the meetings were held for several years, when it caught fire and was destroyed. It then was moved across the street, where rooms for the meetings were procured, and later the lodge erected a hall and furnished it with all the necessary paraphernalia necessary to do the work, and for comfort and convenience, in which their meetings are now held.

Ilion Lodge No. 715, L 0. O.F., was instituted at Tippecanoe June 15, 1895, by Henry G. Thayer, of Plymouth, district deputy, assisted by brethren from the surrounding lodges. After the lodge was instituted the following officers were elected and installed : Noble grand, M. A. Dilley; vice grand, Joseph H. Taylor; recording secretary, John Weber; financial secretary, George W. Taylor ; treasurer, W. H. Taylor. In the evening twenty members were initiated into the order, Rochester lodge doing the work.

Foster Rebecca Lodge No. 546, I. 0. 0. F., Ilion, was instituted July 12, 1897, by E. J. Pascal, of Bourbon. The following officers- were elected: Noble grand, Delilah Taylor; vice grand, Catharine Taylor; secretary, M. A. Dilley ; treasurer, Amanda Taylor.

The total membership at the close of 1907 is eighty-seven. The lodge does not own a hall, but has interest in some valuable real estate and a balance of nearly $700 belonging to the lodge. The lodge is especially proud of its membership, being from among Bourbon's best citizens. The death rate is very low, only three deaths having occurred in eighteen years.

Hyperion Lodge No. iij, Knights of Pythias, was organized in Plymouth May 13, 1884, by Grand Chancellor E. G. Herr, of Goshen, assisted by Knights from Warsaw, Columbia City, Fort Wayne, La Porte and Michigan City, the total number of visiting knights present being about one hundred. In the afternoon the visiting knights, together with the new brethren of Plymouth, gave a parade headed by the Warsaw band, with th<" Plymouth band at the head of the new lodge. The work of initiation commenced at half past five, and was kept up continuously the greater part of the night, with the exception of an interval of one hour, which was devoted to the refreshment of the inner man, speeches, songs, etc. The lodge started out with twenty-nine charter members, all being first class, energetic young men. After the work of instituting the lodge was finished, the following, being the first officers of the lodge, were installed by the grand chancellor : Past chancellor, Ira D. Buck ; chancellor commander. Will A. Bray; vice-chancellor, O. S. Covert; prelate, Jas. Vangilder; keeper of records and seal, David McDuffie ; master of finance, Calvin P. Klinger ; master of exchequer, Burt J. Gilmore ; master at arms, Fred H. Kuhn ; inside guard, Samuel Rosenfeld ; outer guard, Ed H. Soice. Since its organization nearly a quarter of a century ago the lodge has prospered in

Marmont Lodge No. 2^i, Knights of Pythias. This lodge was organized November 29, 1889, with twenty-two charter members. The first officers were as follows : O. A. Rea, chancellor commander ; F. L. Carl, vice-chancellor; Ed Morris, prelate; W. H. Porter, master of exchequer; M. F. Mosher, master of finance ; J. H. Koontz, keeper of records and seal ; G. A. Williams, master at arms ; A. J. Kimball, inner guard ; William Swigart, outer guard ; trustees, L. C. Dillon, H. M. Speyer and D. G. Walter. The lodge has a present membership of fifty-eight.

The lodge some years ago erected a two-story brick and stone building in the center of the town for its own use, the lower story being used for commercial purposes. The money was raised by a stock company composed of members of the lodge, the lodge itself subscribing for a large share of the stock.

This organization gained a foothold in Indiana about the time of the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion. The ceremonial ritual of the order is founded on the old Indian customs of adoption and aims to bring the novitiate from a supposed low and degraded state to an improved and perfect condition of manhood. Its system of fees, dues and benefits is similar to the Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, etc. It has a system of dates peculiar to itself. The months beginning with January are called Cold, Snow, Worm, Plant, Flower, Hot, Buck, Sturgeon, Corn, Traveling, Beaver and Hunting moons. A day is called a Sun ; a year a Great Sun ; a night a Sleep. Money is called Wampum, and is divided into fathoms, feet, and inches. The officers are designated sachem, senior and junior sagamore ; chief of records, keeper of wampum, prophet and sanaps.

The first tribe organized in the county was Pottazvattomic Tribe No. 16, at Bourbon, May 22, 1870, with twenty charter members, by P. S. lioft'man, of Richmond. It has continued to the present time, and has a membership of about fifty.

Shaimee Tribe No. ip was shortly after organized at Argos, but was afterward removed to Walnut, where it flourished for a time, but finally ceased to exist.

Aubbecnaubbee Tribe, under dispensation, was organized at Plymouth October 30, 1871. Daniel McDonald, who was great sachem of the state at that time, in his report to the great council in 1872 made the following mention of its condition :

"The gentlemen w'ho procured the names of the petitioners for this tribe selected for the most part members of the Order of Odd Fellows and Masons who were actively engaged as officers of those bodies. Before the tribe was organized the prime mover in getting it up left for the west and has not since returned. The tribe lingered along for some time, but, notwithstanding the efl:orts put forth by myself and a few others, it finally ceased to work at all and in the early part of January I arrested its charter, and took possession of its books and papers, which I have placed in the hands of the great chief of records subject to the order of the great council."

There is a ladies' degree belonging to the Red Men called the Pocahontas degree. Bourbon has the distinction of having organized the first Pocahontas council in Indiana, No. i. There are now in this state about 150 councils, and a total membership of over 10,000.

Massasoit Tribe No. 206, Improved Order of Red Men, was instituted at Tippecanoe, May 27, 1895, with the following officers for the first term: Sachem, L. D. Eley ; senior sagamore, J. H. Patch; junior sagamore, C. A. Smith; prophet, Charles M. Walker; chief of records, C. E. Shoemaker; keeper of wampum, Benjamin Harmon.

AUatah Couneil No. 75, Degree of Pocahontas, was instituted in Tippecanoe, January 25, 1896, with the following chiefs : Pocahontas, Mrs. C. E. Shoemaker ; weona, Mrs. J. H. Patch ; prophetess, Mrs. L. D. Eley ; powhatan, Mrs. C. E. Shoemaker; keeper of records, Miss Grace Eley; keeper of wampum, Mrs. C. M. Walker.

The Sons of Malta. This was the name of a secret order organized in Plymouth in the summer of 1858. The mission of the order was to "sell" all who applied for membership, and in doing so those who had previously been initiated into this ancient and honorable order invariably had a good time at the expense of the candidate. The order sprang up suddenly prior to i860, and spread like wild fire until there was not a city or town of any considerable size in the LTnited States where there was not a lodge, or at least a number of members to be found. It was simply a burlesque on the initiatory ceremonies of the secret societies then in existence, particularly the Masons and Odd Fellows, and the candidate was initiated into the several degrees in the most solemn manner possible, and invariably before the ceremonies were concluded he was most egregiously "sold." It was full of fun from beginning to end, and that was all there was of it. Plymouth had a large and prosperous lodge of near one hundred members, in fact about all the prominent men in town at that time were "sold." It was made a part of the duty of every candidate after he was initiated, whenever he found a friend desirous of becoming a member, to "take him in," and as a matter of course the membership increased very rapidly. Plymouth lodge was organized by John W. Dawson, editor of the Fort Wayne Times, and for many years territorial governor of Utah, and about twenty other "sons'" of Fort Wayne who came along to see the fun, and George Moon, of Warsaw, as grand chancellor. Col. O. H. P. Bailey, Alf Morrison, and Seth Edwards, of Plymouth, were the charter members, having previously taken the degrees at Fort Wayne. The party came with fife and drums and maltese banners flying, and a more dignified and solemn looking set of men it would be hard to find. They preserved their dignity exceedingly well under the circumstances, and left the impression on the people who thronged the streets as they marched from the railroad station to the lodge room (in the second story of the building on the east side of Michigan street, on the corner across the street opposite the then Edwards House) that they belonged to one of the most ancient and honorable orders the world had ever seen ! The charter members had been busy several days getting the lodge room prepared for the reception of candidates, and when the grand conclave arrived everything was in readiness, even to "the wet sponge" and "the grand tank !" Twelve candidates were "taken in" that evening, and the visiting brethren, being "of sound mind and in good condition" made a night of it and had more fun than they knew what to do with.

A year or so after Plymouth lodge was organized, Frank Leslie's New Y'ork Illustrated Weekly published the ritual in full, illustrating the scenes through which the candidate seeking to penetrate the arcana of mysteries, or "powers of numbers," had to pass, giving all the signs, grips and passwords and everything else connected with its secret workings. This was the death knell of the order, and the members of Plymouth lodge decided to surrender the "charter," and close up the affairs of the lodge. There was in the treasury about $150, and it was decided to invest it in provisions and other useful articles and distribute them to the needy of the town. The money was so invested and the membership was ordered by the lodge to appear at midnight on a certain evening named, and go in solemn procession to the houses of the dift'erent families where provisions, etc., were to be left. The matter was kept a profound secret from all in town except the members. At midnight the members quietly assembled at the lodge room and clothed themselves in the regulation uniform - black cambric gowns, with a cap of the same material that covered the face, holes being cut for the mouth and eyes. The officers wore shields and helmets of extensive dimensions and elaborate workmanship, with swords and bucklers and other claptrap to give them a military appearance. The profession was led by Dr. T. A. Lemon (long since deceased), mounted on a white steed. He wore a long, flowing white beard and wig of long white hair, and carried a huge torch. Then followed the martial music - fifes and drums. Then came the members in single file, to the number of about fifty, each carrying some of the articles to be distributed. No member was allowed to open his mouth and not a word was spoken, except by the commander, who gave directions as to the movement of the procession. The time of night, the dress, and the "awful mystery" surrounding the procession gave it a solemnity never to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The procession had not gone far until the whole town was aroused, and such an exciting time was never seen in Plymouth before or since. The goods were all finally distributed and about three o'clock in the morning "The Ancient and Honorable Order of the Sons of j\Ialta" in Plymouth was disbanded, and the members, after securing such pieces of furniture and fixtures as they could lay their hands on to be kept as relics, in solemn reverence bowed their heads and "departed."

Xlvi. Miscellaneous Organizations

XLVI. MISCELLANEOUS ORGANIZATIONS. Marshall County Watchmen. Organizations for various purposes, as occasion seemed to require, have been effected in Plymouth and at various places throughout the county from time to time. Of course it is impossible to remember all or to give the particulars in all cases of those that are now remembered.