Miami County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 9 of those read), 1887

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 9 of those read)

Allen Township - Situ.vtion and Boundary - Comino of the Pioneers - Land Entries - Organization - Religions - Industries - History of M.\cy, &c.

THIS Township joins Fulton County on the north, Cass County on the west, and is bounded on the south and east by the townships of Union and Perry respecti\ely. The superticial area expressed in figures is equivalent to about 14,720 acres, or twenty-three square miles, all of which is included in congressional townships, 29 north, ranges 3 and 4 east. The general surface of the township may be described as level, with irregular undula- tions at intervals in the southern and southeastern parts. A portion of the surface, was, at the commencement of the first settlement, quite wet and marshy, requiring a system of artiricial drainage to bring it into successful cultivation. The greater part of the township, however, was covered with a growth of ver}- heavy timber, much of which has been lavishly sacrificed to the demands of trade. The following species were found in abundance: beech, walnut, maple, elm, hickor\', poplar, ash, and the several varieties of oak. Cranberries are a natural production of some of the marsh lands, and although no attention has been paid to their cultivation, they formerly constituted an important interest with some classes of the communitv. The soil of the township is of an average quality, and agriculture and stock raising are the chief occupations of the people. The country is abundantly supplied with water, much -of which has to be gotten rid of by artilicial drainage. While the township does not claim to be foremost in improvements, it has made commendable progress, and in various parts of the country are to be seen many highly cultivated and well improved farms.

Coiiiiug of the Pioneers. - More than fifty years have dissolved in the mists of the past since the bold pioneer first penetrated the wilderness of what is now Allen Township. In the winter of 1834 lh''t^*^ sturdy men. John Horton, T. N. Wheatley and T. J. Holcomb, having determined to try their fortunes in the new country, came and, selecting their respective claims, erected thereon cabins, preparatory to moving their families the following spring. Mr. Horton chose for his home a tract of land in the western part of the township, and was the first actual settler of Allen, the other two locating just across the line in Fulton County. The country at that time presented no attractions to the pioneer, being an unbroken wilderness infested with wild beasts, both fierce and dangerous; but nothing daunted, Mr. Horton went to work with a will and in March, 1835, moved his family to the new home in the woods. A small field was cleared in due time, and from the few vegetables raised thereon the famih' managed to subsist until a larger area of land could be made ready for cultivation. The abundance of trfiiue with which the forest abounded furnished the chief subsistence of the familv in the meantime.

From the spring of 1835 until 1836 Mr. Horton was tlie sole white resident of the township, his nearest neighbors being the two families mentioned and a few other settlers Ii\ing in the \icinity of Perrysburg, Union Township. In 1836 one George Neece came to the country and made some improvements about one-half mile north of the present site of Macy, where he remained a few years. He was a substantial citizen and took an active part in the development of the country, but disposed of his home in an early day and emigrated to one of the Western States. His brother, William Neece, came about the same time and settled two miles north of Mac}- on the Zartman farm. Jonathan Williams became a resident some time in 1836, settling on the Tracy farm about two and a half miles northeast of INIacv, where he made substantial improvements. Isaac Williams, a brother of Jonathan, purchased the Neece place prior to 1837, and early earned the reputation of an honest and upright citizen. The year 1837 witnessed the arrival of a number of datintless men, prominent among whom were the Wilkinsons, who had formerly settled at the village of Mexico in Jefferson Township. The family at that time consisted of John Wilkinson and his sons, Anderson, George, James and Baldwin, all of whom were pioneers in the true sense of the term. John Wilkinson moved from Ohio in 1836, and, after a short time spent in Jefferson Township, purchased land where Macv now stands. George Wilkinson entered a tract of land south of Macy in the spring of 1837 and is still an honored resident of the township. Anderson located near the present site of the village and is also living at this time. James located in the same neighborhood and Baldwin made his first improvements on what is now the Ewing farm. J. Keiker came in 1837 and settled in the eastern part of the township on land which he subsequently sold to Sullivan Waite. Jesse Yost became a resident as early as 1837, settling a short distance northwest of Macy, while the Dabnev brothers, James, John and Samuel, located in the southwestern part of the township the latter part of the above year, or earl)^ in 1838. Sullivan Waite, to whom reference- has been made, moved to the township in March, 183S, and was an honored and highlv respected resident of the same until his death in April, 1850. His son, A. C. Waite, is one of the. prominent business men of Macv, and another son, J. H. Waite, is proprietor of a large mercantile house at the town of Gilead. Conspicuous among the arrivals of 1S39 were Matthias Carvey and son, P. M. Carvey, the latter still living where the family originally settled, a short distance east of Macy. William Hatch, brother-in-law of Carvey, came the same vear and settled in the same neighborhood, as did also Thomas Clemens, who purchased the Waite farm, upon which he is still living. Others of 1839 and 1840 were George Hakins, one-half mile west of Macv; William Squires, in Section 7, northern part of the township: David Kinder, eastern part; Matthias Harmon, Section 23, Township 29, North 3 East; Elias Bills. Section 24, same township and range; John McCrea, Section 20, Township 29, 4 East; Nathaniel and George Brvant, in southwestern part of the township: William and Avery Carvey, sons of Matthias Carvey, southwest of Macv; Samuel Carr and Frederick Fore, northeast part; William Fenimore, a short distance southwest of Macy; Henry Studebaker, about one mile north of the village; William Boggs, south of town; Joseph and Richard Endsley, southeast part of the township; Peter Weaver, near the Fulton County line; Daniel Hoover, Section 4, Township 29, North 4 East; William Gibson, Section 16; Clark Bailey, Jeremiah Bailey and Stephen Bailey in Section 18; Stewart Bailey, Section 11, Township 29, 3 East, and Andrew Highland, Section 12, same township and range.

Land Onirics - The first land purchased from the Governiuent within the limits of Allen was entered in a tract lying in Section 4, Township 29, north of Range 4, East, the year 1835, by Charles W. Cathcart. He obtained a patent for the north half, southwest quarter of said section, and the same year Alexander B. Morrison entered a tract in the same part of the township.

During the j'ear 1836 lands were entered by Samuel A. Mann, William H. Stubbletield and David Hoover, in Section 4 of the above township and range: Asa Leonard, William Smith, William Cannon, Nathaniel Leonard and Jonathan Williams in Sections; William H. Lee and Samuel Hoover in Section 6; George W. Neece, Section 7; Alexander Wilson, Section 8; John McCrea, Sec- 20; James Wheeldon, Newberry Wheeldon, Elias Beard, Isaac Lapham, John G. Gibson, William Neece, David Harp and Jesse Yost in Section i. Township 29, Range 3, East; Jeremiah E. Cary, Joseph Cary, Samuel Harp and John L. Gibson, Section 2; John Horton, Jonathan Williams and George Harkins, Section 11; William Neece and D. R. Rowan, Section 12; John Horton and John Dabney, Section 14; Joseph Holman, Eli Pugh and E. S. Wyatt, Section, 25. In 1837 the following persons secured lands by entry, viz.: David Kinder, Section 6, Township 29, 4 East; Alexander Jameson, Gartin Calaway, W. T. Squires and T. J. Holcomb, Section 7; A. M. Campbell and Peter Harshman, Section 9; James Wilkinson, Daniel Mendenhall, Thomas Clemens and Sullivan Waite, Section 17; John Wilkinson, Eli Pugh and Matthias Carvey, Section 18; Baldwin Wilkinson, Section 19; Grimes Holcomb, Anderson Wilkinson, Andrew Highland, Thomas Holcomb and Daniel Lee, Section 12 of Township 29, North Range, 3 East: George Wilkinson, William R. Mowbray, Ebenezer Fenimore, Stephen Brewer and John A. Taylor, Section 13; Elias Bills and James Wilkinson, Section 24; Charles Lowe and Townsend Evans, Section 26. Numerous entries were made during the years 1839 and 1840, and by the year 1842 nearly, if not quite all, the Government land in the township was taken up, the greater part by actual settlers.

Union Township, and dates its history as a separate division from the 6th day of September, 1859. It was organized with boundaries same as now, and named in honor of Senator Allen, of Ohio. The first election was held in L'ncoln (now Macy), at the residence of Anderson Wilkinson in the fall of the above j'ear, Mr. Wilkinson as inspector. The first officers elected were Frederick Huffman, Justice of the Peace, and Jamas Wilkinson, Trustee. The second Trustee was William Fenimore, who resigned the office before the expiration of his term in order to enter the armv. Anderson Wilkinson was appointed to fill the vacancy-, since which time the office has been held by the following gentlemen, viz: Baldwin Wilkinson, Henry Heming, M. McGinlev, Frank Hart, William Belt, John Zartman, and David McKillip, the last named being the present incumbent. The present Justices of the Peace are O. Case and Henry Pulver. Politically, Allen has ever been noted for its handsome Republican majorities, the plurality ranging from forty to fifty-five.

Rel/g-ioii. - The religious history of Allen dates from its first settlement, many of the pioneers having been men of marked piety and active members of Churches in the countr}- from which thev emigrated. The first meetings were generally held in the cabins of different settlers, and they ma}^ be said to have been one of the principal means of intellectual as well as spiritual improvement. " The circuit preachers were for a number of \'ears the only circulating medium of thought and emotion that kept isolated settlements from spiritual stagnation." " They were men of great physical endurance, absolutely devoted to their work which thev pursued in the face of every hardship and discouragement." Their circuits were frequently great, requiring them to be constantl}- on the route, and their oratory was of the popular kind, familiar to all the earlv settlements of northern Indiana. With all the uncouthness and eccentricities of these early pioneers of the Cross, they did much towards checking the evils and vices of the times, and are entitled to special credit among those who conquered the wilderness. Prominent among the early ministers of Allen Township was Rev. George Pope, a Baptist preacher, who held religious worship at the residence of George Neece as earh- as 1838. Rev. Mr. Kendall, another Baptist preacher, visited the sparse settlements as early as 1S39, '"^^ about the same time Rev. William Williams, of the Methodist Church, began holding meetings at the cabin of Anderson Wilkinson, where the first organization was effected in 1840 (^See M. E. Church, of Macy).

T/ie Pleasant Hill Methodist Society, about four miles northeast of Macv, was an early organization and among the first members were John Clifton and wife. Perry Dukes and wife, John Hill and wife, T. J. Carpenter, Jacob Bennett and wife, Thomas Powell and wife, Enoch Powell and wife, Samuel Carr and wife and others whose names cannot be recalled. Meetings were held in private residences for several years and as the emigration increased in numbers, efforts were made to erect a house of w:)rship. The tirst building was a log structure on the land of VVm. Dukes. It was replaced by the present building some time prior to 1870. The organization is in good condition and at the present time enjoys the pastoral labors of Rev. J. D. Belt.

The Methodiit Church at Five Corners, was organized prior to 1S60 and is one of the points of the Macy Circuit. The organization has enjoyed a reasonable degree of prosperity for a number of years and upon its records can be seen the names of manv of the substantial citizens of the community. A frame house of worship was erected about the year i860. The society is not so strong as formerly, numbering at this time only about forty members. Rev. J. D. Belt is pastor. The Birmingham Class was organized about the time of the founding of that \illage and has a fair membership. The village school house is used for a meeting place and services are regularly held bv Rev. J. J. Cooper, pastor in charge of the Perrysburg Circuit.

Industries - In 1856 Messrs. Runkle and Woodring built the tirst saw mill in the township. It was a steam mill with corn burrs attached and was highly prized by the residents of Allen and adjoining townships. It was operated very successfully for some time, when it was blown up, killing three men; Mr. Hart and his son William and a Mr. Hippie (See sketch of Macy for other mills). The tirst manufacturing establishment of anj^ kind in the township was an ashery; operated by William T. Squires as early as 1840. Mr. Squires carried on the business with reasonably fair success for several years and manufactured much of the soda used b}' the early settlers.

Miseellaiieoiis Items. - Probablv the first marriage in Allen Township was that of Elijah Ogle to Catharine, daughter of John Wilkinson, solemnized sometime in the year 1838. The first death which occurred was that of John Wilkinson who departed this life on the 24th of December, 1838. "In December of 1838, Margaret, wife of William Hatch, gave birth to a daughter, Delilah Ilatch, who was probably the first white child born in the township." Joseph II. Waite, son of Sullivan and Margaret Waite, was born on the 6th day of March, 1839, and the following year, Noviniber 15, A. C. Waite, was born to the same parents. Both of these gentlemen are still living, the former in Gilead and the latter in Macy. "The first brick in the township was manufactured by Stewart Bailey, on the Sullivan Waite farm, about the 3'ear 1842." "To George Hawkins is due the credit of buildin<>; the first brick house in the township in 1856." In the year 1850 Sullivan Waite was kicked to death by a vicious horse, an occurrance that cast a deep gloom over the entire communit}-. The following incident shows the moral standing of two former residents of the township. "Men will trade cattle, houses, horses and lands without enlisting much attention, but when it comes to trading wives people will very naturally be astonished, and yet such a trade actuallv occurred at an early day within the borders of Allen. There were two farmers by the names of Adams and Hernsberger living not a great way apart. An intimacy sprang up between Mr. Adams and the wife of Hernsberger. At this there need be no surprise, for in the eves of Nineteenth Century, it has grown quite common for men to admire the wives of others more than they do their own. The friendship between the couple increasing an elopement was planned and a day fixed for putting the same into execution. At the appointed time thev stole away and quietly started on their journej'. Mr. Hernsberger, it seems, was on the alert, and the guilty pair had not proceeded far before they were overtaken by him. He did not approach rashly the dispoiler of his home with drawn revolver and shoot him dead upon the spot, but calmly, with the utmost composure, and in a business like manner proposed that since he (Adams) thought more of his (Hernsberger's) wife than he did of his own, if he would give him his wife and a small sum to boot, he might proceed on his way unmolested. Adams without the least hesitation accepted the proposition, and all parties concurring therein, the trade w as at once closed, and rumor says that they all li\ed in the enjoyment of domestic felicity ever afterwards."

Cemeteries. - The two principal places of burial in i\llen Township are the Carvey cemetery, near Macy, laid out in an early day on the land of Matthias Carve}-, and the graveyard at Five Corners, where lie many of the first settlers of the county. Among the earliest burials in the former were Mr. and Mrs. Baily, Matthias Carvey and a child of William Hakins, and in the latter were laid to rest many years ago the bodies of Nathan Bryant, Matthias Harmon and a number of others whose names have long since been forgotten.

Five Corners. - A straggling village in the western part of the township, so named on account of its location at the intersection of several roads, was the nucleus of a very early settlement, and at one time achieved considerable reputation as a trading point. The place was never platted, being merely a thickly settled locality to which the term village can scarcely be applied, but it early became the chief source of supplies for a large area of territory in Miami and Fulton Counties. About the year 1857, or perhaps a little earlier, a stock of goods was brought to the place b\- Moses & Williams, who carried on a very successful business for a period of six or seven years. At the end of that time the store was purchased by Nathan Shackleford, who remained in business three years, when he sold out to William Harp, who had previously operated a general mercantile house at Wooleytown in Richland Township. After remaining about eighteen months Mr. Harp closed out within a short time, L. Carl began merchandising, and continued with fair success for over a year, when he moved his stock of goods to Macy, his store being the last business venture at the Corners. A postotiice was established in 1859, with Nathaniel Bryant as postmaster. The last postmaster was L. Carl, who had charge of the office when it was moved to Macy. At one time the place gave promise of a bright future on account of its remote location from any other trading point, but the completion of the I., P. and C. railroad through the country a couple of miles distant and the springing up of the town of Macy, served as an effectual check to its anticipations, and all that now distinguishes the village from the surrounding neighborhood are a church and school house, with a few dwellings in close pro.ximit}'.

Macy - The thriving villege of Macy is situated near the central part of the township and dates its history from June, i860 at which time the original plat, consisting of twenty lots was laid out bv George and Anderson Wilkinson, under the name of Lincoln. The village was the immediate outgrowth of the I., P. & C. Railroad and soon became the principal shipping point on said road between the cities of Peru and Rochester. One of the earliest residents of the town was William Cordell, who built a blacksmith shop a short time after the plat was made, and about the same time John G. Inscho, a carpenter, purchased lot 15 and erected thereon a dwelling which is still standing occupied at the present time by Mrs. 13err\-. These men followed their respective vocations for several and found abundant employment during the early settlemants and building up of the town. Nelson Wilkinson bought lot No. 20 and built a residence thereon sometime in i860 and the same year another building, in which was kept the tirst store was erected In- George Wilkinson a short distance west of Mr. CordelFs shop. Mr. Wilkinson brought a large stock of general merchandise to the place and for about three years carried on a fairly successful trade, closing out at the end of that time and retiring from business. The next merchants were J. W. Hurst and A. L. Norris, who engaged in business as partners prior to 1869, using the Wilkinson building for their store room. In the meantime the influx of population continued such, that an addition to the town became necessary. Consequently in June, 1869, a plat of eighty lots was made and offered for sale by Messrs. Wilkinson and Powell. These lots found ready purchasers and within a short time quite a number of residences and business houses were erected in the new addition; among which was the store room now occupied by O. Case. This building was erected by Hurst and Norris and in the fall of the above year another business house was erected on lot 29, same addition, by L. Carl, who from that time until the present has been prominently identified with the business interests of the town. In May, 1871, David Enyart laid out an addition of thirty-two lots, the majorit}- of which were soon purchased and improved. The firm of Hurst and Norris lasted but a short time the latter retiring at the expiration of about one 3'ear. Mr. Hurst continued the store some time longer and in connection with his mercantile business engaged in the grain trade which he still carries on being at the time the most extensive and successful buyer between the cities of Peru and Rochester. L. Carl brought a stock of goods from Five Corners in 1869 and with the exception of about one year has been one of Macv's leadinij merchants ever since. Frank ErnsberjTer en<ra<red in merchandising in 1S71 and one year later the first drug store was started by Lon Hudson. Another earlj^ merchant was a man by the name of Cole, who opened a business house on the corner now occupied bv Cloud & Son; and sometime in the seventies a clothing store, a branch of Mr. Bear's large establishment at Rochester was brought to the place by David Goldsmith who continued it for a period of about two or three years. In addition to those mentioned, the following business men sold goods from time to time, viz: Milton En\art, Stephen Bennett, Ira and James Hurst, Hurst & Hoffman, W". H. Hatch, Mr. Castle, Frank Edwards and others.

Iiidiistn'es. - The first industry of Macy was a steam saw mill, brought to the village in i860 by J. L. Peck. It stood in the northern part of the town, and was operated as a lumber mill exclusively for several years. John Garner subsequently purchased an interest, and the firm of Peck & Garner remodeled the machinery and converted the mill into a flouring mill, using for their building the frame of a large barn that stood near the town. The mill did its first grinding some time in 1868, and operated with good success until destro3ed by fire in 1870. The last owners were Stallard «& Garner. A flouring mill was built in the southern part of the village in 1870, by Messrs. Wagoner & Swihart, who operated it until 1885. It was then purchased by Steel & Norris, who have since thoroughly remodeled and supplied it with improved machinery for the manufacture of flour, by the roller process. The proprietors are experienced mill men, and their brand of flour has already achieved a reputation for its superior quality. In 1880 a large steam saw mill was started a short distance north of Macy, by Shindler & Wilkinson, who still operate it. The} do a successful local business, besides

Change Of Name From Lincoln To Macy

Physicians. - The hrst physician to practice his profession in Macy was Dr. James McKee, who moved to the village in i860. The next medical man was Dr. M. M. Boggs, who is still in the active practice of his profession, having been one of the leading phy.sicians of the town ever since its infancy. Among other doctors who iiave made tiie village a stopping place from time to time, were Drs. Ford, Weltie, Wright and Ernsberger. The resident physicians at this time are M. M. Boggs, E. H. Sutton, John Barnes, R. J. D. Peters and J. S. Wilson.

Hotels. - Thii first hotel in Macy was built bv H. C. Ewing, who kept it several years. It stands on the principal street near the central part of the village, and is now run by Jeremiah Hatch. The second hotel was opened several years later by J. C. Fenimore, who is still in the business, his house having already become a fa\orite stopping place for the tra\eling public.

T/ic Press. - The Macy Monitor, the first and only newspaper enterprise of Macy, was established in 1885 b\' M. Lew Enyart, with D. O. Huffman, publisher. The first number of the Monitor made its appearance May i6th of the above year, since which time it has steadily grown in favor as a spicy local paper, having already reached a circulation of several hundred. The AFonitor is a five-column folio, independent in politics, and presents an attractive appearance, with every indication of being in a fiourishing condition. Its mechanical execution is good, and the editorial and local departments are equ;d to those of any local paper in Miami Count}-.

Cliani>x of JS/amc, and Incorporation. - As already stated, the town of Macy was surveyed and recorded under the name of Lincoln, and was known as such until about the year 1875. The near location of another and older town of Lincoln, in Cass County, together with the name of Allen, by which the post office was originally known, gave rise to much confusion and no little trouble in the shipment of goods and the sending of mail matter. To obviate this ditficulty the citizens of the town presented a petition to the County Board praying that the name be changed from Lincoln to Macy, which was duly granted in 1875, "^"^ about the same time the postoffice department was petitioned to change the name of the ofiice to correspond with the name of the town. The latter petition had the desired effect also, and since the adoption of the one name for both office and town, a great deal of annoyance consequent upon the missending of mail and merchandise has been avoided. The postoffice was removed from Five Corners in 1869, and Mr. L. Carl had the honor of being the tirst postmaster of Macy. The present postmaster is Dr. M.

M. Boggs. In 1884, the citizens of Macy desiring to ascertain whether public sentiment was in favor of erecting and maintaining a town corporation, called an election to decide the same. A full vote was cast, with a very decided majority in favor of the corporation, in consequence of which, the town was divided into three districts, and the following Board of Trustees elected, viz: M. Freeland, Jeremiah Hatch and A. C. Waite. The officers of the town at this time are M. Freeland, Oliver Jenkins and Albert Hakins, Trustees; J. D. Belt, Clerk; John Cloud, Marshal and L. Carl, Treasurer.

School Bttihh'iii^s. - The first school building was a frame structure built in the southwestern part of the town some time in the seventies. The original building was subsequentlj- enlarged b}' the addition of an upper storv, making in all three good rooms, which served to accommodate the pupils of the town until 1880. In that vear the Township Graded School-house, a beautiful brick edifice of eight rooms, was built at a cost of over $6,000. This is one of the finest and most commodious school buildings in the county, and is an improvement of which the citizens of Macv rnaj' justly feel proud.

Allen Lodge, No. 540, I. O. O. jF., was instituted November 23, 1876, with the following charter members, viz. : W. R.Marshall, Easton A. Guyer, Oliver Jenkins, J. R. Cunningham, C. C. Johnson and G. P. Franklin. The first officers were W. R. Marshall, N. G.; Oliver Jenkins, V. G.; Azro Wilkinson, Secretar}', and Milton Enyart Treasurer. Meetings were held in the Grange Hall until the winter of 1876, at which time the present hall, on the principal business street of the town, was erected, which, with the other lodge propert\-, represents a capital of about $1,400. The growth of the lodge has been steady and healthful, and although not so strong in numbers as formerly, is still in good condition, with an active membership of thirty-four. For the vear 1886 the officers are: Thomas Powell, N. G.; Wm. F. Wilkinson, Treasurer, and J. Norman, Secretary.

Mvstic ycii'cl Lodge No. 210, Daughters of Rebecca, was established January 15, 1881, with seventeen charter members, whose names are as follows: D. K. Ogden, Mrs. E. A. Ogden, Henrv Pulver, Mrs. C. B. Pulver. W. R. Marshall, Mrs. Sarah Marshall, Geo. W. Ogden, Mrs. Sarah Ogden, William F. Wilkinson, Oliver Jenkins, Mrs. Oliver Jenkins, A. H. Wilkinson, Etta Wilkinson, E. Chapen, Mrs. E. Chapen, C. C Johnson and Mrs. A. J. Johnson. At this time the membership is about twenty, and the organization is reported im a prosperous condition. The following are tlie present officers: Nancy Freeland, N. G.; Sarah Cloud, V. G.; William F. Wilkinson, Sec, and Elizabeth Ogden, Treas.

Charles Wailc Post No. 7/, G. A. R. was organized in the year iSSi, with a membership of nineteen, a number which was increased from time to time, until fortv-five names were on the roll. Owing to \arious causes a spirit of dissatisfaction early manifested itself in the organization, and such was the disaffection that a number of members withdrew from the Post altogether. These were followed from time to time by others, and the membership, in October, 1866, numbered about nineteen. The first commander was F. D. Hart, after whom were elected in regular succession, Abner Waite, Joseph Hoover and J. B. Hatch. The officers at this time are H. C. Day, Commander; George Shackleford, S. V. C. ; Thomas Powell, Officer of the Day: Joseph Wikel, Officer of the Guard; Augustus Brownmiller, Clerk; Samuel Tracy Adjutant and Abner Waite, Chaplain.

In addition to the organizations mentioned, there is in the village a flourishing society of the Patrons of Husbandry, established a number of years ago, with a large membership, among which are a number of the best farmers in the township. At one time the society maintained a general store, which lasted several years, and in addition to this investment a beautiful hall was erected, in which the meetings are still held. The organization, while not so strong numerically as formerly, has still an active and wide awake membership, and from present indications, promises to remain a fixture of the town for 3-ears to come.

Churches. - The Methodist Episcopal Church of Macy was organized a number of years prior to the foundation of the town, the first meeting of the society having been held at the residence of Anderson Wilkinson as early as the year 1842. Soon after the first settlement of the township had been made, itinerants of the Methodist persuasion began to visit the locality where Macy now stands, delivering their messages of peace and good will to audiences consisting of a few scattered settlers.

who, not infrequently, were brought together through the instrumentality and patient searching out and earnest solicitation of the messengers themselves. One of these early circuit riders was Reverend Ansel Beach, to whom the credit is due of sowing the first seed which, under his careful culture, germinated and in due time developed into what is now the Macy church. After holding several meetings Mr. Beach determined to gather the few Methodist families into a class, which was accordingly accomplished. Among the earliest members composing said class were George Wilkinson, Thomas Clemens and wife. D. Wilkinson and wife, Elijah Ogle and wife, Stewart Bailey and wife, Anderson Wilkinson and wife, Baldwin Wilkinson and wife, James Wilkinson and wife and Anna Rains. Meetings were held at private residences by this nucleus of a church until about the year 1844, at which time steps were taken to provide a house of worship more in keeping with the growing conefretration. Accordinjfly a lot at the cross roads where Macy now stands was donated by George Wilkinson, and in due time a comfortable log structure 20x24 feet was erected. It was used for the two-fold purpose of church and school house for several years, but was tinalh- abandoned as a meeting place on account of an addition to the building, which interfered with the arrangement of the audience room. After this the meetings were held at the residences of the several members, and in i860 the village school house, erected that year, was opened for public worship. The growth of the village brought additional members into the society, and in the course of time the school house became insufHcient to meet the wants of a greatly increased membership. Consequently ftieasures were inaugurated to supply that want by the construction of a new liouse in which to worship. Lot No. 60, in Wilkinson and Powell's addition, was procured, and the erection of the present handsome frame edifice occupying that site was completed and formally dedicated in the year 187 1. The building is 33x45 feet in size, with a seating capacity of about 400, and was erected at a cost of about $1,400.

Commencing in an early day, the following are among the ministers who have sustained the relation of pastor at this point, viz: Daniel F. Strite, H. J. Lacy, L. Roberts, Nelson Green, Allen Skillman. Paul Jones, William Vigus. Jacob Colclazer, George Gill. Arthur Badiey, J. C. Metsker. Sanuiel AVoolpert, J. C. White. Robert Calvert. "P. Garland. Mr. Stephens. N. Shackleford, Adam Curry, R. J. Smith, Mr. Bell. Peter S. Cook, J. Lee, J. K. Waltz, Mr. Girard, A. J. Lewellen, A. J. Cary and the present pastor, Rev. J. P. Belt. The church has been a potent factor for good in the community, and has been maintained with a constantly increasing membership. Tlie cliurch officers at this time are Isaac Mullican and M. Freeland, class leaders, and S. S. Tracy, steward. The Sunday school is in a health}- and prosperous condition, and has an averaije attendance of about seventv-rtve. A. L. Norris is the efficient superintendent.

C/iristiiiii Church of Alacy. - About the year 1868, Elder Aaron Walker, of Kokomo, Indiana, one of the ablest ministers of the Disciples' Church in the State, was invited by some of the friends accepting his form of belief to visit Macy with the object of ministering to their spiritual wants; and if practicable organize the scattering members into a church. Pursuant to that invitation he came here, and after laboring successfully for some months succeeded in organizing a society of about twentyfive or thirtv; a number of whom had previously belonged to a church in Fulton County. Elder Walker continued to visit the village at intervals preaching acceptably to large audiences including the congregation over which he exercised a watcful but kindly care. Under his ministrations the society increased in numbers and a good influence was spread abroad, services being held regularly, notwithstanding a stated house of worship had not vet Ijeen provided. To supply this want the school house was used for meeting purposes until 1872, at which time the conLrreffation set about devising means for the erection of a proper place of worship. The movement was heartily received bv the co-operation of all members of the congregation and the year 1873 found the society in the occupancy of a neat and commodious brick chapel in the original plat of the village, erected and furnished at a cost of $2,500. From that time until the jircsent, the membership has constantly increased, numbering at this time over one hundred in creditable standing. The minstrations of Elder Walker e.xtended over a period of about thirteen years and were the means of keeping alive and active, the working elements of the congregation. Subsequently, Elder John Rohrer accepted the pastorate, and after laboring with efficiency and zeal for one year, was succeeded by Elder L. H. Jameson who preached in an able and satisfactory manner for the same length of time. His labors were crowned with eminent success anci the evidence of his devotion to the cause he represented will long remain to remind his people of the master spirit who ministered to them so lovingly in the past. The next minister was Elder Luke Warren after whom came Elder Huff, W. T. McGowan and I. X. Grisso, all of whom earned the reputation of earnest and able defenders of Apostolic Christianity. Since the expiration of Elder Grisso's term of service, the Church has been without a regular pastor; the services at this time being conducted bv leading lav members of the congregation, thus pre- venting a subsidence of interest in the observance of Christian duties. At present the society is in every way in a healthful condition, indicating unmistakably that the members are fully alive to the spiritual welfare of the community in which they have alread}' accomplished so much good. The present officers are T. G. Horton, John Abbott and P. M. Carvey, Elders; James Hurst, I. B. Hurst and John Champ, Deacons; P. M. Carvey, Addison Horton and John Cliamp, Trustees. The Sunday School, under the efficient superintendenc}' of L. J. Hurst is doing a good work in the communit}-. The school numbers about seventy, including teachers and pupils.

Macy Cornet Band was organized in the year 1881 with about ten or twelve members. Since then many changes have been made and at the present time the band is composed of the following efficient corps of musicians: Vester Carvey, E flat Cornet; Schuyler Arnold, Solo B flat; Henry Norris, Solo- Alto; William Day, First Alto; L. J. Hurst, Second Alto; C. H. Norris, Baritone; Thomas Savage, First B flat; L. J. Savage, Second Tenor; Charles Palmer, B flat Bass: John Carvey, Tuba. R. M. Belt, snare drum. William Wilkinson, bass drum. The band is a credit to the town and one of which her citizens may feel proud.

Present Population and Business. As a mercantile and shipping point the town of Macy is second to no other place of like size and population in Indiana. Its growth, during the first five vears of its history, was more rapid than at any time since, and during that period the amount of grain and stock shipped was greater than that billed from any other stations of its size between Peru and Michigan City. Its reputation as a grain market is still kept up, its remote location from larger towns making it the chief shipping place for a large area of countrj' in the Counties of Miami and Fulton. The population at this time is about 600 and the business is represented by the folio wino; retjister : Carl & Hakins, (jeneral merchandise: Clending & Waite, dealers in general merchandise: Cloud & Son, general stock; O. Case, dealer in hardware; John Cloud, restaurant: J. B. Hatch and J. C. Fenimore, hotels; Miss C. Cofllan, milliner; Mrs. Caroline Carl, milliner; Mrs. Henrv Cloud, milliner: Henrv C. Ewing and James Sheets, butchers: W. R. Marshall and Henry Pnlver, blacksmiths and waiTon-makers; D. K. Ofrden, shoe-maker: ]. W. Hurst, grain and stock buyer: John Champ, manufacturer of drain tile; M. Lew. Enyart, attorney-at-law ; Ogden & Abbott, barbers and jewelers; L. J. Hurst, railroad agent.

Birmingham. - The village of Birmingham situated on the I. P. & C. Railroad, in section 29 and 30, township 29, north; range 4, east, was laid out November, 1868, by Solomon Jones and Isaac Caulk. The original plat embraces quite an extensive area and consists of 122 lots, traversed b}- the following streets: Main,

Biographical Sketches

Third, Fourth, Sixth and Seventh, running east and west; and Prairie, Jones and Spring streets, north and south. The town was platted solely for speculative purposes, but the growth failed to come up to the expectations of the proprietors, the unfavorable location proving the chief detriment to its success. It has never been a place of extensive business, but has always enjoyed a fair proportion of the current trade. The population does not probably exceed one hundred, but the place is supplied with all the necessary auxilliaries of the kind and qualit\- of trade demanded bv the people in the countr}' immediately surrounding. A large steam saw mill was the first industry of the village, and for several years after its erection an immense amount of lumber was manufactured and shipped on the I. P. & C. Railroad. At this time a saw mill, blacksmith shop, and one small general store, constitute the sum total of the business interests of the place.

Wagoner'' s, a small railroad station in section i, near the Fulton County line, is a local trading point of some importance. It has a steam saw mill and one general store which does a fairly prosperous business.