Miami County, Indiana - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 13 of those read), 1887

Erie Township - Surface Features and Products - Early Settlers - Black Hawk - Organization - Early Mechanics - The First Mills - Religious Matters - Biographical Sketches.

ERIE TOWNSHIP embraces a superficial area of about eighteen square miles, and is the smallest division of Miami County. It is bounded on the north by Richland Township, on the east bv Wabash Count)', on the south by Wabash River, on the west by Peru Township, and constitutes the greater part of Township 26 North, Range 5 East, of the Congressional survev. The surface is pleasantly diversified, somewhat rolling in the South and East and level in the northern part. When first seen by the pioneer the face of the country was covered with a dense forest growth, the most numerous variety of which were walnut, poplar, ash, beech, maple, elm and sycamore. The bulk of these woodlands required but little surface drainage, but were at once fitted for cultivation as soon as the heavy growth of timber was removed. The soil of the township is of great depth and fertilit}', especially in that part of the country lying adjacent to the Wabash river. The northern part is also fertile, and for general farming will compare well with that of any other division of the county. Agriculture is in a flourishing condition, and all the fruits and cereals grown in Indiana are sure of rapid growth and profitable return. Stock raising is also enuatrinfj the attention of many of the farmers and is rapidlv becoming one of the leading industries of the township.

Perhaps the first perm-anent setder in what is now Erie Township, was Henry King, who located a claim near the western border in 1835, choosing for his home what is known as the Dingman farm occupied at the time by a Mr. Sampson. Prior to his arrival however, Samuel McClure, now a resident of Marion, Grant County, established a trading post in the same locality and for several years carried on a successful traffic with the Indians. "His business was that of a trader exclusively and consequently he made no attempts at improvements of an}- kind." Joseph Fox came as earh- as 1835 and laid claim to the land where Alfred Miller lives, not far from the old Wabash and Erie Canal. A Mr. Hale and his son, John Hale, arrived the same year and settled in the western part of the Township; the former la\ing claim to a small tract of land which was subsequently entered by a Mr. Henton. John Hale's first place of settlement was near the lock, but he afterwards lived in various parts of the township and took an active part in the early development of the country. Daniel Potter settled on the canal opposite the Nichelson farm earlv in the thirties and was a permanent resident of Erie until his death. He made substantial improvements on his place including the first orchard in the township and is remembered as a public spirited and honorable citizen. About the vear 1836, one James Farnash and son William Farnash became residents of Erie, locatin<j a claim on land which William Lynd subsequently purchased. They were both types of a restless class of characters usually found in the early settlement of all new countries and their departure was not signalized by the outburst of any great amount of sorrow on the part of their neighbors. William Farnash spent a goodly portion of his time with tlie Indians and was frequently seen on the streets of Peru in company with his red friends gorgeousl}- attired in genuine savage style. Two other early comers deserving of special mention were John and James Baile}-, who located in the southern part of the Township, sometime prior to the \'ear 1840. They both became noted hunters, and from the sale of deer and other game, which they killed in great abundance, managed to supply the few wants of their respective families. They made no improvements beyond erecting a couple of rude cabins and with the advance of civilization, took their departure for more congenial quarters in the far west.

Sylvester Henton came to this country sometime in the thirties and early acquired the reputation of a successful Indian trader. He took claims in various parts of the country and for many years was know as "Black Hawk" Henton, a name which afterwards became attached to the township. His brother, Elam Henton, came later and settled where Lewis Baker now lives, purchasing the claim of John Hale. He subsequently filled the offices of Recorder and Clerk of the county, and was justly esteemed one of the representative men of Miami. A transient settler by the name of French was living in the southern part of the township as early, perhaps, as 1838 or 1839, "^"^ "^ later Anson Jewett built a cabin in the same locality, which he occupied for only a limited period. Lewis King early settled where his son Riley now li\es and about the same time Jeremiah Ta3lor settled on land adjoining Mr. Nichelson's farm, taking a claim which was subsequently purchased by D. R. Bearss. Other early settlers in the southern part of the township were Morris Baker, on the Jacob Elper place, and Joseph Misner, near the canal. Prominent among the arri\als of 1S42 were Salathiel Cole, who moved from Ohio that year and purchased the farm where George Nicholson now lives. His death, September of the following year, was one of the earliest events of the kind in the township. John and William Nichelson, brothers of George Nichelson, came earlv in 1842 and settled in the eastern and southern parts of the townships respectively; the former is living at this time in Missouri, and the latter died at his home in Erie about the year 1854. George Nichelson moved to this township in the spring of 1844 and is still an honored resident of the same. A. Dingman became a resident in 1842, settling in the eastern part of the township; Martin Kennedy and John Carback were early settlers in the western part. In 1843 Samuel Philabaum moved to the township, locating about one mile from the northern boundrv, where he has since resided. He and George Nichelson are the oldest residents of Erie now living. Among the many who came from time to time and shared in the hardships incident to pioneer life may be mentioned: Abner Beeson, in the southern part; Levi Wright, in section 5 ; John Downey, in the same section : Thomas Daily, section 7; Nicholas Berger, section 8; James Britton, section 9; Jacob Pier, section 17; William W. Lane, section 17; Dorastus Chandler, where his son lives; William Butt and sons, Daniel, William, Elias, James, Erastus, Lawrence, and Frank Butt, not far from the canal; Alfred Miller, where he still lives; George Nichelson, Sr., father of John, William, and George Nichelson already mentioned; Henry Niman, on the line between Miami and Wabash Counties; Thomas Mann, near what is now the Paw-Paw Turnpike: William Beeson, in the southern part of the township; Nicholas Dice, where he still resides; David Simmerman, who is still a resident; William Robinson, in the northern part; Jacob Hostetler, Charles and Daniel Henderson, near the western boundary; Charles Rector, near the river; William Lynd, in the southern part, where his son still lives; Alfred Baker, not far from the canal: Pleasant Bell, Mr. Robertson, and a Mr. Stitts, the e.xact places of whose settlements were not learned. The following is a list of persons who obtained land in the township by entry prior to the year 1840: Israel T. Canby, fractional part of section 20, township 27, north, range 5, east, August II, 1830: John Tipton, northeast quarter of section 22, October 11, 1830; William Marshall, southeast quarter of section 21. in 1833; James Britton, northeast quarter section 3, in 1835; Joseph W. ^loore, northwest quarter of section 3, in 1835. Other entries of 1835 were as follows: William N. Hood and Richard Britton, section 3; made James M. Ray, section 8: M. T. Williams, James Britton and J. M. Ray, in section 10: Enoch McCarty, James R. Mendenhall and James INI. Currv, section 15; Solomon Vermilyea and Alexander Worth, section 17. From the 3-ear 1836 to 1839 following men purchased goverment land, to-wit: Richard and Robert Miller in section 4; Lewis Adkison and John Miller, junior, section 16; William O. Ross and William Hood in section 21.

The township was organized August 27, 1839, and took its name from the Wabash and Erie canal, which run through the southern part. The first election was held the same year on the Anson Jewett farm, at which but nine votes were cast. "Jeremiah Taylor was elected Justice of the Peace, Henry King, Daniel Henderson and Samuel Philabaum, were elected Trustees."

The tirst mechanic in the township was Thomas Kenned}', who operated a blacksmith shop, on the old canal for several 3ears, during the early settlement of the count\'. A man by the name of Umstadt was also an early blacksmith, and William Lynd was one of the first carpenters of the township. Among the earliest marriages was that of John Passon to Priscilla, daughter of James Fasnash, solemnized sometime in the year 1838. The early deaths were those of Joseph Hale in 1838, Salathiel Cole in 1843, and John Hale, Jeremiah Taylor, Joseph Fo.\ and Daniel Potter, the dates of whose deaths were not learned. Perhaps the first birth in the township was that of John Hale, Jr., son of John and Hannah Hale, born in the A-ear 1837.

The first saw mill in the township was built near the northern border, many years ago, by a ^Ir. Williams, who operated it quite successfull}- until taking a large contract for furnishing railroad timber which crippled him financially. The mill was subsequently purchased by a Mr. Cowger, who moved the boiler to Peru. The next enterprise of the character was started by- Miller and Ullman, who erected a large steam mill in the western part of the township. It was operated by the above firm until destroyed by fire, after which Mr. Ullman rebuilt it. He is the present proprietor and is doing a prosperous business.

Daniel Reicher ensjajjed in the manufacture of drain tile in 1882, and still operates a large mill near the central part of the township. He also operates an extensive cider and jelly factory with which he does a very remunerative business.

" The first religious meeting in the township was held at cabin of Salathiel Cole by the Baptists early in the forties. Rev. John Davis preaching." This denomination; although having no organized society, maintained regular services for a number of years, using what was afterwards known as the California school

The Christian or New Light Church was early represented in Erie, altiiough no society was ever organized. Meetings were held at the cabins of different settlers from time to time by Elders Nicholas. Myers, John S. Winters and William Deal.

Calvary M. E. Church. - The oldest religious society in the township dates its history from the summer of 1846, at which time a small class was organized, consisting of the following persons, viz.: Daniel Mendenhall and wife, Frederick White and wife and Alfred Miller and wife. Revs. Donaldson and Webster were perhaps the earliest preachers, and the residence of Daniel Mendenhall in the northeast corner of the township was used for a place of worship until about 1847 or '48.

By that time a house, more in keeping with the wants of the congregation, became necessary- Accordingly a log building, 24x30 feet in size, was erected on land donated for the purpose by Mr. Mendenhall. After this the society made fair progress, and it was not long until the majority of the early settlers in the vicinity were enrolled among its members. The old house was abandoned in the year 1865, and a new frame building, 35x50 feet in size, erected on the same ground at a cost of $1,600. At that time the membership numbered nearly forty, and it has since increased until at present there are the names of about seventy communicants on the records.

When organized, the society was attached to what is known as the Paw Paw Circuit. It is now a point in the Wabash Circuit, having been attached to the latter about the year 1S83. Among the pastors are remembered the following, viz. : Revs. Bradshaw, Rhodes, Black, Roberts, Munson, Shackleford, Reed, Wade, Markley, McElwee and others. The society has made commendable progress, and is in prosperous condition at this time.

Eric Church - United Brethren in Christ, was organized in 1849. at the residence of Samuel Philabaum. Among the early members were Samuel Philabaum and wife, Michael Dice and wife, David Rep and wife, David Zimmerman and wife and Mrs. Barnett. The early ministers were Revs. Mr. Peters, Hiram Freeman and Samuel Simons. Later came Rev's. John Surrand, John Lamb, Jesse Bright, Mr. Iliff, Mr. Martin, John Farmer, Mr. Turflinger, Mr. Gallaher and the present incumbent, James Grove. In 1850 a hewed log building was erected on the land of Samuel Philabaum. It was 26x30 feet in size and answered well the purpose for which it was intended until 1872. In that year the present substantial frame temple of worship on the Philabaum land was erected at a cost of about $1,700. This .society has been the outgrowth of faith and from an insignificant beginning, has increased to such an extent that there are at this time fully two hundred members belonging. It has accomplished a vast amount of good in the community and is in better condition than at any other time since the organization. The Sunday School, under the superintendency of William Pettj- is well attended.