Baugo Township

Baugo Township

Long before the white man had set foot on Hoosier soil." ths wild Indian had christened the stream Bango creek, which were the -' sporting waters " for the Indian boys. It was from this creek that the township derives its name. The word Bango is but an abbreviation of the original wliich is Banbango, signifying the "devil" or the -devil river.'" The creek was thus christened because of its terribly swift cnrrent during a freshet. On such occasions, even the expert Indian dared not venture out in the raging waters^ for fear that his little bark would become unmanageable, be hurled against tiie precipitous banks, and be broken to pieces, and "big Injun'' be drowned. The whites used the name " Baubaugo" for some time, and they, thinking that it recjuired too great an amount of " wind " to speak the woi-d. concluded to modify it to their own satisfaction, which they did, omitting the former ''ban," and having it siurply " Bango."

The dates of the ;irrival of the early settlers, and of the organization of the township, and other items of history are almost buried in obscurity. The old pioneers that effected the first settlements in the midst of hundreds of wild savages of this township have long since passed off the " stage of action," and been lain beneatli the sod. According to the evidence of Mr. Daniel Richason, who is the most authentic source we have, Mr. Wm. Mote was the first, lie having settled here in 1S30. Tlie next was John McNey, who was followed by Messrs. James Davis, John Barnes, Mr. Kellog, Jacob Kupel and Wm. Hichason. Later came Azel and Horace Meads, Jacob Kupel (again), Isaac Morris and some others. The last named person remained in the township for only one year, then Vv'ent to Olive township. Messrs. Wm. Richason and James Davis erected a sav/-mill on the Baugo at Jamestown (now called Jimtown'i. This town is situated on the bank of the Baugo, on section 26; it v.-as laid out about the year 1835, by James Davis.

Opened the first store in the place. The town was almost abandoned. A brick school-house is all the building in the place that is worth mentioning. The iirst election was held in the school-house at this place in 1S36; the township was organized some time pi-evions to this. The first school-liouse in the township was bnilt of logs in Jamestown. The county chapel is the M. E. denomination, and was bnilt in ISSi by Zenas Bsldeu. It is SOx-iO feet in size, and is a very elegant and commodious structure. In 1S74 a Baptist society erected a church on section 27, at a cost of §1.700. It is surrounded with a cemetery beautifully laid off in wards.

Peesonal Sketches

The history of Baugo township will now be completed by its most interesting subject matter, namely, sketches of its j.u'incipal citizens, many of whom are pioneers whose gray hairs are monuments of the hardships and privations of frontier life.

J. V. Crawford, farmer, sec. 13; P. 0., Elkhart; was born in Licking county, 0., Oct. 20, lS3o, and is a son of James and Mary Crawford, the former a of Virginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1S30 the family moved to "Wyandot county, 0., where he grew to manhood, and in 1853 came to jMoble county, this State, where he resided till lS6i; tlien came to this county, where he has since been engaged in farming andstockraising. Sept. 17, 1S57, he was married to Lucinda M., daughter of John IT. and Barbara Haines, who were natives of Pennsylvania. To this union were born 5 children, of whom 3 are living, viz.: Eustatia. John II. and Luetta. The deceased are Altha B. and Barbara E. Mrs. Crawf )rd died Sept. 9, 1871, and Mr. C. again married Feb. 13, 1873, Harriet Krieg, by whom he had 5 children, viz.: Clowe {(jhloe) A., Oliver H., Susan R., Chester C. and Ada S. Mr. C's. father was a first cousin of Col. Crawford, who was burned by the Indians on Battle Island, "Wyandot county, Ohio. Mr. C. owns a farm of 133 acres, in sec. 13, worth $75 per acre.

Leonhard Frank is a native of Germany, and was born Feb. 7, 1830. His parents were George and Margaret Frank, also natives of Germany. In 1851 he came to America, landing in jSTew York city May 17. He first located in Burlington county, Is". J., and in 1655 removed to Crawford countj-, Ohio. Here he i-emained until 1867, when he came to St. Joseph county, Ind., wliere he remained until 1879 and then came to this county, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, at which he has been eminently saceessful. He was married Oct. 15, 1855, to Miss Mary Conger, by whom he has had 11 children; the 8 living are: George, Emeline and Caroline (twins), Lewis, Andrew. Theresa, Katie and John. Mr. Frank owns a farm of 146 acres on sec. 11, Concord tp.

Abraham B. Soldeman was born in "\YaYne county, O., April 4, 1S34. liis parents, Christian and Christiana Holdeman, were natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and edncated in the common schools. His educational advantac^-es were more extended than those of a great many others of that day, and we see the i-esults: 20 years spent in teaching; May i, 1S56, he married Elizabeth Weed, and had 2 children, viz : Emma (now Mrs. Frank Gire) and Warren (dec). Mrs. Eloldeman departed this life May 11, 1860, and Mr. H. again married Sept. 15, same year, Mary, daughter of Isaac and Anna Kilmer. They have had 7 children. 5 of wliomare living, viz: Abner, Anna E., Alice M.,Priscilla and Martha il.. Sarah E. (dec.) and Menno Simon (dec). Mr. Holdeman owns a fai'm of 1S5 acres, in sec. 36, worth §75 per acre. Eeligiously he is a Mennonite and politically a Eepublican.

Jolin Iloldermaro, sr., was born in Tuscarawas count}', 0., June 6, 1S12, and is a son of Jacob Holderman, of Pennsylvania. Mr. H. was reared on a fiirm. He was utterly deprived of the advantages of securing an education; from boyhood to manhood he was seen wielding tlie ax or mattock njade by his father. In 1S32 he married Charity Gulp, by whom he had S children, 2 now living, viz.: Jacobj who married Catharine Mills, and Anna, now Mrs. Solomon B. Gulp. Mrs. Holderman died about tlie year 1837, and Mr. H. ao'aiu married in 1S3S. Anna Seese, by whom he has had 12 children; 0 of these are living, viz: Christopher, who married Miranda Mace; John, v^'ho married Nancy Helms; Rachel, now Mrs. Wni. Helms; Abraham, who married Lizzie Moon ; David, who married Ella Bislioj); Tobias, who married Lovina Crater; Lovina, now Mrs. John Page; James, who married Colestia Stoner; and Sarah, now Mrs. Jeti'erson Fish. Mr. Holderman owns 170 acres of land worth $50 per acre. Politically he is a Democrat.

Fninklin Poiitioxis was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 18, 1S15, and is a son of Gabriel and Martha Poutious, who removed their family to this county in 1853. They settled on sec. 15, this tp.. where the subject of this sketch still resides, engaged in farming. He was married May 26, 1870, to Miss Sarah Ann Fortney, daughter of Joim and Anna Fortney. She was born Jan. 25, 1851. they have 2 children, Ida JS". and Martha E.

Horace liandolph was among the early pioneers of this county, having settled here in the spring of 1836. He was born in Oneida county, N. Y., Jan. 11, 1815. His ]-)arents were Abel and Phebe Kandolph, the former a native of xvew York and the latter of Massachusetts. In 1834 Mr. Pandolph went with his parents to Lenawee county. Midi., and in the fall of 1835 went to Illinois, thence to this place. Mr. Pandolph passed his youth on a farm, having access only to the common schools. Dec. 1!:', 1841, he married Polly A., daughter of John and Flora Ealing, of Xew Y'ork. They have had 5 children, of whom 4 are living: Harriet, now Mrs. Byron Majors; Edwin, married to Mary Brower; Mary A., now Mrs. Daniel Breasecker, and Walter. Seth died Jan. 19, 1872.

Mr. Randolph's companion was taken away by death, thus leaving him alone, and March 12, ISTi, he joined himself to one Mrs. Jane Beklen ^McNey), with whom he still lives. To this union have been born 3 children, of whom 2 are living, viz.: Josephine and Charles. Feb. li, 1S66, Mr. Randolph's father died, aged 70, and now sleeps with many other pioneers in the Elkhart cemetery. He was a soldier in the war of 1S12. He iled to America, but was impressed by the British, and for live years fought against the " people of his choice." On one cold winter's morning he deserted his post and took his property, \vhich consisted of a horse and sleigh, and ventured across the Sl. Lawrence on tlie ice. When some distance from shore the ice broke and his horse fell through and was drowned, but he merely escaped with his life to the free soil. He immediately enlisted in the American service and served till the war closed, which lasted only five days after his enlistment. Mr. Randolph, the subject of this sketch, now resides in Baugo tp., where he settled in 1S(3S, and is engaged in farming and rearing stock. In politics he is a Democrat.

Lester Sdioyer. farmer, sec. 25; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Portage county, Ohio, May 23, 1S32, and is a son of Levi and Caroline (Beer) Sawyer, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio. His early life was passed on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools, and qualified himself for teaching, which he follov.'ed for seven years. In lS54hecameto this county, where he has since resided, engaged in farming. Dec. 11, 1S56, he was married to Olive Y., daug'hcer of Jas. E. and Catharine Newman, of Tioga county, E". Y. They have had 5 children, 4 of whom are living, viz.: Clara E., Mina Ella, I'^ora F., Willie E. and Herbert (dec). 3Ir. Sawyer's grandfather, Asa Sawyer, was an officer in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Sawyer's father was an early settler in this county. Mr. S. owns lO's acres of land, valued at $7, -500. Politically he is a Democrat.

Feter Stockharijer, tarmer and carpenter, sec. 15; P. O., Oceola, Ind.; was born Feb. 23, 183i, in Perry county, O., and is a son ot J ohn and Sophia Stockbarger, who were also born in Ohio. At the age of 11 years Mr. S. came with his parents to this county and settled in 'this tp., and here he was reared. His education was much limited. Oct. 29, 1S6S, he married Sarah Welch, by whom he has had 2 children, viz.: Hattie Bell and Milo Chelius. Mrs. S. was formerly the v.-ife of Amos Meach, now deceased. Mr. S's grandfather v>'as a soldier in tlie Revolution, and died at some subsequent time at the very advanced age of 102 years and 6 months. Mr. S. ov/ns lli^ acres' of land, worth $70 per acre. In politics he is a Democrat.

Sanivel J. Warner, son of John S. and Elizabeth Warner, was born in Stark county, O., July 22, ]S33. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of the countv. March 4,

1S60, he wasmarried to Mary A., daughter of Jacob C. and Nancy Pamler, of Maryland. To them were born 5 children, viz. : Charles, "Warren, Lloyd, Cora and Mattie. Mrs. Warner was born July 15, 1S3T. Mr. "W. owns a farm of lOii acres, bordering on the Elkhart river, and is worth $60 per acre. In politics he is a Democrat.

This is tu'.vnship No. 35 nortii, of range 7 east, is in the southeastern corner of the county, and coriiprises one of the finest sections of land in Northern Indiana. The surface is generally level, and the soil is a rich, sandy loam. The forests originally covering the land consisted of oak, maple, beech, poplar, etc. Elkhart river is a considerable stream running through tlie nortliern part of the ownship from east to west; Solomon creek, which takes a north westerly course and empties into Elkhart river below Benton; and Stouey creek, which runs a short distance througii the northern section of the township and empties into the Elkhart. The Elkhart aifords a good water-power, which vras improved at an early day and now gives motion to a flouring mill at Benton village, and also a saw-mill run by Messrs. Scott & Andrews.

The landscape of the township is pleasing to the view. Its thorough improvement, its well-cultivated farms, its comfortable and often elegant homesteads, its smooth roads and substantial bridges, the variety presented to the view by these, and the diversity of forest and cleared land, orchards, abounding fields, churclies, school-houses, all constitute a rural picture of rare beauty and pleasing effect as viewed by the visitor.

Tlie township was settled mostly by emigrants from the German settlements of Pennsylvania and Oiiio, and the original settlers are commonly called Pennsylvania Dutch. They are industrious and economical people, and have compelled prosperity to smile upon them out of tlie wilderness and the hardships of pioneer life. Nearly all the early settlers speak the Pennsylvania German language, and it is said that one half of the present inliabitants can talk in that tongue.

Various religious denominations are represented in the community and several church edifices show the religious zeal of the people. These are constructed substantially, and with good taste. Under the influence of these centers of religious and moral teaching the people of Benton township are remarkable for their high religious and moral character. There are five church buildings within the township, - two Methodist, one Lutheran, one Evangelical and one

Politically the votino- population of Benton is nearly equally divided between the two great leading parties. In a total number of 609 voters there is an average majority of 60 Republicans.

The first settler in Benton township was Matthew Boyd, who arrived in 1S28 and prospected that year. He removed his family to Benton in 1S29, and made a permanent settlement where the village now stands. His pre-emption certificate is dated Aug. 2. 1S31, and bears the signature of President Andrew Jackson. Mr. Boyd established a canoe ferry across Elkhart river at Benton, which he maintained for several years. Mrs. Irwin Berkeypile, a daughter of Matthew Boyd, is now the oldest inhabitant of Benton and still resides in the village. Martin Vance, Solomon Hockert, Peter Darr, Z. Bi'itler, Mr. Hire, the Ott family, John Longacre and the Juday family were among the earlier comers to Benton.

In 1S32 the village was laid out, the original town plat beingtaken from John Longacre's farm, and comprising 10 acres of land. Henry Beane laid it out. Afterward Mr. Boyd made an addition from his farm, and another was made from the farm of ilr. Samuel B. Clymer.

The first business building erected in Bentou village was that hy James Banta and Jesse D.Vail, about 1830, who kept a general stock of goods for sale to the settlers. The postofiice at Elkhart Prairie was removed to Benton in 1836, and Dr. F. W. Taylor became the first Postmaster. The first birth in Benton township was a daughter to John and Sylvia Longacre. Peter Darr built a saw-mill in Benton in 1836, and a grist-mill in 184i or '45. Dr. F. W. Taylor was the first physician in the township, settling in 1S3S. The first school-house was erected in 1836 and Henry Beane was the first teacher. The first church erected in Benton was that by the Baptist denomination in 1S3S, all the inhabitants contributing to defray the expense.

In 1S3S Pev. Geo. Boyd, a Methodist preacher, arrived in Benton and began his labors. In 1839 his eftorts resulted in a great revival, which strengthened the Methodists; and in 1845 the infant society had grown so large and influential as to be able to erect a church.

Eev. Andrew Henkel, the first Lutheran minister of Benton, came in 1847, and continued to serve the people of his faith until about 1870, when he returned to Ohio, and was succeeded by Rev. M. M. Bartholomew. During Mr. Plenkel's pastorate, and by his eftorts, the Lutheran church edifice was erected in 1853.

The first settlers of the township of Benton found the Pottawatomie Indians located in the vicinity". They had a village where Hon. John Thompson now resides. They were frequent visitors at Benton village, especially after liquor was sold there. Under the influence of fire water they would often become boisterous, and would annoy the inhabitants considerably. Mr. Thos. Longacre relates an incident, - how on one occasion a number of drunken Indians were in a saloon, and Mr. Longacre, being then a boy, was hanging about the place, when he sauntered up to a gun which one of the copper-skins had left standing against the saloon, and began caressing the weapon. The Indian did not like this familiarity with his favorite gun, and rushing at the boy, he jerked out the ramrod and began to lay it on the devoted back of young Longacre without mercy. The boy ran for his life, the Indian after him, cutting the boy's back with the cruel ramrod at every leap. The pursuit was kept up for a long way, and the boy nearly died with fright and pain. This was the favorite method with the Indians about Benton; if they could frighten women and children nearly to death they considered that their reputation for valor was coTnplete.

The Fort Wayne road passes through Benton, and this fact was an important one in the early history of the township, as it opened a means of communication east and west, - a great advantage to settlers.

The military record of Benton township is as bright as any of its contemporaries, considering its population. It sent a large number of soldiers to the front during the war of the rebellion. The citizens subject to military duty were obliged to submit to two drafts, but endured the ordeal without complaint.

In the same year (ISTT) in which the great Chicago fire occurred Benton township suffered great loss by forest conflagration. The long-continued drouth had dried the black loam and muck of the lowlands as if in a kiln, and the leaves, brush, weeds and grass were like tinder. The passing locomotives, sending out sparks that dropped upon the combustible material everywhere abounding, soon kindled fires in numerous places, and the entire surface of the township was soon threatened with sweeping destruction. The fire ran through the woods and arrived in the muck of the lowlands, uprooting trees, and causing them to fall with a succession of crashing noises that sounded dreadfully to the farmers during the livelong night. There was great danger that the town