Clay Township

Clay Township

is bounded on the north by Wayne, east by Monroe and Jackson, south by Lake, and west by Seward. Lake originally belonged to Clay Township. The first cabin erected in Clay Township was built by Samuel Bishop, who sold his claim to Isaac Minear.

tlie second pioneer in the township. Minear emigrated from Oliio with his family early in 1837. George Luke emigrated from Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and settled on section 4 in April, 1836, and was the first pioneer to make a h .)me in Clay. His son, George iS. Luke, wt > the first white child born, that event occurring April 13, 1837. Joshua Caldwell and his family came with Isaac Minear in 1837, and the same year a number of other families came. The first crops were planted in 1837 by the gentlemen mentioned, and of course from the lack of improvements they were very light. Clay was a densely wooded district, and was opened up very slowly.

The first religious services were held at Joshua Caldwell's cabin in tlie winter of 1837. Rev. Elza Van Schoick, a Methodist Episco- ]ial minister, oflaciated. Present: Grandma and Adam Minear, Joshua Caldwell, wife and sons.

The first Sunday-school was organized in the Caldwell cabin the next j'ear. Daniel Dodd was the first pedagogue, but was remarkable only in efficiencv. His scholars were few and learned but little. Simple subtraction was something too difficult for him to solve. The first schoobhouse was built of poles, upon the site of the brick school-house at Mount Pleasant, in 1840.

The first election was held in the township in April, 1838, at the cabin of Isaac Minear, who at that date was elected Justice of the peace.

of was donated to Captain John Wells, wlio erected the large two-story frame building now used as a hotel. This was occupied for some time by A. J. Whittenberger, who opened an extensive stock of general merchandise as soon as the store was completed. The place derives its name from the postofiice, which was established in 1840 on the farm of Joshua Caldwell, who was, until discontinued in 1865, the postmaster. The office was again established with the same name in 1873, with Captain John A\^ells as postmaster. By virtue of the name given the postoffice the village was and has been since known.

A. J. Whittenberger was for a number of years postmaster, but a change in the administration brought with it the appointment of Dr. George Ivetclinm, not only a sterling Democrat, but a physician and sui-geon of ability.

There are several important industries at Claypool, among which mwy be mentioned the fine saw-mill owned and operated liy J. AV. Shoemaker. There are two other mills owned by Jacob Ulrey and A. F. Chavey. A. J. Whittenberger is a large dealer in grain; Isaac Caldwell also owns a small elevator. There are two large stores that do a fine trade in general merchandise, Messrs. A. J. Whittenberger and AVilliam Sarber. The Grangers also have a store, but it has not been considered a paying investment, and the management frequently changes. The brick school-house was erected in 1878, and the United Brethren church in 1884. The medical profession is ably represented by Drs. George Ketchum, G. W. Brown and H. P. Hazel. The village has a population of 500 and is a very quiet and orderly place.

seats cointbrtably 250 persons, and is creditable alike to the village and tbe proprietor. Mr. Long also owns and conducts a saloon with a liue billiard-room attached.

Secret Societies

Clay Grange, No. 729, was organized in 1869, at the Yager school -house. In 1879 it was moved to Claypool, and Harmony Grange united with it. Nelson Beigh is present master, and this grange has the largest membership of any in the county.

Claypool Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., was organized December 17, 1875. The charter members and officers installed were : Noble Grand, A. J. Whittenberger; Vice Grand, John Boyce; Secretaj-y, Amos Pontius; Treasurer, George W. Harland; Warden, William Davis; Conductor, Thomas Decker; Inside Guard, Leander Penny; Outside Guard, James L. Deaton; Right Supporter to Noble Grand, John Haddix; Left Supporter to Noble Grand, Daniel Dick. The lodge has been in a prosperous condition since its organization, and the society have a room pleasantly fitted up over L. Peiui^-'s hardware store. The present officers are: Noble Grand, George Luke; Vice Grand, Thomas Dick; Secretary. John S. Deaton; Permanent Secretary, Amos Pontius; Treasurer, G. W. Ilrvin.

This is a new village built since the completion of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railway, in 1882, and was laid out by John C. Packer upon the first tract purchased by him in this county. The plat comprises ten acres, a part of which lies in the adjacent townships of Monroe and Jackson. The first merchant was Adam Miller, and the first hardware stock was opened by I. N. Lucas, in 1883, who still conducts the business. The same year he erected a handsome twostory brick residence, the first brick house in the village.

L. C. Wiltshire was the first druggist, who in 1882 sold a half interest to Bert H. Wattles. In July, 1885, Mr. Wattles purchased his partner's interest, added a stock of groceries, and has since conducted the store upon his own capital.

In November, 1885, he was commissioned postmaster, and is the present incumbent. John C. Packer was the first one to serve in that capacity.

Dr. Vauglin was located within the present limits of Packerton several years before the survey. Dr. L. B. Bacon, an accomplished physician and surgeon, located in the village in the spring of 1886, and enjoys the principal business in his profession.

The first hotel was erected and is owned by William Walter. This is a neat twostory frame wiih a bar in connection with the hotel. Both are well conducted and every one stopping with the genial landlord and his estimable wife accord them the praise so justly merited. The host also lias a livery and feed stable, the first in the town.

Messrs. A. J. Whittenberger and George A. Seal have recently erected a tile factory, which has a capacity of 10,000 brick, 400 rods of three-inch and 200 rods five-inch tile daily.

The Highland Presbyterian Church is the finest church in any town of the size in the county. The corner-stone was laid October 27, 1885, and the church was completed and dedicated Sunday, November 13, 1886, Rev. J. P. Lloyd, of Fort Wayne, preaching the dedicatory sermon.

This important structure is a monument to the good people of the county, and especially to John C. Packer and Isaac N. Lucas is much credit due.

organized March 13, 1886. The charter members and its tirst otttcers were: Noble Grand. G. ^V. Carder; Vice Grand, William Scott; Secretary, B. H. Wattles; Treasurer, Isaac Harvey; Warden, John LI Packer; Conductor, George Wrigley; Right Support er to Noble Grand, John Yingling; Left Supporter to Noble Grand, David Finton, The officers were installed by Grand Master J. B. Kenner, of Indianapolis. The present officers are: Noble Grand, William Scott; Vice Grand, David Finton; Permanent Secretary, Bert H. Wattles; Kecording Secretary, Peter Clemraer; Treasurer, Isaac Harvey; Trustees, David Finton, George Wrigley, John C. Packer.