Harrison Township

Harrison Township

This township is diversified with slight hills and valleys, and it is mostly woodland, although the greater portion is under cultivation. The land is quite productive and yields large crops of corn and wheat.

The first settler in this township was Daaiel B. Stutsman, who came in 1831. He erected a log cabin, moved into it, and commenced the work of clearing. His was the first white man's ax that was lieard in this township. The wild Indian was yet there. They were the neighbors to the white man, and indeed were their true friends. They would seldom visit tlie white settlers, but before leaving would give them some trinket or article of some sort, as a token of their love and respect for them. Mr. Stutsman's was the only white family in the township for a long while. They indeed encountered many hardships in those pioneer days. They subsisted cliieiiy, besides bread, on wild meat, and while he had various ways of capturing wild game, we will make mention of one in connection with an incident.

Mr. S. had off at some distance from his " cabin home " a turkey pen or trap. The trap was constructed of poles, perhaps three feet by four feet in size, with a ditch dug along under the pen for the turkeys to pass in, he having previously scattered shelled corn around the pen and also in the ditch as a bait. They would devour the corn in the ditch to its terminus, tlien to get out would fiy upward, instead of returning via the entrance, and would soon find themselves entrapped. A turkey will always fly upward instead of downward to get out of a trap. On one occasion Mr. Stutsman went out to his turkey pen with his rifle, baited it with the corn as usual, and stepped back a few paces to wait for turkeys to come. He soon heard the rustle of leaves (it was autumn and the leaves had just fallen) at a distance, and on looking some rods apace saw an object resembling a red-headed gobbler moving along as if looking over a log. Mr. S. coolly raised his gun, intending when Mr. Turkev alighted on the log to dispatch him with a bullet; just then an Indian with a red handkerchief tied around his head, seeing that " big Injun be shot " leaped from behind the log and came running withall the (.987)

Speed tba: he could make to Mr. Stutsman, and clapping his hands on his benefactor's shoulders, exclaimed, " G-ood che-mo-ko-mon, good che-mo-ko-mon!" ( interpreted, good white man) '- no shoot Injnn." so glad was he that he did not meet with the fate to which he was destined, had he not emerged from his hiding place at that moment. iSlor very soon after did Mr. Redman disguise himself as a turkey.

In 1833-'4 David Y. Miller, Conrad Brumbaugh, James and Wm. Stewart and Samuel Bilehanan effected settlements in this township, and in 1835 came James McDowell and Christian S. Farber. Time continued to rollover these old pioneers' heads till the spring of 1836, when the}' numbered 10 families. The 10 voters there convened and organized the township. The first election was held the following jSTovember, where 10 votes were cast, all Whigs and all were cast for Gen. Harrison. From the result of this election the township derived its name.

In 183S the citizens erected a log house for school purposes. We can have but a faint idea of the rudeness of these huts, and do not wonder at them for not receiving a very scientific education when we consider the limited advantages they enjoyed. There are now nine frame and brick school-houses in the township, and we see what pre-eminent facilities the present generation enjoys above those of earlier days. We see now as the result of these advantages, a large number of the natives are teachers, and many are teaching their home schools.

Keligions meetings were held in school-houses for a number of years. The first church in the township was built by the Mennonite society on sec. 28, in 1855, by Daniel B. Stutsman and Abraham Teeter. In 16(32 the Dunkards erected a church on section 26. The Mennonites also built a church on the same section in 1868.

About 1810 apostoffice, designated as "Cabin Hill," was located in the western portion of the townsliip, but was discontinued after a few years of business, and was subserjuently established at Southwestern, a small village in the southern part of the township. It was rnn there a few years, then discontinued, and some years since was re-established.

The justices of the peace from the beginning to the present are: Wm. Stewart, elected in 1840 for five years; Christian S. Farber, elected in 1815 for five years; Solomon P. Yeoman, elected in 1S50; then Benjamin Benner, Christian S. Farber again, John Otto, Joseph Criipp, Martin P. Grash, Melcher Gulp, Joshua Shriver, Aaron B. Craig and Leander Anderson. Others liave been elected, but never qualified.

The prominent men of this township are Messrs. Josepli G. Gulp, John A. Wliisler, Leander Anderson, John Hay and Andrew and Peter D. Berlcey, Daniel B. Stutsman, Wm. McDowell, Jacob Bechtel, P. H. Kurtz and Benjamin Hoft'man, stock raisers; and Benjamin Benner, J. Shively, J. Buzzard, J. S. Gripe, Wm. Coughman, C. S. Farber, G. M. Borntrager and some others are the leading men that are engaged only in farming.

Personal Sketches

Following are short biographical notices of several citizens of Harrison township, whose lives have been so identified with its history as to be an essential part of it. Some are pioneers who have experienced all the scenes of frontier life elsewhere delineated in this work, and some are more prominent in the modern progress of the community.

. Leander Anderson was born July 12. 1S±S, in this county. His parents, Noah and Mary Anderson, were natives of Delaware and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father was born Sept. 10, 1810. In 1833 he came to this count}', first settling in "Waterford, where he lived till 1837, then moved into Harrison tp., where he resided till his death, which occurred Sept. 29, 1874. He was married Jan. 25, 1831, to Mary Ann Hay, daughter of Valentine Hay. To this marriage were born 10 children; 8 are living, viz. : Warren, Felix, Isabella (now Mrs. Kaylor), Esther (now Mrs. IvTicholas Reed), Benj. F., Leander, Hiram, Erastus G., Uriah and Wai-ren. Mr. Anderson was quite prominent among the people of this county. He served as County Commissioner for several years, and as a member of the Legislature for one term.

Jacob Bechtel. - Among the prominent farmers of Harrison tp. Mr. Bechtel ranks with the leading. He was born in Lancaster county. Pa., May 30, 1815. His parents, Peter and Sophia Bechtel, were natives of Pa. In 1828 they moved to Ashland county, Ohio. There he was reared, and received his mite of knowledge of school books in the rude log hut. To give a description of this school building would not be out of place. It was a log structure, and not so very spacious within its massive walls. The roof was constructed by laying large loes on the top, and covering with dirt; the floor was formed of rough, unplaned puncheons, the seats of slabs; the room was heated bv a large fire-place, which occupied the full width of one end of the room; the win- dows were made by removing a log from the side of the building, and greased paper was used for the window lights. What a hardship this would be to children of the present day ! In 1850 he came to this county, where he still resides, following the independent vocation of farming. April 20, 1S37, he was married to Miss Anna Mover, daughter of John and Elizabeth Mover, natives of Pennsylvania. They have had 10 children, 7 of whom are living, viz.: John, who married Sarah Hoover, now deceased; Elizabeth, now Mrs. C. "W. jSTusbaum; Abraham, who died while in the war, at Gallatin, Tenn., Feb. 19., 1S63; David S., who married Sophia Otto; Barbara A., now Mrs. Geo. H. Hoover, in Kansas; Sophia, now Mrs. Levi Hoover, also in Kansas; Peter, Catharine, Joseph (deceased), and Caroline (deceased).

Mr. Bechtel was elected to the office of Tp. Trustee. He served in this capacity three years, then was elected County Commissioner. He served in that office till 1S62, and in 1S65 he was re-elected and served six years. Mr. B. is a Republican, and is also a member of the Evangelical Church. His grandfather, Jacob Kinch, was a Hessian, and came across some time during the Revolution.

JBenjamiii Benner, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Philadelphia, Peun.; was born March 23, 1804, and is a son of John and Mary A. Benner, natives of New Jersey. In 1806 the family removed to Baltimore, Md., where they lived till 1821, when Benjamin went to Cumberland county; in 1832 he moved to Clarke county, Ohio, and in 1834 he came to this county and settled near Waterford, where he lived till jSTovember, 1839, when he moved into Harrison tp., in a little, low, "log cabin in the woods." which had neither doors nor windows. Wild game was plentiful, and the}- subsisted chiefly on wild meat. Sept. 27, 1839, he married Caroline Broughton, daughter of iSathau and Lydia Broughton, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Mr. Benner was born in iNew York, on the Mohawk river. Ten children were added to this family, 7 of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth (now Mrs. Henry Bowser), Lydia A. (now Mrs. Isaac Richards), Caroline fnow Mrs. Joseph Dalrymple\ Maria (now Mrs. Wm. Misnei'), Franklin (married to Lizzie Collins), Martha (now Mrs. Warren). The father of the subject of this sketch was a soldier in the war of 1812, and well does Mr. Benner remember the battle of North Point, which occurred Sept. 12, 1814. and where Gen. Ross was killed.

The subject of this sketch has held various offices of the tp.. although no office-seeker. He owns a farm of SO acres, in sec. 25, worth $7,500.

Andrew Se^'key was born May 19. 1831, in Somerset county, Penn. His parents, Daniel P. and Fanny Berkey, were natives also of Penn. Mr. Berkey went to Fulton county, Ohio, in 1855, and the same year he came to this county, where he still resides, farming and stock-raising. In 1854 he married Rachel Wertz, daug-liter of John and Susan Wertz. natives of Pennsylvania ; of their 7 children 6 are living, viz. : Elizabeth (now Mrs. Moses Baringer), David (who married Christiana Sherman), Malinda (now Mrs. David Means), Albert, Hiram, Allen, and Mary Ann, (deceased). Mr. Berkey owns 160 acres of land in sec. 10, worth $60 per acre.

P. W. Berhey was born in Somerset county, Penn., July 22, 1844. His parents were David and Fanny Berkey, wlio were born also in Pennsylvania. In 1866 he came to this county. He was married October 20, 1868, to Miss Catharine Berkey, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Berkey, natives also of the Keystone State ; 5 children were born to this union, viz. : Idella, Warren, Julia, Morris, and . Mr. Berkey has tilled the office of Tp. Trus- "

Christian JBorntrager was born in Holmes county, Ohio, Oct. 25, 1842. His parents were Christian and Susanna Borntrager, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1860 he came to this county, where lie has since resided, farming and stock-raising being his occupation. He was married Dec. 24. 1863, to Miss Nancy A. Garber, of Wayne county, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Lucy Garber, natives of Pennsylvania. To them were born 4 children, viz. : Mary E., Daniel J., Andrew W. and Susanna. Mr. B. is possessor of a tine farm of 160 acres, sec. 22, valued at $10,000.

John JBazzard, farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Goshen; was born in jSTorthampton county, Penn., Dec. 15, 1811. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Buzzard, were natives also of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1850 he came to this county and settled in Harrison tp., where he still resides engaged in fanning and stock-raising. In May, 1838, he was married to Catharine Coffer, by whom he had 4 children; 3 are living. Mrs. B. died, and Mr. B. was again married iu 1847, to Anna Weldy. To them were born 5 children, of whom 4 are living. Mr. B. owns a farm of 240 acres in sec. 27, valued at $65 per acre.

Joseph Coiighman was the second white settler in Harrison tp. He was born in Old Virginia in 1797. His father was Jacob Coughman, and both his parents were also natives of Virginia. He was C[uite young when his father died, and his mother moved with him in 1804 to Montgomery county, O., where he was reared. For an education lie had access to the common country schools, they being held in log cabins erected in the woods or in deserted dwelling houses, which were furnished with slab seats, puncheon floor and a huge fire-place. These were the attractive features of the scliool-rooms in the days of Mr. Coughman's boyhood. Thus his early life was passed on the frontier in the Buckeye State. In 1834 he emigrated to this county, where he spent his maturer years in settling up and improving a new-born country. He was joined in marriage in 1824 to Elizabeth Brumbaugh, by whom he has had 7 children; of these, 4 are living.viz. : Eve (now Mrs. Israel Immel),

Susan (now Mrs. Joseph Ummel), William (who was married to Miss Sarah, dauo-hter of Joseph and Elizabeth Bartiraer), Christiana (now Mrs. Joseph Gulp). Mr. G. owns 120 acres of land four miles southwest of G-oshen. This was the fruit of Mr. Coughman's industry during the "' trying times " of pioneer life. Mr. G. is still living, at the advanced age of S3 vears. His wife died in the summer of 1879.

John S. Cripe. - Among the early settlers of this county that are yet living is Mr. John S. Cripe. He was born in Montgomerycounty, 0., April 29, 1829. The same year he was brought by his parencs to this county. They first settled in Elkhart tp. Here, amid the primeval wilderness of nature, he was reared. The Indians were his parents' neighbors. The wild animals were as numerous as the chickens are this day. His educational advantages were no more e.xtended tlian others of the times. The schools in his childhood years were held in the rudest sort of log buildings, wit h slab seats, puncheon floor and a large fire-place. The light that .shone upon their books was received through window lights of greased paper. There were but a few log cabins in Goshen. The roads were similar to the Indian trails; all the land was covered with a dense forest of trees. In 1859 Mr. Cripe moved into Harrison tp., where he owns 213 acres of land, worth $80 per acre. April 15, 1850, he was married to Miss Mary Shively, by whom he has had 11 children; of these, 6 are living, viz.: Isaac, Catharine (now Mrs. Abraham Weaver), Lewis, .John, Mary L. and Amanda E. Mrs. Cripe died March 15. 1873. and Mr. C. again married Jan. 1, 1871, Elizabeth Kensberger, by whom he had 3 children, viz. : Frances, Wm. IT. and Ellen.

Joseph, G. Culp was born in Mahoning county, 0., March 20, 1842, son of George and Magdalena Culp, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Virginia. At the age of eight years he with his parents moved to this county. Here 'mid the forests of Elkhart county he was reared to manhood, and educated in the common schools of the -' woods," which were held in log cabins of the rudest sort. Jan. -i, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Jacob and Mary Wisler, natives of Pennsylvania. To this union were born 7 children; of these, 6 are living, viz.: Ellen, Emma, Amanda, Mahlon, Susanna and Mary A. Mr. Culp is the present Trustee of Harrison tp. He owns a farm of 90 acres, in sec. -30, valued at $75 per acre. He principally devotes his time to dealing in live-stock, buying and selling.

Jacob B. Dillman, farmer, was born in this county June 8, 1859, and is a sou of Reuben and !Nancy Dillman, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was married June 13, ISSO, to Miss Belie Teeter, daughter of Andrew and Anna

Christian S. Farber. - Among the early settlers of Harrison . tp. was the subject of this sketch. He settled in this _tp. in 1836, where he still lives, engaged in farming and stock-raising. The date of his birth was Feb. 17, ISll. His parents were Christian S. (Sr.) and Mary Farber, father a native of Germany, and mother of ilaryland. The former emigrated to America in 1784, and settled ia Baltimore, Md., where he lived several years, working at the carpenter's trade, and in after years followed millwrighting. Mr. Farber, the subject of this sketch, moved to Greene county, Ohio, in 1833, from Berkeley county ,Va. where he was born. In 1836 he came and settled in this county, which thea resembled the great forests of Brazil or those of Asfa. Here he erected a lo^ cabin, moved into it, and began the laborious task of clearing and improving, and his labors were not in vain. He now owns a tarm of 240 acres, valued at $60 per acre, all this the fruits of his laborsin pioneer days. Mr. Farber has held various tp. offices,_ among which were Justice of the Peace for nine years, Tp. Appraiser, Assessor, Trustee, Clerk and Constable. Aug. 8, 1833, he was married to Miss Sarah McDowell, daughter of James and Jane McDowell, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Farber died May 4, 187.5, and Mr. F. again married the same year, Sophia Greenwolt, by whom he has had 2 children, viz.: Mary M. and Cornelius. Mr. F. is a member of the M. E. Church, and is a Eepnblican.

Eleazer FiYnvMi was born in this county Sept. 1, 1848. _ His parents are Samuel and Barbara Fryman, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania." Eleazer was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of Elkhart county. He was married Nov. 14, 1869, to Elizabeth Steiner, daughter of Andrew and Henrietta Steiner, natives of the Keystone btate. To them was born one child, Samuel A. In politics Mr. Fryman is a Kepublican, and strongiv adheres to that noble faith.

John Hay, farmer, sec. 13; P. O., Goshen. Mr. Hay was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, Dec. 25, 1829. His parents were Michael A. and Christiana Hay, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. In 1857 John came to this county. July 25, 1852, he was married to Kachel Heasand, by whom he has had 8 children; 6 of these are living, viz.: Abraham B., Michael H., Amza P., Christiana, Joseph C. and Ida M. Mr. Hay owns 250 acres of land, worth $60 per acre.

Benjamin E. Hoffman, farmer, sec. 26; P. O., Goshen; was born in Lancaster county. Pa., Nov. 14, 1825, and is a son of Jacob Hoffman, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. Our subject came to tliis county in 1854, and had only a team, wagon and household goods. This"was the property he had in possession, and by unceasing labor he has become the possessor of a fine farm of 80 acres, worth $80 per acre. Dec. 14, 1850, he married Miss Margaret Coble, daughter of Abraham Coble, who was a native of Pennsyl- vania. To them were born 5 children, viz.: Saranel (who married Elizabeth Mover), Jacob F., John (who married Callie Yost), Aaron, Emma J. and Thomas (who is engaged in business in Oregon).

P. H. KuHz was born in Stark connty, Ohio, Jnne 18, 1S2S. His parents were Emily and Catharine Knrtz, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father emigrated to America in ISIT, and settled in Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated in a common school. In 1850 he came to this connty, first settling in Jackson tp. In 1852 he moved to Koscinsko county, where he lived till 1855; then returned to this connty and settled in Harrison tp., where he still resides, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He makes a specialty of rearing the Jersey stock. Mr. Kurtz followed lumbering for 15 years and carpentering for some time. He is by occupation a millwright. Jan. 17, 1852, he was married to Mary Shively, daughter of Isaac and Snsan Shively, who were natives of Pennsylvania. To them were born 9 children; 7 are living, viz.: Lewis P., Catharine (now Mrs. Henry Sherman), Henry P., Louisa, Daniel, Leander and Ida. He owns 120 acres, in sec. 3, worth $9,000.

David Leer, a farmer, sec. 2; P. 0., Goshen; owns 80 acres, worth $60 per acre. Mr. Leer was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 5, 1809. His parents, Jacob and Mary Leer, were born in Pennsylvania. When young he was taken to. Montgomery county, 0., where he was reared to mature years. In 1831 he came to this county, being among the first in Harrison tp. He married in 1835 Elizabeth Stutzman, by whom he has 7 children; 4 are living, viz.: Jacob, Levi, Susan (now Mrs. Henry Books), and George.

TFr/i. Loivei\ deceased, was born in Berks connty, Pa., Nov. 1-1, 1823. His parents were John and Mary (Burks) Lower. "William went to Ohio in 1832, and in 1855 he moved to this county. He was married Dec. 2, 1349, to Sarah Funk, daughter of Henry and Susan Funk, who were natives of Ohio. Four children were born to them; of these only 1 is living, John Adams. Mr. Lower followed fanning till the time of his death, which occurred March 23, 1875. He had been a member of the Reformed Lutheran Church, and four years of that time filled the office of Deacon. He was a noble man.

Oliver McDonald, deceased, was born in Berkeley county, Va., in 1817. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common district schools. In 1832 he with his parents moved to Clarke connty, Ohio, where he lived till in 1841, when he came to this county. "While in Ohio, Dec. 31, 1839, he was married to Eliza C. Trimble, danghter of "Wm. and Marium Trimble, who were natives of Ohio. the former of Licking county, and the latter of Knox connty. To them were born 10 children; 7 of these are hving: Amanda (now Mrs. Abraham Sailor\ Sarah A. (now Mrs. Daniel Miller), Mary E. (now Mrs. Adam Zint), William (married to Louisa Weaver, and now resides in Michigan), Joseph T. (married to Anna Moyer i, John O. and Eliza E. Mr. McDonald resided in this county from 1841, engaged in farming till the date of his death, which was March 7, 1865, at the age of i8 years. lie had been a member of the M. E. Church for a number of years, and was a very estimable citizen.

William McDowell, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser on sec. 35; P. 0., Goshen. This gentleman was born in Greenbrier Co., W. Va., Aug. 21, 1827, and is a son of James and Jane (Boyd) McDowell, both natives of Ireland, and born in 1791 ; they were brought to America when about one year old, the family settling near Wilmington, Del.; from 1797 to 1835 they resided in Greenbrier Co., W. Ya. ; then they came to this tp. and settled on sec. 35, entering a half-section of land October 15, where they remained imtil death; the former died May 30, 1872, and the latter in April,

1866. They were early and honored pioneers in this county, and were the -parents of 8 children, the 6th of whom is the subject of this sketch, who was reared in the woods of frontier life. All that cheered the hearts of the settlers was the music of the woodman's ax ringing through the forest and the whoa, haw and gee given to their scanty team that the future might bring them a bountiful crop of wheat and corn. In this they were not disappointed, although they had to wait through many a long and tedious year of hard labor and exhausting toil.

The educational advantages which Mr. McDowell enjoyed in his younger days were, of course, limited to the meager subscription schools of log-house times, fully described elsewhere in this volume.

Mr. McD. has been married three times; first, to Elizabeth Alford, March 23, 184:8, by whom he had 1 child, now deceased. Mrs. McD. was born in W. Virginia, Feb. 26, 1830, a daughter of Hobert and Sarah (Cart) Alford, of German descent, and she died Feb. 28, 1849. Secondly, Feb. 5, 1851, Mr. McD. married Miss Elizabetli, daughter of Coonrod and Margaret (Fenton) Cart, by whom he had 5 children: Louisa, born Nov. 14, 1851, now Mrs. Jeremiah Bechtel; Minerva E., April 29, 1856; Harriet A., April 19, 1858; Harvey S., March 10, 1862; and Oliver E., April 20,

1867. The mother of these children was, also, a native of W. Virginia, where she was born Feb. 26, 1830; she died April 29, 1868. And. lastly, Jan. 11, 1870, Mr. McDowell married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Charles and Mary (Carmish) Friend, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsjdvania, and both of German descent. They were among the early and honored pioneers of Jasper county, Ind. The father sacrificed his life in his country's cause, dying in 1864 at Kashville, Tenn., while serving in the 12th Ind. Cav, The mother died in Porter county, Ind., in 1871. The present Mrs. McD. was born in this State May 4, 1S4t, and is now the mother of 3 ciiildren. namely: Charles F., born Dec. 3, 1870; Frank "W., Dec. 21, 1872,' and Mary J., Jan. 11, 1874.

Mr. McDowell is one of the staid and influential citizens of Elkhart county, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife is a member of the M. E. Church. His father fought in the war of 1812, and his maternal grandfather, James Boyd, served six years in the Revolutionary war under Gen. "Washington.

Sam^l Neterer was born July 7, 1831, in I>lair county, Penn. His parents, Jeremiah and Margaret ISfeterer, were also natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and educated in a common school. In ISOl he came to this county, where he still resides, engaged in farming, etc. He ov/ns 165 acres of land, valued at $80 per acre. He married Jan. IS, 1861, Elizabeth Eohrer, by whom he has had 6 children, viz.: Jeremiah, John, William H., Charles Wesley, Samuel and George. Mr. JSTeterer was drafted in the late war but procured a substitute at Indianapolis.

John Otto, farmer and sawyer, sec. 15; P. O., Goshen. Mr. Otto is a native of Center county, Penn., and was born Dec. 20, 1822. His parents, Daniel and Mary Otto, were also natives of that State. In 1840 he went to Ashland county, Ohio; in 1850 he moved to Stephenson county, 111., and in 1851 lie came to Elkhart county, where he still resides, engaged in the saw-mill business in connection with farming. June 5, 1S45, he married Polly Price, daughter of George Price. Five children were added to this union; of these, 3 are living, viz.: Marv M. (now Mrs. Henry Bechtel), Sophia (wife of David Bechtel)" and Daniel F. Mr. O. owns 51 acres of $70-an-acre laud.

Jonas Shively was born in Stark county, Ohio, July 14, 1824, and is a son of Isaac and Susanna Shively; was reared on a farm (and at work in a saw-mill) and educated in common schools. In 1850 he came to this county, where he still resides, engaged in farming and the saw-mill business. He erected a saw-mill in 1856, on sec. 26. In 1872 it was burned down, and rebuilt in 1872. In 1878 it was burned again, but was soon after rebuilt. Mr. Sliively owns a farm of 160 acres, in sec. 26. In August, 1852, he married Hester, daughter of John D. and Mary Miller, who were natives of Ohio. To them were born 8 children; 5 are living, viz.: Amanda, Reuben. Alonzo, Joseph and Ellen. Our subject's grandfather, Jacob Shively, was one of the most giant-like pieces of humanity found in the history of America. He was 7 feet 7' inches in height, and weighed over 400 pounds. His strength was equal to four men. He participated in the achievements for our National Independence.

Samuel Steiner was born in Wayne county, Ohio, June 1, 1835. His parents, John and Elizabeth Steiner, were natives of France, who emigrated to America in 1806 and settled in Wayne county, Ohio, where they lived till 1836, when they moved to Allen county.

There Samuel was reared and educated. In 1S56 he came to this county, where he still resides, following fanning and stock-raising. March 3. 1S59, he was married to Sarah Kercher, daughter of William and Elizabeth Kercher, who were natives of Pennsylvania Five children were the result of this union, viz.: James C., Abrara L., Eli W., Emma and Anna. Mr. Steiner's father served in the Franco-Prussian war under Napoleon Bonaparte. Mr. S. owns a farm of SO acres, valued at §5,600.

Daniel B. Stutzman, the first settler in Harrison tp., was born >;ov. 11, 1807. His parents were Daniel and Susan (Brumbaugh) Stutzman. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, which were held in log cabins with slab seats, puncheon floor, o-reased-paper window lights, brick stove and stick chimney. In Ap^-il, 1832, he came to thjs county and settled near Goshen, and%he next October he moved into this tp., just previously erecting a small log cabin. The Indians were numerous, wild game was plentiful and the land uncleared. Mr. Stutzman was married Dec. 27, 1829, to Elizabeth Bashor, by whom he has had 7 children ; of tiiese 6 are living, viz.: Samuel B., Mary (the wife of John W. Miller), Catharine, Susanna (now wife of David II. Jones), Lucinda (now wife of Joseph Paulas), Daniel N. and George S. (deceased.) Mr. S. owns a farm of 200 acres, valued at $20,000. Mr. S. was engaged in tlie nursery business for about 30 years, keeping all the various kinds of fruits.

Andreto Teeter, farmer, sec. 3; P. 0., Goslien; was born m Montgomery county, Ohio, Sept. 5, 1S29. His parents, Abraham and Esther Teeter, were natives of Pennsylvania. He was. reared on a farm. His educational advantages were limited to the common schools of the day, which were held in rude log houses. In 1837 he came with his parents to this county. In 1810 his parents died, and he returned to his native home; he remained there till in 184:7, when he returned to this county, where he still resides, eno-aged in farming. He owns 156 acres of land, worth $80 per acre. Sept. 22, 1850, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter ot Adam W. and Katie Hartnian, who were natives of Ohio. To this marriage were born 8 children, 5 of whom are living, viz.: William C (who married Callie Basserman), Katie (now Mrs. Daniel Yost), Esther (now Mrs. Elias Schwartz), Isabella (now Mrs. Jacob B. Dillman) and Noah.

C M. Troyer, farmer, sec. 21; P. 0., Goshen; was born m Holmes county, Ohio, Aug. 22, 1833, and is a son of Michael and Mao-dalena Troyer, of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a tarm and educated in the common schools. In 1852 he came to Lagrange county, Ind., and in 1862 came to this county, where he has since resided, engaged in saw-milling. He was married Feb. 21:, 1861, to Elizabeth Yoder. and has had 8 children; of these, 7 are living, viz.: Wm. H., Martha J., Mary E., Samuel H., Lydia A., Milo M. and Idella M. John F. is deceased.

Simeon B. Truex. farmer, sec. 31; P. O., Wakarusa; was born in Morrow county, O., April 3, 1S39. His parents, William and Jane Truex, were natives of Bedford county, Penn. His father was born June 4, 1796, and his mother Nov. 4, 1799. He was educated in the common country schools. In August, 1865, he came to this county, where he still resides, following farming and stock-raising. Nov. 1, 1860, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Henry and Lydia Barger, natives of Harrison county, Ohio. To this union were born 8 children, of whom 5 are living, viz.: Geo. E.. Lydia J., Eva A., Oscar C. and Viola Z. Mr. Truex was born ISTov. S, 1843. His grandfather, Benjamin, fought in the war of 1813. Mr. and Mrs. Truex are both members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. T. is a Democrat.

JohiiH. Wkisler, farmer and stock dealer, sec. 19; P. O., Goshen; was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1842. and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Hoover) "Whisler, natives of Pennsylvania. He came to this countv with bis parents at the age of five, and here he was reared and educated, Nov. 11, 1869, he married Christiana, daughter of John and Mary Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania. To them were born 3 children, viz.: JSToali, Jonas L. and Emma. Mr. W. owns 85 acres of land, in sec. 19, worth $70 per acre. He also owns a farm of 827 acres in the West. Mr. W. has devoted his time for the last eight years principally to live-stock dealing ; he also pays considerable attention to farming ; the season of 1879 he harvested 700 bushels of wheat from 26 acres.

Source changes here: from A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of Elkhart County, Indiana, by Deahl, Anthony, published 1905; 735 words in this source stream.

Harrison Township

Beautiful as a landscape, rich and fertile in soil, populated by as fine a class of farmers as will be found in anv similar section in the state.

Harrison township has long held pre-eminence as the agricultural paradise of Elkhart county. Fine farms are the rule here, the growing of premier grain crops and the raising of fine stock is the one absorbing pursuit of the inhabitants, and therefore we may little expect to find here any commercial development. Excellent roads cross the township in all directions and lead away in convenient distances to Goshen, to Elkhart and to Wakarusa, so that the people have no need for a town in their midst. Independent, progressive, prosperous, the farmers of Harrison township find all the comforts of life each within his own homestead, and when other advantages appeal to them they have the means to go after them. Good schools ha\-e been maintained from the early times to the present, and the township is noted for the number of its country churches. There are ten churches and no postoflice. .\t one of the crossroads four churches may he counted within a distance of two miles.

The Goshen Democrat, in December, 1847, tells of the recent establishment in Harrison township of a postoftice called Cabin Hill, of which Solomon P. Yeoman was postmaster. This office was in the western part of the township, and was discontinued after a few years. Some time later the demand for a postal station was gratified by the establishment of one where a community called Southwest had formed. Southwest is located at the crossroads dividing sections 26, 27, 34 and ^^. A short distance to the south runs the Logansport diagonal road, so that this was a very favorable six)t for a town. A postoffice was maintained at that point, with some interruption, up till a recent time, when the rural delivery displaced it. At the present time Southwest contains a general store owned by H. N. Garberick; a substantial brick schoolhouse, three churches in the immediate neighborhood, and perhaps a dozen families. About a mile south of Southwest is the only lake in this pari of the county.

The townships of Baugo. Concord. Cle\eland and Osolo have one center - the city of Elkhart with its seventeen thousand inhabitants. This city supplies nearly all the advantages of business, industry, society. amusement and religion which the people of these townships would seek at any community center, and for this reason the little embryo communities which at various times have come into existence are now at best nothing more than a local name. Baugo township has Jamestown or " Jimtown," a well known locality because one of the oldest settlements in the county, but no longer possessing any business importance. Will- iani Ricliason and James Davis built the sawmill which tVirmed the industrial nucleus of this place. Jajnes Davis laid uut a village there ab<5ut 1835, its location being on Baugo creek in section 26. Samuel Cotterel had the first store. The first schoolhouse in the township was also built there. The Methodists built a chapel there in 1854. and some t\\ent_\- years later the Baptists also erected a house of worship.

Francis Rork, wdro settled in the western part of Cleveland township about 1830. kept a public house there for some time, and this might be said to have been the first common gathering place of the settlers of that conininnity. The first scIidoI was also held in a cabin belonging to i\lr. Kork. There is a community in the northern part of the township called Yankeetown. which came into existence in 1878 as a result of agitation to build a church. There have been several other church communities, but no center deser\ing of special consideration.

Osolo township, the "lake" township, is likewise destitute of villages. The first schoolhuuse was built, on section jo, in 1838, and in the following year a postoffice was established on the west side of Christiana creek, with Alpheus Bugbee the first incumbent. The ofifice was continued only a few years.

Outside of Elkhart the onlv center in Concord township is Dunlaps Station, in section 26, on the inter-urban electric line, and formerly a station point on the Lake Shore Railroad. Dunlaps is the seat of the county asylum, and also marks, approximately, the site chosen by the commissioners for the first county seat of Elkhart countv.