Jefferson Township

Eei. River

if not a fatal wound. An ounce rifle-bullet lodged in his bayonet sheath, hang¬ ing at his side ; the same having in its deadly course struck the convex side of his bayonet. Otherwise, it must have passed directly through his hip, having pro¬ ceeded from a cross-fire of not to exceed thirty rods distance. On the 28th of January, 1863, he was promoted to Second Lieutenant, vice John G-. Cohcen. killed in the battle of Stone River. On the 20th of September, 1863, the sec ond day of the battle of Chickamauga, with seventeen other fellow-comrades of | his regiment, he was captured by the forces of rebel Gen. Longstreet, and < taken, first to Atlanta, then to Belle Island, and soon after to Libby Prison, Virginia. They were here confined until the spring of 1864, when they were ; transferred to Danville, Va. Here they were retained (1,500 in number) only about two weeks, when they were removed to Macon, Ga. But the Confederates again removed them to Charleston, S. C., just in time to prevent their recapture by Gen. Stoncman, in August, during his raid after the fall of Atlanta. While imprisoned at Charleston, Lieut. Hoffelfinger was one of 300 Federals, who were selected and placed in the Marine Hospital Building, under fire from the Union guns on Morris Island. This was done to intimidate the Federal forces, and to cause them to cease firing upon the city, this building being in direct

The yellow fever appearing among our poor unfortunates, they were hastened off to Columbia, the State capital. While en route by railway, Lieut. H. thought it his opportunity to escape. With the aid of a jack-knife, a hole was cut through the floor, near one corner of the car, and about 2 o'clock in the morn¬ ing, while halting at a water-station, but a few miles from their destination, our hero and two brave comrades crawled out, the train at the same time being welllighted and guarded. Fed and sheltered by day, at the hands of colored people, l and at night guided by them, after about twelve days, they arrived within forty j miles of the Union forces around Atlanta, aud were there retaken 4>y a patrol | "f rebels, in the wee small hours of morning. Consigned to prison at Augusta, Ga , they were soon returned to Columbia, S. C., there locked in jail over one i night, and mingling among the mass of prisoners at the camp during the part of another ; at an early morning hour, with two new comrades, he made his second escape.

In this attempt they struck out in the direction of Knoxville, Tenn. Eight days, as skulking, fleeing fugitives - four of them without food to eat - when un the very borders of East Tennessee, and almost within the camps, where waved the Stars and Stripes, alas ! here, in that morning fog of the mountains, 1 they were picked up by a party of Indian scouts, whence they were taken to the | rebel prison at Salisbury. These Indians were natives of those wild mountain i regions, and because of their special fitness were employed by the Confederates | to capture their own deserters, and to recapture their runaway prisoners. From Salisbury, Lieut. II. was removed to Danville again, and after two weeks, back to Libby Prison. Remaining here till February 22, 1865, he was exchanged, having suffered, during seventeen long months, indescribable hardships and privations. Reaching Annapolis, Md., he obtained a leave of absence for thirty days, which he occupied by paying a visit to his home and family, where he was received almost as one risen from the dead. At the expiration of his furlough, he rejoined his regiment at Raleigh, N. C. On May 1, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, and later marched with his regiment to Washington. Here they received orders to proceed to Indianapolis, where, on the 17th day of June, 1865, they were mustered out of the service. Lieut. Heffeltinger now returned permanently to his home, where he once again became the quiet, industrious citizen upon his little farm. The ensuing fall, he added eighty acres more, adjoin¬ ing, to his formeiMJurchase. He has since added still other purchases, until he now owns 26U ifWes of excellent land, 100 of the same being in tillage, and the remainder in pasture and timber.

His married life has been blessed with two little sons - Chauncy C., born September 13, 1868, and John K., born November 17, 1871. His politics have always been stanch Republican. Both he and wife are earnest, consistent members of the M. E. Church. lie is a good neighbor, a model citizen, and to the looker-on has apparently a long life of peace and happiness before him.

George Greenwell

was of Irish parentage. He was born March 14, 1810, at Hagerstown, Frederick Co., Md. By reason of the death of his parents he was, at an early age, appren¬ ticed to a shoemaker, from whom he acquired a practical familiarity with the trade. In 1830, he removed to Miami County, Ohio, where, eight years subsequently, he wedded Miss Elizabeth Blickenstaff. Me became a resident of Eel River Town¬ ship, Allen Co., Ind., in 1846, where, until his death, November 10, 1878, he continued to reside. His amiable companion departed this life July 8, 1868. They were the parents of five children ; three sons, still living, are residents of Allen County. Mr. Green well was a man of great firmness and decision of character in whatever his judgment told him was right. Of the opinion of others, believed to have but slight interest in matters considered, he seemed wholly oblivious. For the gossiper - ever ready with an opinion - he had no affiliation or respect. Himself scrupulously honest and honorable, he invariably refused association with those whose integrity bore marks of suspicion aud doubt. Well may such an example be emulated and perpetuated.

By L. H. Newton Location And Boundary

Jefferson is located southeast of the center of Allen County, and is bounded on the north by Milan, on the east by Jackson, on the south by Madison, and on the west by Adams.

Early Settlement

Jared Whitney was probably the first white man who came to reside perma¬ nently in this township. He came with his family, iu May, lb33, and settled on the Maumee River, where he remained during the summer of that year, and in the ensuing flail he removed to a tract of land on Section 7, which he subsequently cleared and reduced to a farm. Wilhelm and Henry Tusehkenagen, with their families, came in the summer of the same year (1833). They were energetic and industrious Germans, and for a number of years were regarded as two of the most prosperous families in the community ; but in an evil hour, one of their sons, while at Fort Wayne, took a piece of cloth from one of the stores, for which he was arrested and imprisoned. One of the neighbors became his bondsman, and he was released on bail. He returned to his home, but a few days prior to the time set for his trial he disappeared, and no trace of his whereabouts was ever discovered. It was believed, and broadly hinted by the neighbors, that his own parents or kinsmen murdered him, preferring this to the disgrace of a conviction for larceny. The disgrace which had fallen upon them so preyed upon their minds that reason was dethroned; and night after night they were to be heard in the woods, pounding and breaking stone, with whioh, they said, they meant to erect a temple. By the bad deed of one of its members, two good families were thus cursed and broken up, and the only survivor is a pitiable mental wreck. He is known as the 11 Prophet." and fancies that he must wait for the "word " before he performs the most trivial offices of every-day life.

Shortly after the arrival of the Tuschkenagens, Christian Wolf, with his family, seltled on a tract of land near the latter, on Section'6, and Joseph Gronuuer settled, a few weeks later, in the northwest corner of the township, where he remained until his decease.

Mr. Blackmure came in the fall of 1833, and settled on Section 7, where he remained but a short time. He sold his land and moved to another locality. Later in the same fall, William Henderson purchased a tract of land, which he sold after making a small clearing.

Some time during the year 1833, Simon Rogers purchased land on Section 7, and began the work of clearing it. He made it his home until 1834, when he

Elias Shaffer came in the spring of 1835, and purchased the land of William Henderson. William Harper came in the same year, and is still a resident of the township. Mr. Shaffer subsequently sold his farm to Morgan Bentley, who com¬ pleted the work of clearing, and cultivated it until his decease.

Aretas Powers came in October, 1834, and settled on the farm where he now resides. James Post came in the same year, and settled on Seven Mile Creek, where he remained for a brief period.

Henry Castleman settled near the center of the township in 1835 or 1836. In 1847, he removed to Monroe Township, where he remained until death. Among others who settled in the township at an early day, were Jeremiah Lusey, Jesse Adams (formerly of Adams Township), Thomas McDougall, John Mona¬ han, John Broderick, Dennis Keefe, Jeremiah Harrington, John McCarthy, - Berry, John Tillman and George Snyder.

Early Events

The first frame house was erected by a Mr. Blakely on the farm subsequently purchased by Eben Burgess. It was uever occupied, however, as a residence, and after it became the property of Mr. Burgess was used as a barn.

The first marriage was celebrated in March, 1835, the contracting parties being William Henderson and Miss Elizabeth Rogers. Two years later, Reuben Powers and Miss Evaline Whitney were married at the residence of Jared Whit¬ ney, by William Brown, Esq.

The first death occurred in 1835, the victim being a child of Mr. Blackmore. It was buried on the home farm, on a little knoll opposite the house. About a year ago, a young son of James Post strayed iuto the woods, and was lost. A party of neighbors went in pursuit, and, after searching several days, found him iu the Seven Mile Creek, drowned. There was no cemetery iu the township, and the remains were taken to Fort Wayne for interment. The first cemetery was estab¬ lished in 1838, on land donated for the purpose by Jared Whitney.

On New Year's Eve, 1837, about twenty residents of this township went to a point near New Haven, provided with axes, cooking utensils, etc., and began to

. (ear up the Ridfice road, which had been surveyed previously, but never opened. Up to that time, it was merely a footpath ; but after several days' hard work, it became a well-defined road, and later a public thoroughfare.

The first sohoolhouse was erected in 1838, on the farm or Christian Wolf, who "ave a small corner of his land for that purpose. Jared Whitney, Aretns Powers, William Harper, Joseph Gronauer and others were the prime movers in havin'* it established. Each had children to be educated, and the school was sus¬ tained* by contributions from them. The first free school was erected on the farm of O. Bird in 1854. After that the subscription system was abolished, and new buildings erected each year under the publi j school law. There are now ten dis¬ trict schools in the township with 523 scholars curdled. The first religious meeting was held in the log schoolhouse in 1838, by Rev. David Puttee. Meet¬ ings were subsequently held at the same place by other ministers; but no organzation was formed until several years later. About 1842, the first Methodist Episcopal class was formed under the leadership of Rev. PJtteQ, but it was a short-lived organization, as the majority of its members soon after attached them¬ selves to New" Haven class. A Sunday school was maintained during the exist¬ ence of this class, but was discontinued at its disorganization.

The first mill was erected in 1856, by Green & Burgess, near the center of the township. It was a saw-mill, but a run of buhrs was subsequently attached f,,r the convenience of the neighbors. It is still in operation, and is now owned by Jacob Blackburn, who officiated as sawyer during1 the earlier years of its his¬ tory. The first store was opened by Alanson Whitney in 1850. His first stock consisted of a barrel of whisky and a keg of tobacco, but within a short, time he added a lar<*e invoice of general merchandise, and conducted a lucrative business for about six years, at the end of which time he sold his goods to Bowers & Let lick. Henry Castieman opened the first tavern about the time when the Sugar Ridge or Van Wert Road was first opened to travel. His accommodations were a3 .rood as could be found at the average tavern of that period, and it was said that he was none too modest in his charges to guests. His house was always full, and the business proved a profitable one to its proprietor: After travel ou the State road began to decline, and the business had seen its best days, Mr. Castleman abandoned it. The first post office was established at the house of Socrates Bacon in 1850, but the majority of the residents went to New Haveu for their mail, and this office was abandoned within a very few years.

Organization

Jared Whitney, Reuben Powers, Aretas Powers, Henry Castieman, Joseph Gronauer, William Harper and Alanson Whitney presented a petitiou to the Commissioners of Allen County, in January, 1840, praying for the organization of the township. In response to this petition, it was ordered by the Board "that Congressional Township 30 north, of Range 14 east, constitute a separate town¬ ship, to be known and called by the name of Jefferson Township.

Flat Rock Lodge , No. JJJ, 1. 0. 0. I1., was instituted March 5, 1874, by P. G. M. Platt J. Wise, assisted by L. M. Rogers, of New Haven, and several members of the Lodges of Fort Wayne. The petition for dispensation was made February 4. 1874. and signed by Melancthon Cary, John C. Wilson, James E. Whitney, Eli Todd, J. R. Parker, Fred L. Gable, Fred Fry, H. D. Stoneman and A. C. Crawford.

Source changes here: from Valley of the Upper Maumee River, with Historical Account of Allen County and the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana, published 1889; 681 words in this source stream.

Jefferson Township

It is believed that the first permanent settlement within the limits of this township was made by Jared Whitney and his family. He came in May, 1833, and remained during the summer on the Maumee river, but in the fall took possession of a tract on section 7, which he afterward brought into cultivation. In the summer of the same year, Wilhelm and Henry Tuschknagen and families settled, and became industrious and esteemed citizens. But several years later, one of the sons, while at Fort Wayne, took a piece of cloth from a store and was arrested. One of the neighbors becoming bail, the culprit was released, and returned home, but a few days before the day of trial disappeared forever. The disgrace so affected the famil}- that they were broken in spirit, and the ostracism by the community affected their reason. It is related that the elder men were to be heard night after night breaking stone in the woods, for the purpose, they said, of building a temple. The last survivor was a mental wreck, was known as the "Prophet," and fancied he was divinely directed in every action. During 1S33 there also came Christian Wolf, Joseph Grunauer, Mr. Blackmore, a transient resident, William Henderson, Simon Rogers. The latter sold his clearing to Eben Burgess, who took possession in 1834. On this farm the first frame house was erected by one Blakel}^ and was used as a barn by Mr. Burgess, who erected the first brick house in 1S37. WilHam Henderson was married in March, 1835, to EHzabeth Rogers, the first ceremonj' of the kind in the township. In 1835 the first death occurred, that of a child of Mr. Blackmore. In 1834 ^ settlement was made by Aretas Powers, who was born in New York in 1800. He brought with him his wife, Sarah Stilson, to whom he was married in 1828, and their children afterward increased in number to eleven. James Post came also in 1834, but \yas not a permanent settler. A sad event of that period was the loss of a little son of the latter. He strayed into the woods, and his bod}- was found by a party of neighbors many days later in Seven Mile creek. Mr. Powers was the first justice of the peace elected in 1840. In 1835 or 1S36, Henry Castleman setUed near the center of the township. They were famous hunters, and were known to bring at one load to Fort Wayne, on a home-made sled, forty saddles of venison. Henry Castleman is said to have killed 1,678 deer and twenty-three bears. A celebrated event of the early time was the clearing up the Sugar ridge or Vanwert road. On New Year's eve, 1837, about twenty residents went to a point near New Haven, provided with cooking utensils as well as axes, and began the work. The road had been merely a foot path before, but this winter's campaign made it a well-defined highway.

Alanson Whitne}' opened the first store in 1S50, his stock being a barrel of whiskey and a keg of tobacco, but this was soon enlarged and he did a prosperous business. When the Vanwert road was opened Henry Castleman opened a tavern, and prospered until the day of railroad communication. During this period there was a postoffice on the road, kept by Socrates Bacon subsequent to 1850. The first saw-mill was built by Green & Burgess, near the center of the township, and subsequently a run of buhrs was put in, and these two mills were operated for many 3'ears. In May, 1851, the village of Besancon was platted by Peter F. Beugnot.

The quiet little village of Maples had its origin in the lumbering business. Here Lewis S. Maples came in 1852 from western Ohio, to take charge of an engine for a saw-mill. August 12, 1853, the town plat was made by O. Bird and J. Bowser, and Mr. Maples made an addition in 1873. Saw-milling, stave manufacture, and the hke have been the leading industries. In 1880 the population was 139. Stores