Lafayette Township

Lafayette Township

Drage, Christian, residence of, . Lichten waiter, S. M., residence of, Lipes, John W., residence of, . Spangler, George W., residence of, Turner, Harvey K., residence of, Zollinger, Frederick, residence of.

Situation, Soil, Etc

La Fayette is situated in the southwest corner of Allen County, and is bounded as follows: North by Aboit Township, east by Pleasant Township, south by Wells County, west by Huntington County. It has an area of 33.97 square miles, and is of irregular shap&, owing to several small Indian reserves in the north. The- soil is chiefly clay, and very productive. It is watered by Little River - a tributary of the Wabash - which flows through the northwest corner, where it forms a junction with the Aboit River. Eight Mile Creek flows through the southwest part of the township, thence into Huntington County. The sur¬ face was originally covered by a heavy hody of timber, embracing, in its variety, oak. beech, poplar, ash, hickory, elm, etc. In the process of clearing lands, much <>f this timber was destroyed, as there were then no means at hand for realizing the value it represented. Mills were remote from the settlement, and the high¬ ways of trade were not yet opened; so that its transportation to market was impracticable. This difficulty is now obviated, and the timber of the township finds a profitable market, and the saw mills form an item in its commercial history.

Early Settlement

The tact that this township is remote from the county seat is, perhaps, the reason why it was not settled as early as other townships of the county. In 1339. Samuel Fogwell came from Ohio and purchased land on Section 1. He cleared the timber from this tract and converted it into a fine farm, upon which he passed the residue of his life. His sou William now occupies the farm.

Soon after Mr. Fogwell's arrival, Frank Morrison and David Overly settled in the vicinity. In September, 1843, Anthony Krumme moved from Pleasant Township, where he had resided since November, 1840. In the fall of 1844, William Jobs removed from Marion Township, to which place he came with his parents in 1832. He purchased land on Section 17, where he now resides.

During the year 1845, James Wilson,' Isaac Alter, Isaac Hatfield, John Akers, Christian Foley and John Foley came to bear part in the settlement of the township. In 1846, Walter Kress settled on Section 10. Henry S. Keely settled on Section 18 in 1847. Here he cleared and improved a large farm, upon which he still resides.

Organization

The township was organized in the spring of 1846, and, in April of that yeaV, the first election was held at the house of William Jobs. Isaac Hatfield was elected Justice of the Peace; William Jobs, Constable; Isaac Alter, Clerk; James E. Wilson. Treasurer, and Samuel Fogwell, James Wilson and John Akers, Trustees.

Early Events

fbo first road was surveyed in 1842, traversing the township in a south¬ westerly direction from Fort Wayne to Huntington, Ind. It is kuown as the lower Huntington road. Although surveyed and located in the year 1842, it was several years before it was made passable. It became a great thoroughfare, and is still extensively traveled. In later years, road districts were established, and at present nearly every section line in the township has a county road.

The first marriage was solemnized by Isaac Hall, Justice of the Peace. David Overly, of this township, was the groom, and Miss Kimball, of Pleasant Township, the bride.

Daniel Overly died in 1847. This was the first death in the township. His remains were interred on the land now owned by H. S. Kelsey, a portion of which was afterward set apart for a cemetery.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1848, near the present site of Schoolhouse No. 1. Eli Ward was the first teacher. It was known as Coverdale Schoolhouse.

In the fall of 1850, a schoolhouse was built on the southeast corner of Section 18, and called the " Beech Schoolhouse," as it was composed entirely of beech timber. Miss Eliza Ogden presided as teacher.

Methodist Episcopal. - In 1852, Rev. LThlman Gre^^iah organized the first Methodist class in the township, at Beech Schoolhous^^ith eighty members. Here they held meetings at irregular intervals for a period of three years, after which the meeting-place was changed to Hoosier Schoolhouse, which was sit¬ uated near the present site of Munson Chapel. Services were then conducted at intervals of three weeks, for several years. During the late rebellion, political differences sprang up and proved detrimental to the growth of the good seed; and personal animosities reduced the number of 'members, but in 1869, a re-organization was effected with about twenty members, and Rev. Curtis was placed in charge as Pastor; Walter Kress was appointed Steward, and H. L. Riley, Class- Leader.

In 1870, they erected a frame house of worship, 36x50 feet, at as cost of §2,200, and gave it the name of Munson Chapel. The Church is now prosper¬ ous, having one hundred and eight members. Rev. Y B. Merritt is the Pa6tor in charge ;- William J. Bowman, J. Bolinger and A. Coverdale, Stewards; H. L. Riley, M. Sites and G. H. Knowlton, Class-Leaders.

Baptist. - On the fourth Saturday in October, 1854, ten members of this denomination met at the Beech Schoolhouse, and there organized the " Old School '' Baptist Church in this township. Mark S. Gaskill was chosen Deacon and Clerk. Soon after the organization was effected, Rev. Joseph Williams was