Lake Township

Lake Township

In 1850, Mr. Meads purchased a part of the Neff land, in the southern part of the township, where he made a good farm. Peter Boodj settled on Flat Rock Creek in 1859, and cleared a farm, upon which he now resides.

This is believed to be a full list of settlers up to the time of the great rebel¬ lion. The major portion of the township is now owned by private capitalists, and the entire population at the present time will not exceed 300 souls.

The First Road

The bugar Ridge or Van Wert road was surveyed prior to the first settle¬ ment of the township, but was not opened until several years later. The second was the Paulding road, which was surveyed by S. M. Black, assisted by Alanson Whitney and others.

The First School

Public education was first inaugurated in Jackson Township, after the pas- - sage of the free school law, and^ts first schoolhousc was erected in 1854, under i the provisions of that act. It was a log structure, and stood on the farm of Mr.

Organization

At the Juno session, 1851, a petition praying for the organization of this ' ; township was presented to the Board of County Commissioners, by whom it was ordered that Township 30 north, of Range 15 east, be a separate township, and ; that the same be known and called by the name of Jackson Township. P. Mooney 1 was appointed Inspector ; ami the first election was hold at his house, as soon as possible after organization, and Douglas Whitaker was elected Justice of the Peace.

Location And Boundary

Lake Township is situated in the western part of Allen County, and com¬ prises Congressional Township 31 north, of Range 1 1 east. It has an area of 35.49 square miles, or 22,554.20 acres. It was organized by the Board of County Commissioners, at their May sessiou in 1837. Lake is bounded on the north by Eel River Township; east by Washington Township; south by Aboit Town¬ ship ; west by Whitley County.

Natural Features

Aboit. River has its source in the northeastern part of the township, and flows south. This is the only stream in the township. The surface is very level, and an extensive system of underdraining has been rendered necessary in conse¬ quence of this fact. The soil is composed chiefly of clay and is very productive.

Early Settlement

James Hinton, John Ross, William Grayless, George Slagle, Samuel Caffrey, James Pringle, Jacob Pearson and Clement Ryan, all came during the year 1834, with their families. James Hinton came from Ohio, and selected a tract of land on the Goshen road. Here he cleared and improved a farm which he sold about one month prior to his decease. John Ross settled in the same neighborhood, and lived on his farm until his death, which occurred but a few years ago. William Grayless and George Slagle settled on Section 5. Samuel Caffrey settled on the Goshen road, where he remained about twenty-five years. He then sold his farm and removed to the State of Iowa, where he now lives. James Pringle settled on Section 3. where he resided until 1839. He removed from here to Whitley County, Ind., and, a few years later, returned to Ohio, where he now lives. Jacob Pearson remained on his farm, on Section 13 until 1845, w.hen he removed to Iowa.

John McClure, a native of South Carolina, came early in 1835 and located on Section 17. He cleared a farm, which he cultivated until 1855 ; in that year he removed to De Kalb County, Mo., where he died at the age of eighty-seven years.

Later in 1835, Samson Pearson came from Ohio, and settled near Mr. McClure - his father-in-law. He remained in the township a number of years, and finally removed to the State of Iowa, where he still resides.

Francis Sweet is a native of Washington County, Tenn. He moved with his parents to Miami County, Ohio, at the age of two years, and there remained until 1834 ; in that yca^Jie came to Fort Wayne, and about a year later returned to Ohio. In the sprli- r of 1836, he brought his family to Fort Wayne, aud, on the 24th day of May," entered a forty -acre tract of land on Section 17. Three months later, he removed to Fort Wayne, where he was engaged as a car¬ penter until 1844. Returning then to this township, he resumed the work of clearing his farm. He has always been a prominent citizen of the township, and has filled all the local offices. He was elected Justice of the Peace in 1846, and served continuously for fifteen years.

John Anderson came in 1836 ; he was a native of Virginia, but emigrated to Ohio with his parents when a boy. He located in this township in the prime of manhood, and cleared a farm, which he cultivated until 1855, when he died.

James W. Watson came in the fall of 1836 ; he was also a native of Vir¬ ginia, but. a resident of Ohio from early boyhood. He settled on Section 36, where he developed a fine fiarm. He remained in the township a number of years, and finally removed to his present residence in Whitley County, Ind.

Joshua Goheene came in the same year (1836), and, several months later, was joined by his family, from Pennsylvania. During their absence, he was engaged in making preparations for their reception ; and, when they arrived, he had made a small clearing and erected a cabin. He was a man of great energy, and was prominently associated with the development of his township. He died in 1874. His wife survived him four years, and died in 1878, at the age of eighty-two years. Their son, William, now occupies the old homestead.

John Savage came early in the winter of 1836, and settled on Section 11, where he developed a gool farm. He finally sold it, and removed to De Kalb County, Mo.

Newton

Joseph Taylor came in the spring of 1837, and settled on Section 17. He resided on his farm until 1855, when he removed to Daviess County, Mo.

William Caster, John F. Gerding and Frederick Reed were among the early settlers of the township, and bore well their part in its development and improvement.

Early- Events

The first, religious meeting was held at the house of William Grayless in 1834, by Rev. Black, of the M. E. Church. Meetings were held here at intervals for many years thereafter. The first orchard was set out by William Caster in the fall of 1836. The seeds were bought at the nursery of John Chapman, in Washington Township. The first road was surveyed in 1 830, and known as the Goshen road. The Yellow River road - the second in the town¬ ship - was surveyed by Ii. J. Dawson in 1836. The first county road was that leading from Raccoon Village to Cracow. It was surveyed in October, 1836, by S. M. Black. The first wedding was celebrated at the home of John McClure in the winter of 1837. The contracting parties were his step-daughter, Miss Mary Mangan, and John Savage. The first, election was held at the house of John McClure on the last Saturday in May, 1837. Samuel Caffrey and James Pringle were elected Justices of the Peace, and William Caster, Constable. John McClure was Inspector, by appointment, and his son, Eli, was elected Township Clerk and Treasurer. The first post office was established in 1840, at the house of John Crawford, a mile and a half north of Areola. It was known as Tail-Tali Post Office, in honor of an old Indian chief. Mr. Crawford was appointed Postmaster, and served about two years, when he resigned. Francis Sweet succeeded him. He removed the office to his house, one mile further north; and after the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad was com¬ pleted, he carried the mail to and from the station until 1863. In that, year, he resigned, and the office was removed to Areola, when Andrew Forsythe was appointed Postmaster. He was succeeded, three years later, by Eli Arnold, who remained in charge one year. John R. Ross was the next Postmaster, and kept the office until succeeded by William Rockhill. the present, incumbent. The first mill was the steam saw-mill erected in 1849 by the Plank Road Company, on the site now occupied by the saw and planing-iuill of Holt Brothers. In 1850, J. L. Peabody erected a steam saw-mill on the Yellow River Road, half a mile east of Areola. This mill, is still iu operation, and is now owned by Jacob Coulter and Philip Smith. The first stock of merchandise was opened for sale by William Thorpe in 1850. He had then recently purchased the steam saw-mill of the Plank Road Company, and kept his store at the mill. J. L. Peabody adopted the same plan in 1866, and opened a stock of goods at his mill.

Baptist. - The Baptists effected the first religious organization in the town¬ ship. They organized in 1835, at the house of Joslnja Gdhcene, uuder the ministration of Rev. Gildersleeve. Meetings were held alternately at the "houses of Mr. Goheene and John Ross, until 1850. when the Baptists of Eel River Township erected a church. The majority of those constituting the society in this township lived in Eel River, and uuited with that Church, which soon absorbed the organization in Lake.

Methodist Episcopal.. - In 1849, Rev. Palmer organized a class of this denomination with nine members. The meeting was held at the house of Will¬ iam Grayless, and subsequently the class met at the homes of its several mem¬ bers until the following year (1850). They then erected - Lake Chapel," five north of Areola, where they went to worship until 1871. In the spring of that year, the members of the Areola class (which was organized four years previously >, began the erection of their church at that village, during the pastoral charge of Rev. C. Maclin. The church is a neat frame building, 38x55 feet, and cost §1,600. It was dedicated in September of the same year, by Rev. A. Marine. The Church then received the accession of some who had formerly been identified with Lake Chapel. The Areola class had eight original members. The Church has now a membership of forty-nine, and is under the pastoral care of Rev. A. G. McCarter, as is also Lake Chapel

In 1849, the first Sunday school was organized iu an old deserted cabin in the woods, on the land of Azariah Julin. It had twenty-five original scholars, aud was not a denominational school. It was maintained until the various denomina¬ tions orgunized schools in connection with their churches, when it ceased to exist.

tree- Will Baptist. - This denomination organized in 1852, under Rev. Forcey. In the same year, Mr. Sellers donated a lot upon which to erect the church, stipulating that it always should be used for that purpose. The church was erected late in 1852, but some - of the principal members died soon after, others moved away, and, within a- few years, the congregation became disorgan¬ ized, and sold the building to the Methodist Episcopal denomination, by whom it is now occupied.

Catholic. - St. Patrick's Church, half a mile east of Areola, was erected in 13(32, by Rev. Pr. Mathen. It was attended by Rev. II. Sehoeffer, of Columbia City, Ind., until 18G7, when it was placed in charge of Rev. Theodore Vandepohl, its first resident Pastor. Rev. Vandepohl remained in charge until 1872, and was then succeeded by Rev. H. Theodore Wilken, the present Pastor. The Church now has a membership of seventy families. A spacious and comfortable parsonage was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Vandepohl, and is now occu¬ pied by the Pastor in charge.

The village of Areola was laid out on Section 28, in 1866. The following is a list of its principal business men' at present: Dry goods, groceries, etc., William Rockhill; physicians. Dr. H. C. McDowell, Dr. C. V. Gorrell; black¬ smiths, Aug. Muguenard, C. W. Shaff; Postmaster, William Rockhill ; wagonmaker, Oliver Blystone ; painter, Aug. Hare ; boot and shoe maker, J. W. Herrold ; agent P., Ft. W. & C. R. II., J. H. Bonnell.

Hiram Chester McDowell. was born at Light Street, Columbia Co., Penn., on the 7th of December, 1841. In the autumn of 1853, he removed to Piekeringtou, Columbiana Co., Ohio, where, .at the age of twelve years, he commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Valentine.

His sojourn at this point, however, was of two years' duration only. Moved again in 1855 to Hancock County, Ohio, where he renewed the study of medicine under the tuition of Dr. D. W. Cap. Continuing his medical studies here till 1861, he enlisted in the Fifty-seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Serving but a short time, he was promoted to Orderly Sergeant, and, still holding the same rank, at the battle of Shiloh had command of his company, at the extreme left of his regiment. Gen. A. V. Rice, late Democratic candi¬ date for Lieutenant Governor of Ohio, was then Lieutenant Colonel, commanding the regiment. In 1863, he settled at Commerce, Scott Co., Mo., where he acted as scout under Capt. James Campbell, of the Missouri State Militia. Here, too, he again pursued the study of medicine with Dr. H. P. Lynch. From here he went to Philadelphia, Penn., where, on the 27th of April, 1866, he was honored with the degree of Doctor of Medicine.

Then entering the Cleveland Medical College, he continued there until the close of the session, in March, 1867. Now followed a tour through the Western States, returning again to Hancock County, Ohio, in 1868.

During the same year, on the 19th of November, at the place last mentioned, he married Miss Annie Stratton, and, on April 1, 1870, they removed to Indiana, taking up their residence at Areola, of this county, where he has since practiced his chosen profession.

Rev. H. Theo. Wilken

was born October 19, 1844, at the village of Soegel, in the former Kingdom of Hanover, German}'. Coming with his parents to America, in November, 1860, they located their home at Cincinnati, Ohio. The late civil war being well advanced, he engaged for a time as Government carpenter, at Nashville, Tenn. But turning his attention to study, he entered upon a course at St. Xavier's Col¬ lege, Cincinnati, in 1864, completing the same in 1872, at Mount St. Mary's Seminary. He came then to Fort Wayne, \VTiere he was assigned as Pastor of St. Patrick's Church, at Areola, and where he has since resided.

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; 1,183 words in this source stream.

Lake Township

Lands in this township were occupied in 1834, ^y James Hinton, John Ross, William Graj-less, George Slagle, Samuel Caffrey, James Pringle, Jacob Pearson, and Clement Ryan, and their families. Nearly all settled in the vicinity of the Goshen road or in the northern sections. The Goshen road, which had been surveyed four 3'ears previous, was then the only road in the township, and it was not until 1S36 that the second, the Yellow river road, was laid out along the south township line. In the same year the county road from Kraco to

Raccoon village, was survcn-ed. In 1S35 John McClui'e, a native of South Carolina, settled on section 17, and remained twenty years. His son-in-law, Samson Pierson, arrived about the same time. In the sprinj:^ of 1836, Francis Sweet entered a tract in section 17, but remained in Fort Wayne until 1844. He became one of the prominent citizens and filled ail the local offices, serving fifteen years as justice subsequent to 1846. He was the second postmaster, succeeding John Crawford, who was appointed in 1840, for what was known as the Taw-Taw postoffice. Mr. Sweet held the position until 1863, acting also, after the establishment of the Pittsburg railroad, as carrier of the mail ffom the station. In 1836 the newcomers were John Anderson and James W. Watson, who were natives of Virginia, and Joshua Goheen, from Pennsylvania, a man of great enterprise, and John Savage. Other early settlers before 1840, were Joseph Taylor, William Caster, John F. Gerding and Frederick Reed.

On the last Saturday of May, 1837, the first election occurred at the house of John McClure, who was the inspector. Samuel Caffrey and James Pringle were elected justices, and William Caster, constable. In the following winter the first wedding occurred, Mary Mangan to John Savage. In 1S49 the first steam saw-mill was erected by the plank road company, and the next year J. L. Peabody built a saw-mill on the Yellow river road near Areola, which was in operation many years. The first general stores were opened by the proprietors of these mills, by William Thorpe, who had bought the plank road mill in 1850, and b}' Mr. Peabody in 1866. In an earl}' day Samson Pierson platted a village on the plank road in sections 16 and 17, named Pierson, but it was abandoned. The onh' village in the township is Areola, on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago railroad. It was laid out in 1866.

The firm of Jacob Colter & Co., now the most extensive manufacturers of hardwood lumber in Allen county, was formed in 1873. In 1S87 their mill was burned, causing a loss of $3,500, but it was rebuilt at once. At Areola the firm employs fifteen men, and are equipped to saw 8,000 feet per da}-. They also have mills at Williams Station, Monmouth, Decatur and Maples. The five mills employ seventy men, and produce annually about 12,000,000 feet of lumber. The}- furnish lumber to the Pennsylvania company, ship to San Francisco, and export a fine grade to Scotland. In 1885, the tile manufactory' of Grosjean Brothers, now Grosjean & Barrand, was established, and John Grosjean in 1 888 purchased the general stores of Victor Cavalier and William Rockhill. The latter now conducts a general store. James Baxter is ihe blacksmith and I. W. Herrold and John Blietschau are shoe dealers.

Edward Rockhill was one of the well-known pioneers of Fort Wa3'ne and its vicinity. He came from his native state of New Jersey in 1826, and settling in the woods near the citj', at once began clearing awa}' the timber and opening up a farm. He built a double log cabin, doing the principal part of the work himself, using weight poles instead of nails to hold the roof on. The Indians at this time camped in the woods round about, and made frequent visits to the house of Mr. Rockhill in quest of meal and potatoes. One peculiar habit of this pioneer was to inquire if thej- had money to pa\- for food; if they said they had he would direct them to a neighbor telling them he had none to spare, if without money he would furnish them with potatoes and meal. He and the Indians were on very intimate terms. The}' frequently visited Fort Wayne, and while there would spend what money they had for whisky, and becoming thoroughly intoxicated, often would fall by the wayside in the snow or on the ice. Mr. Rockhill in such cases, would carry them into his cabin, and keep them until sober, often saving lives in this way. He followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1848, at his cabin. Of his eight children, the third, William Rockhill, now a leading citizen, was born July 28, 1829, at the old homestead. His educational advantages were of course limited, and he attended onlv one school term of three months. After the death of his. father he and his brother remained upon the farm until 1S51, when they came to Lake township and began clearing up a new farm, doing farm w6rk in summer and hunting deer and turke}', and trapping mink, coon,, etc., in winter. He lived here two years and then moved upon his mother's place, where he remained until 1872, when he came to Areola and engaged in general merchandise, also receiving the appointment of postmaster. In this ofBce he served in a very satisfactory manner for fourteen years. He continued in merchandise until_ September 8, 1888, when he sold his stock of goods in order that he might tear down the house in which he was doing business, and build one on a much larger scale. He now has a handsome two-stor}- brick, 38x60, with a plate glass front. Mr. Rockhill was married in 1S53 to Miss Harriet Bellamy. Of their eight children seven arehving: Amanda, Oliver, Louise, Ida, Ellen, John and William.

William Goheen, who has been a resident of this township more than half a centur}-, was born in Cumberland county, Penn., March 30, 1830. His parents were Joshua Goheen, a native of Pennsylvania, and his wife Ann (Pee) Goheen, a native of Maryland. They settled in Lake township, September 13, 1836, on the farm which their son above named now occupies. Here the father died April 9, 1866, and the mother October 5, 1878. Wilham Goheen was educated in the country schools, and at the age of eighteen years engaged in farming for himself. He is a prominent citizen and held the position of township trustee during five years and a half. He is a member of the First Baptist church of Eel River, of Wayne lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M., and of the republican party. In 185 1 he was married to Mary Petit, and to their union were born four children: John N., Charles M., Alice and Nathaniel. This wife died August 29, 1S60. In 1861 he was married to Catherine Hutsell, and they have two children, Ada A. and Perry A. Mrs. Goheen is a member of the Methodist church.