Lake Township

Lake Township

Lake was organized September 20, 1870, and was originally the south part of Clay Township. It has an area of twenty-tour square miles, and is bounded on the north by Clay, east by Jackson, south- by Wabash County, and west by Seward Township.

John Rhoades, with his family, came in 18.32, followed the next year by a number of other settlers. One of the oldest pioneers now residing in the township is William Leffel, who came in 1840 and settled upon the farm upon which he yet resides. Himself and wife have been tifty years married, and are the oldest married couple in Lake Township.

Henry B. Funk built and operated by steam a saw-mill on section -34 in 1848. The only lake of any importance in the township is Silver Lake, a beautiful body of water. It abounds with fish, but the sportsmen of the neighborhood allow it to remain practically undisturbed.

A union church was erected on the farm of John Rhoades in 1868. It is the exclusive property of no denomination being erected jointly by members of diflerent churches. The union Sunday-school was organized in 1872 with a scholarship of fifty. The German Baptist church on section 3, is a branch of the Jackson Township church, and was erected in 1868. The congregation is large for a country church and numbers some excellent people as members of the

Silver Lake

This is the only village in Lake Township. It was surveyed and platted by Jacob Paulus, March 8, 1859, and until the completion of the Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan Railway was one of the most prosperous towns in the county. The original name was Silver LakeviUe, but the latter syllable has been dropped. Jacob and Daniel Paulus were the tirst merchants of the village and in their log store house the tirst postoffice in the township was located ; Jacob was postmaster and kept the mail in a dry-goods box. The same year the village was surveyed. Hall and Paulus erected a grist-mill which was operated by steam. This was destroyed by fire a few 1 years later, but was rebuilt by Daniel and ! Jacob Paulus and for many years the mill i did a fine business. Jacob had done a gen- '. eral mercantile business inside of what is now the corporate limits from 1853, but when

Silver Lake was surveyed ci-ected a frame store huilding at the corner of -Fefterson and i\[ain streets where for a number of years he liad a lucrative trade.

Elisha Worley had the first drug store and in 1868 Adam Stout was taken into partnership. Alvin Robinson purchased the stock in 1874 and still continues the business.

Dr. Daniel E. Terry was one of the fii'st to practice his profession in Silver Lake, to which village he came in 1862. For a score of years he was the leading physician and since his removal to Rochester, his son Percy E. Terry has ably succeeded him. J. M. Amiss, M. D., is the other resident physician and is likewise a talented gentleman.

The Silver Lake House was the first hotel erected in the village and Orestes B. Turner was the first landlord. That hostelry is now t)wiied by John Lawrence, and is to be refitted during the present year. Dan D. Myers is proprietor of the American House and is one of the most popular hosts in the county. His wife ably manages the cuisine and commercial men make long trips in order to sit at the famous tables of that justly noted inn.

Preston W. Brown is the livery man and furnishes accommodations for the traveling public. He is tlie hero of many battles during the late war and was one of the men who helped capture Jefferson Davis, receiving his share of the Government reward while a resident of Silver Lake.

The first church erected in the village was the United Brethren edifice, which dates from 1862. The society had l>een organized in 1855, and for a number of years S. W. Wells was pastor in charge. That society is now in a flourishing condition and the Sunday-school organized by W. P. Wells in 1855 is now and has for a number of years been umler the superintendency of his sou Ephraiin Wells.

Fred Wiltront was the first tailor in Silver Lake, and for a number of years did a large business. His needle earned money enough to buy a nice farm, and place the family in independent circumstances. Mrs. Wiltront is the first lady postmistress that ever handled Silver Lake mail. For several years slie creditably filled that position. She was succeeded by Daniel D. Myers, but the change of administration brought with it the appointment of Mrs. S. C. Long, the worthy widow of Moses Long who, during his business life, was a prominent attorney of this county.

Adam Stout is the grain merchant and owns and operates the brick elevator near the Chicago, AVabash & Michigan depot. His ])urchase of wheat avei'ages 40,000 busliels and of clover seed and other products, 8,000 bushels annually.

Chas. E. Rantz, is an extensive dealer in live-stock, a member of the firm of Hire, Bybee & Co. Mr. Rantz shipped the first car of stock over the Chicago, Wabash & Michigan from Silver Lake.

Orestes B. Turner is resident photographer and has for many years been largely identified with the business interests of the village. He, during his more pi'osperous years, did as much for the improvement of Silver Lake as any man residing inside her limits.

A. C. Chandler carries on the coach and wagon manufactory in the old stand where for so many years himself and father have done business. His father had the first wagon manufactorj' in Warsaw, and built the first wagon nuxde in this county.

harness and clothing. His harness manufactorj is situated on the second floor. Henry was a brave soldier, and the numerous scars npon Ills person will serve as a reminder of the noted battle where he so nearly lost his life in defense of his country's flag.

F. M. Jaques, recently retired from the mercantile business, is a well-known gentleman, and served during the war in the Army of the Tennessee.

Levi W. Myers owns half of the handsome brick block in which his saloon and billiardparlor is situated. His bar is one of the nicest in the county.

Henry D. Geiger is owner of the Silver Lake mineral baths. The watei-s of this well are remarkably curative in rheumatism and kindred diseases, as attested by some wonderful cures.

The most important industry of Silver Lake are the extensive mills belonging to L. D. Keller. The saw-mill- is located near the railroad; the planer and pump factory in a large and substantial building down town.

The Methodist church was organized about 1864 in Silver Lake, with Thomas Ball, wife and daughter, now Mrs. Martha Herendeen, Isaac Whittenberger and wife, Robert R. Leas and others, forming the first class. Services were held in the United Brethren church until the completion and dedication of the Lutheran church, where the congregation worshiped until the brick Methodist Episcopal church was completed in 1879.

The Lutheran church was organized in 1805, l)y Rev. (j. W. Wilson, who for a number of years was retained as pastor. The first oflicers were: Albert Scoles and Jesse Stackhouse, elders; John Chambers and William Chandler, deacons. Meetings were held until 1871 in the United Brethren church, when their present commodious church was erected. Rev. B. R. M. Sheeter is pastor in charge; Adam Stout and John Bilger, deacons; G. W. Worley and Adam Oldfather, elders.

Silver Lake Lodge, No. 499, A. F. ct A. M., was organized December 5, 1873, with the following officers: U. I. Ward, AVorshipful Master; Henry Paulus, Senior Warden; Peter Kessler, Junior AVarden. Their charter was granted in 1875, but after giving it a seven years' trial the meml)ers concluded it would be best to surrender the charter. This was done December 19, 1880. The officers elect at that time were: Henry Paulus, AVorshipful Master; U. L AYard, Senior AVarden; Peter Kessler, Junior Warden; Adam Stout, Secretary, and Joseph Penrod, Treasurer.

Silver" Lake Lodge, No. 576, L O. 0. F., was organized Januarj' 1, 1886, and is a very prosperous organization. The present oflicers are: Noble Grand, Harry Leonard; Vice Grand, AYilliam EUinger; Recording Secretary, Hiram Sarber; Permanent Secretary, Charles Hill; Treasurei-, Gib. K. Smith; Trustees, G. W. Yotter, 0. M. Hoover and William Beck.

Herendeen Post, No. 306, G. A. R., of Silver Lake, at the recent election of officers selected the following comrades to fill the various positions for the coming year: Commander, Alvin Robinson; Senior Vice, F. M. Jaques; Junior A^ice, C. E. Rantz; Quartermaster, Samuel Can'; Officer of the Day, Isaac Shideler; Officer of the Guard, John Knowles; Delegate to the National Encampment, C. E. Rantz, with James Meek as alternate.