Noble Township (part 2 of 3)

As (^arly as 1835 Colon«d Hanna had improved the waterpower at AVabash and l)uilt a gristmill, but Cissna 's improveuKMits are directly connected with ])i'esent-day industry. In the year mentioned lie came to town on a tour of inspection to find a site upon which to erect a custom and merchant mill. At that time the waterpower furnished by the Wabash and Erie Canal was being utilized all along its line from Toledo to Lafayette. Upon examination Mr. Cissna ascertained that such a i?ite could be procured subject to the terms prescribed by the managers of the canal, with the consent of the State Legislature. By an act of that 1)ody approved January 15, 1844, the state board of internal improvements was instructed to lease to Mr. Cissna the waterpower at the lock on the Wabash and Erie Canal at the Town of Wabash and "for the i)urp()se of erecting thereon a mill house, and further to carry out and en.joy the object of the purchase or lease of said waterpower, to enter upon, take possession of, use and occupy so much of Canal Street in said Town of Wabash, as also so much of a space of public ground in said town lying west of fractional Lot No. 1 between the Wabash and Erie Canal and Canal Street as may lie and be situated within a line commencing at and running north from the north side of the tumble at said lock, fifty-t-iglit feet, thence west forty-one feet, thence south to the canal, and thence east along the canal to the tumble or place of beginning;" also, ''that said purchaser, or lessf^e, may for the purpose specified in the first section of this act, use and occupy any portion of the south part of Canal Street in said town not exceeding eighteen feet from north to south, not forty-one feet from east to west, commencing within and not varying more than ten feet in any direction from the northeast and nortiiwest corners of the premises in the first section of this act particularly described ; as also so much of the space of public ground in said town west of fractional Lot No. 1 as may be east of a line running from the northwest corner of the premises so used and occupied, to the Wabash and Erie Canal."

Pursuant to those instructions, Mr. Cissna secured a thirty years' lease of the premises described, dating from November 1, 1844, with the right to use so much of the surplus water not required at the lock, for the purposes of navigation at Wabash, "as would be sufficient, applied to an overshot wheel of eight feet diameter with proper gearing, to propel two four and one-half feet mills." Under this authority, Mr. Cissna erected the original building of what is now the Wabash Milling Company. 1). Thomi)son & Son became the owner of this mill and operated it for several years. For many years past the mills have been operated by George W. Summerton, assisted during the later period by his sons, Clayton C. and George P.

There is also another mill in operation within the city limits, establishetl many years ago - the Union Mills, on the south side, long operated by Small & Company and owned by Charles N. Jones & Son.

Among the pioneer industries of Wabash was cabinet-making, which was founded and first fostered by Thomas F. Payne. He was of an old Virginia family and when a young boy moved with his parents to Kentucky and thence into the Wabash Valley. The family settled near Fayetteville, Rush County, where, as well as at Indianapolis, Thomas F. learned his trade of cabinet-making. On his twenty-third birthday, August 23, 1849, he located at Wabash and opened a small shop in the western part oi" the city as the commeiiceinent of an independent business. It is needless to impress the faet upon the reader that the young man, at first, nuide everything l)y hand. His sales for the first year of business aggregated about one thousand dollars, and 50 per eent more the second year, when he moved his shop to a l)etter location on ]\Iiami Street. Gradually he took on a few hands and in 1864 l)0ught out the factory of Wliiteside & Wilson. A few years afterward his brother, Sanuiel d. Payne, who liad been serving in the Civil war, added cai)ital and service to the ])usiness, which was conducted for years thereafter under tlie name T. F. Payne & Company. Although the plant was destroyed by fire in 1873, it was at on(;e rebuilt in an enlarged and improved form, and the business developed into tiie largest industry of its kind within a hundred miles of Wabash. In 1884 the firm was dissolved and the busine.ss divided among various members of the family - T. F. Payne and his sons, Edward and DeWitt taking the factory and the wholesale trade, while the retail branch was assumed by S. J. Payne, the brother.

In 1872 William M. Henley, D. W. Lumaree and John Rose associated themselves in the manufacture of school furniture, under the name of the Wabash School Furniture Company. A stock company was formed and incorporated with J. S. Daugherty as president, and William M. Henley, secretary and treasurer; these, with Solomon Wilson, Philip Alber, II. Caldwell and John II. Bruner, constituted the board of directors. After renting quarters for a time, in 1874 several two-story stone buildings were erected at the corner of Carroll and AVater streets, and the business was placed on a solid footing. It flourished for many years, chiefly under the presidency of Mr. Daugherty, and the manufacture came to embrace not only school furniture, but cabinet work and material connected with churches, offlces and business houses.

At the present time, the manufacture of furniture in its various lines is represented by the Wabash Cabinet Company and the Cardinal Cabinet Company. The former is the outcome of the business established by H. C. Underwood in 1883. In that year Mr. Underwood built a plant for the manufacture of wood specialties. For many years, the late A. ]\I. Atkinson was president of the company, which in 1900 was incorporated as the Wabash Cabinet Company. John A. Bruner suellLSTUliV OF WABASH COUNTY ;}41 ceedtnl ^[r. Atkinson (jii the death of the latter, and from 1904 to 1907 tlie lj\isiii('ss was ojx-rated by creditors. It was then in the liands of a receiver until March, 1909, when the business was sold and reorganized under the old name. Under the new management all debts have been l)aid and the industry brought to the front. Thomas F. Vaughn is president of the company and W. 11. Urschel, secretary and treasurer.

When the consideration is volume of business and impressiveness of plant, the great paper and coating mills at Wabash overshadow all its other industries. The grounds in the w^estern part of the city cover fifty acres of land, and the massive two-story brick structures, which represent nearly a quarter of a century of industrial expansion and building operations, stretch along a frontage of fully 1,000 feet. Since the 17th of ]\Iarch, 1890, the company has operated its constantly expanding plant, so lirmly bound together by local tracks and to the outside world through the Big Four system of railroads. The original building is a portion of the western mill, or that in which is conducted the manufacture of paper. The business was then controlled by the Diamond Match Company. The eastern, portion of the plant, the socalled Coating Mills were erected in 1898-99. Since then the plant has been operated under the name of the Wabash Paper Company, as a branch of the United Paper Board Company of New York, which owns and conducts twelve branches in various parts of the country, four of which are in Indiana - at IMuncie, Yorktown, Rockport and Wabash.

The paper mill has a daily capacity of sixty tons, and the coating works of twenty, their products comprising the finest coated litho:iraphic and chromo jjlated and glazed papers, card board of every description, coated manilas, translucents and strawl)Oard - plain, lined and double lined.

An idea of the magnitude of the operations conducted at these mills nuiy be obtained by a simple statement as to the amount of water consumed. This reaches a daily volume of 4,000,000 gallons, or fully three tinies as much as is consumed by the remainder of the entire City of Wabash. The supply of the Wabash Paper Company consists of river water which is used in the manufacture of cardboard and the cruder products, and twenty-four connected artesian wells which furnish water devoid of sediment and utilized in the manufacture of tine papers. In short, the Wabash paper and coating tnills are known throughout the country as among the best equipped and the most ably managed of the plants controlled by the corporation mentioned.

The railroad sliops of the Big Four in the eastern part of Wabash also constitute an important industry. The old shops were erected in 1872 by what was then known as the Cincinnati, Wabash & IMichigan Railroad Company. The City of Wabash paid a bonus of $25,000 as an inducement for the location. The old shops were burned October 23, 1894, and the new ones of the present completed in January, 1896. The roundhouse has a capacity of fifteen stalls and, with the shops, employs a large and constant force of men.

The Wabash Baking Powder Company operates a flourishing industry. The business was established in 1895 under the auspices of the Liberty Baking Powder Company. The products now put out include not only baking powder, but a large variety of flavoring extracts, powdered skim milk and cocoa, and the present management comprises the following: Roy 0. Rowan, president; Thomas F. Kelly, superintendent; and II. M. Gamble, secretary and treasurer.

The large plant of the Wabash Canning Company is located south of the river, and embraces a factory 300 by 50 feet and a warehouse, 200 by 60 feet, and an extensive silo. The business originated in 1897 w*ith the Great Western Canning Company of Delphi, Indiana. Under its management the original buildings were erected. In 1907 the company sold its Wabash plant to- Charles Lathera and L. L. Hyraan, who formed the present operating company, as president and secretary and treasurer, respectively. The factory manufactures and handles the season's product from 800 acres of corn and 300 acres of tomatoes, and a large quantity of sauer kraut, kidney beans and pumpkin.

The foregoing by no means end the list of Wabash industries. The Service i\Iotor Truck Company has a flourishing business. In the city are a number of machine shops, a glove factory, saddle and carriage works, a large wholesale and retail bakery and two flourishing laundries. Which is doing pretty well for a city of her size.

Chapter Xx

The Pkesbytkriax Church - Houses op Worship - Dr. Little's Long Servici: - Early IMethodism - Formation of Wabash Class - Permanent Pastors - Wabash Circuit Organized - Church Buildings - Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) - Period of Uncertainty - Permanent Home and Pastors - St. Bernard's Catholic Church - Resident and Visiting Pastors - St. jMatthenv's Evangelical Church - Friends' Church (South Wabash) - Early Baptist Society Disbands - Wabash Street j\I. E. Church - ]\Iid- DLE Street U. E. Church - The African M. E. Church- The First Evangelical Church - First Church of Christ Scientist - United Brethren Churches - Other Religious Bodies in the City - Churches Outside of AVabash - First ^^Iasonic Lodge (11 ANNA No. 61) - First Instructor in Craft Mysteries - Charter Granted to Hanna Lodge No. 61 - Growth and Present Status - Excelsior Chapter, R. A. M. - Wabash Chapter No. 26 Chartered - The Passing of Hugh Hanna - Leading Chapter Masons - Petition FOR A Councii^-John B. Rose and H. C. Skinner - Wabash Council No. 13 Chartered - The Commandery - The 0. E. S. - The Masonic Hall - Anastasia Mesnil Lodge No. 46, I. 0. 0. F. - Leading Odd Fellows - Ebron ah Encampment - Daughters of Rebekah - Rock City Lodge op Odd Fellows - The Elks and Their Fine Home - Knights of Pythias - Knights and Ladies of the Maccabees - The Forf^sters in Wabash - The Eagles (Aerie No. 549)_Ben Hur (Wabash Court No. 23) - Okoboji Tribe and Council (I. 0. R. M.) - Other Societies and Unions.

There is no leading religious sect of the day which is not worthily and solidly represented in Wabash; which fact materially adds to its desirability as a city of residences and homes. Its oldest church is also one of its strongest ; which speaks well for the wearing qualities of its church goers and church supporters, as well as for the substantial qualities of its pastors.

The Prcsliyterian Clinrch of Wa))ash liad its ori<,Mn in the First Presbyterian Chnreh (New Seiiool), wliich was orj^^uiized May 7, IH.'JG, by the Rev. Samuel Newbury, then of Peru, Jndiana, who, prior to that time, liad oecasionally preached in the Town of AVabasli. At first, the membership was not large, but it was zealous - whieh was the l)est guarantee of permaneney. :\Ir. Newbury held it together until 18:37, when Rev. Asa Johnson assumed charge of the congregation, and labored with good results for five years. From 1842 to 1847 Rev. James Thompson was pastor of the New Seliool l^resbyterian Church, when he was succeeded l)y Rev. Samuel D. Smith, who sustained pastoral relations during tile succeeding three years. In 1850 i\Ir. Tliompson accepted a second call, and remained with the church for two more years. He was followed in the pastorate by Rev. John Fairchild, who served from 185G until the end of 1861. Then came Rev. AV. J. Essick, from 1862 to 1870, under whose pastorate the membership increased so rapidly and the work of the church so expanded that during the year 1869-70 he was assisted by Rev. Everett B. Thomson, D. D.

On March 3d, of the latter year, the New School and the Old School Presbyterian churches were united under the name of The Presbyterian Church of Wabash. The Old School Presbyterian Church had been organized January 24, 1846, a committee from the Fort Wayne Presbytery having been appointed for that purpose. Rev. Matthew R. Miller, D. D., its first pastor, was followed by the following: Rev. A. C. McClelland, 1847-51 ; Rev. James W\ McClusky, 1852-53 ; Rev. Samuel T. Thompson, 1856-57; Rev. Jasper W. McGregor, 1858-59; Rev. Richard Curran, D. D., 1859-60; Rev. David Kingery, 1861-63; Rev. William B. Browne, 1863-69.

At the time of the reunion, the New School Church owned and had occupied for several years a large frame building opposite the courthouse s(iuare on the east; the building of the Old School Church was on the southwest corner of Hill and Miami streets. For a period of more than ten years, the united congregation, under the present name of the Presbyterian Church of Wabash, occupied the former building of the Old School Church. At that time the society numbered about two hundred and sixty members. In the meantime, the New School Presbyterian property had been sold, and a portion of the proceeds were afterward applied to the purchase of the present parsonage property, adjoining the church on the west.

Kcv. Arc'liihiiUl S. Rred servcnl tlie Preshytcfian Oliurcli from tho time of its formation JMarcli 8, 1870, until the coming of Rev. Charles Little, I). 1)., tile present pastor, on the 1st of November, 1872. In length of service. Doctor Little is therefore the father of Wabash pastors, and in tlie mellowness and strengtli of his eharactei' lie is instinctively aecoi'ded the same relationsliip by the ehurcli goers of the city, irrespective of sect or ivligious predilections. Doctor Little has long held high rank both ill the state synod and the genei;al asseinlily of his church, having been clerk of the former for more than twenty years and moderator of the national body. Tie also occupies the position of senior pastor of the State of Indiana from the standpoint of continuous service with onecongregation.

During Doctor Little's pastorate of forty-two years with the Presbyterian Church of AVabash, the tine church property on the corner of Hill and IMiami has been developed, the membership built up to 500, and an earnest, progi'essive, reverent and loyal society founded and maintained.

On the 16th of Alay, 1880, the work of razing the old church edifice was commenced. For a few Sundays thereafter, services were held in the old opera house, and afterward, until the lecture room was com- ])leted in the new church (September, 1881,) in the corridors of the new courthouse. It was not until Sunday, January 18, 1884, that the auditorium of the new church was completed and the building formally dedicated. Reverend Doctor Johnson preached the dedicatory sermon and it may be of interest to old members of the church to be reminded of iiis text : "Because tlieir waters issue out of the sanctuary." - Ezekiel XLVII, 12.

iVt the conclusion of the sermon, preparatory to the dedicatory service, Doctor Little stated that the cost of the church had been $22,000; that during the year preceding, improvements to the amount of $1,;500' had been made on the parsonage, thus making the total cost of the buildings and improvements $28,300. In 1894 the present handsome parsonage was completed at a cost of $6,000, and in li)04 the church itself was rebuilt along modern lines. It was rededicated January 1, 1905, and was further remodeled, chiefly as to iieating and lighting conveniences, in 1907. These last-named im})rovemeiits cost about $12,000, so that tile church is now convenient and beautiful from eveiy standpoint of comfort and taste.

M(.'tlio(lism was the second religious denoininatiou to obtain a foothold in Wabash. The evidence is that its tenets were preached locally before those of Presbyterianisni, but its members did not organize into a society until some time afterward. It is known that as early as 18;i5, Rev. Alexander McLean, a ^lethodist preacher, had a circuit extending along the Uj^pcr AVabash Valley, and occasionally preached at Wal)ash and La Gro. It is also in evidence that in :\Iarch, 1837, Jared K. I\Iarslianms, a traveling minister of Methodism, preached in a vacant house owned by Patrick Dutfey, on the northwest corner of Huntington and Market streets. Afterward he came to AVabash regularly every six weeks, preaching thus until the fall of 1838. But there were few Methodists in the place and neither class nor society was organized.

The movement which linally resulted in a local church originated outside of AVabash. On his way westward to fill various appointments in his circuit, Mr. ^^larshaums preached a sermon at the house of Ezekiel Cox about four miles down the canal, March 18, 1837. Such was the encouragement given at that meeting that at the time of the next monthly services, April 29th, a class was organized consisting of :\Ir. Cox, wife and daughter, and two others. This expanded soon into a society of forty-five members, under the pastorate of Rev. Burroughs AVestlake, of Logansport, and David Squires ; later, under E. Holstock and Reverend Reed.

About 1841, during the pastorate of John F. Truslow, this class was moved to AVabash and reorganized. David Squires and wife and AVilliam Tyner and wife were among the early members of the AVabash society. Another class, which had been organized in the Levi S. Thomas neighborhood, two miles west of the Cox settlement, was also merged into the AVabash society.

Revs. AV. F. AVheeler and H. B. Beers served prior to 1844, when John Davis, a Methodist preacher and uncle of Allen AV. Smith, settled permanently in Wabash as pastor of the church. At this time the AVal)ash society was embraced in the Peru district, of which Burroughs AS'estlake was the presiding elder, and the local preacher was Reverend Boyden, appointed at the conference of 1844-45, held at Fort Wayne.

The first liouse of worship was erected in 1849 across the street north from the postotfice ; the second building, on the northeast corner of Sinclair and Cass streets, on the present site of St. Bernard's Catholic Church. The church was remodeled in 1880, being dedicated on Sunday, January 23, 1881, by Bishop Bowanan. Adjacent to the church on the east was the brick parsonage, both being considered handsome buildings in their day. The condition of the society in the early '80s is described by Rev. C. W. Lynch, in his farewell to the people of his charge, on Sunday morning, April 8, 1883: "During the last three years we have received into this church, on probation, about 175 persons. AVe have received into full membership about 130. We have today on our records >n full membership, after the records have been carefully revised, and the deaths, the withdrawals and dismissals by letter are carefully noted, 519 members in church and twenty-two iDrobationers. "

The church property on the northeast corner of Sinclair and Cass streets was sold to the Catholics in 1898, the First ]\Iethodist Church liaving erected the magnificent structure since occupied on the opposite corner. The membership has since reached 725 and the Sunday School 260, making it the strongest religious body in Wabash.

The Christian Church of Wal)ash is alert, vigorous and growing; and it has but lately entered its seventy-third year. Its iiistorian has this to

Hsy of its foundin-/: ''On Sunday, Septein})er 4, 1842, at the old village Sfhoolhousi' a few rods northeast of the depot of tlie Wabash, St. Louis & Taeilie Railway, a small eoiij^'regation of I)is('ii)l('s iiad assembled to hear a discourse by Elder Daniel Jaekson, an early })ioneer of Wabash County and at that time one of the associate judges of the Wabash Circuit Court. Here the nucleus of the Christian Church of Wabash was formed, and after the sermon an organization was effected, the result of which is visible today. The members of this first congregation were Daniel Jackson, Lydia Jaekson, Sr., Lydia Jackson, Jr., James Ford, America Ford, Elizabeth Caldwell and Simeon B. Loyd. After the organization, Daniel Jackson and James Ford were appointed elders. At a subsequent meeting Samuel Boden and Robert D. Helm were appointed deacons.

"Polder Jackson made this congregation his home, and during the remaining twelve years of his life he labored diligently for its success. On the 26th day of June, 1854, he was gathered to his fathers. So far as can be ascertained, Mr. Jackson preached tlie first sermon within the limits of "Wabash County at the house of William Grant near the present town of La Fontaine, in the spring of 1835. And some time between 1835 aiul 1840, Brother Jacob Nelson, a veteran in the Reformation, who had settled among the wilds of Eel River, was laboring among the sparse settlements along that river, and during 1840 or 1841 visited Wabash a few times."

During the first twenty-five years of its existence the Disciples' Church was without a permanent house of worship, its services being conducted by the elders, who were not considered regular or perinanent pastors. Prof. Ryland T. Brown and Elder B. K. Smith served the congregation during 1843, and Elder Ebenezer Thompson in 1844-47. John B. New, James ^lathes, Peter T. Russell, ]\Iilton B. Hopkins, William P. Shockey and Benjamin Wharton labored continuously to build up the church for the succeeding five years. At that time the church had a membership of about one hundred and thirty. Then came a period of decline, despite meetings held irregularly by such as Henry L. Pritchard, Jesse D. Scott, Henry W. IMcPherson and John L. Stone, and by the commencement of the Civil war the membership had decreased to thirty. Services were being held every two weeks at the courthouse and altogether the outlook was not encouraging, notwithstanding those who lield firndy to their faith in final success l)ogan to move in the matter of providing a permanent house of worship. P'rom the 1st day of ^Farch,

1863, the Baptist Church BuiUIing was occupied by the Disciples whenever possible, and a iiunil)er of revivals were held which increased the membership of the society and made a separate house of worship a necessity.

In 1865 a larg:e brick church was commenced at the corner of Hill and i\Iiami streets, the first meeting therein being held the first Lord's Day in January, 1867. The services \vere conducted by Elder AV. S. Winfield, assisted ])y J. B. ^Marshall, of Warsaw, and B. ]\I. Blount, of Tipton. The church was not formally dedicated until January 8, 1871. After Elder Winfield, the next regular pastor of the Christian Church was Llewellyn L. Carpenter, who made his first visit to Wabash on the 24th of October, 1868. His five years' service was very successful. Elder Carpenter continued in pastoral charge until October, 1873, and was succeeded by Elder A. A. Knight, of Hamilton, Ohio, who entered upon his pastorate November 28, 1873, and remained until June, 1875. A. ]\I. Atkinson and Elder Carpenter assumed charge for short periods afterward; Robert S. Blount, of Indianapolis, served from October 22, 1876, to the fall of 1879; Ira J. Chase, of Peoria, Illinois, for three years from May, 1880, and since that time the following have served the church - some of them "without money and without price": A. INI. Atkinson, Llewellyn Carpenter, Samuel J. Tondinson, Cary E. iNIorgan, George B. Vanarsdall, Earle Wilfley, William Groom, J. PL Powell, Edgar F. Daugherty, S. J. Colyer and Frank E. Jaynes.

The old Christian Church of 1865-71 was remodeled in 1884, and improvements since made have made it well adapted to the purposes of a leading city society of religious workers. At present its membership is about five hundred.

St. Bernard's Catholic Church, in charge of Rev. Father William D. Sullivan, has more than four hundred souls within its jurisdiction, its property being that of the former Methodist Church, northeast corner of Sinclair and Cass streets. The Catholics acquired this in 1900, soon after the IMethodists erected their new church on the opposite corner.

The first Catholic priest who is known to have visited Wabash was Rev. John Ryan, of La Gro, who made occasional visits to the county seat from 1862 to September, 1865, saying mass at the houses of Patrick ivoi-y and otliers. During lliat period he coiK'cted about tliirly-five

Irish and Gennaii Catholics in the conniiunity and laid the foundation of a new ehiireh. Throuy:h the efforts of Father Ryan and Rev. B. Kroe^er, a ehureli edifiee was eoinnieneed on West ^laple Street, the lot for its site liaving l)een donated by Patrick Dwyer. It was a brick building. ;]0 by GO feet, and was completed under the pastorate of R«v. M. E. Canii)ion, of La Gro, at a cost of $2,000.

In 1877 a frame schoolhouse was l)uilt l)y Rev. F. C. Wiechmann, but discontinued the first year. The first priest's house was built on the corner of Maple and Comstock, a block west of the church, but in 1888 a new residence was erected on Minor and Fisher streets. This Was while St. Bernard's was in charge of Rev. John H. Bathe. In 1898 the church building was greatly enlarged and improved, while under the pastorate of Rev. P. J. Crosson. Soon afterward these properties were exchanged for the Methodist Church, corner of Sinclair and Cass, the consideration being $22,000 and a cash difference of $5,500. A brick hiiuse l)ack of the church was also ])OUght for school purposes. The church was remodeled to conform to the purposes of the Catholic ceremonials at a cost of $3,500 and dedicated, September 23, 1900, by Rev. I). II. Clark.

In 1859 a German settlement was made near Belden postoffice on the eastern border-line of Wabash County, and the Lutherans soon erected a little church near Urbana, also in this county. From Urbana the ministers soon became accustomed to extend their missionary labors to the Town of Wabash, and within a year such an interest was created at the county seat that a society w^as organized composed of the followingmembers : Fred Ranch, Jacob Ilildebrandt, Henry Geible, Phillip Keller, Peter Mattern, ]\Iichael Schlemmer, Peter Hipskind and Adam Hipskind. Thus, in 1861, was organized the St. Matthew's Evangelical Cliurch.

Soon after the organization of the society a substantial frame chnreh was erected on the corner of Huntington and "Walnut streets. In 1879 this was enlarged, remodeled and adapted to tiie developed society, and this also was re])laeed by the modern editiee now occupied, which was completed in 1903. The present pastor, Rev. Paul 0. David, has a congregation of 200 earnest Christian workers in full membership.

The Friends' Church in South AVabash is one of the strongest and most progressive religious bodies in the city, having an active membership of 300. The first building of the society was erected in 1883 at the corner of Sivey and Church streets. The present location, corner of Pike and Adams streets, was secured in 1906 and the building erected tile same year. It is both original in architecture and shows good taste in its decorations, both exterior and interior. The body of the edifice is of light brick, with stone foundation. The present pastor of the Friends' Church is Rev. II. A. Furstenberger.

The Baptists organized at an early day in AVabash, but did not survive as a church. In January, 1841, Elder T. C. Townsend organized the Fii-st Baptist Cluu'ch of AVabash. He says in his "Reminiscences": "In the winter of 1840-41, I itinerated over a large country entirely destitute of Baptist preaching, and very little preaching of any kind. I visited AVabash Town, the county seat of AVabash County on the AVabash River, and con.stituted the First Baptist Church of AVabash Town all alone, because helps could not be had. I then held a meeting of several days, and did the first baptising ever done in the AVabash River between Fort AVayne and Logansport. I left that church in a very prosperous condition, and after moving from Anderson ville to my farm near Indianapolis, it was out of my reach. Elder George Sleeper moved to AVabash Town and took charge of that church. He afterward moved to Huntington."

TIk; C'liurch apjjcars to have been in a fairly prosperous condition until the outtjreak of the C'ivil war, when it was in eharf^e of R(\v. Henry (.'. Skinner, who went to the fi'ont as chaplain of th(; 'i'wenty-first Ohio \'oluntccr Infantry. l)ui-in<,' tlic war and for five or six years afterward nieetinj,'s were discontinued and were never revived with vigor. The last Baptist services were held in 1872.

Because of a disagreement as to the location of the 1898 building, a ])ai't of the congregation of the First Church withdrew and organized the Wabash Street .M. E. Church in April, 1899. Its pastor was Rev. James A. Patterson. His successors have been as follows: Rev. Granville B. Work, 1901-08; Rev. John J. Fred, 1908-10; Rev. Herbert S. Nickerson, 1910-12; Rev. 0. B. IMorris, 1912. The Wabash Street M. E. Church has a mend)ership of 320 and a Sunday School which musters 270 strong. Services are held in a handsome and modern church of white stone, erected in 1903.

The Middle Street M. E. Ciun'ch, at South Wabash, originated in a society organized about 1863. Ten years later it secured the building at the northeast corner of Sivey and Snyder streets. The present location on South Middle Street was purchased in 1895 and a building erected in the following year. It was remodeled in 1912. The church is ujider the jjastorate of Rev. E. S. Riley.

- There is also a Wesleyan ]\Iethodist Church, with Rev. Solomon Burns as pastor, on Manchester Avenue and ^lichigan Street, and an African M. E. Church, on East Sinclair Street, in charge of Rev. William B. Baber.

The Methodists among the colored people of Wabash commenced to organize at an early day, and have been earnest, faithful and persistent in maintaining religious services. The first African IMethodist Episcopal Church was formed in 1872 by the following: Joseph IT. Roberts, Mary Roberts, Martha Ferguson, j\Iary Alexander, William Alexander,

Hmry Jaincs and ^Maliiida James. The first rep;ulai' pastor was Madison I'attersoii. A reorj,^anization of tlie society took place in 1880, with lu'V. Iiol)ert M(d)aniel as pastor. The church is still in active (!vanf,'elical work and is, as stated, under the pastorate of Rev. William H. Baher. The house of worship is on p]ast St. Clair Street.

Tlie Fii'st Fvan.Gjelical (German 2^I(4hodist) Church was ori^aiiizcd in the summer of 1872 hy Rev. JI. B. Price, of the Huntington Cii'cuit. -i -' In the fall the Indiana Conference estahlished the Wahash Mission, of which \ii'\. .1. ^liller received charge. A church huilding was erected on North Wahasli Street, and in 1896 was enlai'ged and remodeled to its i)resent form. Rev. P. L. l^rowns is the present pastor. '''^

At the corner of iMajjIe and Carroll streets is the First Church of Christ Scientist, a dainty and characteristic house of worshi{). The * eliurch was organized in 1900, a residence purchased at the locality named and in 1008 remodeled for the purposes of tlie society. As is customaiy, reading rooms are connected with the church, open duringcertain afti'rnoons of the week to the puhlie. mu::;r ^}>

There are two United Brethren churches in Wahash, which have continuous services and are fairly well attended - the Fii-st United, under the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Lindsay, being in the southern part of the city, on Adams Street, and the Second United Brethren, with Rev. F. E. Penny as pastor, is located at North AVabash and Gladstone streets.

The Hebrews of Wabash organized the Congregation of Rodet Sholem in February, 1869, but efforts to maintain regular services and resident rabbis have been only moderately successful. In 1883 the supporters of Rodet Sholem bought the property of the Christians, or New Lights, which had been established at the corner of Sinclair Street and Falls Avenue since 1869. At present there is no settled rabbi in charge.

Outside of the Town of Wabash, most of the early churches of Noble Townsliip were founded by the Society of Friends, the iMethodists, Christions and Lutherans. In the early '50s the Quakers formed a small settlement in the southeastern part of the township and erected two meeting houses not far from the site of White's Manual Labor Institute - one of them on the northwest quarter of section 21, township 27, range 6 east, and tiie other on the nortliwest quarter of section 28, same townsliip and range.

A])0ut the same time, the IMethodists erected what was known as Wesley Chapel on the southwest corner of the east half of the southeast quarter of section 31, township 27, range 6, and the Union Chapel on the west line near the middle of the west half of the southeast quarter of section 29, township 27, range 7 east. A third ^Methodist Church was built at a later date on the northeast corner of section 29, township 28, range 6.

A Christian Church also was erected near the middle of the southeast quarter of section 20, same township and range, and still later a Lutheran house of worship was built at the southeast corner of the southwest ([uarter of section 33, township 27, range 6 east.

Since that time other churches have been erected, especially to the north and west of the City of Wabash, in sections which are too far away from that locality to be accommodated by the religious institutions of the county seat.

Both the Masons and Odd Fellows of Wabash, as organized bodies, are nearing their tliree score years and ten, the pioneer lodge of each having been created in 1847. The birth of Hanna Lodge No. 61, F. & A. ^I., was heralded on the 3d of November, 1847, at a meeting of Tipton Lodge No. 33, Free and Accepted Ancient York IVlasons of the State of Indiana, held at Logansport. Then and there, Robert Edwards, worthy master, and Isaac Bartlett, secretary, made note of the following: "A l)etition was received from Joseph Hopkins, J. P. Flyn, Jonathan R. Cox, Jesse P. IMyers, Amos Chapman, Joseph Peterson, Jacob Vandegrift, Daniel Bahan, Hugh Hanna, James Ford, John C. Sivey, Jonatlian Kelk'r, C. Watkins and James Stoops, brethren of Wabash and at that place, and tusking the reconnnendation of this lodge to that end. Tiie recommendation was granted, and the proceedings ordered to be properly certified."

The petition and accompanying proceedings were then forwarded to Grand Master Elizur Deming, who granted a dispensation to the prayer of the petitioners bearing date November 6, 1847, which was attested by Austin W. Morris, grand secretary, with the seal of the Grand Lodge attached. Jiy that dispensation Hugh Hanna was designated as the first worshipful master, Jacob Vandegrift, the first senior warden, and

James Stoops, the first junior warden of the new lodge. Then on Friday evening, November 12, 1847, the following persons, petitioners, met pursuant to the authority of the grand master's dispensation in an improvised room, and these proceedings were had :

"The dispensation issued by Elizur Deming, grand master, dated November 6, 1847, and attested by Austin W. Morris, grand secretary, naming Hugh Hanna as first worshipful master, Jacob Vandegrift first senior warden, and James Stooj)s first junior warden, was then read.

WitJi that authority a lodge of Master Masons was opened on the date al'ori'said, when the following officers were appointed pro teni. : Joseph Hopkins, secretary; Amos Chapman, treasurer; Jesse P. flyers, s. d. ; Joseph Peterson, j. d. ; Jonathan R. Cox and Jesse P. Myers, stewards, and J. P. Plyn, tiler."

xVfterward the secretary was ordered to procure the necessary books and records and a committee on by-laws, consisting of Joseph Hopkins, Amos Chapman and James Ford, was appointed with instructions to report the same to the lodge as soon as convenient. This closed the lirst meeting of Hanna Lodge, U. I).

Another meeting was held on ^londay, the 29th, at which all the officers were present; also. Brothers Bahan and Keller and Visiting Bretlu'eii Joseph Hellinger and Bartholomew Hart. ByJaws were adopted, subject to the approval of the Grand Bodge, by which the regulai- meetings of the lodge were fixed on Tuesday evening preceding the full moon in each month. The first stated meeting so held was on DecemiuM- 21, 1847.

On tlic 27th of December, 1847, the lirst petitions for degrees were received from James Wilson and Euos F. Thomas. At a later meeting they were rei)0i-ted upon favoral)ly and received.

On the 24th of February, 1848, the lodge appointed a eonnnittee to engage the services of some competent person to lecture upon the several i\Iasonic degrees and the ceremonies pertaining to them. Alfred Luce, past master of Oxford, Ohio, who was engaged for that purpose, appeared at a special meeting on the 4th of April following, and instructed the craft in the ceremonials of the second degree, by passing Allen W. Smith and C. Pawling to the degree of Fellow Craft. The first work in the third degi'ee was on the evening of April 5th, when Brother Luce raised Allen AY. Smith to the degree of Master IMason. F^'rom that date until the 21st, at various meetings of the lodge, degrees were confi-rred upon Calvin S. Rice, James AVilson, Michael 0 'Flanagan, Enos F. Thomas, James T. Liston and John Comstock; which closed the labors of Brother Luce, in illustration of the workings of the craft, and for which he received 450 with a warm vote of thanks.

\Vith this showing, the lodge presented its request that a charter be granted according to the usages of the order. This application was placed in the hands of the committee on charters and dispensation, consisting of Isaac Bartlett, Henry C. Lawrence, James M. Poe, Battie

McClelland and Ebenezer Brown, which made the following report: "The coniinittee have examined the workings and by-laws of Ilanna Lodge and find their i)roceedings correct and books neatly kept, but they have failed to record their dispensations in the proceedings laid before your committee. There appears an omission in their by-laws in regard to the disposition made of petitions for initiation.

"The committee recommended that they amend the first section of Article VI, and that they add an additional section showing that all petitions are referred to a committee of character, with a pledge from the delegate that the above alteration be made. Your committee recommended the adoption of the following resolutions: 'Resolved that a charter be granted to Hanna Lodge No. til, and that Hugh Hanna be the ma.ster, Jacob Vandegrift senior warden, and James Stoops, junior warden of said lodge.'

-'\Yhich report and resolution, after receiving the pledge referred to, were unanimously adopted May 23, 1848, and a charter issued accordingly. Hugh Ilanna was the regular representative and John Cornstock visited at that session."

Thus Haniui Lodge No. 61 was a full-fledged ^Masonic body, and it has grown and prospered to this day. ]'>y the early '80s it had passed the lUO-mark, and its membership is now more than three hundred, with the following officers: AVillard J. Creighton, worthy ma.ster; Arthur B. Carpenter, senior warden; Burton E. AValrod, junior warden; Val Freising, secretary; Lee A. Carr, treasurer.

Wabash Chapter No. 26. R. A. U., was originally known as Excelsior Chapter. A petition for a dispensation was forwarded to the grand high priest of the state in December, 1853. It came from the companions ol" the order resident and in the vicinity of Wabash, and was also si^ued Ijy IIu<^li Ilaiiiia, of Lof,'aii Cliaptor No. 2, of Logansport, Indiana; Nieliolas \). Myci's, of Indianapolis ("haptrr No. f) ; Daidi'l ]\I. Cox, ol' the .saiiHj cliaptt-r; lliij^h McNown, of J'^ngiand; Isaac, Ji. (Jarwood, of Ohio; lienjannn Sayrc, of King Solomon Chapter No. 4, and 11. K. Lusk, of New York. The petition liaving been recommended by Logan Chapter No. 2, was forwarded to the most excellent grand high priest of the State of Indiana, who on the 2d day of January, 1854, issued a dispensation to confer the degrees in Chapter Masonry as Excelsioi- Chapter and designating Hugh llanna as lirst high priest, Benjamin Sayre, king, and Nicholas D. Myers, scribe.

At the session of the Grand Chapter held at Shelbyville, in May, 1855, Kxrt'lsioi" ('hapter, undci- dispensation, r('i)orted a membership of twenty-live. An a}^i)lieati(jn fur a charter was therefore made. It was grantcil by the Crand Chapter, under the name Wabash Chapter No. 2G. on the 24th of ^lay, 1855, and on the 4th of the following. June was organized with Hugh Ilanna as m. e. h. p., Benjamin Sayre, e. king, Nicholas 1). ]\h'ers, e. sci-ibe, John (A Sivey, c. h., ^V. A. A''an liuskirk, p. s., Daniel M. Cox, r. a. c., J. P. Flyn, treas., Thomas Jay, sec, Henry C. Skinner, chaplain and George Alber, guard.

Hugh Hanna, the most i)rominent of the early IMasons, died on the 18th of January, 18()1), and Grand High Priest H. G. Ilazelrigg, in announcing the fact to the Grand Chapter at the session of ]\Iay, of that year, says: "While we have been blessed with peace within and prosperity without - while the craft were enjoying the smiles of the Grand High Priest of the Upper Sanctuary - the Captain of the Guards of the King of Terrors entered our Grand Council and selected as his own one whom we all delighted to love and honor - whose wise and safe counsel we ever delighted to follow - whose ears were ever attentive to the wail of the needy, and whose hands were ever open to relieve their wants and necessities, and whose life was a pattern worthy of our imitation. He was brought to the grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn Cometh in season - he was found at his post with his armor on, in the faithful discharge of every duty, his lamp trimmed and burning, ready at the coming of the bridegroom. Uny our last end be like his - ready for the summons to come uj) higher and enjoy those blessings

History Of Wabash Coiln'Ty 359

1 feel that >'ou anti(;ij)ati- me, and know that 1 allude to our late hejoved and grand Idng, K'iglit ivxeelleiit lluu'h Ilanna, who departed this life at his residence in Wabash, January 18, 18(J!). lie lirst appeared in the Grand Chapter at the convocation of 1857, as the representative of Wabash Chapter No. '2(]. At the sessions of hs(i2 and 1SG4 he was elected grand scribe; in 1858, 186:3, 1SG5, l(S(J(i, 1S(J7 and 1808 he was electetl gi'and king; in 1858 he was anointed and set ai)art to the order of Graiul Priesthood; in 1805, 1864, 1865, 1SG(J and 1S67 was elected treasurer of the (,'ouncil of High Priests. He sei'\ed aceeptal)ly in every position in which his companions thought proper to place him, si'tting an example worthy of imitation - one of encouraiiemcnt to all who wonhl deserve well of their associates."

In the earlier years of the Chapter N. D. ]\ryers, Edward S. Ross, and dohn H. Poss were also of especial j^i-ominence. Hoth Profiler iMyers and Brother Ross were high i)riests for a number of terms, while Brother Ross was repeatedly elected king or scribe. Tiie last-named died in May, 1875, in his eighty-foui'th year, his last i)eriod as scribe covering 18().')-71. Of a somewhat later tlate are several who are still identified with the Chapter, such as Alex Hess, E. G. Sackett, James P. Ross, A. L. He Pay, Prank De Puy, Aaron Simon, Aaron Singei-, Silas D. Harris, Geo. S. Courtier, Jesse Parks, Neil Lumaree, K. A. Ldwards, L. l\r. Chapler, Thomas W. :\IcNamee, Frank Alher, Willard J. Crcighton, Jacob Hynuin. The Chapter of the present has a member.ship of moi-e than one hundred and scvt'iity, with Frank V. Conner as high pri(*Ht, Otto G. Christman, king, and Louis Bockman, scribe.

On the 25tli of January, 1860, John B. Ross, Hugh Hanna, H. C. Skinner, C. V. X. Lent, Samuel N. Campbell, Thomas Jay, Edward S. Ross, Benjamin Sayre and William Hedgar presented a petition to William Hacker, grand puissant of the Grand Council of the State of Indiana, and, upon the reconimendation of Logansport Council No. 11, to form a like body at Wa])ash. He met the petitioners named on the 7th of February and, with the assistance of several companions from Logansport, organized Wabash Council (under dispensation;.

Coiiipaiiion Ilackrr, in liis address to the (Ji'aiid ("ouiicil at tlie opening' of its si'ssioii, May 22, 18G0, makes tlie rollowiiif^ allusions to some oi" the i)etitioiiers: "Among the petitioners for this (Jouneil will l»e found enrolled the names of several old and well-tried members of our fraternity - s(Jine who, for nearly half a century have been faithfully laboring in our IMystie Temple, always at their post, ever faithful and ready to perform any -work that might be assigned them. Amongst others who.se names might be mentioned I will only present those of John B. Rose and II. C. Skinner.

"In the year 1818, w'hen your presiding officer was an inexperienced youth of but eight years old, Companion Rose was ardently engaged in the labors of the craft, and assisting as a delegate from his lodge in the organization of the present Grand Lodge of Indiana, that noble monument of exalted worth to which the fraternity can point with so much pleasure and satisfaction ; and now, although a period far beyond the average of human life has gone by, we find our venerable companion with the vigor and energy of his more youthful days still engaged in the labors of extending our organization in order to perpetuate and hand down to posterity the blessings and benefit of our fraternal associations. Such instances as these are of but rare occurrence, and it is nothing I)ut right tiuit they should be placed upon record, in order that all may be induced to ennilate his noble example.

"Our Rev. Companion Skiinier, it will doubtless be remembered, is one of those old adhering ^Masons upon whom the notorious Bernard and his coadjutors of anti-]\Iasonic notoriety took such special delight in persecuting some thirty years since, because he would not renounce the order, forsake the truth and embrace a lie, as many of them had done, in oriler, no doubt as they supposed, to gain a little notoriety and 'lieget unjo themselves a great name;' and verily, they succeeded in this at least. Hut who now envies them in either their name or reputation? But few, I think, can ])e found who would 1)e willing to incur either. Time, in its unerring developments, has revealed the matter now in such glaring characters of living light that no one can be mistaken about it. And how is it now with our- Rev. Companion? Of him, I presume, I need not speak - he is still among us, honored, respected and beloved everywhere and by all who know him."

.sciitativf ])y ])roxy for Wabash Council, appcai'cd in tlie (irand Council at its session of liSGO, tiled the necessary papers and records, and asked for a (charter Ijy wliich the Council should be governed. The committee to whom the application was referred reported as follows: "The Committee on Charters and Dispensations have examined the proceedin<j:s and l)\-laws of Wabash Council (under dispensation) and find them correct, and recommend that a charter be granted to the companions to organize a Council under the name of Wabash Council No. 13, and that Companions Thomas Jay be appointed the first thrice illustrious grand master, Hugh Ilanna, deputy t. i. g. m., and Edward S, Ross, principal conductor of the work." The charter was issued May 23, 1860, and the first officers chosen under it were : Thomas Jay, illustrious master ; Hugh Ilanna, deputy illustrious master ; E. S. Ross, p. c. w. ; Thomas B. ]Mc- Carty, recorder; D. M. Whiteside, treas. ; N. D. Myers, c. g. ; James E. McClure, st. and s.

During the Civil war period the Council suspended its sittings, as most of its members were active Union soldiers. When work was resumed in 18GG, ther(i was a membership barely sufficient for a quorum. Hugh Ilanna and John B. Rose, E. S. Ross and Nathan Ilertf, N. D. Myers and A. L. Tyer, were prominent in the work of the Council during the first (juarter of a century of its life.

Wabash Chapter No. 90, 0. E. S., was organized April 23, 1890. The Chapter is in a flourishing condition and is officered as follows: M. S. Ilowe, worthy patron ; ]\Irs. George S. Courtier, worthy matron ; j\Irs. :\[. L. Chapler, a. m. ; .Mrs. E. A. Edwards, sec.

the ci-ift. 'IMic iTsiilt was tlic line Masonir Hall frcctcd in lHi)2. It is a substantial three-story strueture. on Wabash Street, the Masonic roonis occupying the upper story. The Masonic Hall, both as a city building and a home for the fraternity, is a credit to Wabash ami tlie eral't which it represents.

The atfaii's of the lodge progressed satislactoiMly as to membership, but the lire of Au-ust S. LS41), desti'o\-ed the hall, <-harter and regalia of the original body, making it necessary to ri'Organize and rebuild. Undei- a new ehartei', the lodge met in the sumniei- of L'^fiO to dedicate anothei' hall, situated in the third story of the building on the northeast corner of Wabash and Canal streets, 'i'he new chai'ter was issued on the lOth of Jai;uar\-, LS,")!), to John V. Pettit, Alanson I*. Fei'ry. Geoi-ge Iv Gor.l.ui. Michael Ulack, William Steele, Ji'., Henry B. Oliii, Daniel H. Tyner and James Davis.

Work on the Odd E'ellows Hall on East IMarket Street was commenced in October, 187J, the building was completed in tlie fall of LS74 at a cost of $f),0()(), and the hall was appropriately dedicated in June,

Among those who were prominent in the earlier years of Odd Fellowship in Wabash, who served as noble graiuls and otherwise were closely and strongly identified with the work, may be mentioned Michael Black, AVilliam Steele, Jr., George E. Gordon, A. P. Fei-ry, W^illiam L. Russell, 1). Brooks and B. F. Williams. The lodge has reached a membership of 270 and is steadily growing. Present officers : Horatio Coppock, n. g. ; Lloyd Kelch, v. g. ; George E. Stands, f. sec; Fred Balder, rec. sec; Val. Freising, treas.

At the time of oi'{.i'anization, the Encampuu'nt \\as composed laro-ely of residents of La Gro, and as the majority of members vai-ied. now in favor of that ])lace and then of AVahash, the ])laces of meeting shifted back and foi'th. In 1857 La Gro became headcpiarters of the Encam[)- meiit, in L'^iiO \Val)ash, in IStio La Gro and in 18G7 AVal)ash ; since the last named .war the <'Ounty seat has remained i)ernianent headqnarters.

AA'abash Lodge No. :]04, Daughters of Rebekah, was instituted Alarch 1, 1889, with the following charter meml)ers: Oliver H. Pogue, Abe Simons, H. H. AVheeler, C. E. Hutton, Sam Simons, .M. P. Crabill, J. H. AVebfr, H. P. Lai-elle, Alary L. Slal)er, Frances Hutton, Eva Crabdl, Sarah Ferry, Lib Jjaselle, Sarah Hoffman, ]\lary Alitten, and a few others. Ps oHicers were: Adelia L. Heidy, n. g. ; Alice P. AVheeler, v. g. ; Anna McClure, rec. sec.; Hannah Kern, per. sec; Frances E. Hutton, treas. The present noble grand of the lodge is Mrs. W. LL Derr ; ]\Irs. Homer Stoops, V. g. ; All's. Joseph Reed, secretary; Airs. Arthur Grovers, treasurer; Airs. W. J. Grass, financial secretary. Alenibership of the b ilge about one hundrt'd and twenty-five.

Wal)asli Lodge No. 471, B. P. 0. E., was organized in the spring of 1899. Hs exalted rulers have been Charles Baker, W. G. Sayre, Dr. J. W. G. Stewart, J. 1). Cornier, Jr., Edward Beittnan, N. S. ^lorris, R. H. Hunter, David Marks, A. N. Dunning, I). F. Brooks, John Kaiser, Louis D. Iligson, Fred Hipskind and Charles Lyons. It is customary to change exalted rulers the first of April annually. For a number of years the Elks occupied the building which is now the home of the Knights of Pythias, but in 1907 Lodge No. 471 bought the Doctor Smith property, corner of Cass and ]\Iarket streets, for which $12,U0U was paid. This the Elks have since transformed into one of the most comi)lete, comfortable and beautiful lodge homes in the city. The lodge is free of debt, has a membership of 800 and fully realizes the social and fraternal objects of its charter. Louis Wolf is the present exalted ruler, and Fred Walter, John A. Bruner and V. A. j\Iatterii are the trustees.

The Knights of the jMaccabees are represented by Wabash Tent No. 9, which was organized August 3, 1886, and has a memliership of about one hundi-ed and sixty. Present officers: Com., L. H. ^Miller; lieut. com., August Sommers, and r. k., li. F. Jolinson.

Among the strongest fraternal orders in Wabash is that of the Fore.sters of Ameriea, or, more fully, the Independent Order of Foresters of Anici'ica. The loeal (Jourt, Wabash No. \), was organized in i)eet'iid>er, 18!);), with the following officers: John F. ^lartin, chief ranger; James Wigginson, rec. sec.; Edward Ditten, fin. see.; George Hale, s. w. ; Philip Schlemmer, j. w. At the time of its formation the Court had a membership of twenty-iiN'c, which has since increasetl to ;52(). Present oflii-crs: Ftlward Daynent, c. r. ; Carl II. Lower, v. c. r. ; Dan Showaltcr, sec; Dr. P. (i. ]\Ioore, ti'eas. ; Jose[)li Ilipskind, s. \\\. ; Lewis Danister, j. w. Doctor ]\loore is also the liigli nu'dical examiner of the ordi'r in Indiana.

Although a comparativel\' young ordci', the Ti'ibe of l>en Hur has made I'apid pi'ogress in Wabash. The local body was orgainzrd ^larcli 0, 189."), but already luis a membership of 400. Its present officers: Aurelia Dedrich, past chief; William Kirkwood, chief; Elizabeth Zimmer, judge; Ada Mills, ti'acher; Ivina Derr, scribe; Susie Snyder, keeper of tribute.

o7!i, with about fifty iiieiiibi.T.s), Aiieieut Order of United Woodmen, Modci-ii Woodtiieii (jf America, ITiiai Hritli and Royal Neighbors.

The hil)or unions, wliieh are of eonsitlera])le strength, include the various Brotherhoods of Railway i\Ien, and organizations of carpenters, machinists and boiler makers, as well as a Central Labor Union.

Chapter Xxi

The P]el River Valley - Stumbllng Blocks for the Township - A Race for a Homestead - The Creeks and Their Names - First Settler - First Permanent Resident - James Abbott Joins Colonel IIelvv - Elder George Abbott - The Ogans - Henry Strickler - The Harters - Joseph B. Harter - Some First Happenings - Liberty ^IiLLS Founded - First Settlers in the Bear Swamp Region - Chester Township Created - Later Settlement of the "Bear Swamp" - Pioneer vs. AVilderness - The "jMail Trace" - The. IxAiLROADs Make North IManchester - First Preaching by Elder Fannin - Pioneer Church - ]\Ietiiodists Organize Classes - Schools op the Township.

It was several years after the transfer of the former Indian lands in the Eel Jiiver Valley to the Goverinnent, and their survey into seelions, tliat settlers commenced to east their eyes into what is now Chester Township in their search for homes. It is true that capitalistsand speeuhitoi-s entered large tracts at the Government price of $1.25 per acre, and some times held them unimproved for years, to the great inconvenience and scorn of those who desiretl to become residents and real developers of the country.

Tile land in the vicinity of Eel River is undulating, gradually developing into gently sloping hillocks to the northward. Between the rolling ground on either side of the river stretches a broad band of rich alluvial soil, specially adapted to corn raising. Toward the central portion of the township and extending well into the southern part is an area of gently rolling land diversified by patches of low prairie, while still further south the level lowlands are more pronounced. In fact, a largetract in that section of the township was returned by the early surveyors as "swaini) land" and for many years was avoided by home- lint the faet that the obviously desirable lands of the Eel River region were in the earlier years largely tied up by speculators and that it was a long time l)efore this other fertile hloek of laiuls in Chester Townshi}) came to l)e recogni/etl as valuable, proved real stumbling blocks in the progri'ss of this pai't of the county.

In ortler to i)revent the lands from falling into the hands of speculators, the early settlers resorted to various i)retexts. Om^ of them was to attend a sale in a t)od\', and when the land was otfered run u]) the ])i'ice to a figure hiuher than tlu' si)eeulator dai'e ori'ei-, whether they had any intention of buN'ing or not. In case the bona ii(K> settler outbid the specuhitoi', the land was i>ut up the following day. The game woidd l)e fej)eated until the speeulator became discouraged ami witlnln-w. This may not have been strictly legitimate, but was gem-rally excused as a ste[) necessary- for self-i)reservation.

Sometimes eligible tracts remained \vithout an owner, parties ofte)i fearing to purchase land they had not seen, and in this way some pieces escaped attention. An incident may be related to show how these were sometimes entere(l. damt's I\idgel\' passing thi'ough tlu' southeast ])art of the township tliscovered that part of section '.'A), town 29, range 8, was good land and had never been entered. While looking at the traet, another i)arty jtut in an appearance \vitli designs upon it also, and it itlieii became a ((Uestion as to which of them could get to the land office at Fort Wa\ne first. The stranger was afoot, but setting his pocket compass took a beedine for his destination. ^Ir. Ridgely, being mounted, struck down to the towpath of the canal, a more circuitous route, but was fortunate enough to reach the land office at Fort Wayne about half an hour in advance of his competitor. lie afterward returned to Montgomery ("ounty, Ohio, whence he set out for his near home in the forests of Chester Township, where he arrived in September, LS41, bringing with him about a year's supply of provisions. He found the little hut he had previously built used as a sort of .stable for the Indians' ponies. During the winter following he cleared up a patch of ground from which he raised a small crop of corn. The \o\)s of the fallen trees served

;is "hrowse" for the cattle and horses, and were about all they had to live on until grass eanie in the spring. ]\lr. Ridgely was a typical settler, but he was by no means the first to arrive in Chester Township, as the progress of this story will show. -

The township is so thoroughly watered that it has always been considered an ideal country for the raising of horses. Both Indians and white renegades made the region quite notorious in l)oth the good and bail sense of the word, and one of its streams (Pony Creek) perpetuates the fact. It is a matter of record that with tiie coining of the first incursion of settlers in and near Bear Swamp both they and the Miamis numaged to run these pony thieves out of the country, their headquarters being in the southwestern portion of the township between Bear Grass and Pony creeks. AVhat Pony, or Ogan's Creek does for the southern portions of the township, Simonton Creek accomplishes for the northern - waters the soil well and makes of the adjacent lands, green and luxuriant pastures.

The pioneer settlers Avithin the limits of the present township located very near what is now North JNIanchester in the valley of the Eel River. In December, 1833, a man by the name of Brewer built himself a shack near the site of the present town, and remained in that locality during the w^inter. It is said that in the following spring he moved to the more lively tovn\ of Wabash, where he kept a boarding house for w^orkmen employed on the Wabash & Erie Canal. As he died shortly afterward, little is known of him.

But in ]\Iarch, 1834, there came a man of another type to the North jNIanchester locality - Col. Richard Ilelvy, who located on the bank of Eel River, about a mile northeast of the present town. He was a native of Virginia, but moved to Indianapolis at an early day, and about 1831 opened a farm at La Gro, Wabash County. The colonel was thus engaged until he ventured into the solitudes of the Eel River Valley at the time and the place mentioned. There he cleared a farm of more than a hundred acres - the first in the township - from which he raised the pioneer crop of corn in these parts.

Til Sfptcinbcr, 1S;{4, ('(jhjiiel Ilt'lvy was j(jin(.'(l by Jairics Ablxjtt, wlio located oil the saiiic stream a short di.staiu;(; above the present site of J.iherty Mills. Pint although they were several miles a])art, they were neighbors in those days. jMr. Abbott was a native of South Carolina, but at the age of eight years was bound out to a slaveholder in North Carolina with \\hom he i-emained until he was eighteen years of age. He then ran away from his mastei' and eseaj)tHl into Tennessee, where he was mai-i'ied in 17'Jf) to Catharine Tillman. In 1 S05 he moved to Preble County, Ohio, where he purchased and improved a farm and reared ten ehihlren. ^Mr. Abbott served under General Wayne in the War of 1S12 and his father was a soldier of the Iievolutionary war. From his family, including his own childi'en and grandchildren, no h'ss than thirty soldiei's were furnished to the Union ai-my during the ])rogrcss of tlie Uivil war; which altogether speaks well for the I)atriotic blood of the Abbott family.

The family remained in Preble County, Ohio, until they located near the future Town of Liberty :\[ills in 1834. At that time James Abbott entered 1()(J acres of land on the present site of Liberty ^Mills and added enough at a later <late, to make^400 acres lying in Wabash and Kosciusco counties. He sold the land where Liberty Mills is now located to John Coiiistock. donating the mill site upon condition that the latter should erect and operate a gristmill there. Prior to this, he had ottered the same site to Alexander ^Icliride, who failed to comjily with the stipulation.

- George Abbott, one of the sons of James, came to Wabash County with his parents when he was a youth of seventeen, and preached to a Christian eongi'egation at Libert}^ j\Iills for thirty or forty years. Like his father he was a deacon in the church, and is said to have been instrumental in adding between two thousand and three thousand members to the Disciples of Christ during the many years of his service. In August, 1839, he married I\Iiss Nancy Barrett, then the only white girl in Chester Township. She was a Kentucky girl, her father, Jesse, dying when she was (juite young and the widow marrying CoL Richard Ilelvy.

The elder Abbott (James) died in 1867, at the age of ninety-one years, having sold his farm a few years before and mad(^ his home with his son George at North Manchester.

iJcfoiv the rlosi.' of 1H;54, tliL' Al)l)otts aii(l the Il.'lvys wcf.' joined hy Joliii and I'ctcr Ojzan. 'I'lic forinci- located on tlic south side of Eel liivci', not far fi'(3in tin- present Town of Nortli ^^Luu-hester and erected a riule eorn mill on the hank of the ereek which still l)ears his name. Peter Ogau settled within the present corporate limits (tf North ^lanchester. Tie erected a liouring and sawmill on the hank of Eel River and was enti;a^-ed in various otlier enteri)rises during the periotl of his residence in the communit\-. As stated, the st]'ea)n along whose Ijanks the Ogans rstahlished llitir mills still hears the family name for several miles ahove Ndi'tli xMaiichester; helow it is called Pony Creek.

Early in 1835, John Simonton pushed his way up Eel River in a boat that contained himself, his fanuly and household goods, diseniharked and settled on a large farm on the south shore not far from the mouth ol" the creek which hears his name. The locality is a))Out midway between the sites of Noi'tli jManchester and Liberty ^lills, as we now know thera. jMr. Simonton was long and favorably identified with the township.

Ileni-y Strickler came in February, ISoG, and located on the south Iiank of the Eel Kiver about a mile below Noi'tli Manchester, where he cleared and impi-oved a large farm, I'esiding thereon until the time of his death, lie \\as of sturdy Pennsylvania Dutch stock antl his father was a .Methotlist i)reacher and a weaver. Upon coming to Wabash County Henry Strickler entered 820 acres of land at the location mentioned and hired a man from La Gro to assist hiin in the building of a cabin. In 18;-i6 he moved upon his purchase and commenced to clear away the forest growths. This tract, a short distance west of North ]\Ianchester, became a comfortable and attractive homestead, whereon was reared a large family of sons and daughters. Two of the former were in the Union army. Both parents died on the old homestead, steadfast members of the JNIethodist Church, Mr. Strickler lieing given the main credit for the erection of the Eir.st M. E. Church of North Manchester.

of North .Maiielu'stcr. The family consisted of nine eliihlren, and several of the sons, as well as the father, were eontinnously identihed with the milling and business interests of that place.

In the year of the arrival of the Ilarters, Peter Ogan had a portion of his land platted as the Town of North Manchester. As he put up the price of the lots to $10 apiece, the sales were at first rather slow. Joseph ITarter and his oldest son, Eli, at once commenced to take an active part in the ilevelopment of the new town. The father purchased at different times t\venty-(,'ight (puirter sections of land lying along the Eel River at and near North ^lanchester. In 1838 he l)uilt a sawnnll ami in 1839 a gristmill, the latter ])eing upon the site of the present Eisenberger Mills. The father was a prominent citizen and a promoter of milling and business interests until his death in 1861.

Eli llarter, the son mentioned, arrived soon after his father, in the fall of 1836, and erected the second house in town. At a later period, Jacob and Joseph B., younger sons, became identified with North ^lanchester and continued thus until a comparatively recent date. At first, until 1850, they were together in the drygoods business, and were afterward associated in the drug business. Jacob died in 1909, but Joseph B. is living, in his eighty-eighth year. The latter retired from the drug business in 1907. He was the veteran druggist of that region and perhaps the oldest notary public, having served in that capacity for more than forty-eight years.

Mr. Harter was born near Hagerstown, Maryland, May 3, 1827, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth (Brower) Harter. His mother was a Virginian and it was from the Old Dominion that the Harter family migrated to ]\Iontgomery County, Ohio, in 1804. It has thus been resident in "the territory northwest of the Ohio" for 110 years. Joseph B. was but nine years of age when his parents took the long overland trip from Ohio to Indiana, but still remembers the exciting journey through forests and over streams until they reached the city of Indianapolis and later, Logansport. They met Indians a-plenty, but no bears, and long after the family had settled at North Manchester the Pottawatomies and the Miamis were frequent visitors to the Harter mills and houses. Three quarters of a century have passed before the eyes and mind of Mr. Harter, and during that long period he has seen North Manchester and Wabash County grown from nothing to a fine city and county ; a New World has risen both before him and around him, and he still takes an interest in it all. He is one of the advisory editors of this work, and, in view of his record, it is well that he should be numbered on the staff.

111 Ai)ril, 18;5r), a little over a year after their arrival, Colonel Ilelvy and his wife were blessed witli their daughter, iSarah, the tirst native of Chester Township. In due time she married DeAVitt West, of North jManehester, and both husband and wife resided there for many years.

Hefore the eonelnsion of his first month's stay, Mr. Brewer mourned the death of a young daughter, hers being the first death in Chester Township.

In August, 1839, George Abbott and Nancy Barrett were united by John W. Stephens, the first justice of the peace of the township, at Mr. Stephens' house. Mr. Abbott w^as about eighteen when he came to the township with his father, and Miss Barrett about the same age when she accompanied her step-father. Colonel Ilelvy. For some time, they were the only young man and young woman, respectively, in the locality, and were naturally often "thrown into each other's society." This propin(iuity, with a mutual attraction and willingness, could have but the one result. And ]\Ir. and ]\Irs. George Abbott "lived happily ever afterward" in North Manchester.

At the same time that North Manchester was being born through the efforts of IMessrs. Ogan, Harter and others, the Town of Liberty Mills, two miles further up the river, was being created. The story has already reached the point where James Abbott had sold the land upon which it was afterward platted to Alex McBride upon the condition that he erect a gristmill upon the property. Mr. McBride failed to "make good," ])ut in June, 1836, there came a man for whom the township and f^e county had been waiting, John Comstock, with his brave wife and six children. He assumed all the McBride obligations, building not oidy a gristmill, but a sawmill, a woolenmill, a distillery and a highgrade fiourmill. In 1837 Mr. Comstock laid out the Town of Liberty IMills and, as we have fully described elsewhere, became in many ways the broadest, strongest and most helpful citizen in Wabash County. He put Liberty Mills fairly on the map and wrote himself into a large chapter of the county's history.

came Jesse Jenks; also Fleming and James Avers aiul their widowed motlier; Thomas (lilmore, at llie same time, settled on section 18. Soon thcictat'ter eaiiie Aliehael Hurke, wlio located about one mile east of the Jenks settlement, and in 1838 Pay ton Daniels located about two miles south of that locality.

In 1838 Allen Halderman located upon a tract of land adjoining the Town of North ^Manchester on the east, and Al)ra]iam R. Mwit/.er liccaiiic a I'csidcnl of North Manchester the same year and cstalilished the lirst cabinet shop in towji. Gabriel Swihart located on a farm two miles north of town in 183'J. He served one term in the Indiana Legislature, was otherwise i)rominent as a citizen and died in Koseiusco (bounty.

Settlement in the southern and southeastern portions of the township began at a later date than in the sections farther mu'th along the Et'l River and its tributaries. Progress in the i)ortions of the township nicntioned was retarded by the land speculators, to whom the editor's respects have already been ]»aitl ; the conseciuence was that until after the unsold ( iovernmmit hnul had all heen taken up, these properties faiKnl to liiiel i)urehasers. Among the lirst who located in these portions of the township uas Andrew Frcshour, who came about 1841; shortly afterward. ^Ir. Hoffman settleci near him. In 1845 Peter \Yright located on the farm which he so long occu})ied on section 27.

The year 183G seems to iuive been an important one for Ciiester Township. In fact, it was not created until that year, eight miles square being set off from the north of La Gro Township under the name of Chester, in May, 1836; it was not until some years afterward that it attained its {)resent area and form. As we have seen, North ]\Ianchester^was also platted in 183G, and the lands which were platted as Liberty i\Iills came* into the hands of John Comstock the same year. From that time on for several years North Manchester and Liberty jMills were industrial competitors.

The Bear Swamp region of the south commenced to settle quite rapidly in the '50s. Previously, such settlers had located as Jonathan Hamilton and Stephen Jenks in 1840, and Alfred and Enos Hornady in 1841. The Hornadys took up lands on^ sections 19 and 25. Samuel Ridgely came about two years later, and Cornelius WiLson about 1849. Then came a greater immigration to the region.

111 1850-51 Nathan Ililand, Henry Howensti'in, Hiram Filson, Enoch Hartcr and Lewis Ilarter, arrived; in 1854, Jacob Scheerer, Frederick Kickert, Julni Burkhart, Frederick Walter and Xavier Sell; and in 1855 Justus Gennner and other good industrious Germans.

"Thus, within a period of little more than twenty years, the settlement wliich began along the banks of Eel River had l)ecome diffused over sixty-six square miles of territory, and in every (luarter of the townshij) was heard the ring of the pioneer's ax mingled with the sounds of the giant trees as they fell to give place to the cleared fields that everywhere blossomed in the heart of the wilderness. Game of all descriptions still ran wild in the forests, and venison was the most popular meat on the daily bill of fare. So plentiful were the deer at that time that the problem of meat was not a serious one to a good marksman.

"Wolves made night hideous by their howls to such an extent that the settlers were often robbed of their much-needed rest. A war of extermination was decided upon, and at first carried on singly. But afterward concerted action was taken, and the settlers for miles around would join in a wolf hunt. They would surround a swamp or other known rendezvous of the marauders, sending in men and hounds to 'beat the bush' and scare the game from its lair. It was pretty sure to run within range of a trusty rifle in the hands of a deadly foe, and by frefiuent repetitions of this sport the settlers were ultimately rid of their disagreeable neighbors, and their sheep and pigs slept undistur])ed. At one of these hunts, in 1849, seven wolves were killed in one afternoon."

After North i\Ianchester and Liberty ]\nils had been located and the two settlements commenced to vie with each other in the founding of mills and business houses, the fame of the Eel River country in that part of the county began to draw a steady stream of new comers. The necessity for decent highways of travel thus became apparent. ' If we except the Indian trails leading from Eel River to Logansport and Port Wayne, there were no roads penetrating that region from the Valley of the Wa])ash prior to the late '30s.

-'(-anal town," La Oro, to Liberty Mills and North ?>Ianehester. A party from La Gro worked north, and others from tlie northern towns workicl southwai-d, and so the road, erude though it was, came to l)e. The l)rin('ii)al ol).)t'et in opening it was to make a highway for the transportation of mail from La Oro to Liberty ]\Iills. It was long called the ]\Iail Trace, althongli it was generally used by travelers cutting across from the \Val)asii to the Eel River Valley.

Afterward, in ]850, this gave place to a plank road which took substantially the same course, and still later a railroad was projected up the Eel Valley in such a way as to make North ]\Ianchester and to. kill Lil)erty Mills as a thriving town.

Ciiester Township first agitated a railroad during 1850, the year of the completion of tlie plank road between La Gro and Liberty Mills; and the railway project gave North Manchester a broader outlook than she had heretofore enjoyed. It was proposed to place that town in direct communication with Detroit, and for a time it looked as if the hopes of the citizens were to be realized. A large amount of grading was done, but suddenly the company failed and the proposed railroad evaporated.

Twenty years passed and in 1871, when it became evident that North Manchester was to have two railroads, the town revived and all kinds, of enterprises blossomed within its limits. In the year named the Detroit, Eel River & Illinois was completed to ]\Ianehester, making its. terminal connection at liOgausport late in 1872 ; and the Cincinnati, AVabash & Michigan Railroad was completed at about the same time, with its southern terminus at Wabash. Up to that time, surrounding towns had drawn from Manchester a large amount of trade which would have been hers, provided she had enjoyed sufficient transportation facilities to handle it. With the coming of these railroads the progressof the place was rapid and unimpeded, and for many years she has been considered one of the most enterprising and flourishing towns in Northern Indiana. The growth and present status of North Manchester will be described in detail in another chapter.

From the best available testimony the church antedated the school by several years in Chester Township. In the fall of 1885, Elder Bryant Fannin nuide his appearance at the cabin of Peter Ogan, just south of North i\Ianchester, and announced that he was searching for a home- stead. lie was a preaeher of the Christian Chureh, as was James Abbott who had settled at Liberty ]\Iills. As Elder Fannin remained over Snnday, he was indueed to eonduct religious exereises at tlie (Jgan eal)in, the families of Colonel Ilelvy, Air. Abbott, and Petei- and -John Ogan assembling to partieipate in them. Upon that oeeasion tlie leader of the little elass preaehed the first sermon in Chester Township.

Shortly after Ekler I^'annin loeated as a permanent resident (al)out 1841), he and his neighbor, Joseph Speneer, organizetl a society of the Disciples of Christ in the house of the former.

This pioneer Christian society had an original membership of not moi'e than a dozoi, meeting twice a month in the Fannin eabin, and subse(|uently in ;i school house south of North Manchester, known as the Walters Sehool. At a still later date the sehoolhouse at New Aladison, on tlic northwest (juailcr of section 22, was adopted as the meeting ])lacc, and thus continued until the close of the Civil war. About 18fJ6 the coiigicgation purchased a lot in the village of New Madison, or Servia, upon which a substantial l)rick church was erected and nuide permanent headquarters of tlie first religious body to be organized in Chester Township.

A])out the time that Elder Fainiin formed his class at North ]\Ianchestcr, liev. Ancil l>eacli formed a small class of Methodists l)0th at that l)lace and Libei'ty ]\lills; tliey were end)raeed in the Rochester Mission and assigned to him as regular appointments. In 1843 the Liberty ]Mills Circuit was formed, with l\ev. C. Wesley INIiller, minister in charge. In the following year Rev. Warren A. Griffith was sent to that circilit. As tliere was no parsonage within his jurisdiction at this time, he moved his family to North -Manchester and proceeded to arrange for the erection of one, as well as of a church. During the year Mr. Griffith succeeded in having a parsonage and five new meeting houses erected within the limits of the circuit.

At the conference of 1845 the name was changed from Liberty ]\lills to North Manchester Circuit, and Rev. George Guild was sent as minister in charge, lie was succeeded by Rev. D. F. Stright, Rev. John Hill ami Rev. Eventus Doud. At the conference of 1850, North Maiu-hestci- Circuit was divided, Akron Circuit l)eing formed from the westci-n ])(irtion of it. "During this year," it is stated, ".Methodism took its lirst

As earl}^ as the winter of 1838-39, a subscription school was conducted by i\Iiss Harriet Tullis in a cabin on lot 3i), Liberty IMills, and about the same time Thomas Keeler taught the first school in North Manchester, a building having been erected for that purpose two squares north of the site of the present American House. This schoolhouse also served as a church for several religious denominations until their houses of worship were erected.

At Liberty ]\Iills the schools were taught in different houses each winter until 1841, when a schoolhouse was erected on lot 51. This was a frame building erected by the citizens, whose labor was contributed free of charge, and the salary of the teacher was raised in the usual way, through subscriptions paid by those whose children were accommodated.

In the southern part of the township the first school was taught by ]\Ir. ^McGuire about 1848, in a log cabin fifteen feet square. Two years later the citizens erected a hewed-log schoolhouse on the Hoflfman fann which was used for some time.

During the years 1851 and 1852, the public funds began to be distributed according to the provisions made by the revised constitution of the state, and district schools were established throughout the township. Since that time their history has been one of constant improvement, although the progress of the early years was slow, as will be learned by reference to the chapter on educational matters.

North Manchester

Increase in Area and PoruLATioN - Beauciiamp, Thorn and Frame, First ]\Ierciiants - George W, Lawrence - The American House - The CtRimes House. - Other Pioneer Merchants - j\Iaterial Interests in the Eari>y '80s - Present-Day Industries - The AVater Supply - City Hall and Public Library - The Public Schools - IManciiester College - The Banks - Lawrence National Bank - Indiana State and Union Trust Banks - Early Newspapers - North IManciiester Journal - North ^Manchester News - Early Christian Churches - North Manchester Christian Church - First Church of the Brethren - The .Methodist Church - Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church - United I^rethren Church - Societies - Masonic Bodies - The I. 0. 0. F. - Amuseivients, Recreations, Etc.

Tho original plat of North I\Iaiichester was laid out by Peter Ogan and William Noff in 1836, althougli it was not filed until the following year. The main site lies high and dry on the north side of Eel River, about thirty feet above the level of the stream, the plateau being slightly undulating and easily drained. The town is regularly laid off, its streets are wide and well kept, and its stores, banks, public buildings and residencc« indicate thrift, good taste and progress. Its Carnegie Library, its city hall, schoolhouses and churches are all worthy the second municipality in the county, and a brisk center of trade, as well as the higher activities of life.

From time to time various additions were made to the original plat, such as Shively's, Ilarter's, Willis's, Ilalderman's, Ilymer's, Ilaney's, Shively & Metzger's, and J. B. & J. Ilarter's, until the town covered a section, or a square mile of land. This expansion of territory wa.s nuide necessary by the increase of i)Oi)ulation, csjxH'ially after the com- hi<r of tlie railroads in 1871-72. In 1870, it is estimated tliat there were not to exceed 450 witliin the limits of tlie town site. By 1874 the growth had heeii .so j'apid that the population had reached fully 1,200, and North .Manchester heeame an incorporated town. In 1876 there were 1,600 people in town.

J'rohably the first .store in town was opened l)y Asa Beauchamp in 1838, his limited stock of goods being displayed in a log house on the northeast corner of Main and Walnut streets. AVilliaiu Thorn and ]\Iahlon C. Frame established a drygoods and grocery store on the opposite corner during the following year. The latter developed into a large general establishment. Within a few years its trade extended over a wide circuit, the proprietors not only selling their goods to the townspeople for cash, but exchanging them for country produce and furs.

J^eauchamp, the original merchant, cojitinued at the old stand for a few years, after which lie traded his store for a tract of land near town. .Alorris Place, the purchaser, iinally moved to Jay County, Indiana.

TlKirn and Frame continued to flourish for a numl)er of years, the former finally conducting it alone and in association with various partners for a long period. In 1851 George AV. Lawrence became connected with the l)usiness as a clerk, bnying the business in 1858 and commencing a business career which, within the coming two decades, placed him at the head of North Manchester merchants. At first he associated himself with L. J. Noftzer, then the firm was Lawrence & AVhisler and later (}. AY. Lawrence & Company. In the early '80s the business was occupying two large stores on ]\Iain Street.

The first drug store was established l)y John Aughinbaugh, about 1850, on the American House corner, where he also conducted a'tavern. Later, lie separated the two lines of business.

The old American House, northeast corner of Alain and AYalnut streets, was perhaps the leading landmark of the early times. It was a two-story frame building erected by Asa Beauehamp, the pioneer merchant, in 1841. After he had conducted it for several years it was bought by Col. Richard Ilelvy, who had moved into tow)i from his farm. If one is to judge from a rapid-fire change of proprietors, tlie usual busines.s of the American House was not encouraging. In January, 1883, while Jesse C. Hoover was proprietor, it was destroyed by tire, a New American House having arisen from its ashes.

The first Grimes House was l)uilt by Henry Lentz in 1848, but it was not origiiudly known hy tliat iiame. In 1881 Rufus R. Grimes was owner ^nd conductor of tlie American House, purchased the old hotel and added to it a fair-sized brick structure, calling the united establishment the Orimes House. Tliis was opened to the public May 2, 1882.

The Harters (J. & J. B.) were a close second to John Aughinbaugh, as druggists, and they continued in the field longer than any other firm in that line.

In 1856 John W. Williams established a drug store in the building afterward occupied by the Bonewitz meat market. In the early '60s he moved to the old Aughinbaugli stand, in 1870 erected a building on Main Street and two years later associated himself with his son, J. B. Williams. J. W. Williams & Son was for years one of the well known business houses of North ]\Ianchester.

The first distinct boot and shoe house was established in the spring of 1863 by J. F. Eichholtz and John F. Kinney, under the firm name of Eichholtz & Kinney.

In the early '80s, about ten years after North Manchester had enjoyed railroad connections, the city had quite an array of established T)usiness houses, industries and professional men. It is interesting, at this time, to recall them : is triliutary to it, which, cou])lecl to its ready transportation and l)ankiug facilities, makes it the center of a tiourishing and growing trade. North ^Manchester is also headciuarters for (juite an elevator business, the 11. Kinzie Elevator Company and the Acme Grain Company having large interests there, as well as at Liberty IMills. The North Manchester Milling Company operates a modern plant. Ulrey, Tyler & Company ai-e leading lumber dealers, the wagon factory of J. A. Browne & Company is a large establishment, and among other plants worthy ot' special mention are the Peabody ]\ranufaeturing Company, S. S. Cox Show Case Company, Fred Home's machine shop and the sa\vmill operated l)y J. AV. Straus, as well as the creamery of Silas llolloway.

The city water works which furnish l)oth fire protection and a fine supply for drinking and other domestic purposes were commenced in 1895. The S3'stem now embraces about twelve miles of pipes. The supply is drawn from half a dozen wells, the water is pumjied into a standpipe in the northwestern part of town, and thence distributed by direct pressure. The daily consumption is from three hundred thousand to three hundred and fifty thousand gallons, and the Avater is cool and palatable.

The city hall is a little gem. It was erected in 1901 on Main Street, -the engine house being on the ground floor and the municipal offices and council chamber above.

A block west of the city hall is the new public library, a i)retty and striking building housing 2,300 volumes and standing for much of the best intelligence of the place. The movement for a library originated with the Woman's Club in the fall of 1908, and the first collection was accommodated in the town hall. From first to last IMrs. I. E. Gingerick has been a leader in this fine work. The first library board connnenced its service in June, 1909, and the new building now occupied was dedicated in April, 1912. It was made possible by a $10,000 gift from Mr. Carnegie, after the city council had voted $1,000 for its support and a lot had been donated for its site.

Tlie North ^Maiu-lu'stcr piiljlic seliools are a credit to tlie county, as conducted l)y A. L. Ulrey, their superintendent. Prior to 1874, all tlie public schools had been under the jurisdiction of the township trustee. In that year, however, some of the leading citizens of the place inaugurated a movement to have tlie town incorporated, one of the rea- sons therefor being that the corporation might issue bonds to erect a schoolhouse Avithin its limits. In November, 1874, the measure for incorporation was carried by popular vote, and bonds to the amount of $10,000 were issued by the first town board for the erection of a union school. AVith the money thus realized the erection of what is now known as the high school building was commenced in the summer of 1875, and completed at a cost of $15,000.

The old high school liuilding has been remodeled to meet presentday requirements, and its grounds occupy the S(|uare bounded by Fifth, AValnut, Fourth and ^Market streets. Since its erection as a union scliool, three other public building's have been added to the system - the Central, AVi-st Ward and North Ward houses. The teaching force comprises the superintentlent, four assistants in the high schot)l and twelve grade teachers.

There is no institution in Wabash County which has raised that section of the state to a higlier standard in the estimation of lovers of broad, moral and i)ractical education than the Manchester College, its tasteful and substantial buildings l)eing located on a beautiful campus of ten acres on the north edge of Noi-th ^Manchester. The main buildings nestle in an oak grove and arc api)roaclu-d by a tine asphalt avenue which is continuous to the busiiu-ss section of the town.

While the immediate aim of the institution is to provide a college home for the children of the Church of the Brethren, under guarded moi'al and religious influences, yet memt)ers of all churches are warmly welcomed, as well as those who have made no Christian profession. Aside fi-oni intellectual (puilitications, the test of admission is moral character, and that of continuance in the scholastic course. All students are remiired to attend daily chapel services during the school week, as well as one church and one Sunday school service on the Sabbath. Members of the Church of the Brethren are, of cour.se, expected to identify themselves with their own denomination, but students who are members of other denominations attend the church of their choice.

The safe, substantial and progressive attitude which the Manchester College has always maintained toward the ever-broadening field of education cannot be told more clearly than by an historic resume. Its beginning was in Bumgardner Hall, now College Hall, which was erected upon the present campus in 1889. For six years that school was directed by representatives of the United Brethren Church, with Rev D. N. Howe, A. iM., president. In 1895 the ten acres constituting the present grounds with Bumgardner Hall, were purchased by representatives of tlu," Church of the brethren, rrof. K. S. Young bi-iug the new president. The next year the chapel huihliiig was ert'ctcd, and two years lattT the Ladies' 1 loiiie was added.

In thcii- attempt to lu'ing the institution up to its iiighest ei'lieiency till' trustees were obliged to place a debt upon the school. Through the sacrifices of the trustees and the personal effort of Elder I. D. Parker and otiiers this deht was cancelled in 1902 and the school property, valued at $50,000, was deeded to the following state districts of the Church of the Brethren: Northern Indiana, Middle Indiana, Southern Ohio and Northwestern Ohio - Sonthern Indiana ])eing added in October, 190G. The transfer of the property to the church was made in such a A\ay that the institutioii can never be encumbered with del)t.