Thorncreek Township

Thorncreek Township

A postoffice was established at Bloomfield August 18, 1853. -"^s Bloomfield is now off the county map, it is necessary to state that it was located on the line between section 1, Thorncreek township, and section 6, Smith township, and on the center line of these sections, a half mile north of the east end of Round Lake. The petitioners asked that it be called Bloomfield, but there was already an office by that name in the state. They then sent in two names, Thorncreek and Round Lake, and the former was accepted. It was generally called Round Lake postoffice by the people of the neighborhood. Samuel Kinsey had a little store at the place and secured the postoffice. He tired of frontier life, sold out and went back to Ohio. Samuel Deck, from over about Ligonier, bought him out January 16, 1854. and took the store and office that day. In July of the same year, Deck fell dead in his store, and was buried on the banks of Round Lake. Warren Mason, postmaster at Columbia City, went up next day and moved the office to Abraham H. Krider's cabin a half mile south of Bloomfield. on the east bank of Round Lake, and on July 2j, T854. Krider was commissioned postmaster. Krider soon sold out and moved near Churubusco. No one wanting the office in the neighborhood, Krider bundled up the effects and took them to the Churubusco office, that being the nearest, and Thorncreek postoffice passed into history after an existence of a year and eight days.

Postoffices were established at Laud and 'Washington Center on the same day, June 2j, 1855. Laud postoffice was kept at the homes of three different postmasters until the business grew to such importance that it was worth keeping at a place of business, in the little town of Forest, on the line between Washington and Jefferson townships, stretching a mile along the east side of section 24, Washington, and section 19, Jefferson.

When established, it was on the Fort Wayne and Liberty Mills route, thirty-two miles, making one round trip each week ; also making quite a number of other offices. This route was discontinued July 1. 1870. It was then put on the route from Aboite to Bracken (Claysviile), a distance of twenmiles, making one round trip each week ; and this continued until July 1, 1876, at which date a route was established from Columbia City to Laud, ten and a half miles, making a round trip two days in each week, and this continued until the Nickel Plate Railway was put in operation, after which a daily route was established between Laud and Peabody, a distance of four and a half miles. July 1, 1887, the route was changed to run daily between Laud and Raber, a distance of three and three-quarters miles, which was soon after shortened to three and a half miles, and so remained until Laud postoffice was discontinued.

Washington Center

This office was established June 27. 1855. It was not at the center of Washington township, as its name would suggest, but at different farm houses, usually about a mile south of the center of the township.

William Chamberlin was the first postmaster, and held it till May 24. 1856. Martin P>echtel then held it until January 19, [866, almost ten years, at his home now owned by Charles W. Alexander, at the north-west corner of the cross roads, a mile south of Washington Center. Then Sylvester Alexander took his turn and held it till' April 9, 1868, at his home on the quarter section just east of Bechtel's. His folks said the proceeds of the office did not pay for scrubbing the mud off the porch, and Andrew Clark took and held it at his house just south of Alexander's and across the road, until December 22, 1874, when he, too, refused to serve longer and the office was on that day discontinued. It was on the Liberty Mills and Fort Wayne route from its establishment until July 1, 1870. and from that time to its discontinuance on the Aboite and Bracken route.

This place is no longer on the map of Whitley county. It is on the line between sections 29 and, 30, Smith township, where the north and south road is crossed by the east and west, about eighty rods south of the north line of the sections. A postoffice was established in this neighborhood July 24, 1856, with Cornelius Fuller as postmaster, and lie held until November 29, 1859, when Harrison F. Crabill, who still lives near the Corners, was appointed. He held until July 21, 1864. when he resigned and the office was then discontinued. It was on the route from Columbia City to Albion, an entire distance of thirty-seven miles, with two round trips a week.

T. Jeffries as postmaster. He kept the office in his log cabin near the south-east corner of section 22, until he delivered it to his successor, James T. Bayless, April 5, i860, and he moved the office a half mile east and kept it at his residence until he turned it over to Eli Hatfield June 22, 1865. Hatfield kept it at his residence near the north-west corner of section 26, on the Libefty Mills road, until he turned it over to James Broxon, December 5, 1867. It was kept by him and his family until April 20, 1895, at the northwest corner of section 25, diagonally across the road from the cemetery. Marcus N. Aker held the office from April 20, 1895, until it was discontinued November 15, 1900, the patrons being supplied by rural delivery from Columbia City. Aker kept it at the northeast corner of section 27.

It was always on or near the Fort Wayne and Liberty Mills road, and from its establishment until July 1, 1870, was on the Fort Wayne and Liberty Mills route. It was 'then put on the Aboite and Bracken route. July 1, 1876, the route was curtailed to run from Aboite to Saturn and return, five miles and back, three times a week, and this continued until the Nickel Plate Railroad was in operation when the route ran from Dunfee to Saturn, five miles, and back, three times a week.

South Cleveland

This postoffice was established November 22, 1869, with George Gaff as postmaster, and was kept by him on the Goshen road north-west of Churubusco, until it was discontinued December 20, 1886. and mail addressed to that office was ordered sent to Churubusco. It was in section 4, Smith township.

Collins

An office was established at what was called Taylor's Station, now Wynkoop, on the Vandalia Railroad, March 14, 1S76, and Simon J. Peabody was made postmaster. Mr. Peabody at that time ran a very extensive saw mill and a little store at the place and quite a little village had sprung up. Mr. Peabody left the place in 1880, and by 1881 had taken his interests away, and the office was discontinued April 28, 1 88 1. The village has disappeared almost entirely. It is in section 19, Columbia township.

This office, at the once thriving village of Cold Springs, was established July 16, 1880. It is on the line between Etna and Washington townships, Noble county, but in Whitley county. It is a mile north of the north end of Loon lake, in the northwest corner of the north-east quarter of section 25, Etna township. The following persons have held the office:

Calvin C. Hyre, April 14, 1902, till the office was discontinued February 29, 1904, and the patrons supplied by rural route fourteen, from Columbia City. When established, it was put on the route from Columbia City, by Lorane, Hecla, Ormas, Wilmot, Indian Village and Cromwell, to Ligonier, three times a week. In 1884, the route was shortened to take in Lorane, Hecla and Ormas, then return, three times a week. This route was later extended to take in Cresco, and so remained until the office was discontinued.

This office was established January 16, 1883, the first of the new offices on the lately finished Nickel Plate Railroad. It has been held as follows :

This was the second of the new offices established at new towns on the Nickel Plate Railroad. It was established April 6. 1883. and was held by George M. Singer, who was murdered in his store. It was turned over to William McWhirter November 21, the proper name for Dunkard, and this 1895, and he still holds it. was a Dunkard settlement with a large brick

William Bogner, August 31, 1901, until the office was discontinued March 31, 1902, the patrons being supplied with rural delivery from Columbia City. This is the first case of the discontinuation of a railroad pi >stoffice in the count}'.

This office was established May 10, 1888. at the south-east corner of section 8, Thorncreek township. Edmund E. Hoffer kept the office at his little store until he sold the same to John J. Cotterly, and Cotterly became postmaster May 28, 1903. He moved the store and office a half-mile east and held it until discontinued on account of rural delivery from Columbia City, February 29, 1904. It had been supplied by the Columbia City, Hecla and Ormas route.

This office at the north center line of section 19 and south center line of section 18, in Washington township, was established September 3, 1886, Henry K. Kitch being the postmaster during the entire life of the office. It was discontinued on account of rural delivery from Columbia City. February 29, 1904. It was supplied by a route from South Whitley and back, five miles, three times a week. Later the new office of Luther was added to the route. The application for this office was prepared by Eli W. Brown, then postmaster at Columbia City. He was told to name it. and sent in the name Vilas, the name of the postmastergeneral under the then first term of President Cleveland. The department reported a Vilas already established in Indiana. Mr. Brown then named it Tunker, which he said was commonly called "Sawdust Hill," is on the Goshen and Huntington state road near where it strikes the Huntington county line, section 36, Cleveland . township. Luther postoffice was established January 2, 1894, with Myron L. Pray, the merchant, as postmaster, and continued in his name until discontinued on account of rural delivery, February 29, 1904. It had been supplied by the route from South Whitley by way of Tunker.

This office on the river-road from Columbia City to South Whitley, where it crosses the Nickel Plate Railroad a half mile west of Eberhard church and cemetery, was established June 25, 1898, with Rachael Brenneman as postmistress. It was discontinued

October 23, 1899, for want of business and because the postmistress moved to Fort Wayne, and for the further reason that the first rural route out of Columbia City cut off a part of the business. While in existence, this office was supplied from the Nickel Plate Railroad.

The last postoffice to be established in the county was at Wynkoop, on the Vandalia Railroad, June 25, 1898, where Taylor postoffice had given up the ghost seventeen years before. Henry E. Fague was postmaster until April 29, 1899. Then Stanley Smith until the office was discontinued November 15, 1 90 1, on account of rural delivery from Columbia City and want of patronage.

The rural delivery system that has covered the county since March 1, 1904, embraces twenty-five rural routes. Fourteen out of Columbia City, five out of South Whitley, three out of Larwill and three out of Churubusco, with date of establishment as follows :

By John H. Shilts

The genius of the civilization and the pursuits of the citizens of a country or any part thereof depend largely upon its geological structure. An agricultural pursuit depends upon a fertile soil ; mining results from mineral resources; and commerce depends upon navigable waters and other modes of transportation. It is known that phases of life, modes of thought, moral and intellectual qualities depend largely upon and are influenced by material conditions. Where the soil is rich in the bestowal of wealth, man is indolent, but where effort is required to live, he becomes industrious, enlightened and virtuous. The civilization of communities is, then, to a great extent, but the reflection of physical conditions.

In its physical conditions Thorncreek township is very interesting. It lies in the great Saginaw-Erie moraine, and the crest of this moraine, which forms the divide or water-shed between the Tippecanoe river and the Eel river drainage systems of Indiana, passes through the northern part of the township. The surface, inclination and the direction of its drainage system, with the exception of a small part of the north and northwest, faces the south and southeast. The greater part is drained by Blue river, which crosses the southeastern part of the township, and its two tributaries, viz.. Blue Babe creek and Thorn creek. Blue Babe creek, so named because of its being smaller than Blue river, therefore only a baby com- pared to the river, rises in the northwestern part of the township and flows in an irregular southeasterly course, entering Blue river in Columbia township. Thorn creek, so named, it is related by old residents, on account of the many thorn bushes growing on its banks when the township was in its primitive state, rises in the northeastern part and flowing southward empties into Blue river near Blue River church in the eastern part of the township. A small portion of the southwest part is drained by ditches to the southwest. The rest of the township is drained into the lakes in a north and northwester! v direction and whose outlet is the Tippecanoe river. The surface of the township is undulating and some portions of it very hilly. In some parts the hills are gentlv rolling, in others rough and very precipitous. There are nowhere any considerable areas of level land aside from the lands which were once swamps and marshes. The surface geology consists entirely of glacial material which became subsequently altered in places by the atmospheric agencies and by erosion. The lowlands along the streams and in the valleys are of sedimentary material brought there by erosion of the uplands during rainy seasons. Even now there is a tendency of the uplands to wash and gully and the evil must be guarded against in the cultivation of these lands. The soil consists of loam, clay, sand and gravel, with here and there small areas of muck. All of this glacial material was originally rock and derived from the original earth formation and came from the north as evidenced by the boulders which fill and cover the soil in many places. These rock materials have suffered decomposition and disintegration like everything else, and this decomposed rock material acted upon by vegetation forms the fruitful mold of the surface. We are accustomed to look upon the soil without considering its formation, its wonderful properties and its great importance in the economy of all life. It is not attractive in itself, yet its productions are more elaborate than the finest works of art. It produces an endless variety which pervades the vegetable and animal kingdoms. It clothes the earth with verdure and pleasant landscapes. Its mysterious elements bloom in the flowers, load the atmosphere with fragrance, blush in the clustering fruit, fill the fields with harvests for the supply of food, and furnish the tissues which, when manufactured into fabrics, decorate and protect the body. From the same source also come the elements which pulsate in the blood, give the cheek the glow of health, the eye its sparkle, the nerve its feeling of pleasure and pain, and the brain its reason and brilliant fancies. Happily for Thorncreek township that its soil formation precludes the possibility of sterile extremes arising from local causes. The entire surface. of the township is a stratum of glacial drift. This immense deposit varies in thickness, and in places has become covered by marshes where now are our fertile muck lands. Most of the surface was originally covered with forests of heavy timber consisting of oak, ash, poplar, hickory, maple, sugar, beech, elm, sycamore and basswood, under whose branches disported the various creations of animal life. Birds warbled their sweetest music in these waving groves : and in the groves the demands of the pioneer's meat supply were always filled without exhausting the resources. These primeval woodlands were also the homes of Indian tribes previous to the advent of the white man, who was known to the Indian as the "pale face." These noble forests have disappeared as rapidly as the settlers appeared until now there are only patches of timber here and there.

Thorncreek township, known and described in the government survey as township 32 north, range 9 east, was laid off and platted as a congressional township in 1834 by (ine John Hendricks. Land entries were made the following year. During October of 1837, while it was yet a part of Hunting-- ton county, Nathaniel Gradeless circulated a petition among- its few citizens to organize the congressional township into a civil township. This petition was signed by Benjamin F. Martin, Adam Egolf, Joseph Egolf, John H. Alexander, Martin Overly, Peter Shriner, Daniel Hively, Jacob Shearer and Jacob Brumbaugh, all residents of the township. Opposite each petitioner's name was to be written a name for the civil township. Two had no choice, two wrote Lake and five wrote Thorncreek. This latter name was already given to the stream in the eastern part of the township for reasons as stated and was now also given to the township. Thus the township was named from the stream which is the outlet of a group of beautiful and interesting lakes which will be described and spoken of later in this sketch. This petition was presented to the board of Huntington county, and on the 6th of November, 1837, the board ordered that this township should be organized as a civil township and designated as Thorncreek. The board also ordered an election to be held on the first Monday in December following to elect a justice of the peace. At this election Adam Egolf was elected and thus became the first justice of the peace in the township. This township is the center one of the northern tier of townships in Whitley county. On its north side it is bordered by Noble county, on its east by Smith township, on its south by Columbia township, and on its west by Richland and Troy townships.

The first settlers of Thorncreek township were John H. Alexander in 1835, John and Joseph Egolf in 1836. The Egolfs came in July and were followed by Martin Overly in the fall of the same year. The Alexander family settled in section 33, John Egolf in section 1, Joseph Egolf in section 13 and Overly in section 11. In a former history of Whitley county it is recorded that Mrs. Margaret Egolf. widow of Joseph Egolf, related a circumstance which proves that the Alexander family came to the township eight or nine months before the Egolfs came. The circumstance recorded is as follows, viz. : "Mr. Joseph Egolf soon after he settled in the township, being out one morning hunting his cows, heard voices which he confidently believed to. be the voices of white people. An intervening lake and the want of time prevented him from going- just then to see who his neighbors were. In a few days, however, he and his wife started out in search of them. After a long and tiresome walk they found the object of their search, which proved to be the residence of John H. Alexander. The distance between the two families was not, on a direct line, more than two miles. By the circuitous route they were oblig'ed to travel, however, which meandered around the margin of the lake, it was prob- ably fully twice that distance. Mr. Alexander's folks told Mrs. Egolf that she was the first white woman but one they had seen for nine months. The first that they had seen within the preceding nine months was, they said, the wife of an emigrant who passed by their home on his way farther west." The lake spoken of by Mrs. Egolf in her narrative was a very wet cranberry marsh often entirely covered by water but which is now a very fertile field on which are raised the finest celery, potatoes, onions, cabbage, etc. There is a discrepancy in Mrs. Egolf's narrative as to distance. The distance between Joseph Egolf's place and John H. Alexander's place was, on a direct line, about three and one-half miles instead of two, as related.

The farm upon which John H. Alexander then lived is now owned by Mr. Franklin Shilts. Mr. Alexander subsequently moved to Columbia City, where he died and his remains were buried on the farm he entered, and his grave is near the present buildings. His resting place is marked by a marble slab upon which is inscribed the following :

John Ii. Alexander

His widow married a Mr. Bennett and they moved to California. Mr. Alexander was the surveyor who surveyed the Yellow River mad from Fort Wayne through to the Yellow river, where the Michigan road crosses it. This road was established and laid out during 1834 under the direction of a commissioner appointed by the state legislature. This commissioner was one Francis Comparet. This road enters the township near the southeast corner and following a northwesterly course passes out of the township about two miles south of the northwest corner; and it at once became an important highway for the emigrants into this new country. It was on account of a spring on the south side of this road just west of where it crosses Blue Babe creek that Mr. Alexander entered this farm in section 33. It was near this spring that he built his cabin and later built another on the hill to the east, near which site he is buried. Other early pioneer settlers were the families of Adam Egolf and Henry Egolf, in section 26; Jacob Shearer, in section 14; Peter Shriner and Jacob Hively, in section 9 ; and Daniel Hively, in section 1 1 ; John dinger, in section 1 ; Benjamin F. Martin, in section 12; Nathaniel Gradeless, in section 24. It is related that the mother of Adam. Henry and John Egolf came at the same time with Adam and Henry. This was in June, 1837, and this pioneer mother died in a very few days after she arrived and is, without doubt, the first white person dying in the township. Adam Egolf, Henry Egolf (or Harry, as he was familiarly known), Solomon Sumners and W. H. Widup lived for many years and died upon the same lands that they entered and settled upon when the)- came to the township. Some of the other early settlers and pioneers of the township who still have direct descendants living about here were John Olinger, Daniel Hart. Adam Humbarger, Benjamin Grable, Henry Knight, William H. Widup, Solomon Sum- mers. David Engle. Isaac Keirn, Peter Haynes and Joseph Waugh. There were eleven land entries made in 1835, the first by Richard and Nathan House, August 10. In 1836 there were one hundred and eleven entries, and most of the land wras taken up in this and the following year. The last entry on record was by Henry Pomeroy in 1853. Henry L. Ellsworth on June 1. 1836, took up one thousand five hundred and twenty acres in sections 27, 29, 30 and 31 of this township. This was the largest number of acres entered by any one person.

The first settlers in this new region made their way hither in wagons from their Ohio and other eastern, homes. They usually took up land where water for domestic purposes was abundant, generally springs, near which thev built their cabin homes regardless of the location on the farm. Many of the old cabin sites are marked yet today by some old apple trees which were planted around it by the pioneers of the 'thirties and 'forties. Near these old trees can always be found an old spring or the evidences of one. There was no incentive in those days to clear away the forests and cultivate the soil except to supply the family needs, to pay the taxes and to support the little stock they had. With the good old trusty rifle, to be found above the door or fireplace of every pioneer home, they could supply themselves with meat from the abundant game in the forests, and from the lakes and streams a supply of fish could be had at any time. There were no game and fish laws then to violate. The few hogs they had could put on fat and bacon from the rich nuts and acorns which they gathered in the woods. It was true in those davs that the swine must either "root hog or die." The little corn the settlers raised they used for themselves in making corn bread and mush. There were no local markets then. The nearest market for these sturdy pioneers was Fort Wayne, and the only mode of transportation was by wagon over the Yellow River road. A source of income was the furs of the wild animals caught during the winter season.

The first impetus to agriculture was the building of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad through Columbia City in 1856. The first engine, called the "Mad Anthony," arrived in Columbia from Fort Wayne on the 23d day of January, 1856: and on the 1st day of February the same vear a regular train service began. The service was very primitive, but yet of inestimable value to the citizens. This road opened a market for the lumber of the forests which had to be cleared away before the soil could be farmed. It was soon after the completion of this railroad that steam saw mills were built to convert the timber into lumber. With this improvement in transportation and the advent of better saw mills (the first being water-mills) the settlers increased and the uplands were gradually cleared and prepared for cultivation. The crops grown were corn, wheat, rye. beans, buckwheat and potatoes. Flax was also grown to some extent and made into homespun clothing. The ground was prepared by what was known as a "jumping plow" or "side jumper.' usually drawn by a yoke of oxen. The grain was sown broadcast and dragged in with a brush when a three-cornered or A-shaped harrow could not be afforded. The ripened grain was reaped by hand and threshed with a flail. As the cleared area became larger in extent improved machinery was introduced for the putting out and harvesting of the crops. Threshing machines, too, were then brought into this new country. As agricultural development progressed new and more modern machinery has been introduced until today the few tools used by the pioneers are looked upon as interesting curiosities and sought for by the antiquarian.

Whitley county was organized as a separate county in 1838, when one of the four voting places in the first county election was at the house of Richard Baughan, in Thorncreek township, who was the first sheriff of the county and who held the office under appointment by Governor Wallace. This election was held on the first Monday in April, 1838. The convention of the citizens of the county for the selection of candidates to be voted for at this election was held at the house of Calvin Alexander on the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 33 in Thorncreek township, the land being now owned by John Magley, one of the few remaining pioneers. It is stated that about twenty assembled at this caucus and nominated Abraham Cuppy for clerk and recorder, Jacob A. Vanhouten and Benjamin F. Martin for associate judges and Otho W. Gandy, Nathaniel Gradeless and Joseph Parrett, Jr., for county commissioners. These men became the respective officers for which they were nominated possibly without any opposition, for in pioneer days politics were laid aside in the selection of men to fill the offices. The house of Richard Baughan was at the point on Blue river where the Yellow River road crosses it near the present homes of E. A. Barney and Josiah Archer, and near where Mr. Barney's barn now stands. It was at this point on the south side of the river and at the foot of the hill that Mr. Baughan, about the year 1841, built a water-power mill in which to do sawing, and also grind corn, wheat and buckwheat on a small scale. Mr. Baughan's house, it seems, was a prominent place, for it is said that here also the first courts of the county were held and justice dealt out.

The first township election or the one ordered held on the first Monday in December, 1837, as previously mentioned.avas held, it is said, at the house of Benjamin F. Martin in section 12. As near as can be ascertained the voters at this first township election were John H. Alexander, Henry, Adam, Joseph and John Egolf, Martin Overly, Benjamin F. Martin, Peter Shriner, Jacob and Daniel Hively, Jacob Brumbaugh and Jacob Shearer. It was at this election that Adam Fgolf was elected justice of the peace as before mentioned.

The general assembly of the state of Indiana, on the 17th day of February, 1838. passed a law fixing the time of township elections and naming the offices to be filled thereat. The act provided as follows concerning elections :

Section 2. The qualified electors in each county are hereby authorized and required to meet in their respective townships at the usual places of holding elections on the first Monday in April, annually, and proceed to elect three township trustees, a township treasurer and clerk, two overseers of the poor, two fence viewers and as many constables as there are justices of the peace in each t( iwnship. and after the first election

Section 5 provided that the trustees were to meet on the first Mondays in March, June, September and November, annually, to transact the business of the township, and at their first meeting to divide their townships into' a, suitable number of road districts and appoint a suitable person in each district as supervisor of highways.

The trustees had full charge of the township affairs, a general superintendence of roads and highways, had to assess and direct the collection of township revenues to defray the necessary expenses of the township. One of the constables was to be appointed township collector. This law affected only certain counties, among which was Whitley. This law remained on the statutes for twenty-one years and one day.

On February 18, 1859, the general assembly of the state of Indiana enacted that one trustee should be elected instead of three, and his duties were :

Fifth. To see to a proper application of all monies belonging to the township for road, school or other purposes, and perform all the duties heretofore required of the township trustees, clerk and treasurer.

Seventh. To cause a record to be made accurately defining the boundaries and numbers of each road district, and all alterations made in the boundaries in such district.

He was made inspector of elections, overseer of the poor, and fence viewer. He was to levy a tax on the property of his township for township purposes which was to be collected by the county treasurer. He could not change, vacate, or open any highway in his township, for this power was now vested in the county commissioners. He was to receive one dollar and fifty cents per day for all the time necessarily employed in the performance of his duties. This law remained on the statutes until 1877, when, on March 3d the general assembly enacted that the election of township officers should take place on the first Monday of April, 1878, and every second year thereafter. And again on March 12, 1877, the general assembly enacted that any person holding the office of trustee of any township for two consecutive terms at the general election in October, 1878, shall not be eligible to the office for the next ensuing term, and cin not hold the office more than four years in any six. On April 1, 1881, the state legislature again enacted that township officers should be elected on the first Monday of April, 1882. and every second year thereafter: and on March ir. 1889, it was provided by act of the legislature that an election should be held on the first Monday of

April, 1890, and every fourth year thereafter for the purpose of electing township officers. At this time the township officers hold for four years.

A general demand being made by the voters throughout the state to change the time of holding the township elections, the general assembly by an act approved March 2, 1893, changed the time of the election of township officers from the first Monday of April to the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, 1894, and every four years thereafter; and, again on February 25, 1897, the time of election of township officers was changed from 1898 to the general election of 1900. The last change up to the present time (1906) is that the township trustees and assessors elected in November, 1904, shall begin their terms of office on the first day of January, 1905 : and those elected at succeeding elections shall begin their terms on the first day of January succeeding their election. Thus, briefly told, is the history of the law governing the elections of the township officers since the organization of this county. Since the year 1877 the township election law and the law affecting township officers has been manipulated and changed so often for purposes best known to the politician.

Manufacturing Interests

The manufacturing interests of the township have alwavs been limited to saw mills which converted the valuable timber of the woodlands into lumber for the pioneer homes. Manv of the houses and barns of this township in use at the present time were constructed from lumber sawed at these mills. Mr. Baughan's mill has been mentioned previously as being the first one in the township. Another saw mill, and a carding machine in connection with it, was erected on the south bank of Round lake in 1846 by Solomon Anspaugh, who then sold it to Wesley Hyre, Sr., in 1849. It was but a small affair, and Mr. Hyre rebuilt the saw mill which he operated until i860, when he sold it to his son Joseph. The mill was run by water power, obtained through a race, from Round lake. During this time, or about 1850, another saw mill was built about a mile and a half south of the Hyre mill, on Thorn creek, which received the water that operated the machinery in Hyre's mill. This same water was used to operate this second mill. Joseph Hyre sold his mill to his brother Leonard in 1865 ; and in 1867 Leonard sold it to Frederick Maglev. who owned it until it became only a ruin. The third saw mill, or the one on Thorn creek, south of the Hyre mill, was built by Christian Knaga. After Mr. Knaga's death, which occurred soon after he built the mill, it was rented to Frederick Humbarger for five years. Afterward it was operated by Cyrus Knaga. a sou of Christian Knaga,. for about nine vears. then it was sold to Samuel Coverstone, who operated it until it, too, became a ruin. The dam constructed near Round lake to raise the water at the upper mill was removed some years ago and nothing now remains of these two old pioneer mills except some willow trees growing along" the old mill race which mark their location. Likewise nothing now remains of the mill on Blue river, which was erected by Mr. Baughan except an old relic owned by E. A. Barnev.

Soon after Joseph Hyre had sold his mill at Round lake he built another one near the half section corner of sections 20 and 29, which he operated by steam power for a fewyears. He then sold this mill and it was moved away. He then built another steam saw mill and grist mill combined at the same place, which he operated until about 1879, at which time he sold both - the saw mill being moved into Noble county near Big lake, and the grist mill taken to Laud, in Whitley county. This was Air. Hyre's last venture in the mill business.

Another steam saw mill was erected on the Role}- farm about the year 1862 by Mr, Simonson for Harris & 'Green. These parties sold it to John Null in 1864. This mill was built on the west half of the northeast quarter of section $3. Henry Guise and John Magley operated it in 1863 and Mr. Null in 1864-65. Dr. D. G. -Linvill had an interest in this mill for many years, and during this time it was ran by Mr. Maxwell. It was afterward owned and operated by James W. Yontz, who subsequenly moved it to his father's farm about a mile south of its first location. In all probability this mill sawed a greater amount of lumber than any other two of the pioneer mills of the township. It was a heavy and powerful mill and the' largest logs were handled with ease by it.

A steam saw mill was built on the Samuel Miller farm about a half mile north of the center of the township. This also sawed up a lot of valuable timber into 1 number.

Robert Smith, Sr.. about 1866, built a saw mill near Catfish lake, which was afterward removed and rebuilt about one-half mile west and was for many vears owned and operated by John E. Smith, a son of Robert Smith, Sr. Many of the present citizens will remember seeing Smith's mule teams hauling logs to the mill and lumber from it to the market in Columbia City.

Thomas N. Hughes built a saw mill about 1873, in the eastern part of the township, about three miles north of the southeast corner. In 1881 it was removed to Taylor's station on the Vandalia Railroad.

These mills converted much of the valuable walnut, poplar and ash timber into the finest lumber, and much of it can yet be seen in the older dwellings and barns of this township. The products of these mills, like the mills themselves, are fast going to decay, and in a few years more nothing of either will remain. The}- were an important factor in the development of the township. Before the}- were built the timber was burned, and only log cabins were constructed, but after the mills appeared this good timber was sawed into boards, some of which were used in the houses and barns, and the surplus sold to dealers in Columbia City, and often hauled to Fort 'Wayne, by ox teams, over the rough roads through the woods and there marketed.

Several tile mills were operated in past vears. One on the Cotterly farm manufactured drain tile for several years, until 1905, when it was sold and removed to Columbia City*. This mill was operated by John, Benjamin and Ernest Cotterly and John Pontzius at various times, and the tile made were of the best quality. Another tile mill was operated northwest from this one about two miles by John Judd and John Fry at different times, where also tile of fine quality were manufactured.

There are at present two stationary saw mills - one owned by Christopher Judd and the other by Emanuel Harshbarger, and three portable mills in the township. These mills do what little sawing there is yet to be done.

The township has one general store which is in the northern part. This store is of great convenience to the residents in that part. The business was started by Edmund E. Hoffer on the corner of his father's farm. He sold it to John Cotterly, who moved it to his farm, a half mile east and a half mile north of where Mr. Hoffer had it. Mr. Cotterly subsequently moved it a half mile south. A postomce, known as Cresco, Indiana, was established at this store and maintained until rural free delivery was brought about, and it was then abandoned.

Agricultural Conditions

While Thorncreek township does not rank with the best of the townships of Whitley county in the totals of its agricultural wealth, yet its farming' interests are very important and hi ild the only place among its people. A pleasing feature of its economic conditions is the comparatively equal distribution of wealth among its farmers. As a general rule each farmer owns the land he cultivates, and has secured on his farm the necessary buildings, implements, stock and all things required for a comfortable living. The barns and outbuildings are not too large or expensive, but are constructed and built suitable to the needs of the farm. The dwellings are, as a rule, all comfortable frame buildings, there being only seven brick dwellings in the township. .Mamnew houses have been erected within the last decade. A few log cabins of the early settlers may yet be seen in different parts of the township ; and in some of the earlier substantial frame dwellings may yet be seen the old-fashioned fire place with its old fire dogs and crane. Many of us will readily recall the cheerful glow of the fire in these dear old fireplaces; of the family sitting in sweet repose around them ; of mother and grandmother spinning yarn and flax for our clothing; and of father making spiles from alder bushes to be used during the maple sugar season in the spring. The present conditions of agriculture are fixed, and naturally favor a system of general farming and, in connection therewith, the raising of cattle, sheep and swine. Interspersed throughout the township are small areas of muck land. Owing to the nature and position of these muck land it is reasonable to suppose that they are old lake beds and ponds which have gradually become filled with decaying organic matter. These muck patches were covered with swamp grass, huckleberry bushes, cranberry vines, willows and occasionally larger trees. Drainage is necessary before this muck can be cultivated. When it is drained it becomes an ideal soil for the raising of onions and celery. Many onions are being raised in the township on these lands at the present time.

Thorncreek township has as beautiful and interesting- a lot of lakes as can be found anywhere in the state of Indiana in an area of the same extent. They are all located in the northern one-third part of the township.

Of these the state geologist, in the seventeenth report, made in 1891, says : "Shriner's and Cedar, in sections 2, 11 and 12, Thorncreek, are as pretty a pair of twin lakes as one can wish to see. They occupy two narrow parallel valleys, separated by a ridge scarcely a quarter of a mile wide. Shriner's, the smaller and prettier of the two, is a mile and a quarter long by a quarter of a mile wide. Its level was lowered several feet about forty years ago by a ditch cut through the ridge between it and Round lake. The beach thus left dry is several rods wide and' covered with grass. The present shores are remarkably clean, bordered by only a thin belt of sedges and rushes. Outside of that the water deepens rapidly, and varies from forty-five feet to over seventy at the upper end. The water is very clear and furnishes excellent fishing grounds. Moderately high bluffs on either side, covered to a large extent with forest of magnificent beeches, maples and lindens, form a fit setting for this charming picture.

Cedar lake is much like Shriner's, but more irregular. The lower fourth is separated from the main body by narrows and an island. Its level was raised by a dam at the same time that Shriner's was lowered, and the shallow space thus gained is entirely occupied by aquatic veg'etation. These two lakes furnish an illustration of the law that lowering a lake leaves clean shores and raising it results in the formation of a marshy border. The depth of Cedar lake varies from forty-five to seventy-nine feet in the upper basin.

navigable on account of vegetation. Its axis is at right angles with that of Cedar, and its depth from thirty-five to sixty feet. These lakes are drained through Thorncreek into Blue river.

Separated from the west end of Cedar bv a divide a quarter of a mile across and twenty-five or thirty feet high is Crooked lake, which empties westward into the Tippecanoe river. Its axis continues the general direction of Shriner's and Cedar, southeast and northwest, but is nearly as large as the other two and much more irregular in outline and bottom. The upper basin is small and partially separated from the central by a narrow gravel ridge. The central basin is a half mile in diameter, and near its center was found the deepest sounding ever made by the writer in an Indiana lake, one hundred and seven feet. * * * The shores are clean and gravelly and the hills on either side probably form the highest ground in Whitley county. The group of lakes comprising Shriner's, Round, Cedar and Crooked furnish five or six miles of boating and offer attractions for the camper, sportsman and artist, such as are equaled by few places in the state."

From this it can be seen what the state geogolist thought of our beautiful lakes at that time. The dam spoken of as being constructed to raise the level of Cedar lake also raised Round lake. This dam has been removed and the shallow space spoken of as being covered by aquatic vegetation is now more or less dry and covered by grass and weeds where not cultivated. The dam was constructed to furnish water power for the saw mill built by Solomon Auspaugh, in 1846, and it was removed some years ago when the mill at that place became a ruin. By ilc liny this some fine soil for cultivation on the adjacent farms was reclaimed. Where the island and narrows were in Cedar lake a fill has been made and the small intervening space of water has been bridged over, and it looks now mure like two lakes than one.

There is another small but nevertheless an interesting lake known as Catfish lake near the upper end of Shriner lake lying in the same valley and perhaps not more than thirty-six rods distant and separated from it by a low stretch of valley between the hills on either side. This little gem of water is nestled at the foot of the largest hill in the township and is entirely surrounded by aquatic plants and can be entered upon only at one place and only upon its eastern shore. It is almost round, and is beautiful to look upon when viewed from the top of the hill surrounding it on its northern and western borders. Part of Loon lake lies in this township, and it is on its southern shore in this township that is located the Loon lake summer resort. There is also a fine summer resort at Shriner lake. All of these lakes are ideal places for campers during the summer season, and a great boon to the sportsmen of Whitley county. Picnics and family gatherings are held in the beautiful groves at these resorts where all can enjoy a day of pleasure and recreation.

Education

The first efforts at education in the township arc said to have been made by William II. Widup, who taught in a private house in the Egolf neighborhood. The first schoolhouse was built on the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section 14, then owned by Jacob Humbarger. This house was of logs, and about 1856 it was superseded by a frame building built upon the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 11. About 1865 or 1866 this was abandoned and another frame building built upon the northwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 14. These last two were known as the Hively school. and about 1882 or 1883 this last one was abandoned and a brick building was built on the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of section 14. This is known as the Hoops' school or district number six. Two of the earl}- teachers in this school district were Harrison Crabill and Nathan Gradeless.

In the Egolf district, at present district number seven, the first schoolhouse was built a year or two after the one at Humbarger's, also of logs, and near where the church now stands. This was followed by a frame building' of octagon form which can be seen at the present time just across the way from the church. The third house was built a half-mile east of the church, also a frame: and the present building, built of brick and in modern style, stands a quarter of a mile north of where the first one was located.

In the Beech Chapel district, or district number nine, the first schoolhouse was built a >hort distance west of the Stough cemetery, also of logs ; the second house, a frame building, was erected at Five Points crossroads and was known as the Linn schoolhouse: and about 1876 or 1877, a brick building' was erected a half mile east at Beech Chapel, which still stands and is used fi ir school.

The first house in district number eleven was a frame and stood at the place where the brick now stands. The first house in the center district stood where the brick building" stands at this time. The second house, a frame building, stood across the road to the west from the present building". During the trusteeship of John Orr the present brick building was erected.

In the other districts the same progress was made, log houses being superseded by frame buildings, and these in turn by substantial brick houses until all the school buildings were brick. There are eleven schoolhouses in the township, and this number makes it convenient for all the children to attend school without being compelled to travel a long distance as was necessary during' pioneer days.

In 1855 Thorncreek township reported three hundred and eighteen children between the ages of five and twenty-one years, one hundred and seventy-two boys and 1 me hundred and forty-six girls - of which only two hundred and twelve attended school. There were only six school districts then, taught by five male and one female teachers. The men received an average of twentv dollars per month, and the lady teacher only sixteen dollars per month. Most of the other townships in this count)- were lower than this in the compensation of their teachers. The length of the school term was two months. The state superintendent of public instruction in this same report says that "educational improvements and progress, that were anticipated three years since, have not been realized except to a very limited extent. Instead of beautiful and commodious schoolhouses evincing the good taste and generous patriotism of the people of their respective localities, we still meet with primitive structures, unenclosed school premises, unadorned grounds, dilapidated buildings, types of a bygone age. still lingering in the pathway of progress." It was about this time that better buildings were being erected for the accommodation of the school children.

In 1856 the report was substantially the same as in the preceding year. The whole number of children was three hundred and twenty-eight, of which two hundred and fifty-two attended school in the six districts under the care of six male teachers. The amount expended for education this year was only two hundred and forty-one dollars. The township library was reported to contain one hundred and seven volumes, to which were added one hundred and one volumes during the year. The tax assessed for building school houses was fifteen cents on each one hundred dollars and fifty cents on each poll, and the whole amounted to two hundred and thirteen dollars. The whole number of taxpayers was two hundred and thirty-eight, of which two hundred and three paid on five hundred dollars and less. From this it will be seen that there were but few rich citizens in the township. During" the rears 1857 and 1858 the number of school children gradually increased while the number of districts remained the same. In the rear 1850 a change was made in the number of districts, another one being created. There were then seven in the township. The whole number of children reported was three hundred and sixty-seven - two hundred and one boys and one hundred and sixtv-six girls. Six male teachers res,~ one female teacher taught these schoo'J'^m an average compensation of one dollar and eighty-two cents per day for a term of only forty-four days. The new house erected during this year was at a value of only two hundred and twenty dollars. The tax collected for building, repairing, and fuel, was only three hundred dollars. The township library contained two hundred and sixty-two volumes, all in good condition.

In i860 there were three hundred and seventy-seven children, two hundred and eleven boys and one hundred and sixty-six girls, and the ownship contained eight districts, but had only seven schools as in the preceding year. Of this number of children only three hundred and ten attended school with an average attendance of only two hundred and nine. The average compensation per da)' was only eighty-seven cents for a term of only forty-four days. The tax collected for building, repairing, fuel, etc., was only one hundred and seventeen dollars and twelve cents. There was no change in he library.

About this time the school law underwent a very general revision and re-enacment. Up until this time the schools made but little progress and the reasons came in answers from almost every township in the state, that it was for the lack of teachers trained in their profession, and acquainted with the approved methods and art of teaching. For this purpose the state superintendent suggested the establishment of a normal school fur the training of teachers.

Tn 1861 the count}- school examiner. Alexander J. Douglas, reported for this township four hundred and ninety school chilt|u.i. of which two hundred and fiftv-three housJ'">s and two hundred and thirty-seven girls, attending school in ten districts. The township library contained two hundred and thirty-six volumes, and the tax collected for building and repairing was five hundred and nineteen dollars and seventy-seven cents. It would be interesting if the examiner had made comments on the condition of the schools and buildings of that day, but this was not done.

The county examiner. H. D. Wilson, in 1864 reported that the average compensation of teachers in Thorncreek was one dollar and twenty-three cents a day, and the number of days one hundred and nine; the number of school houses as nine, all frame buildings, valued at twenty-six hundred dollars, and a total value of twenty-nine hundred and fifty dollars on all school property in the township. The township library contained three hundred and twenty volumes, and five hundred and sixty-nine were taken out for use within the year. The amount paid to trustee for managing school matters was sixteen dollars. It seems as if there was one school abandoned during the past year or two.

In 1866 County Examiner I. B. McDonald reported five hundred and six school children, of which two hundred and fifty-eight were boys and two hundred and forty-eight were girls, in Thorncreek township. Of this number only four hundred and twenty-three attended school in the eleven districts - the number of districts the township contains at present. These schools were taught by four male and seven female teachers, the former receiving an average of one dollar and fortyeight cents per day and the latter one dollar and tweny-five cents per day for one hundred days. At this time Thorncreek town- ship ranked first in the average length of schools in days. These eleven school houses were all frame* and the total estimated value of all school property was three thousand one hundred and fifty dollars. The number of volumes in the library was four hundred and seventy-five, but only one hundred and twenty-five were read. The reports from all the townships show a great falling off in the number of volumes read.

The county examiner in 1868 reported the total value of school property in this township' at only two thousand three hundred dollars and the volumes in the library at two hundred and ninety, of which only forty were taken out during the year.

The township library has been on the decline for some years past. The reason for this is the increase of newspapers, and the well known one given by some of the county superintendents of the different counties in the state. Our own county superintendent, the beloved and revered A. J. Douglas, in 1874, said of these libraries that they "are not very well cared for and but little read. The reading material was intended for some other generation." This seems to have been the opinion of every superintendent who said anything upon the subject.

In T870 the report shows two hundred and seventy-eight boys and two hundred and fifty girls of school age, of which three hundred and seventy-one attended school witli an average attendance of _ only two hundred and twelve. In this report it is stated that there were only ten districts in which school was taught. In 1872 it was reported that one new school house was erected at a value of six hundred dollars.

taking the place of the frame buildings and Thorncreek township kept up in this advancement until today all its school buildings are substantial brick structures, and some are of modern architecture and arrangement. Better locations were selected as building sites, taking into consideration the convenience to the greatest number of children. The teachers were better qualified for the profession by the training which thev received in normal schools and teachers' institutes. Parents gradually took a greater interest in the schools and a general improvement became manifest which has been maintained until the present time.

During the years 1901 to 1905 consolidation of districts was being tried, but it did not prove successful ' nor popular, and since then the idea has been abandoned. Each district desires to have its own school. The township high school, which was started during- those years, has also been abandoned as not being a success. At the present time graduates from our common schools are being sent to the Columbia City high school and their tuition paid by the township. During the year 1906 the sum of two hundred and thirty-nine dollars was so paid out for sixteen pupils.

Some of the teachers of "ye olden times" in Thorncreek are John Magley, Air. and Mrs. John D. Sherwood and Mrs. S. S. Miller, of Columbia City ; Mrs. Henry S. Egolf. Mrs. Elizabeth K. VVaugh, Mr. and Mrs. P. F. Widup, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Magley. Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Shilts, J. H. Snyder and sister Lizzie, now Airs. T. M. Orr. and George W. Laird, all residents of the township. The early teachers who died as residents of this township were the Rev. John

Miller, Hon. M. D. Garrison, William Widup and Nathan Gradeless. Other teachers of past years not resident here now are Benjamin Humbarger, John M. Deem, Rezin Orr, Mrs. Cyrus Reiser, William T. Harrod, Mrs. James W. Burwell, Mary Jane Wade, Mar}- Taylor, Cyrus Widup, Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Brown, Miss Callie Cotterly and John Pressler. There are others whose names are not now recalled but to whom all due respect is given.

The citizens of the township manifest a pleasing- religious disposition as evidenced by the six neat, substantial and commodious frame churches within its boundaries. There are some who worship in the churches of Columbia City, and are regular attendants there. Even in the early years of the township's growth and settlement the pioneers did not neglect their religious duty, but performed their Sabbah worship and had their Sunday-schools in the school houses of that day.

The Saint John's church, better known as the Hively church, was built about 1865 or 1S66. The congregation was organized before the church was built and services were held in the school house in that locality. This church was remodeled and a spire built to it since and the congregation is today in a flourishing condition financially and religiously. A well kept cemetery is adjacent to the church, and in it are at rest some of the sturdy pioneers o fthat neighborhood substantial church structure in the township and is kept in the best condition. It is generally conceded that it was in the Egolf neighborhood, and at one of the Egolf homes that the first Sunday-school was organized. Before the church was built services were "held in the school house which stood where the church now stands. A beautiful and well kept cemetery occupying a hillside is to the south of this church and adjacent thereto. In this small city of the dead are at rest all that is mortal of the Egolf s who figured so prominently in the early history of this township. Lying in their company are others of the pioneer settlers, and gradually, one by one, those good old pioneer fathers and mothers are gathered together in their final resting place.

Blue River church in the eastern part of the township is maintained by the Free Methodist denomination and was built about 1875. The first pastor was the Rev. A. F. Godwin. This is also a commodious church and across the road from it is also a neatly kept cemetery in which also lie heroes of the early days, and where their descendants are being gathered about them one by one.

The Baptist denomination has a good and neat church structure in the southwestern part of the township. It is better known as the Foster church. This church was remodeled and a spire built to it a few vears ago. The congregation is strong and flourishing, and a keen interest is taken in religious matters by all its members. There is no cemetery near this church, but many of its deceased members rest in the Stough cemetery, just one mile east on a straight line. This is a very old cemeterv and the largest in the township. In its embrace are sleeping also

The Christian denomination has a fine church edifice in the northern part of the township which was built in 1887. Prior to the building of this church religious services were held in the school house one mile north. The congregation is also in a flourishing condition and has some very zealous members. The structure was completely finished and is of good size and has a fine church spire.

The Dunkard denomination has a church in the northeastern part of the township. This is also a substantial structure without spire or ornament. The congregation is composed of very zealous worshipers who take a keen and lively interest in their religious belief.

Besides the cemeteries mentioned in connection with the churches there is one in the northwest corner of the southeast quarter of section 9. Some old pioneers are also buried here but the cemetery is not used at present and has not been for some years. It is not abandoned, however. The only other place in the township where any pioneer is buried is the plat of ground on the Franklin Shilts farm, in which lie the remains of John H. Alexander, the first settler in the township.

The highways of the township have undergone many changes. When the first settlers came into its domain there were no roads, and they blazed and cut their way through the forests, around swamps and hills. In this manner the first roads wound around, and cut diagonally across farms and sections. But very few were on section lines at first. Gradually, however, they began to place newly opened highways on the section lines and straightened those already opened. In some instances where farm dwellings are situated some distance back of the present highways it is found upon investigation that in years past the road wound around some fancied obstruction and passed the site of such buildings. These crooked and diagonal roads have about all been changed with the exception of the Yellow River road. This will very likely never be changed.

This township has furnished some county officers from among its citizens as follows: Richard Baughan, sheriff, from March, 1838, to August 23, 1838; John 0. Adams, treasurer, from November 24, 1866, until Novembers, 1870; A. Y. Swigert. coroner, from December 2, 1867, until December 2, 1869. The following as county commissioners in the order named : Nathaniel Gradeless, John G. Braddock, Henry Knight, Adam Egolf, Andrew Adams, Jacob Ramsey, Henry W. Miller and Jacob Paulus. John H. Shilts served as recorder from November 10. 1887, until November 10, 1 89 1. Logan Staples is the present sheriff. John H. Alexander, the first settler in the township, sewed as county surveyor from 1839 to 1842, and again from 1848 to 1850, in which year he died. B. F. Magley is at present a member of the county advisory board.