Turkey Creek Township

Turkey Creek Township

The towiislii]) abounds with lakes, some of wliich are more tliaii 100 feet deep. Syracuse Lake, one mile long and three-fourths of a mile wide, lies directly east of the village, and Nine-Mile Lake, about five miles long and one mile wide, is a beautiful body of water.

Turkey Creek was organized as a township June 29, 1836, and prior to 1838 comprised the tei'i'itory which afterward formed the townships of Yaii Buren, Jefferson and Scott.

The first settlers were Henry Ward and Samuel Crawson, who, in 1832, constructed a dam across Turke}- Creek, intending to erect a mill as soon as the lands were open for SI ttlemeiit. The mill was cumpleted in 1833, and in 1S3() the same ]iarties ei-ected a saw-mill. The township is bounded on the north by Elkhart County, cast by Koble County, south by Tippecanoe, and west by Vail r.ui-en Township. Before its organization in 1S36, a number of families had settled inside its boundaries, among whom were the fainiiies of John C. and Patrick Jolinson, William Cassidy, Andrew Guy, Robert War- Tier and others, all of whom came in 1834. Settlements from this date were made rapidly, and Samuel Crawson erected a log house and opened a stock of general merchandise in 1836. This store occupied the site of the Lake House, in Syracuse, which was erected by Jacob Renfro in 1853. Mr. Crawson being one of the first settlers and a man possessing both means and enterprise, was a prominent factor in the community. He donated one acre of ground west of Syracuse in 1836 for a cemetery, and the remains of a son of Harvey Veniinan were intei'red the same year.

during the winter. Settlers living in the more remote part of the township transformed an old log barn into a fairly comfortable school-room in 1837. It was built upon the land first occupied by Timothy Mote, and so far as learned not one jierson is living in the county who attended either of the schools.

The first religious organization to build a church were IJaptists. In 1843 liev. James Martin organized a class, and a few years later a church was erected at Syracuse. The church, after a few years of prosperity, was disorganized and the building sold to the German Reformed congregation. In 1851 a German Baptist church was organized in the south part of the township, and in 1860 the society erected a church on section 14. Geoi'ge P. Rothenbarger and Conrad Brumbaugh were the first pastors. A Church of God was organized east of Nine-Mile Lake in 1858, by Rev. George Thomas. A union church was erected on the farm of N. Crow, on section 14, in 1860, and various denominations used it for religious worship. The United Brethren and Evangelical Association also have organized churches in the township, with regular services.

Syracuse is one of the oldest towns in the county and was laid out by Samuel Crawson and Henry Ward, August 11, 1837. Christo])her Lightfoot, one of the first surveyors of the county, surveyed and platted it.

William Kirkpatrick, the pioneer merchant, opened a stock of goods in a small frame building erected by Mr. Crawson in 1836 for this purpose, and was the first business house in the new town. Crawson A: Ward later purchased the goods and conducted the store for several years. William Cassid}- erected another frame store the same year, also a frame residence.

George Kirkpatrick was the first man in the township to open a public house, and from 1836 until the present, good hotel accommodation has been provided. James Hall purchased the residence of Samuel Crawson in 1848, and converted it into a hotel. It was known as the " Rough and Ready House," and was located at the corner of Carroll and Harrison streets.

Jacob Renfro erected the " Lake House " in 1853, at the corner of Main and Huntington streets, upon the site of the first store building in the village. Preston & Miles were first proprietors of the hostelry.

The first election in Turkey Creek Township was held in tliis village at the utfice of Henry Ward, in April, 1838. Syracuse was incorporated October 19, 1876, with officers and trustees as follows: Evan Miles, President; Ed F. Holloway, Clerk; Joseph Bushong, Treasurer; Wm. A. Mann, Assessor; Trustees, Addison Green and Amos King; Geo. M. Ray, Marshal. This election was the most warmly contested ever held in the township; 113 votes were polled inside the corporate limits. The officials of the village at present are: Alfred Roberts, President; Isaiah Ketring and Alva Yonnce, Trustees; George M. Ray, Clerk; A. F. Knight, Treasurer; J^rank Sloan, Marshal.

Syracuse Lodge, No. 454, A. F. & A. M., was chartered May 27, 1873, with officers as follows: John AVayer, Worshipful Master; Silas Ketring, Senior Warden; Preston Niles, Junior AVarden; Adam Ketring, Secretary; David Fry, Treasurer; Ed Miles, Senior Deacon; Sam Akers, Junior Deacon;

Levi Akers, Tyler. This growth of the order in Syracuse has been steady, and the lodge has a firm financial footing and a membership of twenty-three. The present officers are: J. W. Stetler, AVorshipful Master; T. Snaveley, Senior AVarden; Michael Nicholai, Junior AA'arden; Joseph Rippey, Secretary; David Fry, Treasurer; Geo. M. Ray, Senior Deacon; Oliver Cromwell, Junior Deacon; Geo. AV. Elliott and Sam Akers, Stewards; A. M. Younce, Tyler. Josepli Rippey was the first man raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason by this lodge, and was at once appointed secretary and has served in this position to this date. The lodge is out of debt, and has a nice surplus in the treasury.

Lake A^iew Post, No. 246, G. A. R., was mustered October 9, 1883, with twenty charter members. Officers the first term: Henry M. Stoner, Commander; John AA''. Stetler, Senior A'ice Commander; Alfred Roberts, Junior A^ice Conimander; Oliver Cromwell, Adjutant; Amos King, Quartermaster; Sam'l Akers, Surgeon; AYm. AYallace, Chaplain; Jacob Renfro, Officer of the Day: Frederick Butt, Officer of the Gnard.

The post has upon its roster the names of fifty-six members in good standing, officered as follows: H. M. Stoner, Commander; AYilliam Wallace, Senior Vice-Commander; John Hurd, Junior Vice-Coiatnander; OliverCronjwell, Adjutant; J. AV. Stetler, Quartermaster; Theo. Sheflield, Surgeon; C. V. Smith, Chaplain; Jacob Renfro, Officer of the Day; Z. Hendrickson, Sergeant-Major.

The graded school at Syracuse is the only township high school in the county. It is attended by about 150 scholars. The school building was erected by the township in 1868, at a cost of $10,000, and is a handsome two-story brick, whicli has a site unequaled for beauty in the county. Prof. J. P. Dolan is principal; Miss Rosa Brown has

The village has a population of 500 inhabitants, and the retail trade is very hicrative to men in business. Silas Ketring, John W. Stetler and A. F. Bright represent the business in general merchandise; Harry Sterling and Isaac Ketring in groceries; M. J. Rippey, hardware; drugs, A. F. Bright, W. J. Brady & Son ; physicians, F. M. Ihrig, A. R. Collar and J. Bowser; attorneys, Messrs. Kay & Miles. Oliver Cromwell is the genial postmaster, who, as a reward for faithful services during the late war, and who yet carries in his head a rebel bullet as a reminder of the battle of Vicksburg, was remembered by liis party in 1885. His daughter Mary is his assistant.

The Methodist people completed a line brick church in the autumn of 1886, at a cost of §2,500. The membership is snuill, but is ably ministered to by Rev. Carpenter. The Church of God has a membership of 100, Rev. I. S. Markly, of Columbia City, presiding at the sacred desk. Sixty scholars attend the Sabbath-school connected with this church.

Syracuse is not a noted summer resort, but several line hotels are situated in the vicinity, overlooking Turkey Lake. The most noted of these belongs to the Cedar Beach Association, and has accommodations for 200 guests. This is situated on the northeast side of the lake, and has beautiful grounds artistically arranged, and the proprietors have an elegant steainer and sail boats of every description for the pleasure and entertainment of their guests.

"Conkling Hill," of which J. A. Kindig is i>roprietor, fronts the northwest end of Turke}' Lake. His hotel is an attractive one, and the grounds are beautifully shaded.

Jones, who also owns a picturesque hotel fronting the lake on the north. She has a large number of pleasure boats, among which is a steamer with a capacity for carrying 100 passengers.

The "Sulphur Springs" hotel is the property of Mrs. Hartwell. The numerous springs are rapidly becoming noted for their medicinal virtues, and her hotel is crowded during the season.