Union Township

Union Township

The township of Union is centrally located, and may be regarded as the most important in the county, due to the location within its limits of Auburn, the county seat. Union township is bounded on the north by Grant township, on the west by Richland and Keyser, on the south by Jackson, and on the east by Wilmington. Cedar creek runs down from the northwest corner, through the township and leaves near the southwest corner. This drains the township very thoroughly, although not many years ago there were several tamarack swamps in it. The northern and western portions of the area are generally rolling and somewhat sandy. The southeastern part is more level, and of a clayey constituency. The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern, the Vandalia of the Pennsylvania system, and the Baltimore & Ohio railroads cross the township at various pomts.

Organization

Union is one of the oldest townships in the county, being but two months younger than Franklin. At the first regular meeting of the board of commissioners of DeKalb county, September 5, 1837, those present being Peter Fair, Samuel Widney and A. F. Beecher, it was "ordered that the congressional township 34 north, range 13 east, be organized as a township for judicial (civil) purposes, to be known by the name of Union township, and that townships 34 and 35 north, range 12 east, and townships 33 and 35 north, range 13 east, be attached thereto." It was also ordered "that Wesley Park be appointed supervisor for the road district No. i, comprising the whole of Union township ; and all the lands residing within said township are allotted to said district." The first election was appointed for the first Monday in December following, and Lanslot Ingman was named as inspector of elections.

Among the early justices of the peace of Union township were : Lanslot Ingman, David Altenburg, John Carpenter, W. Griswold, John Davis, G. Wolf, S .W. Russell, J. D. Davis, J. W. Case, and William Lessig. Early constables were: J. O. P. Sherlock, William Shirter, Lyman Chidsey, T. J. Freeman, Isaac Latson, Joseph Garver. John Drui-y, Z. Tanner, H. Siberts, J. Powlas, H. Jones, L. Weaver, S. Bowman, L. Leasure, Jonathan Hall, A. O. Espy, J. Haun, Zopher Johnson, Jeremiah Plum, William Valeau, Andrew Harsh, J. H. Piles, Emanuel Miller, George Jones, and J. B. Howard. The

Early Settlement

In discussing the first settlement of DeKalb, the most will be written in the history of Auburn, as the pioneer story of that town is practically synonymous with that of the township. Early settlers in the township on farms were: Kneeland Abbott on the south, David Altenburg and Levi Walsworth on the east, and the Husselmans and McEntaffers on the north. Altenburg and Walsworth moved in during November, 1838; James R. Cosper and John Weeks in the spring of 1841 ; and the same year John Somers and Lyman Chidsey settled southeast of Auburn. In the northeast, Rockwell, Lightner and Morringston were the first settlers. Two days were occupied with raising the heavy frame of the Husselman barn, and most of the settlers for miles around were engaged in the work.

The City Of Auburn

In the fall of 1836 the first settler of Auburn, Wesley Park, entered land adjoining that of John Houlton, the first settler of the county. It is said that a Mr. Comstock opened the first store in the town of Auburn. Thomas J. Freeman, who occupied a frame building at Park's corners, applied for a license on March 5, 1838, to sell goods. He brought his supplies from Fort Wayne on horseback, using a pair of saddlebags. Freeman kept whiskey, for liquor was much used among the Indians and settlers, who liked its qualities as a preventative of chills.

On November 5, 1838, Daniel Strong and Isaac T. Aldrich, newly chosen commissioners, together with Peter Fair, a member of the old board, met at the house of Wesley Park. The books of the early county, and the first records, were written upon all kinds of manuscript, even family records. As the commissioners met at different times and settlers moved into the county, the few officials having their headquarters at Auburn, were employed in reducing townships areas and districts, until the congressional became the boundary of the civil townships.

Early Settlers

The settlers watched neither times nor seasons in their emigration, but waded the snows of winter, or in the summer, following Miller's trace, skirting the swamps, and, until a land entry could be made, accepting the hospitality of the resident settlers. For several years Auburn was little more than a name, and many lots were bought and held by speculators. In 1839, there was a small sale of lots, but little building upon them. Several men came in the fall of 1839. boarded with Wesley Parks and Freeman, and bought land and lots, aided in the selection by Parks, who charged a small fee for his services. Daniel Altenburg and Levi Walsworth came from Steubenville in November, 1838, having a very difficult journey through the snow and swamp land. Wolves howled in the darkness around their night camps on the trail, and strange and fearsome noises occurred in the forests around them. They expressed themselves as mighty glad to reach the settlement. On January 17, 1840, the Sherlock family came. In 1841 came Samuel W. Sprott, David Weaver, David Shoemaker, Henry Curtis, Lyman Chidsey. James R. Cosper and David Cosper.

Did never fail to give a zest" to the merry companies that assembled there. These taverns were owned by Thomas J. Freeman, O. A. Parson, J. O. Sherlock and Nelson Payne. In the year 1841, there was much sickness in the settlement at Auburn. The old mill dam north of the village was deemed responsible for the fever and ague that came upon the community. The water backed up at the dam, and was a veritable hotbed of malerial germs, according to the settlers. They said that maleria was worse in the morning and evening, for the air, when heated, arose, bearing miasma with it, and toward evening as the surface cooled, the malaria sank again to the earth. No medicine could remove the disease while the malaria existed. In this age, we know that such was not the cause of malaria. The breeding and re-breeding of germs caused alternate fever and chill, for the germs lived in the blood, not in the old mill dam, although the mill dam was the home of the mosquito which carried the genn to the human body. Provisions were .scarce, the wildness of the surrounding country, and the fewness of the inhabitants, in number seventy-two, made this year a miserable one and a tax to the strongest and most optimistic pioneer. Dr. Ross, R. B. Cooper and Eli Pritchard were the only doctors.

In 1842, Samuel W. Ralston came to DeKalb county, and found here eight families, among them being those of Wesley Park, O. A. Parsons, J. Pufifenberger, Lanslot Ingman, J. O. Sherlock and Nelson Payne.

In 1843, O. C. Houghton and family, of New York, came to the settlement, and Houghton bought the steam mill owned by Wesley Park. Aaron Hague and David S. Shoemaker also came in this year. This year is noted on account of the terrific hurricane which swept over DeKalb county, leveling grain fields, unroofing cabins, felling giant trees of the forest, and perforrhing many peculiar freaks by force of the winds. The next year was also one to be remembered, for the winter was one of the severest in the whole history of DeKalb county. In 1845, efforts were made to have the old mill dam north of the town removed, and the case was even taken to the courts.

Street Beginnings

The Fort Wayne and Coldwater state road through Auburn bore the name of West street, and the Defiance and Goshen state road laid out as entering on Seventh street and leaving on Third street. Cedar street was platted as Main street, and a street east was East street, but was vacated in 1855, because its course led through the bottom lands of Cedar creek and swamps. From Ninth street south to Fifteenth street, was a swampy tract too low for drainage, covered with rank vegetation in the summer. John Kruger established an ashery at the east end of the street. In the year 1848, the taxes for Auburn amounted to $18,337.39.

Incorporation As Town

In the year 1849, Auburn was incorporated as a town, and divided into wards, as follows : First ward, all north of Fourth street ; second ward, beliSiS DEKALB COUNTYj INDIANA.

tween Fourth and Eighth streets; third ward, between Eighth and Twelfth streets ; fourth ward, between Twelfth and Green streets ; fifth ward, remaining south of Green street. The election for officers was held on September 22, and C. A. Parsons, Wesley Park, Nelson Payne, James T. Bliss and Joel E. Hendricks were named as the first board of trustees. These men served in their official capacity without compensation of any kind - except possibly a political favor now and then. T. R. Dickinson was appointed clerk of the new town, Egbert K. !\Iott, treasurer, and William B. Dancer, assessor. In the fall of 1849, quite a colony of people emigrated from Stark county, Ohio.

At an adjourned meeting of the board of trustees of Auburn, held April 30, 1853, at the store of S. B. Ward, it was resolved: "That in and from this time and henceforth this town be incorporated and governed as provided in Sec. 56, of chapter 108, of the revised statutes of 1B52." These laws state that a town may, by resolution, become incorporated under this act, but the same shall be deemed a surrender of all the rights and franchises acquired under any former act of incorporation. The officers were specified to remain the same. Thus, Auburn was again incorporated, but to what advantage it is not known. In the year 1853, also, sidewalks were established at a Avidth of ten feet, and the planting of shade trees was authorized within the ten feet. This was done, and today Auburn's many trees beautify the town.

The first hotel, intended as such, was kept by T. J. Freeman, who some years afterward built the hostelry known as the Franklin House, also Griswold and later Auburn House. Samuel Reed was the first minister in Auburn, representing the Methodist Episcopal denomination. The first resident carpenter was James R. Cosper, and later Samuel Ralston, Amos Hutchinson and O. C. Houghton came. The' first cabinet makers were J. O. P. Sherlock, John Johnson and L. Ingman. The first gunsmith was Isaac Savage, and afterwards, Charles Stimely. The first wagon maker was Jonathan Hall. Philip Fluke was the first tanner. The first shoemakers were: Cyrus Smith, A. Forshee, S. Latson; the first harness maker, William Abright; tinner, Isaac Jones, Sr., and hatters, Joseph Garver, John Tridell and J. D. Davis. John Tridell started the first foundry on the site of the postoffice.

At the close of the Civil war Auburn was a very quiet and retired village of about seven hundred inhabitants, its principal features being two, long, tree-lined streets, the new court house, the woolen factory and the academy. The academy and woolen factory were afterwards destroyed by fire, also the court house.

The early religious, educational, medical and legal history of the present city of Auburn is discussed fully in the respective chapters dealing with those subjects.

Incorporation As City

In the latter part of the month of April, 1900, the town of Auburn was incorporated as a city of the fifth class. The town board held its last meeting on May 4th, of that year, and then the following officers took office for the first time : Mayor, Don A. Garwood : clerk, C. B. Weaver ; treasurer, David A. Hodge; marshal, E. Morton, Hilkey; councilmen, John Zimmerman, Milen E. Garrett, John B. Rolape, Howard B. McCord, Perry A. Muhn and Eli T. Cochran. Thomas H. Sprott became mayor in 1902; J. Y. W. McClellan in 1904; George O. Denison in 1906, and H. R. Culbertson, the present incumbent, in 1910. James Y. W. McClellan will take the office in January, 19 14. The other officers of the city at this date are : E. O. Little, clerk; E. E. Shilling, treasurer; John Kerran, marshal; J. H. St. Clair, E. A. Johnson, Frank Shook, T. H. Leasure and O. J. Wise, councilmen. A new city hall is in process of construction for the use of the city officials, fire department and assembly rooms. This structure is a handsome one of brick with stone trimmings, and will cost when completed, thirty-five thousand dollars.

Public Utilities

Auburn possesses public improvements proportionately equal to any other city in northern Indiana. Five miles of asphalt paving add to the beauty of the cit}', and the streets are at all time. kept clean and in the best of condition. The absence of heavy traffic is a .saving factor to the asphalt, and consequently, holes and rips are seldom observed. An extensive sewerage system of about seven miles is but another of the sanitary features of the city. Cement walks, lined with beautiful shade trees, with the many artistic residences, make Auburn typically a "city of homes."

The Auburn water and light works was constructed in the year 1898, at an original cost of thirty-five thousand dollars. The plant is now valued at one hundred thousand dollars. The water is drawn from deep artesian wells, and is of first quality, in clearness and purity. The gas for the city is supplied from the Indiana Light and Heat Company of Fort \\'ayne, which also furnishes the artificial gas to Garrett and Kendallville.

About seventeen years ago, when a committee, of which Charles Eckhart was chairman, estabHshed a reading room in the building now occupied by the Maze cafe, the first steps might be said to have been taken toward the erection of an efficient library for the public. The original Culture Club had in the meantime provided a library for its members and others who contributed to the support of the institution. At that time, however, there existed no library laws as we now have, and abandonment of all these movements was necessitated for want of proper support. The late W. H. Keckler, when president of the Commercial club, became interested in the matter, and he appointed a committee, but unfortunately, this body did nothing.

The various clubs appointed delegates who met conjunctively and Miss Merica Hoagland, then state librarian, gave a thorough discussion relative to the requirements and the methods of procedure necessary to take advantage of the state law. The clubs subsequently submitted reports stating the amounts of money they would contribute and while the result demonstrated the great momentum the movement had gained, it was not equal to the sum necessary for the expedition of the plans. The Thursday Evening club then districted the town of Auburn, assigning territory for each member to canvass. The result was a subscription which assured success for the library.

The organization of a library board was next considered, and the judge appointed Charles Eckhart, Grace Smith and H. E. Coe. The city council appointed Mrs. J. C. Baxter and C. M. Brown. The school board appointed Dr. Lida Leasure and Dr. F. M. Hines. The initial meeting of the official board was held July 6, 1906. The first matter to come up before the board was the choice of a site and the purchase of the necessary equipment. The Culture Club donated three hundred books. A loan library of si.xty volumes was given from another source. The citizens contributed their share of the money, and on March 8, 1907', the library was opened, with Mrs. A. H. Barnes as its custodian. Mr. Carnegie was appealed to, and expressed his willingness to give twelve thousand five hundred dollars toward the erection of a permanent building. Charles Eckhart had previously informed the boarc that he would cheerfully donate the necessary site for a library building.

While the matter of erecting a library building was considered Charles Eckhart took the step which was to make his name everlasting in the history of Auburn and DeKalb county, and to strengthen the feeHng of profound respect and afifection which his townspeople held for him. He not only ofifered to give the site for the new library, but asked to be allowed to provide means for the erection of a magnificent building, including all the equipment and furnishings. This generous and wholehearted bequest was accepted by the people and accordingly the ground was beautified and a library constructed. On May 13, 1910, the corner stone was laid with fitting" ceremony, including a spirited address by Thomas R. Marshall, then go\'ernor of the state. The deed, dated December 15, 1909, to the public library board of the city of Auburn, Indiana, was given over on condition that there should forever be maintained on the real estate and building given, a public library, with assembly room open at all reasonalile hours, to be non-sectarian and non-political. It was meant to be an organization for the advancement of education and philanthropy, and neither the sale nor the use of tobacco, nor intoxicating liquors, should ever be permitted on said grounds.

Clues And Societies

In 1908, the various clubs of Auburn and vicinity associated themselves together, "the object being to bring into communication the various women's organizations of the city and community, that they may compare methods of work and become mutually helpful in the work of any common interest." The organization thus effected was given the name of "The Woman's League." The clubs holding membership are : the Ladies' Reading Club, Ladies' Literary Club, Entre Nous Club, Auburn Culture Club, Richardson Art Embroidery Club, Utile Dulci Club, Thursday Evening Club, En Ami Club, Auburn Amateur Musicale, Woman's Christian Temperance Union. The officers of the League are: Mrs. J. E. Buchanan, president; Miss Inez Knapp, vice-president; Mrs. Beulah Casebeer, secretary: and Mrs. A. M. Oswalt, treasurer.

Club life and work is one of the main features of Auburn society. The associations have always done their work well, and have aided materially in making Auburn a better and cleaner city, and to these forces is due a great deal of credit for the defeat of the saloon element in the past several 3'ears.

The Auburn Commercial Club was organized on February 14, 1903, with forty members, and now has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty. W. H. Schaab is president, C. B. Weaver secretary and E. W. Hicks treasurer. The purpose of this organization is the furtherance of ci\-ic and commercial interests pertaining to Auburn. The work done by these men is

The Auburn Country Club was organized on April 5, 1910, and purchased a twenty-seven acre tract on East Seventh street. F. E. Eckhart, John Zimmerman, J. I. Farley, George Shepard, A. M. Oswalt, M. L. Green, H. C. McClung, J. E. Pomeroy and A. L. Kuhlman were charter members.

Besides the three lodges. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Masons and Knights of Pythias, treated at length in the lodge chapter, the following are in Auburn : DeKalb County Poultry Association, Grand Army of the Republic, DeLong Post No. 67 ; Woman's Relief Corps, DeLong Post No. 2 ; Knights of Golden Eagle, Auburn Lodge No. 25 ; Ladies of Golden Eagle, Auburn Temple No. 22,; Knights of the Maccabees, Auburn Tent No. 51; Ladies of the Maccabees, Conrad Hive No. 9 ; Modern Woodmen of America, Eureka Camp Xo. 3805; Ro^-al Neighbors. Warner Camp No. 3095.

Postoffice History

The Auburn postoffice is now of the second class. Sixteen men are employed in the department, including the postmaster and deputy. There are six rural routes going from the Auburn office. Seventeen mail trains daily supply the transportation for the mail. The amount on deposit for the saving department in November, 19 13, was a total of fifteen thousand dollars. The amount of business of the office, outside of money orders, for the last fiscal year was twenty-seven thousand two hundred and fifty-four dollars and sixty-eight cents. The present postmaster's commission is dated April 15, 1910. The following is a complete list of the postmasters who have served at Auburn, obtained from the first assistant postmaster-general at Washington, D. C. :

Young Men S Christian Association

Another superb monument to Auburn's notable citizen, Charles Eckhart, is the handsome building for the Young Men's Christian Association, completed on the corner of North Main and Fourth streets. This building is of brick and stone, and cost about forty thousand dollars. Charles and Frank E. Eckhart, on June 25, 1912, offered a substantial sum each, for the site, the building, and equipment complete; to be turned over to the city, providing the latter would agree to provide a customary shai^e of its annual support. The building was deeded to a board of trustees. This magnificent institution will have a well equipped gymnasium with all the modern apparatus, a plunge bath, several class rooms, a commodious kitchen, a large lobby for general use, a room for the men, and one for boys. There are sixteen rooms in the dormitory, and ten shower baths.

Automobile Factories

The Zimmerman Manufacturing Company was established in 1873 by Franklin T. Zimmerman, with a partner named Watson, as a planing mill. Watson sold his interest to George B. Zimmerman, and the firm then became known as Zimmerman Brothers. This continued until December of 1876, when George B. sold out to Eli Zimmerman, and then the firm name changed to Zimmerman Company. In December, 1886, the firm was incorporated under the title of the Zimmerman Manufacturing Company, which cognomen it still bears. The first ot^ficers of the incorporation were : John W. Baxter, president; Eli Zimmerman, secretary; Albert Robbins, treasurer; F. T. Zimmerman, general manager. In 1880, and until 1908, the company manufactured windmills of every type. In 1890 the carriage business was begun, and in 1907. the automobile industry. The machines are assembled here, and shipped to every part of the United States. The present officers are: Eli Zimmerman, president ; C. C. Schlatter, vice-president ; John Zimmerman, secretary-treasurer and general manager. F. T. Zimmerman was the real founder, and acted as manager until the spring of 1910, when his health failed, his death occurring in September of the same year. The capital stock of the company is sixty-one thousand dollars. The factory has one hundred thousand square feet of floor space, and an average of ninety men are employed in all departments. (13)

The Auburn Automobile Company was established at Auburn in October of the year 1902. The business was begun with small capacity and little capital, but steadily has increased, until now it is one of the largest automobile concerns in the state and middle west. The first capital was twenty-five thousand dollars, and in the eleven years since the establishment this sum has mounted to five hundred thousand dollars. Charles Eckhart is the president the corporation; Frank E. Eckhart, vice-president, and Morris E. Eckhart, secretary-treasurer and general manager. The manufacture and assembling of automobiles is the sole business of this concern, although the company at one time manufactured buggies. Shipments are made to all parts of the United States and to many foreign countries. The floor space of the present factory is over one hundred and twenty-five thousand square feet, and from one hundred and fifty to two hundred men are employed. During the last three years the annual business has been about two million dollars.

The W. H. Mclntyre Company was established in the year 1883 under the name of W. H. Kiblinger Company, and this company manufactured carriages. In the year 1909 the firm name was clianged to the W. H. Mclntyre Company, which it bears at this time. The incorporation, however, occurred ten years previous to this change in name. W. H. Mclntyre is president and treasurer of this company, and H. C. Mclntyre is secretary. The capital stock is one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Three plants are operated in the city of Auburn, and four hundred men are employed on the average. Shipments are made both to points in the United States and foreign lands. Autos, trucks and cyclecars are manufactured. One plant, formerly located just north of the Swineford hotel, was destroyed by fire in the year 1913.

Other Industries

Besides the three automobile factories, the city of Auburn has two carriage factories, a creamery, a handle factory, a carriage body factory, an excelsior factory, an artificial ice plant, a rug factory, a post card factory, two cigar factories, a cigar-lighter factory, one foundry, a double fabric tire reinforcing factory, a heating and ventilating company, and several small mills.

Storm Of September 29, 1872

At the opening of the year 1872, many buildings had been built in the town of Auburn, and many others were in the process of construction. Among the finer blocks was the Odd Fellows' hall.

On the 29th of September, i8/'2, between three and four o'clock in the morning, a terrific gale sprang up from the southwest and struck the new building with a driving force. Its wall, which was then ready for the roof, crumbled under the pressure and crashed to the ground, damaging the ilethodist Episcopal church on the east. The storm once past, a desolate and discouraging sight were the streets of Aitbum. Heaps of broken stone, brick, and splintered timber lay in profusion in every direction. Few buildings but received their share of the storm, and especially the Odd Fellows' hall.

Fall Of Snyder Block

On Sunday evening, April 6, 1873, the new brick block on Seventh street known as Snyder's building fell. For a few days before, it had been noticed that the inner foundation wall was weak and gave indication of giving way, but no precautions were taken to prevent the calamity until after the roar and crash of the falling structure announced that it was too late. Mr. Snyder's stock of farm implements inside was totally destroyed, and the Ensley building, adjoining, was also destroyed.

Daring Burglary

On Saturday night, February 16, 1867, the county treasurer's office at Auburn was broken open and robbed of eighteen thousand dollars, according to reports. The outer door of the ofiice was of iron, and was drilled into and pried off, and the wooden doors forced open. The outer door of the safe was cut through the panels, above and below the lock, the inner bolts withdrawn, and the door opened. The money chest was opened by steel wedges and bars. The general work of the affair was evidently that of an expert "cracksman." Suspicion fell upon several parties, and arrests were made, but being unsuccessful after several months, the affair was dropped. A great deal of litigation resulted, and in 1875 the matter was settled by the county accepting a judgment of fifty-eight hundred dollars.