Union Township

T0Iix F. Moss Max

The most interesting incidents of Indian history before and during the war of iNu center in. what is now Union township; but it is found recorded in detail in other chapters. However, the village of Coesse, in which the first house was erected in 1855, by Ji >seph Root, preserves the name of one of the latter chieftains of the Miamis. In [846 they were removed to Indian Territory, Coesse accompanying them; but he returned and died while visiting near Roanoke Indiana, where he was buried. Tal- COtt Terry was the original settler in Union township; coming .-in did Benjamin Gardner. Dr. Joseph Pierce, Horace Cleveland and ' leorge W. ( >man, in [837.

Terry and Oman selected the name of kvnship at the first election held July 4, 1839, at which Terry was chosen justice oi the peace, an office to which he was again chosen four vcars later. Dr. Tierce.

the first physician, had a Mr. Starkweather associated with him in a general store for some years, most of their trade being with the Indians, it not being an unusual sight to see three hundred of them in and about the store. Upon the death of a little son of Starkweather's, treated by Dr. Pierce, a quarrel arose between the two men. resulting in a dissolution of partnership.

The first saw mill of the township, if not in Whitley count}-, was built by Dr. Tierce 111 [839, and the late James YVorden, who had come from New York to work fur the doctor, claims that he and William Van Meter hauled the first saw logs to that mill. The first steam saw mill was erected in [854 by Nathaniel Allen and John Stagle and James Burton built the first grist mill, on Eel ri\er in the northeast part of the township. A distillery was operated for a time by a Mr. Kepler in the southeast pari of the township where peach brandy was a principal output. In 1852 J!. A. Cleveland sold merchandise for a couple of years. Freeman and Fuller keeping' a general store on the Yellow River road and later one mile east of the present site of Coesse. This village was laid out by Peter Simonson in the winter of 1854, Joseph Root erecting the first building. Christ Rummel had the blacksmith shop. Very little growth occurred for ten years. The first goods sold in the village was by Simon Ilerr & Brother. B. A. Cleveland, Thomas Mc- Cune. F. Smith, J. H. Clark and J. S. Baker were among' those who have sold goods at Coesse. as are Luke Tousley and William Swarts. Kaufman & Levi. I. Kinsev, Allen Bros . F. Smith and W. F. Mossman.

The first postoffice was kept by Horace Cleveland on the Yellow River road, its removal to Coesse being in 1856 with ]. H. Root as postmaster.

Cornelia Bonestel taught the first school in Union in 1839, receiving $1.50 per week. This was in a cabin on Horace Cleveland's land, though the "school house on the hill" standing on the north side of Beaver Run was the first school building". Mrs. Simon Sherod in 1845 taught in her own home in the extreme northwest part of the township. Mary Brown. Amanda Tousley; Eliza Young, Cornelia Travis, George Lawson, E. A. Smith, Riley Merrill, Maxie Foust and Miranda Root, all of whom labored faithfully and left strong impress for good on the minds of their pupils.

Esther Omans was the first white child born in Union township, though it is claimed that David, a son of Talcott Perry, was born in 1836. and Whitlock, son of Benjamin Gardner, was born in 183".

The first death was Robert Starkweather in the fall of 1838. though in March. (839, William Clater was killed in a barn raising but in Lake township, Allen county. James Worden helped to build the first bridge not only in Union township but in Whitley county. This was over Eel river though probably the same year, 1838. some movers made a rude log' bridge over the stream at Akers. G. W. Oman kept tavern on his farm in 1837. The next year Isaac Taylor began to accommodate the travelers though it was four years later that he hung a sign.

Rev. Jacob Wolf was doubtless the first minister, organizing a Presbyterian church October 15, 1841, with eight persons. George Walker and wife, Jacob Vanhouten and wife, Mrs. Vance, William Park, and James Pringle and wife. Rev. Wolf was a graduate of Harvard and naturally a man of finest- impulses. In 1854 he erected "Wartburg College," named in honor of Wartburg Castle near Eisenach Saxe-Weimar. founded in 1067 and renowned as the refuge of Martin Luther after the diet of W onus and where he finished his translation of the Bible. Wolf's ambition was to educate young men for the ministry anil with Rev. A. J. Douglas as an assistant conducted a school for two years. Mr. Wolf's heart was right and to advance the cause he loved so well made provision to have most of his property go to Wittenberg College. Springfield. Ohio.

school houses till 1S57 and didn't secure a church of their own until 1870. Rev. Wells, an educated and accomplished gentleman and an orator of no mean ability, organized a Lutheran church in 1857. A Christian church was started in 1854 by Rev. Van Sickle baptizing several converts in a hole cut through the ice on Mud creek.

The first candidate for congTessional honors to speak in Union township was Samuel Brenton, who had been presiding elder at Fort Wayne, and who walked with a crutch owing to paralysis. The meeting was held at Oman's home, his advent being declared by the hoisting of the stars and stripes on a tree still standing in George Oman's yard.

John Pecker induced J. H. Clark to bring several paw paw bushes from Ohio mi horseback to propagate the fruit. His description of the delicious flavor and temptingness of that delicacy being such that Clark's mouth watered and continued to do so whenever paw paws were mentioned, until in his haste and enthusiasm he tasted the green fruit.

( rei irge Slagle produced the first brick used in the township. Making a circular box five feet high and ninety feet in circumference he shoveled in clay and drove a yoke of cattle over it until it was reduced to stiff mortal-, when it was molded, dried and burned.

Social conditions among our forefathers were such that there ever existed the warmest community of interest. Horseback riding was the usual mode of travel, a young man often having his ladv love seated behind him, though there were none of the ladies but could ride and easily control the wildest steeds.

When Rachel Wagner was fifteen, she rode with her brother Harmon Beeson to Warsaw to attend the wedding of another brother Benjamin. Starting to return Benjamin's wife's father, Mr. Sapp, handed her a willow switch, saying "stick that in the ground, it will make a nice tree." She did so and today it is a landmark at least two feet in diameter, standing close to the walk on the main street as you go to the Pennsylvania depot, making- the site of Lee Bros, blacksmith shop, which is just being demolished as these lines are written, January. 1907.

Hazel Cot Castle

In 1842 Eli Pierce, while a medical student in Philadelphia, married a rich English lad}' who soon purchased a large tract of land in the northeast part of Union township, where they settled in 1844. Dr. Pierce practiced somewhat, but mainly devoted himself to the clearing of the land and in building a castle after the style of an old English lord and which, with its extensive outbuildings, became the wonder ot the entire region. The house had broad porches, sweeping verandas and huge columns, the barn being also pretentious. In 180.2 the ruins of the barn were cleared away and the remains of the house a year later. Mrs. Pierce died in 1868 or 1869 and the doctor fell dead at Areola in 1872 Through Union township it was at an angle or 1873, both being buried at Lake Chapel of about thirty degrees. One hundred and cemetery, it having been a portion of the farm. Their children were five sons and two daughters. Mrs. Pierce retained her old English customs, living in state and ever exhibiting that courteous bearing characteristic of the patrician class. Charles Hughes, then county treasurer, was once invited to dinner by Dr. Pierce, and when asked by Mrs. Pierce if his office was one of much dignity he replied, "None at all." She turned her attention to other guests.

Many years ago. when the people of Ireland were said to be starving to death, T think it was in 1846, Union township people were the only (Mies in the county to respond. Although the}' were poor and had about all they could do to take care of themselves, they responded liberally. My father gave the largest amount, five dollars. George Walker led in the movement, and was assisted by others among whom was the Rev. Jacob Wolf.

I remember well when Wise went over the country in a large balloon before the Civil war. He started at St. Louis and landed in Canada. He passed over Coesse about five o'clock in the afternoon and was so close to the ground that James Worden and Zebulon Park motioned to him and he responded. He crossed the county from the southwest to the northeast. Near South Whitlev an old woman who saw him ran into the house crying, "Jesus is coming."

About the first of January, 1877, a large meteor crossed the county, making a belt of fire clear across the heavens and a thundering noise. It lighted the whole sky and seemed to e-o over the entire county.

On Monday, May 14. 1883, a cyclone seemed to gather and start in the south central part of Columbia township, at about five o'clock in the afternoon. Clouds seemed to come from the northwest and southwest and to meet at that point. The first damage was near Compton church, section 19, Union township. Tt tore down the brick church, on the foundation of which the present one was built, leaving but a few brick in one corner. Shingles and debris were scattered for more than two hundred yards. It moved northeast to the corner of Union township where it seemed to let go its force and drop what it had gathered. Its path was more than a half mile wide and it took everything in its way, stripping forests, moving and tearing down buildings in its path. Simon Akers' barn was moved thirty feet off of its foundation and demolished and part of his house was torn down. The damage was frightful. Only one person was injured, Henrv Schrader. who was hurt by a flying rail striking him on the head. He was reported dead, lint soon recovered and is living vet.

Before closing this article. I want to remark the difference in our schools. New branches are now taught and the course is more thorough, hut they have stopped teaching courtesy and manners as we were taught in the old log schoolhouse. The children of the earlv day were courteous and respectful to older persons but Young America is independent and lacking in refinement and manners.