Washington Township

Washington Township

One of the best, if not the best township in Whitley county, is Washington, which is a regular government township of thirty-six sections and is the middle of the southern tier of three townships and is bounded on the north by Columbia township, on the east by Jefferson township, on the south by Clearcreek township in Huntington county, and on the west by Cleveland township. It was organized September 8, 1840, just in time to participate in the great presidential election of that year. The first election was held at the house of Abraham Leslie, Si"., and Daniel Leslie was inspector. At this election the following electors were present : George Rittenhouse, David Rittenhouse, George D. Rittenhouse, Jr., Frederick Weybright, Adam Creager, John Oliver, Abraham Leslie. Daniel Lesley, William Leslie, Enos Miles, Jacob Ecker, Joseph Ecker, Samuel Braden, Reuben Long. William Kates, Jesse Baugher and Henry Bayler. These men are now all dead except William Leslie, who lives at South Whitley, Indiana, in his ninetieth year. For several years the various elections were held at the house of Abraham Leslie, who was always ready to receive every one in a hospitable manner. In those days there was not much political antagonism at elections but a general good feeling prevailed. At the election held at the house of Daniel Leslie, on the first Monday in April, [845, there were eighteen votes polled and at the presidential election on November 8, 1904, 349 voters exercised the right of franchise in the township.

The township was named in honor of the father of our country, "Washington," but was nicknamed "Swamp township," as at the time of the first settlements and for many years after, a vast portion of the township was covered with almost impenetrable swamps, which to the prospector at that time did not seem possible ever to be worth anything-. But now, after the lapse of nearly three-quarters of a century, these swamps have practically all disappeared and thriving farms and beautiful homes have taken their places, and where once the muskrat and bullfrog held kingly sway, nowr seventy-five bushels of corn per acre are raised.

The first permanent settler of whom any authentic account can be given was Joseph N. Ecker, who settled on section 7. in the northwestern part of the township in the fall of 1836. He was the first man assessed in the township, the amount of his taxes being' twenty-four and one-half cents. The following is a partial list of those who settled in the township prior to 1845: Joseph N. Ecker. Reuben Long, John Oliver. Adam Creager, Samuel Braden, Frederick Weybright, William Sterling. Abraham Leslie, Daniel Leslie, William Leslie, Jonas Baker, Henry Emery, John Arnold, Henry Shank, John Wise, William Kates, Michael Sicka- Eoose, Martin Bechtel, George Rittenhouse, David Rittenhouse. Enos Miles, Henry Baylor, Philip Maring. Calvin Maring. Jacob L. Maring', Ira Jackson and David Jackson.

ried on December 18, 1831), by Henry Swihart, justice of the peace ; the second was that of Levi Creager to Margaret Fulk, December 7, 1842, by Aaron M. Collins, justice of the peace, and the third was that of David Rittenhouse to Margaret Fullerton, April 14, 1843, by John Sickafoose, justice of the peace.

The first birth in Washington township occurred about 1S43 and was that of Jacob Shank, who died in infancy. His was probably the first death of a white person in the township.

Wdien the settlers began making the first improvements within the limits of what is now Washington township their methods of procedure and the tools with which they worked corresponded with the general order of things in that early day. In clearing the land of the timber, the ax was about the only tool worth considering in felling the trees and in getting the logs ready to roll. A good chopper with a sharp ax could cut off a log or fell a tree in a less space of time than would seem possible to the present generation. The only cross-cut saws in use were the old brier-tooth saws, the very remembrance of which is enough to make an old settler have the backache. There were few men who would not rather chop off a log than to help saw it off with a saw of that description. A tree intended for saw logs was chopped down, butted off with the ax and chopped off at the top and the saw was only used to cut the body of the tree into sections. Sawing down trees was not known until many years later.

new ground the one side shovel plow was generally used to scratch up the soil among the roots. Corn was dropped by hand and covered with a hoe and in cultivating the shovel plow was used, but the hoe was more to be depended upon than the plow in keeping the weeds in check among the stumps. All grain was cut with sickles or cradles and bound by hand. Grass was cut with scythes, raked up by hand and the only use for horses in making hay was to haul it to the barn or stack.

Jacob L. Maring relates his experience in taking care of a field of wheat soon after becoming a resident of Washington township in 1844. After the wheat had been cut and shocked he and his father, Philip Maring, cut two poles about ten feet long and laid them on the ground about two feet apart, then put on two shocks of wheat at a time and carried them to the stack. They worked in this way until the wheat was all taken care of.

The first blind ditches were made of poles. After the ditch was dug two straight poles would be placed on each side of the bottom of the ditch and sometimes a third pole would be laid on top of the others and sometimes the bottom poles would be covered with puncheons that were split out of oak timber. Later on planks in the shape of an inverted hog trough were used. These ditches answered the purpose very well for a few years until the timber gave out or the ditches became stopped up by the working of crawfish and other causes and they had to be taken out and reconstructed. The old timber ditches have long since served their time and now the soil of the township is underlaid with miles and miles of tile that have done so much to make the county what it is to-day. Several county ditches have been constructed through the township, among- which are Stony creek. Sugar creek, etc.

At first and for many years after the first settlements, the clearings and fields were fenced with rails that were split from the timber and many rails are still in use that were made fifty and sixty years ago: but the rail fences are rapidly giving way to the modern woven wire fence, many miles of which have been erected in the township during the last few years.

In 1S40. there were no permanent roads in the township but mere trails and wagon tracks that bad been cut out around the swamps, but soon after a number of roads were surveved and located on section lines as far as possible. "Work on the roads" often consisted in cutting brush and laying it across the mud holes, then covering the brush with dirt. Later, plowing and scraping dirt into the roadways with the dump scoop was the mode of grading the roads and often more ingenuity was exhibited in trying to see how the time could be exhausted with the least work than there was in trying to give the roads any real benefit. Undoubtedly, enough time and work have been expended upon the roads of Washington township to put every road in the entire district in first class condition, had it been properly done. Nevertheless, the roads are in good condition generally the greater part Mt" the year and many of the principal ones have been graveled. Once where the only w,i\ to cross a stream was by fording or on a fool 111; now there is an arched bridge of ci ni< 'in and stmie.

The New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad was constructed through the ni >rthern part of the township in 1881, and the Indianapolis, Huntington, Columbia City & Northwestern Traction Company have surveyed a line through the central part of the township and have been voted a subsidy of seven thousand dollars and it is to be Imped that the road will speedily be built.

In earl_\' times, the rualarial fever and ague were very prevalent among the settlers and there was scarcely a family in which one or more of the members were not sick. Dr. F. M. McHugh, of Columbia City, was said to be the first physician to practice his profession in Washington township. He was an Irishman of much skill and learning. Doctor Banta located in the eastern part of the territory about 1843 an<^ f°r several years was the principal physician and surgeon in the community. Notwithstanding the sickness, there were few deaths and the settlers braved the discouragements, pushed 1 m ami made a country which their descendants are now enjoying. All honor to those brave and struggling souls who have done so much in the development of this fair land of ours.

Washington is strictly an agricultural township. With the exception of lumber, brick and tile, very little manufacturing has been done in the township. Grain, hay. fruit and vegetables have been produced in large quatities and considerable attention has been given to raising live stock. Some 1 if the finest horses, cattle, hogs and sheep in the country can be found in this township. Xo large towns are located in the township. When the Nickel Plate Railroad was built in 1 881, a station was located in the north- ern part of the township and named "Peabody" in honor of S. J. Peabody. Whitley county's lumber king and soon after a postoffice was established at the place and Amos E. Redman was the first postmaster. Mr. Redman also conducted a general store in connection with the postoffice. Henry J. Ummel is conducting the business at the present time and is the present postmaster. A saw mill did an extensive business here for many years under the management of Lewis Gross, James B. Peabody. Cox & Sons, etc. George W. Irwin. Henry Lucke and Noah E. Hoops have also conducted stores here. Peabody is a good shipping point; large amounts of hay, grain, live stuck and lumber have been shipped from this point.

The early settlers were at great inconveniences for many years in regard to postal matters. Those living in the north part of the township were obliged to go to Columbia City or South Whitley for their mail, while those living in the southern part went to Huntington or Liberty Mills. What a contrast now when most of the residents have their mail delivered daily at their gates. June 2/, 1855, the first postoffice was established in the township and was named "Washington Center," and Martin Bechtel was the postmaster and kept the office at his residence one mile south of the center of the township. He was succeeded by William Chamberlain but the office was discontinued many years ago.

A little town had sprung up in the wester 1 part of the township in the Dunkard settlement and during Cleveland's first term as president a postoffice was established there and was named "Tunker." Tunker is an old town in years, but time has never blessed it with a great population, yet it is proud t" say that it is not on the decline. Frederick Weybright, who located here in 1839, was the first settler near the present site of the village. He was soon followed by John Wise and Phillip Holler, Sr.

The first store in the village was started about thiry-six years ago by Messrs. Prichand Fisher, of South Whitley, in a residence building now owned by Earl Hossler. They were followed by Joseph Holler, Henry Benner, William Ollinger and R. F. Gardner and in 1888 Henry K. Kitch erected a building on the northwest corner of the crossroads, opposite the Dunkard church, in which he placed a stock of general merchandise and did a thriving- business, enlarging his store from time to time until June 18. 1903. at the hour of midnight, the fire fiend left his store in a heap of ashes. Early in 1889, Mr. Kitch had been appointed postmaster and the office thrived until December, i()00. when a rural mail route from South Whitley was established through -the village but the citizens were loth to give up the postoffice and it was not until after the fire in June. 1903, that the office was discontinued.

During this era. other enterprising industries have been carried on in the village. John Benner and Philip Holler conducted saw mills about twenty-four years ago ami Levi Connell operated a tile and saw mill until a few years ago when he moved his mill to Huntington county. At present Lewis Holler is the proprietor of the saw mill. Henry K. Kitch operates a broom factory. Chester Snyder and M. F. Kemmel are the general sti >re-keepersand Firmer Snyder con-

Politically, Washington township has alwavs been strongly Democratic, the "Gibraltar of Democracy" in Whitley county. At presidential elections it has always gone Democratic and since 1861 has invariably elected Democratic township officers. In i Son Joseph Stults, now of Huntington, was elected trustee on the Republican ticket, defeating Martin Bechtel. the Democratic candidate. Mr. Stubs was re-elected in 1 8< i i . defeateing Enos Goble, but at the April election in 1862 Mr. Goble defeated Mr. Stubs for trustee and held the office until the fall of 1874, when he was succeeded by WiHiam Chamberlin.

At the last presidential election, 1904, two hundred and tweny-three votes were cast for Parker and one hundred and five for Roosevelt, making a Democratic majority of one hundred and eighteen.

Since 1859 the following citizens have held the office of township trustee: William E. -Merriman, Joseph Stubs, Enos Gohle. William Chamberlin, Peter Creager, John Gross, John A. Snyder, Francis M. Smith. Joseph Creager, Charles D. Stickler and William A. Hauptmeyer.

Among those filling- the office of township assessor have been Jacob A. Baker, Lewis (iruss, John < in^s, Enos Goble, Peter Regg and Frank L. White.

The pioneers of Washington township were God-fearing men and women and as soon as they were settled in their rude homes, they began to make efforts to establish religious meetings. At first the ministers who occasionally visited the township held services in the settlers' cabins or in the log school houses and sometimes in the shady groves. The first church organization in the township is said to have been of the Roman Catholic faith, about the year 1845. This was in what was called the "Nix Settlement" in the southeastern part of the township. The society soon after built a church which some years later was destroyed by fire. The church was rebuilt and served the congregation until 1899. when it was replaced by the present large brick building which is a credit to the congregation as well as to the community at large. Tt is known as "St. Catharine's Church."

Like Pilgrims of old. the early adherents of the Dunkard faith in Washington township met in the homes of the brethren and worshiped God in accordance with the dictates of their own consciences and in the year 1866 they erected a large brick church, f«irty by eight}', in what is now the village of Tunker, and is known as the "Sugar Creek Church." The house was erected at a cost of two thousand four hundred dollars and the present value of the property is about three thousand five hundred dollars. Rev. David Bear preached the sermon of dedication and David Shoemaker did the carpenter work on the building. About thirty-five years ago Rev. Kripe manufactured the seats with which the church is now furnished. He worked at the seats during the day and preached to the people at night.

At the time of the building of the church the members were : Messrs. and Mesdames Philip Holler, Sr., John Wise, Martin, Frederick, Lewis and Jacob Weybright, Solomon Kitch, Joseph Montz, Reuben Long. David Arnett, Jacob and Osias Metz. The church is now in a flourishing condition, having a membership of nearly one hundred. R. B. and Isaac Bolinger are the ministers and Henry Kitch is the instructor in music. The church has prospered during all these years and has been a power for good in the community.

April 18. 1846, a Baptist church was organized in the Bechtel neighborhood in the southern part of the township under the ministrations of Elder George Sleeper. The church was organized in the old log cabin of Martin Bechtel and in 1869 the society erected a frame church which is still in use. Andrew Clark was the contractor and the building cost about one thousand four hundred dollars. The dedicatory sermon was preached by Rev. David Scott. Among those who have ministered to this congregation have been Revs. Fuller, Dunon. Collins,

Wilder. Price, Worth, Robinson, Gooden, \\ ard and Sanders. One of the charter members of this church was Bazaleel Tracy, who recently passed away at his home in Huntington, Indiana, aged nearly ninety-one years.

The Washington Center United Brethren church was organized at the house of Martin Penn in 1866 by Rev. Fletcher Thomas. The charter members were : Martin Penn and wife, Peter R. Goble and wife, John Smith and wife. Peter Wagner and wife and Milton B. Emerson. In 1873 the society erected a large frame church at a cost of about two thousand dollars, which was dedicated by Rev. Cassel. The building committee was composed of Peter Creager, Milton B. Emerson. Levi Sickafoose, John Smith and S. P. Wagner. The contractors were Samuel Wolf and Samuel Sickafoose. In 1905 this church was replaced by a modern brick church building at a cost of three thousand one hundred and fifty dollars, and was dedicated on Sunday. December 31, 1905, by Rev. H. H. Font, D. D., of Dayton. Ohio. Waterfall & Son, of Columbia City, were the contractors and William H. Waterfall was the architect.

Pastors of this church from 1873 to 1895 were: John B. Bash. William Simmons, E. F. Light. Andrew Wood, Abijah Cummins. John Eby, S. C. Norris, George T. Butler. John A. Farmer. J. T. Keasey. Frank Parker, Charles Parker. C. M. Byerly and S. H. Yeager. Rev. C. A. Spitler is the present pastor. The church is in a flourishing condition and has a large membership.

i. in Washington township, and afterward a church was organized which maintained services for many years and in 1888 the society, assisted by the community at large, erected a frame church building just across the road from the school house. A few years after the building of the church the society disbanded and the property passed into the hands of the United Brethren denomination and a society of that faith was organized. This society remodeled the church and has since held regular services in the building which is known as "Maple Grove Church."

The third United Brethren church in the township is located in the eastern part, about one mile south of the village of Forest, and is known as 'Forest Chapel." This society was organized at the Maring's school house in Jefferson township and its history ma)- be found in the history of that township.

In 1857 a Methodist class was formed in the vicinity of No. 9 school house in Washington township, . some of the early members being: Michael Holmn and wife, John Smith and wife and Levi Creager, At first the meetings were held in the log school house, but in 1869 a frame church was erected at a cost of about $2,000, the building committee being Michael Holmn, Frederick Morrell and John Decker. Samuel Sickafoose was the contractor, and the house was 'lei heated in October, 1869. by Rev. Monson, and was known as "East Bethel Methodist Episcopal church."

The church membership was never large and through deaths, removals and other il gradually dwindled until the church could no longer support regular preaching and the societ) disbanded. The last protracted meeting was held in 1903 and in the fall of 1904 the church was sold to a contractor in Huntington and the building was torn down and moved away. The lot upon which the church stood was sold to Charles Walker, the present owner of the Frederick Morrell farm, and thus the old East Bethel Methodist Episcopal church fades from the portals of action and the history of what it was and what it has done for religion and civilization is written.

Not many public cemeteries have been located in Washington township. In the years that have passed the people living in the eastern and northeastern part of the township went to Evergreen cemetery in Jefferson township to bury their dead, while some in the southeastern part went to the Lutheran cemetery in Huntington county, those in the northern part to the Eberhart cemetery in Columbia township and those in the western part to South Whitley.

In an early day a cemetery was commenced where the Baptist church is located on section 28. The first burial here was a daughter of Walling Miller and the second was Grandma Alexander. This city of the dead has steadily grown and among the pioneers buried here are : Sylvester Alexander. Martin Bechtel, William Kates. James and Thomas Merriman. John Stallsmith. Elias Smith, etc. The place is kept in q'ooil repair and there have been a number of handsome monuments erected to mark the burial place of some of the people sleeping here.

About the time the first Catholic church was built in the Nix Settlement a few graves were made near where the said church stood, which was some distance southwest of where the present church stands. When the sec-

Cornering the farms of Daniel Baker, Charles Baker and Joseph Stults. on section jo. is an old abandoned cemetery which was started about the year 1845. Jonas Baker owned the land at that time and the lot originally contained about one-half acre of ground but at the present time the space given to this city of the dead is a lot of about seventy-five by one hundred feet. A recent visit to this place revealed what time and neglect have done for man}' similar places in Whitley count}- : it is overgrown with vines and shrubs and not one of the monuments or tombstones that had been placed at the graves by loving hands is now standing', but all are leveled with the earth, and the inscriptions, man}" of which were quite artistic at the time, are now deciphered with difficult}". This cemeterv was nicelv located on a high piece of ground, at the foot of which winds a little brook and had it been continued as a cemetery, could have been made a beautiful place. As near as could be ascertained from the inscriptions on the timeworn grave stones, the first person buried here was Jacob Shank, a young son of Henry Shank, who died in February, 1845, and as before stated was the first birth and the first death in the township, and the following' April, Susanna, wife of Hem-}- Shank, was buried here. The last person buried here was John Shank, who died April 16, 1865, aged fourteen years and six months. The oldest person interred in this place was Jacob Ollinger, who was born May 4. 1777, and died in 1855.

the remains of some of the persons buried here were removed to other burial places by relatives and friends and the place was abandoned as a cemeterv. Fourteen graves were found but it is likely that there .are several more which were never marked and are now grown over with grass and weeds and cannot be found.

The grave of an Indian child was found near the center of section 24 in 1844. A cavity had been chopped in a large pi iplar log, the remains of the child placed therein and a slab of wood neatly fitted over the place. It was not disturbed further than to discover what it really was and the log laid there until time reduced it to mother earth again.

In earl}- times wild game was plentiful in Washington township and many of the earlv pioneers were successful hunters. Deer and wild turkevs were quite numerous and occasionally a bear was seen. Wolves made night hideous with their howling and sometimes,the scream of a panther was heard at night in the woods.

Jacob L. Glaring, who lived on section 24 from 1844 to 1S64. has the record of killing fifty-seven deer and it said that he killed the first ;wd the last deer at which he shot ; they were both bucks, and the last one was shot in Ja>w*rs Broxon's cornfield in Jefferson township, but it led the hunter a lively chase and it was in the vicinity of "Devil's Holler," in Allen county, that the game was finally killed. Anthony Poinsett and Robert S. Bell, of whom mention is made in the history of Jefferson township, often hunted in Washington township. The former had a double-barreled shot gun and when two reports in quick succession were heard

Robert S. Bell related that in 1844 he went hunting" one day when there was quite a snow on the ground and at about 1 o'clock he killed a deer and dressed it, then hung the carcass on a bent sapling and started on his back track for home. 'It was getting lark when he reached home and the next morning he got one of his neighbors to help him and it took them nearly all day to get the game home, for they had to follow the tracks of the day before. Afterward, when Mr. Bell was better acquainted with the country, he found that he had killed the deer within a quarter of a mile of his own cabin. Mr. Bell also related that about two years later he was hunting one day when the snow was quite deep and having gone about two miles from home he saw a man with his sleeves rolled up above the elbows, raking and digging in the snow with both hands. When he came closer he saw that it was Jacob YanDorsen. and on inquiring the trouble, Mr. YanDorsen said that as he was about to shoot at a deer, the hammer had fallen off his gun in the snow and he was trying to find it but before the hammer was found the deer was gone.

Bazaleel Tracy once killed a wild turkey gobbler with a rifle and although he fired only one shot, the ball passed through the turkey's head and broke both legs and both wings. There was only one way in which this could be explained. The turkey was strutting and at the moment the fatal shot was fired it was about to pick up something between its feet.

evening Mr. Johnson had gone to a neighbor's, and on his return and just after he had entered his cabin, a panther screamed near the door, having followed him home. A gun was fired to scare the animal away. Soon after this a panther killed a two-yearold heifer for Mr. Saunders.

An old resident of the township says that the last successful and genuine old-fashioned fox hunt in Whitley county was in Washington township on Saturday. January 4. 1873. Captain F. M. McDonald was manager and Enos Goble secretary. Several hundred men and boys formed lines entirely around the township and pressed to the center. The lines started under the lead of captains at nine o'clock and at eleven o'clock they had a number of foxes surrounded in Peter Creager's field. Six foxes were killed and the carcasses sold at auction. The}' brought from one dollar and five cents to one dollar and thirty cents each exclusive of the scalp. At that time the count}- paid a bounty of two dollars and fifty cents for fox scalps. This law remained in force until March, 1883, when it was repealed.

About 1867 David Ummel was killed by falling from a wagon while going to Columbia City and on February 8. 1877, Luther Jones was killed by a falling tree near what is now Maple Grove church. January 29, 1889, Lewis Cupp was killed by a log rolling upon him while hauling logs near the village of Peabody and John P. Rittenhouse was drowned at the gravel pit near the northwestern part of the township on June 17. 1888. and on May 5, 1885. John Wolford was killed by lightning- at Peabodv station.

In January, 1S80, Mathew Tracy, a resident of Washington township and a sonin-law of Martin Bechtel. mysteriously disappeared. He had gone to South Whitley on horseback and late in the evening, after taking supper at Rev. P. J. Ward's, the Baptist minister's, had started for home and as he did not reach home search was instituted the next morning, which resulted in finding' the horse in a corn field with the saddle still on but no rider; further search was made and on the bank of Eel river a package of coffee and a first reader that Mr. Tracy was known to have purchased for his little boy was found, also indications of a struggle and marks in the snow that appeared as if something might have been dragged into the river. It was believed by many that Mr. Tracy had been murdered and his body thrown into the river, but no further evidence to prove this theory was discovered and the mystery has never been explained. It lias been rumored that Mr Tracy has been seen in the west and there are many who believe that he voluntarily absconded for reasons of his own and endeavored to leave evidence that would convey the impression that he had been murdered.

In educational matters Washingti in township has had about the same experience as her neighboring townships. The first schoolhouses were built of logs with puncheon floors, slab benches and writing desks along the wall. At first the schools were sustained by subscription and usually continued for eight or nine weeks during the winter. John E. Kates, who became a resident of Washington township on October 2, 1840, says that his first experience in going to school, he went with a sister and two brothers nearly three miles from home to a log schoolhouse in Huntington count}', following a blazed trail through the woods. In winter they started about daylight and did not get home until after dark. Once it rained all day and in the evening everything was afloat and before they got home they had to wade water up to their armpits and their clothing was frozen stiff.

Josiah Kates, Joseph Stults. William Stults, Enos Goble, William E. Merriman, Milton B. Emerson and John Alexander were among the first teachers in the township. The first order to pay school funds to teachers was dated April 11, 1853, was for $26.50 and was issued to John Alexander. In 1858 the township was divided into nine school districts and each district had a log schoolhouse. The division remains the same today, but each district is now provided with a modern brick school building, which is up to date in every way. The schoolhouses are located just two miles apart over the township.

Under the old law all children between the ages of five and twenty-one years were enumerated and in March. 1858. the enumeration of children amounted to one hundred and fifty-one males and one hundred and fifty-seven females, making a total of three hundred and eight pupils. Under the present law all children between the ages oi six and twenty-one years are enumerated and the number enumerated in 1906 were: Males, two hundred and twenty-nine: females, two hundred and nineteen, making a total of four hundred and forty-eight.

is said to have been the first institution of learning to be planted in Washington township and was erected about sixty years ago, the exact date cannot be given. It was not a building of extraordinary facilities, but the way in which it was built and the material with which it was constructed made it famous. In dimensions it was sixteen by eighteen, with ceiling about seven feet high, and was constructed entirely of peeled hickory logs or nearly eighteen inches in diameter. The floor was made of hickory puncheons; the writing desks were made by driving pins into auger holes in the wall, on which a wide board was laid, and the seats were hickory puncheons with pegs driven in for legs. A horizontal window, eight feet long", containing one sash, admitted the light. The door was closed with a latch string and _ the roof was clapboards held in place by weight poles.

The first teacher was Josiah Kates and he was followed by William Stults, Abner Hines, Enos Goble, Zephaniah Johnson, William E. Merriman and others. Some of the pupils were: George W. Stults, Melissa, Anna and Mary Ellen Bechtel. Mathew Tracy, George, Henry, John E. and Elizabeth Kates, David, George, Benjamin, Jacob and Mary Hennemeyer, John and Thomas Sickafoose, Thomas, Sabina and Mary Emery, Fanny, Elizabeth and Henry Huffman, Henry Decker, Martin, Lewis and George Weybright. Catharine and Elizabeth Shank, Elizabeth, Daniel, Margaret and Jane Baker, Elizabeth and Mary stults ami perhaps others.

In winter one of the sports of the children was to take nne of the puncheon benches and slide down the large hill just south of the schoolhouse, which was located

About forty-five years ago this primitive schoolhouse was vacated for school purposes and a frame schoolhouse was built on the northwest comer of the farm owned by the late Frederick Morrell. This house was quite modern at that time and in dimensions was about eighteen by twenty-two feet. Harmon Holmn commenced teaching the first term of school in the building, but after continuing about two months, in some mysterious way the building took fire and burned to the ground. The patrons were determined that education should not be abandoned and in two weeks' time they had erected a hewed log house and school was progressing at the same place as if nothing had happened. The teachers in this house were: Joseph Stults, Seneca Heath, Elizabeth Kates, John Miller, Miss Henry and Sabina (Emery) Wince.

In 1874 the log schoolhouse was vacated and a frame house thirty by forty was erected on the southwest corner of the Henry Emery farm. Enos Goble was the township trustee and Edward Burch and Jacob Swartz contractors. This school district has been known as No. () and the frame building served the district until 1905, when the patrons of the school voted that they should have a new school building, similar to the one in District No. 4, and accordingly William A. Hauptmeyer, trustee, awarded the contract to R. F Gardner, of Huntington, for $3,570, and a brick structure with all the modern improvements was erected. Miss Florence Essig- taught the first term of school in the new building and Miss Chella Kaufman is the present teacher.

chased by Thomas Emery and lias been converted into a corn crib and wagon house. Some of the teachers who held forth in this building" were : Julius A. Vergon, Louisa Goble, Addie Foster, Alonzo B. and James Joe Goble, Rufus C. Saylor, Martin Wagner, Frank Douglas, Lemon A. Conuell, H. M. Carson, Robert J. Emerson, Lesta Emerson, Carl Souder, H. E. Emery, Lincoln L. Lee, Charles E. Weybright, Bessie Kepler and J. Lee Emery.

The first term of, school in what is now district No. 1, in Washington township, was taught by Jacob Hurler about 1853 in a log house that belonged to Elijah Johnson and stood about eighty rods west of where the present schoolhouse in the district stands. It was a subscription school of two months and among the pupils were two young ladies who were taller than the teacher and at the beginning of the term they did not know their "letters," but they learned very rapidly and at the close of the term they could read and spell quite well.

Abouttwo years after this a log school house was erected on the southeast corner of section 2, where the Maple Grove church now stands, which was used for school purposes for about six years and among the teachers who taught in this house are remembered : John W. Crowell, John Best. Simeon Huffman, Philander Ginger, etc. About 1862 the log schoolhouse was vacated and a frame schoolhouse was erected for the district by Enos Goble, trustee, a few rods south of the crossroads, on the east side of the road. It is said that after the building was completed it was necessary to put in a center post to keep the house plumb, but Mr. Goble declares that the center post was not in the contract. Among the teachers here were: Miss Adaline Foster. Miss Mary Ellen Bechtel, D. V. White and others. In the early 'seventies this house was destroyed by fire. Miss Irene Haney being the teacher there at the time. A frame schoolhouse was then built on the corner where the present school building stands. which served the district until the brick schoolhouse was built, the old house beingsold to John Gross and moved to his farm near by. Jacob A. Montavon taught the school at this place during the winter of 1 S77-78, but was taken sick and died before the term was finished.

In early times this school was known as the "Poor Hook" school, but while the name might have been appropriate at that time, it certainly is a misnomer now and is justly resented by the people of the district and the school is now known as the "Maple Grove" school. Charles R. Stoner is the present teacher.

The writer has been unable to collect any data of the early history of the school in District No. 2 in Washington township, this school is known as the "Shafer" school and in 189Q was provided with a modern brick schoolhouse with all the up-to-date conveniences of this progressive age. Joseph Creager was the township trustee at that time and John Bennet was the contractor. Miss Dora Goble is the teacher of this school at the present writing.

More than fifty years ago a log schoolhouse was built near the center of section 8. in Washington township, the location beingthen in the midst of a virgin forest and not near any public road. It seems strange that a schoolhouse should be so located, but the

Reuben Long was one of the board of trustees at that time and Jacob dinger was the first teacher. Some of the pupils attending this school were: Mrs. Lewis Weybright. Washington. Elijah. Jacob and Lewis Long, Mrs. Catharine Obenchain. John and Albert Montz, etc.

This building was finally vacated for school purposes and a 'frame schoolhouse was erected about eighty rods west of the location of the present schoolhouse in district No. 3, on the north side of the Illinois roa'd. Joseph Stults says : "I was township trustee at that time. One night there was a meeting of the patrons of the school and by the light of blazing logs a decision was reached that resulted in the building of the little 'red schoolhouse.7 "

This house served the district until i88t, when the present brick schoolhouse was built by William Chamberlin, trustee, and is the only one now standing of which the history of Washington township of 1882 says: "There are at present four neat brick schoolhouses, costing about $3,600." D. V. White taught the first term of school in the brick schoolhouse and some of the teachers who have served the district in the past were : John W. Stoner. Noah W. Krider, Amos E. Redman. Charles E. Weybright. Edward Metz, H. E. Emery, Mrs. Mac- Carter. Wilbur Miller. J. Lee Emery. B. Frank Stickler and others.

In 1862 Joseph Stults. trustee, agisted by the citizens of the community, erected a hewed loo- schoolhouse where the old brick schoolhouse that was afterward built For district No. 4. in Washington township, is still standing. Elizabeth Stults was the first teacher and she was followed by Frank Harber, John Bash, Mary (Emery) Huffman. Fanny (Huffman) Emery and others. The log house was vacated for school purposes about 1872 and a brick house thirty by fort}" was erected in its stead by Enos Coble, trustee, David Shoemaker being the contractor. Martin Wagner was the first teacher and he was followed by Leroy Thoman, Frank Harber. Rufus C. Savior. Joseph Wagner, Hattie Shank. Frank Emerson. Lemon A. Connell. Sherman Weybright, John Lung, George W. Laird. Charles Lawrence. Horace S. Kaufman, Charles E. Weybright. Marion Grable. H. E. Emery, Earl Henderson. Asher McCune. Rose Coverstone and Maud Obenchain.

After serving its purpose about thirty years, a more suitable building was needed and the patrons of the district voted for an up-to-date building with all the modern conveniences. Charles D. Stickler was the trustee and the contract was awarded to Waterfall & Son. of Columbia City. The building, which was erected in the fall of 1903. is of brick and is heated by hot air. Miss Florence Essig was the first teacher and was followed by Mrs. Bessie Reiser. The school is in a prosperous condition and has an enrollment of about forty pupils.

In 1878 Peter Creager, trustee, erected a substantial brick schoolhouse at the center of the township, which was provided with an ante-room for election purposes; but man proposes and time disposes, and in ['882 the county commissioners divided the township into two voting precincts, known as north and south Washington, and ordered that elections be held in the north precinct at No. 2 schoolhouse and in the south precinct at No. 8 schoolhouse, so the election room at the center was no longer used for election purposes. This brick building- replaced an old frame schoolhouse that had served the district for many years. Among the early teachers here are remembered Oliver P. Koontz, afterwards county sheriff; Rev. J. D. Coverstone, Miss Mollie Glazier, H. H. Wagner and others.

The brick schoolhouse served the district until 1 90 1, when it was replaced with the present high school building by Charles D. Strickler. trustee. Erdman & Wyankoop, contractors.

"I taught school in the old Red Front schoolhouse in district No. 6, about one and one-fourth miles west of the Maring's settlement. The house was made of planks, with the front end weatherboarded and painted red. Some of the schoolhouses in the township at that time were log houses. I had fifty-one scholars enrolled and an average attendance of forty-seven. One cold morning, soon after commencing the dav's w irk, James Merriman opened the door and told ns that the house was on fire. Everybody was excited. We boosted Adam Metzler up through the scuttle hole in the ceiling, handed him a bucket of water and a tin cup and told him to be careful to get the water on the fire. The fire was soon put out and Thomas Merriman and Philip Wince brought an iron kettle, made a fire and heated some water, then dug up the frozen ground and made mortar, with which they built a flue around the stovepipe. We went

"A few days later the school was again thrown into a state of excitement. A flock of wild turkeys crossed a fence a few feet from one of the windows of the schoolhouse. Roscoe Kaufman ran across the lli m ir and asked me to let him go home and tell his father about the turkeys. I let him go of course. Mr. Kaufman went after them, but did not get any, as some one had gone through the woods and turned the course of the birds."

In the early 'seventies the old "Red I ront" schoolhouse was replaced with a substantial frame building by Enos Goble, trustee, and S. G. and D. C. Robbins, contractors. This building- served the district until 1891, when it was vacated and a brick schoolhouse was built for the district and located one-fourth of a mile east and one mile north of the former location. This school is known as district No. 6, and Earl Mover is the teacher at the present time.

The school in district No. 7, in Washington township, is known as the "Catholic" school, as the schoolhouse is located across the road from the Catholic church and the greater portion of the patrons are of the Catholic faith. It is supplied with a substantial brick schoolhouse and Miss Maggie Ness is the teacher there at the present time.

The school in district No. X. in Washington township, had about the same experience in its earlv strug-gles as those in the other districts in the township. Some time in the 'sixties a frame schoolhouse was erected for the district, but the architect evidently did not lay his plans as well as did the one who designed the great Mormon temple at

Salt Lake City, as the building had not been that name called it "Tracy" schoolhouse. completed very long until it became badly The old "Sway-back" schoolhouse has