| BLUFFTON. |
COME we now to the central point of our history, the beautiful city on the bluffs, named from its situation. The name was suggested by R. C. Bennett, Sr., not because the bluffs here are particularly high, abrupt or conspicuous, but merely from the fact that the town is situated on the bluff side of the river. The name "Bluffton" first appears on the records in 1838.
Under the head “County Government" an account is given of the location of the county seat at this place.
The original plat of Bluffton was surveyed in March, 1838, by John Casebeer, the appointed county surveyor, and James R. Greer, the county agent, laid out 191 lots. The plat was recorded March 23. At the June session following, the county commissioners ordered the agent to begin the sale of lots on the 16th of that month, and to continue from day to day until all were sold. Only the alternate ones, however, were to be sold, and three or four were reserved for Almon Case, in consideration of entertaining visitors at the sale.
It was provided that the purchasers should have the privilege of cutting all timber that might endanger themselves or their property.
The day arriving, the first lot sold for $92, and others “in like proportion.” The sale was said to be very "spirit"-ed, as the records show that Almon Case was allowed $5 for whisky on that occasion, and James Scott 75 cents for a jug of whisky. This liquor was furnished free to all in attendance, being handed around in a bucket and taken straight. All were more or less intoxicated. License had been granted Mr. Case, for $15, to keep tavern for one year. This was the first tavern license issued in the county, and in those days a tavern license included the license to retail whisky by the drink. His tavern was succeeded by the "Exchange Hotel," on the southeast corner of Main and Market streets, where it still stands, a characteristic relic of “tavern” days. It was a noted stopping place in the days of stage coaches.
Ten per cent. of the funds derived from the sale of lots was reserved for a county library, which institution is still kept up.
August 16 following the county agent laid out an addition of fifty-six lots, since which time a number of additions have been made.
The next month, John Studabaker, the first merchant in Bluffton, obtained from the commissioners license to sell merchandise. He erected a log pen, with clapboard doors, where Tribolet's clothing store now stands, into which he moved his meager stock. This he bartered, instead of selling for cash, coonskins and furs being the common medium of exchange. Coonskins were practically legal tender. He had no occasion for burglarproof safes. At about the same time the clerk’s office was built, where Bugh’s drugstore now stands. These two fabrics then comprised all the improvements on Market street, and the view between them was obstructed by timber of various dimensions, so that strangers had generally to be piloted from one to the other.
In 1840 Bluffton had 225 inhabitants, while the county had 1,822.
The first trustees of Bluffton were Lewis S. Grove, Joseph A. Williams, Engle Starr; William Strode and Nelson Kellogg. The last named, who is still a resident of the place, was elected president, and Grove was appointed clerk.
Bluffton was incorporated February 12, 1851, since which time the following
have acted as
MAYORS.
David Angel, 1851; Samuel Decker, 1852; J. H. Buckles, 1853; C. W. Beardsley, 1854; S. R. Karns, 1855; C. S. Bergan, 1856; J. E. Brown, 1857; J. R. McCleery, 1858; I. A. Godard, 1859; W. R. Ferguson, 1859; Robert Russell, 1860; Newton Burwell, 1861—’64; John McFadden, 1865—’66; C. G. Quick, 1866—’67; N. Kellogg, 1868; Levi Mock, 1869; Levi Mock, 1873—’76; William Blackstone, 1877—’78; David T. Smith, 1879— ‘80; E. C. Vaughn, 1881—’82; H. L. Martin, 1883; James P. Hale, 1883 to the present.
The clerks have been: Theodore Horton, 1851—’52; N. Kellogg, 1853—’58; T. H. Crosby, 1859; John North, 1873; N. T Miller. 1874—’80; P. L. Robison, 1881—’83; Benedict Burns, 1883—’86, since which time there has been a vacancy, the place being filled by the mayor.
First councilmen, 1851: Thomas L. Wisner, Bowen Hale, John Eby and C. T. Melsheimer; marshal, John Plessinger; treasurer, Erastus K. Bascom; street commissioner, George McDowell.
The municipal year commences with the first of May.
The first ordinances passed by the council after the incorporation in 1851 were:
1. Taxing each family for the first dog 50 cents, and for each additional dog, $1; also 50 cents on each $100 of real and personal property, and a poll tax of 50 cents for street improvements.
2. Imposing fines for driving or riding within the corporation faster than a common trot, except when going for a physician; shooting for sport, gambling or disorderly conduct, retailing spirituous liquors in less quantities than a quart without a license from the corporation; selling or giving liquors to minors or drunkards.
From the Republican Bugle of 1849 we quote the following local market report, as a curiosity: Wheat, 50 cents; rye, 28 cents; corn, shelled, 25 cents; oats, 19 cents; flaxseed, 56 cents; butter, per pound, 8 cents; ginseng, 25 cents; beeswax, 18 cents; feathers, 25 cents; eggs, per dozen, 5 cents.
For other first things in Bluffton, see the section headed “Beginnings.”
Now, to see what advance this town has made, let us glance at its business interests.
The place is beginning to don the style of a city by the erection of fine three-story business blocks, as the Curry, in which are the opera hall, postoffice, etc.; Tribolet’s and McFarren's; the Centennial, built in 1876, and named from its being erected during the centennial year of our national independence; in it are the Banner printing office, other offices and stores, etc., and the Hale Block. This and McFarren's Block, the two latest, were erected in 1881. The Centennial was opened with a public entertainment, at which our jolly friend Todd represented himself in dress and manner as a man having lived here a hundred years and witnessed all the changes as they occurred. One of his humorous paragraphs was: “And I remember three men whom, in March, 1776, I saw sitting upon a sycamore log, eating peanuts, near the place where we now are, whilst they discussed the propriety of entering into matrimonial alliances. The result of their deliberations will best be known in the fact that my then youthful but now venerable friends, Hugh Dougherty, John North and F. N. Kellogg, are still living the life of celibacy.”
There are two building associations in Bluffton,—the Excelsior, organized in 1883, and the Nonpareil, in 1886. Of the first, George F. McFarren is President, and James P. Hale, Secretary. Of the other, J. J. Todd is President, and John B. Welty, Secretary.
John Studabaker erected his capacious warehouse at the depot in 1869, with two elevators. Size, 40 x 80 feet, and a propor tional height. This year he is shipping not less than a half million bushels of grain.
The Exchange Bank is a flourishing institution. In 1856 John Studabaker commenced lending money and selling New York exchange, in connection with his produce business; and in 1863 he, in company with George Arnold, Jeffrey Bliss, Amos Townsend and James Van Emon, organized the First National Bank, with a capital of $50,000. In 1868 it closed business, and January 1, 1869, the present Exchange Bank was formed by John and Peter Studabaker and Hugh Dougherty. An incident in its history is worth relating here. Some years ago this bank ordered a remittance of $5,000 by express from Cincinnati. The package “said to contain” that amount was delivered here by the United States Express Company, but with nothing inside except slips of newspaper. The bank sued the company for recovery, and after one or two adverse decisions finally succeeded in their suit, besides obtaining $475 as damages.
The Bluffton Woolen Mills were built here many years ago, but were generally unprofitable, except perhaps in the year 1873. In 1879 they were burned, and never afterward rebuilt or succeeded by a similar institution. The loss by the fire was about $3,500, with no insurance.
The oldest grist-mill in the place is the water and steam mill of the Kenagy Brothers, at the foot of Main street. It was built in 1849, by Williams & Morgan. Since their day it has passed through several hands. It has two run of burrs for wheat, one for corn, and one re-grinder. All custom work. Engine forty-horse power.
J. T. Clayton, on South street, east of Main, was the first to introduce the roller system in Wells County, in the spring of 1886. The mill was erected a number of years before the war, and the present proprietor has had it since 1861. Engine thirty-five-horse power. Capacity, seventy-five barrels of flour per day. Both custom and merchant work.
D. Brown & Son’s flouring mill, near the railroad bridge, has two run of burrs for wheat, and one for corn. Generally custom work, running nearly all the days in the year. It was built soon after the war period, since which time it has changed hands several times, the present proprietors recently purchasing C. S. Burgan’s interest.
The Bluffton Manufacturing Company, or the Corn-Planter and Washing-Machine company, of Bluffton, has had a checkered history. It was first formed in February, 1871, for the manufacture of the American CornPlanter, invented by Samuel Jones, a poor blacksmith of the place, Dr. T. Horton furnishing the capital and the institution known as T. Horton’s Planter Factory. In 1874, with twenty-seven workmen, they made 10,000 corn-planters; but Mr. Vandergriff com ing in as the chief operating partner, began to substitute elm for ash, and thus caused the enterprise to wane. Next they added the manufacture of the “Western Washer,” an excellent style of washing-machine, and drove a profitable business. Two of the partners moving the enterprise to a distant eastern point, on July 13, 1880, T. Horton, W. W. Wisell and W. I. Fitch (foreman for many years) formed a company. They soon found, however, that to retain a hold on the market a rotary corn-planter must be invented, which was done; but trouble arising as to the proprietorship of the patent, the business was placed in the hands of a receiver for settlement, resulting in the sale of the machinery to Wisell & Fitch, who admitted Lee S. Kapp as a partner, rented the old building of T. Horton, assumed the present name, and again went to work, adding to the corn-planter arid washing-machine a variety of other household and farm conveniences. In 1885 they moved into the old bending works.
North & McDowell’s saw-mill, like the boy’s jack-knife, has been kept new by alternate substitution of parts, and is now doing a prosperous business, near the crossing of the railroads. Engine, sixty-horse power. Employ nine hands in the mill and yard, and often ship as many as ten car-loads per week.
Montgomery’s saw-mill is a few miles south of the preceding.
W. B. Nimmons, a few rods still farther south, where Market street crosses the railroad, manufactures staves and heading and ships them to New York. The mill was first built on the south side of Market street, for the manufacture of staves only, by several Ohio parties and Mr. Nimmons; since 1873 Mr. Nimmons has been sole proprietor. Fifty horse-power engine, and through the summer season as high as sixty men and boys are employed about the mill and yard.
Jere North, dealer in hard-wood lumber, on Washington street, near the railroad, has a neat two-story brick factory, employs ten to twenty hands, with a forty horse-power engine, and turns out hubs, spokes and lumber in all its branches. Building erected in 1870, by G. W. Brecken ridge, of Fort Wayne. In 1876 he sold to J. North & Bro., and since 1884 the present proprietor has been alone in the management of the business.
The McKendry Stave Company (C. Warren and C. A. McKendry) are manufacturers of and dealers in slack-barrel staves and heading, at the junction of South street with the railroad. Mill was established in 1877 by J. E. and C. A. McKendry (father and son), with a seventy-five horse-power engine. In June, 1884, C. Warner formed a partnership with C. A. McKendry, and retained a part of the machinery, while the elder McKendry took the remainder to Muncie. The works here have been enlarged from time to time, and the company employ about thirty-five hands on an average.
Frank Adams, in the same line of business, has recently (December, 1886,) started a mill a few rods farther south, with a forty horsepower engine, and employs about seven hands.
John Dougherty & Co. have their saw-mill at Keystone, and office on Market street near the railroad. They also have a hay-press in Bluffton, south of the McKendry stave factory, built in 1886, with a capacity of twelve tons, or one car-load, per day.
The Bluffton Shovel-handle Works is a neat little modern institution, erected by Theodore Horton in 1884, and managed by J. H. Keyou, proprietor of the stock. Thirty-five horse-power engine. Near the crossing of the railroads. Products shipped to Oliver Ames & Sons, North Easton, Massachusetts.
George W. Grimes is the proprietor of a foundry and machine shop, on the south side of Washington street, near the railroad, where he manufactures boilers, engines, mill machinery, architectural iron work, etc. He also buys machinery to repair and sell again. Does repairing and makes light and heavy castings in iron and brass.
Henry Thoma, the longest in business at Bluffton, has been engaged in tile furniture trade ever since 1854.
The "City Building,” comprising the fire department, council-room, etc., is a fine twostory brick structure, erected in 1879. In the fire department are two chemical engines, two hose-carts and hook and ladder tackle, which, in connection with the Holly system of water works, constitute an efficient force in case of. fire. There are twenty-five men regularly organized in the department, besides twenty-five volunteers, who are subject to call and serve without pay.
The city water-works were built during the summer of 1886, at a cost of $17,755, and commenced operation in September. Capacity, one million gallons every twentyfour hours. Pumping works station near the river and the eastern corporation line. Two and a fourth miles of water mains are laid, and thirty-three fire hydrants are in position. Water perfectly pure, coming from granitic rocks.
Washington Park is a pretty lot of ground in the southeastern portion of the city, where improvements have been begun.
The iron bridge across the Wabash, on Main street, was erected in March, 1887, at a cost of $7,000, besides the masonry, $5,000. Bridge put up by the Indiana Bridge Company of Muncie.
The first bridge at Bluffton was a stout frame, built near the dam; the second, also a frame, uncovered, was built on Main street; the third, a covered frame, was carried away in the winter of 1887; the present iron bridge is the fourth.
One boring for natural gas has been made at this point, to the depth of 1,200 feet, at a cost of $1,600, but with no success, as the well was probably sunk into a partition wall. This has been at the expense of a private company, of which L. A. Williamson is presi dent and W. S. Silver, secretary. The enterprise is abandoned only temporarily. Recently gas was struck at Hartford, only a few miles distant.
The telephone was established at Bluffton in 1882. James Sale was the first manager; for the last three years R. E. Fisher has been manager.
The first tavern in Bluffton, a log building kept by Almon Case, has already been mentioned. The second was the Exchange Hotel, a frame building across the street east from the court-house, previously built for a residence, where Mr. Case was also proprietor. It was built by Robert Collins Bennett in 1840, and it still stands, a striking illustration of the architectural character of pioneer taverns. It was a noted stopping place in the days of stage coaches.
The next in age is the present Central House, kept by Moses Read, an accommodating landlord, who has been proprietor since 1885. The Oliver House, near the Presbyterian church, was opened September 1, 1875, by a public entertainment, and is a good hotel. The Wilson House is near the postoffice.
But the newest and by far the largest, most modern and most sumptuously
furnished hotel in Bluffton is the Bliss House, a square south of the business
center. It was built by Jeffrey Bliss, at a cost of about $10,000, and
opened in April, 1884, by James Humphrey, the present proprietor. James
W. Runyan is clerk. Both these gentlemen are by every natural endowment
well fitted for the places they occupy.
SCHOOLS.
The first school-house in Bluffton was a log building on the land of
William Studabaker, the exact point being the northeast corner of the lot
now occupied by the residence of Henry Thoma. Asa Coho, a kind of preacher
of the gospel, was the first teacher. At present there are two brick school-houses
in Bluffton. The principal one in its ground plan is a kind of double cruciform,
is two stories high, and built and seated in modern style. In the building
there are ten rooms and nine grades, and 550 pupils can be seated. The
main building was erected in 1869, and an addition made to it in 1878.
The cost of the building and furniture was $16,700. The other is a two-room
building, erected in 1882, in the southeastern part of the city, for the
four primary grades, and is known as the Washington Park School. Total
valuation of school prop erty in Bluffton, $15,300; apparatus, $1,100;
number of pupils enrolled, 704; average attendance, 620. P. A. Allen, superintendent.
CHURCHES.
Methodist Episcopal.--The first Methodist sermon in Bluffton, as already mentioned, was preached by Rev. George W. Bowers, underneath a spreading oak at the foot of Johnson street, about the year 1838. Mr. Bowers is yet living, in an adjoining county. The Methodists afterward held meetings in various places in Bluffton, until they erected a frame church at the intersection of Cherry and Williams streets, which they occupied until the present church was built. The latter is a commanding brick edifice, 45x80 feet, on the southwest corner of Washington and William streets, with spire 126½ feet high; cost, $12,000; built during the ministry of Rev. P. Carlan, in 1871—’72, and dedicated by Bishop Bowman October 13 of the latter year. Class-rooms are partitioned off, and the main audience room can be enlarged on occasion by throwing open the arched doors leading into them. Windows are of beautifully stained glass. The parsonage was built in 1882, at a cost of $2,250. It is a large, fine building, with ten rooms, latticed porch, cellar, etc. The church has been supplied since its organization with the following pastors: 1838—’39, George W. Bowers; 1839—’40, Seth Smith; 1840—’42, Joseph Ockerman; 1842—’43, Henry H. Badley; 1843-'45, George Guild; 1845—’46, James Sparr; 1846—’47, Ansel Beach; 1847— ‘48, J. C. Medsker; 1848-'49, William Anderson; 1849—’50, J. H. Payton; 1850—’51, William Blake; 1851—’52, W. S. Birch; 1852-'53, William D. Hines; 1853-'54, M. Black and J. C. R. Layton; 1854—’55, 0. P. Boyden; 1855—’57, F. A. Sale; 1857—’58, R. A. Newton; 1858—’59, J. H. Payton; 1859—‘61, E. S. Preston; 1861—’63, J. H. Hutchinson; 1863—’64, C. P. Wright; 1864—‘65, E. E. Pearman; 1865—’67, J. P. Nash; 1867—’68, C. Disbro; 1868—’70, J. Greer; 1870—’71, R. Toby; 1871—’73, P. Carland; 1873-'74, William Wilson; 1874—’76, C. Martindale; 1876—’79, N. Gillam; 1879-'81, J. E. Ervin; 1881—’84, H. J. Meck; 1884—‘86, H. J. Lacey; 1886, Milton Mahin, D. D., present pastor. At present there are 456 members with the following class-leaders:
J. V. Kenagy, J. W. Baker, Ed. Bartlemay, J. L. Ball, Matilda Thoma, Neva Thomas, Mary J. Todd, P. A. Allen. P. A. Allen is superintendent of the Sunday-school, which has an enrollment of 345 scholars, with an average attendance of about 250. Besides, there are several other auxiliary societies, as the Young People’s Union, the Wesleyans, the church social, etc., and about all the active members of the church are organized into committees on the various local interests of the church. A small manual is printed, giving all these particulars.
The Prairie Methodist Episcopal Church, in Harrison Township, is a neat frame, 30 x 40 feet, and well seated. It was built in 1866, during the ministry of Rev. J. T. Nash, with a membership of thirty.
The Bethel Methoidst Episcopal Church, also in Harrison Township, is a plain frame building, will seat 300 persons, and was erected in 1862.
The First Presbyterian Church of Bluffton was organized August 24, 1844, with twenty-two members, by John H. Russ, who had been appointed by the Presbytery of Miami for that purpose. Ruling elders, Andrew J. Riddle and Robert Marshall. Religious services were held in the court-house, then a rude log structure. The pastors have been: John H. Russ, August 24, 1844, to December, 1845; Andrew C. McClelland, six months of 1847; Wilson M. Donaldson, October, 1848, to April, 1860; Richard M. Jackson, 1860—’65; Thomas Wallace, 1865— ‘70; Wilson M. Donaldson, 1870-'72; John W. Drake, November, 1873, to April 19, 1875, when he suddenly died; Frederick Stovenour, 1875-'77; Norman Jones, 1878— ‘79; George G. Copeland, 1880—’83; William F. Matthews, November, 1882, to May, 1885; George G. Mitchell, July, 1885, to September, 1886, since which time there has been a vacancy.
Present elders, James Crosbie, G. E. Fulton, G. E. Gardner and J. L. Myers. Trustees, James Crosbie, President; Thomas Sturgis, Treasurer; David T. Smith, Secretary; James W. Wilson, M. M. Justus and J. H. Ormsby.
First house of worship built in 1853—’54; parsonage, costing, with appurtenances, $1,500, built in 1875; and the present beautiful brick church was built in 1883—’84, at a cost of $13,000, including lot. Sundayschool ever since the year 1860, now averaging in attendance 249. The Ruth Sewing Society, composed of married ladies, are raising funds to pay the church debt. Since 1883 it has paid over $1,000. The Cheerful Workers, comprising young ladies, have also done their share.
During the forty-three years of this church’s existence, 511 have been enrolled as members; there are now 199 members.
The Bluffton Baptist Church was organized October 14, 1841. Constituent members— Fleming Johns, Elizabeth Johns, Rebecca Stahl, Henry B. Elston, Martha Grimes. Ministers present—Robert Tisdale and Jesse Corn. Fleming Johns was elected deacon, and Rev. Robert Tisdale chosen pastor, who served as such until February, 1842. The first accessions were Caleb and Agnes Ayres, December, 1843. The records for several years give but a very incorrect history of the workings of the church. Some time in 1844 Rev. Tisdale was again chosen pastor, and served as such until some time in 1847, preaching one Sunday in each month. The meetings were held at private dwellings of the members, there not being even schoolhouses at convenient places. In August, 1844, the church was received into the Salamonie River Association. The first meeting held in Bluffton, as shown by the records, was in December, 1844.
Rev. J. B. Allen served as pastor from August, 1849, to March, 1852; number of members at that time, thirty-seven. Rev. Abel Johnson served as pastor from March, 1852, to June, 1862; number at that time, sixty-nine. Rev. S. Goodin served as pastor from September, 1862, to September, 1863. Rev. W. W. Robison served from December, 1863, to December, 1874. From December, 1874, to December, 1815, the church was supplied by Revs. Clark and Virgil.
During the pastorates of Revs. Johnson, Goodin and Robison the church had preaching most of the time twice in each month.
In December, 1875, Rev. W. W. Robison was again chosen pastor, preaching every Sabbath. Served as such until December, 1876, at which time the number of members was about 100. January, 1877, Rev. J. H. Reider was chosen pastor, and continued as such until January, 1885. February, 1885, Rev. W. W. Tinker was chosen pastor. Present number of members, 350.
The church edifice is built of brick, 36x50 feet, and cost when completed in 1871 about $3,000.
The First Reformed Church of Bluffton, was organized March 1, 1884, in the Universalist church. The congregation is a body politic, and corporated according to the provision of the statutes of the State of Indiana. Rev. J. L. Bretz had been called as its mission pastor prior to its organization and incorporation. The board of elders at this time elected were Messrs. David M. Shelly and Joseph Herbert, with George A. Harnish and William H. Funk as deacons, and George A. Harnish, J. H. Houtz and William H. Funk as the board of trustees. The former have the spiritual oversight of the congregation, the latter the temporal or secular.
The society organized with twenty-five members. The congregation has its house of worship on the corner of Washington and Oak streets. The congregation being numerically weak, it was deemed advisable to connect it with two country congregations, which together form a pastoral charge, and jointly own a desirable home or parsonage on West Wabash street, where its pastor resides as long as he continues their pastor.
The congregation at present numbers about fifty members. Rev. W. H. Xanders is its present pastor. Abraham Mast and David A. Shelby are ruling elders, and Ben. Asbamher and Charles Kaltwasser are deacons.
Rev. J. L. Bretz served the congregation from January, 1883, to March, 1886—about three years and two months.
The present pastor, Rev. W. H. Xanders, assumed the duties on November 1, 1886. After the resignation of the Rev. J. L. Bretz, the Rev. A. L. Hessler supplied the congregation with preaching until it had a regular pastor settled over it. The present membership, although not large in numbers, is zealous, and the prospect for greater prosperity is bright.
The First Christian Church, of Bluffton, was organized April 8, 1883, by Rev. W. D. Samuel, who was the first pastor. Rev. C. V. Strickland was pastor from August 1, 1883, to August 1, 1885, since which time Mr. Samuel has again had charge of the congregation. There are now about 160 members, with a Sunday-school of about 100 scholars; S. F. Ratliff; superintendent, who is also treasurer of the church. Frank Straw is clerk. The principal revivals have been in the winters of 1884 and 1886, when there were thirty accessions to the church, and in the winter of 1887, when there were twenty-one. The church edifice is a neat frame, 35 x 60 feet in dimensions, built in 1884, at the corner of Cherry and Morgan streets, at a cost of about $2,500.
The Six-Mile Christian Church, which meets about three miles above Bluffton (southeast), was organized September 2, 1838, by Elder Hallet Barber, and is consequently one of the oldest religions societies in Wells County. The first deacons were James and Anthony Atchison and James Bayman. David Whitman and ‘Squire Thomas W. Van Horn were also members. Elder Barber, who lived at Rockford, this county, died with the Asiatic cholera about 1850, and was buried in the Mossburg grave-yard. He was an industrious laborer in his Master’s vineyard, having in pioneer times to wade through swamps, swim rivers, travel unbroken roads, etc., to make the rounds on his large circuit.
Other early preachers at this point were Elders James Atchison, Elisha Ashley, John Robertson, Noah Michael, Henderson Graves and others.
The present membership is 140. Deacons—Abraham Studabaker, Lewis Prillaman and Jacob Smith. Sunday-school in the summer, with an average attendance of fifty-one last year. Henry Markley is superintendent.
Their first church was a log structure, about a mile and a half south of the present building, on the southeast corner of ‘Squire Van Horn’s land, and was built about 1840. Their present house of worship is a frame building that will seat 300 persons, and was erected in 1859. Rev. Kendall West, a resident, has been pastor of this church since August, 1885.
Universalist. -— The first Universalist preaching in Bluffton was by Revs. Jonathan Kidwell and McCune, in 1843—’44; also among the pioneers were Revs. William J. Chaplin, Mr. Merrifield, H. B. Manford, Mr. Curry and others. While Mr. McCune was here he held a public discussion on Universalism with Adam Hatfield, a Presbyterian layman, at Murray; and Mr. Chaplin held one at Bluffton, with Rev. Mr. Moss, of the Christian church. The newspaper debate between Wilson M. Bulger, Universalist, and Samuel Kenagy, Methodist, both laymen, is noticed on a previous page.
The first Universalist church society was organized August 9, 1855, with twenty-five members, by Rev. Chaplin; William Bulger was appointed clerk; Amos Townsend and James Dailey, wardens; Bowen Hale, Michael Karns and C. S. Burgan, trustees. In 1878 the church was revived under the ministrations of Rev. Marion Crosby, at which time their house of worship was erected, on Cherry Street, 32x45 feet in size, at a cost of about $2,000. It was dedicated May 16, 1880, by Rev. H. W. Hanson, of Chicago, assisted by the pastor, Rev. William Tucker. Rev. L. J. Spencer was pastor from 1884 to September, 1885, and Rev. N. A. Saxton from that time to the present, being employed to preach every Sunday until March, 1888. This is evidence that the church is growing stronger, as preaching could be sustained before his time but twice a month, by Rev. Spencer, and before that only once a month, by Rev. Tucker. Present membership, fifty-five, Sunday-school attendance, about ninety. I. H. Clifton, clerk of the church; trustees, Dr. C. T. Melsheimer, James P. Deam and Mary Oppenheim.
St. Joseph Catholic Church, a frame 30x50 feet, at the corner of Williams and Cherry streets, was dedicated by Bishop Dwenger, of Fort Wayne, in 1875. It cost about $1,500. The congregation was first organized about the same time, as a mission church, with about five families. There are now about eighteen families, besides a few individuals.
Father Ferdinand Koerdt, of "Bluffton Road,” or Sheldon, Allen County, has been the priest since 1876. Preceding him there had been Revs. Wemhoff, Myers, Walters and Wilkins. Mass once a month; also catechetical instruction.
In connection with this church are four auxiliary societies; as, the
St. Joseph Society, which has been in operation eight years, each member
paying 25 cents a month, for school and other purposes; the Altar Society,
consisting of women who pay $1.20 a year to keep up the altar; also in
operation eight years; the Society of the Sacred Heart, started in 1883,
consisting of boys; and the Society of the Infant Jesus, comprising all
the youth and children who pay one cent a month for missionary purposes.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Bluffton Lodge, No. 145, F. & A. M., was organized under dispensation February 3, 1853, with A. W. Sanford, Worshipful Master; O. P. Gilham, Senior Warden; John Morgan, Junior Warden. The charter was granted May 25, following, when O. P. Gilham was installed as Worshipful Master; James H. McCleery, Senior Warden, and John Morgan, Junior Warden. The masters who have since presided have been Amos Townsend, T. L. Wisner, Newton Burwell, J. Sharpe Wisner, J. J. Todd, Jere North, J. R. Bennett, C. Warner and J. W. Spake, the present Worshipful Master. Present membership, about 100. Present officers: J. W. Spake, Worshipful Master; William Beer, Senior Warden; C. M. Miller, Junior Warden; H. Thoma, Treasurer; A. Townsend, Secretary; J. G. McCleery, Senior Deacon, Ernst Wiecking, Junior Deacon; S. M. Karns, Tyler.
Bluffton Chapter, No. 95, R. A. M., was instituted September 19, 1876; dispensation granted the preceding day, appointing T. L. Wisner, High Priest; W. B. Miller, King, and W. W. Angel, Scribe; charter dated October 19 following, naming as officers, T. L. Wisner, High Priest; W. B. Miller, King; W. W. Angel, Scribe, who served until December 29, same year, when the following were elected: T. L. Wisner, High Priest; D. E. Bulger, King; E. M. Cook, Scribe; Jere North, C. H.; J. J. Todd, P. S.; J. W. Zehrung, R. A. C.; W. J. Craig, M. 3d V.; W. W. Angel, M. 2d V.; G. T. Kocher, M. 1st V.; S. Oppenheim, Treasurer; H. L. Wisner, Secretary; M. M. Bassett, Guard. T. L. Wisner was high priest until December, 1881; then Horace L. Wisner two years, J. J. Todd one year, J. P. Hale two years, and J. H. Clifton was elected December, 1886. Membership has increased from nine to fifty-five. Regular meetings Monday of or preceding each full moon.
Crescent Chapter, No. 48, 0. E. S., was organized March 24, 1881, holding its first regular meeting four days afterward. The officers at that time were, Caroline Davenport, Worthy Matron; J. J. Todd, Worthy Patron; Mary E. Mason, Associate Matron; Flo Koher, Secretary; Georgia Karns, Treasurer. Including these officers, the chapter then comprised thirty-three members; it now numbers ninety-five. Since the first mentioned above, Mrs. Mary E. Mason, J. J. Todd and Delia W. Hale have served as worthy matrons, and Messrs. E. Y. Sturgis and Jere North as worthy patrons. The present officers are, Mrs. Maggie Wisner, Worthy Matron; P. A. Allen, Worthy Patron; Mrs. Mellie McCleery, Associate Matron; Mrs. M.A. Horton, Secretary; Mrs. Charles S. Lacey, Treasurer. The chapter meets once a month, and is in a very prosperous condition, both financially and socially.
Bluffton Assembly of Knights of Labor, No. 6,282, was organized April 14, 1886, in a rear room of the Centennial Block, with thirty-two charter members; W. P. McMahon, Master Workman; E. B. McDowell, Worthy Foreman, and J. B. Poffenberger, Recording Secretary. Efforts had been previously made, but without success, in 1882 and 1884, to establish an assembly at Bluffton. The difficulties to be encountered were peculiarly embarrassing. J. V. Hiler, of Fort Wayne, State organizer, was the presiding officer on the above occasion. The membership growing, the assembly moved to a larger room in the Deam Block, and afterward to a still better place in the McFarren Block. Present membership, 375, and rapidly increasing.
Independent Order of Odd Fellows.-The history of Odd Fellowship in Wells County dates back to October 6, 1852. Some time before Messrs E. K. Bascom, Adnah Hall, Charles Smith, Lew Allen Price and Charles T. Melsheimer, the only members of the order then known in the county, conceived the idea that a lodge of the order would be of essential benefit to the advancement of human progress in this section of the State. With this view they sent their petition to the Grand Lodge of the State of Indiana, then in session, July 21, 1852, at Indianapolis, praying for the charter of a lodge to be located at Bluffton, the county seat of Wells County. The charter was granted under the name of Bluffton Lodge, No. 114, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In accordance, the lodge was instituted October 6, 1852, in the second story of what is now known as the Wood’s building, situated on the northwest corner of inlot No. 56 (in original plat), of Bluffton, on East Market street. The installing officers were Depart ment Deputy Grand Master O. F. Jeffords, assisted by Past Grand Harlow Wells, M. Henry, Lewis Lynn, George S. Carroll, N. Ellis, of Fort Wayne Lodge, No. 14, and A. C. Probasco, Charles Anderson, A. M. Webb and Rufus M. French, of Harmony Lodge, No. 119, Fort Wayne. The first officers elected were: A. K. Bascom, Noble Grand; A. Hall, Vice-Grand; Charles T. Melsheimer, Secretary, and Lew Allen Price, Treasurer. Two Brothers, Nathaniel Greenfield and William Sharp, from Dalton Lodge, Ohio, were admitted by card, and Amza White, Amos Townsend, Theodore Horton, James Dailey and William W. Wilson were initiated on petition, making a membership of twelve.
The first representative to the Grand Lodge was Past Grand C. T. Melsheimer, on July 1, 1854.
Since the institution of the lodge up to January 1, 1887, the following report, made by a committee appointed by the lodge, composed of Past Grand C. T. Melsheimer, Past Grand C. I. Kline and Past Grand J. B. Plessinger, was submitted and approved:
Whole number initiated, 199; admitted by card, 56; reinstated, 31; withdrawn on card, 51; expelled, 7; dropped, 97; died, 16; degrees conferred, 643; total amount of receipts, $13,612.05; amount of expenditures, $5,543.59.
Present officers: B. L. Fry, Noble Grand; S. D. Hasty, Vice-Grand; C. I. Kline, Secretary; W. I. Fitch, Treasurer. Number of members, 85.
Order of Rebekah, Paradise Lodge, No. 83, was instituted in Bluffton, March 27, 1872. Prior to this time the degree of Rebekah was conferred upon members of the third degree and their wives by the subordinate lodge.
The officers first elected were: John W. Kenagy, Noble Grand; Sister Lucinda Dailey, Vice-Grand; John W. Tribolet, Secretary, and Sister Catharine Wilhelm, Treasurer.
Number of members initiated, 119; present number in good standing, sixty. Present officers are: Mrs. I. I. Fitch, Noble Grand; Mrs. Mary Cook, Vice-Grand; Mrs. L. C. Bender, Secretary, and Mrs. M. McBride, Treasurer.
Patriarchal Encampment, No. 141.— Charter issued to Patriarchs May 15, 1876. On the prayer of Samuel L. Dailey, Charles A. Clayton, Isaac H. Pepperel, C. I. Kline, J. B. Plessinger, C. Warner, F. N. Kellogg, John W. Kenagy, Charles Shaffer and John N. Smith. It was instituted in the hail of Bluffton Lodge, under the name of Bluffton Encampment, No. 141, with the following officers: Samuel L. Dailey, Chief Priest; James B. Plessinger, High Priest; John W. Kenagy, Scribe; C. I. Kline, Grand Warden; Charles Shaffer, Junior Warden; F. N. Kellogg, Treasurer. Present officers are: James B. Plessinger, Chief Priest; F. D. Hasty, High Priest; C. I. Kline; Scribe; A. E. North, Grand Warden; Thomas J. McDoweli, Junior Warden; W. J. Fitch, Treasurer. Whole number of contributing members, sixty.
Patriarchal Militant, Uniform Degree, Camp No. 12, was chartered March 31, 1883, on the application of Patriarchs F. D. Waring, L. M. Dailey, H. Steckemper, I. H. Pepperel, Richard Rossington, W. I. Fitch, W. L. Swan, J. B. Plessinger, C. T. Melsheimer, Charles Shaffer, S. Oppenheim, W. S. Silver, T. J. McDowell, Fred Mosumen, C. I. Kline, John E. Sturges, J. N. Myers and John H. Smith. The following officers were elected: J. B. Plessinger, Commander; J. H. Smith, Senior Vice-Commander; C. I. Kline, Junior Vice-Commander; Henry Steckemper, Outside Guard; W. L. Swan, Secretary; W. I. Fitch, Treasurer. Present number of members, twenty-three.
Bluffton Lodge, No. 92, Knights of Pythias, was instituted February 16, 1881. Officers, first term: C. M. France, Past Chancellor; W. C. Stockton, Chancellor Commander; N. Conover, Vice-Chancellor; O. P. Koontz, Prelate; C. A. McKendry, Keeper of Records and Seals; G. W. Grimes, Master of Finance; B. F. Little, Master of Exchequer; T. D. Blackburn, Master at Arms; B. F. Forst, Inside Guard; A. Kornblith, Outside Guard. The present officers are: George Taylor, Past Chancellor; M. W. Walbert, Chancellor Commander; A. Mosure, Vice-Chancellor; M. Feeser, Prelate; H. E. Gilliland, Keeper of Records and Seals; William Guoynes, Master of Finance; George S. Ogden, Master of Exchequer; W. L. Holmes, Master at Arms; H. Workman, Inside Guard; John Burgan, Outside Guard. The charter members were: Jay G. French, Frank Stayer, S. S. Roth, B. F. Little, O. P. Koontz, Frank McBride, N. Conovor, A. Kornblith, W. C. Stockton, T. D. Blackburn, John W. Smith, D. T. Smith, G. N. Borgart, B. E. Morgan, W. D. Mason, W. H. Ernst, C. A. McKendry, B. F. Forst, G. W. Grimes, H. E. Gilliland. The lodge is in a healthy condition financially, prosperous in numbers, having work almost every night conferring ranks and candidates.
Bluffton Lodge, No. 1,838, Knights of Honor, was organized October 22, 1879, in the office of J. J. Todd, Esq., by William M. Obermyer, D. G. D., with the following charter members, and the offices indicated, to which some of them were immediately afterward elected: J. J. Todd, Past Dictator; Jere North, Dictator; W. D. Mason, Vice-Dictator; William Blackstone, Assistant Dictator; J. H. Reider, Chaplain; C. A. Clayton, Guide; J. H. C. Smith, Reporter; J. H. Smith, Financial Reporter; G. E. Gardner, Treasurer; A. Kornblith, Guardian; B. F. Forst, Sentinel; E. R. Horton, L. L. Martz, H. Dougherty, W. C. Stockton, J. V. Kenagy, W. A. Gutelius, W. A. Craig, J. W. Tribolet, E. Y. Sturgis.
On the second day after organization, J. W. Tribolet, John North and Hugh Dougherty were elected trustees, who fixed the first and third Friday evenings of each month for the regular meetings. Since organization, eighty-four names have been placed upon the membership roll. Three have died, each of whose families, received $2,000. Some have withdrawn by card, and a few have become delinquent. At this date (March, 1887), there are thirty-six full-rate and thirteen half-rate members.
In the office of dictator, since the first, J. J. Baumgardner has served two years, and W. J. Evans three years or over. O. P. Koontz has been reporter since September, 1881.
Present officers: J. J. Baumgardner, Past Dictator M. A. Spake, Dictator; M. F. Borroughs, Vice-Dictator; G. R. Venis, Assistant Dictator; O. J. Montgomery, Chaplain; W. J. Evans, Financial Reporter; O. P. Koontz, Reporter; G. F. Markley, Treasurer; W. S. Grouse, Guide; W. C. Stockton, Guard; A. S. Van Emen, Sentinel.
Lodge meets every second and fourth Friday evenings of the month, in the hall over the Exchange Bank.
The object of the above order is to unite all acceptable white men into a secret fraternity, who should aid one another and their families, both morally and materially, by instructive lectures and a health and life insurance fund, and ameliorate the condition of humanity generally. Upon the death of any member a sum not exceeding $2,000 is to be paid to his family.
Lew Dailey Post, Ho. 33, G. A. R., was organized October 6, 1881, by J. R. Carnahan, Mustering Officer, with twenty-four members, including the following officers: Captain E. Y. Sturgis, Commander; William R. Miller, Senior Vice-Commander; William H. Covert, Junior Vice-Commander; Lee L. Martz, Quartermaster; Dr. A. G. Gorrell, Surgeon; Jacob J. Todd, Chaplain; George W. Louis, Officer of the Day; S. M. Karns, Officer of the Guard; F. N. Kellogg, Adjutant. To date, 200 have been mustered in; present membership, 156, including representatives from ninety-nine regiments of infantry and two batteries and U. S. Engineers.
Present officers: Benjamin L. Frye, Commander; A. N. Martin, Senior Vice-Commander; William H. Stephenson, Junior Vice-Commander; F. Effinger, Quartermaster; J. W. Bugh, Surgeon; N. A. Saxton, Chaplain; William Brown, Officer of the Day; H. K. Williams, Officer of the Guard; William E. Kinert, Adjutant; George W. Louis, Sergeant-Major; John Wasson, Quartermaster-Sergeant; J. G. Feeser, Inside Sentinel; Samuel Foncannon, Outside Sentinel; W. H. Stephenson, Lee Martz, John Wasson, Council of Administration; W. J. Craig, W. H. Stephenson, A. N. Martin, Delegates to State Encampment.
The Sons of Veterans also have a camp in Bluffton.
MINOR SOCIETIES.
Ever since the most infantile stage of Bluffton's existence there have been literary and other societies. A lyceum for debates and other exercises was in existence as early as 1849. In a number of the Republican Bugle we notice that in the autumn of that year they debated the proposition, “Should the union of these States be dissolved under any circumstances?" Affirmative, Sylvanus Church; negative, Theodore Horton.
More recently a Chautauqua literary and scientific circle was established, having at one time as many as twenty-five members; but it is now discontinued, apparently because the course of study was not thorough enough, or the examinations sufficiently rigid.
The “Ethereal Band" is the latest musical association for public entertainment, the music being produced by a rare combination of light instruments. It has been in existence since 1883.
The "Bluffton Hunting Club” has been making excursions to distant points for a number of years, as Arkansas, Michigan, etc., to participate in the pleasures of the chase. Hon. Levi Mock is the tallest man of that happy "crowd.”
Various literary societies and social clubs have given entertainments from time to time, some of which were very successful. "You ought to have seen” J. J. Todd, Esq., on one occasion, when he shook so dreadfully. The audience shook, too. The gentleman mentioned appeared before the excited multitude, dressed as a poverty-stricken Hoosier pioneer, with an ill-fitting, buttonless, ragged coat, held in place by a rope wound twice around the waist; blue overalls tucked shabbily into his heavy boot-tops; slouch hat, around which was a large piece of red flannel; and a large frowzy, false moustache. He stood with arms akimbo, while, in the Hoosier accent of forty years ago, he muttered:-
INDIANA AGER.
Once upon an evening weary,
Whilst I sat me lone and dreary,
In the sunshine, thinking o’er
Things that had passed in days of yore,
Gently there came in something creeping—
Creeping upward from beneath my chamber floor.
"‘Tis a cooling breeze,” I muttered,
From the regions ‘neath the floor,—
Only this and nothing more.
So I sat me, nearly napping,
In the sunshine stretching, gaping,
And a-feeling quite delighted
With the breeze from ‘neath the floor,
Till I felt me growing colder,
And the stretching waxing bolder,
And myself now feeling older,
Feeling older than I’d felt before,—
Older than I’d felt
before.
Ah! distinctly I remember,
‘Twas in that wet September
Of creation that I bore,—
Had for weeks and months been soaking
In the meanest, most provoking fog-rain
That, without joking, we had ever seen before;
So I knew it must be very cold,
Very cold and damp beneath the floor,
Very damp beneath
the floor.
All along my back the creeping
Soon gave place to rushing, leaping,
As if countless frozen demons
Had concluded to explore
All the cavities, the varmints
‘Twixt me and my nether garments
Through my boots into the floor
Till I found myself a-shaking,
Gently shaking, more and more,—
Every moment. more and more.
‘Twas the ager; and it took me,
Shaking, to the kitchen,—every place,—
Every place where there was warmth in store,—
Shaking till the china rattled,
Shaking till my molars chattered,
Shaking, and with all my warming
Feeling colder than before,—
Colder than I’d felt before.
Then it rested till the morrow
When it came with all the horror
That it had the face to borrow
Shaking, shaking—O so sore!
Shaking off my hoots, and shaking
Me to bed, if nothing more,
Truly this, if nothing more.
And from that day in September,—
Day which I shall long remember,—
It has made diurnal visits,
Shaking, shaking as before.
* * * * *
And to-day the swallows flitting
Round my chamber see me sitting,
Moodily within the sunshine,
Just inside my silent door.
Waiting for the ager, seeming
Like a man forever dreaming,
And the sunlight on me streaming,
Sheds no shadow on the floor,
For I am too thin and sallow
To make shadows on the floor,—
Ne’er a shadow any more!