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Through the kindness of Mr. L. H. NEWTON, the gentleman preparing the copy for the History of Wabash County, by A. L. Kingman, of Chicago, we are permitted to give our readers some ex tracts from the manuscripts descript ive of Chester township, beginning with THE EARLY SETTLEMENT. By a treaty with the Miami In dians, the lands south of Eel river passed to the possession of the Unit ed States government, and were made subject to entry by settlers in 1828 or 1829. Capitalists with an eye to the future appreciation in val ues, entered large tracts of these public lands at the nominal price es tablished by the government, (31.25 per acre.) and held them unimprov ed, until the demand of later years would enable them to realize a hand some profit upon their investment. These men, while their names are coupled with the earliest dates on the record of entries, were never set tlers, and as a matter of fact retard ed the settlement of the township to some extent. Persons in search of land would visit this locality, and upon finding the tracts they desired already entered, they would pur chase and locate where land was still to be obtained at the govern ment price. Thus, while there were a few who settled in the town ship prior to 1836, the majority of the pioneers came after that date. Probably the first white settler within the present limits of the township was a man by the name of Brewer, who came in December, 1833, and located near the present site of North Manchester. He re mained here during that winter, but in the following spring removed to Wabash, where, it is said, he kept a boarding house for the accommoda tion of the workmen on the Wabash and Erie Canal, then under process of construction. Within a short time, however, he died at Wabash. The real settlement of the town ship began with the advent of Col. Richard Helvey, in March, 1834. His axe was the first to awaken with in the recesses of the dense forest the sounds that told of advancing civilization, before which, the ‘mon archs of the woods” were to fall, one by one, to give place to broad fields of waving grain, and the homes of thrifty adventurers. His little “watch” was the first ground ever cleared for agricultural purposes in the township, and his first crop of corn was the first reward of the hus bandman’s industry ever seen in the midst of these wilds. His was a lonely life, notwithstanding the fact that his family was with him in his isolated home. He had no neigh bors but the Indians and wolves, with either or both of whom he could have parted without regret, had his own inclinations been con sulted. And as far as his eye could reach, a dense growth of timber con fronted him, reaching almost to the very door of his little cabin. In September, 1834, he was joined by a neighbor, James Abbott, whose name is quite as prominently linked with the settlement and improve ment of the township as that of its first settler, Col. Helvey. Not a great distance intervened between their respective locations. Col. Helvey located on the bank of Eel River, about a mile north east of the present site of North Manchester, and Mr. Abbott located on the same stream, about two miles above the present site of Liberty Mills. In that period of sparsely settled neigh borhoods, these few miles were thought little of, and the Helyys and Abbotts were intimate friends, as well as “near neighbors.” To gether, they undertook the task of hewing out farms from the surround ing wilderness, and for years after wards they were hand and hand in the public improvements of the township. Col. Helvey was a native of Vir ginia, but removed to Indiana at an early day, locating near Indianapo lis. In 1831 or 1832 he removed to LaGre, in Wabash county, and was engaged in agricultural pursuits at that point until his removal to Ches ter Township.Here he cleared and improved a large farm of more than a hundred acres, and for a number of years was devoted to its cultivation. In later years, however, he removed to North Manchester, and kept Ho tel on the corner of Main and Wal nut streets. He died at a ripe old age, having lived to see the forest transformed into a thrifty farming community, and to witness the many changes and improvements that fol lowed in the tread of the pioneer army. James Abbott was a native of South Carolina, and a man whose early life developed within him those qualities of self reliance and energy which are as essentially a part of the “make up” of the true pioneer. Left an orphan at a ten der age, he was bound out to a slave holder, from whom he afterwards es caped, on account of severe treat ment, and made his way to North Carolina. From that time he knew that he must depend upon himself alone, and through various vicissi tudes he fought his way to manhood. About the year 1800 he removed to Ohio, and was subsequently a sol dier under General Wayne, in his campaign against the Indians. In August, 1834, he came to Wabash county and entered a tract of land on Eel River, upon which he located as previously stated. Here he cleared land and improved a large farm, to the cultivation of which he gave his attention for many years. He died in 1867, at the age of ninety one years. Before the close of 1834, two oth er settlers with their families, joined in the work of improvement, and both were prominently identified with the history of the township. These were John and Peter Ogan. The former located on the south side of Eel River, not far from the present town of North Manchester, and erected a rude corn mill on the bank of the creek which still bears his name. Peter Ogan settled with in the corporate limits of North Manchester. He erected a Flooring and Saw Mill on the bank of Eel River, and was engaged in various enterprises during the period of his residence in this community. In later years, however, he sold his in terests here, and removed to anoth er locality. Early in 1835 John Simonton came to unite his fortunes with those of the little colony in the woods. Pushing his way up Eel River in a boat that contained him self, his family and his household goods, he disembarked, and proceed ed to the place he had selected for a home. He cleared and improved a large farm, and was long identified with the history of the township. Henry Strickler came in February 1836, and located on the south bank of Eel River, about a mile below North Manchester. He has cleared and improved a fine farm, and in a ripe old age, still lives to witness the changes and progress of the inter vening years. In September, 1836, Joseph Har ter came from Montgomery county Ohio, and located within the corpo rate limits of North Manchester. He purchased a large tract of land, com prising several hundred acres. Upon that portion of it lying along the river, and within thirty yards of the present Straits Shock flouring mill, he erected a little grist mill in 1839. Mr. Harter was a prominent citizen, and up to the time of his death was conspicuously identified with the material interests of the township. His sons Jacob and Jo seph B., are representatives of the present mercantile interests of the town. Mr. Harter was followed in the fall of 1836, by his son, Eli Harter, Dan iel Swank and Michael Knoop. Eli Harter located in North Manches ter and erected the second house in the town, on the present site of J. J. Martin’s photograph gallery. Dan iel Swank located about two and a half miles north of North Manches ter, where he cleared a farm, and was engaged in its cultivation until his decease. Mr. Knoop located near the line of Kosciusko county, in the north east quarter of section 20, and cultivated his farm until his death. He was a prominent and highly respected citizen, and was identified with many of the improve ments of his day. During the years 1837 and 1838, immigration progressed rapidly, and many new families joined the settle ment. Among this number were William Willis, Asa Beauchamp, William Thorne and Mahlon Frame all of whom settled in North Man chester, and were associated with the early mercantile interests of the town, William Bickle and Michael Kircher located south west of North Manchester, and Rudolph Kirsher about a mile south. Anthony Clever came about the same time, and cleared a farm south of town, but in later years returned to his former home in Pennsylvania. Allen Hal derman came in 1838 and located upon a tract of land adjoining the town of North Manchester, on the east; and Abram R. Switzer came in the same year, and located in North Manchester, where he established the first cabinet show in the town. Gabriel Swihart came in 1839, and located two miles north of town, where he cleared and improved a farm. He served one term as Rep resentative in the legislature of In diana, and was a prominent citizen. He died in Kosciusko county. To BE CONTINUED, be open at all hours at the Grove. Boarding and lodging can be had on the grounds, as ample means for this purpose is now being provided for. Coaches, it is expected, will be furn ished here for the accommodation of all who may wish to go, and no change of cars will be made en route. The committee have an offer of an Excursion to Colorado and return, at the same rate, one fare, to start at the close of the meeting. Further notice will be given as the time ap proaches and arrangements have been more fully completed. No doubt many who are not members of this church will avail themselves of an opportunity to visit Kansas and the west, at the cheap rates of fered. Additional Local. See Weeks for pipe. Go to the Star bakery for lunch. Opera tee, fancy up English Lace, at Gresso’s. S.A. Argerbright delivers goods at your door. Go to the Star bakery for bread, cakes pies and buns. The Star Bakery has the finest lunch of Candy in town. For anything in the shoemakers line, cheap for cash, call at Gresso's. Warm meals and oysters at all hours at the Star bakery. The Star Bakery has employed the finest cook in town. The Star bakery keeps the best bread and oysters in town. Gresso’s motto is “Cheap For Cash.” It will pay you well to call at his Store. A full line of fancy Walking Shoes, something nobby, at Gresso’s. Flax Seed. We desire to say to our old customers, and as many new ones as may favor us with their patronage, that we have to to loan, free of rent, re-cleaned flax seed, L. J. NOFTIGER Co. Shoe Brushes and Oil Polish Black ing in great variety at Gresso’s. Lagro flour is the best, and sold by Jennings sheller. The McCormick ‘Twine Binder at A. W. Bowman Co.’s Agricultural Store is a model of perfection. For Sale. The farm known as the Leslie farm 543 miles south of manchester, on the Lagro road, is for sale. Information as to price and terms will be furnished by C. Pauling, March 21, 1885. dn Drain Tile, salt glazed, that will not crumble, and much better than com mon clay tile. Tor sale by A. W. Bow man Co. If the farmer wants flax seed as at all, he wants it free from all noxious seeds, especially yellow seed and fox tail. For this kind, free of rent, and the cus tomary time to return it, call at L. J. Noftiger Co. Window shades at the] P. O. Book store. The best stock in town of Low Shoes for old ladies, at Gresso’s. Look out for fresh Pickerel at rock bottom prices at the cash grocery. FLax SEED TO LOANs—For pure flax seed, free of rent, and on good time, call on J. M. Cook. Mill Men—Weeks, the blacksmith, keeps pipe and pipe fixtures. Also, globe and check valves, and will cut and thread your pile on short notice, call and see. A SURE CURE FOR PILES, A Sure cure for Blind, Bleeding, Itch ing and Ulcerated Piles, has been dis covered by Dr. William, (an Indian rem edy,) called Dr. WILLIAM'’s INDIAN OINTMENT. A single box has cured the worst chronic cases of twenty-five year’s standing. No one need suffer gve min utes, after applying this wonderful sooth ing medicine. Lotions and instruments do more harm than good. Willian’s ointment absorbs the tumors, allays the intense itching, (particularly at night, after getting warm in bed,) acts as a poultice, gives instant and painless re lief, and is prepared only for piles, itch ing of of the private parts, and for noth ing else. For sale by all druggists and mailed on receipt of price, 81.00, 1 . For sale by J. W. Williams Son. Fort SALE.—Dr. Eckman’s new brick residence with half acre and good orch ard east of school house on mill street. DissoLUTION OF PARTNERSHIP. ~The old firm of J. Cowgill Long Credit has this day dissolved partner ship, and all persons knowing them selves indebted to them will call and settle immediately, by cash or note. The books will be found at the old firm of 44:4 J. UL. Cowan, Youth Renewer, RAVENNA, O. Aug. 1881. H. A. Warner Co., Sirs—I made use of Your Safe Kidney and Liver Cure for a severe kidney difficulty, and to-day feel as well as when I was sixteen years old. GEORGE WISMAN. Gresso has the best thing for comfort and durability to be found in town. It is a Full Leather Sewed Shoe. Just the thing for the relief of corns. Cheap, at Gresso’s.
Newspaper Details
North Manchester Journal
North Manchester, Indiana, US
Thu, Apr 19, 1883
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Heather R.
18 Jan 2026
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North Manchester Journal
