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POPULAR HISTORY 
 
 OP 
 
 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 AND 
 
 Greater Albion 
 
 Growth, Resources, Surroundings, facilities 
 
 and Industrial Opportunities, Interesting 
 
 Sketches and Reminiscences, with a 
 
 Business and Professional Guide. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED 
 
 EDITED AND COMPILED BY GEO. W/ ROOP 
 
 ALBION, INDIANA. 
 NEW ERA PUBLISHING HOUSE 
 
 igo8 
 
Summary. 
 
 Noble County in Dmbryo. 
 The Chaotic State. 
 Beginning of Capitals. 
 Existence to 1846. 
 Albion Organized. 
 Her First Decade. 
 Business and Early Press. 
 Sketches and Reminiscences. 
 Beneficial Reflections. 
 Concluding Tribute. 
 
INTRODUCTORY, 
 
 It is a singular fact that a count}- history has 
 been written and published several times in var- 
 ious forms, while Albion's historj- and that of 
 Noble county capitals have been neglected, — al- 
 though the necessity for a publication embodying 
 our early beginnings has existed for many years. 
 Important events during the sixtv-one years of 
 Albion's existence have been crowding each 
 other into its unwritten history; and yet, within 
 these six decades, with two generations of pro- 
 gressive, reading people, no reliable or perma- 
 nent record has been preserved. 
 
 For the purpose of supplying to the general 
 reader of Noble county, and particularly to the 
 citizens of Greater Albion, a valuable and popu- 
 lar historj" of Noble county capitals the author 
 and publishers of the. present work have under- 
 taken, in the succeeding pages, to carry out the 
 conditions embodied in its general title; believ- 
 ing that its perusal will enlarge individual inter- 
 est at home, and serve to enkindle additional 
 love and appreciation of the intelligent founding 
 of our own capital; and our citizens, with their 
 country friends, be persuaded to assist in the 
 perpetuation of our intellectual and business ad- 
 vantages consequent upon a Greater Albion. 
 
IV INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 To edit, compile, illustrate, print, bind, solicit 
 and distribute a history of this kind requires pa- 
 tience, hard labor, time and money. But we have 
 met with hearty encouragement in our undertak- 
 ing, and are grateful for favors shown. 
 
 This history may not be faultless, — indeed, so 
 far as our observation extends, few are; but we 
 believe that our efforts to be accurate and to 
 please, and to assist in preserving the good name 
 of our little city and its environs, will be appre- 
 ciated by the more thoughtful. 
 
 Respectfull}^ 
 
 Prickett & Roof. 
 
First Court House. 
 
 The log structure shown on opposite side of 
 this page was erected b)^ Adam Engle, in 1832, 
 in Sparta township. It was chosen Ma}^ 3, 1836, 
 as the seat of justice for Noble county, and the 
 first court held therein, presided over by Judge 
 Sample, — one record savs in November, and an- 
 other in September, of that year. 
 
 James Latta and Elisha Blackman were the 
 associate justices. Those known to have served 
 on the grand jury were Sej^mour Moses, Joseph 
 Bradford, George Benner, Lewis Murphy and 
 William Caldwell. The first case tried was for 
 assault and battery. (Refer to pages 5 and 6.) 
 
 One historian sa3"s that Jacob Shobe built the 
 first "hewn" log cabin in 1833; while it is read- 
 ily seen that our Engle court house, here shown, 
 which was erected in 1832, is also "hewn" logs. 
 
FIRST NOBLE COUNTY CAPITOL. 
 
 Built by Adam Engle in 1832. 
 
 (Engraved expressly for Roofs "Popular History 
 of Noble County Capitals.") 
 
CAPITAL BEGINNINGS. 
 
 Part I. 
 
 First Settlement— Capital Beginnings— First Court and Elections- 
 Augusta and Destruction of Records— Population— Fort 
 Mitchell Manufactures— Naming of Albion. 
 
 At the time of the first settlement of what is 
 now Noble county, b}^ Joel Bristol in April, 1827, 
 made in Noble township, its territory belonged 
 to Allen county; and as late as the year 1832, 
 Noble count}' was a part of Lagrange count}". 
 The count}' of Noble was so named in honor of 
 Noah Noble, then governor of Indiana, and was 
 organized in the year 1836; and in September 
 the first court was held at the house of Adam 
 Kngle, in Sparta township, presided over by 
 Hon. Samuel C. Sample. In the spring of 1836 
 followed the first election of county officers at a 
 log cabin on Perry's Prairie. At this election 
 Isaac Spencer was elected clerk and recorder; 
 James Hostetter, sherifl:, and ex-officio treasurer, 
 assessor and collector; Henry Engle, coroner; 
 and Joel Bristol, Henry Hostetter, and Abraham 
 Pancake, county commissioners. Mr. Latta and 
 Klisha Blackman were elected associate judges, 
 Hon. Henry R. Burnham becoming the first pro- 
 bate judge. He held this office for fifteen years. 
 At this first election only the sheriff and coroner 
 were reported to the secretary of state. 
 
6 , NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 The earliest county business outside Circuit 
 and Probate, was transacted by a board of 
 justices, two being selected from each township. 
 
 The county seat locations may thus be sum- 
 marized: Sparta was first selected as seat of jus- 
 tice by commissioners appointed by the legisla- 
 ture, who met May 3, 1836; at which meeting 
 Sparta (sec. 24) was chosen. In 1837 a special 
 act of the legislature was passed February 4, 
 authorizing the appointment of other commis- 
 sioners to relocate the seat of justice. They 
 selected Augusta, and in 1838 the courts of Noble 
 began doing regular business. 
 
 In 1843 the court house at Augusta was burned 
 destroying the records of the auditor and treas- 
 urer. 
 
 In 18-I-4 commissioners were again appointed 
 by legislative enactment to relocate the seat of 
 justice again. They selected Port Mitchell; and 
 in that year a court house was built there at a 
 cost of $359.00. Offices were built independent 
 of the court house, for the clerk, recorder, audit- 
 or and sheriff, costing S999.00. 
 
 In 1846, by act of legislature, the citizens were 
 authorized to hold an election to vote upon an- 
 other location. In April of that year the follow- 
 ing places were candidates for county seat, 
 which were voted upon: Augusta, Port Mitchell, 
 Rochester, Northport, "The Center," Ligonier, 
 Wolf Lake and Lisbon. There was no choice at 
 this election, so another election was ordered in 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 7 
 
 June, with the same result. A third election 
 was held in August, at which the result was that 
 the "Center" (aftein^^ard Albion) was chosen. 
 
 According- to Mr. F. D. Spencer, the name 
 "Albion" was given our county seat as follows: 
 After the Center was chosen, the commissioners 
 appointed William M. Clapp, David B. Harriman 
 and William Slack to select a name. One of 
 these gentlemen had lived in Albion, Orleans 
 county, N. Y., and that name was proposed. 
 The name pleased all, the committee approved 
 the selection, and the name was adopted. 
 
 The population of Noble county in 1840 consis- 
 ted of 2,702 souls, which date was only six )'ears 
 prior to the selection of Albion as county seat. 
 
 In 1844 Port Mitchell enjoyed the distinction 
 of being one of Noble county's capitals, and also 
 thrift in manufactures and business ventures. 
 By reference to a late county history a statement 
 is made that in 1840 election returns of Wayne 
 township were carried to Port Mitchell, the 
 county seat. This, no doubt, is an error on the 
 part of the writer, as at that time Augusta was 
 the county seat. John Lechner, who was con- 
 victed for the murder of John Farley, was 
 hanged at Augusta November 3, 1840. 
 
 A bit of recorded history is handed down con- 
 cerning the location of the county seat at Augus- 
 ta, to the effect that at the first meeting of 
 county officers at the house of Pat. C. Miller, 
 July 3, 1837, upon the organization of the county, 
 Augusta was then chosen. 
 
8 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 The first convictions of criminals was in 1838, 
 for horse-thieving. Nine convictions were made; 
 but county seats were still in embryo, hence there 
 v^as no jail. Seven of these convicted men were 
 sent to jail in Ft. Wayne, and two to Goshen. 
 Both justice and bars seemed loose in those days, 
 for the seven at Ft. Wayne escaped, and the two 
 at Goshen were released. 
 
 We are not writing a history of Noble county, 
 but introduce the following condition of settle- 
 ment to show what small beginnings grew rapid- 
 ly into prominence, and how the log cabin in a 
 few years gave way to the more pretentious 
 frame dwelling, which figured as important fac- 
 tors in the foundation for future government and 
 the beginning of county capitals. 
 
 The amount of land entered in Noble county in 
 1831, was 2,680 acres,— 400 in Allen, 80 in Noble, 
 and 2,200 in Perry. 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 9 
 
 The number of actual settlers in 1831 was 39 
 persons; and the population in the early 1833 
 was 75 persons. In 1840, as we have before 
 stated, the population had reached 2,702. 
 
 The first child born was Simon Hostetter, 
 August 8, 1832; and the first marriage solem- 
 nized was that of Samuel Tibbott and Miss 
 Eunice Knight. The first post offices established 
 were "Good Hope," in Perry township, and at 
 the site of Kendallville on December 7, 1836. 
 The first HEWN log cabin was built by Jacob 
 Shobe in 1833. The first preachers were Revs. 
 Phelps and Robinson. The first Justice of the 
 Peace was Jacob Wolf, and the first practicing 
 attorney, Daniel E. Palmer, who located at Au- 
 gusta, in 1841. The first buggy owned in Noble 
 county was in 1833, by Benjamin Yohn. It was 
 used the first time at a Fourth of July celebra- 
 tion, held at Bristol's tavern. Mr. Yohn after- 
 wards settled in Kosciusko county, in 1847. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Beall, who settled in Wolf Lake 
 in 1834, is the oldest living settler in Noble 
 county. 
 
 It is claimed that Stedman Gray manufactured 
 the first flour at Rochester, but he was also es- 
 tablished at Port Mitchell in 1835, in perhaps 
 the only flouring mill in Noble county. It is also 
 claimed by historians that Adam Engle estab- 
 lished, near Ligonier, a set of burrs, 30 inches in 
 diameter, and by hand power manufactured the 
 first meal, in the fall of 1832. 
 
10 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 The first regularly educated surgeon was Dr. 
 T. P. 5icknell, who in latter )'ears lived in Ken- 
 dallville 1859-60. He it was who conducted, 
 through the columns of the Noble County Jour- 
 nal of that city, with Dr. O. J. Vincent, a learned 
 discussion on the subject of "Hernia vs. Rupture" 
 — the discussion arising from a published report 
 of a patient whom one of the doctors said ^^^as 
 suffering from hernia. Exceptions were taken 
 by the opponent, from which a lengthy and heat- 
 ed discussion follow^ed, the end of which came 
 only when the press censor shut down the gates 
 of free journalism. After which Dr. Bicknell 
 continued his discussion as paid advertising. 
 
 Port Mitchell was platted May 17, 1838, by 
 Samuel Hanna and W. F. Engle. As a thriving 
 business county seat, it was all that one might 
 expect at that early period. For several years 
 there existed an excellent flouring mill, a woolen 
 factory, a saw mill, dry goods and general store, 
 with other smaller places of business and manu- 
 facturing. As late as 1857, when the writer 
 first visited Port Mitchell, the flouring mill was 
 still doing business, the saw mill was on its last 
 orders, and the woolen mill was out of commis- 
 sion. The general store was selling its wares, 
 though in less quantities; and Frank Saltzgaber 
 who then was in the prime of life, held down the 
 boot and shoe last while he drove the soles to 
 their last resting place, and sewed the "uppers" 
 so strongly that they never ripped. In Decern- 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 11 
 
 ber, 1907, Mr. Saltzgaber enjoyed his 76th birth- 
 day, hale and hearty. 
 
 But Port Mitchell, as a county seat, was doomed. 
 The great dam, which was erected there to fur- 
 nish cheap power for manufacturing purposes, 
 had caused the overflow of water which sub- 
 merged valuable lands and caused a continual 
 jnalarial sickness; and the sentiment of the in- 
 habitants was for the removal of the dam. 
 When once removed, manufacturing must stop, — 
 although, for awhile, after its removal, steam 
 power was introduced, but without appreciable 
 success. 
 
 Augusta enjoyed the distinction of posessing a 
 jail which was the first building constructed by 
 the taxpayers of Noble county. After the county 
 ,^eat was removed to Port Mitchell, she retained 
 the jail; but the Port had a court house — an un- 
 pretentious structure. So the honors were par- 
 tially divided. 
 
 In 1855 the Forker dam broke away ; the 
 sawmill on Correll creek flooded, and swept 
 down with it logs and other debris. The 
 pressure came down to Port Mitchell dam, and 
 it too burst away. However, there was much 
 manufacturing and business interests at stake, 
 and it was immediately rebuilt. 
 
 Forker creek is the outlet of the Green town- 
 ship chain of lakes, and empties into Muncie 
 lake from the east; Gulliver's creek (by some 
 called Correll) flows from Rivir Lake, Noble 
 
12 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 township, and joins the Bear lake creek in sec- 
 tion 16; then crosses the Ft. Wayne and Goshen 
 road a mile southeast of Wolf Lake, and empties 
 into Deep lake; thence to Marl lake, and thence 
 into Muncie from the west. Muncie lake emp- 
 tied its waters into the Port Mitchell dam; and 
 all the overflow passed on through the Blkhart 
 river. 
 
 But there came a time soon when the tide of 
 her fortune was to flow out forever. The wool- 
 en factory and the great flouring mill burned; 
 and then, by agreement, the dam was taken 
 down. 
 
 Port Mitchell's sun had set, and she was no 
 more. 
 

 A Moilcin Residence of Albion. 
 
ALBION ORGANIZED. 
 
 Part 11/ 
 
 Some Ancient History— Name Honored by Greeks and Romans 
 — Meeting at the "Center"— Votes for Removal— Town- 
 ship Formation— First Cabins— Earliest Residents- 
 Court Houses and Jails— Biographies— Inter- 
 esting Extracts from Earliest Press. 
 
 The word Albion, evidently signifies purity — 
 LOFTINESS. The name was given to Britain on 
 account of the lofty white cliffs on the southern 
 coast of England. Milton remarks, "Sure enough 
 we are that Britain hath been anciently termed 
 Albion, both by the Greeks and Romans." 
 
 Proud of our name, we take pleasure in recalling 
 some fabulous history in this connection. It is re- 
 lated that the first inhabitants of England were sub- 
 dued by a giant named Albion, who was a son of 
 Neptune. This giant called the island after his 
 own name, and ruled it forty-four years. 
 
 Another version is the ancient Celtic name given 
 to Scotland — that of Albyn; and, until Caesar's 
 time, was the apellation of the whole island of Great 
 Britain. It signifies high island. 
 
 These references to the origin of the word, while 
 tliej' may seem irrelevant to our own Albion, are 
 nevertheless valuable, and furnishes the reader with 
 a satisfactory beginning. 
 
14 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Albion is located in the center of Noble county, 
 and upon its first selection as a county capital was 
 called the "Center." The site, like that of ancient 
 Rome, seems to have an elevated posture sitting 
 upon her seven hills, if not upon the "dividing 
 ridge." Waters flow from near her and the eastern 
 townships in three different directions. It has been 
 written that Noble county waters run, first, into 
 Lake Erie through Cedar Creek, the Little St. Joe 
 and the Alaumee rivers; also second, into Lake Michi- 
 gan through the Elkhart and Big St. Joe rivers; also, 
 third, into the Gulf of j\Iexico through the Blue 
 into the Eel and the Wabash, Ohio and Mississippi 
 rivers. Truly, Noble county is the water shed of 
 America, with Albion a close suitor for the pivotal 
 crest. 
 
 After the permanent location of the county seat 
 at Albion was determined b}' a vote of the people, 
 a ratification meeting was held at the "Center." 
 The place of meeting was characterized principally 
 by three stately white oak trees, which stood — as 
 tradition goes — on the site where now rears the 
 stately tower of Noble county's magnificent court 
 house; and we may add, where many other oaks 
 and shrubs made up the landscape. Indeed, ten 
 years later there were some big stumps alarmingly 
 near the court square. 
 
 It must be remembered that there is no separate 
 history of Albion; hence, the township of Albion is 
 virtually a partial record of the two townships of 
 
AXD GREATER ALBION. 
 
 15 
 
 Jefferson and York, from which Albion is formed. 
 On June 4, 1S54, Sections 18 and 19 were appro- 
 priated from Jefferson, and sections 13 and 24 from 
 York, to form Albion township — which made a tract 
 
 two miles square, or four square miles. Of course 
 the early settlers of these two townships were closely 
 interested in the new county seat; hence we feel 
 justified in recording some facts in that connection. 
 The first election of Jefferson township in 1838, 
 
16 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 at vvhicli there were seven votes cast, showed that 
 the earliest settlers consisted of James Skinner, 
 Samuel Spencer, James Thompson, Jehu Foster, 
 John Call, John Bailey and Abram Carey. William 
 Inscho settled in November of that year. George 
 and Hugh, sons of William Inscho, are living near 
 Albion. A photo engraving of Hugh is here shown. 
 
 The first settler of York township, in which was 
 located Augusta, the count}' seat prior to its re- 
 moval to Port Mitchell, was John Knight. He set- 
 tled on section 29, in the year 1829. G. M. Apple- 
 gate entere<l the first land October 17, 183 1 — on 
 section 31. The first resident justice elected was 
 John Bowman, and the first teacher James Mc- 
 Mullin. 
 
 One of the early settlers of what is now Albion 
 township, is Hon. Abel Barnum, who, in 1844, pur- 
 chased a tract of 160 acres of land in that township, 
 locating his habitation three-fourths of a mile north 
 of the present Albion. He cut out the first road 
 into the village. 
 
 The following persons were also identified, more 
 or less, with the new Albion: David Harriman, 
 William Skeels, Benjamin Potts, S. C. Spencer and 
 six sons. Later were F. A. Black in 1845, Calvin 
 Prouty in 1848, Daniel Hines and others. 
 
 In the original village plat near the present Wal- 
 ter's grocery building, was cleared, it is said, a spot 
 for the first log cabin, built by Isaac Swarthout, at 
 one time sheriff of Noble county. During its con- 
 
AND (GREATER ALBION. 17 
 
 struction himself and assistants boarded with Wil- 
 liam Skeels, who had settled in 1844 on what was 
 afterwards known as the Shirk or Iddiugs farm. 
 The old log cabin is shown on page 8. Mrs. Susanna 
 Skeels, his wife, a pioneer, superintended the culi- 
 nary department. Her many descendants and rela- 
 tives, and all who have had the pleasure of her ac- 
 quaintance, will testify to her big-hearted character, 
 and will revere her memory. Samuel E. Alvord, 
 the historian, while a young man, often partook of 
 her hospitality. The late Hon. William Clapp and 
 an associate attorney, went to Kendallville from 
 Port Mitchell, in the forties, to conduct a law-suit. 
 Returning late they arrived at the Skeels cabin, 
 where the pioneer hospitality was freely offered. 
 The young attorne3's accepted, and Aunt Susie gave 
 them a warm wholesome supper and then tucked 
 them away in a good bed "on the floor." After 
 talking and laughing an hour or more, they sweetly 
 slept till morning, and after breakfast completed 
 their return to the Port. Her husband, William 
 Skeels, assisted in clearing off the present court 
 square and furnished a part of the lumber for the 
 first frame court house. 
 
 Mr. Fred D. Spencer says the first settler of the 
 new Albion was James Gillespie, who built the first 
 FRAME house; and Samuel Clymer, who brought 
 with him a boss carpenter from Goshen, named 
 Alonroe, to superintend the building of the first 
 frame court house, built the second fiame house in 
 Albion. It was afterward called the McMeans house. 
 
18 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Elijah Coats placed the cupola iu position and se- 
 cured the bents himself, at a height of eighty-four 
 feet. 
 
 Hon. James M. Deuuj' was a "forty-niner," and 
 studied law in the office of William M. Clapp. He 
 was elected county treasurer in 1859 and re-elected 
 in 1861. 
 
 Samuel E. Alvord came to Albion in 1850. He 
 entered early in the law and newspaper business; 
 and was elected clerk of the Noble circuit court. 
 He was the author of "Alvord's History." 
 
 Owen Black was born in Lancaster, Pa., iu 1815. 
 He located in Albion in 1853, and entered into the 
 mercantile business and continued alone for fifteen 
 years. He then formed co-partnership with his son, 
 Jackson D. Black, in 1867. D. S. Love was a part- 
 ner from 1870 until 1872. J. D. Black then pur- 
 chased the partners' interests and continued sole 
 owner until 18S0. At this time his brother was 
 taken as a partner, until 1892, then J. D. Black 
 became sole proprietor. At present the firm name 
 is J. D. Black & Sons. The first building burned 
 in 1879, and was rebuilt three stories. Owen Black, 
 the pioneer of the business, erected the first flouring 
 mill and two sawmills in Albion. He died October 
 31, 1886. 
 
 George Harvey, who built the first brick court 
 house in Albion, i860, moved to Noble county in 
 1853. He died in Albion in 1893, aged 86 years. 
 
 W. A. Kuhn, a resident of Albion, was honored 
 with the superintendency of the first Noble countj' 
 poor farm, i860, located east of Albion. 
 
AND (;ki-:ati-:k albion. 
 
 19 
 
 Platting the new site and building a court house 
 were soon inaugurated. The survey' and mapping 
 for the new Albion were done Novembei 3, 1S46. 
 The construction of the new court house was let to 
 Harrison Wood, William 'M. Clapp and David B. 
 Harriman, who sub-let it to Samuel T. Clymer, who 
 completed it in 1S47, ^'^'^ '^he records were removed 
 to the new Albion, September 16, 1847. This court 
 house cost the county $4,045. The old jail which 
 contained two log cells, we picture elsewhere. In 
 1858-9 it held, in durance vile, the most noted of 
 blacklegs. It cost the modest sura of $1,300. 
 
 This court house structure, however, was doomed 
 to ashes; for, on Januarj' 25, 1859, the clerk's office 
 took lire, and soon the entire wooden building was 
 in flames. A few records only were saved, — all else 
 was consumed. 
 
 The next building was ordered to be constructed 
 of brick, and to be made imperishable and "upon 
 honor." Therefore, the job was given to Messrs. 
 George Harvey & Son — honest Scotchmen and 
 skilled workmen. When completed in 1861 it was 
 pronounced "very good." That court house cost 
 
20 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 the count}' $ii,ooo. But Noble county very soon 
 began to populate and grow in wealth beyond the 
 expectations of the county fathers, and the business 
 increased so rapidly to the extent that no more 
 room could be spared in the Scotchman's brick edi- 
 fice, that it was found neccessarj' to concoct other 
 plans to relieve the congestion. Besides, in 1S87, 
 the grand jury passed condemnation upon its facil- 
 ities, and it succumbed to demolition. 
 
 The commissioners then contracted with Malone 
 Brothers, of Toledo, Ohio, for the construction of 
 the present magnificent court house, a picture of 
 which graces our book as a frontispiece. The cost, 
 with furnishings at the time of its completion in 
 18S9, was $1 14,000. Much new furnishing, inter- 
 nal improvements, etc., has since been added at a 
 greater cost, affording conveniences and safety 
 vaults for records scarcely to be equaled in the state. 
 In 1S76 a safe, handsome and convenient jail was 
 built, costing $27,000. 
 
 After the burning of the old wooden court house 
 the building of Mr. Levi Thomas, near the Sunda}' 
 harness shop on East Main street, was fitted up 
 and occupied bj' the count}' officers. Court was 
 held in the old Lutheran church on north Orance 
 street. 
 
 INTERESTING DIRECTORY 
 
 (From Albion's Earliest Press.) 
 
 Noble County Star — January 29, 1S50: (From 
 Albion's first newspaper:) New goods by Hitch- 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 21 
 
 cock & Clapp, December i, 1849; Saddles and 
 harness, b}' J.J. Helm, July 3, 1849; Ploughs, 
 by William F. Engle, October 10, 1849; County 
 orders received for produce at 75 cents on the dol- 
 lar; Lj'ons & Wildman, tailoring; H. S. Tousley, 
 attorney-at-law; Reuben J. Dawson introduced 
 bill in legislature to authorize Ft. Wayne & Lima 
 Plank Road Co. to run a road to Albion; T. 
 Beecher, postmaster; A. C. Jaquays, wagons and 
 buggies, August 25, 1849; Fanning mills by J. 
 J. Bruner, 1S49; 5iOOO bushels ashes wanted by 
 J. C. Cox; Dr. T. Beecher, druggist; J. C. Cox- 
 purchased Samuel Clymei's stock dr}' goods, etc., 
 and will take in exchange rags, feathers, beeswax, 
 tallow, hides, wheat, corn, oats, flaxseed, cran- 
 berries, ginseng and ashes; George Storey, wood 
 
 merchant. 
 
 William H. Austin, Publisher. 
 
 Albion Observer — x^ugust 8, 1S50: E. A. Spen- . 
 cer, tailor; Cabinet and chair factory, J. J. Bruner; 
 A. P. Warner, assistant postmaster, July i, 1850. 
 (August 22) — Editorial: "We wish to call atten- 
 tion also to the fact that our village is infested 
 with hogs 'and overrun with cattle and horses, 
 that roam at pleasure through the streets, and 
 make their nightly rendezvous upon the public 
 square." The Albion House, by George Crowl, 
 jr., formerly occupied by I. Swarthout, August 
 1850. (September 12, 1S50)— Original tale of 
 
22 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 "The Stolen Manuscripts," by Fanny Wester- 
 
 leigh; "the Mexican ladies have the smallest and 
 
 best formed ankles ever seen." James W. Cox 
 
 has located for the purpose of practicing medicine 
 
 and surgery. 
 
 Alvord & King, Publishers. 
 
 Noble County Herald — ^Januar}^ ii,i86i: Man- 
 sion House, J. R. Sloan, proprietor; Dr. Charles 
 Woodruff, Port Mitchell; N. Teal & Co., drug- 
 gists; Delivan lodge, I. O. of G. T., Rev. J. P. 
 Nash, W. C, S. W. Camp, W. S.; William Mc- 
 Clelland, gunsmith; Wordeu House, by G. E. 
 Worden; Tenant House, bj' C. Grafmiller; John 
 R. Smith, saddles and harness; Boots and shoes, 
 R. J. Harkins; A. Fulton, cabinet-maker, me- 
 chanic's block; Meeting at Lutheran church for 
 relief of Kansas, Rev. Blanchard, president; M. 
 H. Kimmell, hardware, etc. 
 
 Randall & Starner, Publishers. 
 
 The Adelphia — October i6th, 1875: William 
 Trump, dry goods; W. W.Johnson, J. P.; Askew 
 & Miller," custom mills; Prentiss & Landon, dry 
 goods; Thomas D. Evans, attorney; S. T. Ward, 
 boots and shoes; Ed Engle, livery; N. Sessions, 
 dentist; W. R. Henderson, tonsorial artist; C. Z. 
 Bidwell, groceries; Baldwin & Olds, dentists; Ben 
 Ramsey, cigars; Frederick Buettner, clothing; 
 A. Fulton, furniture; Cotton & Co., meat market; 
 T. S. Comparet, R. E. agent; Mrs. E. Roof, rail- 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 23 
 
 linery; John C. Haney, blacksmith; R. J. Harkins, 
 boots and shoes; Levi F. Gault & Co., butter, 
 eggs and poultry; John Frost, real estate; W. H. 
 McMeans, music dealer; P. A. Sunday, harness, 
 etc.; W. Y. Leonard, M. D.; Stewart & Foster, 
 groceries; C. B. Dice, bakery and lunch room; 
 Brillhait & Bassett, meat market; F. T. Isbell, 
 boots and shoes; W. R. Knox, machinery; J. B. 
 Leslie, conservatory of music. 
 
 George W. Roof, Manager. 
 
24 
 
 NOBLE C0U^:TY CAPITALS 
 
 V 
 
 B. 6t O. RAILROAD CULVERT. 
 
 This structure spans the Lewis Branch near the 
 site of the first sawmill erected by Mr. Spencer, in 
 the early Forties. The mill furnished lumber for- 
 the old court house and other early frame buildings. 
 
Birdseve \'ie\v of Albion, Lookiri": Northwest. 
 
ALBION— HER FIRST DECADE. 
 
 Part III. 
 
 Courts, Judges and Attorneys— Incorporation of Albion - 
 Population and Increase of Wealth— Statistics— The 
 Early Schools— Earliest Residents— Early Business 
 Men— Pyrotechnics— Hon. William M. Clapp— De- 
 struction of First Brick Block— Early Hotels 
 —First Steam Thresher— Potteries, etc. 
 
 We make honorable mention of the following old- 
 time attorneys and judges who made the halls of 
 the old court houses ring with their eloquence — 
 and whose oratory, we beg pardon, has never been 
 excelled in later years. 
 
 EARLY JUDGES OF CIRCUIT COURT. 
 
 Charles W. Ewing James L. Worden 
 
 John W. Wright Judge Chase 
 
 E. R. Wilson Robert Dowry 
 
 R. J. Dawson - James W. Borden 
 
 E. A. McMahon James I. Best 
 
 Robert McBride Hiram S. Tousley 
 
 William M. Clapp James M. Denny 
 Joseph W. Adair 
 
 PROBATE JUDGES. 
 
 H. R. Burnam H. M. Slack 
 
 Harrison Wood 
 
26 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 COMMON PLEAS. 
 
 Stephen A. Wildman James C. Bodley . 
 
 S. J. Stoughton 
 
 ATTORNEYS. 
 Hon. James L. VVorden Fielding Prickett 
 
 Moses Jenkinsou J. W. Niude 
 
 Hiram S. Tousle}' David H. Colerick 
 
 John W. Dawson Ex-Governor Wallace 
 
 Ex-Governor Samuel Bigger John H. Baker 
 
 William Coombs John Morris 
 
 Stephen A. Wildman Thomas M. Eells 
 
 Vincent C. Mains William M. Clapp 
 
 Samuel E. Alvord Nelson Prentiss 
 
 and others 
 
 The increase of wealth and population of our 
 county as well as Albion, proves a matter of con- 
 siderable interest. The population of Albion town- 
 ship and town, before the latter's incorporation in 
 1874, was, by the census of 1870, put down at 430; 
 in 1880, it had raised to '926; in 1890, 1,300; and 
 in 1900, about 1,600. The valuation of property 
 in Albion, 1891, was $464,480. 
 
 In the county statistics the capital employed in 
 1870 was |6334,4o8; hands, 388; establishments, 93; 
 products, $651,645; improved lands, acres, 92,467; 
 assessed value of real estate, $3,648,000 — number 
 of acres, 268,800. 
 
 The taxable property' valuation was 
 
 In 1843—$ 558,386. Polls 611 
 i860 — $ 2,881,594. Polls 2362 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 
 
 Zl 
 
 1870—$ 4,702,445. Polls 3318 
 
 iSSo— $ 8,295,625. Polls 3704 
 1S91 — $15,320,218. Polls 4263 
 
 THE ALBION SCHOOLS. 
 
 
 The first school in Albion was taught by Ephraim 
 Walters in 1S47-8. There was no public moneys 
 to pay teachers until about 1852; all salaries were 
 paid by private subscriptions. In 1849 3- small 
 
'28 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 frame building was erected near the then residence 
 of Hon . Nelson Prentiss. In the late 'fifties a frame 
 building, with one storj' and one room, was located 
 in the block on which stands the Methodist church, 
 in which, among other teachers, Josephus S. Tam 
 taught the j/oung ideas how to shoot, and promul- 
 gated some doctrines of physical geography and 
 philosophy which were wlioll}' at variance with the 
 text-books of that day. 
 
 In 1863 a two-story frame (now removed and oc- 
 cupied b}' Alva Hostetter as a livery barn) was 
 erected east of Mr. Croft's residence, at a cost of 
 $1,500. This was used as a school house until 1876. 
 The present building was then erected at a cost of 
 $17,000. The late Merritt C. Skinner, an able edu- 
 cator, was the first principal. He was, at one time, 
 clerk of the Noble circuit court. In 1880 he was 
 succeeded by Henry S. Bortner, also a bright, deep 
 thinker and mathematician. He was afterward 
 elected to the office of county surveyor, and held 
 that office during the inauguration of the county 
 ditch law. He was succeeded by H. G. Haggett 
 in 1881, and he by W. E. White. The high school 
 graduates of the class of 1884 — the first to come 
 forth from the organization, were: Miss Lill}' Lem- 
 mon, Mary Markey, Mary B. Vermilyea and Ada 
 M. Freeman. 
 
 Some of the earliest residents of Albion may be 
 found in the following list: 
 Samuel T. Clymer John McMeans 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 
 
 29 
 
 Isaac Swarthont 
 Nelson Prentiss 
 Samuel Morris 
 Harrison Wood 
 Damon P. Coffinberry 
 W. A. Kuhn 
 Stephen A. Wild man 
 Mr. iMiller 
 Rev. Blanchard 
 C. B. Phillips 
 
 James C. 
 Dr. Clark 
 Elijah Wright 
 jMichael Kuhn 
 
 Washburn 
 
 Israel Lantz 
 Dr. Wheeler 
 Jacob Walters 
 Dr. Leonard 
 M. H. Kimmell 
 H. H. Hitchcock 
 W. F. Engle 
 John Gappinger 
 
 Monroe 
 
 Campbell 
 
 Isaiah Herron 
 Jerome Herron 
 Levi Thomas 
 William McClelland 
 W. W. White 
 
 Jerry Low 
 
 Harry Smith 
 
 William M. Clapp 
 
 David B. Harriman 
 
 Hardenbrook 
 
 Frederick Acus 
 
 Spencer 
 
 Benjamin Frazure 
 Hiram S. Bradley 
 James M. Denny 
 Stewart 
 
 Jaquays 
 
 Henry Bowman 
 
 Jacob Bowman 
 
 H. S. Tousley 
 
 Dr. S. H. Lemmon 
 
 Eli B. Dice 
 
 D. E. A. Spencer 
 
 Dr. Dunshee 
 
 Joseph Kimmell 
 
 V. C. Mains 
 
 J. J. Bruner 
 
 Pepple 
 
 Dr. S. L. Cook 
 
 T. M. Eells 
 
 L. G. Worden 
 
 Scott Worden 
 
 F. A. Black 
 
 Owen Black 
 
 Henry J. Tenant 
 
30 
 
 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Washington Weaver 
 John H. Ward 
 R. ]. Harkins 
 Pierce Haney 
 Michael Beck 
 S. K. Konkle 
 Sol Starner 
 John W. Bryant 
 William T. Kinse}' 
 George W. Roof 
 J. S. Tarn 
 Joseph Kimmell 
 
 Christian Grafmiller 
 
 Emma J. Douglas 
 
 A. J. Kimmell 
 
 William T. Kimmell 
 
 Kammerer 
 
 Samuel E. Alvord 
 
 H. W. Baldwin 
 
 Fielding Prickett 
 
 David S. Simons 
 
 C. H. Skeels 
 
 Alex Fulton 
 
 Deeter 
 
 The only persons now living in Albion who were 
 residents in the 'fifties are: 
 Fred Acus 
 Mary A. Acus 
 Mr. and Mrs. P. A. Sunday 
 Dr. S. W. Lemmon 
 C. B. Phillips 
 Mrs. A. E. Worden 
 Mrs. William Trump Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Roof 
 Among the earliest merchants were Cl3'mer & 
 Miller and William M. Clapp. The first hotel, 
 known as the Worden House, northeast of the pub- 
 lic square, was built by James Skinner's daughter's 
 second husband' The first landlord was Jerry Low. 
 Michael Kuhn was also an early landlord, with his 
 son Washington as clerk. The American House 
 south of the court house, built by Isaac Swarthout, 
 was afterward owned by Henry J. Tenant, an eccen- 
 
 James M. Denny 
 
 Mrs. Love 
 
 Mrs. S. Morris 
 
 Charles M. Clapp 
 
 J. D. Black 
 
 Charles Haney 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 31 
 
 trie southern gentleman who was in the mercantile 
 business in the south and failed. His private apart- 
 ment in the hotel was furnished peculiar to his own 
 taste. A large upright musical clock which per- 
 formed a variet}^ of selections, besides keeping time, 
 was a favorite. 
 
 The Mansion House was a busy place iu 1857-8, 
 located near the Trump brick business block. The 
 The proprietor was Eli B. Dice, who afterwards 
 was appointed superintendent of the county infirm- 
 ary. The Mansion House burned down a little 
 later. The Bradley House, by Hiram Bradley, 
 north side court square, did an excellent business 
 for several years. 
 
 One of the early industries was a pottery, estab- 
 lished by Elijah Wright. The plant was located 
 directly north of the John McMeans property on 
 East Main street. ]\Ir. Wright was succeeded by 
 Mr. McMeans. Not far from this pottery was also 
 established, directly west of Mr. Sunday's residence, 
 an ashery for the manufacture of black salts by 
 Mr. Spencer. The building was still in existence 
 in 1857, though active business had ceased. 
 
 On the southwest corner of York street and the 
 B. & O. railway crossing, was erected in 1880, by 
 the Herron brothers — Isaiah and Jerome — a saw- 
 mill. As such it was used for about three years; 
 then it remained idle a couple of years. The prop- 
 erty passed into the hands of Jerome Herron, who 
 sold it to the late Richard Campbell, who established 
 
32 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 it as an ashery. Mr. Campbell conducted the busi- 
 ness at intervals for some ten or twelve years with 
 considerable profit. The site is an excellent one 
 located as it is directly on the railroad and York 
 street, and a never failing spring of water on the 
 corner which is available for manufacturing pur- 
 poses. It was blown down in June, 1897. 
 
 From an interview with a Mr. Greene, who, in 
 1901, lived at Auburn, Ind., we learned that he 
 was at one time a resident of Jefferson township, 
 and later of Albion. In 1871 he introduced the 
 first steam thresher in Noble county, and did thresh- 
 ing for many farmers. VVe were glad to also learn 
 that Mr. Greene is a lineal descendent of General 
 Nathaniel Greene of revolutionar}^ fame. The Gen- 
 eral was his great-great-grandfather. The historian 
 says that ''next to Washington, General Greene 
 was by far the ablest soldier of the Revolution," 
 which of itself is a high compliment. Mr. Greene 
 was then a gray-bearded man and not less than 70 
 years of age, but was soldierl}' straight and physi- 
 cally active. 
 
 Mr. Joseph Kimmell, whose age at time of death 
 in November, 1907, was 80 j^ears, and who had re- 
 sided in Albion, was a settler in Noble count}' in 
 1S49. He was a tinsmith and coppersmith by trade; 
 and established that business in the new count}^ 
 seat in the 'fifties, being the first manufacturer of 
 tinware in Noble countj^, occupying a part of the 
 large square two-story frame building, east side of 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 33 
 
 court square, known as Mechauic's block. He was 
 succeeded in business by his son, William F. Kim- 
 mell. 
 
 Edward Campbell, who died iu 1900 at his home 
 in York township, was gS years old. He claimed 
 to be the oldest living settler in Noble county. He 
 first settled in Port Mitchell in 1S46. 
 
 Jacob Boszor, of Lisbon, in January, 1908, was 
 livingat the age of 98 years — his birthday occurring 
 December 28, 1907 — being the oldest living settler 
 in Noble county. We are not informed of the date 
 of his settlement. 
 
 William E. Boweu, who settled in Noble county 
 in 1S37, became an early count}^ official and resi- 
 dent of Albion, holding the office of sheriff four 
 years and that of treasurer four years. 
 
 Among the early residents who carried on busi- 
 ness requiring skilled labor, we make honorable 
 mention of Benjamin Frazure, whose death occurred 
 in Albion, February 8, 1907, at the advanced age 
 of 86 years. He settled in Albion in 1852, and 
 established a cooperage business on East Main 
 street. He had the honor of manufacturing the 
 first barrel in the new town. He was still doing 
 business in that line in 1857-8. Prior to this date 
 himself and brother, John, established a match fac- 
 tory, and for awhile made the old-fashioned '"lucifer." 
 
 Caleb W. jMcAIeans was born in Port Mitchell 
 in 1842, when that town was the seat of justice. 
 He removed to Green township and then returned; 
 
34 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 but afterwards became a resident of Albion, where 
 he entered into business in the 'fifties, doing a tin- 
 smith and coppersmith business. At present he is 
 a successful merchant in hardware goods at Brim- 
 field. 
 
 The large square two-storj' frame building called 
 "Mechanic's block," which has been referred to, and 
 which stood directly east of the court square, was 
 still doing business in i860, and even later. When 
 the writer came to Albion in 1S57, ^^^- Alex Fulton 
 occupied the rear part of the building and was doing 
 a good cabinet and turning business. The Noble 
 County Democrat occupied the upper south rooms 
 and did a general newspaper and jobbing business. 
 Mrs. McDougall, the widow of Gregory McDougall, 
 occupied a suit of rooms in the second stor}^ on the 
 north side in 185S. 
 
 Damon P. Coffinberr}' was an early boot and shoe 
 manufacturer, located between Clapp's store and 
 the Tenant house. He was succeeded by John H. 
 Ward, afterward associated with his brother, Simon 
 T. Ward. John was the best whistler in the old 
 town, as well as a first-class boot maker. During 
 a Fourth of July celebration in 1856 or 7 he was 
 superintending the fireworks displa}- in the evening 
 on an elevated platform in the east part of the court 
 square. The sk}' rockets, Roman candles and other 
 p_yrotechnic goods were placed in two boxes on the 
 platform. During the progress of the display fire 
 communicated with the combustible goods, and a 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 35 
 
 terrific explosion ensued. The structure was de- 
 molished and the men thrown to the ground, Mr. 
 Ward receiving injuries which rendered him a 
 cripple for life. 
 
 There are few towns which started in the early 
 time but what can point with interest to some log 
 cabin relic, and Albion has at least one at this late 
 day. The old Tousley house, corner Liberty and 
 East Alain stieet, occupied by Dr. W. F. Carver, 
 was one of these built by Mr. Washburn, a brother- 
 in-law of Mr. Call. It was remodeled in later years. 
 But one now stands, northwest of the public square, 
 owned by the Alvords. The exterior is remodeled 
 but the interior still retains its hewn logs. 
 
 A tannery was established in the 'fifties by John 
 Gappinger, and conducted for a number of years 
 with considerable profit to himself and satisfaction 
 to his numerous patrons. It was located on the 
 property now occupied by Dr. T. C. Green, on East 
 Alain street. The business was succeeded by his 
 brother, Frederick. Both gentlemen made a s\ic- 
 cess of the business — the latter brother retiring 
 from active life several years later and becoming a 
 life-long and honored citizen of Albion. His brother 
 John, his senior, upon retiring, went to Keudall- 
 ville, where he established himself as a leather and 
 hide merchant. He died in that city in 1893. 
 
 None were earlier identified with Albion's inter, 
 ests than Judge William M. Clapp. He was born 
 December 18, 1817, in Ellington, Conn. His first 
 
36 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 advent into Noble county was at Augusta, as an 
 attorney, in April, 1843. From thence he followed 
 the county seat in its removal from Augusta to Port 
 Mitchell in 1844. From thence he removed to the 
 new Albion as soon as the new county seat was 
 fully established in 1847. ^'^''^- Clapp was elected 
 auditor in 1845, holding the office five years. He 
 had been instrumental in the removal of the seat 
 of justice to Albion. In 1848 he entered into a co- 
 partnership with H. H. Hitchcock in the mercan- 
 tile business at Albion and continued until 1S49; 
 when the business was conducted bj' himself until 
 1868, and formed a co-partnership with C. B. Phil- 
 lips. In 1873, W. W. White became a member of 
 the firm. Afterwards the firm erected a three-stor}' 
 brick block, corner Main and Orange streets, which 
 burned down October 7, 1880. He established the 
 first bank in Albion in 1S75, which was conducted 
 with the assistance of his sons, Frank and Charles 
 M., the latter gentleman now being at the head of 
 the Albion National bank. 
 
 Judge Clapp was a legislator by election in 1856; 
 was elected judge of the Common Pleas court in 
 i860, and re-elected for thirteen successive years. 
 We find a fitting tribute to his memory in Mr. 
 Alvord's history: "Judge Clapp was the architect 
 of his own success, beginning life's battles unaided 
 by a finished education, destitute of worldly goods, 
 but well stocked with pluck and energy. A great 
 reader and a close observer, with quick perceptions 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 37 
 
 and broad-minded." He died at the age of 63 years. 
 
 Dr. William Clark was probably the first practi- 
 tioner in Albion. At least he resided in the vicinity 
 in the early 'forties. Dr. D. W. C. Denny was 
 associated with him awhile. Dr. S. W. Lemmon, 
 who settled in Albion in 1S56, is the oldest living 
 physician, although having retired from active prac- 
 tice. His age at present is above 78 years. 
 
 Among the early photographers was one J. K. 
 Lautzenhiser. Caleb H. Skeels made tintypes for 
 awhile and tinkered clocks and watches. A Mr. 
 Chandler, of Toledo, introduced some new innova- 
 tions, notably the "ambrotype." Only a single 
 copy was produced, inasmuch as the "negative" was 
 in reality a "positive.'' The "wet" or collodion 
 process was employed, and the picture on the glass 
 was touched up and ros}^ cheeks made to reduce old 
 age to a minimum. The "ambrotype" was then 
 matted and securely placed iu a plush-lined box 
 with a lid to close up tightly and a hook fastener. 
 They were really artistic, but too costly and liable 
 to break to withstand the cheap negative "dry plate," 
 which soon followed and now is so extensively used. 
 
38 
 
 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
BUSINESS AND EARLY ALBION PRESS. 
 
 Part IV. 
 
 First Brick Block— The Projectors and Occupants— Destruc- 
 tion BY Fire— The Drama and Some of the Enter- 
 tainers -The Early Albion Press— Pre-emi- 
 nence AS Birthplace of Journal- 
 ism—Interesting Summary. 
 
 Not uiauy feet from the majestic oak which 
 reared its proud head in 1S46 near the corner of 
 Main and Orange streets, was erected, in 1S73-4, 
 the first brick business block in Albion. The 
 
 structure was three stories in height, and was pro- 
 portionately respectable and dignified as to dimen- 
 sions throughout — being 44x88 feet. In fact it was 
 
40 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 an undertaking which none but such enterprising 
 and ambitious business men as were the projectors 
 would consider at that time. Messrs. C. B. Phillips 
 and W. W. White, undaunted by the expostulations 
 of older heads, began its erection under the super- 
 vision of Mr. Samuel Broughton and John Pepple, 
 both of whom were well chosen — the former for the 
 brick, and the latter gentleman for the carpenter 
 work. It is needless to say that the work was well 
 done. But before the building was completed the 
 late Hon. William Clapp, who desired to establish 
 a banking business, entered into co-partnership with 
 the young men, and the east rear of the structure 
 facing on Main street was built in accordance with 
 his wishes. The block cost about $15,000. 
 
 A general mercantile business was established 
 in the capacious south room, and a general hard- 
 ware stock, presided over b}^ Messrs. L. G. Worden 
 & Son, occupied the north room. A spacious stair- 
 way led from the north side to the second story, 
 which was utilized for • additional store room, and 
 other lines of business. The third floor was finished 
 for public hall and entertainment purposes; and for 
 several years prior to the destruction of this block 
 by fire, October 7, 1880, it had been fitted up and 
 occupied by the Amateur Dramatic company and 
 the Adelphians. 
 
 The Adelphians were a dramatic association made 
 up of Albion's best home talent, and was the out- 
 growth of an organization called the Amateur Dram- 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 41 
 
 atic Troupe. A copy of the printed by-laws of the 
 Adelphians shows that a permanent organization 
 was effected May, 1875. Following were the char- 
 ter members: G. W. Roof, general manager; B. S. 
 Ramsey, stage manager; Frank Kimmell, treasurer; 
 John W. Smith, secretary; Asher R. Fulton, ticket 
 agent; J. Ben Leslie, Steve H. Reed, Forest A. Love, 
 Albert Fulton, Alex. Aumond, Arthur Haas, W. 
 F. Warner, J. \V. McMeans, Mrs. Nellie Coy, the 
 Misses IVIarj-' Kuhn, Emma Kimmell, Lelia Evans, 
 Olive Horner, Leola Saltzgaber. The orchestra was 
 composed of Uncle David Matthews, violin; S. K. 
 Konkle, violin; Al Haney, B cornet; Chauncey Dice, 
 bass viol. 
 
 During the existence of the old associations, other 
 members were added, among whom we mention 
 Miss Ocie Mendenhall, John Swett, F. O. Kam- 
 merer,the useful German teacher and scene painter. 
 
 The late Mr. T. M. Eells was the excellent stage 
 manager of the Amateur Dramatic association. Mr. 
 Ramsey was also a tragedian of no mean pretensions; 
 and long after the Adelphians ceased to appear on 
 the boards, he made professional engagements else- 
 where. As Bob Brierly in "Ticket of Leave Man," 
 Mr. Ramsey invariably caught the house. Mr. S. 
 H. Reed, who frequently was cast in a heavy role, 
 rendered excellent satisfaction. Al. Fulton had no 
 equal in Irish comedy, while Forest Love and Frank 
 Kimmell dearly loved a good farce. vSmith and 
 Leslie were drawing room familiarities, and they 
 
42 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 were alwaA'S fortunate in drawing the central 
 figures for love making. John Swett as idiot wit- 
 ness in the drama of that name was in rehearsal 
 once too often, which necessitated the manager to 
 change the cast just before the plaj? was rendered. 
 He became disgusted catching flies. Some excel- 
 lent talent was developed by the ladies, which was 
 duly appreciated by the patrons; but we dare not 
 particularize, fearing that none should get just 
 criticism. Be it said, showers of applause always 
 greeted them. Alex Aumond was the best single- 
 handed propert}' man ever put on the stage. Per- 
 mit him to read the play once, and our honor as a 
 guarantee, each curtain would rise on time with 
 every article in its place. The familiar title of "Pap'' 
 will be recalled b}' the old members who passed so 
 iiianj' happy though laborious hours behind the 
 footlights, when these rapabling lines meet their 
 eyes. He will alwa3'S kindly hold them in remem- 
 brance. And when the Adelphians had been re- 
 organized with many new and younger members, 
 after the fire had consumed hundreds of dollars 
 worth of scenery and property which were held dear 
 by the old association, and when many were scattered 
 hither and yon (including "Pap"), he received an 
 invitation to attend and participate in a "Reunion" 
 of the histrionic band at Howard's new opera house, 
 April 24 and 25, 1S85. The bill informed us that 
 "Fruits of the Wine Cup" would be on, but we 
 could see but five of the old members. The after- 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 43 
 
 piece of the "Sausage Makers" by Love and Kira- 
 mell was selected. IMr. T. IVI. Eells was chosen to 
 address the audience and introduce the "Reunion 
 Tableau." Two hundred miles of intervening space 
 and other matters prevented the writer from attend- 
 ing; but the curtain went up, and in that semi-circle 
 of chairs with the footlights gleaming rays of hap- 
 piness upon some and rays of sadness on others, 
 betokened a disentegrated condition of the original 
 band. Some were occupying the chairs, others were 
 hundreds and thousands of miles away, while per- 
 haps even one or two had passed to the irrecovera- 
 ble be3'oud. An absent member feelingly writer: 
 "With the name 'Adelphians' is associated the 
 many old and tried friends — a little band of faith- 
 ful workers for improvement and for the public 
 good. Some are here, others there; perhaps you 
 have provided some vacant chairs. If the hand of 
 death like the 'Angel of Midnight' has made one 
 vacant chair, may its mournful decoration serve to 
 remind the auditors that the living members who 
 sit beside it hold still a green and cherished spot 
 in remembrance of the departed." 
 
 THE EARLY ALBION PRESS. 
 
 (By the Author.) 
 In glancmgover the early press of Albion, we 
 find that all the publishers or editors, with the ex- 
 ception of one or two, have passed away; and but 
 these two are now living residents of Noble county. 
 
44 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Almost all of the supporters of the earl}' press, too, 
 have been cut down by the reaper Death. The re- 
 flection is a sad one; because the writer, as an old- 
 time printer, has had agreeable business relations 
 with them all. Our weakness may be excusable 
 when we reflect that not a single one of those named, 
 except one, are now living: Hon. William Mitchell, 
 Hon. H. C. Stanley, Hon. Judge H. S. Tousle}', 
 Hon. Judge Randall, Owen Black, S. E. Alvord, 
 Fielding Prickett, Thomas Store}', Jerome Sweet, 
 Capt. Hiram Iddings,Hou. William M. Clapp, Sam- 
 uel Conlogue, Jacob and Jehu Foster, Christian 
 Foster, F. A. Black, Elihu Wadsworth, D. S. Love, 
 George W. Matthews, Stedman Gra}', John Young 
 and a few others. Hon. Abel Barnum is one of the 
 honored living in 1907, at the ripe old age of eighty- 
 six years. 
 
 Having once written the popular histor}' of Noble 
 county newspapers, our mission here is onl}' to 
 chronicle, in a sketchy way, the press of Albion 
 from its beginning. Newspapers do not seem to 
 have kept pace with the settlement of the county, 
 as the first one was published in 1849— about thir- 
 teen years after the county was organized, and 
 twenty-two years after the first settlement. The 
 paper in Noble county now published, and having 
 the longest continual life from its establishment, is 
 the Kendallville Standard, now about forty-four 
 years old. 
 
 It seems strange that the first newspaper of the 
 
A^'D GREATER ALBION. 45 
 
 county, in early 1S49, should have been established 
 at Kendallville, when that town had perhaps less 
 than one hundred souls, and, we believe, before it 
 was platted into a town by William Mitchell. There 
 were other larger, older and more thriving towns 
 whose prospects at that time were very flattering — 
 notabl}' Lisbon, Port Mitchell, Wolf Lake and 
 Rochester. Albion was unheard of three years be- 
 fore, and had an existence only in the forest. But 
 the people had become tired of moving the county 
 seat about i:pon their shoulders, so at last dropped 
 it down in the geographical center of the county as 
 the onlv means of "keeping peace in the tamil}^,'' 
 and getting rid of the elephant. 
 
 William D. Austin is the pioneer who established 
 the first Noble county newspaper at Kendallville 
 called the Star — but she had no use for printer's 
 ink, so the Star pulled its feet out of the mud and 
 set them down in the new Eldorado — Albion— 'mid 
 the grand oak forest which held high carnival over 
 her "seven hills" like unto Rome, and "in that elder 
 day," no doubt thought Bro. Austin, "to be an Al- 
 bionite was greater than a kmg." And, like Rienzi, 
 he "came not here to talk," but to print. He wanted 
 to print the sheriff's sales, and the non-resident 
 notices, and the delinquent tax sales, and between 
 times solicit subscribers, and print ball invitations 
 and calling cards on a hand press, and get out 
 Fourth of July three-color posters. The Star took 
 up quarters in Sam Clymer's court house which he 
 
46 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 built in 1847, ^"d hired William Norton as fore- 
 man. Its circulation reached 350 subscribers. 
 
 In the winter of 1849-50, Samuel E. Alvord pur- 
 chased the plant and removed it to private apart- 
 ments. The Star died, and from its ashes arose the 
 Albion Observer, June 6, 1S50, b}' Alvord & King. 
 Mr. King retired and the Observer continued until 
 December, 1852. James Scott, S. E. Alvord, Jones, 
 Buckwalter, Young, Charlc}' Alvord, Tip Walters 
 and others were attachees at different times. 
 
 Then came the Expositor b}' Mr. Alvord, existing 
 about three months. Following it in 1854 came the 
 Albion Palladium by J. W. Brvant, who was soon 
 assisted b}' Theo. F.Tidball as a co-partner. This 
 continued with various "ups and downs" until the 
 autumn of 1855. In this 3'ear the plant was reor- 
 ganized with a stock company of democrats, and 
 was published as the Noble County' Palladium dur- 
 ing the Fremont campaign and then ceased. 
 
 Mr. Alvord purchased the office and in Februar}' 
 of 1857, the Noble Count)' Democrat was launched 
 on the sea of uncertain journalism. For a short 
 time G. I.Z. Rayhouser, was associated as publisher; 
 then Sol Starner, and John W. Bryant. On the 
 23rd day of October, 1857, the following document 
 duly signed and sealed, was executed: 
 
 "We, the undersigned, stockholders in the press 
 and material of the Noble County Democrat, hereby 
 authorize George W. Roof to take possession thereof, 
 and of the office thereof, and to proceed to publish 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 47 
 
 said paper. Said Roof is to pay said stockholders 
 at the rate of 8 per cent on the whole cost as rent, 
 or $48 per year, and to have all the proceeds of said 
 office, and publication, and to pay his own expenses, 
 and to be to all the expense of publishing said paper. 
 And the said George \V. Roof hereby agrees to and 
 with the said stockholders to do and receive as above 
 set forth. This agreement to be in force until further 
 arrangements. 
 
 "Witness our hands and seals this 23d day of 
 October, A. D., 1857. 
 
 Jacob S. Foster, [Seal] 
 
 Thomas Storey, [Seal] 
 
 Owen Black, [Seal] 
 
 Samuel E. Alvord, [Seal] 
 H. C. Stanley, [Seal] 
 
 J. Sweet, [Seal] 
 
 George W. Rook. [Seal] 
 Two other stockholders, John Young and F. A. 
 Black, were added to those already given on May 
 19, 1858, at which time a new lease was given by 
 them to the writer for a period of one year, ending 
 May 19, 1859. All the signers of this document, 
 except the writer, now lie peacefully in their caskets 
 of clay, unconscious of journalistic struggles. We 
 shall ever remember them with kindly spirit. 
 
 During these years of 1S57, 185S and 1859 nota- 
 ble events occurred which interested the newspaper 
 man. It was an epoch of "hair-raising," incidents. 
 It will be remembered that scalps were in demand 
 
48 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 from the fact that this epoch was the wind-up of 
 blacklegery in Northern Indiana, and particular!}' 
 in Noble county. It was a time when the sword 
 was mightier than the pen. There were no tele- 
 graph liars in those days to distort facts and manu- 
 facture sensationalism. The earl}? press did not 
 need their aid — bare facts alone filled the bill of fare. 
 The thrilling adventures of the regulators with the 
 organized outlaws served to spice the columns of 
 the old "Democrat" in the woods. 
 
 A ridiculous and serious misunderstanding which 
 came near resulting tragically occurred with a patron 
 and friend of the Democrat at Rome. The gentle- 
 man was a tradesman there, while his wife was con- 
 ducting a millinery business. The writer was stand- 
 ing in the threshold of the stairway leading up to 
 the Democrat office .in the old two-story building 
 east of the court house. The gentleman was on 
 his way home and hurriedly accosted me with, "I 
 want you to advertise my wife" and drove on. I 
 was not aware that his wife was in business and at 
 once concluded that the twain had separated. When 
 I reached the sanctum sanctorum, with pen in hand, 
 the following copy was soon ground out: "Whereas, 
 
 my wife, -, has left my bed and board without 
 
 just cause or provocation, this is to notify all per- 
 sons not to trust her on my account, as I will pay 
 no debts of her contracting," etc. The advertise- 
 ment was printed as written, and soon circulated in 
 Rome. The editor sat in his easy chair the next 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 49 
 
 day dreamiug of hen-pecked husbands and wonder- 
 ing if marriage was really a failure, when the sound 
 of heavy and hurried footsteps was heard on the 
 stairwa}' leading up to the office. The door was 
 suddenly thrown open, and to my surprise there 
 stood my friend, mad as a wet hornet. He ap- 
 proached me and in thundering tones demanded an 
 explanation. I stopped dreaming at once and tried 
 to pull m3'self together, with but little success. The 
 situation for a few minutes was quite alarming, but 
 at last a compromise was effected by convincing him 
 that it was all a misunderstanding. I have been 
 connected with many ludicrous and serious affairs 
 in the printing office, but none which I so much 
 regretted as this one. This man and his wife were 
 respected citizens and as I learned had always been 
 agreeable partners in matrimonj', and when the 
 notice was made public in their vicinity through 
 the Democrat the reader can surmise what must have 
 been the result. 
 
 The Democrat was printed on a Foster hand press, 
 one in which the platen remained stationary while 
 the bed containing the forms was raised to it by 
 means of the knuckle joints and levers underneath, 
 to make the impression. The white paper on which 
 it was printed was obtained from Beardsley Bros.' 
 mill at Elkhart and some from Fort Wayne from 
 the warehouse of Mr. Hill. An occasional lot of 
 job stock came from the office of the Toledo Blade. 
 From Elkhart the bundles of paper were shipped 
 
50 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 via Air Line railroad to Wawaka, thence to Albion 
 by horse power over corduroy bridges and occasional 
 mudways. These trips were not always the most 
 serene. I remember one of them distinctly. It 
 was in the spring when the low places in the road 
 through the swamps stood knee-deep in water and 
 the narrow corduroy was barel}' peeping above the 
 surface. Wawaka with its few houses was, like 
 m3'self, floundering in mud and water. I was driv- 
 ing home from there with horse and buggy heavily 
 freighted with three or four bundles of print paper 
 and while crossing one of these narrow corduro}' 
 bridges at dusk I was suddenlj' confronted b}' a soli- 
 tary horseman. There was not room on the bridge 
 for us to pass comfortably. The horse and buggy 
 could not be turned around and the horseman would 
 not; so, for a short time it looked as if a second 
 "Rhoderic Dhu and Fitz-James'' affair would come 
 off. Expostulations were of no avail so the horse- 
 man made a break to pass. He succeeded, but his 
 horse caught a hind wheel of my buggy and broke 
 the axle. For a few moments the air was blue with 
 words that were not strictly of a religious character. 
 Time was short till dark, but a small pole tied under 
 the broken axle to drag behind, got me out of the 
 woods, but the wheel was left behind. The event, 
 as luck would have it, furnished a good item for the 
 next issue of the Democrat. 
 
 I was boarding at the Mansion House, kept by 
 Eli Dice, on the site where now stands the Trump 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 51 
 
 brick business block on Orange street, during the 
 trial of a party brought to Albion from LaGrange 
 county by the regulators on a serious charge which, 
 had there been evidence produced to convict him, 
 would have furnished a most sensational write-up 
 for this "neck o' woods." The accused roomed with 
 me on the night before the examination. At retir- 
 ing time I was amazed when he disrobed to discover 
 that he was a walking arsenal. A brace of revol- 
 vers were laid upon the table, after which a spirited 
 rehearsal of the arrest and facts connected there- 
 with took place. When he had finished he involun- 
 tarily clutched the murderous looking weapons and 
 exclaimed: "I am an innocent man, and the first 
 witness who on tomorrow falsely swears against me 
 is a dead man!" Somehow or other I felt prett}' 
 good the next day when it was known that my room- 
 mate had proven himself innocent and that his honor 
 ami honesty had been vindicated even in those daj's 
 of excitement and thrilling adventure. 
 
 While the Democrat period comprised the years 
 in which the most sensational state of affairs existed 
 in the county, much of it was suppressed from pub- 
 lication for reasons of public good. Up to the close 
 of the career of this paper in early 1859, the out- 
 lawry which existed furnished much of this sensa- 
 tional matter. When the famous outlaws. Hill and 
 Wilson, escaped from jail on the night of March 5, 
 1S59, not only were the most cunning and greatest 
 of criminals in northern Indiana set free, but also 
 
o2 XOBLK COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 was the work of the struggling yeomanry — who had 
 banded themselves together for public good — at an 
 end. The hanging of McDougall had sounded the 
 death-knell of earl}^ outlawry, and the 3,000 citizens 
 comprising the membership of the Regulators of 
 Northern Indiana rested from their labors, and the 
 country entered upon a new era of prosperit}'. 
 
 fhe struggling pioneer paper now gave way to a 
 newer order of things, and after the further publi- 
 cation of the Democrat in a new series, by E. L. 
 Alvord of New York, for a period of four months, 
 from September to December, 1859, the Noble 
 County Democrat as a newspaper finall}^ became 
 defunct. 
 
 In the latter part of i860 Joshua R. Randall pur- 
 chased the material of Mr. Alvord and began the 
 publication of the Albion Herald. On July 1,1867, 
 W. F. & A. J. Kiuimell started the Albion Adver- 
 tiser — a three-column folio — in which a series of 
 articles on the history of Albion written by Hon. 
 Nelson Prentiss were published. It was discon- 
 tinued the following year, and C. O. Myers, of Ken- 
 dallville, purchased the material. ' 
 
 Albion was without a newspaper from 1868 until 
 the fall of 1872, when the demands for one were so 
 urgent that S. E. Alvord was again induced to enter 
 the field. After himself and daughter Lillian (now 
 Mrs. Ed. Engle) had, with a few fonts of type and 
 a Boston Novelty press, issued the initial numbers 
 of a small sheet under the significant name "New 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 53 
 
 Era," Mr. Alvord contracted with the writer of these 
 sketches to superintend the culture and develop- 
 ment of the infant into mechanical manhood. It 
 soon attained such character and circulation as to 
 necessitate the purchase of a large Fairhaven cylin- 
 der press. In 1S75 its circulation had swelled to 
 1,200. The New Era was independent in politics 
 until January-, 1S76, when it was purchased by 
 PriAett & Starr, who made it a republican paper. 
 In April, 1S78, Jacob P. Prickett succeeded his 
 partner. On September 23, 1895, J. E. Buchanan 
 of Dekalb count}', purchased the New Era, from 
 whom E. L. Adair purchased, and at present is edi- 
 tor and proprietor. 
 
 The Kendallville Review was established in 1881 
 by William P. Fischer. It had an erratic existence 
 there, and in September, 1SS2, was moved to Albion 
 and its name changed to the Albion Review. In 
 February, 1883, James J. Lash took charge of the 
 paper and changed its name to the Noble County 
 Democrat. Thus originated the present paper of 
 that name. In the early spring of 1 887, S. E. Alvord 
 purchased the Democrat and moved it into the, 
 building at the northwest corner of the public square. 
 H. E. Askew, now city editor of the Fort Wayne 
 Daily Sentinel, set the first type in the Democrat's 
 new building. In 1893, Henry C. Pressler became 
 proprietor and in June, 1894, he sold the plant to 
 O. H. Downey who remained its proprietor until 
 January, 1897, when it was sold to Pressler & Mc- 
 
54 
 
 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Ewen. The latter gentleman soon became sole pro- 
 prietor and is at present the editor and publisher. 
 Albion is justly celebrated for having been the 
 real birthplace of journalism in Noble county. 
 
ALBION CHURCHES. 
 
 Part V. 
 
 Organization of Church Societies— First and Present Pastors 
 
 Charter Members— Church Edifices, Cost, etc.— 
 
 Worship in Court House— Court Held in 
 
 Church— Auxiliaries— Incidents. 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal denomination became 
 an organized religious society in the autumn of 1847. 
 The members worshipped in 'the first frame court 
 
56 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 house until 1855, after which they occupied the 
 Lutheran church until 1875. Rev. Silas Stout was 
 the first pastor. During the pastorate of O. S. 
 Harrison, Albion became a station in the Noble 
 circuit. At the revival of 1S82 the membership 
 increased from 50 to 160. 
 
 The pastors from the beginning are: Silas Stout, 
 1847-8; Emanuel Hall, 49-50; Charles Ketcham, 
 51; William Blake, 52; D. B. Clary, 53; M. M. Hun, 
 54; S. W. Camp and Barnett, 55; J. H. Hutchison, 
 56-7; William Palmer, 58; J. P. Nash, 59-60; I. 
 Ayers and Thomas Sell, 61; W. T. Barnard, 63; J. 
 M. Mann, 64; J. S. Sellers, 65-6; H. L. Nickerson, 
 67; J. W. Smith, 68-70; William Comstock, 71-2; 
 W. B. Graham, 73; C. H. Wilkinson, 74-6; James 
 Greer, 77-9; J. AV. Smith, 80-1; W. S. Stewart, 82-4; 
 M. S. Marble, 85-7; O. S. Harrison, 88-90; A. S. 
 Preston, 91; H. M. Johnson, 92; C. W. Wilcox, 93- 
 5; F. F. Freeh, 96-7; C. H. Murray, 98-01; George 
 H. Kemp, 02-03; L. E. Knox, 04-8. 
 
 The present handsome edifice, a picture of which 
 is here shown, was erected in 1898, at a cost of 
 $4,300. It was dedicated June 4, 1899, by Rev. W. 
 D. Parr, of Fort Wayne. ^ 
 
 The erection of the old church, on whose site was 
 reared the present structure, was mainly built 
 through the herculean efforts of the hands and 
 brains of Rev. C. H. Wilkinson. It was dedicated 
 in December, 1875. 
 
 The auxiliary societies are its Sunday school, the 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 
 
 --)/ 
 
 Epworth League, Junior League, Ladies' Aid society 
 and Woman's Home Missionary society. 
 
 EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN. 
 
 The first church society was that of the Evangeli- 
 cal Lutheran, which was organized in April, 1848, 
 by Rev. Jacob Seidel. The first members were 
 Philip Bowman and wife, David Bucher and wife 
 (parents of Mrs. P. B. Bassett and Mrs. ]\L H. Kim- 
 
58 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 niell), Heury Bowman and wife, Stephen Pratt and 
 wife, James Pepple and wife and Abraham Hosier 
 and wife. 
 
 The pastors have been Rev. G. A. Exline, J. 
 Seidel, G. Walker, R. L. Delo, J. H. Hoffman, 
 J. N. Barnett, J. Boon, Sink, William Walt- 
 man, W. H. Keller, B. F. Stultz, E. W. Erick, O. 
 W. Bowe;n, Jabez Shaffer. D.F. Kain is the present 
 pastor. 
 
 This society erected its first house of worship in 
 1855. The old building has been lowered to grade 
 and the structure has been greatly remodeled since 
 andalmost entirel}' rebuilt, and entirely refurnished; 
 and today is among the finest churches of the city 
 and cotmty. 
 
 The old building was used as a court room after 
 the burning of Albion's court house. Here it was 
 that the late Samuel E. Alvord preached a religious 
 sermon upon his own previous announcement, which, 
 we have been told, was a credit to pulpit oratory. 
 
 (Rev. D. F. Kain, after a protracted illness, passed 
 away February 3, 190S. He was one of the old 
 pastors of this church, and was the present pastor 
 at time of death. — Ed.) 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN. 
 The First Presbyterian church of Albion was or- 
 ganized on the i6tli of December, 1848, by Revs. 
 E. Bascom and A. H. Kerr. The charter members 
 were Erastus Speucer, Amanda M. Spencer, Ada- 
 line Wade, William Crispell, Sarah Crispell, Cath- 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 
 
 59 
 
 arine Coon, Andrew Woodward, Polly A. Bassett, 
 Lucia Bassett, E. I\I. Wright, Abigail Wright and 
 Isaac Arnold. W^illiam Crispell was made ruling 
 elder. The accessions to the church have been 
 gradual. The present membership is sixty-iive, 
 and the average, since 1848, about forty. Services 
 
 
 were first held in the first court house, but later in 
 the Lutheran church, towards the construction of 
 which the Presbyterians contributed several hundred 
 dollars. The present Presbyterian church was con- 
 structed during portions of the years iS75and 1876. 
 The total cost, including the furnishings and the 
 land, was about $7,100. The work was begun in 
 
60 XOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 August, 1875, aud the house was dedicated Novem- 
 ber 12, 1876, by Rev. James Pollock, of Tiffin, Ohio. 
 The ministers who have served the church are as 
 follows: Revs. E. Bascom, Mr. Snyder, William 
 Boner(about eight years, beginniugin 1 851), Charles 
 A. Mnnn, S. V. McKee, J. P. Moore (from near the 
 close of the war until about 1877), George Walter 
 Barr, 18S1-3; Charles Rice, 1884-5; A.J. Reynolds, 
 1886-9; M. M. Marchall, 1889-91; S. L. Shirley, 
 1893-5; Ralph R. Ward, 1896-7; Williamson Dunn 
 Vater, 1898-9; George Applegate, 1 900-1; Martin 
 Luther Tressler, 1902-3; Cyrus Alexander Price, 
 September 24, 1904, and is the present-pastor. 
 
 The church building of late has had a furnace 
 put under it and a cement walk in front, the windows 
 re-leaded, the wook-work painted outside and var- 
 nished inside and a new carpet added at considera- 
 ble expense. The church owns a good Manse prop- , 
 perty adjoining the church building which has been 
 repainted in the past year and had a substantial 
 addition made to it. 
 
 Officers of the church: Session — James T. John- 
 ston, James R. Cole. Deacons — James Matthews, 
 J. T. Johnston. Trustees — Cornelius B. Phillips, 
 Orlando J. Singrey, Abel A. Barnum. 
 
 UNITED BRETHREN. 
 
 This society was organized about 1867. Its mem- 
 bership has been increased on occasions of revivals 
 and from other sources in the past few years to such 
 
AND (iREATKR ALBION. 
 
 (A 
 
 an extent that a larger and more commodious struc- 
 ture was made by enlargement and the interior 
 beautifully refurnished and refitted. The present 
 large roll of membership attests its religious pros- 
 perity. Its Sunday school is large and well attended, 
 superintended by earnest and able workers and in- 
 structors. 
 
 A very pleasant incident is related of the late 
 Henry L. Brown, who was a charter member of the 
 
62 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 church organization. Mr. Brown, at an early da}', 
 had settled upon the farm south of Albion where 
 he died December 21, 1907. Some fine timber grew 
 upon the farm, and Mr. Brown was clearing it off 
 rapidl}' with his strong hands. The church society 
 needed a place of worship, so the new minister vis- 
 ited Mr. Brown at his farm and solicited aid for the 
 structure. Not belonging to any church organiza- 
 tion, but of a generous disposition to benefit the 
 morals of the communit}', he said he had some fine 
 large oak trees, and he promised the preacher he 
 would cut them down and have them sawed into 
 lumber to help build the church. This he did; and 
 when worship was held in the new building, Mr. 
 Brown and his wife went and heard the sermons 
 several times. The seed fell upon fertile soil, for 
 soon both become active and conscientious adher- 
 ents of the faith. From that time until his death 
 he was a constant devotee each Sundaj^, and at all 
 times, of the church and the Sunday school. 
 
 WESLEYAN METHODIST. 
 
 It is to be regretted that at present the old records 
 of this society are not to be found; but enough has 
 been gleaned to give somewhat reliable data. It is 
 probable that the organization was effected in 1867 
 or '78. A juncture of two other circuits or missions 
 were merged into Albion. 
 
 Among the earliest preachers were Rev. Jesse 
 Hyatt, succeeded by Rev. Albert H. Hyatt. The 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 
 
 63 
 
 present handsome little place of worship is located 
 at the extreme east end of Alain street, a photo- 
 engraving of which is shown. It was dedicated by 
 Rev. Henry West, at the time that Rev. Worth 
 was its pastor. 
 
 The late Solomon Franks and wife were charter 
 members. Some of the staunch supporters of this 
 church were the late George Black and wife Emma. 
 An excellent Sunday school is successfully con- 
 ducted, and is a valuable auxiliary to the church. 
 
64 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 The societ}' consists of a most excellent member- 
 ship, with able gospel teachers, and a prosperous 
 future in church work. 
 
 ' ROMAN CATHOLIC. 
 
 Albion was formerly a mission of Avilla. The 
 church of the Sacred Heart, under the special pat- 
 ronage of St. James, was built by Father Duehming 
 in 1S75, and was dedicated the same j'ear by Bishop 
 Dwenger on the feast of St. James the greater (July 
 25). At that time there were twelve Catholic fami- 
 lies at Albion. 
 
 In 1 88 1 this mission was transferred from Avilla 
 to Ege. Since 1890 it has been attended from 
 Auburn, and at present is in charge of Father J. 
 W. Schmitz. 
 
 The cost of the church, including altar and other 
 fixtures, was $2200. 
 
 w 
 
A Modern Residence, North Orange Street. 
 
BENEFICIAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Part VI. 
 
 Introductory— Population, Official Vote and Wealth— City 
 Government— Albion Within— Farmers and Free Mail- 
 After THE Fire— Streets and Sidewalks— Social 
 Features— Our Future Possibilities — Benevo- 
 lence and Societies— Desirable Business 
 Openings— Business College Necessity. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 Albion never has been so unfortunate as to be- 
 come paralyzed with what often affects western mush- 
 room towns — a "boom." Boom towns generally have 
 their origin on paper, stimulated by real estate 
 sharks, and all require a constant "booming" and 
 inflation to keep in them the breath of life and a 
 show of business; until finally many of them pass 
 out of existence, or merely exist spasmodically. 
 While we may not be classed with the "boom" towns, 
 we are happy in presenting the fact that no other 
 town in northern Indiana has, like Albion, almost 
 doubled her population in a decade; and while she 
 has thus augmented the figures of the census report, 
 she has also, with a degree of commendable enter- 
 prise, made steady progress and substantial im- 
 provements, both in brick business houses and fine 
 residences of modern architectural adornment. 
 
66 
 
 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 The population of Nnble county, in 1870, was 
 20,389; in 1900 it was 23,533. The official presi- 
 dential vote of the county in 1904 was 6,628. The 
 first presidential vote was in 1840. 
 
 In 1854 Albion township was formed from Jeffer- 
 son and York;and in 1870 the population of Albion 
 was 476; in 1890, it had risen to 1300. In 1906, 
 the estimated population was placed at 1,600. Thus 
 it will be observed that Albion, as well as Noble 
 county, has made substantial and permanent ad- 
 vancement. 
 
 ALBION WITHIN. 
 
 Albion is the county seat of Noble county, a 
 county conceded to be the farthest advanced as an 
 agricultural division of the state; and considering 
 its population, in the lead of education, facilities of 
 transportation, and most desirable with regard to 
 health and climatic conditions. Her capital is sit- 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 67 
 
 uated at the geographical center of the county. 
 The city is lighted with electric lights, has fine 
 streets, good sewerage, water works, (capacity 500,- 
 000 gallons a day) and a telephone system connect- 
 ing through the surrounding country and towns. 
 There are six rural mail routes running out of Al- 
 bion, giving the farmers daily mail. Its inhabi- 
 tants are peaceful and law-abiding, with not a saloon 
 in the town. Dramatic entertainments are furnished 
 at the opera house, and a lecture course each winter 
 under the management of the ladies, supplies the 
 needs of the more intellectually inclined. Clubs 
 for social talk, historic and educational advancement 
 meet regularly; teachers' institutes are held at legal 
 intervals, and farmers' institutes are a feature for 
 the promotion of agricultural work. A county hor- 
 ticultural society convenes quarterly among our 
 farmers, whose membership exceeds 340 families. 
 The Pioneer society meets in Albion annually on 
 the first Thursday in June, and a county historical 
 museum has already been established. 
 
 Benevolent, fraternal and beneficiary societies are 
 numerous. There are maintained lodges of Masons, 
 Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Maccabees, etc. 
 A paid fire department affords excellent protection. 
 The Noble County Telephone company, located at 
 Albion, and financed by home capitalists, with some 
 three or four hundred subscribers, affords easy, 
 prompt and cheap communication. The Bell tele- 
 phone has also an exchange here. The ladies are 
 
68 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 always found foremost in christian, temperance and 
 benevolent work. 
 
 The Newhope hospital is centrally located, and 
 is a valuable aid to the sick, or to the unfortunate 
 who may require surgical attention. Trained nurses 
 are always in attendance. The institution is sup- 
 plied with a complete microscopical and X-Ra}' 
 laborator}'. 
 
 The city government is administered b}' three 
 trustees, one being elected by the people for each 
 ward. A clerk and treasurer also are elected. The 
 marshal is appointed bj' the board of trustees. 
 
 The 1907 Street Fair, from September 11 to 14, 
 with most novel and interesting attractions, and at 
 which were on exhibition the choicest products of 
 our farmers, was one of mau}^ entertainments Al- 
 bion people have furnished. Expensive premiums 
 were awarded, with no entrj' fee or cost to the ex- 
 hibitor. Six thousand people were in almost daily 
 attendance, the fair lasting four days. An associa- 
 tion has been formed for a continuation of a fair 
 with wider range of interests. 
 
 The Albion Improvement association is now a 
 fixed body of workers, its members being composed 
 of business men, clerks, employees, mechanics, la- 
 borers, farmers and all who are interested in a 
 Greater Albion and surroundings. 
 
 Many have come here and found homes, and are 
 living in our little city and within our immediate 
 country surroundings, amid peace and plenty, among 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 69 
 
 people who have become famous throughout north- 
 ern Indiana for their hospitality, — where they enjoy 
 all the privileges of church, school and society. 
 
 Remember: Enthusiasm, zeal, ambition, energy, 
 hustle, confidence — these must be in the future the 
 distinguishing characteristics of a GREATER Albion. 
 AFTER THE FIRES. 
 
 Few persons stop to consider the rapid strides 
 Albion has made since her great fires, which swept 
 out of existence about all the "fire-traps" that 
 menaced her business centers. When Chicago was 
 fire-swept she did not sit down and weep, or move 
 on to some other locality; the situation was by legal 
 and natural right her own. So, when the ashes 
 cooled off a little, they went at it and builded better 
 and stronger; and today she is, with a single excep- 
 tion, the foremost in population and business of all 
 the cities. But Albion, though not comparable in 
 size or business quantity, did not, as did Chicago, 
 borrow money to rebuild, and buy merchandise; her 
 business people put their heads and pocketboolcs 
 together, and determined to rebuild, restock, and 
 rejuvenate. The resources were ample; her country 
 backing was not surpassed. 
 
 The carpenters, the brickmasons, the artificers — 
 all were set to work, and what was the result? Not 
 a duplicate of its former self, but the rearing of a 
 new and Greater Albion — of magnificent business 
 structures made of brick and stone and iron — in- 
 destructible; not half a dozen or a small cluster of 
 
70 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 blocks, but tbe entire business center of the town 
 was made of brick. If we include the court house, 
 jail and both power houses, the actual number now 
 exceeds thirty, in which today the business of the 
 town and the rural districts — altogether embracing 
 about 1 50 square miles of contiguous territory — take 
 pleasure in transacting trade. 
 
 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS. 
 Various experiments have been made in incor- 
 porated towns and cities with streets, man}' of which, 
 when subjected to practical tests, have proven worth- 
 less. Albion has relied upon nature's product, 
 gravel, which abounds in our surrounding hills; it 
 has been put to practical tests, and the results are 
 satisfactory and merelj' nominal as to expense. The 
 entire city is thoroughly laid with this product, mak- 
 ing the cleanest, solidest and smoothest streets to 
 be found in Noble count}^ The old wooden side- 
 walks, too, have given way to beautiful and artisti- 
 cally laid cement, which the pedestrian so much 
 admires and enjoys. Street crossings also are con- 
 structed of cement and are, like the sidewalks of that 
 material, indestructible. As a matter of reference 
 we give below the names of all our streets. 
 East and west streets, beginning north — 
 
 Jackson South 
 
 Grove Walnut 
 
 Summit Seneca 
 
 Highland Railroad 
 
 Jefferson Washington 
 
liifhUuid Avenue, Lookin}/ West. 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 71 
 
 Main Perry 
 
 Hazel Harrison 
 
 Gold Chestnut 
 
 North and south streets, beginning east — 
 7th Wall Oak 
 
 6th Owen Cherry 
 
 5th Calhoun Meridian 
 
 4th Elm High 
 
 3rd Hickory Lafayette 
 
 2nd Liberty Ogle 
 
 1st Orange Grace 
 
 Orchard York Weeks 
 
 Albion township, in conjunction with our sur- 
 rounding townships, has, for some time, been or- 
 ganized for the establishment of good gravel roads 
 in and out of Albion; and today good graded and 
 and gravel highways extend into the country in all 
 directions for half a dozen miles or more, which 
 places us in an enviable position, and unsurpassed 
 in competitive facilities. These are undeniable facts 
 and should be heralded far and near. 
 
 DESIRABLE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. 
 Let us enumerate, in a general way, some of the 
 desirable lines of business that might, with energy 
 and push, and \vith varied amounts of capital be- 
 hind them — and none of which requires a million- 
 aire to finance, become successful and be acceptable 
 to the citizens and surrounding country: 
 Mittens and Gloves Brooms and Brushes 
 
 Buggy Works Cigar Factory 
 
72 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Candy Manufacturer Knitting Factory 
 
 Canning Factory Cooperage 
 
 Oil Depot -Starch Works 
 
 Toys and Novelties Cement Manufactories 
 
 Book Binder}' Green House and Florist 
 
 Cold Storage Plant Silver and Nickel Plating 
 
 Dye Works Art School 
 
 Photo Engraving and Zinc Etcher 
 
 There is no reason why all of these would not be 
 successful. But we desire to name another most 
 desirable and needful for Noble count}', located at 
 the county seat — a Business College, in which 
 our young men and women graduates from our high 
 schools ma}' obtain a general business education. 
 The demands are increasing from year to year for 
 colleges which shall teach bookkeeping, penman- 
 ship, stenography, telegraphy, typewriting and 
 commercial law. Why send our young people away 
 from home and place them at unnecessary expense? 
 Our rents, our prices for boarding, for necessities 
 of the student, good lights, water and other con- 
 veniences are not surpassed in cheapness; we have 
 good health, good society, good churches and places 
 of amusements, with no baleful influences which 
 might entice youths from paths of rectitude. The 
 establishment of a business college may be accom- 
 plished by judicious advertising and a careful se- 
 lection of the faculty. 
 
 Albion's surroundings. 
 
 Never was a town so blessed with productive sur- 
 roundings, such thrifty and intelligent farmers. 
 
AN'D GRKATER ALBION. 
 
 Vo 
 
 
 'MM 
 
 good stock, fine residences, industrious and pro- 
 gressive people, as Albion. Everj' foot of ground, 
 whether low or high, is made productive. Where 
 water once stood ma 3' now be seen, each year, waving 
 corn fields, onion fields, peppermint fields and truck 
 crops; while the highlands are made to produce 
 other cereals, and the hills fruitful orchards. Not 
 once in twenty years do we behold a failure of a 
 single crop. All our farmers put out such a variety 
 — our lands being so adaptable — that a single failure 
 does not cripple the average cropper. Even renters 
 of our spare land have, in the majority of instances 
 amassed enough in a few years to enable them to 
 buy farms for themselves. 
 
 This is the country where the crops never fail, 
 where blizzards and cyclones do not visit, and where 
 there has never been a drouth in the sense of the 
 western definition. The country is favorable for 
 general farming and stock raising. The facilities 
 
74 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 for the shipment of grains, fruits, vegetables and 
 stock are unequaled. 
 
 There are many places in the west that are said 
 to be better adapted for some particular crop or kind 
 of stock; but in diversity there is usually a failure. 
 And particularly do we wish to emphasize the fact 
 that generally costly irrigation is necessar}'; or, 
 water which is obtainable b}' sunken wells or other- 
 wise by sluggish streams, often cannot be utilized 
 for domestic purposes or for stock on account either 
 of its brackish or alkaline properties. In compari- 
 son we refer j'ou to ever}' acre of land within mar- 
 ketable distance of Albion — including our own citj' 
 — on which the purest never failing and uncontami- 
 nated crystal water may be found at varj'ing depths 
 of thirty to one hundred feet. 
 
 We show a farm residence, which ma}' be taken 
 as only an average of rural structures. It ma}' be 
 stated that the cost of farm residences surrounding 
 Albion runs from $1,500 to $5,000 — the majority 
 of them being of modern architecture and conveni- 
 ences. 
 
 OFFICIAL RECORD BY ELECTION. 
 
 Represent, for valuable reference, a list of officers 
 regularly elected since 1836 to the present time. 
 The list comprises clerk, sheriff, treasurer and 
 auditor. 
 
 CLERKS. 
 
 Isaac Spencer James Haxby 
 
 Wesley White Hiram Tousley 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 
 
 75 
 
 William F. Engle Joseph S. Cox 
 
 Nelson Prentiss Al. C. Skinner 
 
 Samuel E. Alvord F. P. Botliwell 
 
 George L. Foote 
 
 By appointment: H. M. Slack, Fielding Prickett, 
 
 L. H. Green, George B. Teal. 
 
 SHERIFFS. 
 
 James Hostetter 
 John Humphreys 
 AI. 'SI. Meriam 
 Harrison Wood 
 William E. Bowen 
 Isaac Swarthout 
 D. S. Simons 
 Sol Crosby 
 Robinson Ramsby 
 glioses Kiser 
 David Hough 
 
 RECORDERS. 
 
 Peter Becker 
 H. H. Hitchcock 
 Henry Heltzell 
 John P. McVVilliams 
 David S. Simons 
 
 A. R. McNair 
 
 N. P. Eagles 
 
 Richard Williams 
 
 W. W. Riddle 
 
 Samuel Braden 
 
 George McLean 
 
 Jacob H. Shauck 
 
 C. C. Simons 
 
 Harry Bell 
 
 Bert Kimmell 
 
 William j\Ietz 
 
 Perry J. Stanley 
 
 James Green man 
 
 John Baughman 
 
 J. J. Lash 
 
 John C. Vought 
 
 John W. Miller 
 
 TREASURERS. 
 
 John A. Colerick 
 John McMeans 
 William E. Bowen 
 
 John D. Black 
 
 George Keehne 
 
 Julius Lang 
 
76 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Daniel S. Love Charles K. Greene 
 
 James M. Denny James M. Shew 
 
 Lewis Iddings Thomas M. Reed 
 
 Isaac Mendenhall , William E. Worden 
 
 James J. Lash James T. Latta 
 J. J. Forker 
 AUDITORS. 
 
 Anson Greenman James C. Stewart 
 
 William I\L Clapp William S. Kiser 
 
 William E. Lovely C. B. Phillips 
 
 John Young C. R. Wiley 
 
 H. W. Baldwin James R. Bunj^an 
 
 Daniel S. Love Thomas E. Hnston 
 
 Eden H. Fisher John L. Henry 
 
 John W. Earle 
 
 Suburban Enterprise. 
 
 Origin of Seneca— First Settlers— The Frosts and Zellers 
 —James C. Stewart— Seneca Heights— Sams' Subter- 
 ranean Lake and What Came of it— Tiffin 
 History and Her Industries. 
 
 SENECA. 
 While there has been a notable increase in sub- 
 stantial improvement in the central division of Al- 
 bion, it is a fact worth}' of notice that the suburbs 
 have more than kept pace. An instance is cited of 
 what is called the "South Side," its improvements 
 being located on what was laid out in 1873 b}' Frost 
 & Zellers, as Seneca Addition, so named from a 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 
 
 11 
 
 county in Ohio, the home of the platters of this 
 suburb. 
 
 Previously, on October 15, 1S55, William Bouer 
 and S. H. Salladay bought the greater part of the 
 south side from John and Sarah Young. Mr. Young 
 convej-ed to other parties. Mr. Salladay conveyed 
 a part of his holding to Meshech Frost, September 
 18, 1873; then he conveyed an interest to Zeller & 
 Frost — after which Seneca was platted. J.C.Stewart 
 purchased part of the tract in 1873-4. 
 
 Mr. Boner built a house (presumably log) corner 
 of Railroad and South Orange street, afterward pur- 
 chased by Mr. Salladay; and all that tract from 
 South street south, and Orange street west, was a 
 farm. The house was probably the first in Seneca, 
 which was afterwards remodeled, and passed into 
 the hands of James C. Stewart. The old house and 
 half a dozen lots are now owned by Mrs. Martha 
 Kinzey. 
 
 John W. Gard, in early 'seventy, built the frame 
 house now occupied by George Campbell, on South 
 Orange street, corporate limits. Then came Mr. 
 Nicodemus who built a house on Harrison street. 
 
78 
 
 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 It passed into possessiou of other owners; and as 
 late as i8go the structure, as we here present it, 
 was standing as a disgrace to the enterprise which 
 was manifest at that time in South Albion. A 
 beautiful residence, built by John Lozier, now 
 stands on the same lot. Orange street. 
 
 Peter A. Reed purchased a corner on York and 
 Chestnut streets, of James C. Stewart, and at once 
 erected a fine residence. It was sold to IMr. Crandall 
 and then passed into the possession of C. B. PhilHps. 
 We present a view of it in zinc etching The prop- 
 
 
 
 
 erty was purchased recently by Oscar Pippinger, 
 in 1907. Harrison Coe erected a good residence in 
 1886-7, ^^'est end Harrison street. 
 
 In 1 888, George W. Roof and wife purchased 
 from J. C. Stewart in Seneca suburb, a half acre on 
 Seneca Heights, South York street. The lots were 
 an open field, with a rail fence surrounding it. A 
 fine cottage was erected on the ground, and im- 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 
 
 79 
 
 provements atoncebegun. The improvement spirit 
 kept moving along. 
 
 In iSSS, Thomas A. Storey erected a fine resi- 
 
 dence, corner Orange and Harrison streets. Ross 
 Zimmerman was the architect. When Sylvester 
 Sams purchased Albion's subterranean lake in the 
 'eighties, he didn't do a thing but go to work and 
 clear off the swamp lying on its peaceful bosom, 
 ditched it, plowed it up and started in truck farm- 
 ing. He also improved South Orange street with 
 a fine residence. 
 
 Perry A. Coe, who for many years has been em- 
 ployed as a section laborer, erected, in 1891, a fine 
 residence on York street, a view of which is given. 
 L. J. Evans purchased the property recently, and 
 himself and family occupy it. 
 
 Charles F. Haney, also a south sider, learned the 
 blacksmith trade with his father, Pearce Haney, 
 who died an old resident of Albion. It is said of 
 
80 
 
 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Charles father that he assisted in placing together 
 the parts of the first locomotive brought from Eng- 
 land and activel}' operated in America. Mr. Haney 
 enjoyed a run on its first trip. Charles F. Haney, 
 who erected in 1S85, (William Fuller, architect) 
 the residence here shown, was born November 20, 
 1S48; and is still doing business at the forge. A 
 host of other enterprising persons have erected fine 
 residences; and at present, from two or three fami- 
 lies in the beginning, we now have a south side 
 suburb containing from eighteen to twenty families 
 with a population of seventy souls. The remainder 
 of the old farm, platted into Seneca addition, now 
 comprises twenty-twobuildings, with abotit the same 
 number of inhabitants, — or, in all, 140 souls. 
 
 On the east side of South Orange street, just south 
 of the B. & O. railroad, lies about six 01 eight acres 
 of fine factory ground, which, until within a few 
 months, have been in such shape that it could not 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 
 
 81 
 
 be thrown open to public enterprise. Doubtless it 
 now will be utilized for business of some description. 
 The land has been known as the Haney tract. 
 
 We wish to add, concerning our suburbs, that 
 the city authorities are keeping pace with streets, 
 crossings, drainage, light and water, and constantly 
 on the alert for a continuance of the health of which 
 Albion is celebrated. 
 
 TIFFIN SUBURB. 
 
 About the years 1872-3 John F. Frost (for the 
 Zellers and Frosts) of Tiffin, Ohio, purchased the 
 John McMeans farm, or tract, and laid out Tiffin 
 Addition. It comprised all that part of present Al- 
 bion from East Alain street south to the railroad, 
 and from First to Seventh streets. Robert J. Har- 
 kins built a modest frame house on the hill. East 
 Main street from the gulley, which was afterward 
 occupied by Sherman J. Hadley and others. Farther 
 east the brick farm house was built by John Ale- 
 
82 I\"OBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Means on his farm. These comprised, probably, 
 all the residences in what was afterward Tiffin. 
 
 The Frosts and Zellers platted the farm into lots 
 and at once began selling them upon the prospective 
 B.& O. railroad construction. IMany fine residences 
 now dot the landscape and line the south side of 
 Main street, reaching out as far as the old farm 
 limit; while other portions of the farm are tolerably 
 well populated. 
 
 Within the limits of Tiffin are in active operation 
 the Paragon flouring mills and the brick and tile 
 yards of Frank Landgraff — two of Albion's best in- 
 dustries. There are also two churches — the Wes- 
 leyan Methodist and Roman Catholic. 
 
 From Hon. James M. Dexxy 
 
 Eulogistic Retrospection— Labors of the Historian— Should 
 Strangers Write Local History— Vivid De- 
 scriptions-Only Three. 
 
 (Extracts from Mr. Denny's letter.) 
 
 xMr. G. W. Roof, 
 
 My Dear Sir: — Yours, in which you do me the 
 honor of requesting me to furnish for "Greater Al- 
 bion" work a sketch of early times within my Albion 
 recollections, was duly received, and which, but for 
 protracted illness and some prior engagements, 
 would have received earlier attention. I think I 
 have a due appreciation of the importance of your 
 undertaking, and feel that your early and continued 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 83 
 
 residence in Albion, together with your long, close 
 connection with the newspapers of the town will 
 enable you to give a much more full and reliable 
 history of the town than has heretofore been given 
 by strangers. 
 
 A careful estimate of the money and labor ex- 
 pended in raising the town to where it now stands, 
 speaks volumes for the pride and enterprising spirit 
 of its citizens. 
 
 The first pen-pictureof its location just prior to the 
 establishment of the county seat, which we are now 
 able to recall, is that given during the great count}^ 
 seat struggle by one Adrian B. ^liller, then a resi- 
 dent of Ligonier, which we quote from memorj': 
 "To those who are fond of street seclusion. 
 And hate all business and confusion. 
 And, hermit-like, would wean away 
 Their hearts from earth to fast and pray, — 
 The Center's just the place; for there 
 No merry sound is on the air, — 
 No hearty laugh, nor gleesome call, 
 But a stagnant gloom encircles all." 
 
 But while, by no means, are we prepared to fully 
 endorse said gloomy if not frightful picture drawn 
 by the vivid imagination of the learned Ligonier 
 poet, still we feel compelled to admit that the then 
 real appearance of said locality afforded some little 
 pretext for said lofty flights; for it was indeed but 
 little more than a wild, unbroken forest, furnishing 
 perches for innumerable songsters of the grove, and 
 
84 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 casting deep shadows o'er long, steep, rugged hills 
 as well as over low, humble vallej'S, and especially 
 through said poet's Lne, costl}' spectacles, indeed 
 must have presented rather a dismal appearance. 
 
 True, with such formidable barriers which nature 
 had thrown across its path of progress, to overcome, 
 the growth of the town has been necessaril}^ slow; 
 but it is consoling to know that its growth has been 
 healthy. And with so many of those barriers al- 
 read}' overcome, may it not reasonably be expected 
 that the same spirit of enterprise is "not dead, but 
 only sleepeth," and will, in the ver}' near future, 
 be found to revive and be found reaching out after 
 capital to start enterprises of which the town stands 
 so sorely in need. 
 
 I confess to a spirit of a sort of shivering loneli- 
 ness when the fact is recalled that ivlrs. William 
 Trump, John B. Pepple and myself are the only 
 survivors of that first little band of ver}^ first settlers 
 of Albion, now residents; and that we are waiting, — 
 "Only waiting 'till our shadows 
 Are a little longer drawn." 
 ^- ■''■ ■' Wishing you abundant success in your 
 enterprise, I am yours truly, 
 
 Jajies M. Denny. 
 
SKETCHES AND REMINISCENCES. 
 
 Part VII. 
 
 Introductory— Albion's Subterranean Lake— When Straw- 
 berries Grew Wild in Albion— Eccentric Individuals- 
 One Dollar a Gallon— The Blue Grass Cut— Story of 
 A Norwegian— Lewis' Branch— The Living Skele- 
 ton—The Spelling Match— Official Directory. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 Old-time sketches are sure to awaken interest 
 with the early settlers, and keep alive the pleasur- 
 able events of past years; beside furnishing the ris- 
 ing generation a valuable adjunct to the more pro- 
 saic history of events. It does one good to change 
 the trend of thoughtfrom the busy today — it freshens 
 the tired and sluggish memory. We renew old 
 friendships by doing so, whereby the social ties be- 
 come strengthened. 
 
 Every community or neighborhood has its own 
 group of pioneers, be the number moie or less, who 
 are desirous of reviving old-time memories and 
 keeping alive the spirit of honest society and truth- 
 ful friendship. 
 
 For this purpose, mainly, is the department of 
 "Sketches and Reminiscences" made a part of our 
 history. The author trusts they will interest the 
 
86 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 reader, and assist in deciding a vast deal of accurate 
 data of events. 
 
 Albion's subterranean lake. 
 
 Within the corporate limits of Albion exists a 
 subterranean lake, which, like many others in No- 
 ble county, was, at one time, an open body of water. 
 The date when this lake closed its eyes upon the 
 light of day, no person living can name; but we are 
 safe in presuming that some of the Pottawatomie 
 Indians angled in our lake. This presumption is 
 verified from the fact that the ''oldest inhabitant" 
 declares there are other lakes, now closed, which 
 within their recollection were open, and alive with 
 fish. 
 
 During the construction of the Chicago division 
 of the Baltimore & Ohio railroad in 1873-4, the 
 discovery of "sinks" in northern Indiana was of no 
 uncommon occurrence; and many curious facts, such 
 as profuse quantities of small shells and fossilized 
 matter, were in evidence of the existence of many 
 subterranean lakes which gave unmistakable signs 
 of water. 
 
 At Albion the company encountered our hidden 
 lake when, attempting to make a "fill" across the 
 swamp west from York street, they discovered each 
 morning that the embankment made during the 
 da}^ had sunken to its original level again. The 
 place was at last "sounded" and found to have a 
 depth of about sixty feet. Tramway's from the ad- 
 jacent hills were at once constructed to the swamp 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 87 
 
 (which had the appearance of being solid, having 
 been used for more than fifty j-ears for grazing pur- 
 poses, and portions of it having been cultivated,) 
 and the process of "filling was begun. When about 
 eight or nine feet of earth was deposited on the line 
 it began to sink, and here and there sections of the 
 road had disappeared. The filling process was con- 
 tinued with a large force of laborers from both sides, 
 and each morning would witness little ponds of 
 water here and there to mark the spot where a hun- 
 dred car loads of earth had been deposited the day 
 previous. But the work was pushed forward with 
 the determination that it must be filled to secure a 
 solid road bed. For six months this underground 
 lake gulped down hill after hill, until the surround- 
 ings appeared as lowly as the heretofore humble 
 swamp; and each week would develop some huge, 
 gaping chasm, or crack formed by the pressure or 
 displacement from below; each succeeding week the 
 great humps of tough peat on either side, assumed 
 loftier dimensions, until the subterranean lake had 
 changed its normal condition, and its wrath had 
 been appeased for thus being disturbed of its peace- 
 ful and hermit-like abode of a century or more. 
 
 But our sketch is not completed. When the lit- 
 tle ponds of water appeared on the surface in the 
 morning, myriads of small minnow-like fishes 
 disported themselves in the released water, as if 
 thankful to be on terra firma again. It may seem 
 strange to some persons for us to say that these fish 
 
88 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 were blind; but blind fish have been found else- 
 where, under similar circumstances, with one ex- 
 ception, notabl}' at Br3'an, Ohio, where they are 
 extraordinarily acute of vision. A close observa- 
 tion of the fish, which were released from the Albion 
 lake, showed the iris encased in a semi-transparent 
 membrane, which rendered them at least parti}' 
 blind 
 
 WHEN STRAWBERRIES GREW WILD IN ALBION. 
 
 We take the liberty and pleasure of honoring an 
 old pioneer with a place in our history'. We know 
 the extracts given below will grace these pages long 
 after that eternal rest comes which the few early 
 settlers that are left now patiently await. The lines 
 were written by Mrs. Louisa Kline by way of con- 
 gratulation upon the golden wedding of Mr. and 
 Mrs. H. L. Brown in April, 1905. Mrs. Brown is a 
 daughter of William Skeels,who settled near Albion 
 in 1844. Mrs. Brown (Rebecca Skeels) and Mrs. 
 Kline (Louisa Potts) were associates in youth. She 
 writes: 
 
 "We were together more when we were girls. If 
 we could meet once more,'' she says, "we could tell 
 of good times; but now m}' mind is not so much 
 on this world of care and trials. I sit alone so much 
 and think of the past. You cannot imagine the 
 feeling that is embraced in that expression, 'all alone.' 
 It will be nine j^ears to-morrow (April 15) since I 
 was left alone. It was fifty years the 21st of last 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 89 
 
 December that I was married to John W. Kline in 
 the old log cabin. ]\Iy sister, (Mrs. SchafF) and my- 
 self are the only ones living now who were present 
 at that time. Oh so many loved ones have passed 
 away in the past few years whom I have known 
 for more than fifty years. I sit alone and think of 
 them. How sweet the remembrance of those whit- 
 ened heads as we saw them in the house of God, 
 and how sadly we miss them. Our fathers and 
 mothers are gone; we are still here. Our work will 
 soon be done; then comes rest in heaven above where 
 all is love. There will be no sorrow there." 
 
 "I well remember having been there when a little 
 girl with my father, Lewis Potts. I think he named 
 that creek" I may be mistaken. I should like to 
 shake hands with one who has lived in one town- 
 ship as long as I have. We came to Jefferson, No- 
 ble county, in October, 1836. I have lived ever 
 since in this neighborhood. 
 
 "The old log cabin, 
 
 The dear old cabin, 
 
 The hewed log cabin. 
 
 That stands by the spring, — 
 Is standing yet. My father hewed the logs and had 
 it raised in May, 1837, almost sixty-eight years ago. 
 I lived in it twenty-five years, and im my present 
 home ever since. 
 
 "I think Mr. Luther Spencer would know some- 
 thing about the history of Lewis branch. They 
 came here one year after my father's family did. 
 
90 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 I remember picking wild strawberries where Albion 
 now stands. There was not a house to be seen; it 
 was two and one-half miles from my home. 
 
 "Mr. Timoth}' Gab}', who, with his wife, has been 
 visiting me, says he helped your father (William 
 Skeels) to raise your log cabin. He has been here 
 since 1846, and is now 85 years old." 
 
 \ 
 
 ECCENTRIC INDIVIDUALS. 
 
 Where now lives John C. Foote, himself an old 
 resident, once, in 1S58, resided Caleb H. Skeels 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 91 
 
 and his wife, Elizabeth (Busz). Caleb was a man 
 of versatile genius. He was capable of turning his 
 genius to profit as well as pleasure. His various 
 avocations of fanner, agent, photographer, jeweler, 
 etc., gave him advantages for obtaining general 
 knowledge, and studying human character. He had 
 seen much of life's sunn}^ side, as well as the side 
 of adversity. He was an excellent conversationalist, 
 a jester, and agreeable with his friends. One of 
 his eccentricities was the naming of his children, 
 of whom were five girls — four from his first marriage 
 and one from his last union with }iliss Busz. He 
 gave them the namesofMissouri, Virginia, Alabama, 
 DelaAvare and Florida. He died some j'ears ago at 
 his home in Ligonier. The widow Elizabeth, who 
 was the daughter of the old pioneers, Jacob and 
 Catherine Busz — remarried with E. S. Krause, of 
 2\Iontcalm county, Michigan. She writes an occa- 
 sional bit of the log cabin times, in one of which 
 she refers to John Nicholas Busz, her brother, at 
 one time proprietor of the old Worden House in 
 Albion, and also to William Skeels. Her own lang- 
 uage follows: 
 
 "I think it was in the year 1850 the first time I 
 heard the name Skeels mentioned, which was 
 through my brother John. He was about sixteen 
 years old. One of our neighbors hired him to go 
 over into Jefferson to buy a load of corn; and the 
 weather was so cold that he froze his feet on the way. 
 He staid all night and a couple of days at Uncle 
 
92 XOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Bill}' Skeels'. When he returned home he related 
 how good Aunt Susie was to him. Then in a little 
 while the Skeels' moved to Green, where brother 
 John married one of the daughters, Mar}' Skeels. 
 "I well remember one incident that I heard Uncle 
 Billy relate. He said when he moved from Ohio 
 it was in the fall. After he bought his land, he 
 onl}' had ten cents left, with seven in a family^ — 
 himself and Aunt Susie, and five girls. I know 
 that they did not eat any bread of idleness that 
 winter." 
 
 OXE DOLLAR A GALLON. 
 
 Forty years ago we paid sixty-five cents a j'ard 
 for bleached muslin to make a shirt. We might 
 name j'ou numerous other articles of merchandise, 
 — groceries and provisions that were seemingly ex- 
 tortionate in price; but, in some degree, there were- 
 legitimate causes for high prices. Xow, one maj' 
 think that the people who, fift\' \-ears ago, were 
 burning tallow candles at a mere nominal expense, 
 exhibited a disposition chock full of economy — an 
 example worthy of emulation. 
 
 Albion, in the 'fifties, snuffed the charred wicks 
 from her "tallow-dips" with fancy candle-snuffers, 
 while the crude petroleum oil — most of which was 
 extracted from bituminous coal by retorts — found 
 a place in the crude lamps of well-to-do families. 
 And the while inventive genius was cornered up 
 by the oil companies and made to serve as experi- 
 menters in refining the crude petroleum. \^aried 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 93' 
 
 success followed these experiments, until, say, fifty 
 years ago, Albion citizens could get a middling fair 
 quality of the refined stuff at one dollar per gallon. 
 This price was paid by the writer at that time 
 
 But a considerable time after this we remember 
 how the country folks were served right at their 
 doors by Jerry Nicodemus, with what he called a 
 new and improved illuminating fluid, named "pe-tro- 
 lee-um" — with a strong accent on the third sj'llable. 
 There was no law governing the test of oil, because 
 the high combustion was the thing desirable to make 
 the light superior to the candle. It was many years, 
 however, before the inventor produced a lamp which 
 would burn the refined oil without "smoking." 
 Even to this day, with the highest test oil, many 
 persons blame the illuminating fluid instead of the 
 lamps or their own omissions of trivial character. 
 The present price of oil at retail is twelve cents. 
 
 THE BLUE GRASS CUT. 
 
 We reprint on next page, an old wood engraving 
 of the once famous "blue grass cut" on the B. «& O. 
 railway west of Albion, as it appeared thirty-five 
 years ago, during the construction of that road. 
 The engraving and sketch were made by the writer 
 at that time, and of course shows some imperfections 
 as a work of art. Many of our old residents will 
 remember the difficulties encountered by the com- 
 pany in removing the blue clay earth of that region, 
 and will recall many incidents and accidents. 
 
94 
 
 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 The advancement made in wood engraving, dur- 
 ing a period of thirty-five years, is portrayed verj' 
 forcibly by comparison of the "blue grass" cut with 
 our beautiful frontispiece. Wood engraving is now 
 a thing of the past, except for machinery and deli- 
 cate parts of pictures which cannot be brought out 
 in photo-engraving, many of which latter graces 
 the pages of this book. 
 
AN^D GREATER ALBION. 95 
 
 STORY OF A NORWEGIAN. 
 
 There was a time about the year 1S3S when No- 
 ble county was scourged with virulent malaria, and 
 complications, arising from uncleanliness and un- 
 sanitary conditions, existed. The epidemic carried 
 off scores of emigrants, and entire families were 
 decimated. Other scores of emigrants precipitately 
 fled the country to escape impending disease and 
 death. 
 
 About this time a colony of Norwegians came to 
 Fort Wayne and passed through the only avenue 
 to the northwest — known as the military road to 
 Goshen — their objective point being Noble count}'. 
 Once in the neighborhood of Joe Bristol's tavern, 
 they found a fertile region near the Kitt farm, where 
 they camped to form a settlement. Having little 
 knowledge of sanitation and cleanliness with regard 
 to health, they soon become afflicted with scurv}-, 
 in addition to malaria fever. The result was, that 
 all who did not flee the country, died, except one 
 child, whose parents were interred in a plot of ground 
 by the roadside. 
 
 Joe Bristol took compassion on the filthy, emaci- 
 ated boy, whose intellect seemed brighter than his 
 surroundingplaymates. But hiscondition was such, 
 owing to the plague of scurvy with which he was 
 afflicted, that he was placed in an isolated outbuild- 
 ing near the tavern until such time when he might 
 be properly treated for recovery. A man named 
 Brown, accompanied by his wife, who were returning 
 
96 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 from Goshen to their home at Fort Wajme, passed 
 by and was attracted by the boy in the outbuilding. 
 
 ]\'Ir. Brown was kindl}^ disposed, and full of that 
 humanity that has saved many worthy orphans. 
 He requested the privilege of taking the boj' home 
 with him, and caring for him as his own. The re- 
 quest was readily granted, and the poor sickly orphan 
 child, in the tender care of Mr. Brown, soon recov- 
 ered from disease, and was clothed and fed, and, as 
 he grew, educated into honorable manhood. He 
 was given a medical and surgical education, which, 
 in after years, made him prominent in Fort Wayne 
 and throughout northern Indiana as the fiist skilled 
 surgeon in rank. Having had more than a passing 
 acquaintance with this noted surgeon in the 'sixties, 
 we feel proud in naming him Dr. Ericsson. 
 
 The Ericsson familj', for awhile, lived in Ken- 
 dallville. While there the doctor's sons, in 1S73, 
 were sent to the old burial ground near Mernam, 
 where the highway was undergoing excavations, 
 and the precious bones of the parents were exhumed 
 and removed to their last resting place, passing 
 through Albion where they were viewed by the 
 writer. 
 
 lewis' branch. 
 
 The creek called Lewis' Branch (first given that 
 name in 1836 by Lewis Potts) was closely identified 
 with Albion's earliest history, and had an industrial 
 record before Albion was known. Along part of 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 9/ 
 
 its serpeutine trail was iirst located an Indian road- 
 way from the northeast to Port Mitchell and farther 
 on, passing over, near the "Center," the old farms 
 of Jehu Foster, Sweet, Skinner, Potts, Call, Skeels 
 and Andrews, Sillibaugh, Banning (Storey), Trott 
 (Earle), Jacob Kramer, to the Port. 
 
 Sawmills were erected first by the Spencers, Har- 
 rison Wood and Stephen Shaw. The Spencer mill 
 was erected about half a mile up-stream from what 
 is now called Smith's bridge, in Jefferson township, 
 and eujoj'ed the distinction of sawing lumber for 
 the first frame court house. The beautiful and 
 massive stone structure, the B. & O. culvert, now 
 spans the creek near the site of the Spencer mill. 
 The culvert represented on page 24 is from a photo 
 by Charles Sieber, taken at high water. 
 
 Later, Stephen Shaw erected a mill at the Smith 
 bridge, and built a dam on the east side of the road. 
 This mill went out of commission in 1857. A log 
 cabin was erected below, on the south bank of' the 
 creek, in 1845, ^y Air. Wright. This cabin was 
 the birthplace, in 1848, of Aliss Samantha Young 
 (now Mrs. Wallace), whose mother's maiden name 
 was Gilchrist. The Anspachs, Gilchrists and Storeys 
 settled on the stream about 1843-5. 
 
 Farther down the stream, within sight of Albion, 
 on the Storey farm, was erected a sawmill and wool- 
 carding factory, at one time superintended by Mr. 
 Anspach. 
 
98 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Tradition gives a mythical story of its name- 
 origin. Away back in the early 'forties a solitar}^ 
 horseman came riding down its classic banks, from 
 whence and to where nobody knows. He suddenly 
 disappeared in the quicksands or quagmire, in the 
 dead of night, and the rider and steed both sank to 
 rise no more. As the legend goes the name of the 
 stranger was Lewis. We may add, Lewis' Branch 
 as a creek is no more; it is not on the map; but in 
 its stead are to be seen long, straight and angular 
 lines of deep cut ditches or canals, in which the 
 water is forced to keep its banks, until it finds its 
 level in the Little Elkhart river. 
 
 Appropos of the receding of its water may be re- 
 lated the following bit of repartee: A couple of old- 
 time chums, in the latter part of 1897, during the 
 work of excavations on the Brown hill, had crossed 
 the bridge going north. They were evidently 
 strangers. Said one of the couple to a workman, 
 "Say, Mister, kin you tell me what the name of 
 that 'ere river is what we jist passed?" "I dunno; 
 guess it hasn't got a name; it is not a river,"' and 
 the shoveler kept on shoveling. "O, you fellers 
 think you're gol-darned smart around here! Wasn't 
 that a river one da}'?" And the gray-beards passed 
 on up the hill, satisfied that the Brown hill work- 
 men didn't know anything about the history of 
 Lewis' Branch. 
 
 THE LIVING SKELETON. 
 
 The old York township burial ground — now in- 
 cluded in Rose Hill cemeterv of Albion — contains 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 99 
 
 many unmarked graves. From 1S47 ^o 1S54 this 
 burial ground remained in York; in the latter year 
 Albion township was formed from York and Jeffer- 
 son townships, and this was a township burial ground 
 including several extensions, until the Albion Cem- 
 etery association was formed, when it became the 
 Rose Hill cemetery. 
 
 Frequentl}' excavations were made for the dead 
 on grounds where others had been laid to rest many 
 years before, and being unmarked were forgotten. 
 A peculiar case of this kind occurred as late as 1S97, 
 in which a body was exhumed which had lain for a 
 period of forty-one years. 
 
 We know not if the sexton, with the skull in 
 hand, as did Hamlet with Yorick, exclaim: 
 
 "Alas! poor Yorick! I knew him, Horatio; a fel- 
 low of infinite jest, of most excellent fanc}'; "' ''''' 
 and now how abhorred in my imagination it is! my 
 gorge rises at it. Here hung those lips that '''' * 
 have been kissed I know not how oft." 
 
 In life the man had passed his latter years, in a 
 literal sense, as the "living skeleton." His flesh 
 had wasted away and still he walked the earth as 
 "skin and bone." He did not die, in the sense of 
 dying, but lay down in an unrecognizable transition. 
 When exhumed there appeared to be no outward 
 change from life, except the vital organs were not 
 active. There was no appreciable decay, no broken 
 cuticle. It was a most remarkable case of preser- 
 vation. 
 
100 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 In life tlie "walking skeleton," clothed in its phy- 
 sical habiliments, was a I\Ir. Mains, who lived in 
 Albion in the early fifties. The writer well remem- 
 bers his widow, an elderly lad}', who for a length 
 of time resided in the old house b}' the mill on the 
 William Storey farm, 1859. Her daughter. Rose 
 Ann, married Simon Michael, who went to the civil 
 war and there died. His widow went west, and 
 remarried. 
 
 The exhumed bod}' was tenderly replaced, where 
 it is hoped it maj' rest its allotted time of a thousand 
 years. 
 
 OLD-TniE SPELLING MATCH. 
 (Sketch by the late Hon. S. E. Alvord.) 
 
 The awakened interest in educational matters 
 naturally opens to some of the old folks, now and 
 then, vistas of corresponding memories. Looking 
 away, through such a vista, to a point of time twen- 
 ty-two years ago, now thirty-three 3'ears, the writer 
 sees a scene of a spelling match in the old court 
 house, on Friday evening, April 9, 1S75. It is be- 
 lieved that the interest in the names of the par- 
 ticipants, alone, may excuse the reminiscence in' 
 this form. 
 
 It had been understood that Jefferson township, 
 which was then celebrated for good spelling, would 
 on that evening introduce some of the champion 
 spellers, and challenge Albion to face them . Albion 
 was willing, and the old court room was filled with 
 an expectant audience. Nobody was selected as 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 101 
 
 "champions," but a few were mentioned as fairly 
 good spellers among those present, and they said 
 the}' would try. After considerable waiting it was 
 announced that Jefferson, on account of illness of 
 one or two of her champions, would have to post- 
 pone the trial. Then Albion folks determined to 
 have a little "spell'' among themselves. 
 
 The}' elected M. C. Skinner president. He ap- 
 pointed George \V. Roof and William R. Knox, 
 captains, to choose sides. T. j\I. Eells was unani- 
 mouslychosen pronouncer,and Webster's dictionary 
 as the standard of decision. The battle arrays were 
 soon formed as follows: 
 
 G. W. Roof W. R. Knox 
 Miss L. Woodruff Mrs. N. Sessions 
 ]\Iiss C. Harkins Miss Allie Barnum 
 Miss M. Acus Charles Manning 
 W. Frank Clapp Dr. S. L. Cook 
 Dr. N. Sessions Miss Ella Prentiss 
 Mrs. H. S. Bortner Miss McMahan 
 N. P. Eagles Lorin Woodruff 
 M. C. Skinner Frank Singrey 
 Frank Cook Elam Shirk 
 Thurlow B. Phillips Miss Aura Laycox 
 F. O. Kammerer Miss Fisher 
 
 Mr. Eells pronounced from Webster's dictionary. 
 After a brief contest between the sitting classes, 
 which resulted in a victory for Roof's class, they 
 arose to spell down. In this, also, victory perched 
 on the banner of the Roof class — three of them — 
 
102 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 Miss Harkins, N. P. Eagles and Frank Cook hav- 
 ing the floor after the other side had all subsided. 
 The last to yield of the Knox class, was Miss Allie 
 Barnum, who rniscounted one of the beads of her 
 "rosa(e)ry" and sat down to meditate. The contest 
 was thus narrowed to the three Roof class cham- 
 pions, Miss C. Harkins, N. P. Eagles and Frank 
 Cook. 
 
 Sheriff Eagles first succumbed to the attack of a 
 "gavi(e)al." Then Frank Cook said "u" to a 
 "gawky," and was knocked down for it — leaving 
 Miss Cora Harkins champion of the tournament. 
 
 That impromptu affair awakened an interest that 
 resulted in several tournaments of that kind, and 
 stimulated some not unfruitful study of English 
 orthography. — Albion, April 26, 1S97. 
 
 OFFICIAL DIRECTORY OF i860. 
 
 In the Noble County Journal of i860, published 
 at Kendall ville by G. W. Roof, (Judson Palmiter, 
 editor,) the following persons held ofiEce in Noble 
 county: 
 
 Common Pleas Judge — S. J. Stoughton. 
 
 Clerk — James Haxby. 
 
 Prosecutor — Moses Jenkinson. 
 
 Auditor — D. S. Love. 
 
 Treasurer — ^Jaraes M. Denny. 
 
 Recorder — ^J. P. McWilliams. 
 
 Sheriff — D. S. Simons. 
 
 Surveyor — E. B. Gerber. 
 
AND GREATER ALBION. 103 
 
 Coroner — Fred Acus. 
 
 Commissioners — S. S. Ohlwine, James W. Long 
 and Charles Law. 
 
 In the same paper we find that the Fort Wayne 
 and Sturgis stage line was still doing business daily 
 through Noble county, with Captain Hiram Iddings 
 proprietor. JimKelley was still holding the "largest 
 and best dances ever in the country"' at Rome City; 
 while the Lake Shore railroad was happy in running 
 two trains daily for the accommodation of the trav- 
 eling public. 
 
 Flour was selling at $6 per barrel; white wheat, 
 $i.2o; corn, 35 cts.; oats, 26 cts.; butter, 10 cts; eggs, 
 70 cts.; potatoes, 15 cts.; salt, $1.85; wool, 25 cts. to 
 40 cts. 
 
 Verily half a century worketh wonders. 
 IT WAS NOT A VEHICLE. 
 
 We presume that the buggy maker of Noble 
 township, who more than twenty years ago had, 
 himself, made an excellent buggy, still lives to re- 
 member having brought it to town on top of a hay 
 wagon, and drove up in front of the Democrat office 
 which was presided over by the veteran newspaper 
 editor, S. E. Alvord. 
 
 The buggy was richly and artistically painted 
 yellow and striped with black, and the maker was 
 justly proud of his handiwork. Mr. Alvord was 
 called from his sanctum to the door to view the new 
 buggy, and perhaps would be expected to write up 
 a neat little notice for the next issue of his paper. 
 
104 
 
 NOBLE COUNTY CAPITALS 
 
 The editor after viewing it with apparent interest 
 at last straightened up and surprised the oa-lookers 
 with the inquiry: 
 
 "Well, my friend, what kind of a vehicle do you 
 call that?" 
 
 "Why, I don't call it a vehicle at all. That's a 
 buggy, confound it!" 
 
CONCLUDING TRIBUTE. 
 
 It has been justly said that "Nations that fail to 
 give due recognition to the achievements and the 
 characters of the able men among them who have 
 aided in the upbuilding of their institutions, either 
 still linger within the trammels of barbarism or are 
 moving on the downward path toward decadence." 
 
 In our conclusion, we desire to recur to the work 
 of the noble pioneers to the extent necessary to en- 
 able us, by recalling the actions and struggles of 
 the peaceful dead and the living aged, to fix the 
 duty of those of this generation, — the heirs of the 
 wise government and social structure which our 
 forefathers founded. 
 
 A similarity exists between the federal constitu- 
 tion-framers in their struggle for a foundation. 
 Local governments are formed from local wants, 
 and they advance in intellectuality as surely as do 
 their morals progress. This is the evolution of 
 civilized peoples 
 
 An occasional contrariety of opinion may have 
 arisen as to the steps required to carry out a com- 
 mon purpose. One class may have favored a wide 
 scope of power, the other a narrower declaration. 
 The township organization must conform to the 
 county declaration; the county must subserve to the 
 state, and the state to the federal. Reforms must 
 of necessity begin at the first declaration, however 
 crude they may be. Enlightened by love of country 
 and devotion to civil liberty, the pioneers trusted 
 
to the people who were to be governed by their 
 seeming crude democratic dictum, whom they trusted 
 would successfully work out the problems left un- 
 solved. 
 
 Thus it is true to sa}^ that the gratitude which 
 we owe to our fathers is due, not to those who were 
 democrats, or those who were whigs, or to Presby- 
 terians, or Methodists, or universalists, but to all 
 alike; for a common love of country and willingness 
 to make intellectual sacrifices for its benefit on the 
 part of all — called the newer era into being. Had 
 thej^ not self-abnegated themselves in refusing to 
 insist upon the full adoption, each of their individual 
 views, that flexibilit}' so necessary to enable adjust- 
 ment of questions as they might arise, think you 
 that the situation would not have been hopelessly 
 wrecked? 
 
 As we thus acclaim aiid stand upon our reflection, 
 let us ask how ma}^ we fit ourselves to discharge 
 the duty which we are called upon to do? B}^ keep- 
 ing in our hearts a devotion to country, a love of 
 free government, and a reverence for the institutions 
 which the fathers have given us; and b}' reflection 
 on the hard-wrought endeavors of those who opened 
 the way, to rekindle in all our hearts a keener pur- 
 pose to preserve and perpetuate that which is, in 
 reality a precious gift. 
 
 All honor and reverence to the pioneers whose 
 iron will and perseverance determined the caste for 
 all time to come, b}' which we now enjoy the highest 
 type of civilization. 
 
 May civil liberty not pass away from the face of 
 the earth. 
 
ALBION BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 
 
 CORRECTED UP TO JANUARY; 1908. 
 
 Part VIII. 
 
 Town Officials — Trustees: 1st Ward, Noah 
 
 Barcus; 2cl Ward, Logan Winebrenner; 3d 
 
 AVard, John Lozier. 
 
 Treasurer — H. D. Stone. 
 
 Clerk— Ralph Halferty. 
 
 Marshal — Leslie Onisted. 
 
 Attorne_v — David S. Taylor. 
 
 Assessor — Tim Rallihan. 
 
 Justice of the Peace — William Trump. 
 
 Albion Board of Health— Dr. J. W. Morr, Sec- 
 retary. 
 
 Albion School Board — N. G. Reiff, president; 
 E. S. Fitch, secretary; Wm. Earle, treasurer. 
 
 Albion Schools — W. H. Menaugh, supt.; Will 
 T. Knox, principal high school; Walter E. Gor- 
 don, assistant principal; R. E. Smith, high school 
 and grade 8; V. L. Clear, grade 7; Mrs. E. Clark, 
 grades 5 — 6 ; Harriet Bidwell, grades 3 — 4; 
 Maud Voris, grades 1 — 2. 
 
 Churches — M. E. Church, Rev. L. E. Knox, 
 pastor; Presbyterian, Rev. C. A. Price, pastor; 
 Lutheran, Rev. D. E. Kain, pastor; United Breth- 
 ren, Rev. A. F. Knepp, pastor; Wesleyan Meth- 
 odist, Rev C. S. Smith, pastor; Roman Catholic, 
 Father J. W. Schmitz. 
 
IT BUSINESS DIRECTORY 
 
 Cemetery Association — ^J. D. Black, secretary. 
 
 Postmaster — John H. Cockle3\ 
 
 R'y City Mail Carrier — Harrison Coe. 
 
 Rural Mail Carriers — Route i, Fred Talbert; 
 Route 2, Myrom Hursey; Route 3, William Mar- 
 shall; Route 4, N. B. Hathaway; Route 5, W. Evans; 
 Route 6, Albert Williams. 
 
 Albion National Bank — W. S. Cramer, cashier; 
 Farmer's State Bank — T. M. Reed, cashier. 
 
 Hotel Albion — E. L. Adair, Propr. 
 
 Paragon Mills — A. L. Shiple}^, Propr. 
 
 Handle Factory — J. D. Black, Pres. 
 
 Sawmill — R. B. Clear, Propr. 
 
 Electric Light and Water — A. E. Ward, Supt. 
 
 Exchange and Feed Mills — Ingiaham & Sons. 
 
 Tile and Brick Yards — Frank Landgraff. 
 
 Cement Block Manufacturer.s — Eagles & Kunkle. 
 
 Cider Manufacturer — Charles Campbell. 
 
 Steam Laundry — E. F. Spencer. 
 
 Tile, Brick and Cement — J. H. Frazure. 
 
 Carpet and Rug Factory — Charles Sieber. 
 
 Carpet Weavers — Mrs. Jane Sheffler, Madison & 
 Keller. 
 
 Threshermen — Campbell Brothers. 
 
 Grain Elevators — James Walton, M'gr. 
 
 Sunny Side Dairy — W. Bowen. 
 
 Dray Line — Arthur C. Green. 
 
 Cabinet Worker — ^James Chilcote. 
 
 Harness Manufacturers — P. A. Sunday, James 
 Matthews. 
 
BUSINESS DIRECTORY III 
 
 Shoemaker — H. Rosenberger. 
 
 Bowling Alley — Company A, I. N. G., ^I'gr. 
 
 Liverj-men — Alva Hostetter, Henney Bros., M. 
 H. Scott. 
 
 Furniture and Undertaker — Walter Bonham. 
 
 Buggies and Wagons — John Lozier, R. L. Stone, 
 Straus, Ackerman & Co. 
 
 Marble Agency — Fred Waltman. 
 
 Coal Dealers — Eagles & Sons, J. D. Berger. 
 
 Grain Merchants — Ackerman, Stone. 
 
 Opera House — G. O. Russell, ^I'gr. 
 
 Western Union Telegraph — Daniel ]\Iatthews, 
 operator. 
 
 Postal Telegraph — J. J. IMartin, operator. 
 
 B. & O. R'y Agent— W. U. Holderman. 
 
 Flagman — George i\Iinard. 
 
 Independent Telephone — A. R. Niedhardt, Al'gr. 
 
 Bell Telephone— A. R. Otis, Al'gr. 
 
 Railway Busman — Alva Hostetter. 
 
 Auctioneers — John Wilson, W. N. Page. 
 
 Surveyors — Sawyer, James Johnston, Bortner & 
 Son. 
 
 Kitselman Coil Spring Fence — C. C. Rule, agent 
 for Noble county. 
 
 Strawberry Culturist — Rev. William Talbert. 
 
 Nurseryman — Dr. Cook. 
 
 Truck Gardener, S. Sams. 
 
 Stock Buyers, Huston Bros., R. L. Stone. 
 
 Butter and Eggs, C. W. Beck. 
 
 Grain and Wool, Straus, Ackermau & Co. 
 
IV BUSINESS DIRECTORY 
 
 Bakeries, Busz & Gatwood, W. T. Marks. 
 
 Buggy and Wagon Repairs, Jesse HoiTman. 
 
 Clothing, Ready Made and to Order, Tim Ral- 
 liliau. 
 
 Barbers, R. D. Garramone, Marker & Bowen, 
 Frank Marks. 
 
 Dressmakers and Seamsters, Frazure Sisters, 
 Mrs. C. F. Haney, Mrs. Sylvester Mullen, Maude 
 Kiblinger. 
 
 Machinist and Repairs, O. Singrey. 
 
 Cement Work, Tim Rallihan, Parmalee, W. G. 
 Brown. 
 
 Music Teachers, A. P. Smith, J. H. Johnston. 
 
 Blacksmiths, A. E. Hanej-, George Kriegbaum, 
 Kutcher & Hane}-, Nicodemus & Franks. 
 
 Paper Hangers, John Epp, W. J. Boate, Frank 
 Cook, Vernon Ra}-, William Kettleboro. 
 
 Billboard Artist, Bert Rickard. 
 
 Sign Painter, L. J. Edwards. 
 
 Brick Mason, Isaac Breeden. 
 
 Stone Masons, James Parmalee, W. G. Brown. 
 
 Musicians, Garramone, Matthews Bros. 
 
 Carpenters, Noah Barcus, John Gatwood, F. C. 
 Fuller, Halsy Mack, Ross Zimmerman, George 
 Bidwell. 
 
 Nuts, Candies, Fruits, George Simmons. 
 
 Plasterer and Contractor, Clyde Madison. 
 
 Painters, Epp, Cook, Boate, Edwards, Rickard, 
 Skinner, Ra}', Kettleboro. 
 
 Poultry Fancier, William Talbert. 
 
BUSINESS DIRECTORY V 
 
 Meat Market, Winebrenner Brothers. 
 
 Dentists, J. H. Johnston, R. S. Malony. 
 
 Alilliner}', M. B. Spencer, Shisler & Lash. 
 
 jMerchant Tailors, G. O. Russell, L. J. Evans. 
 
 Druggists, M. C. Beck, H. D. Stone. B. E. ^liller. 
 
 Boots and Shoes, G. Schwab. 
 
 Jewelers, E. S. Fitch, Ed W. Hicks. 
 
 Restaurants, Lee Danner, H. B. Foster, W. T. 
 ]\Iarks. 
 
 Shorthand Reporter, M. T. Stone. 
 
 Lumber Dealer, Eagles & Son. 
 
 New Era, E. L. Adair, publisher. 
 
 Democrat, \V . H. McEwen, publisher. 
 
 Dr}^ Goods and Clothing, J. D. Black & Sons, 
 Schloss Bros. 
 
 Groceries, C. B. Phillips, \V. H. Hart, Busz & 
 Gatwood, Guy Hardenbrook, G. W. Roof, Laura C. 
 Burns. 
 
 Hardware, J. D. Berger, Moore & Metz, D. L. 
 Baughman. 
 
 Agricultural Lnplements, John Lozier, George 
 W. Smith, jr., J. D. Berger, Moore & Metz. 
 
 Real Estate, Straus, Ackerman & Co., J.J. Lash, 
 Menaugh & Menaugh. 
 
 Insurance, William Trump, W. N. Voris, V. L. 
 Clear, Menaugh & Menaugh, D. Schaff. 
 
 Veterinary, William Dicer, Harvey Hostetter. 
 
 Newhope Hospital, Dr. J. W. Morr, Supt. 
 
 Free Delivery, Harr}' Fiske, Propr. 
 
 Pension Agent, vS. T. Ward. 
 
 Wells, N. B. Rogers, Brumbaugh & Co. 
 
VI BUSINESS DIRECTORY 
 
 News Depots, M. C. Beck, B. E. Miller, Frank 
 Cole. 
 
 Attorneys, L. W. Welker, L. H. Wrigley, D. S. 
 Taylor, Field & Spangler. 
 
 Physicians, S. W. Lemmon, W. T. Green, Hayes 
 & Son, J. W. iMorr, N. G. Reiff, W. F. Carver. 
 
 Abstracter,'" D. S. Taylor. 
 
 5-25 Store, S. T. Ward & Co. 
 
 Photographers, J. A. Harkless, C. A. Price. 
 
BUSINESS MEN INTERVIEWED. 
 
 And What Thev Say. 
 
 Part IX. 
 
 Advertisements are permanent records of the busi- 
 ness transacted in the community of the advertiser. 
 The present worth of an advertisement is invalua- 
 ble; not only is its present of value, but its future, 
 during the life of the business advertised, continues 
 of value. 
 
 This is not all: Ten, twent}^, fifty years hence, 
 what is better history or a better record of the time 
 in which the advertiser lived? What more inter- 
 esting to the future reader, to the future generations 
 — to your children and j'our children's children? 
 
 Our volume would not be complete without per- 
 mitting our business people to place on a permanent 
 exhibit, in the following pages, their own contribu- 
 tions of thougt, in which is portrayed a component 
 part of the world's busy Today. 
 
 We commend their contributions to the studious 
 reader of "Noble County Capitals and Greater 
 Albion." 
 
C. E. BURROWS 
 
 ^ £>■ The OLD and RELIABLE PIANO TUNER ■£> jE/ 
 
 Of Fort Wayne makes tri-yearly visits to ALBION 
 where his services can be secured at the ALBION 
 HOUSE or by addressing him at £f £f £^ £f ^^ £r 
 
 BOX 182 FORT "WAYNE. IND. 
 
 £> £>■ EVERYTHING £f £f 
 
 IN HARDWARE 
 
 Farm Implements, buggies, sewing ma- 
 chines, harness and l5e Laval Cream 
 Seperators at prices as low as anywhere 
 in the county for same grade of goods at 
 
 BAUGHMAIN'S HARDWARE, Albion 
 
 W. N. PAGE 
 
 General Auctioneer 
 
 Live stock a Special- 
 ty. To prevent errors 
 all dates for sales 
 must be made with 
 W. H. McEwen, edi- 
 tor of The Democrat. 
 Both Phones 
 
 ALBION. 
 
 INDIANA 
 
The Noble County Abstract oifice is a Pioneer institu- 
 tion in Albion and in Noble County. 
 
 The present owner and manager is not a pioneer but 
 he is descended from those who cleared the way for GREATER 
 Albion. 
 
 The Noble County Abstract Office has existed since 
 the war of the Rebellion under the management of Kiser & 
 Swett, Baughman & Worden, Worden & Fox, and is now 
 owned and managed by David S. Taylor. 
 
 Abstracting of land titles has undergone a great 
 change in the last few years and instead of being a mere 
 business it is now ranked with the professions. A man to be 
 successful in abstract work should be a real estate lawyer, 
 an expert accountant, a surveyor, a geographer, a historian 
 and a student of human nature. 
 
 The Noble County Abstract Office has a complete in- 
 dex to the records of deeds and mortgages and miscellaneous 
 instruments, which is so arranged that in a short time any 
 description of land may be traced from the United States 
 Government to the present owner. 
 
 An Abstract of title is a history of a piece of land. It 
 shows the transactions that have taken place with reference 
 to any particular description of land and these transactions 
 are so set out and assembled that within a short space of 
 time it can be ascertained whether or not a good title rests 
 in the individual who claims ta own the land. 
 
 The Noble County Abstract Office solicites your busi- 
 ness and guarantees the best work at the lowest possible 
 price. 
 
 Noble County Abstract Office 
 
 Abstracting Attorney-at-Law Business Agent 
 
 NOTARY PUBLIC And Stenographer in Office 
 
 Office in Basement of Court [louse ALBION, INDIANA 
 
 BOTH PH ONES DAVID S. TAYLOR, Manager 
 
+ — 
 
 E. P. ROBERSON 
 
 Of 8536 Saginaw Avenue, Chicago, Ills. 
 
 Piano and Organ Dealer. I make Albion everj' two 
 or three months. Those wishing to buy a fine piano 
 I will give you a square deal as I have treated the 
 following customers: — E. E. Prickett, W. H. Fraz- 
 ure, Mrs. Rauser, Mr. Hamlin, Mrs. W. Marks, 
 Frank Marks, Mrs. Catharine Marks, Mrs. C. C. 
 Kuhn, Mrs. Clara Cook, Mr. J. Cory, Mr. A. C. 
 Green, Bessie B. Barcus, George G. Green, and 
 Robert Hayes. Of Avilla, Ind., Harry Stewart and 
 Mr. Jones. 
 
 E. P. ROBERSON 
 
 "ORIGINALITY" 
 
 Some houses set the pace, and always lead. Others 
 imitate and follow. It is to the former class that 
 our firm belongs— The novel, the original, the up- 
 to-date. These have ever claimed our enthusiam. 
 We crowd our trade with original and beautiful de- 
 signs in cut glass, silver plated ware, clocks. Gold, 
 gold filled and plated jewelry, watches etc, and that's 
 our secret of success. 
 
 Fn W Hiri^^ Albion's Jeweler and 
 CU« W* lllv»l\3) Optician £f^£^£>'^ 
 
* — 
 
 W. T. MARKS 
 
 BAKERY AND LUNCH 
 Albion, - - Indiana 
 
 FIRST DOOR EAST OF 
 BLACK'S STORE 
 
 Lunch to Order 
 Bread the Best 
 
 R. D. GARRAMONE 
 
 City Tonsorialist 
 East Main Street 
 
 ALBION. - - IND. 
 
 4 Doors East of 
 Black & Sons' Store 
 
 Located in Albion in Nov. 
 1880; was first to introduce 
 tlie recliniuK cbair, the bair 
 clippers, and tirst to open an 
 up-to-date parlor. 
 
 LEE DANNER 
 
 MODERN HOTEL AND 
 RESTAURANT 
 
 West Main St., 
 ALBION, - - IND. 
 
 Meals & Service unsurpassed 
 
 Directly south of Court House 
 OD alley five doors west of the 
 Albion National Bank. 
 
 DR. W.T.GREEN 
 
 Albion, Indiana 
 Office Southwest Corner 
 Court House Basement. 
 
 Residence East Main St. 
 
 Special attention to Surgery 
 and Diseases of Women and 
 CbiUlren; also cartarrhal dis- 
 eases. 
 
 F. S. WALTMAN 
 
 Albion, Ind. 
 
 East Main street, east 
 of Wesleyan Church 
 
 Piano and Monumen 
 Dealer 
 
 ALWAYS RELIABLE 
 
 David A. Schaff 
 
 Notary Public 
 and Insurance 
 
 RESIDENCE ON 
 NORTH YORK ST. 
 
 HOME PHONE 48 
 
 Albion, - Ind. 
 
XiuWMMWMi^^MMi^'iMiMiiiMMiJiiM^MJMWM^'HWiJ^JM^Wt 
 
 >iiM^ 
 
 I D. BLACK S SONS 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1856 
 
 ALBION, = INDIANA 
 
 The long existence and uniformly honorable dealings 
 of this store give it a widely extended reputation for re- 
 liability, quality of merchandise and reasonableness of 
 prices, that is unsurpassed. 
 
 The large amount of merchandise always in stock 
 affords a wide range of choice in selecting purchases, and 
 the high character of the lines and brands carried, as 
 listed below, insures undoubted correctness in style and 
 continued satisfaction. 
 
 Hart, Schaffner & Marx "Clothcraft, " and Kuh, 
 Nathan & Fischer Co. clothing for men, "Viking System" 
 clothing for young men and boys. 
 
 The Palmer and "Printzess" lines in coats, jackets, 
 tailored suits, raincoats and skirts for Women and Misses. 
 
 Howard & Foster, "Florsheim" and "All America" 
 shoes and oxfords for Men and Boys. "Queen Quality" 
 and "All America" shoes and oxfords for Women. 
 
 Richardson's carpets, rugs, mattings, lace curtains. 
 
 A complete stock of Dry Goods, Notions, Men's 
 Furnishings and Groceries. 
 
 J. D. BLACK «& SONS 
 
 I "THE BUSY STORE" 
 
C^i'pet pactory! 
 
 ''^sai! 
 
 We now operate two power looms. With our long 
 experience, we give satisfactory results. Write ' 
 CHAS. SIEBER, Albion, Ind., or leave orders at 
 South Side Grocery. I 
 
 R. B. CLESR 
 
 SUPERINTENDENT OF 
 
 THE ALBION LUMBER CO. 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1901 
 
 Manufacturer Hardwood Lumber from 
 
 Native Timber. 
 Custom Work and Special Orders Promptly Filled 
 
L. H. WRIGLEY 
 
 ATTORNtY-AT-LAW 
 
 ALBION, = INDIANA 
 
 OFFICE DIRECTLY WEST 
 OF COURT HOUSE 
 
 CstablisHed 1881 
 
 L. W. WELKER 
 
 LAWYER 
 Albion - Indiana 
 
 Office Over State Bank 
 
 PHONE 71 
 
 Field &Spangler 
 
 ATTORNEYS 
 AT-LAW 
 
 Office over Stone's Drug 
 Store 
 
 r^s^ ,8. ALBION, IND, 
 
 B. F. MARKS 
 Barber 
 
 Albion - - Indiana 
 
 Easy shaves and stylish lutir 
 cuts 
 
 Shop live doors south of Al- 
 bion National Bank 
 
 ALBION STEAM 
 LAUNDRY 
 
 E. F. Spencer 
 Propr. 
 
 17 EAST MAIN STREEf 
 
 Dr. H. Hostetter 
 
 VET, SURGEON 
 
 ALBION. - INDIANA 
 
 !^tuaent of Ontario and Grad- 
 uate of Grand Kapids 
 Veterinary College 
 
 Scientific treatment of all dis- 
 eases of domestic animals. 
 
 Calls promptlx ansv.ereJ 
 
 ^1 I 
 
• MANUFACTURERS OF- 
 
 Cement Building Blocks and Chim- 
 ney Blocks in Plain or Rock Face 
 and Cement Fence Posts. 
 
 Contractor and Builder of Cement 
 Walks, Porches and Water Tanks. 
 All work done in Workmanlike man- 
 ner. Prices Reasonable. 
 
 ■HOME PHONE 150" 
 
 .^. 
 
 P JnJi 
 
 F. F. Ingraham & Son 
 
 PROPRIETORS OF 
 
 Flour, Feed and Exchange Mill 
 
 SOUTH ORANGE ST^ ALBION, IND. 
 
 We are wholesalers and sale agents of the cel- 
 ebrated "PERFECTION FLOUR," manufactured 
 for us. This is the flour that everybody wants, be- 
 cause it is first class, even grade, makes fine bread, 
 biscuit, pastry and everything else in the line of 
 breadstulf products. We make a specialty of man- 
 ufacturing most wholesome Graham Flour, not 
 equaled in quality; and also of Meal made from the 
 best kiln-dried corn, for table use. 
 
 WE EXCHANGE FLOUR. FOR. WHEAT 
 
 Also grind feed for all kinds of stock. 
 We sell the best and cheapest Stock Foods. 
 

 3 
 
 i 
 
 I 
 
 3 
 3 
 
 GROCERY 
 
 THE PIONEER GROCERY OF ALBION 
 
 Its proprietor having been in business for over forty 
 years in Albion, being burned out entirely when in 
 the Dry Goods and Grocery business where Schloss 
 Bros, now conduct their store. After serving in 
 the Auditor's office for two terms he again em- 
 barked in the mercantile business where he is now 
 located, and is ever ready to demonstrate to the 
 people that he is just as capable of serving them in 
 a business way as he was forty years ago. You are 
 all cordially invited to come in and trade at the old 
 stand and he will treat you square. 
 
 a B. PHILLIPS 
 
 PROPRIETOR, - PHONE 49 
 
 5i 
 
 £ 
 
 E 
 
 
 •^yjtittfftfffifffnftiiitiiiiiifftiifitnfnittft^ 
 
*" 
 
 
 
 
 NOW IS THE TIME! 
 
 TO PROCURE 
 
 
 LUMBER 
 
 Shingles, Porch and Interior Finish, 
 Lime, English and American Cement 
 and Building Material at Prices that 
 will save you money. 
 
 YARD OPPOSITE B. & 0. DEPOT 
 
 EAQLHS and SON 
 
 PHONE 38 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Finley C. Fuller 
 
 CONTRACTOR 
 AND BUILDER 
 
 Our work comprises the best structures in city and 
 country. Our references are Albion, KimmeH and 
 elsewhere in the rural districts. We take pleasure 
 in referring you among many others to J. C. Cleland, 
 whose farm residence is shown on page 66 of this 
 book. Modern and architectural adornments, both 
 residences and barn, put up in substantial form, at 
 reasonable prices for first-class work. 
 
 ESTIMATES FURNISHED ON APPLICATION. 
 
 Address at Albion, Indiana 
 
 
 
 
 -— * 
 
GUY HARDENBROOK, Prop. 
 
 Guv, as even'bod}' calls him, has been actively con- 
 nected with the grocery business in Albion since 1692, 
 having- served his a^jprenticeship under C. B. Phil- 
 lips. For the past two and one-half years he has 
 been in business for himself having purchased the 
 Sams & Co. stock in the fail of '0-5. 
 The Grocery is located on the east side of Orange 
 street one-half block south of Main, where you 
 will find a complete stock of Staple and Fancy Gro- 
 ceries, Fresh Fish and Vegetables, China Ware and 
 Crockery. 
 
 Indexing Kerosene Lamps, 100 candle 
 power, brighter than Electricity, cheaper 
 and safer than Gasoline. 
 
 REMEMBER THE PLACE 
 
 GUY'S GROCERY 
 
 ALBION, INDIANA 
 
 Phone 42 
 
Reley Winebrenner Logan Winebrenner 
 
 ]VIeat ]VIa2?kets 
 
 East Main Street 
 
 Six Doors East 
 of Black's Corner 
 
 South Orange St. 
 
 Seven doors south of 
 Albion National Bank 
 
 For several years tlie proprietors have 
 been identified with the interests of the 
 town and as such should have encour- 
 agement by liberal patronage. 
 
3 
 
 BUSZ & QATWOOD 
 
 Busy Grocers 
 and Bakers... 
 
 West side of South Orange street, six doors south 
 of Albion National Bank. 
 
 FRESH CLEAN STOCK - HUSTLERS FOR TRADE 
 
 A.LBION, INDIANA. 
 
 TeTxreler a.xLd- Optical C3-raca.-u.a,te 
 
 Came to Albion in 1874 from Waterloo. Located 
 first door east of Black's store until burned out in 
 1879. Then three doors east. Now nicely located 
 three doors south of National Bank, South Orange 
 street. 
 
 WeH Assorted Up-to-date line of Watches and Jewelry 
 
 MERCHANT TAILOR 
 ALBION. - INDIANA 
 
 A fine line of Woolens both Staple and Novelties. 
 Foreign and Domestic, always on hand. Cleaning 
 and Pressing, and repairing done with promptness 
 and neatness. 
 
 Cocated en Corner of Orange and Ttazel Streets. 
 
 3 «: 
 
N. B. Rog'ers 
 
 O-WNER. OF 
 
 BY Silver Cloud No. 9778, he by Mambrino Chief Jr. 
 No. 2:14, he by Mambrino Chief No. 11. Silver 
 Cloud dam Maggie Ray by Shurty Magna. Silver- 
 wood dam Nancv, she iav Dixwood No. 20,005, he by 
 Edgewood No.8069, he "bv Nutwood No. 600, he by 
 Belmont No. 64. 
 
 Residence in east Albion near the Paragon Mills 
 
 N. B. ROGERS & 
 
 Manufacturers of 
 TUBULAR WELLS 
 
 Albion, -Indiana 
 
 BRUMBAUGH 
 BROS. 
 
 WELL DRILLERS 
 
 Stpaiii and liotwater heating, 
 
 \Yiiid mills, tanks, pumps and 
 
 fitting 
 
 Office opposite the court 
 house - West Main St. 
 
 A.LBION, IND. 
 
 ONE MILE NORTH AND ONE-HALF MILE EAST py 
 
 ALBION, INDIANA 
 MILK DELIVERED PROMPTLY to all Parts of town 
 
 'Cleanliness next to Godliness" our Watchword. 
 
ALVA HOSTETTER 
 
 PROPRIETOR 
 
 LEADING LIVERY 
 
 FEED AND SALE STABLE 
 
 ALBION, IND. 
 
 Special attention given to commercial men. Best accommo- 
 dations, courteous treatment. Phones: Home 33, Bell 2. 
 
 BUS LINE IN CONNECTION 
 
 One and one-half blocks northeast of the Court House. 
 

 
 
 
 J. W. & WOODWARD 
 
 W. F. CARVER 
 
 
 
 ...HAYS... 
 
 PHYSiCIAN;and 
 
 
 
 Physicians&Surgeons 
 
 SURGEON... 
 
 
 
 Office at Residence one 
 block east of the court 
 house square. 
 
 Office and residence east 
 Main Street, one square 
 east of the court house 
 
 
 
 ALBION, - INDIANA 
 
 square. 
 
 
 
 Calls Answerpfl Ht All Flours 
 
 A LB I ON, INDIAN A. 
 
 
 1 imothy Rallihan 
 
 
 READY MADE AND MADE TO ORDER 
 
 Y> I /^ T' r T T IVT /"^ 
 
 
 UL.O iHUNCa 
 
 
 ALSO CENT'S FURNISHINGS 
 
 
 
 ALBION, IND. East Main St. Next to Laundry 
 
 
 
 Came to Albion in 1874 and with Ira Grant purchas- 
 ed Ihe grocery stock of Franks Bros., South Orange 
 street, on the site of the Scott Livery barn. Is the 
 present assessor of Albion township. 
 
 
 H.G.Zimmerman 
 
 ATTORNEY-AT-LAW 
 
 Albion, Ind. 
 
 Will Mcodemus U. Franks 
 
 NICODEMUS & 
 FRANKS 
 
 
 Office in South East Cor- 
 ner Court House basement 
 
 General Blacksmiths & 
 Woodworkers 
 
 
 
 Telephone 73 
 
 ALBION, INDIANA 
 
 
 
 Everything entrusted to 
 us strictly confidential 
 and promptly attended to 
 
 Shop on Alley at Rear of the 
 Albion House 
 
 All Work Guaranteed satis- 
 factory at Prices Right 
 
 
 
 
 ' + 
 
r 
 
 "We Arc The Pioneers" 
 
 JAMES J. LASH 
 came to Kendall- 
 ville, Noble Coun- 
 ty, Indiana, in the 
 year 1848, served 
 four years in the 
 U. S. Army during 
 the late Rebellion, 
 1861-5; held the of- 
 fice of Postmaster 
 at Kendall ville, 
 three years from 
 1866-9, being re- 
 moved for political 
 reasons; held the 
 County Treasurers 
 office four years, 
 1871-5; was the 
 founder and prop- 
 rietor of the "Al- 
 bion Democrat" 
 five years, 1882-7; 
 held the County Recorder's office four years, 1881-5, 
 and has been in the Abstract business for over 25 years. 
 
 When you wish an Abstract of the Title to your Home or Farm send 
 
 THE PIONEER ABSTRACT CO. ^'i^'J!'' 
 
 JAMES J. LASH & SON, Mgrs. 
 Ollicc in our own building. So. Orange St. Honie Phone 55 
 
 FRANK W. COLE 
 
 PROPRIETOR 
 
 COLE'S Confectionery 
 AND TOBACCO STORE 
 
 Directly West of Court 
 House 
 
 ALBION, INDIANA 
 
 Headquarters for Chica- 
 go Sunday Papers. 
 
 JOHN LOZIER 
 
 Albioi^t Ind. 
 
 Corner Orange and Hazel 
 Streets 
 
 Headquarters for 
 
 INTERNATIONAL HAR- 
 VESTER CO. 
 
 Buggies and Wagons 
 Gasoline Engines 
 
 J 
 
r 
 
 "REX ALL STORE" 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1869 
 
 Pioneer Drug Store of Noble County 
 
 H. D. STONE, Propr 
 
 Full Line Up-to-date Wall Paper, Mouldings, "Window 
 Shades, High Grade Paints, Varnishes, and Oils. 
 
 VINOL AGENCY 
 
 Spaulding's Sporting Goods, Fishing Tackle, Hammocks, 
 etc. Elegant Line of Stationary, Books, Perfumes Con- 
 fectionary, and Cigars. 
 
 Home Phone No. 46 BellPhoneNo.il 
 

 THE- 
 
 ESTABLISHED 1872 
 
 Each week a concise cyclopedia 
 of interesting news of Albion 
 and surrounding country. Sub- 
 scription price $1.50. 
 
 )/. 
 
 A modern job department in 
 connection. This book is a 
 sample of every day work. 
 
 PRICES RIGHT, WORK RIGHT 
 
Dr. B. E. MILLER 
 
 DRUGGIST 
 
 This store was started in the spring of 1887 by Dr. 
 A. L. Snyder, Bryan, Ohio, managed by his clerk, 
 Mr. C. N. Kunkle, under the firm name, C. N. 
 Kunkle & Co., until March 1890, when it was pur- 
 chased by Dr. B. E. Miller, Antwerp, Ohio, who 
 owns and conducts the business. Dr. Miller was 
 engaged in the practice of medicine in connection 
 therewith until recent years. He has been County 
 Health Officer for a number of years and is President 
 of the Board of Examining Surgeons for Pensions 
 at Kendallville, Ind. 
 
 The Store is located on North Orange street. 
 East Side of Court Square, has a full line of Drug 
 Sundries, Books, Stationery, Paints and Oils, also a 
 nice Soda Fountain >vhere Ice Cream Soda and Ice 
 Cream and Fancy Drinks is served by himself, or a 
 neat, polite and enterprising clerk is always at hand 
 to wait upon his many customers. 
 
mr 
 
 m ©TfM[ET 
 
 f 
 
 iifj=)AS founded in 1879 by Hamlin & Skinner and pur- 
 chased by Thomas A. Huston about 1883. In 1894 
 the present owner purchased a half interest in the 
 (,-; ♦,^:.55 stock, and in 1902 became sole proprietor. From 
 '^•iii^''' its beginning it has enjoyed a most liberal patronage 
 in and out of the city from those desiring : : : : 
 
 mm ^^^fhW\ 
 
 A nice, large and clean stock constantly on 
 hand for inspection at right prices. 
 
 e« 
 
 M^l^mOM,, IMD. 
 
S. T. WARD 
 
 came to Noble County, 
 Aug. 1865, having been 
 discharged from the U. 
 S. Army, July 13, 1865; 
 came to Albion near 1866, 
 where engaged in Boots 
 and Shoes, Groceries, 
 and Livery, for many 
 years. Now on E. Main 
 Street, in General No- 
 tions, under name of 
 
 WARD & CO. 
 
 ALBION, IND. 
 
 in building built by him 
 in 1868. 
 
 "GREEN FRONT" CONFECTIONERY 
 STORE 
 
 Directly East of the Court House, Albion, Indiana 
 
 Keeps Constantly in Stock a Complete Line of Fruits 
 Tobaccos and Confections. 
 
 Its proprietor is 60 years of age, 54 of which he has 
 lived in Noble County and 18 years a resident of 
 what is to be— "Greater Albion." 
 
 GEORGE SIMMONS, PROPRIETOR 
 
INTERIOR OF 
 
 HART'S GROCERY 
 
 The grocery business of W. H. Hart was established 
 November 15, 1892, at its present location, East Main street. 
 
 The business of the firm has had a steady increase from 
 year to year, until today we can say we have as tine a busi- 
 ness with as good a class of customers as any store in our 
 little city. This firm has always dealt exclusively in 
 
 GROCERIES AND PROVISIONS 
 
 and you can find here a fine assortment of canned fruits, vegeta- 
 bles, salmon, olives and sardines, also all kinds of fresh fruits 
 and vegetables in season. 
 
 We sell the famous brands of Albion, Kimmell and 
 Nappanee flour. 
 
 All kinds of Breakfast Food, Coflfee, Tea and Spices. 
 In fact everything usually found in a first-class grocery. 
 
 Everything sold in our store is marked and sold at the 
 correct price. A square deal to everyone, first, last and all 
 the time, is our motto. Hoping to meet all of our old custo- 
 mers and many new ones in the years to come, 
 
 I am yours very truly, 
 
 ALBION, INDIANA 
 HOME PHONE 25 
 
 W. H. HART 
 
WILL BOWEN CLAYTON MARKER 
 
 SHAYE H JLIB. CUT 
 
 BATH QR SHINE 
 
 BOWEN & MARKER 
 
 UP=TO=DATE BARBERS 
 
 First Door South of the Albion National Bank. 
 AI^BION, INDIANA. 
 
 ALBION HOUSE 
 
 E. L. ADAIR, Prop. 
 
 KUTCHER^HANEY 
 
 Blacksmithing 
 a Specialty... 
 
 Directly south court house 
 
 All Kinds of Repair Work 
 
 ALBION, IND. 
 
 The Best in the city 
 
 Rates $2.00 Per Day 
 
 East Main Street, 1 block 
 
 Free Bus to Trains 
 
 east of court house 
 
 Sunday Dinners a Specialty 
 
 ALBION, INDIANA 
 
1873 
 
 THE 
 
 1908 
 
 Albion National Bank 
 
 Capital, $25,000.00 
 
 Board of Directors 
 
 Thomas M. Ott 
 Ed W. Hicks 
 John W. Earle 
 J. Schermerhorn 
 James N. Harvey 
 Charles M. Clapp 
 Fredericic Barnes 
 L. K. Ayers 
 John W. Long 
 
 FULLY PAID 
 
 &' tii 
 
 ^m 
 
 
 Officers 
 
 Charles M. Clapp, 
 President 
 W. S. Cramer, 
 
 Cashier 
 L. R. Ayers, 
 
 First Vice Pres. 
 John W. Earle, 
 Second Vice Pres. 
 
 The Albion Bank was established by William M. Clapp in the 
 Clapp-Phillips-White block erected in 1873-4, where it enjoyed 
 the confidence and patronage of the community until destroyed 
 by fire, October 7, 1880, after which it was removed to its 
 present location, corner Main and Orange streets, and con- 
 ducted by Charles M. Clapp until Nationalized Oct. 22, 1908. 
 
 The new officers, directors and stockholders invite your sup- 
 port and co-operation in making this bank one of the best 
 in Indiana and a source of pride to all its patrons whom it is 
 intended to serve and accommodate. Come in and let us 
 know your wants. 
 
 Per Cent Interest Paid on 
 j^j^Time Depositsj^w^ 
 
 Travelers' Check* and Letters of Credit Available in All 
 Parts of the World. 
 
A Look Into the Dental Parlors of 
 
 Dr. J. H. JOHNSTON 
 
 OFFICE OVER SCHLOSS BROS.' STORE. ALBION, INDIANA 
 
 BELL PHONE 
 
 HOME PHONE 
 
 Dr. JOHN W. MORR 
 
 PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON 
 
 President and Physician in Charge of the 
 
 Newhope Hospital's Sanitarium 
 
 South Orange Street, ALBION, IND'A. 
 
 f"wfjT is a home enterprise, and before going to out of town 
 
 llkl institutions for treatment or surgical operations you 
 
 /I should consult the management, and arrange to 
 
 rB.l have your wants cared for at home. 
 
 The success of ^.this institution depends entirely on its 
 
 friends, and a careful investigation will convince you, that 
 
 the result obtained here, will compare favorable with 
 
 larger institutions in other cities. 
 
 References, any physician or business man in Albion. For 
 
 particulars, call on or address 
 
 Dr. JOHN W. MORR, Physician in charge. 
 
Laura's Grocery 
 
 LAURA C. BURNS, Propr. 
 
 Northeast Corner Court Square 
 North Orange St^ Albion. Ind. 
 
 Established 1880, by E. Walters, and purchased by pres- 
 ent proprietor in July, 1906. This store has always been 
 foremost in its lines — Staple and Fancy Groceries, Fresh 
 Fruits and Vegetables, and is noted for its well selected 
 and clean kept stock. A continuance of its most liberal 
 partronage is always solicited. Highest prices for produce 
 
A Corner in ALBION'S OLDEST ESTABLISHED DENTAL OFFICE 
 
 ■^ 
 
 Dr. R. S. MALONY'S ^J^o^ 
 
 78 
 
 A front view of H. B. FOSTER'S 
 
 CONFECTIONERY STORE and LUNCH ROOM 
 
 THREE DOORS SOUTH 
 OF NATIONAL BANK 
 
 ALBION, IND. 
 
"k FricEs! 
 Get tie Faint! 
 
 H. D. Stone 
 
 ALBION AGENT 
 
 Directly South of the 
 Court House 
 
 ALBION, IND. 
 
Farmers State Bank 
 
 ALBION, IND. 
 
 PAID UP CAPITAL - 
 Deposits over - - 
 
 STRICTLY A LOCAL INSTITUTION 
 
 4 
 
 Per Cent Interest 
 Paid on Certificates 
 ol Deposit if left four 
 Montlis 
 
 Your Business Solicited 
 
 MONEY to LOAN at ALL TIMES 
 
 Safety Boxes to Rent 
 
 Come See Us £uid Make Yourself at Home 
 
 $ 35,000.00 
 $200,000.00 
 
 OFFICERS 
 
 Louis Stiefel.Prtsident 
 Byron P. Gray, V.Pres. 
 Thos. M. Reed, Cashier 
 
 DIRECTORS 
 
 Abe Goldsmith 
 Thos. L. Imes 
 Willis Foster 
 1. D. Straus 
 Byron P. Gray 
 Abe Ackerman 
 Louis Stiefel 
 
 STRAUS, ACKERMAN & CO. 
 
 GRAIN, SEEDS AND WOOL 
 
 ALSO ECKHART BUGGIES 
 
 STRAUS,ACKERIVIAN&GO. 
 
 Buy, Sell and Trade Farms 
 
 CALL AND GET ONE OUR CATALOGUES 
 
G. 0. RUSSELL, Jr. 
 
 MERCHANT TAILOR 
 
 ALBION, IND. 
 
 GARRETT, IND. 
 
 Established 1889 at its Present 
 Location east of the Court house. 
 
 We show yoa largest line of Piece Goods carried in county 
 
 A dry cleaning plant is a late addition to the business. 
 
 At all times will be found keeping pace with 
 
 "Greater Albion" 
 
 Garrett branch established in spring of 1907 to accommo- 
 date a steady increase of business 
 
 Nobby Patterns 
 
 Best Workmen 
 
J. ID. BESR^OEIR, 
 
 03 
 
 d 
 
 Established Hardware store at Cromwell Jan. 1, 1877. Removed to Albion 
 and purchased the Markey & Walters stock in McMeans Block, 1881; re- 
 moved to first door west National Bank, 1884; thence to present building 
 east of Court House, erected in 1891. 
 
^ \ Leaders of Fashion 
 
 ■* A === 
 
 
 
 One-Price Store 
 
 ALBION, INDIANA 
 
 Ten Years Ago in March 
 
 we began business in this city. We succeeded from the start 
 and each year has found something added to better our ser- 
 vice. Our store policy has always been "The Best Merchan- 
 dise for the Money and One Price to All." 
 
 By living up to this standard, hard work and proficient 
 assistants we have succeeded in building up a very successful 
 business. 
 
 Today we occupy one of the prettiest store rooms and 
 carry one of the largest and cleanest stocks of merchandise 
 to be found in Noble County— a record of which we are 
 justly proud. 
 
 Ready made wear -"Wooltex Styles" for Well 
 
 Dressed Women — "Kuppenheimer Clothes" for 
 
 Well Dressed Men— a specialty. 
 
 Crosscft Shoes 
 For Men 
 
 KABO CORSETS 
 
 Krippendorf Shoes 
 For Women 
 
WALTER BONHAM 
 
 -IN 
 
 FURNITURE & UNDERTAKING 
 
 It is my constant endeavor to 
 please you. Either telephone is 
 promptly answered at store or 
 residence. : : : : : 
 
 WALTER BONHAM 
 
 Successor to Elza Shaffer 
 
 Business room located east of court house. 
 Established 188.3. 
 
J. M. MATTHEWS 
 
 HARNESS STORE 
 
 Northeast Corner Court Square ALBION, INDIANA 
 
 ESTABLISHED 187 
 
 Repair Work a Specialty 
 
 JSf 
 
 Prices on Harness & RepairWor 
 Lowest in County lor Good VVor 
 
 Rhode Island 
 Keds COMB . 
 
 Famous Winter Layers 
 
 Eggs and Stock For 
 Sale in Season 
 
 ALSO ... 
 
 Barred Plym- 
 outh Rocks 
 
 Real Thompson Ringlets — Prize Winners. I get my stock 
 and eggs direct from Thompson, America's Foremost Breed- 
 er and Prize Winner. I can't give them away, but can save 
 you money if you want something good. 
 
 Chicks from either above strains on apphcation. 
 
 J. A. HARKLE5S. ALBION. IND. 
 

 ALBION, IND. 
 
 The Only Practical SIGNOLOGUE ARTIST in Noble County. 
 
 BERT RICKARD 
 
 ALBION, IND. 
 
 Carriage and 
 Sign Painter 
 
 Originality and Adeptness 
 Behind the Brush 
 
 RUMBAUGH'S \ 
 Millinery Store 
 
 AND LADIES' BAZAAR i 
 
 South Orange Street 
 ALBION, -INDIANA 
 
 Seasonable Millinery Al- 
 ways in Stock. 
 
 Hat^ trimmed to al! tastes by tirst- 
 class trimmers. 
 
 Mrs. Willard Rumbaugh 
 
 Established 1866 
 
 P. A. Sunday's 
 
 HARNESS SHOP 
 
 First dooreaftt of Clapp Block 
 East Main Street 
 
 ALBION, - INDIANA 
 
 General Line of Harness 
 and Supplies 
 
 Repair work a Specialty 
 Prices Always the Lowest. 
 
 Go Where the Crowd 
 Goes, See What They 
 
 SEE 
 
 Good Moving Pictures 
 
 and Hear the Illustrated 
 Songs at the 
 
 Unique Tiieatre 
 
 EVANS & ALVORD 
 
 Props. 
 ALBION, INDIANA 
 
»»—+ 
 
 e, ^w. 
 
 AE^BIiON,, - - INDIANA 
 
 Highest price paid for poultry 
 at all seasons of the year. 
 When offering anything in 
 this line inquire of us before 
 selling and make money. 
 
 Commenced business under Hart's grocery in 1883, under 
 firm name of Beck & Franks. Removed to present loca- 
 tion north of Court House about two years later. Business 
 purchased by C, W. Beck in 1902. 
 
 Fine Shoes for Ladies and Men 
 
 AND CHILDREN 
 
 ALL 
 SIZES 
 I SHAPES 
 AND 
 STYLES 
 
 G. SCHWAI 
 
 SHOE DEALER 
 SHOE FITTER 
 
 THE 
 
 PRICES 
 
 ARE 
 
 ALWAYS 
 
 RIGHT 
 
 CUSTOMER.* ONCE, CUSTOMERS ALWAYS 
 East ol Court House ... ALBION, INDIANA 
 
 Commenced business in Albion in 1886 in block erected by 
 G. Schwab. Located in Wawaka in 1869. A native of 
 Switzerland. 
 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. 
 
 We acknowledge favors from the following per- 
 sons, and their writings, for photos, contributions 
 and historical information: 
 
 The late Hon. S. E. Alvord, historian. 
 
 Hon. Nelson P. Eagles 
 Hon. James M. Denny 
 Rev. C. A. Price 
 Rev. L. E. Knox 
 Rev. William Talbert 
 Mrs. Louisa Kline 
 Miss Hattie Bidwell 
 John A. Harkless 
 John C. Cleland 
 John W. Morehouse 
 Leander Rupert 
 
 Elijah Coats 
 
 Albert Black 
 
 Frank Saltzgaber 
 
 Hugh Inscho 
 
 W. A. Kuhn 
 
 Charles Hauck 
 
 W. A. Fox 
 
 Charles Sieber 
 
 Riley Smith 
 
 Joseph Gatwood 
 
 C. B. Philips 
 
 Charles W. Beck 
 
 6®"Errata — Page 62, Wesleyan organization 
 should read "1867 or '68." Page 73 for Cleland 
 farm residence instead of 66 as appears in F. C. 
 Fuller's advertisement. 
 
WILL H. McENVEN 
 
 EDITOR AM) PUBLISHER 
 
 The Albion Democrat 
 
 NORTH OF COURT HOUSE, ALBION, IND. 
 
 TWICE-A-WEEK MONDAY and THURSDAY $1.50 PER YEAR 
 "All the News All the Time" 
 
 Best Equipped Job Office in Noble County— Satisfaction Guaranteed- 
 Society and Stationery Printing our Specialty-Your Patronage Solicited 
 
INDEX TO GREATER ALBION 
 
 Frontispiece— New 
 Summary 
 
 Court House j Introductory 
 
 2 1 First Court House (ill.) 
 
 PART I. 
 
 CAPITAL BEGINNINGS. 
 
 First Settlement 
 First hewn cabin 
 Allen and LaGrange 
 First court and elections 
 Noble, how named 
 First Probate Judge 
 How Co. business transacted 
 Summary of county seats 
 Burning Augusta records 
 Port Mitchell county seat 
 Cost of buildings 
 Candidates for removal 
 Albion, how named 
 Population in 1831-40 
 First legal execution 
 
 5 : County officers' first meeting 7 
 
 4, 9 I First convictions 8 
 
 5 I Historic log cabin (ill) 
 
 5 i Land entries 8 
 
 5 ' First child, marriage, P. 0. 
 
 5 preacher, .J. P., att'y, buggy 
 
 6 Hour, meal, surgeon, &c 9 
 6 Medical discussion 10 
 6 I Port Mitchell platted 10 
 6 j Flood and dam burst 11 
 
 6 j Rebuilt, steam, removal 11 
 f" ; Forker and Correll creek 11 
 
 7 I Description of creeks 11 
 7, 9 Last of the Port 12 
 
 7l 
 
 PART II. 
 
 ALBION ORGANIZED. 
 
 Rupert residence (111.) facing 13 
 
 Some ancient history 13 
 
 On the dividing ridge 14 
 
 Where waters flow 14 
 
 Ratification meeting 14 
 
 The Center and the oaks 14 
 
 Albion township history 14 
 
 How formed 15 
 
 Portrait old residence (111.) 15 
 Settlers of Jefferson and Yoi'k 16 
 
 First election in Jefferson 16 
 
 First settler in York 16 
 
 First land entry 16 
 
 First justice and teacher 16 
 
 First road from north 16 
 
 First log cabin 16 
 
 Nearest boarding house 17 
 
 Two attorneys entertained 17 
 
 Bed on the floor 17 
 
 First settler in Albion 17 
 
 Who built first frame house 17 
 
 Coats and the cupola l8 
 
 J. M. Denny a '49er l8 
 
 Alvord and history l8 
 
 Owen Black, biography l8 
 History of mercantile business l8 
 Builder of brick Court House l8 
 
 Death of George Harvey l8 
 
 First supt. poor farm 18 
 
 Old log jail building (111.) l9 
 
 Platting of Albion 19 
 
 First Court House let 19 
 
 Completion and cost 19 
 
 Burning of Court House 19 
 
 F'irst brick Court House 19 
 
 Present Court House 20 
 
 Cost of same and jail 20 
 
 Levi Thomas offices 20 
 
 Lutheran church for court 20 
 
 Old-time directory from first 
 
 newspapers 20, 23 
 
 First sawmill site [111.] 24 
 
PART III. 
 
 FIRST DECADE. 
 
 Birdseye view, Albion [111. 
 
 facing 
 Old-time judges, etc. 
 Increase of wealth 
 Population 
 
 Valuation property and polls 
 Establishments, property, etc. 
 Albion school building [111.] 
 Albion schools 
 First public moneys 
 An eccentric teacher 
 School building of 1S6.3 
 School building of 1S76 
 Cost and first teachers 
 High school organized 
 Some early residents 
 Residents of lS.50's 
 Earliest merchants, hotels, etc. 
 The musical clock 
 Mansion and Bradley House 
 First pottery and asheries 
 
 ] 1 Herron sawmill 
 
 First steam thresher 
 
 First coppersmith 
 
 Oldest living settlers 
 
 Cooperage and matches 
 
 Mechanic's block 
 
 Mrs. McDougall 
 
 Ward crippled for life 
 
 Early shoemakers, etc. 
 
 Log cabin relics 
 
 Tannery 
 
 William M. Clapp, hiographv 
 
 Phillips & White 
 
 First three-story brick 
 
 Burning of same 
 
 First bank 
 
 Dr. •William Ch)rk 
 
 O'dest living practitioner 
 
 Early photographers and 
 
 ambrotype 
 Map of Noble county [111.) 
 
 31 
 32 
 
 32 
 
 32 
 32 
 34 
 34 
 34 
 34 
 3.5 
 
 35 
 
 the 
 
 PART IV. 
 
 EARLY BUSINESS AND PRESS. 
 
 The Phillips block [111.] 
 Cost, construction, etc. 
 Adelphian hall 
 Drama and entertainers 
 Reunion and tableau 
 Early press supporters 
 Longest life newspaper 
 First Albion paper 
 Pioneer editors and foremen 
 Democrat stockholders 
 Critical period of journalism 
 Journalistic mistakes 
 
 39 : The Foster handpress 
 
 40 Corduroy affair 
 
 40 ' The walking arsenal 
 
 41 , A lively bed-fellow 
 
 42 ; Celebrated outlaws 
 
 44 Close of the Democrat 
 
 44 ' Albion wit hout a newspaper 
 
 45 , The New Era 
 
 46 Albion Review 
 
 47 Review to Democrat 
 
 47 Birthplace of journalism 
 48: 
 
 49 
 50 
 51 
 51 
 
 51 
 52 
 52 
 53 
 53 
 53 
 54 
 
 PART V. 
 
 ALBION CHURCHES. 
 
 Methodist church [111.] 
 
 Worship in Court House 
 
 Membership 
 
 Pastors from beginning 
 
 Dedication of new church, etc. 
 
 Auxiliaries 
 
 Evangelical Lutheran [111.] 
 
 Organization, charter members 
 
 Pastors and first building 
 
 58 
 
 Alvord in the pulpit 58 
 
 Death of Rev. Kain 58 
 
 Presbyterian organized 58 
 
 Charter members, etc. 58 
 
 Church bidg. [111.] and members .59 
 Where services were first held 59 
 First church building 59 
 
 Cost, dedication, ministers 60 
 
 Officers of church 60 
 
United Brethren (111.) 
 When organized 
 Incidents of Mr. Brown 
 First preachers, etc. 
 Wesley an Methodist (111.) 
 
 61 
 61 
 61 
 
 62 
 63 
 
 Dedication, charter members 63 
 
 Roman Catholic 64 
 
 Building and dedication 64 
 
 Present father, cost, etc. 64 
 
 PART VI. 
 
 BENEFICIAL REFLECTIONS. 
 
 Introductory 
 
 Fox residence (111.) facing 
 Boom towns 
 Population and location 
 Beck residence (111.) 
 What Albion supports 
 How she is governed 
 Street fair of 1907 
 Improvement association 
 Hospitality, etc. 
 Social privileges 
 After the fires 
 Streets and sidewalks 
 Highland ave. (111.) facing 
 Names of streets 
 Gravel roads 
 Business Opportunities 
 Business college 
 
 Introductory 
 
 Albion subterranean lake 
 
 B. & O. sink hole 
 
 Blind fish 
 
 Strawberries wild in Albion 
 
 Recollections from Mrs. Kline 
 
 Naming of Lewis Branch 
 
 Eccentric individual 
 
 Naming children 
 
 Frozen feet 
 
 Ten cents left 
 
 One dollar a gallon 
 
 The tallow dip 
 
 Pe-tro-lee-um 
 
 Blue Grass Cut 
 
 Old-time engraving 
 
 Norwegian story 
 
 Epidemic of 1838 
 
 65 
 
 Albion's suiToundings 
 
 72 
 
 65 
 
 Cleland farm residence [111.] 
 
 73 
 
 65 
 
 Ofl^cial record 
 
 74 
 
 66 
 
 Suburban enterprise 
 
 76 
 
 66 
 
 First residences 
 
 77 
 
 67 
 
 Young and Salladay 
 
 77 
 
 68 
 
 Zeller & Frost 
 
 77 
 
 68 
 
 Boner and Gard 
 
 77 
 
 68 
 
 Improvements 
 
 78 
 
 68 
 
 Sams and his lake 
 
 79 
 
 69 
 
 The Haney tract 
 
 80 
 
 69 
 
 First locomotive 
 
 80 
 
 70 
 
 Tiffin suburb origin 
 
 81 
 
 70 
 
 First house 
 
 81 
 
 70 
 
 Improvements, industries 
 
 82 
 
 71 
 
 Hon. J. M.Denny, reminiscences 
 
 82 
 
 71 
 72 
 
 Only survivors 
 
 84 
 
 PAR' 
 
 r VII. 
 
 
 AND 
 
 REMINISCENCES. 
 
 
 85 
 
 Bristol's benevolence 
 
 95 
 
 86 
 
 Bones resurrected 
 
 96 
 
 87 
 
 A noted surgeon 96 
 
 Lewis' Branch 96 
 
 Early sawmills 97 
 
 Spencer & Shaw 97 
 
 Woolen mill 97 
 
 A mythical story 98 
 
 Smart repartee 98 
 
 The living skeleton 98 
 
 A spelling match 100 
 
 Champion spellers 102 
 
 Official Directory 1860 102 
 
 Prices current 103 
 
 Vehicle vs. buggy 103 
 
 The editor's woes 104 
 Concluding tribute 105, 106 
 
 PART VIII. 
 
 ALBION DIRCTORY. 
 
 PART IX. 
 
 ADVERTISEMENTS, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.