1880s Newspaper Clippings
1880
May 2, 1880
Workman have been engaged for a few days in putting in a substantial culvet and crossing at the intersection of Main and Orange Streets, at the south-east corner of the court house square. A needed improvement.
‘School marms’ are needed in Dekalb County schools. Wages are $15.00 to $17.00 per month.
Bad roads. High waters. Thunder storms are frequent. Fruit yet uninjured. Election on Monday. There will be three polling places in Albion. One in each ward.
The fishing season had commenced. Corn planting will soon be here. Rome City is to have a newspaper.
This has been a remarkably quiet week in Albion, as far as items of news are concerned.
A force of workers have been engaged in putting up several additional wires on the line of telegraph along the Baltimore & Ohio rail road.
The Universalist society will meet at Mr. and Mrs. Austin Taylor’s on the afternoon of May 12 and on Friday May 17, Rev. Wm. Tucker, Universalist, will preach in the school house near E. B. Spencer’s west of Avilla.
Wolcottville is lively and business brisk….Don’t fail to attend the Assembly at Sylvan Lake, as it will be the grandest affair in the state. It commences June 23 and closes July 8…. Wheat looks well and a fine prospect for bushels of peaches.
1883
Pierce Shambaugh sold the Albion dray line to John Scarlett, taking part payment an interest in the Nicodemus property on South Orange St., now the Dale Guthrie residence.
sudden death on Sunday night of
Bessie Black
thirteen year old daughter of
Mr. & Mrs. Jackson D. Black
Dr. Clark Barstow, of Bryan, O. and
Miss Ella Folwell
joined in...wedlock by Rev. Paschal
on Christmas evening
1884
January 2, 1884
John F. Hunt and his son, Frank, started for Kansas, with a car load of goods on Wednesday night and Wilson W. with the rest of the family left on Sunday night for that state, where they will make their future home.
Charley Haney has gone west and will accept a position on the Rock Island railroad as brakeman. Charley is one of the square, jolly, good fellows of Albion, and we dislike to lose him.
April 16, 1884
Mr. Johnston left for Dakota on last Monday night. It is expected that a number of Albion’s accomplished young ladies would – pshaw! Just ask them when they are going to Dakota, if you want to be snatched bald-headed.
April 23, 1884
Mr. Riley, of Colorado, is at present in the city. Mr. Riley and wife will leave for the Centennial state next week to take up a permanent residence there. He owns a good paying gold mine.
May 14, 1884
Alvin Skinner, formerly of this place, but now a merchant of Mendon, Michigan, was in the city, the past week visiting “home sweet home “
May 21, 1884
Mr. and Mrs. Riley started for Colorado last week, on the footsteps of their son, who left a couple of weeks ago.
Freeman Shaffer, the pleasant clerk of JD. Berger’s, left on Wednesday for Wisconsin and Dakota. He will, no doubt, locate some where in the “West.” The Democrat’s best wishes follow him
June 25, 1884
John Rensch, of Trenton, Missouri, has been the guest of Reverend Shaffer the past few weeks. He is the father of Mrs. Shaffer.
1885
March 19, 1885
Ed Williams, son of Richard Williams, of the Williams House, returned from the west on Thursday last, after an absence of about five years. Recently he has spent the greater portion of the time in Idaho, but has been in Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Utah and Colorado, as well as in Idaho since leaving Albion. He is looking as if life out on the border in the territories had agreed with him.
Obituary
July 23, 1885,
at the residence of his son, J. D. Black
in Allen township
Mr. Frederick Amos Black departed this life
aged 71 years, 11 months and 22 days
born in...Maryland
came with parents to Richmond county, Ohio, 1833
united in marriage to Miss Sophia Shaffer
daughter of Mr. Frederick Shaffer, of Richland County
1845...to Jefferson township
1850...Mrs. Black was taken sick and died
October 28, 1885
Mr. J P Molen has sold his interest in the drug business to his partner, Mr. T.A. Huston and contemplates making a trip out west some time in the future with a view to looking up a location. Mr. Molen is one of our best businessmen and we are sorry to lose him from our town. He and Mrs. Molen have made a host of warm friends during their residence here, whose good wishes will follow them wherever, they may go.
Mr. Steel of Missouri paid a visit to his son, J.G.Steel of York township, this past week.
Death of Owen Black
October 31, 1886
Owen Black, senior
departed this life...age 71 years
two sons, Jackson D. and Owen J. Black
funeral discourse...by Rev. Crary, of Hicksville, Ohio, a universalist minister
resting place in Albion cemetery
Owen Black
son of Peter Black and Martha (Amos) Black
born in Lancaster county Pennsylvania, September 24, 1815
removed to Richland county Ohio in 1833
where he married November 1, 1838 to
Elizabeth Goss
1853...removed to Indiana
1856...located in Albion...until his death
October 31, 1886
aged 71 years, 1 month, and 7 days
business in company with Hon. J. C. Zimmerman
four children...George and Henry who died
Jackson D. and Owen who survive
1886
February 17, 1886
Miss Snyder of Pennsylvania was visiting with her cousins Misses Ella and Lillie Marshall the past week. Mrs. George W. Simpson and Miss Belle Huston of Mount Vernon, Ohio, are visiting with their brother and sister, Mrs. J. P. Molen and T. A. Huston at this time.
February 18, 1886
Hiram Baker will leave for home in Reno County Kansas next week, but did not forget to call and order the Democrat sent to his new address.
March 3, 1886
I. J. Strobridge, now of Burton, Kansas, sends us his greeting with the cash, for his renewal for l886
March 17, 1886
Mr. William Baker of Topeka, Kansas, took his departure for home, Thursday night.
March 31, 1886
Thomas J. Ryan has moved his family to Baxter Springs, Kansas. We wish Mr. And Mrs. Ryan success.
April 7, 1886
Mrs. Julia Kuhlman, of Kansas City, MO. Is visiting with her mother, Mrs. Daniel Hines, at this time.
Raymond, Kansas, March 28, 1886 – Editor Democrat: You will please send my paper to Raymond, Kansas and oblige. Yours truly, J.W. Gaff.
Hiram P. Baker had the misfortune to have his barn burned, since his arrival at his Kansas home, and lost two head of horses, and all his hay and grain, and Mr. I.J. Strobridge lost his team, harness and grain. It is thought to be the work of an incendary, who desired to plunder the dwelling for money, but they failed in this as he did not forget to have it guarded. The loss is considerable to both men, and will fall particularly heavy upon Mr. Strobridge. The scoundrel who did the act, is said to live in their vicinity, and if positive evidence of his guilt is had, would be a proper subject for a “neck-tie” party.
James T. Ryan called Wednesday evening before starting for his new home at Baxter Springs, Kansas, and ordered the Democrat continued to him.
May 1886
Obituary of Fielding Prickett
Noble CO. lost one of her best men in the death of Fielding Prickett, last Friday May ? 1886. His death occurred at the residence of his brother-in-law, John Thompson, in Elkhart county, in the neighborhood where his parents brought him in 1831, a mere chld of four years of age. He was educated in the county schools, studied law at Goshen, graduated in the Law Dept. of the State University, and settled in Albion in 1854. His personal acquaintances, and they most to the people of the county, will cordially endorse the personal encomium, of the Goshen News.
“He was a man of uncompromising integrity, and honesty shone out all through his life like the mid-day sun. In the practice of law he was honest and fair to a fault, and no man ever went to law upon his advice only after all honorable means to effect a settlement had been made, and only upon the most rigid necessity. The courts, the last resort was always his advice, and he honestly won the title which was bestowed upon him of the “Peacemaker.” Either in public or private life, as a husband, father, neighbor, or friend, Fielding Prickett won and held the highest esteem of all who knew him. He had at all times a kind word for the unfortunate, and was as ever ready to condemn the wrong as he was to uphold the right. The worlds is et3er for his living, and his life was an exemplary one of the younger generation and scores of people will remember and treasure his golden words of advice and like our self, keenly feel the loss of a kind and true friend, whose loss is irreparable, May everlasting peace and joy be his after his well spent life.”
June 16, 1886
Jacob Baker of Kansas, son of the late George Baker of Jefferson township, was visiting friends here the past week and paid us a pleasant call.
July 14, 1886
The Baxter Springs, Kansas News says of a former Albion boy: Harry Strough, while trying to jump out of a wagon last Saturday, lost his balance and fell under the wheel which barely missed his face and passed downward over one leg, but fortunately no bones were broken.
October 20, 1886
Mrs. Madison Diffendarfer of Kansas arrived here on Wednesday night on a visit to her parents, Mr. And Mrs. O’Neals, and other friends here.
November 17, 1886
Mr. And Mrs. Samuel Prickett returned to their home at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, last week
December 22, 1886
Thomas Andrews, son, of Herman Andrews, late of Jefferson Township, deceased, was here in attendance at the funeral of his father. He informed us that, as soon as he could sell his farm in Michigan, he would return to his old homestead.
1887
February 9, 1887
J. B. Alexander of Allegan County, Michigan, called upon us last Wednesday in company with his nephew, Jonathan Seymour. Mr. Alexander is a brother of Mr. Seymour’s mother whose death was caused by a Stroke of lightning, about the year l853. McIntyre Seymour, her husband, died many years afterward. He is well remembered by the older citizens of Wolf Lake and vicinity, and of Albion.
March 16, 1887
Mrs. Paul Vestian, who had been the guest of Mrs. Klussman, her sister, for a week here, left on the noon train last Thursday for her home at Grand Crossing, Illinois.
May 18, 1887
We had a pleasant surprise last week in a call by Mr. Jacob Hosler, of Washington Territory, accompanied by his brother, Levi H. Hosler, of this county. Jacob Hosler was formerly a resident of Noble County, but had not been here before in twenty-two years. He has held the office of Sheriff of his county for two terms. His present visit to his old home shows him great changes and improvements
June 8, 1887
Mrs. F.P. Higgins, of Harper, Kansas, with her daughter, visited the family of J.J. Lash last week. Mrs. H. was the widow of ________ Bruce, of Kendallville, and is a cousin of Mr. Lash.
July 20, 1887
F. D. Spencer, of Wolf Lake, returned last week from a visit to his sister, formerly Mrs. Sarah Lossing, many Years a resident of Albion, but now residing in Michigan. Mrs. Spencer accompanied him. Thomas J. Stults, until recently a citizen of Washington Township, this county, writes from Girard, Kansas, his present home. We have his promise to give the readers of the Democrat weekly news from that section.
July 20, 1887
From a letter received by us from Mr. G.W. Potts, of Marne, Iowa, we take the following: Enclosed find $l.50 postal note for Noble County Democrat. Can’t do without the Democrat. We consider it about the same as a letter from home each week……. Wash Potts
September 14, 1887
Miss Jennie A. Brackney, of Kansas City, who has been visiting her parents, Mr. And Mrs. J.N. Brackney, of Jefferson township, and other friends and relatives in this vicinity, returned to her western home last Monday
Sheriff Williams showed us a letter from George Hull, of Plymell, Kansas, formerly of southern Noble County. Mr. Hull is well fixed, with 320 acres of good land and rising
Obituary
Louise Jane Mummert
wife of Geo. W. Mummert, of Wawaka
Dec. 30th, 1887
born in Clark county, Ohio, May 17th, 1835
came to this state...1847
married...Aug. 27th, 1857
[signed] G. B. M. Rogers
1888
Married
by Rev. W. Waltman
Jan. 26th, 1888
Mr. W. D. Black of Allen township
Miss Ida M. Weirich of Jefferson township
at...Ligonier
Jan. 31st, 1888
by Rev. W. M. Bell
Miss May Patterson and
Mr. J. G. Maddock of Heppner, Oregon
Died
at...Albion, March 14, 1888
Mrs. Elizabeth (Goss) Black
widow of the late Owen Black
aged 72 years and 3 months
married to Owen Black in Ohio, November 1, 1828
removed to Noble county, about the year 1853
1856...became residents of Albion
1862...eldest son, George W., died aged 23 years
1872...only daughter...Mary J. passed...age of 29 years, 8 months, 17 days
husband and father, Owen Black, rested...31st of October, 1886
surviving sons Jackson D. and Owen J.
funeral...in the Presbyterian Church...March 17
Services...by Revs. Kain of the Lutheran and Reynolds of the Presbyterian church
discourse was preached by Rev. D. F. Kain
interment in Albion cemetery
Asleep at Last
[Riverside, California]
badge of mourning was hung on...First National Bank
wife of the President of the bank,
Mrs. A. H. Naftzger...at rest
born June 20, 1851
37 years of age
fatal disease consumption
years...an invalid
husband brought her to Riverside a few years ago to escape...Kansas winters
acitve member of the Methodist church
Obituary
Joseph Stocker
born near Port Washington, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, Aug. 25th, 1821
died in Ligonier...Sept. 12th, 1888
19th day of October, 1845, he was married to
Esther E. Houghtling
who departed this life a few weeks ago
to them were born ten children, nine whom still live
family came to Noble county...1871
purchased a farm near Indian Village
five years ago they purchased a farm in Ligonier
Brother Stocker and his wife united with the Methodist Episcopal church...1855
attend services at the United Brethren church
made home in Ligonier
membership with the Methodists
Esther E. Stocker, died July 17, 1888
Joseph Stocker, died Sept. 12, 1888
Died
on the Haw-Patch, October 18, 1888
Miss Effa Batchelor,
daughter of William and Esther Batchelor,
aged 21 years, 8 months, and 2 days
victim of that terrible accident
at home of Mr. Louis Marker
converted to God at Salem Methodist church over two years ago
funeral...at Salem, Oct. 19th
conducted by Rev. William D. Tomkinson
Miss Batchelor lingered for nearly three weeks in pain and distress
A Frightful Accident
Mrs. L. F. Marker
fatally burned by gasoline
Miss Effie Bachelor also terribly burned
at the residence of Lewis F. Marker
Albert Greenamier and G. W. Rambsby...arrived
Drs. Carr and Shobe and Ellis and Newton summoned
funeral at the Christian church
Rev. W. M. Bell preached
At Kewanna, Ind., Oct. 23 1888
Miss Sadie Collins, age 27 years
lived most of her life at Ligonier
eighteen months ago...hired to establishment at Niles, Michigan
three months ago...failing health compelled her to go to her home at Kewanna
where her mortal life went out forever
funeral...at St. Mary's Catholic church
Revs. Father Oechteran, of Mishawaka, and
Father Buchheit, of Goshen, officiating
Death of Mr. Greer
Miss Mary Scott received...telegram announcing the death of
Rev. James Greer
at Warsaw
former pastor of the M.E. Church, here
Married
December 25, 1888
at the residence of the bride's mother
Frank O. Eagles of Green township, and
Miss Ella Niles, of Albion
Married
Walter V. Teal of Ligonier, and
Miss Hattie Young, Goshen
married at Hotel Pike
returned on the Wabash train
‐Niles (Mich.) Daily Standard
1889
Obituary
Walter Carr
born in Stark county, Ohio, March 14, 1822
moved to LaGrange county...1850
resident of Noble county for 30 years
married to Susan Welty
March 2, 1852, by G. E. Vanvalkenberry
five sons and two daughters
wife died on Sept. 7, 1858 in Ligonier
23d of Dec., 1858...married to
Miss Harriet Kilgore of Stark county, Ohio
By this marriage...two sons
Mr. Carr entered into the hardware business in Ligonier
went into the drug business in 1859
1860...again engaged in the hardware trade
sold this store to Mr. John Weir
1865 moved to his farm, about one mile east of Ligonier
1883...again came into town
two years ago went into the milling business
death was caused by heart disease
Mrs. Carr requests that thanks by given to
Mr. & Mrs. Rice,
Mrs. Jeannerett,
Mrs. Dr. Carr,
Mrs. Sisterhen,
Miss Sheets, and
Mrs. Hipsch for beautiful floral offerings
[Married]
Jan. 1st at the residence of Mr. H. F. Beazel by E. F. Hasty,
Mr. Arthur F. Biggs...attorney of Warsaw, and
Miss Ella M. Beazel of Ligonier
Died
in Ligonier...January 4, 1889
Mrs. Teressa Bourie,
wife of Dr. D. P. Bourie
aged 68 years, 8 mos. and 22 days
funeral...from the Christian Church
interment was in Ligonier cemetery
She was born April 20, 1820 in Wapakoneta, near Piqua, Ohio
maiden name was Teressa Driver
Her family moved to Defiance, Williams county, Ohio
afterwards to Fort Wayne, and
finally, in October 1833...
to what is now known as Noble county
family located about four and a half miles east of Wolf Lake
at a place known as "Gulliver's Defeat"
In October, 1836, Noble county was organized
county seat located at a place called Sparta,
situated on the Fort Wayne and Goshen road,
about four miles southeast of Ligonier,
and it was there that Dr. Bourie procured his marriage license,
on March 1st, 1837, from Mr. Wesley White
clerk of the court
ceremony...by Mr. Knowles, a justice of the peace
Dr. Bouri...kept a store...below the forks of the Elkhart River
two and a half miles east of Ligonier
John Knight, a local Methodist preacher, kept a tavern
at his house the wedding festivities were held
Mr. Gideon Schloterback furnished the music...on violin
Dr. Bourie and wife...settled down
moved to Ligonier
had fourteen children
William keeps a grocery store in Ligonier
Wesley is a clerk for Messrs. Sheets & Wertheimer
daughter Addie is married to John Biddle, a stonemason
[daughter] Delia...wife of Mr. John B. Hoff, photographer...at Angola
from the Norwalk (O.) Reflector
Married at the residence of...Mrs. L. C. Sanders
January 9, 1889
by Rev. Parsons,
Mr. G. W. Mummert of Wawaka and
Mrs. Belle Mason
groom is a leading manufacturer of Wawaka
bride...in Norwalk
home in the West
Died
at his residence, two miles northeast of Ligonier
Jan. 13, 1889
Isaac Weimer, aged 79 years, 4 months, 11 days
funeral...at the M. E. church, Ligonier
sermon...by Rev. Hasty
remains conveyed to the Ligonier cemetery
Mr. Weimer was born in Pennsylvania, September 2, 1809
1837...came to Indiana and settled at Waterford,
a village near Goshen
trade...of blacksmith
1856...to the farm near Ligonier
while residing near Goshen he was married to
Miss Elizabeth Stawdor
July 26, 1849
by whom he had one child
she died January 9, 1851
in August, 1853, he was again married,
his second wife being Miss Lydia Bronson,
who, with five children survive him
Obituary
Died...Jan. 19, 1889 at her home in Wawaka
Mrs. Rebecca Nowells
wife of Alva Nowells, after an illness
Methodist Episcopal church, Wawaka...united with the church
leaves husband and a dear little girl, three years old
funeral...conducted by Rev. J. W. DeWeese
Pastor of the Methodist Episcopal church, Wawaka
[Died]
at his home in Elkhart township
February 25
Samuel Hartzler
aged 59 years, 3 months and 17 days
born in Mifflin county, Pa., Nov. 8, 1829
moved with his parents to Fairfield county, Ohio, when five years old
1848...to Elkhart county
1850...taught...in the Center or Beckner school-house in Clinton township
moved to the Haw-Patch
Oct. 23d, 1856, was married to
Sarah Smoker of Wayne county, Ohio
eight children
attended Maple Grove church
funeral from that church
[Died]
at her home in Ligonier...February 28, 1889
Mrs. Mary A. Gardner
wife of W. G. Gardner
aged 51 years and 3 days
Maiden name...Mary A. Cummings
born in Salisbury, Conn., February, 1838
married in January, 1862
1879...located in Ligonier
had four children, all girls
funeral...attended by the Grand Army Post of Ligonier
(of which her husband is a...member)
funeral...conducted by Rev. W. M. Bell
Died
At his home two miles north of Ligonier
March 1, 1889
Benjamin Hostetter, aged 76 years...
citizen of Noble county
funeral from the M. E. church
[Died]
At her residence on the Haw-Patch
March 1st, 1889
Elizabeth Ann Low
wife of Nicholas Low
aged 74 years, 5 months and 18 days
born Sept. 11th, 1814 at New Market, Baltimore county, Md.
maiden name was Hendrix
married there August 13th, 1835, to
Nicholas Low
came to LaGrange county, Ind., and settled in Clear Spring township
nine children were born to them
funeral...from Beulah church...conducted by Elder J. D. Fry
[Died]
At the residence of Taylor J. Vail
March 2
James Brown
of typhoid pneumonia
aged 65 years, 8 months, and 20 days
brother of Mrs. Taylor Vail
remains taken to Springfield cemetery
Obituary
Charles Boss
died at his home near Springfield
March 3, 1889, aged 43 years, 6 months, and 23 days
born in Germany, August 10, 1845
emigrated to this country
located in Noble county...1856
1861...16 years old...enlisting in the 48th Indiana regiment
joined G.A.R. ...Stansbury Post had the sorrowful duty of performing the last sad rites
1868...united in marriage to
Miss Clara Kitchens
To this union was given three children
1833...gave...his hand to the Freewill Baptist church at Springfield
funeral...conducted...Rev. J. W. Hagerty, of Rome City
assisted by Rev. T. J. Mawhorter
Hymeneal
quiet wedding...in Ligonier
at the residence of...uncle,
Mr. S. M. Braden
contracting parties were
Mr. Nathan C. Phillips of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and,
Miss Belle Champier
teacher in the public schools
Died
At her home, four miles north of Ligonier
March 8, 1889
Mrs. Elias Slabaugh
aged 73 years and 22 days
maiden name...Mary Wertz
came to this country with her parents from Germany...six weeks old
mother died while crossing the ocean
father came to Fairfield, Ohio
Mrs. Slabaugh...1841...married to Elias Slabaugh
1847...came to Indiana
seven children born to them
united with the German Baptist church...1849
[Died]
At his residence...Ligonier
March 9th, '89
John S. Ohlwine
aged 66 years 8 mos. and 13 days
born in Greene county, Ohio, June 24, 1822
emegrated to Noble county...1855
member of the Christian church
member of the Order of Free and Accepted Masons since...1865
member of the Town Council
married on December 1st, 1846, to
Miss Mario Kendal
two daughters - Mrs. Laura Hayys and Mrs. Lizzie Hepler
services were conducted by Rev. J. H. Roberts of Kendallville
interred in Ligonier cemetery
[Died]
At her home in Ligonier...March 10th
Mrs. Sophia Gilbert
aged 22 years, 8 months and 3 days
husband Mr. W. A. Gilbert
father Mr. W. G. Gardner
funeral...Rev. W. M. Bell officiating
Card of Thanks
W. A. Gilbert and Mother
W. G. Gardner and Family
C. P. Koontz and Family
Died
At her residence in Ligonier
March 12, 1889
Mrs. Juliett Vail
aged 58 years, 11 months and 23 days
born near Troy, Miami county, Ohio, March 20, 1830
1836 came to Noble county
settled on...Brown farm, near Wawaka
father...Abram Brown
deceased was the fifth of nine children
‐ all being now dead but two ‐
Wm. A. Brown, of Wichita, Kan., and
Mrs. Charlotte Trowle, of Wabash, Ind.
She was married March 21st, 1850, to
Taylor J. Vail
resident of Ligonier
Eight children were born to them,
all having died but two ‐
Harry and Eva
Mrs. Vail...member of the M. E. church