OLD SETTLERS MEETING
August 21st, 1912
Transcribed from the Steuben Republican Newspaper
Submitted by: Sean Walker
swalker65@yahoo.com

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Another meeting of the pioneers of Steuben county has come and gone, and the death roll read by the secretary will be repeated again the coming year until very soon none of the first settlers will be left among the living.  We often hear the remark that these annual gatherings in Angola are misnamed, and that it is rather a meeting of young settlers, all bent on having a good time.  So far this is hardly a just criticism, for there are still a good many pioneers who came here or were born here prior to 1840, who attend these meetings and enjoy them very much.  The first reunion was held on September 25, 1873.  Some time during that summer, previous to that meeting, a number of people got together and arranged for the organization of an Old Settlers' Association, realizing at that early date that much valuable county history was being lost because no effort was made to gather up the reminiscences.  At this meeting three representatives were appointed from each township of the county, and request sent to them that they be present at the meeting on September 25th, and give some of their experiences as pioneers.  The committee consisted of the following persons:

   Millgrove - Nelson Newton, George Harding and Orlando Wilder.
   Jamestown - Clayton Mallory, Cephas McCuller and John McClue.
   Fremont - Theron Storrs, Willard L. Scott and Jeremiah Tillotson.
   Clear Lake - George Hotshkiss, David Harris and D. B. Teeters.
   York - Calvin Powers, David Hanselman and H. P. Hathaway.
   Scott - Augustus Woodworth, Nelson Hutchins and James A. Segur.
   Pleasant - George W. Balding, Abel Sowle and Lewis Stealy.
   Jackson - Zepheniah Stayner, Porter Gleason and Amasa Sams.
   Salem - Eli M. Teal, Elbridge Wright and Capt. S. B. George.
   Otsego - Henry R. Williams, A. J. Corbin and Ed C. Johnson.
   Richland - M. B. Gordon, S. W. Scoville and John Cameron.

 Of this entire list of thirty-six persons we believe only two are living, D. B. Teeters and H. P. Hathaway, the latter being 91 years of age, and both were present at this annual meeting.  The mentioning of these names will call up many memories of the long ago.

 The meeting last Thursday was a decided success, except it was most too cool for the ice cream and lemonade venders.  But the people had a good time and praised the program and the management.

Notes of the Day

 The fireworks were gorgeous and delighted all.
 It is hoped the Valley Line will be able to put on more coaches next Old Settlers' day.
 The 6:30 car in the evening for LaGrange was so crowded Judge Hanan would not get on and was compelled to wait for a later car.
 The Angola Ice Cream Company sold 300 gallons of their fine ice cream to Angola Merchants, and yet it was not a cold time in  the town that night.
 John and Susan Zimmerman were present with ten children.  For large families, old people and rousing pioneer meetings Steuben county takes the lead.
 Judge Bowersox and his wife, Mrs. Laura Bowersox and children were entertained by Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Powers.  They went home to Bryan in their auto after the fireworks.
 The prize of $5 to the father and mother present having the largest family of living children, was awarded to Alonzo Williams and wife, of Metz, who have fourteen children.
 Hon. S. A. Powers was re-elected president of the association, and W. K. Sheffer secretary.  Mr. Powers enjoys the work the office places upon him, and is a full team at every part of the enterprise.

 The great attraction was Sensational Smithson in his whirl of terror.  He rode a bicycle down a high incline at a speed of a mile a minute and jumped a wide chasm, landing safely.  At night he scaled the chasm fire and all.

 One can hardly realize how time flies, especially is this true as to older ones.  Old folks seem to live in the past; their memory being bright as to things which occurred when they were young, while as to current events they may be forgetful.

 The balloons sent up by Prof. DeLancey were very novel and a great success.  From the first one the young lady took her life in her own hands as she cut loose with her parachute and sailed gracefully to the southwest over the high store buildings, landing safely this side of Fox lake.

 Twenty-five years ago this Old Settlers' day the pioneer reunion was held in McConnell's grove in the south part of the city, and Mrs. Joe Culver made coffee for the pioneers in attendance.  She lived near the grove and one boilerfull of coffee was sufficient to supply all present.  From that meeting until the one last Thursday the attendance has increased.  At the meeting last Thursday they did not come in so great numbers until afternoon, then the people fairly poured in Angola.  There were more automobiles here that day than ever before seen on our streets.

 The whole town appeared like a picnic ground at noon time, and promptly at 1 p.m. the big automobiles pulled up in front of Senator Powers' office and were soon filled with the real old folks, many of whom had never ridden in an auto.  Miss Dorothy Rakestraw, with her car, had the honor of having Mrs. Maugherman, aged 107 years, as one of her passengers.  Dr. Wolfe, Mayor Owens, Dr. T. J. Creel, Fred Emerson and a great many others were there with their cars and gave the old folks one of the pleasures of their lives, motoring to Pleasant Lake and back in time for the grove meeting, where the audience was so large that many stood up and some back of them could not see or hear.  The platform should be made higher so all can see and hear.  The bands played patriotic airs and the Salvation Army folks were largely in evidence with their songs.  Judge Bowersox gave one of his grand talks.  He has a warm place in the hearts of the Steuben county pioneers, and they were glad to have him come again.  Hon. John W. Hanan delivered a real old fashioned, typical, pioneer talk.  He told of the early days, of the hardships,  privations and struggles of the pioneers; told of the many things they had done to benefit the present generation, and he paid a glowing tribute to the brave manhood and womanhood that worked out the destiny of the early settlers of the wilderness.  Much credit is due Fred Frisbie also for his song and picture of Old Black Joe.  Everybody was pleased with this feature.  The great meeting was dismissed by Elder E. P. Couch of the Metz Christian church.

 The old settlers' meeting proper was held at the Methodist church as usual, where the hum and visiting of the crowds were shut out and all could hear.  This meeting was opened by prayer by Rev. Nickerson, followed by a Gospel song led by members of the Salvation Army and joined in by the audience; short talks by O. F. Rakestraw and Prof. Greathouse, superintendent of instruction for the state of Indiana.  The underground railroad by M. B. Butler was good, but all would like to have heard more local incidents, since one of the railroads ran through Steuben county.  Mrs. McRill's declamation, following his talk, was in harmony and well received.  The Salvation Army singing was appreciated and enjoyed by every one.  The music on the mandolins by the children, directed by Miss Edith Bolin, was just fine.  The climax was reached when Pauling Hanselman sang "You Can't Guess What he Wrote on My Slate."  Mrs. Maugherman, who is 107 years old, was present and when she spoke the audience arose and stood in her honor.  She is getting feeble and could not talk much, but exhibited a ball of yarn which she spun on her 100th birthday.  Among those on the front seats were Andrew Croy, aged 88 years; H. P. Hathaway, 91; Henry Webb, 90; George Runnl, 85; Morris Brown, 80; John Dygert, 86; Volney Powers, 80; Giles Abbey, H. C. Handy, Sol Cox and many others.

 The death roll read at the meeting will be found on page two of this paper.  The following was omitted from the roll:
 Catherine Weaver Zabst, was born in Germany, Oct. 23, 1823; died in Angola, Aug. 2, 1912, aged 88 years, 9 months and 9 days.
 Margaret Hand, born in Warnsville, Ohio, March 20, 1844; married Andrew J. Wetherell, and later Elder Joseph Brown.  Came to Steuben county when a small girl; died in Angola, Aug.23, 1911.
 Newell P. Lewis, born in Chenango county, New York, Jan. 23, 1840; came to Steuben county in 1844; died in Angola, August 19, 1911, aged 71 years, 6 months, 26 days.
 Adelpha Cleveland, wife of George Golden, forn near Flint, Steuben county, Indiana, April 21, 1842; died Sept. 17, 1911; aged 69 years, 4 months and 26 days.
 Decatur Whiting, born in New York state in 1830; came to Steuben county in early life; died in Angola, Sept. 14, 1911, aged 81 years.
 John Rubley, born in Richland county, Ohio, Sept. 8, 1837; came to Steuben county in 1848; died in Jamestown township, Sept. 27, 1911, aged 74 years and 19 days.
 Celina Jones, wife of Alexander McClue, born in Licking county, Ohio, April 26, 1832; came to Steuben county in 1848; died in Angola, Oct. 17, 1911; aged 79 years, 5 months and 21 days. 
 Herbert Crampton, born in England, May 29, 1847; came to Steuben county in 1850; died Nov. 11, 1911, aged 64 years, 5 months and 10 days.
 Daniel Schaeffer, born in Germany, June 5, 1833; came to Steuben county in 1855; died Nov. 17, 1911, aged 79 years.
 William H. Benedict, a resident of Steuben county more than fifty years, was born in Chambersburg, Penn., June 24, 1832; died in Angola, Nov. 10, 1911, aged 79 years, 4 months and 14 days.
 Emanuel Kratzer, born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 9, 1839; came to Steuben county in early life; died in Angola Nov. 16, 1911, aged 72 years, 3 months and 7 days.
 Ransom Beil, born in Richland county, Ohio, march 22, 1850; died in Angola, Nov. 18, 1911, aged 61 years, 7 months and 26 days.
 Christian Amstetz, born in Salem township, died Nov. 22, 1911, aged 55 years.
 Sarah Clements, wife of Lorenzo Kellogg, born in Crawford county, Ohio, Feb. 5, 1842; came to Steuben county in 1860; died in Williams county, Ohio, Nov. 24, 1911; aged years, 8 months and 19 days.
 Robert C. Cameron, born in Steuben county, Ind., March 27, 1848; died in Fremont, Dec. 1, 1911; aged 63 years, 8 months and 3 days.
 Ora Kimball, born at Orland, Ind., Aug. 2, 1841; died Dec. 5, 1911, aged 70 years, 4 months and 3 days.
 Francis H. Mountz, born in Steuben county, July 6, 1859; died at Garrett, Ind., Dec. 7, 1911, aged 52 years, 5 months and 1 day.
 Adelaide Johnson, wife of John Castell, born in Livingston county, New York, July 28, 1841; came to Steuben county in 1844; died Dec. 27, 1911, aged 69 years, 4 months and 29 days.
 Wilma Brumley, widow of Samuel Day, born in Scott township, Aug. 25, 1849; died Dec. 30, 1911, aged 62 years, 4 months and 5 days.
 Charlotte Rainey, widow of John DeWees, born in Loraine county, O., died in Angola, Jan 6, 1912, aged 78 years 10 months and 2 days.
 Mrs. Sarah Cure Conkey, born in Barton, N. Y., April 28, 1825; died in Orland, Jan. 17, 1912, aged 86 years, 8 months and 14 days.
 Henry R. Hulwick, born in Iriquois county Illinois, Feb. 13, 1850; came to Steuben county in 1858; died Jan. 14, 1912, aged 61 years, 11 months and 1 days.
 William Ropp, born in Berstein, Germany, Feb. 3, 1819; came to Steuben county in 1848; died Jan. 16, 1912, aged 92 years, 11 months and 16 days.
 Peter Marion Houseman, born in Steuben county, Jan. 3, 1846; died Jan. 8, 1912, aged 66 years, 5 days.
 Andrew Jackson Teeters, born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Nov. 20, 1830, came to Steuben county when a young man; died Jan. 24, 1912, aged 81 years, 1 months, 14 days.
 Mary Ann Parr, widow of George Parr, born in Germany, March 7, 1820; came to Steuben county in 1863; died in Angola, Jan. 21, 1912, aged 91 years, 10 months, 14 days. 
 Elizabeth Vaughn, widow of Samuel Sharp, and later wife of John D. Conley, born in Batavia N. Y., Aug. 15, 1832; came to Steuben county early in life.; died a Pletasant Lake, Feb. 9, 1912, aged 79 years, 4 months and 24 days.
 Olivia Crockett, widow of William Wickwire, born in Seneca county, O., April 12, 1823; came to Steuben county in 1857; died near Angola, Feb. 2, 1912, aged 88 years, 9 months and 21 days.
 Lydia Gertrude Stallman, born in York township, April 21, 1857; died Feb. 10, 1912; aged 54 years, 9 months, 19 days.
 Michael Fetterhoof, born in Dauphim county, Penn., June 4, 1844; died in Fremont, Ind, Feb, 7, 1912, aged 67 years, 8 months, 8 days.
 Lucretia Williams, wife of Lloyd Watterhouse, was born in Ohio, March 8, 1851; died at her home near Lake Gage, February 20, 1912, aged 61 years.
 Sarah Ann Neer, widow of George W. Deck, born in Smithtown, Ohio, April 11, 1829; came to Steuben county about 1847; died at Steubenville, Feb. 13, 1912, aged 82 years, 10 months and 2 days.
 Orin Stone Carpenter, born in Jefferson county, N. Y., May 1829; came to Steuben county in 1885; died Feb. 19, 1912, aged 83 years, 9 months.
 Chloe Lucretia Moss, wife of Lewis A. Hendry, born in Richland county, Ohio, April 21, 1836; came to Steuben county about 1865; died in Angola, Feb. 21, 1912; aged 75 years, 10 months.
 Mary A. Menges, wife of Edward A. Griffin, born in Wayne county, O., Aug. 27, 1846; came to Steuben county in 1854; died Feb. 17, 1912, aged 65 years, 6 months, 5 days.
 Margaret J. Gasser, widow of Stephen A. Weiss, born in Scott township, Steuben county, Dec. 27, 1843; died in Angola, Feb. 24, 1912, aged 68 years, 1 months, 8 days.
 Reuben Dally, born in Wayne county, Ohio, Nov. 22, 1839; came to Steuben county in 1841; died in Otsego township, Feb. 24, 1912, aged 72 years, 3 months and 2 days.
 Frank K. Fee, born in Steuben county, July 6, 1854; died March 4, 1912, aged 57 years, 7 months and 28 days.
 Oliver P. Learned, born in Steuben county, Oct. 30, 1842; died at Hamilton, Mar. 10, 1912, aged 69 years, 4 months and 10 days.
 Ivan I. Miller, born in Millgrove township, Steuben county, May 15, 1858; died at Angola, March 9, 1912, aged 53 years, 9 months, 14 days.
 William Hanna, born in Hancock county, Ohio, Aug, 15, 1838; came to Steuben county in 1844; died near Angola, March 16, 1912, aged 73 years, 7 months, 1 days.
 Samuel Victor Scott, born in Chenango county, New York, July 29, 1836; died March 17, 1912, aged 75 years, 7 months and 17 days.
 Emma Jane Waller, wife of Roswell Sutton, born in Steuben county, Jan. 1, 1859, died March 30, 1912, aged 53 years, 2 months, 29 days.
 Mary Ritter, widow of Andrew Sunday, born in Wayne county, Ohio, Nov. 4, 1835; came to Steuben county 1852; died April 6, 1912, aged 76 years, 5 months and 2 days.
 Esther Lois Ellithorp, widow of Amasa S. Ellithorp, born in  Cataraugus county, New York, July 11, 1830, came to Steuben county in 1866; died in Angola, April 3, 1912, aged 81 years, 8 months and 22 days.
 Samantha Mason Wiggins, widow of Elder Charles F. Wiggins, born in Fairfield county, Ohio, Sept. 16, 1835, died near Angola, aged 76 years, 6 months and 13 days.
 Asa F. Huffman, born in Erie county, Ohio, Aug. 5, 1839; came to Steuben county in 1853; died at Pleasant Lake, April 18, 1912, aged 72 years, 8 months and 13 days.
 Sarah A. Cameron, wife of Ralph Bullard, born in Richland township, Oct. 5, 1851; died in Otsego township, April 22, 1912, aged 61 years, 2 months and 17 days.
 Euceba Corilla Hanna, wife of Jacob Hanna, born in Otsego township; died in Scott township, April 21, 1912, aged 61 years, 11 months and 29 days.
 Jesse Whitcomb Avery, born in Marion county, Ohio, Feb. 18, 1833; came to Steuben county 1836; died April 28, 1912, aged 79 years, 2 months and 20 days.
 Lyman Pierson, born in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, in 1825; came to Steuben county 1856; died May 25, 1912, aged 86 years, 11 months and 25 days.
 George W. Swartz, born in Knox county, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1835; came to Steuben county in early manhood; died at or near Mitchell Bay, Wash., May 21, 1912, aged 76 years, 5 months and 6 days.
 Robert McCuin, born in Ireland, June 16, 1833; for many years a resident of Fremont; died at Allen, Mich., May 24, 1912, aged 78 years, 10 months and 8 days.
 Ellener Jane Renner, wife of David Renner, born in Mercer county, Penn., August 2, 1835; came to Steuben county in 1858; died May 12, 1912, aged 77 years.
 Sarah Spangle, wife of Henry Spangle, born in Seneca county, O., Feb. 22, 1841; came to Steuben county in 1868; died May 29, 1912, aged 71 years, 3 months, 8 days.
 Anna Catherine Spencer, widow of Andrew J. Light, born near Berlin, Germany, Feb. 17, 1835; came to Steuben county more than 50 years ago; died in Camden, Mich., May 7, 1912, aged 77 years, 2 months and 20 days.
 Rose Sherwood Moore, wife of Everet Moore, was born in Steuben county, Aug. 14, 1857; died May 13, 1912, aged 54 years, 8 months and 29 days.
 George W. Strawser, born in Ross county, Ohio, May 27, 1834; died at Hudson, May 26, 1912, aged 77 years, 11 months and 29 days.
 Mrs. F. M. Hultz, born in Belfast, New York, Sept. 23, 1829; came to Steuben county in 1850; died May 10, 1912, aged 82 years, 9 months and 17 days.
 William Neal Towns, born in Salem township, Steuben county, June 11, 1853; died in a hospital at Peru, Ind., May 31, 1912, aged 58 years, 11 months and 20 days.
 Ebenezer Stewart, born in Cayuga, county, New York, April 24, 1827; came to Steuben county in early life, and died at Camden Mich., June 28, 1912, aged 85 years, 2 months and 4 days.
 Edgar A. Letts, born in Huron county, Ohio, Feb 12, 1846; came to Steuben county in 1855; died near Fremont, July 5, 1912,  aged 66 years, 4 months and 23 days.
 Matilda E., wife of Thomas J. Warner, born near Metz, Nov. 15, 1842; died in Metz, July 4, 1912, aged 69 years, 7 months, 20 days.
 Eliza Ann Shilling, wife of Riram Showalter, born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1853; died in Angola, July 9, 1912, aged 68 years, 9 months and 5 days.
 Mrs. Samuel Haines, died near Union City, Mich., July 16, 1912, aged 72 years, 25 days.
 Elizabeth Bennett, wife of Cass Smith, born in Steuben county; died July 18, 1912, aged 50 years, 11 months and 24 days.
 Lucius H. Crain, born in Madison county, New York, June 6, 1827; came to Steuben county in 1836; died at Eureka, Kan., July 9, 1912, aged 85 years, 1 month and 3 days.
 Martha Gillander Ritter, widod of Philip Ritter, born in Ireland, Aug. 5, 1832; came to Steuben county in early life; died July 21, 1912, aged 79 years, 11 months, 15 days.
 Elijah D. Gunsaullus, born in Richland county, Ohio, Jan. 5, 1833; came to Steuben county in 1858; died in Salem township, July 28, 1912; aged 79 years, 5 months and 23 days.