OLD SETTLERS MEETING
August 24th, 1910
Transcribed from the Steuben Republican Newspaper
Submitted by: Sean Walker
swalker65@yahoo.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(Poem written and read by Frank M. Powers on Old Settlers Day)

There's a custom long established and respected on our part
Which, with kindred ties and feelings is the magnet of each heart
That draws us here together, where surrounding scenes supply
A wealth of rare traditions that will interest you and I.

There's a charming, thrilling pleasure that pervades us to behold
The woodlands, hells and valleys--these friends we know of old--
And they seem to smile a greeting in the old familiar way,
And recall our long lost childhood, as we meet again today.

While our thoughts are turning backward to the days of long ago,
To that band of sturdy settlers who marched on to "Westward, Ho,"
With their train of covered wagons, winding round through wood and glen.
Phantom like, through trackless forests, seeking homes in Old  Steuben.

Then the clearing and the cabin through the mists of time appear,
The budding germs of future greatness, visions broadening year by year.
Into endless transformations of untamed nature's broad domain,
With a priceless wealth and glory of hamlets, homes and fields of grain.

And this drama of the ages closes on the man with silvered hair,
Telling the story to the children clustered round his old arm chair.
Then a grave upon the hillside, and his restless spirit stilled,
The mission of the pioneer has ended--his life is prophesy fulfilled.

Now, across this fruitful country, once the home of savage life,
Speeds the shrieking locomotive, heralding this age of strife.
Quilting, paring bees and huskings sound of pleasures all unknown
To the present generation who live, and love, and quarrel by telephone.

Where the rudely formed log school house--Mecca of a bygone age--
Stood, the sacred shrine of knowledge, in our daily pilgrimage;
Where we conquered stubborn figures and subdued the alphabet,
A stately, modern structure stands to fill remembrance with regret.

The meadow land still slumbering on in blissful, calm repose
Beneath its mantle green embroidered with the silver creek that flows
Where the deep green of the forests skirt the everlasting hills,
Has lost its dearest treasurers in the thoughts which it in stills.

For the beauty and enchantment of the scene that meets our view
Wears a shade of disappointment, and a saddened, sombre hue,
While we scan its features closely we are conscious of a change
As our youthful visions vanish in a landscape new and strange.

On the old, worn face of nature there somehow seems to be
A disguised and masked appearance, and a changed identity.
With a sudden pang of sorrow we reluctantly face the truth
That unsparing fate has marked us victims of the foe of youth.

Thus, this rapid retrospection savors first of pleasure then of pain,
Past and present blend together, separate, then meet again
Like kaleidoscopic figures, and in ever changing form and hue
Present a passing panoramic of the past in swift review.

In the fairyland of childhood let's forget the cheerless now,
Let's restore the faded roses and smooth out the wrinkled brow,
For this transient, evanescent dream will fade and pass away.
Let's be boys and girls together, if it be but for today.

What's the use inviting trouble--it will come without request--
Let us banish care and sorrow; let joy be the bidden guest,
While the same old sun is showering splendor on the neighboring hills,
And the same old wind, in whispers, stirs the leaves with rapturous thrills.

Let us revel in the beauty of the fields we used to roam;
Let fond memories personations fill the old abandoned home;
Let us bow our heads and listen, and our yearning souls rejoice
In the echoed intonations of a loved, long silent, voice.

Let us pay deserved tribute to a name we all revere
And with reminiscent song and story venerate the pioneer.
In this wealth of grand achievement there's immortal fame enough
For our ancestry who fashioned this fair country from the rough.

And these recollections, fading in the shadows of the past;
And the joys that gild the future with a radiance while they last,
And these hopes--these boundless hopes--of the present and beyond
All are breathing words of welcome--to this greeting all respond.

Then as living incarnations of the cause that brings us here,
Let us with sweet remembrance fill each minute with a year.
And the day's enjoyment ended, let our partings cause no pain--
Let the blessed hope attend us that we shall live to meet again.

OLD SETTLERS' MEET

Usual Large Gathering Celebrates the 40th Anniversary. 

 The annual Old Settlers' gathering on Thursday of last week was another occasion of pleasure to many people.  The day, in spite of threatening rain in the forenoon, was delightful, and every one seemed bent on having a good, social time.  Every year the number of the real pioneers grows less, until presently it will be said "There is the last man who lived in Steuben county in 1836."  The day for First Settler reminiscences is practically over and the history of Steuben county pioneers has been written.  Those who remain are as a rule too old to attend the meetings, and if they do they are too timid to tell their experiences in a public way.  Meetings have been kept up by S. A. Powers, who for years has been the moving spirit in the enterprise, and so long as he lives and keeps his strength they will probably be continued, but for the men and women who are old enough to remember events in Steuben county prior to 1840, the story will soon be told.

 Mrs. Caroline Berlien, age ninety years, received a calico dress for being the oldest person at the church.  She arose to her feet to express her thanks for the gift, but was unable to express her thoughts.  Elizabeth Maugherman, aged 105 years, was unable to reach town until afternoon.  She made a few remarks at the Park meeting and said the first house she lived in had no roof, and is was all right when it didn't rain.  Her talk was interesting because the scenes she described were so distant.  She was presented with a silver spoon, and said she believed she would trade it for a pair of shoes.  Frank M. Sowle had been longest in the county and received a silk handkerchief; and Timothy Haughey, aged 86, the oldest man present, also received a silk handkerchief.  The attendance at this meeting was very good, the church being filled largely with old people, among them being the following:

Sarah Snowberger.........72
Barley Little............73
Harvey Fuller............75
M. J. Boley..............75
Malinda Quance...........75
B. M. McLouth............76
Frank M. Sowle...........76
Mary E. Johnson..........79
A. M. Leas...............80
Joseph Barnes............81
Arthur Webb..............81
George Brown.............82
Elias Snowberger.........72
Henry Webb...............83
G. T. Abbey..............83
Elizabeth Abbey..........84
Andy Croy................84
John Dygert..............84
Permelia Gleason.........85
Caroline Berlien.........90

NOTES

 did also the Angola City band, their music always being enjoyed by everybody.
 Mrs Henry Jackson made a short talk at the church that was greatly appreciated.
 The Tri-State College cadets made a splendid showing under command of Captain Ferrara.
 Senator Stephen A. Powers was elected president and W. K. Sheffer, secretary for the ensuing year.
 The short remarks by Judge O. N. Heaton and Hon. Cyrus Cline were listened to with marked attention.
 The remarks by Hannah Harper Judge Woodhul and other old people present at the church meeting were very interesting.
 Mrs. Hannah Harper received a silver spoon at the meeting in the church, she having lived longest in the county, since 1835.
 Sarah Boyer Sowle, of York, was one of the aged ladies present, being eighty years old last January.  Her father, Henry Boyer, settled in York in 1848.
 Mrs. J. Clark of Clear Lake township, came on the morning train from Ray.  Her father came to Steuben county sixty years ago when she was ten years old.
 The recitation by Mrs. Ralph Bowersox was witty and entertaining.  Mrs. Bowersox is an elocutionist of the new school.  Her reading was well received.
 Mrs. Ella Young Lohr, of Battle Creek, Michigan seemed to enjoy the day as much as any one we saw.  She is a Steuben county girl and lived here until a few years ago.
 Senator Powers has faith on setting the date on the third Thursday in August.  He says it hardly ever rains on that day.  Last Thursday it rained a little, but not much.
 At the church Hon. J. Fred France gave a very interesting description of the home.  The pathos in his talk at times commanded the complete attention of every one in the house, and all enjoyed his wit and humor.

 The Imperial Girls Band of Reading, consists of thirteen handsome young ladies.  They played at the meeting in the Methodist church and also at the Park meeting, and were well received by our people.  The Fremont band also did splendidly as ??

 Frank M. Powers, in a witty way, made apologies for writing an original poem, but it proved to be entertaining and should be classed so far as the Old Settlers go, in the highest order.

 Everybody pronounced the meeting in the park the best yet held.  Altogether the 40th Anniversary of the Pioneers of Steuben County may be regarded and go down in history as one of the most enjoyable meetings of the association.

 Albert Arnold, of Reading, stopped for the meeting on his way home from attending the 45th annual reunion of his regiment at Monroeville, Ohio.  He was a member of Company K, 3d Ohio Calvary, and a Charter member of B. J. Crosswaite Post in Angola.

 The balloons sent up by Charles Delancey all went to the southwest and were very pretty.  The fireworks were splendid, some people saying they were the finest ever seen in Angola.  The Silver Cascade, although not shown to its best advantage, was especially attractive. 

 Samantha Wiggens, who a few weeks ago submitted to an operation in a hospital at Fort Wayne, being nearly blind, was able to attend the meeting and can see quite well again.  She is 75 years old and came to Steuben county as a bride fifty-six years ago.  Her husband was one of the pioneer preachers.

 The Old Settlers' meeting would be out of joint if Stephen Dixon and wife, of near Hamilton failed to attend.  This time they left a family reunion where there was to be plenty of chicken and fellowship to meet with the pioneers.  Mr. Dixon's parents settled in the Jackman neighborhood near Hamilton in 1836 when he was two years old.

 Hon. Charles A. Bowersox spoke of the economy of the early days.  He told of the pioneer's trial, vicissitudes and achievements of the pioneers of our state and especially of Steuben county.  He gave a vivid description of the old log cabin, its surroundings and endearments.  The judge held the great audience spellbound with his eloquence.

 Mrs. S. M. Markle, who has spent the most of the past three years with her son in Wymore, Nebraska, but has her home now with a daughter in Chicago, enjoyed meeting the people again.  Her father, Silas Conger, owned a large mill on the shores of Lake St. Clair, and in 1850 sold it and came to Steuben county where a few days later she was married to Murray Markle.

 The songs sung by the young ladies, Ginevra Bixler, Ethel Bolan and Martha Welch, were exceptionally fine.  Little Jimmy Austin in "Put on Your Old Gray Bonnet." brought the old folks to their feet but when Bert Brandeberry fiddled the Fisher's Hornpipe in the Court House park meeting, John Ryan played the bones, and George Goodrich threw down his fiddle and danced the Hornpipe as they used to dance it 50 years ago, the people cheered.

DEATH ROLL

 Phoebe Ann Carpenter, born in Dutchess county, New York, Dec. 25, 1825; came to Steuben county in 1843; died August 9, 1909, aged 82 years, 7 months and 15 days.
 Fanny Rinehart Zimmerman, born in Richland county, Ohio, September 13, 1836; came to Steuben county in 1847; died August 2, 1909, aged 72 years 11 months and 7 days.
 Hollister Slick, born in Rochester, New York, April 23, 1827; came to Steuben county in 1840; died August 15, 1909, aged 82 years, 3 months and 23 days.
 Sarah E. Stevens Hanna, born in Morrow county, Ohio, November 23, 1846; died in Fort Wayne, August 23, 1909, aged 62 years, 8 months.
 Emory G. Melendy, born in Chenango county, New York, October 29, 1841; came to Steuben county in 1844, died September 12, 1909, aged 67 years, 10 months and 14 days.
 Isaac E. Brandeberry, born in Carroll county, Ohio, July 20, 1823; came to Steuben county in 1855; died September 14th, 1909, aged 76 years, 1 month and 24 days.
 John Chadwick, born in Perrysburg, Ohio, June 25, 1825; came to Steuben county in 1850; died at Pleasant Lake October 1, 1909, aged 84 years, 3 months and 6 days. 
 Albert W. Littlefield, born at St. Charles, Illinois, October 23, 1850; died September 26 1909, aged 58 years, 11 months and 3 days.
 Louisa L. Beard was born in Richland township, Steuben county; died in Fort Wayne, September 27, 1909, aged 44 years, 6 months and 21 days.
 Ezekiel Brown, born in Cayuga county, New York, July 28, 1830, came to Steuben county in 18--; died October 13, 1909, aged 78 years, 2 months and 15 days.
 Elias O. Rose, born near Cleveland, Ohio, in 1838; came to Steuben county in 1845; died in railroad accident at Jackson, Michigan, October 22, 1909, aged 71 years.
 Nancy Maria Lecey Snowberger, born near Pleasant Lake, Indiana, August 30, 1846; died October 21, 1909, aged 62 years, 1 month and 21 days.
 Mary Fletch?? McLouth Gowthrop was born in Rehoebeth Mass. May 25, 1822; came to Steuben county in 1854; died November 5, 1909, aged 77 years, 5 months and 17 days.
 Elmer Joseph Loughrey was born in Seneca county, Ohio, April 18, 1840; came to Steuben county in 1841; died November 9, 1909, aged 60 years, 6 months and 21 days.
 Jane Duguid McNaughton was born in Fremont, Indiana, November 4, 1842; died in Jamestown, Indiana, December 19, 1909, aged 67 years, 1 month and 15 days.
 Mortimer Thompson was born in Angola, Indiana, August 15, 1854; died November 16, 1909, aged 55 years.
 Daniel Wesley Jackman was born in Steuben county, Indiana, July 3, 1851; died November 23, 1909, aged 48 years, 4 months and 20 days.
 Jacob P. Isenhower was born in Harrisburg. Pa., April 19, 1837; came to Steuben county in 1859; died near coldwater, Michigan, November 26; 1909, aged 72 years, 7 months and 7 days.
 Lyman J. Caswell was born in New York, June 26, 1830; came to Steuben county when a young man; died in Scott township December 4, 1909, aged 79 years, 5 months and 8 days.
 Nancy Failing Young was born in New York, May 9, 1827; died December 20, 1909, aged 82 years, 8 months and 12 days.
 Mary E. Thompson Mahood was born in Crawford county, Ohio, Nov. 20, 1843; died in Richmond, Indiana, December 20, 1909, aged 61 years, 1 month and 2 days.
 Jennie Brown Carpenter was born in Angola, Indiana, October 22, 1853; died December 21, 1909, aged 56 years, 1 month and 29 days.
 Amasa Sams was born in Richland county, Ohio, January 13, 1835; died in Steuben county, January 4, 1910, aged 75 years, 11 months and 21 days.
 John Divelbiss was born in Holmes county, Ohio, January 20, 1838; came to Steuben county in 1845; died at Lawrence, Kansas, December 28, 1909, aged 71 years, 11 months and 8 days.
 Lewis Charles Dole was born in Huron county, Ohio, March 20, 1840; came to Steuben county in 1855; died at Angola, January 6, 1910, aged 60 years, 10 months and 16 days.
 Eliza Jane Meese Clark was born in Stark county, Ohio, March 20, 1840; died near Hudson, January 10, 1910, aged 62 years. 9  months and 10 days.
 John T. Rockefeller was born in Seneca county, Ohio, May 6, 1840; came to Steuben county in 1842; died January 10, 1910, aged 69 years, 8 months and 4 days.
 John W. Goodale was born in Cuyahoga county New York, June 10, 1824; came to Steuben county in 1844; died at Metz, Jan. 15, 1910; aged 75 years, 4 months and 20 days.
 Selwyn L. Conger was born in Erie county, Ohio, Nov. 19, 1841; died in Innman, Nebraska, December 28, 1909, aged 68 years, 1 month and 10 days.
 Charles Edwin Shuman was born in Steuben county, Indiana, March 6, 1860; died January 26, 1910, aged 49 years, 10 months and 20 days.
 Lydia A. Morse Dawson was born in Walworth, New York, April 15, 1839; came to Steuben county when young; died in Elwood, Indiana, Jan. 28, 1910, aged 70 years, 9 months and 13 days.
 Jane Phenicie Farnham was born in Ohio, in 1838; came to Steuben county in her infancy; died at Olathe, Kansas, Feb. 1, 1910, aged 72 years.
 Joseph Ewing was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, December 23, 1821; came to Steuben county 1867; died in Angola, February 13, 1910, aged 88 years.
 Almira Wheeler Swanger, wife of Joseph Ewing, was born in Richland county, Ohio, July 16, 1836; came to Steuben county in 1867; died Feb. 10, 1910, aged 74 years.
 William J. Huffman was born in Portage county, Ohio, April 13, 1835; died at Flint, Feb. 15, 1910, aged 74 years 10 months and 2 days.
 Amelia Eldredge Wicoff was born near Rochester, New York, September 30, 1838; came to Steuben county in 1841; died at Fremont, February 25, 1910, aged 71 years, 4 months and 25 days.
 Mrs. Nellie McAuley was born in York township, Steuben county, Indiana; died at Benton Harbor, Mich., Feb. 24, 1910, aged 44 years.
 Elizabeth Wood Shaw was born in Steuben county, April 2, 1855; died in Riverhood, Oregon, February 25, 1910, aged 55 years.
 Mary Jane Noyes Chambers was born in Ontario county, New York, December 23, 1830; died in Fremont, Indiana, March 9, 1910, aged 79 years, 2 months and 14 days.
 Emily Thrush Cassel was born in Richland county, Ohio, September 1, 1831; died in Steuben county, Ind., March 13, 1910, aged 78 years, 4 months and 9 days.
 Edwin J. Pattee was born in Montgomery, Michigan, January 11, 1842; died in Scott township, March 14, 1910, aged 68 years, 2 months and 3 days.
 Samuel Ling was born in Richland county, Ohio, September 27, 1835; came to Steuben county in 1844; died in Alvarado, March 16, 1910, aged 74 years, 5 months and 19 days.
 Sarah Brown Peachey was born in Isleham, England, Nov. 6, 1826; died at Butler, Indiana, March 18, 1910, aged 83 years, 4 months and 12 days.
 William Carpenter was born in Lenawee county, Michigan, Dec. 4, 1833; came to Steuben county in 1837; died in Angola, Mar. 13,  1910, aged 76 years, 3 months and 9 days.
 Pulaski Cole was born in Caledona county, New York, February 17, 1831; came to Steuben county in 1854; died near Batavia, Michigan, March 18, 1910, aged 79 years, 1 month and 1 day.
 Charles White was born in Edinburg, Scotland, October 6, 1820; came to Steuben county in 1859; died March 25, 1910, aged 89 years, 4 months and 19 days.
 Hattie Hoard Sturey was born in Angola, November 4, 1866; died in Ann Arbor, Michigan, March 27, 1910, aged 43 years, 4 months and 25 days.
 Christopher Rinehart was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1821; died March 27, 1910, aged 89 years, 2 months and 20 days.
 David N. E. Brown was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1831; came to Steuben county in 1847; died in Butler, Indiana, March 31, 1910, aged 78 years, 4 months and 1 day.
 Lydia Ann Brown was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, December 8, 1828; came to Steuben county in 1854; died in Butler, Indiana, April 2, 1910, aged 81 years, 3 months and 26 days.
 James Barton Snyder was born in Angola, Indiana, Feb. 8, 1869; died in Angola, April 2, 1910, aged 41 years, 1 month and 24 days.
 Alice Orewiler Zimmer was born in Scott township, Steuben county, June 5, 1858; died April 13, 1910, aged 41 years, 10 months and 8 days.
 Delmar Squires was born in Angola July 5, 1865; died near Orland, April 18, 1910, aged 44 years, 9 months and 13 days.
 Olive Thompson Ferrier was born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, March 29, 1831; died in Angola, Apr. 24, 1910, aged 79 years, 1 month and 4 days.
 Eli Rinehart was born in Sandusky county, Ohio, April 5, 1838; came to Steuben county in 1854; died in Angola, May 4, 1910, aged 72 years, 29 days.
 Francis Macartnet was born near Ontario, Canada, Sept. 10, 1831; came to Steuben county in 1844; died in Angola, May 7, 1910, aged 78 years, 7 months and 27 days.
 Dr. Joseph C. Kimsey, born in Virginia, December 9, 1819; came to Steuben county in 1855; died in Angola, May 16; 1910, aged 90 years, 5 months and 7 days.
 Hannah Rathbun Dygert, born in Huron county, Ohio, May 13, 1832; came to Steuben county in 1842; died in York township, May 23, 1910, aged 78 years and 10 days.
 William Hutchinson Mitchell, born in Logan county, Ohio, June 14; 1856; came to Steuben county in 1865; died in Clear Lake township, may 24, 1910, aged 54 years.
 Lorin B. Crandall, born in Jackson township, Steuben county, June 13, 1854; died in Toledo, Ohio, June 1, 1910, aged 54 years, 11 months and 17 days.
 Eva Lavengood Metz, born near New Bedford, Ohio, Oct. 13, 1843; died at Helmer, Indiana, June 9th, 1910, aged 66 years, 7 months and 26 days.
 Ransom A. Gates, born in Lile, New York, March 27, 1832; came to Steuben county in 1841; died June 11, 1910, aged 78 years, 2 months and 14 days. 
 Mrs. Mary A. Miller, born in Richland county, Ohio, March 6, 1837; came to Steuben county in 1855; died June 11, 1910, aged 73 years.
 Mrs. Celia Morley was born in Allen county, Indiana, August 20, 1852; came to Steuben county in 1869; died in Flint, Mich., June 28, 1910, aged 57 years, 10 months and 9 days.
 Sylvester S. Ewers was born in Angola, September 6, 1845; died in Angola, July 9, 1910, aged 64 years, 10 months and 3 days.
 Jane Elliott was born in Holmes county, Ohio, March 18, 1821; was among the early settlers of Steuben county; died in York township.  July 13, 1910, aged 89 years, 3 months and 25 days.
 William Turner was born in Chenango county, New York, August 12, 1831; came to Steuben county in 1853; died near Orland, July 14th, 1910, aged 79 years, 1 month, 2 days.
 Martha Harpham Fifer was born near Pleasant Lake, Steuben county, February 1, 1844; died at Hamilton, July 15, 1910, aged 65 years, 5 months and 8 days.
 Calvin E. VanAuken was born in Portage county, Ohio, July 29, 1835; came to Steuben county in 1860; died in a railroad accident at Auburn, August 2, 1910, aged 75 years.
 Alice Tyler Benson was born in Erie county, Ohio, July 8, 1856; came to Steuben county in 1858; died in Scott township, July 20, 1910, aged 54 years, 12 days.
 Sarah Lamira Metzgar was born in Licking county, Ohio, January 22, 1820; came to Steuben county in 1848; died in Angola, July 22, 1910, aged 90 years, 5 months.
 James Collins was born in Pickway county, Ohio, December ??, 1820; came to Steuben county in 1835; died in Angola, August 2, 1910, aged 89 years, 8 months and ?? days.