Rensselaer Union, Volume 8, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 September 1876 — Old Settlers Reunion. [ARTICLE]

Old Settlers Reunion.

On Saturday lost, tho old settlers of J super nod Newton counties held an ! annual reunion in a grove north of Mr. Jarod Bogjamina house, in Newton township, of Jasper county. It was largely attended by citiicns of both xmntics, tho meeting attracting not only the surviving earlier tattlers of this region, but also many younger people. Au organisation was perfected before noon by thp election of John McCarthy, Esq., of £fewtoa_ county, president, and Marion L. Spitler, of Jasper,secretary; afusr which an adjournment, or recess, was taken until 1;30 p’dlpck p. m. During this intermission people gathered in little parties through the grove,, and sat down to cloth* spread with tbs contents of baskets well filled with provisions, including both the substantial* and delicacies of the season. Hearty welcome was extended to the stranger, and to those present who were not so well provided. While discussing this bounteous feast of good things, the occasion was enlivcocd by merry converse, sallies of wit, and reminiscences of tho olden time —incidents of frontier life, the hardships endured, the perils vanquished, the hair-breadth escapes and interesting adventures, formed the burthen of many a social group. Afler enjoying a couple of hours iu this mauner, tho meeting again assembled, and listened with marked attention aud evident satisfaction to an wddress by Judge E. P. Hammond. While disclaiming to be an old settler, his residence here being only a little more than twenty years, the spirit of his remarks proved the deep interest he felt for the present and future welfare of the county where his home is, and for the people among whom lie has lived since arriving at the years of manhood. Hon. It. S. Dwiggins followed in a short, pithy address, of fervor and true patriotism. He was succeeded on the stand by M. F. Chhcotc, Esq., who preferred to listen rather than talk.

£lr. Thomas R. Barker followed in a eristic vein of good humor, telling /why ho (ppe to this region, which he thought jras among the lovlicst portions of God's heritage to man. Rev. Lemuel Shortridge gave a more extended account of pioneer life, apd his early a/wociatiops in Jasper county. Having come apiqpg the pioneers of Jasper and Newton counties as a preacher of the gospel, he was always supplied by the hospitable people with the best things their primitive homes and new farms afforded. The fatted calf and ycllow--1 egged chickens were always his portion «uul delight, hence his early experience was not no stern as that of many others. Mr. John Jenkins, of Newton county, gave a more detailed account of the settlement of the Northwest. llis story of the vicissitudes and privations of those who first came to this portion of the country, which was then occupied by wild Leasts and the more terrible Red mau, was intensely thrilling. He was the first Anglo Saxon teacher of Anglo Saxon pupils in all that territory north of Fort Wayne to the "home of the polar bear, and west to the Pacific ocean. Mr. David Xowels, of Jasper, recounted incidents of his early life; how he came to Jasper county when a lad of only twelve summers; how he Lad thus early commenced to perform fike labor of a man ; how these early had fitted him to grapple suc.cessfyily with the sterner cares of advancing years. He spoke with earn*' .rat feeling, which carried bis hearers hack, imagination, to that early period whep a few log cabins stood beside the rapids of th n JroqqoU river, the present site of Rensselaer, and every heart was thankful that a mcrciiul Providence spared the lives of those hardy pioneers until tfieir labors had prepared the way for succeeding generations, and that so soapy of them were present on this occasion. Mr. Jared Benjamin. Hon. Goq.Jl.Jfeown, Simon Phillips, Rsq, John McCarthy, Esq., and others followed, occupying a few moments each. The meeting was a pleasant one in every particular. The day was fiKcd with Warm sunshine; not* word wasspofceo, beauty, mid every person appeared to he filled with thankfulness, contentajewt end joy. It was decided that the third annual reunion be held at the same John McCarthy,of Newton county and Hon. Geo. H. Biown and Jared Bcnj* pnin, of Jasper, were appointed a com-

The secretary was directed to prepare a report of this meeting for publication in Ttut Uknkski.akr Uniox and the paper* of Newton county. A list of those present at this reunion who came to those counties during the first decade of their settlement is appended for the information of those who will be interested by it - |J 1834. —David Nowck. 1835. -Jackson Pheglcy, Mrs. Malinda Spitler.

1836. —Samuel L. Sparling, Mrs. Samuel L. Sparling, Henry A. Spurliug, Marion L. Spitler. 1837. —William K. Parkison, Addison Parkison, Joseph V. Parkison. 1838. —Geo. 11. BrOtVn, Jared Benjamin, Joseph W. Sparling, Joseph Williams, Mrs. David Nowels, Mrs. W. K. Parkison. Mrs. Wm. B. Shaw, Miss Belle Barkley. 1839. —Samuel E. Yeoman, Steward C- Hammond, Mrs. Wm. Burns. Mrs. H. C. Thornton, Mrs. Joseph Sparling. 1840. —Nathaniel Wyatt, D. M. Price, W. J. Wright, Sidney Steward, lion. T. It. Barker. Mrs. Wm. Coekcrill, Mrs. Benjamin Welsh. 1841. Lemuel W. Ilenkle, Mrs. G. H. Brown. 1842. Alex. Rowen, Sami. McCullough, Samuel Long, Joseph C. Hcnkle, John A. Hcnkle, John W. Duvall, Jabez Wright 1843. rAndrcw Paris, Henry Sayler, 11. C. Thornton, C. C. Thornton. 1844. —Joseph Yeoman, James Yeoman, Wesley Downing, Madison Makeever, Ira W. Yeoman, Clement Timmons. 1845. —Geo. Kessler, Lemuel Shortridge, Abraham Freeland, John Daugherty, Daniel Daugherty, Lewis L. Daugherty, Wm. H. Daugherty, Simon Phillips, L. W. Sayers, John Makeever. Doubtless there were maDy others, both women and inen, on the ground who came to Jasper during these years, but it was impossible to procure their,

names.

JOHN McCARTHY,

Marion L. Spitler. President. Secretary.