The Mail-Journal, Volume 29, Number 33, Milford, Kosciusko County, 26 September 1990 — Page 2

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THE MAIL-JOURNAL — Wed., September 26,1990

Ezekial French sworn in Sunday

I By DEB PATTERSON Staff Writer Young and old alike from all over the county visited Oswego Sunday afternoon for the sesquicentennial of the appointment of the first postmaster, Ezekial French. The event took place in the Oswego General Store, or Pound Museum, hosted by the Kosciusko County Historical Society. The building was filled with Indian artifacts and the old post office was in operation with Oswego post cards being stamped and collected for mailing at the old post office counter. An area in front of the old potbelly stove was set up for anyone wishing to play checkers on the cracker barrel. Marilyn Ketrow, who researched data on the old store and post office for the national records, spoke briefly of how she obtained the information and of some of the facts she learned. She shared that at that time, a person receiv-

VISITORS REGISTERED — Those who visited the Oswego Store, also known as the Pound Museum last Sunday, not only went back in history, but also became a part of history. The event was to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the appointment of Ezekiel French, the first postmaster. French was sworn in on September 24, 1849 in Oswego. The building was filled with Indian artifacts and the old post office was in operation, including the use of the old Oswego postal stamp, where post cards could be mailed from the old post office counter. Shown in the photo is Josephine Hopkins who made sure every visitor signed the register as well as received a completed history of the store. < Photo by Deb Patterson)

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ed mail from 30 miles away, was one page and worth six cents. This was paid for by the person who received the mail. She also stated if the mail came twice as far, was two or three pages, the amount of the letter increased. Kenneth Fawley, president of the county historical society, officially swore in Ezekial French, who was portrayed by Donald Jay Boggs. French was sworn into office on September 24,1840. as postmaster of Plain Township. At the time French was postmaster, mail was coming by canal boat and through Indian trails to various destinations. French found it too hard to continue the mail route, so the government cancelled his postjoffice, according to information found by Marilyn Ketrow. However, dates were unknown. It is known who the postmasters were who served Oswego following French. The postmasters and the dates of appointment are: Elijah Horton, December 30, 1845, and May 5, 1853; James H. Jacoby,

September 5, 1849; David Denman, December 16, 1854; Jacob Adams, March 25, 1856; Oliver T. Johnson, April 30,1859; Margaret M. Kerr, May 29, 1867; Calvin Ball, August 4, 1868; William Baxter, April 7, 1869; John Hower, December 13, 1875; Henry H. Dorsey, February 24, 1881; Charles L. White, November 9, 1886; John F. Pound, January 15, 1889, and again July 8, 1914; Sarah D. Pound, April 21, 1898; Leslie H. Stookey, September 8, 1917; Cretia Yeiter, October 27, 1920; and Hazel Smith, May 18,1922. Mail was eventually discontinued on August 30, 1935, when mail was transferred to the location of the Leesburg Post Office. Neil Carlson, former society president, addressed how the society has proceeded in getting the store on the national registry. He noted that for the past several years the future of the building was believed serious as a result of age and neglect. Because of its historical significance to the community, the society felt it

should be restored and placed on the national registry. The nomination form to the Historical Landmark Society has been completed and is ready to submit to the U.S. Department of the Interior. Carlson also noted the need to properly renovate the building to comply with the National Registry standards and to return the building into structurally sound condition. Carlson pointed out a grant was applied for to assist the society members in a study to determine the feasibility of restoring the building and the estimated cost. “With the matching grant being applied for and support of all here today, we are retaining Craig Leonard of Bluffton to do this study,” commented Carlson. It was noted that $2,000 in grant money has been received and $4,000 in private donations has been received thus far, but more is needed. Oldest Business The Oswego Store or Pound Museum was built in 1837 and stands on land that was originally the village of Chief Musquabuck. This store is the county’s oldest business established. The store opened in 1838 with the post office opening in the store in 1840. The store was once the center of activity, back in the days when a general store was the post office, grocery store, candy shop and all-around meeting place. John and Sarah Pound were the proprietors of the store for many years, beginning in 1889. There were many owners prior to that time, but it is the Pounds who appear to have made their mark upon the store. John F. Pound served as Church to host benefit dinner Filadelfia Church of Syracuse will host a benefit Mexican dinner on Saturday. Sept. 29, from 11 a m. to 6 p.m. Proceeds from the event will go to the church for needed repairs and expenses. The public is invited to attend the event in which the dinner is an eat in or carry out affair. Filadelfia Church is located at the corner on Benton and Harrison Streets in Syracuse. For more information contact 457-8468.

postmaster from January 14, 1889, until 1898, when he resigned to accept an appointment as trustee of Plain Township. His wife, Sarah, took the postmastership upon his resignation and filled that post until 1914, when Pound returned to the position on July 8 and served until 1917. He died August 29,1921. At his death, Charlie Christman managed the store, followed by Joe H. Hansman, L. H. Farber and Garland F. Robinson. In the 19505, Hazel and George Pace operated a small grocery and in the 1960 s Mrs. Miles and her daughter, Carlene Morton, tried an antique store. But through various managers, the Pound family had retained ownership. The land and building was donated to the county historical society in 1968 by Mr. and Mrs. Philip Harold Pound. It was opened to the public on June 1972 as the county’s first historical museum. Ice Ice is volcanic on Neptune's moon Triton, where it melts to a slush when warmed, is forced to the surface, flows much the way lava does on earth, and then quickly refreezes, says National Geographic.

Red Cross is force in military life

From NORMA ANGLIN Executive Director Kosciusko Red Cross Life in the military wouldn t oe complete without the Red Cross. In 1905, the U.S. Congress mandated the American Red Cross to provide vital services to members of the armed forces and their families. Through communications, financial services, and a host of support programs related to the health and safety of our country’s military population, today's Red Cross continues to follow that mandate. The Red Cross is a vital part of your life in the’ military community. We are able to work so effectively on the behalf of ser-

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ATTEND APPOINTMENT OF POSTMASTER — Chris Schenkel, Tippecanoe Lake, was on hand Sunday in the Oswego General Store, also known as the Pound Museum, for the sesquicentennial of the appointment of the first postmaster in Oswego. The day celebrated the swearing in of Ezekiel French which took place at that location on September 24, 1849. Schenkel is shown talking with Neil Carlson, past president of the Kosciusko County Historical Society, and Gene Paul. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

vice personnel and their families only because of your contributions of time and money. Now is your opportunity to designate your contribution to the American Red Cross through the United Way campaign. Last year was an especially busy time for the Red Cross. Disaster relief efforts in the Caribbean and the Carolinas in the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo and in San Francisco and northern California following the strongest earthquake in decades put the paid and volunteer staff of the Red Cross into overtime. The Red Cross compressed more than three years’ worth of disaster relief activity into several months. Last year the Red Cross served

nearly one million cases in the military. On behalf of men and women in the U.S. armed services, their families and veterans, it carried almost 880,000 messages around the world. Locally, the Kosciusko County Chapter provided services of assistance with child support; discharge reviews and updates; messages of birth, death, serious illness; health and welfare inquiries. Emergency leave requests must be recommended by the local chapter, after all surrounding details have been verified by us. The current Persian Gulf Crisis presents communication of only messages of births, death and serious illness. The service

members need the support of their families and friends even though communication is limited. Our chapter is available 24 hours a day to assist in any messages that can be sent to the military during this crisis. The Red Cross encourages you to designate the American Red Cross on your United Way pledge cards before the end of September. Disturbing fact Each year heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases kill nearly one million Americans, almost as many as all other diseases combined, according to the American Heart Association.