John Dygert Obituary

OLDEST MAN IN STEUBEN COUNTY DIED LAST FRIDAY

     John Dygert, who died in Scott township last Friday, in his 94th year was probably the oldest man living in the county at the time of his death.  He came with his father's family to Steuben county in 1838 and lived in the county continuously from that time, and for several years has carried off the honors at old settlers' meetings as the oldest living settler in the county.  He was county commissioner at the time the present county court house in Angola was built and took great interest in the progress of the work.   

John Dygert

     John, the son of Adam and Jane Dygert, was born in Montgomery County, New York  Feb. 27, 1826, and passed away at his late home in Scott Township, Sept 18. 1919, at the age of 93 years, 6 months and 23 days.
     He was one  of a family of ten children all of whom have preceded him in death.  At the age of twelve, with the family, he moved in a wagon to York Township, where he resided until he started to make a home for himself.   September, 1853, he united in marriage with Caroline Stotts of York Township.  To this union were born two children, Charles F., and Sarah Jane Gifford.  In 1875 after great suffering the wife and mother passed away leaving the father, to keep the house together until 1878, when the daughter was united in marriage to Jackson Nisonger.  Then he went to make his home with her until April 28, 1881, when he was re-married to Mary G. Grubb.  To this union was born three boys, Ora C., Carl G., and Levi F.  He has been a resident  of Scott Township for the past sixty years living until the end on the farm he purchased soon after his first marriage.
     Although without professed religion he was a Christian in the true sense of the word, always doing as he would be done by.  He has a large heart for the needy never turning anyone from his door.  As his life work has been finished he has received his eternal reward.  He was a kind and loving husband and father always thinking of the welfare of his family.
     He leaves to mourn Their loss a wife, five children, three daughters-in-law. one son-in-law, ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and a host of sorrowing friends.
     Although physically weak hew was mentally active until the end.  He was a patient sufferer always looking on the bright side of life,  When the end came he went peacefully to sleep and to his eternal resting place.  Funeral services were held at the late home conducted by Rev Humfreys and burial in the Dygert cemetery. 
    

     

D.A.R. TABLET IS DEDICATED TO PIONEERS

Impressive Service Marked Unveiling of Memorial Last Friday Afternoon

-----------------------

Visitors Honored

Impressive and appropriate ceremonies marked the unveiling of the tablet dedicated to the pioneers of Steuben County by Pokagon Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution last Friday afternoon.  The tablet is mounted on a large granite boulder located in the northwest corner of the courthouse yard, which had been brought from land entered by a member of the Powers family in 1837, now owned by Ed Gundrum.  The tablet if of bronze 11x 14 inches in size, and has a stippled background enclosed in a polished frame.  Heading the inscription is a beautifully embossed pioneer covered wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, the inscription follows:

1836  -------- 1936

TO PIONEERS

OF 

STEUBEN COUNTY

BY

POKAGON CHAPTER

with the official emblem of the society .

A crowd numbering in the hundreds gathered to hear the ceremonies attending the unusual occasion.  A community band directed by Fred Richardson played some splendid numbers.  Mrs Edna Creel, descendant of the Powers family, regent of the local  Pokagon chapter presided at the dedicatory services and announced the "pledge of allegiance" to the flag, the recital of which was led by Kathleen Sutton , young daughter of Katherine McGrew Sutton, a descendant of Judge Thomas Gale, one of the founders of the city of Angola.  Mayor William F. Shearer gave a brief historical sketch setting  out the possession of the land from the Indians by the English and to the incoming American settlers and named some of the earlier families which came to the county; including the Langdons, Stayners, Gales, Gilmores, Powers, Farnhams, McClues, McConnells and others.  He called attention to the characteristics of courage and energy and urged that we consider their needs as an inspiration  to overcome difficulties of the present day. 

Mrs. William H. Schlosser, state chaplain of the D.A.R., spoke of the aims of the organization and urged that the same high patriotism which the ancestors of the members possessed should dominate their descendants,  Assisted by Mrs J.B. Crankshaw of Fort Wayne, some dedicatory sentences were recited, and the boulder was unveiled of its flag covering by Patricia, daughter of Mrs. Ralph  Lampman, a descendant of LaFayette Barron, a pioneer of Richland and Margaret Stayner, a descendant of the Stayner family, which perhaps traces a longer continued residence in the county than any other family.

William McConnell Baumann, of Fremont, Ohio, a decendent of Hon. G. W. McConnell, a pioneed citizen, accepted the fine expression of the organization on behalf of the descendants of the pioneers, and he pledged the younger generation to an effort to emulate their fortitude and courage.  Hon Maurice McClew, a grandson of Erasmus Farnham, who surveyed and platted the site of Fremont and of Angola, also expressed appreciation of the fine undertaking of teh society, and accepted the monument for the county.  Mr. McClew's address also recited some of the qualities of these citizens of a century ago.

Mrs. L. P. Romero sang one verse of  "The Star Spangled Banner" accompanied by the band and Dr. John Humfreys delivered a brief invocation and dedicatory prayer

"The Chapter desires to acknowledge assistance in the boulder project, for which it is truly grateful,"  stated the committee.  "The Steuben Republican have cooperated in a splendid manner, in giving publicity to this enterprise.  The State Park Band,under direction of Mr Richardson added materially to the dedication program.  The privilege of using flags of the American Legion, Pokagon State Park and the Masonic Temple was appreciated, for it gave an effective and beautiful background for the program platform.  The chapter wishes to thank all those who participated in the program, or who in any way aided in making possible this dedicatory ceremony."


Steuben Republican August 19, 1936

OPENING NIGHT AT ANGOLA GYMNASIUM

                      BIG BASKETBALL CONTEST IN ANGOLA 
                                                                                                               

The sectional basketball meet to determine the representing team of the district composed of Steuben, LaGrange and Noble Counties in the contest for the Indiana championship  of the independent amateur basketball teams will be held in Angola next week on Friday and Saturday.  As there are several closely matched teams in the district a strong contest is anticipated.  The winner in the state meet will represent the state in the Central West Meet.Teams will be here next week from Wolf Lake, Hamilton, Stroh, Rome City, Angola, Howe, Pleasant Lake, Hudson and Fremont.  This is a big event in basketball circles and is made possible here because of the new gymnasium.  Angola must entertain the visitors properly during the meet.    

Steuben Republican February 1, 1922 

                     

        

BRICK AND STONE FOR POST OFFICE

PLANS RECEIVED AT LOCAL OFFICE OPEN FOR INSPECTION

________________________

New Structure to Front on East Maumee Street With Ample Windows Along Side

_______________________

     Plans for the proposed new post office building in Angola were received this week by Postmaster Faulkerson, and are on file at the post office.  The material of the structure will be brick, trimmed with sandstone.  The building which is 48 x 92 feet in size will front on East Maumee street, setting back from the present sidewalk a few feet.  Steps will run direct from the sidewalk on each side of the center entrance turning to a porch in front of the entrance door which will have a half circle transom.  There will be a window in the front on each side of the entrance.

     The building will run lengthwise on Martha street, a few feet east of the present sidewalk, the center line of the whole building being located west of the center line of the lot.  The sides will have frequent windows to give plenty of daylight to the interior.  At the rear of the building will be a drive and  loading platform making the entire ground plan run to a space of 119 feet.
     The side walls will be built square to the top, with the roof concealed and with stone trimmed panels on the sides and front.
      A basement will be excavated about tow-thirds of the distance under the building, which space will be used for the heating plant and fuel room.  There will also be a swing room for carriers and storage vaults for stamps mad supplies in the basement.

     The main floor of the building will be fourteen feet high. The floor in the lobby will be of tile, while the ceiling and walls above a three foot six paneled wainscotting will be of plain plaster.  The postmaster's office will be located in the northwest corner of the first floor, and immediately back of it to the south will be a vaults for valuables and a door leading into a cage for the financial division.  The main lobby will be in the front of the building, extending from the postmaster's room across the front.  The drops and windows will be along the partition.  On the east side of the building a bay will lead from the lobby for access to the lock boxes. Back of the partition will be a commodious work room for the carrier's cases and the dispatch clerk.
     The plan calls for all modern conveniences in the way of lighting and telephone connections.  The plan, while compact, is apparently commodious enough for business which has been transacted through the office during the past several years, and with possibilities for increases for years to come.

Steuben Republican December 12, 1934
   

Village of Pleasant Lake 1919

     Pleasant Lake, an unincorporated place in Steuben Township, is situated in section 15, township 36, range 13.  It is about four miles south of Angola and is a station on the Lake Shore railroad,  It is beautifully situated on both Long Lake and Pleasant Lake, with numerous other lakelets nearby.  Here one finds several summer resorts.  There are many cottages, seen here and there, all along the shores is of these fine lakes.  Here one sees a handsome high school building - township school - erected in 1914 at an expense of about $30,000.  The village obtains its electric lights from Angola from the Utility Company. 
     This village was laid out in February, 1846, by Payne C. Parker, covering a part of what is now Pleasant Lake.  The records do not show that Parker or Luther Cleland to whom Parker sold, ever conveyed any lots and the plat seems to have been ignored and the lots sold by metes and bounds.

     At the present (1919) the business interests of Pleasant Lake include the following:  General Merchandise - Chadwick & Ransburg (department store); R. Imhoff; grocery - Lithwin Gates; hardware - John O. Matson; also carries farm implements; harness - Victor Orwing; drugs - George J. Weaver; auto-garages - H.C. Wald and Bert Enfield Son; meat - C.L. Moreland; bakery - Glen Wheeler; photographer - Fred Fay; restaurant - Sol Tuttle; pool hall - Fern Fuller; barbers - William Uncapher and Daniel Pixley; blacksmiths - Almond Shaffer, Austin and  Knight; Ice - Willis Adams; Also Moran Bros., of Fort Wayne put up large quantities for shipment.  The other business houses are  - lumber dealers:  Goodwin Lumber Company handles soft wood lumber and coal; grain elevators - T. I. Ferris; cement blocks and bricks - Albert Mitchell; news stand - Lida McDougal; livestock - James Harpham; cream station - The Martin Creamery Company and Lake View Hotel.  There is also a novelty manufacturing company located here and is owned and operated by George Baird, who is inventor of many useful articles which he makes here, including his farm gate, his metal lifting jack, for instantly raising an automobile etc.  His wooden pulleys find a ready sale over a large area of territory.  He is now seeking a larger place in which to operate.


History of northeast Indiana : LaGrange, Steuben, Noble and DeKalb Counties 
by Robert M Waddell

John N Ousterhout - Obituary

John N. Ousterhout was born in Richland County, Ohio, in 1825.  In 1848 he and an elder brother, James C., came to Steuben County, Indiana, and bought 160 acres in section none, Salem Township, now owned by by John Beigh and David Haskins.  They came from Ohio with an ox team, which was a great help to them in improving their land.  In the fall of 1949 John N. purchased 120 acres in sections four and eight.  In the spring of 1851 he went to Jasper County, Iowa, where he bought eight acres if land and lived there two years.  In 1853 he returned to Steuben County and the following year he sold his property in  Salem Township and engaged in running a saw mill on section fourteen, in Salem township, where he lived until 1859.  In December, 1859, he bought the farm where he resided at the time of his death, which occurred January 6, 1901.  Mr Ousterhaut had been twice married.  His first wife was Nancy Hammond, a native of Ohio, who died in 1853, leaving two children, Mary A., wife of John Slick and Samuel E Ousterhaut.
 He afterward married Sarah Haines, a native of Pennsylvania.  To them were born seven children, Viola, wife of Adelbert R Wood, Ralph Ousterhaut, Cora E., wife of Loren J. Clay, S. Victoreene, wife of George L Delong,  Tranis Ousterhaut who died in infancy, Lille M., wife of Wm Morrison and Alta G. Ousterhaut.  During the Civil War he was an active member of the Flint American Legion, an organization whose object was to defend the state from raiders.  He was first lieutenant of this company, it was organized March 31, 1868. and was not disbanded until after the close of the war.  Mr Ousterhaut resided until 1892 in what was known as the Block Church.  He bought the building in 1860 and moved it to its present location.  This house is one of the relics of pioneer days. He was a great reader and was well informed on all public questions, and was always known in his neighborhood as an excellent citizen and neighbor and his acts of kindness will long be remembered.  He was well informed on all questions and points of law and took great pleasure in counseling with his friends and neighbors.  He was a very active member in the Masonic fraternity as long as health would permit him to attend.  Deceased leaves a wife and eight children to mourn, all of whom were with him in his last illness.  Funeral occurred at the North Salem Church on Tuesday, January 8, Rev. A. G. Neal, of Angola officiating.

Angola Put On National Register of Historic Places

Associated Press

5:35 a.m. CST, February 13, 2011

ANGOLA, Ind. —

The downtown business district of Angola in northeast Indiana has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Angola's director of economic development and planning director Julie Cole tells The Herald Republican that the city has been seeking the honor for two years.

The designation allows the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation to have an opportunity to comment on all projects affecting historic properties. Work in the downtown area has to be approved through the Angola Historic Preservation Commission. The designation also allows property owners certain benefits. Property owners may apply for a 20 percent investment tax credit for rehabilitating historic commercial, industrial or residential rental buildings.

Owners of properties on the National Register also may qualify for federal grants for historic preservation funds.