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Wells County, Indiana Family History 1837-1992 (Wc 977.272we
HIGGINS-THRAILKILL
Kenneth L. (Casey) Higgins and hilda Jane Thrailkill were married at
Noblesville, Indiana on September 1, 1935. The photograph of Mr. and Mrs.
Higgins was taken in Fort Wayne, Indiana at their 50th wedding anniversary
dinner party with many friends.
Kenneth is a retired Bluffton Postmaster, Wells County Auditor and County
Councilman. He was also associated with food processors. H.J. Heinz
Corporation, McNeil and Libby, and a co-owner of Bluffton Foods Incorporated.
For thirty-five years, he and Mrs. Higgins resided on their farm at the
Bluffton city limits, State Route 124 West. In 1972, they build and moved to
a home at 1225 Sycamore Lane, Riverview addition in which they lived for
seven years. They have spent the past fourteen years at the farm and in their
home located in Bradenton, Florida.
Kenneth L. Higgins is the son of Charles E. Higgins and Carrie B. Hower.
Charles E. Higgins was the son of Chads Chalfant Higgins, and his mother was
Ida Mae Cobbum. The Higgins, Chalfant and Cobbum families were natives and
early residents of Harrison Township, Wells County. Carrie B. Hower,
Kenneth's mother, was the daughter of Noah Hower and Ellen Clowser. The Hower
and Clowser families resided in Jefferson and Lancaster Townships of Wells
County.
Kenneth Higgins had three brothers all deceased, Harold, garth and Roger.
Roger served in World War II and during the last battle on Luzon, he lost his
life. His body was returned to the Elm Grove Cemetery, Bluffton where he is
buried with Harold, Garth and their mother.
Hilda Jane Thrailkill is the daughter of William Ernest Thrailkill and Minnie
Lydia Croasdale. She is a relative of and shares the same name with Jane
Thrailkill, one of the earliest settlers in Liberty Township, Wells County.
Jane Thrailkill is refered to in the first printed historical record of the
county, The Wells County Atlas. William Ernest Thrailkill's father Joseph
Thrailkill came to Liberty Township from Swayzee, Grant County, Indiana. The
Thrailkill's were originally from Virginia. His mother was Millie Jane
Buckner, daughter of William Buckner and Amelia Yelton. Millie Jane was born
in Kentucky.
Hilda J. higgins mother was Minnie L. Croasdale, daughter of Robert Walker
Croasdale and Jennie Jane Ernst. Robert Walker Croasdale was the son of Ezra
Croasdale and Ruth Ann Walker. Jennie Jane Ernst's parents were John Ernst
and Mary Ellen Ziegler. The north sections of Liberty Center, Indiana were
plotted by the Ernst and croasdale families and are recorded at the county
courthouse.
Kenneth and Hilda Higgins are members of the Liberty Center Baptist Church.
Mrs. Higgins was responsible for compiling the Wells County marriage records
from 1900-1976. There are nine volumes in each set that has been presented to
the local library and libraries in several states.
Present address are 1286 Lakeview Court, Bluffton and 6099 Coral Way,
Bradenton, Florida.
Wells County, Indiana Family History 1837-1992 (Wc 977.272we)
THE LIBERTY CENTER BAPTIST CHURCH
The first recorded entry of the Liberty Center Baptist Church was made at a
service on June 16, 1855. The decision was made to invite delegates from
Baptist churches in Bluffton, Montpelier, and West Union for the purpose of
organizing a church. Tradition says that the early meetings were held in
homes, in the log school house, or under an elm tree. The large tree remained
standing in the school yard at Liberty Center, providing shade and rest for
all, until about thirty years ago.
In October, 1855, Elder Abel Johnson was called to be the first pastor of the
church and Charles Rinear was chosen as the first deacon. Both men served the
church in various offices until their deaths.
A Sunday School was organized in 1865 and late in the year of 1866 plans for
erecting a church building were discussed. In February 1867 the site was
selected and agreed upon. The site, upon which a grocery store now stands,
was donated by John Ernst. Much of the lumber and work was contributed by the
members. The record says, "On the third Sabbath in January, 1869, the Liberty
Center Baptist Church dedicated their new meetinghouse to the services of
God."
By late 1879 the church building needed repairs because the floor had sunk.
The congregation resolved to sell the structure and site and to secure a new
location and build a new sanctuary. The building committee was first made up
of the trustees, Joseph Garrett, John Spake, and John Ernst; later James
Worster was added and Robert Crosdale was made treasurer of the building
fund. Not such is known of the progress of the building except that the date
on the building itself was 1883. This was the original brick structure, later
remodeled, which was in use until November, 1951. The Rev. O.V. Fritz was
pastor during this period.
Disaster came to the church on July 29, 1896, when the building was partially
destroyed by a cyclone. At the next business meeting a motion was made to
accept "the kind offer of the Methodist Church to use their building." The
church as rebuilt and the dedication services were held February 14, 1897.
Over the years the membership of the church and the activity in the Sunday
School increased. This brought to the congregation the realization that a
larger building was needed.
A building fund was started in August, 1941, with Bertha Garrett being
elected treasurer of the fund. Other members of the building committee were
James Gordon, chairman, Mount Garrett, vice-chairman, Mrs. Dale Tinkel,
secretary, Oline Rittenhouse, Lawrence Frantz, Homer Johnson, Mrs. Ora
Heckman and Mrs. Joe Garrett. The idea of a special Thanksgiving offering to
be put into the building fund was proposed by Dale Tinkel. The idea was so
well-recieved that an Easter offering was taken the following year. Since
then two offerings have been recieved annually, at Easter and Thanksgiving,
for this fund.
The groundbreaking ceremonies were held Easter Sunday in 1950 at which Fannie
Garrett and Dolly Smith, two of the oldest members, turned the first
shovelsful of dirt.
Construction was begun and the cornerstone laying ceremonies were conducted
on October 1, 1950. The untiring efforts of the pastor, the Rev. W.C.
Poulson, the sacrificial financial contributions, and the enormous amount of
labor donated by members and friends, made it possible to dedicate the church
with only a relatively small amount of indebtedness. The dedication services
were held the week of November 18, 1951.
Over a period of 136 years, and under the leadership of 37 pastors, the
church has shaped the lives of many people. Some have since moved to other
communities and churches. Four men have gone out as ministers from the
church: Omer Fisher, Bob Decker, Arnold Maggard and Ralph Galloway. Ralph was
converted, licensed in 1959, and ordained in 1991 in the church. Also,
several members have worked diligently at the state level for the church.
In contrast to the first services in the church which were held once a month,
now there are three services a week. Along with the three services there are
several active organizations: Choir, American Youth, American baptist Women,
and His Kids, a group of area children who meet after school at the church.
For many years, both the Ladies' Aid and Men's Brotherhood were very active
in the church, but they no longer exist.
The Baptist, Methodist, and Boehmer Churches work harmoniously together in
the annual Bible School. Also, the churches, along with the community, have
an annual Pig Roast with proceeds going to the Liberty Center Community Park.
We thank God for the church and as we go into the next century, we pray her
light will shine as bright as it did at her birth.
Wells County, Indiana Family History 1837-1992 (Wc 977.272we)
LIBERTY CENTER
Liberty Center was so named for its geographical center of Liberty Township.
history notes that Liberty Township was first settled in 1836 and 1837 by
James Jackson and Henry Mossburg. G.H. King and Johnson King were next to
arrive. The township was organized and the first election held at the home of
John Kings, the inspector, on the first Monday in April, 1842. There were
only nine voters at this election. They were: James Jackson, Henry Mossburg,
G.H. and Johnson King, Jacob First, John McFarren, David goings, John Mounsey
and John Hupp.
The first road opened through Liberty Township ran from Bluffton to Jackson
Township, leaving the center of Liberty Township to the right (west). It was
surveyed with a pocket compass about 1839 or 1840. It has long since been
obliterated by farms. The next road was the present north and south road
running through Liberty Center.
History further says that if any one man may claim the fatherhood of Liberty
Center it is the late John W. Rinear. He came to Liberty Township in 1854. He
helped clear the land at Liberty center and part of his farm was the site for
the town. In 1863, after returning from the war, he married Sarah C. First, a
native of Liberty Township. On December 28, 1866, a daughter Hannah S. rinear
was born, the first native child of Liberty Center. She married John B. Funk
of Liberty Center.
Actually Liberty Center was laid out November 12, 1878, by John Ernst and
John Rinear.
In 1881 it had a post office, three general stores, a blacksmith and wagon
shop, two sawmills, a tile factory, two physicians and a population of 125.
The Liberty Center post Office was established by Joseph R. Walker,
postmaster, on November 18, 1857 but discontinued on February 3, 1864.
Postmaster Samuel J. Jackson reestablished it in May of 1875 and it was again
discontinued on January 27, 1893.
Hi all,
Looking for help with the family Neal and Lynn Crowl, living in Bluffton in
1931. I would like to know if there are records that show any children in
the family, or records that list a date of death (I'd like to find the
obituaries).
Thanks much,
Jane
janeclements(a)earthlink.net