Newsletter
of the North Manchester Historical Society, Inc.
Volume XXVII
Number 1
February 2010
NORTH MANCHESTER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
RECIPIENT OF INDIANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S
ANNUAL AWARD IN 2009
In December 2009, William Eberly and Nancy J. Reed received on behalf of the
North Manchester Historical Society the “Outstanding Historical Organization
Award” granted by the Indiana Historical Society. The award presentation took
place on December 7, 2009, in the Eli Lilly Hall in Indianapolis at the
headquarters of the Indiana Historical Society. This special recognition is
given annually to a local or county historical society, organization or site in
Indiana “which has demonstrated remarkable public services and programs to its
community.”
HISTORICAL SOCIETY HONORED FOR SERVICE
News-Journal, Dec 16, 2009
“Doing a lot with a little,” most accurately describes the accomplishments of
the North Manchester Historical Society. The organization’s success at
preserving the community’s ties to the past, providing residents with ongoing
education and programming, and also looking to the future with a rapidly growing
collection at the Center for History were all reasons why it was selected from
among similar organizations statewide for a major award.
The Indiana Historical Society presented the “2009 Outstanding Historical
Organization Award” to the North Manchester Historical Society (NMHS) at its
annual Founders Day Dinner on December 7 in Indianapolis.
Accepting the award on behalf of the NMHS were Bill and Eloise Eberly and Nancy
Reed. Bill Eberly said, “We felt quite honored to be there and to receive the
award. It speaks to the wonderful work our volunteers devote to the Society and
to the museum on Main Street.”
The award is given each year to “county or local historical societies,
organizations or sites in Indiana that have demonstrated remarkable public
service to the communities they serve.”
The NMHS was formed in 1972 with just twelve charter members. Growing by leaps
and bounds over the past 37 years, the society accomplishes much despite relying
solely on volunteer time and efforts for everything from its day-to-day
operations to securing grants to preserve many parts of the area’s history.
It publishes a quarterly newsletter with original articles and notes and hosts
regular programs that serve hundreds of local residents. The Society has
undertaken many large tasks over the years, from the rededication of its covered
and the purchase and restoration of Governor Thomas R..
Marshall’s birth home to the collecting of artifacts and the opening of its
museum.
At the Center for History, volunteers are currently remodeling a large back room
to house large numbers of farm equipment and other historical artifacts donated
by the Harold Miller family. The room is being remodeled to look like the
interior of a barn so when it’s complete, the new exhibit will give visitors a
“window” into North Manchester’s agricultural heritage.
The Center for History also participates in numerous projects with several
groups from the community, including students, teachers, civic groups, and
service organizations. ...Through all that it does, the NMHS depends on
volunteers and the financial support of the community. For more info, see its
website at www.nmanchesterhistory.org , email nmhistory@kconline.com , or call
260-982-0672.
SPIRIT OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD
RECEIVED BY NMHS
FROM THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IN 2010
HISTORICAL SOCIETY WINS SPIRIT OF THE COMMUNITY AWARD
North Manchester News-Journal Feb 3, 2010
The North Manchester Historical Society was honored by the Chamber of Commerce
as the winner of the 2009 Spirit of the Community Award at the 2010 annual
dinner Thursday night, January 28.
2008 winner Debbie Chinworth, who was filling in for 2009 winner Rowena Greer,
presented the North Manchester Historical Society the award.
“The Spirit of the Community Award is being presented to an organization for
their innovation, their commitment, and their contributions, which have greatly
impacted the character of our community,” Chinworth said.
The North Manchester Historical Society was founded in 1972 with the purpose of
collecting and preserving artifacts, documents and photographs which tell the
story of North Manchester’s history.
The founding 12 members have grown to nearly 200 members today.
They meet monthly and publish a quarterly newsletter.
In 1994, they purchased the Thomas Marshall house and moved it to its current
location on Market Street.
An affiliate of the Historical Society, the Historic Home Preservation group,
restored the Rice House, the Grant Street blue/red brick house, and is
attempting to restore the exterior of the Cigar Factory.
“The most visible activity of the Historical Society in our town is at the
Center For History on Main Street, our historical museum,” Chinworth said.
Chinworth explained the first historical museum was in the upper floor of the
town hall, then moved to the Town Life Center.
In 2001, the Oppenheim Department Store was purchased by the Historical Society.
The large building provides approximately 11,000 square feet for the first floor
exhibit space, and an additional 18,000 square feet for office space, a library,
and work and storage areas. More than 19,000 items are part of a collection that
began with 2,000 when the museum opened.
“Fascinating displays present memories and tell the history of North Manchester
and nearby communities of the Eel River Valley,” Chinworth said.
The facility also serves as a center for educational programs, reunions, local
family historical research and community events.
“The ever-changing window displays make our downtown alive and interesting,”
Chinworth added.
One recent addition to the Center for History is the Barn Room. The Harold
Miller family donated to the Historical Society a huge collection of farm
equipment and other historical artifacts. They have been remodeling the large
room in the back of the east side of the museum. Owen Summers, Bob Amiss, Robin
Lahman and others have worked to make the room look like a barn, with Dave
Hippensteel installing new electric wiring for the room.
In 2008, the North Manchester Historical Society won special recognition from
America In Bloom for its part in historic preservation.
In 2009, the Indiana Historical Society announced that the North Manchester
Historical Society won the Outstanding Historical Organization Award.
Historical Society vice-president Ferne Baldwin accepted the Spirit of the
Community Award on behalf of the Historical Society.
“Soon after I came to North Manchester in 1952, I recognized that this was a
very special town,” she said.
She talked about the importance of historical preservation. “It is very easy for
us to forget, in our busy lives, to preserve the history of our activities and
our stories for our children and our grandchildren,” Baldwin said. “The purpose
of the histocial society, when it comes down to the bare facts, is to preserve
that history for all of us. Although we have been honored by many special
recognitions this year, that purpose will continue, and we hope that you will
contribute to that history by sharing with us your very special keepsakes, so we
can keep those for all of us and for our children.”
Baldwin thanked all of the volunteers “who do an incredible amount of work”, and
invited those in attendance to come see the Center For History when it re-opens
on March 14.
Chinworth added, “We thank the North Manchester Historical Society for all the
volunteer hours they give to restore and preserve our community’s story. Without
your work and dedication, our stories would be gone forever.”
Historical Society board members are Bill Eberly-president, Ferne Baldwin,
vice-president, Karl Merritt-secretary, Ralph Naragon-treasurer, Nancy
Reed-Director of Center for History, Joyce Joy-Office Manager and Curator. Other
members are Joe Vogel, Art Gilbert, Mary Chrastil, Darlene Bucher, John Knarr,
Mike McKee, Tim Taylor, Bob Amiss, and Viv Simmons.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NMHS WEB SITE
By John Knarr
Our web site for the North Manchester Historical Society is a work in progress.
New content is being added monthly. We now have our own domain name (URL), and
you will want to visit often as we add and improve content!
Point your web browser to any one of the following web addresses:
www.nmanchesterhistory.org
http://www.nmanchesterhistory.org
http://nmanchesterhistory.org
nmanchesterhistory.org
When you arrive at the homepage, you will see the general topics in the top
menu. As you select one of these topics, specific studies appear in the
left-hand menu. Our stories, memories, pictures and histories are then just a
mouse-click away. More than six hundred distinct files have been uploaded. These
files include local historical articles, photographs, maps and past issues of
the NMHS Newsletter.
You can find links to our web site
at other web sites, such as the Town of North Manchester, N.M. Chamber of
Commerce, Wabash County Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, N.M. Shepherd Center,
Wabash County Genealogy InGen, N.M. Communinet “Bridge”, and others. By entering
search query words or phrases, the Internet user can also find us through search
engines such as Google, Bing, and Safari. Since April 2009, our web site has had
more than 30,000 “hits”, requests or visits. Site statistics reveal the country
origins of the visitors, search words or phrases used to find us, most popular
pages, and much more. The webmaster can be reached at
mailbox@nmanchesterhistory.org.
2010 MEMBERS OF N.M. HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Please notify the Center for History for Corrections or Additions.
Barbara Amiss
Bob & Cass Amiss
Jerry & Julia Badskey
David Bagwell
Ferne Baldwin
Steve Batzka
Deb Bauer
Bob Beachley
Suzanne Benton
Don Billmaier
Charles & Dagny Boebel
David Boyd
Max Boyer
Debra & Bradley Brauneller
R. Ned & Mary Jane Brooks
Andy Brown
Mary Lou Brown
Mike Brown (The Studio)
Tom & Eloise Brown
Barbara Bryant
Gordon & Darlene Bucher
Dennis & Rosemary Butler
Eunice Butterbaugh
Miriam Cable
Brad & Terri Camp
James & Debbie Chinworth
Mary Chrastil
Daniel & Marsha Croner
Murph Damron
Barry & Arlene Deardorff
Al & Joan Deeter
Julie Dyson
Diane Dewey-Norvell
William & Eloise Eberly
Terri Eckert
Richard Ford
J.P. Freeman
Larry Freels
Randy & Sharon Fruitt
Patricia Gaddis
Warren & Helen Garner
Art & Ellen Gilbert
J. Edward & Mildred Gilbert
Gilbert, Naragon, Terrill Inc.
Judith Glasgow
David & Jane Grandstaff
David Grant
John & Ann Hackett
Betty Hamlin
William Hankee, DDS
Ruth Hauser
Jeff Hire
Tim Hoffman
Melba Holmgren
Mozelle Humbert
Carol Jennings
Onita Johnson
Bob & Stephanie Jones
Grace Kester
John & Bea Knarr
Richard & Irene Knarr
Avonne Lee Knecht
Charles Koller
Robert & Sally Krouse
Robin & Jeanette Lahman
Richard A. Livingston
Wilson Lutz
Diane Maloy
Harold & Elizabeth Marks
Robert & Mary Martin
Dorotha & Joe Mason
Thomas & Suzanne McClure
Mike & Kelly McKee
Mike McLaughlin
Karl & Bonnie Merritt
Mark Metzger
Jim & Shirley Mishler
Earl & Phyllis Montel
Nancy Olinger Morris
Ralph & Becky Naragon
Bob Nelson
Emerson & Evelyn Niswander
Donald Olinger
Philip & Mary Orpurt
Dave Parker
Roger & Marcie Parker
Dorothy Parsons
Walter Penrod
Jeff Pyle
Carolyn Reahard
Mary Reahard
Russell Reahard
Nancy J. Reed
Mary Louise Reist
Jean Renschler
Todd & Linda Richards
Doug Rice
Ron Rice
David & Shirley Rogers
Thelma Rohrer & Jim Adams
Betty Roser
Dee & Mary Herring Royer
Esther Rupel
Theron Rupley
Jo Ann Schall
Al & Ruth Ann Schlitt
Scott Schmedel
Barb Shoemaker
Viv Simmons
Paul Sites
Ed & Jean Smith
Lee Smith
Conrad Snavely
DeWayne & Doris Snell
Eugene Snyder
Doris Spann
Todd Speicher
Anthony & Tracy Stewart
Donald & Jean Stone
Dave & Jo Switzer
Nancy Taylor
Tim & Jenny Taylor
Nancy Tiger
Larry Tracy
Ruth Tully
Howard & Mary Uhrig
Connie Vinton
Grace Voorheis
David & Becky Waas
Brian Wagner
Robert Weimer
Allan White
Dannie & Nancy Wible
Dorotha J. Williams
Robert & Soo Mi Young
HF Group
First Financial Bank
Allen County Public Library
Manchester College Library
Manchester Elem. School
Wabash Carnegie Library
Peru Public Library
Roann Public Library
Manchester Intermediate School
Manchester Junior-Senior H.S.
Manchester High School
N. Manchester Public Library
Wabash County Museum
N.M. Chamber of Commerce
Indiana Historical Society
Fulton Co. Historical Society
Warsaw Public Library
Whitley Co. Historical Society
Kosciusko Co. Historical Society
Miami County Museum
Huntington Public Library
S. Whitley Public Library
Columbia City Public Library
Kappa Kappa Kappa
Fruitt Basket Inn
Shepherd’s Chevrolet
Manchester Veterinary Clinic
Schutz Brothers
Wetzel Insurance Co.
Laketon Lions Club
Epsilon Sigma
Wabash Co. Convention VB
Naragon & Purdy
Ford Meter Box Foundation
Thank you for supporting us!
BEERY’S APPLE ORCHARD
Excerpted from Glen A. Beery, AS I REMEMBER (1996)
…Late in the summer of 1943 my good friend Paul Neher told me his dad, Simon
Neher, was thinking about renting or leasing his 80 acre farm and moving to
town. Besides the crop land, there was a fifteen acre orchard with apple trees
and a few cherry trees. In the ten years Paul and I had run around together
before we were both married, I had been in the house and around the orchard many
times. I still had a pretty strong desire to get back to “dirt” farming and
feeding livestock, so I could put into practice the many things I had learned
while operating a feed mill and elevator. The drawback was that I didn’t know
the first thing about caring for an orchard. Mr. Neher assured me that he would
be willing to teach me all the basic things about caring for an orchard. Purdue
University, through the county extension office, was helpful whenever you ran
into special problems. [Wife] Maurine wasn’t very much sold on moving out in the
country. However, she agreed that if this was what I really wanted to do she
would go along. We moved to the farm one mile east and one mile south of North
Manchester in January 1944. The lease agreement stated that I was to furnish all
the labor to do the farming and feeding the livestock.
… Some time late in the fall of 1952, Mr. Neher said he was thinking of selling
the farm. None of his three sons was interested in buying it and I could have
the first chance. He wanted to sell it on a contract. We agreed on a price of
$300 per acre. I paid $1,000 down. The first two years I was to pay just the
interest on the balance at 4 ½%. After that I was to pay $500, plus the interest
every six months. The contract was to be binding on all the heirs. A few years
later, after Mr. and Mrs. Neher had passed away, I didn’t want to be making
payments to the four children who were heirs to the contract. I went to the bank
and took out a first mortgage and paid them off. Once a friend asked, “Why did
you want to buy a farm with an orchard on it?” I told him, “It is not like
raising hogs or producing eggs, where if you have a good year everybody and his
brother can be in the same business within six months. If I have a good year in
apple sales, I know that all of my neighbors are not going to be raising apples
the next year. Further more, when I sell most farm produce, I always ask the
buyer how much he is paying for it today. When I sell apples, I set the price.”
One of the first things I did after buying the orchard was to cut down and make
firewood out of about 100 trees that during the time I rented I learned didn’t
produce and/or were varieties that didn’t sell. Neher had set the west 7 ½ acres
in 1912 and later about 1929, he set the east 7 ½ acres.
Most of the trees that I cut out first were on the west side. It takes most
trees 12-15 years to reach full production. With good care, a tree should last
another 20 years. During the course of the next 45 years that I cared for the
orchard, I replaced nearly all of the original trees.
In the southwest corner of the farm was a one-room brick school house, Walters
School, built in 1887. It was used as a sales room and storage for apples. The
Nehers had dug a basement under all of the building in 1932, and it made an
excellent storage. All of the apples were sold retail at the orchard.
Producing apples is a pretty high risk business. Late spring freezes, long
periods of rainy weather, plus all the diseases and insects that can attack the
crop, are a constant worry during every growing season. Only twice in 45 years
did I have a complete failure of the apple crop—in 1944 and 1961. In 1961, the
trees bloomed and set on a full crop and had apples as big as your thumb. Then a
hard freeze came on May 25 and wiped out every apple in the orchard. That was
the latest a crop was damaged by a late freeze. Over the course of the years, we
had varying degrees of loss from late spring freezes, from 10% to 60%. In years
when the crop was less than normal, we would buy apples from Michigan and other
orchards in the area. Cider was a big drawing card when selling direct from the
orchard. We had to take our apples to a cider mill to get cider made. Over the
years, we went to cider mills as far away as Rochester (24 miles), Athens (18
miles), Columbia City (25 miles), and Huntington (18 miles). In 1978, we bought
our own cider press and saved a lot of man-hours from running to the mills. On
the plus side, we could make cider often enough for it to always be fresh and
sweet. We had one customer every fall who would order
52 ½ gallons to freeze so he could have a ½ gallon of fresh cider every
week of the year. We had the reputation of having the best cider in the area.
Lots of stories are told about both sweet and hard cider. A lady customer said
she would like to buy a jug of cider if she was sure there were no worms in it.
I told her she didn’t have to worry about the worms in the cider because the
cider press had a worm extractor on it. She bought some cider. Fresh, sweet
cider for most people is a very good natural laxative. Hard cider or ‘apple
jack’, if mode properly, is a very deceiving drink because it has a smooth taste
and looks much like sweet cider. In the ‘good old days’, nearly all farms had a
small orchard of 10-12 apple trees and a pear tree. You were not ready for
winter and the next year’s canning season unless you put a barrel of cider in
the cellar to ferment and produce vinegar to use in canning the harvest from the
garden.
…One of the more noticeable changes in the 45 years of selling apples direct
from the orchard was the public’s buying habits. In the 40s and 50s, it was not
unusual for a family to come to the orchard about the same time we had finished
picking and buy four or five bushels to take home for the winter. By the 80s, we
were selling more apples by the peck and ½ peck than any other way. I think
several things contributed to the change. More and more houses were centrally
heated and had no good place to store apples. The younger families thought of
apples just as an eat-out-of-hand fruit and never thought of making apple sauce,
baking apples, making an apple pie, apple butter or apple salad. Most people
today don’t realize that the apple is the most versatile fruit you can buy.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Editor’s Note--The CFC has a copy of Glen Beery’s book, and with family
permission we have excerpted the above passages. Glen had also co-authored with
Paul Neher the article, “Orchard
Has Long History” in the WABASH COUNTY HISTORY BICENTENNIAL EDITION 1976.
We have posted at the NMHS WEB SITE photographs and newspaper articles
about the Beery orchard. The editor’s father recalls that when Glen drove the
school bus he would occasionally reward rider’s good behavior by passing out
apples--the ones who misbehaved would not get any!
We now can post to the web site other stories and memories which our
readers wish to share.
RAILROAD SCRAPBOOK
By John Knarr
The
Center for History recently acquired a copy of a large scrapbook on the History
of the Eel River Railroad in Wabash County. This railway line in 1872 ran
between Logansport and Butler, passing through Ijamsville, North Manchester, and
Liberty Mills. The railroad name changed over the years, and rail service was
eventually terminated in 1976. Some of the operating companies were the Vandalia
RR, Pennsylvania RR, and Penn Central Co. This Timetable for 1932 was found in
the scrapbook along with several photographs and newspaper clippings. Be sure to
join us for the program on North Manchester Railroads, to be presented May 10 by
Bill Eberly.
