Early Homes of Howard Township

A few years ago my mother wrote short narratives for many historic homes in Howard Township.  One summer day she and I drove to each of these homes and took photos, and by Christmas all the information was compiled and bound into a nice booklet.  This format will bring her work to a wider audience.  It was a fun collaboration...we were all involved.  My son, Ken, was technical advisor at every turn!  Nancy edited.  I compiled and did layout.  Mother was proud of all of us, and we of her!  Great memories.  Her account begins with this preface:

I have always loved old houses, and so the opportunity to learn a bit of the history of those early Howard Township homes represented here has been truly enjoyable.  The sketches of course are very brief, having been compiled from information gathered from former and current owners, and from the 1877 Howard County Atlas and later Plat Books.  The original owner and date of each home is designated where that information was available.  The current owners are identified in the accounts that follow.

I am grateful to all who shared information.  The conversations with friends and neighbors who added their memories have served to bring the past back to life.  There are so many cherished memories of my own childhood home - the Touby home. 

Virginia Touby Coan

December 2000

Dorothy's wedding 1942, west porch, Touby home

Early Homes of Howard Township

A measure of prosperity and the necessity for more living space for growing families created something of a building boom as landowners began to replace their original log cabins with larger, more comfortable dwellings.  Brick making industries in the area made this building material available, along with the abundance of native hardwoods.

Several of these sturdy historic homes are located in Howard Township and are lovingly cared for by their present owners.  Located on East Sycamore Road (100 North), as it winds its way along the Kokomo Reservoir where the Wildcat Creek once meandered along its course, are some of the finest old homes in Howard County.

Others were built along the Touby Pike, an early "corduroy road" which served as a route into Kokomo for the residents in the northern section of the township.  A few early homes remain near the Cassville area where the earliest known settlers in the township had located and lived among the Miami in their village.

There are of course other historic homes in the area.  Many turn-of-the-century farm homes were built, replacing original log structures.  Several of these would have historic interest, although many have been extensively remodeled and updated to make them more functional for the owners' lifestyles.  All homes speak of their own time and place in the history and development of the area.

David S. Farley

1862

Built of brick made on the farm, the 1862 home of David S. Farley was the first brick house in the township.  Located on Sycamore Road at 3634 East, it was at one time the residence of the Charles Hunter family and later the Clarence Obermeyer family.  In 1979, Keith and Judy Lausch bought the home.  Although no longer living there, the Lausches are the current owners.  There have been several modifications made throughout the years.

James Miller
circa 1862

The James Miller house, thought to have been built about 1862, is located at 4758 East, 100 North.  It is believed that Mr. Miller, farmer and tile factory proprietor, made the bricks for several of the large brick homes in this area.  Now owned and carefully maintained by the Gordon Dell family, this lovely old home stands like a sentinel among others as much as 100 years younger.  Its original shutters and the scrolled canopy above the entrance are still in place.  The surrounding walkway includes many Kokomo bricks.  Beautiful Victorian furnishings throughout the house, along with many family antiques, have made the Dells' home a showcase of the charm of earlier times.

George Miller
1882

Located at 1622 North 400 East is what was, for many years, known as the George Miller home.  The house is believed to have been built by Mr. Miller's father, Joe Miller, who had dropped the first part of the family name, Brunnenmiller, and was known in the community as "Brunno" Miller.  This once sturdy house was built in 1882, the date recorded in the design on the slate roof.  On the opposite side of the roof are the initials "BM."  A single "M" is on the front roof.  Current owners of the house and land are Tom Maher and John E. Maher II.

David Smith

Across from the entrance to Wildcat Creek Reservoir Park, on what was once known as the "Float Section," is the original home of David Smith.  It was at this location that the Vermont Covered Bridge spanned the Wildcat Creek.  The 1877 Howard County Atlas records the first crop of corn in the township was grown on this farm by Jacob Good about 1842.  For many years the farm and home of the Ross Smith family, the house is now owned by John Christenson.  The portico and shutters have been removed from the square brick structure.  Otherwise, it looks essentially as it did many years ago.

Jacob Brunk

circa 1860

The original Jacob Brunk home, later acquired by the James Miller family, and for many years known as the Miller home, is located at 5130 East, 100 North.  According to the 1877 Howard County Atlas, the village of Vermont was originally laid out on this farm.  The home is now owned by the Bob Mickelsons, who have restored it with true sensitivity.  The date is uncertain, but it was probably built in the 1860s.  The spacious L-shaped porch was added sometime after the house was built.  Recent modernization includes an attached garage at the rear of the house.  The grounds are beautifully landscaped.

Passers-by cannot help but notice the Mail Pouch Tobacco advertising sign authentically copied on the barn, certainly reminiscent of by-gone days.

Christopher Collins Willits

1865

The Willits-Kurtz home at 5859 East, 100 North was built in 1865 for the C. C. Willits family.  The farmland, part of which was deeded to Chief Richardville of the Miami Indians, was purchased in 1853.  Designated a "Hoosier Homestead" by the State of Indiana, it has been kept in the family for well over 140 years.  The large, square frame dwelling, with back extension, features an interesting two-door front entrance.  There is no central hall.  The original hall and open stairway were eliminated when the house was remodeled in about 1920.  Each door opens into separate rooms at the front of the house.  Shirley Drew and Don Kurtz, children of Lester T. Kurtz, and great-grandchildren of C. C. Willits, are the current owners of the home and the farmland situated on the south side of the road.  Michael Jackson, great-great-grandson of C. C. Willits, owns the farmland lying on the north side of the road.  There are many fond memories of our family visits in this home with my Aunt Allie and Uncle Harley Kurtz, and our cousins Agnes, Jeanette, and Lester.

D. Markland

1880

The Markland home, built in 1880, is located on road 200 North at 5532 East.  The square, brick structure features a back extension with side door entrance.  The front door opens directly into the living room.  The exterior of the house is essentially unchanged from its original appearance, except for a sun room which was recently added on the east side.  The home and grounds have been beautifully cared for by Joan and Ned Hullinger, who purchased the farm from the Marklands in 1970, after having lived there and farmed the ground since 1943.

James R. Caldwell

Early settlers in the northern sections of Howard Township soon recognized the need for a main route into Kokomo.  Thus, they banded together in the construction of what became known as the Touby Pike, taking its name from pioneer Peter Touby, who was instrumental in its building.  Its many twists and turns reflected the necessity to follow the higher ground in what was in those days a very swampy area.  One of the outstanding homes along this route was that of James R. Caldwell, located at 3246 North Touby Pike.  Constructed of double and triple-thick red brick walls, it certainly speaks of strength and stability.  In 1912, T. W. Underwood purchased the farm and made several changes and additions to the house before his family moved there in about 1915.  Other modernizations followed through the years.  The home is now owned by the Underwoods' grandson, Ronald Schafer.  Recent interior decorating lends a warm, Victorian charm to the home.

Jesse C. Yager

As the Touby Pike reaches 400 North, it turns more directly eastward.  At 250 East, the site of the old flowing well, the Yager-Smith family home can be seen back the lane.  Through family succession, the farm became the home of Bertha (Yager) and Clarence C. Smith and was commonly known as the Smith farm.  Many fond memories are recalled: ice skating on the frozen creek, the summer threshing operation with Mr. Smith's big steam engine, family reunions, and picnics by the well.

The date of the house is uncertain.  A colonial-style front entry with central hall leads to rooms on either side.  The curving stairway to the second floor has been beautifully restored by the current owner, Barry Kratzer, descendant of early Howard Township pioneer, Lewis Kratzer.  Work is continuing on the restoration and modernization of this historic home.

Lawrence M. Yager

circa 1895

Continuing on road 400 North to 2817 East is the lane leading to the home built for Jesse C. Yager's son, Lawrence M. Yager, and his wife Leora Touby Yager.  The date of the house is thought to be about 1895.  The style and plan are so similar to that of the Albert C. Touby house, that is believed to have been built by the same carpenter.  Albert C. Touby and Leora Touby Yager were brother and sister.

There is evidence of the Eastlake influence in the craftsmanship.  The interior woodwork of open grain oak features the carved wheat and bull's eye blocks used trim above the doors and windows.  The porch posts and arched brackets are of a style used in both the Touby and Yager homes as well as others of the period.  Uncle Lawrence and Aunt Leora and their daughter, Mary Belle, were the hosts of many family gatherings in their home.

There have been some minor changes, but essentially the house appears as it originally did more than 100 years ago.  It is now the home of Gary and Kay Yager, both descendants of Jesse C. Yager.

Albert C. Touby

1898

North of the Touby Pike on Road 500 North at 2315 East stands the large frame dweling built by my grandfather, Albert C. Touby, son of Peter and Jane C. Touby.  Built in 1898 of lumber from the farm, it is finished with beautiful golden oak interior woodwork.  An interesting feature of the house was the acetylene gas lighting system which was piped into fittings in the lower floor rooms, quite a convenience for the time.

Upon the retirement of my grandparents, Kate and Albert Touby, my parents, Emmett and Elsie, moved into the big farm house.  Here they raised their family and lovingly cared for the Touby Homestead for many years.  In 1976 the farm was sold to the Stites family and is now the residence of Ronald and Mary Stites.  Some modifications were made, however it still retains a quiet dignity.

The Touby Homestead

This was my home.  It was here I was born and grew to young womanhood with my four sisters Louise, Dorothy, Frances, and Joan.  My father often told of the building of the house and of moving from the log cabin where he was born into their new home when he was ten years old.  Here he grew to manhood, working with his father on the farm.  With the retirement of my grandparents, Kate and Albert Touby, my mother and father moved from the smaller tenant house, which had been built for them at the time of their marriage, into the "big house."  The farm became known as the "Touby Homestead" and their loving care was evident in the attention to the land and the beautifying of the home.  The words of an old song come back to me...How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood...as I think about the woods where we gathered wildflowers, the large pasture where horses and cattle grazed, our pet lambs, the hickory tree beside the creek, Mother's beautiful flowers, carrying water to my father as he worked in the fields, and singing together as we rested on the porch on summer evenings.  These memories will always remain dear to my heart.  The lessons of sharing and caring, for responsibility and good citizenship were learned here with my family.

When each of my sisters and I were married, we chose to have weddings in our home.  And even as we were "settling in" and establishing our own families, this home continued to be the center of celebrations for as long as our parents were able to host the gatherings.  Wonderful Sunday dinners with family and friends, birthdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were all joyful occasions.  We can never go back, but we shall never forget the love that enveloped us in our home.

 Joe Ross

circa 1880

At 300 East, 400 North, the Touby Pike straightens its course past the Kokomo Airport.  Across the road and back the lane on the north is the home once belonging to Joe Ross.  The 1877 Atlas records this tract of land as a part of the farm of G. W. Hooker.  The large brick home may have been built during the time of his ownership, perhaps circa 1880.  The ownership of the farm has changed several times, having for a time been held by Kokomo industrialist Max Gerber, who made some changes and additions to the house.  It is now the residence of the David Schafer family.  Recent restoration of the arched window panes in the second story have added beauty to the facade.

 Edward J. Troyer

circa 1865

Continuing east to Road 450 and turning north onto what is often called the Strawtown Pike, the road borders farms still kept in the families of early pioneers Troyer, Grau, and Metz.  The Edward J. Troyer house at 4585 North is believed to be nearly 130 years old.  It was built by Aaron Sipe, who purchased the land in 1865.  Edward Troyer, Jr. remembered his father telling that the house was moved from back in the field to its present location on the west side of the road after the farm was acquired from the Sipe family in 1905.  A kitchen extension and porches were added at that time.  A huge sycamore tree has grown from what was then a mere sprout and still stands in front of the house.  Jeff and Joe Troyer, great-grandsons of Edward J. Troyer, Sr., now reside in this family home.

Henry Metz

1894

Located at 4141 East on road 500 North is the Henry Metz home.  The house was built in 1894, replacing a log cabin.  For many years the home of the family of Edwin Schafer, son of Henry and Katie (Metz) Schafer, it is now owned by Orval and Sharon Gingerich.  (Sharon was formerly married to Harold Schafer.)  Original windows have been replaced and other changes made to the century-old home.

C. C. Yoder

circa 1880

Just beyond 500 North on 450 East is the stately brick Yoder-Helmuth home.  Acquired by Joseph J. Helmuth in 1906, it has been beautifully maintained through the years.  The house was built in 1880 with many details revealing the finest workmanship of the period.  Examples of Victorian architecture are the ornate exterior cornices above all windows and doors, the scrolled brackets at the roof line, the 9 1/2 foot ceilings with transoms in every room, and the beautiful interior woodwork.

Farmed by J. J. Helmuth's son, Dewey, for many years, it is now the home of Dewey and Mildred Helmuth's daughter, Mary Lou, and her husband, Ronald Rich. 

About the Author

Virginia Touby Coan was born at the Touby home on August 28, 1923.  After graduating from Howard Township High School in 1941, she went on to Ball State Teachers College, majoring in music education.  She married Arthur J. Coan on June 22, 1946.  In February of 1947 they settled on the Locke farm where Virginia's grandparents, George L. Locke and Settie Graf Locke, had begun their lives together many years before.  The farm was named Liberty Grove because of its lush grove of maples and oaks on 160 acres in Liberty Township.  Virginia taught music at Greentown High School, then for many years at Howard Township School, as well as private piano lessons.  Arthur farmed both the Touby and Locke farms.  In 1965, he and Virginia purchased Liberty Grove Farm, which in 1989 was designated a Hoosier Homestead Farm, having been in the family for over 100 years.  Arthur and Virginia are members of Northview Christian Church.  They both take great pleasure in maintaining the family home and grounds.

Arthur and Virginia Coan, Liberty Grove Farm, Locke home