Published: August 23, 2008 08:17 pm      

A grand edifice in Delphi's downtown

In 1858, the south side of the square in Delphi was considerably enhanced by the construction of a grand edifice erected by equally as grand merchants.

In fact, the Delphi Journal remarked thusly, “N. Fletcher, of Wabash, has revived the Gazette. It is very neat in its appearance, and withal spicy. He gives our town the following notice: We were down at Delphi last week. That beautifully located town is improving some this summer. A magnificent courthouse is being erected in the centre of the public square, which will when completed, be one of the handsomest buildings in the state. It was let on contract for thirty-three thousand dollars. The external appearance of the building will be very showy, and unless greatly improved, the houses surrounding the square will appear to great advantage in its presence. One exception, however, we must make, and that is a new block, belonging to Messrs Rinehart, Holt and Martin, now nearly completed, which in style, size and finish, is not surpassed by any town on the Wabash. It will reflect the highest praise on its enterprising and public spirited owners. Such men are public benefactors.”

So who were these “public benefactors”? One of them was Enoch Rinehart, who was born in Hampshire County, Va., Aug. 17, 1815, and made his way north to Lafayette in 1836, and from there to Monticello, then to Canal-Era Delphi in 1839. His coming to Delphi predated the entry of the Canal by one year.

Enoch was county sheriff for two terms, from 1844-1848, and in typical Canal-Era versatility, he threw his lot with George Robertson in paper manufacturing along the canal west of the city. He was also on the committee to bring what became the Monon Railroad (then called the Airline) to Delphi. Much of his time was occupied with various fraternal organizations, such as the Mount Olive Lodge 48, Free and Accepted Masons and the Delphi Lodge, also associated with the Masonic lodge. He was married to Elizabeth F. Parker in Springfield, Va., June 6, 1845, and she passed away three years later. His second marriage was to Isabella Moore, July 14, 1849. To this marriage were born three sons: Edward Moore, William A. and Harry M.

His wife passed away on Dec. 22, 1884, at the rather young age of 53. Besides his entrepreneurial talents, he was known for his grandiose home on Front and Market, which was the site of his funeral upon his death on Nov. 1, 1895, the Rev. James Omelvena officiating. He was laid to rest in the Masonic Cemetery.

The second of this grand triumvirate was Abraham Martin, who was born in Bedford County, Pa., in November 1810. He came to Carroll County in 1834. Abraham was very well known for his fruit nursery in what was then called South Delphi. He was also known for his strong spiritual convictions of the Baptist variety. He passed away Nov. 15, 1898, and his wife followed him on Oct. 25, 1899. One son survived.

Our final merchant of this trio was Vine Holt, whose father, Ziba, came to Carroll County first from Windham, Conn., his birthplace, then from Gallatin County, Ky. Father Ziba was well known as a Revolutionary War hero, serving under Gen. Israel Putnam, then under Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans. Ziba and his wife, Penelope King Holt, came to Carroll County and settled along what is now known as the “Crooked Road to Flora,” or Burlington Pike, and took his rightful place as one of the many landowners and developers of that era and location.

Vine was born in Gallatin County, Ky., Oct. 13, 1813, and came with his father in the fall of 1825. Vine’s initial venture into the business world was his role in constructing the Michigan Road. In 1840, he joined forces with the late Noah Dewey, then with Lewis Martin.

He was also associated with John Brookbank in a tannery as well as a saddle and shoe shop. He was a stockholder with the Toledo, Wabash and St. Louis Railroad.

His first marriage was to Edith Phelps, and upon her death, he was married to Mrs Martha Applegate.

His daughter, Isabella (Bell for short), was married to Benjamin Zelley Strawbridge, who was originally from the Keystone State.

Strawbridge and his father-in-law were in partnership until Oct. 1, 1874, when he left the economic incubator of Delphi, to return to his native state to found a grander emporium known as Strawbridge and Clothier, with Justus Clothier.

The structure known as the “Holt and Rinehart Hall” was used as the very first large concert hall, and later on was outfitted with a skating rink. So this is Delphi’s “Philadelphia Connection.” His granddaughter, Emily Strawbridge Dunn, returned in 1902 to deed over her grandfather’s home on the corner of Wilson and Main to James Shirk.

The home is still standing as a testimony to a grand era of Delphi.

Mark A. Smith is a board member of Carroll County Wabash and Erie Canal Inc.