^^°^ N* . V <^'^ -^^f ; ^ov \^ X- •' o5q* ^Ho. ^Q-n^ \.^' r-^. ^v, .V ^9^ .... -* ^0. \>-" ^..^' 0* ''b. ♦^tt;^*' a : .^^' ^v* ..„ -h. A°t. '^- .^" <-. %•■ A < «5°x. iV^^ '.• .•^^'^. '.• .^' .*. -t^o^ ; .^^-^-j-^ >^« ■9.1 y c '^^.^ V ■S-^.^" HISTORY ELKHART COUNTY INDIANA; TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS CITIES, VILIJVGES AND TOWT^SHIPS, EDU- CATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, CIVIL, MILITARY, AND POLITICAL HISTORY; PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. HISTORY OF INDIANA, EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PREHISTORIC RACES, ABORIGINES, FRENCH, ENGLISH AND AMERICAN CONQUESTS, AND A GENERAL REVIEW OF ITS CIVIL, POLITICAL AND MILITARY HISTORY. ILLUSTRATED. CHICAGO: CHAS. C. CHAPMAN & CO, 1881. BLAKEUT, BROWN * MARSH, PRINTERS, S 157 DEARBORN ST., CHtCAOO. DONOHUE i- HENNEBERRT, BOOKBINDERS, ,09 MADISON STREET., CHICAGO I VREFACE. Hundreds of thousands of fi<.ure. dafP« ,-„-f i How many errors should there be a2lt """^ °''"''-' torical data? For this h 11 ?. . ^''^^ ^ ^"^"'^'^ «*' ^is- accounts of any compHcated eL^ - "^ individual we are all familiar .1^ tie It ,Tt ^r'^''"''^^' ^''' ^^'•^' simple event, will varv in f 1' fV ^'t^^^^es, even to the same we connect hes Ss^J^^'^;^;---^ before a court; and when earliest settlers of tt?poToVof":V!/"'^^;' "^■"^^^' ^'^^ ^^^ their memories of 50 years alo ^ ""' becoming fe^ and an insight into the nkfof ,1 , ^ ^r '"""■ '" °'^=' '-> "I""" tbe townships are arrl^Zr \ ? '^ ?"°" ''^' '»>'nsl.ips, ll,„ are .,„„ i„ t,.e bod, of .he histoj, of relty "" '"""'^ his con^.ienerrL'triV""" "''?"■"' " '="'™"' >>»' i'' lessened or elaborated tITh-T™"'" ■""' """''' "'"? «»""' "^e first seotion o^Jh s w„rt 1 ! ' »"" «n-,;> Nriv> 618 Elkharl e t^uut;. .Juuri..a 618 Light and Shade 620 The Danger of Being a Bachelor. 620 All about Apples 624 How Editors Commune with one Anoth- er 624 A Mlchlganer's Epistle to an Elkhart Girl 624 Delinquent Newspaper Subscribers. 625 CHAPTER XV. :ii> I i~i rhurch ( niliina Conference ( c iimvli ( ^. 11, :ii United Mennonlte ( 111 1 luivcli ( .11,111 t'liurcli ( The Congregational Cliul-eU 639 Kefl's ChurcU G40 The German Methodist Church 6W The Menuonltes .640 CHAPTER XVI. EDUCATIONAL 642 Revenue 644 Address or Prol. Moury 648 TowTishlp Statistics 651 TOWXSHIP HISTORIES AXI> BIOGRAPHIES. lugo. 655 Benton Cleveland 685 Clinton 692 Concord T24~ Elkliart S81 Harrison 9ST Jackson 999 Jefferson 1028 Locke 1041 Mlddlebury 1069 OUve 1101 Osolo 1115 Union ...1128 Washington 1149 York 1171 Noah B. Metzler 1180 IIiI.rSTRATIOKS. Map of Elkhart County 14 & 15 Scene on the Ohio River 25 Hieroglyphics of the Mound-Builders. 29 LaSalle Landing at the Mouth of St. Joseph's River 43 Gen. RogersCIark 63 Gen. Arthur St. Clair 89 Tecumseh 109 Indians Attacking Frontiersmen 123 A Pioneer Dwelling 139 Hunting Prairie Wolves 153 Trapping 169 Pontlac «3 The Shawnee Prophet 195 Lincoln Monument at Springfield S04 Opening an Indiana Forest 435 View on the Wabash River 247 Surrender of Indians to Wilidnson 289 Court-House 329 Old Court-House 419 JaU 609 Elkhart High-School Building 789 Goshen High-School BuUdlng 897 PORTRAITS. Allen.J. W 865 Anderson, Leander 609 Beet)P, Calvin 807 Beyerle,H.J 62T Compton, James 383 Congdon, Dr. J.R 401 Cummins, S. M 915 Dansman, David 437 Davenport, B. L 347 Eckelman, F. C 825 Ellis, Joel 455 Ellls,J.W 473 Evans, T. H '491 Gorman, William B 519 Heatwole, Joel P 529 Hllblsh, Tllman 663 Hlxon, .Solomon Landis 539 Kessler, A. P M9 McDowell, William 559 Me tzger, Jacob 843 MUler, Samuel R 569 Mulholland. JI. D.. John R 949 Myil>. .T'Oi:!-- H 579 N.'-w. 11. N,, lb, ml. 1 689 Kiiliil.ill.li.lli.rih-.. 646 lUpiir\, .J..>rpli 681 Klppry, ,\lattllf-w 1017 Rippey, Mi-s. Matthew 1017 Shaver, John 599 Simonton, David S 861 Smith, Nicholas 1051 Strong, S. S 699 Thompson, David 879 Thompson, JolinE 717 Van Frank, John 73B violett, Jolm H 983 Wernu, C. 1 763 Wright,A. P 771 MAKSHAM- CO, t .1 O S K SURE HISTORY OF INDIANA: FORMER OCCUPANTS. PEEniSTOKIC RACES. Scientists have ascribed to the Moand Builders varied origins^ and though their divergence of opinion may for a time seem incom- patible with a thorough investigation of the subject, and tend to a confusion of ideas, no doubt whatever can exist as to the compar- ative accuracy of conclusions airived at by some of them. Like the vexed question of the Pillar Towers of Ireland, it has caused much speculation, and elicited the opiuioi^s of so many learned antiquarians, ethnologists and travelers, that it will not be found beyond the range of possibility to make deductions that may suffice to solve the problem who were the prehistoric settlers of America. To achieve this it will not be necessary to go beyond the periotl over which Scripture history extends, or to indulge in those airy flights of imagination so sadly identified with occasional writers of even the Christian school, and all the accepted literary exponents of modern paganism. That this continent is co-existent with the world of the ancients cannot be questioned. Every investigation, instituted under the auspices of modern civilization, confirms the fact and leaves no chimnel open through which the skeptic can escape the thorough refutation of his opinions. China, with its numerous living testi- monials of antiquity, with its ancient, though limited literature and its Babelish superstitions, claims a continuous history from antediluvian times; but although its continuity may be denied with every just reason, there is nothing to prevent the transmission of a hieroglyphic record of its history prior to 1656 anno mundi, since many traces of its early settlement survived the Deluge, and became sacred objects of the first historical epoch. This very sur- vival of a record, such as that of which the Chinese boast, is not at variance with the designs of a God who made and ruled the universe ; but that an antediluvian people inhabited this continent. 18 HISTt>RT OF INDIANA. will not be claimed; because it is not probable, tliougli it may be possible, that a settlement in a land which may be considered a portion of the Asiatic continent, was effected bj the immediate followers of the first progenitors of the human race. Therefore, on entering the study of the ancient people who raised these tumu- lus monuments over large tracts of the country, it will be just sufficient to wander back to that time when the flood-gates of heaven were swung open to burl destruction on a wicked world; and in doing so the inquiry must be based on legendary, or rather upon many circumstantial evidences; for, so far as written narra- tive extends, there is nothing to show that a movement of people too far east resulted in a Western settlement. THE FIRST IMMIGRATION. The first and most probable sources in which the origin of the Builders must be sought, are those countries lying along the east- ern coast of Asia, which doubtless at that time stretched far beyond its present limits, and presented a continuous shore from Lopatka to Point Cambodia, holding a population comparatively civilized, and all professing some elementary form of the Boodhism of later days. Those peoples, like the Chinese of the present, were bound to live at home, and probably observed that law until after the con- fusion of languages and the dispersion of the builders of Babel in 1757, A. M. ; but subsequently, within the following century, the old Mongolians, like the new, crossed the great ocean in the very paths taken by the present representatives of the race, arrived on the same shores, which now extend a very questionable hospitality to them, and entered at once upon the colonization of the country south and east, while the Caucasian race engaged in a similar move- ment of exploration and colonization over what may be justly termed the western extension of Asia, and both peoples growing stalwart under the change, attained a moral and physical eminence to which they never could lay claim under the tropical sun which shed its beams upon the cradle of the human race. That mysterious people who, like the Brahmins of to-day, wor- shiped some transitory deity, and in after years, evidently embraced the idealization of Boodhism, as preached in Mongolia early in the 35th century of the world, together with acquiring the learning of the Confucian and Pythagorean schools of the same period, spread all over the land, and in their numerous settlements erected these raths, or mounds, and sacrificial altars whereon they received their HISTORY OF INDIANA. 19 periodical visiting gods, surrendered their bodies to natural absorp- tion or annihilation, and -watched lor the return of some transmi- grated soul, the wliile adoring the universe, which with all beings they believed would be eternally existent. They possessed religious orders corresponding in external show at least with the Essenes or Theraputae of the pre-Christian and Christian epochs, and to the reformed Theraputos or monks of the present. Every memento of their coming and their stay which has descended to us is an evi- dence of their civilized condition. The free copper found within the tumuli ; the open veins of the Superior and Iron Mountain copper-mines, with all the modus opera7idi of ancient raining, such as ladders, levers, chisels, and hammer-heads, discovered by the French explorers of the Northwest and the Mississippi, are conclu- sive proofs that those prehistoric people were highly civilized, and that many flourishing colonies were spread throughout the Missis- sippi valley, while yet the mammoth, the mastodon, and a hundred other animals, now only known by their gigantic fossil remains, guarded the eastern shore of the continent as it were against sup- posed invasions of the Tower Builders who went west from Babel; while yet the beautiful isles of the Antilles formed an integral portion of this continent, long years before the European Northman dreamed of setting forth to the discovery of Greenland and the northern isles, and certainly at a time when all that portion of America north of latitude 45'^ was an ice-incumbered waste. Within the last few years great advances have been made toward the discovery of antiquities whether pertaining to remains of organic or inorganic nature. Together with many small, but telling relics of the early inhabitants of the country, the fossils of pre- historic animals have been unearthed from end to end of the land, and in districts, too, long pronounced by geologists of some repute to be without even a vestige of vertebrate fossils. Among the collected souvenirs of an age about which so very little is known, are twenty-five vertebrae averaging thirteen inches in diameter, and three vertebrjB ossified together measure nine cubical feet; a thigh-bone five feet long by twenty-eight, by twelve inches in diameter, and the shaft fourteen by eight inches thick, the entire lot weighing 600 lbs. These fossils are presumed to belong to the cretaceous period, when the Dinosaur roamed over the country from East to West, desolating the villages of tlie people. This animal is said to have been sixty feet long, and when feeding in cypress and palm forests, to extend himself eighty-five feet, so that he may 20 HISTORY OF INDIANA. devour the budding tops of those great trees. Other efforts in this direction may lead to great results, and culminate probably in the discovery of a tablet engraven by some learned Mound Builder, describing in the ancient hieroglyphics of China all these men and beasts whose history excites so much speculation. The identity of the Mound Builders with the Mongolians might lead us to hope for such a consummation; nor is it beyond the range of probability, particularly in this practical age, to find the future labors of some industrious antiquarian requited by the upheaval of a tablet, written in the Tartar characters of 1700 years ago, bearing on a subject which can now be treated only on a purely circumstantial basis. THE SECOND IMMIGRATION may have begun a few centuries prior to the Christian era, and unlike the former expedition or expeditions, to have traversed north- eastern Asia to its Arctic confines, and then east to the narrow channel now known as Behring's Straits, which they crossed, and sailing up the unchanging Yukon, settled under the shadow of Mount St. Elias for many years, and pushing South commingled with their countrymen, soon acquiring the characteristics of the descendants of the first colonists. Chinese chronicles tell of such a people, who went North and were never heard of more. Circum- stances conspire to render that particular colony the carriers of a new religious faith and of an alphabetic system of a representative character to the old colonists, and they, doubtless, exercised a most beneficial influence in other respects ; because the influx of immi- grants of such culture as were the Chinese, even of that remote period, must necessarily bear very favorable results, not only in bringing in reports of their travels, but also accounts from the fatherland bearing on the latest events. With the idea of a second and important exodus there are many theorists united, one of whom says: "It is now the generally received opinion that the first inhabitants of America passed over from Asia through these straits. The number of small islands lying between both continents renders this opinion still more probable; and it is yet farther confirmed by some remarkable traces, of similarity in the physical conformation of the northern natives of both continents. The Esquimaux of North America, the Samoieds of Asia, and the Laplanders of Europe, are supposed to be of the same family; and this supposition is strengthened by the affinity which exists in their languages. The researches of Hum- HISTORY OF INDIANA. 21 boldt have traced the Mexicans to the vicinity of Behring's Straits; whence it is conjectured that they, as virell as the Peruvians and other tribes, came originally from Asia, and were the Hiongnoos, who are, in the Chinese annals, said to have emigrated under Puno, and to have been lost in the North of Siberia." Since this theory is accepted by most antiquaries, there is every reason to believe that from the discovery of what may be called an overland route to what was then considered an eastern extension of that country which is now known as the " Celestial Empire," many caravans of emigrants passed to their new homes in the land of illimitable possibilities until the way became a well-marked trail over which the Asiatic might travel forward, and having once entered the Elysian fields never entertained an idea of returning. Thus from generation to generation the tide of immigration poured in until the slopes of the Pacific and the banks of the great inland rivers became hives of busy industry. Magnificent cities and monuments were raised at the bidding of the tribal leaders and populous settlements centered with happy villages sprung up everywhere in manifestation of the power and wealth and knowl- edge of the people. The colonizing Caucasian of the historic period walked over this great country on the very ruins of a civil- ization which a thousand years before eclipsed all that of which he could boast. He walked through the wilderness of the "West over buried treasures hidden under the accumulated growth of nature, nor rested until he saw, with great surprise, the remains of ancient pyramids and temples and cities, larger and evidently more beauti- ful than ancient Egypt could bring forth after its long years of uninterrupted history. The pyramids resemble those of Egypt in exterior form, and in some instances are of larger dimensions. The pyramid of Cholula is square, having each side of its base 1,335 feet in length, and its height about 172 feet. Another pyramid? situated in the north of Yera Cruz, is formed of large blocks of highly-polished porphj'ry, and bears upon its front hiero- glyphic inscriptions and curious sculpture. Each side of its square base is 82 feet in length, and a flight of 57 steps conducts to its summit, which is 65 feet in height. The ruins of Palenque are said to extend 20 miles along the ridge of a mountain, and the remains of an Aztec city, near the banks of the river Gila, are spread over more than a square league. Their literature consisted of hieroglyphics; but their arithmetical knowledge did not extend farther than their calculations by the aid of grains of corn. Yet, ^il HISTORY OF INDIANA. notwithstanding all their varied accomplishments, and they were evidently many, their notions of religious duty led to a most demo- niac zeal at once barbarously savage aad ferociously cruel. Each visiting, god instead of bringing new life to the people, brought death to thousands; and their grotesque idols, exposed to drown the senses of the beholders in fear, wrought wretchedness rather than spiritual happiness, until, as some learned and humane Monte- zumian said, the people never approached these idols without fear, and this fear was the great animating principle, the great religions motive power which sustained the terrible religion. Their altars were sprinkled with blood drawn from their own bodies in large quantities, and on them thousands of human victims were sacri- ficed in honor of the demons whom they worshiped. The head and heart of every captive taken in war were oflFered up as a bloody sacrifice to the god of battles, while the victorious legions feasted on the remaining portions of the dead bodies. It has been ascer- tained that during the ceremonies attendant on the consecration of two of their temples, the number of prisoners offered up ia sacri- fice was 12,210; while their own legions contributed voluntary victims to the terrible belief in large numbers. Nor did this horrible custom cease immediately after 1521, when Cortez entered the imperial city of the Montezumas; for, on being driven from it, all his troops who fell into the hands of the native soldiers were subjected to the most terrible and prolonged suffering that could be experienced in this world, and when about to yield up that spirit which is indestructible, were offered in sacrifice, their hearts and heads consecrated, and the victors allowed to feast on the yet warm flesh. A reference is made here to the period when the Montezumas ruled over Mexico, simply to gain a better idea of the hideous idolatry which took the place of the old Boodhism of the Mound Builders, and doubtless helped in a great measure to give victory to the new comers, even as the tenets of Maliometanism urged tl»e ignorant followers of the prophet to the conquest of great nations. It was not the faith of the people who built the mounds and the pyramids and the temples, and who, 200 years before the Christian era, built the great wall of jealous China. No: rather was it that terrible fiuth bora of the Tartar victory, which carried the great defenses of China at the point of the javelin and hatchet, who afterward marched to the very walls of Rome, under Alaric, and HISTORY OF INDIANA. spread over the islands of Polynesia to the Pacific slopes of South America. THE TARTARS came there, and, like the pure Mongols of Mexico and the Missis- sippi valley, rose to a state of civilization bordering on that attained by them. Here for centuries the sons of the tierce Tartar race con- tinued to dwell in comparative peace until tlie all-ruling ambition of empire took in the whole country from the Pacific to the Atlan- tic, and peopled the vast territory watered by the Amazon with a race that was destined to conquer all the peoples of the Orient, and only to fall before the march of the arch-civilizing Caucasian. In course of time those fierce Tartars pushed their settlements northward, and ultimately entered the territories of the Mound Builders, putting to death all who fell within their reach, and causing the survivors of the death-dealing invasion to seek a refuge from the hordes of this semi-barbarous people in the wilds and fast- nesses of the North and Northwest. The beautiful country of the Mound Builders was now in the hands of savage invaders, the quiet, industrious people who raised the temples and pyramids were gone; and tlie wealth of intelligence and industry, accumulating forages, passed into the possession of a rapacious horde, who could admire it only so far as it offered objects for plunder. Even in this the invaders were satisfied, and then having arrived at the height of their ambition, rested on their swords and entered upon the luxury and ease in the enjoyment of which they were found when the van- guard of European civilization appeared upon the scene. Mean- time the southern countries which those adventurers abandoned after having completed their conquests in the North, were soon peopled by hundreds of people, always moving from island to island and ultimately halting amid the ruins of villages deserted by those who, as legends tell, had passed eastward but never returned; and it would scarcely be a matter for surprise if those emigrants were found to be the progenitors of that race found by the Spaniards in 1532, and identical with the Araucanians, Cuenches and Huil- tiches of to-day. RELICS OF THE MOUND BUILDERS. One of the most brilliant and impartial historians of the Republic stated that the valley of the Mississippi contained no monuments. So far as the word is entertained now, he was literally correct, but 24 HISTORY OF INDIANA. in some hasty effort neglected to qualify his sentence by a refer- ence to the numerous relics of antiquity to be found throughout its length and breadth, and so exposed his chapters to criticism. The valley of the Father of Waters, and indeed the country from the trap rocks of the Great Lakes southeast to the Gulf and south- west to Mexico, abound in tell-tale monuments of a race of people much farther advanced in civilization than the Montezumas of the sixteenth century. The remains of walls and fortifications found in Kentucky and Indiana, the earthworks of Vincennes and throughout the valley of the Wabash, the mounds scattered over Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Virginia, and those found in Illi- nois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, are all evidences of the univer- sality of the Chinese Mongols and of their advance toward a com- parative knowledge of man and cosmology. At the mouth of Fourteen-Mile creek, in Clark county, Indiana, there stands one of these old monuments known as the '' Stone Fort." It is an unmistakable heirloom of a great and ancient people, and must have formed one of their most important posts. The State Geolo- gist's report, filed among the records of the State and furnished by Prof. Cox, says: "At the mouth of Fourteen-Mile creek, and about three miles from Charleston, the county-seat of Clark county, there is one of the most remarkable stone fortifications which has ever come under my notice. Accompanied by my assistant, Mr. Borden, and a number of citizens of Charleston, I visited the 'Stone Fort' for the purpose of making an examination of it. The locality selected for this fort presents many natural advantages for making it impregnable to the opposing forces of prehistoric times. It occupies the point of an elevated narrow ridge which faces the Ohio river on the east and is bordered by Fourteen-Mile creek on the west side. This creek empties into the Ohio a short distance below the fort. The top of the ridge is pear-shaped, with the part answering to the neck at the north end. This part is not over twenty feet wide, and is protected by precipitous natural walls of stone. It is 280 feet above the level of the Ohio river, and the slope is very gradual to the south. At the upper field it is 2i0 feet high and one hundred steps wide. At the lower timber it is 120 feet high. The bottom land at the foot of the south end is sixty feet above the river. Along the greater part of the Ohio river front there is an abrupt escarpment rock, entirely too steep to be scaled, and a similar natural barrier exists along a portion of the northwest side of the ridge, facing the creek. This natural wall 4 I ^1 HISTORY OF INDIANA. 27 is joined to the neck of an artificial wall, made by piling up, mason fashion but without mortar, loose stone, which had evidently been pried up from the carboniferous layers of rock. This made wall, at this point, is about 150 feet long. It is built along the slope of the hill and had an elevation of about 75 feet above its base, the upper ten feet being vertical. The inside of the wall is protected by a ditch. The remainder of the hill is protected by an artificial stone wall, built in the same manner, but not more than ten feet high. The elevation of the side wall above the creek bottom is 80 feet. "Within the artificial walla is a string of mounds which rise to the height of the wall, and are protected from the washing of the hill- sides by a ditch 20 feet wide and four feet deep. The position of the artificial walls, natural cliffs of bedded stone, as well as that of the ditch and mounds, are well illustrated. The top of the enclosed ridge embraces ten or twelve acres, and there are as many as five mounds that can be recognized on the flat surface, while no doubt many others existed which have been obliterated by time, and though the agency of man in his efforts to cultivate a portion of the ground. A trench was cut into one of these mounds in search of relics. A few fragments of charcoal and decomposed bones, and a large irregular, diamond-shaped boulder, with a small circular indentation near the middle of the upper part, that was worn quite smooth by the use to which it had been put, and the small pieces of fossil coral, comprised all the articles of note which were revealed by the excavation. The earth of which the mound is made resem- bles that seen on the hillside, and was probably in most part taken from the ditch. The margin next to the ditch was protected by slabs of stone set on edge, and leaning at an angle corresponding to the slope of the mound. This stone shield was two and one-half feet wide and one foot high. At intervals along the great ditch there are channels formed between the mounds that probably served to carry off the surplus water through openings in the outer wall. On the top of the enclosed ridge, and near its narrowest part, there is one mound much larger than any of the others, and so situated as to command an extensive view up and down the Ohio river, as well as affording an unobstructed view east and west. This is designated as ' Look-out Mound.' Tliere is near it a slight break in the cliff of rock, which furnished a narrow passageway to the Ohio river. Though the locality afforded many natural advantages for a fort or stronghold, one is compelled to admit that much skill was displayed and labor expended in making its defense as perfect as possible at JiS HI8T0EY OF INDIANA. all points. Stone axes, pestles, arrow-heads, spear-points, totums, charms and flint flakes have been found in great abundance in plowing the field at the foot of the old fort." From the " Stone Fort " the Professor turns his steps ,to Posey county, at a point on the Wabash, ten miles above the mouth, called "Bone Bank," on account of the number of human bones continually washed out from the river bank. " It is," he states "situated in a bend on the left bank of the river; and the ground is about ten feet above high-water mark, being the only land along this portion of the river that is not submerged in seasons of high water. The bank slopes gradually back from the river to a slough. This slough now seldom contains water, but no doubt at one time it was an arm of the Wabash river, which flowed around the Bone Bank and aff'orded protection to the island home of the Mound Builders. The Wabash has been changing its bed for many years, leaving a broad extent of newly made land on the right shore, and gradually making inroads on the left shore by cutting away the Bone Bank. The stages of growth of land on the right bank of the river are well defined by the cotton wood trees, which increase in size as you go back from the river. Unless there is a change in the cur- rent of the river, all trace of the Bone Bank will be obliterated. Already within the memory of the white inhabitants, the bank has been removed to the width of several hundred yards. As the bank is cut by the current of the river it loses its support, and when the water sinks it tumbles over, carrying with it the bones of the Mound Builders and the cherished articles buried with them. No locality in the country furnishes a greater number and variety of relics than this. It has proved especially' rich in pottery of quaint design and skillful workmanship. I have a number of jugs and pots and a cup found at the Bone Bank. This kind of work has been very abundant, and is still found in such quantities that we are led to conclude that its manufacture formed a leading indus- try of the inhabitants of the Bone Bank. It is not in Europe alone that we find a well-founded claim of high antiquity for the art of making hard and durable stone by a mixture of clay, lime, sand and stone; for I am convinced that this art was possessed by a race of people who inhabited this continent at a period so remote that neither tradition nor history can furnish any account of them. They belonged to the Neolithic, or polished-stone, age. They lived in towns and built mounds for sepulture and worship and pro- tected their homes by surrounding them with walls of earth and HISTORY OF INDIANA. 'ZV stone. In some of these mounds specimens of various kinds of pottery, in a perfect state of preservation, have from time to time been found, and fragments are so common that every student of archasology can have a bountiful supply. Some of these fragments indicate vessels of very great size. At the Saline springs of Gal- latin I picked up fragments that indicated, by their curvature, ves- sels five to six feet in diameter, and it is probable they are frag- ments of artificial stone pans used to hold brine that was manufac- tured into salt by solar evaporation. " Now, all the pottery belonging to the Mound Builders' age, which I have seen, is composed of alluvial clay and sand, or a mix- ture of the former with pulverized fresh- water shells. A paste made of snch a mixture possesses, in high degree, the properties of hydraulic Puzzuoland and Portland cement, so that vessels formed of it hardened without being burned, as is customary with modern pottery." The Professor deals very aptly with this industry of the aborig- ines, and concludes a very able disquisition on the Bone Bank in its relation to the prehistoric builders. niEROGLYPHICS OF THE MOUND-BUILDEES. The great circular redoubt or earth-work found two miles west of the village of New Washington, and the " Stone Fort," on a ridge one mile west of the village of Deputy, offer a subject for theanti- ■ quarian as deeply interesting as any of the monuments of a decayed empire so far discovered. HISTORY OF INDIANA. From end to end of Indiana there are to be found many other rel- ics of the obscure past. Some of them have been unearthed and now appear among the collected antiquities at Indianapolis. The highly finished sandstone pipe, the copper ax, stone axes, flint arrow-heads and magnetic plummets found a few years ago beneath the soil of Cut-Oif Island near New Harmony, together with the pipes of rare workmanship and undoubted age, unearthed near Covington, all live as it were in testimony of their owner's and maker's excel- lence, and hold a share in the evidence of the partial annihilation of a race, with the complete disruption of its manners, customs and industries; and it is possible that when numbers of these relics are placed together, a key to the phonetic or rather hieroglyphic system of that remote period might be evolved. It may be asked what these hieroglyphical characters really are, "Well, they are varied in form, so much so that the pipes found in the mounds of Indians, each bearing a distinct representation of some animal, may be taken for one species, used to represent the abstract ideas of the Mound Builders. The second form consists of pure hieroglyphics or phonetic characters, in which the sound is represented instead of the object; and the third, or painted form of the first, conveys to the mind that which is desired to be repre- sented. This form exists among the Cree Indians of the far North- west, at present. They, when departing from their permanent vil- lages for the distant hunting grounds, paint on the barked trees in the neighborhood the figure of a snake or eagle, or perhaps huskey dog; and this animal is supposed to guard the position until the warrior's return, or welcome any friendly tribes that may arrive there in the interim. In the case of the Mound Builders, it is un- likely that this latter extreme was resorted to, for the simple reason that the relics of their occupation are too high in the ways of art to tolerate such a barbarous science of language; but the sculptured pipes and javelins and spear-heads of the Mound Builders may be taken as a collection of graven images, each conveying a set of ideas easily understood, and perhaps sometimes or more generally used to designate the vocation, name or character of the owner. That the builders possessed an alphabet of a phonetic form, and purely hieroglyphic, can scarcely be questioned; but until one or more of the unearthed tablets, which bore all or even a portion of such characters, are raised from their centuried graves, the mystery which surrounds this people must remain, while we must dwell in a world of mere speculation. HISTOBr OF INDIANA. 31 Vigo, Jasper, Sullivan, Switzerland and Ohio counties can boast of a most liberal endowment in this relation; and when in other days the people will direct a minute inquiry, and penetrate to the very heart of the thousand cones which are scattered throughout the land, they may possibly extract the blood in the shape of metal- lic and porcelain works, with hieroglyphic tablets, while leaving the form of heart and body complete to entertain and delight un- born generations, who in their time will wonder much when they learn that an American people, living toward the close of the 59th century, could possibly indulge in such an anachronism as is im- plied in the term "New "World." THE INDIANS. The origin of the Red Men, or American Indians, is a subject which interests as well as instructs. It is a favorite with the eth- nologist, even as it is one of deep concern to the ordinary reader. A review of two works lately published on the origin of the Indians treats the matter in a peculiarly reasonable light. It says: " Recently a German writer has put forward one theoiy on the subject, and an English writer has put forward another and directly opposite theory. Tiie difference of opinion concerning our aborig- inals among authors who have made a profound study of races is at once curious and interesting. Elumenbach treats them in his classifications as a distinct variety of the human family; but, in the threefold division of Dr. Latham, they are ranked among the Mon- golidse. Other writers on race regard them as a branch of the great Mongolian family, which at a distant period found its way from Asia to this continent, and remained here for centuries separate from the rest of mankind, passing, meanwhile, through divers phases of barbarism and civilization. Morton, our eminent eth- nologist, and his followers, Nott and Gliddon, claim for our native Red Men an origin as distinct as the flora and fauna of this conti- nent. Prichard, whose views are apt to difler from Morton's, finds reason to believe, on comparing the American tribes together, that they must have formed a separate department of nations from the earliest period of the world. The era of their existence as a distinct and insulated people must probably be dated back to the time which separated into nations the inhabitants of the Old World, and five to each its individuality and primitive language. Dr. Robert rown, the latest authority, attributes, in his " Races of Mankind," an Asiatic origin to our aboriginals. He says that the Western In- dians not only personally resemble their nearest neighbors — the Northeastern Asiatics — but they resemble them in language and traditions. The Esquimaux on the American and the Tchuktchis on the Asiatic side understand one another perfectly. Modern an- az HISTORY OF INDIANA. thropologists, indeed, are disposed to think tliat Japan, the Kuriles, and neighboring regions, may be regarded as the original home of the greater part of the native American race. It is also admitted by them that between the tribes scattered from the Arctic sea to Cape Horn there is more uniformity of physical features than is seen in any other quarter of the globe. The weight of evidence and authority is altogether in favor of the opinion that our so- called Indians are a branch of the Mongolian family, and all addi- tional researches strengthen the opinion. The tribes of both North and South America are unquestionably homogeneous, and, in all likelihood, had their origin in Asia, though they have been altered and modified by thousands of years of total separation from the parent stock." The conclusions arrived at by the reviewer at that time, though safe, are too general to lead the reader to form any definite idea on the subject. No doubt whatever can exist, when the American In- dian is regarded as of an Asiatic origin; but there is nothing in the works or even in the review, to which these works were subjected, which might account for the vast difference in manner and form between the Red Man, as he is now known, or even as he appeared to Columbus and his successors in the field of discovery, and the comparatively civilized inhabitants of Mexico, as seen in 1521 by Cortez, and of Peru, as witnessed by Pizarro in 1532. The fact is that the pure bred Indian of the present is descended directly from the earliest inhabitants, or in other words from the survivors of that people who, on being driven from their fair possessions, re- tired to the wilderness in sorrow and reared up their children under the saddening influences of their unquenchable griefs, bequeathing them only the habits of the wild, cloud-roofed home of their de- clining years, a sullen silence, and a rude moral code. In after years these wild sons of the forest and prairie grew in numbers and in strength. Some legend told them of their present sufferings, of the station which their fathers once had known, and of the riotous race which now reveled in wealth which should be theirs. The fierce passions of the savage were aroused, and uniting their scat- tered bands marched in silence upon the villages of the Tartars, driving them onward to the capital of their lucas, and consigning their homes to the flames. Once in view of the great city, the hurrying bands halted in surprise; but Tartar cunning took in the situation and offered pledges of amity, which were sacredly ob- served. Henceforth Mexico was open to the Indians, bearing pre- cisely the same relation to them that the Hudson's Bay Company's HISTORY OF INDIANA. ^3 villages do to the Northwestern Indians of the present; obtaining all, and bestowing very little. The subjection of the Mongolian race represented in North America by that branch of it to which the Tartars belonged, represented in the Southern portion of the con- tinent, seems to have taken place some five centuries before the advent of the European, while it may be concluded that the war of the races which resulted in reducing the villages erected by the Tartar hordes to ruin took place between one and two hundred years later. These statements, though actually referring to events which in point of time are comparatively modern, can only be sub- stantiated by the facts that, about the periods mentioned the dead bodies of an unknown race of men were washed ashore on the Eu- ropean coasts, while previous to that time there is no account whatever in European annals of even a vestige of trans-Atlantic hu- manity being transferred by ocean currents to the gaze of a won- dering people. Towards the latter half ot the loth century two dead bodies entirely free from decomposition, and corresponding with the Ked Men as they afterward appeared to Columbus, were cast on the shores of the Azores, and confirmed Columbus in his be- lief in the existence of a western world and western people. Storm and flood and disease have created sad havoc in the ranks of the Indian since the occupation of the country by the white man. These natural causes have conspired to decimate the race even more than the advance of civilization, which seems not to aflect it to any material extent. In its maintenance of the same number of rep- resentatives during three centuries, and its existence in the very face of a most unceremonious, and, whenever necessary, cruel con- quest, the grand dispensations of the unseen Ruler of the universe is demonstrated; for, without the aborigines, savage and treach- erous as they were, it is possible that the explorers of former times would have so many natural difficulties to contend with, that their work would be surrendered in despair, and the most fertile regions of the continent saved for the plowshares of generations yet un- born. It is questionable whether we owe the discovery of this con- tinent to the unaided scientific knowledge of Columbus, or to the dead bodies of the two Indians referred to above; nor can their ser- vices to the explorers of ancient and modern times be over-esti- mated. Their existence is embraced in the plan of the Divinity for the government of the world, and it will not form subject for surprise to learn that the same intelligence which sent a thrill of liberty into every corner of the republic, will, in the near future. 3i HISTORY OF INDIANA. devise some method under which the remnant of a great and an- cient race maj taste the sweets of public kindness, and feel that, after centuries of turmoil and tyranny, they have at last found a shelter amid a sympathizing people. Many have looked at the In- dian as the pessimist does at all things; they say that he was never formidable until the white man supplied him with the weapons of modern warfare; but there is no mention made of his eviction from his retired home, and the little plot of cultivated garden which formed the nucleus of a village that, if fostered instead of being destroyed, might possibly hold an Indian population of some im- portance in the economy of the nation. There is no intention what- ever to maintain that the occupation of this country b}' the favored races is wrong even in principle; for where any obstacle to advanc- ing civilization exists, it has to fall to the ground; but it may be said, with some truth, that the white man, instead of a policy of conciliation formed upon the power of kindness, indulged in bel- ligerency as impolitic as it was unjust. A. modern writer says, when speaking of tiie Indian's character: "He did not exhibit that steady valor and efficient discipline of the American soldier; and to-day on the plains Sheridan's troopers would not hesitate to attack the bravest band, though outnumbered three to one." This piece of information applies to the European and African, as well as to the Indian. The American soldier, and particularly the troopers referred to, would not fear or shrink from a very legion of demons, even with odds against thein. This mode of warfare seems strangely peculiar when compared with the military systems of civilized countries; yet, since the main object of armed men is to defend a country or a principle, and to destroy anything which may oppose itself to them, the mode of warfare pursued by the savage will be found admirably adapted to their requirements in this con- nection, and will doubtless compare favorably with the systems of the Afghans and Persians of the present, and the Caucasian people of the first historic period. MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. The art of hunting not only supplied the Indian with food, but, like that of war, was a means of gratifying his love of distinction. The male children, as soon as they acquired sufficient age and strength, were furnished with a bow and arrow and taught to shoot birds and other small game. Success in killing a large quadruped required years of careful study and practice, and the art was as HISTORY OF INDIANA. 35 sedulously inculcated in the minds of the rising generation as are the elements of reading, writing and arithmetic in the common schools of civilized communities. The mazes of the forest and the dense, tall grass of the prairies were the best fields for the exercise of the hunter's skill. No feet could be impressed in the yielding soil but that the tracks were the objects of the most searching scrutiny, and revealed at a glance the animal that made them, the direction it was pursuing, and the time that had elapsed since it had passed. In a forest country he selected the valleys, because they were most frequently the resort of game. The most easily taken, perhaps, of all the animals of the chase was the deer. It is endowed with a curiosity which prompts it to stop in its ilight and look back at the approaching hunter, who always avails himself of this opportunity to let fly the fatal arrow. Their general councils were composed of the chiefs and old men. When in council, they usually sat in concentric circles around the speaker, and each individual, notwithstanding the fiery passions that rankled within, preserved an exterior as immovable as if cast in bronze. Before commencing business a person appeared with the sacred pipe, and another with fire to kindle it. After being lighted it was first presented to heaven, secondly to the earth, thirdly to the presiding spirit, and lastly the several councilors, each of whom took a whiflf. These formalities were observed with as close exactness as state etiquette in civilized courts. The dwellings of the Indians were of the simplest and rudest character. On some pleasant spot by the bank of a river, or near an ever-running spring, they raised their groups of wigwams, con- structed of the bark of trees, and easily taken down and removed to another spot. The dwelling-places of the chiefs were sometimes more spacious, and constructed with greater care, but of the same materials. Skins taken in the chase served them for repose. Though principally dependent upon hunting and fishing, the uncertain supply from those sources led them to cultivate small patches of corn. Every family did everything necessary within itself, commerce, or an interchange of articles, being almost unknown to them. In cases of dispute and dissension, each Indian relied upon himself for retaliation. Blood for blood was the rule, and the relatives of the slain man were bound to obtain bloody' revenge for his death. This principle gave rise, as a matter of course, to innumerable and bitter feuds, and wars of extermination where such were possible. War, indeed, rather than peace, was the Indian's Ob HISTORY OF INDIANA. glory and delight, — war, not conducted as civilization, but war where individual skill, endurance, gallantry and cruelty were prime requisites. For such a purpose as revenge the Indian would make great sacrifices, and display a patience and perseverance truly heroic; but when the excitement was over, he sank back into a listless, un- occupied, well-nigh useless savage. During the intervals of his more exciting pursuits, the Indian employed his time in decorating his person with all the refinement of paint and feathers, and in the manufacture of his arms and of canoes. These were constructed of bark, and so light that they could easily be carried on the shoulder from stream to stream. His amusements wore the war-dance, ath- letic games, the narration of his exploits, and listening to the ora- tory of the chiefs; but during long periods of such existence he remained in a state of torpor, gazing listlessly upon the trees of the forests and the clouds that sailed above them ; and this vacancy imprinted an habitual gravity, and even melancholy, upon his gen- eral deportment. The mam labor and drudgery of Indian communities fell upon the women. The planting, tending and gathering of the crops, making mats and baskets, carrying burdens, — in fact, all things of the kind were performed by them, thus making their condition but little better than that of slaves. Marriage was merely a matter of bargain and sale, the husband giving presents to the father of the bride. In general they had but few children. They were sub- jected to many and severe attacks of sickness, and at times famine and pestilence swept away whole tribes. EXPLORATIONS BY THE WHITES. EARLIEST EXPLOKEKS. The State of Indiana is bounded on the east by the meridian line ■which forms also the western boundary of Ohio, extending due north from the mouth of the Great Miami river; on the south by the Ohio river from the mouth of the Great Miami to the mouth of the Wabash; on the west by aline drawn along the middle of the Wabash river from its mouth to a point where a due north line from the town of Vincennes would last touch the shore of said river, and thence directly north to Lake Michigan; and on the north by said lake and an east and west line ten miles north of the ex- treme south end of the lake, and extending to its intersection with the aforesaid meridian, the west boundary of Ohio. These bound- aries include an area of 33,809 square miles, lying between 37° 47' and 41° 50' north latitude, and between 7° 45' and 11° 1' west longitude from Washington. After the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, more than 150 years passed away before any portion of the territory now com- prised within the above limits was explored by Europeans. Colo- nies were established in Florida, Virginia and Nova Scotia by the principal rival governments of Europe, but not until about 1670-'2 did the first white travelers venture as far into the Northwest as Indiana or Lake Michigan. These explorers were Frenchmen by the names of Claude AUuuez and Claude Dablon, who then visited what is now the eastern part of Wisconsin, the northeastern portion of Illinois and probably that portion of this State north of the Kan- kakee river. In the following year M. Joliet, an agent of the French Colonial government, and James Marquette, a good and simple-hearted missionary who had his station at Mackinaw, ex- plored the country about Green Bay, and along Fox and Wiscon- sin rivers as far westward as the Mississippi, the banks of which they reached June 17, 1673. They descended this river to about 33° 40', but returned by way of the Illinois river and the route they came in the Lake Region. At a village among the Illinois In- dians, Marquette and his small band of adventurers were received (37) 0» HISTORY OF INDIANA. in a friendly manner and treated hospitably. They were made the honored guests at a great feast, where hominy, fish, dog meat and roast buffalo meat were spread before them in great abundance. In 1682 LaSalle explored the West, but it is not known that he entered the region now embraced within the State of Indiana. He took formal possession, however, of all the Mississippi region in the name of the King of France, in whose honor he gave all this Mis- sissippi region, including what is now Indiana, the name " Louisi- ana." Spain at the same time laid claim to all the region about the Gulf of Mexico, and thus these two great nations were brought into collision. But the country was actually held and occupied by the great Miami confederacy of Indians, the Miamis proper (an- ciently the Twightwees) being the eastern and most powerful tribe. Their territory extended strictly from the Scioto river west to the Illinois river. Their villages were few and scattering, and their occupation was scarcely dense enough to maintain itself against in- vasion. Their settlements were occasionally visited by Christian missionaries, fur traders and adventurers, but no body of white men made any settlement sufficiently permanent for a title to national possession. Christian zeal animated France and England in mis- sionary enterprise, the former in the interests of Catholicism and the latter in the interests of Protestantism. Hence their haste to preoccupy the land and proselyte the aborigines. No doubt this ugly rivalry was often seen by Indians, and they refused to be proselyted to either branch of Christianity. The " Five Nations," farther east, comprised the Mohawks, Oneidas, Cayugas, Onondaguas and Senecas. In 1677 the number of warriors in this confederacy was 2,150. About 1711 the Tusca- roras retired from Carolina and joined the Iroquois, or Five Na- tions, which, after that event, became known as the " Six Nations." In 1689 hostilities broke out between the Five Nations and the colonists of Canada, and the almost constant wars in which France was engaged until the treaty of Ryswick in 1697 combined to check the grasping policy of Louis XIV., and to retard the plant- ing of French colonies in the Mississippi valley. Missionary eftbrts, however, continued with more failure than success, the Jesuits allying themselves with the Indians in habits and customs, even encouraging inter-marriage between them and their white fol- lowers. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 6V OCABACHE. The Wabash was first named by the French, and spelled by them Ouabache. This river was known even before the Ohio, and was navigated as the Ouabache all the way to the Mississippi a long time before it was discovered that it was a tributary of the Ohio (Belle Riviere). In navigating the Mississippi they thought they passed the mouth of the Ouabache instead of the Oliio. In traveling from the Great Lakes to the south, the French always went by the way of the Ouabache or Illinois. VINCENNES. Francois Morgan de Vinsenne served in Canada as early as 1720 in the regiment of " De Carrignan " of the French service, and again on the lakes in the vicinity of Sault Ste. Marie in the same service under M. de Vaudriel, in 1725. It is possible that his ad- vent to Vincennes may have taken place in 1732; and in proof of this the only record is an act of sale under the joint names of him- self and Madame Vinsenne, the daughter of M. Philip Longprie, and dated Jan. 5, 1735. This document gives his military position as commandant of the post of Ouabache in the service of the French King. The will of Longprie, dated March 10, same year, bequeaths him, among other things, 40S pounds of pork, which he ordered to be kept safe until Vinsenne, who was then at Ouabache, returned to Kaskaskia. There are many other documents connected with its early settle- ment by Vinsenne, among which is a receipt for the 100 pistoles granted him as his wife's marriage dowry. In 1736 this officer was ordered to Charlevoix by D'Artagette, viceroy of the King at New Orleans, and commandant of Illinois. Here M. St. Vinsenne re- ceived his mortal wounds. The event is chronicled as follows, in the words of D'Artagette: " We have just received very bad news from Louisiana, and our war with the Chickasaws. The French have been defeated. Among the slain is M. de Vinsenne, who ceased not until his last breath to exhort his men to behave worthy of their faith and fatherland." Thus closed the career of this gallant officer, leaving a name which holds as a remembrancer the present beautiful town of Vin- cennes, changed from Vinsenne to its present orthography in 1749. Post Vincennes was settled as early as 1710 or 1711. In a letter from Father Marest to Father Germon, dated at Kaskaskia, Nov. 9, 1712, occurs this passage: "Zes Francois itoient itahli un fort sur 40 mSTORT OF INDIANA. lefleuve Ouahache / ila demanderent U7i. missionaire / et le Pere Mermet leur fut envoye. Ce Pere crut devoir travailler a la conversion des Mascoutens qui avoient fait itn village sur les bords duineme Jleuve. Cest une nation Indians qui entend la langue lUinoise." Translated: " The French have established a fort upon the river Wabash, and want a missionary; and Father Mermet has been sent to them. That Father believes he should labor for the conversion of the Mascoutens, who have built a vil- lage on the banks of the same river. They are a nation of Indians who understand the language of the Illinois." Mermet was therefore the first preacher of Christianity in this part of the world, and his mission was to convert the Mascoutens, a branch of the Miamis. "The way I took," says he, " was to con- found, in the presence of the whole tribe, one of these charlatans [medicine men], whose Manitou, or great spirit which he wor- shiped, was the buffalo. After leading him on insensibly to the avowal that it was not the buflFalo that he worshiped, but the Man- itou,. or spirit, of the buffalo, which was under the earth and ani- mated all buffaloes, which heals the sick and has all power, I asked him whether other beasts, the bear for instance, and which one of his natiou worshiped, was not equally inhabited by a Manitou, which was under the earth. ' "Without doubt,' said the grand medi- cine man. ' If this is so,' said I, ' men ought to have a Manitou who inhabits them.' ' Nothing more certain,' said he. ' Ought not that to convince you,' continued I, ' that you are not very reasonable? For if man upon the earth is the master of all animals, if he kills them, if he eats them, does it not follow that the Mani- tou which inhabits him must have a mastery over all other Mani- tous? Why then do you not invoke him instead of the Manitou of the bear and the buffalo, when you are sick?' This reasoning disconcerted the charlatan. But this was all the effect it produced." The result of convincing these heathen by logic, as is generally the case the world over, was only a temporary logical victory, and no change whatever was produced in the professions and practices of the Indians. But the first Christian (Catholic) missionary at this place whose name we find recorded in the Church annals, was Meurin, in 1849. The church building used by these early missionaries at Yin- cennes is thus described by the " oldest inhabitants:" Fronting on Water street and running back on Church street, it was a plain HISTOET OF INDIANA. 41 building with a rough exterior, of upright posts, chinked and daubed, with a rough coat of cement on the outside; about 20 feet wide and 60 long; one story high, with a small belfry and an equally email bell. It was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. This spot is now occupied by a splendid cathedral. Vincennes has ever been a stronghold of Catholicism. The Church there has educated and sent out many clergymen of her faith, some of whom have become bishops, or attained other high positions in ecclesiastical authority. Almost contemporaneous with the progress of the Church at Vincennes was a missionary work near the mouth of the Wea river, among the Ouiatenons, but the settlement there was broken up in early day. NATIONAL POLICIES. THE GREAT FEENOH SCHEME. Soon after the discovery of the mouth of the Mississippi by La- Salle in 1682, the government of France began to encourage the policy of establishing a line of trading posts and missionary stations extending through the West from Canada to Louisiana, and this policy was maintained, with partial success, for about 75 years. The traders persisted in importing whisky, which cancelled nearly every civilizing iniiuence that could be brought to bear upon the Indian, and the vast distances between posts prevented that strength which can be enjoyed only by close and convenient inter- communication. Another characteristic of Indian nature was to listen attentively to all the missionary said, pretending to believe all he preached, and then offer in turn his theory of the world, of religion, etc., and because he was not listened to with the same degree of attention and pretense of belief, would go off disgusted. This was his idea of the golden rule. The river St. Joseph of Lake Michigan was called " the river Miamis" in 1679, in which year LaSalle built a small fort on its bank, near the lake shore. The principal station of the mission for the instruction of the Miamis was established on the borders of this river. The first French post within the territory of the Miamis was at the mouth of the river Miamis, on an eminence naturally fortified on two sides by the river, and on one side by a 42 HISTORY OF INDIANA. deep ditch made by a fall of water. It was of triangular form. The missionary Hennepin gives a good description of it, as he was one of the company who built it, in 1679. Says he: " We fell the trees that were on the top of the hill; and having cleared the same from bushes for about two musket shot, we began to build a redoubt of 80 feet long and -iO feet broad, with great square pieces of timber laid one upon another, and prepared a great number of stakes of about 25 feet long to drive into the ground, to make our fort more inaccessible on the riverside. "We employed the whole month of November about that work, which was very hard, though we had no other food but the bear's flesh our savage killed. These beasts are very common in that place because of the great quantity of grapes they find there; but their flesh being too fat and luscious, our men began to be weary of it and desired leave to go a hunting to kill some wild goats. M. LaSalle denied them that liberty, which caused some murmurs among them; and it was but unwill- ingly that they continued their work. This, together with the approach of winter and the apprehension that M. LaSalle had that his vessel (the Griffin) was lost, made him very melancholy, though he concealed it as much as he could. We made a cabin wherein we performed divine service every Sunday, and Father Gal)riel and I, who preached alternately, took care to take such texts as were suitable to our pre>:ent circumstances and fit to inspire us with courage, concord and brotherly love. * * * The fort was at last perfected, and called Fort Miamis." In the year 1711 the missionary Chardon, who was said to be very zealous and apt in the acquisition of languages, had a station on the St. Joseph about 60 miles above the mouth. Charlevoix, another distinguished missionary from France, visited a post on this river in 1721. In a letter dated at the place, Aug. 16, he says: " There is a commandant here, with a small garrison. His house, which is but a very sorry one, is called the fort, from its being sur- rounded with an indiflferent palisado, which is pretty near the case in all the rest. We have here two villages of Indians, one of the Miamis and the other of the Pottawatomies, both of them mostly Christians; but as they have been for a long time without any pas- tors, the missionary who has been lately sent to them will have no small difficulty in bringing them back to the exercise of their re. ligion." He speaks also of the main commodity for which the In, dians would part with their goods, namely, spirituous liquors, which they drink and keep drunk upon as long as a supply lasted. HISTORY OF INDIANA. More than a century and a half has now passed since Charlevoix penned the above, without any change whatever in this trait of In- dian character. In 1765 the Miami nation, or confederacy, was composed of fonr tribes, whose total number of warriors was estimated at only 1,050 men. Of these about 250 were Twightwees, or Miamis proper, 300 Weas, or Ouiatenons,300 Piankeshaws and 200 Shockeys; and at this time the principal villages of the Twightwees were situated about the head of the Maumee river at and near the place where Fort Wayne now is. The larger Wea villages were near the banks of the Wabash river, in the vicinity of the Post Ouiatenon; and the Shockeys and Piankeshaws dwelt on the banks of the Vermil- lion and on the borders of the Wabash between Vincennes and Ouiatenon. Branches of the Pottawatomie, Shawnee, Delaware and Kickapoo tribes were permitted at different times to enter within the boundaries of the Miamis and reside for a while. The wars in which France and England were engaged, from 1688 to 1697, retarded the growth of the colonies of those nations in North America, and the efforts made by France to connect Canada and the Gulf of Mexico by a chain of trading posts and colonies naturally excited the jealousy of England and gradually laid the foundation for a struggle at arms. After several stations were estab- lished elsewhere in the West, trading posts were started at the Miami villages, which stood at the head of the Maumee, at the Wea villages about Ouiatenon on the Wabash, and at the Piankeshaw vil- lages about the present sight of Vincennes. It is probable that before the close of the year 1719, temporary trading posts were erected at the sites of Fort Wayne, Ouiatenon and Vincennes. These points were probably often visited by French fur traders prior to 1700. In the meanwhile the English people in this country commenced also to establish military posts west of the Alleghanies, and thus matters went on until they naturally culminated in a general war, which, being waged by the French and Indians combined on one side, was called " the French and Indian war." This war was terminated in 1763 by a treaty at Paris, by which France ceded to Great Britain all of North America east of the Mississippi except New Orleans and the island on which it is situated; and indeed, France had the preceding autumn, by a secret convention, ceded to Spain all the country west of that river. 46 HISTOKT OF INDIAJIA. PONTIAC'S WAK. In 1762, after Canada and its dependencies had been snrrendered to the English, Pontiac and his partisans secretly organized a pow- erful confederacy in order to crush at one blow all English power in the "West. This great scheme was skillfully projected and cau- tiously matured. The principal act in the programme was to gain admittance into the fort at Detroit, on pretense of a friendly -visit, with short- ened muskets concealed nuder their blankets, and on a given signal suddenly break forth upon the garrison; but an inadvertent remark of an Indian woman led to a discovery of the plot, which was con- sequently averted. Pontiac and his warriors afterward made many attacks upon the English, some of which were successful, but the Indians were finally defeated in the general war. BRITISH POLICY. In 1765 the total number of French families within the limits of the Northwestern Territory did not probably exceed 600. These were in settlements about Detroit, along the river Wabash and the neio-hborhood of Fort Chartres on the Mississippi. Of these fami- lies, about 80 or 90 resided at Post Vincennes, li at Fort Ouiate- non, on the Wabash, and nine or ten at the confluence of the St. Mary and St. Joseph rivers. The colonial policy ofthe British government opposed any meas- ures which might strengthen settlements in the interior of this country, lest they become self-supporting and independent of the mother country; hence the early and rapid settlement of the North- western territory was still further retarded by the short-sighted selfishness of England. That fatal policy consisted mainly in hold- ing the land in the hands of the government and not allowing it to be subdivided and sold to settlers. But in spite of all her efibrts in this direction, she constantly made just such efforts as provoked the American people to rebel, and to rebel successfully, which was within 15 years after the perfect close of the French and Indian war. AMERICAN POLICY. Thomas Jefferson, the shrewd statesman and wise Governor of Yirginia, saw from the first that actual occupation of "Western lands was the only way to keep them out of the hands of foreigners and HISTOET OF INDIANA. 47 Indians. Therefore, directly after the conquest of Vincennes by Clark, he engaged a scientific corps to proceed under an escort to the Mississippi, and ascertain by celestial observations the point on that river intersected by latitude 36° 30', the southern limit of the State, and to measure its distance to the Ohio. To Gen. Clark was entrusted the conduct of the military operations in that quar- ter. He was instructed to select a strong position near that point and establish there a fort and garrison ; thence to extend his conquests northward to the lakes, erecting forts at different points, which might serve as monuments of actual possession, besides affording protection to that portion of the country. Fort "Jefferson" was erected and garrisoned on the Mississippi a few miles above the southern limit. The result of these operations was the addition, to the chartered limits of Virginia, of that immense region known as the " North- western Territory." The simple fact that such and such forts were established by the Americans in this vast region convinced the Brit- ish Commissioners that we had entitled ourselves to the land. But where are those " monuments " of our power now? INDIAN SAVAGEKT. As a striking example of the inhuman treatment which the early Indians were capable of giving white people, we quote the follow ing blood-curdling story from Mr. Cox' " EecoUections of the Wabash Valley": On the 11th of February, 1781, a wagoner named Irvin Hinton was sent from the block-house at Louisville, Ky., to Harrodsburg for a load of provisions for the fort. Two young men, Richard Ene and George Holman, aged respectively 19 and 16 years, were sent as guards to protect the wagon from the depredations of any hostile Indians who might be lurking in the cane-brakes or ravines through which they must pass. Soon after their start a severe snow-storm set in which lasted until afternoon. Lest the melting snow might dampen the powder in their rifles, the guards fired them off, intending to reload them as soon as the storm ceased. Hinton drove the horses while Rue walked a few rods ahead and Holman about the same distance behind. As they ascended a hill about eight miles from Louisville Hinton heard some one say Whoa to the horses. Supposing that something was wrong about the wagon, he stopped and asked Holman why he had called him to bait. Holman said that he had not spoken; Rue also denied it, 48 HISTORY OF INDIANA. but said that he had heard the voice distinctly. At this time a voice cried out, " I will solve the mystery for you ; it was Simon Girty that cried Whoa, and he meant what he said," — at the same time emerg- ing from a sink-hole a few rods from the roadside, followed by 13 Indians, who immediately surrounded the three Kentuckians and demanded them to surrender or die instantly. The little party, making a virtue of necessity, surrendered to this renegade white man and his Indian allies. Being so near two forts, Girty made all possible speed in making fast his prisoners, selecting the lines and other parts of the harness, he prepared for an immediate flight across the Ohio. The panta- loons of the prisoners were cut off about four inches above the knees, and thus they started through the deep snow as fast as the horses could trot, leaving the wagon, containing a few empty bar- rels, standing in the road. They continued their march for sev- eral cold days, without fire at night, until they reached Wa-puc-ca- nat-ta, where they compelled their prisoners to run the gauntlet as they entered the village. Hinton first ran the gauntlet and reached the council-house after receiving several severe blows upon the head and shoulders. Eue next ran between the lines, pursued by an Indian with an uplifted tomahawk. He far outstripped his pursuer and dodged most of the blows aimed at him. Holman complaining that it was too severe a test for a worn-out stripling like himself, was allowed to run between two lines of squaws and boys, and was followed by an Indian with a long switch. The first council of the Indians did not dispose of these J'oung men; they were waiting for the presence of other chiefs and war- riors. Hinton escaped, but on the afternoon of the second day he was re-captured. Now the Indians were glad that they had an occasion to indulge in the infernal joy of burning him at once. Soon after their supper, which they shared with their victim, they drove the stake into the ground, piled up the fagots in a circle around it, stripped and blackened the prisoner, tied him to the stake, and applied the torch. It was a slow fire. The war-whoop then thrilled through the dark surrounding forest like the chorus of a band of infernal spirits escaped from pandemonium, and the scalp dance was struck up by those demons in human shape, who for hours encircled their victim, brandishing their tomahawks and war clubs, and venting their execrations upon the helpless sufferer, who died about midnight from the eifects of the slow heat. As soon as he fell upon the ground, the Indian who first discovered HISTORY OF INDIANA. 49 him in the woods that evening sprang in, sunk his tomahawk into his skull above the ear, and with his knife stripped off the scalp, which he bore back with him to the town as a trophy, and which was tauntingly thrust into the faces of Rue and Holman, with the question, " Can you smell the fire on the scalp of your red-headed friend? We cooked him and left him for the wolves to make a breakfast upon; that is the way we serve runaway prisoners." After a march of three days more, the prisoners, Rue and Hol- man, had to run the gauntlets again, and barely got through with their lives. It was decided that they should both be burned at the stake that night, though this decision was far from being unani- mous. The necessary preparations were made, dry sticks and brush were gathered and piled around two stakes, the faces and hands of the doomed men were blackened in the customary manner, and as the evening approached the poor wretches sat look- ing upon the setting sun for the last time. An unusual excitement was manifest in a number of chiefs who still lingered about the council-house. At a pause in the contention, a noble-looking In- dian approached the prisoners, and after speaking a few words to the guards, took Holman by the hand,- lifted him to his feet, cut the cords that bound him to his fellow prisoners, removed the black from his face and hands, put his hand kindly upon his head and said: " I adopt you as my son, to fill the place of the one I have lately buried ; you are now a kinsman of Logan, the white man's friend, as he has been called, but who has lately proven himself to be a terrible avenger of the wrongs inflicted upon him by the bloody Cresap and his men." "With evident reluctance, Girty interpreted this to Hol- man, who was thus unexpectedly freed. But the preparations for the burning of Rue went on. Holman and Rue embraced each other most affectionately, with a sorrow too deep for description. Rue was then tied to one of the stakes; but the general contention among the Indians had not ceased. Just as the lighted fagots were about to be applied to the dry brush piled around the devoted youth, a tall, active young Shawnee, a son of the victim's captor, sprang into the ring, and cutting the cords which bound him to the stake, led him out amidst the deafening plaudits of a part of the crowd and the execrations of the rest. Re- gardless of threats, he caused water to be brought and the black to be washed from the face and hands of the prisoner, whose clothes were then returned to him, when the young brave said : " I take this young man to be my brother, in the place of one I lately lost; HISTORY OF INDIANA. I loved that brother well; I will love this one, too; my old mother will be glad when I tell her that 1 have brought her a son, in place of the dear departed one. We want no more victims. The burning of Red-head [Hinton] ought to satisfy us. These innocent young men do not merit such cruel fate; I would rather die myself than see this adopted brother burned at the stake." . A loud shout of approbation showed that the young Shawnee had triumphed, though dissension was manifest among the various tribes afterward. Some of them abandoned their trip to Detroit, others returded to Wa-puc-ca-nat-ta, a few turned toward the Mis- sissinewa and the Wabash towns, while a portion continued to De- troit. Holman was taken back to Wa-puc-ca-nat ta, where he re- mained most of the time of his captivit\-. Rue was taken first to the Mississinewa, then to the Wabash towns. Two years of his eventful captivity were spent in the region of the Wabash and Illi- nois rivers, but the last few months at Detroit; was in captivity, altogether about three years and a half. Rue effected his escape in the following manner: During one of the drunken revels of the Indians near Detroit one of them lost a purse of §90; various tribes were suspected of feloniously keeping the treasure, and much ugly speculation was indulged in as to who was the thief. At lengtli a prophet of a tribe that was not suspected was called to divine the mystery. He spread sand over a green deer-skin, watched it awhile and performed various manipulations, and professed to see that the money had been stolen and carried away by a tribe entirely different from any that had been suspicioned; but he was shrewd enough not to announce who the thief was or the tribe he belonged to, lest a war might arise. His decision quieted the belligerent uprisings threatened by the excited Indians. Rue and two other prisoners saw this display of the prophet's skill and concluded to interrogate him soon concerning their fami- lies at home. The opportunity occurred in a few days, and the In- dian seer actually astonished Rue with the accuracy with which he described his family, and added, " You all intend to make your escape, and you will effect it soon. You will meet with many trials and hardships in passing over so wild a district of country, inhabited by so many hostile nations of Indians. You will almost starve to death; but about the time you have given up all hope of finding game to sustain you in your famished condition, succor will come when you least expect it. The first game you will succeed in taking HISTOET OF INDIANA. 51 will be a male of some kind ; after that you will have plenty of game and return home in safety." The prophet kept this matter a secret for the prisoners, and the latter in a few days set off upon their terrible journey, and had just such experience as the Indian prophet had foretold; they arrived home with their lives, but were pretty well worn out with the exposures and privations of a three weeks' journey. On the return of Holman's party of Indians to Wa-puc-ca-nat-ta, much dissatisfaction existed in regard to the manner of his release from the sentence of condemnation pronounced against him by the council. Many were in fovor of recalling the council and trying him again, and this was finally agreed to. The young man was again put upon trial for his life, with a strong probability of his being condemned to the stake. Both parties worked hard for vic- tory in the final vote, which eventually proved to give a majority of one for the prisoner's acquittal. "While with the Indians, Holnian saw them burn at the stake a Kentuckian named Richard Hogeland, who had been taken prisoner at the defeat of Col. Crawford. They commenced burning him at nine o'clock at night, and continued roasting him until ten o'clock the next day, before he expired. During his excruciating tortures he begged for some of them to end his life and sufferings with a gun or tomahawk. Finally his cruel tormentors promised they would, and cut several deep gashes in his flesh with their tomahawks, and shoveled up hot ashes and embers and threw them into the gaping wounds. When he was dead they stripped off his scalp, cut him to pieces and burnt him to ashes, which they scattered through the town to expel the evil spirits from it. After a captivity of about three years and a half, Holman saw an opportunity of going on a mission for the destitute Indians, namely, of going to Harrodsburg, Ky., where he had a rich uncle, from whom they could get what supplies they wanted. They let him go with a guard, but on arriving at Louisville, where Gen. Clark was in command, he was ransomed, and he reached home only three days after the arrival of Rue. Both these men lived to a good old age, terminating their lives at their home about two miles south of Richmond, Ind. EXPEDITIONS OF COL. GEOEGE EOGEES CLAEK. In the summer of 1778, Col. George Eogers Clark, a native of Albemarle countj, Va., led a memorable expedition against the ancient French settlements about Kaskaskia and Post Vincennes. With respect to the magnitude of its design, the valor and perse- verance with which it was carried on, and the memorable results which were produced by it, this expedition stands without a parallel in the early annals of the valley of the Mississippi. That portion of the West called Kentucky was occupied by Henderson & Co., who pretended to own the land and who held it at a high price. Col. Clark wished to test the validity of their claim and adjust the government of the country so as to encourage immigration. He accordingly called a meeting of the citizens at Harrodstown, to assemble June 6, 1776, and consider the claims of the company and consult with reference to the interest of the country. He did not at first publish the exact aim of this movement, lest parties would be formed in advance and block the enterprise; also, if the object of the meeting were not announced beforehand, the curiosity of the people to know what was to be proposed would bring out a much greater attendance. The meeting was held on the day appointed, and delegates were elected to treat with the government of Virginia, to see whether it would be best to become a county in that State and be protected by it, etc. Various delays on account of the remoteness of the white settlers from the older communities of Virginia and the hos- tility of Indians in every direction, prevented a consummation of this object until some time in 1778. The government of Virginia was friendly to Clark's enterprise to a certain extent, but claimed that they had not authority to do much more than to lend a little assistance for which payment should be made at some future time, as it was not certain whether Kentucky would become a part of Vir- ginia or not. Gov. Henry and a few gentlemen were individually so hearty in favor of Clark's benevolent undertaking that they assisted him all they could. Accordingly Mr. Clark organized his expedition, keeping every particular secret lest powerful parties would form in the West against him. He took in stores at Pitts- ©EN. GEORGE KOGEKS CLAEK. HISTOKY OF INDIANA. burg and Wheeling, proceeded down the Ohio to the " Falls," where he took possession of an island of a about seven acres, and divided it among a small number of families, for whose protection he constructed some light fortifications. At this time Post Vin- cennes comprised about 400 militia, and it was a daring undertak- ing for Col. Clark, with his small force, to go up against it and Kas- kaskia, as he had planned. Indeed, some of his men, on hearing of his plan, deserted him. He conducted himself so as to gain the sympathy of the French, and through them also that of the Indians to some extent, as both these people were very bitter against the British, who had possession of the Lake Kegion. From the nature of the situation Clark concluded it was best to take Kaskaskia first. The fact that the people regarded him as a savage rebel, he regarded as really a good thing in his favor; for after the first victory he would show them so much unexpected lenity that they would rally to his standard. In this policy he was indeed successful. He arrested a few men and put them in irons. The priest of the village, accompanied by five or six aged citizens, waited on Clark and said that the inhabitants expected to be separ-' ated, perhaps never to meet again, and they begged to be permitted to assemble in their church to take leave of each other. Clark mildly replied that he had nothing against their religion, that they might continue to assemble in tlieir church, but not venture out of town, etc. Thus, by what has since been termed the "Rarey" method of taming horses, Clark showed them he had power over them but designed them no harm, and they readily took the oath of allegiance to Virginia. After Clark's arrival at Kaskaskia it was difficult to induce the French settlers to accept the "Continental paper" introduced by him and his troops. Nor until Col. Vigo arrived there and guar- anteed its redemption would they receive it. Peltries and piastres formed the only currency, and Vigo found great difficulty in ex- plaining Clark's financial arrangements. ''Their commandants never made money," was the reply to Vigo's explanation of the policy of the old Dominion. But notwithstanding the guarantees, the Continental paper fell very low in the market. Vigo had a trading establishment at Kaskaskia, wiiere he sold coffee at one dollar a pound, and all the other necessaries of life at an equally reasonable price. The unsophisticated Frenchmen were generally asked in what kind of money they would pay their little bills. 56 HISTOET OF INDIANA. "Douleur," was the general reply; and as an authority on the sub- ject says, "It took about twenty Continental dollars to purchase a silver dollar's worth of coffee; and as the French word "douleur" sig- nifies grief or pain, perhaps no word either in the French or Eng- lish languages expressed the idea more correctly than the douleur for a Continental dollar. At any rate it was truly douleur to the Colonel, for he never received a single dollar in exchange for the large amount taken from him in order to sustain Clark's credit. Now, the post at Vincennes, defended by Fort Sackville, came next. The priest just mentioned, Mr. Gibault, was really friendly to "the American interest;" he had spiritual charge of the church at Vincennes, and he with several others were deputed to assemble the people there and authorize them to gai-rison their own fort like a free and independent people, etc. This plan had its desired efiiect, and the people took the oath of allegiance to the State of Virginia and became citizens of the United States. Their style of language and conduct changed to a better hue, and they surprised the numer- ous Indians in the vicinity by displaying anew flag and informing them that their old father, the King of France, was come to life again, and was mad at them for fighting the English; and they ad- vised them to make peace with the Americans as soon as they could, otherwise they might expect to make the land very bloody, etc. The Indians concluded they would have to fall in line, and they offered no resistance. Capt. Leonard Helm, an American, was left in charge of this post, and Clark began to turn his atten- tion to other points. But before leaving this section of the coun- try he made treaties of peace with the Indians; this he did, how- ever, by a different method from what had always before been followed. By indirect methods he caused them to come to him, instead of going to them. He was convinced that inviting them to treaties was considered by them in a different manner from what the whites expected, and imputed them to fear, and that giving them great presents confirmed it. He accordingly established treaties with the Piankeshaws, Ouiatenons, Kickapoos, Illinois, Kaskaskias, Peorias and branches of some other tribes that inhab- ited the country between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi. Upon this the General Assembly of the State of Virginia declared all the citizens settled west of the Ohio organized into a county of that State, to be known as "Illinois" county; but before the pro- visions of the law could be carried into effect, Henry Hamilton, the British Lieutenant-Governor of Detroit, collected an array of about HISTOET OF INDIANA. Oi 30 regulars, 50 French volunteers and 400 Indians, went down and re-took the post Vincennes in December, 1778. No attempt was made by the population to defend the town. Capt. Helm and a man named Henry were the only Americans at tlie fort, the only members of the garrison. Capt. Helm was taken prisoner and a number of the French inhabitants disarmed. Col. Clark, hearing of the situation, determined to re-capture the place. He accordingly gathered together what force he could in this distant land, 170 men, and on the 5th of February, btarted from Kaskaskia and crossed the river of that name. The weather was very wet, and the low lands were pretty well covered with water. The march was difficult, and the Colonel had to work'hard to keep his men in spirits. He suiiered them to shoot game whenever they wished and eat it like Indian war-dancers, each company by turns inviting the others to their feasts, which was the case every night. Clark waded through water as much as any of them, and thus stimu- lated the men by his example. They reached the Little "Wabash on the 13th, after suffering many and great hardships. Here a camp was formed, and without waiting to discuss plans for crossing the river, Clark ordered the men to construct a vessel, and pretended that crossing the stream would be only a piece of amusement, al- though inwardly he held a different opinion. The second day afterward a reconnoitering party was sent across the river, who returned and made an encouraging report. A scaf- folding was built on the opposite shore, upon which the baggage was placed as it was tediously ferried over, and the new camping ground was a nice half acre of dry land. There were many amuse- ments, indeed, in getting across the river, which put all the men in high spirits. The succeeding two or three days they had to march through a great deal of water, having on the night of the 17th to encamp in the water, near the Big Wabash. At daybreak on the ISth they heard the signal gun at Yincennes, and at once commenced their march. Reaching the Wabash about two o'clock, they constructed rafts to cross the river on a boat-steal- ing expedition, but labored all day and night to no purpose. On the 19th they began to make a canoe, in which a second attempt to steal boats was made, but this expedition returned, reporting that there were two "large fires" within a mile of them. Clark sent a canoe down the river to meet tlie vessel that was supposed to be on her way up with the supplies, with orders to hasten forward day and night. This was their last hope, as their provisions were entirely 58 HISTORY OF INDIANA. gone, and starvation seemed to be hoverino^ about them. The next day they commenced to make more canoes, when about noon the sentinel on the river brought a boat with five Frenchmen from the fort. From this party they learned that they were not as yet dis- covered. All the army crossed the river in two canoes the next day, and as Clark had determined to reach the town tliat night, he ordered his men to move forward. Tliej^ plunged into the water sometimes to the neck, for over three miles. Without food, benumbed with cold, up to their waists in water, covered with broken ice, the men at one time mutinied and refused to march. All the persuasions of Clark had no effect upon the half-starved and half-frozen soldiers. In one company was a small drummer boy, and also a sergeant who stood six feet two inches in socks, and stout and athletic. He was devoted to Clark. The Gen- eral mounted the little drummer on the shoulders of the stalwart sergeant and ordered him to plunge into the water, half-frozen as it was. He did so, the little boy beating the charge from his lofty perch, while Clark, sword in hand, followed them, giving the com- mand as he threw aside the floating ice, "Forward." Elated and amused with the scene, the men promptly obeyed, holding their rifles above their heads, and in spite of all the obstacles they reached the high land in perl'ect safet}'. But for this and the ensuing days of this campaign we quote from Clark's account: " This last day's march through the water was far superior to any- thing the Frenchmen had any idea of. They were backward in speaking; said that the nearest land to us was a small league, a sugar camp on the bank of the river. A canoe was sent off and re- turned without finding that we could pass. I went in her myself and sounded the water and found it as deep as to my neck. I returned with a design to have the men transported on board the canoes to the sugar camp, which I knew would expend the whole day and en- suing night, as the vessels would pass slowly through the bushes. The loss of so much time to men half starved was a matter of con- sequence. I would have given now a great deal for a day's provis- ion, or for one of our horses. I returned but slowly to the troops, giving myself time to think. On our arrival all ran to hear what was the report; every eye was fixed on me; I unfortunately spoke in a serious manner to one of the officers. The whole were alarmed without knowing what I said. I viewed their confusion for about • one minute; I whispered to those near me to do as I did, immedi- ately put some water in my hand, poured on powder, blackened my HISTORY OF INDIANA. 55* face, gave the war-whoop, and marched into the water without say- in.^ a word. The party gazed and fell in, one after another without saying a word, like a flock of sheep. I ordered those near me to begin a favorite song of theirs; it soon passed through the line, and the whole went on cheerfully. " I now intended to have them transported across the deepest part of the water; but when about waist-deep, one of the men in- formed me that he thought he felt a path; we exanained and found it so, and concluded that it kept on the highest ground, which it did, and by taking pains to follow it, we got to the sugar camp with no difficulty, where there was about half an acre of dry ground, — at least ground not under water, and there we took up our lodging. " The night had been colder than any we had had, and the ice in the morning was one-half or three-quarters of an inch thick instill water; the morning was the finest. A little after sunrise I lectured the whole; what I said to them I forget, but I concluded by in- forming them that passing the plain then in full view, and reaching the opposite woods would put an end to their fatigue; that in a few hours they would have a sight of their long wished-for object; and immediately stepped into the water without waiting for any reply. A huzza took place. As we generally marched through the water in a line, before the third man entered, I called to Major Bowman, ordering him to fall in the rear of the 25 men, and put to death any man who refused to march. This met with a cry of approbation, and on we went. Getting about the middle of the plain, the water about raid-deep, I found myself sensibly failing; and as there were no trees nor bushes for the men to support them- by, I feared that many of the weak would be drowned. I or- the canoes to make the land,discharge their loading, and play backward and forward with all diligence and pick up the men; and to encourage the party, sent some of the strongest men forward, with orders when they got to a certain distance, to pass the word back that the water was getting sliallow, and when getting near the woods, to cry out land. This stratagem had its desired efi'ect; the men exerted themselves almost beyond their abilities, the weak holding by the stronger. The water, however, did not become shallower, but continued deepening. Getting to the woods where the men expected land, the water was up to my shoulders; but gaining the woods was of great consequence; all the low men and weakly hung to the trees and floated on the old logs until they were bO HISTOKY OF INDIANA. taken off" by the canoes; the strong and tall got ashore and built fires. Many would reach the shore and fall with their bodies half in the water, not being able to support themselves without it. " This was a dry and delightful spot of ground of about ten acres. Fortunately, as if designed by Providence, a canoe of Indian squaws and children was coming up to town, and took through 'this part of the plain as a nigh way; it was discovered by our canoe-men as they were out after the other men. They gave chase and took the Indian canoe, on board of which was nearly half a quarter of buffalo, some corn, tallow, kettles, etc. This was an invaluable prize. Broth was immediately made and served out, especially to the weakly; nearly all of us got a little; but a great many gave their part to the weakly, saying something cheering to their comrades. By the afternoon, this refreshment and fine weather had greatly invigor- ated the whole party. " Crossing a narrow and deep lake in the canoes, and marching some distance, we came to a copse of timber called ' Warrior's Island.' "We were now in full view of the fort and town; it was about two miles distant, with not a shrub intervening. Every man now feasted his eyes and forgot that he had suffered anything, say- ing that all which had passed was owing to good policy, and noth- ing but what a man could bear, and that a soldier had no right to think, passing from one extreme to the other, — which is common in such cases. And now stratagem was necessary. The plain between us and the town was not a perfect level; the sunken grounds were covered with water full of ducks. We observed several men within a half a mile of us shooting ducks, and sent out some of our active young Frenchmen to take one of these men prisoners without alarming the rest, which they did. The information we got from this person was similar to that which we got from those taken on the river, except that of the British having that evening completed the wall of the fort, and that there were a great many Indians in town. "Our situation was now critical. No possibility of retreat in case of defeat, and in full view of a town containing at this time more than 600 men, troops, inhabitants and Indians. The crew of the galley, though not 50 men, would have been now a re-enforcement of immense magnitude to our little array, if I may so call it, but we would not think of them. We were now in the situation that I had labored to get ourselves in. The idea of being made prisoner was foreign to almost every man, as they expected nothing but tor- ture from the savages if they fell into their hands. Our fate was HISTOEY OF INDIANA. 61 now to be determined, probably in a few hours; we knew that nothing but the most daring conduct would insure success; I knew also that a number of the inhabitants wished ns well. This was a favorable circumstance; and as there was but little prooability of our remaining until dark undiscovered, I determined to begin opera- tions immediately, and therefore wrote the following placard to the inhabitants: To the Inhabitants of Post Vmcennes: Gentlemen: — Being now within two miles of your village with my army, determined to take your fort this night, and not being willing to surprise you, I take this method to request such of you as are true citizens and willing to enjoy the liberty I bring you, to remain still in your houses; and those, if any there be, that are friends to the king, will instantly repair to the fort and join the hair-buyer general and fight like men; and if any such as do not go to the fort shall be discovered afterward, they may depend on severe punishment. On the contrary, those who are true friends to liberty may depend on being well treated; and I once more request them to keep out of the streets; for everyone I find in arms on my arrival I shall treat as an enemy. [Signed] G. R. Clark. " I had various ideas on the results of this letter. I knew it could do us no damage, but that it would cause the lukewarm to be decided, and encourage our friends and astonish our enemies. We anxiously viewed this messenger until he entered the town, and in a few minutes we discovered by our glasses some stir in every street we could penetrate, and great numbers running or riding out into the commons, we supposed to view us, which was the case. But what surprised us was that nothing had yet happened that had the appearance of the garrison being alarmed, — neither gun nor drum. We began to suppose that the information we got from our prisoners was false, and that the enemy had already knew of us and were prepared. A little before sunset we displayed ourselves in full view of the town, — crowds gazing at us. We were plunging ourselves into certain destruction or success ; there was no midway thought of. We had but little to say to our men, except inculcat- ing an idea of the necessity of obedience, etc. We moved on slowly in full view of the town ; but as it was a point of some con- sequence to us to make ourselves appear formidable, we, in leaving the covert we were in, marched and counter- marched in such a manner that we appeared numerous. Our colors were displayed to the best advantage; and as the low plain we marched through was 62 HISTOKT OF INDIANA. not a perfect level, but had frequent risings in it, of 7 or 8 higher than the common level, which was covered with water; and as these risings generally run in an oblique direction to the town, we took the advantage of one of them, marching through the water by it, which completely prevented our being numbered. We gained the heights back of the town. As there were as yet no hostile appearance, we were impatient to have the cause unriddled. Lieut. Bayley was ordered with 14 men to march and fire on the fort; the main body moved in a different direction and took possession of the strongest part of the town." Clark then sent a written order to Hamilton commanding him to surrender immediately or he would be treated as a murderer; Hamilton replied that he and his garrison were not disposed to be awed into any action unworthy of British sub- jects. After one hour more of fighting, Hamilton proposed a truce of three days for conference, on condition that each side cease all defensive work; Clark rejoined that he would "not agree to any terms other than Mr. Hamilton surrendering himself and garrison prisoners at discretion," and added that if he, Hamil- ton, wished to talk with him he could meet him immediately at the church with Capt. Helm. In less than an hour Clark dictated the terms of surrender, Feb. 24, 1779. Hamilton agreed to the total surrender because, as he there claimed in writing, he was too far from aid from his own government, and because of the " unanimity" of his oflicers in the surrender, and his "confidence in a generous enemy." "Ofthi9expedition,of its results, of its importance, of the merits of those engaged in it, of their bravery, their skill, of their prudence, of their success, a volume would not more than suffice for the details. Suffice it to say that in my opinion, and I have accurately and criti- cally weighed and examined all the results produced by the con- tests in which we were engaged during the Revolutionary war, that for bravery, for hardships endured, for skill and consummate tact and prudence on the part of the commander, obedience, dis- cipline and love of country on the part of his followers, for the immense benefits acquired, and signal advantages obtained by it for the whole union, it was second to no enterprise undertaken dur- ing that struggle. I might add, second to no undertaking in an- cient or modern warfare. The whole credit of this conquest be- longs to two men; Gen. George Eogers Clark and Col. Francis Vigo. And when we consider that by it the whole territory now HISTORY OF INDIANA. covered by the three great states of Indiana, Illinois and Michigan waa added to the union, and so admitted to be by the British commis- sioners at the preliminaries to the treaty of peace in 17S3; (and but for this very conquest, the boundaries of our territories west would have been the Ohio instead of the Mississippi, and so acknowledged by both our commissioners and the British at that conference;) a territory embracing upward of 2,000,000 people, the human mind is lost in the contemplation of its effects; and we can but wonder that a force of 170 men, the whole number of Clark's troops, should by this single action have produced such important results." [John Law. The next day Clark sent a detachment of 60 men up the river "Wabash to intercept some boats which were laden with provisions and goods from Detroit. This force was placed under command of Capt. Helm, Major Bosseron and Major Legras, and they proceeded up the river, in three armed boats, about 120 miles, when the British boats, about seven in number, were surprised and captured without firing a gun. These boats, which had on board about $50,000 worth of goods and provisions, were manned by about 40 men, among whom was Philip Dejean, a magistrate of Detroit. The provisions were taken for the public, and distributed among the soldiery. Having organized a military government at Vincennes and appointed Capt. Helm commandant of the town, Col. Clark return- ed in the vessel to Kaskaskia, where he was joined by reinforce- ments from Kentucky under Capt. George. Meanwhile, a party of traders who were going to the falls, were killed and plundered by the Delawares of White Eiver; the news of this disaster having reached Clark, he sent a dispatch to Capt. Helm ordering him to make war on the Delawares and use every means in his power to destroy them; to show no mercy to the men, but to save the women and cliildren. This order was executed without delay. Their camps were attacked in every quarter where they could be found. Many fell, and others were carried to Post Vincennes and put to death. The surviving Delawares at once pleaded for mercy and appeared anxious to make some atonement for their bad con- duct. To these overtures Capt. Helm replied that Col. Clark, the " Big Knife," had ordered the war, and that he had no power to lay down the hatchet, but that he would suspend hostilities uutil a messenger could be sent to Kaskaskia. This was done, and the crafty Colonel, well understanding the Indian character, sent a 64 HISTORY OF INDIANA. message to the Delawares, telling them that he would not accept their friendship or treat with them for peace; but that if they could get some of the neighboring tribes to become responsible for their future conduct, he would discontinue the war and spare their lives; otherwise they must all perish. Accordingly a council was called of all the Indians in the neigh- borhood, and Clark's answer was read to the assembly. After due deliberation the Piankeshaws took on themselves to answer for the future good conduct of the Delawares, and the " Grand Door " in a long speech denounced their base conduct. This ended the war with the Delawares and secured the respect of the neighboring tribes Clark's attention was next turned to tlie British post at Detroit, bat being unable to obtain sufficient troops he abandoned the en- terprise. Clark's ingenious ruse against the Indians. Tradition says that when Clark captured Hamilton and his gar- rison at Fort Sackville, he took possession of the fort and kept the British flag flying, dressed his sentinels with the uniform of the British soldiery, and let everything about the premises remain as they were, so that when the Indians sympathizing with the British arrived they would walk right into the citadel, into the jaws of death. His success was perfect. Sullen and silent, with the scalp- lock of his victims hanging at his girdle, and in full expectation of his reward from Hamilton, the unwary savage, unconscious of danger and wholly ignorant of the change that had just been efl'ected in his absence, passed the supposed British sentry at the gate of the fort unmolested and unchallenged; but as soon as in, a volley from the rifles of a platoon of Clark's men, drawn up and awaiting his coming, pierced their hearts and sent the unconscious savage, reek- ing with murder, to that tribunal to which he had so frequently, by order of the hair-buyer general, sent his American captives, from the infant in the cradle to the grandfather of the family, tot- tering with age and infirmity. It was a just retribution, and few men but Clark would have planned such a ruse or carried it out successfully. It is reported that fifty Indians met this fate within the fort; and probably Hamilton, a prisoner there, witnessed it all. subsequent career of HAMILTON. Henry Hamilton, who had acted as Lieutenant and Governor of the British possessions under Sir George Carleton, was sent for- HISTORY OF INDIANA. 65 ■ward, with two other prisoners of war, Dejean and LaMothe, to Williamsburg, Va., early in June following, 1779. Proclamations, in his own handwriting, were found, in which he had offered a specific sum for every American scalp brought into the camp, either by his own troops or his allies, the Indians; and from this he was denominated the "hair-buyer General." This and much other tes- timony of living witnesses at the time, all showed what a savage he was. Thomas Jefferson, then Governor of Virginia, being made aware of the inhumanity of this wretch, concluded to resort to a little retaliation by way of closer confinement. Accordingly he ordered that these three prisoners be put in irons, coniined in a dungeon, deprived of the use of pen, ink and paper, and be ex- cluded from all conversation except with their keeper. Major General Phillips, a British officer out on parole in the vicinity of Charlottesville, where the prisoners now were, in closer confine- ment, remonstrated, and President Washington, while approving of Jefferson's course, requested a mitigation of the severe order, lest the British be goaded to desperate measures. Soon afterward Hamilton was released on parole, and he subse- quently appeared in Canada, still acting as if he had jurisdiction in the United States. The faithful, self-sacrificing and patriotic services of Father Pierre Gibault in behalf of the Americans require a special notice of hira in this connection. He was the parish priest at Vincennes, as well as at Kaskaskia. He was, at an early period, a Jesuit mis- sionary to the Illinois. Had it not been for the influence of this man, Clark could not have obtained the influence of the citizens at either place. He gave all his property, to the value of 1,500 Spanish milled dollars, to the support of Col. Clark's troops, and never re- ceived a single dollar in return. So far as the records inform us, he was given 1,500 Continental paper dollars, which proved in the end entirely valueless. He modestly petitioned from the Govern- ment a small allowance of land at Cahokia, but we find no account of his ever receiving it. He was dependent upon the public in his older days, and in 1790 Winthrop Sargent "conceded" to him a lot of about "14 toises, one side to Mr. Millet, another to Mr. Vaudrey, and to two streets," — a vague description of land. 66 HISTORY OF INDIANA. Col. Francis Vigo was born in Mondovi, in the kingdom of Sar- dinia, in 1747. He left his parents -and guardians at a very early age, and enlisted in a Spanish regiment as a soldier. The regiment was ordered to Havana, and a detachment of it subsequently to New Orleans, then a Spanish post; Col. Vigo accompanied this de- tachment. But he left the army and engaged in trading with the Indians on the Arkansas and its tributaries. Next he settled at St. Louis, also a Spanish post, where he became closely connected, both in friendship and business, with the Governor of Upper Louisiana, then residing at the same place. This friendship he enjoyed, though he could only write his name; and we have many circumstantial evidences that he was a man of high intelligence, honor, purity of heart, and ability. Here he was living when Clark captured Kas- kaskia, and was extensively engaged in trading up the Missouri. A Spaniard by birth and allegiance, he was under no obligation to assist the Americans. Spain was at peace with Great Britain, and any interference by her citizens was a breach of neutrality, and subjected an individual, especially one of the high character and standing of Col. Vigo, to all the contumely, loss and vengeance which British power could inflict. But Col. Vigo did not falter. "With an innate love of liberty, an attachment to Republican prin- ciples, and an ardent sympathy for an oppressed people struggling for their rights, he overlooked all personal consequences, and as soon as he learned of Clark's arrival at Kaskaskia, he crossed the line and went to Clark and tendered him his means and influence, both of which were joyfully accepted. Knowing Col. Vigo's influence with the ancient inhabitants of the country, and desirous of obtaining some information from Vincennes, from which he had not heard for several months, Col. Clark proposed to him that he might go to that place and learn the actual state of afiairs. Vigo went without hesitation, but on the Embarrass river he was seized by a party of Indians, plundered of all he possessed, and brought a prisoner before Hamilton, then in pos- session of the post, which he had a short time previously captured, holding Capt. Helm a prisoner of war. Being a Spanish subject, and consequently a non-combatant. Gov. Hamilton, although he strongly suspected the motives of the visit, dared not confine him, but admitted him to parole, on the single condition that he should daily report himself at the fort. But Hamilton was embar- HISTOEY OF INDIANA. 67 rassed by his detention, being besieged by the inhabitants of the town, who loved Vigo and threatened to withdraw their support from the garrison if he would not release him. Father Gibault was the chief pleader for Vigo's release. Hamilton finally yielded, on con- dition that he, Vigo, would do no injury to the British interests on his way to St. Louis. He went to St. Louis, sure enough, doing no injury to British interests, but immediately returned to Kaskaskia and reported to Clark in detail all he had learned at Vinceunes, without which knowledge Clark would have been unable to ac- complish his famous expedition to that post with final triumph. The redemption of this country' from the British is due as much, probably, to Col. Vigo as Col. Clark. GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST. Col. John Todd, Lieutenant for the county of Illinois, in the spring of 1779 visited the old settlements at Vincennes and Kas- kaskia, and organized temporary civil governments in nearly all the settlements west of the Ohio. Previous to this, however, Clark had established a military government at Kaskaskia and Vincennes, appointed commandants in both places and taken up his headquar- ters at the falls of the Ohio, where he could watch the operations of the enemy and save the frontier settlements from the depreda- tions of Indian warfare. On reaching the settlements, Col. Todd issued a proclamation regulating the settlement of unoccupied lands and requiring the presentation of all claims to the lauds set- tled, as the number of adventurers who would shortly overrun the country would be serious. He also organized a Court of civil and criminal jurisdiction at Vincennes, in the month of June, 1779. This Court was composed of several magistrates and presided over by Col. J. M. P. Legras, who had been appointed commandant at Vincennes. Acting from the precedents established b}' the early French commandants in the West, this Court began to grant tracts of land to the French and American inhabitants; and to the year 1783, it had granted to different parties about 26,000 acres of land; 22,000 more was granted in this manner by 17S7, when the practice was prohibited by Gen. Harmer. These tracts varied in size from a house lot to 500 acres. Besides this loose business, the Court entered into a stupendous speculation, one not altogether creditable to its honor and dignity. The commandant and the magistrates under him suddenly adopted the opinion that they were invested t)» HISTORY OF INDIANA. with the authority to dispose of the whole of that large region which in 1842 liad been granted bj the Piankeshaws to the French inhabitants of Vincennes. Accordingly a very convenient arrange- ment was entered into by which the whole tract of country men- tioned was to be divided between the members of the honorable Court. A record was made to that etfect, and in order to gloss over the steal, each member took pains to be absent from Court on the day that the order was made in his favor. In the fall of 1780 La Baline, a Frenchman, made an attempt to capture the British garrison of Detroit by leading au expedition against it from Kaskaskia. At the Iiead of 30 men he marched to Vincennes, where his force was slightly increased. From this place he proceeded to the British trading post at the head of the Maumee, where Fort Wayne now stands, plundered the British traders and Indians and then retired. While encamped on the bank of a small stream on his retreat, he was attacked by a band of Miamis, a number of his men were killed, and his expedition against Detroit was ruined. In this manner border war continued between Americans and their enemies, with varying victory, until 1783, when the treaty of Paris was concluded, resulting in the establishment of the inde- ■ pendence of the United States. Up to this time the territory now included in Indjana belonged by conquest to the State of Virginia; but in January, 1783, the General Assembly of that State resolved to cede to tlie Congress of the United States all the territory north- west of the Ohio. The conditions offered by Virginia were accepted by Congress Dec. 20, that year, and early in 1784 the transfer was completed. In 1783 Virginia had platted the town of Clarksville, at the falls of the Ohio. The deed of cession provided that the territory should be laid out into States, containing a suita- ble extent of territory not less than 100 nor more than 150 miles square, or as near thereto as circumstances would permit; aud that the States so formed shall be distinct Republican States and admitted members of the Federal Union, having the same rights of sovereignty, freedom and independence as the other States. The other conditions of the deed were as follows: That the necessary and reasonable expenses incurred by Virginia in subduing any British posts, or in maintaining forts and garrisons within and for the defense, or in acquiring any part of the territory so ceded or relinquished, shall be fully reimbursed by the United States; that the French and Canadian inhabitants and other settlers of the Kas- HISTORY OF INDIANA. bi) kasljia, Post Vincennes and the neighboring villages who have pro- fessed themselves citizens of Virginia, shall have their titles and possessions confirmed to them, and be protected in the enjoyment of their rights and privileges; that a quantity not exceeding 150,- 000 acres of land, promised by Virginia, shall be allowed and granted to the then Colonel, now General, George Rogers Clark, and to the officers and soldiers of his regiment, who marched with him when tlie posts and of Kaskaskiaand Vincennes were reduced, and to the officers and soldiers that have been since incorporated into the said regiment, to be laid off in one tract, the length of which not to exceed double the breadth, in such a place on the northwest side of the Oiiio as a majority of the officers shall choose, and to be afterward divided among the officers and soldiers in due proportion according to the laws of Virginia; that in case the quantity of good lands on the southeast side of the Ohio, upon the waters of Cumberland river, and between Green river and Ten. nessee river, which have been reserved by law for the Virginia troops upon Continental establishment, should, from the North Carolina line, bearing in further upon the Cumberland lands than was expected, prove insufficient for their legal bounties, the defi- ciency shall be made up to the said troops in good lands to be laid off between the rivers Scioto and Little Miami, on the northwest side of the river Ohio, in such proportions as have been engaged to them by the laws of Virginia; that all the lands within the ter- ritory so ceded to the United States, and not reserved for or appro- priated to any of the before-mentioned purposes, or disposed of in bounties to the officers and soldidrs of the American army, shall be considered as a common fund for the use and benefit of such of the United States as have become, or shall become, members of the confederation or federal alliance of the said States, Virginia included, according to their usual respective proportions in the general charge and expenditure, and shall be faithfully and honafide dis- posed of for that purpose and for no other use or purpose whatever. After the above deed of cession had been accepted by Congress, in the spring of 1784, the matter of the future government of the territory was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. Jeffer- son of Virginia, Chase of Maryland and Howell of Rhode Island, which committee reported an ordinance for its government, provid- ing, among other things, that slavery should not exist in said terri- tory after 1800, except as punishment of criminals; but this article of the ordinance was rejected, and an ordinance for the temporary 70 HISTORY OF INDIANA. government of the county was adopted. In 1785 laws were passed by Congress for the disposition of lands in the territory and pro- hibiting the settlement of unappropriated lands by reckless specu- lators. But human passion is ever strong enough to evade the law to some extent, and large associations, representing considerable means, were formed for the purpose of monopolizing the land busi- ness. Millions of acres were sold at one time by Congress to asso- ciations on the installment plan, and so far as the Indian titles could be extinguished, the work of settling and improving the lands was. pushed rapidly forward. ORDINANCE OF 1787. This ordinance has a marvelous and interesting history. Con- siderable controversy has been indulged in as to who is entitled to the credit for framing it. This belongs, undoubtedly, to Nathan Dane; and to Rufus King and Timothy Pickering belong the credit for suggesting the proviso contained in it against slavery, and also for aids to religion and knowledge, and for assuring for- ever the common use, without charge, of the great national high- ways of the Mississippi, the St. Lawrence and their tributaries to all the citizens of the United States. To Thomas Jefferson is also due much credit, as some features of this ordinance were embraced in his ordinance of 1781. But the part taken by each in the long, laborious and eventful struggle which had so glorious a consum- mation in the ordinance, consecrating forever, by one imprescript- ible and unchangeable monument, the very heart of our country to Freedom, Knowledge, and Union, will forever honor the names of those illustrious statesmen. Mr. Jefferson liad vainly tried to secure a system of government for the Northwestern territory. He was an emancipationist and favored the exclusion of slavery from the territory, but the South voted him down every time he proposed a measure of this nature. In 1787, as late as July 10, an organizing act without the anti- slavery clause was pending. This concession to the South was expected to carry it. Congress was in session in New York. On July 5, Rev. Manasseh Cutler, of Massachusetts, came into New York to lobby on the Northwestern territory. Everything seemed to fall into his hands. Events were ripe. The state of the public credit, the growing of Southern prejudice, the basis of his mission, his personal character, all combined to complete one of those sudden HISTORY OF INDIANA. 71 and marvelous revolutions of public sentiment that once in five or ten centuries are seen to sweep over a country like the breath of the Almighty. Cutler was a graduate of Yale. He had studied and taken de- grees in the three learned professions, medicine, law, and divinity. He had published a scientific examination of the plants of New England. As a scientist in America his name stood second only to that of Franklin. He was a courtlj' gentleman of the old style, a man of commanding presence and of inviting face. The Southern members said they had never seen such a gentleman in the North. He came representing a Massachusetts company that desired to purchase a tract of land, now included in Ohio, for the purpose of planting a colony. It was a speculation. Government money was worth eighteen cents on the dollar. This company had collected enough to purchase 1.500,000 acres of land. Other speculators in New York made Dr. Cutler their agent, which enabled him to represent a demand for 5,500,000 acres. As this would reduce the national debt, and Jeflerson's policy was to provide for the public credit, it presented a good opportunity to do something. Massachusetts then owned the territory of Maine, which she was crowding on the market. She was opposed to opening the North- western region. This fired the zeal of Virginia. The South caught the inspiration, and all exalted Dr. Cutler. The entire South ral. lied around him. Massachusetts could not vote against him, be- cause many of the constuitents of her members were interested personally in the "Western speculation. Thus Cutler, making friends in the South, and doubtless using all the arts of the lobby, was enabled to command the situation. True to deeper convic- tions, he dictated one of the most compact and finished documents of wise statesmanship that has ever adorned any human law book. He borrowed from Jefferson the term "Articles of Compact," which, preceding the federal constitution, rose into the most sacred char- acter. He then followed very closely the constitution of Massa- chusetts, adopted three years before. Its most prominent points were : 1. The exclusion of slavery from the territory forever. 2. Provision for public schools, giving one township for a semi- nary and ever3' section numbered 16 in each township; that is, one thirty-sixth of all tiie land for public schools. 3. A provision prohibiting the adoption of any constitution or the enactment of any law that should nullify pre-existing contracts. 72 HISTORY OF INDIANA. Be it forever remembered that this compact declared that " re- ligion, morality, and knowledge being necessary to good govern- ment and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of edu- cation shall always be encouraged." Dr. Cutler planted himself on this platform and would not yield. Giving his unqualified dec- laration that it was that or nothing, — that unless they could make the land desirable they did not want it, — he took his horse and buggy and started for the constitutional convention at Philadelphia. On July 13, 1787, the bill was put upon its passage, and was unani- mously adopted. Thus the great States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, a vast empire, were consecrated to free dom, intelligence, and morality. Thus the great heart of the nation was prepared to save the union of States, for it was this act that was the salvation of the republic and the destruction of slavery. Soon the South saw their great blunder and tried to have the compact repealed. In 1803 Congress referred it to a committee, of which John Randolph was chairman. He reported that this ordinance was a compact and opposed repeal. Thus it stood, a rock in the way of the on-rushing sea of slavery. The " Northwestern Territory " included of course what is now the State of Indiana; and Oct 5, 1787, Maj. Gen. Arthur St. Clair was elected by Congress Governor of this territory. Upon commencing the duties of his office he was instructed to ascertain the real temper of the Indians and do all in his power to remove the causes for controversy between them and the United States, and to effect the extinguishment of Indian titles to all the land possible. The Governor took up quarters in the new settlement of Marietta, Ohio, where he immediately began the organization of the government of the territory. The first session of the General Court of the new territory was held at that place in 17SS, the Judges being Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum and John C. Symmes, but under the ordinance Gov. St. Clair was President of the Court. After the first session, and after the necessary laws for government were adopted. Gov. St. Clair, accompanied by the Judges, visited Kaskaskia for the purpose of organizing a civil gov- ernment there. Full instructions had been sent to Maj. Hamtramck, commandant at Yincennes, to ascertain the exact feeling and temper of the Indian tribes of the Wabash. These instructions were ac- companied by speeches to each of the tribes. A Frenchman named Antoine Gamelin was dispatched with these messages April 5, 1790, who visited nearly all the tribes on the Wabash, St. Joseph and St. HISTOKT OF INDIANA. ' 73 Mary's rivers, but was coldly received ; most of the chiefs being dissatisfied with the policy of the Americans toward them, and prejudiced through English misrepresentation. Full accounts of his adventures among the tribes reached Gov. St. Clair at Kaskas- kia in June, 1790. Being satisfied that there was no prospect of effecting a general peace with the Indians of Indiana, he resolved to visit Gen. Harmar at his headquarters at Fort Washington and consult with him on the means of carrying an expedition against the hostile Indians; but before leaving he intrusted Winthrop Sargent, the Secretary of the Territory, with the execution of the resolutions of Congress regarding the lands and settlers on the Wabash. He directed that officer to proceed to Yincennes, lay out a county there, establish the militia and appoint the necessary civil and military officers. Accordingly Mr. Sargent went to Vin- cennes and organized Camp Knox, appointed the officers, and noti- fied the inhabitants to present their claims to lands. In establish- ing these claims the settlers found great difficulty, and concerning this matter the Secretary in his report to the President wrote as follows: " Although the lands and lots which were awarded to the inhabi- tants appeared from very good oral testimony to belong to those persons to whom they were awarded, either by original grants, pur- chase or inheritance, yet there was scarcely one case in twenty where the title was complete, owing to the desultory manner in which public business had been transacted and some other unfor- tunate causes. The original concessions by the French and British commandants were generally made upon a small scrap of paper, which it has been customary to lodge in the notary's office, who has seldom kept any book of record, but committed the most im- portant land concerns to loose sheets, which in process of time have come into possession of persons that have fraudulently de- stroyed them; or, unacquainted with their consequence, innocently lost or trifled them away. By French usage they are considered family inheritances, and often descend to women and children. In one instance, and during the government of St. Auge here, a royal notary ran off with all the public papers in his possession, as by a certificate produced to me. And I am very sorry further to observe that in the office of Mr. Le Grand, which continued from 1777 to 17S7, and where should have been the vouchers for important land transactions, the records have been so falsified, and there is such gross fraud and forgery, as to invalidate all evidence and informa- tion which I might have otherwise acquired from his papers." 74 ■ HISTORY OF INDIANA. Mr. Sargent says tbere were about 150 French families at Vin- cenues in 1790. The heads of all these families had been at some time vested with certain titles to a portion of the soil ; and while the Secretary was busy in straightening out these claims, he re- ceived a petition signed by 80 Americans, asking for the confirma- tion of grants of land ceded by the Court organized by Col. John Todd under the authority of Virginia. With reference to this cause. Congress, March 3, 1791, empowered the Territorial Governor, in cases where land had been actually improved and cultivated under a supposed grant for the same, to confirm to the persons who made such improvements the lands supposed to have been granted, not, however, exceeding the quantity of iOO acres to any one per- son. LIQUOR AND GAMING LAWS. The General Court in the summer of 1790, Acting Governor Sargent presiding, passed the following laws with reference to vending liquor among the Indians and others, and with reference to games of chance: 1. An act to prohibit the giving or selling intoxicating liquors to Indians residing in or coming into the Territory of the United States northwest of the river Ohio, and for preventing foreigners from trading with Indians therein. 2. An act prohibiting the sale of spirituous or other intoxicat- ing liquors to soldiers in the service of the United States, being within ten miles of any military post in the territory; and to pre- vent the selling or pawning of arms, ammunition, clothing or accoutrements. 3. An act prohibiting every species of gaming for money or property, and for making void contracts and payments made in consequence thereof, and for restraining the disorderly practice of discharging arms at certain hours and places. Winthrop Sargent's administration was highly eulogized by the citizens at Vincennes, in a testimonial drawn up and signed by a committee of ofiicers. He had conducted tlie investigation and settlement of land claims to the entire satisfaction of the residents, had upheld the principles of free government in keeping with the animus of the American Kevolution, and had established in good order the machinery of a good and wise government. In the same address Major Hamtramck also received a fair share of praise for his judicious management of aflTairs. MILITARY HISTORY 1790-1800. EXPEDITIONS OF HARMiK, SCOTT AND WILKINSON. Gov. St. Clair, on his arrival at Fort Washington from Kas- kaskia, had a long conversation with Gen. Hartnar, and concluded to send a powerful force to chastise the savages about the head- waters of the Wabash. He had been empowered by the President to call on Virginia for 1,000 troops and on Pennsylvania for 500, and he immediately availed himself of this resource, ordering 300 of the Virginia militia to muster at Fort Steuben and march with the garrison of that fort to Vincenues, and join Maj. Hamtramck, who had orders to call for aid from the militia of Vincennes, march up the Wabash, and attack any of the Indian villages which he might think he could overcome. The remaining 1,200 of the mi- litia were ordered to rendezvous at Fort Washington, and to join the regular troops at that post under command of Gen. Harmar. At this time the United States troops in the West were estimated by Gen. Harmar at 400 effective men. These, with the militia, gave him a force of 1,4:50 men. With this army Gen. Harmar marched from Fort Washington Sept. 30, and arrived at the Mau- mee Oct. 17. Tliey commenced the work of punishing the Indians, but were not very successful. The savages, it is true, received a severe scourging, but the militia behaved so badly as to be of little or no service. A detachment of 340 militia and 60 regulars, under the command of Col. Hardin, were sorely defeated on the Maumee Oct. 22. The next day the army took up the line of march for Fort Washington, which place they reached Nov. 4, having lost in the e.xpeditiou 183 killed and 31 wounded; the Indians lost about as many. During the progress of this expedition Maj. Hamtramck marched up the Wabash from Vincennes, as far as the Vermillion river, and destroyed several deserted villages, but without finding an enemy to oppose him. Although the savages seem to have been severely punished by these expeditions, yet they refused to sue for peace, and continued their hostilities. Thereupon the inhabitants of the frontier settle- ments of Virginia took alarm, and the delegates of Ohio, Monon- (75) 76 HISTORY OF INDIANA. gahela, Harrison, Eandolph, Greenbrier, Kanawha and Mont- gomery counties sent a joint niemorial to the Governor of Vir- ginia, saying that the defenseless condition of the counties, form- ing a line of nearly 400 miles along the Ohio river, exposed to the hostile invasion of their Indian enemies, destitute of every kind of support, was truly alarming; for, notwithstanding all the regula- tions of the General Government in that country, they have reason to lament that they have been up to that time ineiFectual for their protection; nor indeed could it be otherwise, for the garrisons kept by the Continental troops on the Ohio river, if, of any use at all, must protect only the Kentucky settlements, as they immediately covered that country. They farther stated in their memorial: "We beg leave to observe that we have reason to fear that the conse- quences of the defeat of our army by the Indians in the late expe- dition will be severely felt on our frontiers, as there is no doubt that the Indians will, in their turn, being flushed with victory, in- vade our settlements and exercise all their horrid murder upon the inhabitants thereof whenever the weather will permit them to travel. Then is it not better to support us where we are, be the ex- pense what it may, than to oblige such a number of your brave citizens, who have so long supported, and still continue to support, a dangerous frontier (although thousands of their relatives iu the flesh have in the prosecution thereof fallen a sacrifice to savage in- ventions) to quit the country, after all they have done and sufiiered, when you know that a frontier must be supported somewhere?" This memorial caused the Legislature of Virginia to authorize the Governor of that State to make any defensive operations neces- sary for the temporary defense of the frontiers, until the general Government could adopt and carry out measures to suppress the hostile Indians. The Governor at once called upon the military commanding officers in the western counties of Virginia to raise by the first of March, 1791, several small companies of rangers for this purpose. At the same time Charles Scott was appointed Brigadier- General of the Kentucky militia, with authority to raise 226 vol- unteers, to protect the most exposed portions of that district. A full report of the proceedings of the Virginia Legislature being transmitted to Congress, that body constituted a local Board of "War for the district of Kentucky, consisting of five men. March 9, 1791, Gen. Henry Knox, Secretary of War, sent a letter of instruc- tions to Gen. Scott, recommending an expedition of mounted men not exceeding 750, against the Wea towns on the Wabash. With HISTORY OF INDIANA. 77 this force Gen. Scott accordingly crossed the Oiiio, May 23, 1791, and reached the Wabash in about ten days. Many of the Indians, having discovered his approach, fled, but he succeeded in destroy- ing all the villages around Oiiiatenon, together with several Kick- apoo towns, killing 32 warriors and taking 58 prisoners. He released a few of the most infirm prisoners, giving them a " talk," which they carried to the towns farther up the Wabash, and which the wretched condition of his horses prevented him from reaching. March 3, 1791, Congress provided for raising and equipping a regiment for the protection of the frontiers, and Gov. St. Clair was invested with the chief command of about 3,000 troops, to be raised and employed against the hostile Indians in the territory over which his jurisdiction extended. He was instructed by the Secre- tary of War to march to the Miami village and establish a strong and permanent military post there; also such posts elsewhere along the Ohio as would be in communication with Fort Washington. The post at Miami village was intended to keep the savages in that vicinity in check, and was ordered to be strong enough in its gar- rison to aiFord a detachment of 500 or 600 men in case of emer- gency, either to chastise any of the Wabash or other hostile Indians or capture convoys of the enemy's provisions. The Secretary of War also urged Gov. St. Clair to establish that post as the first and most important part of the campaign. In case of a previous treaty the Indians were to be conciliated upon this point if possible; and he presumed good arguments might be oflfered to induce their acquiescence. Said he: "Having commenced your march upon the main expedition, and the Indians continuing hostile, you will use every possible exertion to make them feel the eflfects of your superi- ority; and, after having arrived at the Miami village and put your works in a defensible state, you will seek the enemy with the wliole of your remaining force, and endeavor by all possible means to strike them with great severity. * * * * In order to avoid future wars, it might be proper to make the Wa- bash and thence over to the Maumee, and down the same to its mouth, at Lake Erie, the boundary between the people of the United States and the Indians (excepting so far as the same should relate to the Wyandots and Delawares), on the supposition of their continuing faithful to the treaties; but if they should join in the war against the United States, and your army be victorious, the said tribes ought to be removed without the boundary mentioned." Previous to marching a strong force to the Miami town. Gov. St. 78 HISTORY OF INDIANA.. Clair, June 25, 1791, authorized Gen Wilkinson to conduct a second expedition, not exceeding 500 mounted men, against the Indian villages on the Wabash. Accordingly Gen. Wilkinson mustered his forces and was ready July 20, to march with 525 mounted vol- unteers, well armed, and provided with 30 days' provisions, and with this force he reached the Ke-na-pa-com-a-qua village on the north bank of Eel river about six miles above its mouth, Aug. 7, where he killed six warriors and took 34 prisoners. This town, which was scattered along the river for three miles, was totally dx::- stroyed. Wilkinson encamped on the ruins of the town that night, and the next day he commenced his march for the Kickapoo town on the prairie, which he was unable to reach owing to the impassa- ble condition of the route which he adopted and the failing condi- tion of his horses. He reported the estimated results of the expe- dition as follows: "I have destroyed the chief town of the Ouiate- non nation, and have made prisoners of the sons and sisters of the king. I have burned a respectable Kickapoo village, and cut down at least 400 acres of corn, chiefly in the milk." EXPEDITIONS OF ST. CLAIR AND WAYNE. The Indians were greatly damaged by the expeditions ofHarmar, Scott and Wilkinson, but were far from being subdued. They regarded the policy of the United States as calculated to extermi- nate them from the land; and, goaded on by the English of Detroit, enemies of the Americans, they were excited to desperation. At tliis time the British Government still supported garrisons at Niagara, Detroit and Michilimackinac, although it was declared by the second article of the definitive treaty of peace of 1783, that the king of Great Britain would, " with all convenient speed, and without causing any destruction or carrying away any negroes or property of the American inhabitants, withdraw all his forces, garrisons and fleets from the United States, and from every post, place and harbor within the same." That treaty also provided that the creditors on either side should meet with no lawful impedi- ments to the recovery of the full value, in sterling money, of all hona fide debts previously contracted. The British Government claimed that the United States had broken faith in this particular understanding of the treaty, and in consequence refused to with- draw its forces from the territory. The British garrisons in the Lake Eegion were a source of much annoyance to the Americans, as they aflforded succor to hostile Indians, encouraging them to HISTOEY OF INDIANA. 79 make raids among the Americans. This state of aflfairs in the Territory Northwest of the Ohio continued from the commence- ment of the Revolutionary war to 1796, when under a second treaty all British soldiers were withdrawn from the country In September, 1791, St. Clair moved from Fort Washin<.ton with about 2,000 men, and November 3, the main army, consistin<. of about 1,400 effective troops, moved forward to the head-waters of the Wabash, where Fort Recovery was afterward erected, and here the army encamped. About 1,200 Indians were secreted a few miles distant, awaiting a favorable opportunity to begin an attack, which they improved on the morning of Nov. 4, about half an hour betore sunrise. The attack was first made upon the militia, which immediately gave way. St. Clair was defeated and he returned to Fort Washington with a broken and dispirited army, having lost 39 officers killed, and 539 men killed and missing; 23 officers and 233 men were wounded. Several pieces of artillery, and all the baggage, ammunition and provisions were left on the field of bat tie and fell into the hands of the victorious Indians. The stores and other public property lost in the action were valued at $33,800 There were also 100 or more American women with the army of the whites, very few of whom escaped the cruel carnage of the sav- age Indians. The latter, characteristic of their brutal nature proceeded in the flush of victory to perpetrate the most horrible acts of cruelty and brutality upon the bodies of the living and the dead Americans who fell into their hands. Believing that the whites had made war for many years merely to acquire land, the Indians crammed clay and sand into the eyes and down the throats of the dying and the dead! GEN. WATNe's GEEAT VICTORY. Although no particular blame was attached to Gov. St. Clair for the loss in this expedition, yet he resigned the office of Mafor-Gen- eral, and was succeeded by Anthony Wayne, a distinguished officer of the Revolutionary war. Early in 1792 provisions were made by the general Government for reorganizing the army, so that It should consist of an efficient degree of strength. Wayne arrived at Pittsburg in June, where the army was to rendezvous Here he continued actively engaged in organizing and training his forces until October, 1793, when with an army of about 3,600 men lie moved westward to Fort Washington. While Wayne was preparing for an offensive campaign, every 80 HISTORY OF INDIANA. possible means was employed to induce the hostile tribes of the Jforthwest to enter into a general treaty of peace with the Ameri- can Government; speeches were sent among them, and agents to make treaties were also sent, but little was accomplished. Major Hamtramck, who still remained at Vincennes, succeeded in con- cluding a general peace with the Wabash and Illinois Indians; but the tribes more immediately under the influence of the British refused to hear the sentiments of friendship that were sent among them, and tomahawked several of the messengers. Their courage had been aroused by St. Clair's defeat, as well as by the unsuccess- ful expeditions which had preceded it, and they now felt quite pre- pared to meet a superior force under Gen. Wayne. The Indians insisted on the Ohio river as the boundary line between their lands and the lands of the United States, and felt certain that they could maintain that boundary. Maj. Gen. Scott, with about 1,600 mounted volunteers from Kentucky, joined the regular troops under Gen. Wayne July 26, 1794, and on the 28t]i the united forces began their march for the Indian towns on the Maumee river. Arriving at the mouth of the Auglaize, they erected Fort Defiance, and Aug. 15 the army advanced toward the British fort at the foot of the rapids of the Maumee, where, on the 20th, almost within reach of the British, the American army gained a decisive victory over the combined forces of the hostile Indians and a considerable number of the Detroit militia. The number of the enemy was estimated at 2,000, against about 900 American troops actually engaged. This horde of savages, as soon as the action began, abandoned themselves to flight and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving Wayne's vic- torious army in full and quiet possession of the field. The Ameri- cans lost 33 killed and 100 wounded; loss of the enemy more than double this number. The army remained three days and nights on the banks of the Maumee, in front of the field of battle, during which time all the houses and cornfields were consumed and destroyed for a considera- ble distance both above and below Fort Miami, as well as within pistol shot of the British garrison, who were compelled to remain idle spectators to this general devastation and conflagration, among which were the houses, stores and property of Col. McKee, the British Indian agent and " principal stimulator of the war then existing between the United States and savages." On the return march to Fort Defiance the villages and cornfields for about 50 HISTORY OF INDIANA. bl miles oil each side of tlie Maumee were destroyed, as well as those for a considerable distance around that post. Sept. 14, 1794, the army under Gen. Wayne commenced its march toward the deserted Miami villages at the confluence of St. Joseph's and St. Mary's rivers, arriving Oct. 17, and on the follow- ing day the site of Fort "Wayne was selected. The fort was com- pleted Nov. 22, and garrisoned by a strong detachment of infantry and artillery, under the command of Col. John F. Hamtramck, who gave to the new fort the name of Fort Wayne. In 1814 a new fort was built on the site of this structure. The Kentucky volunteers returned to Fort Washington and were mustered out of service. Gen. Wayne, with the Federal troops, marched to Greenville and took up his headquarters during the winter. Here, in August, 1795, after several months of active negotiation, this gallant oiBcer succeeded in concluding a general treaty of peace with all the hos- tile tribes of the Northwestern Territory. This treaty opened the way for the flood of immigration for many years, and ultimately made the States and territories now constituting the mighty North- west. Up to the organization of the Indiana Territory there is but little history to record aside from those events connected with military affairs. In July, 1796, as before stated, after a treaty was con- cluded between the United States and Spain, the British garrisons, with their arms, artillery and stores, were withdrawn from the posts within tlie boundaries of the United States northwest of the Ohio river, and a detachment of American troops, consisting of 65 men, under the command of Capt. Moses Porter, took possession of the evacuated post of Detroit in the same month. In the latter part of 1796 Winthrop Sargent went to Detroit and organized the county of Wayne, forming a part of the Indiana Territory until its division in 1805, when the Territory of Michigan was organized. TERRITORIAL HISTORY. ORGANIZATION OF INDIANA TERRITOEY. On the final success of American arms and diplomacy in 1796, the principal town within the Territory, now the State, of Indiana was Vincennes, which at this time comprised about 50 houses, all presenting a thrifty and tidy appearance. Each house was sur- rounded by a garden fenced with poles, and peach and apple-trees grew in most of the enclosures. Garden vegetables of all kinds were cultivated with success, and corn, tobacco, wheat, barley and cotton grew in the fields around the village in abundance. During the last few years of the 18th century the condition of society at Vincennes improved wonderfully. Besides Vincennes there was a small settlement near where the town of Lawrenceburg now stands, in Dearborn county, and in the course of that year a small settlement was formed at "Armstrong's Station," on the Ohio, within the present limits of Clark county. There were of course several other smaller settlements and trading posts in the present limits of Indiana, and the number of civilized inhabitants comprised within the territory was estimated at 4,875. The Territory of Indiana was organized by Act of Congress May 7, 1800, the material parts of the ordinance of 1787 remaining in force; and the inhabitants were invested with all the rights, privi- leges and advantages granted and secured to the people by that ordinance. The seat of government was fixed at Vincennes. May 13, 1800, Wra. Henry Harrison, a native ot Virginia, was appoint- ed Governor of this new territory, and on the next day John Gib- son, a native of Pennsylvania and a distinguished WesCern pioneer, (to whom the Indian chief Logan delivered his celebrated speech in 1774:), was appointed Secretary of the Territory. Soon afterward Wm. Clark, Henry Vanderburgh and John Griffin were appointed territorial Judges. Secretary Gibson arrived at Vincennes in July, and commenced, in the absence of Gov. Harrison, the administration of government. Gov. Harrison did not arrive until Jan. 10, 1801, when he imme- diately called together the Judges of the Territory, who proceeded HISTOKY OF INDIANA. »i5 to pass such laws as they deemed necessary for the present govern- ment of the Territory. This session began March 3, 1801. From this time to 1810 the principal subjects which attracted the attention of tlie people of Indiana were land speculations, the adjustment of land titles, the question of negro slavery, the purchase of Indian lands by treaties, the organization of Territorial legis- latures, the extension of the right of suffrage, the division of Indiana Territory, the movements of Aaron Burr, and the hostile views and proceedings of the Sliawanee chief, Tecumseh, and his brother, the Prophet. Up to this time the sixth article of the celebrated ordinance of 1787, prohibiting slavery in the Northwestern Territory, iiad been somewhat neglected in the execution of the law, and many French settlers still held slaves in a manner. In some instances, according to rules prescribed by Territorial legislation, slaves agreed by indentures to remain in servitude under their masters for a certain number of years; but many slaves, with whom no such contracts were made, were removed from the Indiana Territory either to the west of the Mississippi or to some of the slaveholding States. Gov. Harrison convoked a session of delegates of the Territory, elected by a popular vote, who petitioned Congress to declare the sixth article of the ordinance of 1787, prohibiting slavery, suspend- ed; but Congress never consented to grant that petition, and many other petitions of a similar import. Soon afterward some of the citizens began to take colored persons out of the Territory for the purpose of selling them, and Gov. Harrison, by a proclamation April 6, 1804, forbade it, and called upon the authorities of the Territory to assist him in preventing such removal of persons of color. During the year 1804 all the country west of the Mississippi and north of 33° was attached to Indiana Territory by Congress, but in a few months was again detached and organized into a separate ter- ritory. When it appeared from the result of a popular vote in the Terri- tory that a majority of 138 freeholders were in favor of organizing a General Assembly, Gov. Harrison, Sept. 11, 1804, issued a procla- mation declaring that the Territory had passed into the second grade of government, as contemplated by the ordinance of 17S7, and fixed Thursday, Jan. 3, 1805, as the time for holding an election in the several counties of the Territory,to choose members of a House of Representatives, who should meet at Vincennes Feb. 1 and g^ HISTORY OF INDIANA. adopt measures for the organization of a Territorial Council. These de egates were elected, and met according to the P-^^^^^^^; ^3' selected ten men from whom the President of the Un ted States, mlefferson, should appoint five to be -^.-nstitute the Leg. a tive Council of the Territory, but he dechmng requested Mr^Ha rison to make the selection, which was --^^^S ^ J^.?"^^„ J^' the first session of this Council, however, was ^-^J' ^^^^^^f^J^;^ ritory was set oft', its south line being one drawn from the southern end of Lake Michigan directly east to Lake Lrie. FIBST TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE. The first General Assembly, or Legislature, of Indiana Territory met at Vincennes July 29, 1805, in pursrfabce of a gubernatorial roclamT "on The members of the House of Kepresentatives were CeB. Thomas,of Dearborn county;DavisFloyd,otCnarkc^^^^^^^ Benjamin Parke and John Johnson, of K"°^ ^^'^^^^ ' ^'"^her Bond and William Biggs, of St. Clair --^{v' .Urfirft mes- of Randolph county. July 30 the Governor delivered his fi .t mes le to "the Legislative Council and House of R^F-- ^t-- f ft Indiana Territory." Benjamin Parke -- ^^^^^^^^f ^"f^ elected to Congress. He had emigrated from New Jersey to In- diana in 1801. THE "western sun was the first newspaper published in the Indiana Territory, now om^dsing the four great States of Indiana, II^--^^^-^^^- ^^^^ Wisconsin^ and the second in all that country onoe^^^ZX "Northwestern Territory." It was c^^^'"'^"^^^,^^,^;"^"^.^ 1803, by Elihu Stout, of Kentucky, and first cdled the /^c^.-" ^aa «.: and July, 4, 1804, was changed to the Wester>i Sun. Mr. Stout cntinued the paper until 1845, amid many d-couragements whl he was appointed postmaster at the place, and he sold out theofiice. INDIANA IN 1810. The events which we have just been describing -^^Ij --^J;;^^ the initiatory steps to the great military campaign of Gen. Harrison whi h ended'in the "battle of Tippecanoe;" but be ore proceeding to an account of that brilliant affair, let us take a glance at the re sources and strength of Indiana Territory at this tune 1810. Total population, 24,5.20; 33 grist mills: 14 saw -^ ^^^ ^ ^orse onills; 18 tanneries; 28 distilleries; 3 powder mills; l,2o6 looms, HISTOEY OF INDIANA. 85 1,350 spinning wheels; value of manufactures — woolen, cotton hempen and flaxen cloths, $159,032; of cotton and wool spun in mills, $150,000; of nails, 30,000 pounds, $4,000; of leather tanned, $9,300; of distillery products, 35,950 gallons, $16,230; of gun- powder, 3,600 pounds, $1,S00; of wiue from grapes, 96 barrels, $6,000, and 5 0,000 pounds of maple sugar. During the year 1810 a Board of Commissioners was established to straighten out the confused condition into which the land-title controversy had been carried by the various and conflicting admin- istrations that had previously exercised jurisdiction in this regard. This work was attended with much labor on the part of the Commis- sioners and great dissatisfaction on the part of a few designing specu- lators, who thought no extreme of perjury too hazardous in their mad attempts to obtain lands fraudulently. In closing their report the Commissioners used the following expressive language: "We close this melancholy picture of human depravity by rendering our devout acknowledgment that, in the awful alternative in which we have been placed, of either admitting perjured testimony in sup- port of the claims before us, or having it turned against our char- acters and lives, it has as yet pleased that divine providence which rules over the affiiirs of men, to preserve us, both from legal mur- der and private assassination." The question of dividing the Territory of Indiana was agitated from 1S06 to 1809, when Congress erected the Territory of Illinois, to comprise all that part of Indiana Territory lying west of the . "Wabash river and a direct line drawn from that river and Post Vincennes due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada. This occasioned some confusion in the govern- ment of Indiana, but in due time the new elections were confirmed, and the new territory started ofl" on a journey of prosperity which this section of the United States has ever since enjoyed. From the first settlement of Yincennes for nearly half a century there occurred nothing of importance to relate, at least so far as the records inform us. The place was too isolated to grow very fast, and we suppose there was a succession of priests and com- mandants, who governed the little world around them with almost infinite power and authority, from whose decisions there was no appeal, if indeed any was ever desired. The character of society in such a place would of course grow gradually different from the parent society, assimilating more or less with that of neighboring tribes. The whites lived in peace with the Indians, each under- HISTORY OF INDIANA. Standing the other's peculiarities, which remained fixed long enough for both parties to study out and understand them. The government was a mixture of the military and the civil. There was little to incite to enterprise. Speculations in money and prop- erty, and their counterpart, beggary, were both unknown; the nec- essaries of life were easily procured, and beyond these there were but few wants to be supplied; hospitality was exercised by all, as there were no taverns; there seemed to be no use for law, judges or prisons; each district had its commandant, and the proceedings of a trial were singular. The complaining party obtained a notifi- cation from the commandant to his adversary, accompanied by a command to render justice. If this had no efiect he was notified to appear before the commandant on a particular day and answer; and if the last notice was neglected, a sergeant and file of men were sent to bring him, — no sherifi" and no costs. The convicted party would be fined and kept in prison until he rendered justice according to the decree; when extremely refractory the cat-o'-nine- tails brought him to a sense of justice. In such a state of society there was no demand for learning and science. Few could read, and still fewer write. Their disposition was nearly always to deal honestly, at least simply. Peltries were their standard of value. A brotherly love generally prevailed. But they were devoid of public spirit, enterprise or ingenuity. GOV. HARRISON AND THE INDIANS. Immediately after the organization of Indiana Territory Governor Harrison's attention was directed, by necessity as well as by in- structions from Congress, to settling affairs with those Indians who still held claims to lands. He entered into several treaties, by which at the close of 1805 the United States Government had ob- tained about 46,000 square miles of territory, including all the lands lying on the borders of the Ohio river between the mouth of the Wabash river and the State of Ohio. The levying of a tax, especially a poll tax, by the General Assem- bly, created considerable dissatisfaction among many of the inhabit- ants. At a meeting held Sunday, August 16, 1807, a number of Frenchmen resolved to " withdraw their confidence and support forever from those men who advocated or in any manner promoted the second grade of government." In 1807 the territorial statutes were revised and under the new code, treason, murder, arson and horse-stealing were each punish- able by death. The crime of manslaughter was punishable by the common law. Burglary and robbery were punishable by whip- ping, fine and in some cases by imprisonment not exceeding forty years. Hog stealing was punishable by fine and whipping. Bigamy was punishable by fine, whipping and disfranchisement, etc. In 1804 Congress established three land offices for the sale of lands in Indiana territory; one was located at Detroit, one at Vin- cennes and one at Kaskaskia. In 1807 a fourth one was opened at Jefiersonville, Clark county; this town was first laid out in 1802, agreeably to plans suggested by Mr. Jefferson then President of the United States. Governor Harrison, according to his message to the Legislature in 1806, seemed to think that the peace then existing between the whites and the Indians was permanent; but in the same document he referred to a matter that might be a source of trouble, which in- deed it proved to be, namely, the execution of white laws among the Indians — laws to which the latter had not been a party in their enactment. The trouble was aggravated by the partiality with which the laws seem always to have been executed; the Indian (87) 88 HISTORY OF INDIANA. was nearly always the sufferer. All along from 180.5 to 1810 the Indians complained bitterly against the encroachments of the white people upon the lands that belonged to them. The invasion of their hunting grounds and the unjustifiable killing of many of their peo- ple were the sources of their discontent. An old chief, in laying the trouble of his people before Governor Harrison, said : " You callus children; why do you not make us as happy as our fathers, the French, did? They never took from us our lands; indeed, they were common between us. They planted where they pleased, and they cut wood where they pleased; and so did we; but now if a poor Indian attempts to take a little bark from a tree to cover him from the rain, up comes a white man and threatens to shoot him, claiming the tree as his own." The Indian truly had grounds for his complaint, and the state of feeling existing among the tribes at this time was well calculated to develop a patriotic leader who should carry them all forward to victory at arms, if certain concessions were not made to them by the whites. But this golden opportunity was seized by an unworthy warrior. A brother of Tecumseh, a "prophet" named Law-le-was-i- kaw, but who assumed the name of Peras-quat-a-wah (Open Door), was the crafty Shawanee warrior who was enabled to work upon both the superstitions and the rational judgment of his fellow In- dians. He was a good orator, somewhat peculiar in his appearance and well calculated to win the attention and respect of the savages. He began by denouncing witchcraft, the use of intoxicating liquors, the custom of Indian women marrying white men, the dress of the whites and the practice of selling Indian lands to the United States. He also told the Indians that the commands of the Great Spirit re- quired them to punish with death those who practiced the arts of witchcraft and magic; that the Great Spirit had given him power to find out and expose such persons; that he had power to cure all diseases, to confound his enemies and to stay the arm of death in sickness and on the battle-field. His harangues aroused among some bands of Indians a high degree of superstitious excitement. An old Delaware chief named Ta-te-bock-o-she, through whose in- fluence a treaty had been made with the Delawares in 1804, was accused of witchcraft, tried, condemned and tomahawked, and his body consumed by fire. The old chief's wife, nephew ("Billy Patterson ") and an aged Indian named Joshua were next accused of witchcraft and condemned to death. The two men were burned at the stake, but the wife of Ta-te-bock-o-she was saved from ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 91 death by her brother, who suddenly approached her, took her by the hand, and, without meeting any opposition from the Indians present, led her out of the council- house. He then immediately returned and checked the growing influence of the Prophet by exclaiming in a strong, earnest voice, " The Evil S])irit has come among us and we are killing each other." — \_DilloiiS lliHtonj of Indiana. When Gov. Harrison was made acquainted with these events he sent a special messenger to the Indians, strongly entreating them to renounce the Prophet and his works. This really destroyed to some extent the Prophet's influence; but in the spring of 1808, having aroused nearly all the tribes of the Lake Region, the Prophet with a large number of followers settled near the mouth of the Tippe- canoe river, at a place which afterward had the name of "Prophet's- Town." Taking advantage of his brother's influence, Tecuraseh actively engaged himself in forming the various tribes into a con- federacy. He announced publicly to all the Indians tiiat the treaties by which the United States had acquired lands northwest of the Ohio were not made in fairness, and should be considered void. He also said that no single tribe was invested with power to sell lands without the consent of all the other tribes, and that he and his brother, the Prophet, would oppose and resist all future attempts which the white jieople might make to extend their set- tlements in the lands that belonged to the Indians. Early in 1808, Gov. Harrison sent a speech to the Shawanees, in which was this sentence: " My children, this business must be stopped; I will no longer suifer it. You have called a number of men from the most distant triltes to listen to a fool, who speaks not the words of the Great Spirit but those of the devil and the British agents. My children, your conduct has much alarmed the white settlers near you. They desire that you will send away those people; and if they wish to have the impostor with them they can carry him along with them. Let him go to the lakes; he can hear the British more distinctly." This message wounded the pride of the Prophet, and he prevailed on the messenger to inform Gov. Harrison that lie was not in league with the British, but was speak- ing truly the words of the Great Spirit. In the latter part of the summer of 1808, the Prophet spent sev- eral weeks at Vincennes, for the purpose of holding interviews with Gov. Harrison. At one time he told the Governor that he was a Christian and endeavored to persuade his people also to become Christians, abandon the use of liquor, be united in broth- 92 HISTORY OF INDIANA. erly love, etc., making Mr. Harrison believe at least, that he was houest; but before long it was demonstrated that the "Prophet" was designing, cunning and unreliable; that both he and Tecumseh were enemies of the United States, and friends of the English; and that in case of a war between the Americans and English, they would join the latter. The next year the Prophet again visited Yincennes, with assurances that he was not in sympathy with the English, but the Governor was not disposed to believe him; and in a letter to the Secretary of War, in July, 1S09, he said that he regarded the bands of Indians at Prophet's Town as a combination which had been produced by British intrigue and influence, in antic- ipation of a war between them and the United States. In direct opposition to Tecumseh and the prophet and in spite of all these difficulties. Gov. Harrison continued the work of extin- guishing Indian titles to lauds, with very good success. By the close of 1809, the total amount of land ceded to the United States, under treaties which had been eflected by Mr. Harrison, exceeded 30,000,000 aires. From 1S05 to 1807, the movements of Aaron Burr in the Ohio valley created considerable excitement in Indiana. It seemed tliat he intended to collect a force of men, invade Mexico and found a republic there, comprising all the country west of the Alleghany mountains. He gathered, however, but a few men, started south, and was soon arrested by the Federal authorities. But before his arrest he had abandoned his expedition and his followers had dispersed. Harrison's campaign. While the Indians were combining to prevent any further trans- fer of land to the whites, the British were using the advantage as a groundwork for a successful war upon the Americans. In the spring of 1810 the followers of the Prophet refused to receive their annuity of salt, and the officials who offered it were denounced as "American dogs," and otherwise treated in a disrespectful manner. Gov. Harrison, in July, attempted to gain the friendship of the Prophet by sending him a letter.offering to treat with him person- ally in the matter of his grievances, or to furnish means to send him, with three of his principal chiefs, to the President at Wash- ington; but the messenger was coldly received, and they returned word that they would visit Vincennes in a few days and interview the Governor. Accordingly, Aug. 12, 1810, the Shawanee chief with 70 of his principal warriors, marched up to the door of the HISTORY OF INDIANA. 93 Governor's house, and from that day until the 22d held daily inter- views with His Excellency. In all of his speeches Tecumseh was haughty, and sometimes arrogant. On the 20th he delivered that celebrated speech in which he gave the Governor the alternative of returning their lands or meeting them in battle. While the Governor was replying to this speech Tecumsehinter- rupted him with an angry exclamation, declaring that the United States, through Gov. Harrison, had "cheated and imposed on the Indians." When Tecumseh first rose, a number of his party also sprung to their feet, armed with clubs, tomahawks and spears, and made some threatening demonstrations. The Governor's guards, who stood a little way oif, were marched up in haste, and the In- dians, awed by the presence of this small armed force, abandoned what seemed to be an intention to make an open attack on the Gov- ernor and his attendants. As soon as Tecumseh's remarks were interpreted, the Governor reproached him for his conduct, and com- manded him to depart instantly to his camp. On the following day Tecumseh repented of his rash act and re- quested the Governor to grant him another interview, and pro- tested against any intention of offense. The Governor consented, and the council was re-opened on the 21st, when the Shawanee chief addressed him in a respectful and dignified manner, but re- mained immovable in his policy. The Governor then requested Tecumseh to state plainly whether or not the surveyors who might be sent to survey the lands purchased at the treaty of Fort Wayne in 1S09, would be molested by Indians. Tecumseh replied: "Brother, when you speak of annuities to me, I look at the land and pity the women and children. I am authorized to say that they will not receive them. Brother, we want to save that piece of land. We do not wish you to take it. It is small enough for our purpose. If you do take it, you must blame yourself as the cause of the trouble between us and the tribes who sold it to you. *I want the present boundary line to continue. Should you cross it, I assure you it will be productive of bad consequences." The next day the Governor, attended only by his interpreter, visited the camp of the great Shawanee, and in the course of along interview told him that the President of the United States would not acknowledge his claims. "Well," replied the brave warrior, "as the great chief is to determine the matter, I hope the Great Spirit will put sense enough into his head to induce liim to direct you to give up this land. It is true, he is so far off he will not be HISTORY OF INDIANA. injured by tlie war. He may sit still in his town and drink his wine, while yon and I will have to fight it oat." In his message to the new territorial Legislature in 1810 Gov. Harrison called attention to the dangerous views held by Tecumseh and the Prophet, to the pernicious influence of alien enemies among the Indians, to the unsettled condition of the Indian trade and to the policy of extinguishing Indian titles to lands. The eastern settlements were separated from the western by a consider- able extent of Indian lands, and the most fertile tracts within the territory were still in the hands of the Indians. Almost entirely divested of the game from which they had drawn their subsistence, it had become of little use to them; and it was the intention of the Government to substitute for the precarious and scanty sup- plies of the chase the more certain and plentiful support of agri- culture and stock-raising. The old habit of the Indians to hunt so long as a deer could be found was so inveterate that they would not break it and resort to intelligent agriculture unless they were compelled to, and to this they would not be compelled unless they were confined to a limited extent of territory. The earnest lan- guage of the Governor's appeal was like this: "Are then those extinguishments of native title which are at once so beneficial to the Indian and the territory of the United States, to be suspended on account of the intrigues of a few individuals? Is one of the fair- est portions of the globe to remain in a state of nature, the haunt of a few wretched savages, when it seems destined by the Creator to give support to a large population, and to be the seat of civili- zation, of science and true religion?" In the same message the Governor also urged the establishment of a system of popular education. Among the acts passed by this session of the Legislature, one authorize'd the President and Directors of the Vincennes Public Library to "raise $1,000 by lottery. Also, a petition was sent to Congress for a permanent seat of government for the Territory, and commissioners were appointed to select the site. With the beginning of the year 1811 the British agent for Indian afi"airs adopted measures calculated to secure the support of the savages in the war which at this time seemed almost inevitable. Meanwhile Gov. Harrison did all in his power to destroy the influ- ence of Tecumseh and his brother and break up the Indian confed- eracy which was being organized in the interests of Great Britain. Pioneer settlers and the Indians naturally grew more and more HISTORY OF INDIANA. 95 aggressive and intolerant, committing depredations and murders, until the Governor felt compelled to send the following speech, substantially, to the two leaders of the Indian tribes: "This is the third year that all the white people in this country have been alarmed at your proceedings; you threaten us with war; you invite all the tribes north and west of you to join against us, while your warriors who have lately been here deny this. The tribes on the Mississippi have sent me word that you intended to murder me and then commence a war upon my people, and your seizing the salt I recently sent up the Wabash is also sufficient evidence of such intentions on your part. My warriors are preparing themselves, not to strike you, but to defend themselves and their women and children. You shall not surprise us, as you expect to do. Your intended act is a rash one: consider well of it. What can induce you to undertake such a thing when there is so little prospect of success? Do you really think that the handful of men you have about you are able to contend with the seventeen 'fires?' or even that the whole of the tribes united could contend against the Ken- tucky 'fire' alone? I am myself of the Long 'Knife fire.' As soon as they hear my voice you will see them pouring forth their swarms of hunting-shirt men as numerous as the musquitoes on the shores of the Wabash, Take care of their stings. It is not our wish to hurt you; if we did, we certainly have power to do it. " You have also insulted the Government of the United States, by seizing the salt that was intended for other tribes. Satisfaction must be given for that also. You talk of coming to see rae, attend- ed by all of your young men; but this must not be. If your inten- tions are good, you have no need to bring but a few of your young men with you. I must be plain with you. I will not suifer you to come into our settlements with such a force. My advice is that you visit the President of the United States and lay your griev- ances before him. " With respect to the lands that were purchased last fall I can enter into no negotiations with you; the affair is with the Presi- dent. If you wish to go and see him, I will supply you with the " The person who delivers this is one of my war officers, and is a man in whom I have entire confidence; whatever he says to you, although it may not be contained in this paper, you may believe comes from me. My friend Tecumseh, the bearer is a good man and a brave warrior; I hope you will treat him well. You are yt) HISTOET OF INDIANA. yourself a warrior, and all such should have esteem for each other." The bearer of this speech was politely received by Tecumseh, who replied to the Governor briefly that he should visit Vincennes in a few days. Accordingly he arrived July 27, 1811, bringing with him a considerable force of Indians, which created much alarm among the inhabitants. In view of an emergency Gov. Harrison reviewed his militia — about 750 armed men — and station- ed two companies and a detachment of dragoons on the borders of the town. At this interview Tecumseh held forth that he intended no war against the United States; that he would send messengers among the Indians to prevent murders and depredations on the white settlements; that the Indians, as well as the whites, who had committed murders, ought to be forgiven; that he had set the white people an example of forgiveness, which tliey ought to follow; that it was his wish to establish a union among all the Indian tribes; that the northern tribes were united; that he was going to visit the southern Indians, and then return to the Prophet's town. He said also that he would visit the President the next spring and settle all difliculties with him, and that he hoped no attempts would be made to make settlements on the lands which had been sold to the United States, at the treaty of Fort Wayne, because the Indians wanted to keep those grounds for hunting. Tecumseh then, with about 20 of his followers, left for the South, to induce the tribes in that direction to join his confederacy. By the way, a lawsuit was instituted by Gov. Harrison against a certain Wm. Mcintosh, for asserting that the plaintiff had cheated the Indians out of their lands, and that by so doing he had made them enemies to the United States. The defendant was a wealthy Scotch resident of Vincennes, well educated, and a man of influence among the people opposed to Gov. Harrison's land policy. The jury rendered a verdict in favor of Harrison, assessing the damages at $4,000. In execution of the decree of Court a large quantity of the defendant's land was sold in the absence of Gov. Harrison; but some time afterward Harrison caused about two-thirds of the land to be restored to Mr. Mcintosh, and the remainder was given to some orphan children. Harrison's first movement was to erect a new fort on the "Wabash river and to break up the assemblage of hostile Indians at the Prophet's town. For this purpose he ordered Col. Boyd's regiment of infantry to move from the falls of Ohio to Vincennes. When the military expedition organized by Gov, Harrison was nearly UISTORT OF INDIANA. yi ready to march to the Prophet's town,several Indian chiefs arrived at Vincenues Sept. 25, 1811, and declared that the Indians would comply with the demands of the Governor and disperse; but this did not check the military proceedings. The army under com- mand of Harrison moved from Vincennes Sept. 26, and Oct. 3, en- countering no opposition from the enemy, encamped at the place where Fort Harrison was afterward built, and near where the city of Terre Haute now stands. On the night of the 11th a few hos- tile Indians approached the encampment and wounded one of the sentinels, which caused considerable excitement. The army was immediately drawn up in line of battle, and small detachments were sent in all directions; but the enemy could not be found. Then the Governor sent a message to Prophet's Town, requiring the Shawanees, "Winnebagoes, Pottawatomies and Kickapoos at that place to return to their respective tribes; he also required the Prophet to restore all the stolen horses in his jiossession, or to give satisfactory proof that such persons were not there, nor had lately been, under his control. To this message the Governor received no answer, unless that answer was delivered in the battle of Tip- pecanoe. The new fort on the "Wabash was finished Oct. 28, and at the re- quest of all the subordinate officers it was called "Fort Harrison," near what is now Terre Haute. This fort was garrisoned with a small number of men under Lieutenant-Colonel Miller. On the 29th the remainder of the army, consisting of 910 men, moved toward the Prophet's town; about 270 of the troops were mounted. The regular troops, 250 in number, were under the command of Col. Boyd. With this army the Governor marched to within a half mile of the Prophet's town, when a conference was opened with a distinguished chief, in high esteem with the Prophet, and he informed Harrison that the Indians were much surprised at the approach of the army, and had already dispatched a message to him by another route. Harrison replied that he would not attack them until he had satisfied himself that they would not comply with his demands; that he would continue his encampment on the Wabash, and on the following morning would have an interview with the prophet. Harrison then resumed his march, and, after some difficulty, selected a place to encamp — a spot not very desir- able. It was a piece of dry oak land rising about ten feet above the marshy prairie in front toward the Indian town, and nearly twice that height above a similar prairie in the rear, through which y» HISTORY OF INDIANA. and near this bank ran a small stream clothed with willow and brush wood. Toward the left flank this highland widened consid- erably, but became gradually narrower in the opposite direction, and at the distance of 150 yards terminated in an abrupt point. The two columns of infantry occupied the front and rear of this ground, about 150 yards from each other on the left, and a little more than half that distance on the right, flank. One flank was filled by two companies of mounted riflemen, 120 men, under com- mand of ilajor-General Wells, of the Kentucky militia, and one by Spencer's company of mounted riflemen, numbering 80 men. The front line was composed of one battalion of United States in- fantry, under command of Major Floyd, flanked on the right by two companies of militia, and on the left by one company. The rear line was composed of a battalion of United States troops, under command of Capt. Bean, acting as Major, and four companies of militia infantry under Lieutenant-Colonel Decker. The regular troops of this line joined the mounted riflemen under Gen. Wells, on the left flank, and Col. Decker's battalion formed an angle with Spencer's company on tlie left. Two troops of dragoons, about 60 men in all, were encamped in the rear of the left flank, and Capt. Parke's troop, which was larger than the other two, in rear of the right line. For a night attack the order of encampment was the order of battle, and each man slept opposite his post in the line. In the formation of the troops single flle was adopted, in order to get as great an extension of the lines as possible. BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE. No attack was made by the enemy until about 4 o'clock on the morning of Nov. 7, just after the Governor had arisen. The attack was made on the left flank. Only a single gun was flred by the sentinels or by the guard in that direction, which made no resist- ance, abandoning their posts and fleeing into camp; and the first notice which the troops of that line had of the danger was the yell of the savages within a short distance of them. But the men were courageous and preserved good discipline. Such of them as ■were awake, or easily awakened, seized arms and took their stations; others, who were more tardy, had to contend with the enemy in the doors of their tents. The storm first fell upon Capt. Barton's company of the Fourth United States Regiment, and Capt. Geiger's company of mounted riflemen, which formed the left angle of the rear line. The fire from the Indians was exceedingly severe, and HISTORr OF INDIANA. «» men in these companies suffered considerably before relief could be brought to them. Some few Indians passed into the encampment near the angle, and one or two penetrated to some distance before they were killed. All the companies formed for action before they were fired on. The morning was dark and cloudy, and the fires of the Americans afforded only a partial light, which gave greater advantage to the enemy than to the troops, and they were there- fore extinguished. As soon as the Governor could mount his horse he rode to the angle which was attacked, where he found that Barton's company had suffered severely, and the left of Geiger's entirely broken. He immediately ordered Cook's and "Wentworth's companies to march up to the center of the rear line, where were stationed a small com- pany of U. S. riflemen and the companies of Bean, Snelling and Prescott. As the General rode up he found Maj. Daviess forming the dragoons in the rear of these companies, and having ascertained that the heaviest fire proceeded from some trees 15 or 20 paces in front of these companies, he directed the Major to dislodge them with a part of the dragoons; but unfortunately the Major's gal- lantry caused him to undertake the execution of the order with a smaller force than was required, which enabled the enemy to avoid him in front and attack his flanks. He was mortally wounded and his men driven back. Capt. Snelling, however, with his company immediately dislodged those Indians. Capt. Spencer and his 1st and 2nd Lieutenants were killed, and Capt. Warwick mortally wounded. The soldiery remained brave. Spencer had too much ground originally, and Harrison re-enforced him with a company of riflemen which had been driven from their position on the left flank. Gen. Harrison's aim was to keep the lines entire, to prevent the enemy from breaking into the camp until daylight, which would enable him to make a general and effectual charge. With this view he had re-enforced every part of the line that had suffered much, and with the approach of morning he withdrew several companies from the front and rear lines and re-enforced the right and left flanks, foreseeing that at these points the enemy would make their last effort. Maj. Wells, who had commanded the left flank, charged upon the enemy and drove them at the point of the bayonet into the marsh, where they could not be followed. Meanwhile Capt. Cook and Lieut. Larrabee marched their companies to the right flank and formed under tire of the enemy, and being there joined 100 HISTORY OF INDIANA. by tlie riflemen of that flank, charged upon the enemy, killing a number and putting the rest to a precipitate flight. Tlius ended the famous battle of Tippecanoe, victoriously to the whites and honorably to Gen. Harrison. In this battle Mr. Harrison had about 700 efficient men. wliile the Indians had probably more than that. The loss of the Ameri- cans was 37 killed and 25 mortally wounded, and 126 wounded; the Indians lost 3S killed on the field of battle, and the number of the wounded was never known. Among the whites killed were Daviess, Spencer, Owen, "Warwick, Eandolph, Bean and "White. Standing on an eminence near by, the Prophet encouraged his warriors to battle by singing a favorite war-song. He told them that they would gain an easy victory, and that the bullets of their enemies would be made harmless b}' the Great Spirit. Eeing informed during the engagement that some of the Indians were killed, he said that his warriors must fight on and they would soon be victorious. Immediately after their defeat the surviving Indians lost faith in their great (?) Proph- et, returned to their respective tribes, and thus the confederacy was destroyed. The Prophet, with a very tew followers, then took up his residence among a small band of Wyandots encamped on "Wild-Cat creek. His famous town, with all its possessions, was destroyed the next day, Nov. 8. On the ISth the American army returned to Yincennes, where most of the troops were discharged. The Territorial Legislature, being in session, adopted resolutions complimentary to Gov. Harri- son and the officers and men under him, and made preparations for a reception and celebration. Capt. Logan, the eloquent Shawanee chief who assisted onr forces so materially, died in the latter part of November, 1812, from the effects of a wound received in a skirmish with a recon- noitering party of hostile Indians accompanied by a white man in the British service, Nov. 22. In that skirmish the white man was killed, and "Winamac, a Pottawatomie chief of some distinction, fell by the rifle of Logan. The latter was mortally wounded, when he retreated with two warriors of his tribe, Capt. Johnny and Bright-Horn, to the camp of Gen. Winchester, where he soon after- ward died. He was buried with the honors of war. WAE OF 1812 WITH GREAT BEITAIN. The victory recently gained by the Americans at the battle of Tippecanoe insured perfect peace for a time, but only a short time as the more extensive schemes of the British had so far ripened as to compel the United States again to declare war against them. Tecuraseh had fled to Maiden, Canada, where, counseled by the English, he continued to excite the tribes against the Americans. As soon as this war with Great Britain was declared (June 18, 1812), the Indians, as was expected, commenced again to commit depredations. During the summer of 1812 several points along the Lake Region succumbed to theBritish, as Detroit, under Gen. Hull, Fort Dearborn (now Chicago), commanded by Capt. Heald under Gen. Hull, the post at Mackinac, etc. In the early part of September, 1S12, parties of hostile Indians began to assemble in considerable numbers in the vicinity of Forts Wayne and Harrison, with a view to reducing them. Capt. Rhea, at this time, had command of Fort Waj-ne, but his drinking pro- pensities rather disqualified him for emergencies. For two weeks the fort was in great jeopardy. An express had been sent to Gen. Harrison for reinforcements, but many days passed without any tidings of expected assistance. At length, one day, Maj. Wm. Oliver and four friendly Indians arrived at the fort on horseback. One of the Indians was the celebrated Logan. They had come in defiance of " 500 Indians," had "broken their ranks" and reached tbe fort in safety. Oliver reported that Harrison was aware of the situation and was raising men for a re-enforcement. Ohio was also raising volunteers; 800 were then assembled at St. Mary's, Ohio, 60 miles south of Fort Wayne, and would march to the relief of the fort in three or four days, or as soon as they were joined by re- enforcements from Kentucky. Oliver prepared a letter, announcing to Gen. Harrison his safe ar- rival at the besieged fort, and giving an account of its beleaguered situation, which he dispatched by his friendly Shawanees, while he concluded to take his chances at the fort. Brave Logan and his companions started with the message, but had scarcely left the fort when they were discovered and pursued by the hostile Indians, yet passing the Indian lines in safety, they were soon out of reach. The Indians now began a furious attack upon the fort; but the little garrison, with Oliver to cheer them on, bravely met the assault, re- pelling the attack day after day, until the army approached to their relief. During this siege the commanding officer, whose habits of 102 HISTORY OF INDIANA. intemperance rendered him unfit for the command, was confined in the " black hole," while the junior officer assumed charge. This course was approved by the General, on his arrival, but Capt. Ehea received very little censure, probably on account of his valuable ser- vices in the Revolutionary war. Sept. 6, 1S12, Harrison moved forward with his army to the re- lief of Fort Wayne; the next day he reached a point within three miles of St. Mary's river; the next day he reached the river and was joined at evening by 200 mounted volunteers, under Col. Eich- ard M. Johnson; the next day at "Shane's Crossing" on the St. Mary's they were joined by 800 men from Ohio, under Cols. Adams and Hawkins. At this place Chief Logan and four other Indians ofiered their services as spies to Gen. Harrison, and were accepted. Logan was immediately disguised and sent forward. Passing through the lines of the hostile Indians,he ascertained their number to be about 1,500, and entering the fort, he encouraged the solaiers to hold out, as relief was at hand. Gen. Harrison's force at this time was about 3,500. After an early breakfast Friday morning they were under march- ing orders; it had rained and the guns were damp; theywere dis- charged and reloaded; but that day only one Indian was encount- ererl; preparations were made at night for an expected attack by the Indians, but no attack came; the next day, Sept. 10, they ex- pected to fight their way to Fort Wayne, but in that they were hap- pily disappointed ; and " At the first grey of the morning," as Bryce eloquently observes, "the distant halloos of the disappointed sav- ages revealed to the anxious inmates of the fort the glorious news of the approach of the army. Great clouds of dust could be seen from the fort, rolling up in the distance, as the valiant soldiery under Gen. Harrison moved forward to the rescue of the garrison and the brave boys of Kentucky and Ohio." This siege of Fort Wayne of course occasioned great loss to the few settlers who had gathered around the fort. At the time of its commencement quite a little village had clustered around the mili- tary works, but during the siege most of their improvements and crops were destroyed by the savages. Every building out of the reach of the guns of the fort was leveled to the ground, and thus the in- fant settlement was destroyed. During this siege the garrison lost but three men, while the Indians lost 25. Gen. Harrison had all the Indian villages for 25 miles around destroyed. Fort Wayne was nothing but a military post until about 1819. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 103 Simultaneously with the attack on Fort Wayne the Indians also besieged Fort Harrison, which was commanded by Zachary Taylor. The Indians commenced firing upon the fort about 11 o'clock one night, when tiie garrison was in a ratlier poor plight for receiving tliem. The enemy succeeded in firing one of tlie block-houses, which contained v/hisky, and the whites had great difliculty in pre- venting the burning of all the barracks. The word " fire " seemed to have thrown all the men into confusion; soldiers' and citizens' wives, who had taken shelter within the fort, were crying; Indians were yelling; many of the garrison were sick and unable to be on duty; the men despaired and gave themselves up as lost; two of the strongest and apparently most reliable men jumped the pickets in the very midst of the emergency, etc., so that Capt. Taylor was at his wit's end what to do; but he gave directions as to the many details, raHied the men by a new scheme, and after about seven hours succeeded in saving themselves. The Indians drove up the horses belonging to the citizens, and as they could not catch th°ra very readily, shot the whole of them in the sight of their owners, and also killed a number of the hogs belonging to the whites. They drove oflf all of the cattle, 65 in number, as well as the public oxen. Among many other depredations committed by the savages dur- ing this period, was the massacre of the Pigeon Roost settlement, consisting of one man, five women and 16 children ; a few escaped. An unsuccessful efibrt was made to capture these Indians, but when the news of this massacre and the attack on Fort Harrison reached Vincennes, about 1,200 men, under the command of Col. Wm. Russell, of the 7th U. S. Infantry, marched forth for the re- lief of the fort and to punish the Indians. On reaching the fort the Indians had retired from the vicinity; but on the 15th of Sep- tember a small detachment composed of 11 men, under Lieut. Rich- ardson, and acting as escort of provisions sent from Vincennes to Fort Harrison, was attacked by a party of Indians within the pres- ent limits of Sullivan county. It was reported that seven of these men were killed and one wounded. The provisions of course fell into the hands of the Indians. EXPEDITIONS AGAINST THE INDIANS. By the middle of August, through the disgraceful surrender of Gen. Hull, at Detroit, and the evacuation of Fort Dearborn and massacre of its garrison, the British and Indians were in possession of the whole Northwest. The savages, emboldened by their sue- 104 HISTORY OF INDIANA. cesses, penetrated deeper into the settlements, committing great depredations. The activity and success of the enemy aroused the people to a realization of the great danger their homes and families were in. Gov. Edwards collected a force of 350 men at Camp Kussell, and Capt. Russell came from Vincennes with about 50 more. Being ofKcered and equipped, they proceeded about the middle of October on horseback, carrying with them 20 day's rations, to Peoria. Capt. Craig was sent with two boats up the Illinois, with provisions and tools to build a fort. The little army proceeded to Peoria Lake, where was located a Pottawatomie village. They arrived late at night, within a few miles of the village, without their presence being known to the Indians. Four men were sent out that night to reconnoiter the position of the village. The four brave men who volunteered for this perilous service were Thomas Carlin (afterward Governor), and Robert, Stephen and DaVis White- side. They proceeded to the village, and explored it and the ap- proaches to it thoroughly, without starting an Indian or provoking the bark of a dog. The low lands between the Indian village and the troops were covered with a rank growth of tall grass, so high and dense as to readily conceal an Indian on horseback, until within a few feet of him. The ground had become still more yielding by recent rains, rendering it almost impassable by mounted men. To prevent detection the soldiers had camped without lighting the usual camp-fires. The men lay down in their cold and cheerless camp, with many misgivings. They well remembered how the skulking savages fell upon Harrison's men at Tippecanoe during the night. To add to their fears, a gun in the hands of a soldier was carelessly discharged, raising great consternation in the camp. Through a dense fog which prevailed the following morning, the army took up its line of march for the Indian town, Capt. Judy with his corps of spies in advance. In the tall grass they came up with an Indian and his squaw, both mounted. The Indian wanted to surrender, but Judy observed that he " did not leave home to take prisoners," and instantly shot one of them. "With the blood streaming from his mouth and nose, and in his agony " singing the death song," the dying Indian raised his gun, shot and mortally wounded a Mr. Wright, and in a few minutes expired! Many guns were immediately discharged at the other Indian, not then known to be a squaw, all of which missed her. Badly scared, and her hus- band killed by her side, the agonizing wails of the squaw were heart-rending. She was taken prisoner, and afterward restored to her nation. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 105 On nearing the town a general charge was made, the Indians fleeing to the interior wilderness. Some of their warriors made a stand, when a sharp engagement occurred, but the Indians were routed. In their flight they left behind all their winter's store of provisions, which was taken, and their town burned. Some Indian children were found who had been left in the hurried flight, also some disabled adults, one of whom was in a starving condition, and with a voracious appetite partook of the bread given him. He is said to have been killed by a cowardly trooper straggling behind, after the main army had resumed its retrograde march, who wanted to be able to boast that he had killed an Indian. September 19, 1812, Gen. Harrison was put in command of the Northwestern army, then estimated at 10,000 men, with these orders: "Having provided for the protection of the western front- ier, you will retake Detroit; and, with a view to the conquest of upper Canada, you will penetrate that country as far as the force under your command will in your judgment justify." Although surrounded by many difficulties, the General began immediately to execute these instructions. In calling for volun- teers from Kentucky, however, more men offered than could be received. At this time there were about 2,000 mounted volunteers at Vincennes, under the command of Gen. Samuel Hopkins, of the Kevolutionary war, who was under instructions to operate against the enemy along the Wabash and Illinois rivers. Accordingly, early in October, Gen. Hopkins moved from Viucennes towards the Kickapoo villages in the Illinois territory, with about 2,000 troops; but after four or five days' march the men and officers raised a mutiny which gradually succeeded in carrying all back to Vin- cennes. The cause of their discontent is not apparent. About the same time Col. Russell, with two small companies of U. S. rangers, commanded by Capts. Perry and Modrell, marched from the neighborhood of Vincennes to unite with a small force of mounted militia under the command of Gov. Edwards, of Illinois, and afterward to march with the united troops from Cahokia toward Lake Peoria, for the purpose of co-operating with Gen. Hopkins against the Indian towns in that vicinity; but not find- ing the latter on the ground, was compelled to retire. Immediately after the discharge of the mutinous volunteers, Gen. Hopkins began to organize another force, mainly of infantry, to reduce the Indians up the Wabash as far as the Prophet's town. These troops consisted of three regiments of Kentucky militia, 106 HISTOEY OF INDIANA. commanded by Cols. Barbour, Miller and Wilcox; a small company of regulars commanded by Capt. Zacliary Taylor; a company of rangers commanded by Capt. Beckes; and a company of scouts or spies under the command of Capt. Washburn. The main body of this army arrived at Fort Harrison Nov. 5; on the 11th it pro- ceeded up the east side of the Wabash into the heart of the Indian country, but found the villages generally deserted. Winter set- ting in severely, and the troops poorly clad, they had to return to Vincennes as rapidly as possible. With one exception the men behaved nobly, and did much damage to the enemy. That exception was the precipitate chase after an Indian by a detach- ment of men somewhat in liquor, until they found themselves sur- rounded by an overwhelming force of the enemy, and they had to retreat in disorder. At the close of this campaign Gen. Hopkins resigned his command. In the fall of 1812 Gen. Harrison assigned to Lieut. Col. John B. Campbell, of the 19th U. S. Inf., the duty of destroying the Miami villages on the Mississinewa river, with a detachment of about 600 men. Nov. 25, Lieut. Col. Campbell marched from Franklinton, according to orders, toward the scene of action, cau- tiously avoiding falling in with the Delawares, who had been ordered by Gen. Harrison to retire to the Shawanee establishment on the Auglaize river, and arriving on the Mississinewa Dec. 17, when they discovered an Indian town inhabited by Delawares and Miamis This and three other villages were destroyed. Soon after this, the supplies growing short and the troops in a suffering condition, Campbell began to consider the propriety of returning to Ohio; but just as he was calling together his officers early one morning to deliberate on the proposition, an army of Indians rushed upon them with fury. The engagement lasted an hour, with a loss of eight killed and 42 wounded, besides about 150 horses killed. The whites, however, succeeded in defending themselves and taking a number of Indians prisoners, who proved to be Mun- sies, of Silver Heel's band. Campbell, hearing that a large force of Indians were assembled at Mississinewa village, under Tecum- seh, determined to return to Greenville. The privations of his troops and the severity of the cold compelled him to send to that place for re-enforcements and supplies. Seventeen of the men had to be carried on litters. They were met by the re-enforcement about 40 miles from Greenville. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 107 Lieut. Col. Campbell sent two messages to the Delawares, wbo lived on White river and who had been previously directed and requested to abandon their towns on that river and remove into Ohio. In these messages he expressed his regret at unfortunately killing some of their men, and urged them to move to the Shaw- anee settlement on the Auglaize river, lie assured them that their peo])le, in his power, would be compensated by the Government for their losses, if not found to be hostile; and the friends of those killed satisfied by presents, if such satisfaction would be received. This advice was heeded by the main body of the Delawares and a few Miamis. The Shawanee Prophet, and some of the principal chiefs of the Miamis, retired from the country of the Wabash, and, with their destitute and suffering bands, moved to Detroit, where they were received as the friends and allies of Great Britain. On the approach of Gen. Harrison with his army in September, 1813, the British evacuated Detroit, and the Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawatomies, Miamis and Kickapoos sued for peace with the United States, which was granted temporarily by Brig. Gen. Mc- Arthur, on condition of their becoming allies of the United States in case of war. In June, 1813, an expedition composed of 137 men, under com- mand of Col. Joseph Bartholomew, moved from Valonia toward the Delaware towns on the west fork of White river, to surprise and punish some hostile Indians who were supposed to be lurking about those villages. Most of these places they found deserted; some of them burnt. They had been but temporarily occupied for the purpose of collecting and carrying away corn. Col. Bartholo- mew's forces succeeded in killing one or two Indians and destroy- ing considerable corn, and they returned to Valonia on the 21st of this month. July 1, 1813, Col. William Russell, of the 7th U. S., organized a force of 573 effective men at Valonia and marched to the Indian villages about the iiioiitli of the Mississinewa. His experience was much like that of Col. Bartholomew, wiio had just preceded him. He had rainy weather, suffered many losses, found tlie villages de- serted, destroyed stores of corn, etc. The Colonel reported that he went to every place where he expected to find the enemy, but they nearly always seemed to have fled the country. The march from Valonia to the mouth of the Mississinewa and return was about 250 miles. Several smaller expeditions helped to "checker" the surrounding iU» HISTORY OF INDIANA. country, and find that the Indians were very careful to keep them- selves out of sight, and thus closed this series of campaigns. CLOSE OF THE WAR. The war with England closed on the 2ith. of December, 1814, when a treaty of peace was signed at Ghent. The 9th article of the treaty required the United States to put an end to hostilities with all tribes or nations of Indians with whom they had been at war; to restore to such tribes or nations respectively all the rights and possessions to which they were entitled in 1811, before the war, on condition that such Indians should agree to desist from all hostilities against the United States. But in February, just before the treaty was sanctioned by our Government, there were signs of Indians accumulating arms and ammunition, and a cautionary order was therefore issued to have all the white forces in readiness for an attack by the Indians; but the attack was not made. During the ensuing summer and fall the United States Government ac- quainted the Indians with the provisions of the treaty, aiid entered into subordinate treaties of peace with the principal tribes. Just before the treaty of Spring Wells (near Detroit) was signed, the Shawanee Prophet retired to Canada, but declaring his resolu- tion to abide by any treaty which the chiefs might sign. Some time afterward he returned to the Shawanee settlement in Ohio, and lastly to the west of the Mississippi, where he died, in 1834. The British Government allowed him a pension from 1813 until his death. His brother Tecumseh. was killed at the battle of the Thames, Oct. 5, 1813, by a Mr. Wheatty, as we are positively in- formed by Mr. A. J. James, now a resident of LaHarpe township, Hancock county. 111., whose father-in-law, John Pigman, of Co- shocton county, Ohio, was an eye witness. Gen. Johnson has gener- ally had the credit of killing Tecumseh. TECUMSEH. If one should inquire who has been the greatest Indian, the most noted, the " principal Indian " in North America since its discov- ery by Columbus, we would be obliged to answer, Tecumseh. For all those qualities which elevate a man far above his race; for talent, tact, skill and bravery as a warrior; for high-minded, honorable and chivalrous bearing as a man; in a word, for all those elements of greatness which place him a long way above his fellows in savage life, the name and fame of Tecumseh will go down to posterity in the "West as one of the most celebrated of the aborigines of this continent, — as one who had no equal among the tribes that dwelt in the country drained by the Mississippi. Born to command him- self, he used all the appliances that would stimulate the courage and nerve the valor of his followers. Always in the front rank of battle, his followers blindly followed his lead, and as his war-cry rang clear above the din and noise of the battle-field, the Shawnee warriors, as they rushed on to victory or the grave, rallied around him, foeraen worthy of the steel of the most gallant commander that ever entered the lists in defense of his altar or his home. The tribe to which Tecumseh, or Tecumtha, as some write it, be- longed, was the Shawnee, or Shawanee. The tradition of the nation held that they originally came from the Gulf of Mexico; that they wended their way up the Mississippi and tlie Ohio, and settled at or near the present site of Shawneetown, 111., whence they removed to the upper Wabash. In the latter place, at any rate, they were found early in the 18th century, and were known as the " bravest of the brave." This tribe has uniformly been the bitter enemy of the white man, and in every contest with our people has exhibited a degree of skill and strategy that should characterize the most dangerous foe. Tecumseh's notoriety and that of his brother, the Prophet, mutu- ally served to establish and strengthen each other. While the Prophet had unlimited power, spiritual and temporal, he distributed his greatness in all the departments of Indian life with a kind of fanaticism that magnetically aroused the religious and superstitious passions, not only of his own followers, but also of all the tribes in (111) 112 HISTOKY OF INDIANA. this part of the country; but Tecnmseh concentrated his greatness upon the more practical and business affairs of military conquest. It is doubted whether he was really a sincere believer in the preten- sions of his fanatic brother; if he did not believe in the pretentious feature of them he had the shrewdness to keep his unbelief to him- self, knowing that religious fanaticism was one of the strongest im- pulses to reckless bravery. During his sojourn in the Northwestern Territory, it was Tecum- seh's uppermost desire of life to confederate all the Indian tribes of the country together against the whites, to maintain their choice hunting-grounds. All his public policy converged toward this sin- gle end. lu his vast scheme he comprised even all the Indians in the Gulf country, — all in America west of the Alleghany moun- tains. He held, as a subordinate principle, that the Great Spirit had given the Indian race all these hunting-grounds to keep in common, and that no Indian or tribe could cede any portion of the land to the whites without the consent of all the tribes. Hence, in all his councils with the whites he ever maintained that the treaties were null and void. "When he met Harrison at Vincennes in council the last time, and, as he was invited by that General to take a seat with him on the platform, he hesitated; Harrison insisted, saying that it was the "wish of their Great Father, the President of the United States, that he should do so." The chief paused a moment, raised his tall and commanding form to its greatest height, surveyed the troops and crowd around him, fixed his keen eyes upon Gov. Harrison, and then turning them to the sky above, and pointing toward heaven with his sinewy arm in a manner indicative of supreme contempt for the paternity assigned him, said in clarion tones: " My father? The sun is my father, the earth is my mother, and on her bosom I will recline." He then stretched himself, with his war- riors, on the green sward. The effect was electrical, and for some moments there was perfect silence. The Governor, then, through an interpreter, told him that he un- derstood he had some complaints to make and redress to ask, etc., and that he wished to investigate the matter and make restitution wherever it might be decided it should be done. As soon as the Governor was through with this introductory speech, the stately warrior arose, tall, athletic, manly, dignified and graceful, and with a voice at first low, but distinct and musical, commenced a reply. As he warmed up with his subject his clear tones might be heard, HISTORY OF INDIANA. 113 as if " trumpet-tongued," to the utmost limits of the assembly. The most perfect silence prevailed, except when his warriors gave their guttural assent to some eloquent recital of the red man's wrong and the white man's injustice. Tecumseh recited the wrongs ■which his race had suffered from the time of the massacre of the Moravian Indians to the present; said he did not know how he could ever again be the friend of the white man; that the Great Spirit had given to the Indian all the land from the Miami to the Mississippi, and from the lakes to the Ohio, as a common property to all the tribes in these borders, and that the land could, not and should not be sold without the consent of all; that all the tribes on the continent formed but one nation; that if the United States would not give up the iands they had bought of the Miamis and the other tribes, those united with him were determined to annihi- late those tribes; that they were determined to have no more chiefs, but in future to be governed by their warriors; that unless the whites ceased their encroachments upon Indian lands, the fate of the Indians was sealed; they had been driven from the banks of the Delaware across the Alleghanies, and their possessions on the "Wabash and the Illinois were now to be taken from them; that in a few years they would not have ground enough to bury their war- riors on this side of the '"Father of Waters;" that all would perish, all their possessions taken from them by fraud or force, unless they stopped the progress of the white man westward; that it must be a war of races in which one or the other must perish; that their uribes had been driven toward the setting sun like a galloping horse (ne-kat a-kush-e ka-top-o-lin-to). The Shawnee language, in -which this most eminent Indian states- man spoke, excelled all other aboriginal tongues in its musical ar- ticulation; and the effect of Tecumseh's oratory on this occasion can be more easily imagined than described. Gov. Harrison, although as brave a soldier and General as any American, was over- come by this speech. He well knew Tecumseh's power and influ- ence among all the tribes, knew his bravery, courage and determi- nation, and knew that he meant what he said. When Tecumseh was done speaking there was a stillness throughout the assembly which was really painful; not a whisper was heard, and all eyes were turned from the speaker toward Gov. Harrison, who after a few moments came to himself, and recollecting many of the absurd statements of the great Indian orator, began a reply which was more logical, if not so eloquent. The Shawnees were attentive un- 114 HISTORY OF INDIANA. til Harrison's interpreter began to translate liis speech to the Mia- mis and Pot tawa torn ies, when Tecumseh and his warriors sprang to their feet, brandishing their war-clubs and tomahawks. "Tell him," said Tecumseh, addressing tiie interpreter in Shawnee, " he lies." The interpreter undertook to convey this message to the Governor in smoother language, but Tecumseh noticed the effort and remonstrated, " No, no; tell hira belies." The warriors began to grow more excited, when Secretary Gibson ordered the Ameri- can troops in arras to advance. This allayed the rising storm, and as soon as Tecumseh's " He lies " was literally interpreted to the Governor, the latter told Tecumseh through the interpreter to tell Tecumseh he would hold no further council with him. Thus the assembly was broken up, and one can hardly imagine a more exciting scene. It would constitute the finest subject for a historical painting to adorn the rotunda of the capitol. The next day Tecumseh requested another interview with the Governor, which was granted on condition that he should make an apology to the Governor for his language the day before. This he made through the interpreter. Measures for defense and protection were taken, however, lest there should be another outbreak. Two com- panies of militia were ordered from the country, and the one in town added to them, while the Governor and his friends went into council fully armed and prepared for any contingency. On this oc- casion the conduct of Tecumseh was entirely different from that of the day before. Firm and intrepid, showing not the slightest fear or alarm, surrounded with a military force four titties his own, he preserved the utmost composure and equanimity. No one would have supposed that he could have been the principal actor in the thrilling scene of the previous day. He claimed that half the Americans were in sympathy with him. He also said that whites had informed him that Gov. Harrison had purchased land from the Indians without any authority from the Government; that he, Harrison, had but two years more to remain in office, and that if he, Tecumseh, could prevail upon the Indians who sold the lands not to receive their annuities for that time, and the present Gover- nor displaced by a good man as his successor, the latter would re- store to the Indians all the lands purchased from them. The Wyaudots, Kickapoos, Potta-watomies, Ottawas and the Win- nebagoes, through their respective spokesmen, declared their adherence to the great Shawnee warrior and statesman. Gov. Harri- son then told them that he would send Tecumseh's speech to thePresi- IIISTORTOF INDIANA. 115 dent of the United States and return the answer to the Indians as soon as it was received. Tecumseh then declared that he and his allies were determined that the old boundary line should continue; and that if the whites crossed it, it would be at their peril . Gov. Harrison re- plied that he would be equally plain with him and state that the President would never allow that the lands on the Wabash were the property of any other tribes than those who had occupied them since the white people first came to America; and as the title to the lands lately purchased was derived from those tribes by a fair purchase, he might rest assured that the right of the United States would be supported by the sword. " So be it," was the stern and haughty reply of the Shawnee chieftan, as he and his braves took leave of the Governor and wended their way in Indian file to their camping ground. Thus ended the last conference on earth between the chivalrous Tecumseh and the hero of the battle of Tippecanoe. The bones of the first lie bleaching on the battle-field of the Thames, and those of the last in a mausoleum on the banks of the Ohio; each strug- gled for the mastery of his race, and each no doubt was equally honest and patriotic in his purposes. The weak yielded to the strong-, the defenseless to the powerful, and the hunting-ground of the Shawnee is all occupied by his enemy. Tecumseh, with four of his braves, immediately embarked in a birch canoe, descended the Wabash, and went on to the South to unite the tribes of that co\intry in a general system of self-defense against the encroachment of the whites. His emblem was a dis- jointed snake, with the motto, "Join or die!" In union alone was strength. Before Tecumseh left the Prophet's town at the mouth of the Tippecanoe river, on his excursion to the South, he had a definite understanding with his brother and the chieftains of the other tribes in the Wabash country, that they should preserve perfect peace with the whites until his arrangements were completed for a con- federacy of the tribes on both sides of the Ohio and on the Missis- sippi river; but it seems that while he was in the South engaged in his work of uniting the tribes of that country some of the North- ern tribes showed signs of fight and precipitated Harrison into that campaign which ended in the battle of Tippecanoe and the total route of the Indians. Tecumseh, on his return from the South, learning what had happened, was overcome with chagrin, disappoint- ment and anger, and accused his brother of duplicity and coward- 116 HISTORY OF INDIANA. ice; indeed, it is said that he never forgave hiin to the day of his death. A short time afterward, ou the breaking out of the war of Great Britain, he joined Proctor, at Maiden, with a party of his warriors, and finally suffered the fate mentioned on page 108. CIVIL MATTERS lS12-'5. Owing to the absence of Gov, Harrison on military duty, John Gibson, the Secretary of the Territory, acted in the administration of civil affairs. In his message to the Legislature convening on the 1st of February, 1813, he said, substantially: "Did I possess the abilities of Cicero or Demosthenes, I could not portray in more glowing colors our foreign and domestic politi- cal situation than it is already experienced within our own breasts. The United States have been compelled, by frequent acts of injus- tice, to declare war against England. For a detail of the causes of this war I would refer to the message of President Madison; it does honor to his head and heart. Altliough not an admirer of war, I am glad to see our little but inimitable navy riding triumph- ant on the seas, but chagrined to find that our armies by land are so little successful. The spirit of '76 appears to have fled from our continent, or, if not fled, is at least asleep, for it appears not to pervade our armies generally. At your last assemblage our politi- cal horizon seemed clear, and our infant Territory bid fair for rapid and rising grandeur; but, alas, the scene has changed; and whether this change, as respects our Territory, has been owing to an over anxiety in us to extend our dominions, or to a wish for retaliation by our foes, or to a foreign influence, I shall not say. The Indians, our former neighbors and friends, have become our most inveterate foes. Our former frontiers are now our wilds, and our inner settle- ments have become frontiers. Some of our best citizens, and old men worn down with age, and helpless women and innocent babes, have fallen victirris to savage cruelty. I have done my duty as well as I can, and hope that the interposition of Providence will protect us." The many complaints made about the Territorial Government Mr. Gibson said, were caused more by default of officers than of the law. Said he: "It is an old and, I believe, correct adage, that ' good officers make good soldiers.' This evil having taken root, I do not know how it can be eradicated; but it may be remedied. In place of men searching after and accepting commissions before they HISTORY OF INDIANA. 117 are even tolerably qualified, thereby subjecting themselves to ridi- cule and their country to ruin, barely for the name of the thing, I think may be remedied by a previous examination." During this session of the Legislature the seat of the Territorial Government was declared to be at Corydon, and immediately acting Governor Gibson prorogued the Legislature to meet at that place, the first Monday of December, 1813. During this 3-ear the Terri- tory was almost defenseless; Indian outrages were of common occurrence, but no general outbreak was' made. The militia-men were armed with rifles and long knives, and many of the rangers carried tomahawks. In 1813 Thomas Posey, who was at that time a Senator in Con- gress from Tennessee, and who had been oflicer of the army of the Revolution, was appointed Governor of Indiana Territory, to suc- ceed Gen. Harrison. He arrived in Vincennes and entered upon the discharge of his duties May 25, 1813. During this year several expeditions against the Indian settlements were set on foot. In his first message to the Legislature the following December, at Corydon, Gov. Posey said: " The present crisis is awful, and big with great events. Onr land and nation is involved in the common calamity of war; but we are under the protecting care of the benefi- cent Being, who has on a former occasion brought us safely through an arduous struggle and placed us on a' foundation of independence, freedom and happiness. He will not suffer to be taken from us what He, in His great wisdom has thought proper to confer and bless us with, if we make a wise and virtuous use of His good gifts. * * * Although our aSairs, at the commencement of the war, wore a gloomy aspect, they have brightened, and promise a certainty of success, if properly directed and conducted, of which I have no doubt, as the President and heads of departments of the general Government are men of undoubted patriotism, talents and experience, and who have grown old in the service of their country. * * * It must be obvious to every thinking man that we were forced into the war. Every measure consistent with honor, both before and since the declaration of war, has tried to be on amicable terms with our enemy, * * * You who reside in various parts of the Territory have it in your power to understand what will tend to its local and general advantage. The judiciary system would require a revisal and amendment. The militia law is very defective and requires your immediate attention. It is necessary to have 118 HISTORY OF INDIANA. good roads and highways in as many directions tbrough the Terri- tory as the circumstances and situation of the inhabitants will admit; it would contribute very much to promote the settlement and improvement of the Territory. Attention to education is highly necessary. There is an appropriation made 1^ Congress, in lands, for the purpose of establishing public schools. It comes now with- in your province to carry into operation the design of the appro- priation." This Legislature passed several very necessary laws for the wel- fare of the settlements, and the following year, as Gen. Harrison was generally successful in his military campaigns in the ISTorth- west, the settlements in Indiana began to increase and improve. The fear of danger from Indians had in a great measure subsided, and the tide of immigration began again to flow. In January, 1814, about a thousand Miamis assembled at Fort Wayne for the purpose of obtaining food to prevent starvation. They met with ample hospitality, and their example was speedily followed by others. ■ These, with other acts of kindness, won the lasting friend- ship of the Indians, many of whom had fought iu the interests of Great Britain. General treaties between the United States and the Northwestern tribes were subsequently concluded, and the way was fully opened for the improvement and settlement of the lands. POPULATION IN 1815. The population of the Territory of Indiana, as given in the official returns to the Legislature of 1815, was as follows, by counties: COUNTIES. White males ofCl and over. TOTAL. Wayne 1,225 6,407 Franklin 1,430 7,370 Dearborn 903 4,434 SwitzerlanU 377 1,832 Jefferson-- 874 4,270 Clark 1,387 7,150 Washington 1,420 7,317 Harrison 1,056 6,975 Knox 1,391 8,068 Gibson 1,100 5,3i0 Posey 320 1,619 Warrick 280 l,41o Perry 350 1,720 Grand Totals 12,113 63,897 GENERAL VIEW. The well-known ordinance of 1787 conferred many " rights and privileges " upon the inhabitants of the Northwestern Territory, and HISTORY OF INDIANA. 119 consequently upon the people of Indiana Territory, but after all it came far short of conferring as many privileges as are enjoyed at the present day by our Territories. Tliey did not have a full form of Republican government. A freehold estate in 500 acres of land was one of the necessary qualifications of each member of the legis- lative council of the Territory ; every member of the Territorial House of Representatives was required to hold, in his own right, 200 acres of land; and the privilege of voting for members of the House of Representatives was restricted to those inhabitants who, in addi- tion to other qualifications, owned severally at least 50 acres of land. The Governor of the the Territory was invested with the power of appointing officers of the Territorial militia, Judges of the inferior Courts, Clerks of the Courts, Justices of the Peace, Sheriffs, Coroners, County Treasurers and County Survej-ors. He was also authorized to divide the Territory into districts; to apportion among tlie several counties the members of tlie House of Represent- atives; to prevent the passage of any Territorial law; and to con- vene and dissolve the General Assembly whenever he thought best. None of the Governors, however, ever exercised these extraordinary powers arbitrarily. Nevertheless, the people were constantly agi- tating the question of extending the right of suflTrage. Five years after the organization of the Territory, the Legislative Council, in reply to the Governor's Message, said: ''Although we are not as completely independent in our legislative capacity as we would wish to be, yet we are sensible that we must wait with patience for that period of time when our population will burst the trammels of a Territorial government, and we shall assume the character more consonant to Republicanism. * * * The confidence which our fellow citizens have uniformly had in your administration has been such that they have hitherto had no reason to be jealous of the un- limited power which you possess over our legislative proceedings. We, however, cannot help regretting that such powers have been lodged in the hands of any one, especially when it is recol- lected tu what dangerous lengths the exercise of those powers may be extended." After repeated petitions the people of Indiana were empowered by Congress to elect the members of the Legislative Council by popu- lar vote. This act was passed in 1809. and defined what was known as the property qualification of voters. These qualifications were abolished by Congress in 1811, which extended the right of voting for members of the General Assembly and for a Territorial delegate 120 HISTOKY OF INDIANA. to Congress to every free white male person who had attained the age of twenty-one years, and who, having paid a county or Terri- torial tax, was a resident of the Territory and had resided in it for a year. In 1814 the voting qualification in Indiana was defined by Congress, " to every free white male person having a freehold in the Territory, and being a resident of the same." The House of Keprcsentatives was authorized by Congress to lay off the Territory into five districts, in each of which the qualified voters were em- powered to elect a member of the Legislative Council. The division was made, one to two counties in each district. At the session in August, 1814, the Territory was also divided into three judicial circuits, and provisions were made for holding courts in the same. The Governor was empowered to appoint a presiding Judge in each circuit, and two Associate Judges of the circuit court in each county. Their compensation was fixed at $700 per annum. The same year the General Assembly granted charters to two banking institutions, the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank of Madi- son and the Bank of Vincennes. The first was authorized to raise a capital of $750,000, and the other $500,000. On the organization of the State these banks were merged into the State Bank and its branches. Here we close the history of the Territory of Indiana. ORGANIZATION OF THE STATE. The last regular session of the Territorial Legislature was held at Corydon, convening in December, 1815. The message of Governor Posey congratulated the people of the Territory upon the general success of the settlements and the great increase of immigration, recommended light taxes and a careful attention to the promotion of education and the improvement of the State roads and highways. He also recommended a revision of the territorial laws and an amendment of the militia system. Several laws were passed pre- paratory to a State Government, and December 14, 1815, a me- morial to Congress was adopted praying for the authority to adopt a constitution and State Government. Mr. Jennings, the Territorial delegate, laid this memorial before Congress on the 28th, and April 19, 1816, the President approved the bill creating the State of In- diana. Accordingly, May 30 following, a general election was held for a constitutional convention, which met at Corydon June 10 to 29, Johathan Jennings presiding and Wm. Hendricks acting as Secretary. "The convention that formed the first constitution of the State of Indiana was composed mainly of clear-minded, unpretending men of common sense, whose patriotism was unquestionable and ■whose morals were fair. Their familiarity with the theories of the Declaration of American Independence, their Territorial experience under the provisions of the ordinance of 1787, and their knowledge of the principles of the constitution of the United States were sufficient, when combined, to lighten materially their labors in the great work of forming a constitution for a new State. With such landmarks in view, the labors of similar conventions in other States and Ter- ritories have been rendered comparatively light. In the clearness and conciseness of its style, in the comprehensive and just pro- visions which it made for the maintainance of civil and religious liberty, in its mandates, which were designed to protect the rights of the people collectively and individually, and to provide for the public welfare, the constitution that was formed for Indiana in 1816 was not inferior to any of the State constitutions which were in ex- istence at that time." — Dillon'' s History of Indiana. (121) 122 HISTORY OF INDIANA. The first State election took place on the first Monday of August, 1816, and Jonathan Jennings was elected Governor, and Christo- pher Harrison, Lieut. Governor. Wm. Hendricks was elected to represent the new State in the House of Kepresentatives of the United States. The first General Assembly elected under the new constitution began its session at Corydon, Nov. 4, 1816. John Paul was called to the chair of the Senate pro tem., and Isaac Blackford was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. Among other things in the new Governor's message were the following remarks: " The result of your deliberation will be con- sidered as indicative of its future character as well as of the future happiness and prosperity of its citizens. In the commencement of the State government the shackles of the colonial should be for- gotten in our exertions to prove, by happy experience, that a uni- form adherence to the first principles of our Government and a virtuous exercise of its powers will best secure efiiciency to its measures and stability' to its character. Without a frequent recur- rence to those principles, the administration of the Governrnent will imperceptibly become more and more arduous, until the sim- plicity of our Republican institutions may eventually be lost in dangerous expedients and political design. Under every free gov- ernment the happiness of the citizens must be identified with their morals; and while a constitutional exercise of their rights shall continue to have its due weight in discharge of the duties required of the constituted authorities of the State, too much attention can- not be bestowed to the encouragement and promotion of every moral virtue, and to the enactment of laws calculated to restrain the vicious, and prescribe punishment for every crime commensu- rate with its enormity. In measuring, however, to each crime its adequate punishment, it will be well to recollect that the certainty of punishment has generally the surest effect to prevent crime; while punishments unnecessarily severe too often produce the ac- quittal of the guilty and disappoint one of the greatest objects of legislation and good government * * * The dissemination of useful knowledge will be indispensably necessary as a support to morals and as a restraint to vice; and on this subject it will only be necessary to direct your attention to the plan of education as prescribed by the constitution. * * * I recommend to your consideration the propriety of providing by law. to prevent more effectually any unlawful attempts to seize and carry into bondage INDIAJJS ATTACKING FEONTIEKSMEN. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 125 persons of color legally entitled to their freedom; and at the same time, as far as practicable, to prevent those who rightfully owe ser- vice to the citizens of any other State or Territory from seeking within the limits of this State a refuge from the possession of their lawful owners. Such a measure will tend to secure those who are free from any unlawful attempts (to enslave them) and secures the rights of the citizens of the other States and Territories as far as ought reasonably to be expected." This session of the Legislature elected James Noble and Waller Taylor to the Senate of the United States; Eobert A. New was elected Secretary of State; W. H. Lilley, Auditor of State; and Daniel C. Lane, Treasurer of State. The session adjourned Janu- ary 3, 1817. As the history of the State of Indiana from this time forward is best given by topics, we will proceed to give th«m in the chronolog- ical order of their origin. The happy close of the war with Great Britain in 1814 was fol- lowed by a great rush of immigrants to the great Territory of the Northwest, including the new States, all now recently cleared of the enemy; and by 1820 the State of Indiana had more than doubled her population, having at this time 147,178, and by 1825 nearly doubled this again, that is to say, a round quarter of a mil- lion, — a growth more rapid probably than that of any other section in this country since the days of Columbus. The period 1825-'30 was a prosperous time for the young State. Immigration continued to be rapid, the crops were generally good and the hopes of the people raised higher than they had ever been before. Accompanying this immigration, however, were paupers and indolent people, who threatened to be so numerous as to become a serious burden. On this subject Grovernor Ray called for legislative action, but the Legislature scarcely knew what to do and they deferred action. BLACK HAWK WAR. In 1830 there still lingered within the bounds of the State two tribes of Indians, whose growing indolence, intemperate habits, dependence upon their neighbors for the bread of life, diminished prospects of' living by the chase, continued perpetration of murders and other outrages of dangerous precedent, primitive igno- rance and unrestrained exhibitions of savage customs before the children of the settlers, combined to make them subjects for a more rigid government. The removal of the Indians west of the Missis- sippi was a melancholy but necessary duty. The time having arrived for the emigration of the Pottawatomies, according to the stipulations contained in their treaty with the United States, they evinced that reluctance common among aboriginal tribes on leav- ing the homes of their childhood and the graves of their ancestors. Love of country is a principle planted in the bosoms of all man- kind. The Laplander and the Esquimaux of the frozen north, who feed on seals, moose and the meat of the polar bear, would not exchange their country for the sunny clime of "Araby the blest." Color and shades of complexion have nothing to do with the heart's best, warmest emotions. Then we should not wonder that the Pottawatomie, on leaving his home on the Wabash, felt as sad as ^schines did when ostracised from his native land, laved by the waters of the classic Scamander; and the noble and eloquent Nas- waw-kay, on leaving the encampment on Crooked creek, felt his banishment as keenly as Cicero when thrust from the bosom of his beloved Rome, for which he had spent the best efforts of his life, and for whicli he died. On Sunday morning. May 18, 1832, the people on the west side of the Wabash were thrown into a state of great consternation, on account of a report that a large body of hostile Indians had approached within 15 miles of Lafayette and killed two men. The alarm soon spread tliroughout Tippecanoe, Warren, Vermillion, Fountain, Montgomery, and adjoining counties. Several brave commandants of companies on the west side of the Wabash in Tippecanoe county, raised troops to go and meet the enemy, and dispatched an express to Gen. Walker with a request that he should (136) HISTOEY OF INDIANA. 127 make a call upon the militia of the county to equip themselves instantly and march to the aid of their bleeding countrymen. Thereupon Gen. Walker, Col. Davis, Lieut-Col. Jenners, Capt. Bro\vn, of the artillery, and various other gallant spirits mounted their war steeds and proceeded to the army, and thence upon a scout to the Grand Prairie to discover, if possible, the number, intention and situation of the Indians. Over 300 old men, women and children flocked precipitately to Lafayette and the surrounding country east of the Wabash. A remarkable event occurred in this stampede, as follows: A man, wife and seven children resided on the edge of the Grand Prairie, west of Lafayette, in a locality considered particu- larly dangerous. On hearing of this alarm he made hurried preparations to fly with his family to Lafayette for safety. Imag- ine his surprise and chagrin when his wife told him she would not go one step; that she did not believe in being scared at trifles, and in her opinion there was not an Indian within 100 miles of them. Importunity proved unavailing, and the disconsolate and frightened husband and father took all the children except the youngest, bade his wife and babe a long and solemn farewell, never expecting to see them again, unless perhaps he might find their mangled re- mains, minus their scalps. On arriving at Lafayette, his acquaint- ances rallied and berated him for abandoning his wife and child in that way, but he met their jibes with a stoical indifference, avowing that he should not be held responsible for their obstinacy. As the shades of the first evening drew on, the wife felt lonely; and the chirping of the frogs and the notes of the whippoorwill only intensified her loneliness, until she half wished she had accom- panied the rest of the ftimily in their flight. She remained in the house a .ew hours without striking a light, and then concluded that '• discretion was the better part of valor," took her babe and some bed-clothes, fastened the cabin door, and hastened to a sink- hole in the woods, in which she afterward said that she and her babe slept soundly until sunrise next morning. Lafayette literally boiled over with people and patriotism. A meeting was held at the court-house, speeches were made by patriotic individuals, and to allay the fear? of the women an armed police was immediately ordered, to be called the " Lafayette Guards." Thos. T. Benbridge was elected Captain, and John Cox, Lieutenant. Capt. Benbridge yielded the active drill of his guards to the Lieutenant, who had served two years in the war of 1812. After 128 mSTOKT OF INDIANA. the meeting adjourned, the guards were paraded on the green where Purdue's block now stands, and put through sundry evohi- tions by Lieut. Cox, who proved to be an expert drill officer, and whose clear, shrill voice rung out on the niglit air as he marched and couuter-marched the troops from where the paper-mill stands to Main street ferry, and over the suburbs, generally. Every old gun and sword that could be found was brought into requisition, with a new shine on them. Gen. Walker, Colonels Davis and Jenners, and other officers joined in a call of tlie people of Tippecanoe county for volunteers to march to the frontier settlements. A large meeting of the citizens assembled in the public square in the town, and over 300 volunteers mostly mounted men, left for the scene of action, with an alacrity that would have done credit to veterans. The first night they camped nine miles west of Lafayette, near Grand Prairie. They placed sentinels for the night and retired to rest. A few of the subaltern officers very injudiciously concluded to try what effect a false alarm would have upon the sleeping sol- diers, and a few of them withdrew to a neighboring thicket, and thence made a charge upon the picket guards, who , after hailing them and receiving no countersign, fired off their guns and ran for the Colonel's marquee in the center of the encampment. Tiie aroused Colonels and stafl' sprang to their feet, shouting "To arms! to arms!" and the obedient, though panic-stricken soldiers seized their guns and demanded to be led against the invading foe. A wild scene of disorder ensued, and amid the din of arms and loud commands of the officers the raw militia felt that they had already got into the red jaws of battle. One of the alarm sentinels, in running to the center of the encampment, leaped over a blazing camp fire, and alighted full upon the breast and stomach of a sleeping lawyer, who was, no doubt, at that moment dreaming of vested and contingent remainders, rich clients and good fees, which in legal parlance was suddenly estopped by the hob-nails in the stogas of the scared sentinel. As soon as the counselor's vitality and consciousness sufficiently returned, he put in some strong demurrers to the con- duct of the aftrighted picket men, averring that he would greatly prefer being wounded by the enemy to being run over by a cowardly booby. Next morning the organizers of the ruse were severely reprimanded. May 2S, 1S32, Governor Noble ordered General Walker to call out his whole command, if necessary, and supply arms, horses and HISTORY OF INDIANA. provisions, even though it be necessary to seize them. The next day four baggage wagons, loaded with camp equipments, stores, provisions and other articles, were sent to the little army, who were thus provided for a campaign of five or six weeks. The following Thursday a squad of cavalry, under Colonel Sigler, passed through Lafayette on the way to the hostile region; and on the 13th of June Colonel Russell, commandant of the iOth Regiment, Indiana Militia, passed through Lafayette with 340 mounted volunteers from the counties of Marion, Hendricks and Johnson. Also, several com- panics of volunteers from Montgomery, Fountain and Warren counties, hastened to the relief of the frontier settlers. The troops from Lafayette marched to Sugar creek, and after a short time, there being no probability of finding any of the enemy, were ordered to return, They all did so except about 4.5 horsemen, who volunteered to cross Hickory creek, where the Indians had com- mitted their depredations. They organized a company by electing? Samuel McGeorge, a soldier of the war of 1S12, Captain, and Amos Allen and Andrew W. Ingraham, Lieutenants. Crossing Hickory creek, they marched as far as O'Plein river without meeting with opposition. Finding no enemy here they concluded to return. On the first night of their march home they encamped on the open prairie, posting sentinels, as usual. About ten o'clock it began to rain, and it was with difficulty that the sen- tinels kept their guns dry. Capt. I. II. Cox and a man named Fox had been posted as sentinels within 1.5 or 20 paces of each other. Cox drew the skirt of his overcoat over his gun-lock to keep it dry; Fox, perceiving this motion, and in the darkness taking him for an Indian, fired upon him and fractured his thigh-bone. Several sol- diers immediately ran toward the place where the flash of the gun had been seen; but when they cocked and leveled their guns on the figure which had fired at Cox, the wounded man caused them to desist by crying, " Don't shoot him, it was a sentinel who shot me." The next day the wounded man was left behind the company in care of four men, who, as soon as possible, removed him on a litter to Col. Moore's company of Illinois militia, then encamped on the O'Plein, where Joliet now stands. Although the main body returned to Lafayette in eight or nine days, yet the alarm among the people was so great that they could not be induced to return to their farms for some time. The pres- ence of the hostiles was hourly expected by the frontier settlements of Indiana, from Vincennes to La Porte. In Clinton county the 130 niSTORT OF INDIANA. inhabitants gathered within the forts and prepared for a regular siege, while our neighbors at Crawfordsville were suddenly astounded by the arrival of a courier at full speed with the announce- ment tliat the Indians, more than a thousand in number, were then crossing the Nine-Mile prairie about twelve miles north of town, killing and scalping all. The strongest houses were immediately put in a condition of defense, and sentinels were placed at the prin- cipal points in the direction of the enemy. Scouts were sent out to reconnoitre, and messengers were dispatched in different directions to announce the danger to the farmers, and to urge them to hasten with their families into town, and to assist in fighting the nioment- arih' expected savages. At night-fall the scouts brought in the news that the Indians had not crossed the "Wabash, but were hourly expected at Lafayette. The citizens of "Warren, Fountain and "Ver- million counties were alike terrified by exaggerated stories of Indian massacres, and immediately prepared for defense. It turned out that the Indians were not within 100 miles of these temporary forts; but this by no means proved a want of courage in the citizens. After some time had elapsed, a portion of the troops were marched back into Tippecanoe county and honorably discharged ; but the settlers were still loth for a long time to return to their farms. Assured by published reports that the Miamis and Potta- watomies did not intend to join the hostiles, the people by degrees recovered from the panic and began to attend to their neglected crops. During this time there was actual war in Illinois. Black Hawk and his warriors, well nigh surrounded by a well-disciplined foe, attempted to cross to the west bank of the Mississippi, but after being chased up into "Wisconsin and to the Mississippi again, he was in a final battle taken captive. A few years after his liberation, about 1837 or 1838, he died, on the banks of the Des Moines river, in Iowa, in what is now the county of Davis, where his remains were deposited above ground, in the usual Indian style. His re- mains were afterward stolen and carried away, but they were re- covered by the Governor of Iowa and placed in the museum of the Historical Society at Burlington, where they were finally destroyed by fire. LAST EXODUS OF THE INDIANS. In July, 1837, Col. Abel C. Pepper convened the Pottawatomie nation of Indians at Lake Ke-waw-nay for the purpose of remov- ing them west of the Mississippi. That fall a small party of some 80 or 90 Pottawatomies was conducted west of the Mississippi river bv George Proffit, Esq. Among the number were Ke-waw- nay, Nebash, Nas-waw-kay, Pash-po-ho and many other leading men of the nation. The regular emigration of these poor Indians, about 1,000 in number, took place under Col. Pepper and Gen. Tip- ton in the summer of 1838. It was a sad and mournful spectacle to witness these children of the forest slowly retiring from the home of their childhood, that contained not only the graves of their revered ancestors, but also many endearing scenes to which their memories would ever recur as sunny spots along their pathway through the wilderness. They felt that they were bidding farewell to the hills, valleys and streams of their infancy; the more exciting hunting-grounds of their ad- vanced youth, as well as the stern and bloody battle-fields where they had contended in riper manhood, on which they had received wounds, and where many of their friends and loved relatives had fallen covered with gore and with glory. All these they were leav- ing behind them, to be desecrated by the plowshare of the white man. As they cast mournful glances back toward these loved scenes that were rapidly fading in the distance, tears fell from the cheek of the downcast warrior, old men trembled, matrons wept, the swarthy maiden's cheek turned pale, and sighs and half-sup-' pressed sobs escaped from the motley groups as they passed along, some on foot, some on horseback, and others in wagons,— sad as a funeral procession. Several of the aged warriors were seen to cast glances toward the sky, as if they were imploring aid from the spirits of their departed heroes, who were looking down upon them from the clouds, or from the Great Spirit, who would ultimately redress the wrongs of the red man, whose broken bow had fallen from his hand, and whose sad heart was bleeding within him. Ever and anon one of the party would start out into the brush and break back to their old encampments on Eel river and on the Tippe- (131) -j^32 HISTOKY OF INDIANA. canoe, declaring that they would rather die than be banished from their country. Thus, scores of discontented emigrants returned from different points on their journey, and it was several years before they could be induced to join their countrymen west ot the Mississippi. . Several years after the removal of the Pottawatomies the Miami nation was removed to their Western home, by coercive means, un- der an escort of United States troops. They were a proud and once powerful nation, but at the time of their removal were far inferior in point of numbers, to the Pottawatomie guests whom they had permitted to settle and hunt upon their lands, and fish in their lakes and rivers after they had been driven southward by powerful and warlike tribes who inhabited the shores of the North- ern lakes. INDIAN TITLES. In 1831 a joint resolution of the Legislature of Indiana, request- ing an appropriation by Congress for the extinguishment of the Indian title to lands within the State, was forwarded to that body, which -ranted the request. The Secretary of War, by authority, appointed a committee of three citizens to carry into effect the pro- visions of the recent law. The Miamis were surrounded on all sides by American settlers, and were situated almost in the heart of the State on the line of the canal then being made. The chiefs were called to a council for the purpose of making a treaty; they promptly came, but peremptorily refused to go westward or sel the remainder of their land. The Pottawatomies sold abou 6,000,000 acres in Indiana, Illinois aud Michigan, including all their claim in this State. . r j- ,.1 1 In 1838 a treaty was concluded with the Miami Indians through the good offices of Col. A. C. Pepper, the Indian agent, by which a considerable of the most desirable portion of their reserve was ceded to the United States. LAND SALES. As an example of the manner in which land speculators were treated bj the early Indianians, we cite the following instances from Cox's " Recollections of the Wabash Valley." At Crawfordsville, Dec. 2i, 1824, many parties were present trom the eastern and southern portions of the State, as well as from Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and even Pennsylvania, to attend a land sale. There was but little bidding against each other. The settlers, or " squatters," as they were called by the speculators, had arranged matters among themselves to their general satisfaction. If, upon comparing numbers, it appeared that two were after the same tract of land, one would ask the other what he would take not to bid against him; if neither would consent to be bou-ht off they would retire and cast lots, and the lucky one would enter the tract at Congress price, $1.25 an acre, and the otiier would enter the second choice on his list. If a speculator made a bid, or showed a disposition to take a settler's claim from him, he soon saw the white of a score of eyes glaring at him, and he would "crawfish" out of the crowd at the first opportunity. The settlers made it definitely known to foreign capitalists that they would enter the tracts of land they had settled upon before allowing the latter to come in with their speculations. The land was sold in tiers of townships, beginning at the southern part of tlie district and continuing north until all had been ofi-ered at public sale. This plan was persisted in, althougli it kept many on the gronnd for several days waiting, who desired to purchase land in the northern part of the district. In 1827 a regular Indian scare was gotten up to keep specu- lators away for a short time. A man who owned a claim on Tippe- canoe river, near Pretty prairie, fearing that some one of the numerous land hunters constantly scouring the country mi-ht entef the land he had settled upon before he could raise the money to buy it, and seeing one day a cavalcade of land hunters riding toward where his land lay, mounted his horse and darted off at full speed to meet them, swinging his hat and shouting at the top of his voice, "Indians! Indians! the woods are full of Indians (133) ' HISTORY OF INDIANA. murdering and scalping all before them!" They paused a moment, but as the terrified horseman still urged his jaded animal and cried, "Help! Longlois, Cicots, help!" they turned and fled like a troop of retreating cavalry, hastening to the thickest settlements and giving the alarm, which spread like fire among stubble until the whole frontier region was shocked with the startling cry. The squatter who fabricated tlie story and started this false alarm took a cir- cuitous route home that evening, and while others were busy building temporary block-houses and rubbing up their guns to meet the Indians, he was quietly gathering up money and slipped down to Crawfordsville and entered his land, chuckling to himself, "There's a Yankee trick for you, done up by a Hoosier." HAEMONY COMMUNITY. In 1814 a society of Germans under Frederick Rappe, who had originally come from Wirtemberg, Germany, and more recently from Pennsylvania, founded a settlement on the Wabash about 50 miles above its mouth. They were industrious, frugal and honest Lutherans. They purchased a large quantity of land and laid off a town, to which they gave the name of "Harmony," afterward called "New Harmony." They erected a church and a public school-house, opened farms, planted orchards and vineyards, built flouring mills, established a house of public entertainment, a public store, and carried on all the arts of peace with skill and regularity. Their property was "in common," according to the custom of an- cient Christians at Jerusalem, but the governing power, both tem- poral and spiritual, was vested in Frederick Rappe, the elder, who was regarded as the founder of the society. By the year 1821 the society numbered about 900. Every individual of proper age con- tributed his proper share of labor. There were neither spendthrifts, idlers nor drunkards, and during the whole 17 years of their sojourn in America there was not a single lawsuit among them. Every controversy arising among them was settled by arbitration, expla- nation and compromise before sunset of the day, literally according to the injunction of the apostle of the New Testament. About 1825 the town of Harmony and a considerable quantity of land adjoining was sold to Robert Owen, father of David Dale Owen, the State Geologist, and of Robert Dale Owen, of later notoriety. He was a radical philosopher from Scotland, who had become distinguished for his philanthropy and opposition to HISTORY OF INDIANA. 135 Christianity. He charged tlie latter with teaching false notions regarding human responsibility — notions which have since been clothed in the language of physiology, mental philosophy, etc. Said he: "That which has hitherto been called wickedness in our fellow men has proceeded from one of two distinct causes, or from some combination of those causes. They are what are termed bad or wicked, " 1. Because they are born with faculties or propensities which render them more liable, under the same circumstances, than other men, to commit such actions as are usually denominated wicked; or, " 2. Because they have been placed by birth or other events in particular countries, — have been influenced from infancy by par- ents, playmates and others, and have been surrounded by those circumstances which gradually and necessarily trained them in the habits and sentiments called wicked ; or, " 3. They have become wicked in consequence of some particu- lar combination of these causes. " If it should be asked. Whence then has wickedness pro- ceeded? I reply, Solely from the ignorance of our forefathers. " Every society which exists at present, as well as every society which history records, has been formed and governed on a belief in the following notions, assumed as first principles: " 1. That it is in the power of every individual to form his own character. Hence the various systems called by the name of religion, codes of law, and punishments; hence, also, the angry passions entertained by individuals and nations toward each other. "2. That the affections are at the command of the individual. Hence insincerity and degradation of character; hence the miseries of domestic life, and more than one-half of all the crimes of man- kind. "3. That it is necessary a large portion of mankind should ex- ist in ignorance and poverty in order to secure to the remaining part such a degree of happiness as they now enjoy. Hence a system of counteraction in the pursuits of men, a general opposition among individuals to the interests of each other, and the necessary effects of such a system, — ignorance, poverty and vice. " Facts prove, however, " 1. That character is universally formed for and not by the in- dividual; 136 HISTORY OF INDIANA. "2. That any habits and sentiments may be given to mankind; " 3. That the affections are not under the control of the indi- vidual; " 4. That every individual may be trained to produce far more than he can consume, while there is a sufficiency left for him to cultivate; " 5. That nature has provided means by which population may be at all times maintained in the proper state to give the greatest happiness to every individual, without one check of vice and misery ; " 6. That any community may be arranged on a due combina- tion of the foregoing principles in such a manner as not only to withdraw vice, poverty, and in a great degree misery from the world, but also to place every individual under circumstances in which he shall enjoy more permanent happiness than can be given to any individual under the principles which have hitherto regu- lated society; " 7. That all the fundamental principles on which society has hitherto been founded are erroneous and may be demonstrated to be contrary to fact; and — " 8. That the change that would follow the abandonment of those erroneous maxims which bring misery into the world, and the adoption of the principles of truth, unfolding a system which shall remove and forever exclude that misery, may be effected without the slightest injury to any human being." Mr. Owen's efforts to establish a community on his principles failed, probably because he overlooked the deeper principle that the main element of " Liberalism " is "individuality" of life in all respects. PIONEER LIFE. Most of the early settlers of Indiana came from older States, as Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Virginia, where their prospects for even a competency were very poor. They found those States good — to emigrate from. Tlieir entire stock of furniture, imple- ments and family necessities were easily stored in one wagon, and sometimes a cart was their only vehicle. THE LOG CABIN. After arriving and selecting a suitable location, the next thing to do was to build a log cabin, a description of which may be inter- HISTORY OF INDIANA. 137 esting to many of our younger readers, as in some sections these old-time structures are no more to be seen. Trees of uniform size were chosen and cut into logs of the desired length, generally 12 to 15 feet, and hauled to the spot selected for the future dwelling. On an appointed day the few neighbors who were available would assemble and have a " house-raising." Each end of every log was saddled and notched so that they would lie as close down as possi- ble; the next day the propiietor would proceed to " chink and daub" the cabin, to keep out the rain, wind and cold. The house had to be re-daubed every fall, as the rains of the intervening time would wash out a great part >f the mortar. The usual height of the house was seven or eight feet. The gables were formed by shortening the logs gradually at each end of the building near the top. The roof was made by laying very straight small logs or stout poles suitable distances apart, generally about two and a half feet, from gable to gable, and on these poles were laid the " clap- boards " after the manner of shingling, showing about two and a half feet to the weather. These clapboards were fastened to their place by " weight poles," corresponding in place with the joists just described, and these again were held in their place by " runs " or " knees," which were chunks of wood about 18 or 20 inches long fitted between them near the ends. Clapboards were made from the nicest oaks in the vicinity, by chopping or sawing them into four-foot blocks and riving these with a frow, which was a simple blade fixed at right angles to its handle. This was driven into the blocks of wood by a mallet. As the frow was wrenched down through the wood, the latter was turned alternately over from side to side, one end being held by a forked piece of timber. The chimney to the "Western pioneer's cabin was made by leaving in the original building a large open place in one wall, or by cut- ting one after the structure was up, and by building on the out- side from the ground up, a stone column, or a column of sticks and mud, the sticks being laid up cob-house fashion. The fire-place thus made was often large enough to receive fire-wood six to eight feet long. Sometimes tliis wood, especially the " back-log," would be nearly as large as a saw-log. The more rapidly the pioneer could burn up the wood in his vicinity the sooner he had his little farm cleared and read}' for cultivation. For a window, a piece about two feet long was cut out of one of the wall logs, and the hole closed sometimes by glass, but generally with greased paper. Even greased deer-hide was sometimes used. A doorway was cut 138 HISTORY OF INDIANA. through one of the walls if a saw was to be had; otherwise the door would be left bj shortened logs in the original building. The door was made by pinning clapboards to two or three wood bars, and was hung upon wooden hinges. A wooden latch, with catch, then finished the door, and the latch was raised by any one on the outside by pulling a leather string. For security at night this latch-string was drawn in; but for friends and neighbors, and even strangers, the '• latch-string was always hanging out," as a welcome. In the interior, over the fire-place would be a shelf, called " the mantel," on which stood the candlestick or lamp, some cooking and table ware, possibly an old clock, and other articles; in the fire- place would be the crane, sometimes of iron, sometimes of wood; on it the pots were hung for cooking; over the door, in forked cleats, hung the ever trustful rifle and powder-horn ; in one corner stood the larger bed for the " old folks," and under it the trundle bed for the children; in another stood the old-fashioned spinning-wheel, with a smaller one by its side; in another the heavy table, the only table, of course, there was in the house; in the remaining corner was a rude cupboard holding the table-ware, whicii consisted of a few cups and saucers and blue-edged plates, standing singly on their edges against the back, to make the display of table furniture more conspicuous; while around the room were scattered a few splint-bottomed or Windsor chairs and two or three stools. These simple cabins were inhabited by a kind and true-hearted people. They were strangers to mock modesty, and the traveler, seeking lodgings for the night, or desirous of spending a few days in the community, if willing to accept the rude offering, was always welcome, although how they were disposed of at night the reader might not easily imagine; for, as described, a single room was made to answer for kitchen, dining-room, sitting-room, bed-room and parlor, and many families consisted of six or eight members. SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS. The bed was very often made by fixing a post in the floor about six feet from one wall and four feet from the adjoining wall, and fastening a stick to this post about two feet above the floor, on each of two sides, so that the other end of each of the two sticks could be fastened in the opposite wall; clapboards were laid across these, and thus the bed was made complete. Guests were given this bed, while the family disposed of themselves in another corner of the room, or in the "loft." "When sovor:;! iriic-^'-^ were on hand HISTORY OF INDIANA. 141 at once, they were sometimes kept over night in the following manner: when bed-time came the men were requested to step out of doors while the women spread out a broad bed upon the mid- floor, and put themselves to bed in the center; the signal was given and the men came in and each husband took his place in bed next his own wife, and the single men outside beyond them again. They were generally so crowded that they had to lie " spoon" fashion, and when any one wished to turn over he would say "Spoon," and the whole company of sleepers would turn over at once. This was the only way they could all keep in bed. To witness the various processes of cooking in those days would alike surprise and amuse those who have grown up since cooking stoves and ranges came into use. Kettles were hung over the large fire, suspended with pot-hooks, iron or wooden, on the crane, or on poles, one end of which would rest upon a chair. The long- handled frying-pan was used for cooking meat. It was either held over the blaze by hand or set down upon coals drawn out upon the hearth. This pan was also used for baking pan-cakes, also called " flap-jacks," " batter-cakes," etc. A better article for this, how- ever, was the cast-iron spider or Dutch skillet. The best thing for baking bread those days, and possibly even yet in these latter days, was the flat-bottomed bake kettle, of greater depth, with closely fitting cast-iron cover, and commonly known as the " Dutch- oven." With coals over and under it, bread and biscuit would quickly and nicely bake. Turkey and spare-ribs were sometimes roasted before the fire, suspended by a string, a dish being placed underneath to catch the drippings. Hominy and samp were very much used. The hominy, how- ever, was generally hulled corn — boiled corn from which the hull, or bran, had been taken by hot lye; hence sometimes called "lye hominy." True hominy and samp were made of pounded corn. A popular method of making this, as well as real meal for bread, was to cut out or burn a large hole in the top of a huge stump, in the shape of a mortar, and pounding the corn in this by a maul or beetle suspended on the end of a swing pole, like a well- sweep. This and the well-sweep consisted of a pole 20 to 30 feet long fixed in an upright fork so that it could be worked "teeter" fashion. It was a rapid and simple way of drawing water. When the samp was sufficiently pounded it was taken out, the bran floated 142 HISTORY OF INDIANA. off, and tlie delicious grain boiled like rice. The chief articles of diet in early day were corn bread, hominy or samp, venison, pork, honey, beans, pumpkin (dried pumpkin for more than half the year), turkey, prairie chicken, squirrel and some other game, with a few additional vegetables a portion of the year. Wheat bread, tea, coffee and fruit were luxuries not to be indulged in except on special occasions, as when visitors were present. women's work. Besides cooking in the manner described, the women had many other arduous duties to perform, one of the chief of which was spin- ning. The "big wheel" was used for spinning yarn and the " little wheel " for spinning flax. These stringed instruments furnished the princii)al music of the family, and were operated by our moth- ers and grandmothers with great skill, attained without pecuniary expense and with far less practice than is necessary for tlie girls of our period to acquire a skillful use of their costly and elegant in- struments. But those wheels, indispensable a few years ago, are all now superseded by the mighty factories which overspread the country, furnishing cloth of all kinds at an expense ten times less than would be incurred now by the old system. The loom was not less necessary than the wheel, though they were not needed in so great numbers; not every house had a loom, one loom had a capacity for the needs of several families. Settlers, having succeeded in spite of the wolves in raising sheep, commenced the manufacture of woolen cloth; wool was carded and made into rolls by hand-cards, and the rolls were spun on the " big wheel." We still occasionally find in the houses of old settlers a wheel of this kind, sometimes used for spinning and twisting stocking yarn. They are turned with the hand, and with such velocity that it will run itself while the nimble worker, by her backward step, draws out and twists her thread nearly the whole length of the cabin. A common article woven on the loom was linsey, or linsey-woolsey, the chain being linen and the filling woolen. This cloth was used for dresses for the women and girls. Nearly all the clothes worn by the men were also home-made; rarely was a farmer or his son seen in a coat made of any other. If, occasionally, a young man appeared in a suit of " boughten " clothes, he was suspected of having gotten it for a particular occasion, which occurs in the life of nearly every young man. HISTOEr OF INDIANA. 143 DRESS AND MANNERS. The dress, habits, etc., of a people throw so much light upon their conditions and limitations that in order better to show the circumstances surrounding the people of the State, we will give a short exposition of the manner of life of our Indiana people at dififerent epochs. The Indians themselves are credited by Charle- voix with being "very laborious," — raising poultry, spinning the wool of the buffalo, and manufacturing garments therefrom. These must have been, however, more than usually favorable repre- sentatives of their race. "The working and voyaging dress of the French masses," says Reynolds, "was simple and primitive. The French were like the lilies of the valley [ the Old Eanger was not always exact in his quotations], — they neither spun nor wove any of their clothing, but purchased it from the merchants. The white blanket coat, known as the capot, was the universal and eternal coat for the winter with the masses. A cape was made of it that could be raised over the head in cold weather. " In the house, and in good weather, it hung behind, a cape to the blanket coat. The reason that I know these coats so well is that I have worn many in my youth, and a working man never wore a better garment. Dressed deer-skins and blue cloth were worn commonly in the winter for pantaloons. The blue handker- chief and the deer-skin moccasins covered tlie head and feet gener- ally of the French Creoles. In 1800 scarcely a man thought him- self clothed unless he had a belt tied round his blanket coat, and on one side was hung the dressed skin of a pole-cat filled with tobacco, pipe, flint and steel. On the other side was fastened, under the belt, the butcher knife. A Creole in this dress felt like Tam O'Shanter filled with usquebaugh; he could face the devil. Checked calico shirts were then common, but in winter flannel was frequently worn. In the summer the laboring men and the voyagers often took their shirts off" in hard work and hot weather, and turned out the naked back to the air and sun." " Among the Americans," he adds, " home-made wool hats were the common wear. Fur hats were not common, and scarcely a boot was seen. The covering of the feet in winter was chiefly moccasins made of deer-skins and shoe-packs of tanned leather. Some wore shoes, but not common in very early times. In the summer the greater portion of the young people, male and female, 144 HISTORY OF INDIANA. and many of the old, went barefoot. The substantial and universal outside wear was the blue linsey hunting shirt. This is an excel- lent garment, and I have never felt so happy and healthy since I laid it off. It is made of wide sleeves, open before, with ample size so as to envelop the body almost twice around. Sometimes it had a large cape, which answers well to save the shoulders from the rain. A belt is mostly used to keep the garment close around thejierson, and, nevertheless, there is nothing tight about it to hamper the body. It is often fringed, and at times the fringe is composed of red, and other gay colors. The belt, frequently, is sewed to the hunting shirt. The vest was mostly made of striped linsey. The colors were made often with alum, copperas and madder, boiled with the bark of trees, in such a manner and proportions as the old ladies prescribed. The pantaloons of the masses were generally made of deer-skin and linsey. Coarse blue cloth was sometimes made into pantaloons. " Linsey, neat and fine, manufactured at home, composed generally the outside garments of the females as well as the males. The ladies had linsey colored and woven to suit their fancy. A bonnet, composed of calico, or some gay goods, was worn on the head when they were in the open air. Jewelry on the pioneer ladies was Tincommon; a gold ring was an ornament not often seen." In 1820 a change of dress began to take place, and before 1830, according to Ford, most of the pioneer costume had disappeared. ''The blue linsey hunting-shirt, with red or white fringe, had given place to the cloth coat. [Jeans would be more like the fact.] The raccoon cap, with the tail of the animal dangling down behind, had been thrown aside for hats of wool or fur. Boots and shoes had supplied the deer-skin moccasins; and the leather breeches, strapped tight around the ankle, had disappeared before unmentionables of a more modern material. The female sex had made still greater prog- ress in dress. The old sort of cotton or woolen frocks, spun, woven and made with their own fair hands, and striped and cross-barred with blue dye and Turkey red, had given place to gowns of silk and calico. The feet, before in a state of nudity, now charmed in shoes of calf-skin or slippers of kid ; and the head, formerly unbonneted, but covered with a cotten handkerchief, now displayed the charms of the female face under many forms of bonnets of straw, silk and Leghorn. The young ladies, instead of walking a mile or two to church on Sunday, carrying their shoes and stockings in their hands until within a hundred yards of the place of worship, as formerly, HISTORY OF INDIANA. 145 now came forth arrayed complete in all the pride of dress, mounted . on fine horses and attended bv their male admirers." The last half century has doubtless witnessed changes quite as great as those set forth by our Illinois historian. Tiie chronicler of to-day, looking back to the golden days of 1830 to 1840, and comparing them with the present, must be struck with the tendency of an almost monotonous uniformity in dress and manners that comes from the easy inter-communication afforded by steamer, rail- way, telegraph and newspaper. Home manufacturers have been driven from the household by the lower-priced fabrics of distant mills. The Kentucky jeans, and the copperas-colored clothing of home manufacture, so femiliar a few years ago, have given place to the cassimeres and cloths of noted factories. The ready-made clothing stores, like a touch of nature, made the whole world kin- and may drape the charcoal man in a dress-coat and a stove-pipe hat. The prints and silks of England and France give a variety of choice and an assortment of colors and shades such as the pioneer women could hardly have dreamed of. Godey and Demorest and Harper's Bazar are found in our modern farm-houses, and the latest fashions of Paris are not uncommon. FAMILY WORSHIP. The Methodists were generally first on the ground in pioneer settlements, and at that early day they seemed more demonstrative in their devotions than at the present time. In those days, too, pul- pit oratory was generally more eloquent and effective, while the grammatical dress and other " worldly" accomplishments were not so assiduously cultivated as at present. But in the manner of con- ducting public worship there has probably not been so much change as in that of family worship, or " family prayers," as it was often called. We had then most emphatically an American edition of that pious old Scotch practice so eloquently described in Burns' " Cotter's Saturday Night:" The cheerfu' supper done, wi' serious face They round the ingle formed a circle wide; The sire turns o'er, wi' patriarchal grace, The big ha' Bible, ance his father's pride ; His bonnet rev'rently is laid aside. His lyart haffets wearing thin and bare; Those strains that once did sweet in Zion glide ; He wales a portion with judicious care, And " let us worsnip God," he says with solemn air. 14b HISTORY OF INDIANA. They chant their artless notes in simple guise; They tune their hearts, — by far the noblest aim ; Perhaps " Dundee's " wild warbling measures rise, Or plaintive " Martyrs," worthy of the name; Or noble " Elgin'' beats the heavenward flame, — The sweetest far of Scotia's hallowed lays. Compared with these, Italian trills are tame; The tickled ear no heart-felt raptures raise: ■ Nae unison hae they with our Creator's praise. The priest-like father reads the sacred page, — How Abraham was the friend of God on high, etc. Then kneeling down, to heaven's Eternal King The saint, the father and the husband prays ; Hope " springs exulting on triumphant wing," That thus they all shall meet in future days ; There ever bask in uncreated rays, No more to sigh or shed the bitter tear. Together hymning their Creator's praise. In such society, yet still more dear , While circling time moves round in an eternal sphere. Once or twice a daj% in tlie morning just before breakfast, or in the evening just before retiring to rest, the head of the family- would call those around him to order, read a chapter in the Bible, announce the hymn and tune by commencing to sing it, when all would join; then he would deliver a most fervent prayer. If a pious guest was present he would be called on to take the lead in all the exercises of the evening; and if in those days a person who prayed in the family or in public did not pray as if it were his very last on earth, his piety was thought to be defective. The familiar tunes of that day are remembered by the surviving old settlers as being more spiritual and inspiring than those of the present day, such as Bourbon, Consolation, China, Canaan, Con- quering Soldier, Condescension, Devotion, Davis, Fiducia, Funeral Thought, Florida, Golden Hill, Greenfields, Ganges, Idumea, Imandra, Kentucky, Lenox, Leander, Mear, New Orleans, North field. New Salem, New Durham, Olney, Primrose, Pisgah, Pleyel's Hymn, Eockbridge, Kocklngham, Eeflection, Supplication, Salva- tion, St. Thomas, Salem, Tender Thought, Windham, Greenville, etc., as they are named in the Missouri Harmony. Members of other orthodox denominations also had their family prayers in which, however, the phraseology of the prayer was some- what different and the voice not so loud as characterized the real Methodists, United Brethren, etc. J HISTOEY OF INDIANA. 147 HOSriTALITT. The traveler always found a welcome at the pioneer's cabin. It was never full. Although there might be already a guest for every puncheon, there was still "room for one more," and a wider circle would be made for the new-comer at the log fire. If the stranger was in search of land, he was doubly welcome, and his host would volunteer to show him all the " first-rate claims in this neck of the woods," going with him for days, showing the corners and advan- tages of every " Congress tract " within a dozen miles of his own cabin. To his neighbors the pioneer was equally liberal. If a deer was killed, the choicest bits were sent to his nearest neighbor, a half- dozeft miles away, perhaps. Whena"shoat" was butchered, the same custom prevailed. If a new comer came in too late for " crop- ping," the neighbors would supply his table with just the same luxuries they themselves enjoyed, and in as liberal quantity, until a crop could be raised. When a new-comer had located his claim, the neighbors for miles around would assemble at the site of the new-comer's proposed cabin and aid hitn in " gittin' " it up. One party with axes would cut down the trees and hew the logs; another with teams would haul the logs to the ground; another party would "raise" the cabin; while several of the old men would " rive the clapboards " for the roof. By night the little forest domicile would be up and ready for a "house-warming," which was the dedicatory occupation of the house, when music and dancing and festivity would be enjoyed at full height. The next day the new-comer would be as well situated as his neighbors. An instance of primitive hospitable manners will be in place here. A traveling Methodist preacher arrived in a distant neigh- borhood to fill an appointment. The house where services were to be held did not belong to a church member, but no matter for that. Boards were raked up from all quarters with which to make tem- porary seats, one of the neighbors volnnteeringto lead off in the work, while the man of the house, with the faitliful rifle on his shoulder, sallied forth in quest of meat, for this truly was a " ground-hog " case, the preacher coming and no meat in the house. The host ceased not the chase until he found the meat, in the shape of a deer; re- turning, he sent a boy out after it, with directions on what " pint " to find it. After services, which had been listened to with rapt at- 148 HISTORY OF INDIANA. tention by all the audience, mine host said to his wife, " Old woman, I reckon this 'ere preacher is pretty hungry and you must git him a bite to eat." " What shall I git him ? " asked the wife, who had not seen the deer; "thar's nuthiii' in the house to eat." " Why, look thar," returned he; " thar's a deer, and thar's plenty of corn in the field; you git some corn and grate it while I skin the deer, and we'll have a good supper for him." It is needless to add that venison and corn bread made a supper fit for any pio- neer preacher, and was thankfully eaten. In pioneer times the transactions of commerce were generally carried on by neighborhood exchanges. Now and then a farmer would load a fiat-boat with beeswax, honey, tallow and peltries, with perhaps a few bushels of wheat or corn or a few hundred clap- boards, and float down the rivers into the Ohio and thence to New Orleans, where he would exchange his produce for substantials in the shape of groceries and a little ready money, with which he would return by some one of the two or three steamboats then run- ning. Betimes there appeared at the best steamboat landings a number of " middle men " engaged in the " commission and for- warding " business, buying up the farmers' produce and the tro- phies of the chase and the trap, and sending them to the various distant markets. Their winter's accumulations would be shipped in the spring, and the manufactured goods of the far East or dis- tant South would come back in return; and in all these transac- tions scarcely any money was seen or used. Goods were sold on a year's time to the farmers, and payment made from the proceeds of the ensuing crops. When the crops were sold and the merchant satisfied, the surplus was paid out in orders on the store to labor- ing men and to satisfy other creditors. When a day's work was done by a working man, his employer would ask, " Well, what store do you want your order on?" The answer being given, the order was written and always cheerfully accepted. Money was an article little known and seldom seen among the earlier settlers. Indeed, they had but little use for it, as they could transact all their business about as well without it, on the " barter " system, wherein great ingenuity was sometimes displayed. When HISTORY OF INDIANA. 149 it failed in any instance, long credits contributed to the conven- ience of the citizens. But for taxes and postage neither the barter nor the credit system would answer, and often letters were suffered to remain a long time in the postofBce for the want of the twenty- five cents demanded by the Government. With all this high price on postage, by the way, the letter had not been brouglit 500 miles in a day or two, as is the case nowadays, but had probably been weeks on the route, and the mail was delivered at the pioneer's postoffice, several miles distant. from his residence, only once in a week or two. All the mail would be carried by a lone horseman. Instances are related illustrating how misrepresentation would be resorted to in order to elicit tlie sympathies of some one who was known to have " two bits " (25 cents) of money with him, and pro- cure the required Govermental fee for a letter. Peltries came nearer being money than anything else, as it came to be custom to estimate the value of everything in peltries. Such an article was worth so many peltries. Even some tax collectors and postmasters were known to take peltries and exchange them for the money required by the Government. When the first settlers first came into the wilderness they generally supposed that their hard struggle would be princi- pally over after the first year; but alas! tliey often looked for "easier times next year" for many years before realizing them, and then they came in so slily as to be almost imperceptible. The sturdy pioneer thus learned to bear hardships, privation and hard living, as good soldiers do. As the facilities for making. money were not great, they lived pretty well satisfied in an atmosphere of good, social, friendly feeling, and thought themselves as good as those they had left behind in the East. But among the early set- tlers who came to this State were many who, accustomed to the advantages of an older civilization, to churches, schools and society, became speedily home-sick and dissatisfied. They would remain perhaps one summer, or at most two, then, selling whatever claim with its improvements they had made, would return to the older States, spreading reports of the hardships endured by the settlers here and the disadvantages which they had found, or imagined they had found, in the country. These weaklings were not an unmiti- gated curse. Tlie slight improvements they had made were sold to men of sterner stuff, who were the sooner able to surround them- selves with the necessities cf life, while their unfavorable report deterred other weaklings from coming. The men who stayed, who 150 HISTORY OF INDIANA. were willing to endure privations, belonged to a different guild; they were heroes every one, — men to whom hardships were things to be overcome, and present privations things to be endured for the sake of posterity, and they never shrank from this duty. It is to these hardy pioneers who could endure, that we to-day owe the wonderful improvement we have made and the development, almost miraculous, that has brought our State in the past sixty years, from a wilderness, to the front rank among the States of this great nation. Not the least of the hardships of the pioneers was the procuring of bread. The first settlers must be supplied at least one year from other sources than tlieir own lands; but the first crops, however abundant, gave only partial relief, there being no mills to grind the grain. Hence the necessity of grinding by hand power, and many families were poorly provided with means for doing this. Another way was to grate the corn. A grater was made from a piece of tin, sometimes taken from an old, worn-out tin bucket or other vessel. It was thickly perforated, bent into a semicircular form, and nailed, rough side upward, on a board. The corn was taken in the ear, and grated before it got dry and hard. Corn, however, was eaten in various ways. Soon after the country became more generally settled, enterpris- ing men were ready to embark in the milling business. Sites along the streams were selected for water-power. A person looking for a mill-site would follow up and down the stream for a desired loca- tion, and when found he would go before the authorities and secure a writ of ad quod damninn. Tliis would enable the miller to have the adjoining land officially examined, and the amount of damage by making a dam was named. Mills being so great a public neces- sity, they were permitted to be located upon any person's land where the miller thought the site desirable. AGEICULTUEAL IMrLEMENTS. The agricultural implements used by the first farmers in this State would in this age of improvement be great curiosities. The plow used was called the " bar-share" plow; the iron point consisted of a bar of iron about two feet long, and a broad share of iron welded to it. At the extreme point was a coulter that passed through a beam six or seven feet long, to which were attached handles of cor- responding length. The mold-board was a wooden one split out of HISTORY OF INDIANA. 151 winding timber, or hewed into a winding shape, in order to turn the soil over. Sown seed was brushed in by dragging over the ground a sapling with a bushy top. In harvesting the change is most striking. Instead of the reapers and mowers of to-day, the sickle and cradle were used. The grain was threshed with a flail, or trodden out by horses or o.xen. HOG KILLING. Hogs were always dressed before they were taken to market. The farmer, if forehanded, would call in his neighbors some bright fall or winter morning to help " kill hogs." Immense kettles of water were heated; a sled or two, covered with loose boards or plank, constituted the platform on which the hog was cleaned, and was placed near an inclined hogshead in which the scalding was done; a quilt was thrown over the top of the latter to retain the heat; from a crotch of some convenient tree a projecting pole was rigged to hold the animals for disemboweling and thorough cleaning. When everything was arranged, the best shot of the neighborhood loaded his rifle, and the work of killing was commenced. It was con- sidered a disgrace to make a hog " squeal " by bad shooting or by a " shoulder-stick," that is, running the point of the butcher-knife into the shoulder instead of the cavity of the beast. As each hog fell, the " sticker " mounted him and plunged the butcher-knife, long and well sharpened, into his throat; two persons would then catch him by the hind legs, draw him up to the scalding tub, which had just been filled with boiling-hot water with a shovelful of good green wood ashes thrown in; in this the carcass was plunged and moved around a minute or so, that is, until the hair would slip off easi- ly, then placed on the platform where the cleaners would pitch into him with all their might and clean him as quickly as possible, with knives and other sharp-edged implements; then two stout fellows would take him up between them, and a third man to manage the " gambrel " (which was a stout stick about two feet long, sharpened at both ends, to be inserted' between the muscles of the hind legs at or near the hock joint), the animal would be elevated to the pole, where the work of cleaning was finished. After the slaughter was over and the hogs had had time to cool, such as were intended for domestic use were cut up, the lard " tried " out by the women of the household, and the surplus hogs taken to market, while the weather was cold, if possible. In those days almoet every merchant had, at the rear end of his place of 152 BISTORT OF INDIANA. busiiiess or at some convenient building, a " pork-bouse," and would buy tbe pork of his customers and of such others as would sell to him, and cut it for the market. This gave employment to a large number of hands in every village, who would cut and pack pork all winter. The hauling of all this to the river would also give employment to a large number of teams, and the manufacture of pork barrels would keep many coopers employed. Allowing for the diiference of currency and manner of market- ing, the price of pork was not so high in those days as at present. Now, while calico and muslin are ten cents a yard and pork two to four cents a pound, then, while calico and muslin were twenty-five cents a yard pork was one to two cents a pound. When, as the country grew older and communications easier between the seaboard and the great "West, prices went up to two and a half and three cents a pound, the farmers thought they would always be content to raise pork at such a price; but times have changed, even con- trary to the current-cy. There was one feature in this method of marketing pork that made the country a paradise for the poor man in the winter time. Spare-ribs, tenderloins, pigs' heads and pigs' feet were not con- sidered of any value, and were freely given to all who could use them. If a barrel was taken to auy pork-house and salt furnished, the barrel would be filled and salted down with tenderloins and spare-ribs gratuitously. So great in many cases was the quantity of spare-ribs, etc., to be disposed of, that they would be hauled away in wagon-loads and dumped in the woods out of town. In those early times much wheat was marketed at twenty-five to fifty cents a bushel, oats the same or less, and corn ten cents a bushel. A good young milch-cow could be bought for $5 to §10, and that payable in work. Those might truly be called "close times," yet the citizens of the Country were accommodating, and but very little sufi'eriug for the actual necessities of life was ever known to e.xist. PEAIEIE FIRES. Fires, set out by Indians or settlers, sometimes purposely and sometimes permitted through carelessness, would visit the prairies every autumn, and sometimes the forests, either in autumn or spring, and settlers could not always succeed in defending them- selves against the destroying element. Many interesting incidents are related. Often a fire was started to bewilder game, or to bare HISTORY OF INDIANA. 155 a piece of ground for the early grazing of stock the ensuing spring, and it would get away under a wind, and soon be beyond control. Violent winds would often arise and drive the flames with such rapidity that riders on the fleetest steeds could scarcely escape. On the approach of a prairie fire the farmer would immediately set about " cutting off supplies " for the devouring enemy by a " back fire." Thus, by starting a small fire near the bare ground about his premises, and keeping it under control next his property, he would burn off a strip around him and prevent the attack of the on-coming flames. A few furrows or a ditch around the farm con- stituted a help in the work of protection. An original prairie of tall and exuberant grass on fire, especially at night, was a magnificent spectacle, enjoyed only by the pioneer. Here is an instance where the frontiersman, proverbially deprived of the sights and pleasures of an old community, is privileged far beyond the people of the present day in this country. One could scarcely tire of beholding the scene, as its awe-inspiring features seemed constantly to increase, and the whole panorama unceasingly changed like the dissolving views of a magic lantern, or like the aurora borealis. Language cannot convey, words cannot express, the faintest idea of the splendor and grandeur of such a conflagra- tion at night. It was as if the pale queen of night, disdaining to take her accustomed place in the heavens, had dispatched myriads upon myriads of messengers to light their torches at the altar of the setting sun until all had flashed into one long and continuous blaze. The following graphic description of prairie fires was written by a traveler through this region in lSi9: " Soon the fires began to kindle wider and rise higher from the long grass; the gentle breeze increased to stronger currents, and soon fanned the small, flickering blaze into fierce torrent flames, which curled up and leaped along in resistless splendor; and like quickly raising the dark curtain from the luminous stage, the scenes before me were suddenly changed, as if by the magician's wand, into one boundless amphitheatre, blazing from earth to heaven and sweeping the horizon round, — columns of lurid flames sportively mourning up to the zenith, and dark clouds of crimson smoke curling away and aloft till they nearly obscured stars and moon, while the rush- ing, crashing sounds, like roaring cataracts mingled with distant thunders, were almost deafening; danger, death, glared all around; it screamed for victims; yet, notwithstanding the imminent peril lob HISTOKY OF INDIANA. of prairie fires, one is loth, irresolute, almost unable to withdraw or seek refuge.'' ■WILD HOGS. "When the earliest pioneer reached this Western wilderness, game was his principal food until he had conquered a farm from the forest or prairie, — rarely, then, from the latter. As the country settled game grew scarce, and by ISoO he who would live by his rifle would have had but a precarious subsistence had it not been for "wild hogs." These animals, left by home-sick immigrants whom the chills or fever and ague had driven out, had strayed into the woods, and began to multiply in a wild state. The woods each fall were full of acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts, and these hogs would grow fat and multiply at a wonderful rate in the bottoms and along the bluffs. The second and third immigration to the country found these wild hogs an unfailing source of meat supply up to that period when they had in the townships contiguous to the river be- come so numerous as to be an evil, breaking in herds into the farmer's corn-fields or toling their domestic swine into their retreats, where they too became in a season as wild as those in the woods. In 1S3S or '39, in a certain township, a meeting was allied of citizens of the township to take steps to get rid of wild hogs. At this meeting, which was held in the spring, the people of the town- ship were notified to turn out en masse on a cert^aiu day and engage in the work of catching, trimming and branding wild hogs, which were to be turned loose, and the next winter were to be hunted and killed by the people of the township, the meat to be divided jtro rati! among the citizens of the township. This plan was fully carried into efi'ect. two or three days being spent in the exciting work in the spring. » In the early part of the ensuing winter the settlers again turned out, supplied at convenient points in the bottom with large kettles and bai-rels for scalding, and while the hunters were engaged in killing, others with horses dragged the carcasses to the scalding platforms where they were dressed; and when all that could be were killed and dressed a division was made, every farmer getting more meat than enough, for his winter's supply. Like energetic measures were resorted to in other townships, so that in two or three vears the breed of wild liogs became extinct. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 157 NATIVE ANIMALS. The principal wild animals found in the State by the early set- tler -were the deer, wolf, bear, wild-cat, fox, otter, raccoon, generally called "coon," woodchnck. or gronnd-hog, skunk, mink, weasel, muskrat, opossum, rabbit and squirrel; and the principal feathered game were the quail, prairie chicken and wild turkey. Hawks, turkey buzzards, crows, blackbirds were also very abundant. Sev- eral of these animals furnished meat for the settlers; but their principal meat did not long consist of game; pork and poultry were raised in abundance. Tlie wolf was the most troublesome animal, it being the common enemy of the sheep, and sometimes attacking other domestic animals and even human beings. But their hideous bowlings at night were so constant and terrifying that they almost seemed to do more raiscliief by that anno3-ance than by direct attack. They would keep everbody and every ani- mal about the farm-house awake and friglitened, and set all the dogs in the neighborhood to barking. As one man described it: "Sup- pose six boys, having six dogs tied, whipped them all at the same time, and you would liear such music as two wolves would make." To eti'ect the destruction of these animals the county authorities offered a bounty for their scalps; and, besides, big hunts were common. WOLF HUNTS. In early days more mischief was done by wolves than by any other wild animal, and no small part of their mischief consisted in their almost constant barking at night, which always seemed so menacing and frightful to the settlers. Like mosquitoes, the noise they made appeared to be about as dreadful as the real depre- dations they committed. Tlie most effectual, as well as the most exciting, method of ridding the country of these hateful pests, was that known as the " circular wolf hunt," by which all tiie men and boys would turn out on an appointed day, in a kind of circle com- prising many square miles of territory, with horses and dogs, and then close up toward the center of their field of operation, gather- ing not only wolves, but also deer and many smaller "varmint." Five, ten, or more wolves by this means would sometimes be killed in a single day. The men would be organized with as much system as a little army, every one being well posted in the meaning of every signal and the application of every rule. Guns were scarcely ever allowed to be brought on such occasions, as their use 153 HISTORY OF INDIANA. ■would be unavoidably dangerous. The dogs were depended upon for the final slaughter. The dogs, by the way, had all to be held in check by a cord in the hands of their keepers until the final signal was given to let them loose, when away they would all go to the center of battle, and a more exciting scene would follow than can be easily described. BEE-HUNTING. This wild recreation was a peculiar one, and many sturdy back- woodsmen gloried in excelling in this art. He would carefully watch a bee as it filled itself witli the sweet product of some flower or leaf-bud, and notice particularly the direction taken by it as it struck a "bee-line" for its home, which when found would be generally high up in the hollow of a tree. The tree would be marked, and in September a party would go and cut down the tree and capture the houey as quickly as they could before it wasted away through the broken walls in which it had been so carefully stowed away by the little busy bee. Several gallons would often be thus taken from a single tree, and by a very little work, and pleas- ant at that, the early settlers could keep themselves in honey the year round. By the time the honey was a year old, or before, it would turn white and granulate, yet be as good and healthful as wheu fresh. This was by some called "candid " honey. In some districts, the resorts of bees would be so plentiful that all the available hollow trees would be occupied and many colonies of bees would be found at work in crevices in the rock and holes in the ground. A considerable quantity of honey has even been taken from such places. SNAKES. In pioneer times snakes were numeroas, such as the rattlesnake, viper, adder, blood snake and many varieties of large blue and green snakes, milk snake, garter and water snakes, black snakes, etc., etc. If, on meeting one of these, you would retreat, they would chase you very fiercely; but if you would turn and give them battle, they would immediately crawl away with all possible speed, hide in the grass and weeds, and wait for a "'greener " customer. These really harmless snakes served to put people on their guard against the more dangerous and venomous kinds. It was the practice in some sections of the country to turn out in companies, with spades, mattocks and crow-bars, attack the princi- pal snake dens and slay large numbers of them. In early spring UISTORY OF INDIANA. 159 the suakes were somewhat torpid and easily captured. Scores of rattlesnakes were sometimes frightened out of a single den, which, as soon as they showed their heads through the crevices of the rocks, were dispatched, and left to be devoured by the numerous wild hogs of that day. Some of the fattest of these snakes were taken to the house and oil extracted from them, and their glittering skins were saved as specifies for rheumatism. Another method was to so fix a heavy stick over the door of their dens, with a long grape-vine attached, that one at a distance could plug the entrance to the den when the snakes were all out sunning themselves. Then a large company of the citizens, on hand by ap- pointment, could kill scores of the reptiles in a few minutes. One of the greatest obstacles to the early settlement and pros- perity of this State was the " chills and fever," " fever and ague," or " shakes," as it was variously called. It was a terror to new- comers; in the fall of the year almost everybody was afflicted with it. It was no respecter of persons; everybody looked pale and sallow as though he were frost-bitten. It was not contagious, but derived from impure water and air, which are always developed in the opening up of a new country of rank soil like that of the Northwest. The impurities continue to be absorbed from day to day, and from week to week, until the whole body corporate became saturated with it as with electricity, and then the shock came; and the shock was a regular shake, with a fixed beginning and ending, coming on in some cases each day but generally on alternate days, with a regu- larity that was surprising. After the shake came the fever, and this "last estate was worse than the first." It was a burning-hot fever, and lasted for hours. When you had the chill you couldn't get warm, and when you had the fever you couldn't get cool. It was exceedingly awkward in this respect; indeed it was. Nor would it stop for any sort of contingency ; not even a wedding in the family would stop it. It was imperative and tyrannical. When the ap- pointed time came around, everything else had to be stopped to at- tend to its demands. It didn't even have any Sundays or holidays; after the fever went down you still didn't feel much better. You felt as though you had gone through some sort of collision, thrashing-machine or jarring-machine, and came out not killed, but next thing to it. You felt weak, as though you had run too far after something, and then didn't catch it. You felt languid, stupid and 160 HISTORY OF INDIANA. sore, and was down in the month and heel and partially raveled out. Tour back was out of fix, vour head ached and your appetite crazy. Tonr eyes had too iniich white in them, your ears, especially after taking quinine, had too much roar in them, and your whole body and soul were entirely woe-begone, disconsolate, sad, poor and good for nothing. You didn't think much of ' yourself, and didn't believe that other people did, either; and you didn't care. You didn't quite make up your mind to commit suicide, but sometimes wished some accident would happen to knock either the malady or yourself out of existence. Yon imagined that even the dogs looked at you with a kind of self-complacency. You thought the sun had a kind of sickly shine about it. About this time you came to the conclusion that you would not accept the whole State of Indiana as a gift; and if you had the strength and means, you picked up Hannah and the baby, and your traps, and went back *'yander" to "Old Virginny," the •■■ Jar- seys," Maryland or " Pennsjlvany." " Ami to-day the swallows flittiag Round my cabin see me sitting Moodily within the simshine, Just inside my silent door, Waiting for the ' Ager,' seeming Like a man foierer dreaming; And the sunlight on me stresiming Throws no shadow on the floor ; For I am too thin sind siillow To make shadows on the floor — Nary shadow .any more ! " The above is not a mere picture of the imagination. It is sim- ply recounting in quaint phrase what actually occurred in thousands of cases. Whole families would sometimes be sick at one time and not one member scarcely able to wait upon another. Labor or exercise always aggravated the malady, and it took General L:\zi- ness a long time to thrash the enemy out. And those were the days for swallowing all sorts of roots and "yarbs," and whisky? etc.. with some faint hope of relief. And finally, when the case wore out, the last remedy taken got the credit of the cure. EDUCATION. Though struggling through the pressure of poverty and priva- tion, the early settlers planted among them the school-house at the earliest practical period. So important au object as the education HISTORY OF INDIANA. 161 of their children they did not defe;- until they could build more comely and convenient houses. They were for a time content with such as corresponded with their rude dwellings, but soon better build- ings and accommodations were provided. As may readily be sup- posed, the accommodations of the earliest schools were not good. Sometimes school was taught in a room of a large or a double log cabin, but oftener in a log house built for the purpose. Stoves and such heating apparatus as are now in use were then unknown. A mud-and-stick chimney in one end of the building, with earthen hearth and a iire-place wide and deep enough to receive a four to six-foot back-log, and smaller wood to match, served for warming purposes in winter and a kind of conservatory in summer. For windows, part of a log was cut out in two sides of the building, and maybe a few lights of eight by ten glass set in, or the aper- ture might be covered over with greased paper. "Writing desks consisted of heavy oak plank or a hewed slab laid upon wooden pins driven into the wall. The four-legged slab benches were in front of these, and the pupils when not writing would sit with their backs against the front, sharp edge of the writing-desks. The tloor was also made out of these slabs, or " puncheons," laid upon log sleepers. _ Everything was rude and plain; but many of America's greatest men have goneont from just such school-houses to grapple with the world and make names for themselves and re- flect honor upon their country. Among these we can name x\bra- ham Lincoln, our martyred president, one of the noblest men known to the world's history. Stephen A. Douglas, one of the greatest statesmen of the age, began his career in Illinois teaching in one of these primitive school- houses. Joseph A. Wright, and several others of Indiana's great statesmen have also graduated from the log school-house into political eminence. So with many of her most eloquent and efBcient preachers. Imagine such a house with the children seated around, and the teacher seated on one end of a bench, with no more desk at his hand than any other pupil has, and you have in view the whole scene. The " schoolmaster " has called '■ Books! books!" at the door, and the "scholars" have just run in almost out of breath from vigorous play, have taken their seats, and are for the moment "saying over their lessons" to themselves with all their might, that is, in as loud a whisper as possible. While they are thus en- gaged the teacher is perhaps sharpening a few quill pens for the pupils, for no other kind of writing pen had been thought of as 162 HISTORY OF INDIANA. yet. In a few minutes he calls up an urchin to say his a b c's; the little boy stands beside the teacher, perhaps partially leaning upon his lap; the teacher with his pen-knife points to the letter and asks what it is; the little fellow remains silent, for he dees not know what to say; "A," says the teacher; the boy echoes "A;" the teacher points to the next and asks what it is; the boy is silent again; "B," says the teacher; " B," echoes the little urchin; and so it goes through the exercise, at the conclusion of which the teacher tells the little " Major " to go back to his seat and study his letters, and %vhen lie comes to a letter he doesn't know, to come to him and he will tell him. He obediently goes to his seat, looks on his book a little while, and then goes trudging across the punclieon floor again in his bare feet, to the teacher, and points to a letter, probably outside of his lesson, and asks what it is. The teacher kindly tells him that that is not in his lesson, that he need not study that or look at it now; he will come to that some other day, and then he will learn what it is. The simple-minded little fellow then trudges, smilingly, as he catches the eye of some one, back to his seat again. But why he smiled, he has no definite idea. To prevent wearing the books out at the lower corner, eveiy pujjil was expected to keep a " thumb-paper" under his thumb as he holds the book; even then the books were soiled and worn out at this place in a few weeks, so that a part of many lessons ■were gone. Consequently the request was often made, " Master, may I borrow Jimmy's book to git my lesson in? mine haintin my book: it's tore out." It was also customary to use book-pointers, to point out the letters or words in study as well as in recitation. The black stem of the maiden-hair fern was a very popular material from which pointers were made. The a-b-ab scholars through with, perhaps the second or third- reader class would be called, who would stand in a row in front of the teacher, "toeing the mark," which was actually a chalk or char- coal mark drawn on the floor, and commencing at one end of the class, one would read the first " verse," the next the second, and so on around, taking the paragraphs in the order as they occur in the book. Whenever a pupil hesitated at a word, the teacher would pronounce it for him. And this was all there was of the reading exercise. Those studying arithmetic were but little classified, and they were therefore generally called forward singly and interviewed, or the HISTORY OF INDIANA. 163 teacher simply visited them at their seats. A lessoa containing several " sums" would be given for the next day. Whenever the learner came to a sum he couldn't do, he would go to the teacher with it, who would willingly and patiently, if he had time, do it for him. In geography, no wall maps were used, no drawing required, and the studying and recitation comprised only the committing to memory, or "getting by heart," as it was called, the names and locality of places. The recitation proceeded like this: Teacher — "Wliere is Norfolk?" Pupil — "In the southeastern part of Vir- ginia." Teacher — "AVhatbay between Maryland and Virginia?" Pupil — " Chesapeake." "When the hour for writing arrived, the time was announced by the master, and every pupil practicing this art would turn his feet over to the back of his seat, thus throwing them under the writing desk, already described, and proceed to '• follow copy," which was invariably set by the teacher, not by rule, but by as nice a stroke of the pen as he could make. The first copies for each pupil would be letters, and the second kind and last consisted of maxims. Blue ink on white paper, or black ink on blue paper, were common; and sometimes a pupil would be so unfortunate as to be compelled to use blue ink on blue paper; and a '• blue" time he had of it. About half past ten o'clock the master would announce, " School may go out;" which meant '■ little play-time," in the children's parlance, called nowadays, recess or intermission. Often the prac- tice was to have the boys and girls go out separately, in which case the teacher would first say, " The girls may go out," and after they had been out about ten minutes the boys were allowed a similar privilege in the same way. In calling the children in from the play-ground, the teacher would invariably stand near the door of the school-house and call out " Books! books!" Between play-times the request, "Teacher, may I go out?" was often iterated to the annoyance of the teacher and the disturbance of the school. At about half past eleven o'clock the teacher would announce, " Scholars may now get their spelling lessons," and they would all pitch in with their characteristic lond whisper and " say over " their lessons with that vigor which characterizes the movements of those who have just learned that the dinner hour and " big play- time " is near at hand. A few minutes before twelve the "little spelling-class " would recite, then the " big spelling-class. " The latter would comprise the larger scholars and the major part of the school. The classes would stand in a row, either toeing the mark 164 HISTORY OF INDIANA. in the midst of the floor, or straggling along next an unoccupied portion of the wall. One end of the class was the " head," the other the " foot," and when a pupil spelled a word correctly, which had been missed by one or more, he would " go up " and take his station above all that had missed the word; this was called " turning them down." At the conclusion of the recitation, tlie head pupil would go to the foot, to have another opportanity of turning them all down. The class would number, and before taking their seats the teacher would say, '' School's dismissed," which was the signal for every child rushing for his dinner, and having the " big play- time. " The same process of spelling would also be gone through with in the afternoon just before dismissing the school for the day. The chief text-books in which the " scholars " got their lessons were "Webster's or some other elementary spelling-book, an arith- metic, may be Pike's, Dilworth's, Daboll's, Smiley's or Adams', McGufley's or the old English reader, and Roswell C. Smith's geography and atlas. Very few at the earliest day, however, got so far along as to study geography. Nowadays, in contrast with the above, look at the "ographies" and "ologies!" Grammar and composition were scarcely thought of until Indiana was a quarter of a century old, and they were introduced in such a way that their utility was always questioned. First, old Murray's, then Kirkham's grammar, were the text-books on this subject. " Book larnin'," instead of practical oral instruction, was the only thing supposed to be attained in the primitive log school-house days. But writing was generally taught with fair diligence. "past the pictcees." This phrase had its origin in the practice of pioneer schools which used Webster's Elementary Spelling-book. Toward the back part of that time-honored text-book was a series of seven or eight pictures, illustrating morals, and after these again were a few more spelling exercises of a peculiar kind. When a scholar got over into these he was said to be " past the pictures," and was looked up to as being smarter and more learned than most other people ever hoped to be. Hence the application of this phrase came to be extended to other affairs in life, especially where scholarship was involved. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 165 SPELLING - SCHOOLS. The chief public evening entertainment for the first 30 or 40 years of Indiana's existence was the celebrated " spelling-school." Both young people and old looked forward to the next spelling- school with as much anticipation and anxiety as we nowadays look forward to a general Fourth-of-Jnly celebration; and when the time arrived the whole neighborhood, yea, and sometimes several neigh- borhoods, would flock together to the scene of academical combat, where the excitement was often more intense than had been expect- ed. It was far better, of course, when tliere was good sleighing; then the young folks would turn out in high glee and be fairly beside themselves. The jollity is scarcely equaled at the present day by anything in vogue. When the appointed hour arrived, the usual plan of commencing battle was for two of the young people who might agree to play against each other, or who might be selected to do so by the school- teacher of the neighborhood, to " choose sides," that is, each con- testant, or "captain," as he was generally called, would choose the best speller from the assembled crowd. Each one choosing alter- nately, the ultimate strength of the respective parties would be about equal. When all were chosen who could be made to serve, each side would "number," so as to ascertain whether amid the confusion one captain had more spellers than the other. In case he had, some compromise would be made by the aid of the teacher, the master of ceremonies, and then the plan of conducting the campaign, or counting the misspelled words, would be canvassed for a moment by the captains, sometimes by the aid of the teacher and others. There were many ways of conducting the contest and keeping tally. Every section of the country had several favorite methods, and all or most of these were different from what other communities had. At one time they would commence spelling at the head, at another time at the foot; at one time they would "spell across," that is, the first on one side would spell the first word, then the first on the other side; next the second in the line on each side, alternately, down to the other end of each line. The question who should spell the first word was determined by the captains guessing what page the teacher would have before him in a partially opened book at a distance; the captain guessing the nearest would spell the first word pronounced. When a word was missed, it would be re-pronounced, or passed along without re-pronouncing (as some teachers strictly mSTtiRY OF INDIANA. followed the rule never to re-pronounce a word), until it was spelled correctly. If a speller on the opposite side finally spelled the missed word correctly, it was counted a gain of one to that side; if the word was finally corrected by some speller on the same side on which it was originated as a missed word, it was "saved," and no tally mark was made. Another popular method was to commence at one end of the line of spellers and go directly around, and the missed words caught up quickly and corrected by " word -catchers," appointed by the captains from among their best spellers. These word-catchers would attempt to correct all the words missed on his opponent's side, and foiling to do this, the catcher on the other side would catch him up with a peculiar zest, and then there was fun. Still another very interesting, though somewhat disorderly, method, was this: Each word-catcher would go to the foot of the adversary's line, and every time he "catched " a word he would go up one, thus "turning them down" in regular spelling-class style. "When one catcher in this way turned all down on the opposing side, his own party was victorious by as many as the opposing catcher was behind. This method required no slate or blackboard tally to be kept. One turn, by either of the foregoing or other methods, would occupy 40 minutes to an hour, and by this time an intermission or recess was had, when the buzzing, cackling and hurrahing that en- sued for 10 or 15 minutes were beyond description. Coming to order again, the next style of battle to be illustrated was to " spell down," by which process it was ascertained who were the best spellers and could continue standing as a soldier the longest But very often good spellers would inadvertently miss a word in an early stage of the contest and would have to sit down humilia- ted, while a comparatively poor speller would often stand till nearly or quite the last, amid the cheers of the assemblage. Sometimes the two parties first "chosen up" in the evening would re-take their places after recess, so that by the " spelling-down " process there would virtuall}' be another race, in another form; sometimes there would be a new " choosing up " for the " spelling-down " con- test; and sometimes the spelling down would be conducted with- out any party lines being made. It would occasionally happen that two or three very good spellers would retain the floor so long that the exercise would become monotonous, when a few outlandish ■words like " chevaux-de-frise." " Ompompanoosuc" or "Baugh- HISTORY OF INDIANA. ibi naugb-claugli-ber," as they used to spell it sometimes, would create a little ripple of excitement to clope with. Sometimes these words would decide the contest, but generally when two or three good spellers kept the floor until the exercise became monotonous, the teaclier would declare the race closed and the standing spellers ac- quitted with a " drawn game." The audience dismissed, the next thing was to " go home," very often by a round-about way, " a-sleighing with the girls," which, of course, was with many the most interesting part of the even- ing's performances, sometimes, however, too rough to be com- mended, as the boys were often inclined to be somewhat rowdyish. SINGING-SCHOOL. Next to the night spelling-school the singing-school was an occa- sion of much jollity, wherein it was difficult for the average singing- master to preserve order, as many went more for fun than for music. This species of evening entertainment, in its introduction to the West, was later than the spelling-school, and served, as it were, as the second step toward the more modern civilization. Good sleighing weather was of course almost a necessity for the success of these schools, but how many of them have been prevented by mud and rain! Perhaps a greater part of the time from November to April the roads would be muddy and often half frozen, which would have a very dampening and freezing eflect upon the souls, as well as the bodies, of the young people who longed for a good time on such occasions. The old-time method of conducting singing-school was also some- what different from that uf modern times. It was more plodding and heavy, the attention being kept upon the simplest rudiments, as the names ot the notes on the staif, and their pitch, and beating time, while comparatively little attention was given to expression and light, gleeful music. The very earliest scale introduced in the West was from the Soutli, and the notes, from their peculiar shape, were denominated " patent " or "buckwheat" notes. They were four, of which the round one was always called sol, the square one la, the triangular oneya, and the "diamond-shaped" one jni, pro- nounced me; and the diatonic scale, or "gamut" as it was called then, ran thusrya, sol, la, fa, sol, la, mi, fa. The part of a tune nowadays called " treble," or "soprano," was then called " tenor;" the part now called " tenor " was called " treble," and what is now "alto" was then "counter," and when sung according to the oldest rule, was sung by a female an octave higiier than marked, and still 16S niSTOEV OF INDIANA. on the " chest register." The " old " "Missouri Harmony" and Mason's " Sacred Harp " were the principal books used with this style of musical notation. About 1850 the " round-note " system began to '• come around," being introduced by the Yankee singing-master. The scale was do,re,ini,fa,sol,la,si,do\ and for many years thereafter there was much more do-re-mi-ing than is practiced at the present day, when a musical instrument is always under the hand. The Car- mina Sacra was the pioneer round-note book, in which the tunes partook more of the German or Puritan character, and were gener- ally regarded by the old folks as being far more spiritless than the old " Pisgah," " Fiducia," " Tender Thought," " New Durham," "Windsor," " Mount Sion," " Devotion," etc., of the old Missouri Harmony and tradition. GUAEDING AGAINST INDIANS. The fashion of carrj'ing fire-arms was made necessary by the presence of roving bands of Indians, most of whom were ostensi- bly friendly, but like Indians in all times, treacherous and unreli- able. An Indian war was at any time probable, and all the old settlers still retain vivid recollections of Indian massacres, murders, plunder, and frightful rumors of intended raids. While target practice was much indulged in as an amusement, it was also neces- sary at times to carry their guns with them to their daily field work. As an illustration of the painstaking which characterized pioneer life, we quote the following from Zebulon Collings, wlio lived about six miles from the scene of massacre in the Pigeon Roost settle- ment: " The manner in which I used to work in those perilous times was as follows: On all occasions I carried my riiie, tomahawk and butcher-knife, with a loaded pistol in my belt. When I went to plow I laid my gun on the plowed ground, and stuck up a stick by it for a mark, so that I could get it quick in case it was wanted. I had two good dogs; I took one into the house, leaving the other out. The one outside was expected to give the alarm, which would cause the one inside to bark, by which I would be awakened, hav- ing my arms always loaded. I kept my horse in a stable close to the house, having a port-hole so that I could shoot to the stable door. During two years I never went from home with any certainty of returning, not knowing the minute I might receive a ball from an unknown hand." .C' MJ^^ HISTORY OF INDIANA. TEE BKIGHT SIDE. The history of pioneer life generally presents the dark side of the picture; but the toils and privations of the early settlers were not a series of unmitigated snflerings. No; for while the fathers and mothers toiled hard, they were not averse to a little relaxation, and had their seasons of fun and enjoyment. They contrived to do something to break the raonoton}' of their daily life and furnish them a good hearty laugh. Among the more general forms of amusements were the "quilting-bee," "corn-husking," "apple-par- ing," "log-rolling" and "house-raising." Ouryouug readers will doubtless be interested in a description of these forms of amuse- ment, when labor was made to afford fun and enjoyment to all par- ticipating. The "quilting-bee," as its name implies, was when the industrious qualities of the busy little insect that " improves each shining hour " were exemplified in the manufacture of quilts for the household. In the afternoon ladies for miles around gathered at an appointed place, and while their tongues would not cease to play, the hands were as busily engaged in making the quilt; and desire as always manifested to get it out as quickly as possible, for then the fun would begin. In the evening the gentlemen came, and the hours would then pass swiftly by in playing games or dancing. " Corn-huskings " were when both sexes united in the work. They usually assembled in a large barn, which was arranged for the oc- casion; and when cacii gentleman had selected a lady partner the husking began. When a lady found a red ear she was entitled to a kiss from every gentleman present; when a gentleman found one he was allowed to kiss every lady present. After the corn was all husked a good supper was served; then the "old folks" would leave, and the remainder of the evening was spent in the dance and in having a general good time. The recreation aflPorded to the young people on the annual recurrence of these festive occasions was as highly enjoyed, and quite as innocent, as the amusements of the present boasted age of refinement and culture. The amusements of the pioneers were peculiar to themselves. Saturday afternoon was a holiday in which no man was expected to work. A load of produce might be taken to " town " for sale or traffic without violence to custom, but no more serious labor could be tolerated. When on Saturday afternoon the town was reached " fun commenced." Had two neighbors business to transact, here it was done. Horses were " swapped." Difficulties settled and l<:i HISTOET OF INDIANA. free fights indulged in. Blue and red ribbons were not worn in those days, and whisk j was as free as water; twelve and a half cents would buy a quart, and thirty-five or forty cents a gallon, and at such prices enormous quantities were consumed. Go to any town in the county and ask the first pioneer you meet, and he would tell you of notable Saturday-afternoon fights, either of which to-day would fill a column of the Police News, with elaborate engravings to match. Mr. Sandford C. Cox quaintly describes some of the happy feat- tures of frontier life in this manner: We cleared land, rolled logs, burned brush, blazed out paths from one neighbor's cabin to another and from one settlement to another, made and used hand-mills and hominy mortars, hunted deer, turkey, otter, and raccoons, caught fish, dug ginseng, hunted bees and the like, and — lived on the fat of the land. We read of a land of " corn and wine," and another " flowing with milk and honey;" but 1 rather think, in a temporal point of view, taking into account the richness of the soil, timber, stone, wild game and other advantages, that the Sugar creek country would come up to any of them, if not surpass them. I once cut cord-wood, continues Mr. Cox, at 31J cents per cord, and walked a mile and a half night and morning, where the first frame college was built northwest of town (Crawfordsville). Prof. Curry, the lawyer, would sometimes come down and help for an hour or two at a time, by way of amusement, as there was little or no law business in the town or country at that time. Reader, what would you think of going six to eight miles to help roll logs, or raise a cabin? or ten to thirteen miles to mill, and wait three or four days and nights for your grist? as many had to do in the first settlement of this country. Such things were of frequent oc- currence then, and there was but little grumbling about it. It was a grand sight to see the log heaps and brush piles burning in the night on a clearing of 10 or 15 acres. A Democratic torchlight procession, or a midnight march of the Sons of Malta with their grand Gyasticutus in the center bearing the grand jewel of the order, would be nowhere in comparison with the log-heaps and brush piles in a blaze. But it may be asked, Had you any social amusements, or manly pastimes, to recreate and enliven the dwellers in the wilderness? We had. In the social line we had our meetings and our singing- schools, sugar-boilings and weddings, which were as good as ever mSTOEY OF INDIANA. 173 came off in any country, new or old ; and if our youngsters did not " trip the light fantastic toe " under a professor of the Terpsi- chorean art or expert French dancing- master, they had many a good "hoe-down" on puncheon floors, and were not annoyed by bad whisky. And as for manly sports, requiring mettle and muscle, there were lots of wild hogs running in the cat-tail swamps on Lye creek, and Mill creek, and among them many large boars that Ossian's heroes and Homer's model soldiers, such as Achilles, Hector and Ajax would have delighted to give chase to. The boys and men of those days had quite as much sport, and made more money and health by their hunting excursions than our city gents nowa- days playing chess by telegraph where the players are more than 70 miles apart. WHAT THE PIONEERS HAVE DONE. Indiana is a grand State, in many respects second to none in the Union, and in almost every thing that goes to make a live, prosperous community, not far behind the best. Beneath her fertile soil is coal enough to supply tlie State for generations; her harvests are bountiful; she has a medium climate, ind many other things, that make her people contented, prosperous and happy; but she owes much to those who opened up these avenues that have led to her present condition and happy surroundings. Unremit- ting toil and labor have driven off the sickly miasmas that brooded over swampy prairies. Energy and perseverance have peopled every section of her wild lands, and changed them from wastes and deserts to gardens of beauty and profit. When but a few years ago the barking wolves made the night hideous with their wild shrieks and howls, now is heard only the lowing and bleating of domestic animals. Only a half century ago the wild whoop of the Indian rent the air where now are heard tlie engine and rumbling trains of cars, bearing away to markets the products of our labor and soil. Then the savage built his rude huts on tlie spot where now rise the dwellings and school-houses and chiirch spires of civ- ilized life. How great the transformation! This change has been brought about by the incessant toil and aggregated labor of thousands of tired hands and anxious hearts, and the noble aspira- tions of such men and women as make any country great. What will another half century accomplish? There are few, very few, of these old pioneers yet lingering on the shores of time as connect- ing links of the past with the present. What must their thoughts 17Jr HISTORY OF INDIANA. be as witli their dim eyes they view the scenes that surround them? Wc often hear people talk about the old- fogy ideas and fogy ways, and want of enterprise on the part of the old men who have gone through the experiences of pioneer life. Sometimes, perhaps, such remarks are just, but, considering the experiences, education and entire life of such men, such remarks are better unsaid. They have had their trials, misfortunes, hardships and adventures, and shall we now, as they are passing far down the western decliv- ity of life, and many of them gone, point to them the finger of derision and laugh and sneer at the simplicity of their ways? Let us rather cheer them up, revere and respect them, for beneath those rough exteriors beat hearts as noble as ever throbbed in the human breast. These veterans have been compelled to live for weeks upon hominy and, if bread at all, it was bread made from corn ground in hand-mills, or pounded up with mortars. Their children have been destitute of shoes during the winter; their families had no clothing except what was carded, spun, wove and mad-e into garments by their own hands; schools they had none; churches they had none; afflicted with sickness incident to all new countries, sometimes the entire family at once; luxuries of life they had none; the auxiliaries, improvements, inventions and labor-saving machinery of to-day they had not; and what they possessed they obtained by the hardest of labor and individual exer- tions, yet they bore these hardships and privations without mur- muring, hoping for better times to come, and often, too, with but little prospect of realization. As before mentioned, the changes written on every hand are most wonderful. It has been but three-score years since the white man began to exercise dominion over this region, erst the home of the red men, yet the visitor of to-day, ignorant of the past of the country, could scarcely be made to realize that within these years there has grown up a population of 2,000,000 people, who in all the accomplishments of life are as far advanced as are the inhabi- tants of the older States. Schools, churches, colleges, pala- tial dwellings, beautiful grounds, large, well-cultivated and produc- ' tive farms, as well as cities, towns and busy manufactories, have grown up, and occupy the hunting grounds and camping places of the Indians, and in every direction there are evidences of wealth, comfort and luxury. There is but little left of the old landmarks. Advanced civilization and the progressive demands of revolving years have obliterated all traces of Indian occupancy, until they are only remembered in name. HISTOET OF INDIANA. 175 In closing this section we again would impress upon the minds. of our readers the fact that they owe a debt of gratitude to those who pioneered tliis State, which can be but partially repaid. Never grow unmindful of the peril and adventure, fortitude, self-sacrifice and heruic devotion so prominently displayed in their lives. As time sweeps on in its ceaseless flight, may the cherished memories of them lose none of their greenness, but may the future generations alike cherish and perpetuate tliem with a just devotion to gratitude. MILITARY DKILL. In the days of muster and military drill, so well known through- out the country, a specimen of pioneer work was done on the South Wea prairie, as follows, according to Mr. S. C. Cox: The Captain was a stout-built, muscular man, who stood six feet four in his boots, and weighed over 200 pounds; when dressed in his uniform, a blue hunting-shirt fastened with a wide red sash, with epaulettes on each shoulder, his large sword fastened by his side, and tall plume waving in the wind, he looked like another William "Wallace, or Koderick Dhu, unsheathing his claymore in defense of his country. His company consisted of about 70 men, who had reluctantly turned out to muster to avoid paying a fine; some with guns, some with sticks, and others carrying corn-stalks. The Captain, who had but recently been elected, understood his business better than his men supposed he did. He intended to give them a thorough drilling, and showed them that he understood the ma- neuvers of the military art as well as he did farming and fox hunt- ing, the latter of which was one of his favorite amusements. After forming a hollow square, marciiing and counter-marching, and putting them through several other evolutions, according to Scott's tactics, he commanded his men to " form a line." They partially complied, but the line was crooked. He took his sword and passed it along in front of his men, straightening the line. By the time he passed from one end of the line to the other, on casting his eye back, he discovered that the line presented a zigzag and unmilitary ap- pearance. Someof the men were leaning on their guns, some on their sticks a yard in advance of the line, and others as far in the rear. The Captain's dander arose; he threw liis cocked hat, feather and all, on the ground, took off his red sash and hunting-shirt, and threw them, with his sword, upon his hat; he then rolled up his sleeves and shouted with the voice of a stentor, " Gentlemen, form a line 176 HISTORY OF INDIANA. and keep it, or I'll thrash the whole company." Instantly the wTiole line was straight as an arrow. The Captain was satisfied, put on his clothes again, and never had any more trouble in drilling his company. JACK, " THE PHILOSOPHER OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY." In early day in this State, before books and newspapers were in- troduced, a few lawyers were at a certain place in the habit of play- ing cards, and sometimes drinking a little too much whisky. During the session of a certain court, a man named John Stevenson, but who was named "Jack," and who styled himself the "philoso- pher of the 19th century," found out where these genteel sports- men met of evenings to peruse the "history of the four kings." He went to the door and knocked for admission; to the question, " Who is there?" he answered, " Jack." The insiders hesitated; he knocked and thumped importunately: at length a voice from within said, " Gro away. Jack; we have already four ' Jacks ' in our game, and we will not consent to have a ' cold one ' wrung in on us." Indignant at this rebuff from gentlemen from whom he liad ex- pected kinder treatment, he left, muttering vengeance, which excited no alarm in the minds of the players. At first he started away to walk off his passion, but the longer he walked the madder he got, and he finally concluded that he would not "pass " while he held or might hold so many trumps in his hands, but would return and play a strong hand with them. Accordingly he gath- ered his arms full of stones a little larger than David gatliered to throw at Goliath, and when he came near enough he threw a volley of them in through the window into the room where they were playing, extinguishing their lights, and routing the whole band with the utmost trepidation into the street, in search of their curi- ous assailant. Jack stood his ground and told them that that was a mere foretaste of what they might expect if they molested him in the least. Next day the pugnacious Jack was arrested to answer an indict- ment for malicious mischief; and failing to give bail, was lodged in jail. His prosecutors laughed through the grates of the prison as they passed. Meanwhile Jack " nursed his wrath to keep it warm," and indicted a speech in his own defense. In due time he was taken before the Court, the indictment was read, and he was asked what he pleaded to the indictment. " Not guilty," HISTORY OF INDIANA. 177 he answered in a deep, earnest tone. " Have you counsel engaged to defend yon, Mr. Stevenson?" inquired the Judge. " No; please your honor; I desire none; with your permission I will speak for myself." "Very well," said the Judge. A titter ran through the crowd. After the prosecuting attorney had gone through with the evidence and his opening remarks in the case, the prisoner arose and said, " It is a lamentable fact well known to the Court and Jury and to all who hear me, that our county seat has for many years been infested and disgraced, especially during Court time, with a knot of drunken, carousing gamblers, whose Bacchanalian revels and midnight orgies disturb the quiet and pollute the morals of our town. Shall these nuisances longer remain in our midst, to debauch society and lead our young men to destruction? Fully impressed with a sense of their turpitude, and my duty as a good citizen to the community in which I live, I resolved to 'abate the nuisance,' which, according to the doctrine of the common law, with which your honor is familiar, I or any other citizen had a right to do. I have often listened with pleasure to the charges your honor gave the Grand Jury to ferret out crime and all manner of gaming in our community. I saw I had it in my power to ferret out these fellows with a volley of stones, and save the county the cost of finding and trying a half a dozen indictments. Judge, I did ' abate the nuisance,' and consider it one of the most meritorious acts of my life." The prosecutor made no reply. The Judge and lawyers looked at each other with a significant glance. A nolle prosequi was entered. Jack was acquitted and was ever afterward considered " trump." — Settlement of the Wabash Valley. " TOO FULL FOB UTTERANCE. " The early years of Indiana afibrd to the enquirer a rare oppor- tunity to obtain a glimpse of the political and even social relation of the Indianians of the olden time to the moderns. As is custom- ary in all new countries there was to be found, within the limits of the new State, a happy people, far removed from all those influ- ences which tend to interfere with the public morals: they possessed the courage and the gait of freeborn men, took an esjiecial interest in the political questions affecting their State, and often, when met under the village shade trees to discuss sincerely, and unostenta- tiously, some matters of local importance, accompanied the subject before their little convention with song and jest, and even the cup 178 HISTOKY OF INDIANA. which cheers but not inebriates. The election of militia officers for the Black Creek Eegiment may be taken for e.xample. The village school boys prowled at large, for on the day previous the teacher expressed his intention of attending the meeting of electors, and of aiding in building up a military company worthy of his own importance, and the reputation of the few villagers. The industri- ous matrons and maids— bless their souls— donned the habiliments of fashion, and as they arrived at the meeting ground, ornamented the scene for which nature in its untouched simplicity did so much. Now arrived the moment when the business should be entered on. "With a good deal of urging the ancient Elward Tomkius took the chair, and with a pompous air, wherein was concentrated a con- sciousness of his own importance, demanded the gentlemen entrusted with resolutions to open the proceedings. By this time a respected elector brought forward a jar and an uncommonly large tin-cup. These articles proved objects of very serious attention, and when the chairman repeated his demand, the same humane elector filled the cup to the brim, passed it to the venerable president and bade him drink deep to the prosperity of Indiana, of Black Creek, and of the regiment about to be formed. The secretary was treated similarly, and then a drink all round the thirty electors and their friends. This ceremony completed, the military subject melted into nothingness before the great question, then agitating the peo- ple, viz., " Sliould the State of Indiana accept the grant of land donated by Congress for the construction of the Wabash and Erie canal, from Lake Erie to the mouth of Tippecauoe river?" A sou of Esculapius, one Doctor Stone, protested so vehemently against entertaining even an idea of accepting the grant, that the parties favorable to the question felt themselves to be treading on tottering grounds. Stone's logic was to the point, unconquerable; but his enemies did not surrender hope; they looked at one another, then at the young school-teacher, whom they ultimately selected as their orator "and defender. The meeting adjourned for an hour, after which the youthful teacher of the young ideas ascended the rostrum. His own story of his emotions and efforts may be acceptable. He Bays: " I was sorry they called upon me; for I felt about ' half seas over' from the free and frequent use of the tin-cup. I was puzzled to know what to do. To decline would injure me in the estimation of the neighborhood, who were strongly in favor of the grant; and, on the other hand, if I attempted to speak, and failed from intoxi- cation, it would ruin me with my patrons. Soon a fence-rail was HISTORY OF INDIANA. 179 slipped into the worn fence near by, and a wasli-tub, turned bottom upward, placed upon it and on the neighboring rails, about five feet from the ground, as a rostrum for me to speak >from. Two or three men seized hold of me and placed me upon the stand, amidst the vociferous shouts of the friends of the canal, which were none the less loud on account of the frequent circulation of the tin and jug. I could scarcely preserve my equilibrium, but there I was on the tub for the purpose of answering and exposing the Doctor's sophistries, and an anxious auditory waiting for me to exterminate him. But, strange to saj', my lips refused utterance. I saw 'men as trees, walking,' and after a long, and to me, painful pause, I smote my hand upon my breast, and said, ' I feel too full for utterance.' (I meant of whisky, they thought of righteous indig- nation at the Doctor's effrontery in opposing the measure under consideration.) The ruse worked like a cliarm. The crowd shouted: ' Let him have it.' I raised my finger and pointed a moment steadily at the Doctor. The audience shouted, ' Hit him again.' Thus encouraged, I attempted the first stump speech I ever attempted to make; and after I got my mouth to go off (and a part of the whisky — in perspiration), I had no trouble whatever, and the liquor dispelled my native timidity that otherwise might have embarrassed me. 1 occupied the tub about twenty-five minutes. The Doctor, boiling over with indignation and a speech, mounted the tub and harangued us for thirty minutes. The 'young school-master' was again called for, and another speech from him of about twenty minutes closed the debate." A vive voce vote of the company was taken, which resulted in twenty-six for the grant and four against it. My two friends were elected Captain and Lieutenant, and I am back at my boarding house, ready for supper, ■with a slight headache. Strange as it may appear, none of them discovered that I was intoxicated. Lucky for me they did not, or I would doubtless lose my school. I now here promise myself, on this leaf of my day-book, that / will not drink liquor again, ex- cept given as a medical prescription^ It is possible that the foregoing incident was the origin of the double entendre, " Too full for utterance." THIEVING AND LYNCH LAW. During the year 186S the sentiment began to prevail that the processes of law in relation to criminal proceedings were neither prompt nor sure in the punishment of crime. It was easy to ob- 180 HISTORY OF INDIANA. tain contiiniances and changes of venue, and in this way delay the administration of justice or entirely frustrate it. The consequence was, an encouragement and increase of crime and lynch law became apparent. An event this year excited the public conscience upon this subject. A gang of robbers, who had been operating many months in the southern counties, on the 22d of May attacked and plundered a railroad car of the Adams' Express company on the Jefferson ville road; they were captured, and after being kept several weeks in custody in Cincinnati, Ohio, they were put on board a train, July 20, to be taken to the county of Jackson, in this State, for trial. An armed body of the "Vigilance Committee" of Seymour county lay in wait for the train, stopped the cars by hoist- ing a red signal on the track, seized the prisoners, extorted a confes- sion from them, and hanged them without the form of a trial. This same committee, to the number of 75 men, all armed and disguised, entered New Albany on the night of December 12, forcibly took the keys of the jail from the Sheriff, and proceeded to hang four others of these railroad robbers in the corridors of the prison. They published a proclamation, announcing by printed handbills that they would " swing by the neck until they be dead every thieving character they could lay their hands on, without in- quiry whether they had the persons who committed that particu- lar crime or not." CDRINQ THE DRUNKEN HUSBAND. Another case of necessity being the mother of invention occurred in Fountain county between 1S25 and 1830, as thus related in the book above quoted: A little old man, who was in the habit of getting drunk at every log rolling and house-raising he attended, upon coming home at night would make indiscriminate war upon his wife and daughters, and everything that came in his way. The old lady and the daugh- ters bore with his tyraimy and maudlin abuse as long as forbear. ance seemed to be a virtue. For awhile they adopted the doctrine of non-resistance and would fly from the house on his approach; but they found that this only made him worse. At length they resolved to change the order of things. They held a council of war, in which it was determined that the next time became home drunk they would catch him and tie him hand and foot, take him out and tie him fast to a tree, and keep him there until he got duly sober. It was not long before they had an opportunity to execute their HISTORY OF INDIANA. 181 decree. True to their plan, when they saw him coming, two of them placed themselves behind the door with ropes, and the other caught him by the wrists as he crossed the threshold. He was instantly lassoed. A tussle ensued, but the old woman and girls fell upper- most. They made him fast with the ropes and dragged him out toward the designated tree. He raved, swore, remonstrated and begged alternately, but to no effect; they tied him to the true and kept him there most of the night. They did not even untie him directly after he became sober, until they extorted a promise from him that he would behave himself and keep sober for the future, and not maltreat them for the favor they had conferred upon him and themselves. Two or three applications of this mild and diluted form of lynch law had an admirable effect in restoring order and peace in that family and correcting the conduct of the delinquent husband and father. The old woman thinks the plan they pursued far better and less expensive than it would have been if they had gone ten miles to Esquire Makepeace every few weeks and got out a writ for assault and battery besides the trouble and expense of attending as witnesses, $10 or $20 every month or two, and withal doing no good toward reforming the old man. THE " CHOKE TRAP." About 1S08, in the neighborhood on the east fork of White river, there occurred a flagrant breach of the peace which demanded a summary execution of the law. A certain ungallant offender had flogged his wife in a most barbarous manner and then drove her from home. Bleeding and weeping, the poor woman appeared be- fore Justice Tongs for redress. The justice wrote out an aflidavit, which was signed, sworn to, and subscribed in due form. A warrant was soon placed in the hands of a constable commanding him to arrest and forthwith bring the offender before Justice Tongs, to answer to the charge preferred against him. After an absence of some five or six hours, the constable returned with the prisoner in custody. He had had a vexatious time of it, for the prisoner, a gigantic man, had frequently on the way, after he had consented peaceably to accompany him to the magistrate's office, stopped short and declared he would go no further, observing at the same time that neither he (the constable) nor 'Squire Tongs had any business to meddle with his domestic concerns. It was during one of those vexatious parleys, the constable coaxing and persuading, and the 182 HISTORY OF INDIANA. prisoner protesting and swinging back like an unruly ox, that the constable fortunately spied a hunter at a short distance who was armed and accoutred in real backwoods style. The constable beck- oned to the hunter, who then came up to his assistance, and who, after hearing the particulars of the affair, cocked his rifle, and soon galloped oflT the prisoner to the 'Squire's office. But this was only the beginning of the trouble in the case. The witnesses were yet to be summoned and brought before the justice; even the complaining witness had unexpectedly withdrawn from the house and premises of the justice, and was to be looked after. The hunter could not possibly stay long, as his comrades were to meet him at a point down 10 or 15 miles distant that evening. The prist)ner was quite sullen, and it was evident that the 'Squire could not keep liim safely if the constable and Imnter were to leave. Although the 'Squire's jurisdiction extended from the west line of Ohio far toward the JRocky Mountains, and from the Ohio river north to Green Bay, yet so sparse was the neighborhood in point of population, and so scattering were the settlers, that he and his faithful constable found that it would be but little use to a call upon the posse comitatus. But in this critical situation of affairs, the fruitful mind of the justice hit upon a first-rate plan to keep the prisoner until the witnesses could be brought. It was simply to pry up the corner of his heavy eight-rail fence near by, make a crack two or three rails above the ground, and thrust the prisoner's head through the crack, and then take out the pry. As soon as the 'Squire made known his plan to the company they with one accord resolved to adopt it. The constable immedi- ately rolled out an empty " bee-gum " for a fulcrum, and applied a fence rail for a lever; up went the fence, tlie justice took hold of the prisoner's arm, and, with the assisting nudges of the hunter, who brought up the rear witli rifle in hand, they thurst the prisoner's head through the crack, nolens oolens, and then took out the prop. There lay the offender safe enough, his head on one side of the fence and his body on the other. The hunter went on his way, satisfied that he had done signal service to his country, and the constable could- now be spared to hunt up the witnesses. The prisoner in the meantime, although the crack in the fence ■was fully large enough without pinching, kept squirming about and bawling out lustily, "Choke trap! The devil take your choke trap!" Toward sunset the constable returned with the witnesses. The prisoner was taken frona his singular duress, and was regularly HISTORY OF INDIANA. 18D tried for his misdemeanor. He was found guilty, fined, and, as it appeared from the evidence on the trial that the defendant had been guilty aforetime of the same offense, the justice sentenced him to three hours' imprisonment in jail. There being no jail within 100 miles, the constable and bystanders led the offender to the fence again, rolled up the "bee-gum," applied the rail, and thrust his head a second time through the fence. There he remained in limbo until ten o'clock that night, when, after giving security for the final costs, he was set at liberty, with not a few cautions that he had better " let Betsey alone," or he would get another applica- on of the law and the " choke trap." — Cox' Recollections of the Wabatth Valley. MICHIGAN BOUNDARY. About the year lS3i Michigan claimed that her southern bound- ary was properly about 10 miles south of the parallel fixed by Con- gress, that is, a line drawn from the extreme southern extremity of Lake Michigan directly east to Lake Erie, thus including Toledo. Ohio and Indiana, especially the former, stoutly opposed this claim. The contest grew so warm that militarj' organization had actually commenced, and a war was expected. This was called the "Toledo war," and for a time there was as much excitement as on the eve of a great revolution. But the blustering Wolverine was soothed to rest by an offer of a large extent of territory north and west of the Strait of Mackinaw. Had that State succeeded in es- tablishing its claim by decree of Congress, Indiana would have been cut off from the lakes, thrown entirely inland like Kentucky, and lost a very valuable strip of country. This State also would have probably lost the co-operation of Ohio in the conduct of the Wabash & Erie canal, the greatest and costliest pet of the State. It is amusing to observe, by the way, that the people of Michigan at first thought that their reward for yielding the golden strip on her southern boundary was a very meager one, thinking that she had naught but a barren waste and a large body of cold water; but behold, how vast are now her mineral resources in that same bleak country, the " upper peninsula! " THE MEXICAN WAR. During the administration of Gov. Whitcomb the war with Mexico occurred, which resulted in annexing to the United States vast tracts of land in the south and west. Indiana contributed her full ratio to the troops in that war, and with a remarkable spirit of promptness and patriotism adopted all measures to sustain the gen- eral Government. These new acquisitions of territory re-opened the discussion of the slavery question, and Governor Whitcomb expressed his opposition to a further extension of the " national sin." The causes which led to a declaration of war against Mexico in 1846, must be sought for as far back as the year 1830, when the present State of Texas formed a province of New and Independent Mexico. During the years immediately preceding 1830, Moses Austin, of Connecticut, obtained a liberal grant of lands from the established Government, and on his death his son was treated in an equally liberal manner. The glowing accounts rendered by Aus- tin, and the vivid picture of Elysian fields drawn by visiting jour- nalists, soon resulted in the influx of a large tide of immigrants, nor did the movement to the Southwest cease until 1830. The Mexican province held a prosperous population, comprising 10,000 American citizens. The rapacious Government of the Mexicans looked with greed and jealousy upon their eastern province, and, under the presidency of Gen. Santa Anna, enacted such measures, both unjust and oppressive, as would meet their design of goading the people of Texas on to revolution, and thus afford an opportu- nity for the infliction of punishment upon subjects whose only crime was industry and its accompaniment, prosperity. Precisely in keeping with the course pursued by the British toward the col- onists of the Eastern States in the last century, Santa Anna's Government met the remonstrances of the colonists of Texas with threats; and they, secure in their consciousness of right quietly issued their declaration of independence, and proved its literal meaning on the field of Gonzales in 1835, having with a force of (186) HISTORY OF INDIANA. 187 600 men forced the Mexican army of 1,000 to fly for refuge to their strongholds. Battle after battle followed, bringing victory always to the Colonists, and ultimately resulting in the total rout of the Mexican army and the evacuation of Texas. The routed army after a short term of rest reorganized, and reappeared in the Terri- tory, 8,000 strong. On April 21, a division of this large force under Santa Anna encountered the Texans under General Samuel Houston on the banks of the San Jacinto, and though Houston could only oppose 800 men to the Mexican legions, tlie latter were driven from the field, nor could they reform their scattered ranks until their General was captured next day and forced to sign the declaration of 1835. The signature of Santa Anna, though ignored by the Congress of the Mexican JRepublic, and consequently left unratified on the part of Mexico, was effected in so much, that after the sec- ond defeat of the army of that Eepublic all the hostilities of an important nature ceased, the Republic of Texas was recognized by the powers, and subsequently became an integial part of the United States, July 4, 1S46. At this period General Herrera was pres- ident of Mexico. He was a man of peace, of common sense, and very patriotic; and he thus entertained, or pretended to enter- tain, the great neighboring Republic in high esteem. For this reason he grew unpopular with his people, and General Paredes was called to the presidential chair, which he continued to occupy until the breaking out of actual hostilities with the United States, when Gen. Santa Anna was elected thereto. President Polk, aware of the state of feeling in Mexico, ordered Gen. Zachary Taylor, in command of the troops in the Southwest, to proceed to Texas, and post himself as near to the Mexican border as he deemed prudent. At the same ti me an American squadron was dispatched to the vicinity, in the Gulf of Mexico. In November, General Taylor had taken his position at Corpus Christi, a Texan settlement on a bay of the same name, with about 4,000 men. On the 13th of January, 1846, the President ordered him to advance with his forces to tlie Rio Grande; accordingly he proceeded, and in March stationed himself on the north bank of that river, with- in cannon-shot of the Mexican town of Matamoras. Here he hastily erected a fortress, called Fort Brown. The territory ly- ing between the river Nueces and the Rio Grande river, about 120 miles in width, was claimed both by Texas and Mexico; ac- cording to the latter, therefore. General Taylor had actually invaded her Territory, and had thus committed an open 188 HISTORY OF INDIANA. act of war. On the 2Gth of April, the Mexican General, Ampudia, gave notice to this effect to General Taylor, and on the same day a party of American dragoons, sixty-three in number, being on the north side of the Rio Grande, were attacked, and, after the loss of sixteen men killed and wounded, were forced to surrender. Their commander. Captain Thornton, only escaped. The Mexican forces had now crossed the river above Matamoras and were supposed to meditate an attack on Point Isabel, where Taylor had established a depot of supplies for his army. On the 1st of May, this officer left a small number of troops at Fort Brown, and marched with his chief forces, twenty-three hundred men, to the defense of Point Isabel. Having garrisoned this place, he set out on his return. On the 8th of May, about noon, he met the Mexican army, six thousand strong, drawn up in battle array, on the prairie near Palo Alto. The Americans at once advanced to the attack, and, after an action of five hours, in which their artillery was very effective, drove the enemy before them, and encamped upon the field. The Mexican loss was about one hundred killed; that ot the Americans, four killed and forty wounded. Major Ringgold, of the artillery, an officer of great merit, was mortally wounded. The next day, as the Americans advanced, they again met the enemy in a strong position near Resaca de la Palma, three miles from Fort Brown. An action commenced, and was fiercely contested, the artillery on both sides being served with great vigor. At last the Mexicans gave way, and fled in confusion. General de la Vega having fallen into the hands of the Americans. They also abandoned their guns and a large quantity of ammunition to the victors. The remain- ing Mexican soldiers speedily crossed the Rio Grande, and the next day the Americans took up their position at Fort Brown. This little fort, in the absence of General Taylor, had gallantly sustained an almost uninterrupted attack of several days from the Mexican batteries of Matamoras. When the news of the capture of Captain Thornton's party was spread over the United States, it produced great excitement. The President addressed a message to Congress, then in session, declar- ing " that war with Mexico existed by her own act;" and that body, May, 1S4G, placed ten millions of dollars at the President's dispo- sal, and authorized him to accept the services of fifty thousand volunteers. A great part of the summer of 1846 was spent in prep- aration for the war, it being resolved to invade Mexico at several points. In pursuance of this plan. General Taylor, who had taken HISTORY OF INDIANA. 189 possession of Matamoras, abandoned by the enemy in May, marched northward in the enemy's country in August, and on the 19th of September he appeared before Monterey, capital of the Mexican State of New Leon. His army, after having garrisoned several places along his route, amounted to six thousand men. The attack began on the 21st, and after a succession of assaults, during the period of four days, the Mexicans capitulated, leaving the town in possession of the Americans. In October, General Taylor terminated an armistice into which he had entered with the Mexican General, and again commenced offensive operations. Various towns and fortresses of the enemy now rapidly fell into our possession. In November, Saltillo, the capital of the State of Coahuila was occupied by the division of General AVorth; in December, General Patterson took possession of Victoria, the capital of Tamaulipas, and nearly at the same period. Commodore Perry captured the fort of Tampico. Santa Fe, the capital of New Mexico, with the whole territory of the State had been subjugated by General Harney, after a march of one thousand miles through the wilderness. Events of a startling char- acter had taken place at still earlier dates along the Pacific coast. On the 4th of July, Captain Fremoi:t, having repeatedly defeated su- perior Mexican forces with the small band under his command, de- clared California independent of Mexico. Other important places in this region had yielded to the American naval force, and in Au- gust, 1846, the whole of California was in the utidisj^uted occupa- tion of the Americans. The year 1847 opened with still more brilliant victories on the part of our armies. By the drawing off of a large part of General Taylor's troops for a meditated attack on Vera Cruz, he was left with a comparatively small force to meet the great body of Mexican troops, now marching upon him, under command of the celebrated Santa Anna, who had again become President of Mexico. Ascertaining the advance of this powerful army, twenty thou- sand strong, and consisting of the best of the Mexican soldiers, General Taylor took up his position at Buena Vista, a valley a few miles from Saltillo. His whole troops numbered only four thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine, and here, on the 23d of February, he was vigorously attacked by the Mexicans. The battle was very severe, and continued nearly the whole daj', when the Mexicans fled from the field in disorder, with a loss of nearly two thousand men. Santa Anna speedily withdrew, and thus abandoned the region of 190 • HISTOET OF INDIANA. the Rio Grande to the complete occupation of our troops. This left our forces at liberty to prosecute the grand enterprise of the cam- paign, the capture of the strong town of Vera Cruz, with its re- nowned castle of San Juan d'Ulloa. On the 9th of March, 18i7, General Scott landed near the city with an army, of twelve thousand men, and on the 18th commenced an attack. For four days and nights an almost incessant shower of shot and shells was poured upon the devoted town, while the batteries of the castle and the city replied with terrible energy. At last, as the Americans were pre- paring for an assault, the Governor of the city offered to surrender, and on the 26th the American flag floated triumphantly from the walls of the castle and the city. General Scott now prepared to inarch upon the city of Mexico, the capital of the country, situated two hundred miles in the interior, and approached only through a series of rugged passes and mountain fastnesses, rendered still more formidable by several strong fortresses. On the 8th of April the army commenced their march. At Gerro Gordo, Santa Anna had posted himself with fifteen thousand men. On the ISth the Amer- icans began the daring attack, and by midday every intrenchment of the enemy had been carried. The loss of the Mexicans in this remarkable battle, besides one thousand killed and wounded, was three thousand prisoners, forty-three pieces of cannon, five thousand stand of arms, and all their amunitions and mate- rials of war. The loss of the Americans was four hundred and thirty-one in killed and wounded. The next day our forces advanced, and, capturing fortress after fortress, came on the 18th of August within ten miles of Mexico, a city of two hun- dred thousand inhabitants, and situated in one of the most beautiful valleys in the world. On the 20th they attacked and carried the strong batteries of Contreras, garrisoned by 7,000 men, in an impetuous assault, which lasted but seventeen minutes. On the same day an attack was made by the Americans on the fortified post of Churubusco, four miles northeast of Contreras, Here nearly the entire Mexican army — more than 20,000 in number — were posted; but they were defeated at every point, and obliged to seek a retreat in the citj-, or the still remaining fortress of Chapul- tepec. While preparations were being made on the 21st by Gen- eral Scott, to level his batteries against the city, prior to summon- ing it to surrender, he received propositions from the enemy, which terminated in an armistice. This ceased on the 7th of September. On the 8th the outer defense of Chapul tepee was successfully HISTORY OF INDIANA. 191 Btormed by General Worth, though he lost one-fourth of his men iu the desperate struggle. The castle of Chapultepec, situated on an abrupt and rocky eminence, 150 feet above the surrounding country, presented a most formidable object of attack. On the 12th, however, the batteries were opened against it, and on the next day the citadel was carried by storm. The Mexicans still strug- gled along the great causeway leading to the city, as the Americans advanced, but before nightfal a part of our army was within the gates of the city. Santa Anna and the officers of the Government fled, and the next morning, at seven o'cloclc, the flag of the Ameri- cans floated from the national palace of Mexico. This conquest of the capital was the great and final achievement of the war. The Mexican republic was in fact prostrate, her sea-coast and chief cities being in the occupation of our troops. On the 2d of Feb- ruary, 1S48, terms of peace were agreed upon by the American commissioner and the Mexican Government, this treaty being rati- fied by the Mexican Congress on the 30th of May following, and by the United States soon after. President Polk proclaimed peace on the 4:th of July, 1848. In the preceding sketch we have given only a mere outline of the war with Mexico. We have necessarily passed over many interesting events, and have not even named many of our soldiers who performed gallant and important ser- vices. General Taylor's successful operations in the region of the Rio Grande were duly honored by the people of the United States, by bestowing upon him the Presidency. General Scott's campaign, from the attack on Vera Cruz, to the surrender of the city of Mexico, was far more remarkable, and, in a military point of view, must be considered as one of the most brilliant of modern times. It is true the Mexicans are not to be ranked with the great nations of the earth; with a population of seven or eight millions, they have little more than a million of the white race, the rest being half-civ- ilized Indians and mestizos, that is, those of mixed blood. Their government is inefficient, and the people divided among them- selves. Their soldiers often fought bravely, but they were badly officered. While, therefore, we may consider the conquest of so extensive and populous a country, in so short a time, and attended with such constant superiority even to the greater numbers of the enemy, as highly gratifying evidence of the courage and capacity of our army, still we must not, in judging of our achievements, fail to consider the real weakness of the nation whom we vanquished. HISTORY OF INDIANA. One thing we may certainly dwell upon with satisfaction — the ad- mirable example, not only as a soldier, but as a man, set by our com- mander, Gen. Scott, who seems, in the midst of war and the ordinary license of the camp, always to have preserved the virtue, kindness, and humanity belonging to a state of peace. These qualities secured to him the respect, confidence and good-will even of the enemy he had conquered. Among the Generals who efi'ectually aided General Scott in this remarkable campaign, we must not omit to mention the names of Generals Wool, Twiggs, Shields, "Worth, Smith, and Quitman, who generally added to the high qualities of soldiers the still more estimable characteristics of good men. The treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo stipulated that the disputed territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande should belong to the United States, and it now forms a part of Texas, as has been already stated; that the United States should assume and pay the debts due from Mexico to American citizens, to the amount of $3,500,000; and that, in consideration of the sum of $15,000,000 to be paid by the United States to Mexico, the latter should relinquish to the former the whole of New Mexico and Upper California. The soldiers of Indiana who served in this war were formed into five regiments of volunteers, numbered respectively, 1st, 2d, 3rd, 4th and 5th. The lact that companies of the three first-named reg- iments served at times with the men of Illinois, the New York volunteers, the Palmettos of South Carolina, and United States marines, under Gen. James Shields, makes for them a history; be- cause the campaigns of the Rio Grande and Chihuahua, the siege of Vera Cruz, the desperate encounter at Cerro Gordo, the tragic contests in the valley, at Contreras and Churubusco, the storming of Chapultepec, and the planting of the stars and stripes upon every turret and spire within the conquered city of Mexico, were all carried out by the gallant troops under the favorite old General, and consequently each of them shared with him in the glories at- tached to such exploits. The other regiments under Cols. Gorman and Lane participated in the contests of the period under other com- manders. The 4th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, comprising ten companies, was formally organized at Jefiersonville, Indiana, by Capt. R. C. Gatlin, June 15, 1847, and on the 16th elected Major "Willis A. Gorman, of the 3rd Regiment, to the Colonelcy; Ebenezer Dumont, Lieutenant-Colonel, and W. McCoy, Major. On the 27th of June the regiment left Jefi'ersonville for the front, and HISTORY OF INDIANA. 193 subsequently was assigned to Brigadier-General Lane's command, which then comprised a battery of five pieces from the 3rd Regi- ment U. S. Artillery; a battery of two pieces from the 2nd Regiment TJ. S. Rrtillery, the 4tli Regiment of Indiana "Volunteers and the 4th Regiment of Ohio, with a squadron of mounted Louisianians and detachments of recruits for the U. S. army. The troops of this brigade won signal honors at Passo de Ovegas, August 10, 1S47; National Bridge, on the 12th; Cerro Gordo, on the 15th; Las Ani- mas, on the 19th, under Maj. F. T. Lally, of General Lane's staff, and afterward under Lane, directly, took a very prominent part in the siege of Puebla, which began on the 15th of September and terminated on the 12th of October. At Atlixco, October 19th; Tlascala, November 10th; Matamoras and Pass Galajara, Novem- ber 23rd and 24th; Guerrilla Ranche, December 5th; Napaloncan, December 10th, the Indiana volunteers of the 4th Regiment per- formed gallant service, and carried the campaign into the following year, representing their State at St. Martin's, February 27, 184S; Chohila, March 26tli; Matacordera, February i9th; Sequalteplan, February 25th; and on the cessation of hostilities reported at Madison, Indiana, for discharge, July 11, 1848; while the 5th In- diana Regiment, under Col. J. H. Lane, underwent a similar round of duty during its service with other brigades, and gained some celebrity at Vera Cruz, Churubusco and with the troops of Illinois under Gen. Shields at Chapultepec. This war cost the people of the United States sixt3'-six millions of dollars. This very large amount was not paid away for the at- tainment of mere glory; there was something else at stake, and this something proved to be a country larger and more fertile than the France of the Napoleons, and more steady and sensible than the France of the Republic. It was the defense of the great Lone Star State, the humiliation and chastisement of a quarrelsome neighbor. SLAVERY. We have already referred to the prohibition of slavery in the ]North western Territory, and Indiana Territory by the ordinance of 1787; to the imperfection in the execution of this ordinance and the troubles which the authorities encountered; and the complete estab- lishment of the principles of freedom on the organization of the State. The next item of significance in this connection is the following lan- guage in the message of Gov. Eay to the Legislature of 1828: " Since our last separation, while we have witnessed with anxious solicitude the belligerent operations of another hemisphere, the cross contend- ing against the crescent, and the prospect of a general rupture among the legitimates of other quarters of the globe, our attention has been arrested by proceedings in our own country truly dangerous to liberty, seriously premeditated, and disgraceful to its authors if agitated only to tamper with the American people. If such ex- periments as we see attempted in certain deluded quarters do not fall with a burst of thunder upon the heads of their seditious pro- jectors, then indeed the Republic has begun to experience the days of its degeneracy. The union of these States is the people's only sure charter for their liberties and independence. Dissolve it and each State will soon be in a condition as deplorable as Alexander's conquered countries after they were divided amongst his victorious military captains." In pursuance of a joint resolution of the Legislature of 1850, a block of native marble was procured and forwarded to Washington, to be placed in the monument then in the course of erection at the National Capital in memory of George Washington. In the absence of any legislative instruction concerning the inscription upon this emblem of Indiana's loyalty, Gov. Wright ordered the following words to be inscribed upon it: Indiana Knows No North, No South, Nothing but the Union. Within a dozen years thereafter this noble State demonstrated to the world her loy- alty to the Union and the principles of freedom by the sacrifice of blood and treasure which she made. In keeping with this senti- ment Gov. Wright indorsed the compromise measures of Congress on the slavery question, remarking in his message that " Indiana takes her stand in the ranks, not of Southern destiny, nor yet of (194) MMV law-lp:-was-i-kaw, the shawnee prophet. HISTOET OF INDIANA. 197 Northern destiny: she plants herself on the basis of the Consti- tution and takes her stand in the ranks of American destiny." FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT. At the session of the Legislature in January, 1869, the subject of ratifying the fifteenth amendment to the Federal Constitution, allowing negro suffrage, came up with such persistency that neither party dared to undertake any other business lest it be checkmated in some way, and being at a dead lock on this matter, they adjourn- ed in March without having done much important business. The Democrats, as well as a portion of the conservative Kepublicans, opposed its consideration strongly on the ground that it would be unfair to vote on the question until the people of the State had had an opportunity of expressing their views at the polls; but most of the Kepublicans resolved to push the measure tlirough, while the Democrats resolved to resign in a body and leave the Legislature without a quorum. Accordingly, on March 4, 17 Senators and 36 Representatives resigned, leaving both houses without a quorum. As the early adjournment of the Legislature left the benevolent institutions of the State unprovided for, the Governor convened that body in extra session as soon as possible, and after the neces- sary appropriations were made, on the 19th of May the fifteenth amendment came up; but in anticipation of this the Democratic members had all resigned and claimed that there was no quorum present. There was a quorum, however, of Senators in office, though some of them refused to vote, declaring that they were no longer Senators; but the president of that body decided that as he had not been informed of their resignation by the Governor, they were still members. A vote was taken and the ratif3'ing resolution was adopted. When the resolution came up in the House, the chair decided that, although the Democratic members had resigned there was a quorum of the defaoto members present, and the House proceeded to pass the resolution. This decision of the chair was afterward sustained by the Supreme Court. At the next regular session of the Legislature, in 1871, tha Democrats undertook to repeal the ratification, and the Republican members resigned to prevent it. The Democrats, as the Republi- cans did on the previous occasion, proceeded to pass their resolu- tion of repeal; but while the process was under way, before the House Committee had time to report on the matter, 34 Republican members resigned, thereby preventing its passage and putting a stop to further legislation. THE WAR FOE THE UXIO^. On the fourth day of March, 1861, after the most exciting and momentous political campaign known in the history of this country, Abraham Lincoln — America's martyred President — was inaugu- rated Chief Magistrate of the United States. This fierce contest was principally sectional, and as the announcement was flashed over the telegraph wires that the Eepublican Presidential candidate had been elected, it was hailed by the South as a justifiable pretext for dissolving the Union. Said Jefferson Davis in a speech at Jackson, Miss., prior to the election, "If an abolitionist be chosen Presi- dent of the United States you will have presented to you the question whether you will permit the government to pasS into the hands of your avowed and implacable enemies. Without pausing for an answer, I will state my own position to be that such a result would be a species of revolution by which the purpose of the Government would be destroyed, and the obser- vances of its mere forms entitled to no respect. In that event, in such manner as should be most expedient, I should deem it your duty to provide for your safet}- outside of tlie Union." Said another Southern politician, when speaking on the same sub- ject, " We shall fire the Southern heart, instruct the Southern mind, give courage to each, and at the proper moment, by one organized, concerted action, we can precipitate the Cotton States into a revolution." To disrupt the Uuicu and form a government which recognized the absolute supremacy of the white population and the perpetual bondage of the black was what they deemed freedom from the galling yoke of a Eepublican administration. ABRAHAM LINCOLN DID NOT SEEK THE PRESIDENCY. Hon. Rufus W. Miles, of Illinois, sat on the floor by the side of Abraham Lincoln in the Library room of the Capitol, in Spring- field, at the secret caucus meeting, held in January, 1859, when Mr. Lincoln's name was first spoken of in caucus as candidate ibr President. When a gentleman, in making a short speech, said, " We are going to bring Abraham Lincoln out as a candidate for President," Mr. Lincoln at once arose to his feet, and exclaimed, "For God's sake, let me alone! I have suffered enough!" This was soon after he had been defeated in the Legislature for United States Senate by Stephen A. Douglas, and only those who are UISTOKY OK INDIANA. 199 intimate with that important and unparalleled contest can appre- ciate the full force and meaning of these expressive words of the martyred President. They were spontaneous, and prove beyond a shadow of doiil)t that Abraham Lincoln did not seek the high posi- tion of President. Nor did he use any trickery or chicanery to obtain it. But his expressed wish was not to be complied with; our beloved country needed a savior and a martyr, and Fate had decreed that he should be tlie victim. After Mr. Lincoln was elected President, Mr. Miles sent him an eagle's quill, with which the chief magistrate wrote his first inaugural address. The letter written by Mr. Miles to the President, and sent with the quill, which was two feet in length, is such a jewel of eloquence and prophecy that it should be given a place in history: Persifer, December 21, 18G0. Hon. a. Lixcoi.x : Dear Sir :— Ploise accept the ea.dc quill I promised you, liy the hand of our . Representative, A. A. Smith. The bird from whose wing the quill was taken, was shot by John F Dillon, in Persifer township, Kuo.\ Co., Ills., in Feb., 1857. Hay- ing heard tluit James Buchanan was furnished with an eagle quill to write his Inaugural with, and believing that in 1860, a Republican would be elected to take his place, I determined to save this quill and present it to thefnrtun:Ui- man, who- ever he might be. Reports tell us that the bird which furnished Uuchanan's quill was a captured bird, — tit. emblem of the man that used it ; Init the tdrd from which this quill was taken, yielded the quill only with hi^ life,— tit emblem of the ' man who is expected to use it, for true Republicans lidicvc that you would not think lile worth the keeping after the surrender ot pi iiu iplc. Great difficulties surround you; traitors to their countrv have llinauiird your life ; and should you be called upon to surrender it at the post of duty, ycur'niemory will live for- ever in the heart of every freeman ; and that is a grander monument than can be built of brick or marble. "For tr hearts may not our memories keep, Obliviou tiaste eacti vestij^e sweep, And let our memories end." Yours Truly, R. W. :Miles. STATES SECEDING. At the time of President Lincoln's accession to power, several members of the Union claimed they had withdrawn from it, and styling themselves the "Confederate States of America," organ- ized a separate government. The house was indeed divided against itself, but it should not fall, nor should it long continue divided, w;is the hearty, determined response of every loyal heart in the nation. The accursed institution of human slavery was the primary cause for this dissolution of the American Union. Doubtless other agencies served to intensity the hostile feel- ings which existed between the jSTorthern and Southern portions 200 HISTORY OF INDIANA. of our countrj, but their remote origin could be traced to this great national evil. Had Lincoln's predecessor put forth a timely, ener- getic effort, he might have prevented tlie bloody war our nation was called to pass through. On the other hand every aid was given the rebels; every advantage and all the power of the Government was placed at their disposal, and when Illinois' honest son took the reins of the Republic he found Buchanan had been a traitor to his trust, and given over to the South all available means of war. THE FALL OF SUMTEE. On the 12th day of April, 1861, the rebels, who for weeks had been erecting their batteries upon the shore, after demanding of Major Anderson a surrender, opened fire upon Fort Sumter. For thirty-four hours an incessant cannonading was continued; the fort was being seriously injured; provisions were almost gone, and Major Anderson was compelled to haul down the stars and stripes. That dear old flag which had seldom been lowered to a foreign foe by rebel hands was now trailed in the dust. The first blow of the terrible conflict which summoned vast armies into the field, and moistened the soil of a nation iu fraternal blood and tears, had been struck. Tlie gauntlet thus thrown down by the attack on Sumter by the traitors of the South was accepted — not, however, in the spirit with which insolence meets insolence — but with a firm, determined spirit of patriotism and love of country. Tiie duty of the President was plain under the constitution and the laws, and above and beyond all, the people from whom all political power is derived, demanded the suppression of the Rebellion, and stood ready to sustain the authority of their representative and executive officers. Promptly did the new President issue a proclamation calling for his countrymen to join with him to defend their homes and their country, and vindicate lier honor. This call was made April 14, two days after Sumter was first fired upon, and was for 75,000 men. On the 15th, the same day he was notified. Gov. Yates issued his proclamation convening the Legislature. He also ordered the organization of six regiments. Troops were in abund- ance, and the call was no sooner made than filled. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every heart. The farm, the M'orkshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the bench, the college, the school-house, — every calling offered its best men, their lives and their fortunes, in defense of the Government's honor and unity. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 201 Bitter words spoken in moments of political heat were forgotten and forgiven, and joining hands in a common cause, they repeated the oath of America's soldier-statesman: " -fiy the Oreat Eternal^ the Union mu^t and shall he preserved." The honor, the very life and glory of the nation was committed to the stern arbitrament of the sword, and soon the tramp of armed men, the clash of musketry and the heavy boom of artillery reverberated throughout the continent; rivers of blood saddened by tears of mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and sweethearts flowed from the lakes to the gulf, but a nation was saved. Tlie sacrifice was great, but the Dnion was preserved. A VAST ARMl' RAISED IN ELEVEN DAYS. In July and August of 1S02 the President called for 600,000 men — our quotaof which was 52,296 — and gave until August 18 as the limits in which the number might be raised by volunteering, after which a draft would be ordered. The State had already fur- nished 17,000 in excess of her quota, and it was first thought this number would be deducted from the present requisition, but that could not be done. But thirteen days were granted to enlist this vast army, which had to come from the farmers and mechanics. The former were in the midst of harvest, but, inspired by love of country, over 50,000 of them left their harvests ungatliered, their tools and their benches, the plows in their furrows, turning their backs on their homes, and belbre eleven days had expired the demands of the Government were met and both quotas filled. The war went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the Free States to crush out and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inaugurated. But to every call for either men or money there was a willing and ready response. And it is a boast of the people that, had the supply of men fallen short, there were women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to have offered themselves as sacrifices on their country's altar. On the 21st of December, lS6i, the last call for troops was made. It was for 300,000. In consequence of an im- perfect enrollment of the men subject to military duty, it became evident, ere this call was made, that Indiana, was furnishing thous- ands of men more than what her quota would have been, had it been correct. So glaring had this disproportion become, that under this call the quota of some districts exceeded the number of able-bodied men in them. 202 UISTOKY OV INUIANA. Tlio poo)>lo woro lilHTal as woll as patriotic; and wliilo the men wore busy cnlistiiiij, organizing niul equipping companies, the ladies were no less active, and the noble, generous work performed by their tender, loving hands deserves mention along with the bravery, devotion and patriotism of their brothers upon the battle-tield. The continued need of money to obtain the comforts and neces- saries for the sick and wounded of our army suggested to the loyal women of the North many and various devices for the raising of funds. Every city, town and village had its fair, festival, picnic, excursion, concert, which netted more or less to the cause of hospital relief, according to the population of the place and the amount of energy and patriotism displayed on such occasions. Especially was this characteristic of our own fair Stnto, and scarcely a hamlet within its borders which did not send something from its stores to hospital or battle-tield, and in the larger towns and cities were well-organized soldiei-s' aid societies, working systematically and continuously from the beginning of the war till its close. sukuman's makoh to the sea. On ths 15th of November, lSti4-, after the destruction of Atlanta, and the railroads behind him, Sherman, with his army, began his march to the sea-coast. The almost breathless an.xiety with which his ]^rogress was watched by the loyal hearts of the nation, and the trembling apprehension with which it was regarded by all who lioped for i-ebel success, indicateil this as one of the most remai-k- able events of tlie war; and so it proveil. Of Sherman's army, 45 resiiuients of infantry, three companies of artillery, and one of ojwalry were from this State. Lincoln answered all rumors of Shernnin's defeat with, "It is impossible; there is a mighty sight of tight in 100,000 Western men." OHARACTKK oF ABKAUAM LINCOLN. One other name from the "West comes up in all minds, embalmed in all hearts, that n\ust have the supreme place in this sketch of our glory and of our nation's honor: that name is Abraham Lincoln. The analysis of i[r. Lincoln's character is ditficult on account of its symmetry. In this age we look with admiration at his uncompnnnising honesty; and well we may, for this saved us. Thousands throughout the length and breadth of our country, who knew him only as " Honest Old Abe," votai for him on tliat account ; and wisely did they choi^se, for no other man could have carried us thnnigh the fearful night of W!ir. When his plans were tiK> vast for our comoi-ehension, and his faith in the cause too sub- niSTOEY OF INDIANA. 203 lime for our participation; wlien it was all night about us, and all dread before us, and all sad and desolate behind us; when not one ray shone upon our cause; when traitors were haughty and exult- ant at the South, and fierce and blasphemous at the North; when the loyal men seemed almost in the minority; when the stoutest heart quailed, the bravest cheek paled; when generals were defeat- ing each other for place, and contractois were leeching out the very heart's blood of the republic; when everything else had failed us, we looked at this calm, patient man standing like a rock in the storm, and said, " Mr. Lincoln is honest, and we can trust him still." Holding to this single point with the energy of faith and despair, ■we held together, and under God he brought us through to victory. His practical wisdom made him the wonder of all lands. With such certainty did Mr. Lincoln follow causes to their ultimate effects, that his foresight of contingencies seemed almost prophetic. He is radiant with all the great virtues, and his memory will shed a glory upon this age that will fill the eyes of men as they look into history. Other men have excelled him in some points; but, taken at all points, he stands head and shoulders above every other man of 6,000 years. An administrator, he saved the nation in the perils of unparalleled civil war; a statesman, he justified his measures by their success; a philanthropist, be gave liberty to one race ami salvation to another; a moralist, he bowed frotn the sum- mit of human power to the foot of the cross; a mediator, lie exer- cised mercy under the most absolute obedience to law; a leader, he was no partisan; a commander, he was untainted with blood; a luler in desperate times, he was unsullied with crime; a man, he has left no word of passion, no thought of malice, no trick of craft, no act of jealousy, no purpose of selfish ambition. Thus perfected, without a model and without a peer, he was dropped into these troubled years to adorn and embellish all that is good and all that is great in our humanity, and to present to all coming time the representative of the divine idea of free gov^ernment. It is not too much to say that away down in the future, when the republic has fallen from its niche in the wall of time; when the great war itself shall have faded out in the distance like a mist on the horizon ; when the Anglo-Saxon shall be spoken only by the tongue of the stranger, then the generations looking this way shall see the great President as the supreme figure in this vortex of history. HISTOKY OF INDIANA. THE WAK ENDED — THE UNION RESTORED. The rebellion was ended with the surrender of Lee and his army, and Johnson and his command in April, 1S65. Our armies at the time were up to their maximum strength, never so formidable, never so invincible; and, until recruiting ceased by order of Sec- retary Stanton, were daily strengtliening. The necessity, however, SPRINGFIELD. for so vast and formidable numbers ceased with the disbanding of the rebel forces, which had for more than four years disputed the supremacy of the Government over its domain. And now the joyful and welcome news was to be borne to the victorious legions that their work was ended in triumph, and they were to be per- mitted "to see homes and friends once more." INDIANA IN THE WAR. The events of the earlier years of this State have been reviewed down to that period in the nation's history when the Republic de- manded a first sacrifice from the newly erected States: to the time when the very safety of the glorious heritage, bequeathed by the fathers as a rich legacy, was threatened with a fate worse than death — a life iinder laws that harbored the slave^a civil defiance of the first principles of the Constitution. Indiana was among the first to respond to the summons of patri- otism, and register itself on the national roll of honor, even as she was among the first to join in that song of joy which greeted a Re- public made doubly glorious within a century by the dual victory which won liberty for itself, and next bestowed the precious boon upon the colored slave. The tall of Fort Sumter was a signal for the uprising of the State. The news of the calamity was flashed to Indianapolis on the 14th of April, 1861, and early the next morning the electric wire brought the welcome message to Washington: — Executive Department op Indiana, ) Indianapolis, April 15, 18G1. J To Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States:— On behalf of the State of Indiana, I tender to you for the defense of the Nation, and to uphold the au- thority of the Government, ten thousand men. OLIVER P. MORTON, Governor of Indiana. This may be considered the first oflicial act of Governor Morton, who had just entered on the duties of his exalted position. The State was in an almost helpless condition, and yet the faith of the " War Governor " was prophetic, when, after a short consultation with the members of the Executive Council, he relied on the fidelity often thousand men and promised their services to the Protectorate at Washington. This will be more apparent when the military condition of the State at the beginning of 1S61 is considered. At that time the armories contained less than five hundred stand of serviceable small arms, eight pieces of cannon which might be use- ful in a museum of antiquities, with sundry weapons which would merely do credit to the aborigines of one hundred years ago. The financial condition of the State was even worse than the military. (305) ZUb HISTORY OF INDIANA. The sum of $10,368.58 in trust funds was the amount of cash in the hands of the Treasurer, and this was, to all intents and purpo ses unavailable to meet the emergency, since it could not be devoted to the military requirements of the day. This state of affairs was dispiriting in the extreme, and would doubtless have militated against the ultimate success of any other man than Morton; yet he overleaped every difficulty, nor did the fearful realization of Floyd's treason, discovered during his visit to Washington, damp his indomitable courage and energy, but with rare persistence he urged the claims of his State, and for his exertions was requited with an order for five thousand muskets. The order was not exe- cuted until hostilities were actually entered upon, and consequently for some days succeeding the publication of the President's procla- mation the people labored under a feeling of terrible anxiety min- gled with uncertaint}", amid the confusion which followed the crim- inal negligence that permitted the disbandment of tlie magnificent corps (T armee (51,000 men) of 1832 two years later in 1834. Great numbers of the people maintained their equanamity with the result of beholding within a brief space of time every square mile of their State represented by soldiers prepared to fight to the bitter end in defense of cherished institutions, and for the extension of the prin- ciple of human liberty to all States and classes within the limits of the threatened Union. This, their zeal, was not animated by hos- tility to the slave holders of the Southern States, but rather by a fraternal spirit, akin to that which urges the eldest brother to cor- rect the persistent follies of his juniors, and thus lead them from crime to the maintenance of family honor; in this correction, to draw them away from all that was cruel, diabolical and inhuman in the Republic, to all that is gentle, holy and sublime therein. Many of the raw troops were not only unimated by a patriotic feeling, but also by that beautiful idealization of the poet, who in his un- conscious Eepublicanism, said: " I would not have a slave to till my ground, To carry me, to fan me while I sleep. And tremble when I wake, for all the wealth That sinews bought and sold have ever earned Ko: dear as freedom is — and, in my heart's Just estimation, prized above all price — I had much rather be myself the slave. And wear the bonds, than fasten them on him." Thus animated, it is not a matter for surprise to find the first call to arms issued by the President, and calling for 75,000 men, HISTORY OF INDIANA. 207 answered nobly by the people of Indiana. The quota of troops to be furnished by the State on the first call was 4,683 men for three years' service from April 15, 1S60. On the IGth of April, Gov- ernor Morton issued his proclamation calling on all citizens of the State, who had the welfare of the Republic at heart, to organize themselves into six regiments in defense of their rights, and in opposition to the varied acts of rebellion, charged by him against the Southern Confederates. To this end, the Hon. Lewis Wallace, a soldier of the Mexican campaign was appointed Adjutant-General, Col. Thomas A. Morris of the United States Military Academy, Quartermaster-General, and Isaiah Mansur, a merchant of Indian- apolis, Commissary-General. These general officers converted the grounds and buildings of the State Board of Agriculture into a military headquarters, and designated the position Camp Morton, as the beginning of the many honors which were to follow the pop- ular Governor throughout his future career. Now the people, im- bued with confidence in their Government and leaders, rose to the grandeur of American freemen, and with an enthusiasm never equaled hitherto, flocked to the standard of the nation; so that within a few days (19th April) 2,400 men were ranked beneath their regimental banners, until as the official report testifies, the anxious question, passing from mouth to mouth, was, " "Which of us will be allowed to go? " It seemed as if Indiana was about to monopolize the honors of the period, and place the 75.000 men demanded of the Union by the President, at his disposition. Even now under the genial sway of guaranteed peace, the features of Indiana's veterans flush with righteous pride when these days — re- membrances of heroic sacrifice — are named, and freemen, still un- born, will read their history only to be blessed and glorified in the possession of such truly, noble progenitors. Nor were the ladies of the State unmindful of their duties. Everywhere they partook of the general enthusiasm, and made it practical so far as in their power, by embroidering and presenting standards and regimental colors, organizing aid and relief societies, and by many other acts of patriotism and humanity inherent in the high nature of woman. During the days set a]:)art by the military authorities for the or- ganization of the regiments, the financiers of the State were en- gaged in the reception of munificent grants of money from pri- vate citizens, while the money merchants within and without the State oS'ered large loans to the recognized Legislature without even imposing a condition of payment. This most practical generosity zoo HISTORY OF INDIANA. strengthened the hands of the Executive, and within a very few days Indiana had passed the crucial test, recovered some of her military prestige lost in 1834, and so was prepared to vie with the other and wealthier States in making sacrifices for the public welfare. On the 20th of April, Messrs, I. S. Dobbs and Alvis D. Gall re- ceived their appointments as Medical Inspectors of the Division, while Major T. J. Wood arrived at headquarters from Washington to receive the newly organized regiments into the service of the Union. At the moment this formal proceeding took place, Morton, unable to restrain the patriotic ardor of the people, telegraphed to the capitol that he could place six regiments of infantry at the dis- posal of the General Government within six days, if such a pro- ceeding were acceptable; but in consequence of the wires being cut between the State and Federal capitols, no answer came. Taking advantage of the little doubt which may have had existence in re- gard to future action in the matter and in the absence of general orders, he gave expression to an intention of placing the volunteers in camp, and in his message to the Legislature, who assembled three days later, he clearly laid down the principle of immediate action and strong measures, recommending a note of $1,000,000 for there- organization of the volunteers, for the purchase of arms and supplies, and for the punishment of treason. The measage was received most enthusiastically. The assembly' recognized the great points made by the Governor, and not only yielded to them in toto, but also made the following grand appropriations: General military purposes 11,000,000 Purchase of arms 500,000 Contingent military expenses 100,000 Organization and support of militia for two years 140,000 These appropriations, together with the laws enacted during the session of the Assembly, speak for the men of Indiana. The celerity with which these laws were put in force, thediligince and economy exercised by the officers, entrusted with their administration, and that systematic genius, under which all the machinery of Govern- ment seemed to work in harmony, — all, all, tended to make for the State a spring-time of noble deeds, when seeds might be cast along her fertile fields and in the streets of her villages of industry to grow up at once and blossom in the ray of fame, and after to bloom throughout the ages. AVithin three da^'s after the opening of the extra session of the Legislature (27th April) six new regiments were organized, and commissioned for three months' service. These reg- HISTORY OF INDIANA. 209 iments, notwithstanding the fact that the first six regiments were already mustered into the general service, were known as "The First Brigade, Indiana Volunteers," and with the simple object of making the way of the future student of a brilliant history clear, ■were numbered respectively Sixth Regiment, commanded by Col. T. T. Crittenden. Seventh " " " " Ebenezer Dumont. Eighth « " " " W. P. Benton. Ninth " " " " E. H. Milroy. Tenth " " " " T. T. Reynolds. Eleventh " " " " Lewis Wallace. The idea of these numbers was suggested by the fact that the military representation of Indiana in the Mexican Campaign was one brigade of five regiments, and to observe consecutiveness the regiments comprised in the first division of volunteers were thus numbered, and the entire force placed under Bz-igadier General T. A. Morris, with the following staff: John Love, Major; Cyrus C- Hines, Aid-de-catnp; and J. A. Stein, Assistant Adjutant General. To follow the fortunes of these volunteers through all the vicissi- tudes of war would prove a special work; yet their valor and endur- ance during their first term of service deserved a notice of even more value than that of the historian, since a commander's opinion has to be taken as the basis upon which the chronicler may expatiate. Thei-efore the following dispatch, dated from the headquarters of the Army of Occupation, Beverly Camp, W. Virginia, July 21, 1861, must be taken as one of the first evidences of their utility and valor : — "GovEUNOR O. P. Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana. Governor:— I have directed the three months' regiments from Indiana to move to Indianapolis, there to be mustered out and reorganized for three years' service. I cannot permit them to return to j'ou without again expressing my high appreciation of the distinguished valor and endurance of the Indiana troops, and my hope that but a short time will elapse before I have the pleasure of knowing that they are again ready for the field. ******* I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, George B. McClellan, Major- General, U. S. A. On the return of the troops to Indianapolis, July 29, Brigadier Morris issued a lengthy, logical and well-deserved congratulatory address, from which one paragraph may be extracted to characterize 210 HISTORY OF INDIANA. the whole. After passing a glowing enlogium on their military qualities and on that unexcelled gallantry displayed at Laurel Hill, Phillipi and Carrick's Ford, he says: — "Soldiers! You have now returned to the friends whose prayers went with you to the field of strife. They welcome you with pride and exultation. Your State and country acknowledge the value of your labors. May your future career be as your past has been, — honorable to yourselves and serviceable to your country." The six regiments forming Morris' brigade, together with one composed of the surplus volunteers, for whom there was no regi- ment in April, now formed a division of seven regiments, all reor- ganized for til ree years' service, between the 20th August and 20th September, with the exception of the new or 12th, which was ac- cepted for one year's service from May 11th, under command of ColonelJohn M. Wallace, and reorganized May 17, 1862, for three 3'ears' service under Col. "W. H. Link, who, with 172 officers and men, received their mortal wounds during the Richmond (Ken- tucky) engagement, three months after its reorganization. The 13tii Rkgiment, under Col. Jeremiah Sullivan, was mus- tered into tlie United States in 1861 and joined Gen. McClellan's command at Rich Mountain on the 10th July. The day following it was present under Gen. Rosencrans and lost eight men killed; three successive days it was engaged under Gen. I. I. Reynolds, and won its laurels at Cheat Mountain summit, where it participated in the decisive victory over Gen. Lee. The 11th Regiment, organized in 1S61 for one year's service, and reorganized on the 7th of June at Terre Haute for three years' ser- vice. Commanded by Col. Kimball and showing a muster roll of 1,134 men, it was one of the finest, as it was the first, three years' regiment organized in the State, with varying fortunes attached to its never ending round of duty from Cheat Mountain, September, 1861, to Morton's Ford in 1864, and during the movement South in May of that year to the last of its labors, the battle of Cold Har- bor. The ISth Regiment, reorganized at La Fayette 14th June, 1861, under Col. G. D. "Wagner, moved on Rich Mountain on the 11th of July in time to participate in the complete rout of the enemy. On the promotion of Col. Wagner, Lieutenant-Col. G. A. Wood became Colonel of the regiment, November, 1S62, and during the first days of January-, 1863, took a distinguished part in the severe action of Stone River. From this period down to the battle of Mis- sion Ridge it was in a series of destructive engagements, and was, HISTORY OF INDIANA. 211 after enduring terrible hardships, ordered to Chattanooga, and thence to Indianapolis, where it was mustered out the 18th June, 1864, — four days after the expiration of its term of service. The 16th Regiment, organized under Col. P. A. Hackleman at Eichmond for one year's service, after participating in many minor military events, was mustered out at Washington, D.C., on the 14th of May, 1S62. Col. Hackleman was killed at tlie battle of luka, and Lieutenant-Col. Thomas I. Lucas succeeded to the command. It was reorganized at Indianapolis for three years' service, May 27, 1862, and took a conspicuous part in all the brilliant engagements of the war down to June, 18G5, when it was mustered out at New Orleans. The survivors, numbering 365 rank and file, returned to Indianapolis the 10th of July amid tlie rejoicing of the populace. The 17th Regiment was mustered into service at Indianapolis the 12th of June, 1861, for three years, under Col. Hascall, who on being promoted Brigadier General in March, 1862, left the Colonelcy to devolve on Lieutenant Colonel John T. Wilder. This regiment participated in the many exploits of Gen. Reynold's array from Green Brier in 1862, to Macon in 1865, under Gen. Wilson. Returning to Indianapolis the 16th of August, in possession of a brilliant record, the regiment was disbanded. The ISth Regiment, under Colonel Thomas Pattison, was organ- ized at Indianapolis, and mustered into service on the 16th of August, 1861. Under Gen. Pope it gained some distinction at Blackwater, and succeeded in retaining a reputation made there, by its gallantry at Pea Ridge, February, 1862, down to the moment when it planted the regimental flag on the arsenal of Augusta, Georgia, where it was disbanded August 28, 1865. Thel9Tii Regiment, mustered into three years' service at the State capital July 29, 1861, was ordered to join the army of the Potomac, and reported its arrival at Washington, August 9. Two days later it took part in the battle of Lewinsville, under Colonel Solomon Meredith. Occupying Falls Church in September, 1861, it continued to maintain a most enviable place of honor on the military roll until its consolidation with the 20th Regiment, October, 1864, under Colonel William Orr, formerly its Lieutenant Colonel. The 20Tn Regiment of La Fayette was organized in July. 1861, mustered into three years' service at Indianapolis on the 22d of the same month, and reached the front at Cockeysville, Maryland, twelve days later. Throughout all its brilliant actions from Ilat- teras Bank, on the 4th of October, to Clover Hill, 9th of April, 1865, 212 DISTORT OF INDIANA. including the saving of the United States ship Congress, at New- port News, it added daily some new name to its escutcheon. This regiment was mustered out at Louisville in July, 1865, and return- ing to Indianapolis was welcomed by the great war Governor of their State. The 21sT Regiment was mustered into service under Colonel I. W. McMillan, July 2i, 1S61, and reported at the front the third day of August. It was the first regiment to enter New Orleans. The fortunes of this regiment were as varied as its services, so that its name and fame, grown from the blood shed by its members, are destined to live and flourish. In December, 1863, the regiment was reorganized, and on the 19th February, 1SG4, many of its veterans returned to their State, where Morton received them with that spirit of proud gratitude which he was capable of showing to those who deserve honor for lionors won. The 22d Regiment, under Colonel Jeff. C. Davis, left Indian- apolis the 15th of August, and was attached to Fremont's Corps at St. Louis on the 17th. From the day it moved to the support of Colonel Mulligan at Lexington, to the last victoiy, won under General Sherman at Bentonville, on the 19th of March, 1865, it gained a high military reputation. After the fall of Johnston's southern army, this regiment was mustered out, and arrived at Indianapolis on the 16th June. The 23d Battalion, commanded by Colonel W. L. Sanderson, was mustered in at New Albany, the 29th July, 1861, and moved to the front early in August. From its unfortunate marine ex- periences before Fort Henry to Bentonville it won unusual honors, and after its disbandment at Louisville, returned to Indianapolis July 2i, 1S65, where Governor Morton and General Sherman reviewed and complimented the gallant survivors. ■The 24th Battalion, under Colonel Alvin P. Hovey, was mustered at Yincennes the 31st of July, 1S61. Proceeding imme- diately to the front it joined Fremont's command, and participated under many Generals in important affairs during the war. Three hundred and ten men and officers returned to their State in August, 1865, and were received with marked honors by the people and Executive. The 25th Regiment, of Evansville mustered into service there for three years under Col. J. C. Yeatch, arrived at St. Louis on the 26th of August, 1861. During the war this regiment was present at 18 battles and skirmishes, sustaining therein a loss of 352 men HISTOEY OF INDIANA. 213 and officers. Mustered out at Louisville, July 17, 186-5, it returned to Indianapolis on the 21st amid universal rejoicing. The 26th Battalion, under W. M. Wheatley, left Indianapolis for the front the 7th of September, 1S61, and after a brilliant cam- paign under Fremont, Grant, Heron and Smith, may be said to disband the ISth of September, 1865, when the non-veteraus and recruits were reviewed by Morton at the State capital. The 27th Regiment, uuder Col. Silas Colgrove, moved from Indianapolis to Wasliingtuu City, September 15th, 1861, and in October was allied to Gen. Banks' army. From Winchester Heights, the 9th of March 1862, through all the affairs of General Sherman's campaign, it acted a gallant and faithful part, and was disbanded immediately after returning to their State. The 28tii oe 1st Cavalky was mustered into service at Evans- ville on the 20th of August, 1861, under Col. Conrad Baker. From the skirmish at Ironton, on the 12th of September, wherein three companies under Col. Gavin captured a position held by a few rebels, to the battle of the Wilderness, the First Cavalry per- formed prodigies of valor. In June and July, 1865, the troops were mustered out at Indianapolis. The 29Tn Battalion of La Porte, under Col. J. F. Miller, left on the 5th of October, 1S61, and reaching Camp Kevin, Kentucky, on the 9th, was allied to Rosseau's Brigade, serving with McCook's division at Shiloh, with Buell's army in Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky, with Rosencrans at Murfreesboro, at Decatur, Alabama, and at Dalton, Georgia. The Twenty-ninth won many laurels, and had its Colonel promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. This officer was succeeded in the command by Lieutenant-Col. D.M.Dunn. The 30th Regiment of Fort Wayne, under Col. Sion S. Bass, proceeded to the front via Indianapolis, and joined General Rosseau at Camp Nevin on the 9th of October, 1861. At Shiloh, Col. Bass received a mortal wound, and died a few days later at Paducah, leaving the Colonelcy to devolve upon Lieutenant Col. J. B. Dodge. In October 1865, it formed a battalion of General Sheri- dan's array of observation in Texas. The 31st Regiment, organized at Terre Haute, under Col. Charles Cruft, in September 1861, was mustered in, and left in a few days for Kentucky. Present at the reduction of Fort Douelson on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of February, 1862, its list of killed and wounded proves its desperate lighting qualities. The organization 214 HISTORY OF INDIANA. was subjected to many changes, but in all its phases maintained a fair fame won on many battle fields. Like the former regiment, it passed into Gen. Sheridan's Army of Observation, and held the district of Green Lake, Texas. The 32d Regimext of German Infantry, under Col. August "Willich, organized at Indianapolis, mustered on the 24th of August, 18G1, served with distinction throughout the campaign. Col. "Willich was promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General, andLieut.- Col. Henry Vou Trebra commissioned to act, under whose com- mand the regiment passed into General Sheridan's Army, hold- ing the post of Salado Creek, until the withdrawal of the corps of observation in Texas. The 33d Regiment of Indianapolis possesses a military history of no small proportions. The mere facts that it was mustered in under Col. John Coburn, the 16th of September, won a series of distinctions throughout the war district and was mustered out at Louisville, July 21, 1865, taken with its name as one of the most poweri'ul regiments engaged in the war, are sufficient here. The 34th Battalion, organized at Anderson on the 16th Sep- tember, 1S61, under Col. Ashbury Steele, appeared among the in- vesting battalions before New Madrid on the 30th of March, 1862. From the distinguished part it took in that siege, down to the 13th of May, 1S65, when at Palmetto Ranche, near Palo Alto, it fought for hours against fearful odds the last battle of the war for the Union. Afterwards it marched 250 miles up the Rio Grande, and was the first regiment to reoccupy the position, so long in Southern hands, of Ringold barracks. In 1865 it garrisoned Bea- consville as part of the Army of Observation. The 35th or First Irish Regiment, was organized at Indian- apolis, and mustered into service on the 11th of December, 1861, under Col. John C. "Walker. At Nashville, on the 22d of May, 1862, it was joined by the organized portion of the Sixty-first or Second Irish Regiment, and nnassigned recruits. Col. Mullen now became Lieut.-Colonel of the 35th, and shortly after, its Colonel. From the pursuit of Gen. Bragg through Kentucky and the affair at Perryville on the Sth of October, 1862, to the terrible hand to hand combat at Kenesaw mountain, on the night of the 20th of June, 1864, and again from the conclusion of the Atlanta campaign to September, 1865, witii Gen. Sheridan's army, when it was mus- tered out, it won for itself a name of reckless daring and unsur- passed gallantry. BISTOET OF INDIANA. 215 The 36th Regiment, of Richmond, Ind., under Col. William Grose, mustered into service for three years on the 16th of Sep- tember, 1861, went immediately to the front, and shared the for- tunes of the Army of the Ohio until the 27th of February, 1862, when a forward movement led to its presence on the battle-field of Shiloh. Following up the honors won at Shiloh, it participated in some of the most important actions of the war, and was, in October, 1865, transferred to Gen. Sheridan's army. Col. Grose was pro- moted in 1864 to the position of Brigadier-General, and the Colonelcy devolved on Oliver H. P. Carey, formerly Lieut.-Colonel of the regiment. The 37th Battalion, of Lawrenceburg, commanded by Col. Geo. W. Hazzard, organized tiie 18th of September, 1861, left for the seat of war early in October. From the eventful battle of Stone river, in December, 1862, to its participation in Sherman's march through Georgia, it gained for itself a splendid reputation. This regiment returned to, and was present at, Indianapolis, on the 30th of July, 1865, wiiere a public reception was tendered to men and officers on the grounds of the Capitol. The BSth Regiment, under Col. Benjamin F. Scribner, was mus- tered in at Kew Albany, on the 18th of September, 1861, and in a few days were efi route for the front. To follow its continual round of duty, is without the limits of this sketch; therefore, it will suffice to say, that on every well-fought field, at least from February, 1862, until its dissolution, on the 15th of July, 1865, it earned an enviable renown, and drew from Gov. Morton, on return- ing to Indianapolis the 18tii of the same month, a congratulatory address couched in the highest terms of praise. The 39th Regiment, ok Eighth Cavalet, was mustered in as an infantry regiment, under Col. T. J. Harrison, on the 28th of August. 1861, at the State capital. Leaving immediately for the front it took a conspicuous part in all the engagements up to April, 1863, when it was reorganized as a cavalry regiment. The record of this organization sparkles with great deeds which men will extol while language liv'es; its services to the Union cannot be over esti- mated, or the memory of its daring deeds be forgotten by the un- happy people who raised the tumult, which culminated in their second siiame. The 40th Regiment, of Lafayette, under Col. W. C. Wilson, subsequently commanded by Col. J. W. Blake, and again by Col. Henry Learning, was organized on the 30th of December, 1861, and 216 HISTORY OF INDIANA. at once proceeded to the front,wliere some time was necessarily spent in the Camp of Instruction at Bardstown, Kentucky. In February, 1862, it joined in Buell's forward.movement. During the war the regiment shared in all its hardships, participated in all its honors, and like many other brave commands took service under Gen. Sheridan in his Army of Occupation, holding the post of Port Lavaca, Texas, until peace brooded over the land. The 41st Eegiment ok Second Cavalry, the first complete regi- ment of horse ever raised in the State, was organized on the 3d of September, 1861, at Indianapolis, under Col. John A. Bridgland, and December 16 moved to the front. Its first war experience was gained en route to Corinth on the 9th of April, 1862, and at Pea Ridge on the 15th. Gallatin, Vinegar Hill, and Perryville, and Talbot Station followed in succession, each battle bringing to the cavalry untold honors. In May, lS6i, it entered upon a glorious career under Gen. Sherman in his Atlanta campaign, and again under Gen. Wilson in the raid through Alabama during April, 1865. On the 22d of July, after a brilliant career, the regiment was mustered out at Nashville, and returned at once to Indianapolis for discharge. The 42d, under Col J. G. Jones, mustered into service at Evans- ville, October 9, 1861, and having participated in the principal military affairs of the period, Wartrace. Mission Ridge, Altoona, Kenesaw, Savannah, Charlestown and Bentonville, was discharged at Indianapolis on the 25th of July, 1865. The 43d Battalion was mustered in on the 27th of September, 1861, under Col. George K. Steele, and left Terre Haute enroate to the front within a few days. Later it was al'ied to Gen. Pope's corps, and afterwards served with Commodore Foote's marines in the reduction of Fort Pillow. It was the first Union regiment to enter Memphis. From that period until the close of the war it was distinguished for its unexcelled qualifications as a militar}' body, and fully deserved the encomiums passed upon it on its return to Indianapolis in March, 1S65. The 44th ok the Regiment of the 10th Congressional District was organized at Fort Wayne on the 24th of October, 1S61, under Col. Hugh B. Reed. Two months later it was ordered to the front, and arriving in Kentucky, was attached to Gen. Cruft's Brigade, then quartered at Calhoun. After years of faithful service it vv^as mustered out at Chattanooga, the 14th of September, 1865. The 45th, or Third Cavalry, comprised ten companies HISTORY OF INDIANA. 217 organized at different periods and for varied services in 1861- '62, under Colonel Scott Carter and George H. Chapman. The distinguished name won by the Third Cavalry is established in every village within the State. Let it suffice to add that after its brilliant participation in Gen. Sheridan's raid down the James' river canal, it was mustered out at Indianapolis on the 7th of Au- gust, 1S65. The 46th Regiment, organized at Logansport under Colonel Graham N. Fitch, arrived in Kentucky the 16th of February, 1862, and a little later became attached to Gen. Pope's army, then quar- tered at Commerce. The capture of Fort Pillow, and its career under Generals Curtis, Palmer, Ilovey, Gorman, Grant, Sherman, Banks and Burbridge are as truly worthy of applause as ever fell to the lot of a regiment. The command was mustered out at Louis- ville on the 4th of September, 1865. The 47th was organized at Anderson, under Col. I. R. Slack, early in October, 1862. Arriving at Bardstown, Kentucky, on the 21st of December, it was attached to Gen. Buell's army; but within two months was assigned to Gen. Pope, under whom it proved the first regiment to enter Fort Thompson near New Madrid. In 1864 the command visited Indianapolis on veteran furlough and was enthu- siastically received by Governor Morton and the people. Return- ing to the front it engaged heartily in Gen. Banks' company. In December, Col. Slack received his commission as Brigadier-General, and was succeeded on the regimental command by Col. J. A. Mc- Laughton; at Shreveport under General Heron it received the sub- mission of General Price and his army, and there also was it mus- tered out of service on the 23d of October, 1865. The 48th Regiment, organized at Goshen tlie 6th of December, 1861, under Col. Norman Eddy, entered on its duties during the siege of Corinth in May, and again in October, 1862. The record of this battalion may be said to be unsurpassed in its every feature, so that the grand ovation extended to the returned soldiers in 1865 at Indianapolis, is not a matter for surprise. The 49th Regiment, organized at Jeffersonville, under Col. J. W. Ray, and mustered in on the 21st of November, 1861, for service, left en route for the camp at Bardstown. A month later it arrived at the unfortunate camp-ground of Cumberland Ford, where dis- ease carried off a number of gallant soldiers. The regiment, how- ever, survived the dreadful scourge and won its laurels on many 218 HISTORY OF INDIANA. a well-fonght field until September, 1865, when it was mustered out at Louisville. The 50th Regiment, under Col. Cyrus L. Dunham, organized during the month of September, 1861, at Seymour, left oi route to Bardstown for a course of military instruction. On the 20th of August, 1862, a detachment of the 50th, under Capt. Atkinson, was attacked by Morgan's Cavalry near Edgefield Junction; but the gallant few repulsed their oft-repeated onsets and finally drove them from the field. The regiment underwent many changes in organization, and may be said to muster out on the 10th of Septem- ber, 1865. The 51sT Regiment, under Col. Abel. D. Streight, left Indianap- olis on the lith of December, 1861, for the South. After a short course of instruction at Bardstown, the regiment joined General Buell's and acted with great efi'ect during the campaign in Ken- tucky and Tennessee. Ultimately it became a participator in the work of the Fourth Corps, or Army of Occupation, and held the post of San Antonio until peace was doubly assured. The 52d Regiment was partially raised at Rushville, and the organization completed at Indianapolis, where it was consolidated with the Railway Brigade, or 56th Regiment, on the 2d of Feb- ruary, 1862. Going to the front immediately after, it served with marked distinction throughout the war, and was mustered out at Montgomery on the 10th of September, 1865. Returning to Indian- apolis six days later, it was welcomed by Gov. Morton and a most enthusiastic reception accorded to it. The 53rd Battalion was raised at New Albany, and with the addition of recruits raised at Rockport formed a standard regi- ment, under command of Col. W. Q. Gresham. Its first duty was that of guarding the rebels confined on Camp Morton, but on going to the front it made for itself an endurable name. It was mus- tered out in July, 1865, and returned to Indiananoplis on the 25th of the same month. The 54th Regiment was raised at Indianapolis on the 10th of June, 1862, for three months' service under Col. D. G. Rose. The succeeding two months saw it in charge of the prisoners at Camp Morton, and in August it was pushed forward to aid in the defense of Kentucky against the Confederate General, Kirby Smith. The remainder of its short term of service was given to the cause. On the muster out of the three months' service regiment it was reorgan- HISTORY OF INDIANA. 219 ized for one year's service and gained some distinction, after which it was mustered out in 1SG3 at New Orleans. The 55Tn Eegiment, organized for three months' service, retains tlie brief history applicable to the first organization of the 54th. It was mustered in on the 16th of June, 1862, under Col. J. R. Mahon, disbanded on the expiration of its term and was not reor- ganized. The 56th Regiment, referred to in the sketch of the 52nd, was designed to be composed of railroad men, marshalled under J. M. Smith as Colonel, but owing to the fact that many railroaders had already volunteered into other regiments. Col. Smith's volunteers were incorporated with the 52nd, and this number left blank in the army list. The 57th Battalion, actually organized by two ministers of the gospel,— the Rev. I. W. T. McMullen and Rev. F. A. Hardin, of Richmond, Ind., mustered into service on the 18th of Novem- ber, 1861, under the former named reverend gentleman as Colonel, who was, however, succeeded by Col. Cyrus C. llaynes, and he in turn by G. W. Leonard, Willis Blanch and John S. McGrath, the latter holding command until the conclusion of the war. The history of this battalion is extensive, and if participation in a num- ber of battles with the display of rare gallantry wins fame, the 57th may rest assured of its possession of this fragile yet coveted prize. Like many other regiments it concluded its military labors in the service of General Sheridan, and held the post of Port Lavaca in conjunction with another regiment until peace dwelt in the land. The 58th Regiment, of Princeton, was organized there early in October, 1861, and was mustered into service under the Colonelcy of Henry M. Carr. In December it was ordered to join Gen- eral Buell's army, after which it took a share in the various actions of the war, and was mustered out on the 25th of July, 1865, at Louisville, having gained a jilace on the roll of honor. The 59th Battalion was raised under a commission issued by Gov. Morton to Jesse I. Alexander, creating him Colonel. Owing to the peculiarities hampering its organization, Col. Alexander could not succeed in having his regiment prepared to muster in before the 17th of February, 1862. However, on that day the equipment was complete, and on the 18th it left en route to Commerce, where on its arrival, it was incorporated under General Pope's command. The list of its casualties speaks a history, — no less than 793 men were lost during the campaign. The regiment, after a term char- 220 HISTORY OF INDIANA. acterized by distinguished service, was mustered out at Louisville on the 17th of July, 1S65. The 60th Eegiment was partially organized under Lieut.-Col. Kichard Owen at Evansville during November 1861, and perfected at Camp Morton during March, 1862. Its first experience was its gallant resistance to Bragg's army investing Munlbrdsville, which culminated in the unconditional surrender of its first seven com- panies on the 14th of September. An exchange of prisoners took place in November, which enabled it to joine the remaining com- panies in the field. The subsequent record is excellent, and forms, as it were, a monument to their fidelity and heroism. The main portion of this battalion was mustered out at Indianapolis, on the 21st of March, 1865. The 61sT was partially organized in December, 1861, under Col. B. F. Mullen. The failure of thorough organization on the 22d of May, 1862, led the men and officers to agree to incorporation with the 35th Regiment of Volunteers. The 62d Battalion, raised under a commission issued to Wil- liam Jones, of Rockport, authorizing him to organize this regiment in the First Congressional District was so unsuccessful that consoli- dation with the 53d Regiment was resolved upon. The 63d Regiment, of Covington, under James McManomy, Commandant of Camp, and J. S. Williams, Adjutant, was partially organized on the 31st of December, 1861, and may be considered on duty from its very formation. After guarding prisoners at Camp Morton and Lafayette, and engaging in battle on Manassas Plains on the 30th of August following, the few companies sent out in February, 1862, returned to Indianapolis to find six new companies raised under the call of July, 1862, ready to embrace the fortunes of the 63d. So strengthened, the regiment went forth to battle, and continued to lead in the paths of honor and fidelity until mustered out in May and June, 1865. The 64th Regiment failed in organization as an artillery corps; but orders received from the War Department prohibiting the con- solidation of independent batteries, put a stop to any further move in the matter. However, an infantry regiment bearing the same number was afterward organized. The 65th was mustered in at Princeton and Evansville, in July and August, 1862, under Col. J. W. Foster, and left at once en route for the front. The record of this battalion is creditable, not only to its members, but also to the State which claimed it. Its HISTORY OF INDIANA. 221 last action during the war was on the 18th and 20th of February, 1865, at Fort Anderson and Town creek, after which, on the 22d June, it was disbanded at Greensboro. Tlie 66th Regiment partially organized at New Albany, under Commandant Roger Martin, was ordered to leave for Kentucky on the 19th of August, 1862, for the defense of that State against the incursions of Kirby Smith. After a brilliant career it was mus- tered out at Washington on the 3d of June, 1865, after which it returned to Indianapolis to receive the thanks of a grateful people. The 67th Regiment was organized within the Third Congressional District under Col. Frank Emerson, and was ordered to Louisville on the 20th of August, 1862, whence it marched to Muufordville, only to share the same fate with the other gallant regiuients en- gaged against Gen. Bragg's advance. Its roll of honor extends down the years of civil disturbance, — always adding garlands, un- til Peace called a truce in the fascinating race after fame, and insured a term of rest, wherein its members could think on comrades forever vanished, and temper the sad thought with the sublime mem- ories born of that chivalrous fight for the maintenance and integri- ty of a great Republic. At Galveston on the 19th of July, 1865, the gallant 67th Regiment was mustered out, and returning within a few days to its State received the enthusiastic ovations of her citi- zens. The 68th Regiment, organized at Greensburg under Major Ben- jamin C. Shaw, was accepted for general service the 19th of August, 1862, under Col. Edward A. King, with Major Shaw as Lieutenant Colonel; on the 25th its arrival at Lebanon was reported and with- in a few days it appeared at the defense of Muufordville; but shar- ing in the fiite of all the defenders, it surrendered unconditionally to Gen. Bragg and did not participate further in the actions of that year, nor until after the exchange of prisoners in 1863. From this period it may lay claim to an enviable history extending to the end of the war, when it was disembodied. The 69th Regiment, of Riclimond, Ind., under Col. A. Bickle, left for the front on the 20th ot August, 1S62, and ten days later made a very brilliant stand at Richmond, Kentucky, against the advance of Gen. Kirby Smith, losing in the engagement two hundred and eighteen men and officers together with its liberty. After an exchange of prisoners the regiment was reorganized under Col. T. W. Bennett and took the field in December, 1862, under 222 HISTORY OF INDIANA. Generals Sheldon, Morgan and Sherman of Grant's army. Chick- asaw, Vicksburg, Blakely and many other names testify to the valor of the 69th. The remnant of the regiment was in January, 1865, formed into a battalion under Oran Perry, and was mustered out in July following. The 70th Regiment was organized at Indianapolis on the 12th of August, 1SG2, under Col. B. Harrison, and leaving for Louisville on the 13th, shared in the honors cf Bruee's division at Franklin and Russellville. The record of the regiment is brimful of honor. It was mustered out at Washington, June 8, 1865, and received at Indianapolis witli public honors. The 71sT OR Sixth Cavalry was organized as an infantry regi- ment, at Terre Haute, and mustered into general service at Indian- apolis on the 18th of August, 1862, under Lieut. -Col. Melville D. Toppin<^. Twelve days later it was engaged outside Richmond, Kentucky, losing two hundred and fifteen officers and men, includ- ing Col. Topping and Major Couklin, together with three hundred and forty-seven prisoners, only 225 escaping death and capture. After an excliange of prisoners the regiment was re-formed under Col. I. Bittle, but on the 28th of December it surrendered to Gen. J. H. Morgan, who attacked its position at Muldraugh's Hill with a force of l,00ii Confederates. During September and October, 1863, it was organized as a cavalry regiment, won distinction throughout its career, and was mustered out the 15th of September, 1865, at Murfreesboro. The 77th Regiment was organized at Lafayette, and left eri route to Lebanon, Kentucky, on the 17th of August, 1862. Under CoF. Miller it won a series of honors, and mustered out at Nashville on the 26th of June, 1865. The 73rd Regiment, under Col. Gilbert Hathaway, was mustered in at South Bend on the 16th of August, 1882, and proceeded im- mediately to the front. Day's Gap, Crooked Creek, and the high eulogies of Generals Rosencrans and Granger speak its long and brilliant history, nor were the welcoming shouts of a great people and the congratulations of Gov. Morton, tendered to the regiment on its return home, in July, 1S65, necessary to sustain its well won reputation. The 74:TH Regiment, partially organized at Fort Wayne and made almost complete at Indianapolis, left for the seat of war on tlie 22d of August, 1862, under Col. Charles W. Chapman. The desperate opposition to Gen. Bragg, and the magnificent defeat of Morgan, HISTOKY OF INDIANA. together with the battles of Dallas, Chattahoochie river, Kenesaw and Atlanta, where Lieut. Col. Myron Baker was killed, all bear evi- dence of its never surpassed gallantry. It was mustered out of ser- vice on the 9th of June, 1865, at Washington. On the return of the regiment to Iiidiaaapolis, the war Governor and people tendered it special honors, and gave expression to the admiration and regard in which it was held. The 75th Regiment was organized within the Eleventh Congress- ional District, and left Wabash, on the 21st of August, 1862, for the front, under Col. I. W. Petit. It was the first regiment to enter Tullahoma, and one of the last engaged in the battles of the Repub- lic. After the submission of Gen. Johnson's army, it was mustered out at Washington, on the 8th of June 1865. The 76th Battalion was solely organized for tliirty days' service under Colonel James Gavin, for the purpose of pursuing the rebel guerrilas, who plundered Newburg on the 13th July, 1862. It was organized and equipped within forty-eight hours, and during its term of service gained the name, " The Avengers of Newburg." The 77tu, or Fourth Cavalry, was organized at the State capi- tal in August, 1862, under Colonel Isaac P. Gray. It carved its way to fame over twenty battlefields, and retired from service at Edgefield, on the 29th June, 1865. The 79th Regiment was mustered in at Indianapolis on the 2nd September, 1862, under Colonel Fred Knefler. Its history may be termed a record of battles, as the great numbers of battles, from 1862 to the conclusion of hostilities, were participated in by it. The regiment received its discharge on the 11th June, 1865, at Indianapolis. During its continued round of field duty it captured eighteen guns and over one thousand prisoners. The 80th Regiment was organized within the First Congress- ional District under Col. C. Denby, and equipped at Indianapolis, when, on the 8th of September, 1862, it left for the front. During its term it lost only two prisoners; but its list of casualties sums up 325 men and ofiicers killed and wounded. The regiment may be said to muster out on the 22nd of June, 1865, at Saulsbury. The 81sT Regiment, of New Albany, under Colonel W. W. Caldwell, was organized on the 29th August, 1862, and proceeded at once to join Buell's headquarters, and join in tiie pursuit of General Bragg. Throughout the terrific actions of tlie war its influence was felt, nor did its labors cease until it aided in driving the rebels across the Tennessee. It was disembodied at Nashville 224 HISTORY OF INDIANA. on the 13th June, 1865, and returned to Indianapolis on the 15th, to receive the well-merited congratulations of Governor Morton and the people. The 82xD Regiment, under Colonel Morton C. Hunter, was mustered in at Madison, Ind., on the 30th August, 1862, and leaving immediately for the seat of war, participated in many of the great battles down to the return of peace. It was mustered out at Washington on the 9th June, 1865, and soon returned to its State to receive a grand recognition of its faithful service. The 83kd Regijient, of Lawrenceburg, under Colonel Ben. J. Spooner, was organized in September, 1862, and soon left en route to the Mississippi. Its subsequent history, the fact of its being under fire for a total term of 4,800 hours, and its wanderings over 6,285 miles, leave nothing to be said in its defense. Master of a thousand honors, it was mustered out at Louisville, on the 15th July, 1865, and returned home to enjoy a well-merited repose. The 84th Regiment was mustered in at Richmond, Ind., on the 8th September, 1862, under Colonel Kelson Trusler. Its first military duty was on the defenses of Covington, in Kentucky, and Cincinnati; but after a short time its labors became more con- genial, and tended to the great disadvantage of the slaveholding enemy on many well -con tested fields. This, like the other State regiments, won many distinctions, and retired from the service on the 14th of June, 1865, at Nashville. The 85th Regiment was mustered at Terre Haute, under Colonel John P. Bayard, on the 2d September, 1862. On the 4th March, 1863, it shared in the unfortunate aiFair at Thompson's Station, when in common with the other regiments forming Coburn's Bri- gade, it surrendered to the overpowering forces of the rebel General, Forrest. In June, 1863, after an exchange, it again took the field, and won a large portion of that renown accorded to Indiana. It was mustered out on the 12th of June, 1865. The 86th Regiment, of La Fayette, left for Kentucky on the 26th August, 1862, under Colonel Orville S. Hamilton, and shared in the duties assigned to the 84th. Its record is very creditable, particu- larly that portion dealing with the battles of Kashville on the 15th and 16th December, 1864. It was mustered out on the 6th of June, 1865, and reported within a few days at Indianapolis for discharge. The S7th Regiment, organized at South Bend, under Colonels Kline G. Sherlock and N. Gleason, was accepted at Indianapolis on the 31st of August, 1862, and left on the same day en route to HISTOEV OF INDIANA. 225 the front. From Springfield and Perryville on the 6th and 8th of October, 1862, to Mission Ridge, on the 25th of November, 1863, thence througli tlie Atlanta campaign to the surrender of the South- ern armies, it upheld a gallant name, and met with a true and en- thusiastic welcome- home on the 21st of June, 1865, with a list of absent comrades aggregating 451. The 88th Regiment, organized within the Fourth Congressional District, under Col. Geo. Humphrey, entered the service on the 29th of August, 1862, and presently was found among the front ranks in war. It passed through the campaign in brilliant form down to the time of Gen. Johnson's surrender to Gen. Grant, after which, on the 7th of June, 1865, it was mustered out at Washing- ton. The 89th Regiment, formed from the material of the Eleventh Congressional District, was mustered in at Indianapolis, on the 28th of August, 1862, under Col. Chas. D. Murray, and after an exceedingly brilliant campaign was discharged by Gov. Morton on the 4th of August, 1865. The 90th Regiment, or Fifth Cavalry, was organized at Indianapolis under the Colonelcy of Felix W. Graham, between August and November, 1862. The different companies, joining headquarters at Louisville on the 11th of March, 1863, engaged in observing the movements of the enemy in the vicinity of Cumber- land river until the 19th of April, when a first and successful brush was had with the rebels. The regiment had been in 22 en- gagements during the term of service, captured 640 prisoners, and claimed a list of casualties mounting up to the number of 829. It was mustered out on the 16th of June, 1865, at Pulaski. The 91sT Battalion, of seven companies, was mustered into service at Evansville, the 1st of October, 1862, under Lieut.-Colonel John Mehringer, and in ten days later left for the front. In 1863 the regiment was completed, and thenceforth took a very prominent position in the prosecution of the war. During its ser- vice it lost 81 men, and retired from the field on the 26th of June, 1865. The 92d Regiment failed in organizing. The 93d Regiment was mustered in at Madison, Ind., on the 20th of October, 1862, under Col. De Witt C. Thomas and Lieut.- Col. Geo. W. Carr. On the 9th of November it began a move- ment south, and ultimately allied itself to Buckland's Brigade of HISTOET OF INDIANA. Gen. Sbei-inan's. On the 14th of May it was among the first regi- ments to enter Jackson, the capital of Mississij)])!; was next pres- ent at the assault on Yicksburg, and made a stirring campaign down to the storming of Fort Blakel}' on the 9th of April, 1S65. It was discharged on the 11th of August, that year, at Indianapo- lis, after receiving a public ovation. The 94th and 95th Regiments, authorized to be formed within the Fourth and Fifth Congressional Districts, respectively, were only partially organized, and so the few companies that could be mustered were incorporated with other regiments. The 96th Regiment could only bring together three companies, in the Sixth Congressional District, and these becoming incorpo- rated with the 99th then in process of formation at South Bend, the number was left blank. The 97th Regiment, raised in the Seventh Congressional Dis- trict, was mustered into service at Terre Haute, on the 20th of September, 1861, under Col. Robert F. Catterson. Reaching the front within a few days, it was assigned a position near Memphis, and subsequently joined in Gen. Grant's movement on Yicksburg, by overland route. After a succession of great exploits with the several armies to which it was attached, it completed its list of battles at Bentonville, on the 21st of March, 186-5, and was dis- embodied at Washington on the 9th of June following. During its term of service the regiment lost 341 men, including the three Ensigns killed during the assaults on rebel positions along the Augusta Railway, from the loth to the 27th of June, 1864. The 98th Regiment, authorized to be raised within the Eighth Congressional District, failed in its organization, and the number was left blank in the army list. The two companies answering to the call of July, 1862, were consolidated with the 100th Regiment then being organized at Fort Wayne. The 99th Battalion, recruited within the Ninth Congressional District, completed its muster on the 21st of October, 1862, under Col. Alex. Fawler, and reported for service a few days later at Memphis, where it was assigned to the 16tli Army Corps. The va- ried vicissitudes through which this regiment passed and its remark- able gallantry upon ali occasions, have gained for it a fair fame. It was disembodied on the 5th of June, 1865, at "Washington, and returned to Indianapolis on the 11th of the same montli. The 100th Regiment, recruited from the Eighth and Tenth Congressional Districts, under Col. Sandford J. Stoughton, mustered HISTORY OF INDIANA. 227 into the service on the 10th of September, left for the front on the nth of November, and became attached to the Army of Tennessee on the 26th of that month, 1862. The regiment participated in twentj-fi\-e battles, together with skirmishing during fullv one-third of its term of service, and claimed a list of casualties mounting up to four hundred and sixty-four. It was mustered out of the ser- vice at Washington on the 9th of June, and reported at Indianapolis for discharge on the 1-ith of June, 1865. The lOlsT Regiment was mustered into service at "Wabash on the 7th of September, 1862, under Col. "William Garver, and pro- ceeded immediately to Covington, Kentucky. Its early experiences were gained in the pursuit ofBragg's army and John Morgan's cavalry, and these experiences tendered to render the regiment one of the most valuable in the war for the Republic. From the defeat of John Morgan at Milton on the 18th of March, 1863, to the fall of Savannah on tlie 23rd of September, 1863, tlie regiment won many honors, and retired from the service on the 25th of June, 1865, at Indianapolis. THE MOKGAN RAID REGIMENTS — MINUTE MEN. The 102d Regiment, organized under Col. Benjamin M. Gregory from companies of the Indiana Legion, and numbering six hun- dred and twenty-three men and officers, left Indianapolis for the front early in July, and reported at North Vernon on the 12th of July, 1863, and having completed a round of duty, returned to In- dianapolis on the 17th to be discharged. The 103d, comprising seven companies from Hendricks county, two from Marion and one from Wayne counties, numbering 681 men and officers, under Col. Lawrence S. Shuler, was contemporary with the 102d Regiment, varying only in its service by being mus- tered out one day before, or on the 16th of July, 1863. The 104th Regiment of Minute Men was recruited from mem- bers of the Legion of Decatur, La Fayette, Madison, Marion and Rush counties. It comprised 71i men and officers under the command of Col. James Gavin, and was organized within forty hours after the issue of Governor Morton's call for minute men to protect Indiana and Kentucky against the raids of Gen. John. H Morgan's rebel forces. After Morgan's escape into Ohio the command returned and was mustered out on the ISth of July, 1863. The 105th Regiment consisted of seven companies of the Legion and three of Minute Men, furnished by Hancock, Union, Randolph, 228 HISTORY OF INDIANA. Putnam, Wayne, Clinton and Madison counties. The command numbered seven hundred and thirteen men and officers, under Col. Sherlock, and took a leading part in the pursuit of Morgan. Ee- turningon the 18th of July to Indianapolis it was mustered out. The 106th Regiment, under Col. Isaac P. Gray, consisted of one company of the Legion and nine companies of Minute Men, aggregating seven hundred and ninety-two men and officers. The counties of Wayne, Randolph, Hancock, Howard, and Marion were represented in its rank and file. Like the other regiments organized to repel Morgan, it was disembodied in July, 1863. The 107th Regiment, under Col. De Witt C. Rugg, was organ- ized in the city of Indianapolis from the companies' Legion, or Ward Guards. The successes of this promptly organized regiment were unquestioned. The IOSth Regiment comprised five companies of Minute Men, from Tippecanoe county, two from Hancock, and one from each of the counties known as Carroll, Montgomery and Wayne, aggregat- ing 710 men and officers, and all under the command of Col. W. C. Wilson. After performing the only duties presented, it returned from Cincinnati on the 18th of July, and was mustered out. The 109th Regiment, composed of Minute Men from Coles county. 111., La Porte, Hamilton, Miami and Randolph counties, Ind., showed a roster of 709 officers and men, under Col. J. R, Mahon. Morgan having escaped from Ohio, its duties were at an end, and returning to Indianapolis was mustered out on the 17th of July, 18G3, after seven days' service. The 110th Regiment of Minute Men comprised volunteers from Henry, Madison, Delaware, Cass, and Monroe counties. The men were ready and willing, if not really anxious to go to the front. But happily the swift-winged Morgan was driven away, and conse- quently the regiment was not called to the field. The 111th Regiment, furnished by Montgomery, Lafayette, Rush, Miami, Monroe, Delaware and Hamilton counties, number- ing Y33 men and officers, under Col. Robert Canover, was not requisitioned. The 112th Regiment was formed from nine companies of Min- ute Men, and the Mitchell Light Infantry Company' of the Legion. Its strength was 703 men and officers, under Col. Hiram F. Brax- ton. Lawrence, Washington, Monroe and Orange counties were represented on its roster, and the historic names of North Vernon and Sunman's Station on its banner. Returning from the South HISTORY OF INDIANA. 'SZif after seven days' service, it was mustered out oil the 17tli of July, 1863. The 113th Regiment, furnished by Daviess, Martin, Washington, and Monroe counties, comprised 526 rank and lile under Col. Geo. "W. Burge. Like the 112th, it was assigned to Gen. Hughes' Brigade, and defended North Vernon against the repeated attacks of John K. Morgan's forces. The lllxH Regiment was wholly organized in Johnson county, under Col. Lambertson, and participated in the aflair of North Vernon. Returning on the 21st of July, 1863, with its brief but faithful record, it was disembodied at Indianapolis, 11 days after its organization. All these regiments were brought into existence to meet an emergency, and it must be confessed, that had not a sense of duty, military instinct and love of country animated these regi- ments, the rebel General, John H. Morton, and his 6,000 cavalry^ would doubtless have carried destruction as far as the very capital of their State. SIX- months' regiments. The Horn Regiment, organized at Indianapolis in answer to the call of the President in June, 1863, was mustered into service on the 17th of August, under Col. J. R. Mahon. Its service was short but brilliant, and leceived its discharge at Indianapolis the 10th of February, 1864. The 116th Regiment, mustered in on the 17th of August, 1863, moved to Detroit, Michigan, on the 30th, under Col. Charles Wise. During October it was ordered to Nicholasville, Kentucky, where it was assigned to Col. Mahon's Brigade, and with Gen. Willcox's entire command, joined in the forward movement to Cumberland Gap. After a term on severe duty it returned to Lafayette and there was disembodied on the 24th of February, 1864, whither Gov. Morton hastened, to share in the ceremonies of welcome. The 117Tn Regiment of Indianapolis was mustered into service on the 17th of September, 1863, under Col. Thomas J. Brady. After surmounting every obstacle opposed to it, it returned on the 6th of February, 1864, and was treated to a public reception on the 9th. The 118th Regiment, whose organization was completed on the 3d of September, 1863, under Col. Geo. W. Jackson, joined the 116th at Nicholasville, and sharing in its fortunes, returned to the 230 HISTORY OF INDIANA. State capital on the 14th of February, 1864. Its casualties were comprised in a list ol" 15 killed and wounded. Tlie 119th, or Seventh Cavaluy, was recruited under Col. John P. C. Shanks, and its organization completed on the 1st of Octo- ber, 1863. The rank and file numbered 1,213, divided into twelve companies. On the 7th of December its arrival at Louisville was reported, and on the llth it entered on active service. After the well-fought battle of Guntown, Mississippi, on the 10th of June, 1864, although it only brought defeat to our arms. General Grier- son addressed the Seventh Cavalr3\ saying: " Your General con- gratulates j'ou upon your noble conduct during the late expedition. Fighting against overwhelming numbers, under adverse circum- stances, your prompt obedience to orders and unflinching courage commanding the admiration of all, made even defeat almost a vic- tory. For hours on foot you repulsed the charges of the enemies' in- fantry, and again in the saddle you met his cavalry and turned his assaults into confusion. Your heroic perseverance saved hundreds of your fellow-soldiers from capture. You have been faithful to your honorable reputation, and have full}' justified the confidence, and merited the high esteem of your commander." Early in 1S65, a number of these troops, returning from impris- onment in Southern bastiies, were lost on the steamer "Sultana." The survivors of the campaign continued in the service for a long period after the restoration of peace, and finally mustered out. The riOTu IIehiment. In September, 1863, Gov. Morton re- ceived authority from the War Department to organize eleven regi- ments within the State for three years' service. By April, 1864, this organization was complete, and being transferred to the _ com- mand of Brigadier General Alvin P. Ilovey, were formed by him into a division for service with the Army of Tennessee. Of those regiments, the 120th occupied a very prominent place, both on ac- count of its numbers, its perfect discipline and high reputation. It was mustered in at Columbus, and was in all the great battles of the latter years of the war. It won high praise from fri6nd and foe, and retired with its bright roll of honor, after the success of Right and Justice was accomplished. The 121sT, OR Ninth Cavaxrt, was mustered in March 1, 1864, under Col. George W. Jackson, at Indianapolis, and though not numerically strong, was so well equipped and possessed such excel- lent material that on the 8rd of May it was ordered to the front. The record of the 121st, though extending over a brief period, is HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 231 pregnant with deeds of war of a high character. On the 26th of April, 1865, these troops, while returning from their labors in the South, lost 55 men, owing to the explosion of the engines of the steamer " Sultana." The return of the 3S6 survivors, on the 5th of September, 18G5, was hailed with jo}', and jiroved how well and dearlj' the citizens of Indiana loved their soldiers. The 122d Hegiment ordered to be raised in the Third Congres- sional District, owing to very few men being tlien at home, failed in organization, and the regimental number became a blank. The 123d Regiment was furnished by the Fourth and Seventh Congressional Districts during the winter of lK63-'64, and mus- tered, March 9, 1864, at Greensburg, under Col. John C. McQuis- ton. The command left for the front the same day, and after win- ning rare distinction during the last years of the campaign, par- ticularly in its gallantry at Atlanta, and its daring movement to escape Forrest's 15,000 rebel horsemen near Franklin, this regi- ment was discharj^ed on the 30th of August, 1865, at Indianapolis, being mustered out on the 25th, at Raleigh, North Carolina. The 124Tn Regiment completed its organization by assuming three companies raised for the 125th Regiment (which was intended to be cavalry), and was mustered in at Richmond, on the lOtli of March, 1864, under Colonel James Burgess, and reported at Luuis- ville within nine days. From Buzzard's Roost, on the 8th of May, 1864, under General Schofield. Lost Mountain in June, and the capture of Decatur, on the loth July, to the 21st March, 1H65, in its grand advance under General Sherman from Atlanta to the coast, the regiment won many laurel wreaths, and after a brilliant campaign, was mustered out at Greensboro on the 31st August, 1865. The 125th, or Tenth Cavalry, was partially organized during November and December, 1862, at Yincennes, and in February, 1863, completed its numbers and equipment at Columbus, under Colonel T. M. Pace. Early in May its arrival in Nashville was reported, and presently assigned active service. During September and October it engaged rebel contingents under Forrest and Hood, and later in the battles of Nashville, Ptcynold's Hill and Sugar Creek, and in 1865 Flint River, Courtland and Mount Hope. The explosion of tlie Sultana occasioned the loss of thirty-five men with Captain Gaffney and Lieutenants Twigg and Reeves, and in a collision on the Nashville & Louisville railroad. May, 1864, lost live men killed and several wounded. After a term of service un- 232 HISTORY OF INDIANA. surpassed for its utility and character it was disembodied at Vicks- burg, Mississippi, on tlie 31st August, 1S65, and returning to Indianapolis early in September, was welcomed by the Executive and people. The 12Ctii, or Eleventh Cavalry, was organized at Indian- apolis under Colonel Robert R. Stewart, on the 1st of March, 1864, and left in May for Tennessee. It took a very conspicuous part in the defeat of Hood near Nashville, joining in the pursuit as far as Gravelly Springs, Alabama, wliore it was dismounted and assigned infantry duty. In June, 1865, it was remounted at St. Louis, and moved to Fort Riley, Kansas, and thence to Leavenworth, where it •was mustered out on the 19th September, 1S65. The 127Tn, or Twelfth Cavalry, was partially organized at Kendallville, in December, 1863, and perfected at the same place, under Colonel Edward Anderson, in April, 186-4. Reaching the front in May, it went into active service, took a prominent part in the march through Alabama and Georgia, and after a service bril- liant in all its parts, retired from the field, after discharge, on the 22d of November, 1865. The 1'28tu Regiment was raised in the Tenth Congressional Dis- trict of the period, and mustered at Michigan City, under Colonel R. p. De Hart, on the 18th March, 1864. On the 25th it was reported at the front, and assigned at once to Schofield's Division. The battles of Resaca, Dallas, New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, Kenesaw, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Daltou, Brentwood Hills, Nashville, and the six days' skirmish of Columbia, were all participated in by the 128th, and it continued in service long after the termination of hostilities, holding the post of Raleigh, North Carolina. The 129th Regiment was, like the former, mustered in at Michigan City about the same time, under Colonel Charles Case, and moving to the front on the 7th April, 1864, shared in the for- tunes of the 12Sth until August 29, 1865, when it was disembodied at Charlotte, Notrh Carolina. The 130th Regiment, mustered at Kokomo on the 12th March, 1864, under Colonel C. S. Parrish, left en route to the seat of war on the 16th, and was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, at Nashville, on the 19th. During the war it made for itself a brilliant history, and returned to Indian- apolis with its well-won honors on the 13th December, 1865. The 131sT, OR Thirteenth Cavalry, under Colonel G. M L. Johnson, was tiie last mounted regiment recruited within the State. HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 233 It left Indianapolis on the SOth of April, 1864, in infantry trim, and gained its first honors on the 1st of October in its magnificent defense of Huntsville, Alabama, against the rebel division of General Biiford, following a line of first-rate military conduct to the end. In January, 1865, the regiment was remounted, won some distinction in its modern form, and was mustered out at Vicksburg on the 18th of November, 1865. The morale and services of the regiment were such that its Colonel was promoted Brevet Brigadier-General in consideration of its merited honors. THE ONE HUNDRED-DATS VOLUNTEERS. Governor Morton,in obedience to the offer made under his auspices to the general Government to raise volunteer regiments for one hun- dred days' service, issued his call on the 23rd of April, 1864. This movement suggested itself to the inventive genius of the war Gov- ernor as a most important step toward the subjection or annihila- tion of the military supporters of slavery within a year, and thus conclude a war, which, notwithstanding its holy claims to the name of Battles for Freedom, was becoming too protracted, and proving too detrimental to the best interests of the Union. In answer to the esteemed Governor's call eight regiments came forward, and formed The Grand Division of the Volunteers. The 132d Kegiment, under Col. S. C. Vance, was furnished by Indianapolis, Shelbyville, Franklin and Danville, and leaving on the 18th of May, 1864, reached the front where it joined the forces acting in Tennessee. The 133d Regiment, raised at Richmond on the 17th of May, 1864, under Col. R. N. Hudson, comprised nine companies, and followed the 132d. The 134th Regiment, comprising seven companies, was organ- ized at Indianapolis on the 25th of May, 1864, under Col. James Gavin, and proceeded immediately to the front. The 135th Regiment was raised from the volunteers of Bedford, Noblesville and Goshen, with seven companies from the First Con- gressional District, under Col. W, C. Wilson, on the 25th of May, 1864, and left at once en route to the South. The 136th Regiment comprised ten companies, raised in the same districts as those contributing to the 135th, under Col. J. W. Foster, and left for Tennessee on the 24th of May, 1864. The 137th Regiment, under Col. E. J. Robinson, comprising volunteers from Kokomo, Zanesville, Medora, Sullivan, Rockville, 234 HISTORY OF INDIANA. and Owen and Lawrence counties, lefte;i route to Tennessee on the 28th of May, ISGi, liaviug completed organization the day previous. Tiie 138tu Regiment was formed of seven companies from the Ninth, with three from the Eleventh Congressional District (un- reformed), and mustered in at Indianapolis on the 27th of May, 1864, under Col. J. II. Shannon. This fine regiment was re- ported at the front within a few days. The 139tu Eegiment, under Col. Geo. Humphrey, was raised from volunteers furnished by Kendallville, Lawrenceburg, Elizaville, Knightstown, Connersville, Newcastle, Portland, Vevay, New Albany, Metamora, Columbia City, New Haven and New Phila- delphia. It was constituted a regiment on the 8th of June, 1864, and appeared among the defenders in Tennessee during that month. All these regiments gained distinction, and won an enviable po- sition in the glorious history of the war and the ho less glorious one of their own State in its relation thereto. THE president's CALL OF JULY, 1864. The 140th Regiment was organized w'ith many others, in response to the call of the nation. Under its Colonel, Thomas J. Prady, it pro- ceeded to the South on the 15th of November, 1864. Having taken a most prominent part in all the desperate struggles, round Nash- ville and Murfreesboro in 1864, to Town Creek Bridge on the 20th of February, ls65, and completed a continuous round of severe duty to the end, arrived at Indianapolis for discharge on the 21st of July, where Governor Morton received it with marked honors. The 14 1st Regiment was only partially raised, and its few com- panies were incorporated with Col. Brady's command. The 142d Regiment was recruited at Fort Wayne, under Col. 1. M. Comparct, and was mustered into service at Indianapolis on the 3d of November, 1864, After a steady and exceedingly eli'ective service, it returned to Indianapolis on the 16th of July, 1S65. THE president's CALL OF DECEMBER, 1S64, Was answered by Indiana in the most material terms. No less than fourteen serviceable regiments were placed at the disposal of the General Government. The 143d Regiment was mustered in, under Col J. T. Grill, on the 21st February, 1865, reported at Nashville on the 24th, and af- ter a brief but brilliant service returned to the State on the 21st October, 1865. UPENING AN INDIANA FUKKST. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 237 The 144th Regiment, under Col. G. W. Kiddle, was mustered in on tlie 6tli March, 1865, left on the 9th for Harper's Ferry, took an effective part in the close of the campaign and reported at Indian- apolis for discharge on the 9th August, 1865. The 145th Regimpjnt, under Col. W. A. Adams, left Indianapolis on the 18th of February, 1865, and joining Gen. Steadman's division at Chattanooga on tlie 23d was sent on active service. Its duties were discharged with rare fidelity until mustered out in January, 1866. The 146th Regiment, under Col. M. C. Welsh, left Indianapolis on the lltli of March en route to Harper's Ferry, where it was i.s- signed to the army of the Shenandoah. The duties ot this regiment were severe and continuous, to the period of its muster out at Bal- timore on the 31st of August, 1S65. The 147th Regiment, comprised among other volunteers from Benton, Lafayette and Henry counties, organized under Col. Milton Peden on the 13th of March, 1865, at Indianapolis. It shared a fortune similar to that of the 146th, and returned for discharge on the 9th of August, 1865. The 14Sth Regiment, under Col. N. R. Ruckle, left the State capital on the 28th of February, 1865, and reporting at Nashville, was sent on guard and garrison duty into the heart of Tennessee. Returning to Indianapolis on the 8th of September, it received a final discharge. The 149Tn Regiment was organized at Indianapolis by Col. "W. H. Fairbanks, and left on the 3d of March, 1865, for Tennessee, where it had the honor of receiving the surrender of the rebel forces, and military stores of Generals Roddy and Polk. The reg- iment was welcomed home by Morton on the 29th of September. The 150th Regiment, under Col. M. B. Taylor, mustered in on the 9th of March, 1865, left for the South on the 13th and reported at Harper's Ferry on the ITth. This regiment did guard duty at Charleston, Winchester, Stevenson Station, Gordon's Springs, and after a service characterized by utility, returned on the 9th of August to Indianapolis for discliarge. The 151sT Regiment, under Col. J. Healy, arrived at Nashville on the 9th of March, 1865. On the 14th a movement on Tullahoma was undertaken, and three months later returned to Nashville for garrison duty to the close of the war. It was mustered out on the 22d of September, 1S65. The 152d Regiment was organized at Indianapolis, under Col. '238 HISTORY OF INDIANA. W. W Griswokl, and left for Harper's Ferry on the IStliof March, 1865. It was attaclied to the ])rovisional divisions of Shenandoah Ami}-, and engaged until tlie 1st of Septemher, when it was dis- cliarged at Indianapolis. The 153d Regiment was "organized at Indianapolis on the 1st of March, 1865, under Col. O. H. P. Care}-. It reported at Louis- ville, and by order of Gen. Palmer, was held on service in Ken- tucky, where it was occupied in the exciting but very dangerous pastime of fighting Southern guerrillas. Later it was posted at Louisville, until mustered out on the 4th of September, 1865. The ISlrTH Eegiment, organized under Col. Frank Wilcox, left Indianapolis under Major Simpson, I'or Parkersburg, W. Virginia, on the 2Sth of April, 1865. It was assigned to guard and garrison duty until its discharge on the 4th of August, 1865. The 155th Regiment, recruited throughout the State, lelt on the 26th of April for Washington, and was afterward assigned to a provisional Brigade of the Ninth Army Corps at Alexandria. The companies of this regiment were scattered over the countr}', — at Dover, Centreville, Wilmington, and Salisbury, but becoming re- united on the 4th of August, 1SG5, it was mustered out at Dover, Delaware. The 156tii Battalion, under Lieut. -Colonel Charles M. Smith, left en route to the Shenandoah Valley on the 27th of April, 1 805, where it continued doing guard duty to the period of its muster out the 4th of August, 1865, at Winchester, Virginia. On the return of these regiments to Indianapolis, Gov. Morton and the people received them with all that characteristic cordiality and enthusiasm peculiarly their own. independent cavalry company of INDIANA VOLUNTEERS. The people of Crawford county, animated with that inspiriting patriotism which the war drew forth, organized this mounted com- pany on the 25tli of July, 1863, and placed it at the disposal of the Government, and it was mustered into service by order of the War Secretary, on the 13th of August, 1863, under Captain L. Lamb. To the close of the year it engaged in the laudable pursuit of arresting deserters and enforcing the draft; however, on the 18th of January, 1864, it was reconstituted and incorporated with the Thirteenth Cavalry, with which it continued to serve until the treason of Americans against America was conquered. HISTORY OF INDIANA. Zdy OUR COLORED TROOPS. The 2STn Regiment of Colored Troops was recruited through- out tlie State of Indiana, and under Lieut.-Colonel Charles S. Kussell, left Indianapolis for the fronton the 24th of April, 1864. The retjiment acted very well in its first engagement with the rebels at White House, Virginia, and again with Gron. Sheridan's Cavalry, in the swamps of the Chickahominy In the battle of the "Crater," it lost half its roster; but their place was soon filled by other colored recruits from the State, and Russell promoted to the Colonelcy, and afterward to Brevet Brigadier-General, when he was succeeded in the command by Major Thomas TI. Logan. During the few months of its active service it accumulated quite a liistory, and was ultimately discharged, on the 8th of January, 1866, at Indianapolis. batteries of light artillery. First Battery, organized at Evansville, under Captain Martin Klauss, and mustered in on the 16th of August, 1861, joined Gen. Fremont's army immediately, and entering readily upon its salu- tary course, aided in the capture of 950 rebels and their position at Blackwater creek. On March the 6th, 1S62 at Elkhoni Tavern, and on the 8th at Pea Ridge, the battery performed good service. Port Gibson, Champion Hill, Jackson, the Teche country, Sabine Cross Roads, Grand Encore, all tell of its efiicacy. In 1864 it was subjected to reorganization, when Lawrence Jacoby was raised to the Captiancy, vice Klauss resigned. After a long term of useful service, it was mustered out at Indianapolis on the 18th of August, 1865. Second Battery was organized, under Captain D. G. Rabb, at Indianapolis on the 9th of August, 1861, and one month later pro- ceeded to the front. It participated in the campaign against Col. Coffee's irregular troops and the rebellious Indians of the Cherokee nation. From Lone Jack, Missouri, to Jenkin's Ferry and Fort Smith it won signal honors until its reorganization in 1SG4, and even after, to June, 1865, it maintained a very fair reputation. The Third Battery, under Capt. W. W. Frybarger, was organ- ized and mustered in at Connersville on the 24th of August, 1861, and proceeded immediately to join Fremont's Army of the Mis- souri. Moon's Mill, Kirksville, Meridian, Fort de Russy, Alex- andria, Round Lake, Tupelo, Clinton and Tallahatchie are names 5J4U HISTORY OF INDIANA, which may be engraven on its guns. It participated in the affairs before Nashville on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864, when General Hood's Army was put to route, and at Fort Blakely, out- side Mobile, after which it returned home to report for discharge, August 21, 1865. The FouKTii Battery, recruited in La Porte, Porter and Lake counties, reported at the front early in October, 1861, and at once assumed a prominent place in the army of Gen. Buell. Again under Rosencrans and McCook and under General Sheridan at Stone River, the services of this battery were much praised, and it retained its well-earned reputation to the very day of its muster out — the 1st of August, 1866. Its first organization was completed under Capt. A. K. Bush, and reorganized in Oct., 1864, under Oapt B. F. Johnson. The Fifth Battery was furnished by La Porte, Allen, Whitley and Noble counties, organized under Capt. Peter Simonson, and mus- tered into service on tlie 22d of November, 1861. It comprised four six pounders, two being rifled cannon, and two twelve-pounder Howitzers with a force of 158 men. Reporting at Camp Gil- bert, Louisville, on the 29th, it was shortly after assigned to the division of Gen. Mitchell, at Bacon Creek. Daring its term, it served in twenty battles and numerous petty actions, losing its Cap- tain at Pine Mountain. The total loss accruing to the battery was 84 men and officers and four guns It was mustered out on the 20th of July, 1864. The Sixth Battery was recruited at Evansville, under Captain Frederick Behr, and left, on the 2d of Oct., 1861, for the front, reporting at Henderson, Kentucky, a few days after. Early in 1862 it joined Gen. Sherman's army at Paducah, and participated in the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of April. Its history grew in brilliancy until the era of peace insured a cessation of its great labors. The Seventh Battery comprised volunteers from Terre Haute, Arcadia, Evansville, Salem, Lawrenceburg, Columbus, Vin- cennes and Indianapolis, under Samuel J. Harris as its first Captain, who was succeeded by G. R. Shallow and O. fl. Mor- gan after its reorganization. From the siege of Corinth to the capture of Atlanta it performed vast services, and returned to Indianapolis on the 11th of July, 1865, to be received by the peo- ple and hear its history from the lips of the veteran patriot and Governor of the State. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 241 The Eighth Battery, under Captain G. T. Cochran, arrived at the froHt on the 26th of Febrnary, 1862, and subsequently entered upon its real duties at the siege of Corinth. It served with dis- tinction throughout, and concluded a well-made campaign under Will Stokes, who was appointed Captain of the companies with which it was consolidated in March, 1865. The XiNTu Battery. The organization of this battery was perfected at Indianapolis, on the 1st of January, 1862, under Capt. JM. S. Thompson. Moving to the front it participated in the aflairs of Shiloh, Corinth, Queen's Hill, Meridian, Fort Dick Taylor, Fort de Russy, Henderson's Hill, Pleasant Hill, Cotile Landing, Bayou Kapids, Mansura, Chicot, and many others, winning a name in each engagement. The explosion of the steamer Eclipse at Johnson- ville, above Paducah, on Jan. 27, 1S65, resulted in the destruction of 58 men, leaving only ten to represent the battery. The survivors reached Indianapolis on the 6th of March, and were mustered out. The Tenth Battery was recruited at Lafayette, and mastered in under Capt. Jerome B. Cox, in January, 1861. Having passed through the Kentucky campaign against Gen. Bragg, it partici- pated in many of the great engagements, and finally returned to report for discharge on the 6th of July, 1861, having, in the mean- time, won a very fair fame. Tlie Eleventh Battery was organized at Lafayette, and mus- tered in at Indianapolis under Capt. Arnold Sutermeister, on the I7th of December, 1861. On most of the principal battle-fields, from Shiloh, in 1862, to the capture of Atlanta, it maintained a high reputation for military excellence, and after consolidation with the Eighteenth, mustered out on the 7th of June, 1865. Tiie Twelfth Battery was recruited at Jeffersonville and sub- sequently mustered in at Indianapolis. On the 6th of March, 1862, it reached Nashville, having been previously assigned to Buell's Army. In April its Captain, G. W. Sterling, resigned, and the position devolved on Capt. James E. White, who, in turn, was suc- ceeded by James A. Dunwoody. The record of the battery holds a first place in the history of the period, and enabled both men and officers to look back with pride upon the battle-fields of the land. It was ordered home in June, 1865, and on reaching Indianapolis, on the 1st of July, was mustered out on the 7th of that month. The Thirteenth Battery was organized under Captain Sewell Coulson, during the winter of 1861, at Indianapolis, and proceeded to the front in February, 1862. During the subsequent months it HISTORY OV INDIANA. was occupied in the pursuit of John H. Morgan's raiders, and aided effectively in driving them from Kentucky. This artillery company returned from the South on the 4:th of July, 1865, and were discharged the day following. The Fourteenth Batteut, recruited in Wabash, Miami, Lafay- ette, and Huntington counties, under Captain M. II. Kidd, and Lieutenant J. W. H. McGuire, left Indianapolis on the 11th of April, 1862, and within a few months one portion of it was cap- tured at Lexington by Gen. Forrest's great cavalry command. The main battery lost two gnus and two men at Guntown, on the Mis- sissippi, but proved more successful at Nashville and Mobile. It arrived home on the 29tli of August. 1865, received a public wel- come, and its final discharge. The FiBTEENTH Battery, under Captain I. C. H. Von Sehlin, was retained on duty from the date of its organization, at Indian- apolis, until the 5th of July, 1862, when it was moved to Harper's Ferr}'. Two months later the gallant defense of Maryland Heights was set at naught by the rebel Stonewall Jackson, and the entire garrison surrendered. Being paroled, it was reorganized at Indian- apolis, and appeared again in the field in March, 1863, where it won a splendid renown on every well-fought field to the close of the war. It was mustered out on the 2-lth of June, 1865. The Sixteenth Battery was organized at Lafayette, under Capt. Charles A. Naylor, and on the 1st of June, 1862, left for Washington. Moving to the front with Gen. Pope's command, it participated in the battle of Slaughter Mountain, on the 9th of August, and South Mountain, and Antietam, under Gen. McClel- lan. This battery was engaged in a large number of general en- gagements and flying column affairs, won a very favorable record,, and returned on the 5th of July, 1865. The Seventeenth Battery, under Capt. Milton L. Miner, was mustered in at Indianapolis, on the 20th of May, 1862, left for the front on the 5th of July, and subsequently engaged in the Gettys- burg expedition, was present at Harper's ferry, July 6, 1863, and at Opequan on the 19th of September. Fisher's Hill, New Mar- ket, and Cedar Creek brought it additional honors, and won from Gen. Sheridan a tribute of praise for its service on these battle grounds. Ordered from Winchester to Indianapolis it was mus- tered out there on the 3d of July, 1865. The Eighteenth Battery, under Capt. Eli Lilly, left for the HISTORY OF INDIANA. 243 front in August, 1862, but did not take a leading part in tlie cam- paign until 1863, when, under Gen. Eosencrans, it appeared prom- inent at Hoover's Gap. From this period to the aifairs of "West Point and Macon, it performed first-class service, and returned to its State on the 25th of June, 1865. The Nineteenth Battery was mustered into service at Indian- apolis, on the 5th of August, 1862, under Capt. S. J. Harris, and proceeded immediately afterward to the front, where it participated in the campaign against Gen. Bragg. It was present at every post of danger to the end of the war, when, after the surrender of John- son's army, it returned to Indianapolis. Reaching that city on the 6th of June, 1865, it was treated to a public reception and received the congratulations of Gov. Morton. Four days later it was discharged. The Twentieth Battery, organized under Capt. Frank A. Rose, left the State capital on the 17th of December, 1862, for the front, and reported immediately at Henderson, Kentucky. Subsequently Captain Rose resigned, and, in 1863, under Capt. Osborn, turned over its guns to the 11th Indiana Battery, and was assigned to the charge of siege guns at Nashville. Gov. Morton had the battery supplied with new field pieces, and by the 5th of October, 1S63, it was again in tlie field, where it won many honors under Sherman, and continued to exercise a great influence until its return on the 23d of June, 1865. The Twenty-first Battery recruited at Indianapolis, under the direction of Captain "W. W. Andrew, left on the 9th of September, 1862, for Covington, Kentucky, to aid in its defense against the advancing forces of Gen. Kirby Smith. It was engaged in numerous military affairs and may be said to acquire many honors, although its record is stained with the names of seven deserters. The battery was discharged on the 21st of June, 1865. Tiie Twenty-second Battery was mustered in at Indianapolis on the 15th of December, 1862, under Capt. B. F. Denning, and moved at once to the front. It took a very conspicuous part in the pursuit of Morgan's Cavalry, and in many other affairs. It threw the first sliot into Atlanta, and lost its Captain, who was killed in the skirmish line, on the 1st of July. .While the list of casualties numbers only 35, that of desertions numbers 37. This battery was received with public honors on its return, the 25th of June, 1865, and mustered out on the 7th of the same month. 244 HISTORY OF INDIANA. The TwENTT-THiED Battert, recruited in October 1862, and mustered in on the 8th of November, under Capt. I. H. Myers, pro- ceeded south, after having rendered very efficient services at home in guarding the camps of rebel prisoners. In July, 1863, the battery took an active part, under General Boyle's command, in routing and capturing the raiders at Brandenburgh, and subsequently to the close of the war performed very brilliant exploits, reaching Indianapolis in June, 1865. It was discharged on the 27th of that month. The Twenty-fourth Battery, under Capt. I. A. Simms, was ■enrolled for service on the 29th of November, 1862; remained at Indianapolis on duty until tha 13thof March, 1863, when it left for the field. From its participation in the Cumberland River campaign, to its last engagement at Columbia, Tennessee, it aided materially in bringing victory to the Union ranks and made for itself a widespread fame. Arriving at Indianapolis on the 2Sth of July, it was publicly received, and in five days later disembodied. The Twenty-fifth Battery was recruited in September and Oc- tober, 1864, and mustered into service for one year, under Capt. Frederick C. Sturm. December 13th, it reported at Nashville, and took a prominent part in the defeat of Gen. Hood's army. Its duties until July, 1865, were continuous, when it returned to report for final discharge. The Twenty-sixth Battery, or "Wilder's Battery," was re- cruited under Capt. I. T. Wilder, of Greensburg, in May, 1S61; but was not mustered in as an artillery company. Incorporating itself with a regiment then forming at Indianapolis it was mustered as company "A," of the 17th Infantry, with Wilder as Lieutenant- Colonel of the regiment. Subsequently, at Elk Water, Virginia, it was converted into the "First Independent Battery," and became known as " Rigby's Battery." The record of this battery is as brilliant as any won during the war. On every field it has won a distinct reputation; it was well worthy the enth,usiastic reception given to it on its return to Indianapolis on the 11th and 12th of July, 1865. During its term of service it was subject to many transmutations; but in every phase of its brief history, areputation for gallantry and patriotism was maintained which now forms a living testimonial to its services to the public. The total number of battles in the " War of the Rebellion " in which the patriotic citizens of the great and noble State of Indiana were more or less engaged, was as follows: HISTORY OF INDIANA. 245 Locality. Virginia Tennessee Georgia Mississippi No. of Battles. 90 51 41 2i Locality. Maryland Texas South Carolina No. of Battles. 7 3 2 Pennsylvania Ohio r 16 15 1 Indiana Total 1 MissouV North Carolina 9 308 The regiments sent forth to the defense of the Republic in the hour of its greatest peril, when a host of her own sons, blinded by some unholy infatuation, leaped to arras that they might trample upon the liberty-giving principles of the nation, have been passed in very brief review. The authorities chosen for the dates, names, and figures are the records of the State, and the main subject is based upon the actions of those 267,000 gallant men of Indiana who rushed to arms in defense of all for which their fathers bled, leaving their wives and children and homes in the guardianship of a truly paternal Governinent. The relation of Indiana to the Eepiiblic was then established; for when the population of the State, at the time her sons went forth to participate in war for the maintenance of the Union, is brought into comparison with all other States and countries, it will be apparent that the sacrifices made by Indiana from 1861-'65 equal, if not actually exceed, the noblest of those recorded in the history of ancient or modern times. Unprepared for the terrible inundation of modern wickedness, which threatened to deluge the country in a sea of blood and rob, a people of their richest, their most prized inheritance, the State rose above all precedent, and under the benign influence of patriot- ism, guided bj' the well-directed zeal of a wise Governor and Government, sent into the field an army that in numbers was gigantic, and in moral and physical excellence never equaled It is laid down in the ofticial reports, furnished to the War De- partment, that over 200,000 troops were specially organized to aid in crushing the legions of the slave-holder; that no less than 50,000 militia were armed to defend the State, and that the large, but abso- lutely necessary number of commissions issued was 17,114. All this proves the scientific skill and military economy exercised by the Governor, and Ijrought to the aid of the people in a most terri- ble emergency; for he, with some prophetic sense of the gravity of the situation, saw that unless the greatest powers of the Union were put forth to crush the least justifiable and most pernicious Z4b HISTORY OF INDIANA. of all rebellions holding a place in the record of nations, the best blood of the country would flow in a vain attempt to avert a catas- trophe wliich, if prolonged for many years, would result in at least the moral and commercial ruin of the country. The part which Indiana took in the war against the Rebellion is one of which the citizens of the State may well be proud. In the number of troops furnished, and in the amount of voluntary con- tributions rendered, Indiana, in proportion and wealth, stands equal to any of her sister States. " It is also a subject of gratitude and thankfulness," said Gov. Morton, in his message to the Legis- lature, " that, while the number of troops furnished by Indiana alone in this great contest would have done credit to a first-class nation, measured by the standard of previous wars, not a single battery or battalion from this State has brought reproach upon the national flag, and no disaster of the war can be traced to any want of fidelit\', courage or elficiency on the part of any Indiana officer. The endurance, heroism, intelligence and skill of the officers and soldiers sent forth by Indiana to do battle for the Union, have shed a luster on our beloved State, of which any people might justly be proud. Without claiming superiority over our loyal sister States, it is but justice to the brave men who have represented us on almost every battle-field of the war, to say that their deeds have placed Indiana in the front rank of those heroic States which rushed to the rescue of the imperiled Government of the nation. The total number of troops furnished by the State for all terms of service exceeds 200,000 men, much the greater portion of tliem being for three years; and in addition thereto not less than 50,000 State militia have from time to time been called into active service to repel rebel raids and defend our southern border from inva- sion." AFTER THE V.'AK. In 1867 tlie Legislature comprised 91 Republicans and 59 Dem- ocrats. Soon after the commencement of the session, Gov. Morton resigned his office in consequence of having been elected to the U. S. Senate, and Lieut.-Gov. Conrad Baker assumed the Executive chair during the remainder of Morton's term. This Legislature, by a very decisive vote, ratified the 14tli amendment to the Federal Constitution, constituting all persons born in the country or sub- ject to its jurisdiction, citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside, without regard to race or color; reduc- VIEW UN TUK WAiJASU KlViill. HISTOKY OF INDIANA. 249 ing the Congressional representation in any State in which there should be a restriction of the exercise of the elective franchise on account of race or color; disfranchising persons therein named who shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the United States; and declaring that the validity of the public debt of the United States authorized by law, shall not be questioned. This Legislature also passed an act providing for the registry of votes, the punishment of fraudulent practices at elections, and for the apportionment and compensation of a Board of Registration; this Board to consist, in each township, of two freeholders appointed by the County Commissioners, together with the trustee of such township; in cities the freeholders are to be appointed in each ward by the city council. The measures of this law are very strict, and are faithfully executed. No cries of fraud in elections are heard in connection with Indiana. This Legislature also divided the State into eleven Congressional Districts and apportioned their representation; enacted a law for the protection and indemnity of all officers and soldiers of the United States and soldiers of the Indiana Legion, for acts done in the military service of the United States, and in the military ser- vice of the State, and in enforcing the laws and preserving the peace of the country; made definite appropriations to the several benevolent institutions of the State, and adopted several measures for the encouragement of education, etc. In 1868, Indiana was the first in the field of national politics, both the principal parties holding State conventions early in the year. The Democrats nominated T. A. Hendricks for Governor, and denounced in their platform the reconstruction policy of the Republicans; recommended that United States treasury notes be substituted for national bank currency; denied that the General Government had a right to interfere with the question of suffrage in any of the States, and opposed negro suffrage, etc. ; while the Republicans nominated Conrad Baker for Governor, defended its reconstruction policy, opposed a further contraction of the currency, etc. The campaign was an exciting one, and Mr. Baker was elected Governor by a majority of only 961. In the Presidential election that soon followed the State gave Grant 9,572 more than Seymour. During 1868 Indiana presented claims to the Government for about three and a half millions dollars for expenses incurred in the war, and $1,958,917.94 was allowed. Also, this year, a legislative 250 HISTOKY OF INDIANA. commission reported that $413,599.48 were allowed to parties suf- fering loss by the Morgan raid. Tliis year Governor Baker obtained a site for the House of Refuge. (See a subsequent page.) The Soldiers' and Seamen's Home, near Knightstown, originally established by private enter- prise and benevolence, and adopted by the Legislature of the previous year, was in a good condition. Up to that date the insti- tution had afforded relief and temporary subsistence to 400 men who had been disabled in the war. A substantial brick building had been built for the home, while the old buildings were used for an orphans' department, in which were gathered 86 children of deceased soldiers. DIVORCE LAWS. By some mistake or liberal design, the early statute laws of Indiana on the subject of divorce were rather more loose than those of most other States in this Union; and this subject had been a matter of so much jest among the public, that in 1870 the Governor recommended to the Legislature a reform in this direction, which was pretty effectually carried out. Since that time divorces can be granted only for the following causes: 1. Adultery. 2. Impo- tency existing at the time of marriage. 3. Abandonment for two years. 4. Cruel and inhuman treatment of one party by the other. 5. Habitual drunkenness of either party, or the failure of the hus- band to make reasonable provision for the family. 6 The failure of the husband to make reasonable provision for the family for a period of two years. 7. The conviction of either party of an infamous FINANCIAL. Were it not for political government the pioneers would have got along without money much longer than they did. The pressure of governmental needs was somewhat in advance of the monetary income of the first settlers, and the little taxation required to carry on the government seemed great and even oppressive, especially at certain periods. In November, 1821, Gov. Jennings convened the Legislature in extra session to provide for the payment of interest on the State debt and a part of the principal, amounting to $20,000. It was thought that a sufBcient amount would be realized in the notes of the State bank and its branches, although they %vere considerably depreciated, Said the Governor: " It will be oppressive if the State^ after the paper of this institution (State bank) was author- ized to be circulated in revenue, should be prevented by any assign- ment of the evidences of existing debt, from discharging at least so much of that debt with the paper of the bank as will absorb the collections of the present year; especially when their notes, after being made receivable by the agents of the State, became greatly depreciated by great mismanagement on the part of the bank itself. It ought not to be expected that a public loss to the State should be avoided by resorting to any measures which would not comport with correct views of public justice; nor should it be anticipated that the treasury of the United States would ultimately adopt measures to secure an uncertain debt which would inter- fere with arrangements calculated to adjust the demand against the State without producing any additional embarrassment." The state of the public debt was indeed embarrassing, as the bonds which had been executed in its behalf had been assigned. The exciting cause of this proceeding consisted in the machinations of unprincipled speculators. Whatever disposition the principal bank may have made of the funds deposited by the United States, the connection of interest between the steaiu-niill company and the bank, and the extraordinary accommodations, as well as their amount, effected by arrangements of the steam-mill agency and some of the officers of the bank, were among the principal causes which 252 HISTORY OF INDIANA. had prostrated the paper circulating medium of the State, so far as it was dependent on the State bank and its branches. An abnormal state of affiiirs like this very naturally produced a blind disburse- ment of the fund to some extent, and this disbursement would be called by almost every one an '' unwise administration." Durinw the first 16 years of this century, the belligerent condi- tion of Europe called for agricultural supplies from America, and the consequent high price of grain justified even the remote pio- neers of Indiana in undertaking the tedious transportation of the products of the soil which the times forced upon them. The large disbursements made by the general Government among the peo- ple naturally engendered a rage for speculation; numerous banks with fictitious capital were established; immense issues of paper were made; and the circulating medium of the country was in- creased fourfold in the course of two or three years. This infla- tion produced the consequences which always follow such a scheme, namely, unfounded visions of wealth and splendor and the wild investments which result in ruin to the many and wealth to the few. The year 1821 was consequently one of great financial panic, and was the first experienced by the early settlers of the West. In 1822 the new Governor, William Hendricks, took a liopeful view of the situation, referring particularly to the " agricultural and social happiness of the State." The crops were abundant this year, immigration was setting in heavily and everything seemed to have an upward look. But the customs of the white race still com- pelling them to patronize European industries, combined with the remoteness of the surplus produce of Indiana from European mar- kets, constituted a serious drawback to the accumulation of wealth. Such a state of things naturally changed the habits of the people to some extent, at least for a short time, assimilating them to those of more primitive tribes. This change of custom, however, was not severe and protracted enough to change the intelligent and social nature of the people, and they arose to their normal height on the very first opportunity. In lS22-'3, before speculation started up again, the snrphis money was invested mainly in domestic manufactories instead of other and wilder commercial enterprises. Home manufactories were what the people needed to make them more independent. They not only gave employment to thousands whose services were before that valueless, but also created a market for a great portion HISTORY OF INDIANA. 253 of the surplus produce of the farmers. A part of the surphis cap- ital, however, was also sunk in internal improvements, some of which were unsuccessful for a time, but eventually proved remu- nerative. Nuah Noble occupied the Executive chair of the State from 1831 to 1837, commencing his duties amid peculiar embarrassments. The crops of 1S32 were short, Asiatic cholera came sweeping along the Ohio and into the interior of the State, and the Black Hawk war raged in the Northwest, — all these at once, and j'et the work of internal improvements was actually begun. STATE BANK. The State bank of Indiana was established by law January 28, 1834. The act of the Legislature, by its own terms, ceased to be a law, January 1, 1857. At the time of its organization in 1834, its outstanding circulation was $4,208,725, with a debt due to the insti- tution, principally from citizens of the State, of $6,095,368. During the years 1857-'58 the bank redeemed nearly its entire circulation, providing for the redemption of all outstanding obligations; at this time it had collected from most of its debtors the money which they owed. The amounts of the State's interest in the stock of the bank was $1,390,000, and the money thus invested was procured by the issue of five per cent bonds, the last of which was payable July 1, 1866. The nominal profits of the bank were $2,780,604.36. By the law creating the sinking fund, that fund was appropriated, first, to pay the principal and interest on the bonds; secondlj', the expenses of the Commissioners; and lastly the cause of common-school educa- tion. The stock in all the branches authorized was subscribed by indi- viduals, and the installment paid as required by the charter. The loan authorized for the payment on the stock allotted to the State, amounting to $500,000, was obtained at a premium of 1.05 per per cent, on five per cent, stock, making the sum of over $5,000 on the amount borrowed. In 1836 we find that the State bank was doing good service; agricultural products were abundant, and the market was good; consequently the people were in the full enjoy- ment of all the blessings of a free government. By the year 1843 the State was experiencing the disasters and embarassment consequent upon a system of over-banking, and its natural progeny, o\^er-trading and deceptive speculation. Such a state of things tends to relax the hand of industry by creating false 254: HISTOKY OF INDUNA. notions of wealth, and tempt to sudden acquisitions by means as delu- sive in their results as they are contrary to a primary law of nature. The people began more tlian ever to see the necessity of falling back upon that branch of industry for which Indiana, especially at that time, was particularly fitted, namel}', agriculture, as the true and lasting source of substantial wealth. Gov. Whitcomb, lS43-'49, succeeded well in maintaining the credit of the State. Measures of compromise betv/een the State and its creditors were adopted by which, ultimately, the public works, although incomplete, were given in payment for the claims against the Government. At the close of his term. Gov. Whitcomb was elected to the Senate of the United States, and from December, 1818, to Decem- ber, 1849, Lieut-Gov. Paris C. Dunning was acting Governor. In 1851 a general banking law was adopted wliich gave a new impetus to the commerce of the State, and opened the way for a broader volume of general trade; but this law was the source of many abuses; currency was expanded, a delusive idea of wealth again prevailed, and as a consequence, a great deal of damaging speculation was indulged in. In 1857 the charter of the State bank expired, and the large gains to the State in that institution were directed to the promotion of common-school education. WEALTH AND PEOGEESS. During the war of the Eebellion the financial condition of the people was of course like that of the other Northern States generally. 1870 found the State in a very prosperous condition. October 31 of this year, the date of the fiscal report, there was a surplus of $373,249 in the treasury. The receipts of the year amounted to $3,605,639, and the disbursements to $2,943,600, leaving a balance of $1,035,288. The total debt of the State in November, 1871, was $3,937,821. At the present time the principal articles of export from the State are flour and pork. Nearly all the wheat raised within tlie State is manufactured into flour within its limits, especially in the north- ern part. The pork business is the leading one in the southern part of the State. When we take into consideration the vast extent of railroad lines in this State, in connection with the agricultural and mineral resources, both developed and undeveloped, as already noted, we can HISTORY OF INDIANA. 255 see what a substantial foundation exists for the future welfare of this great commonwealth. Almost every portion of the State is coming up equally. The disposition to monopolize does not exist to a greater degree than is desirable or necessary for healthy compe- tition. Speculators in flour, pork and other commodities appeared during the war, but generally came to ruin at their own gaine. The agricultural connnunity here is an independent one, under- standing its rights, and " knowing them will maintain them." Indiana is more a manufacturing State, also, than many imagine. It probably has the greatest wagon and carriage manufactory in the world. In 1S75 the total number of manufacturing establishments in this State was 16,812; number of steam engines, 3,681:, with a total horse-power of 114,961; the total horse-power of water wheels, 38,614; number of hands employed in the manufactories, 86,402; capital employed, is $117,4-62,161; wages paid, $35,461,987; cost of material, $104,321,632; value of products, $301,304,271. These figures are on an average about twice what they were only live years previously, at which time they were about double what they were ten years before that. In manufacturing enterprise, it is said that Indiana, in proportion to her population, is considerably in advance of Illinois and Michigan. In 1870 the assessed valuation of the real estate in Indiana was $460,120,974; of personal estate, 8-203,334,070; true valuation of both, $1,268,180,543. According to the evidences of increase at that time, the value of taxable property in this State must be double the foregoing figures. Tiiis is utterly astonishing, especially when ws consider what a large matter it is to double the elements of a large and wealthy State, compared witii its increase in infancy. The taxation for State purposes in 1870 amounted to $2,943,078; for county purposes, $4,654,476; and for municipal purposes, $3,193,577. The total county debt of Indiana in 1870 was $1,127,- 269, and the total debt of towns, cities, etc., was $2,523,934. In the compilation of this statistical matter we have before us the statistics of every element of progress in Indiana, in the U. S. Census Reports; but as it would be really improper for us further to burden these pages with tables or columns of large numbers, we will conclude by remarking that if any one wishes further details in these matters, he can readily find them in the Census Reports of the Government in any city or village in the country. Besides, almost any one can obtain, free of charge, from bis representative in 256 HISTOBT OF INDIANA. Congress, all these and other public documents in which he may be interested. INTERNAL IMPEOVEMEKTS. This subject began to be agitated as early as 1818, during the administration of Governor Jennings, who, as well as all the Governors succeeding him to 1843, made it a special point in their messages to the Legislature to urge the adoption of measures for the construction of highways and canals and the improvement of the navigation of rivers. Gov. Hendricks in 1822 specitied as the most important improvement the navigation of the Falls of the Ohio, the Wabash and White rivers, and other streams, and the construction of the National and other roads through the State. In 1826 Governor Ray considered the construction of roads and canals as a necessity to place the State on an et^ual financial footing with the older States East, and in 1829 he added: "This subject can never grow ii-ksome, since it must be the source of the bless- ings of civilized life. To secure its benefits is a duty enjoined upon the Legislature by the obligations of the social compact." In 1830 the people became much excited over the project of con- necting the streams of the country by " The National New York & Mississippi railroad." The National road and the Michigan and Ohio turnpike were enterprises in whicii the people and Legis- lature of Indiana were interested. The latter had already been the cause of much bitter controversy, and its location was then the subject of contention. In 1832 the work of internal improvements fairly commenced, despite the partial failure of the crops, the Black Hawk war and the Asiatic cholera. Several war parties invaded the Western settlements, exciting great alarm and some sufiering. This year the canal commissioners completed the task assigned them and had negotiated the canal bonds in New York city, to the amount of $100,000, at a premium of 13^ per cent., on terms honorable to the State and advantageous to the work. Before the close of tnis year $5-4,000 were spent for the improvement of the Michigan road, and $52,000 were realized from tiie sale of lands appropriated for its construction. In 1832, 32 miles of the Wabash and Erie canal was placed under contract and work commenced. A communication was addressed to the Governor of Ohio, requesting him to call the attention of the Legislature of that State to the subject of the extension of the canal from the Indiana line through Ohio to the HISTORY OF INDIANA. 257 Lake. In compliance with this request, Governor Lucas promptly laid the subject before the Legislature of the State, and, in a spirit of courtesy, resolutions were adopted by that body, stipulating that if Ohio should ultimately decline to undertake the completion of that portion of the work within her limits before the time fixed by the act of Congress for the coijipletion of the canal, she would, on just and equitable terms, enable Indiana to avail herself of the bene- fit of the lands granted, by authorizing her to sell them and invest the proceeds in the stock of a company to be incorporated by Ohio; and that she would give Indiana notice of her final determination on or before January 1, 1838. The Legislature of Ohio also authorized and invited the agent of the State of Indiana to select, survey and set apart the lands lying within that State. In keeping with this policy Governor Noble, in 1834, said: "With a view of engaging in works of internal improvement, the propriety of adopting a general plan or system, having reference to the several portions of the State, and the connection of one with the other, naturally suggests itself. No work should be commenced but such as would be of acknowledged public utility, and when completed would form a branch of some general system. In view of this object, the policy of organizing a Board of Public "Works is again respectfully suggested." The Governor also called favorable atten- tion to the Lawrenceburg & Indianapolis railway, for which a charter had been granted. In 1835 the "Wabash & Erie canal was pushed rapidly forward. The middle division, extending from the St. Joseph dam to the forks of the "Wabash, about 32 miles, was completed, for about $232,000, including all repairs. Upon this portion of the line nav- igation was opened on July 4, which day the citizens assembled "to witness the mingling of the waters of the St. Joseph with those of the "Wabash, uniting the waters of the northern chain of lakes with those of the Gulf of Mexico in the South." On other parts of the line the work progressed with speed, and the sale of canal lands was unusuall}' active In 1836 the first meeting of the State Board of Internal Im- provement was convened and entered upon the discharge of its numerous and responsible duties. Having assigned to each mem- ber the direction and superintendence of a portion of the work, the next duty to be performed preparatory to the various spheres of active service, was that of procuring the requisite number of engineers. A delegation was sent to the Eastern cities, but returned 25S HISTORY OF INDIANA. without engaging an Engineer-in-Cbief for the roads and railways, and without the desired number for the subordinate station; but after considerable delay the Board was fully organized and put in operation. Under their management work on public improve- ments was successful; the canal progressed steadily; the naviga- tion of the middle division, from Fort "Wayne to Huntington, was unintei;rupted; 16 miles of the line between Huntington and La Fontaine creek were tilled with water this year and made ready for navigation ; and the remaining 20 miles were completed, except a portion of the locks; from La Fontaine creek to Logansport prog- ress was made; the line from Georgetown to Lafayette was placed under contract; about 30 miles of the Whitewater canal, extending from Lawrenceburg through the beautiful valley of the White- water to Brookville, were also placed under contract, as also 23 miles of the Central canal, passing through Indianapolis, on which work was commenced; also about 20 miles of the southern divis- ion of this work, extending from Evansville into the interior, were also contracted for; and on the line of the Cross-Cut canal, from Terre Haute to the intersection of the Central canal, near the mouth of Eel river, a commencement was also made on all the heavy sections. All this in 1836. Earh' in this year a party of engineers was organized, and directed to examine into the practicability of the Michigan & Erie canal line, then proposed. The report of their operations favored its expediency. A party of engineers was also fitted out, who entered upon the field of service of the Madison & Lafayette railroad, and contracts were let for its construction from Madison to Vernon, on which work was vigorously commenced. Also, con- tracts were let for grading and bridging the New Albany & Vin- cennes road from the former point to Paoli, about 40 miles. Other roads were also undertaken and surveyed, so that indeed a stupendous system of internal improvement was undertaken, and as Gov. Noble truly remarked, upon the issue of that vast enter- prise the State of Indiana staked her fortune. She had gone too far to retreat. In 1837, when Gov. Wallace took the Executive chair, the reaction consequent upon ''over work" by the State in the internal improvement scheme began to be felt by the people. They feared a State debt was being incurred from which they could never he extricated; but the Governor did all he could throughout the term of his administration to keep up the courage of the citizens. He HISTORY OF INDIANA. 259 told tbcin that the astonishing success so far, surpassed even the hopes of the most sanguine, and that the flattering auspices of the future were suthcient to dispel every doubt and quiet every fear. "Notwithstanding all his efforts, however, tlie construction of pub- lic works continued to decline, and in his last message he exclaimed: " Never before — I speak it advisedly — never before have you wit- nessed a period in our local history that more urgently called for the exercise of all the soundest and best attributes of grave and patriotic legislators than the present. * » * "pjig truth is — and it would be folly to conceal it — we have our hands full — full to overflowing; and therefore, to sustain ourselves,, to preserve the credit and character of the State unimpaired, and to continue her hitherto unexampled march to wealth and distinction, we have not an hour of time, nor a dollar of money, nor a hand employed in labor, to squander and dissipate upon mere objects of idleness, or taste, or amusement." The State had borrowed $3,827,000 for internal improvem^t pur- poses, of which $1,327,000 was for the Wabash & Erie ca'^al and the remainder for other works. The five per cent, interest on debts— about $200,000— which the State had to pay, had become burdensome, as her resources for this purpose were only two, besides direct taxation, and they were small, namely, the interest on the balances due for canal lands, and the proceeds of the third installment of the surplus revenue, both amounting, in 1838, to about $45,000. In August, 1839, all work ceased on these improvements, with one or two exceptions, and most of the contracts were surrendered to the State. This was done according to an act of the Legislature providing for the compensation of contractors by the issue of treasury notes. In addition to this state of afiairs, the Legisla- ture of 1839 had made no provision for the payment of interest on the State debt incurred for internal improvements. Concerning this situation Gov. Bigger, in 1840, said that either to go ahead with the works or to abandon them altogether would be equally ruinous to the State, the implication being that the people should wait a little while for a breathing spell and then take hold again. Of course much individual indebtedness was created during the progress of the work on internal improvement. When operations ceased in 1839, and prices fell at the same time, the people were left in a great measure without the means of commanding money to pay their debts. This condition of private enterprise more thaa 260 HISTORY OF INDIANA. ever rendered direct taxation inexpedient. Hence it became the policy of Gov, Bigger to provide the means of paying the interest on the State debt without increasing the rate of taxation, and to continue that portion of the public works that could be immedi- ately completed, and from which the earliest returns could be expected. In 1840 the system embraced ten different works, the most im- portant of which was the Wabash & Erie canal. The aggregate length of the lines embraced in the system was 1,160 miles, and of this only 140 miles had been completed. The amount expended had reached the sum of $5,600,000, and it required at least $14,000,- 000 to complete them. Although the crops of 1841 were very remunerative, this perquisite alone was not sufhcient to raise the State again up to the level of going ahead with her gigantic works. We should here state in detail the amount of work completed and of money expended on the various works up to this time, 1841, which were as follows: 1. The Wabash & Erie canal, from the State line to Tippe- canoe, 129 miles in length, completed and navigable for the whole length, at a cost of $2,041,012. This sum includes the cost of the steamboat lock afterward completed at Delphi. 2. The extension of the Wabash & Erie canal from the mouth of the Tippecanoe to Terre Haute, over 104 miles. The estimated cost of this work was $1,500,000; and the amount expended for the same $408,855. The navigation was at this period oi)ened as far down as Lafayette, and a part of the work done in the neighbor- hood of Covington. 3. The cross-cut canal from Terre Haute to Central canal, 49 miles in length; estimated cost, $718,672; amount expended, $420,679; and at this time no part of the course was navigable. 4. The White Water canal, from Lawrenceburg to the mouth of Nettle creek, 76^ miles; estimated cost, $1,675,738; amount expended to that date, $1,099,867; and 31 miles of the work was navigable, extending from the Ohio river to Brookville. 5. The Central canal, from the Wabash & Erie canal, to Indianapolis, including the feeder bend at Muncietown, 124 miles in length; total estimated cost, $2,299,853; amount expended, $568,046; eight miles completed at that date, and other portions nearly done. HISTUKT OF INDIANA. 2bl 6. Central canal, from Indianapolis to Evansville on tlic Ohio river, 194 miles in length; total estimated cost, $3,532,394; amount expended, $831,302, 19 miles of which was completed at that date, at the southern end, and 16 miles, extending south from Indianao- olls, were nearly completed. 7. Erie & Michigan canal, 182 miles in length; estimated cost, $2,624,823; amount expended, $156,394. No part of this work finished. 8. The Madison & Indianapolis railroad, over 85 miles in length; total estimated cost, $2,046,600; amount expended, $1,493,- 013. Road finished and in operation for about 28 miles; grad- ing nearly finished for 27 miles in addition, extending to Eden- burg. 9. Indianapolis & Lafayette turnpike road, 73 miles in length; total estimated cost, 8593, 737; amount expended, $72,118. The bridging and most of the grading was done on 27 miles, from Crawfordsville to Lafayette. 10. New Albany & Vincennes turnpike road, 105 miles in length; estimated cost, $1,127,295; amount expended, $654,411. Forty-one miles graded and macadamized, extending from New Albany to Paoli, and 27 miles in addition partly graded. 11. Jefi'ersonville & Crawfordsville road, over 164 miles long; total estimated cost, $1,651,800; amount expended, $372,737. Forty-five miles were partly graded and bridged, extending from Jeffersonville to Salem, and from Greencastle north. 12. Improvement of the "Wabasii rapids, undertaken jointly by Indiana and Illinois; estimated cost to Indiana, $102,500; amount expended by Indiana, $9,539. Grand totals: Length of roads and canals, 1,289 miles, only 281 of which have been finished; estimated cost of all the. works, $19,914,424; amount expended, $8,164,528. The State debt at this time amounted to $18,469,146. The two principal causes which aggravated the embarrassment of the State at this juncture were, first, paying most of the interest out of the money borrowed, and, secondly, selling bonds on credit. The first error subjected the State to the pa^'ment of compound interest, and the people, not feeling the pressure of taxes to discharge the interest, natu- rally became inattentive to the public policy pursued. Postpone- ment of the payment oj interest is demoralizing in every way. During this period the State was held up in an unpleasant manner before the gaze of the world; but be it to the credit of this great 262 HISTORY OF INDIANA. and glorious State, she would not repudiate, as many other States and municipalities have done. By the year 1850, the so-called "internal improvement" system having been abandoned, private capital and ambition pushed for- ward various "public works." During this year about 400 miles of plank road were completed, at a cost of $1,200 to $1,500 per mile, and about 1,200 miles more were surveyed and in progress. There were in the State at this time 212 miles of railroad in suc- cessful operation, of which 124 were completed this year. More than 1,000 miles of railroad were surveyed and in progress. An attempt was made during the session of the Legislature in 1869 to re-burden the State with the old canal debt, and the matter was considerably agitated in the canvass of 1870. The subject of the Wabash & Erie canal was lightly touched in the Republican plat- form, occasioning considerable discussion, which probably had some etfect on the elect.ion in the fall. That election resulted in an average majority in the State of about 2,864 for the Democracy. It being claimed that the Legislature had no authority under the constitution to tax the people for the purpose of aiding in the con- struction of railroads, the Supreme Court, in Aoril, 1871, decided adversely to such a claim. GEOLOGT. In 1869 the development of mineral resources in the State attracted considerable attention. Rich mines of iron and coal were discovered, as also fine quarries of building stone. The Vincennes railroad passed through some of the richest portions of the mineral region, the engineers of which had accurately determined the quality of richness of the ores. Near Brooklyn, about 20 miles from Iu,dianapolis, is a fine formation of sandstone, yielding good material for buildings in the city; indeed, it is considered the best building stone in the State. The limestone formation at Gosport, continuing 12 miles from that point, is of great variety, and includes the finest and most durable building stone in the world. Portions of it are susceptible only to the chisel; other portions are soft and can be worked with the ordinary tools. At the end of this limestone formation there commences a sandstone series of strata which extends seven miles farther, to a point about 60 miles from Indianapolis. Here an extensive coal bed^s reached consisting of seven distinct veins. The first is about two feet thick, the next three feet, another four feet, and the others of various thicki HISTOKT OF INDIANA. 263 These beds are all easily worked, having a natural drain, and they yield heavy profits. In the whole of the southwestern part of the State and for 300 miles up the Wabash, coal exists in good quality and abundance. The scholars, statesmen and philanthropists of Indiana work- ed hard and long lor the appointment of a State Geologist, with sufficient support to enable him to make a thorough geological survej' of the State. A partial survey was made as early as lS37-'8, by David Dale Owen, State Ge^jlogist, but nothing more was done until 1869, when Prof. Edward T. Cox was appointed State Geolo- gist. For 20 years previous to this date the Governors urged and insisted in all their messages that a thorough survey should be made, but almost, if not quite, in vain. In 1852, Dr. Ryland T. Brown delivered an able address on this subject before the Legis- lature, showing how much coal, iron, building stone, etc., there were probably; in the State, but the exact localities and qualities not ascertained, and how millions of money could be saved to the State by the expenditure of a few thousand dollars; but "they answered the Doctor in the negative. It must have been because they hadn't time to pass the bill. They were very busy. They had to pass all sorts of regulations concerning the negro. Tiiey had to protect a good many white people from marrying negroes. And as they didn't need any labor in the State, if it was ' colored,' they had to make regulations to shut out all of that kind of labor, and to take steps to put out all that unfortunately got in, and they didn't have time to consider the scheme proposed by the white people " — W. W. Clayton. In 1853, the State Board of Agriculture employed Dr. Brown to make a partial examination of the geology of the State, at a salary of $500 a year, and to this Board the credit is due for the final success of the philanthropists, who in 1869 had the pleasure of witnessing the passage of a Legislative act " to provide for a Depart- ment of Geology and Natural Science, in connection with the State Board of Agriculture." Under this act Governor Baker immedi- ately appointed Prof. Edward T. Cox the State Geologist, who has made an able and exhaustive report of the agricultural, mineral and manufacturing resources of this State, world-wide in its celeb- rity, and a work of wiiich the people of Indiana may be very proud. We can scarcely give even the substance of his report in a work like tliis, because it is of necessity deeply scientific and made up entirely of local detail. HISTORY OF INDIANA. The coal measures, says Prof. E. T. Cox, cover an area of about 6,500 square miles, in the southwestern part of the State, and extend from Warren county on the north to the Ohio river on the south, a distance of about 150 miles. This area comprises the fol- lowing counties: Warren, Fountain, Parke, Vermillion, Vigo, Clay, Sullivan, Greene, Knox, Daviess, Martin, Gibson, Pike, Dubois, Vanderburg, Warrick, Spencer, Perry and a small part of Crawford, Monroe, Putnam and Montgomery. This coal is all bituminous, but is divisible into three well-marked varieties: caking-coal, non-caking-coal or block coal and cannel coal. The total depth of the seams or measures is from 600 to 800 feet, with 12 to 14 distinct seams of coal; but these are not all to be found throughout the area; the seams range from one foot to eleven feet in thickness. The caking coal prevails in the western portion of the area described, and has from three to four workable seams, ranging from three and a half to eleven feet in thickness. At most of the places where these are worked the coal is rained by adits driven in on the face of the ridges, and the deepest shafts in the State are less than 300 feet, the average depth for successful mining not being over 75 feet. This is a bright, black, sometimes glossy, coal, makes good coke and contains a very large percentage of pure illuminating gas. One pound will yield about 4J cubic feet of gas, with a power equal to 15 standard sperm candles. The average calculated calorific power of the caking coals is 7,745 heat units, pure carbon being 8,080. Both in the northern and southern portions of the field, the caking coals present similar good qualities, and are a great source of private and public wealth. The block coal prevails in the eastern part of the field and has an area of about 450 square miles. This is excellent, in its raw state, for making pig iron. It is indeed peculiarly fitted for metal- lurgical purposes. It has a laminated structure with carbonaceous matter, like charcoal, between the lamina, with slaty cleavage, and it rings under the stroke of the hammer. It is " free-burning," makes an open fire, and without caking, swelling, scaffolding in the furnace or changing form, burns like hickory wood until it is con- sumed to a white ash and leaves no clinkers. It is likewise valuable for generating steam and for household uses. Many of the principal railway lines in the State are using it in preference to any other coal, as it does not burn out the fire-boxes, and gives as little trouble as wood. HISTOKT OF INDIANA. 265 There are eight distinct seams of block coal in this zone, three of which are workable, having an average thickness of four feet. In some places this coal is mined by adits, but generally from shafts, 40 to 80 feet deep. The seams are crossed by cleavage lines, and the coal is usually mined without powder, and may be taken out in blocks weighing a ton or more. When entries or rooms are driven angling across the cleavage lines, the walls of the mine present a zigzag, notched appearance resembling a Virginia worm fence. In 1871 there were about 24 block coal mines in operation, and about 1,500 tons were mined daily. Since that time this industry has vastly increased. This coal consists of 81^ to 83^ percent, of carbon, and not quite tliree fourths of one per cent, of sulphur. Calculated calorific power equal to 8,283 heat units. This coal also is equally good both in the northern and southern parts of the field. Tlie great Indiana coal field is within 150 miles of Chicago or Michigan City, by railroad, from which ports the Lake Superior specular and red hematite ores are landed from vessels that are able to run in a direct course from the ore banks. Considering the proximity of the vast quantities of iron in Michigan and Missouri^ one can readily see what a glorious future awaits Indiana in respect to manufactories. Of the cannel coal, one of the finest seams to be found in the country is in Daviess county, this State. Here it is three and a half feet thick, underlaid by one and a half feet of a beautiful, jet- black caking coal. There is no clay, shale or other foreign matter intervening, and fragments of the caking coal are often found adhering to the cannel. There is no gradual change from one to the other, and the character of each is homogeneous throughout. The cannel coal makes a delightful fire in open grates, and does not pop and throw off scales into the room, as is usual with this kind of coal. This coal is well adapted to the manufacture of illuminating gas, in respect to both quantity and high illuminating power. One ton of 2,000 pounds of this coal yields 10,400 feet of gas, while the best Pennsylvania coal yields but 8,680 cubic feet. This gas has an illuminating power of 25 candles, while the best Pennsylvania coafl gas has that of only 17 candles. Cannel coal is also found in great abundance in Perry, Greene, Parke and Fountain counties, where its commercial value has already been demonstrated. Numerous deposits of bog iron ore are found in the northern part of the State, and clay iron-stones and impure carbonates and brown iJbb HISTORY OF INDIANA. oxides are found scattered in the vicinity of the coal field. In some places the beds are quite thick and of considerable commercial value. An abundance of e.xcellent lime is also found in Indiana, espe- cially in Huntington county, where many large kilns are kept in profitable operation. AGRICULTURAL. In 1852 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the organization of county and district agricultural societies, and also establishing a State Board, the provisions of which act are substantially as follows: 1. Thirty or more persons in any one or two counties organizing into a society for the improvement ofagriculture, adopting a consti- tution and by-laws agreeable to the regulations prescribed by the State Board, and appointing the proper officers and raising a sum of $50 for its own treasury, shall be entitled to the same amount from the fund arising from show licenses in their respective counties. 2. These societies shall oSer annual premiums for improvement of soils, tillage, crops, manures, productions, stock, articles of domestic industry, and such other articles, productions and improve- ments as they may deem proper; they shall encourage, by grant of rewards, agricultural and household manufacturing interests, and so regulate the premiums that small farmers will have equal opportunity with the large; and they shall pay special attention to cost and profit of the inventions and improvements, requiring an exact, detailed statement of the processes competing for rewards. 3. They shall publish in a newspaper annually their list of awards and an abstract of their treasurers' accounts, and they shall report in full to the State Board their proceedings. Failing to do the latter they shall receive no payment from their county funds. STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTUEE. The act of Feb. 17, 1S52, also established a State Board of Agri- culture, with perpetual succession; its annual meetings to be held at Indianapolis on the first Thursday after the first Monday in January, when the reports of the county societies arc to be received and agricultural interests discussed and determined upon; it shall make an annual report to the Legislature of receipts, expenses, proceedings, etc., of its own meeting as well as of those of the local HISTORY OF INDIANA. 267 societies; it shall hold State fairs, at such times and places as they may deem proper; may hold two meetings a year, certifying to the State Auditor their expenses, vvlio shall draw his warrant upon the Treasurer for tlie same. In 1861 the State Board adopted certain rules, embracing ten sections, for the government of local societies, but in 1868 they were found inexpedient and abandoned. It adopted a resolution admitting delegates from the local societies. THE EXPOSITION. As the Board found great difficulty in doing justice to exhibitors without an adequate building, the members went earnestly to work in the fall of 187"2 to get up an interest in the matter. They appointed a committee of five to confer with the Councilor citizens of Indianapolis as to the best mode to be devised for a more thorough and complete exhibition of the industries of the State. The result of the conference was that the time had arrived for a regular "exposition," like that of the older States. At the Janu- ary meeting in 1873, Hon. Thomas Dowling, of Terre Haute, reported for the committee that they found a general interest in this enterprise, not only at the capital, but also throughout the State. A sub-committee was appointed who devised plans and specifications for the necessary structure, taking lessons mainly from the Kentucky Exposition building at Louisville. All the members of the State Board were in favor of proceeding with the building except Mr. Poole, who feared that, as the interest of the two enterprises were somewhat conflicting, and the Exposition being the more exciting show, it would swallow up the State and county fairs. The Exposition was opened Sept. 10, 1873, when Hon. John Sutherland, President of the Board, the Mayor of Indianapolis, Senator Morton and Gov. Hendricks delivered addresses. Senator Morton took the high ground that the money spent for an exposi- tion is spent as strictly for educational purposes as that which goes directly into the common school. The exposition is not a mere show, to be idh' gazed upon, but an industrial school where one should study and learn. He thought that Indiana had less untill- able land than any other State in the Union; 'twas as rich as any and yielded a greater variety of products; and that Indiana was the most prosperous agricultural community in the United States. 5it3S HISTORY OF INDIANA. The State had nearly 3,700 miles of railroad, not counting side- track, with 400 miles more under contract for building. In 15 or 18 months one can go from Indianapolis to every county in the State by railroad. Indiana has 6,500 square miles of coal field) 450 of which contain block coal, the best in the United States for manufacturing purposes. On the subject of cheap transportation, he said: " By the census of 1870, Pennsylvania had, of domestic animals of all kinds, 4,006,- 589, and Indiana, 4,511,094. Pennsylvania had grain to the amount of 60,460,000 bushels, while Indiana had 79,350,454. The value of the farm products of Pennsylvania was estimated to be $183,946,- 000; those of Indiana, $122,914,000. Thus you see that while Indiana had 505,000 head of live stock more, and 19,000,000 busliels of grain more than Pennsylvania, yet the products of Penn- sylvania are estimated at $183,946,000, on account of her greater proximity to market, while those of Indiana are estimated at only $122,914,000. Thus you can understand the importance of cheap transportation to Indiana. " Let us see how the question of transportation affects us on the other hand, with reference to the manufacturer of Bessemer steel. Of the 174,000 tons of iron ore used in the blast furnaces of Pitts- burg last year, 84,000 tons came from Lake Superior, 64,000 tons from Iron Mountain, Missouri, 20,000 tons from Lake Champlain, and less than 5,000 tons from the home mines of Pennsylvania. They cannot manufacture their iron with the coal they have in Pennsylvania without coking it. We have coal in Indiana with which we can, in its raw state, make the best of iron; while we are 250 miles nearer Lake Superior than Pittsburg, and 430 miles nearer to Iron Mountain. So that the question of transportation determines the fact that Indiana must become the great center for the manufacture of Bessemer steel." " What we want in this country is diversified labor." The grand hall of the Exposition buildings is on elevated ground at the head of Alabama street, and commands a fine view of the city. The structure is of brick, 308 feet long by 150 in width, and two stories high. Its elevated galleries extend quite around the building, under the roof, thus affording visitors an opportunity to secure the most commanding view to be had in the city. The lower floor of the grand hall is occupied by the mechanical, geologi- cal and miscellaneous departments, and by the ofiices of the Board, which extend along the entire front. The second floor, which is HISTORY OF INDIANA. )ib\f approached by three wide stairways, accommodates the fine art, musical and other departments of light mechanics, and is brilliantly lighted by windows and skylights. But as we are here entering the description of a subject magnificent to behold, we enter a description too vast to complete, and we may as well stop here as anywhere. The Presidents of the State Fairs have been: Gov. J. A. Wright, 18o2-'4r; Gen. Jos. Orr, 1855; Dr. A. C. Stevenson, 1856-'8; G. D. Wagner; 1859-60; D. P. Ilolloway, 1861; Jas. D.Williams, 1862, 1S70-'1; A. D. Hamrick, 1863, lS67-'9; Stearns Fisher, lS6i-'6; John SulherJand, 1872-'4; Wra. Grim, 1875. Secretaries: John B. Dillon, 1852-'3, 1855, 1858- '9; Ignatius Brown, lS56-'7; W.T. Den- nis, 1854, 1860-'l; W. H. Loomis, 1862-'6; A. J. Holmes, 1867-'9; Joseph Poole, 1870-'l ; Alex. Heron, 1872-'5. Place of fair, Indian- apolis every year except: Lafayette, 1853; Madison, 1854; New Albany, 1859,- Fort Wayne, 1865; and Terra Haute, 1867. In 1861 there was no fair. The gate and entry receipts increased from $4,651 in 1852 to $45,330 in 1874. On the opening of the Exposition, Oct. 7, 1874, addresses were delivered by the President of the Board, Hon. John Sutherland, and by Govs. Hendricks, Bigler and Pollock. Yvon's celebrated painting, the " Great Republic," was unveiled with great ceremony, and many distinguished guests were present to witness it. The exhibition of 1875 showed that the plate glass from the southern part of tlie State was equal to the finest French plate; that the force-blowers made in the eastern part of the State was of a world-wide reputation; that the State has within its bounds the largest wagon manufactory in the world ; that in other parts of the State there were all sorts and sizes of manufactories, including roll- ing mills and blast furnaces, and in the western part coal was mined and shipped at the rate of 2,500 tons a day from one vicinity; and many other facts, which " would astonish the citizens of Indiana themselves even more than the rest of the world." INDIANA HOETICULTURAL SOCIETY. This society was organized in 1842, thus taking the lead in the West. At this time Henry Ward Beecher was a resident of Indian- apolis, engaged not anly as a minister but also as editor of the Indiana Fanner and Gardener, and his influence was very exten- sive in the interests of horticulture, floriculture and farming. Prominent among his pioneer co-laborers were Judge Coburn, 2(0 UISTOKY OF INDIANA. Aaron Aldridgc, Capt. James Sigarson, D. V. CiiUey, Keuben Eagan, Stephen Hampton, Cornelius Ratliff, Joshua Lindley, Abner Pope and many others. In the autumn of this year the society held an exhibition, probably the first in the State, if not in the West, in the ball of the new State house. The only pre- mium offered was a set of silver teaspoons for the best seedling aj)j)le, which was won by Reuben Kagan, of Putnam count}-, for an a])ple christened on this occasion the " Osceola." The society gave great encouragement to the introduction of new varieties of fruit, especially of the pear, as the soil and cli- mate of Indiana were well adapted to this fruit. But the bright horizon which seemed to be at this time looming up all around the field of tlic young society's operations was suddenly and thoroughly darkened by the swarm of noxious insects, diseases, blasts of win- ter and the great distance to market. The prospects of the cause scarcely justified a continuation of the expense of assembling from remote parts of the State, and the meetings of the society therefore soon dwindled away until the organization itself became quite extinct. But when, in 1852 and afterward, railroads began to traverse the State in all directions, the Legislature provided for the organization of a State Board of Agriculture, whose scope was not only agri- culture but also horticulture and the mechanic and household arts. The rapid growth of the State soon necessitated a differentiation of this body, and in the autumn of 1S60, at Indianapolis, there was organized the INDIANA POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. October 18, Reuben Ragan was elected President and Wm H. Loouiis, of Marion county. Secretary. The constitution adopted provided for biennial meetings in January, at Indianapolis. At the first regular meeting, Jan. 9, 1861, a committee-man for each congressional district was appointed, all of them together to be known as the " State Fruit Committee," and twenty-five members were enrolled during this session. At the regular meeting in 1863 the constitution was so amended as to provide for annual sessions, and the address of the newly elected President, Hon. I. G. D. Nel- son, of Allen county, urged the establishment of an agricultural college. He continued in the good cause until his work was crowned with success. HISTORY OF INDIANA. 271 In 1864 there was but little done on account of the exhaust- ive demands of the great war; and the descent of mercury 60° in eighteen hours did so much mischief as to increase the discourage- ment to the verge of despair. The title of the society was at this meeting, Jan., 1864 changed to that of the Indiana Horticultural Society. The first several meetings of the society were mostly devoted to revision of fruit lists; and although the good work, from its vast- ness and complication, became somewhat monotonous, it has been no exception in this respect to the law that all the greatest and most productive labors of mankind require perseverance and toil. In 1866, George M. Beeler, who had so indefatigably served as secretary for several years, saw himself hastening to his grave and showed his love for the cause of fruit culture by bequeathing to the society the sum of $1,000. This year also the State Superin- tendent of Public Instruction was induced to take a copy of the Society's transactions for each of the township libraries in the State, and this enabled the Society to bind its volume of proceedings in a substantial manner. At the meeting in 1867 mauj^ valuable and interesting papers were presented, the office of corresponding secretary was created, and the subject of Legislative aid was discussed. The State Board of Agriculture placed tlie management of the horticultural depart- ment of the State fair in the care of the Society. The report for 1868 shows for the first time a balance on hand, after paying expenses, the balance being $61.55. Up to tliis time the Society had to take care of itself, — meeting current expenses, do- ing its own printing and binding, "boarding and clothing itself," and diffusing annually an amount of knowledge utterly incalcu- lable. During the year called meetings were held at Salem, in the peach and grape season, and evenings during the State fair, which was held in Terre Haute the previous fall. The State now assumed the cost of printing and binding, but the volume of transactions was not quite so valuable as that of the former year. In 1870 $160 was given to this Society by the State Board of Agriculture, to be distributed as prizes for essays, which object was faithfully carried out. The practice has since then been con- tinued. In 1871 the Horticultural Society brought out the best volume of papers and proceedings it ever has had published. 272 HISTOKT OF INDIANA. In 1872 the office of corresponding secretary was discontinued; the appropriation by the State Board of Agriculture diverted to the payment of premiums on small fruits given at a show held the previous summer; results of the exhibition not entirely satisfac- tory. lu 1873 the State officials, refused to publish the discussions of the members of the Horticultural Society, and the Legislature appropriated $500 for the purpose for each of the ensuing two years. In 1S75 the Legislature enacted a law requiring that one of the trustees of Purdue University shall be selected by the Horticultu- ral Society. The aggregate annual membership of this society from its organ- ization in 1860 to 1875 was 1,225. EDUCATION. The subject of education has been referred to in almost every gubernatorial message from the organization of the Territory to the present time. It is indeed the most favorite enterprise of the Hoosier State . In the first survey of Western lands, Congress set apart a section of land in every township, generally the 16th, for school purposes, the disposition of the land to be in hands of the residents of the respective townships. Besides this, to this State -were given two entire townships for the use of a State Seminary, to be under the control of the Legislature. Also, the State con- stitution provides that all fines for the breach of law and all com- mutations for militia service be appropriated to the use of county seminaries. In 18:25 the common-school lands amounted to 680,207 acres, estimated at $2 an acre, and valued therefore at $l,216.0il:. At this time the seminary at Bloomington, supported in part by one of these township grants, was very flourishing. The common schools, however, were in rather a poor condition. PUBLIC SCHOOLS. In 1S52 the free-school system was fully established, which has resulted in placing Indiana in the lead of this great nation. Al- though this is a pleasant subject, it is a very large one to treat in a condensed notice, as this has to be. The free-school system of Indiana first became practically oper- ative the first Monday of April, 1853, when the township trustees HISTORY OF INDIANA. 273 for school purposes were elected throngli the State. The law com- mitted to them the charge of all the edacational affairs in their respective townships. As it was feared by the opponents of the law that it would not be possible to select men in all the town- ships capable of executing the school laws satisfactorily, the people were thereby awakened to the necessity of electing their very best men ; and although, of course, many blunders have been made by trustees, the operation of the law has tended to elevate the adult population as well as the youth; and Indiana still adheres to the policy of appointing its best men to educational positions. The result is a grand surprise to all old fogies, who indeed scarcely dare to appear such any longer. To instruct the people in the new law and set the educational machinery going, a pamphlet of over 60 pages, embracing the law, with notes and explanations, was issued from the oiBce of a super- intendent of public instruction, and distributed freely throughout the State. The first duty of the Board of Trustees was to establish and conveniently locate a sufficient number of schools for the edu- cation of all the children of their township. But where were the school-houses, and what were they? Previously they had been erected by single districts, but under this law districts were abol- ished, their lines obliterated, and houses previously built by dis- tricts became the property of the township, and all the houses were to be built at the expense of the township by an appropriation of township funds by the trustees. In some townships there was not a single school-house of any kind, and in others there were a few old, leaky, dilapidated log cabins, wholly unfit for use even in sum- mer, and in " winter worse than nothing." Before the people could be tolerably accommodated with schools at least 3,500 school-houses had to be erected in the State. By a general law, enacted in conformity to the constitution of 1852, each township was made a municipal corporation, and every voter in the township a member of the corporation; the Board of Trustees constituted the township legislature as well as the execu- tive body, the whole body of voters, however, exercising direct con- trol through frequent meetings called by the trustees. Special taxes and every other matter of importance were directly voted upon. Some tax-payers, who were opposed to special townships' taxes, retarded the progress of schools by refusing to pay their assess- ment. Contracts for building school-houses were given up, houses 27i HISTOET OF INDIANA. half finished were abandoned, and in many townships all school operations were suspended. In some of them, indeed, a rumor was circulated by the enemies of the law that the entire school law from beginning to end had been declared by the Supreme Court uncon- stitutional and void; and the Trustees, believing this, actually dis- missed their schools and considered themselves out of ofSce. Hon. W. C. Larrabee, the (first) Superintendent of Public Instruction, corrected this error as soon as possible. But while the voting of special taxes was doubted on a constitu- tional point, it became evident that it was weak in a practical point; for in many townships the opponents of the system voted down every proposition for the erection of school-houses. Another serious obstacle was the great deficiency in the number of qualified teachers. To meet the newly created want, the law authorized the appointment of deputies in each county to examine and license persons to teach, leaving it in their judgment to lower the standard of qualification sufiiciently to enable them to license as manj' as were needed to supply all the schools. It was therefore found necessary to employ many " unqualified " teachers, especially in the remote rural districts. But the progress of the times enabled the Legislature of 1S53 to erect a standard of qualifica- tion and give to the county commissioners the authority to license teachers; and in order to supply every school with a teacher, while there might not be a suflScient number of properly qualified teach- ers, the commissioners were authorized to grant temporary licenses to take charge of particular schools not needing a high grade of teachers. In 1854 the available common-school fund consisted of the con- gressional township fund, the surplus revenue fund, the saline fund, the bank tax fund and miscellaneous fund, amounting in all to $2,400,000. This amount, from many sources, was subsequently increased to a very great extent. The common-school fund was intrusted to the several counties of the State, which were held responsible for the preservation thereof and for the payment of the annual interest thereon. The fund was managed by the auditors and treasurers of the several counties, for which these ofiicers were allowed one-tentli of the income. It was loaned out to the citizens of the county in sums not exceeding $300, on real estate security. The common-school fund was thus consolidated and the proceeds equally distributed each year to all the townships, cities and towns HISTOKT OF INDIANA. 276 of tlie State, in proportion to the number of children. This phase of the law met with considerable opposition in 1854. The provisions of the law for the establishment of township libraries was promptly carried into efi'ect, and much time, labor and thought were devoted to the selection of books, special atten- tion being paid to historical works. The greatest need in 1864 was for qualified teachers; but never- theless the progress of public education during this and following years was very great. School-houses were erected, many of them being fine structures, well furnished, and the libraries were consid- erably enlarged. The city school system of Indiana received a heavy set-back in 1858, by a decision of the Supreme Court of the State, that the law authorizing cities and townships to levy a tax additional to the State tax was not in conformity with that clause in the Constitu- tion which required uniformity in taxation. The schools were stopped for want of adequate funds. For a few weeks in each year thereafter the feeble " uniform " supply from the State fund en- abled the people to open the schools, but considering the returns the public realizes for so small an outlay in educational matters, this proved more expensive than ever. Private schools increased, but the attendance was small. Thus the interests of popular edu- cation languished for years. But since the revival of the free schools, the State fund has grown to vast proportions, and the schools of this intelligent and enterprising commonwealth compare favorably with those of any other portion of the United States. There is no occasion to present all the statistics of school prog- ress in this State from the first to the present time, but some interest will be taken in the latest statistics, which we take from the 9th Biennial Report (for ]877-'8) by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Hon. James H. Smart. This report, by the way, is a volume of 480 octavo pages, and is free to all who desire a copy. The rapid, substantia) and permanent increase which Indiana enjoys in her school interests is thus set forth in the above report. Length Total of School No of Attendance School Am't Paid Tear. In Days. Teachers. at School. Ennmeration. Teachers. 1855 61 4,016 206,994 44.'-),7nidewi. — Round-leaved sundew is common in some places. St. John.s-ivorts. — Several species are found in this county. Pinks. — Starry campion, sleepy catchfly, corn cockle, sandwort, long-leaved stitchwort and forked chickweed are found here and tliere. Common chickweed and three species of mouse-ear chick- weed and bouncing bet are more common. Carpet weed is common on the sand; it grows in the form of a bunchy lamp-mat. Purslanes. — Akin to the beautiful portulaca is our universal purslane, often called " pursley." Spring beauty belongs to this family. It is one of the earliest spring flowers, and may be distin- guished by the plant's having but two leaves, long and narrow and somewhat fleshy. The flower is a light rose color, with deeper veins. ^Mallows Family. — Common, or low mallows and velvet-leaf, or Indian mallows are very abundant. The latter is a tall, pestiferous weed about our fields, with seed-vessels resembling poppy-bolls. Sida and bladder ketmia, or flower of an hour, are common. To this order belong the hollyhock and okra, in cultivation. HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 345 Linden. — Bass-wood, known as lin among Sonthern people, is the only member of this family growing here. GeraniuTn Family. — "Wild crane's-bill is common in early spring, having a solitary, rose-colored flower on the summit. Carolina crane's-bill is rather rare. Spotted and pale touch-me-nots are com- mon in moist, shaded places, growing in dense patches. The bal- samine of cultivation is of the same genus. Yellow wood-sorrel is everywhere, and here and there the violet wood-sorrel ]Tevails to some extent. This is erroneously called "sheep-sorrel." Sheep, or field-sorrel, grows on sandy or gravely ground, has lance-shaped and pointed leaves, obscure flowers, and seeds like pie-plant or yellow- dock, while wood-sorrel grows mostly in clay soil, has three leaflets like clover, showy flowers, and seeds in a pod. The two sorrels be- long to dift'erent orders, but have a similar taste. Rueworts. — The northern prickl}' ash, a common shrub in our woods, but growing scarcer, and the still rarer hop-tree, are the only members of this family in this county. Garden rue is of the same order, or family. Cashew Fmnily. — In America this would seem to be rather the sumac family. The smooth sumac is common every where, fragrant sumac abundant in sandy ground, and poison ivy is common along fences — some places abundant. The latter is a coarse, woody vine with innumerable rootlets, and lias three leaflets to each leaf, with these leaflets sometimes partly divided. When the plant is young it can be distinguished from box-elder by the latter having a white " bloom " on the stem, and at all times it can be distinguished from Virginia creeper (American ivy, an innocent plant) by the latter having five leaflets to each leaf, and the whole leaf in shape like that of buckeye. Poison, dwarf and stag-horn sumacs are common in some places. Vine Family, that is, the Grape-vine family. — Virginia creeper, just described, is as abundant as any weed. The winter, or frost- grape and the northern fox-grape are common, but the summer grape, a delicious fruit, is very scarce, if indeed it can be found at all in this county. It used to be abundant, but the vines have been destroyed by reckless grape gatherers. Buckthorn Family. — The noted red-root, or New Jersey tea, a shrub in the margin of prairies, and to some extent in all other sit- uations, is the only representative of this family here, and it is be- coming rarer by the encroachments of cultivation and pasturage. The leaves make very good tea. Staff-tree Family. — The climbing bittersweet and waahoo are all there are of this family in our limits. The former is a smooth, woody vine, common in the woods, climbing by simply twining, and bearing orange-colored berries in clusters, often called wax- work, and used in ornamentation. This vine is often called simply bittersweet, but the true medical bittersweet is a very different ?lant, scarcely a vine at all, and not growing wild in this county, he waahoo, or burning-bush, is a real bush of about the size and 346 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. proportions of a plum-tree; its twigs have four white lines, and its crimson fruit in autumn after the leaves have fallen is very showy. The flowers are dark purple. Strawberry-bush is rare. Soa2)herrii Order includes the Maple, Bladdernut and Soapberry (proper) families. Of the maples the most common are the sugar, the red and the white. The latter are the soft maples. Box-elder is sometimes called ash-leaved maple, and belongs to this family. The American bladdernut is a tree-like shrub about 10 feet high, producing large three-lobed, inflated seed pods. Two species of buck-eye are common in the river bottoms. MUku'ortx. — Seneca snakeroot and four other species of milkwort are found in this region. Pulse Family. — This large family is characterized by having seeds in pods like beans and peas, which are members of the family. The first in the list, according to the books, are the clovers — red and white. Two other species of this genus occur, indeed, but are too rare to enumerate here. Then the white sweet clover, more recently escaped from cultivation; then two species of prairie clover, almost extinct. Goat's rue, false indigo (Amorpha) and lead plant abound on dry, sandy loam in river bottoms. The common locust was introduced here, but this is too far north for it to be hardy enough to withstand our wiuds and the borer. A honey-locust occurs here and there. One milk vetch is frequent. Six species ot tick trefoil abound and nine others occur. These are those plants in the woods bearing " pods" of triangular, flat burs. Five species of bush clover are found here. Three vetclies (^ tares) and four marsh vetchlings, ground nut, kidney bean, false indigo (Baptisia) and ■wild senna are found here and there. Hog peanut, called wild pea or bean by some, abounds everywhere in' the woods. Red-bud is an ugly little tree except in the spring before the leaves appear, when the whole top is of a beautiful purplish-red from the blos- soms. Partridge pea is abundant " in spots," grows like a weed in low places, 20 inches to two feet high, has leaves like a locust, and bears a very large, yellow flower. The sensitive plant may be found witiiin the bounds of this county, but if so, it is very scarce. The Kentucky coftee-tree is rare. It is famous for its beautiful com- pound leaves and glossy beans. Eose Family. — Most of our edible fruits come from this family of trees and herbs, as the apple, peach, plum, cherry, strawberr}', etc. The wild plum (yellow or red) is becoming very scarce; the wild red cherry is always rare; the wild black cherry is abundant; choke-cherry is a shrub occasionally found; dwarf cherry is com- mon on sandy ridges; nine-bark and goat's-beard are species of spirfea frequently found ; common meadow sweet and Canadian burnet, rare; agrimony is a coarse herb occasionally seen, having leaves resembling those of the strawberry, and bearing a kind of drooping bur, — a plant about two feet high. One species of avens is very common, and four other species are found. Common cinque- foil, or five-finger, resembles the strawberry very closely,' and ^ JS&' If ^^ im HISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTY. ai\) abounds in dry soil; Norwegian cinquefoil lias similar leaves, but the plant is coarse and grows three feet high, — not common ; silvery and several other species of cinquefoil are also found. One species of wild strawberry abounds in retired situations; it was common over the original prairie. The high blackberry and the raspberry prevail here as elsewhere, but their sylvan territory is narrowed to close limits by the encroachments of man; the low blackberry, or dewberry, and the running swamp blackberry also occur; the dwarf raspberry grows only a foot or two high. Of the roses proper, the dwarf wild rose is the most common, but its territory has also become very limited; the "early wild" rose may be found. Three species of red haw (hawthorn) occur; the black, or pear, thorn is the most common, then the scarlet-fruited thorn, and lastly the cockspur thorn. The crab apple and choke berry are well known. Several varieties of June berry are common. Saxifrages. — Two or three species of gooseberry are common; three species of currant grow here; and swamp saxifrage and two species of alum-root are sometimes met with. Mitre-wort, or bishop's cap, is common, flowering in early spring; this is an inter- esting little plant. Orpine Family. — Ditch stone-crop is common during wet seasons; can occasionally be found in the ditches during dry sea- sons; mossy stone-crop has escaped from cultivation to gravelly roadsides, etc.; one other species of stone-crop occurs. Witch Hazel is abundant, flowering in late autumn. Wider-Milfoil. — Two species. Evening Primroses. — Common evening primrose, enchanter's nightshade and two species of willow-herb are common. Seed- box, water-purslean and sun-drops are found here and there. Melasfoma Family. — Deer-grass, or meadow-beauty is a modest little purple-flowered plant growing in sandy swamps. Loosestrife Family. — One species of Ammannia, oneof Lytli- rum, one of swamp loosestrife (Nesaea) and clammy Cuphea are not infrequent. Cactus Fam,ily. — One species common on sandy ridges. Gourd Family. — Wild balsam apple is a common vine, well known, and in heavily wooded river bottoms one-seeded cucumber occurs. Parsley Family. — This family is characterized by having their seed-bearing tops like those of parsnips. Most of the poisonous plants growing in this country belong to this family. Two species of black snakeroot prevail in this county; water pennywort, poly- tfenia, cowbane, meadow parsnip, spotted cowbane (two species), rattlesnake master, water parsnip (two species), chervil and poison hemlock occur here and there, while smoother and hairy sweet cicely are abundant; even garden parsnip is becoming a common weed in open, protected places. Of the whole family the most poisonous are the spotted cowbane and poison hemlock. Cow pars- nip is the largest plant of this order, and grows in shaded bottom lands. 350 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. Ginseng 2*'amily.— Ginseng,, on account of its popular medical qualities, has been pretty well thinned out; dwarf ginseng, or ground-nut, is a modest little plant flowering in April. The true wild sarsaparilla (a plant of the appearance of a large ginseng) is sometimes found, and spikenard is common in the forest ravines. Dogivoods. — The most common dogwood is the white-berried, or panicled cornel, next the rough-leaved, the alternate-leaved, the flowering, the silky, red-osier, dwarf and round-leaved. Pepperidge, a middle-sized tree, occurs here and there. Honeysuckles. — Common elder and yellow honeysuckle are com- mon. Horse gentian, or fever-wort, is a forest weed bearing Ave to ten yellow berries in a circle around the stem at every'place where the two opposite leaves are attached. The true black haw is scarce, but sheep-berry, which is generally called black haw, is common. Two species of arrow-wood and the cranberry tree occur here and there. Madder FamUy. — The small bedstraw, two species of the rough and the northern bed-straw are abundant, and the sweet-scented is common, while occasionally may be found cleavers, or goose-grass. "Wild liquorice occurs rarely. These herbs are all of a flax-like appearance, having several beautiful little leaves in aAvhorl at each joint. Button bush is common in wet ground. Partridge-berry is common further north. Composites. — This order is by far the largest of all. Its flowers are compound, that is, there are several, sometimes many, small flowers crowded close together in a head, as sunflower, lettuce, dandelion, aster, chrysanthemum. May-weed, etc. Their time of flowering is generally late in the season. Iron-weed is common on flat ground; its summit in August is a beautiful royal purple. Four species of button snakeroot (one called also blazing star) are abundant on protected original prairie, and occur nowhere else. Five species of thoroughwort grow here, that called boneset being abundant. The species called trumpet, or Joe-Pye weed, is a tall, interesting weed, with 3 to 6 leaves in each whorl, that is, at each joint. Kuhnia is not rare; it resembles boneset. Mist-flower grows in our limits. Of the asters there are about 30 species growing within this county; about half of them are very common. The flowers have a starry appearance; hence the name. The most remarkable of them is the New England aster, a large purple flower along the roadsides in September. Five species of fleabane, similar to the asters in appearance, are common, namely: horseweed, which is abundant on waste and cultivated grounds, Robin's plantain, common fleabane, and two daisy flea- banes, one of them called also sweet scabious. About 20 species of golden-rod can be found in this county, only half of them com- mon, however. The most abundant is the Solidago Canadensis. From these much honey is made by bees in September. Four species of rosin-weed used to prevail on the original prairie, but their territory is very limited at the present day. The most noted HISTORY OF ELKHAKT CO0NTY. 351 of tliem has dvided leaves, and is also called compass plant, or polar plant, theleaves havin^ once been thought to point north and south. They do indeed stand with their faces somewhat parallel, but they are just as apt to have their edges toward other points of the compass. One species of rosin-weed has undivided leaves, large and rough, and is called prairie dock. This and the compass plant flourish on flat prairie soil which is not pastured. The species called cnp-plant grows along the banks of channeled sloughs. The leaves join together at the base so as to form a cup. It is a very large weed. Parthenium, a similar plant, is not rare. Rag- weed is the most common weed we have along the roadsides; called also hogweed, Roman wormwood, etc. Great ragweed is the largest weed that grows in this country: common along fences. Cockle- bur is on the increase. Ox-eye, Lepachys and six species of cone- flower are almost common. Six species of wild sunflower flourish along fences in unfrequented situations. They are tall weeds, but not troublesome. One kind has tuberous roots, and is really an artichoke. Three species of tickseed occur in this county. The true Spanish needle does not grow here, but three species of its genus abound here, especially during wet seasons, namely, common and swamp beggar ticks and the larger bur-marigold. The smaller bur-marigold is found in shallow running water. Fetid marigold is abundant in dry situations along the wagon roads. When struck, even lightly, it yields a rank, aromatic odor; called also false dog- fennel. Sneeze- weed, which looks somewhat like a Spanish needle, is abundant during wet seasons and exceedingly scarce at other times. May-weed, or dog fennel, every one is familiar with. So with yarrow. The ox-eye daisy or white- weed, a vexatious weed in the East, is just beginning to creep in along the railroads. Biennial wormwood is a comnron but harmless weed in waste places. Com- mon and plantain-leaved everlasting are common. Fire-weed, abun- dant. Golden rag- wort, several species of hawkweed and Cynthia here and there. The famous Canada thistle is seldom seen; the common thistle abounds more and more. Two other species are common, growing very tall. Burdock and dandelion are abun- dant. Wild lettuce and ftilse or blue lettuce are common milky weeds, growing very tall. Two species of sow thistle, compara- tively harmless, are modestly on the increase, Lohellas. — The celebrated medical lobelia, or Indian tobacco, flourishes along our garden fences. The great lobelia, or blue car- dinal flower, is abundant in moist ground. The cardinal flower is the most showy, dazzling-red flower we have growing wild: found in wet ground and on tlie banks of sloughs. A small and slender species of lobelia is common in protected situations. Cam,2xmula or Ballflower Faintly. — The tall bellflower is com- mon. Venus's looking-glass is found here and there. " Blue-bells " do not belong here; they are the smooth lungwort, belonging to the Borage family. Holly. — Mountain holly is common it; places. 352 HISTORY OF ELKHABT OOtJNTr. Heaths. — Large and small cranberry, black huckleberry, ano dwarf, low and swamp blueberries are found here, the first tliree in swamps. "^Creeping snowberry (in peat bogs), bearberry in sandy ground, creeping wintergreen, shin leaf, siieep laurel, Labrador tea, Indian pipe and pipsissewa are occasional!}' found. Plantain Family. — The common plantain of oiir door-yards. Two other species of this family may occur in this couat3% but they are exceedingly rare. Primrose. — Several species of loosestrife (Lysimachia), chickweed, wintergreen and one or two pimpernels occur. Moneywort is com- mon about some door-yards. Bladderworts. — Greater bladderwort, in ponds, is very common. Fii^ivorts. — Mullein, toad-flax (" butter-and-eggs "), fig-wort, beard-tongue, two species of Gerardia, two species of louse-wort and cow-wheat are common, while monkey-flower, hedge-hyssop, false pimpernel, purslane, Culver's root, water, marsh, purslane, common and corn speedwell and blue-hearts are sometimes seen. Toad-flax has persistent roots like witch-grass and threatens to become a pest. The snap-dragon of our gardens is a tig-wort. Vervains. — Verbenas belong to this order. The most abun- dant plant belonging to this family and growing wild is the hoary vervain; next are the bracted (prostrate), the white or nettle- leaved, and the blue. They all prefer dry, waste grounds, and are much inclined to hybridize. Fog-fruit is abundant in sandy ground along the rivers. Lopseed is common in woods. Mints. — Common are wood sage, or American germander, wild mint, bugle-weed, American pennyroyal, and hedge nettle (two species). Motherwort, catnip, heal-all, and wild mint are abundant. Here and there are water horehound, mountain mint, horse-mint, calaraintli, Biephilia, (two species), giant liyssop (two species), false dragon head, or lion's lieart, mad-dog skullcap and one other species of skullcap. Ground ivy, or gill-over-the-ground, is abundant about dwellings. What is generally' called "horse-mint" in the West is " wild bergatnot" according to the books. Wild mint is often taken for peppermint. True peppermint, spearmint, and horehound are scarce within our limits. Salvia, sage and Mexican sage are cultivated plants belonging to this order. Borageicorts. — Hairy and hoary puccoon, smooth lungwort, stick-seed, beggar's lice and common hound's-tongue are com- mon; all other species rare. Comfrey belongs to this family. Smooth lungwort is often called "blue-bells." It is common in early spring about door-yards and along fences near dwellings. Common hound's-tongue flourishes along the roads; flowers a dull purple, appearing in early summer. Beggar's lice is a species ot hound's-tongue. Water-leaf Family. — Two or three species of water-leaf and Ellisia appear in cool, shady places. The latter resembles small tomatoes in leaf and fruit. HISTORY OF ELKUAKT COUNTY. 353 Poleinoniums or Phloxes. — Greek valerian, paniculate, hairy and divaricate phlox are frequent. The true wild sweet- William is very rare. Moss pink is more common in cultivation. Convolvulus or Morning-glory Family. — The most common plant of this order growing spontaneously beyond the bounds of cul- tivation is hedge bindweed or Rutland beauty. Eight species of dodder (" love-vine ") may be found, all rare but one which appears like orange- colored thread growing on the tops of weeds. Wild potato-vine is occasionally found on woody hillsides. Nightshade Family. — To this family belong Irish potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, bitter-sweet, matrimony vine, tobacco and Jerusalem cherry. The most common weeds of this family are jimson-weed, horse-nettle ("bull nettles "), common or black night- shade and two species of grouud-clierry. The white-flowered jim- son-weed (Datura Stramonium) is called common Stramonium or thornapple by Dr. Gray, while the purple-flowered he calls purple thornapple. Gentians. — One beautiful species of American centaury, Ameri- can Columbo and five-flowered, fringed, smaller fringed, whitish, yellowish white, and closed gentian are found within our limits. ''Horse gentian " belongs to the Honeysuckle famil}'. Buck-bean is common in bogs. Dogbanes. — Spreading dogbane and Indian hemp, in the bor- ders of thickets, are common. Milkioeeds. — Common milkweed, or silkweed, is common; has large, boat-shaped pods of glistening cotton. Swamp milkweed, butterfly weed, or pleurisy-root, whorled milkweed and two species of green milkweed are common in places. Olive Family. — It would seem more natural to us Westerners to call this the Ash family, as we have no members of this order about use.xcept the five species of ash, — white, black, blue, red and green, the white being the most common. Some of these kinds are difficult for the beginner in botany to distinguish. Birthworts. — Wild ginger is common in deep, wooded ravines, "^he leaf is kidney-shaped, plant but few inches high, and the root tastes like ginger. Pokeweeds. — The common poke, with its purple-juiced clusters of berries, is well known. Goosefoots. — Lamb's-quarters, or pigweed, a common weed in our gardens, is the type of this order. Beet and spinach are culti- vated plants of this order. Next in abundance to lamb's-quarters are maple-heaved goosefoot, Jerusalem oak and Mexican tea. Wortnseed is a fetid plant, belonging to thegenns goosefoot. Orache is becoming abundant in the towns and cities. Bug-seed grows on the borders of the lakes. Am/iraniJis. — The cultivated coxcomb, globe amaranth and prince's feather (red, chafiy spikes) illustrate the characters of this family. Pigweed is one of the most common weeds in cultivated 354 HI8T0KT OF ELKHAET COUNTY. ground. The pigweed of the last paragraph should be called goose- foot only, or lamb's-quarters. White pigweed, generally known in the West as " tumble-weed," is abundant in some lields. Amaran- • tns blitoides has recently become very abundant in our towns. At a little distance it resembles common purslane. Acnida tamaris- cina is common in sandy soil near the rivers and lakes. Buckviheo-t Family or Knotioeecls. — Goose-grass is the most ubiquitous member of this order, forming a carpet in every door- yard. A taller variety with wider leaves also abounds under the shade trees about the premises. Two species of smart-weed, mild water-pepper, water Persicaria and two other species of knotweed are all common. Out of 14 species of what appears to be smart- weed, only two are biting to the taste. Arrow-leaved tear-thumb, black bindweed and climbing false buckwheat are common vines. Pie-plant, "yellow dock " and sheep-sorrel represent another divis- ion of the knotweed family. The most common member of tin's division in this county is curled, or " yellow " dock; then follow sheep-sorrel (abounding in sandy soil), pale, water, swamp and bitter docks. Laurel Family. — Sassafras is common along the bluffs and bot- toms of the rivers. Spice bush is common. Mesereum Family. — Leather-wood, with its remarkably tough bark, is not abundant anywhere. Sandal -wood Family. — Bastard toad-flax is rather scarce. Lizard''s-tail Family. — Lizard's tail is common in swamps. Spurges. — Spotted spurge, an herb growing more prostrate than all others, on cultivated ground; milky; no visible flowers. Three other species of spurge are almost common. Three-seeded mercury, known in former years to inhabit only the dark forest, has followed to our city residences where it can find a similar situation. Nettle Order. — Of the Elm family are the white and the slippery elm and the hackberry,— the first mentioned abundant, the other two scarce. Of the Bread-fruit and Fig family is the red mulberry, which is scarce. Of the Nettle family proper are the true nettle (rare), wood nettle (common), richweed, pellitory, hemp and hop. Kichweed, or clearweed, like the mercury of the last paragraph, has followed man to his artificial groves and is very abundant on flat ground under heavy shade-trees, in some places. It is remarkable that botanists have placed in this order the osage orange tree of our hedges, the bread-fruit tree of the Pacific isles, the fig and the banyan, and the poison upas of the East Indies. Plane-Tree Family. — *' Sycamore," or button-wood, or Ameri- can plane. The true sycamore of Europe is a different tree. Walnut Family.— B\a.ck and white walnut (butternut) are well known. Three species of shell-bark and two of smooth-bark, are common in this country. The list comprises the shag-bark, the Western shell-bark, the mockernut or white-heart, the pig-nut or broom, and the bitter-nut or swamp hickories. HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 355 Oah FamUy.—T\\\'& family comprises not only the oaks but also the chestnut, beech, hazel-nut and iron-wood. Some of the oaks hybridize so much that it is difBcult to keep track of the species and varieties. White oak, of course, takes the lead here as else- where, but the black jack is about as abundant. The latter is usually the " second gi-owth," and is as good as hickory for lire- wood. Bur-oak, scarlet oak and black oak (yellow-barked, or quercitron) are common. Laurel or shingle oak, yellow chestnut oak and red oak are occasionally met with. Laurel oak is so called on account of the shape of its leaves, and is also called shingle oak, on account of its being so good in pioneer times for cla]>boards. Two species of iron-wood flourish here. They belong to different fenera, one having seeds in clusters of involucres resembling hops; ence it is called liop hornbeam. The other iron-wood or horn- beam is also called blue or water beech. Birch Family. — The red, or river birch is sometimes found along the rivers and creeks, the dwarf birch in swamps. Paper birch is rather common. Willows. — The most common willow, as well as the largest, is the black; then thejirarie, glaucous, heart-leaved, shining and long- leaved. The black and the shining willows have tough twigs which are very brittle at the base. Several other species of willow occur, but are rare. The quaking asp, or American aspen, the cotton- wood. balm-of-Gilead, Lombardy poplar and silver-leaf, or white poplar, are well known. Glandular- leaved willow is common about the head of Lake Michigan. Pines. — The most common pines in this region are the white and northern scrub. Black and hemlock spruce and balsam fir may be found. Aru7n Family. — Indian turnip (Jack-in-the pulpit) abundant; skunk cabbage common in wet places supplied by spring- water; green dragon common; sweet flag rare. Duckweeds. — Two species common on the surface of ponds. They do not take root in the earth. Cat-tails. — Common cat-tail (a kind of flag) and a species of bur reed occur in wet places. Pondweeds. — Several species grow throughout this country. Their habitat is in or under water. Water- Plantain Family. — Arrowhead (two species, with several variations) is abundant. Has large, arrow-shaped leaves and white flowers in threes, and grows along the sloughs. AVater plantain and arrow-grass are sometimes found, growing in same situation as last. Orchids. — Showy orchis, eight or ten species of Habenaria, rattlesnake plantain, ladies' tresses, Pogonia, crane-fly orchis, adder's mouth, coral-root and five species of lady's slipper are found in this county, and Calopogon is common. The lady's slippers are 356 HISTORY OF ELKHAET CODNTT. being tiiinned out rapidly by parties shipping them East, for a price. Amaryllis FamUy. — Star-grass is common in prairies. It is a modest little grass-like ]ilant, putting forth its conspicious, yellow, three-petaled flowers in June. Irh Family. — The larger blue flag is becoming rare. Blue-eyed grass looks like the star-grass just mentioned, except that the flowers are white or pale blue. Its habitat is the prairie. Yam Family. — Wild yam-root is a green vine sometimes seen in the woods. Smilax Family. — Common green-brier, smilax hispida and car- rion flower are all not very rare. Lily Family. — Purple trillium, or three-leaved nightshade, and the large white trillium ai-e abundant: flower in May. One or two other species of trillium sometimes occur. Bellwort is an early flower in the woods. Smaller Solomon's seal and false spikenard are common. Wild orange-red lily is common in the margins of prairies which are not pastured and have never been broken. White dog's-tooth violet, white hellebore and great Solomon's seal are reported here. Yellow dog's tooth violet is abundant; it is a prominent flower in April, in the woods. Squill (eastern quamash, or wild hyacinth) is also found in this county. Wild garlic, having tops like our garden top-onions, and wild leek are common in low places not pastured. Bushes. — The bog-rush is a very common, yellowish, grass-like herb along roads and paths, especially those leading through the forest; but it is also found to some extent in all other situations. Common, or soft rush is common, and several other species are also common. Pickerel-weeds. — Water star-grass, growing under running water in the forest brooks, is common. Pickerel-weed is occasional. Spiderworts. — Common spiderwort is common. Day-flower is rare. St'dges. — There are three or four dozen species of sedge growing within the limits of any one county, but they are all unimportant plants. They have a grass-like appearance, but can readily be dis- tinguished from the grasses by their having triangular stems and bur-like tops (seed clusters), while the grasses have rounder round- ish stems. What is generally called lake grass along the rivers is a true sedge, and its English name is great bulrush. It is by far the largest of the sedges. The river club-rush is next in size. Grasses. — Blue grass takes the lead for prevalence and utility. Next, two species of fox-tail. Besides these the most common grasses are white grass, rice cut grass, Indian rice or water oats, timothy, rush grass (two species), bent grass, wood reed-grass, dropseed (two genera); reed bent-grass, blue joint grass, porcupine grass, fresh-water cord-grass, Kceleria, Eatonia (two species), melic grass, fowl meadow grass and its congener, Glyceria fluitans, low spear-grass, red top, Eragrostis (three species), fescue (two species), HI8T0ET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 357 chess, Bromus oiliatus, reed (a tall, broom-corn-like grass growiug in dense fields in the swamps of the river bottom), Hordenm pra- tense (a kind of wild barley), two species of lyme-grass or wild rye, bottle-brush grass, reed canary grass, Paspalum, wire grass, eight species of panic-grass, among them two kinds of tickle-grass, and one old-witch grass, crab-grass and barn-yard grass, sand-bur (in sand) and two species of beard-grass. About two dozen other kinds of grass can be found in the county, but they are all very rare. Horse-tails. — Scouring rush and common horse-tail (especially along railroads) are common: two other species scarce. Ferns. — Maiden-hair, brake, a spleenwort, a shield fern, a blad- der fern, one species of flowering fern and the sensitive fern are commmon in the order here named, while two or three other ferns may be found. Cluh-Mosses. — Several species are found here, one being com- mon . CHAPTER III. PIONEERS' ASSOCIATION. My home ! the spirit of its love is breathing In every wind that plays across my track. From its white walls the very tendrils wreathing, Seem with soft links to draw the wanderer back. It has ever been considered a day of rejoicing when pioneers should meet, when old comrades should come together, to renew their memories and cheer up their souls. In the dim past, when, after Babel, the migrations of tlie peoples took an extensive form, the idea of periodical reunion was made practicable. On the land where Athens now stands such another meeting is said to have taken place as that which did honor to the pioneers of Elkhart in 1859. Over two thousand years ago the spot on which is now built tlie city of Paris, the beautiful Lutetia of Julian, the early settlers united in their strength and sacrificed to the gods in honor of their meeting and in thanksgiving for the beautiful land they possessed. Three thousand years ago the Partholanians met at Howth and lighted the Pagan J5res of joy for giving them a home in Ireland, so far away from the assaults of their brother Greeks; and still later the warlike Milesians assembled on the same shore to celebrate the anniversary of their conquest of the island, and to meet in tnerry circle before separating for their homes. Revert to the olden times, to the history of every country, and the accounts of those happy reunions remind us of their utility. If then our barbarous ancestors of dim antiquity observed the custom, how much more becoming is it for the people of to-day, who may be said to have reached the highest pinnacle of civilization to be attained by the race at present inhabiting this globe? The fact is accepted and acknowledged. Throughout the length and breadth of this great land, the large-souled pioneers who have made this country great have assembled periodically to celebrate their advent and their stay, and to give thanks to their God for His mercy in leading them to peaceful and happy homes. The pleasure of such meetings is only known to pioneers. Their children can scarce conceive the feeling which such an assembly creates, or the happy memories which it (358) HISTORY OF ELKIIAET COUNTY. 359 awakens. For them alone it has an undying interest; and though the young may possibly share a little in the joy of the old, they never can summon up the same endearing memories as pertain to the latter, or entertain for the soil they tread that beautiful vener- ation which pertains to the heart of the old settler. He alone saw the virgin soil and married her. His industry tamed the beautiful wild land until it yielded returns a hundred fold; his hands deco- rated the farm with a modest and comfortable cottage, and now in his declining years he has that homestead to take pride in, and these happy meetings to yield him pleasure. Happy settlers! Good old settlers! "Well deserved are the honors you have ^won, — well merited the peace and joy that waits upon your age! THE pioneers' ASSOCIATION. At a very early period in the history of the county efforts were made to organize an association, in which all the pioneers would be embraced. For many reasons the progress made was very slow, so that so late as twenty-three years ago no regularly constituted organization had existence. Then the people, having emerged from the period of labor and careful guard, turned their attention to the good work, and without delay banded themselves together, and the union of the venerable citizens was complete. The iirst annual meeting of this association was held at Goshen May 11, 1857. J. H. Barnes presided, and E. W. H. Ellis was sec- retary. The following officers were then elected: President, Mat- thew Rippey; Yice-Presidents, Col. John Jackson, Geo. Nicholson and Wm. Waugh; Secretary, E. W. H. Ellis; Treasurer, Milton Mercer; Executive Committee, J. E. McCord, of Elkhart town- ship; Eobert A. Thomas, of Clinton; John D. Elsea, of Benton; Mark B. Thompson, of Jackson ; John Peppinger, of Union; Daniel McCoy, of Locke; Noah Anderson, of Harrison; John Davenport, of Concord; James Beck, of Bango; C. Terwilliger, of Olive; J. D. Carleton, of Cleveland ; Nathaniel Newell, of Osolo; Owen Coffin, of "Washington; Charles L. Murra}', of Jefferson; Lewis F. Case, of Middlebury, and A. B. Arnold, of York. Those gentlemen performed the work of organization entrusted to them in a most satisfactory manner, so that for many succeeding years the reunion of old settlers was an event looked forward to with extraordinary interest, not only by themselves, but also by their children and modern residents in the county. The aggregate meeting of old settlers held at Goshen the subsequent year proved 360 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. an evidence of the care devoted to it by the organizers. It was a thorough literary and social success, nor was the recent reunion of 1879 inferior to it. The " Pioneer'.s Song," by Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, written on the occasion of a similar reunion in 1858, was rendered in a very effffctive manner by Mrs. Frank Dennis, assisted by Mrs. Crary and D. W. Hattei. Tiie last chorus is not so cliaracteristic as the four preceding ones; but, as will be seen, was very appropri- ate to the occasion. So come along, couie along ; and this the toast shall be: " Honor to the pioneers and their posterity!" And when, like leaves in autumn, their time shall come to fall. May their virtues and their memories be cherished by us all. The author of that song had been both poet, writer and orator. He performed much also for his adopted county, and consequently took a very important part in the public events of the period, until he made for himself such an enviable reputation as to win even from the writer this brief notice, and a place for his simple yet glo- rious old song in history. PIONEER'S SONG. BY DR. E. W. H. ELLIS. AIR — " Uiide Sam's Farm." [Written for the Old Settlers" Meeting in Goshen, February S4, 1858. J I. Friends, let's pause a moment Amid good feeling's flow, To toast the lads and lasses Of thirty years ago, Who left their homes of plenty And broad Ohio's shore. The forests and the prairies Of Elkhart to explore. "Come along, gee along, now begin to go, Tow'rds the blooming prairies and the bright St. Jo — " Oh, the earth is very broad and her bosom rich and rare, Like the Goshen of old Egypt, it has milk and honey fair ! II. They " squatted" in the forests And on the prairies wide ; They built their humble cabins. And the tempests they defied; HISTORY OF ELKU4.ET COUNTY. 361 They tum'd the deep soil over, The richest ever found, And the seeds and sprouts they bro't along They run 'em in the ground! " Come along, gee along, Buck and Bright halloe! What you 'bout, you lazy dogs, pushing 'long so slow !" Oh, the land is full of riches as ever filled an urn, And a thousand sleeping furrows are waiting for their "turn !" III. Their true and trusty rifles Were hanging on their pegs, And their very rusty " trowsers " Were hanging on their legs; With muskets on their shoulders They hunted near and far. And home they brought a noble buck. And now and then a "ba'r!" "Come along, come along," rang the merry shout, "Molly bake the hoe-cake, shove the table out. Bring the pewter dishes, set the gourds around," While the song and story and meiTy jokes resound. IV. Blooming like a garden In the summer's sun, Smiled the lovely prairie When their work was done; But of all the products That made their hearts rejoice. And the crop most certain. Was the crop of girls and boys. "Come along, come along, Tom, and Nell, and Joe, Jack, and Jim, and Peg, and Sal, don't you be so slow." Oh, the only way a man can do his duty to the nation Is to plow, and sow, and reap, and mow, and raise the population. Then honor to the hardy men, And noble women, too. Who planted here their happy homes Some thirty years ago; Whose daring hearts and sturdy arms First laid the forests low. And elbowed round and made the room For "sprouts" like us to grow. So come along, come along, and this the toast shall be: "Honor to the pioneers and their posterity!" And when, like leaves in autumn, their time shall come to fall. May their virtues and their memories be cherished by us all. HISTORY OF ELKUART COUNTY. MEMBERS OF THE PIONEERS ASSOCIATION. Knmes Age. Dnltof Plnce of Iminlgi't'ii. NntWy. Albin, Moreland C2 1839 O. " Mrs 58 1838 Pa. Albright, Jouas 77 1837 N. C. Beane, Esler 70 183() Va. Beck, Sr., James 76 1830 Ky. Mrs 66 1830 Me. Butler, W. H 48 1831 Ind. Bunger, S 53 1838 O. Mrs 49 1835 Can. Browu, T. C 55 1837 Pa. Brown, II. K 83 1835 Tenn. Beard, Frederick 63 1831 O. Burns, Torrance 72 1834 Ky. Burns, Mrs. John .... 60 1833 O. Brown, Amos 63 1837 Pa. Beckner, Jacob 84 1834 Va. Boomersliire, S 66 1838 O. Braden, R. D 70 1834 O. Mrs 65 1834 O. Benner, Beni 75 1834 Pa. Mrs 66 1834 N.Y. Bauta, Mrs. E 63 1829 O. Bacliclor, Mrs 67 1835 O. Bowser, Wni 63 1833 O. Mrs 60 1831 O. Boyd, Thomas 66 1839 Pa. Bishop, D. C 63 1837 N. Y. " Mrs 58 1835 N. Y. Beclt, Noah 63 1834 Md. Beck, Albert 65 1833 O. Blue, Abner 60 1836 O. Butler, T. P 53 1831 O. Bowser, T SO 1832 O. Bowser, Elijah 58 1832 O. Bachelor, Daniel 71 1836 Me. Basher, Michael 70 1834 Pa. Back, Mrs 56 1833 O. Beane, W. A 51 1836 O. Beardsley, Mrs. Dr...73 1830 — Broderick, Mrs. N. F..64 1835 — Bachelor, Jlrs 67 1835 O. Cormary, Mrs 63 1834 Va. Caldwell, Robert 43 1836 Ind. Carmien, Wm 76 1831 Md. Cripe, Daniel T 58 1830 O. " B. C 59 1830 O. " J. M 54 1830 O. Crary, John L 59 1834 O. " Mrs. J. L — — Coon, Mrs 43 1833 Ind. Crary, James H — — Case, L. F 73 1836 N. Y. " Mrs 69 1836 N.Y. Cornell, B. F 65 1833 O. Case, Ettie 42 1837 Ind. Childs, Mrs. S 67 1830 N. Y. Corpe, E. H 43 1835 O. Cathcart, B. F 61 1830 Ind. Cline, Jacob 57 1839 Ger. Case, B. V 69 1S36 N. Y. Iinuilg'l'n. Nallv'y. Chamberlain,Mr8.P.A.63 1837 N. Y. Crary, C. W 49 1837 N. Y. Corey, Rev. C 80 1832 N. Y. Carmien, W. H 43 1836 Ind. Clark, D. J 83 1834 Vt. Cooper, John A 54 1839 O. Cowau, J. W 57 1834 O. Mrs 54 1837 Pa. Chamberlain, Mrs. E.G.60 1839 N. Y. Carpenter, Mrs. Elias. 74 1829 Va. Carlton, Mrs 57 1834 — Cornell, Mrs. B. F. ..60 1835 N. J. Defrees, JNIrs 58 1833 — Dodge, E. F 45 1833 Ind. DeCamp, Silas 58 1834 Ind. Mrs... 53 1834 Ind. Defrees, J. 11 67 1831 Ten. Dewey, Mrs. O. F. . . .48 1836 S. C, Darr, David 60 1830 O. Engl e, Andre w 57 1 833 O. " Mrs 60 1839 Va. Ellis, Joel 58 1830 N. Y. " J.W 54 1831 N. Y. Eby, David 60 1835 O. " Samuel 72 1837 O. Eldridge, David — 1835 O. Eisenbeis, Wm 53 1834 Md. Mrs 54 1835 O. Funk, Joseph 57 1823 O. Fetters, Peter 73 1833 Pa. Farber, C. S 68 1835 Va. Foster, C. E 50 1836 Ct. Gregory, E 63 1837 Ct. Garrison, A 53 1 838 N. Y. Garven, D 60 1835 O. Ganger, Samuel 73 1836 Pa. Gamberling, Geo 50 1846 O. Mrs... .47 1835 Va. Ganger, Daniel 72 1839 Pa. Grissamer, R 55 1836 Pa. Hubbell, A. L 63 1834 O. Ilockert, Mrs 48 1836 O. Hockcrt, J 55 1829 Ind. Hopkins, Mrs 44 1835 O. Hahn, — 54 1830 — Hawks, J. P 57 1837 N. Y. Mrs 55 1835 N.Y. Henry, Mrs. Dr 63 1840 — Hess, I 61 1829 O. Halstead, Elizabeth. ..53 1838 N. Y. Hively, Mrs 53 1835 O. Hendricks, "W. C. . . .77 1839 Ct. Heaton, P 70 1835 O. Hess, B 63 1829 O. •' E 68 1829 O. " Mrs 62 1833 O. Hascall, C. S 68 1837 N. Y. " Mrs 59 1835 N.Y. Howenstein, R 60 1838 O. Hawks, Cephas 67 1835 N. Y. HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTT. Hawks, Mrs 61 1838 Vt. E 61 1887 N.Y. Hixon, S. L 73 18;!4 Pa. Hire, John 63 1830 O. " Mrs 40 1839 Ind. Hitchcock, H. H 63 1837 N. Y. Mrs 54 1837 N.Y. Irwin, E 53 1833 Pa. " R. D 55 1833 Pa. " Mrs 47 1835 Pa. Juday, J: 73 1830 — " B 43 1836 O. Jackson, F 65 1838 Ire. Mrs 58 1835 O. Jackson, Mrs. Ira 56 1838 N. Y. Jiiday, A 54 1838 — Johnson, G. C 56 1836 — Jackson, Ira 59 1829 O. Jacobs, Mrs. Henry. .. — — Kellogg, Mrs 73 1837 — King, M. D 68 1837 Pa. " Mrs 53 1839 O. Knapp, D. J 43 183G Ind. Kinnison, A 54 1837 O. " 58 1833 Va. Kitson, Mrs 71 1838 N. Y. Krupp, D. H 43 1837 — Koonce, Wm 60 1835 Va. Knox, J. D 73 1831 Va. Latta, James M 46 1834 Ind. Lake, 11. T 64 1837 Va. '■ Mrs 57 1830 O. Long, H 53 1839 Larimer, Brice — 1835 O. Lmderman, John 63 1834 . Md. J. A 60 1833 Ger. Longacre, J. W 58 1839 Ind. T 48 1831 Ind. Mills, A. H 76 1835 Va. Matthews, E 60 1830 O. Mitchell, Mrs. E 53 1839 O. M'Cullough, Andrew.. 76 1838 Pa. " Mrs. Andrew. 71 1838 Pa. Manning, A! 63 1834 O. " Mrs 50 1835 Pa. Matthews, D 59 1839 O. Mitchell, Elizabeth...— 1830 Mayfield, J. H 59 1834 D. C. Mrs 55 1830 O. McKibben, J 75 1838 Ire. McDowell, Mrs. S. . . .56 1835W.Va. McCloud, James 69 1834 O. Mercer, Mary 81 1839 Va. Martin, Ed 71 1833 Pa. Mrs 63 1833 O. Mercer, M ,59 1833 Pa. ' Miller, Rebecca 57 1831 Ind. McBride, Mrs 63 1831 Ind. Moore, John 59 1835 N. Y. " Thomas 47 1835 N. Y. Miller, Henry 57 1839 Pa. McNutt, Joseph 71 1835 Va. Miller, Sam R 60 1835 Pa. Name*. 4ge. Date of Pliice of Immlirt'i'n. Naliv'y Mills, J. W 44 1836 Ind.' McReynolds, Mrs Jas. — ■ McCumsey, Luke 53 1835 O. Mrs 50 1839 Matthews, John 61 1831 O. Messick, Mrs. P. C. 43 1836 Ind. Newell, Joseph 45 1835 N. Y. Mrs 76 1831 Md. W. B 50 1838 N.B. Norton, A. A 76 1838 N. Y. Mrs 75 1838 N.Y. " W. H 43 1838 N.Y. Nihart, J 54 1835 Pa. " John — Newell, George 40 1839. Ind. Prickett, Thomas 47 1833 Ind. Pease, Warren 53 1830 O. Poorbaugh, P 63 1830 Pa. Powell, J. L 78 1839 Va. Mrs 66 1837 N.Y. Pickerel, John 59 1835 O. Purl, Mrs 60 1833 Md. " Gabe 67 1835 Va. Potter, Mrs 58 1836 N. Y. Price, M 49 1831 O. Pearman, B. F. 53 1839 Ind. Rowell, Mrs. Geo. P. .— Rohrer, Jos 47 1833 O. Mrs 63 1831 O. " John 53 1833 O. Mrs 53 1833 O. Rush, 1 51 1839 Ind. Rowell, Geo. P — 1835 N. H. Rippey, M 76 1831 O. Rush, R 53 1838 O. " Mrs 49 1836 N.Y. Rosenberger, Nancy. ..53 1833 Pa. Roller, P. M 77 1835 Va. Stillman, Mrs. ROX...75 1837 " Frances. 63 1833-40 Shuey, Mrs 76 1837 " J. H 53 1837 O. Mrs 43 1837 N. Y. Simonton, D. S 61 1833 O. Mrs 54 1834 N.Y. Stockdale, John N 71 1834 O. Smith, C. J 65 1839 N. J. Mrs 55 1835 Md. Stillman, A. H 49 1833 N. Y. Stetler, John 80 1838 Pa. Mrs 73 1838 Pa. Starks, Philo 73 1833 Vt. Mrs 71 1833 Pa. Snyder, John 53 1835 O. Sunimcy, Eli 61 1839 Ind. Stephenson, D. S. . . .48 1833 O. Stephenson, Mrs 45 1 834 O. Summey, Malinda....68 1833 O. Stutz, Mrs 54 1835 O. Shaefer, W 58 1837 Stump, A. D 56 1838 Smith, T 67 1838 Stevens, Mrs. B. F . . .46 1834 N. Y. 364 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COCNTT. Strong, S. F 62 Stroup, R 74 Smith, Con 49 Swab, Wm — " " Mrs — Stonder, Sam 50 Starks, N 47 Stutsman, Sam 57 Stiver, John 48 Smith, Mrs. N 43 Stroup, J 50 Stancliff, Mary 63 StaufCer, Mrs. J 57 Stotts, Mrs 74 Shrock, Mrs 64 Sherwin, Leander 78 Stutsman, Aaron 54 Stetler, J. W 40 Scranage, Samuel 68 Suavely, Mrs. E 44 Shoup, Noah 54 Smith, Mrs. Conrad.. .86 Stevens, Mrs. Ed 47 Sparklin, John 45 Mrs 41 Stauffer, Margaret. . . . — Thomas, CM 45 Thompson, J. E 51 Tibbetts, Mrs 50 Terwilliger, R 46 ^^i N.UVy 0. 1836 (ier. 1838:^. Y. ! 1833 (). 1832 Ind. 1832 (). 1832 Pa. 1833 O. 1836 (). 1836 (). 1836 Mich. 1830 Ind- 1838 0. 1831 0. 1834 Va. 1837 N. Y. 1830 Ha. 1839 Tnd. 1836 Va. 1835 Ind. 1830 (). 1838 N. Y. 1831 Ind. 1834 Ind. 1838 Ind. 1838 Pa 1838 Ind. 1833 (). 1837 N. Y. 1 Thomas, W. A. ... .63 1838 Va. "Mrs 46 1835 Ind. Unrue, Isaac .80 1836 Va. 1831 Ky. Van Frank, J 76 1835 V.Y. Mrs. J.. 71 1835 R. 1. C. P 46 1835 N.Y. Venaraou, Harvey. . ..75 1834 Ky. Violett, Isdiah .44 1835 hid. " JobnH.... ,50 1839 Ind. Vail, J. D .65 1837 Pa. " Mrs . 51 1828 (). Weybright, D ..55 1830 O. " M ..57 1830 (). " Mrs .56 1830 (). Walburn, John ..67 1838 (). " Mrs , 65 1838 (). 1835 (> Witmer, L. W ..48 O. " Mrs ..43 1837 S. Y. Weyburn, Mrs. S. H Walters, Geo ...53 1834 N. Y. .74 1836 Ha. Wilkinson, N 53 1835 (). Weddell, J. E ..49 1831 Pa. Waugh, Wm .. .. .80 1831 Del. Yeoman, Mrs. S. P. ..59 1837 (). Zinn, Geo .60 1837 <). Zollinger, .Jos ,56 1836 Ha, " Mrs ..54 1835 O. The following list of septuagenarians is based upon inquiries addressed to a number of old settlers; .it is as complete as it is now possible to render, it and contains the great majority of names of old settlers who have arrived at the age of 70 : Isaac Unrue Johnson Quinn Samuel McDowell Samuel Rutherford Anna Quinn EUas Purl I. Sneider J. L. Powell Jas. McNutt Amasa Hascall Thomas Thomas C. P. Jacobs Robert McCrary I. D. Knox Sol. Yeoman Wm. Waugh Leander Sherwin D. Peppinger Wm. Strnmbeck Mrs. Dr. Beardsley Wm. Vesey Jlrs. Hannah Cripe Mrs. J. W. Violett Mrs. Azel Sparlin Mrs. Henderer Sirs. Eliz. Carpenter Mrs. Mary Mercer Mrs. J. H. Barns Mrs. Wolfgang Mrs. B. G. Williams Mrs. Ann Griffin Peter Tetters Harvey Venamon Samuel Stuttsman Mrs. Rox. StiUman Robert Brown Dr. Mallet James Beck Mrs, Kellogg James Burke Sam. Wolfgang Michael Yoder 73 B. G. Williams 70 Rev. Jacob Studebaker 85 Wm. Wilkinson 76 P. W.Roler 77 Geo. Walters 74 M. Rippey 76 W. C. Hendricks 77 J. McKibbm 75 R. Stroup 74 D. L. Hixon 73 J. McCloud 70 J. Vanfrank 71 Mrs. Eliza Stutsman 82 Mrs. Conrad Smith 86 Mrs. Kelson 71 Mrs. Stotts 74 Geo. Culp 71 Davenport 70 Mrs. Shuey 76 ^m ^f .4 d/9rcM^c^ HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 367 In the pages of this work will doubtless be mentioned the names of old settlers not given hitherto, and thus a full roster of the pio- neers will be retained. A EETKOSPECT. What a change has come over the land since they first saw it! A modern thinker has said that the metamorphosis from the sickle and the cradle to the modern harvester is not more wonderful than the changes which have been wrought in other branches of industry by the application of science; and he who brings up sad reminiscences of a hard day's work and a lumbago, caused by the swinging of his cradle or scythe, smiles at that semi-barbarous period that could neith- er produce a harvester nor a mower. To-day he mounts into the seat of the harvester as he would into his phaeton, and with the assur- ance that no matter what the condition of the grain, whether tang- led, lodged or leaning, he masters a quarter section of wheat field more thoroughly, more economically, more perfectly, than he could have managed a five-acre field a quarter century since. The change is material certainly. They realize it, but they look back to the never- to-be-forgotten past, when contentment waited on the work of the old cradle, plow and spade, and when the primitiveness of the implements of industry made all primitively happy. Then content- ment reigned supreme, and continued so to do, until knowledge created ambitions, and these ambitions brought with them in their train their proverbial and numerous little troubles. The change has been revolutionizing indeed. Then political meet- ings were called by messages passed from mouth to mouth, from neighbor to neighbor; now the columns of the newspapers, large posters, and a big drum with numerous shrill fifes call the electors to assemble. These bands are creatures of campaign excitement; they are called out during State and National elections, and discourse a peculiarly discordant music from early morning until the close of the first part of night. " The Girl I Left Behind Me " with " Yankee Doodle," and " Auld Lang Syne " with Pandeen O'Rafferty sum- mon up their musical repertoire, so that such tunes have become unmistakable evidences of the progress of election matters; and the more boisterous their rude musicians, the higher is the interest taken in the proceedings. On very special occasions the services of the silver cornet band are requisitioned; sometimes a concert party accompanies the orator in his round of the townships of the county, and in such cases a political meeting is a thing of beauty; HISTORT OF ELKHAET CODNTT. but let ITS hope that the time is approaching wlien political life will cease to recLuire the aid of such terribly hideous noise as that which the precocious youth of our towns and villages render. Why, it does not come near the" tum-tum "of the red men in harmony, and it certainly exceeds that musical accompaniment of the " dog feast " in the variety and earnestness of its deafening noise. A HISTORY IN BRIEF. At a meeting of the old settlers of Elkhart county, held at Goshen on Wednesday, Feb. 24, 1S5S, the Hon. Joseph H. Defrees addressed his assembled friends. Every line of this great remem- brancer of the past is so replete with interest and historical truths that its .introduction in these pages cannot be otherwise than acceptable since it is at once the summary of Elkhart's history related by one of Elkhart's patriotic and oldest living children. He said : "The occasion which had called them together was a peculiar one, one calculated to excite the emotions and call up the remi- niscences of the past, which have lain dormant in the mind for many 3'ears. It was one also that did not require a great eflbrt ot oratory or any display of forensic power; but rather a sketch of the occurrences of the past, scenes with which most of his audience were familiar. He saw assembled that day, a few of those hardy pioneers, who, in the morning of their manhood, gathered up their all, and with their axes on their shoulders, pushed out upon the uninhabited wilderness of the West, and took up their abode in this beautiful country of ours. The first settlement of the St. Joseph country, of which this is a part, was commenced about 1828, a less period than 30 years ago, in the vicinity of Niles and South Bend. Emigrants were attracted to these points from the fact that some years before this the Baptist denomination, I believe, had established a mission post on the Portage Prairie near these places for the purpose of civilizing and Christianizi.ig the Indians, who at that day inhabited all this region of country-. " EMIGRATION AND IMMIGRATION. " Yet, the great flood of emigration did not commence its out- pourings into the country until the years 1830-'31. Perhaps no country filled up more rapidly with inhabitants than did this, considering the means of migration, there being at that time no railroad, with its lightning speed, penetrating the far West from HISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTY. dbtf the Eastern or Middle States, the most common means used by the pioneer being that of the slow but faithful ox, to bear him and his family to the land of promise. " ORGANIZATION. " In the winter of 1S29 and 1830 an act passed the Legislature organizing the counties of St. Joseph and Elkhart, to which was attached for county purposes all the territory that now comprises the counties of Lake, Porter, La Porte, Lagrange, Steuben and Kosciusko. In July, 1S30, an election was held for the purpose of choosing a county clerk, sheriff, two associate judges, recorder and three justices of the peace. Thomas Thomas was elected Clerk; Eli Penwell, Sheriff; William Latta and Peter Diddj, Asso- ciate Judges; J. W. Violett, Recorder; James Mather, John Jack- son and Armenius Penwell, Justices of the Peace; as will appear by the following returns of the election: RECORDER. John W. Violett 35 votes James Morgan 16 " ASSOCIATE JUDGES. William Latta 63 votes Peter Diddy 51 " Th^marThomas'. '. ! ! ". ! ! '. ! ! ! ! 21 Beniamin Gilbreath 37 " Scattering 3 " justices of the peace. James Mather 59 votes ^^^'''^- A. C. PenweU 58 " Thomas Thomas 57 votes John Jackson 60 " Thomas Morgan 18 " James Friar 9 " Scattering 3 " " It will be observed that the whole vote polled at this election in the entire county, including the territory attached, out of which several counties have since been formed, was the number of 75. And it is to be presumed that the entire legal vote was cast, there being a number of aspirants to places of honor and profit, whose respective friends, no doubt, were active in their behalf. At that time the county business was transacted by the Board of Justices, instead of commissioners as is the law now. The place fixed by the Legislature at which courts were to be held, as well as the county business transacted, was at the house of Chester Sage, on the south side of the St. Joseph river, near where the late Dr. Beardsley's residence now stands. On the 2Sth day of June, 1830, the above named justices met at the place appointed by law, and were sworn in office by the clerk, and proceeded to the transaction of business. The first ofiicial act was to divide the county into two municipal townships as follows: 'AH that part of the county north- west of a line beginning at the western part of the county, between 370 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. townships 36 and 37, and running thence east to the line between sections 6 and 7, thence north to the State line, to be called Con- cord township; and all tliat part of the county south and east of said lines above, to be called Elkhart township.' At the same session of the Board, James Friar was appointed County Treasurer, and James Beck, Constable for Elkhart township, and Azel Spark- liu. Inspector of Elections. The Sheriff was appointed County Collector. " Thus, the county having been fully organized, and all the necessary officers chosen to put the wheels of government in full operation, another question of importance, and one that occasioned considerable excitement, was still to be settled,^that of the " LOCATION OF THE COUNTY SEAT. "The Legislature in 1829 and 1830 appointed the following per- sons as commissioners to locate and establish the seat of justice for Elkhart county, viz: — Hugh Hannah, John Bishop, Samuel Fleming, Joseph Bennett and W. G. Ewing. The commissioner proceeded to discharge the duties assigned to them, and on the 15th July, 1830, at a special session of the Board of Justices, they reported that they had selected the southwest quarter of section 24, town 3i north, of range 8 east, upon which to locate the county seat. This location is five or six miles northwest of Goshen, on the north side of the Elkhart river, a short distance above where Mr. DeCamp's mill-dam was afterward constructed. At this time the most populous part of the county was in Concord township, the first settlement having been made on Pleasant and Two-Mile Plains, wliicii fact, no doubt, influenced the commissioners in their selection. But in tliis instance, as in almost all cases of a similar character, the location did not give general satisfaction, as will be seen before we close this sketch. " That some idea may be had ot the population and wealth ot the county in 1830, I will state that the whole amount of revenue collected was $198, and the whole disbursement was $183.43, leav- ing a balance in the treasury of $14.57. The Board of Justices paid for taking the census of the whole county the full sum ot $4.50. The county clerk's bill for postage and stationery, the first half year after the organization of the county, was $1.87. " It will be observed that even if the treasury was not -(jlethoric, our county fathers so managed the finances that a surplus was left on hand at the end of the year. It may be a lesson might be HISTORY OF ELKnAKT COUNTY. 371 learaed from this exhibit by those who have now or may hereafter have control of the fiscal concerns of the county. In the fall of this year the first county court was held at the house of Mr. Sage, by the Associate Judges, Peter Diddy and William Latta. The action of the court was wholly confined to a few appeal cases from justice's dockets and recognizances to keep the peace. It was in this year also, that " THE FIRST GRIST-MILL was commenced in this vicinity, if not in the county, by John Carpenter, Sr., on the south bank of Rock run, near where the present lower bridge crosses that stream; and notwithstanding that the burro that were used in this mill wei-e of native growth, they cracked corn pretty lively, and ground wheat as fast as a boy could bolt the flour, by doing ' circular work ' at the end of a large wheel on the shaft of the bolt. This mill was of great convenience to the whole neighborhood and county, fur prior to this time what few grists there were to be ground had to be carried to Mr. Lacy's mill, on the Dowagiac, a short distance below Niles. Most of the provisions, however, of that early day, both of flour and meat, were brought from Detroit by way of Lake Michigan and the St. Joseph river. '' RE-LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT. " In the winter of 1S30-'31 the Legislature passed an act author- izing a review for the location of the county seat of Elkhart county. According to said act, David Miller, Anthony E. Davis and L. G. Thompson proceeded, IMarch 21, 1S31, to examine the difl'erent sites proposed on which to locate the seat of justice, together with the point which the former commissioners appointed for that purpose had selected for its location. After due examination and reflection they vacated the former location and selected the ground upon which Goshen now stands as the most suitable point, taking into consideration its central position and the fact that the land yet belonged to the general Government. By an act of Congress in 1824, new counties- had the privilege of p:e-empting 160 acres of land upon which to locate county towns, could such suitable land be found unoccupied. Accordingly on the 23d of March, 1831, these commissioners reported the action they had taken in the premises to the Board of Justices, who had called an extra session of court for this purpose. 372 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. " PLATTING GOSHEN. " At a special meeting of the Board of Justices held in June, 1831, the land having been secured, they ordered Oliver Crane, whom they had previously appointed county agent, to proceed, as soon as convenient, to lay off said land into lots, and to advertise thera for sale on the 20th of July, ensuing. Accordingly Mr. Geo. Crawford was employed as surveyor to do this work, and the sale was made on the day appointed. " THE BOARD OF JUSTICES ABOLISHED. "The Legislature at the session of 1830-'31, changed the mode and law of doing county business from a Board of Justices to that ot county commissioners. The county was divided into three districts, and Edward Downing, Geo. McCnllom and John Jackson were elected the first County Commissioners and held their first session at the house of Thomas Thomas on Two-Mile Plain, in September. At this session the county agent made his report of the number of lots sold at the sale, together with such as had been subsequently disposed of. The whole number sold was 44, which brought the aggregate sum of $2,607.75, being an average of a fraction over $48 a piece. In this sale were included many of the best lots in the village. " FIRST SETTLERS AT GOSHEN. "Soon after the sale of lots several log houses were erected in town, the first of which was bnilt, I believe, by Mr. "William Bis- sel upon the southeast corner of Sixth and Washington streets immediately south of the present residenceof Peter Tetters. Wil- liam Waugh and his family were the first persons that settled on the town plat. John II. Violett was, I understand, the first cliild born in Elkhart township that is now living, — his age being 28 years and three months. " THE FIRST CIRCUIT COURT held in Goshen was held in the fall of 1S31, in a log house owned by Mr. Duzenbury, which stood on the lot now occupied by Mr. A. B. Grubb as a saddler shop. This building was about 12x15 feet, and when the court was in full session, the judges at one end of the building and the jury at the other, it is said that the members HISTORY OF ELKUART COUNTY. 373 of the Bar while addressing the jury, if they desired to make a law point to tjie court, had to go out of the house in order to turn round and re-enter facing the judges, and vice vers". "The sixth judicial circuit, in which this county was placed, extended as far south as Wayne county. The Hon. Charles Test was the first president judge that held a court in this county. Charley, as he is familiarly called by his friends, has filled since that day many honorable positions, having served in the Congress of the United States and frequently represented his district in both branches of the Legislature. A few years ago he was Secretary of State, and in every position that he has been placed, has discharged his duty with marked ability. He is now president judge of the Lafaj-ette Circuit Court. " In looking over the names of those who composed the first grand and petit juries, I find but one man that is still among us, and that is our old friend Matthew Boyd, whose absence I regret very much to-day. The first indictment found and tried in court was against a person for selling one pound oi coffee without license, against the law in such cases made and provided. Members of the Bar at that time, as near as I can ascertain, were Henry Cooper, D. Colerick, Gustavus A. Everts, G. W. Ewing and John B. I^ew- man. In the fall of 1S31 J. D. Defrees and your humble speaker established a printing-press in the village of South Bend, a town that had been laid ofi" but a few months previous by Messrs. Haha and Taylor and A. Coquillard, in St. Joseph county. From this press we issued a sheet called the "northwestern pioneer, a name indicative of the fact that it was the first and only paper issued northwest of Piqua, Ohio, north of Indianapolis or west of Detroit. At this day an enterprise of this character would seem foolish; for the ' red man of the woods' outnumbered the ' pale- faces' almost two to one. But being full of ardor, and having selected St. Joseph county for our future home, we labored assid- uously to bring it into notoriety, — and you must pardon me for saying that I believe this one circumstance did more to cause immi- gration to flow in upon us than anything else sa\e the beauty of the country. 374 " HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTT. " THE BASHFUL MAN CRAVING FAME. " In this connection I must relate an anecdote. A short time after we got the press in operation, about midwinter, a young man, apparently about the age of 19 or 20 years, came into the office and remarked that after awhile he wanted to get a piece in the news, and would pay for it in maple sugar. Inquiry was made of him about the character of the article which he wished published. After considerable hesitancy and confusion, he said that he intended soon to get married, and wanted when it took place, to have it printed in the paper. Quizzing the young man awhile, and finding out that he and his intended blue-eyed companion lived on Elkhart 'Prairie, we told him we made no charge for publishing news of that character, — and in due time the notice was sent us. That young man, notwithstanding that he seemed to be a little ' verdant ' in reference to the rules of printers, made one of the best citizens that lived on that beautiful prairie. He has gone to his long home; his widow is still among us. " THE SAC WAR. " In the spring of 1832 what is commonly called the ' Sac "War ' took place. The inhabitants of the whole country were alarmed ; in imagination the tomahawk and scalping knife gleamed before us, red with gore; scouting parties were sent out in every direction; people left their farms and homes; some went back to the 'settle- ments ' and others congregated at Niles, South Bend and Goshen, these being the principal villages in the country. Forts were erected. Fort Beane, as it was called, in honor of Captain Henry Beane, stood out prominent to view on Elkhart Prairie, on the land of Oliver Crane, for some time after the war. Colonel Jackson was dispatched to Indianapolis to solicit aid from the Government, and the citizens generally manifested a courage and bravery worthy of their sires. A few weeks, however, dissipated all of our fears; it was soon ascertained that no hostile Indians had been nearer than 100 miles west of the then village of Chicago. This whole circumstance that Black Hawk with a por- tion of his tribe and a few of the Fox Indians were in the habit annually of passing around the southern bend of Lake Michigan on their way to Maiden, in Canada, where presents were distributed to them by the British government; and upon their trip this HISTOKT OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 875 spring they had some difficulty with a few pioneers in the territory that now comprises the State of Iowa, the Indians having made their reprisals on the provisions of the settlers. Their march north, however, was soon checked by a few volunteers sent out by the government of Illinois. Notwithstanding, the North- Western Pio- neer was sending out its weekly issue to the people in the country, and advising them not to be alarmed, — and to those who contem- plated removing here not to stay back or direct their steps else- where ; still the ' Sac War ' retarded, to a great degree, the improvement of and immigration into the country that year. In this year (1832) the authorities determined upon building a "court house. " The making and laying of the brick were contracted to Henry Davis, the carpenter work to Jacob Studebaker. This was the first court-house built in Northern Indiana. The first court was held in the spring of 1S33, Gustavus A. Everts, president judge. The house was not fully completed, however, until the fall of that year. In the fall of 1832 the first meeting-honse (Methodist) was built in Goshen, on the lot now occupied by Peter Peter: ssize 40 feet square. You must not suppose from this that the word of God was not dispensed amonw us at an earlier day; for it is a common saying that the first thing you discover on immigrating to a new country is a ' Methodist preacher and dog fennel;' why it is that they should be coupled togetlier I know not, unless they are re- garded as the first evidences of civilization. The Ohio Methodist Conference",had this country attached to her for religious purposes, and as early as 1829 and 1830 they sent out two men to labor in this part of the vineyard. lu the tall of 1834 the Indiana Confer- ence sent Mr. Griffith to preach here every four weeks, and the first sermon was delivered in the bar-room of Mr. Geo. McCullom's tavern, standing on the lot now occupied by Messrs. Marsh & Kin- dig. Dr. I. Latta's office, a small frame building, was frequently used as a place of worship. This meeting-house was also used as a school-house for many years. " NAVIGATION OF THE ELKHART RIVER. " In 1831 the Legislature passed an act granting Jacob Stude- bakerthe privilege of damming the Elkliart river at or near Goshen, which was the first mill-dam thrown across the stream. The river 376 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. having been declared navigable by the United States authorities, the Legislature required Mr. Studebaker to construct a suitable lock in his dam for the purpose of passing and repassing boats. It was supposed at an early day that the river would be extensively used as a means of carrying off the productions of the country, and importing into it such necessaries as the wants of the people de- manded. In the spring of this year, 1S31, I think it was, "a mail route was established between Fort Wayne and Niles, the mail to be carried over it once in four weeks. In the fall of the same year, the Postoflice Depart- ment increased the speed from once in four weeks to that of once in two weeks; many of you, no doubt, well remember how elated you felt, when you heard the sound of the old tin horn, blown by ' Old Hall ' as he came wending his way through the grove east ot the village, with his ' tantrum ' sorrels, himself astride of one, and the mail bags, containing news from the • settlements,' on the other, with a ' string' fastened to the bits of the leader in order to guide him in the right path. That old horn, with its music, discoursed sweeter strains to its hearers than did ever Hall and Arnold's in their palmiest days. '• political reminiscences. >' It may not be amiss to refer to some of the politicians who had the honor of representing this county in the Legislature of the State. The first election for Representatives took place in August, 1S31, and Samuel Hanna, of Fort Wayne, — this county being attached to Allen for representative purposes, — was elected. In 1S32 the Rep- resentative district was composed of Allen, Elkhart, St. Joseph, La Porte and Lagrange, and Geo. Crawford, of this county, was chosen its member. In 1S33 David H. Colerick was elected from the same district. In 1834 John B. Chapman was elected. In 1835 E. M. Chamberlain, and in 1S36 Elkhart county was entitled to a Representati%'e alone, and Col. Jackson was honored with being her first Representative. The Senatorial district was represented by each of these individuals, except Messrs. Chapman and Jackson — beginning in 1832 with Judge Hanna, and ending in 1S39 with Judge Chamberlain. It is a singular fact that all those members of the Legislature are still living, and within the territory that formed the original district, enjoying the fruits of their labors, save one, J. B. Chapman, who is now a resident of Kansas. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 377 " HE WOULD CONNECT TWO HEMISPHERES. " It was at the session of 1834 that the Buffalo & Mississippi railroad. charter was granted, which is now used by the Northern Indiana road. John B. Chapman has the honor of originating that cliarter, the object of which being to ' connect the two hemispheres,' as he said in a speech wliile canvassing the next year for re-election, as it is said; but I do not vouch for its correctness. The measure, however, was an important one, and was looked upon at that early day as a means that would soon be in operation to carry off the sur- plus produce that was beginning to accumulate in the country. Instead of having to ' ark ' down the Elkhart and St. Joseph rivers, exposed to the dangers of sand-bar and mill-dam, the surplus pro- ductions of the country, and ' keeling' back the merchandise from the lake consumed by the people, or hauling it from Michigan City, we anticipated a direct route east, saving the dangers of circuitous navigation, and speeding the time to market. Accordingly in 1836 a company was organized under the charter, and the work commenced, subscriptions having been liberally made along the line of the contemplated route; but in this instance, as in a great many others, we commenced at the ' wrong end,' and ruiu was the result, after having digged down a few sand hills between Michigan City. and La Porte. " It was about this time also that the State of Indiana embarked in a mammoth scheme of internal improvements, which was to bring a canal or railroad almost to every man's door, and to make all her citizens prosperous. In that great scherte we were provided for in the shape of a northern canal, to be constructed from Fort Wayne to Lake Michigan. This enterprise was surveyed and located through our village, which raised the expectations of our people to anticipate that a few years of time would convert our quiet little village into a noisy and bustling city. Town lots situated along the line of the canal, which ran along the Bluff, Bank of Reck Hun, became more valuable in the imagination of their owners than property in any other part of the town, and a number of citizens were induced to invest their means there, but were disappointed in the end. After having expended a consider- able sum of money in work upon this canal, it proved a failure, as did the whole internal improveme'nt system of the State. 378 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. " ELECTIONS AND POLITICIANS. "The elections in this county prior to 1S36 did not partake of a party character to any considerable extent, men being chosen to positions npon their personal merits. But with the increase of population a new order of things was incorporated into onr elec- tions, and candidates for office had to connect themselves with party organizations in order to be successful. The parties at this time were known generally as Jackson men and Adams men, they being the great leaders of the two classes of politicians into which the American people had divided. Accordingly, to advance their cause, the Adams men established at Goshen a weekly paper, called the ''GOSHEN EXPRESS, edited by Charles L. Murray, being the first newspaper published in Elkhart connty. A few months later the other party purchased a printing press and located it also in Goshen, from which was issued a sheet called the Goshen Democrat, and edited by Thomas H. Basset. The editors of these respective sheets advocated their peculiar politics with energy and ability. Some years afterward the Express was removed to Warsaw, and the D.'mocrat has con- tinued its labors here up to the present time. " PRESIDENTIAL A'OTE. •• The whole number of votes polled in Elkhart county in 1832 for President of the United States was 189. The number polled for the same purpose in 1836 was 759, and in 1810, 1,236, an increase of nearly 1,700 per cent, since the first election held in July, 1830. " PRODUCTS. "I have no means of ascertaining the amount of products raised prior to the year 1840: consequently I can give no statistics earlier than that year. The following figures will give the amount of the principal productions for that year: wheat, 44,501: bushels; corn, 98,862 bushels; oats, 45,787 bushels; hay, 2,0'12 tons; maple sugar, 73,697 lbs. Considering that a large portion of our county is heavily timbered, and requires an immense amount of labor to bring the soil to a state of productiveness, the showing is a good one to be produced in ten years of its first settlement. But in order that we may have some idea of the improvement and industry HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 3Y9 in the county for the next ten years, I will give the showing of the same articles of production in the year 1850 : wheat, lTi,716 bushels ; corn, 370,973 bushels; oats, 184,940 bushels; hay, 8,287 tons; maple sugar, 155,971 lbs.; making a net increase of nearly 400 per cent, over that of the year 1840. It is fair to suppose that the census of 1860 will show the same rates of increase, if not greater than that shown between the years 1840-'50, and if so, what an immense amount of money these articles alone, if sold at present prices, would produce, making in aggregate over one million dollars. " Thus, fellow citizens, I have very hastily sketched a few of the early incidents connected with the organization and settlement of this count}'; but it may not be out of place now to refer to our present condition, and anticipate somewhat of the future. " TIME AND CHANGE. "Look around us and see what changes time has produced, not only in the physical appearances of the country, but in its social, educational and moral aspect. Instead of the foot path or Indian trail leading from one neighborhood to another, we have township and county roads crossing each other at almost every section corner; the forests have given way before the strong arm of the axman; the bosom of the prairie that was so luxuriantly covered with the wild flowers, has been made to blossom with the fruits that sustain life, and the red-oak openings made to yield profusely to reward the labors of the husbandman. Kivers have been spanned with bridges, towns have sprung up as if by magic, and the busy hum of industry is heard all around us. Instead of the old ' corn- cracker ' on Eock run, elegantly finished grist-mills have been put in operation in almost every part of the county; instead of using 'puncheons' made with the broad ax, for flooring, the tall poplar and majestic oak is converted into such uses by saw-mills; in place of venison 'jerk' and 'corn-dodgers,' our tables are crowned with richest edibles, and our sons and daughters, instead of being smoked to ' sooty black' in the old log huts reared for school-houses, have neat white frame ones placed at almost every cross-road. The spire of the church meets the eye in every village.and every neigh- borhood; the surplus produce crowds your barns instead of your stock yards, and our citizens look indeed like ' Man is the noblest work of God.' We are no longer compelled to ' ark ' upon.the river, 380 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. or draw by torce of animal power, the surplus products of the coun- try; instead of the old 'tantrum' sorrels briugino; the mail once in four ■weeks, it is now received dail \- ; in place of the music of the tin horn, we hear the shrill whistle of tlie locomotive as it comes dashing along with lightning speed on tlie iron-rail; tiie telegraph, with its wondrous power, puts us within speaking distance of the seaboard cities, and evidences of progress meet us on every hand. Elkhart county, from a population of 300 when organized, has advanced to that of 20,000; instead of 189 votes polled, as at the Presidential election of 1832, she gave at the last Presidential election, 1856, a vote of nearly 4,000; instead of one little village in the center of the county, there are seven thriving towns. She has become the most populous county north of the Wabash, save one; exports more grain and flour than any other county through which the I^orthern Indi- ana railroad passes; has the best built county town of any county in the State of the same number of buildings; her citizens support three weekly newspapers established within her borders; her school- houses are thronged with happy children, and her churches are filled every Sabbath with an enlightened and grateful people, return- ing thanks to the God of the universe for the abundant mercies bestowed upon them. " Such are a few of the advantages that we as a people can boast of, and what may we not anticipate in the future? If so great a change has been produced with so many disadvantages at the begin- ning, within a period of 25 years, what may we not reason- ably expect with all the present facilities that now surround us, in the next quarter century? Although many of us who are here to-day may not live to see that time, yet it requires no prophet's ken to predict the future. "With a body of land unsurpassed in the valley of the St. Joseph, with less than one-eighth of our tillable land brought under cultivation, scarcely an eighty-acre lot not capable of sustaining a family of ten persons, the water-power of our beauti- ful streams but partially improved, the mechanical skill of our peo- ple not fully developed, is it too much to say that Elkhart county will not be surpassed in point of wealth, population and moral influence by any of her sister counties in the State of Indiana? But what has produced this mighty change, and what will it require in order to realize our anticipations? No supernatural or magnetic power has been called in to eflTect this change; nature has not stepped aside from her ordinary course to bring it about; no fabled genii have been among us to aid in this work. "What then HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTV. 381 has proditced it? LABOR, iucessant, unwearied toil has crowned us with these blessings. For this, long days and sleepless nights have been spent; the sinews of tlie strong arm have well nigh been palsied for its accomplish aient. Labor, that fiat of the Almighty to man, that by the sweat of his brow he shall live. Labor, that power that moves the Universe, and causes the planets to keep step with the spheres. Labor, dignified by God in the creation of the world. Labor, intelligent indefatigable, untiring labor will ever produce such great changes. "Let us then teach our sons and daughters to labor. Let us impress upon them the fact that an idle person is always in league with the devil; that a \&zj man is abhorred bj' the Almiglity, and that He looks upon such as worse than infidel. Teach them that in order to be prosperous and happy, some useful occupation must be pursued; that to play their part in the great drama of life they must be virtuous, intelligent, educated and governed by the principles of justice and righteousness." The existence of such a man as J. H. Defrees, who 21 years ago laid open the glorious little history which he and the strong minds and arms of his neighbors built up, cannot have proved otlierwise than most beneficial. He was then a practi- cal man in every sense; apart from his distinguished connection with the early journals of the country, he in later years made the work of the future historian light by his collection of legends and historical facts, and his happy memory. In this course even, he has taken a share in contributing to human happiness, and it must be a pleasure to all to see that man who came here, nearly half a century ago, with the clear head and honest heart of a young jour- nalist, now one of the strongest pillars supporting the commerce of the country. There are others to whom special honors are due, — a hundred names that shine in the records of the time. It is only allowed us here to quote from their eloquent essays. In other pages their good works are noted, their political and business actions reviewed, and thus their names are transmitted in enduring history for the admiration of those who are to succeed them. Dec. 13, 1S72, Mrs. J. H. Defrees entertained many of the old settlers who inhabited Goshen in 1835. Invitations were issued to a large number; but on account of illness, and many other causes only 28 were present on the festive occasion. Among the guests were Mrs. Mercer, 74 years of age; David B. Pippenger, 382 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 73; Bishop Waugb, Edward Martin, Geo. P. Rowell and W. A. Thomas. HAPPY MEM0KIE8. The old settlers' meeting of 1879 was replete in good results. Though many of those who participated in the pleasures of the first great meeting of 1S5S had passed away, quite a large number still remained to join together in admiration of the rewards which waited upon their toil and celebrate the forty-ninth anniversary of the establishment of their county. Many of the ancient people were called upon to relate the incidents of pioneer life, or review the history of the past, and as each utterance of those great old men must claim attention, an effort has been made to collect their addresses on that occasion. Wm. P. Martin said that he had been through this country as early as lS22-'3 and '24, before any houses had been erected in Goshen, and had camped on his several trips on the hill or spot where G. P. Eowell's foundry now stands. He drove always a four- horse team. Geo. Nicholson stated that he settled in Washington township, August 31, 1829, four months after the first settlement had been made in that township, by Aaron Brown, and three others, on April 27, 1829. He has been a resident of Washington township ever since; was one of the voters in Concord township at the first election ever held in the county ; had to go with his grist to Ford's mill on tlie Dowagiac, and in his route had to ford the St. Joseph's river with an ox team, and be careful to select, in the winter, a time when the ice was not running. At the close of Mr. Nicholson's remarks a call was made for all persons present, who had voted at the first election in the county, to rise, whereupon John W. Violett, H. Staufter, John Jackson, William Carmein, E. Carpenter and Mark B. Thompson, in addi- tion to Mr. Nicholson, rose up. Col. John Jackson said that he had lived in the county 23 years; •was a lieutenant in the army at the age of 22, in the war of 1812; was sent to assist Hull ; had reached Urbana, where his company lay two weeks, and heard while there that Hull had surrendered. Col. Meigs heard that Fort Wayne was besieged, and made a prop- osition for volunteers to go and relieve it. His company went, and found the fort in charge of Gen. Harrison, and the Indians all dispersed. Troops were sent after them, among them his company, '4.4 m^^ Wy/^/ ^ 7^///P^^z, HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. 385 and tiiey followed them to this county. They crossed Elkhart river at Benton, and made preparations to attack the Pottawatomie village situated where Mr. Thompson's farm now is; were divided into two detachments, one to approach the village tlirongh the woods, tlie other by the prairie. He belonged to the woods divi- sion. They found the village deserted. When he first entered on the prairie he thought it the most beautiful country he had ever seen, and resolved when the war should close, in case the Govern- ment should purchase the land of the Indians, he should come and make it his home. He heard in 1827 that the Indians had sold their lands to the Government, and, with a neighbor, came here to select a home. When he arrived he could hear nothing of the sale by the Indians, and went down to Beardsley's Prairie to see if he could find other country as beautiful as Elkhart Prairie, but was disappointed and came back. He had been told by one Eousseau, a Frenchman, that a treaty of purchase had been held at Carey mission with the Indians. He selected the spot where he now lives, and went to Ohio; he returned with his family, drove three yoke of oxen, crossed the Elkhart on the ice where the Benton now is, and found that Riggs was settled on his chosen land; he chose another place near by; Riggs concluded to sell to him, because he wanted a farm where he could have a sugar camp. He bought, and was to cook in the house and sleep on the floor for awhile. In the spring they made a large field in the prairie, and drew a dividing line by agreement. He commenced plowing with three yoke of cattle; had a large and wide plow, and it would not do. Hackert had two yoke of cattle, and put them with his, and they plowed finely. They turned their cattle out at night to graze on the blue- grass which grew abundantly around the Indian village. They were plowing corn about the i2tli or 15th of May, when, looking along to the sky, they discovered a storm coming up, heard thunder and expected to be delayed with rain; but they continued up their furrow until they met the sturm, which proved to be fierce flakes of snow, and it fell to the depth of three inches or more. He then began to think that this was a poor countrj', but has since changed his mind. After awhile the air became filled with little horse-flies which troubled the oxen so that they had to unhitch them. Mr. Hess went to Ft. Wayne, and heard there that many cattle had been killed by the flies. Finally a storm of rain came and killed all the flies, or, at least, they were go!ie after that. He went forty miles to mill, and the nearest blacksmith shop was at White 3S6 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. Pigeon. They used to have religious meetings at Riggs' house. Some one asked him to request of Riggs the use of liis house for this purpose, and he did so, and found Mrs. Riggs very much rejoiced, she being a member of the Church, tliough he was not aware of it before. They had meetings there often — prayer-meet- ings — and he attended them. Once he had some work to be done, and he went to White Pigeon, to the blacksmith shop, on Sunday, instead of attending the meeting. Hon. E. M. Chambeelaix. — Mr. Chamberlain came to Indiana in 1S32, and settled in Goshen in the fall of 1S33. He emigrated from ^[aine. Goshen was then an incorporated town, and the county seat of Elkhart county. The main body of the court-house was erected but unfinished. There is now remaining but one frame building in the village, which was here then, and that is the main portion of the Xational Hotel, which was built by James Cook, in the fall of 1833 or the spring of lS3i. When he came to Goshen there were no bridges across the Elkhart river. He crossed it as a foot passenger on a sycamore tree which had fallen across the stream near where the best bridge now stands. There was a ford for teams one mile and a half northwest of town, close to the then farm of Thos. Thomas, and now the property of Hon. Robert Lowry. Since then many bridges have been built, and many had gone away. Chicago at that time was hardly known to the history of the country. It was only an old Indian trading post. Now it rivals the cities of both the new and old worlds. He had been told that Balser Hess had been 21 days in coming from a point in Ohio to Goshen, a time sufficient now to accomplish a journey to Liverpool and back. * s * The meeting now adjourned for one hour tc discuss the elegant and abundant supper which the settlers had brought in their bas- kets. Though the occasion was one called to celebrate the primi- tive tastes and early habits of the pioneers, yet it must be asserted, that nothing was seen in this supper that approached anywhere near to these, except the quantity of food devoured by the partakers of its bountiful delicacies. * * « T. G. Harris, the secretary, called for all persons who were entitled to membership to come forward and sign the constitution. During the signing, Hon. T. G. Harris was called for, and said he had been here 25 years. He saw Wm. Waugh, Joseph D. Knox, Joseph H. Defrees, W. A. Thomas, Judge Chamberlain, Ed. Martin and Dr. Cornell, who was Assessor in 1S36, the only HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 387 persons present who were in Goshen when he came. He said that Elias Carpenter was Assessor in 1S40. Col John Jackson, who he had no doubt was a brave man, for when he had command of the militia in early times, had he been so required to do, would have fought valiantly, and himself, in 1S72, were candidates for the Leg- islature. The Colonel and he electioneered through the county; they did a great deal of it. Once he approached one of the Cripes to ask him for his vote, but the old gentleman told him it was no use. " Why." says he, " Col. Jackson laid the first worm fence on Elkhart Prairie, and I am going to vote for him." The Colonel was elected. He had heard Joseph H. Defrees say that he had been ten days in coming from Shobe's to Benton, that he went back at night for fire to the camp of the night before. This was different now. He taught school in 1836 or 1837 in a school-house which had neither a nail nor a light of glass in it. They used greased papers for windows. This country had been very unhealthy in early times. He had known a family of ten persons sick with the same disease, to each of whom medicine had to be administered once in two hours during the night. He knew of other similar examples. Dr. Cornell said he came to the county in June, 1S34. Had been Assessor, as Mr. Harris stated, and presumed that why the people elected him to that office was that he had once seen a deer, took after it on horseback, and caught it after running six hours. They had confidence in his fleetness. His education was confined to that obtained in school-houses with greased papers for windows. Mr. Elias Hess said that he supposed tliat he was at present the oldest settler on Elkhart Prairie, having settled there on April 5, 1829. He came from Ohio with an ox-team, and was 21 days making the trip. They had mostly to cut their own road. They were not four days free from rain during the entire trip. When he first entered upon Elkhart Prairie he thought it, in size, a large farm. As he pushed onward over it he found it larger. He settled where he now lives, and they had to pastnre their cattle on the bottom, across the river from there. They tried to plow with one yoke, two and three yoke of cattle, but conld not succeed. They had to go to Fort Wayne to have a nose put on the coulter of their plow, and a nigger's heel, and other repairs made. Then they attached seven yokes of cattle to the plow and it did very well. When they desired to find their cattle they had to rise early to hear the bell. Thev waded the river and launched out into the woods 3SS HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. with ears erect to catch its tinklings, and crowded on uutil the crackling brush would draw their attention to a deer, and then a turkey would gobble, and further on a wolf would howl, but no bell was to be heard. Thus days were consumed and much ground traveled over before their cattle would be found. He had traveled a good deal, over most of the United States, Cuba, New Grenada, Upper Canada and California. He was in the latter place for some time, and "was making more than an average of five dollars per day, bnt he thought he would come back to Elkhart Prairie, where ■women and vegetables grew. He thought he would rather live here, and of all the country he had seen, none of it was equal to Northern Indiana, and Elkhart township was the best of it. Dr. M. M. Latta said that he had lived in this county only since 1S40, Jaut his father had come to the Hawpatch 25 years ago. The first time he came to Goshen he rode on a woman's saddle; there was no other kind in his neighborhood. He passed the other day a bridge that he had helped to build more than 20 years ago, and now there was a railroad embankment covering it. a cir- cumstance that he little expected at that early day, and which to him was an illustration of the progress tliat had been made in the country since then. The only thing that he ever drew in a lottery was some stumps in the public square. Mr. John W. Irwin said that he came to this country the fifth day of May, 1S32. He used to do the milling on horseback, carry- ing the grist to McConnell's mill, on tiie east side of town, on the land owned now by Henry Pierce. Father Pease, who was there near him, had built it. He usually carried two bushels of grain for a grist, and it was a whole day's grinding. "Wolves were plenty in those days, and premiums were oftered on their scalps. One man had a large trap made out of logs, and set with triggers to catch them in, and once when he went to examine it he found some- thing wrong, stepped into it, sprung the triggers by accident and caught himself, where he must have perished had not some of his neighbors come to his relief He had gone to school, also, where greased papers were the windows, and the whole side of the house was used as the chimney. Dr. E. "W. H. Ellis said that he was 23 years of age when he came to this country; he settled and practiced medicine in Elkhart; the country was infested with disease then; he had known 11 persons sick in one room 15 feet square, yet now there was no healthier countrv in the world. He came to Goshen in 1S39, to niSTORT OF ELKHART COUNTT. 389 take charge of tlie Goshen Democrat, which had been published there for over one year by Tliomas H. Bassett, a man of talent and eccentric habits. In ISil he -was a candidate for Connty Auditor against Charley Murray; it was called the pony race; he outwinded Charley and was elected. He had published the Democrat 11 years, and had associated with him M. B. Hascall. After he left the concern his brother. "W. R. Ellis, published it, and afterward Judge Lowry acquired a full interest in it. The reminiscences of bygone times are made doubly interesting by being the living utterances of the pioneers. Thej' are really historical, and the labor exercised in a search for them has been well rewarded in the quantity and quality of the matter brought to light. CHAPTER IV. HABITS AND CUSTOMS. Now, my co-mates, and brothers in exile, Hath not old custom made this life more sweet Than that of painted pomp? Are not these woods More free from peril than the envious court ? Here feel we but the penalty of Adam, The season's difference , as the icy fang And churlish chiding of the winter's wind. Which, when it bites and blows upon my body, Even til! I shrink with cold, I smile, and say This is no flattery: these are counsellors. That feelingly persuade me what I am. Sweet are the uses of adversity. Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in its head ; And, this our life, exempt from pubhc haunts. Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks. Sermons in stones, and good in everjthing. In their own circle, ■within St. Joseph county, the pioneers have done much that deserves honorable mention. It is true that the fame of a Washington and the terribly earnest patriotism of a Montgomery have not been their share; but there is no reason what- ever to suppose tliat, did circumstances create an opportunity, those courageous men, who battled with all the obstacles which life in this "Western wilderness presented, and conquered them, would not have risen to the highest grades in military affairs, and carved for themselves a name as proud and enviable as that which pertains to our greatest heroes from the period of Independence down to the present. Providence ordained another, and, perhaps, more useful, career for the pioneers. Their fathers fought the good fight for liberty, and in after years, when the old tyrant, aided by this fierce and ignorant Indian ally, attacked the integrity of the Eepublic, those very pioneers rushed to arms, and dismantled every position held by their unprincipled and barbarous opponents. A term of peace ensued, and in accordance with divine economy, they hung up their war accoutrements and entered upon the paths which lead to a country's greatness. (390 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 391 The late Dr. E. W. H. Ellis has, in his enjoyable prose, shown very precisely the gradual development of this district, the indus- trial characteristics of the first settlers, and the appropriate names which they bestowed upon these beautiful gardens or prairies which gave them subject for congratulation. His descriptions of those early days have been often quoted by many writers, and yet con- tinue to present to modern querists much information that is not only sound, but also very acceptable. An attempt to paraphrase the writings of that good man would form a subject to meet with condemnation, since the honest chronicler deems it a high point of honor to give justice where justice pointeth. Therefore, by way of introduction to the first tide of immigration, his complete rem- iniscences of the period immediateh' preceding the organization of Elkhart county are thus given, Northern Indiana is celebrated for the beautiful chain of prairies which extend across the State, through the northern tier of conn- tics, and adds so much to the beauty of the country and helps to swell the statistical tables of production. For wherever is'a prairie, there is a spot of land, every inch of which is under cultivation; a garden spot of wealth and loveliness. Thus we find Brushy Prairie, in Steuben county; English, Pretty and Mongoquanong, in La- grange; Elkhart Prairie, Two-Mile and Pleasant Plains, in Elkhart; Portage and Terre Coupee, in St. Joseph; Rolling and Door Prai- ries, in La Porte. The prairies have been named commonly from some circumstance connected with their a^spearance or history. Brushy Prairie was covered with a low brush instead of the usual green-sward, and hence its name. Pretty Prairie was thus named by reason of its exceeding loveliness, and English Prairie on account of its early settlement by a few English families. Mongoquanong was the name of an Indian town near where Lima now stands. Under this name Lagrange and Steuben counties were once attached to Elkhart county as a township, and Ephraim Seeley, of that territory, was a member of our County Board. Elkhart Prai- rie was named from the Elkhart river which skirts its southern and western lines. The origin of the name Elkhart is not certainly known, but is said to be derived from the Indian name of the island at the mouth of the river which was thought to resemble the heart of an Elk. Elk horns were frequently found in the vicinity of the river, one of which, picked up near Benton, once adorned the ofiice of the Goshen Democrat^ standing up some six feet in height. Many of our readers will also remember the tavern sign 392 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. which swung in the wind for many j-ears at the " Hoosier's Rest," as Billj' Wilkinson's hotel on the prairie was then termed. Its name was the " Elkhart Inn," and it was illustrated with a fat and thrifty elk, and beneath it what the painter designed for a heart, evidently copied from some ancient pasteboard used in the delect- able game of old sledge. Two-Mile Plain, directly east of the town of Elkhart, was so called for its length up and down the St. Joseph. Pleasant Plain is that pleasant little garden spot, containing a little over a section of land immediately south of the city of Elkhart. Portage Prairie was so termed because at its eastern end was the portage, where the early French missionaries and the Indians transported or carried their canoes from the St. Joseph river to the head waters of the Kanka- kee. Terre Coupee was so named from its richness of soil, a land of plenty. Rolling Prairie is a high, rolling ground, an unusual feature in our chain of prairies, and therefore distinguished by this appellation. Door Prairie is only a translation of the term La Porte, and is the name given to two prairies, or a double prairie, separated by a thin belt of wood with a natural opening of a few rods in width, like a door passing from one prairie to the other. At an early da}- this feature was well marked, and attracted wide atten- tion. The prairies were greedily pounced upon by the settlers, nothing being required for the opening of a farm but to turn over the green sward and plant the crops, thus preparing the way for the hardy pioneers who hewed down the old forests, and carved out by their strong arms the homes of beauty and thrift now scattered through the land. The first settlers all concur in describing the virgin prairies as spots of surpassing loveliness. The ground was covered with a thrifty growth of grass, and embellished with flowers of every hue, and of entrancing beauty. Onr old •' prairie chieftain," Col. John Jackson, was so captivated with the beauty of Elkhart Prairie, when in 1S15, under the command of old Mad Anthony "Wayne, he aided in the destruction of the Indian villages at the head of the prairie, that he selected a location for his future domi- cil, and nearly 15 years afterward came to reside upon it as one of our first settlers. An Indian trail from FortiWayne to St. Joseph came through the Elkhart bottom, passed along the eastern side of the prairie and through the present site of Goshen. The remains of the Indian HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. d\)6 corn fields were visible at the southern and northern ends of the prairie. Most of the early settlers of Elkhart Prairie have passed to their final resting places in the invisible land. Among those we recol- lect of 35 years ago were Col. John Jackson, still hale and vigorous, at the age of 83; Mark B. Thompson, his nearest neighbor; Elias Riggs, an old man even then; Hiram Morehouse, the second husband of Mrs. Weddell; the Widow Irwin, her nearest neighbor; "William Wilkinson, mine host of the Elkhart Inn ; Sam- uel Stutsman, who always came to town barefoot; James Frier, who owned the most acres on the prairie, and died in California; Christopher Myers; Elias Purl; Oliver Crane, who, coming from the vicinity of Goshen, New York, gave name to the town, and was the first county agent for sale of lots in the new county seat; Christian Shoup, the sturdy old Jackson Democrat, who, if alive, would still vote for Old Hickory; the Cripes, a remnant of whom are still with us; Rev. Balser Hess, and a numerous family of lusty boys; Major John W. Violett, the first Recorder of Elkhart county, and his sons; Azel Sparklin, a worthy local preacher of the Metiio- dist Church ; Judge James Latta, one of the first Associate Judges, who aided in holding the first court in the county, and Mr. Wey- bright. Oil Two-Mile Plain there were at that date one of the Comp- tons; Sterne Bronson, the well-known nursery man; Abel Randolph, his neighbor; James Middleton; Allen Tibbits, father-in-law of Col. Henry G. Davis, a shrewd, enterprising man; Jacob Ellis, a worthy Presbyterian Elder, who hung out his shingle for the enter- tainment of man and beast, and who a few years since departed for his long home, full of years and beloved by all. On the northeast corner of Pleasant Plain, in a very humble log cabin, lived Wm. Ivinzie, whose wile was a noted fortune-teller, and was visited by lads and lasses from far and near. He was a brother of Major John H. Ivinzie, the first white child born in Chicago, and the proprietor of the old Lake House. West of him was the farm and residence of Samuel Harris, who, .with his rich freehold of half a section, was regarded as a king among the far- mers, and cultivated more extensively than any others in that region. He was a man of reading and observation, much respected for every good quality. He died suddenly in 1810, and was buried on the old homestead, which has since passed into the hands of the well-known financier, Levi Smith. Horace Cook lived on the south 39i HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. side of the plain, on what was known afterward as the Coquillard farm. Several branches of the Meader family occupied tenant houses around the prairie, and one of them, David Meader, afterward became the owner of a beautiful farm on the school section. Ah! those were the glorious old times; and happy ones, too, " if rightly we remember." In 1S28 Thomas Thomas arrived in the district. The country was wild then, and comparatively unsettled by white men. The Miamis and Pottawatomies were actually masters of the situation; but possessing a peculiar knowledge of the power of the coming race, those savages did not venture into acts of hostility. George Crawford )-esided at the bend of the river, near Elkhart; Chester Sage built his home on the north bank of the St. Joseph river, and John iS'^icolls located a short distance west of Elkiiart. At this time a patriarchal man was known in the neighborhood, but like Noffsinger, to whom reference has been already made, he was a hermit, who did not associate with the settlers, nor seem to admire their advances. He, too, vanished without leaving even his name behind. Toward the close of the year 1828 and the beginning of 1S29 the settlements of Elkhart met with a few additions in the persons of Major Yiolett, W. Chance, Thomas Smith, Mrs. Tail, Ira Jackson, J. E. Thompson, R. Rush, J. Hess, B. F. Pearman, B. Hess, S. Bunger, Mrs. E. Banta, D. Mattiiews, Eli Summey, Daniel Ganger, and perhaps three others whose names have escaped the memories of the representative old settlers now living. It is not too much to say that each and every one of them acted well his part and prepared a way for those who were destined to follow the trail which they had blazed or marked. In 1S29 the pioneers learned that the Legislature had organized the northern portion of the State into representative districts, and annexed their territory to Allen county for judicial purposes. This ordinance of the State was prolific with good results. Though nothing of a discordant character existed among the first settlers to call for legal super- vision, the weekly additions to their numbers led them to conclude that the time had come for the introduction of a legal tribunal, and accordingly they hailed the action of the Legislature with joy. Seeing that their labors in the north were appreciated by the collective wisdom of the State and dispositions made for the regular government of their territory, those industrious harbingers of prosperity settled down to the cultivation of their farms; so that during the fall of 182!' all the beautiful characteristics of the HISTORY OF KLKHART COUNTY. 395 people of early days were to be witnessed and the innocency of their institutions to be admired. When we look back to those com- paratively happy days ot the past, when man may be considered to have lived in the enjoyment of primeval bliss, the words of the old cynical poet, " As science advances, men decay," are brought out in relief, and tell us after all that peace and happiness are not synony- mous with science. We will take a synopsis of the manners and customs of those early settlers. In the first instance many came with only moderate means; they had to clear the forest and erect their log cabins; before a thought could be given to the cultivation of the land so cleared, and even afterward, when the fertile soil began to yield bountiful fruits, man}' deemed it wise to sell their squatter's claim to some immigrant, and push westward still through forest and prairie, oftentimes repeating a settlement followed by a sale, until one family could boast of being the first colonist in many town- ships, and perhaps in a few States. An old settler, in reviewing the earlier years of his life in Northern Indiana, speaks of the unanimity which then existed, and ascribed the happiness of the society of that period to their dependence upon one another. In regard to the manners and customs of the pioneers, he says: "As little use was then made of cattle or horses in rolling logs, it required manyjmen to do so; so that between log-rolling and cabin- raisings, we were together several days in each week, for a month or two in the spring of the year. There was another cause of gathering us together in the fall season. These fresh bottoms yielded such amounts of corn as the natives of older and poorer parts of the LFiiion would have been astonished to see. I know this was the case with myself. This corn was pulled from the stalk, and it required a tall man to reach many of the ears, and if he were a low man or a boy he had to pull the stalk down to him- self. After being pulled it was hauled into large long piles, to be stripped of its husks at night; hence every night in the week except Sunday night we were at a ' husking bee' in the corn-gathering time. At these corn huskings there was much good feeling and innocent humor. Generally the corn heap was divided into two parts, by laying rails or poles across it, as nearly equal as could be guessed at, and two respectable men constituted captains, who, bj' alternate choice, divided the men and boys into two equal companies, and then we went to woi'k with as much earnestness as the French and allied armies at the battle of Waterloo, but with none of their 396 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. unkind feelings and murderous purposes. This good-natured strife ■would last without intermission from three to six hours; for some- times, when tliere was a prospect of finishing a large pile, we would work till near midnight. Another thing which made these spring, and fall gatherings most interesting and pleasant, was the number of females who attended tliem; not, however, to roll the logs, raise the cabins, husk the corn, but to assist in preparing the food for those who were doing the outdoor work; so that when the men and boys came in at meal time they found the long temporary table spread, and smiling women and girls to welcome them to whole- some and plain food. Although there was but little of that shyness and restraint imposed by the conventional rules of what is called refined society, yet, I must say, I fully believe there never was a greater number of truly virtuous men and women, lads and lasses, in any settlement of the same size on this green earth. •' One thing more made our fall meeting most delightful. In the early settlement of the country, the luxuriant vegetation in a state of decay and the dense fogs in August and September gave many of us the ague, which we generally permitted to take its course and leave us of its own accord. Sometinaes, however, we used to take pills, made from the inner bark of the white walnut, or butternut as some call it, and drink a kind of herb tea. Did you ever have a long siege of the ague, when you could have the chill or shake in the morning, the fever about noon, and toward evening eat like a half- starved dog? If you have never had this experience, you never knew what a pleasure it is to eat fat pork, wild turkeys, venison hams, pumpkin pies, and corn bread, after the ague has wholly gone, about corn-husking time. It will be perceived I say nothing about harvest-gathering, and for this good reason,^we had none, or nearly none; for our lands, while fresh, though they would bring cords of straw, would not yield good wheat. The aristocratic feel- ings produced by unsanctified wealth on the one hand, and the envy and jealousy of the evil part of the indignant on tlie other, which make two castes in older communities, and that hateful political chasm, as deep, as wide and vile as ever intervened between the Jews and Samaritans, and which now divides the Whigs and Dem- ocrats of our day, were then unknown ; so that when we met at any of our business, social or religious meetings, we met as a band of brothers and sisters. If the males could get good wool hats, good common shoes (I suppose there was not a pair of fine boots in the settlement! and home-spun clothes, we felt as contented, perhaps HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. more so, than in the ricliest costume of the present day. If the females could get good calico sun bonnets, or something a little in advance of tliese, good cotton gowns, in most cases tlie work of their own hands, from the picking, carding, spinning, dyeing and weaving, up to the making, and other things in keeping with these, tliey would have felt themselves prepared for the respectful attentions of any gentleman in these United States. Indeed, I have seen the most worthy of both sexes at meeting with moccasins on their feet. The most perfect in the symmetry of their persons, and most accom- plished in their minds, — for to some extent they had mental accom- plishments, — would havesoon have thought of drowning themselves as to have cramped the free breathing of their lungs, and the healthy flow of their heart's warm blood, by the present foolish, wicked, and most suicidal practice of tight-lacing and other kindred vices of modern times. And be it remembered they enjoyed the com- fort and utility of their wise course; for many of them, when they became mothers, could spin, weave, mend, wash, sew, and knit for large families, and be cheerful and merry at night, and vigorous and lively in the morning. When I see many poor languid females of the present day that are mere apologies for wives and mothers, who, if they have to take care of one or two children without a nurse, and make a few calico gowns, and some of them not even these, and do a few other small matters, seem to think that they are about to die with hard times, I feel almost irrepressible emotions of indignation and pity — indignation at the injury which folly and false kindness have -done them, and pity for the i-eal suiferings of the poor, unfortunate and unhappy creatures. Let the thoughtful reflect and avoid misery by avoiding its cause; for none can do vio- lence to nature without suffering the penalty of that violence; nature will ever avenge her injured rights." There is more truth than poetry in this vivid description of the earlier settlers; but in many respects the latter part may be con- sidered transcendental ; because, though there is much to be deplored in the habits and customs of modern times, it will be found that the ladies who are treated so very severely by this old conversationalist, are actually urged to an indulgence in the evils of fashion by the men, and cannot very well cast aside their allegiance to the pet conventionalities of the times in whidj they live. Yet there are far too many ladies who worship the god of fashion as there are men who adore mammon. From the moment a lady begins to live under the fascinating influence of such a worship, she becomes d^b HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. simply an animated figure out of a milliner's fashion sheet, and so by degrees her mind is alienated from the true pursuits of woman, and she is only capable of dreaming of gaudy habiliments, of dis- turbing family harmony, o-, as is often the case, of urgin;^ on a simple, loving husband, or kind, indulgent father to bankruptcy with all its consequent miseries and evils. The foolish woman, who at short intervals receives dress bills similar to the one sub- scribed, scarcely deserves recognition, and when she falls from her high state, as she generally does, years of burning anguish and thoughts of parted magnificence lead her to a grave. 8 yards of silk at $3 a yard f 54 00 1 2 yards of satin at $3 a yard 4 00 yards of velvet at i|4 a yard. . 20 00 I 6 yards cambric 72 2 yards silesia 50 1 yard sleeve-lining 20 3 yards of crinoline 30 2 yards of wiggan 20 1 piece silk braid 40 Sewing silk and twist 50 4 sticlvs of whalebone 50 1 ball of cord 10 2 yards lining silk, trimmings. . . 1 50 10 yards passementerie 7 50 6 yards French lace 2 40 3 dozen buttons 3 00 Making 25 00 Total $120.82 Fashion has proved the ruin of many. The foregoing bill becomes terribly grotesque in its varied items, but when we make a survey of some "Belle Helene " as she does the promenade, sur- rounded with all the gay trappings of a costly dress, we are led to inquire further into modern styles. The most recent caprice, and one whose antecedents will be easily recalled, is the nearly full skirt, simply hemmed and tucked. A cos- tume with such a skirt is made of navy blue, and is extremely stylish. The front and sides of the body portion are cut in basque shape, with its side-back skirt inclining to the coat-tail efl:ect, and with the front skirt falling over the front and side gores, like those of an ordinary skirt. The backs, however, extend from neck to hem in princess style, and near the waste-line seam extra tuUness is cut on and folded under, so as to produce the eifect of two double box plaits, this disposal of the fullness in all the skirts or dresses of this description being more popular than the earlier plan of shirring at the back. Another feature in the costume is the adjustable hood, a style said to have been introduced by the celebrated English HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. beauty, Mrs. Langtry, or the "Jersey Lily," as she has been appro- priately called. A handsome cord ornament extends from the hood point to the left side-back seam. The end upon the hood is hooked in place, and a loop is made at the right side-back seam, so that when the hood is not worn the Brandenbourg or cord ornament may cross the back. The skirt of this costume is finished at the bottom with three wide tucks and a hem of the same width. To add decoration to this costume would destroy its style, and there- fore we suggest none. If personally desired, however, any trim- ming preferred may be added. An elaborate short costume of the real princess order, with added draperies, is made of fine camel's hair, with decorations of a hair- striped corduroy of a light texture. The costume fabric is linden green, and the corduroy is bottle green. Chenille fringe, matching the latter shade, is used upon the side draperies. The fitting is done in the manner usual to princess garments, a perfect adjust- ment being the result. Just now the glove fit is a desideratum, in consequence of the knitted and clinging Jersey waists first intro- duced by the " Jersey Lily," and taking the name from her pet title. Two sets of plaited draperies, each having corduroy revers, are added to the sides and slope away from the center, leaving a space that is overlaid with three double box plaits of corduroy. The lower scarfs extend only to the side-back seams, and while the upper ones are also tacked at this seam, an extra length allowed on each falls in careless points at the back, after being lined with cor- duroy. A vest, collar, lapels, and cufl" facings of corduroy, with a band of corduroy at the bottom of a box plaiting applied to the skirt back of the outer corduroy plaits, complete this stylish cos- tume in a very liandsome manner. Now it is true that such bills are too prevalent. That they have even a small share in fostering national industries is very doubtful, while it is acknowledged that they entail financial ruin on thou- sands, and a proportionate moral and physical ruin on the chief actors. These facts, as it is hoped, will become generally accepta- ble in the near future, and after the long term devoted to the follies and busy activities of the time, men and women will regain some of that knowledge which insured a moral and physical greatness to their progenitors, and thus become endowed with all these fac- ulties of mind and body that may possibly lead to results — to deeds at present undreamed of. Those early settlers possessed many proud reminiscences. Within a very brief period after settlement. 400 HISTOEY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. and while yet their unfeneed iields showed no signs of the budding grain, which their industry consigned to the fertile soil, the atten- tion of the pioneers was turned to more scientific, though less eco- nomical, labors. Nothing less than the weird remembrancers of the aborigines claimed their leisure hours, and as such were abundant, their examination offered to the settlers sufficient grounds on which to base their speculative philosophy. Israel Hess opened an Indian mound near the Nine-Mile Lake and found therein the cheek-bone of a Caucasian with teeth intact, remnants of burned bones, ashes and cinders, which at the time were considered by him to be the remains of some white men burned at the stake. Near his resi- dence are many more such monuments, with which he has not interfered; but he presumes they were formed by the Indians, and therefore do not claim a prehistoric character. That over-zealous missionaries and rash explorers have met death at the hands of the Miamis and Pottawatomies is conceded; that many of such men entered the territory of those savages and never returned to their people are facts established; but who the victims were, and thepi-e- cise dates of their fatal visits to the villages of the red men, will forever remain blanks in the pages of history. The shocking cru- elty, of their executioners shall be stamped indelibly upon the same pages, and break upon the wondering gaze of future genera- tions as a record of a race long vanished into well-merited oblivion. Not all the kindnesses which the country may shower upon them can efifectually tend to prolong their presence here. The last prayers for vengeance, escaping with the last breaths of a thousand brave but helpless pioneers of civilization, have been heard by the God of Nature, and He has meted out the terrible trials which now pursue the Indian through life, and opens up for him the immedi- ate dreary prospect of witnessing the total annihilation of his race. It is true that the early settlers of Elkhart suftered few material wrongs from the bands of savages surrounding them; but yet no thanks are due to the barbarians for this grace, because even at that early date they looked on the swift advance of the sons of civiliza- tion, and being powerless to retard it, awaited calmly the good or evil which the Great Spirit might bestow upon them. If a man may judge so far as human reason leads him to think, the Great Spirit of the tribes disdained to accept their offerings of blood, lis- tened to the death shrieks of their victims instead, and by degrees banished the Indian bands from their Edenic villages into the ■^^ ^ ^^^, y^fS'^^^.^. HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 4:03 unknown wilds, where hunger, hardships and miasmas became their daily attendants. Every legend of the iliamis, every reminiscence of our pioneers, point out the St. Joseph country as a happy valley. Fish swarmed in its lakes and rivers, deer and bears in its forests, wild fruits flourished upon its prairies, and primeval happiness dwelt in its villages; but the hour at length came when the child of art arrived to possess himself of all these. Then the untamed children of the forest were driven to seek other homes, and with their departure the fish and forest animals may be said to migrate; for where Nature supplied her worshipers hitherto, she willed that the white man should only be rewarded in proportion to his industry, and thus left him to extract from the soil just so much as his labor warranted, and little of that great all which was shared by the lazy and bar- barous aborigines. That he has succeeded in improving upon nature in this respect is manifest. Though the rivers do not contain myr- iads of large fish, or the forests wild animals, or the prairies do not yield wild fruits now as in days long past, it will be seen that the waters, turned into other channels, set a hundred mill-wheels turn- ing; the trees of the forest have been converted into substantial buildings, substructures for the iron rail or devoted to other branches of industry, and the prairies bend, as it were, under the weight of golden grain, the seeds of which were planted by man and reared up a hundred-fold to perfection by nature. Romance alone can feel any sorrow for the change. It is progress pure and simple, and in its advance the pioneers were the principal actors. CHAPTEE V. THE FIRST RECORDS. Seest thou my home ? 'tis where yon woods are waving, In their dark richness to the summer air ; Where yon blue stream, a thousand flower banlvs laving, Senas down the hills, a vein of light— 'tis there ! THE CAEY JIISSION. General Brown, who with others made an exploratory trip in 1S26 from Tecumseh in Michigan, to tlie Gary mission on the St. Joseph, opposite the location of the present city of Niles, in reca- pitulation of his reminiscences of those early times, says the Gary mission was a rather noted point at that time, and the party were anxious to see for themselves what the character of the intervening country was, there being diflerent rumors as to its capability for settlement and cultivation. The party consisted of Gen. Brown; his brother-in-law, Musgrove Evans; Dr. Caleb N. Ormsbj', then in Tecumseh as a physician, and Horace Wolcott, from Gonnecticut, who had come to Michigan the year before to settle as a merchant or Indian trader. They set out in the month of May on horseback, with ten days' provisions, taking the Indian trail on the north side of Evans' creek. After passing tlie lake at the head of the creek, which had previouslj- been named after Mr. Evans, they came upon another small lake, which they all thought was the prettiest sheet of water for its size and surroundings they had ever seen. They had some discussion as to what it should be named, and finally agreed upon calling it " Sand Lake." They were about (as was the habit then) to christen it by that name, in some tonic they had taken along as inedicine, but by some mishap their tonic-bottle had all leaked out, and that part of the ceremony was omitted. They there took the Chicago trail, on or near the present line of the Chicago road, intending to follow it to the Gary mission. None of the land west of Lenawee county was then in market, nor was the country even laid off into counties for more than three years afterward. They crossed the upper part of the St. Joseph river about where the village of Jonesville now is. After leaving Tecumseh they found (404) HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. . 406 no settlers or white persons until they came to White Pigeon Prairie, where they found a man by the name of Hale, located there as a ■' squatter," there being no land there to be purchased at that time. The first land offered for sale in what is now the counties of Hillsdale, Branch and St. Joseph being in October, 1828, and in Cass and Berrien in June, 1829, and in 1S31. At the time of the Sauk war, in 1832, when Gen. Brown went west, he found the same Mr. Hale on Door Prairie, Indiana, having a well-cultivated farm and good buildings, and was invited to staj' over night with him, which he did. Further on in their trip they found a Mr. Beardsley, on what they called Beardsley's Prairie; he had come up from Indiana with cattle, horses, sheep, etc. Whilst the party were there they saw a flock of sheep come running for home with some wolves chasing them. Mr. Beardsley and his boys set their dogs after the M'olves, and they kept them oflt from the sheep, and then went oiF after the wolves and had not returned when Gen. B. and the'party went on. Here they turned aside a little from tlie direct Chicago trail, in order to call upon an Indian trader named Coutieau, a Frenchman, living near or a little south of where the village of Bertrand is now, and who had been at Tecumseh on an Indian trading expedition, and had there met Gen. B. and some of the others. They took din- ner with Mons. Coutieau and his wife, both French Catholics, and friendly and polite people. From this trading post they went on in the afternoon to Cary mission, a distance of about ten miles. It happened to be Sunday when they arrived there, and they found about one hundred Indian boys enjoying themselves outdoors, who were pleased to see four white men ride up on horseback; and they expressed their delight in Indian boy fashion, hooting and yelling, and taking'hold of the bridles and stirrups, and even of the ponies' tails, which they were allowed to do, as the party knew they meant no mischief, but rather friendship by it. Gen. Brown rode a large saddle-horse, which he had brought from the East, and the boys did not seem to want to take hold of his tail, as they did of those of the Indian ponies, which the rest of the party rode, and to which kind of horses they were more accustomed. The party stayed some time at the mission, enjoying the hospitality of Mr. McCoy, the principal of the station, and his wife. They and the other mission- aries and their wives, and the assistants, seemed to live in common with the Indians — only that there was some diflPerence between the supply of the table " above the salt " for the whites at their end of -toe HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. the table, from what it was " below the salt " for the Indians at their end, as well as some difference in manners and fashion of eating. The mission had a large, well-cultivated farm, with twelve milch cows on it, and other stock in proportion. The part}' saw a large batteau on the river, and upon inquiry as to whose it was, they were told that it was Mr. Coutieau's, which he had lent to them to bring some goods up the river. The mission was a Baptist institution, established for the conversion and civilization of the Indians. They had a large store full of goods and supplies, getting, however, most of their living from the farm, and plenty of game from the Indians. After the treat}' held there in 1S2S the Indians moved west, and Mr. McCoy and some of the missionaries went with them. Whilst the party were there Mr. McCoy liad inquired of Gen. Brown if he knew of any young man who could be got to come out there, and who would make a good business manager ibr them. Gen. B. re- plied tliat he thought perhaps he could iind some one, and on his return homo he spoke to Calvin Britain, then a young man in his own employ, and induced him to go out to the mission in the ca- pacity wanted. Mr. Britain remained there some time, and after- ward moved down to the mouth of the St. Joseph river, and became a prominent business man and politician, serving as State Senator in the first and second State Legislatures, and in other public po- sitions. On their return to Tecumseh the party came back direct bj' the Chicago trail, until they came to the last crossing of the St. Joseph river, near where Jonesville now is, finding Messrs. Beards- ley and Hale still the only white settlers on the route. On the way back, near the above crossing, they encountered a severe rain storm, and their punk and everything being wet, they found it impossible to make a fire, and so they slept with their heads on their saddles and covered themselves with such blankets as they had along with them. Here they were told of a trail to Tecumseh, said to be shorter and better than the one by which they came out. This went round by lake Manitoo, as the Indians called it, or Devil's lake, as it was afterward named by the white settlers, as tliey thought the Manitoo of the Indians was more of a devil than of a good spirit. When they came to the passage between the two lakes, as they thought that their horses would not wander off' very far, they all took off" their saddles and bridles, so as to rest their horses better. In the morning they found them all gone, but getting on their tracks, they found them about a mile off". As soon as possible HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 407 they got under way, and put for home by the most direct and quickest route tliey could find. The year 1830 opened up a scene of rural happiness to the pass- ing traveler, as well as offered subject for congratulation to the thrifty settlers. Hundreds of acres were already' fenced in, and at intervals might be seen the log cabins of the pioneers, with the stacked harvest of the preceding years ranged adjacent. The country was then replete in its beauty ; the singularly interesting monotony of the wild woods was varied by the tracts of cultivated prairie, and the presence of the dark-eyed Indian was relieved by the proximity of the white man. Never in the history of man, was man so favored as he of those early days. Solidarity of inter- ests joined all the settlers in a bond of brotherhood, the strength of whose ties tended to render their loves paternal and their friend- ships lasting. On the completion of their spring farm labors the pioneers did not seek a rest, but at once turned their attention away from manual work and set the mental powers in motion, so that their political condition might advance hand in hand with that social pre-eminence which they held even then. They perused the statutes of the State with all the industry of the studious, and having made such deductions therefrom as led them to believe that their settlements were up to the standard required for organization into a county, they at once claimed their rights, and before the ripening grain recalled them to their fertile fields, had actually suc- ceeded in establishing for themselves a county and a local govern- ment. In reviewing the history of those old days, it is well to permit the doings of the local governors to hold a place among the reminiscences of the times. That the first statesmen of the county labored faithfully in the interest of their neighbors, will appear from such a record; and as it is summarized in these pages from the venerable old books, kept by Thomas Thomas, the first Circuit Court Clerk, it may prove as interesting to the reader as it seems interesting and valuable to the writer. NORTHERN INDIANA, for man}- years after the organization of the Territory and for long after its admission to the sisterhood of States, by no means kept pace with the lower portion of the State. Settlements sprung up along the Ohio, the Wabash and other streams, and immigration followed the then natural channels of transportation. But with the 408 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. advent of railroads a great cliange was effected. The fertile prairies of Northern Lidiana attracted the attention of thousands of hardy pioneers, settlements multiplied, a greater and greater area of virgin soil was subjected to cultivation. In the forests the wood- man's ax, and on the prairies the settler's plow were the harbin- gers of a glorious day, a future whose realization has in part been accomplished. BEFORE THE ERA OF RAILWAYS this development had fairly begun. The emigrants' wagons, drawn by patient, weary oxen that had plodded the many miles separating the cultivated fields and thriving, jjrosperous villages and cities of Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, or of the remoter East, dotted the way; the camp-tires marked countless resting places, and the gmoldering ashes of wayside fires were fruitful in their after re- sults. As long ago as 1S2S the first settlement was made in the terri- tory now comprised in Elkhart county. A few adventurers had followed an Indian trail, and had encamped on the edge of Elkhart prairie. " Adventurous, indeed, was such an expedition, and numerous were the trials and hardships endui'ed by the participants. But they found this a goodly land; the earth teemed with fatness, and the hardy pioneer, whose wants were few and simple, soon began to rejoice in the comforts of life, and were rapidly followed by friends, who had but recently warned them against the perilous expedition." In the early organization of tlie State the counties were princi- palities in themselves. Allen county, from which Elkhart, La- grange and Noble counties were subsequently created, embraced a wide area of territory, and it, Randolph, Delaware and Cass counties, with all the territory north, constituted a senatorial dis- trict in 1829. Under an act of the Legislature of the State, passed during the session of 1829-'30, the county of Elkhart was organized and its boundaries defined. After it had been divested of its original greatness as regards area, Elkhart county was subdivided into 16 townships. Nine of these townships are six miles square; the others are of lesser proportions, and the total area of the county is 462 square miles. The first study of the pioneers was that relating to the organiza- tion of tlie State. They learned that an act of Congress, approved April 19, 1812, enabling the people of the Indiana Territory to HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 409 form a State government, and for the admission of the State thus formed into the Union on an equal standing with the original thirteen States, was availed of by the inhabitants or settlers of the State, and at a meeting of representatives of the people, held at Corydon June 10 following, they declared as follows: "That we do, for ourselves and our posterity, agree, determine, declare and ordain, that we will, and do hereby, accept the propositions of the Congress of the United States, as made and contained in their act of April 19, 1S16."' This declaration was given effect shortly after, and a constitution adopted. Eegulations for the organization of the State into counties, and an act of the General Assembly, passed subsequently (1830), defined the boundaries of Elkhart. Within the limits so .defined, the townships, as at present known, were or- ganized. The act says: " The district of country within the following boundaries shall form and constitute the county of Elkhart, to wit: Beginning on the north line of the State, where the center line of range 4 strikes the same, thence east to the line dividing ranges Y and 8, thence south to the line diving townships 34 and 35 north, thence west to central section line of range 4 east, thence north to the place of beginning." All this being accomplished by the State, the people of Elkhart were not slow in seeking administrative powers, for on June 28, 1830, the following evidence of tlieir progress in this matter, is thus recorded in the pages of the ancient book named hitherto: "The Board of Justices for the county of Elkhart met at the house of Chester Sage, in said county, the place appointed by law for doing county business. Whereupon came James Matthers, and pro- ducing his commission as justice of the peace from His Excellency, James B. Ray, Governor of Indiana, bearing date June 11, 1830, with the oath of office, as the law directs, in tliis form: James B. Ray, Oovernor of Indiana : To all who shall see these presents. Greeting: Whereas it has been certified to me by the proper authority, that James Matthers is elected to the office of Justice of the Peace for the county ot Elkhart, therefore know ye, that in the name and by the authority of the State of Indiana, I do hereby commission liim, the said James Matthers, Justice of the Peace for the said County of Elkhart for the term of five years from the date hereof. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused to be affixed the seal of the State, at Indianapolis, the 11th day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty, tlie 14th year of the State, and of the Independence of the United States the fifty-fourth. Bv THE GOVEKNOR, J. B. RAY. Ja.mes MoRKis, Secretary of State. 410 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Mr. Matthers had yet to undergo a more terrible ordeal, which the genial Thomas could scarcely lighten. He had to take the oath of office and enter on its duties. These facts are thus placed on record in the usual form, thus: " Be it remembered that on the 28th day ot June, in the year 1830, personallj- came James Matthers, within commissioned before me, Thomas Thomas, Clerk of the Cir- cuit Court, and subscribed the following oath: You do solemnly swear that you will support the Constitution of the United States, and of the State of Indiana, and that you will, to the best of your abilities and jutlgment, discharge the duties of your office as Justice of the Peace in the County of Ellihart faithfully, and that you have not since the first day of January, Eighteen Hundred and Nineteen, either directly or indirectly, knowingly given, ac- cepted, carried a challenge to any person or persons to fight with any deadly weapon, and that you will not knowingly give, accept or carry a challenge to any person or persons to fight with any deadly weapon in single combat, either in or out of this State during 3^our continuance in office, so help you God. Given under my hand and seal on the 28th of June, 1830. Thomas Thomas, Clebk C. C, [seal.] of Elkhart County. And [also comes John Jaclison, and produces his Commission, as Justice of the Peace, from His Excellency James B . Ray, Governor of Indiana, bearing date June 11, 1830, with the office endorsed thereon as the law directs. A gubernatorial proclamation and oath of office follow. Both docnments are similar to those quoted, with the necessary exception that Col. Jackson's name holds a relative position to that occupied by Mr. Matthers' name in the premier legal forms. There is such a peculiarity connected with the original record, now in possession of Auditor Ilenkell, that a few changes have been made. That very little attention was bestowed upon orthoepy intlie earlier yeirs ot the county is evident. Throughout the documents quoted there is only to be found one comma; but as a set off to this negligence in composition, the patriotic spirit of the C. C. Clerk manifests itself in the monster capital letters with which such words as Independ- ence, United States, State, Elkhart and Indiana are written. There can be no doubt whatever in regard to Mr. Thomas's enthusiasm in his patriotic work, and that this militated against the observance of grammatical rules and forms, is to be supposed. June 28, 1830, a special meeting of justices was held, at which were present, James Matthers, John Jackson and Arminius C. Penwell, who pro- ceeded to elect a president. This fact is set forth in the County Kecords of the period thus: Whereupon, above named now proceeded to the election by ballot of a president according to law. and after canvassing the votes given they were as follows: J. HISTOET OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 411 Matthers received two votes; John Jackson, one vote, and James Matthers is declared to be duly elected President of the Board of Justices of the County of Elkhart, who take the charge, as such, and a session of the board is thereupon now holden. Present, James ^Matthers, President, Members . John Jackson, } Arminuis C. Penwell,)" Tlieir work was entered upon without much ceremony, and the formation of townships proceeded with. "Concord township," ordained the Board," shall include all that part of the county between townships 36 and 37, and running thence east to the line between 6 and 7, thence north to the State line; and all that part of the county southeast shall be included in Elkhart township." At this meeting James Frier was appointed County Treasurer; John Frier, Lister for the county; Howel PInntsman, Constable for Concord township; James Beck, Constable for Elkhart town- ship; Benjamin Gilbreath, Inspector of Elections for Concord, and Azel Sparklin, another Inspector for Elkhart township, and the Sheriff, Eli Penwell, Collector for the county. It was also ordered, during the same session, that Mr. Thomas Thomas be allowed §25.50 to furnish blank books. The next meeting of the Board of Justices was held on July 13, 1830, when the following business was transacted: 1st. The formation of the territory' east of Elkhart count}' into the township of Mong-go-qua-nong. 2d. The report of William G. Ewing, Hugh Hanna, John Bishop and Samuel Flemming, a quorum of Commissioners, appointed under the act for the formation of St. Joseph and Elkhart counties, was accepted. This report was as follows: To the Board of Justices of Elkhart County, State of Indiana : The midersigned Commissioners who were appointed by an act of the General Assembly of the State aforesaid, entitled an act for the formation of the counties of St. Joseph and Elkhart, approved January 2i), 18.30, to select a site for the Seat of Justice of said couuty, agreeable to an act entitled an act for fixing the Seats of Justice in all counties hereafter to be laid off; Report : That they met at the house of Chester Sage, in the said county of Elkhart, on the fourth Monday, being the 24th day of May, A. D. 1830; and after being duly sworn according to law, pro- ceeded to examine the different sites for a town in which to establish the seat of said county of Elkhart. And after having made full and satisfactory examination as aforesaid, they have selected southwest quarter of section 24, township 37, and range ."i east,|now attached to the district of land sold at the Fort Wayne land office, which said land they discover, and further report has never been offered for sale by the United States. The undersigned have further selected the name of as a suitable name for said town as aforesaid. il-J HISTOKT OF ELKHAET 00^^^T. In witness whereof we have here unto set our hands and seals this 26th day of May. A. D. IS^O. JoHX BiSHor, [Seal.] H. Haxxa. [Seal.] Sasttel Flesooxg, [Seal.] Joseph Besxett. [Seat] W. G. EwrsG. [Seal.] And the nnderagned Commisioners aforesaid, adjourned until the second Monday, being the 13lh day of July. A. D. 1S30. to meet again at the house of the said Chester Sage, in said county of Elkhart, as aforesaid, and then proceed to deliver the aforesaid report to the said Board of Justices of said county aforesaid; said adjournment being in consequence of a want of a proper Board of Justices or Commi^oners in said cotmty. to whom to deliver said report according to law. Elkhart Ccuniy. May 2«. 1S30. This postscript to the report is duly signed by the commissioners. It appears from an entry made subsequently in the Kecord Book, that these gentlemen were sworn into office by Jnstice M. H. Tailor, of Fort Wayne, on May 21 and 22, 1530. In compensation for the work and expenditures of these commissioners, the Board of Justices did, on July 13, 1S30, order the following amounts to be paid them by the county treasurer out of the first moneys aris- ing from the sale of town lots in the proposed county seat, viz. : — Hugh Hanna, $36: Samuel Flemming, $S1: Wm. G. Ewing, $36: Joseph Bennett, #15 : John Bishop, 0S1. John C. Frier was voted the sum of $12 at the same time for listing the county. After this round of important business was finished, the Board ordered the sheriff to notify all qualified electors of the county to assemble at the regular polling booths in their respective townships on the first Monday in August, and proceed to elect by ballot a county representative, a sheriff and a coroner. The sheriff" was also instructed to cause the people of the new township of Mong-go-qua-nong to assemble at the house of Moses Price, for their choice of a justice of the peace. The elections in Concord and Elkhart townships were subsequently held in the houses of Chester &ige and in the school-house on Elkhart Plain respectively. The members of this energetic Board next proceeded to draw a grand and petit jury, who would serve during the 2s ovember terra of the Elkhart Circuit Court. Their labors in this regard resulted in the selection of the following panel : Grand Jury: — Ben Bennett, Geo. Peoples, Geo. "Wilkinson. Dan Clarke. Peter Rnpel, James Bennett, Hiram Parker. J. Skinner, Jepe Ensh, John Rupel, John Youncr. Jacob Pnterbaugh. Henry Carmaney, Elias Parker, Dominique Kosseau, Matt Bovd, Adam Teale and Bob Hamilton. Traverse Jurors: — HISTOET OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 413 Aaron Brown. Jonathan Morgan, Allen F. Ott. Henrv Jacobs, "^m Skinner, Jacob Roop, James Tuley. "Washington Traiunell, J. L. Powers. John Bonham. John Xeehason. Geo. Huntsman. Chester Sage, Wni. M. Thompson, D. Xicholson, James Alcilurray, John Pool, John Carpenter, Ben Gilbreath, Edward Downing, James Blair, Henry Edgell, Ephraim Seeley, Anthony Xelson. It is pre- sumed that all the electors of the county were thus empanelled, so that if a member of the community was placed before the court his case was certain to meet witli deep consideration and justice. A Board of Justices who could push through such an amount of business in one day, was not likely to forget any just source from which money could be enticed into the pockets of the county, treasury. Therefore, and without ceremony or hesitancy, they granted licenses to the local traders in the following manner: Ordered that a license to vend foreign merchandise, and the same is hereby granted to Dominique Rosseau for one year from the date hereof, iind he p.ay therefore the amount to the county treasury the sum of §10. July 13. 1S30. Ordered that a license to vend foreign merchandise and the same is hereby granted to (.'lark and Mather for one year from the date hereof, and that they pay into the County Treasury the sum of ten dollars for same. July 13. 1830. Ordered that the following rates of taxation for county purposes be assessed as follows: on each poll 37 'i cents, on each horse thirty -seven and a half cents, on each work oxen eighteen and three-fourth cents, on each silver watch twenty-five cents, on each brass clock one dollar, on each four-wheeled carriage one dollar, on each two-wheeled carria^ seventy-five cents. The work of the session was now closed and the weary but very faithful justices of the old Board adjourned until September follow- ing. On the 6th of that month the members were again at their post of duty, and though the session did not entail so much severe work as that one just chronicled, there were three orders issued that brought a ray of sunshine to these industrious citizens. "Wil- liam Latta was ordered to be paid l-l.SO for bringing the hua from Fort "Wayne, and delivering them to the county of Elkhart. Ici F. Eice received 83 for his services as returning judge in the case of the Mong-go-qua-nong township election; and David Penwell received the muniticent appropriation of fifty cents for similar ser- vices rendered in the case of the Concord election. The special session of Xovember. 1S30, ordered that James Cotnp- ton be acquitted of the payment of 37i cents for one horse wrong- fully assessed. James McMurry was relieved of the payment of $1.37^. The sheriff of Allen couutv was allowed *3 for notifying 414 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. the commissioners to locate the county seat, and the sheriifof Elk- hart county $43 for services rendered up to the 1st of November, 1830. THE SESSION OF 1831 opened under peculiarly pleasant auspices. The county legislation for the preceding months was decidedly beneficial, and the institu- tion itself popular, so that the members of the Board of Justices imbibed a singular courage from their confidence in the fact that county government had now raised itself to a degree of utility where its trial was over and its permanency insured. In January Ephraim Seeley presented himself with his commis- sion before Mr. Thomas, was sworn in as Justice of the Peace, was added to the Board and under the presidency of Arminius C. Pen- well, J. P., took part in the session of that month. The business transacted then may be summed up briefly as follows: A license to vend foreign merchandise granted to lea F. Rice, for wliich he paid $10. The collector was ordered to receive $1.50 for taking the cen- sus of the county in 1830. The clerk was voted $1.87-J- for postage and paper furnished for county purposes, and a further sum of $30 for extraordinary services rendered the Board and court during the six months ending Dec. 22, 1830. Elias Riggs, Rinehart Gripe and Azel Sparklin were appointed "'fence viewers " for Elkhart town- ship; Adam Teale, James Tucoly and John Bannen, for Concord township; John Alney, W. A. McNeil and Jason Thurston, for Mon-go-qua-nong. The overseers of the poor for these townships, appointed at the same time, were Jacob Roop and Allen Tibbits for Concord; Sam. Goode and Wilson McConuell for Elkhart, with Ben Jones and Moses Rice for Mon-go-qna-nong. John N. Pen- well was given the position of County Assessor; and Howel Hunts- man, James Beck and Sam. Anderson were appointed Constables for the townships in their written order. The County Treasurership was voted to James Frier, and the Inspectorship of Elections con- ferred on Wm. Skinner, David Clark and Ben. Blair, who were to act during 1831 in Concord, Elkhart and Mon-go-qua-nong respect- ively. Two sets of grand and petit jurors were chosen to try any causes which might come before them during the May and Novem- ber sittings of the Circuit Court. In reponse to a demand made by the Board for a statement of county receipts and expenditures, from the time of its organiza- tion up to date of this demand, the following figures were furnished : niSTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. 4:15 Total amonnt of fees, dues and taxes received from the organiza- tion of the county to January, 1831, $198. 80|. Tlie report of the treasurer showed that he received $.5.65 commission in compensa- tion for his labor in receiving and paying out this amount, while the collector received $10.46 as his percentage, or pay for trouble and expenses incurred in the collection, which sums with various other disbursements, formed up a total disbursement of $183.43^, and left in the hands of the treasurer a surplus of $15.37i. From this balance the sum of $8 was voted to the associate judges for their services iu the Circuit Court during the November term of 1830, and $2.45 to the sheriff for sunamoning tliree juries to try causes before the court in that terra. At a special session of the Board of Justices, held in March, 1831, the commissioners appointed to re-locate the county seat, and set aside the action of former commissioners in the matter, pre- sented the following report: — The undersigned commissioners who were appointed by an act of the General Assembly of the State aforesaid, entitled an act to re-locate the county seat of justice for said county agreeable to an act entitled an act for fixing the seats of justice in a'l counties hereafter to be laid off, Report that they met at the house of Thomas Thomas in said county of Elkhart, on the third Monday, being the twenty- first day of March, 18.31. And after being duly sworn according to law proceeded to examine the different sites for a town in which to establish the seat of justice for said county of Elkhart ; and after having made full and satisfactory examination as aforesaid, as well the former site selected as others, they are of opinion that the present site should be vacated, and have selected the south fraction of the northeast quarter and the north fraction of the southeast quarter of section nine, in township thirty-six north, of range six east of the second principal meridian line the Fort Wayne land office district; Provided the two fractions does not exceed the maximum quantity of one hundred and sixty acres to which the county has right of pre-emp- tion by an act of Congress, 34th of May, 1824, by locating the county seat thereof on the same: and, farther, should said fractions exceed the quantity of acres above described, then, in that case, we select the first above described fraction and recom- mend the purchase of the other bj- the County C'ommissioner.s, and the undersigned have further selected the name of Goshen as a suitable name for said town as afore- said, all of which is respectfully submitted to your Honorable Board. David Miller, Anthony L. Davis, March 83, 1831. L.G.Thompson. The work of the session concluded with an appropriation vote granting the sum of $24 each to Commissioners A. L. Davis and L. G. Thompson, and $15 to David Miller, to be paid by the treas- urer from moneys realized by the sale of lots in Goshen. 416 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. In the May session the business was inaugurated by granting a trader's license to Thomas M. Morrison. A revolution of the tax on horses, oxen, carriages and watches was effected. The appoint- ment of county officers, disbursements, and an order for a bench and screw for the clerk's office, closed the proceedings of the session. Township 35 north, range 6 east, of the orignal congressional survey was organized for civil purposes and named Jackson town- ship in November, 1833, and an election of a justice of the peace ordered in the ordinary form, which election resulted in Col. John Jackson being chosen Justice, and in his subsequent acceptance of a position on the Board of Commissioners. Early in May the com- missioners divided the county into three commissioners' districts. No. 1 included all that part of the county lying north of a line drawn east and west through the center of township No. 37. No. 2 included the district lying immediately south of No. 1., and north of a line running east and Avest, one mile south of the center of township 36, with Mongoquanong, and No. 3 comprised all the remaining part of the county, The June session was brief, but the business was of a most important character. Oliver Crane, who was appointed county agent in May, was ordered to lay out the town of Goshen into lots for building, and to advertise a sale of half such laid-out lots, to be held July 20, 1831. The sheriff was ordered to direct an election of school commissioners to be held on the first Monday in August. "William Williams was appointed Constable for Concod township, vice Howel PInntsman, who failed to give bonds, and James Beck was appointed Collector of countj^ and State revenue, vice Eli Pen- well, who resigned. The July session was inaugurated by a grant of $1 to James Frier for his services as returning officer in the elections of August, 1830. Geo. McCoUum was granted a like sum for similar service in Elk- hart township in April, 1831. Tlie county agent was empowered to pay off the men employed in surveying the county seat, and to George Crawford was made a special vote of $50 for his services in surveying the town of Goshen, laying it out in lots, and presenting the county with a map of his work in that connection. The efficient clerk, Thomas Thomas, was granted a sum of $35 for paper and extra services rendered from Dec. 22, 1830, to June 22, 1831. The sheriff was allowed $46 for his extra services from Nov. 1, 1830, to July 4, 1831. HISTORY OF ELKH4RT COUNTY. 417 THE NEW BOARD. In September, 1831, Edward Downing and Geo. McCollum received their commissions under the enactment of Jan. 19, 1831, entitled " an act to regulate the mode of doing county business." Sept. 5, these gentlemen met at the clerk's'house, and having taken their seats as commissioners, proceeded to deal with any business which might suggest itself to them. The reports of Justice Jackson and Penwell were received and adopted, but as their nature places them under the category of " criminal," they will claim a notice in connection with the records of criminals, brought before the Circuit Court in later years. It may, however, be claimed for the justices and their victims, that the former were tlioroughly impartial, and the latter thoroughly merited the light punishment inflicted. The close of the session was occupied in the appointment of Wilson McConnell Trustee for the county seminary; of George Crawford County Surveyor; the establishment of an $8 license on venders of wooden cJoeks, and the granting of a license to William Bissel, at the rate of $6 per annum, for his grocery store in the town of Goshen. The following payments were also ordered: James Matthers for his services in procuring land from Henry Jacobs for the county seat and said city, $4; Henry Blair, services as returning officer 1831, ^3; Oliver Crane, for services as county agent, $56; James Beck, Constable, for boarding and conveying a prisoner to Fort Wayne, $11.50. An order to hold elections for school trustees in the three town- ships issued from the Board, and having received the report of Oliver Crane the industrious members adjourned, as they stated "because there is nothing else to do." This report is a very precious document, since it deals in a very yjractical manner with the pio- neers, and the financial standing of their county in 1830-'31. Being so, it is here given in extenso as it appears upon the records: In pursuance to an act of the Legislature of the State of Indiana, I make this my first return as agent for Elkhart county, Indiana, this 5th day of September, 1831. Under the direction of the county commissioners have sold the following; lots, 418 BISTORT OF ELKHABT CODNTr. No. of Lot. Purchased by. sold lor. Xo. 01 Lot. Purchased bv. sold tor. 107 Samuel Good S 26 25 179 Geo. Crawford S41 00 149 Jacob Sneltzer 31 00 137 W. G. & G. W. 274 Richard Britton 31 25 Ewing 151 00 93 Jesse C. Charlton 55 00 130 Jos. Carpenter 25 00 139-221 Hugh Hannah 63 00 110 Wm. Latta 105 00 161-163 William Runvan 103 00 58 Wm. Bissel 25 35 154-189-209 Jacob Studebaker 195 00 143 W.G.Wright 30 00 111 Luke Hulit 40 00 216 Isaac B. King 25 00 187 CTiristopher Mires 55 00 112 Thomas Powers .50 00 143 John Jackson 40 00 105 Wm. Waugh 35 00 217 Isaac B. King 35 50 140 Wm. Hagle Henrv White 30 00 109 Geo. ^rcColhim 72 50 104 40 00 119 Elias Carpenter 41 00 103-118 Thomas G.Hall 60 00 185 Jamos lUsh^'ii and 124 Thomas Powers 30 00 Gio. Me(-'.>l!um 83 00 114 Wm. Bissel 50 00 91 Catherine Bishop 45 00 125 Alexander L. Morri- 130 John W. Violett 102 00 son 30 00 137-138 Nicholas Carpenter 55 00 97 John Miller 35 00 70 David Baruhazel 30 25 05 John Jliller 30 00 53 John McCouneU 30 25 101 Elias Ciirpenter Mathias Dawson 30 00 89 Rinehart Cripe 21 50 199-145 40 00 117-274 Richard L. Britton 54 75 138 Henry Matthew 57 00 181-313 WiUiam G. Cambell 1 55 50 108 A. Galentine 45 00 190 Marv Blair 82 50 126 Wm Hasle 30 00 208-191 Madison William 99 James L.^'Smith 30 00 Cornwell 115 00 131 Thomas Reece 30 00 273 John Carpenter Samuel Modi 28 50 53 Washington Modi 30 00 141 35 50 106 Isiiac B. King 30 00 71 Isaac Hagle Thomas Thomas 27 35 215 41 00 .*2,607 75 Cash received on sales .S559.55V Br services rendered and allowed by the Commissioners. §56: for paying forlar id and labor done for lajing out the town, 8152.98 308.98 8350.573^ Deduct 10 per cent, for seminal . 55.59 T Which leaves in my hands the sum of two hundred and ninety four dollars and ninety-eight cents, which I have deposited with the County Treasurer. O. CRAXE. Agent. Tlie Xovember session of the commissioners was signalized by the addition of John Jackson to their body, and the election of Edward Downing to the presidency. The first order of the reor- ganized Board granted a bonus of $2 to the slayer of a wolf over six months old, and $1 to him who scalped a younger one. This was 100 per cent. Increase on the bonns hitherto offered by the Board of Justices. Balser Hess, Azel Sparklin and Wilson AlcConnell were appointed School Trustees for township 37. A license was HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 421 granted to John Cook, recognizing his right to sell foreign mer- chandise, and imposing a fee of $10 per annum. James Mathers, J. P., presented his report of lines levied. This document shows forth very clearly that Peter Tetters was relieved of $16 by order of the court, for his recognized ability in the art of profane swear- ing. The new seal of the commissioners was adopted; the resig- nation of Justice Mathers received; Messrs. John Penwell, Jacob Puderbaugh and John Andrews were appointed " Road Viewers," and received instructions to lay out a road from Pleasant Plain to South Bend. Geo. Crawford, the County Surveyor, was elected Road Commissioner for the county, and the following statement of seminary funds was laid on the table: The fines assessed and collected by Squire Penwell $ 5.00 " " " " " " " Jackson 10.00 ■' '■ " " " " " Mathers 16.00 " '• " " " " Circuit Court 5.50 136.50 Replevined of Squire Jackson's fines 8 . 00 $28.50 All this business occupied only the first day of the November session of 1831. The remaining days were devoted to the appoint- ment of road viewers; reports from such as were formerly ordered to lay out highways; appropriations for the payment of county officials, and instructions to Geo. McCollura "to procure a set of standard weights and measures, on the best terms, for the regulation of any weights or measures now in use or to be used in the county of Elkhart." A special session of the Board was held Nov. 31, to receive the second report of Oliver Crane, to issue licenses and order an elec- tion of school trustees in township 38. Accordingly C. W. Singer on payment of $13, and Thomas Morrison, on payment of $10, were authorized to engage in the sale of foreign merchandise. The elect- ive body in township 38 were ordered to assemble at the house ofWm. Boget, Dec. 15, 1S31, and make a choice of trustees for the proposed schools of that district; and the following statement was read and adopted: Nov. 21, 1831, I, this day make this my second return to the honorable Commis- sioners of Elkhart county, Indiana, which is as follows to-wit : 27 422 HISTORY OF ELKHART CODNTY. No. Purcliaser. sow tor. Lot No. Purcliaser. sow for. 148 1 20 00 59 John Potter 25 00 14fi Madison W.Cornwel 20 00 144 Levi Beck 20 00 11R Michael Young 100 00 245 Jeremiah Beck 20 00 90 20 00 Remained on James 158 20 00 Smith-slot 20 00 10?, Samuel Dungan 20 00 85 Joseph D. Nose 20 00 194 20 00 139 Jlorris Harris & Co. 51 00 150-151 Moses Modie TO 00 86 James Callison 35 00 21 R I. T.Wilson (sold sec- 90 Phillip Matthews 20 00 ond time through mis- 104 Received on Henry take.) White's lot 30 00 196 Jacob Replogle 25 00 180 Samuel Modie 20 00 193 Daniel Keplogle 25 00 178 Moses Modie 25 00 33 20 00 88 Wm. Waugh 30 00 188 Isaac B. King GO 00 40-39 Charles Awrin 50 00 94 Robt. P. Handle 25 00 68 Henry White 20 00 98 D. G. Dungan 25 00 67 Claton Comton 20 00 64 Charles Murray 25 00 66 Washington Modie 20 00 95 Jloses Jlodie 25 00 115 Samuel Reynolds 55 00 93 Samuel Modie 30 00 113 Samuel Reynolds 50 50 The cash received on account of these sales amounted to $129.12^, of which $15 were allowed County Agent Crane as his commission, leaving a net sum of $114. 12|- in the treasury. lS32-'33-'34. In the Mav session of 1832, a license to keep tavern in the town of Goshen, was granted Abner Stilson for a consideration of $12 to be ]iaid into the county treasury. A license was also granted Havilla Beardsley to establish a ferry on the St. Joseph river at the mouth of the Elkhart river, in consideration of a payment of $i per annum, and that the boat used as a ferry-boat should be -10 feet long bj' 9 broad. The following charges were also arranged : Each wagon with six horses or oxen 75 " four " " 62i ■• three" " .50 " two " " 37^ " one " " 25 horse and rider 12A footman 06^ single loose horse 06:1 head of neat cattle 04 " of sheep, hog or goat 01 The count}' treasurer's report, laid on the table at an earlier session, showed the following receipts and disbursements for 1831: Received from the varied sources of revenue $^271 28:}^ Expended 8535 81^ Deficiency $264 53 From this it will be evident that notwithstanding the economy exercised by the Boards of Justices and Commissioners in 1831, the HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. 42rf county was in debt at the beginning ofl832, and continued so until the end of tlie January season, when all debts hitherto contracted were paid off, and a balance in favor of the next year of $16.32 reported in tiie treasurer's hands. In March, 1832, J. Frier was dismissed from office of treasurer on account of not being naturalized. Aug. 18, 1832, the lirst con- tested election petition was tried before the county commissioners and M. Ilippey declared eligible. Having treated the very interesting period extending over the years 1830-'31 and a portion of 1832, as fully as the record permit- ted, it will now be only necessary to review the important events and figures suggested by the years immediately succeeding. Begin- ning with the county treasurer's report for 1832, presented to the Board at its lirst session in January, 1833, a review of the financial condition of the county at that time will prove valuable. This- report takes the following form ; COUNTY TREASURER DR. TO COUNTY. For permits and license to taverns and groceries. f 29 10 " •■ " " venders of merchandise 38 95 Amount on duplicate and collected 425 00 of jury fees collected 22 75 ' ' assessed and " .■ 12 75 " of delinquent tax 55 65 " of collector's fees 22 93 " collected and paid into treasury 462 90 " of balance after collector's fees 439 57 " treasurer's percentage 13 87 " after percentage 436 10^ AMOUNT OF EXPENDITURE OF 1832. Amount for wolf scalps flOl 00 " " grand jurors 78 75 " petit " 108 75 " " viewing and laying out roads 39 00 paid commissioners for locating State road from Fort Wayne to South Bend, through Elkhart county 23 00 " for Geo. Crawford for surveying State road 20 00 " " hands employed on State road 36 00 " " assessor's services 30 00 " " associate judges for holding courts 40 00 " " bailiffs to the coiuts and juries 17 00 " " house rent for county purposes 23 00 " " sherifl for extra services. . . 70 00 " clerk " " ■• 70 00 " " postage and stationery 5 G2i " " sheriffs election returns 16 50 " " returning judges of elections 3 50 " " commissioners' services 38 00 Total amount expended f 789 12i Total amount received 426 10| Leaving a deficiency of $363 Deficiency of 1831 264 Total amount of deficiency *627 424 HiSTOEY or elkhart county. In tliis account tliere were so many erasures, so man v incongruous entries, and yet such a beautiful blending of everything that could tend to revolutionize all modern ideas of bookkeeping, that there is no existing intention on the part of the writer to vary from the style laid down in the original record. Notwithstanding the con- fusion of items and figures, it must be taken for granted that the resulting figures are correct, since the report was duly received and adopted. There is one thing assured as certain, and that is, that the early settlers were determined to have roads and schools and officials, no matter where or when the revenue to meet expenditures entailed by such enterprise was to be raised. They were undoubtedly a most progressive people, and the early exercise of their liberties led to these great results, which many of them live to see in opera tion. The attention of the commissioners was given to the open- ing up of the county by the erection of highways and schools, unti' March, 1834, when it became their duty to organize another town ship, to be known as Middlebury. Their ordinance in this connec tion was in the following form: " Ordered that all that part o; Concord township lying in ranges 6 and 7 be set apart and known by the name of Middlebury township, and that Willis G. Wright be and is hereby appointed Inspector of Elections in said township, and that one justice of the peace be elected on the first Monday of April next, and that the election be holden at the house of Geo- Buffems, and that the sherifi' advertise the same. In January, 1833, the commissioners granted a tavern license to Horace Eoot for the town of Elkhart, for which he paid $2.50; and in May of the same year the township of Turkey Creek, south of the county of Elkhart, was organized. The order of the commis- sioners in this connection takes this form, viz. : " Ordered that all the territory lying south of Elkhart and attached thereto be desig- nated and set apart and known by the name of Turkey Creek township, and that the annual election be holden at the house of Charles Irwin, and that Hyram Summy be appointed Inspector of Elections for said township, and that one justice of the peace be elected in said township at the annual election, and that the sheriff advertise the same." It now became evident that the strange adjunct of civilization known as a prison, then commonly termed a "coop," was necessary, and accordingly the commissioners ordered that the contract for building a jail be entered into and HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 425 given to the lowest bidder who would receive town lots in Goshen as pay for his work when reported complete. The November session of lS3i began on Monday, the 3d, and concluded on the 5th. During these three days a vast amount of business was transacted, and only concluded by a lengthy statement of county finances. This document shows that at that time the revenue account amounted to .$797.23^, and the expenditures for the year to $84:0.81, leaving a deficiency of S43.67f to be added to the collective deficiency of 1832-'3 of 8829. 95i, aggregating a total deficiency to date of $870.63 1-6. The January session of 1835 was i)rincipally devoted to the con- sideration of accounts, many of which were ordered to be paid. The commissioners held a long and very important session in March, and issued an ordinance, among others, for the organization of Cleveland township. This order is couched thus: " Ordered that all that part of Concord township lying north of the St. Joseph river to form one township, and to be known by the name of Cleve- land townsliip; and that Samuel Simmington be appointed Inspector of Elections in and for said township, and that an election be holden in and for said township on the first Monday of April next, for the purpose of electing two justices of the peace in and for said town- ship, said election to be holden at the house of Ilirara Ormsby, and that the sheriflp advertise the same." On Tuesday, May 5, 1835, the Commissioners ordered that that portion of the recently organized township of Middlebury, in range 0, be constituted a township, to be called Washington, and that the election of inspector and justices beheld at the house of E. Denisou on the first Saturday in June. Joseph II. Defrees was appointed County Agent during the same session, vice Oliver Crane, but resigned subsequently, and the posi- tion was given to K. P. Eandall. Randall made a full report of mone^-s received from purchasers of town lots since the first sale, and supplied to the commissioners in session during November, 1835, a statement regarding lots sold by him since he entered upon the duties of county agent. This statement, in conjunction with former references to the town lots of Goshen, will almost complete the list of early settlements in and about the county seat. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. .ot No. Piirchnsed by Price. Lots rurcUftSPd Dy Prtce. 197 Robcil Frame i20 45 William Wau-h *30 186 .lohiiston Latta 20 184 Shiilial M. Teas,' 35 ir)8 Henry Beaue 20 123 Oliver Ciaiie 35 6!) Johnston Latta 20 55 J..lm W. Uiuris 20 5-183 !S. M. Pease sold a 2d time 289 L. S. Cording 30 230 Flemming Risht 50 Daniel Shoemaker 30 273 T.Morison&II.Stutsinan70 51 Josiah Shoemaker 30 73 John G. Nagle 20 77 Isaac Hagle John G. Hagle 30 73 James Irwin 20 47 30 William Irwin 30 37 Hubbard Henderson 20 ^54 H. W. Willdnson 20 20 David McCollum 20 76 Petri- T.. Pvunyan 25 164 John F. Wilson 20 38 AVillis (1. Wii-lil 20 218 Banks Hull 20 314 noinini.|U,' linssci, u 50 50 Trustees M. E. Church 20 10-33 l>»vi,l 1!. ('aip.ntc ■V 45 211 Kennel H. Z. Haden 20 31 David Mr( nlluiu. 1 .V 2 Josias Hockert 80 9 (JeoinvilcCnllani ',>(• 6;^ .hunes F. Young 20 167 AVilliam Felkiirr 'J.") 1'.i2 .Alatthew D. Springer 25 166 Jeremiah Ilvsei- ;!0 210 .lohn (iilmore 20 23!) K. L. Britton 35 260 John Gilmore 20 242 Azel Sparlin 20 147 Robert Frame 20 361 Henry Davis, fraction 10 198 Robert Frame 20 75 Peter h. Runyan 20 182 Richard H. Lansdale 40 74 John F. Wilson 20 357 John Wincland 20 240 James E. Randall 25 306 Benjamin Crary 30 168 William Felkner 20 207 Matthew D. Springer 30 The sales effected by County Agent Det'rees dnrina; his term of office comprised the following lots referred to in County Agent Randall's report: Lots 33 24;i 219 Purchased Dy William Clark John A. Craig J. Fellows and G. IVnneston Price. $35 30 V. 30 Lots 34-234 3.5-41 240 98 82 23 Pin-cU:ised by J. Fellows and G. ^ Denneston Jos. H. Dcfrees Jeremiah Banning Moses Bails Price. '.." 45 40 25 350 251 368-238 333-336 " 50 40 40 30 16 30 Tiie county agent, in continuation of his report, stated the sum realized on account of all these sales up to date to be !?8,374..">()i. The county treasurer, Peter L. Eunyan, reported the receipt of $93(i.(5S, and the disbursement of $005.84, with amount of treasurer's com- mission S'2S.10 additional, leaving $2.72 to credit of county. The sum actually paid into the treasury on account of lots in the town of Goshen uj) to that date was $1,126,161. The Commissioners, at their meeting Nov. 2, IS:)."), ordered that "All that part of Jackson township in congressional township No.SS, in range 7, be known by the name of Benton township; that on the third Saturday of December, A. D. 1835, an election be held in the town of Benton, at the store of F. W. Taylor in said town, for the purpose of electing a justice of the peace for the townshipof Benton, atid that .loseph Cowan be appointed inspector." The treasurer HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 427 furnished a detailed report to the Board of Commissioners, sum- ming up the financial state of the county to the 7th of that month, showing the net revenue to be $l,2i8.23, and the expenses of the previous year to be $1,119.88^, and the deficiency carried down from former years to equal $750.28^. The work of organization made great progress during this period. In March, 1836, the commissioners issued an ordinance for the formation of a new township in the ordinary legal form then in use, viz.: " Ordered that all that part of Elkhart county west of range 5 east, and south of the Elkhart river, be set apart and known by the name of Baugo township, and that Wilcey S. Jones be ap- pointed Inspector of Elections of said township, and that the elec- tions of said township be holden at the house of James Town." Toward the close of the same session Jefferson township was organ- ized out of that part of Washington township, known as town- ship Xo. 37 north, range 5 east. Isaac Decamp was appointed In- spector of Elections, and the people ordered to meet for selection of a justice of the peace, on the first Monday in April, 1836, at the liouse of Isaac Hagle. The following school lands were reported sold during the previous month by Deputy Recorder John Gilmore, viz: Lot. Acres. Purcliasecl by Prtce. Lot. Acres. Purchased by Price. 1 51 George Crawford $ 770.61 5 66.39 Azel Sparklin 232 36 96 Geo. Crawford 1,166.40 6 80.12 Oliver Crane 408.61 3 43-52 Daniel Weybright 383 64 7 102.53 487.10 4 54.35 Daniel Cripe 371.35 8 121.43 " '• 607.10 County Agent Handall 's repoi •t of a f urther sale of town lots followed thus: Lots NO. Purcliasedby Price. Lots No. Purcliaseaby. Price. 200-301 Lewis L. Gording $ 40 49 Jas. Hilliard 30 255-256 Ben Crary 40 36 Jas. HilliardaudR. 62 Sam. J. Young 30 McReynolds Jas. McReynolds 30 352 Samuel Yarnell 35 37 30 4 Jacob Stutsman 20 313-335-2 36 57 Daniel Stutsman 30 239 Wm. Vail 110 335 Richard Hathaway 30 179 James Cook 40 174^224 Richard Hathaway 40 34-60-61 Geo Howell 60 7-8-11-48 Abner Stillson 80 25 L. D. Hovey 30 223-197-169JOS. S. Jernigan 65 26-31 J. R.Mc Cord and Leon- 175-196-233JamesS. Stilson 90 ard Harris 40 16-17-18 Thomas Thomas 60 248 Milton Mercer 42 Emanuel Bell 30 43-44-45-1 65 James Cook 85 131 Geo. Rumsey 50 1 Luke Hulett 30 19 James Gilmore 30 30 83 James Blair Abram B. Lyons 20 30 428 HISTOKT OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. Eandall pointed but in his statement of results, that the sum of $3,880.36 liad accrued from the sale of those lots up to the present, and he also expressed in very prophetic terms, that many years would not elapse before the very lots which he was then selling would be disposed of at a premium of 1,000 per cent. In May, 1836, the following order issued from the Board for the organization of still another township, to be called Clinton. It directs " that a portion of Elkhart township in range 7 be set apart and be known by the name of Clinton." William Denny was appointed Inspector, and a meeting was called at the house of Isaac Smith, for the purpose of electing a justice of peace to represent the township on the Board ot Commissioners. During the month of September, 1836, the commissioners ordered the erection of that part of Elkhart county in township 36 north, and of range 5 east, into Harrison township, appointed William Stewart, Inspector, and directed the election of a justice of the peace to be held at the house of Daniel Bowser, on the first Monday of October following. Henry H. Fowler, who laid out the town of Bristol, was ordered to vacate the same, on condition " that he shall proceed to survey and record the new plat as a part of the said town in some different manner within six months." In January, 1837, an ordinance was issued by the Board of Com- missioners for the erection of a district north of the St. Joseph river, in township 38, of range 5 east, into Osolo township. Henry John- son received the appointment of Inspector of the Election, of justice of the peace, to be held at his house on the last Saturday of that month. It was likewise ordered by the Board that township 37, range 5 east, of Elkhart county be included in Concord township. The organization of Union township was ordered by the commis- sioners in March, 1837. They directed its erection out of that part of Elkhart county in township ISTo. 35 north, range 5 east; and having appointed Josiah Elston Inspector, instructed the sheriff to advertise the date of election of a justice of the peace for the first Monday in April, to be held at the house of Samuel Drake. York township was erected in March, 1837, out of township No. 38 north, range 7 east, in Elkhart county. A. Brown was appointed Inspec- tor, and an election of a justice of the peace ordered to be held at the house of F. Curtis on the first Monday in April. The county treasurer presented a statement of receipts and dis- bursements for 1836, to the commissioners, at their January ses- sion. This statement is as follows: HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 429 RECEIPTS. Tavern and grocery license $ 330 30 Foreign merchandise license 165 89 Jury fees 18 00 Duplicate in the hands of thecollector 1,156 12>^ Amount of delinquents 27 SQ^ Balance after delinquents deducted 1,128 22;!^ The sum of 1,420 IS^ The peculiarly arranged exhibition of revenue is followed by another from the collector, setting forth a total receipt of $2,092; a total disbursement of $1,959.44^-, and balance in favor of the county of $132.56i. The township of Olive was organized under an order of the commissioners dated Nov. 5, 1839, directing that the fractional township 36 north and of range 4 east be detached from Baugo township and named Olive. Cornelius Terwilliger was appointed Inspector of the election of justice of the peace, to be held Dec. 7 ensuing. Ten years after the organization of the county the amount due for county taxes was $2,798.19. The number of polls, 1,116. The value of land, $429, 433; personal property, $114,972; town lots, $96,221 ; total amount, $640,226. Number of acres of land, 77,401. In the June session of 1841 the commissioners issued the follow- ing ordinance: " That the Congressional fractional township No. 35 north, range 4 east, in the county of Elkhart, and State of Indiana, be, and the same is hereby, set off as a civil township to itself, for the purposes of transacting township business; and it is further ordered that said township be known by the name of Locke town- ship; audit is further ordered that the election be held in said township on Saturday, 24th day of July, A. D. 1841, for the pur- pose of electing a justice of the peace for said township; and it is further ordered that the sheriff of Elkhart county give notice of said election by putting up three written notices in three of the most public places at least 20 days before said election." " Such a close attention to the old record of the county has been made indispensable, on account of the slow but sure progress in the organization of the townships, the changes in the administra- tion from the old Board of Justices to the Board of Commissioners^ and the various and sometimes quaint reports of the first county officers. To deal with such important items in the ordinary style would be to transmute the interesting language of ancient lawyers, 430 HISTORY OF ELKIIAET COUNTY. statesmen and public officials from its original purity to modern form, and tliereby destroy these peculiar characteristics, which endear it to the surviving pioneers, and attract even the attention of their children and new settlers. That the chapter will interest and instruct is to be hoped. It is a record singularly gratifying, and one of which all who ennoble themselves by cherishing the memories of honest men may be proud. CHAPTER XI. THE BUILDING OF THE FORT. The skill tliat conquers space and time, That graces life, that lightens toil. May spring from courage more sublime Than that which makes a realm its spoil. Wliatever is found Ijeautiful in nature coinineiids itself at once to nature's ca]iitalnian. Nutiiing but the beauties of nature could lead liim over oceans, and through the solitudes of continents. lu his travels westward he always met some object to attract his attention, and beyond, toward the setting sun, was still some open- ing in the forest or some grove upon the prairie to lure him onward from one spot of beauty to another more lovely, until, wearied with the extent and variety of landscape, he lay down to repose upon the bosom of a land which next day he would call his own. Here willing toil brought to his hearth that primitive happi- ness wiiich men in other walks of life have often wished for. The prairie, grove and river opened wp a vista before him, pointing out the site of a beautiful home, where no dissonance jjromised to inter- fere with the ])revailing harmony; free alike from the marvelous struggles of ])eople inhabiting the old Eastern settlements, and from their political and military aspirations, he could exhaust a term of comparative ease before the time of immigration floated toward him new neighbors; so that, when they came, the tirst set- tler welcomed them, and often under his guidance and following his advice they selected the neighborhood as their home. Soon a busy stream of life swept over and peopled the land; the tempo- rary shanty or log cabin began to give way to more pretentious structures, and the echoes of happy human voices rolled over forest and prairie and lake and river, until the little world which centered in their midst was one of peace and joy. Then, as is oi'ten the case in worldly affairs, whisperings of anticipated disturbance seemed to travel on the genial breeze, and at a moment's notice the hap[)y people were roused to arms by another Paul Revere, and their dream of continued rest was temporarily broken. The Sac •U^'2 IIISIOKY UK 1 I.KIIAKI' OOf NTY. war oxoitiMiUMit toi.k imssossion of tlio scttli-imMits, but lisippily its rosnlts wore boiiolioinl, since thov only provini what _u;allant honrts nro proparod to do iind suiVor in dotonso of llienisolves, tlunr neijjhbors and tlioir land. That period in the history of Elklmrt county is well renienihered hy many of the old pioneers. The Hon. Joseph 11. Defrees was then anuing them, an. 1 thouo;h ho exerted nil his powers o\' mind and body to allay the intense excitement of the people, iiis sound reasonitio' passed by unheeded by the greater number, and thus entailed upon tlio brave people ft term of mental and physical trouble, unexampled in the history ot tl>e Uepublic. The action of the settlers, however, was most commendable. AVhen it is remembered that they mustered into service under the veteran Ool. Jucksou, prepared to march to the defense of Niles in the neighborina; State, a point then reported to be threatened by the savage Sacs, their order of courage and fra- ternity become heroic, and their actions such as the ancients would deem worthy of their gods. Wiien the savage cliaracter of the Sacs and the eiiually barbarous luiture of the I'ottawotamiesnre consideretl. the settlers were justi- tied in their anxiety. Tlio terrible white sog feast, or thirst dance was being carried out in the villages of the aborigines. Ihuids of Indians had encamped there for several weeks, making preparations for the festival, which is partly of a penitential and partly of a propitiatory^ character, the peculiarity of the cere- monial being that the dancers must not eat. drink or sleep until it is over — a length of time varying from two to tour days. On this occasion it was only for two days. In order to fully carry out the festival it was necessary to erect H temple, and tl\is was eiVected with the ceremonies usual to savage sprees of this description. As tlie tirst duty was to procure a center- pole, between 40 and 50 warriors, each on horseback, with hissinuiw behind him, set out for the woods in search of one. Preceding then\ was the nu\lieine man, in a ragged United States military coat, probably brought fron\ one of the posts south of the lino, his head ornamented with a mass of porcupine skin and swan feathers, lie carried in his hand a tin pan, which he beat with a stick, while he and the chief who followed him, n\ade hideous noises to drive away the evil spirits. .V tree suitable to their purpose was at last chosen, and was approached with wlioops and the tiring of guns. In a very sliort time it was felled, and the warriors ranging them- selves on each side of the trunk, attached their lariats to it, and iiisroitv OK la.KiiAkT c'diiNTV. -!;!;{ drow it, iiilo c.iuiiii, iuiuM l.lie }'(!11k dI' lliu Havuf^eH. A Kolect I'liw a])|)()iMlo(l !iy tlio iiiodiciiiu iium iJiuii rairtoil it in ])(),siti()ii, ;iiid tlie ])rocecdiiif(s huinif iiccoinpiiiiiod hy iiic.iiiitatioiiB and miicli noise — tlic one for invoking idcssingrt and tlic other for driving away ovil 6])irit.s. 'I'luj temple, or tent, was tiion erected around tlie ])olo. It was circular in form, 60 feet in diameter, with walla six feet liigh, tlie apex of the I'oof being 30 feet from the ground. Tlie sidoH and roof were conijiosod ol' luillalo skins. IiiHido four pews were eon- Btructed with walls about three feet iiigli, two for the male and two for tlie fei'nale dancers, who are usually young people, who liad, when in imminent danger ot their lives, vowed to ])crform tliis service out of gratitude to the Great Spirit. The dance is merely a jerk of tiic body and a series of contortions, without any motion of the feet. The niediciiie man announces everything ready, and the dancers, to the number ol' aiiout 40, male and female, took positions in tlio ])e\v8. The bucks woi'e feathers in the Hcal])locks, and disjjlayod a style of costume not yet adopted in civilized society. They had nothing on but a coat of paint. Some of them were frescoed gcjrgeonsly and tastefully, but others, ])r()bably the married men, had put on their color carelessly and hideously, as if they cared not whether the girls smiled upon them or Bj)urned them. The squaws, however, had completed their toilets with much care, and appeared (jii the scene with their iiiu^ry dis|)layed to the bestudvan- lage. They moved about among the painted braves with ])orfoct indill'erence, and gave no sign that the airiness of their lover's dress offended them in the least. The orchestra, composed of iialf a dozen chiefs armed with drums made of deer skin, took its place at 10 o'clock Thursday night, and, to the grunting of the medicine man, chief musicians and head men, and a wild song from the dancers, the ball opened. Each dancer was provided with a whistle made from the wing-bone of a goose, ornamented with feathers and cohjrs. As they jumped about they sounded shrill notes u])on their instruments, which, blended with the whoojis, yells and mo- notonous druminiiig, fell upon the civilized ear with startling effect. Hour after hour the dance was kept up, the only intermission being at the will of the drummers, who were relieved at intervals. At times the surging and noise subsided, and a wise man in a see-saw tone recited tales of heroism for the eilificiitiiMi iukI emulation of the young. 4:M HISTORY OF ELK II ART COUNTY. During Friday and Saturday the warriors gave many exhibitions of their powers of endurance. A muscular warrior stood uncon- cerned while a couple of cliiefs stuck long skewers through the flesh of his shoulders. The lines of a horse were attached to the skewers, and the warrior was told to lead the animal around until the flesh gave way. With blood streaming down his back and breast, and mingling with the paint upon his dusky body, the enduring savage walked around for a couple of hours without a murmur. Though the flesh upon his shoulders tore in the direc- tion of the neck, yet it did not give way, and the medicine man, with much ceremony, unloosed the hero, who sauntered ofi" with a grunt of satisfaction. The next act on the programme was more startling than the last. A young buck was introduced and allowed two skewers to be thrust through the flesh of his breast without wincing; two lariats suspended from the roof-pole of the tent were fastened to the skewers. He then began to swing around the tent as far as the lines would allow him, throwing his whole weight upon the lines in his endeavor to break loose. The dancers danced and the drummers drummed with renewed vigor while the exhibition was in progress. After several hours' exercise he demonstrated to the satisfaction of all that he was a tough young man, and was loosed amid grunts of approval. Another heroic scalper had three pegs driven into him^two in his back and two in the back part of his arms. Four guns were hung upon the pegs, and he walked around and flirted with the girls as if nothing bothered him. A party of Assiniboines, painted to the eyes and armed to the teeth, appeared, and gave an exhibition of how they killed their enemies. They threw their knives and guns about so carelessly and attacked each other so fiercely that the few white spectators began to think that the fight might spread, and felt uneasy for their scalps. The cock- of-the-walk was a young Miami chief. Over his shoulders he wore the skin of an American lion killed single-handed by himself. Pendant from the skin were ten lariats, showing that he had cap- tured or stolen the horses. Pie strutted proudly around with his ten tails dragging behind him, and received with composure the admiration of his companions. Horses, blankets, knives, fire-arms, fancy lariats, skins and other articles were given as oflferings to propitiate the Great Spirit, many giving all they possessed, that their children might be brought into the tent and blessed. The dauce HISTORY OF KLRHART COUNTY. 435 was kept up from Thursday night until Saturday, when the medi- cine man made " medicine " for rain, and in an liour it came, a perfect down-pour, testifying tliat the Great Spirit was pleased with festival. After the dance came the dog feast. It is supposed by the inno- cent roamers of the plains that the eating of a dog's liver, without regard to the quality of the dog, makes them strong-hearted. The temple used in the " thirst" dance was taken down, with the exception of the center-pole, around which the warriors seated themselves in a circle and enjoyed a social smoke. Suddenly a cry was given, and tlie M'arriors sprang to their feet and commenced circling around to the dismal beating of a drum. The quiver- ing carcass of a dog was thrown within the circle by a woman, and the men whooped in ecstasy. The carcass was cut open, the liver torn out and hung by a thong from the pole. The warriors, one by one, stepped up and took a bite of the yet warm liver, and marched off happy. As soon as one liver was consumed a fresh dog was thrown into the circle and the stock of liver replenished. This continued to the end, until, perha|)s, 100 dogs were thus disposed of No wonder it is then that a few pioneers caught up the cry of alarm, and prepared to defend themselves against the attacks of the barbarians. The following stoi-y has been told by De Witt Mulinix, and is based upon'the experiences of one of Colonel Jackson's neighbors, so that its value in this connection cannot be overestimated, or its veracity questioned: "It was a warm July afternoon," said the writer; "from the door-3'ard of a country house, situated upon a little eminence, where prairie and timber land intersect, could be seen the finely cultivated farms of perhaps twenty lords of the soil, while scattered over the broad plain before me could be seen the adjoining proprietors, with laborers and teams, actively storing away the fruit of a summer's labor, while just to the left, nestling amid shrubs and trees, was a quiet, and from my point of observation, |)retty, little village. An occasional flash of lightning and the muttering of distant thunder gave evidence of an approaching storm; just before me, looking out upon the beautiful scene, with memories of the past evidently flitting across his mind, sat an old gentleman, full of years, and in the enjoyment of those high f[ualitie8 of mind and soul that come from a well-spent life. Intend- ing to obtain a recital of early incidents, I observed: 'You were here very early in the history of this locality were you not?' He 436 HISTOEY OF ELKHART COUNTY. replied: 'Yes, before the count}' was organized or a single white settler was in all this region, 1 visited this prairie for the first time. I was an early settler of Elkhart Prairie and lived near the river of that name, upon the farm now owned by Matthew Eippey and occupied by Mr. Graham, formerly a Methodist minister near here. One morning very early, — for we did not sleep late in those days; muscle, pluck and patience were all we had then out of which to make a living for those dependent on us, — Col. J. Jackson, my nearest neighbor, greatly excited and in haste, came to my house. As he approached he cried out: "Get your gun, and ammunition, and provisions, and meet us at Goshen at 11 o'clock; the Indians are near Niles, murdering the whites, and they want our aid." I wanted him to stop and give me more particulars, but he would not even pause for a moment; replying that he must hurry and notity the neighbors, he passed out of view. It seemed to me the Colonel was unnecessarily alarmed, but concluding to meet them at Goshen, we set about getting ready. " While I half-soled my shoes for the trip, my wife prepared some provisions and molded bullets to enable me to do service. While so engaged John Elsea, my nearest neighbor, came over and proposed to stay and look after both families while I went. My shoes now being repaired, we got out ray old knapsack, which had seen service in the border Indian wars, and with ammunition, provisions and my rifle, I started on foot for Goshen. We had no roads then. It was across the country or upon Indian trails, just as you chose to go. Arriving at Goshen the first man I met was Col. Jackson. "If you want any Indians killed, just bring tliem along now, Colonel," was my salutation. With a hearty laugh and strong old-fashioned shake-hands, which made one feel better for it, the Colonel greeted me. By this time many had arrived, armed with shot-guns, muskets, rifles, a few old-fashioned horse-pistols, butcher-knives, etc., etc., ready to march out to the aid of the pioneers, who, like ourselves, had left the comforts of civilization to hew out homes for their wives and little ones, from the wilds of a new country. We met together and then details of various reports were given. Col. Jackson produced a letter which had been written to him from Niles and sent in haste by an express rider, asking him to call out the militia and come to their rescue, as the Indians were near them, coming from the West, murdering the people. We concluded to send two messengers at once to Niles to get more spe- cific information. They were to return the next day. We did so, and /^ 0/0-^ M ClyOC<5y?'rL.iObt/i^ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 439 the town was full. Men, women and children had heard the reports and came flocking into town in every conceivable way, — some cry- injj, others swearing. To add to the confusion, it was said at the meeting that the Indians on and around this prairie were prepar- ing for war; that they were having war dances every night, and had bushels of bullets already molded. It was determined for safety to build a fort at Goshen, into which the women and children could he gathered, and a day was fixed for its commencement. '• In the meantime the men sent out to JS'iles returned with the information that it was a false alarm, that there were no hostile Indians east of Chicago; but at that place they were perpetrating outrages, and it was expected hostilities would open over the whole frontier. There were no contradictions, however, of the rumors of hostile demonstrations among the Indians in what is now Kosciusko count}'; so it was determined to go on with the fort. I had made up my mind that the whole story was a fabrication, and determined to visit the Indians on this prairie, in person, and ascertain the truth. I was wholly unacquainted with the country. There were no roads, no settlers that I knew of, no white men with them of my knowledge, the reports were alarming in the extreme, yet I did not believe them. If they were true it was important to know the worst at once, and prepare to meet the enemy. If untrue it was important to allay the excitement and alarm, so that people could again go quietly to their work. John Elsea promised to accompany me, but he was too ignorant of the country, of the tribes we were about to visit, of their language, and what to us was more impor- tant than all, of their intentions. Whether we were to come upon these barbarians in their haunts, painted for the war dance, with murder in their hearts, was to us a very serious question. " We determined, however, to go, and bidding farewell to those nearest and dearest to us, we crossed the river and started out alone into the wilderness. There was no road, no improvement, no human habitation between Elkhart river and the east side of Big Turkey Creek Prairie. With nothing to guide us but an Indian trail, which we finally came upon, we moved forward. As we approached the prairie the trail became more and more beaten, until at last we arrived in sight of an Indian village. It was located on what was for a long time known as the Rosseau farm, subsequently owned by Charles Rippey; fartiier south was another village called Waubee Papoose. Waubee was the chief of this tribe and lived at the village first mentioned. We were a little way off when the sav- 440 . HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. ages first saw us; they became greatly excited at our api)roach; immediate confusion was the result. Hurriedly they commenced to assemble. Being satisfied I could pacify them, if I was able to reach them before hostile demonstrations commenced, we both put spurs to our horses, and at full gallop dashed into their camp, thus placing ourselves in their power. The whole population, squaws, dogs and all, were in a tumult of excitement, and gathering around us demanded to know our business. We told them we were after seed corn to plant. The old chiet Waubee informed us they had none; but we could get it at another village some six miles away to the southeast, and directed us on our trail. Spending an hour •or two with the barbarians looking for war paint, clnlis and bul- lets, we took our departure. "Traveling up another trail, we now came to a second village, where the town of Oswego now stands. Squabach was the head ot this village. The noble savages here formed a semi circle, squatted down on their haunches and remained perple.xingly silent for over an hour. Tiieir toilet was not very elaborate. The young ladies nowadays who go into ecstacy over the latest novel and think it so romantic, and who faint at the sight of a rat, would not have fol- lowed theirs as the most becoming fashion . We could neither please uor anger them. Perfectly motionless and expressionless, they sat for over an hour. Disgusted, we were about to depart, when the chief spoke to a little Indian, who suddenly dartedoff into the woods. We concluded to await the result of this movement. Presently an Indian came forward and in fair English gruffly said: ' What you want here?' Instantly we spoke the magic word ' seed-corn,' and then the dusky savages all arose, talked and gave us a cordial wel- come. Their Sipiaws had been planting, and after au hour or two of loitering round their wigwams we departed. Everything gave evidence of quiet. We camped near what is now Leesburg. Mr. Elsea got four logs together in the shape of a foundation for a house, near where the old ^letcalf Beck store-house stands, and formally made his claim to the land, intending next fall to move his family to that spot of mother earth. Before he returned others jumped his claim and became owners of the land. We went back to our homes, reported the Indians all ]>eaceful, and this allayed the excite- ment. They settled at Goshen, however, to build a fort, got the foun- dation laid and disagreed as to its name, and so the work was aban- doned. Now all those who were then young men in the prime of manhood, full of energy and activity, are either gathered to their HISTORY OF ELKIIART COUNTY. 441 fathers or are in the decline of life. The mothers of tlic daughters who now live in ease, and many of whom pride themselves on white hands and pretty feet, rather than clear heads and hrave hearts, are now gone or hroken in health. We shall all pass away soon to some other land, but it is a ha])py thought that we have set a good exam- ple for our children . We have laid the foundation of future prosper- ity strong and deep, and those now in tlic prime of life need only build upon it." Notwithstanding the excitement of the times, the Fourth of July was celebrated throughout this northern part of the State. Jos. H. Defrees was the orator. Each corner of the county heralded the anni- versary of that day, which the Declaration of Indeiiendence bright- ened np with a ray as brilliant as the summer eun, and made blessed in the calendar. Even prior to this, on the 22d of February, they assembled at South Bend in honor of Washington's natal day, and having listened to the oration of Antiiony Defrees, who recapitu- lated the glories of the Union soldier, gave up a few hours to fes- tivity and returned to their homes, in the conciousness that, even in this M^atter, they had ]ierpotuated the memory of a great man, and done their duty to the Ilepublic. Tlie same month the Postmaster General established an office at Goshen, and appointed Wm. Bisscll postmaster. The iirst attempt at political party organization was carried out in April of the same year, by the election of Elias Carpenter, Asa Crook, Mark B. Thom])son, Wm. Skinner and David Rodibaugh to jilaces on the Democratic executive committee of the county. The terrible enmity which sprang up between the Miamis and the Pottawatomies created some attention toward the close of the year. In December, 1832, the chiefs of the latter tribe held a meeting to consider the murder of one of their people by a Miami. The chiefs concluded that a tribute of $100,000— the sum of the (iovernmental annuity to the Miami nation for two years — should be ])aid over to the Pottawatomies, and in case of their non-com- pliance decreed to wager a war of extermination against their old allies until the murder would be well avenged by the destruction of that tribe to which the assassin belonged. Fortunately for the Indians concerned, as well as for the white inhabitants, reason took up the place of the rille and tomahawk and adjusted the matter betbre the savages donned their war accoutrements and paint. Previous!}', the " ten mile strip " contention between Ohio and Michigan almost led to a serious rupture of State relations. The 442 UISTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. strip of land in question was within two and one-half miles of the present northern line of this county, and would undoubtedly have led to internecine struggle had not the designs of the impetuous Gov. Lucas, of Ohio, been frustrated by the presence ot the troops of the United States. SAC WAR CONCLUDED. We have learned much regarding the Sac war excitement in Elkhart county. Now we will regard the situation at Niles and throughout St. Joseph county in the neighboring State of Michigan. At the commencement of the first settlement of St. Joseph county the Nottawa tribe of Pottawatomies acknowledged the sway of Pierrie Morreau as chief. Morreau was a white man, and was once an educated and accom- plished French gentleman; whether a native of France or the descendant of one of the old French families of Canada is not known. In early life he commenced business in Detroit as a mercantile trader. After some misfortune in business, with the remains of a stock of goods he sought this secluded retreat on the banks of the St. Joseph river. Here he established a trade with the Indians, which he continued until his stock of goods was exhausted. He then married an Indian woman, adopted the Indian costume and habits of life. In his character as a savage he seemed to have merged every reminiscence of civilization and to have lost every vestige of its conduct and manners. When the settlements began to gather around Nottawa prairie he was ninety years old, superan- nuated, decrepid, infirm, and disfigured. Morreau by his Indian wife had seven children who attained adult age: Sau-au-quett, the oldest of four sons; Mo-niss, Isadore and Wau-be-gah, and three daughters: Betsy, Min-no-wisaud Min-nah. Sau-au-quett figured coiispicously in this tribe of Pottawatomies. After his father became so dissipated and imbecile as to be unable to exert his influence over the tribe as their chief or head, Sau-au- quett disputed the right to govern with Cush-ee-wes, the legiti- mate chief of the tribe, whose father, now deceased, had been supplanted by Morreau many years before. Sau au-quett was a shrewd and wily man. He possessed won- derful powers as an orator. His competitor, Cush-ee-wes, was a modest and imassumiug man. Each had his partisans and adherents. While the warmest friends of Sau-au-quett admitted the rightful claim of Cush-ee-wes, the fascinating eloquence, the winning man- HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COITNTT. 443 ners and impressive presence of San-au-qiiett carried a majority of the tribe, contrary to their better judgment and equitable convic- tions, to support his pretensions. Sau-au-quett was an extraordinary man. He measured six feet and three inches in his moccasins. He was straight and well pro- portioned; he possessed a commanding presence and most imposing and winning address; his features were classical, of the pure Eoman mold; when the writer of this article, in 1833, made a crayon sketch of his head, he then thought, and still thinks, he never gazed upon a more perfect model of manly beauty, commanding dignity and perfection of human form. It was this noble form and command- ing eloquence that was the secret of his great power over his fellows. This tribe of Pottawatomies was continually involved in internal dissensions while the pioneers supplied them with intoxicating drink, until the frontier war, known as the Black Hawk war, com- menced, at which period the members of the tribe had sunken into the most abject poverty and dissipation. They had ceased to hunt the forests for game and furs; they traded their ponies, their guns, and even their blankets for whisky, and left their children to starve- in their wigwams. The once proud warriors had sunken into piti- able mendacity, and like a pack of hungry wolves, clung around the new settlement howling for more " fire-water." At this crisis the notes of Indian war were sounded along the frontier settlement. The southern line of the Pottawatomie Re- serve traversed ?f Ottawa Prairie east and west near its center. That portion of the prairie south of the reservation line was among the first lands to be located by the emigrants to the northern portion of the county. Here, then, when the alarm of the Black Hawk war was given, the huts of the settlers were scattered along the southern margin in the shadows of the beautiful groves and islands of this portion of the prairie, in close proximity with this band of debased Pottawatomies. It is not to be wondered at that the settler felt sensations of alarm, and that the mother drew her child closer to her bosom, as they were aroused from their slumbers in their cabin by the wild shrieks of the besotted Pottawatomie as he galloped across the prairie to his wigwam steeped in drunkenness. A panic seized the new settlement. Some families fled in haste while others prepared for defense. 444 HISTORY OF ELKUART COUNTV. Many are the anecdotes and traditions still current of the inglo- rious flight of man}-, while others remained to meet the emergencies and grapple with the vicissitudes and dangers of frontier life. Goods and valuables were concealed; cattle were sold at half their value, or abandoned and turned totlie commons; crops left unculti- vated and ungathered. A family from New England tliat had settled at Sturgis Prairie, in order to preserve their valuables, consisting of plate, china-ware, mirrors and other relics of fashionable Eastern life, which could not be made sufficiently portable for a liasty flight, carefully packed these goods in a large box, and in the dead of night, when there •was no human eye to note where these relics of former domestic luxur}- were to be deposited, the whole family gathered around the well hard by their log cabin, having the box in their midst. Then, with many low whispers, the well rope was attaclied to the box, the windlass received a fresh supply of soft soap to preclude the remotest possibility of its tell-tale creak, the crank was seized by the men, and steadily, yet quietly turned, the box of valuables softly yielded to their motive power. When the all-important box swung clear above the well that yawned to receive it, the rope suddenly parted, the box was precipitated to the bottom of the well with a crash like the discharge of a cannon, causing the earth to tremble and the contents of the box to shatter to atoms. Loud shrieks from the several females who were gathered around the well arose upon the midnight air, and was echoed from the adjacent cabins whose tenants had been aroused by the crash of the unlucky box of goods. The alarm -was sounded along the prairie settlement; shout answered shout, shriek replied to shriek, and the prairie was awake. The scream of females on the night air struck alarm into the hearts of the bravest, and deeming that the Sac warrior was at their doors a general fliglit, with a few exceptions, followed. With all this alarm there were those who a!)peared to fear noth- ing, and could not be persuaded that the settlements were in danger. Such were the venerable Judge Sturgis, on the southern boundary of the county, whose cognomen the prairie bears; Martin G. Schell- hous and his brothers, near Nottawa Prairie; and the Defrees Brothers, of Goshen. These men, as well as several others, pursued the even tenor of their ways, and while they became counselors and guides to the more restless and excitable heroes in the hour of fancied dan- ger, they also became the subjects of indignant reprehension and HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 445 outriglit curses, because they could not participate in the fear and panic of their neighbors. They were denounced as fools because they showed no sensations of alarm when the whole country, as it was fancied, was on the eve of being overrun by hordes of preda- tory savages. The militia were ordered out on Nottawa Prairie and duly organ- ized under the territorial law. Patrols wei-e appointed and senti- nels placed. The shrill fife and rattling drum echoed along the borders of the late peaceful prairie, and the martial feather flaunted proudly on the breeze. Couriers were dispatched to the adjacent settlements to sound the tocsin of war. Marvelous were the advent- ures of those redoubtable heroes in the discharge of their various momentous trusts. Some of these, returning, swollen with the importance of their positions, and flushed with the glory of their missions, gathered wondering crowdS around them to drink in the story of the signs of war, the preparations for deadly conflict, and their own individual hair-breadth escapes. It was certain, from the various reports of these daring couriers, that the Pottawatomie Indians on the Nottawa reservation were instruments in the hands of Black Hawk, and that they also w'ere collecting the implements and munitions of war, and would soon prove formidable foes in the approaching dangers which were to "try men's souls." . These Pottawatomies. it was true, could only muster about fifty warriors, enervated, enfeebled and trembling with dissipation and its concomitant diseases and infirmities; and although they had no arms, nor the means to procure them, still, their war-whoop might prove fearful. Thus the attention of the heroes of Xottawa was withdrawn from the seat of war in the "West, and directed toward dangers and perils awaiting them in the immediate vicinity of their once quiet homes. The hostile intentions of these Nottawa Indians, by indubitable evidence, had been reduced to a certainty. Many facts existed, and were commented upon, which were sufficient to carrj' conviction to the minds of a majority of the settlers of the murderous purposes of the Pottawatomies. The premises and deductions which led to this ultimate conviction, to say the least, were curious to those who could not participate in the apprehension of danger to the settlers, and ran in this manner: If the Nottawa Indians have no hostile intentions, why do they avoid all intercourse with their white neighbors? One young man related that he was almost fired upon by one of the blood-thirsty savages, and that his own presence of 446 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. mind and indomitable bravery was all tbat saved his scalp. He was on the margin of the prairie in pursuit of his pon}-, when sud- denly turning an angle of a dense hazel copse he saw old Muk-a-moot, an Indian well known to the whole settlement as an inofl'ensive old man. The wary savage darted into the hazel brush, as the intrepid young man assumed, lor the purpose of securing a cover from which to fire. He did not see his gun, but he knew he had one, or why should he dodge into the brush? In this emergency a light pair of heels and a stout heart to keep up their action soon delivered him from the vicinity of danger, while the enfeebled Indian, trembling with fear, crippled away in the opposite direc- tion. " Fortune always favors the brave." Min-no-\vis, the sister of Sau-au-quett, was detected in stealth- ily approaching the cabin of one of the settlers to ascertain, by espionage, the strength of the white enemy and the means of defense. It was in vain that she endeavored to conceal her treachery under the plausible story that her children were starving, and that she came to beg a morsel of bread to save their lives. All knew this to be a fabrication, for if lier purposes were honest wh^' should she skulk? Sure, the suffering wretches had received no means of sub- sistence from the whites, as was their usual custom since the war alam had been sounded, forr both parties, from some cause, had maintained a respectful distance from each other; but, if it was only bread she wanted, why did she not come up boldly, and offer her bead-work for it, as she had formerly done, instead of stealing along under cover of a brush fence to the back door of the log cabin ? In vain she said she was afraid the white man, alarmed and incensed, might misapprehend her intentions and ill treat her, and that, therelbre, she sought the interview with the white man's wife alone. If lier purpose was honest, why endeavor to avoid the white man, and seek the white man's wife alone? In vain she told them that the white woman was a mother as well as she, and could feel for the starving papoosie, while the white man could not know how the Indian mother pitied her child. In vain, when bread was refused, the tears mounted to her eyes as she threw down the little beaded moccasins which she had nicely guessed to fit the tiny foot of the white man's child. When ordered to take them and leave, her piteous reply, " Keep them, they are no good to poor squaw if they will not buy bread," was absolutely interpreted into the most indubitable evidence of nefarious intentions. HISTORY OF ELKEIART COUNTY. 447 The intrepid and fearless white man added new laurels to his brow by forcibly driving the poor creature from his door with the threat that, if she did not leave he would hano; her upon the nearest oak; nor was the valor of this hero diminished as the Indian mother replied, " Hang me up, white man, and then Min-no-wis will not see her children starve." This circumstance, with others of a like character which trans- pired about the time that the helpless and starving natives were driven by hunger and want from their retreat, were the crowning proofs of their hostile intentions. These incidents were poured into the ears of the settlers by those who participated in them, with such an emphasis and such an enhancement of their details as to arouse a perfect tumult of fear from one end of the settle- ment to the other. What was to be done in this crisis of danger? The number of the guards were increased, the patrols were strengthened, and a meeting of the entire settlement was demanded to deliberate upon the public safety, and to devise ways and means of securing it against the inevitable attacks of the Nottawa Indians. Already women fancied themselves burning at the stake, while their hus- bands, the brave militia, fancied their names enrolled in the pages of history, surrounded by a halo of living glory among tbe heroes of the battle-field. A momentous day, fraught with daring deeds, was rapidly approaching, and the book of fame was about to receive an accession of illustrious names to be transmitted to the ceaseless ages of posterity. Tlie meeting was called, and " there was mounting in hot haste." The strong men of the neighborhood came together. The assembly was held at the house of Captain Powers, who commanded the valiant militia. The meeting was duly organized and presented a formidable array of citizen soldiers, armed with rusty cavalry swords, shot- guns, rifles and muskets, all of which, from their appearance, had seen service in former wars. There was to be seen, also, soiled and tattered uniforms, crushed and tarnished epaulettes and dimmed bullion lace. Elaborate and eloquent addresses were poured forth, replete with invocations and appeals to the patriotism of the lukewarm, and glowing with entlmsiastic bursts of encouragement to those who were awake to the dangers which surrounded the neighborhood . 448 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. After many speeches and the most solemn deliberation, it was determined to erect a strong fortification on the lands of Daniel Hogan, located near the east end of Nottawa Prairie, to be known as Fort Hogan. Andrew McMillan now owns and occupies this farm ; the walls of Fort Hogan, which had received the labor of one day and a half from about 40 settlers, have long since been leveled by the plowshare of the husbandman. At this time a large body of militia, under the command of General Brown, was massed at Niles, in Berrien county, slowly advancing toward Chicago, the rendezvous of the operative military forces under General Atkinson. Among other decisions, by a vote of this meeting it was deter- mined to send an express messenger to Kiles to beg General Brown to send a detachment of his volunteers and militia to Fort Hogan to guard and protect the frontier settlement on Nottawa Prairie. Then arose an important question: Who was to be that messenger? It was improper, unjust, cruel, nay, inhuman, to force, by stern military discipline, one of the citizen soldiers into the imminent danger of the perilous mission, perhaps to return after a thousand hair-breadth escapes; perhajis to leave his bones to bleach in some solitary dell of the wilderness between Centerville and Niles. Where was the man who would volunteer on this all-important mission, pregnant with danger at every step? Who would accept the hazard? At this crisis of anxiety Benjamin Sherman (whose name is associated with the earl}' history of this county, and who, as Col. Sherman, has been widely and favorably known until his recent decease) arose in the meeting, in which he had been a silent auditor up to this juncture of emergencies. Every eye rested upon Col- Sherman, and every one sat in breathless silence as he addressed the meeting. " Gentlemen," said the speaker, in his sententious style, " I planted the first apple-tree west of the meridian line in Michigan, and I have abundant reason to believe that I have as good a knowl- edge of the disposition of the Nottawa Indians as any one. I do not believe there is the least danger of their disturbing any of us; I believe the poor cusses are more scared than you are. But, to cut a long story short, if you must send an express to Niles, a man can be found to go; 'though its my humble opinion you will send him on a fool's errand. I am always ready to face the music. So make out your dispatches and I'll be off." HISTOET OF ELKHAET COfNTT. 449 The welkin rang with huzzas as the Colonel resumed his seat. " Arm yourself to the teeth, Squire Sherman," said one. " Here; take ray horse pistols," said another. *' Shaw, nonsense," said the Colonel, impatiently, at the same time grasping a large hickory cane, " I want no better protection than this. I cut this at Mount Morris in York State, in 1829, and have carried it ever since. I have carried it over a thousand miles- It's the true blue. I wouldn't give it for all your footy pistols, in a hand-to-hand skrimmage.^^ Captain Powers delivered to Col. Sherman his dispatch |to General Brown, and just as tiie sun sunk in the west the Colonel mounted his pony and departed on his mission. On the day following this memorable meeting the work com- menced upon Fort Hogan. Plows, scrapers and ox teams were in requisition. Manual labor was lustily applied until sunset, and the northeast angle of Fort Hogan had arisen in an earth work of black prairie soil about two feet in height, extending west most three rods, and south some two rods. There were those among the settlers who unequivocalh* refused to contribute by labor or otherwise to the erection of this fortifi- cation, and who persisted in the opinion that no danger threatened the neighborhood from the inoflensive Nottawa Indians. Cyrus Schellhous was one of these. Mr. Schellhous was then an active young man whose nature was strongly imbued with a vein of wag- gish humor. Since then Mr. Schellhous' name has been inter- woven with the history of St. Josejih county. He was a man of enterprising habits of life, generous impulses and humane instincts. He filled many honorable positions in the official responsibilities of the county, and died at Constantino but a few years since, honored for his integrity and usefulness as a citizen. While the labor was progressing at Fort Hogan, Cyrus Schell- hous stole away to the Indian village on the reservation. He found the Indians almost destitute, and laboring under a false apprehen- sion that their white neighbors, taking advantage of the Black Hawk excitement, meditated an attack upon their village with the purpose of driving them from their reservation and appropriating it to their use. He could not prevail upon them to send some of their leading men with him to the settlers to assure them of their • peaceable intentions, and to receive assurances from their white neighbors that their intentions were misapprehended by the Indians. After a brief council of the Indians, in which the partisans of Cush- 4:50 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. ec-wes and Sau-aii-quett united, it was determined that if they were invited to an interview with the settlers by Captain Powers they would send a deputation to such an interview. It was with difficulty that Mr. Schellhous could sufficiently coun- teract the excitement that prevailed among the settlers to take a rational view of the situation and accept the proposition of a truce and an interview between the belligerents. But this measure was finally adopted at noon of the second day's labor on Fort Hogan. The interview was appointed to take place at the cabin of Captain Powers. At 10 o'clock in the forenoon of the day following a large gath- ering of the settlers had assembled at the place appointed in anticipation of the interview. The redoubtable Captain paced back and forth in front of his cabin with a quick and nervous step; his plume nodded on the air as he suddenly turned his head from side to side iu anxious ex- pectation of the approach of the Indian deputation with which he was to confer. This worthy officer suddenly halted as liis eyes were fixed upon a distant object upon the level prairie. He seized his sword scabbard with his left hand, and, grasping the hilt with his right, after several lusty efforts that were sufficient to start a sapling from its hold in the earth, the war-worn and trusty weapon leaped from its scabbard with a military flourish. All eyes at once turned in the direction of the Captain's gaze, when was observed the approach of the expected deputation, con- sisting of Cush-ee-wes, with two others of his tribe and an inter- preter, under the escort and protection of Cyrus Schellhous. Thus these humbled and depressed representatives of a once nu- merous and proud people met the descendants of those who had driven them from their homes and run the iron plowshare over the graves of their fathers. While there was a marked humanity mingled with suspicion in the countenances of those Indians as they approached, there was firmness in their step, and pride and dignity in their bearing. Cush-ee-wes was below the middle stature, but of strong and heavy mold. He was a man of great equanimity and indomitable firmness. He was above the middle age. In his habits he had not been so incorrigibly addicted to inebriation as were a majority of his tribe, and preserved in his personal manners and appearance traces of that native grace and dignity which, in their intercourse with civilized man, appears to be a national characteristic of the HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. 451 imtutored red man. Whatever may have been the habits of Cush- ee-wes, or those of his people, the non-intercourse between them and their white neighbors, which had now continued for several days, had interdicted the use of strong drink among the Indians; consequently they were all sober, for the reason that the poor In- dians were dependent upon their friendly relations with their civilized neighbors for the means of their most brutal degradation. There must be many melancholy reflections to cloud the memory of the white man as he looks back to the past relations between him and the red man. In view of the logic of philosophy, the ethics of civil government and equities of humanity, he can find no sophism of civilization to serve as a sufficient apology for making the red man what he is: degraded and grovelling in drunkenness, shorn of his honor, robbed of his heritage, and driven forth a pitiable men- dicant. No genial reminiscences arise in this picture of reflections to soften and palliate its stern and severe inhumanity. It is diflicult to say what the Indian might not have been had his feeble efi'orts to conciliate the white man and to cultivate his friendship been requited and met by efforts in kind on the part of the white man, instead of cruelty and repeated acts of injustice. It is diflicult to say whether civilized man could have played the sav- age more aptly had their lessons of barbarity been taught in the wild-wood forest by lawless heathen chieftains, instead of the philos- oph}' of peace on earth and good will among men, as taught them in Christian sanctuaries by surpliced priests. The small party of Indians advanced to within a few paces of the spot occupied by the Captain of the militia. Cush-ee-wes ap- proached thatoflicer and presented his hand in token of friendship, then retired a pace or two with easy grace, and thrusting his thumbs between his person and his belt of wampum, stood facing the bold commander with an ease and unaffected dignity which contrasted strangely with the fidgety manner of the Captain. Thus he stood several minutes, motionless and silent, awaiting the an- nouncement of the wishes of his white neighbors, though the Cap- tain was as silent as the Indians. !'• At length, Cush-ee-wes, through the interpreter, said: "What does the white man want ! He has sent for his red brother. Let the pale-face speak." " We want to know," returned the Captain, '' what we have done to induce you to set about cutting our throats and scalping our women and children." ■132 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. " The pale-face," returned Cush-ee-wes, " does not speak the words of wisdom, or he would not ask the red man what the pale- face has done. The red man could say, that when the pale- face came to the hunting grouiuh of the red man, our hunters showed him the haunt of the wild dijer, and the place where the honey-bee made comb. He showed him the otter's slide and the places wiiere the wild fowls built their nests. The white man killed many of our deer, and drove many from our hunting grounds; he followed the bee from his cornfield to its home in the forest tree and carried away our honey; he traced the otter to its burrow and robbed us of his fur; he scared the wild fowl from our waters and the red man had nothing to eat; his squaws and children were starving in the wigwam. Then the red man asked the pale-face for bread, and the white man poured fire-water down the throats of our warriors, and our strong men became squaws and trembled. The white man wanted our little reservation of land; and when our warriors were few and hungry; when they were weak with drinking the fire-water of the white man; when they had no strength in their limbs, no bravery in their hearts; when they had no arms to shoot with, no voice to shout the war-whoop, no breath to shriek the battle-cry, then the paleface struck the war-path; he beat his drum and called all his strong warriors together to drive the Pottawatomie from his little reservation and take it for himself The red man did not wish to disturb the pale-face. The red man was weak, the white man was strong. The red man few, the pale-face many. The pale-face speaks not the words of .visdom. "What has the pale-face to say ? Why does he want the red man's land? Why does he call his warriors together to drive the red man from his wigwam and the graves of his fathers? Let the white man speak." The redoubtable commander was brought to a dead stand. For the first he learned that the Indians had misinterpreted his patriotic operations for (he defense of the settlement into the preliminaries of an oftensive attack upon the Indian village, with the intention of driving them away and seizing their reservation. He knew not what to reply to the touching appeal of Cush-ee-wes. " Did 3'ou not receive messengers from Black Hawk?" inquired Captain Powers, " and did you not arm yourselves in order to aid the Sacs, intending to murder all the settlers?" " The pale-face speaks not tlie words of wisdom," replied Cush-ee- wes, and continued : '• "We are weak, you are strong. The weak are not fools to dare the strong. The Sac is the enemy of the .Pottawato- HISTORY OF KLKIIART COUNTY. 453 mie. There never was friendship between our nations. There were never good words between our people and the Sac nation. "We had many wars, and the tomahawk was never buried between us. The Pottawatomie hates the Sac as the eagle hates the filthy crow. The paie-face speaks not the words of wisdom. We wish the pale- face to take many scalps of our old enemy, the cunning Sac. The few young wari'iors of our tribe wiio could still follow the war-path and not make a crooked trail, went with the white chief, Captain Hatch, to fight with our white brothers against our old enemies, the lying Sacs. We thought that if the Sac would come to Nottawa- sippi to sound tlie war cry among our wigwams, our pale-face brother would be our friend, and tiiat together we would go on the war-path against him. We were weak, you were strong. We were not wise, for when the pale-tace saw that our few, strong young war- riors had gone with the white chief. Captain Hatch, to fight the Sac, then our white neighbors made war upon us. Then we feared the Sac, far away, and the pale-face near our own wigwams. Our men fled to tlie woods and our women and children hungered for food. The pale-face speaks not the words of wisdom. Tlie red man would be the friend of the white man, and would fly to his cabin for shelter when danger comes, but the white man would not let us come; he raised the tomahawk against us. What has the pale-face to say? Let our wliite brother speak." After a few in(|uiries of the interpreter and otiier French settlers who had mingled with the assembly, it was ascertained to a cer- tainty that a few of the Pottawatomies of the reservation had volunteered, with Capt. Hatch, a trader among them, and several days before had gO(ie to join the war forces at Chicago, under Gen. Atkinson. Here, then, was a denouement which at once stripped the war with the Nottawa Indians of all its impending dangers, and its valiant and redoubtable heroes of their transient honors. This denouement was hailed by the crowd with a loud shout of relief, in which no small degree of ridicule was manifested in deri- sive hisses. The assembly dispersed, and the memorable occasion was one to impress upon the mind of tiie illustrious Captain of the Nottawa militia a deep sense of the evanescent brilliancy of mili- tary honors, and the vanity of martial renown. Crest-fallen and disappointed in his ambitious aspirations, he retired to his quiet cabin, doffed his military })lume and martial habit, and hung his trusty sword upon the wall, there to rest forever; for, as theassem- 454 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. bly dispersed, Col. Sherman returned from Xiles with the welcome news of the capture of Black Hawk and the termination of the Sac war. Those who now occupy and enjoy the highly cultivated and pro- ductive farms of St. Joseph county, and especially the broad acres of Nottawa Prairie,embraciug the reservation alluded to in this article, may not readily realize that their own quiet homesteads were so recently the scenes of the stirring incidents here related. Indeed, the contrast is great. Industry and enterprise, by the touch of their magic'wand, have developed the richest resources of agricultural wealth and luxury. The once unbroken prairie has changed into fertile fields laden with cereal products. The wig- wams of the savage have changed into tasteful mansions, crowned with peace and plenty. Where the council-fire of the red man was kindled rears the district school-house, and where the smoke from the midst of the war-dance ascended, now points up the white spire of the village church. The war-whoop is heard no more, and the midnight orgies and savage wails of the red man have ceased forever. The beautiful and enterprising village of Mendon, with its sumptuous hotels, its factories, stores and workshops, stands where the Pottawatomie was wont to chase the wild deer. But where is the Pottawatomie now, that once claimed this spot as his heritage? Like a storm-rifted pine, he has sunk to decaj'. Like the withered leaf of autumn, he has been swept by the winds of desolation into the abyss of the past. The landmarks of civilization have been erected on the ruins of his sacred places. CHAPTER VII. A COLLECTION OF FACTS. Through what variety of untried being, Through what new scenes and changes must we pass? AVe have already reviewed many men and events connected with the county, and still more remain to be noticed. At a period when Goshen was comparatively settled the Pottawatomies occupied their reserves where the progressive city of Elkhart now stands. The Beardsleys, with a tew other white men, established their claims to the adjacent lands; but the sight of Chief Moran's court was so beautiful, that the pioneer Doctor saw only to admire it, and con- sequently a desire to be its owner possessed him. The statute dealing with Indian Reservations placed many difficulties in the way of carrying out his desire, as not only should the Indians be thoroughly content to part with their lands, but also the deeds and other legal documents connected with the transfer should have the full approbation of the President. The delays and troubles attend- ant on such a purchase were conquered by Dr. Beardsley, the Indians bade adieu to their old home, and soon the leader of the new race entered on a career of great results by establishing the nucleus of a village, which, in the course of a few years merged into a town, and later into a prosperous city. It is unnecessary to review the formalities of important dealings with the Indians. There was always many '"pow-wows" held and much consideration given to any matter which suggested a radical change in the loca- tion of a capital village, or the sale of one of their reservations; but as the deed and Presidential letter of its approval are historical, it is well to submit them : Pierre Moran, or "] Peekisu, a Pottawatomie Chief, | ta ' y Deed, to j IIavilah Beardsley. J This indenture made this twenty-first day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, between Pierre Moran, or Peerish, a Pottawatomie chief, of the first part, 29 (457) 458 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. and Havilah Beardslej, of the County of Elkhart and State of Indi- ana, of the second part. Witnesseth that whereas by the provis- ions of the 3rd article of a treaty made and concluded between commissioners of the United States and the Ottawas, Chippewas, and Pottawatomies, at Chicago, on the 29th day of August, A. D. 1821. one section of land to be located under tlie direction of the President of the United States, was granted to the said Pierre Moran, or Peerish, at the mouth of the Elkhart river, which land was not to be sold or conveyed without the consent of the Presi- dent, and by the direction of the President section Ko. 5 in town- ship 37 north, of range 5 east of the 2d principal meridian of the State of Indiana, was selected for, and has this day been sold by Pierre Moran, or Peerish, tu the above named Havilah Beardsley, for the sum of fifteen hundred dollars lawful money of the United States, to hiui in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowl- edged : This, indenture therefore witnesseth, that in consideration of the payment aforesaid and in conformity with the foregoing stipula- tions and approbation, the said Pierre Moran, or Peerish, has given, granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth give, grant, bargain and sell unto the said Havilah Beardsley, party of the second part, the above described tract of land, to have and to hold the same with all his rights, privileges and immunities there- unto belonging, to the said Havilah Beardsley, his heirs and assigns forever. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Per. Moeran. [seal.] J. B. DCEET, F. R. KiNTXEK, Stephen Downing, Jun'e. The Presidential approbation of this transaction, and of the deed, arrived at Elkhart the following year. The letter of approval was dated at Washington, Jan. 13, 1832, and ran as follows: I hereby approve and sanction the within deed of conveyance from Pierre Moran, or Peerish, to Havilah Beardsley, and that before the same shall be delivered to the purchaser, the Indian ao-ent cause to be paid out of the purchase money, to Richard God- frey, the sum of 8112, the amount of him received by said Moran, and that the balance of the purchase money the said agent cause to be secured by a valid mortgage on the property herein conveyed. Andrew Jackson. To Alexander Wolcott, Indian Agent. The receipt of the letter resulted in the complete transfer of the lands of an aboriginal chief of one race to the pioneer of another; but for some reason a little formality was neglected, and the work HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 403 of the recorder exposed to question, a question wliieh was after- ward settled in the Supreme Courts of the United States. REMINISCENCES OF ELKHART. A pioneer who saw Elkhart for the lirst time, seven years after the deed of Moran conveyed the reservation to Dr. Beardsley, says: In April, 1838, lie had his first view of the town of Elkhart, and determined therein to make his domicile. It was perhaps the most unpromising period in its history. The proprietor of the place, the much esteemed Dr. Ilavilah Beardsley, held possession, but by a disputed title, long afterward settled in the Supreme Court of the United States in his favor. The only manufactory was a small flouring mill, with perhaps a saw-mill on the Christiana creek, near its mouth. THE PRINCIPAL CITIZENS were Doctor Beardsley, his nephew, Elijah Beardsley, Geo. Craw- ford, Geo, ]Sr. Martin, Samuel P. Beebe, V. F. Broderick, Col. Downing, John Davenport, Hiram Morgan, James Defrees, Dr. P. S. Kenyon, Lorenzo Scoville, Wm. Beaumont, Gen. W. B. Mitchell, Jacob Frush, John Compton, Dr. Wni. K. Ellis and Henry Cramp- ton. The only hotel was kept by Col. Downing (who died that year) .on the present site of the Clifton. He was a good man ; but from the hungry look of the eagle on his sign, was dubbed by Judge Beebe as " Col. Buzzard." The Judge resided on the old Beebe corner, northwest from the hotel, a very humble frame dwell- ing, embowered in a shady grove, while a rough pole fence sur- rounded his lot. Morgan and Defrees kept the red store, and Davenport and Broderick had a store farther south. Elijah Beards- ley dispensed justice to the people, as did also our venerable friend N. F. Broderick. The constables were Hiram Morgan and Joseph Dome. Gen. Mitchell was engaged as chief engineer in the survey of the Northern canal, and completed his labors about that period. Geo. Crawford was serving his county in the State Senate, and was interested in one of the mercantile establishments. Real estate was at a low ebb; lots ranging from $50 to $300. THE TOWN AND ITS INSTITUTIONS. The southern and western portions of the town were covered with a thrifty forest, worth probably fifteen dollars per acre or there- 460 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. aboiits. The town had been christened " Pulaski," and its post- oflBce still bare this name. There was no church in the place; but occasional meetings were held bv the Methodists and United Breth- ren in the school- house. Sabbath-school was an unknown institu- tion. There was no regular whisky shop in the town; but the merchants dispensed the needful by the quart when required for ipedicinal or other purposes; but drunkenness had no existence in ' the community. Occasionally an individual from the wilds ot Eaugo exhibited a little nndue hilarity, but the instances were rare. NEW ADDITIONS. During the year several new comers made their appearance, among whom we recollect the Shuey and Irwin families, Robert Sandford and the McKelveys, but it was a year of wide-spread sick- ness, and the immigration came slowly. Throughout the country hardly a house was unvisited; whole families were prostrated. In Henderson Cole's family- eleven were sick atone time; in the llow- enstein family, nine. Some, on their recovery, gathered their house- hold goods together and turned their steps backward to the far East again; others remained to test the qualities of another season. The po])ulation of the town was about 300, more or less. RAILROAD MATTERS. A survey of the Buffalo & Mississippi railroad had been made a little north of the present location of the Lake Shore road, a line designed, as John B. Chapman said, to connect the two hemi- spheres; but few ventured to hope for its construction. For an out- let, the navigation of the St. Joseph was looked to as the main chance, and the tradition was even then spoken of, that a steamer from the mouth had once ascended to some point in Michigan. AN EDITOR AND A LAWYER. Judge Beebe was the character of the place; he had been orig- inally a merchant, but was then settled to the occupation of a far- mer, and had just been elected by three votes to the office of Probate Judge. No other voters had the news. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, of great good sense and correct habits, and of honorable principles; but withal a free-thinker in religion and a practical joker. He had a nickname for everybody, but a warm hand for his friends. He discharged the duties of his office niBTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. -ibl with eminent abilit)' and impartiality, hut more men feared than loved him. The postal communication consisted of one mail weekly from Fort Wayne to Edwardsburg, and tlie most welcome docu- ment it brought was the Goshen Democrat, then edited by that erratic genius, Thomas 11. Bassett. When Tom was sober it came as regularly as the sun, when otherwise it came otherwise. Every- body said, even thirty -five years ago, that Elkhart wa^ the place for a thriving town, but who of that day expected to see it as it is now? The relator's happy experiences are well worthy of attention, lie saw Elkhart a nurseling in the arms of enterprising men battling with difficulties, and again he saw it a thrifty city leaping over all obstructions and making gigantic strides to reach the grade of a city. This it has done; the mission of the pioneers has been ful- filled, and a prosperous city made ready for the uses of the second generation. MISCELLANEOUS. It was ordered by the Board, at the session of September, 1832, that a sum not exceeding $100 be appropriated and expended on a bridge over Yellow Creek, on the State road. In November, 1831:, the Board of Commissioners received a remonstrance from Peter L. Eunyan against groceries in the town of Goshen, which resulted in an ordinance to the following effect: " It is ordered that no grocery license or permit be granted until a majority of the freeholders in the town sign a petition for same." The Court of Commissioners continued to proceed without a goblet or water vessel until September, 1836, when hoo pitchers and one tumbler were supplied. This tumbler exists at present. The first coroner's inquest was held by Matthew Kippey, a Jus- tice of the Peace, in 1837, on the body of Elizabeth Vance. The revenue of the county for the year ending Noveniber,1837,wa8 $2,225.21, and the expenditure from Oct. 1, 183G, to Nov. 8, 1837, $l,96f;.20, leaving a surplus fund of $259.01. The 4th of .July, 1837, was celebrated with eclat. A procession, marshalled by Col. Jackson and Major Vio]ett,and headed by Capt. Myre's rifle company, proceeded to the court-house, where the reading of the Declaration of Independence, and an address for the occasion were rendered. Subsefjuently a recherche banquet which was spread in an arbor erected in tiie public square, fire- works and balloon ascents, and a grand ball at McCook's Hotel, gave the people a full opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the great- est of national anniversaries. 4bli niSTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. The amount received l>v Elkhart county from the surplus fund for 1837 was $5,831. This was solely intended for the purposes of aiding industry, and was to be loaned out to settlers on good security, at 8 per cent, interest, in sums not exceeding $100, and Dot less than $100. The " honorable" Houston Taylor, of Benton, was lodged in the Centreville jail for passing counterfeit money. "When captured there were $800 of bad coin found upon his person. The counter- feiter in attempting to escape in March, 1838, was so exposed to the biting frost that his legs were frozen; however, his age and this misfortune could not save him from a term of two years in the penitentiary. A bear measuring seven feet was killed in January, 1811, conven- ient to Goshen. The robbery of 53 gold and silver watches and $130 worth of clothes from the stores of Mr. Geo. Stewart and Abner Stilson, occurred on the morning of Feb. IS, 1811. The Land Bill, wliich provides for the disposal of funds arising from the sale of public lands, gives to Indiana its shareof that fund, estimated to approximate $132,000 annually, The first Thanksgiving Day celebrated in the county, November 25, 1841. Oct. 16, 1843, occurred the burning of the Penwell tavern, at Elkhart; loss $2,000. Agitating the navigation of St. Joe river and meeting at Bristol, in May, 1845. An important paper on the proceeds of public lands was read by M. G. Dougherty at Elkhart Feb. 8, 1844. A wolf hunt Feb. 1, 1845, by citizens of Elkhart and Noble counties. Enumeration of Elkhart county, taken up to March, 1845, shows the number of white male residents over 21 years of age to be 2,- 134. The warmest day, 101^^, 9th July, 1846. Fire at Bristol, $7,835 loss, 24th Feb., 1846. A store occupied by G. G. Lansing, who lost s4,.500, insured for $4,000; Solomon Fowler, $1,600, insured for $S00; Wheeler & Porter, $575, insured for $500; E. Eaymond, $.500; 0. S. Dole, $260; S. B. Eomaine, $100, no insurance. A grotesque- looking old woman who claimed the name of Allison was discovered roving at large through the forest in Harrison town- HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 463 ship in September, 18i6. Slie evidently followed this wild life for some time, and was, \yhen taken in charge by Daniel Shriver, Over- seer of the Poor, unacquainted with the ways of civilization, an unknown and unknowing waif. 18J:3-A KETROSI'ECT. The county (which was incorporated in 1850) held a population of 6,5C0, as shown by the census returns of 1840, and Goshen then had only 600. The County Commissioners were Horace H. Hall, Jonathan Wyland and Joseph D. Knox. E. W. H. Ellis was Auditor; Ira Winuegar, Assessor; Elias Carpenter, Treasurer; W. Dodge, School Commissioner; Geo. Taylor, Eecorder; Jacob S. Eayiner, Coroner, and W. R. Ellis and A. N. Hascall, Notaries Public. Abraham Cuppy and Samuel Taylor represented the district in the State Legislature. The Bar was represented by Charles V. Stokes, Michael C. Dougherty, Thomas G. Harris and L. Pattorf. The medical profession was represented by Doctors Wm. Dodge, M. M. Latta, Joseph Grover, W. C. Matchett, W. J. Matchett, H. Wehmer, J. W. Chamberlain, E. W. H. Ellis, I. H. Henry, E. S. Kenyon, Elkhart; S. B. Kyler, Paul Henkel, Benton; L. H. Sov- ereign, Bristol; Cephas Dunning and David Sovereign, Middle- bury. The mercantile interests were represented by Barnes & Defrees, Wolcott & Marston, James Cook, L. G. Harris, John Winder, Jackson & Fitzpatrick, of Goshen; Vail & Dair, of Benton; C. S. Dole and E. Eaymond, Middlebury; S. B. Eomaine, Owen Cof- fin, E. A. Lansing, L. P. Knight, Bristol; J. D. Defrees, Samuel Simonton, N. F. Broderick and Philo Mooreliouse, Elkhart; and Milton Mercer, AVyland's Mills. The postoffices of the county were administered as follows: Ho- ratio Pearson, Postmaster at Middleport, now Dunlap's Station; S. Baldwin, at Elkhart; L Case, at Middlebury; I. E. McCord, at Goshen; Joseph Cowan, at Jackson; Solomon Fowler, at Bristol; and Sylvester "Webster, at Benton. The mails were brought over the Vistula road tri-weekly, passing west through Elkhart on Mon- days, Wednesdays and Fridays,and east on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The Goshen Democrat was then the only journal ])ublished in the county. 464 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. The Methodist Church was represented at Goshen by Eev. L. W. Monson; at Middlebury by Rev. Erastns Doud; and Revs- Alonzo Monson and Geo. Rumsey, ministers at large within the district. The Rev. S. Ritz was Lutheran missionary. Rev. Theron C. Depew, Middlebury; Xoah Cook, at Goshen, and A. S. Kedzie, at Elkhart represented the New School Presbyterians. The Baptist ministers were B. Hess, at Elkhart, and John Hal- stead, at Benton. H. X. Strong was the accredited minister of Xew Jerusalem at Elkhart, and Corboly Martin, of the Christian Evan- gelists, in Jefferson township. Elkhart county was then in the 9th judicial circuit. Ebenezer M- Chamberlain of Goshen was then President Judge, and Joseph Beane and Asa Norton, Associate Judges. Elbridge G. Chamberlain was Clerk; Ebenezer Brown, Sheriff, jailor and subsequently court bailitf. Bishop Samuel P. Beebe, of Elkhart, was Probate Judge; and James Beck. John Ferguson, Geo. Rumsey and Abner Stilson of Goshen; Samuel Gibble and John F. Smith, of Cleveland; Jonathan Cisna, of Middlebury; Daniel McCoy and John D. Elsea, of Benton; with Alonzo Gilbert, John Proctor, Jr., Samuel Brown, Lorin Brown, Elijah Adams, Sylvester Webster, Aaron K. Ball, China B. Smith, Erastus Brack, Josiah Ellston, Edwin Clark, Joseph Dalrymple, W. S. Butler and Daniel Dickenson, Township Justices of the Peace. "What an increase in the number and labors of men following these vocations. To compare Elkhart county of forty years ago with the Elkhart of the present is indeed a pleasant duty, since it is the record of a well-bred boy, grown into the robust and upright man. The change is evidenced in other forms. Compare the following statement of the products of Elkhart Prairie in 184.5, and rest con- tent that production of the land has kept up with the advances in population : Farmers. Wheat. Com. Oats. C. Myers 2.070 5,040 300 J. W. Violett 2,600 2,000 700 OUver Crane 1,800 800 600 Henry Stauffer 400 1,000 200 Benjamin Cripe 500 800 300 James Frier 1,600 1,600 750 Wm. Smnmey 200 1.50 Nathan Smiley 1,000 350 500 J. Beck 350 100 400 Samuel Stutzman 7.50 2.300 1.000 Isaac Smith 500 800 600 L.A.Myers 389 700 150 GideonMyers 42.5 300 1.50 Geo. Walker 400 400 300 Francis Thomas 500 400 60 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 465 Farmers. Wheat. Corn. Oats. Wm. Wilkinsou 1,500 1,800 1,500 Hiram Morehouse 850 860 500 Mrs. Irwin 400 800 400 EliasRiggs 235 900 400 Wm. Simpson 400 450 100 R.D.Knox 300 335 335 John Loagacre 1,000 800 400 J. Pricliett 600 1,700 300 Christian Shoup 450 500 100 David Miliesell 550 1,400 C. L. Hinton 200 Emanuel Cripe 1.000 800 700 JohnMiUer 1,200 1,000 800 Balsor Hess 3,000 3,000 1,500 Azel Sparklin 1,600 1,600 600 M.Bowzer 400 500 200 I. andN. Dralie 500 3,000 200 David Miller 300 1,600 700 Wm. Latta 1,200 1,400 800 I. H. Barns 1,000 700 300 Jacob Wevbright 600 600 400 M. Weybright 700 1,200 700 Lewis Hayden 1,000 100 R.McPherson 500 400 300 M.B.Thompson 500 1,000 1,000 John Jackson 1,000 800 4,400 John Kiblinger 400 600 400 Elias Purl 1,000 3,000 500 Total 34,709 45,475 30,335 The figures show the higli state of the agricultural industry in 1845, as well as demonstrate what changes may occur within a term of boyish experience, or fifteen years. However, these statis- tics are insignificant when placed beside a tabulated exhibit of the productions of ISSO, which will be considered in future pages. One of the many who aided in building up this prosperous county met with terrible affliction at the moment when his industry began to bear fruit. On June 3, 1873, the house of Joseph Dalrymple, of Harrison township, was totally destroyed by fire, and his wife, his daughter CUxra, and his boy Eddie sacrificed to the dreadful ele- ment. It was a terrible calamity, but amid the sorrows of a deso- late father and husband, the sincere sympathy of a people was oflfered, and tended to allay the grief of tliat good old settler, who carved out for himself, and that wife and family whom he loved so well, a coralbrtable home in one of the most beautiful districts of tlie county. THE GRAVES OF AGE AND YOUTH. Tiie first tenants of the old cemetery of Jackson comprised, among others, many of the early settlers and many of their children. Decoration Day brings their names into relief, so that numbers of 4bb HISTORY or elkhaet county. tlie living are thus led to visit the city of the dead, and, in wandering over the marked and unmarked graves of the people, to ponder on the uncertain ty of this transitory world, to think on the good deeds of those who sleep beneath their feet, and to prepare themselves for the day of natural anniliilatiou. An account of a pilgrimage to a rural burial ground, though it is itself of a melanchoh' char- acter, must be as interesting as it is instructive. In Jackson cemetery are the giaves of Mark B.Thompson, Dar- win Kyler, young Elsee, Albert L. Bushong and young Horn, with those of a few other soldiers who died in battle, or from wounds received in battle. W. A. Beane, in his review of the ceremonies of Decoration Day, 1872, said that he felt a deeper interest in this beautiful cemetery, in this romantic spot, than any other in the world, because, there in a row, lay seven of his dearest friends, besides hundreds of acquaintances and playmates of bygone years. On the tombstones are engraved the names of children who were buried twenty -five and thirty years ago, who, had they lived, would now be old men and women. Here are the graves of little Jerome Seaman, Jackson Thomas, a brother of Mrs. Nauc}' Haymond, for- merly of this place, but now living at Ganges, Michigan; little Ellen Stetler; a young son of Eev. Mr. Robinson; and a grand- son of Col. Jackson ; James Longacre; and numbers whose names cannot now be remembered. Think what a number of middle- aged people there would be had they all lived. But we will not stop to moralize, but go on to give a list of those who liave pre- ceded us to the other shore. Our first notice of old friends will be of the Prickett family. Elmer H. Prickett died Jan. 17, 1870, aged 45 years, 1 month and 18 days. In another place is the grave of Mrs. Josiah Mahala Prickett, mother of Elmer and Fielding Prick- ett, of Albion. She died April 7, 1833, aged only 27 years. Mr. Jacob Prickett, father of one of the editors of the Times, is buried there, and Thomas Prickett is buried by the side of his young daughter. They died on the 3d and -Ith days of May, 1845, and were both buried at the same time. Shelby Prickett, son of Thomas, fell dead in front of the church in tlie village of Benton, in the year 1850. Mrs. Mahala Stetter, his sister, lies in the same ground. Mr. William Beane, father of the editor of the Democrat, died March 20, 1840. In May, 1872, his wife followed him to the grave, and in the interval five of their children were laid at rest around. Miss Emily Horn, 20 years old, and Rosa E. Cox, a child of 12 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 467 summers, have their graves there, while adjoining are the sleeping places of the wives of Jesse D. Vail, and two of their children. There also rest Mrs. Elizabeth and Mrs. Catharine Darr. Side by side are the graves of Edmund D. Burch and Samue. Walkei-. Jaines Banta died in September, 1864, aged 49 years and 6 months. Mrs. Sarah Poorbaugh died 14 years before, and both are buried here. The wife of P. W. Eoler was consigned to the grave in 1863. William Jackson, Harriet Jackson and Fred. Clark have been interred here, and over them are the unpretentious tomb- stones bearing their names. Mrs. Elizabeth Long died in 1843, and thei-e lay by her side two of her daughters who died while still young. Eeuben D. Seaman died in 1S44; his son, John D. Seaman, resides in Indianapolis at present. Francis and Margaret Thomas, and a son, Jackson, occupy one grave in the cemetery. John Dicky, Martha Lougcor and Har- riet Chevington claimed a rest there, and close by is the grave of Asa Applegate. Jacob Pressler died in 1844, aged 42 years. Rev John G. Walker and his wife died Feb. 3 and 4, 1855, aged respectively 68 and 72 years. Peter Frazer and his son lie side by side. Geo. Zinn died Oct. 7, 1S52, aged 77 years. Chris. Myers and his wife Elizabeth claimed a single grave at the age of 80 and "73 3'ears respectively. Geo. Zollinger and his wife are interred near by. Robert Price, William Price and numerous members of that family live together in this land of the dead. S. E. Cart- wright died at the age of 24. The daughter of Conrad and Sarah Smith, and Mrs. Julia Ann McCann are neighbors in the necropo- lis, while the Uilery family show the resting place of an infant son by a neat monument. Jesse Weddell died July 25, 1838, but his widow, now Mrs. IS'ancy Morehouse, dwells upon the old home- stead. Owen T. Butler and others of the family are lying side bj- side. Close by are a number of their neighbors of the Darr family. Daniel Darr died Aug. 10, 1839, and by his side rest his father and mother. In 1872 old Mother Darr and Mrs. Thompson, old neigh- bors of 35 years' standing, were both ill at the same time. Now they lie close together, and young flowers have begun to spring up from their new-made graves. Scattered here and there are the graves of Lewis Nichols, Harris K. Self, T. K. Lane, Susan Myers, wife of A. L. Myers, and three of her children; Elizabeth Simpson, wife of Wm. Simpson, who died in 1835. Elias and Chloe Riggs, her parents, aged respect- ively 84 and 79 years, all old settlers, gone to their account. 468 HISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTY. John D. Elsea died in 1863, aged 57 years, and holds a place amid a circle of his relatives, wliose graves surround him. John Sipes was a young soldier. Sarah Ann Lacy, wife of Laban, died in 184.5. Seges, wife of Norman Campbell, died Jan. 6, 1S53, aged 52 years. THE JACKSON LOT. Within the burial circle of the Jackson family may be found the names of Mrs. Catharine Jackson, wife of Col. Jackson, who died in 1861, in her 67th year. She was one of the true pioneers and had a very large circle of friends. Near her is the lot of Com. J. L. Davis, of Washington City, with only one little lone grave, that of Anna Mary, who was 2 years 7 months and 20 days old, who died at Goshen. Next is Mary M., wife of Eev. E. S. Eobinson, who died May 6, 1841, at the early age of 25 years and 25 days, One son is also buried by her side. Then little Mary E., infant daughter of James and Elizabeth Banta. " Our Babe " is the only inscription on a pretty stone over the grave of the child of P. A. and M. E. Jackson. William Denny, John, Jane, Walter and Emily Denny are of a family well known throughout this section of country. Eebecca Williamson died in 1862, aged 76 years. On a full-length stone slab are the words, " Sacred to the mem- ory of Mrs. Mary Amanda Wolf, and her dead child." She was only 28 years and 11 months of age. Mrs. Nancy Davis died in 1849, aged 79 years. Alexander Irwin died Aug. 22, 1835, aged 60 years. Mrs. Elizabeth Irwin, his wife, died Dec. 31, 1861, aged 71 years, and Elizabeth, their daughter, died October, 1840, while still under twelve years of age. These were among the old residents of the county, and the parents of I. W., E. D., and Eobert Irwin. Three of E. D. Irwin's chil- dren claim a pretty monument in the shape of well-kept graves. Indeed, the cemetery may be said to be well ordered; but many graves are neglected, so that they have been for years hidden in the luxuriant grasses and weeds. It is said that this cemetery is about the most ancient burial place within the boundaries of the county, that almost every citizen claims it as the resting place of a friend ; though, on account of the decadence of the olden board commemorative slabs, the precise location of the graves of many is a mystery. The character of the times in which we live forbids this negligence; men should certainly have sufficient decency left HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 469 to lead them toinquire into the state of the graves of their departed relatives and friends, and thus raise up an humble or pretentious monument, as they may deem fit, over each grave now allowed to hide itself in the high grasses, or sink to the level of the surround- ing earth. The friends gone forever require this ; the leaders of our civilization expect that all will follow their example according to their means, and not permit a few beautiful monuments to mo- nopolize the praises of the visitor. CHAPTER VIII. LAW— ITS PILLARS AND ITS VICTDIS. For justice all place a temple, and all seasons Man gives to man a subject for inquiry. It has been understood throughout the ages that crime is hereditary. The gambler who placed his fortune at the small mercy of a die long centuries ago may possibly be the ancestor of a present mountebank; and the creature whose passions led him to the crime of murder while yet Csesar ruled the Roman Empire may possibly be the distant and most notorious relative of some of the monsters who disgrace the civilization of to-day. "Whatever faith may be placed in the descent of criminal passions from father to son by the great majority of people claims some foundation. Demonstrations of hereditary de- sires are very common. Therefore it is not a matter for surprise to learn that he who is convicted of a great crime followed in the very footsteps of some ancestor. Tiie advance of civilization has materially retarded an indulgence in criminal acts; it has not stopped .the workings of nature. Men who in former times followed the avocations of their fathers now seek out varying labors, and thus the tendency of intuitive crime is held in check, though it never can be wholly subdued. Very few of such liereditary criminals join the fortunes of an early settlement. They come in after years, oftentimes with good intentions, and for a time observe all the conventionalities of life; but afterward the ruling passion begins to assert its terrible' superiority over reason, and the result is crime, sometimes insignificant and base, sometimes monstrous and shock- ing. To preserve the lives and properties of the people against the machinations of such men, the State promulgated a number of statutes or legal rules, which not only prescribed the penalties and punishments to be inflicted on the transgressors, but also defined the manner in which such laws should be administered. The rec- ords tell us that the people of Elkhart county put these laws in operation in 1830. The old Board of Justices was the great tribu- nal of the county, and its findings, primitive appearance, genial disposition, and above all, its desire to be impartial, made it an ^ (470) HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 471 admirable institution, fully suited to the requirements of the time, and capable of adjusting all discords that might creep into exist- ence within the young settlement. The first general notice we possess of the judicial action of the old Board is given in a report made by the justices to their successors in the government of tlie county known as the "Board of Commissioners." The second is a record of the proceedings of tlie Circuit Court. Under the second order of affairs many causes of a serious character have been pre- sented. "With the advance in population and knowledge new sources of disunion crept in, the matrimonial alliances were not in all cases judicious, opposing temperaments met only to oppose to the bitter end, and consequently numerous cases of the disruption of family ties ensued. Any of such cases will not have more than this reference here; but unfortunately there occurred a few mur- ders which throw a shadow over a history unexceptionally honor- able. To state some particulars regarding them is in accord with the principles of history, and for this reason alone they will have a brief notice. THE FIRST DISTURBERS. The acceptance of the resignation of Justice John Jackson was the first official act of the commissioners in September, 1S31. This was followed immediately by the consideration of a report of tines, levied under authority of Justice Jackson, accompanied by a schedule of causes, from which these fines originated. Tliis list boasts of a comparative antiquity, and as it holds an important place in any question wherein the moral qualities of the early set- tlers will have to be considered, it is just and right that a posi- tion should be given to it in this work. The first cause is tliat of James Thompson, who complains bitterly of ^tbe pugnacity and general " assault and battery," characteristics of one Matthew Boyd. Mr. Jackson placed a quietus on this terrihle man Dec. 18, 1830, in the shape of a two dollar fine, which had the effect of checking his tendency to indulge in such little games for a very long time. Simon P. Tuley, probably an inoffensive citizen like his Eoman namesake, sued John Compton tor assault, but the defendant's pngilisticism was considered so beautifully meritorious by Justice Jackson that he discharged the prisoner. Xow comes our Roman friend Tuley again with a series of most serious charges against the " mildest-mannered man" in his settlement — John Compton. i7'2 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. The main cause of action was "profane swearing," and as the de- fendant convinced the judge that lie could positively swear under certain circumstances, Jackson found himself justified in placing a prohibitory tariff upon the import of profane language, and fined that simple man $8. There was much gossip held over this matter, with the result of restoring to Comptou's profane pockets, the sum extracted from them hitherto by the edict of an impartial justice and the hands of a gigantic constable. Arminius S. Penwell tendered his report, which opened with a very plaintive story, related by John Stauffer about his friend, James Compton. The complainant was attending to his duty in the mill of the early settlement, when the respondent Comptou ad- dressed him in anything but complimentary language, and finally indulged in such strategic movements, peculiar to old-school pugilists, that he succeeded in lodging what is commonly termed a sockdologer upon the face of the peaceful Stauffer, causing such disfiguration as to compel the justice's resort to the imposition of a fine of §300. The cause of action was given June 21, 1831. Following close on this is a very m3-stical case. The old record says, under date June 21, 1831, "John Stauffer was fined $1 for an assault on the bpdy of James Compton by cursing and swearing and threatening to strike him." Now an assault on the body, resulting solely from a curse or a threat, is something incompre- hensible to people of the present time; but to men possessing all the strength of mind and bodj' which doubtless belonged to the first settlers, who overcame greater difficulties by far than are com- prised in a correct interpretation of this ''charge" against Stauffer, nothing seemed to be impossible, and it is therefore to be presumed that the infliction of a fine of $1 seemed really called for, and was just in the eyes of the conscieutous Arminius. On the 2Yth day of July, 1831, James Compton begins to grow notorious. Justice A. C. Penwell fines him $1 for running a pitch- fork through the body of Joseph Dome. This limited fine for a most grievous offense is inexplicable. A pitchfork ran through a man's body creates a most unpleasant sensation, and it is a matter of surprise how Mr. Compton did not appear in the dock in answer to a charge of murder instead of only to answer a summons, which evidently brought a very serious charge down to a most trivial one. Justice Penwell issued a few warrants in August, 1830, — one against John Compton for profanity, and another against the same individual for an assault on Tuley, but for some ^^nA7i6M:t disgrace the calendar of the county; while within the short term which has since elapsed not one l)ut many bear testimony to the growth of untrained passions, the return of the days when heredi- tary viciousness claimed for its ai)petite human blood. During the September session of 1S6T Oavid Sebring was arraigned for the willful murder of his wife. James 11. Carpenter was prosecuting attorney, and certainly he pushed the charge for- ward with characteristic ability. The jury sat in deliberation for five days, and to the surprise of the court and auditory the foie. man, David Bowser, handed in a verdict of "not guilty." Edward Russell waS charged with the murder of ^Yilliams in 18C9, and was condemned to 21 years' imprisonment in the State prison. Svlvostor Proctor was convicted in 1870 tor the murder ot his niSTOBT OF ELKHART OODNTY. 479 Bon-in-law, Nicholas "Webber, and received tlio nominal ])iinisli- mcnt of tliree years in prison. Steplien Jinks, a Lawran_i(c county man, murdered one Mallow in IfiTS, claimed an impartial trial from the justice of the Elk- liartians, and received from the conscientious jurymen a ticket to adinit him to the State prison for life. From all tliat can now he gathered in connection witli tliis murder, Jinks richly merited his fate. Tlie action of the court, too, in rendering this severe sen- tence was replete with good results, for the time for inaugurating juost condign punishment had arrived; the murder fiend was abroad over the land; ijut here, at least, a stand would be made against Jiis approach in future. It is a strange world after all; precedents are forgotten, good examples and words of warning set aside. The dark soul of Jinks iiad scarcely appeared bof(jre the judgm3nt seat of heaven tiian the murderer of Abraham Paulus was brought up for the judgment of mortals. In 1S79 Jacob J. Noel murdered this man Paulus; but the swift- wingod justice claimed retribution, and led the blood-stained crimi- nal to a life-long sojourn in the prison of the State. Tlie civilization of this century opposes capital ])unishment, because it is considered barbarous. Life in a State prison, is really life to some murderers, and cannot be termed a punishment. Justice requires that justice should be done, and in acceding to the require- ment, it is scarcely fair to prolong the murderer's life at the expense of the people. What then should be done? Mete out death to him who knew no mercy, who sent man, perhaps unpre- pared, before his (i(jd, and who to-morrow would tread the paths he walked to-day, and cry havoc, until death stayed his tci-rible career. There are redeeming qualities pertaining to some men who have been f l)c purchased, since few remain of the true old men, each of whom was the center of joy aiul gladness. Let us revert to them. 'SQUIKE ROSE AND THE WHIGS. Mr. Rose, a Justice of the Peace for the county, and an unflinch- ing follower of the Democratic party, had the happiness on more than one occasion to prove the lengths to which his support of party politics would carry him. The legal gentlemen best known to Mr. Rose at that time were Michael C. Dougherty and Thomas G. Harris. Tlie former was a Democrat of no small influence, the latter a Whig of acknowledged ability. The first was a political friend of 'Squire Rose; the second was his political enemy. Now it 60 happened that these gentlemen opposed each other in a law cause brought before the justice. The nature of the suit was a debt, which as tiie defendant claimed, was ofiset. T. G. Harris showed beyond a possibility of doubt that the money claimed by the plaintiff was justly due, that the statements of the defendant were without foundation in fact, and closed his case with a peroratory sentence, which was enough in itself to cause an issue of judguient in favor of his client. M. C. Dougherty appealed to the court against the sophistries of Harris, but tried in vain to convince tiie 'Squire that even a point was made in the defense. Knowing tlie very poor case which he labored to defend, and aware of the appar- ent preparedness of his friend Rose to give a judgment for the amount of money claimed, Dougherty rose equal to the emergency, HISTORY OF ELKirART COUNTY. 4S1 and adilressiiif^ the 'Squire said: "Judge Hose: — The phiiatift' in this case has spoken at the dictation of friend Harris. I do not say tliat his statements are absohitely false; but I maintain that they are exaggerated if not colored in tints such as glow in the imagination of his legal preceptor. I will not follow up all the peculiar evidence presented to the court by the complainant; but I must, for the sake of our common country, ask you to consider the political treachery of Harris and his client, to rest assured that their accusations have no reality in fact, to banish from your mind any impressions the eloquence of Harris or the imprecations of liis client liave made, and so fulfill your duty to the people and to the party who are the preservers of justice, by giving a decision favor- able to the honest Democrat, who has ])laced his righteous cause in my humble hands to be defended, before this tribunal, fnjm the attacks of organized villainy." It is needless to add that the mind of Rose was changed by the i)athetic eloquence of Dougherty, and the case against his client dismissed. When the 'Squire was after- ward interrogated upon the propriety of this decision he coolly remarked that, " Plarris is nothing but a d — d Whig anyway." Well might the interrogator exclaim, " temporal mores ! " THE PKOFANE HOG ROBBER. A good story continues its circulation throughout the county, even to the present day. It is called " Tom Harris and the Pig Stealer." It appears that shortly after Harris' defeat in the trial before Justice Rose, a monster villain, peculiarly addicted to steal- ing hogs, was arrested in the vicinity of Syracuse, and in prepara- tion for his trial sent to Goshen for Harris, so that his acquittal might be something to be hoped for. Harris received the request, and with commendable promptitude started en route to Kosciusko county. Arriving there just in time for the court, he saw the pris- oner — his future client — in the dock, and at once presented his request to the justices that the man accused of" pig stealing " would be permitted to leave the court for a few moments so that he could confer with him, as he came here in his defense. Tlie court granted the request, Harris and the prisoner retired to tlie rear of the vil- lage school-house wherein tlie court was held, and there entered into the following converse: H. Now, look you here friend, tell me every d thing in connection with your conduct. Did you steal the pig? 482 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. P. S. I did. (Earnestly.) H. How many dollars have you? P. S. Here, I'll give you every g — d — cent. It is only a five- dollar bill. H. Now, look you here; you are a g d rascal, and the only blessed chance I see left for your liberty to steal pigs during the next three months is to vamoose into that d thick bush, and never show your face here again. (This said, Mr. Harris placed the $5 in one of his capacious pockets.) P. S. Good bye, sir. Good-bye. I'm d thankful to you. The dashes represent some mighty expressions of profanity, and if they could possibly be reproduced in history, a fair idea might be obtained of the vehement language which passed between that Lawyer, so opposed to profanity' in any shape, and that pig- stealer, fully alive to its adaptability to his wretched avocation. Harris, on returning to court, was asked where was his client. He looked verj' much grieved while responding, and said in accents of sorrow that the scoundrel fled into the forest with deer-like swift- ness. The justices and people did not regret his escape, as it relieved them of his presence, and the cost of feeding such a worthless, dis- reputable pig-stealer. Harris returned to Goshen tired of his jour- ney, and there discovered that the desperate robber of porcines carried out his criminal deeds to the end by giving him a counter- feit bill. WASHINGTON EAELE's BOOTS. Earle belonged to a peculiar class of wits, whose phrases were quite natural and pithy. His vocabulary was singularly replete with obsolete and new words, his diction was melodramatic, and his whole style half legal, half journalistic. In connection with Judge Chamberlain's law oftice, he contrived to render time subser- vient to his will at long intervals, and often turned the anxious client from thoughts of law to lighter occupation. A story or a phrase from him was only necessary to achieve this result; but his quaint humor almost got him into trouble once. It appears that in the absence of his huge principal, he was accustomed to call the ponderous Judge '' Mahogany Face." Well,one evening the youth of Goshen gave a soiree in the large rooms above the judge's office, in the then new building at the corner of Main and Market streets. This jolly meeting Earle was determined to attend, and after his late office hours, dressed hurriedly, merely substituting slippers for HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 483 the boots, and a fancy tie for the ordinary neck-wear. As there was no key for the office door, "Washington placed liis discarded boots and old tie in the nearest drawer, and without a thought of supper rushed up stairs to join in the dance. Meantime the Judge returned to the office to look over some legal documents, and to his horror found that the boots and tie of his clerk were stowed away in the very drawer wherein were the very documents which were presently to bear a judicial survey. Now, Chamberlain grew very mad, and without any ceremony whatever ca§t Earle's pedal and neck orna- ments out the window, then hid the lamp and matches, and retired to a corner of the room, there to await his clerk's coming. Tired of the dance and perhaps anxious for supper the young Lothario, with a friend came in search of his boots; a searcli that proved more per- plexing the longer it continued. At length growing desperate and quite unaware of the old Judge's presence, he remarked, " I bet my life old Mahogany Face has been here." Continuing the search, and meeting with disappointment he was about retiring from the dark room, and said again to his friend: " That cursed old Mahog- any Face has surely been here." " Yes," roared a voice from the darkness; "old Mahogany Face has been here and consigned your boots with all the other d — d paraphernalia of your nonsense to the street, where your contemptible cheek may find them." It is abso- lutely unnecessarj' to state tliat Earle went home minus his boots. The thunder of the terrible old Judge pursued him in his flight. THE 'squire's democracy. '"Squire Rose was, on one occasion, appointed inspector of ballot dockets, and so far as the electors marked tlie Democratic nominee, performed his duty with a willingness and promptitude wortli}' of the most impartial 'Squire in the land. For such duty he enjoyed the confidence and respect of his party; but the Whigs looked on him with a strangely peculiar eye of jealousy, and delicately hinted that in their very souls they believed 'Squire Rose would be guilty of any crime which would win a point for the success of the Demo- cratic ticket. Their belief in this connection rested on a very firm foundation; for, as revealed in later days, when the 'Squire snatched up a docket, giving a vote to the Whigs, he would presently crum- ple it to nothingness, and cast it away with unconcealed disdain, accompanying the action with a phrase: " It's a bogus docket anyway." ibi HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. THE WITTY BAEKISTEK AND THE JUDGE. In those gay old times, even circuit judges did not remove tliem- selves from an indulgence in tlie converse, gossip and common-place proceedings of ordinary mortals. Of all the villages upon the face of this broad earth, G-oshen was pre-eminent in rendering a warm welcome to visiting lawyers, and in friendly feeling for her own ; so that it may not appear strange to learn of the ho7ia-fide existence of two dozen legal members within the limits of the village during a term of the Circuit Court. Judge Chamberlain was generally one of the number, and even his subsequent elevation to the position ot President Judge, could not alienate him from ancient friends and old fellow-gossippers. One day, while moving his large body and soul down the village street, he met one of his many dear associates, and, as usual, stayed to converse upon any subject which might present itself The " weather " and the " crops " were exhausted, the question of metempsychosis was settled, every sublunary sub- ject was considered, until at length the speakers entered upon pur- and simple gossip. Judge Chamberlain's first suJbject was Coun- sellor Harris, — a clever young lawyer, possessing a head full of brains supported by a short but agile body. The judge thundered against the clever little lawyer for some imaginary offense, and assured his friend that on meeting Harris he should get not only a piece of the Judge's mind, but also the whole of it. He had not long to M-ait; the sprightly Harris came tripping np the street, and halting for a moment rendered the usual salutation to his honor. His sur- prise can scarcely be imagined, when the huge Judge opened his capacious mouth, stretched his capacious jaw and roared in thun- der tones: — "Harris, my opinion of you is very, very contemptible, sir." "Ho! ho! Judge," responded Harris; "your opinions are always contemptible, very contemptible indeed." Chamberlain's friend screamed rather than laughed, Ciiamberlain's walking cane made a hissing noise in its passage through the air, but it fell harmless, as the witty little lawyer disappeared round the nearest corner, leaving the ponderous Judge to dream over the retort cordiale, and make better dispositions for another and a more successful encounter with wit. In the earlier years, when a truer friendship, a greater degree of geniality and a larger share of leisure were possessed by men, it was a very common practice to take advantage of every opportunity presenting itself for what the people termed " fun." Michigan and Indiana were far in advance of other States in their fondness for HISTOKT OF ELKHAKT CO0NTr. 4S5 iiinoceut or practical jokes. Tlie former State laid claim at that time to a collection of jovial characters from the Eastern States; while Indiana possessed a small population of industrious, honest aud light-hearted toilers. Now, it appears that one Dr. Brouse, a lecturer on the science of phrenology, visited Michigan; but find- ing the "boys " there possessed only very few phrenological bumps, and a full knowledge of their own temperaments, the Doctor deter- mined to come down into Indiana. He arrived at Goshen all right, and soon had his glaring posters scattered throughout the village. Those posters created quite a lot of gossip with some little interest. Among the interested parties were members of the press, the legal and medical professions, and the mercantile community. Some of the wits tiiought they could have '• fun " with Dr. Brouse, and arranged that Lawyer M. C. Dougherty be made the principal actor. Accordingly Dr. Brouse was introduced to Dougherty, who figured now as Professor Buell, a phrenologist from Cincinnati. After a short converse Brouse saw that nothing less than a union of interests with Prof. Buell could bring in money to his little treasury, and without any hesitation proposed a partnership with him. Buell protested, saying it was not his purpose to oppose the Doctor, particularly since liis posters were placarded through town; but Brouse sliould have a partnership, and succeeded in carrying the proposal made to his verbose rival. The evening of the lecture arrived, the Doctor urged the Professor to give the first lecture, the audience cheered and called on him also, and to their repeated calls M. C. Dougherty himself had to respond. His lecture was com- paratively good, and everything went as merry as a marriage bell until Dr. Brouse came forward. He seemed amazed at the enthu- siasm created by Dougherty or Buell, and felt that, even with all his histrionic powers and his knowledge of the subject, the high enthusiasm created by the last speaker could not be upheld. This made him so nervous that his attempt at a lecture failed iiv toto,?t,nA exposed him to a series of derisive cheers. He retired- cursing the day that brought him to Goshen, and to a meeting with Pro- fessor Buell. The last named met him the following morning, examined his bumps, told him that he possessed "gullibility " in its highest form, and assured him that he was no other than Michael C. Dougherty, a Goshen lawyer! 486 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. LOOKING FOR POLITICAL HONORS. The meetings of the legal fraternity of early days were merry beyond all conception. Not all the gaiety of modern times could compare with it. It was genuine mirth, ornamented at intervals with witticisms of variable character. The pitcher was an accom- paniment, and though a few lawyers never seemed to notice its presence, the greater number paid it peculiar attention, and ob- served the ebb and flow of the mirth-inspiring liquid with a rare solicitude. Oa one of these occasions a political form was given to the proceedings. The lawyers mingled with their clients, and made the very air ring with the recital of their own political ex- cellencies. Among them was a young advocate who, partaking of the prevailing enthusiasm, dreamt of Congressional honors, and rose to address the electors of his adopted county. He said: — " If you see fit to send me to Congress I will go to the best of my ability. [Cheers.] I believe I would like to go. [Renewed cheers.] In fact, I know I want to go. [Loud cheers.] I have heard that the salary' is ample, and, as I have a small family, won't insist on its increase. [Cheers.] As I am fond of vindication, I want to vindicate myself It has been hurled at rae like a thunder- bolt that I am too young. In answer to this, I say first that I can't help it, and it is not my fault. Second, I am trying to grow older every day. Third, I am succeeding. Fourth, I am afraid I will be much older than I am before I get to Congress. [Prolonged applause.]" That young advocate has harvested the experiences of forty years. He looks back over the past with a feeling akin to sorrow, and though he could not now contrive to make such a wild politi- cal speech, he would desire nothing better than the return of the good old times when such rare addresses were not only tolerated but also applauded. He wishes in vain; those gay old times are gone never to return, nor will he be the last to wish; for other men of a coming race will look over the record of those past years, and wonder how mortals could be so admirably happy. THE AUDITOR AND THE IMMIGRANT. An incident, which is not only characteristic in itself, but also shows the efiect a first acquaintance with republican institutions, manners and customs has upon the emigrant from European flun- keyism, took place in 1854. Some time in that year, a man of fifty HISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTT. 4S7 or sixty winters arrived in the county in his search for a refuge from the extortions and petty despotisms of Germany. One uf liis countrymen had occasion to visit the county seat to transact busi- ness connected with the purchase and transfer of some land, and took with him thither the German immigrant. In the rambles of the older settler through the county offices, a short stay was made in Auditor Henkel's office. Tliat official handed his rural visitors chairs, and as the day was cold, they gladly availed themselves of that comfort which a seat near the stove afforded. The Auditor answered some business interrogatories of the independent citizen, and then, seeing that the fire was burning low, went out for fuel, and returning presently, placed it in the stove. The immigrant looked upon the whole proceeding with a curious eye, and linally asked his friend when the Auditor would come. " Why, liere is the Auditor," said the citizen. The surprise of old Heinrich can be barely imagined. lie confessed that during all the time he sat before the office stove and looked upon all the little chores and office duties being performed by the genial Auditor, he felt that the master official had not yet arrived . Now he could scarcely recon- cile the manhood and democracy of the United States with the red- tapeism, effeminacy and flunkeyism characteristic of German official- ism known to the Teuton in the cradle of his race. Realizing the condition of a great and free people, he in one moment imbibed the first principles of the Republic and pledged himself one, at least, of her people. THE FAKMKK ANT) THE LAWYER. Recently a political discussion took place not a hundred miles from Elkhart, whereat a Democratic farmer and a Wiiig lawyer were the principal characters. The farmer came in from the harvest field after a pleasant day's work, clad in the habiliments of agricult- ural industry. He mounted the platform in the beautiful court- room of Goshen, and with a natural simplicity referred to the party of which he was a member, won the hearts and ears of his audience, and, following up his advantage, broke out into a terrible denuncia- tion of the principles to be advocated by the legal gentleman who was to follow. The lawyer, quite unprepared for such a formidable antagonist, became so disturbed that, in the excitement of the moment, he rose abruptly, addressed the electors as — "Gentlemen of the jury," and retired in comic confusion amidst the laughter and cheers of the people, llis retreat was <^arried out with such pre- 488 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. cipitancy that he forgot his exit from the court-house, and retiring to his residence to gain some repose, recognized himself next morn- ing as the conquered lawyer. However, after the lapse of a short ime an opportunity was presented wherein he could avenge the defeat and confusion of that night. He met the farmer on debat- able ground, came well prepared for the combat, and that son of toil never rose again from the verbose battle-field of political ora- tors. On another occasion a gentleman was forced to the rostrum, much against his will. •' I can't speak in public — never done such a thing in my life," said lie, " but if anybody in the crowd will speak for me, ni hold his hat." THE PROFANE MAN AND JUDGE SAMPLE. In 1833, among many indictments for betting, illicit spirit- deal- ing and like offenses is the State ■ws. Leonard Stilson for unlawfully playing at and betting upon a certain unlawful game called Roulette, and winning from one Wm. Blaku the sum of 12^^ cents. Stilson was ordered to pay one dollar and costs of court, and to remain under the paternal care of the county sheriif until sucli sum was paid. In 1S36 S. C. Sample was appointed President Judge, but noth- ing of importance occurred to vary the monotonous character of law causes brought before the court during that year. The year following, however, the associate judges passed judgment on an incorrigible blaspiiemer. They joined in an order that the prisoner should be given a pair of tongs, and placed on guard over a mouse-hole until he should capture the little animal, which now and then appeared to scan the countenances of the judges, or listen to the pleadings of counsel. The prisoner took up his position as directed, watched with eager industry, and was ultimately rewarded by getting a glimpse of the cautious little animal, now the object of his most anxious thoughts. The tongs were scientifically arranged, so that no opportunity of catching that mouse should be lost; the court cast sly glances at the prisoner, the people in the auditorium gave him all their attention, as they looked breathlessly on his ready attitude and expectant visage.. The mouse at length appeared; the tongs closed with a twang, and the impenitent prisoner, holding the crushed mouse aloft, cried out '' ! Fve got ^em!" The court forgot dignity, the sheriif his duty, the bailiffs were actually weighed down with laughter at the ruffian's unconquer- HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 4S9 able profanity, and it is very possible that, had not the court recovered sufficient gravity, and possessed sufficient presence of mind, the first session of 1S35 would be adjourned sine die. The merriment created by that prisoner did not subside suddenly. "With the exception of anen actually engaged in the court all were in the streets, and under the eflects of liberal libations of a liquor well known and appreciated by many thoughtless people formed up in imagination the unfor- tunate mouse, his captor, and even the court, filling space with the sound of tlieir boisterous laugh and exclamation. SEVEN CITIZENS AND THE LONG-HAIEED STRANGER. The present can never equal the past in its genial character- istics; yet at intervals some merriment is occasioned by the assumption of an extraordinary appearance of importance, at the hands of some modern wlio takes a pleasure in making himself ridiculous. Soon after dinner the other day seven politicians were smoking and chatting under the portico of the court-house, when they were joined by a long-haired, tnild-looking, long-waisted stranger who seemed just dead with consumption. He leaned against one of the stone columns, and listened to the talk for a few minutes, and exhibited no great interest until one of the party asserted his belief that Garfield would carry Ohio. " H-how much d-do you want to b-bet that lie will?" inquired the stranger as he straightened up. " O, I wouldn't mind a bet of ten dollars." " I'll b-bet you a thousand d-dollars against two h-hundred," continued the stranger, as he went down into his coat-tail pocket and fished up an enormous wad of money. The politician crawfished on the ground that he never bet, and the stranger looked around and asked: "Is there anybody h-here who w- wants to b-bet that Hancock will be '1-1-lected ; I'll b-bet him a t- thousand dollars to five h-hundred!" There were no takers. Ihen he waved his wad of bills on high and said: " I'll m-make the s-same b-bet that Garfield will be defeated!" The crowd looked at each other, and then across the street, each man as dumb as a clam. The silence lasted for a minute and then one of the group remarked: ""Well, it will probably be a close struggle." 490 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. " W-will it? I'll b-bet you a t-tboiisand to live hundred that it won't be!" promptly replied the stranger. No one spoke ao;ain for thirty seconds, and then the remark was made that both parties were preparing for a great struggle. "Struggle b-be darned! I b-bet you five h-hundred to three hundred that there won't be any struggle!" One or two men put their hands into their pockets and jingled tlieir keys, but it ended right there. "When the silence had grown painful the consumptive asked: "Do any of you geutlemen notice any im-impedinient in my speech ?" " Yes," they all replied together. "P-put up your m-money — one t-thousand to two h-hundred that I don't s-s-stutter any more than any of y-you!" exclaimed the man as he began to untie the string around his roll of bills. Not a hand moved, and after a minute the stranger waved his money and said : •' Or I'll b-bet jou five h-huudred even up that I d-do s-s-stutter like b-b-blazes!" One backed softly into the hall, followed by a second and a third, and in a minute the stranger was left alone. Then he untied the string, peeled two one-dollar bills off the roll and put them in his pocket and threw away the " core," which was simply a wad of blank paper. He had blufted the crowd over and over again on exactly two dollars. THE OLD PIONEER. Among the pioneers may be found a peculiar character, who makes himself heard and known everywhere within his adopted county. Yon may not have encountered him; but every city or village over 25 years old has an '' old pioneer." He is an aged man, walks with a cane, has a bent back and scant gray locks, and he is entitled to the unbounded respect of all citizens. Many little privileges are accorded the old pioneer. He can open the cheese box in a grocery and help himself, hook apples, reach over for peanuts, have the head of the table when the firemen give a ban- quet, and if he crawls under the canvas on circus day, none of the circus men strike at him with a neck-yoke. And if the old pioneer says that it is going to be a hard winter, a soft winter, a cool sum- mer, or a rainy fall, it would be like one entering a den of lions to rise up and dispute him. He predicts political events, prophesies qJ '^ SfOiy?^ HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 493 revolutions, remembers all about how the Freemasons killed John Morgan, and confidentially expects a column notice in the local papers when he drops oft". Says one: " I met one of the old fellows the other day on the cars. He assured me that making a journey on the cars was more pleasant than riding on horseback, and he said that the CDuntry had improved some since he used to carry the mail between New York and Cliicago. I was looking right at him, but he never blushed as he said he used to make the round trip on horseback in five days. I was wondering how he could have done it, when he went on to say that NewgYork contained only 11 houses and Chicago only four at the time he acted as mail carrier. I remarked that the mail must have been light in those early days, when he replied: — 'Light! Why, bless you, my son, I never had less than 14 mail bags, and sometimes as high as 20! I expected to see him struck dead in his seat, but greatly to my surprise he continued to live right on, the same as if he had never told a lie.' ' Ever had any tights with the Indians in those early days?' I inquired. "• Injin fights! I should say I had a few — ha! ha! ha! I wish you could go home with me. I've got seven dry-goods boxes filled with Injin topnots, seven boxes left, and I've been making horse blank- ets and door mats out of the pile for the last 40 years.' Is it pos. sible?' said I. 'Yes it is; I don'tsay this to brag, but you asked me a plain question and I answered it. I suppose I killed 11,873 Injuns during my early life, though I won't say that these are the exact figures. It might have been 11,874 or only 11,872. I am getting old and can't remember dates very well.' " ' Ever see George Washington?' I asked. ' See George Wash- ington? Why he boarded in my family over four years!' — 'He did!' — ' Yes, he did!' — ' When was that?' — 'Let's see! Well, I don't remember just when it was, but it was quite a while ago. Yes, George boarded with me, and I've got a bill of $40 somewhere against him now. He was a little hard up for cash when he left us.' '■'Did you ever see William Penn?' — 'Bill Penn! ha! ha! ha! Why I wish I had as many dollars as the number of times Bill and I have slid down hill together! His father lived in part of our house for eight years, and Bill and I were like bx'others. I could lick him, and he knew it; but we never even had a cross word between us. Poor Bill! When I read about his being blown up- on a steamboat I said to myself that I'd rather lost a brother!' 494 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. '" Were you in the Revolutionary war?' — 'Revolutionary war! "Why you must take me for a boy! Why, I was the first man to jine! There was a week when the patriots didn't have any array but me, and there was so much marching and fighting that I almost got discouraged.' " ' Then you must have met General LaFayette?' — ' General La- Fayette! Why, on the morning of the battle of Bunker Hill, Wash- ington, LaFayette, Bill Penn and myself were playing a four-handed game of eucher in an old barn just outside Boston. LaFayette was killed just as he was dealing the cards!' — ' I thought he returned to die in France?' — ' No sir!' — ' But history says so!' — ' I don't care a plum for history, young mau! Didn't his blood scatter all over me, and wern't his last words addressed to me? I guess I know as much as any history.' — ' What were his last words?' — ' Last words! Well sir, he didn't have time to say much, A cannon ball struck him in the body, and all he had time to say was, " Don't give up the ship!" — ' Poor Laif!' He was a little conceited, but when he borrowed a dollar, it was certain to come back.' '"You never saw Christopher Columbus, did you?' — 'Christo- pher Columbus! Well, no, I never did. My brother used to talk a good deal about Chris, but I never happened to see him. They say he didn't amount to much after all: used to get tight on elec- tion day, kept a fighting dog and a race horse and was always blow- ing around what he could do. I was always careful of ray character, and they can't say of me that I ever associated with low folks.' " Amused and yet horror-struck at the man's terrible exaggera- tions, I walked off, and never since met such another pioneer." With that one exception the " old settlers " are incapable of speaking untruths. THE TERRIBLE JUDGE. Beebe was peculiarly suited to take a leading part in the life of a new settlement. Extraordinarily given to gossipping and inter- course with his neighbors, he could win a general but not an individual esteem. No one loved him, yet few hated him. He was ever engaged in inspiring petty quarrels and jealousies, and could scarcely rest content at night unless his enterprise in this direction gave birth to some little altercation between neighbors during the foregoing day. AYhen his victims were determined to resist his insinuations at Elkhart, he would actually go to Goshen in search of a new subject, and having satisfied his penchant there HISTOEY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 495 •would return to his homo to tiud fresh material. An instance of his desire for a never-ending round of fun is evinced in his disposi- tion to play practical jokes. One day while riding along the river road, he met one of his neighbors, who was engaged in hauling a huge, liollow log up the river bank. Without any hesitation he says: " Come, Silas! I'll bet a quarter that the hole in that log is not large enough to creep into." Silas accepted the bet, a.id crept into it. In an instant the judge was off his horse, and giving the log a push, sent it and its occupier rolling into the current. Having done this he rode off in high glee, leaving Silas to sink or swim. Fortunately a few men, passing immediately after this occurrence, heard the screams of Beebe's victim, rescued him from his perilous position, and all went en route to interview the J ndge. He, of course, saw the log roll into the stream and hastened to the town for help. This satisfied the interviewers, and Silas won the quarter. THE ''SCREOGCGEOn" CUUKT. This tribunal did not approach that of the golden age known as the Secret Tribunal in extensiveness, though it may have equaled it in utility. In the earlier years of the county many good souls ^intellectual men — sought a vein through which the blood of pleasantry might course, and among other things formed the " Sur- rogugeon," — so named from the fact that one of their number indulged in a lapsus lingiue, and in an attempt to name the Surro- gate Court, called it the Surrogugeon. It had its faults. Though founded, perhaps, without a thought of its effect upon tlie moral being of the citizens, it was no less beneficial in its tendency to nip vice in the bud by checking the passions of men. Every little social error had to be scrutinized by its officials, and this inquiry was carried out with such a demonstration of legitimacy and authority, that not a few innocent men came before the Bar in obedience to its summons. Whatever means were taken to uphold its authority, or by whatever influence men allowed themselves to be convicted, punished or acquitted by that tribunal is a mystery. All the terrors of the law proper surrounded it, all the findings of jurors or judges were made out in regular form, and in fact it only differed from the Circuit Court in the terrible character of its judgments which consigned its gullible victims to life-long impris- onments for some trifling crime, or perhaps imposed upon them some ridiculous penance, the performance of which on the morrow would at once amuse and delight the initiated members of the 496 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. tribunal. Men feared it; even the incorrigibles ^vevr tame before it, and after it had run its course, and disappeared before the advancing tide of citteness, many said that tiie part which it played was highly beneficial, and its existence providential. It is unnec- essary to mention even one of the strange indictments made out by the officers of the Surrogugeon; any crime from the larceny of a pin to that of a horse, never escaped its notice; but the great idea of the court was to crush its victim by a terriblecross-examination. After having elicited every tittle of information, in fact a histro- biography of their prisoner, they might order bis discharge or send him to jail until his sins would be atoned for. This, in the second quarter of the nineteenth century, seems strange; but the buoyant spirits of the first settlers and the easy-going habits of a few of them account for it, and still leave its memory green. THE I'KESENT BAK. The legal fraternity of the pre.-;ent time ditlers in many respects from those of by-gone years. Knowledge, statutes and crime have all grown up together, and tend to entail upon him who would become a member of the legal profession long j-ears of study. Few, in fact none, of the old legal pioneers reside in this county. Mr. Baker, and perhaps a few others, may claim a long and happy con- nection with the legal interests of the county; but they cannot be considered as belonging to that class of men who made themselves known and welcome everywhere, ignored all the ceremonies which are now in vogue, and on!}' took delight in reducing all law to ei|iiity. The following list includes the names of the principal legal gentlcinen of the county: — Baker & Mitchell, M. F. Shuey, I. A. Simmons, Vanfleet »fc Bickel, J. W. Irwin, Geo. "W". Best, Osborn & llerr, Wilson & Davis, A. W. Simmons, Delos N. Weaver, I. N. Hall, Col. Johnson, O. H. Main, O. T. Chamberlain, Lew. Wanuer, W. L. Stonex, A. H. Johnson, H. V. Curtis, I. N. Everett, C. C. Gilmore, M. E. Mcader, Otis D. Thompson, Livy Chamberlain, Ed. R. Kerstetter, Zook Bros., D. N. Leib, C. F. Shuey, Jas. H. State, M. I. Bock, A. F. Wilden, Milo S. Ilascall, H.'c. Dodge, Bartholomew it Trimble. CPIAPTER IX. THE REPUBLIC MUST BE GUARDED. Yet remember tliis: — God, and our good cause, figlit upon our side ; The prayers of holy saints and wronged souls, Like high-reared bulwarks, stand before our faces. The interest taken in political matters by the people of this county is deep indeed. Their principles are so well set that neither time nor change seeins to affect them; so that he who was a Democrat in his earlier years remains one still, and he who deserted the ranks of the old Whigs to ally himself with the Republican party observes all the forms which that alliance imposed, and may to-day vote for James Garfield as hedidinl856 for John C. Fremont. However, there is an apparent tendency to cast away the fetters of party, and to vote for the best and truest men who place themselves before the peo- ple, seeking their suffrage and confidence. Now, whatever oenetits are conferred upon the country by the two great parties, who claim to be President-makers, no doiiljt can exist of the number and magni- tude of the abuses whicii have entwined themselves with the system, and contributed to lessen the influence of a great federal government. " There was a time," said John C. Calhoun, " in the better days of the Kepul)lio, when to show what ought to be done was to insure the adoption of the measure. Tiiose days have passed away, I fear, forever. A power has risen up in the Government greater than the people themselves, consisting of many and various and powerful interests, combined into one mass, and held together by the coiiesive power of the vast surplus in the banks. This mighty combination will be o])posed to any change; and it is to be feared that, such is its influence, no measure to which it is opposed can become a law, however expedient and necessary; and that the pub- lic money will remain in their possession, to be disposed of, not as the public interests, but as theirs, may dictate. The time, indeed, seems fast approaching, when no law can pass, nor any honor can be conferred, from the Chief Magistrate to the tide-waiter, without (497) 498 IIISTOUY OF Kr.KllAUT OOUNTV. the assent of tliis jiowerfiil and interesting combination, wliich is steadily becoming tiie Governinciit itself, to the utter subversion of the authority of the people. Nay, I fear we are in the midst of it; and I look with anxiety to the fate of this measure, as the test whether we are or not. " If nothing should be done, — if the money which justly belongs to the people be left where it is, with the many and overwhelming objections to it, — the fact will prove that a great and radical change has been efl'ected; that the CJovernment is subverted; that the authority of the people is suppressed by a union of the banks and the E.xecutive, — a union a hundred times more dangerous than that of Church and State, against which the Constitution has so jealously guarded. It would be the announcement of a state of things from which it is to be feared there can be no recovery — a state of boundless corruption, and the lowest and basest subser- viency. It seems to be the order of Providence that, with the exception of these, a people may recover from any other evil. Piracy, robbery and violence of every description may, as history proves, 1.)e succeeded by virtue, patriotism, and national greatness; but where is the example to be found of a degenerate, corrujtt, and subservient people, who have ever recovered their virtue and pa- triotism? Their doom has ever been the lowest state of wretched- ness and misery: scorned, trodden-down and obliterated for ever from the list of nations! Alay Heaven grant that such may never be our doom ." Without going to the extremes of thought, much of what that etatesman had said ap])lies to the jtresent time. Not all by any means; because, owing to tlie foresight of the people, the combina- tions of wicked men who would venture to assert their foul suprem- acy, have been dismembered, and their terrible, awful treacheries exposed. The followers of the great political parties resident in Elkhart county have made their voices heard in their cries for reform; they liave scanned the actions of their legislators with jeal- ous eye, and rewarded or punished where justice pointed, and thus secured, and now essay to secure, a fair representation in the legis- lative chambers of the State and of the llepublic. They understand the principles of liberty, they ]>ossess a good idea of all that is due to the Uepublic, and seldom fail to reduce theory to ]ii-actice by choosing men who believe as they do, and who desire to stand by the i>ublic good in every emergency. Nativeism, sectionalism and lUSTOKV OK ELKUAKT COUNTY. 499 all tlieir concomitant vices are almost dead; but, unhappily, enough remains to cause some little disunion, and so destroy what would be otherwise a magnificent solidarity. The envy, the anger, the jealousy, the pride, and above all, the irritation arising from tiie civil war, hold a place in the hearts of a few. The ])lace must be closed up forever. Moicy, justice and i)atriotisiu require it for tenancy; so that sectionalism must die with all other vices — must fall before advancing civilization, and let Peace rule over the land. One of our economists has said that it is a crime against human- ity to maintain this seciional irritation. On this continent of the West we have endeavored to set up a republican government, a gov- ernment of liberty — and a government of liberty means a govern- ment of equal right. The sun of liberty quickens men as the natural sun quickens a field of grain. The myriad shafts rise upon the even bed of earth, bathing in the common rain, strengthened by the generous heat, and lifting to the God of light the abundant fruit on every head which his equal justice has given them all to bear. Ite|)ublican institutions, as has been well said, the last hope for the redemption of man, must be maintained and can only be maintained when a spirit of fraternity runs through and permeates the citizens of this country. We cannot live as a republican government and maintain j)erpet- ual war. Even in the household and family, where the ties of blood are nearest, we must exercise charity and forbearance or there often- times will be discord. How much more so, in a broad land where the interests are diverse and people are separated by manj' miles ot territory, must we exercise forbearance and charity and human kindness! The appeal goes to the better nature of men. It is an answer from the very heart of every man who has a heart to the taunts and flings that have been hurled against the unhap])y people struggling to lift themselves up again to peace and prosperity and fraternity. This appeal is not to the selfish, except it be but an enlightened selfishness which perceives your own good in the good of your fellow men — the appeal is to a higher selfishness than that which is looking to the spoils of oflice, which is only considering political questions with the greed and avarice of power. The ap- peal is to our Christianity, to our humanity. To render these assertions j)ositive, it will only be necessary to review the vote of the county as recorded during the Presidential campaigns from 1832 to 1S76, the Gubernatorial and Congres- 500 HTSTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. sional contests ot 1 876-1878, and the names of the Senators and Eepresentatives who have received political honors at the hands of the people. To this end the following statistical tables and names are given : PEESIDENTIAJL TOTE OF ELKHART COUNTY. Year. Dem. ■^Tiisr. Dem. Whig. Other. TotaL 1833 Andrew Jackson, Henry Clay 129 60 189 1836 M. Van Buren, W. H. Harrison 305 354 659 1840 M. Van Buren, W. H. Harrison 596 640 .... 1236 1844 J. K. Polk, Henry Clav 964 758 .... 1722 1848 Lewis Cass, Zachary T'aylor 1050 756 *142 1948 1852 Franklin Pierce, Winfield Scott 1343 1068 28 2439 1856 J. Buchanan, J.C.Fremont 1651 tl971 :i8 3640 1860 Staph. A. Douglas, Abraham Lincoln 1938 3471 §37 4436 1864 G. B McClellan, Abraham Lincoln 2000 3253 .... 4253 1868 Horatio Seymour, U.S.Grant 2706 2963 5668 IS^^^hlrSS'S, U.S. Grant 2344 2998 .... 5343 1876 S. J Tilden, R.B.Hayes .3390 3743 .... 7133 1880 W. S. Hancock, J. A. Garfield * Free-Soil, + Republican, t American, §Breckenridge. In the above table there is no mention of the various candidates in 1836 who drew but a small and insignificant vote in the United States, and for whom there were no tickets run in this county. The figures do show, however, that Elkhart county partook of the spirit of the whole country at each election, and did its share in aiding every new departure. For instance, wliile in early day it was strongly Democratic, yet it gave Harrison (Whig) a majority of 49 in 18.36, and a majority of -li in 1840. Since 1856 the county has been, on national issues, strongly Republican. In the table on the following page the vote of each township on the national ticket is given, and the figures serve not only as a record for general historical reference, but also a source of reflec- tion upon the causes which may have existed in various parts of the county for the variations of public sentiment from time to time. HISTOBY OF ELKHART COUNTY. i pUB ^ '% I g §1 a i § ^. ^ 5 III 1 1 •sijoupuaH puB napnx 5gsg§|||5||gmi 1 i ■uosnAV put! i ^§|Sg|3^J^S|^S|§ 1 pUB 1-5 5E:S§3?i||gg§||;^|§§ i i ■X-BJIOO puB inBjQ 1 S§|]|3|g|g||g§E:5| i a 3§5i-^§Si^Sgi^SSH li 1 ■nosntiof pnc nioonn ?iS|3S§|2SSn|^g^§g ii •nojaipnati pnB uBnaioow 1 ^§£SJ2|g2SS|2g2g| 1 1 •uUiuBH pnB U[ooni7 1 ?2i|§ij|g|S|S|^s§g 5 pire aSpunajioaja Q •uosntjof SB[3noa S?^g§§|§|§§gS5|^2 11 1 1 •nosiauoa 1 c puB 1 g ajomiiu 1 ^ 1 •noaXBQ pUB luoraajj^ i ?g5gi^g|i||i2??i25§ 1 ■aSp!Jua5i3a.ia puB UBnEt(3ng ^g§g§|g§5g|g5g22 i 3 1 1 s 1 i ' 1 1 1 1 i c s 1 i ^ ;= 1 1 H 502 HISTOKY OF ELKHAET COUNTr. VOTE OF ELKHABT COCNTr BY PRECINCTS, IX OCTOBER. 1S76, AND IN OCrOBEE, 187S. PRECINCTS. Elkhart, First Elkhart, Second.. Clinton, First Clinton, Second.. Concord, First... Concord, Second.. Benton Jackson Harrison Baugo OUve Jefferson- Middlebury York Washington, Osolo Cleveland Union Locke Total. ELECTION OF ELECTION OF 1878. 13 3768-3231 541 3619 -3309 .583 N— National Greenback. STATE SENATORS. 1832, Samuel Haniia (Elkhart, Randolph, Alleii, Delaware and La Porte counties); 1835, D. H. Colerick (Elkhart, La Porte, La- grange, 8t. Joseph, Allen, Wabash and Huntington counties); 1836, Geo. Crawford (Elkhart, Lagrange, Steuben, De Kalb and Noble counties); 1839, E. M. Chamberlain (Elkhart, Lagrange, Stenben, De Kalb and Noble counties); 1842, W. B. Mitchell; 1845, Abraham Cuppj; 1848, Delevan Martin ; 1850, Jos. H. Defrees; 1852, Thomas G. Harris; 1856, John Thompson; 1860, C. L. Murray; 1862, John H. Baker (unseated); 1864, Robert Dykes; 1866, Abner Lewis; 1868, J. R. Beardsley; 1872, J. R. Beardsley; 1876, E. Beardsley, B. L. Davenport. STATE EEPRESENTATIVES. 1831, Samuel Hanna (Allen, Elkhart and St. Joseph counties); 1882, Geo. Crawford (Allen, Elkliart, St. Josepli, Lagrange and La Porte counties); 1833, D.H. Colerick (Allen, Elkhart, St. Joseph, La- grange and La Porte counties); 1834, J. B. Chapman (Lagrange, UISTOEY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 503 Elkhart and attached territory); 1S35, E. M. Chamberlain (La- grange, Elkhart and attached territory); 1S36, John Jackson (Elk- hart county); 1837, E. M. Chamberlain; 183S, Samuel Clyraer; 1839, M. Eippey; 1840, M. Rippey; 184-1, John Jackson; 'l842, Jas. Cowan; 1843, Jas. Cowan; 1844, Sam. Clymer; 1845, Sam. Clymer; 1846, Asa A. Norton; 1847, H. H. Hall; 1848, Lovinas Pierce; 1849, Jos. H. Defrees, Michael C. Dougherty; 1850. Milton Mercer; 1851, Joseph Beane; 1S52, James I. Maxiield (two-years term); 1854, Walter E. Beach; 1856, Milton Mercer; 1858, John E.Thompson; 1860, Noah Anderson, Robert Parrett; 1862, Silas Baldwin, Amos Davis; 1864, M. F. Shuey, Joseph Reford; 1866, M. F. Shuey, W.A.Woods; 1868, H. G. Davis, Geo. W. Chapman; 1870, Elara B. Myers, Joseph H. Defrees; 1872, John E. Thompson, David Scott; 1874, Albert Osborn; 1876, John E.Thompson; 1878, Ed. H. Stevens and J. D. Osborn. THE CONGEESSIONAL APPOKTIOXMENT bill passed by the Legislature and approved JMarch 20, 1S79, con- tains the following sections: Section 1. That the State of Indiana be divided into thirteen districts for the election of Representatives in the Congress of the United States, each of which districts shall be entitled to one Rep- resentative. Sec. 2. The limits of each district shall be as follows: The counties of Posey, Gibson, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Pike, Spencer and Perry shall constitute the first district. The counties of Sullivan, Green, Knox, Daviess, Martin, Law- rence, Orange and Dubois shall constitute the second. The counties of Jackson, Jennings, Washington, Scott, Clark, Floyd, Harrison and Crawford shall constitute the third. The counties of Union, Decatur, Franklin, Ripley, Dearborn, Jefierson, Ohio and Switzerland shall constitute the fourth. The counties of Putnam, Hendricks, Morgan, Johnson, Owen, Monroe, Brown and Bartholomew shall constitute the fifth. The counties of Delaware, Randolph, Henry, Wayne, Rush and Fayette shall constitute the sixth district. The counties of Marion, Hancock and Shelby shall constitute the seventh district. The counties of Warren, Fountain, Montgomery, Vermillion, Parke, Vigo and Clay shall constitute the eighth district. The counties of Tippecanoe, Clinton, Tipton, Boone, Hamilton and Madison shall constitute the ninth district. 504 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. The counties of Lake, Porter, Newton, Jasper, Pulaski, Fulton, Cass, Carroll, White and Benton shall constitute the tenth district. The counties of Miami, Wabash, Huntington, Wells, Adams, Howard, Grant, Blackford and Jay shall constitute the eleventh district. The counties of Lagrange, Steuben, Noble, De Kalb, Whitley and Allen shall constitute the twelfth district. The counties of La Porte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, Starke, Marshall, and Kosciusko shall constitute the thirteenth district. The bill concludes with the usual clause repealing all laws and parts of laws which might come in conflict with this act. The bill had a majority of three in the Senate and twerdy in the house. THE ELECTION STATISTICS of the Congressional districts in connection with the great political parties of the State may be given, since such a compilation must be interesting as well as instructive. The first district gave a Democratic majority of 1,909 in 1876; 1,729 in 1878, and showed an actual vote of 34,3.50. The second district gave a majority to that party of 4,388 in 1876, and 4,546 in 1878, out of a poll of 32,877. The third district gave a Democratic majority of 4,474 in 1876, and 5,948 in iS78, and showed a total vote of 32,381. The fourth district carried the Democratic ticket in 1876 by 1,435, and in 1878 by 2,020, with a total vote of 33,731. The fifth district gave a majority to the same party in 1876 of 2,183, and in 1878 of 2,525, showing an aggregate vote of 33,488. The sixth district gave a Republican majority of 7,851 in 1876> and 6,832 in 1878, out of a total vote of 33,348. The seventh district gave a Republican majority of 241 in 1876, and a Democratic majority of 502 in 1878, polling a total vote of 84,191. The eighth district went Republican in 1875 by 1,360 majority, and Democratic in 1878 by 257, showing a total vote of 36,810. The ninth district claimed a Republican majority in 1876 of 353, and a Democratic majority in 1S7S of 422. Total vote polled, 84,828. The tenth district gave the Republicans a majority of 1,045 in 1876, and 1,680 in 1878, polling 34,804 votes. The eleventh district showed a Republican majority of 400 in HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 505 1S76; but went Democratic in 3878 by a majority of 840, polling a total vote ot 39.863. The twelfth district gave the Democrats a majority of 1,864 in 1876, and 3,113 in 1878, out of a total vote of 34,957. The thirteenth district elected the Democratic nominees by 151 in 1876, and by 682 in 1878, polling an aggregate vote of 35,291. The vote of 1878 cast in the thirteenth Congressional district, according to the new apportionment, was as follows: Republican, 13,900; Democratic, 14,582; National, 2,731. This district now comprises the counties of Elkhart, Kosciusko, Marshall, St. Joseph, La Porte and Starke, and in the foregoing statistics it will be under- stood that the figures given for 1S76-'7S refer to the counties named. CHAPTER X. COUKTY INSTITUTIONS .\^D OFFICIALS. A thing of beauty is a joy forever. THE COrRT-HOrSE. Of all the public buildings of Northern Indiana, the Elkliart county court-house is, perhaps, the most beautiful. Twelve years ago tlie county business was transacted in very humble offices; but the people- sharing in the busy activities of the times, resolved to substitute for tlie antiquated building one in every way worthy of this progressive age. In this laudable enterprise they met with some opposition from many tax-payers, who failed to see the exist- ing necessity for such a building as was suggested; but in this matter, as in all others, fog^'ism was subdued, and subsequently an editice was raised upon the pnblic square of Gushen, which, in itself, is a tell-tale monument of the extraordinary progress made by the people of the county within a period of half a century'. This beautiful building was oper.ed lor public business in 1S70. Messrs. Jacob Bechtel, J. E. Thompson and Xatluuiiel Tiiompson were the Commissioners who inaugurated the work in 1S6S, and to them and the great majority of the people who countenanced and urged them onward in this work much praise is due, bec)\use they co-opei-ated in doing that which keeps pace with the age and adds a central attraction to the county. The building stands in the center of spacious grounds extending north and south from Clinton to Market streets, and east and west from Main to Third streets. Shade trees lend their aid in making the site more beautiful, and already there are 6,000 feet of concrete walk leading from Main street to the eastern entrance of the building, with a corresponding number to be laid down on the west side. Tlie grounds are enclosed with a net work of iron rail. Tiiere are eight gates leading from the encircling streets to the main promenades, and one large gate to admit vehicles. Outside this palisade is another wide gravel walk surrounded with a chain fence, and he who would desire to entertain an idea of the utility of this first line of defense, must • (506) msTOKV OV KI.KIIAUT OOUXTT. 507 positively come here on market or other days set ajart for a meet- ing of tlie people; tor tiieu these chains oflbr a comparatively secure hitching place for the thousand horses and vehicles which are attached to them, the whole presenting a rare scene of rural greatness. AKl IlITl'X Tl' KAI, DESIGN. The design oi' the new court-house was drawn by Barrows tfc Garnsey, architects, of Chicago, aiul ado])ted by the commissioners of Elkhart county June 11, 1S(>S. The building as represented in its front elevation is most impos- ing in appearance, and strikes tlie observer as chaste in design, mass ive, and of great strength and delicacy of finish. It stands 52 feet in height from base to cornice, its broadside, 82 feet in width, presented to Main or Fourth street, with a grand entrance, its roof sujiported by four Corinthian pillars. The tower, which rises from the south end, adds greatly to the appearance of the building, and is exceedingly chaste in its proportions. The basement stor}', 12 feet in height, is designe S. Brown, Geo. Parsons. 1849.— D. Zook, S. Dibble, C. Zerwilliger, Jas. Dalrymple, S- Crane, I. Clark, J. Jackson, I. Kose, Geo. Peoples, L. Pierce, A. Bassett, A. Skinner. 1S50.— S. S. Winzler, R. A. Thomas. 1859.- E. Beach, S. P. Yeoman, Geo.'R. Wake, John Ferguson, H. Cleveland, Jr. 1851.- J. L. Powell, Is^. F. Bi-odrick, B. Benner, H. Tuck, P.IST. Oliver, W. P. Shreve, J. L. Grant, Pt. Fenton, W. X. Johnson, B. F. Dean, R. Sanford, M. Judy. 1852.— J. C. Simmer, J. W. Stanley, E. Adams, Ale.x. McKib- bin, S. W. Mun-ay, Harry Shepperd, Albert Banta, S. Webster. 1853.— R. McCrory, Geo. Taylor, W. S. Baker, L. H. Sovereign, D.C. Winans. 1854.— J. Wolverton, W. D. Conner, Lewis Hoops, C. W. Biv- ins, H. jS". Addison, A. Romig, J. S. Brown, Wm. McConnell, I. Wisler, Guy Johnson, A. Bassett. 1855.— R. A. Thomas, J. Kitson, S. R. Miller, W. A. Gross, S. Hollinger, J. Krupp, Sam. Snyder, H. G. Davis, J. F. Smith, James Beck, ?f . F. Brodrick, W. P. Shreve, J. L. Powell. 1856.— H. H. Hall, J. F. Boomershire, Myrom Monlton, J. F. Bembarger, Levi Grove, Harvey Shepperd, Gilbert Smith, Isaac Wisler. 1857. — Thomas Talman, J. C. Bennett, P. C. Hagerman, Geo. Howell, J. Miltenberger, E. F. Dodge, Daniel McCoy, Stephen Bull. 1S58. — Henry Compton, W. B. Macomber, James D. Cotton, Sam. Fletcher, G. W. Eby, J. S. Brown, J. Wisler. 1859.— R. A. Thomas, Alfred Garrison, S. Winchester, W. K. Williams, W. B. Cowan, J. L. Wilson, S. W. Brown, Josiah jSTick- ert, H. G. Davis, L. L. Sawyer, E. M. Chamberlain, Dan. Evans, T. G. Davis. I860.— Jacob Brown, Jr., N. F. Brodrick, J. W. Hart, C. Pin- dell, M. Strayer, G. W. Warren. 1861.— W. Earles. J. A. S. Mitchell, Jesse Adams. Price Lari- mer, Dan. McCoy, E. F. Dodge. E. G. Chamberlain, C. F. Farber, J. C. Bennett, Geo. Howell, Guy Johnson. m .^ d '^^M ^^^^^^'^a.*^?'^^/ ^^ ^^i^^^-^g^'*-^^^i2^z,^^^ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 521 1862. — Lyman Beebe, Hiram Ivins, W. B. Macomber, J. Wol- verton, R. H. Walburn, S. Fletcher, H. N. Winnegar. 1863.— W. K. Williams, N. Bates, R. A. Thomas, Levi Sawyer, W. B. Cowan, A. McKibbin, Jacob Geisinger, John Moore, H. W. Gonle, J. Piiterbaugh. 186-1.— N. F. Brodrick, M. Strayer, R. Terwilliger, J. Hockert, J. Flickinger, H. H. Fowler. 1865.— B. Surnock, El. F. Dodge, J. D. Osborn, Brice Larimer, Thomas Miller, James McDonald, E. R. Epes, Dan. Lawer, E. G. Chamberlain. 1866.— Noah Shoup, Allen Birkey, W. IMcConnell, A. L. Wall, Jacob Creager, J. Balyeat, M. P. Gulp, S. Fletcher, L. Salisbury, G. W. Hattle, C. S. Hascall. 1867.— Sam. Hollinger, A. McKibbin, E. Branson, H. Stetler, C. S. Terwilliger, H. W. Gould, John Moore, Geo. W. Best, J. D. Replogle. 1868. — F. Howenstine, D. Patterson, F. Longacre, B. S. Frazier, Peter Bowman, Levi Thomas, Sam. Holderman, U. Bonebrake, David Swartz, B. F. Cornell, L. M. Gripe, M. jST. Weybright, Isaac Wisler, Geo. A. Alford. lS6t».— Ben. Turuock, J. Di.\-on, E. F. Dodge, D. H. Johnson, Sam. Stetler, L. D. Gripe, P. L. West, Geo. Hall, E. G. Chamber- lain, Amos Stauffer. 1870.— F. Howenstein, S. S. Miller, J. W. Gline, Noah Staup, H. W. Hi.xon, G. W. Fish, Jacob Creager, Gordon Beach, Alex. McKibbin, John Milner, N. P. Osborn, David Swartz, Jacob Kit- son, J. Shriever, B. F. Moyer. 1871.- David Snavely, A. E. Adams, J. W. Emsberger, W. B. Cowan. 1872.— Wm. Pollock, S. E. Harrington, B. F. Cornell, M. P. Grosh, H. F. Eby, Noah Frame, A. Jamison, B. Turnock, J. D. Urabenhour, Ben. Truex, C. S. Terwilliger, Morgan Butler. 1873.— Jer. Zeller, Geo. W. Hall, J. L. Powell, Joseph Beane, E. G. Chamberlain, T. F. Alverson. 1874. — S. D. Straw, Michael Spangler, John Moore, Geo. G. Grenier, J. AV. Albin, W. B. Cowan, G. Beech, A. Elliot, A. McKibbin, A. J. Lee, Geo. W. Farrell. 1S75. — David Snavely. 1876.— Thomas J. Davis, J. D. Replogle, J. H. Hutchoson, J. D. Devor, H. W. Hixon, W. F. Peddycord, F. Simmers, J. P. Flan- 522 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. nur, S. C. Harrington, A. B. Craig, J. W. Ernsberger, J. D. Um- beuhour, Geo. NefF, M. Bartholomew, J. Wysong. 1877.— M. H. Morlan, J. L. Powel, E. G. Chamberlain, F. M. Myers. 1878.— B. F. Cornell, A. Leander, Geo. Hattel, M. J. Beck, G. M. Smith, E. M. Kennedy, A. Elliot, A. J. Patterson, Jer. Eyer, J. G. Davis, M. B. Hascall, Geo. G. Greiner, Gordon Beach, JVI. H. Morlan. 1879.— David Snavely. 1880.— W. B. Rush, Simon Swineheart, II. W. Hi.xon, J. T. Havi land, D. M. Best, A. II. Johnson, Jacob Gassier, F. C. Walter, Rob ert Ohatten, James II. Hutchison, J. D. Arnold, J. M. Prickett. E. G. Chamberlain, A. S. Zook, James Rupel, J. W. Ernsberger, J. J. Greenan, B. F. Kenney, J. G. Rockstrock, S. C. Harrington A. B. Craig, H. C. Beck, Chas. Nausbaum, "W. F. Peddycord Josiah Wysong, J. E. Lower, Jesse Deardoff. The justices of the peace prior to 1844 were invariably re- elected to office, so that many of them continued their services to the county for periods varying from 10 to 25 years. This is as it should be, and is still another evidence of the diligence, honesty and fidelity of the men, on whom the early settlers showered hon- ors and esteem. Board of Justices, June, 1830. — James Mathers, Col. John Jackson, Arminius C. Penwell. January, 1831. — Arminius C. Penwell, Col. John Jackson Ephraim Seely. Board of Commissioners, 1831. — Edward Downing, Geo. Mc- Collum, Col. John Jackson. 1832. — Edward Downing, John Jackson, James Bundy. 1833.— Edward Downing, James Bundy, John Rohrer. 1834. — James Bundy, John Rohrer, Conrad Stutzman. 1835. — John Rohrer, C. Stutzman, Jacob Carr. 1836. — Jacob Carr, John Rohrer, Lewis M. Alverson. 1837. — L. M. Alverson, Jacob Carr, J. Rohrer. 1838.— Jeremiah Banning, J. Rohrer, L. M. Alverson. 1839. — Joseph Myers, Owen Coffin, Jonathan Wayland. 1840.— J. Myers, J. Wyland, H. M. Evans. 1841.- J. Myers, J. Wyland, H. M. Evans. 1842.— J. D. Knox, J. Wyland, H. M. Evans. 1843.— H. H. Hall, J. D. Knox, J. Wyland. 1844.— H. H. Hall, J. D. Knox, J. Wyland. HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 523 1S45.— H. H. Hall, J. D. Knox, J. Wyland. 1846.— Sol. L. Hixon, J. D. Knox, J. Wyland. 1847.— Geo. Eumsey, J. Wyland, S. L. Hixon. 1848.— Philo Moorehouse, Milton Mercer, J. Wyland. 1849. — Philo Moorehouse, Milton Mercer, J. Wyland. 1850. — David Schrock, Alonzo Gilbert, D. Landis. 1851.— John D. Elsea, D. Schrock, Alonzo Gilbert. 1852.— Ira B. Woodworth, J. D. Elsea, D. Schrock. 1S53.— Henry Pierce, J. D. Elsea, J. B. Woodworth. 1854. — Lewis Hoops, Henry Pierce, J. B. Woodworth. 1855. — Lewis Hoops, H. Pierce J. B. Woodworth. 1856.— Xoah Anderson, L. Hoops, J. B. AVoodworth. 1857. — Noah Anderson, L. Hoops, J. B. Woodworth. 1858. — Philip Davis, Noah Anderson, L. Hoops. 1859.— Jacob Bechtel, L. Hoops, P. Davis. I860.— J. M. Hopkins, J. Bechtel, P. F. Davis. 1861.— Jesse D. Vail, vice J. M. Hopkins, deceased, W. B. Garrison, J. Bechtel. ■ 1862.— W. W. McVitty, J. D. Vail, W. B. Garrison. 1863.— W. W. McVitty, J. D. Vail, W. B. Garrison. 1864.— N. Thompson, J. D. Vail, W. W. McVitty. 1865.— Jacob Bechtel, N. Thompson, J. D. Vail. 1866.— John E. Thompson, N. Thompson, J. Bechtel. 1867.— N. Thompson, J. Bechtel, J. E. Thompson. 1868.— N. Thompson, J. Bechtel, J. E. Thompson. 1869.— N. Thompson, J. Bechtel, J. E. Thompson. 1870.- A. P. Wright, Eiisha D. Irwin, J. Bechtel. 1871.— E. D. Irwin, P. C. Messick, A. P. Wright. 1872.— P. C. Messick, E. D. Irwin, A. P. Wright. 1873.— W. B. Garman, Henry Stauffer, P. C. Messick. 1874. — Jacob Nausbanm, Henry Stauffer, W. B. Garman. 1875. — Jacob Nausbanm, Henry Stauffer, W. B. Garman. 1876. — Christian I. Werntz, A. P. Kessler, J. Nausbaum. 1877.— Wm. C. Elliot, A. P. Kessler, C. I. Werntz. 1878.— Wm. C. Elliot, A. P. Kessler, C. I. Werntz. 1879.— Geo. W. Zimm, W. C. Elliot, Jonathan S. Mather. 1880. — P. J. Parmater appointed in August as commissioner, vice J. S. Mather resigned. The commissioners occupied the position and powers hitherto exercised byjthe Board of Justices. In accordance with a legis- 524 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. lative enactment, approved Jan. 19, 1831, regulating the trans- action of county business, an election of the Board was ordered to take place in December each year, so that in the foregoing record the year of election is given, and the commissioner or commissioners elect held their seats for the ensuing twelve montlis. County CTs?*.s.— 1830, Thomas Thomas; 1844, E. G. Chamber- lain; 1851. Owen Coffin; 1854, Asa A. Norton; 1859, Milo S. Hascall; 1861, Melvin B. Hascall (pro tem); 1861, A. A. Norton, E. J. "Wood ; 1870, La Porte Heffner; 1874, Thomas H. Daily. Auditors.-~\%\\, E. W. H. Ellis; 1850, Kobert Lowry; 1850, P. M. Henkel; 1859, E. W. H. Ellis: 1867, A. M. Tucker; 1874, C. D. Henkel. Recorders.— \%Z^, John W. Yiolett: 1836,- E. G. Chamberlain; 1843, Geo. Taylor; 1850, Israel Wyland; 1859, Myron E. Cole; 1863, Ben. C. Dodge; 1866, Michael Weybright; 1870, Lewis D. Thomas; 1874, W. H. Miller; 1878, Josiah Kronk. Treasurers. — 1830, James Frier (removed in 1832 on account of not being a citizen); 1832, Simeon Beck; 1833, J. B. McCord; 1836, John|Gilmore; 1837, Elias Carpenter; 1850, Sam Geisinger; 1855, John S. Freeman; 1859, J. "W. Irwin; 1863, Geo. Sherwood; 1864, Hiram Morgan; 1867, "Wm. H. Venamon; 1872, Charles J. Greene; 1876, T. F. Garvin. County Surveyors. — 1832, Geo. Crawford ; 1835, James R. McCord; 1859, E. J. Wood; 1861, A. W. Watters; 1873, Geo. T. Ager; 1876, Marion C. Proctor; 1878, Henry Cook. Sherifs.—lSdO. Eli Penwell; 1832, James Beck; 1836, J. H. Defrees; 1840, Albert Banta; 1844, Eli Brown; 1848, Peter W. Eoler; 1850, D. B. Mather; 1852, C. W. Seely; 1859, Geo. L. Keblinger; 1860, A. C. Manning; 1862, Wm. Vesey; 1864, John H. Violett; 1866, E. E. Kerstetter; 1870, J. W. Egbert; 1874, Sam. B. Miller; 1878, Christopher J. Gillette. School Superintendents.— L. V. Vennen, Dr. Foster, LL. D., Geo. I. Ager, Yalois Butler and D. M. Moury. County Agents.— lSS0,O\[vev Crane; 1831,"r. B. Randall; 1835, Jos. H. Defrees; 1835, R. B. Randall. Jfirst Assessors. — 1830, John Frier; 1832, Henry Beane. Collectors.— liiZ2, Wm. Dodge, James Beck. Jf'irst Coroner. — 1843, Jacob S. Rayraer. ■ Agent of Seminary Fund. — 1831, Witson McConnell. In accord.ance with an act of the Legislatui-e for rendering the mode of township business of Elkhart county more uniform, the HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 525 acting clerk of the County Court gave notice, that on the first Monday of April, 1S41, each township slibuld elect the following ofldcers: Three township trustees, one township treasurer, one township clerk, two overseers of the poor, two fence viewers, a constable for each justice of the peace in the township. Accordingly on Monday, the 5th of April, 1S41, an election was held for Concord township, resulting as follows: Trustees — Ebene- zer Brown, Jonn W. A^iolett and Gideon Myres; Clerk, Jacob S. Raymer; Treasurer, Geo. Howell; Constables — Daniel S. Howell, John S. Freeman, Jesse Hillbush and Leander Sherwin; Over- seers of Poor — Levi Beck and Abner Stilson ; Fence- Viewers — Dan- iel S. Dickenson and Jacob Wagotnan. The remaining 15 townships elected their officers on the same day and so completed the township organization. In February, 1859, an act of the Legislature reduced the number of township trustees to one, and vested in that one the duties hitherto pertaining to the inspector of elections, overseer ot the poor and fence-viewer, with all the powers formerly belonging to the three township trustees. While the system was yet in its infancy, grave fears were entertained by the people of Elkhart that it would not equal in efficiency the old form of township govern- ment; but now, after the lapse of 20 j'ears, its workings have come near perfection, and have clearly shown that more and greater benefits have accrued to the people of each towushij) from one watch- ful trustee than could possible emanate from a Board of three; in other words, one man elected to the trusteeship will generally take a deep interest in the work pertaining to his office, while a trio of trustees mightpossibly be animated by petty jealousies and interests which would militate against the well-being of the people. The following is a roll of township officers elected under the act of 1859, who were the first to enter on official duties: Townslilp. Trastees, 1859. Trustees, 1S60. Assessors, 1860. Cleveland.. .E. C. AbboU- E. C. Abbott. Geo. Snook, E. C. Abbott. Concord. . ..H.E. Oakes. Henry S. Oakes. T. G. Davis, J. B, Bichel. Clinton.. . .Jos. Beane. Jos. Zollinger. A. Huflman, J. W. Hart. Benton C . G . Vail . David Darr. Ed . Miller, Eli Vernon . Elkhart Thomas Miller. Milton Mercer. Pube Swartz, Edwin Martin. Baugo Simon Grubb. Simon Grubb. James Rupel, L. L. Sawyer. York L. M. Sanger. Lucius M.Sanger. Jos. Lechner, Sam Eby. Washington. J. T. Haviland. C. Wilcox. Geo. W. Adams, Ph. Rouse. Osolo H. E. Winegar. J. D. Devor. John Shaw. Jefferson.... W. P. Martin. Wm. P. Martin. D. Logan, Jr., H. N. Winegar. Olive. A.J.Mitchell. A. T. MitcheU. Isaac Bennett, A. Lechlitener. Harrison. . .J. Dalrymple. Ben Beuner. Jacob Hess, Jacob Hess. Middlebmy.A. EllioU. A.Elliot. D. B. Nausbaum, Jacob Piebe. 526 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Locke Wm. Pittman. Ben True. Charles Miller, D.N. Lockwood. Union D. Landis. Daniel Landis. S. H. Smith, W. S. Reed. Jackson S. R. Miller. Samuel R. Miller. W. C. Brothers, Jacob Baer. The last township elections for trustees and assessors (ISSO) resulted in the return of tlie followino' named officials: TownsWp. Trasiers. Cleveland Hiram Kantz . Concord J. D. Comptoa. Clinton Jacob D . Rohrer. Benton Thomas Prickett . Elkhart Thomas Miller. Baugo Lester Sawyer. York Albin J. Lee. Washington F. G. Romaine. Osolo H. E. Oakes. Jefferson Philip F. Nye. Olive J. F. Ehret. Harrison Jos. G. Culp. Middlebury D. T. Kauffmau. Locke W. B. Cowan. Union Sam. F. Smith. Jackson , C. L. Landgreaver. The county ratified the constitutional lowing majorities: First, 610; second, 1 1,816; fifth 1,600; si.'ctb. 1,469; and nintl Assessors. Sam. D. Rupel. Jos. Puterbaugh. W. McGarry. J. Berkeypile. C. S. Hascall. Horace Randolph . E. M. Winegar. W. C. Birch. G. W. Rich. Israel Wolf. Geo. H. Gore. Jacob Hess. D. C. Hosteller. David Stonder. David Conrad. C. E.Thompson. amendments by the fol- ,S10: third, S77; fourth. CHAPTER XL .,• A MILITARY HISTORY. Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea! Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee. Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears. Our faith triumphant o'er our fears, Are all with thee,— are all with thee ! In this very important chapter, a description of the niilitary movements of the early settlers of Elkhart is alone omitted. This is not on acconnt of the unimportant character of its results; but simply because it holds a position in one of the first chapters of the county history in its claims to a place with the records of the time. The terrible earnestness of the pioneers is there portrayed, their prompt response to the call to arms noticed, the building of the old fort commemorated, and the happy denouement chronicled. This chapter will hold a mere reference to the militia of olden days; but will contain a fair history of the brilliant part taken by Elk- hartians, in defense of the Union. THE GOSHEN GUAEDS. The first military battalion, organized within Elkhart county, was that under Col. John Jackson, recruited so early as the year 1831. The martial ability of Jackson pointed him out as one admirably adapted to the command. His zeal in the cause of the Union in 1S12 was not forgotten, either within the bounds of his adopted county or at tlie military department; for, when the State required that a battalion of militia should be organized within each county, the men of Elkhart called upon the veteran soldier, and rendered well-deserved honor, where honor svas really due, by elect- ing him to the colonelcy. Col. Jackson was then about -13 years of age — in his middle years — and lived to see the Union he loved so well victorious over every foe from without and over every treason from within. The old battalion in course of time gave place to other military companies, and as years grew apace, the companies arrived at rare proficiency. No disturbing element requisitioned their services until (527) 528 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. THE WAR WITH MEXICO. The varied events which led to hostilities between the United States and the republic of Mexico have received a ver}' full treat- ment in the State histor}'. The war itself has been dnlj chronicled, and, therefore, it will be only necessary here to refer to the action taken by the people of Elkhart county in support of the general Government of the time. The war signal was given to the people of the State by Governor James Whitcomb in his proclamation dated May 22, 1846, and in a memorandum to that paper under the same date. The momentous document ran as follows: "Whereas, The territory of our common country has been invaded and the blood of our citizens has been shed upon our own soil by a hostile force from the Eepublic of Mexico, after repeated attempts of the United States for an honorable settlement of all existing difference with that power, which have been met only with indifference and contempt; and Whereas, By an act of the Congress of the United States entitled, '' An act providing for the prosecution of the existing war between the United States and the Eepublic of Mexico," approved on the 13th of the present month, the President of the United States is authorized, in addition to other provisions therein con- tained, for the prosecution of the said war to a speedy and success- ful termination, to call for and accept the services of any number of volunteers, not exceeding 50,000, either as cavalry, artillery, infantr}' or riflemen; and Whereas, By a communication from the Secretary of War, dated the Kith inst., received late last eveninff, and enciosing a copy of aforesaid act, the undersigned is requested on the part of the Presi- dent to cause to be organized at the earliest practicable period, for the aforesaid service, THREE REGIMENTS OF VOLUNTEERS, to be infantry or riflemen, and to designate some convenient place of rendezvous, for moving toward Mexico, for the several compan- ies as fast as they shall be organized, where they will be further organized into regiments preparatory to moving toward Mexico; said companies and regiments to be clothed, armed, organized, officered, inspected and mustered into the service, according to the regulations contained in the subjoined memorandum, as gathered from the aforesaid requisition and act of Congress: Now,therefore, I, James Whitcomb, Governorof the State of Indi- ana, do issue this my Proclamation, appealing to the citizens of this, our well beloved State, b}' their love^of country and of its noble institutions, by the sense of the wanton and unprovoked invasion (y^ryijLdi^^c^^^^ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 531 of our territory and the eftusion of kindred blood by a forei2;n and perfidious foe, by their desire to emulate the deeds of noble dar- ing which have so proudly distinguished the elder members of our confederacy, in our earlier history, and b\' their desire to adopt the best means under the favor of Divine Providence for a speedy termination of the war and an early restoration of peace, to form themselves into volunteer companies witli all dispatch for the aforesaid service, and to organize, so that early orders may be given to them to march to l^evv Albany in this State, which is hereby designated as the place of rendezvous, preparatory to their moving toward Mexico. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the State to be hereunto affixed at Indianapolis, this 22d day of May, in the year of our Lord 1846, of the State the 29th, and of the Independence of the United States the 70th. James Whitcomb. By the Gov'ernor, John H. Thompson, Secretary of State. Attached to this proclamation was the memorandum regulating the organization of volunteer corps to be organized under the late act of Congress of May 13. It comprised 15 articles regarding the supply of uniforms, arms, pay, and embraced the following instructions: A company of infantry '(or riflemen ) will consist of one Cap- tain, one First Lieutenant, one Second Lieutenant, four Sergeants, four Corporals, two musicians and SO privates. A regiment of infantry (or riflemen ) will consist of the follow- ing field and stafi" officers, viz.: one Colonel, one Lieutenant-Colonel, one Major, one Adjutant (a Lieutenant of one of the companies, but not an addition ), and of the following non-commissioned staff, viz.: one Sergeant-Major, one Quartermaster Sergeant, two musi- cians, and of ten companies organized as above. The volunteers were to muster in on terms of 12 months' service or to the end of the war, and were to be placed on the footing of similar regiments of the United States army in every thing except clothing and pay, and consequently were, if wounded or disabled in the service, entitled to the benefits conferred on soldiers of the United States under like circumstances. In response to Governor Whitcomb's call to arms, a war meeting was held at Goshen May 25, to consider the expediency of organiz- ing a volunteer force to be held in readiness to proceed to the front. Dr. Ellis presided on the occasion, and the meeting fully organized by the appointment of Messrs. Benjamin Crary and M. C. Dough- erty, vice-presidents, and W. C. Matchel, secretary. Mr. Eobert 532 HISTORY OF KLKHART COUNTY. Lowry having referred to the objects the meeting had in view, asked every citizen to assert his manhood, his dignity and patriotism by a unanimons response to the call to arms. He was followed by M. C. Dougherty, who placed the following resolutions before the chair: "That it is the duty of every citizen in time of war, without inquiring into the causes thereof, to rally in defense of the rights and honor of his country, and never yield until an honorable peace is achieved; that the names of those who wish to volunteer be taken, and that the list be kept open, and the names of all who apply enrolled until a sufficient number is^ obtained to form a company ; that as soon as a company be organized, the same be reported to the Governor." After these spirited resolutions were accepted, the meeting adjourned to the 30th, when a company was reported partially or- ganized under Captain E. M. Chamberlain, who called on the vol- unteers to assemble June 6, uniformed, armed and equipped, to consider the best means of carrying out their duty to the country. During the time thus occupied by the men of Goshen that Satur- day' afternoon the people of Benton, Elkhart and Goshen joined in a grand/Vw dejoiem honor of General Taylor's victories in the South, and were loud in their expressions of determination to go to the front. On Saturday, June 6, an important meeting was held, and the roll of enlistment declared open at the store of Sergeant Howel. On the 13th, the company of Elkhart volunteers, under Captain E. Chase, met in Elkhart, and 14 of their number asked permission to be placed under the command of Capt. Cham- berlain for service with the Goshen Guards. The efforts of Captain Chamberlain to organize a company of volunteers at Goshen for service through the Mexican campaign were not attended with a remarkable success. In a lengthy communication addressed by him to Gov. Whitcomb June 20, from Le Roy, iSTew York, he says. " Immediately on the appearance of your proclamation, I ordered out the Goshen Guards, for the purpose of adopting such means as the company might deem proper, and a majority of the company accordingly assembled in obedience to the order. Those present iinanimously adopted certain resolutions, which have been forwarded to you, authorizing me, as Captain, to tender to the general Gov- ernment through you, their services, as soon as the ranks of the company could be filled; and directed the Orderly Sergeant to open an enlistment roll immediately for that purpose. Our company HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 533 is not actiially full of reliable rank and file, even under our act of 1S44, much less under the regulations governing the regular ser- vice; and I discovered at once that in our small town and vicinity it would, with the utmost effort, require a length of time to till up the ranks incompatible with tlie emergencies of an immediate cam- paign. A majority of the company, however, promptly seconded my wishes to make every practicable effort to fill up their ranks, and hold ourselves in readiness for any emergency in which our country might use our services. This we shall not fail to continue to do. " Before these events transpired, I had made arrangements for a visit with my family to this place, which design I immediately prosecuted on making the above arrangements, being satisfied of the impracticability of immediately filling our ranks as above stated, which circumstance accounts for my letter being dated here. " Though I regret my inability to have more actively partici- pated in measures for the immediate prosecution of the war with Mexico, yet I deemed it proper to apprise you of such steps as we have taken, and of our prospects and purposes." Captain Chamberlain then enters into a full and reasonable explanation of the many causes militating against the formation of a military company for one year's service in the Mexican campaign. He ascribes the difficulty in Goshen to the small extent uf the town, to the little encouragement offered to volunteers by the laws of tlie State, to his own absence from home, and his consequent inattention to the duties usually devolving on the captain of an independent volunteer company. The letter is so very sincere that the failure in organization is half atoned for. It also must have the effect of exercising a beneficent influence upon the future career of military companies within the county, since it drew atten- tion to the varied sources from which military inefficiency to meet an emergency generally flows, and to a point of honor which remained unsatisfied in citizen hearts. The Adjutant General of Indiana Militia replied to Capt. Cham- berlain August 13, 1846, stating that a letter addressed to Governor Whitcomb had been handed to him with directions to say that the difficulty attendant on raising a company for immediate service in a county, such a^ Elkhart is, within a very limited period, is well understood and appreciated in his department. The Adjutant is satisfied that Capt. Chamberlain exercised all his efforts in the mat- ter, and assures him of a desire to gratify the desires of the " Goshen 634 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Guards " in accepting its services, should there be another requisi- tion on the State for troops to serve in the Mexican campaign. The receipt of this letter was signalized at Goshen by the issue of a notice to the public, signed by Capt. Chamberlain and dated Aug. 22, 1846, assuring the people that in view of another requisition for troops before the conclusion of hostilities with Mexico, it would be absolutely necessary to fill the ranks of the company, and ardently desiring that the volunteers would come forward and aid in rendering the company efficient, so as to be ready at any moment the State might call for its services. From the very little infor- mation that can be gathered on this subject, it ajjpears that only a few men from this county entered any of the five regiments fur- nished b}^ the State for service in the Mexican war. Whether this was due to apathy, to some fault in the preliminaries of organ- ization, or to a sense of the little opposition which Mexico could show the troops of the United States, then in the field, is a ques- tion of some interest. Now, after a period of 32 years, the cause for the non-appearance of the names of Elkhart men in any telling numbers on the rosters of the Indiana regiments in that war may be ascribed wholly to the prevailing opinion that their services were actually unnecessary, since there was a force already in the field competent to deal successful!}' with a half-dozen of such unruly Kepublics as Mexico then was. This fact is patent; because, from the thousand evidences given by the citizens of Elkhart county in later years of their attachment to the Kepublic and their desire to maintain its integrity, even if the last man within its bounds had to yield up his life in the patriot's battle, it will appear that noth- ing less than a full cognizance of the small need existing foi' their services, added, of course, to a knowledge of the immense and unnecessary expense which their muster into service would entail, both directly and indirectly, upon the county and the nation, actuated them in following the course laid down by reason, and thns left themselves open to the wordy attacks of injudicious enthusiasts. A people who were unenthusiastic in 1 846, when there was scarcely anything to be enthusiastic about, showed their mag- nanimity in 1861-'65, and proved what thinking men may do when their country really needs their services. Messrs. Myers, Julian and Egbert may be named as the only rep- resentatives of Elkhart county and neighborhood in that campaign. Captain Chamberlain, Lieutenants E. W. H. Ellis and Dr. M. M. Latta, the ofiicers of the Guards, and the well-circumstanced, gen- HISTOKT OF ELKHART COCNTi'. 535 erally handsome, gay, but enthusiastic men in the ranks, still remain " Groshen Guards," determined to defend their native city if Gen. Santa Anna would venture so far North, but otherwise to remain anxious readers of war correspondents' reports, and sensational telegrams from the camps of the Texans and Gen. Taylor's head- quarters. These dispositions, on the part of the great majority of the soldiers, were not at all acceptable to men without the organi- zation, nor to many in its rank and tile; for, as Dr. Latta relates, a number of war spirits sat in convention in 1847 to deliberate upon a future motto or coat of arms for the Guards, and adopted one proposed by Washington Earle, viz. : "Soldiers in time of peace; citizens in time of war." Dr. H. H. Fowler, in addressing the old settlers of Elkhart, iu 1859, spoke of the " Sac war," the " Toledo war," and the deep interest taken by the people of Elkhart in military affairs of the time. He compared it with the apathy of these of 1859, and proved, beyond doubt, that military life had merged into mercan- tile, and would not again show its strength until the Union of the States was threatened. ISfor were his assertions too strong. The year ISiG afforded him a basis on which to build the opinion ex- pressed 13 years later, and the years 1861-'65 proved the entire assertion correct; for then, really, the Union was threatened, and then the men of Elkhart, whose military ardor slept for a time, awoke suddenly, to eclipse the valorous deeds of most of their rnili- tary compeers. A nation's KOLL of HONtiR. The history of the civil war and the military history of Indiana have been dealt with very fully in the first part of this work, but its connection with the county it is proper to review, specially the names of all those gallant men who left their happy homes to appear upon the field of battle, in defense of all these precious lib- erties under which they lived, and for the preservation of the most sublime political union that ever bound the great States of a great country together. In April, 1861, immediately after the Presi- dential call for volunteers, a full military company of 93 men was organized at Goshen, known as " The Goshen Guards." This com- pany left en route to Indianapolis on Monday, April 29, under command of Milo S. Hascall, and comprised in its rank and file: Lieutenants E. E. Kerstetter, F. B. Rosselwyn, JamesM. Barns; Privates II. E. Agard, E. 0. Albright. C. W. Allen, E. C. Adams, 536 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Gus.' Barns, W. A. Bates, Wm. Balch, F. H. Backus, A. D. Blan- chard, C. T. Banford, P. Barnhart, Wm. Burns, D. M. Bowser, E. Carpenter, G. W. Carpenter, R. ^V. Cook, E. S. Corp, A. Cornish, C. C. Crummel, D. Chamberlain, John Crummel, A. B. Clark, J. Conner, H. G. Davis, S. Dougherty, Wm. Dodge, Jr., A. W. Fen- ton, James Ferguson, H. Ferris, Amos Fuller, John Graham, — . Gear}', Sam. Harris, C. B. Harris, Wm. Harris, J. K. Harris, G. Hattel, J. E. Howell, B. L. Harkins, Levi Hass, H. Hutchison, E. T. Huhbell, Solomon Ivens, E. Jacobs, D. James, Geo. Jackson, Peter Kerstetter, Wm. Knight, Henry Lorton, John Macomber, M. McConnell, Wm. McCord, Wm. McDowell, Geo. McKain, J. S. Miller, Wra. Minnegar, Wm. Metzgar, Sam. Mott, D. E. Man- ning, Barney O'Hara, F. Pierce, G. A. Porter, Ben. Powell, W. H. Peck, F. Euddy, C. Reynolds, J. Reynolds, W. S. Smur,_L..S*»uh^ B. AY. Smith, S. W. Snyder, W. D. Stover, E. H. Stevens, C. SchuUmyer, J. Shienbarger, P. Slough, W. W. Tillotsou, B. F- Thomas, John H. A^iolett, G. Wilton, J. Wickam, Thomas Wil- liams, M. K. Wilson, J. H. Wilson, Albert Winchell, A. Yates, J. Yants, S. Yankel and Fred F. Yeoman. The State had already acted well its part; the six regiments called for in the President's proclamation were complete, and the only alternative open to the men of this company was to return to their homes and await at Indianapolis the second call to arras. In the meantime Capt. Hascall was assigned a ]H>sition on tlie staff of Gen. Morris, again appointed to the Colonelcy of the 17th Regt., and subsequently promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General. His service extended over a period of three years and six months. Lieutenants Kerstetter and Rosselwyn, who, with Capt. Hascalb ■were among the officers of the unrequisitioned company, attached themselves to the ITth and T-tth Regiments respectively. The draft of 1862 was carried out under Commissioner Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, Marshal W. A. Woods and Surgeon M. M. Latta, and •their township marshals, with the following result: Harrison, 47; Jackson, 28; Union, 24; Clinton, 12; Benton, 6; Baugo, 6 and Locke, 5; all forming a company of 128 men, who proceeded to Camp Morton under Dr. Ellis, and were formally assigned to the com. mand of Captain Edwin Billings. The five subsequent drafts were carried out in an equally satisfactory manner under Enrolling Commissioner Ellis. Prior to entering upon a review of company rosters, it is but just to refer to the female element who acted a very noble ]iart. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 537 Imniediately succeeding tlie coniinencement of hostilities the ladies of Elkhart county became thoroughly imbued with a sense of patriotism, and resolved themselves into the " Soldiers' Aid Society," determined to exercise all their powers toward rendering such an organization effective. At a meeting held in October, 1861, a code of by-laws was adopted and the following ladies appointed to preside over the society in their respective townships, with Mrs. H. W. Bissell and Miss F. M. Heynolds general treas- urer and secretary respectively-. Co-operating M'ith these leaders were, with very few exceptions, the ladies of the county, out of whose ranks was formed a limited company of fair laborers, whose desire, at least, to perform humane work was illimitable. This little band of heroines may be termed the daughters of the regiments, since they made an offer of their services and their lives to that duty of benevolence which ministers kindness and hope to the sick and wounded of the army, and often succeeded in rendering such aid as restored to health and home many a soldier of the country. It is impossible to calculate the amount of good accomplished by their enthusiasm and their tender devotion. The victims of well- fought fields can only summon up an idea of the beneficent effect exercised by pious ladies in military hospitals; and if the voices of the many who recovered under their tender care could be united in an eulogistic chorus, the names of Misses Abbott, Beadsley, Hudson, McCord, Martin, Miller, Powell, Stauffer and many other ladies of this county would hold a place in the soldiers' song worthy of their heroic humanity. The graves of two of them in Oak Eidge cemetery are monuments to their zeal in the cause of charity, and on each Decoration Day let it be the first duty of a grateful people to strew with choicest flowers and appropriate souvenirs the little prisons of bodies which once contained their great souls. COMPANY ROSTERS. Company C, 9;*^ Beghnent. — This company was organized with- in Elkhart county, and mustered into service April 24, 1S61, for a three months' term, under Captain Theodore F. Mann, Charles H. Kirkendall, First Lieutenant, and James D. Braden, Second Lieu- tenant. The non-commissioned officers and men comprised 1st Sergeant, Albert Heath; Sergeants, D. G. Eisley, Xelson Mans- field, W. H. Crampton; Corporals, J. A. Gambee, Anthony S. Davenport, Daniel C. Gore, Orville F. Harris; Musicians, James 53S HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. O'Brien and William H. Morgan; Privates, Rudolpli Asliej', A. Bellouger, J. Benner, Alfred Billows, A. G. Bierce, Geo. Bickle A. Brower, D. Burrus, J. S. Brul, Frank Carlton, J. H. Chance, P Christman, Geo. II. Clarke, C. Coellars, H. Cornish, A. Daver, T. J. Davis, S. A. Dielil, Charles Djer, Peter Dyer, Jacob Ehret, N. H. Farr, F. Finch, M. H. Garner, W. Helm, R. Hilton, J. Hine, Peter Harney, C. \V. Huston, F. Jordan, G. L. Kibbinger, F. M. Kreigbaum, W. Locke, E. F. Manning, M. B. Miller, S. Millspaugh, Stephen Morris, La Fayette Murray, C. L. Murray, S. B. McGuire, James McKinzie, L. D. Nickerson, C. Norman, T. M. Patten, J. C. Patterson, J. G. Perry, W. Punchus, H. II. Pullman, C. C. Redding, J. W. Rich, G. W. Russell, A. AV. Shelly, L. C. Shippard, W. Smith, B. Sweet, J. Swartz, 0. E. Thompson, W. II. Todd, Hiram Upliam, Napoleon B. Upson, P. K. Upson, Ezra Willard, W. H. Wilsey, Pierson T. Wines. A reference to the sketch of the 9th Regiment, in the State Military History will convey an idea of its brief but brilliant cam- paign from the surprise of Philippi, under Col. Kelly, to Laurel Hill and Carrick's Ford, under Gen. Morris. The 9th Regiment — (Three years' volunteers) mustered in at La- fayette Sept. 5, 1861 (having been organized at La Porte\ was augmented in 1864 by S. A. Abbot, R. G. Brown, C. Brown, C. Bayne, D. Bemont, all of Elkhart county, who responded to the draft of that year, and attached themselves to Company B. Com- pany C was entirely composed of Elkhart men, under Capt. D. G. Risly, who was succeeded by 1st Lieutenant J. D. Braden, and on his promotion to the rank of Major, by A. J. Martin. Simon Bar- inger and Ezra Willard were Lieutenants. This company was mustered into service in September, 1861, with A. J. Martin as 1st Sergeant; Ambrose G. Bierce, W. J. Chapman, S. Garringer and Lafayette Murray, Sergeants; T. M. Patton, S. Baringer, J. Stewart, J. D. Smith, M. P. Ormsby, H. P. Clanson, J. L. Knap, M. L. Delamater, Corporals; Charles Peasly and James O'Brien, Musicians; G. P. Bellows, AVagoner; and Privates,J. A. Abbott, G. M. Allen, Jacob Berlin, M. Bowers, B. T. Brown, D. Burket, S. Butts, S. C. Carter, J. Cathcart, S. A. Cheever, N. D. Cline, G. G. Congdon, S. C. Congdon, A. Conroy, W. R. Conroy, Y. Craft, G. W. Crampton, A. Crandal, John Daly, A. Dills, Jr., J. B. Drake, J. Earle, J. C. Fox, F. J. Grubb, J. Grulier, H. Hall, E. Horn, P. S. Hare, A. A. Holdeman, T. L. Holdeman, John Hoke, G. W. Iluy- ler, AV. Kelly, S. Kessler, W. Keyes, C. Kcehler, F. M. Kreighbaum, Qy^^/^^^n HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 541 D. Leader, A. G. Manning, J. B. Maj'sr, J. D. Mead, II. IST. Metcalf, N. L. Metcalf, O. P. Merchant, M. L. Miller, F. Molebash, S. J. Morris, C. W. Munson, T. J. Naylor, W. H. Nimrick, L. North, S. L. Nye, H. Olinstead, D. Peasly, W. Posen, A. Salisbury, E. Sanders, A. Saylors, W. J. D. Sayer, J. Shutt, J. H. Shaver, W. F. Shaver, E. W. Shrock, J. Shuppert, ^. H. S mith,.3£\ ^mith . W. Speese, A. Stutsman, S. Swiueheart, STUTTEaxton, J. Wallis, J. Weaver, E. Werts, J. Werts, W. Wilson, C. Wheeler, J. Wheeler, T. Whit- taker, S. Whittig, J. Wolf, John Wolf, C. Zoellars. The company -was strengthened by the addition of the following recruits from December, 1S61, to February, 1SG5. The greater number entered on service in 186-i. and with three exceptions were furnished by Elkhart county: Phil. Abel, L. Briggs, T. L. Barn- house, N. B'ird, G. Bickle, A. B. Chap-.nan, A. A.'cieveland, O. G. Carleton, J. L. Congdon, J. Clansou, A. P. Ciilbertson, J. Driscoll, B. A. Dunne, E. L. Foster, W. Funk, H. V. Fields, E. M. Hyde, Geo. Hertzell, B. F. Hetrick, A. E. Houghland, W. Jeffries, W. King, G. L. Kirk, E. Klingerman, A. J. Longley, Edgar Merchant, John Nolan, James Powers, N. B. Kichards, J. A. Salisbury, J. II. Stan- ley, K. Stutsman, D. E. Stutsman, H. J. Smith, Henry Smith . J. Smij h^ H. L. Shnpert, M. E. Thomas, H. G. Van Alstine, S. "Wai^, T. V.Wheeler, C. M. Wheeler. The list of casualties of this company from Grcenbriar in October, 1861, to the pursuit of Gen. Hood, lS6tl-'65, forms in itself a record of duty valiantly done. In Company D, of the same regiment, were J. D. Keely, J. J. Stawers, F. Dunbar, J. Hurley, W. Keely, J. M. McGinnis, W. F. Shekels, V. Swartz, S. Stowers, and E. Whitmire, of this county. In Company E were Curtis Chapman, A. J. Conner, E. Hammond, E. Hubbell, G. 0. King, Mtirry McConneil, J. W. Moorehouse, E. M. Moran, M. McKeloy, J. Openchain, T. Prickett, C. Eodgers, E. Schel linger, J. Simons, W. H. H. Stuart, A. Swartswatter, S. Story, J. Troyer, J. H. Violett, Z. Walker, G. S. Weathers, J. H. Wickam, A. B. Win- field, L. D. Nickerson, W. J. Norris, A. Nye. In Company F were Edward Dokey, Emery Dokey, I. H. Hul- dormau, Ealph .Johnson, I. Koppliu, C. Krugher, L. Laddaner, F. Ludwig, Patrick McCluae, I. W. McLane, C. C. Eedding, A. J. Bunn. Company G comprised the following members from Elkhart county: J. J. Almon, W. D. Brown, F. G. Graham, Jos. Scott, 542 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. of Bristol; J. E. Hunt and Henrj' Haskins, of Goshen; and J. M. Hettrick, of Elkhart. Company H comprised W. H. Knowles, W. PaTil, I. Lundj, W W. Manning, W. A. Markel, Y. L. Ward, I). Proctor, D. H. Smith and S. W. Stroup. Company K registered H. Cornish, H. Clay, J. Dnllinger, W. H. Cathcart, J. Morris, Jerome Martin, Squire Martin, Silas Roose. A. Strinback, W. Speese, A. C. A'an Alst and Levi Wiltmere. The history of the Ninth liegiment Indiana Volunteers is pecu- liarly brilliant, and in the military record, comprised in the State history, holds a deservedly high place. The county was ver\- badly represented on the roster of the 12th Jiegiment by one member only, Herman Campbell, of Goshen, who deserted Dec. 5, 1862. The Thh'feenth Recj'iTnent comprised Lieutenant Michael Ganser, H. Goss, Francis Blendit, E. Kayler, M. Ellar, J. B. Ayers, S. Caughey and S. H. Weaver, of Elkhart county. The \~th Regiment was organized at Camp Morton dur- ing May, 186 1, under Col. Milo S. Hascall, of Goshen, who, for the distinguislied part taken by him at Greenbrier, and in the oper- ations of Gen. Heynold's corps, was promoted to the rank of Brig- adier-General March 25, 1862, when the Colonelcy devolved upon his Lieutenant-Colonel, John J. Wilder, of Greensburg. Lieut.- Colonel Wilder continued in command until his resignation was accepted Oct. 5, 1864, when Jacob J. Vail was appointed. W. H. Carroll, S. F. Rigby and J. Y. Hitt, of Greensburg, served with this regiment; but in tlie roster of enlisted men, there are not any names from Elkhart connty appearing. In the ranks of the VMh Regiment were Captains John II. Clark, J. W. Shafer, Julius M. Waldschmidt,who from time to time held the Captaincy of Co. G. When mustered, in 1861, the following was the roster of non-commissioned officers and men: Sergeants, J. Waldschraidt, I. L. Keller, S. L. Starner and S. S. Bonar; Cor- porals, J. W. Evans, F. Wise, F. Myers, I. H. Criswell, G. B. Campbell, O. C. Bates, Z. B. Irnhoff and G. H. Kulp; Musicians, Charles Billings and G. W. Kreighbaum; Wagoner, C. F. Bugbee; Privates, J. Adams, J. P. Altman, S. Altman, H. E. Altenburg, J. Andrews, Carson Andrews, C. J. Bartlett, W. L. Balch, W. Busesel, W. E. Bethel, Peter Bowman, J. J^um, H. L. Busz, E. J. Campbell, J. F. Carter, J. Camp, D. Chilcoat. I. Cleland, R. Coats, E. Cravens, A. R. Crabtree, G. A. Critchett, C. Davis, S. M. Den- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 5i3 man, Geo. Dennis, A. Defrance, D. Divelbess, J. Downing, L. Eller, H. C. Elliot, W;_G,_Figlier. W. 11. Fry, J. Frey, 11. D. Gaylord, Milo George, T. Grey, I. Grey, J. Ilagiie, A. G. Ilaskins, Milton Hadley, D. llagle, Clinton Uague, P. Iluniphreys, M. Ingrahani, J. W. Jeseles, Adam Juday, T. S. Kelley, James Knight, Dan Kulp, J. W. I. Lent, J. W. Lloyd, ^V. H. Marks, Conn. McGuire, C. W. McMeans, A. Moose, D. Nepper, E. T. Neal, J. Itigby, G. H. liodarmer. Perry Rowe, F. M. Sams, J. W. Shafer, J. M. Shirts, I.Silkworth. E. Si P'^h, H. Smith. W. ]i. Sm ith, Jas. Snyder, J. F. M. Spitler, Eli Starnes, E. A. Stone, 11. Swift, G. W. Thompson, B. Turner, S. S. Upham, C. C. Walter. Geo. Warner, D. Y.Ward, W. W. Whitney, Christian Wolfli, Clouse Young. The soldiers whose names have been given won an enviable reputation for Com- pany G, and took a most important part in rendering the name of the 19th Kegiment so distinguished. The volunteers from Elkhart county who belonged to the 2Ui Infantry, were Lieutenants, A. W. Simmons and E. F. Hubbell; Sergeants, I. F.Carmien, S. Aiugken, T. H. Bachus, H. J. Bachelor, I. Barr, Henry Breslin, W. Breslin E. Carroll, D. S. Chamberlain, C. W. Coats, S.Dougherty, Denis Driscol, Patrick Driscol, James Ferguson, W. L. Hamlet, J. II. Hayes, A. W. Kelly, Wui. McCord, G. W. Modie, Michael Mooney, J. Morris, J. S. Miller, I. W. Myers, David Peppenger, Daniel Peppenger, Eli Pittraan, B. M. Powell, G. W. Self, S. Shemberger, I. W. Snyder, A. B. Tintsman, L J. Woodworth, G. E. Zinn, Henry Bryan, John Kerling, Joseph Kennedy, L E. Morten, P. Minehart, II. W. Newman, Jos. Oliver, D. Bitter, W. Bitter, I. A. Simmons, M. W. Self, Jos. Tautsman, A. H. Wayburn and O. M. Wayburn. These volunteers were mustered in July 2-1:, 1861, and throughout the war sustained a very favorable name won early in the campaign. In the Ut C'avalri/ ov the •2Sth Hegtment, are found the names of Pt. A. Brown, M. C. Miller, E. Miller and Levi Hays, of Millers- burg. The representation of Elkhart county in the rank and file of the 20th Rpjjiment was large in number and important in those moral and ]>hysical qualities which combine in the true soldier. Among the officers are the names of Major H. G. Davis, H. G. P. Oblinger, Levi M. Hess, R. McCumsey, I. Humes, J. Miller. I. M. Barnes^ E. A. McComber; Sergeants, G. W. McKaiii, A. B. Butler, A. W. Fenton; Corporals, S. Deardoff, W. Ivins, J. F. Younts, S. Knight, D. B. Hutchison, C. Hughes and A. B. Mills; Musicians, G. Ream, Oii HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. and S. Seymour; Wagoner, Geo. Jackson; Privates, G. P. Amidon, I. T. Aldrich, W. Burns, C. M. Boyd, I.M. Boyd, J. E. Buchanan, M. Buchanan, T. Buchanan, A. Camp, W. Chasey, H. C. Clifford, Z. A. Clifford, L. Coleman. R. W. Cook, I. B. Crawson, "W. Criss, S. Davis, S. P. DeAVolf, R. S. Dickson, R. Fehliman, A. P. Fox, K. E. Gibson, W. Ganser, C. Groesbeck, I. Groesbeck, J. Gushwa, S. Haynes, I. K. Harris, J. R. Hoyt, J. Houck, O. D. Ivens, D. James, S. Key, S. W. Keesey, F. Knight, W. Knight, B. Mc- Cumsey, B. McCreasy, C. Marshall, I. Miller, L. Mills, M. Mills Geo. Minager. Geo. Moore, A. Mott, S. Mott, Beth Myers, "W". P. Needham, J. O'Dell, J. Osborn, U. Osborn, W. F. Paxson, D. Roger, J. J. Reem, J. Reed, Isaac Reed, S. Riefsnyder, A. Row, P. Row, S. Saylor, II. L. Seaman, H. Sebring, J. Showalter. A. Smith, L. Smith, W. H. H. Smith, Lafayette Staufer, F. M. Stew- art, I. M. Stonebreaker, W. Stover, Ira Stetter, Geo. Temple, S. Trego, J. I. Ulricl), I. Wear, Geo. Weipert, W. A. Werley, A. A. Whitehead, E. Wright, C. Wyland, I. Wyland, Thomas Williams. The above named volunteers were mustered into the service in August and September, 1S61, and formed Company B of the 29/A Infantry. From 1S62 until the close of lS6i the company was constantly receiving recruits to fill the places of those who fell in battle or by disease. By a reference to the sketch of the 29/A Hegiment, as given in the first pages of this work, the reader may be able to conceive the brilliancy of its career, whether under Rosseau, Buell or Rosencrans. The 30^/i Regiment and its Residuary Battalion comprised Captains, Kauft'man Funk, M. A. Hawks, S. B. McGuire, J. E. Thompson; Lieutenants J. H. Chance. D. B. Davis, W. X. Cul- bertson, of Goshen; Sergeants, J. Brown and J. C. Miller; Corpo- rals, J. P. Hockert, A. Chance, J. W. Cope, D. D. Coppies, C. C. Carmien, J. Venamon, A. D. Miller, N. N. Shriver; Musicians, V. W. Wolf and Martin Molony; Wagoner, George Miller. The pri- vates forming Company K, included M. B. Agard, H. F. Agard, J. E. Adams! W. H. Allen, A. H. Beck. Theodore Bloss, R. G. Bloomfiekl, Isaac Broombaugh, D. Christner, S. P. Carbangh, J. Cleppiuger, J. Davis, J. W. Davis, Ira England, George Epart, J Elliot, S. Ever, F. Friedman, Kauffinan Funk, G. W. Eager, J. Feltmar, S. Girten. L. B. Grove. B. Hall, F. Hall, W. H. Hatfield, J. Hoover, Xelsou Hapner, Franklin Hapner, Thomas Hunt, J. Holtzinger, J. H. Holderman, J. D. Inks, T. Inks, E. Jacobs, B. E. Julian, C. Kiingerman. J. G. Kay, J. W. Leavely, J. W. Livening- HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 545 honse, J. Lehman, D. Lampa, S. P. Miller, L. H. Miller, S. Miller, J. W. Mitcliell, J. W. Mease, J. Millenbarger, J. Mikel, A. J. Morer, F. M. Myers, J. Newell, W. H. NeMeli, J. Kicurst, N. B. Orsborn, P. E. Puscb, G. A. Potter, A. Protzman, S. M. Eiggle, J. A. Koacb, James Poach, J. R. Koxborough, H. A. Slubaugh, T. Smith, J. Shriver, DeWalt Shuster, D. G. Swank, J. Thomas, A. Jones, J. E. Valentine, H. Weed, A. "Weaver, W. H. White, M. Lafayette Wilson, J. H. Wilson, A. Wiley, H. B. Wilkinson, F. F. Yeoman, D. Zigler, W. Zehner. These vol- unteers were all children of Elkhart county, and won a name, both for themselves and their regiment, upon every battle- field from Shiloh to Nashville. It will be seen in this connec- tion that A. D. Miller, J. E. Thompson, W. N. Gulbertson and T. H. Chance were promoted from the ranks to the respective positions of Adjutant, Captain and Lieutenant. The 2d Candry or 41.s# Regiment comprised the Elkhart Company K. Hiram F. Kidder, of Goshen, was Adjutant; AY. C. McGonigal, A. S. Blake J. A. S. Mitchell, W. C. Blaine, D. A. Gilmore, were among the officers, and among the enlisted men were: Q. M. Sergeant, B. C. Dodge; Sergeants W. D. Stover, D. A. Gihnore, J. B. Cobb and M. Weybright; Corporals W. Dodge, E. C. Adams, P. Kisner, A. B. Clark" W. Thompson, E. J. Hamilton, J. W. Guy and David K. Smith; Buglers, H. F. Kidder and L. Wit- nier; Farrier and Blacksmith, J. E. Gambee and Daniel Yantz; Saddler, C. W. Wortsbaugh; Wagoner, William Orbett; Privates, J. F. Alford, A. Bissel, D. M. Bowser, J. H. Boakin, A. Bryant, J. L. Burke, C. Chipman, J. Clark, E. C. Clifford, K. Compton, B. Cox, W. Cox, G. J. Creigh, J. Craton, John Cuny, Herman Davis, D. P. Deardoff, W. Doolittle, T. H. Donalson, O. A. Drown, Peter Eddler, H. W. Gallentine, J. Gallentine, E. Grisson, T. Griswold, W. Goodwin, J. Harlan, T. H. Harlan, W. Hatfield, J. Hatfield, J. Harris, A. Howard, H. Howard, P. Huff, E. Illich, E. Irwin, J. P. Jennings, W.P. Kelly, J. N. Lash, John LaCass, J. R. Leaky, D. E. Manning, J. Martin, W. McCabe, C. P. Miller, George Newell, S. Nuwander, Bernard O'llara, John Porter, Cyrus Pearl, R. Edward, W. Rice, A. Robinson, 0. H. Rosenbury, Allis Sminch, C. G. Smith, J. W. Spry, W. A. Stamits, H. J. Stamits, J. Stooky, A. Stooky, A. Swineheart, A.J. Thomas, George Thompson, H. Wiley, J. Q. Watson, Levi Weaver, Solomon Weitzell, C. G. Williams, J. Winchell, Gerald Wyncoop and William Vesey. Many of the re- cruits, who in 1S62 and 1864 joined this company, were Elkhart 546 msTORY OF elkhart county. men, but in the reghnental roster their residences are not given, and therefore the difficulty of collecting their names fifteen j-ears after the peace, is almost an insurmountable obstacle to the com- pletion of this roll. Howevi'r, the county may rest assured that the names given have brought it sufficient honor, with all their distin- guished military services. The -iiUh Regiment included among its officers Col. J. F. Curtis Lieutenant-Col. J C. Hodges; Adjutant S. E. Smith; Captains, A. Heath, D. S. Belnap and O. D. Scovel; Lieutenants, W. H. Houghland, F. Baldwin, C. M. Hinman, C. W. Green and Piatt Houghland, and the following non-commissioned officers and pri- vates, — all representatives of the military element of Elkhart county: Sergeant Major, N. Mansfield; Sergeants, R. M. Wilmore, F. Launers, L. C. Vinson; Corporals, A. C. Lamb, L B. Stanley, C. L. Fish, C. M. Hunnan, A. S. Davis, W. Lay ton and J. Bender; Musicians, G. W. Keller, W. Free; Wagoner, S.F. Miller; Privates, P. Anderler, 0. Artel. I. Benedict, Hugh Boyle, C. Boss, D. Brooks. J. Bolander. D. Benton, D. Burton, J. Bruse, E. M. Carpenter, J. Clarke, W. Clark. L. Clark, J. Clark, C. Clapp, S. Cordie, J. Cordie, M. C. Danner, D. S. Anthony, J. R. Diltz, J. Diclute, Giles Drake, S. Gruker, Piatt Hoaghland, W. H. Iloaghland, Peter Harney, M. G. Hurd, "Wentworth Irwin, F. Johnson, M. Kj-le, (t. W. Keely, A. Knee, N. Krieble, J. Lay ton, B. F. Lay ton, G. Maybie, I. Marshall, M. McNivey, H. Missler, Patrick Murt, L. A. Money, John Martin, C. Millspough, L. Nolan, G. Pringle, Irwin Robin- son, Adam Shaum, William Sleagle, J. A. Smith, W. Smith, James Smith, C. W. Smith, S. E. Smith, Franklin Stone, Benjamin Stroup, F. Stroup, Geo. Stevens, D. R. Spencer, S. J. True, F. Travener, J. Travener, I. K. White, John D. Wright and Oscar Woodworth. This Company (I), like Company K of the 2d Cav- alry, received many recruits during the years lS6-i and 1865. The regiment, of which the company formed a part, distinguished itself on every field from Fort Donelson to Chickamauga, and showed a mortal list of -tOS men after its term of service expired in 1S65. TheiS^A Regiment was principally composed of men from Elk- hart and St. Joseph counties. Companies A, H, G, I, were recruited in Elkhart and mustered at Camp Ellis. Companies B, E, F, in St. Joseph, Company K, in Jasper, and Company C, and D, composed of men from various counties in the State. The officers of this regiment furnished by Elkhart, comprised the fol- lowing: Colonels, Norman Eddy, Edward J. Wood; Lieutenant-Col., HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 547 J. W. Leitch; Majors, B. D. Townsend, Q. C. Charles, L. Murray; Chaplain, J. W. Smith; Surgeon, F. T. Bryson; Captains, xilfred Billows, W. P. Allen, II. E. Robbins; Lieutenants, A. B. Cramp- ton, E. J. King, I. J. Parmeter. These names include the ofBcers of Company A after their ascent in the scale of military honors. The non-commissioned officers and privates of this company were: Sergeants, C. W. Huston, Lewis C. Haney and D. A. Hewitt; Cor- porals, G. N. Hicks, H. H. Williams, J. It. Shaffer, "W". L. Bodle, 0. Ilunsberger, L. Bruwnwell, S. Stuart, II. Gord; Musicians, John Parmeter, E. "Washburn; Wagoner, H. Troxel; Privates, R.Ashe, S. Arisman, B. F. Ayres, W. Bell, G. Bloomer. I. Brinckman,Geo. Byrkett, B. D. Chase, Seth Clarke, G. II. Clarke, A. M. Clark, F. Coleman, C. P. Crouch, Chancy Curtis, J. M. Davis, A. W. Dun- bar, D. W. Dumond, L. A. Elliot, W. Felters, S. Felters, F. Frank, 1. II. Gilman, P. Goeter, Geo. Gongler, O. F. Harris. I. Hagerman, W. A. Hitchcock, H. A. Huntsiuger, C. I. Hurlbut, J. Irwin, Isaiah Irwin, S. J. Jones, John Jones, S. Kageries, W. Kelly, L. Kelly, J. Kiplinger, I. AV. Leitch, J. Lej^da, D. Londenstager. D. C. Larne, J. Marx, G. Mcllvane, Chancey Morgan, B. Y. Peg, L. J. Perkins, S. W. Pitts, A. J. Powers, Jacob Raefsnyder, A. C. Rodemocher, G. W. Rittenhouse, H. Rosen, S. Rogers, H. E. Rob- l>ins, I. W. Sackett, A. Sherman, G. W. Shultz, C." F. Slate, Wm. Shick, D. Shick, J. Shriner, F. M. Silver, S. E. Sneir, J. Spohn, J. St. John, I. B. Stienk, B. Sweet, A. Stutzman, G. L. Thorpe, J. Thomas, C. Thompson, N. B. Upson, L. Upson, J. C. Upson, P. K. LTpson, M. S. Washburn, H. Wilden, E. L. Wiggins, R. H. Wilson, W. Wineland, A. Zellars. This company was augmented frum 1862 to 1865 by the addition of 57 recruits. Company G may be said to be recruited from the manhood of Middlebury. It was mustered into service Jan. 16, 1862, with the following men of Elkhart in its capital roster: Captains, R. F. Mann and J. H. Lieb; Lieutenants, G. W. Thayer and Henry Kubytshek; Sergeant- Major, F. Black; Sergeants, J. M. Carpenter, M. Kershner, H. J. Blough; Corporals, W. H. Pease, J. C. Wright, -lames Geraghty; Musicians, Wilson Droy, D.G.Smith; Wag- oner, W. L. VanTassel. The roll of the honest soldiers who carried the knapsack comprised the names of G. Brown, J. Buckmaster, L. Buckmaster, J. Brady, J. A. Brady, J. S. Buckley, iST. W. Brick- ford, S. Bouraan, Geo. Buchtiuk, Z. Clark, J. W. Clark, E. D. Congdon, S. Davis. S. Frederick, D. Frederick, J. Frederick, J. D. Gillespie, L. M. Hatck, F. Ilass, C. Hochstetler, J. Juday,F. King, 548 HISTORY OF ELKHART CODNTT. J. Klinwman, J. H. Lieb, E. Larkins, F. Labonet, L. Madlem, F. McWilliams, Geo. Ott, Alfred Ott, C. J. Plank, M. Eentfrow, Oli- ver Remington, Peter Van Norman, J. Yonkers. Forty-nine recruits were added to this company from time to time during the war, consisting of men from Elkhart and bordering counties. Company H, or the German Company of the iSth, was, when mustered in, Dec. 27, 1861, composed mainly of Elkhart county Germans under Captain Gustavus Paul us, who retired in July fol- lowing, when the position devolved on Gotlieb Schauble, and ulti- mately on J. C. McBride. During the progress of the war, J. Rohrig was promoted to a 1st Lieutenancy, and Geo. W. Ilolling- shed promoted 2d Lieutenant. Sargeants H. Landgraff, F. Held and Philip Kurtz, with Corporals P. Behler, P. Dutch, Charles Maywald, P. Walter, J. Kempf, J. Koehler, H. ileimrich and J. Kurat formed the non-commissioned roll; while the Musicians and Wagoner were H. Soramer, F. Faver and J. Pies. The roster of privates contained the names of F. Abrecht, F. W. AUe, H. Arndt, C. Anderson, H. Bowman, J. Brandel, J. Burkell, H. Carfock, L. Connanz, K. Crone, J. Cushman, J. Eisenle, C. Ells, G. Ernst, M. Englehardt, H. Fisher, J. Flore, J. Fossberg, Geo. Gillihofer, F. Gluck, J. Garrow, J. Gutfried, B- Hagle, A. Hausler, F. Harder, G. Hagelmaier, J. Heckmann, T. J. Hildebrand, J. Hohenberger, W. Howell, H. Keil, G. Klaus, C. Klein, S. Kocher, C. Kruse, F. Luchner, T. Maize, C. Malaca, J. Mishler, A. Mickel, A. Mutz, P. Oberle, H. Peters, J. W. Phillips, G. Rapp, C. Rinkenberger, Geo. Ridacker, John Ross, J. Ruff, G. Seibold, P. Schmitt, J. Smith, J. Strauss, J. Stewart, A. Withney, C. Zumbach. From January to September, 1S64, this force was supplemented by the addition of 51 recruits of various nationalities, who continued service in its ranks until July, 1865. Company I was mustered in Jan. 2, 1S62, under Captain E. J. Wood, wlio, on being promoted to the rank of Major, was succeeded by Geo. W. Gibbon, whose term expired January, 1865. The Lieu- tenancy was generally occupied by Goshen men, viz.: A. S. Fisher, E. S. Foljambe, W. R. Ellis, each of whom merited and received promotion. The non-commissioned officers and privates included Samuel Con- nell, E. S. Newton, J. R. McAllister, J. W. Carr, A. J. Richmond, Jas. Att, C. H. Mellis, W. Cany, H. Gates, A. B. Miller, G. W. Gibson, S. A. Raymer, A. Boucher and Patrick Cass, with Privates, I. Alexander, M. Ainsworth,M. Barnhardt, F. Beanblossom, J. D. cy^,^, .te^. HISTOBY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 551 Black, M. Blackmail, H. Bloomfield, J. Bloomfield, John Bloom- field. L. Bolenbangb, C. Bass, G. W. Brown, H. Bassett, D. E. Carpenter, A. P. Carr, Cyrus Carr, M. Cavenangh, J. Cook, H. J. Corns, J. M. Crabhill, J. L. Dawson, P. Delsavour, J. Duniphan, "W. Dye, A. Ferguson, C. Tyke, S. Fishe r, A. Fribley,A. Funk, H. Funk, J. Garner, J. AV. Griffith, C. Hallet, G. W. Heffner, J. R. Heffner, D. S. Herst, W. K. lluftbrd, M. Jacobs, A. Jennings, N. J. Kennison, D. Kitchen, I. Lantz, E. W. Lincoln, F. Longer, J. H. Lord, H. Lung, Patrick Malley, J. M. Miltenberger, D. Minear, W. Munroe, Geo. Morehouse, M. Muckler, B. Myers, A. J. Mc- Clure, N. H. Neff, Thomas O'Neil, D. Paughf, A. Philbrook, J. Kamsby, J. Ream, G. Reynolds, L. Robinson. L. Rowan, J. E. Sacket. A. Saxton, J. C. Stiles, J. Strait, J. Stump, B. Swaney, D. Swartz, C. Taylor, S. J. Taylor, G. L. Thomas, T. Thompson, J. Walker, J. West, T. West, A. Winchell, Henry Wooster, Albert Wright, R. Zundell, with 71 recruits who joined the company in 186-1 and 1865. The iSth Infantry lost 213 men in battle from the siege of Corinth to its memorable inarch from Raleigh to Petersburg, after the surrender of Johnson's corps (T armee, and left other indelible evidences of its brilliant career. In the midst of the turmoil and dangers of the field these soldiers maintained an in- imitable coolness, and at times when the prospects of the regiment were sunk in gloom, the men rose abo%-e the occasion, and made brightness for themselves when ail around were enveloped in dark- ness and despondency. The reminiscences of the soldiers bear out this statement, and leave very little room for doubting the charac- teristic sang froid which distinguished them from others on many occasions when the patience of the soldier was under most severe trial. Here is a case in point: "Fall in for picket!" yelled the Orderly-Sergeant. As I buckled on my cartridge-box and otherwise equipped myself, I wondered who would be shot at this time. I had never known of a picket- line where there had not been shooting or fighting. The adventure which Mike Casick and I had was still fresh in my mind. The whole regiment was under orders, and in a drizzling rain and to the mnsic of wet drums we formed and marched off. At the dis- tance of three miles from our camps we relieved the old pickets. Five of us were stationed at one post, and for the first time I held militar}' command. Non-commissioned officers were scarce that morning, and I was placed in charge of the squad, with orders to keep the men from strolling off and to entorce rigid discipline. The honor was thoughtlessly bestowed. There was not a scalawag in that crowd with whom I had not "run guard " at one time or 552 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. another, or been engao;ed in some other flagrant breacli of disci- pline. " The boys " were delighted with the arrangement, and the moment the Sergeant disappeared they began to get ready to have a " bully time." I was well aware, however, of the gravity of trifling with duty on a picket line, and a species of civil war imme- diately resulted. Like able lawyers, they quoted precedeTit after precedent on me, and earnestly urged the oi-ganization of '' a jay- hawking expedition for good grub." I remonstrated in vain. " Oh, you think you're because you're acting Corporal," they retorted vigorously. From a strictly military point of view the scene and the discussion became decidedly unique. I finally threat- ened to summon the Sergeant and resign the blushing honor he had thrust upon me, unless tiiey would consent to strictly obey orders. Tranquillity was then restored; the rain had ceased, and with boughs and blankets we speedily constructed a spacious arbor, and lolled in the shade at martial ease or whiled away the time, as most soldiers do, with the inevitable deck of cards. Our vidette was stationed about fifty yards to the front, to watch for hostile visit- ors, and our surroundings were peaceful in the extreme, and in liappy contrast with all our previous conceptions of picket life. Compan}' C had neglected to bring any rations out, having been assured by the cooks that a wagon with water and provisions'would arrive in due time. The day dragged by and hunger laid siege to our vitals, but noT>ody could hearthe cheerful rumble of that expected cart. A supperJeso future loomed before us. I yelled tor the Sergeant, and in forcible language set forth our distress. He was a man of feeling, and comforted us with oaths and invectives, and swore that '• such infernal arrangements had never been made before, and, God granting, would never be again." " Detail a man," he added, " to forage for anything from a chicken to a dead rebel." I knew the man to send. One of our squad was Jim King, subsequently known throughout the brigade as " the cele- brated jayhawker." Jim accepted his appointment with evident relish, and passing the vidette, soon disappeared in the green woods. He was absent so long that we began to fear that he might have been captured. At about dusk, however, he returned in tri- umph with a fat young pig. We skinned it (that was our metliod of dressing pork), and we hacked and tore it into large chunks. Then, building a hot fire, we broiled the pieces by holding them in the heat at the end of long sticks. jS"o restaurant in the world could have supplied more savory meats. The wagon arrived shortly afterward with crackers, water and other necessaries; we added hot coffee to our palatable menu, and with voracious appetites enjoyed our lawless banquet. We ate up the most of that pig before morning. Another, and not by any means an uninteresting episode of the march on Corinth, is thus related : " Our marches, while advancing on Corinth, had seldom exceeded a few miles per day. To march twenty miles or more in a day, HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 5.j3 however, under a merciless snn, with knapsack, blanket, haversack, rations, canteen, cartridge-box, overcoat, rubber blanket, mnsket and bayonet, is quite another matter and almost enough to tempt a man to quit wearing clothes. That afternoon our route was strewn witli blankets, overcoats, dress coats, and knapsacks crammed with personal effects. The ambulances and wagons were also filled with exhausted men, and the rear guard had hard work to keep the stragglers from getting entirely behind. It was our first actual march. The next morning our whole brigade " stacked knap- sacks," and we swore that unless the knapsacks were hauled, they might lie where we had piled them. Room was accordingly made for them in the wagons. That day we marched through a hilly and romantic countrj', and all day long our route was lined with orchards bending beneath the weight of luscious fruit. We helped ourselves without damaging property, and that night the wicked and pirati- cal mess to which I belonged fared sumptuously on green corn, broiled pig, fricasseed goose and stewed chicken, with apples, pears, plums, peaches and the finest melons I had ever seen for dessert. A more delightful country was never marched through. For the first time since we had reached the seat of war we found the inhab- itants at their homes and farms, and they watched us without alarm. Our third day's march was similar to the second, the only incident being the shooting of a soldier of the brigade by some incensed citizen while the soldier was getting fruit in an orchard. No effort was made to capture the citizen, it being generally under- stood that ' if you jayhawked you took the chances.' " Such stories might be related ad Jihitum; but let these suffice to show that the soldiers of the 4Sth were fully alive to the great advantages accruing from a maintenance of thorough equanimity, even when the clouds looked darkest over the camp, or when the sun shed his brilliant, burning rays upon the troops in their march. That the 48th indulged in innocent merriment under try- ing circumstances is a fact which should commend itself, since the gay volunteer is to be preferred to the sullen regular. Therefore these little nariatives of their pleasure hours may be not only acceptable, but also serviceable, because they lead to a knowledge which tells us how war may be lightened of half its cares. Edwin L. Billings held the Captaincy of Co. K, 57th Infantry, for a short ])eriod. From the military i-eports of the regiment it appears that he was the only representative of Goshen in its capital ranks, although muny drafted men from Elkhart county belonged 55i HISTOEY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. to it, and participated iu the regimental honors wiiich accrued during its term of creditable service. A glance at the military history of the State will show that this was the Ecclesiastico- war- rior regiment brought forth by the war. Captain Billings proved a nsefiil officer during the draft period. In the Qth Cavalry or 71s^ Regiment were Scott Brown, J. Q. A. Eason, J. Early, with a few recruits from this count}'. The 1\th. Infantry held a full military representation of Elkhart eounty in Companies E, G, I, and a partial representation in Co. D with which was John Christner, of Goshen. The regimental staff was composed with others, of Col. Myron Baker, Lieut. -Col. C. B. Mann, Major W. B. Jacobs, Adjutant J. H. Schutt, Q. M. John Stetler, Asst. Surgeon J. Q. A. Bassett and H. C. Dodge. Company E was mustered in July 25, 1862, under Captain M. Baker, whose promotion caused the Captaincy to devolve on W. B. Jacobs, who, on being promoted to the rank of Major, was succeeded by D. P. Deardoff, May 1, 1865. F. B. Eosselwyn, D. H. White and E. A. Platter reached the rank of Lieutenants, promoted from Sergeancy and Corporalcy respectively. G. "W. Albright, A. G. Pat- terson andH. W. Sarbaugh served as Sergeants; Jacob Hattel, J. L. Macomber, J. Horn, J. S. Hare, J. W. Lear, S. Truesdale and G. Barns, as Corporals; J. D. Pierson and A. F. Eaymer as Musicians, and J. Strayer as "Wagoner. The privates were:W. F. Albright, H. O. Alsbach, J. Aby, H. Brockerman, J. J. Burns, J. Y . Banta, J. H. Rinning, G. "W. Barnhart, S. Barnhart, F. M. Beckner, S. Botten- felt, J. S. Bertch, A. Bechtel, J. W. Beckner, E. Bozarth, W. P. Ghrisman, Eli Coy, J. Conklin, G. L. Coates, T. L.Cross, J. W. Crocker. Josiah Crocker, Patt Crownover, Xath. Deitz, S. Elser, J. G. Gillson, E. L. Hess, Isaiah Hess, Eli Holderman, J. E. Helt- zel, J. Horn, J. H. Hoff, Frank Johnson, Andrew Jones, Abram Jacobs, Daniel Jacobs, J. Kanga, Patrick King, J. S. Kryder, J. L. Laey, J. C. Lehman, D. Landan, H. Lortou, J. E. McDowell, H. Mikesell, Hiram Moorehouse, W. F. Metzgar, Jos. Miltenberger, Ed. Minnegar, L. Myers, H. Myers, J. M. Nash. G. F. Peoples, J J. Plough, G. W. Price, E. Potter, J. X. Eimer, G. W. Shne, S. B. Slender, Benjamin Yiolett, Geo. Willis, D. S. Witraer, J. J. Witmer, J. D. Wagner, J. Wittemyer, M. Wires, J. M. Wean, M. Wean, M. V. Yoder. The foregoing formed the original roster of the company; but in August, 1862, and Jannar}-, 1864, its binned ranks were strengthened by tlie addition of the following named recruits: U. Anderson, S. Bechtel. J. E. Brockman, J. HISTORY OF ELKUART COUNTY. 555 Back, J, Bottenfelt, Sauuel E. Cripe, N. Fox, D. Ganger, J. Gar- yarick, M. W. Miller, Geo. Rutt, W. Shiilemire, Joshua Shriver and William Wires. Company G was mustered in August, 1862, under Captain P. F. Davis, who died in February following. C. B. Mann succeeded to the Captaincy, and on his promotion, Capt. OrvilleT. Chamberlin received the appointment, and continued in the position till the regiment was mustered out. Jackson Wolverton, Bierce Moultoii and Jacob Eyer were Lieutenants in succession. J. II. Benner, W. H. Durham, II. H. Kenyen and D. P. Wyman, Sergeants. E. W. Broombaugh, F. M. Moebash, W. H. Galloway, G. R. Grove, J. II. Schutt, F. Shelden, Corporals; and W. A. Albright, C. Shaw and B. Hughes, Musicians and Wagoner, respectively. In the ranks were J. Alexander, H. Allen, A. Airsman, J. Augelsmyers, W. Butts, G. Brooks, J. W. Billows, H. H. Brown, H. M. Bedford, F. Carlton, E. Clay, S. B. Cullar, J. J. Chance, T. Chance, H. C. Dodge, J. F. Dygert, Jer. Eyer, J. Ehert, W. Fliger, C. M. Ilency, J. Hill, C. Haines, D. Havourel, S. W. Iloldernian, S. Haines, J. Hart, D. Huntsinger, L. Holderman (Jacob Holderman, Niles), D. Herrington, E. Hull, W. M. Jordan, F. Leader, ilichael Long, A. Lechletner, J. Layton, N. Landes, J. Luckey, R. Lutz, C. E. Lan- den, S. MuUspaugh, M. Mitchel, J. Markley, W. Meader, John Mitchell, J. P. Mitchell, J. Morris, M. Mellinger, C. M. Neesbaum, J. Palmer, J. Peasey, M. L. Parritt, L. Philson, J. Pontius, M. Parritt (Mich.j, AY." Pitts, W. J. Redding, C. A. Randall, Squire Robinson, J. W. Rich, L. Reynolds, T. F. Root, D. Ramer, W. F. Shaw, Charles Schraeder, John Schutt, A. L. Stocking, D. Swartz, H. Shntterly, F. Stiener, H. Twiford, A. Treys, D. Upling, B. W. Valentine, L. VanAltstine, J. C. Woolan, D. P. Zimmerman, John Zimmerman. Company I ma}' be said to be furnished by Goshen, and was organized in August, 1862, under Captain D. Howell, transferred to llr2d Regt. ; E. F. Abbott succeeded in the command, but being killed at Jonesboro, Ga., in 1864, the position was ofl'ered to and accepted by Chris. C. Beane, after its brief occupancy by C. E, Thompson. These gentlemen, with Edwin L. Barlow, were for- merly Lieutenants in the company, so that after their promotion the last named, with C. E. Thompson, held the 1st and 2d Lieutenancy. The Sergeants were J. H. Miller, A. Baer, LW. Stetler; Corporals, O. G. Hutchison, L. H. Randal, D. Kyler, I. L. Work, John Kib- linger, J. Clivington, M. B. Thompson, John Foster; Musicians 556 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. and Wagouer, D. C. Fisk, I. X. Gii teu and Hamilton Price; Pri- vates, D. H. Armsden, L. Butt, J. Bauman, A.Bloiigh, J. Boner, B. Blue, Isaac Callison (W. Callison, T. D. Callison, Warsaw), I. R. Davis, J. Davis (A. Davis, Ligonier), S. Delcom, J. "W. Dalrjm- ple, H. Dillingham, C. Evans, D. E^jart, R. H. Elsea, J. H. Free- land, Xelson Fiero, P. Fink, A. Fuller, D. Girten, J. Gonderman, S. Guisinger, S. F. Griner, C. S. Girten, J. C. Grimes, J. S. Griffith, D. Hire, P. S. Hare, C. M. flonsour, Peter Honsour, Thomas Imel, A- Kitson, J. Long, A. Lombard, J. Luckej, E. J. McBride, A. Miller, J. Minor, J. D. Myers, J. McCumsey, J. S. Mussleman, J. W. McCoy, W. Packer, J. Pritchard, A. Rink, J. Reynolds, H. H. Rodibaugh, J. A. Rippev ( John Rippey, Leesburg), S. H. Sny- der, J. S. Shank, W. Selburn, D. Snyder, G. Stall, J. Shelline, E. Starks, J. Sloan, G. Simpson, J. Trnex(R, H. Tremaine, Leesburg), J. Unrue, G. W. Unrue, G. F. Webrly, J. W. Wark, with the fol- lowing recruits of 1S64: D. J. Miller and F. L. Roach. Of the above named soldiers, all were from Goshen, with the exceptions noted, and seven others from Millersburg, Benton and Elkhart. A reference to the review of this regiment given in the State history may convey a fair idea of the gallant course pursued bj* the 74th from its first service with the army of the Ohio, through the At- lanta campaign, wherein Col. Baker was killed, to its last encounter with Wheeler's Cavalry at Rocky Creek church. The SSfh Regiment comprised Company I, furnished by the towns of Bristol and Middlebury in Elkhart county. It was mus- tered into service in August, 1862, under Captain Herman C. Fas- sett, who, on resigning in February, 1863, left the command to devolve upon William Powers, and he resigning in October ot that year, W. D. Wildman, of Lagrange, was appointed to the position. J. D. Kimbal, W. C. Hess, A. D. Gould, J. O. Banks and J. Wil- liamson occupied the Lieutenancy; Durris Woodworth, H. F. Fassett, C. C. Gilmore were Sergeants, while the position of Corporal fell to the lot of C. W. Wright, M. W. Criss, R. Powers, W. N. Hively, W. Hutchinson, A. D. Congdon, C. W.Evans and C. W. Walker. Musician and Wagoner were respectively repre- sented by O. B. Foster and Sylvester Mott. The privates, whose names ap})eared on the roster, were: T. Adams, C. N. Allen, W- S. Baker, S. Barclay, S. R. Birch, W. Brown, C. M- Camp. J. L. Cathcart. M. Cathcart, G. S. Clark, J. B. Clifford, C. E. Cummins, M. A. Cordrey, T. F. Corp. A. S. Corp. Thomas Darragh, J. F. Depew, R. E. Eastland, D. Evans, George Fowler, W. J. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 557 Franklin, N. Frakes, M. Frakes, J. B. Habey, J. W. Handson, W. C. Hess, L. E. Ilamsher, J. W, Hazell, G. W. Harris, John Hughes, G. Hughes, J. Hughes, A. Ivius, G. Inman, D. H. Johnson, H. C. Johnson, J. Keliett, J. M. Kidder, M. Kubit- check, J. Klingaman, J. B. Krug, D. E. Long, D. E. Martin, J, Middleton, A. S. Prescott, H. Piirfer, L. B. Eeed, J. Eeed, J. B. Eeed, H. Rhoads, A. Ehoads, J. Eaifsnyder (H. L. Schraeder, L. S. Staunton, Ligonier) IST. Selder, J. B. Selder, S. Sanders, A. Sanders, W. Swab. W. H. Thorn, G. M. Trusdall, D. Van Frank, Oscar Warren, H. C. Walker, L. Walker, F. S. Wilson, A. F. Wheeler, H. H. Watson, J. Williamson, F. G. Walker. In 1S64 this compan}' received an addition of 20 recruits to fill up the vacancies in its ranks. From the desperate struggles round Perryville in October, 1862, to the sanguinary engagement at Bentonville in March, 1S65, these companies added much in winning for the SSth Infantry its distinguished history. One of the soldiers of tlie brigade, in relating some of his war stories, re- ferred in the following terms to some of his experiences: " We were sick of the town and longed for new excitements. By 3 o'clock we moved off, the bands of the various regiments filling the woods with music. Our course was toward the railroad station, but before we reached it, the rising sun poured a flood of radiance over our 5,000 baj'onets, forming a more dazzling spectacle than was ever presented on the dramatic stage. A gen- eral impression prevailed that we were to take the' cars, and thus enjoy an easy though perilous journey, to our unknown destination A short halt at the town gave color to this pleasing supposition, but the roll of the drums dissipated it, and we pushed on in the direction of the Tennessee river, passing through Beauregard's intrenchments, and then through our own. While marching over that once keenly contested ground we noticed with interest the queer work the missiles of the two armies had made with th vigorous forest flourishing there. Almost every tree bore marks of bullet or cannon shot. Taking a northwest course, we made the distance of five miles and halted for a brief rest. Bj this time the heat had become oppressive, and men fell out of ranks by scores. I tlirew my blanket in an ambulance, and was much tempted to throw my knapsack away. By noon we had marched ten miles, and a halt of two hours was made. A fine cornfield chanced to be precisely where the regiment halted, and although General Grant had just hurled a proclamation at us, prohibiting 558 HISTOET OF ELKHART COrXTT. ' jajhawkiug ' in any form, under penalty of death, vre jumped over the fence and loaded np with roasting ears. •' ' He won't shoot the whole army.' was our logic. We bnilt fires ai>d had hot corn for dinner. Onr style of cooking it was peculiar. By not removing the green husk, bnt by laying husk and all in the fire, jnst as we plucked the ear from the stalk, we steamed the corn in a beautiful manner, cooking it as thoroughly as tliongh it were boiled in a kettle of hot water. An indescriba- ble flavor was also thus retained."' Company D of the 100th Kegiment was recruited iu Elkhart connty, organized in August, 1862, and mustered in September following. The superior officers of this regiment belonging to Elkhart were: Colonels, A. Heath, Kuel M. Johnson; Major W. H. Venamon: Q. C, A. M. Tuckner; Surgeon, W. C. Matchett; Captain, J. W. Greisinger; Lieutenants, Asa A. Norton, W. J. Myers and J. L. Winans. L. L. Sawyer. Eml. Firestine were Ser- geants; W. C. Eeed. C. S. Terwilliger, W. B. Jones, H. C. Blaine, J. F. Grubb, S. R. Compton, J. Spiker and H. Mishler were Corporals; and G. Arney, Xingu Parks and J. Swartz, Musicians and Wagoner respectively. The names of the soldiers who mustered into the service are as follows: J. Alvine, J. Bowers, J. H. Brode- rick, A. Brubaker. F. J. Blaine, T. Bickle, U. Bender, J. Bron- dage, J. Black, C. Coleman. J. Crull, L. Carr, W. A. Compton, L. J. Carr, T. Clay, P. Chivington, W. Every, J. Eyer. S. P. Eversole, E. S. Finch. J." Firestine, C^ H. Gore, W." Gift, L. Hall, J. Harring, S. Johnson, F. W. Johnson, J. L. Keyport, C. E. Kingsley, J. C. Kine, R. Keller, E. Lusher. H. Longsdorff, J. Leedy, A. Myers, J. Mishler. J. Mills, G. W. Mott. S. Mott, Alonzo Miller, Isaac Myers, W. McDowell, J. Morningstar, C. Mann, J. Xeigle, D. E. Xewman, J. W. Xeikart, J. Overhaft. J. W. Oaks. A. Ott,^L. Ott, J. Fletcher, X. E. Palmer, T. Price, D. Pippenger, G. W. Peoples, X. Prickett, W. G. Rapp, S. Rodspaugh, W. W. Rowell, S. X. Russel, A. Rook- stool, Joseph Rookstool. John Rookstool, S. Reinbold. J. Ruple, Isaiah Shultz, F. Streeley. H. E. Stebbens. H. H. Sheldon, Wm. Stadler. A. Skinner, Henry Swartz, A. J. Tallerday, Wm. Twiford, W. H. Trump, J. P. True. Isaac Voorhees, Wm." Yallance, G. W. Vannotte, M. Wilson, E. S. Williams, H. W. Watters. with the recruits of lS63-"4r. D. Andrews, S. Geisinger, J. Gephart and J. Spade. Wakarusa, Osceola, Middlebury. Elkhart, Bristol, Benton and Goshen have had the honor of furnishing this company to tlie ranks iU^^^^jMrth^-^^ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 561 of the Union's defenders. From the siege of Vicksburg in J une, 1863, under Gen. Grant, to Bentonville in 1865, this company shared in the honors of victory won by the regiment; and in the roll of Honor, containing tlie names of 4:Gi fallen soldiers, Company D holds a first place. In Company K, of the 100th, were J. Q. A. Sherman and Frank Tupper, of Goshen. The Twelfth Cavalry, or 1.27th Regiment, comprised among its officers Major, J. B. Cobb; Captains, J. H. Finney and B. F. Curtis; Lieutenants, C. Fish, A. C. jSTye, E. Ilubbell and J. C. Hoops. With a few exceptions the entire Company D was recruited within Elkhart county. The names of the troopers, as given in the general roster, are: A. Buckers, H. Bennett, Garrett Bloomingdale, S. Beard, P. Broders, J. M. Carpenter, E. G. Carpenter, D. E. Carpenter, W. Crawford, H. Clayton, F. Cherry. A. Coyle, W. Decker, Eugene De- vine, G. W. Dumond, J. Dallas, L. England, J. M. Elder, J. G. Fideka, M. Frank, J. Fry, J. Graham, W. H. Getting, M. Grimes, J. Garraghty, W. Huff, C. A. Harper, G. P. Huckett, P. Hurt, E. Hub- bell, J. C. Hoops, H. Hovey, D. Higby, J. Huffman, H. Haskins, F. M. Johns, W. Kelly. A. J. Kitson, C. P. Kidder, C. E. Livingood, H. C. Leedy, X. Lavar, B. Lockard, W". N. Lamb, A. Misner, L. Medlam, J. Maguire, M. McKurnsky, J. Maxwell, D. Markell, H. D. Markell, J. Myers, J. L. Martin, J. Misner, J. E. Merritt, W. Nailor, A. J^reiswander, A. C. 'Nje, A. Peffly, C. Parker, N. E. Palmer, Elisha Pegg, A. Pennypacker, J. L. D. Pearson, G. Rodes, B. F. Radabaugb, H. Robinson, P. Robinson, J. W. Riffle, S. Reprogle, J. D. Settle, A. Stewart, H. Shinebarger, J. Searfoss, J. A. Salisbury. H. C. Stephenson, J. Sparks, E. D. Salisbury, F. M. Stewart, C. Schaffer, N. Smalley, N. Trusdall, J. Trainer, C. TollertoD, Geo. Temple, M. Ulrich, C. Wertsbaugh, W. O. White, M. O. Waste, J. Wisong, P. Walsh, D. E. Warren, P. T. Wines. J. Wisong, F. Willabarger, P. Yoder, David Yoder. L. James, A. J. Lonycor, H. S. Larkin, E. Larkin, J. M. Miller, J. Nelson, P. Nel- son, Val. Nie, L. M. Shaw and T. Twiford belonged to Company I. The vicissitudes through which this company passed were as varied as thej- were severe. In every duty assigned it the work was well performed, and always merited the high encomiums passed upon it by the general commanders. Company E of the 129^A Regiment was recruited within Elk- hart county in 1863-'61, and was mustered into service with the regiment March, 1861. The officers belonging to this company were Captain S. McGuire, promoted Major and subsequently 5G"2 HISTORY OF elkiiakt county. Lieiiteuaut-Coloiiel. He was succeeded in the Captaincy by E. W. Metcalf. The Lieutenancy was successively tilled by Henry Clay, N. W. Sherwin, Martin L. Duck and \V. Kelly. The non-commissioned officers and men comprised: Josiah Kronk, L. B. Grove, J. Clay, F. Molebush, R. W. Thomas, S. Tripp, J. Smith, H. B. Scolf. E. Leutz, J. W. Jamison, O. H. Probst, J. H. Miller, J. Janes, D. K. Apple,W. Boyd, J. Burrows, A. Clay, F. Comes, J. S. Eyer, J. M. Eld ridge, J. Freed, A. Frame. P. Fox, D. Gloose, A. J. Garver, B. Ginter, W. Guuton, B. Hall, W. Heaton, H. Hinebaugh, H. Haines, D. Hodge, S. Hartzog, J. Hiue, E. Jukes. F. Johnson, M. B. Kulp, Isaac Kelmer, W. Kelly, J. Kelly, M. Krise, B. Lntz. S. Lonx. T. Leipler, C. Morris, Cornelius Morris, C. Myers. J. Misner, W. Molebush, Geo. Miller, M. D. McMaster, P. Market, L. McCumsey, G. Mock, C. Martin, J. Mobley, D. Ort, W. Overly, W. Potts, A. Parks, J. Richison, jS'. Ramer, S. W. Reist, D. Rosenberger, J. B. Rowley, W. F. Rowley, G. Robinson, A. J. Raught, Ross Reed, W. H. Reynolds, J. Stewart, Jacob Swartz, Amos Swartz, W. Smith, D. Shirk, D. Smeltzer, P. Seltzer, jST. W. Sherwin, Michael Touhey, C. Teet, D. Trussle, W. Thuxton, W. TuUy, W. Weed, C. "Woodworth, H. Watson, with Jacob McMulleu as the only recruit. From all that has been written on the glorious deeds performed by the 1:29th it is unnecessar}' to make another lengthy reference to it here. Enough to say that, from the battle of Resaca in May, lS64r, to that of Franklin in October, and from the successful attack on Gen. Hood's position in December, to Wise Forks in March, 1865, the men of Company E performed acts of heroism never excelled, and their true bravery was rewarded by a total preservation, since not one of the men fell in battle, although, as was the case at Franklin, it held many objective points. The regiment suffered severe loss at Franklin; but Company E had only to record a playful wound in- flicted on Eli Lutz's linger as he held it above the bastion, and the fatal wounding of R. W. Thomas at Kiustown. This regiment, like many others, enjoyed some of the few hours which war gives to pleasure. It had its corps of ■' jackhawkers,'' its minstrels, orators and writers. A soldier of the conipanj-, under notice, drew a vivid picture of a day in his military life, which contains just enough to convince him who has never been a soldier that even in war may be found many things to delight the eye and relieve the soldier's care. He says, speaking of the advance of his regiment on a Southern town: HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTT. 563 At noon, on the fmirtli day, we reached the beautiful little city, situated on a high ridge, containing many fine residences, and with well-graded streets shaded by stately trees. By this time we had ascertained that a small body of Union troops were on the other side of the tow)i, in a rude fortification hurriedly constructed of cotton bales, and that only our timely arrival had prevented them being captured. With flying colors and our bands playing, we marched through the city. The windows and doors of the liouses were filled with the faces of pretty maidens and ladies, who regarded us with much ap]iarent interest, but it was to be regretted that the masculine portion of the community viewed us with undoubted aversion. After moving through tiie town and making our appear- ance on the other side, we were saluted with cheers by our lately beleaguered comrades, to which we ardently replied. Tlie enemy had learned of our approach and liad quietly withdrawn. Never- theless, several hundred •' contrabands " (the colored race being still in bondage) were busily engaged in felling trees t;o afford the artil- lery the desired range. Evidences of a lively skirmish that had recently taken place were abundant. After a lengthy delay our brigade marched down to the green banks of the river, and in a magnificent oak forest we pitched our tents. It was a region more suited for the haunts of lovers and poets than for the temporary home of turbulent soldiers. Dense leafy canopies shielded from the hot rays of the youthern sun ; the air was languid and prompted to repose; willows hung in thick masses to kiss tlie shining tide of that sylvan river; fruits and flowers burdened the air with per- fume; at night the stars seemed softer and brighter than elsewhere; breezes came from over a land balmy and beautiful, and only our white tents were remindful of gloomy and sanguinary war. Such unanticipated joys are often experienced throughout a campaign, and they almost atone for half the miseries it entails. The IZGfh liegiment comprised Company K, furnished by Elk- hart county. This company was organized May 21, 1864, for 100 days' service, under Captain Myron A. Ilawks, Lieutenants Geo. W. Best and Albert Yates. In the ranks were: J. E. Andrews, R. Alford, C. A. Allen, V. B. Broderick, II. Bechtel, U. A. Beardsley, H. Barber, J. F. Bemberger, D. W. Bonnell, S. Banninger, F. Burns, Tully Cliamberlain, C. A. Crocker, B. F. Clay, J. A. Car- mien, P. Culp, E. L. Cross, W. Carter, II. Druckamiller, E. J. Davis, Frank B. Defrees, M. L. Forbes, II. W. Farver, W. J. Fowler, B. S. Frazier, S. 11. Grimes, C. E. Gardner, A. V. Good- speed, E. H. Iluggins, M. Hueston, M. C. Ilaney, G. Hapner, E. nildebiddle, J. H. Ilufi', W. M. Hovey, J. Honk, T. S. Johnson, G. W. Kennison, G. Knox, J. C. Kittle, J. A. Lambs, W. II. Liver- ing, W. 11. Miller, A. J. Miller, D. V. Miller, W. Meader, T. D. Morse, E. "W. McAllister, Z. A. Macomber, G. E. McDaniels, G. 564 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. "W. Mount, J. McKinley, A. Nee, W. M. Olivine, H. G. P. Ob- linger, D. Ott, J. W. Ott, L. A. Powers, L. H. Phelps, J. O. Pond, J. H. Rosswell, J. A. Roach, Geo. Reynolds, L. S. Richardson, F Rudy, J. K. Smock, E. O. Shaw, C. Shaw, F. E. Shaw, L. A. Scho- field, A. J. Sherlock, J. F. Simpson. C. D. Sherwin, E. P. Slielt, J. B. Syphart, G. L. Thorpe, C. J. Thompson, Mahlon Thompson, G. W. Fiedeniann. Ral. Tripp, H. Versalus, S. Van Tassel, E. Wal- burn, J. J. White, J. M. AVooraer, F. F. Yeoman and G. Zimmer. The idea of one hundred days* volunteers originated with Gov. Morton; and his ardent desire to bring hostilities to a close was so participated in by the people of this county, even as of the State in general, that no difficulty was experienced in the formation of the eight regiments furnished by Indiana. Company D, of the l-i2d Regiment, was organized in Elkhart county in September and October, 1864, for one year's service, and Thomas H. Chance commissioned Captain. The other officers from the county were: Lieutenants, David Frankfoder and William Holland, promoted from 2d Lieutenant and 1st Sergeant respect- ively. The roster of enlisted men contained the following names: B. H. Curtis, D. R. Longnecker, C. R. Frisby, J. Holland. Ser, geants; W. J- Wolf, R. G. Bailey, J. Lechlitner, P. Weekes, D. H. Winbrener, J. Scott, L Willis, H. W. Gore, Corporals; A. B. Wal- verton and James Shewy, Musicians; with Privates E. V. Ad- kins, S. Allen, A. Arnspacker, J. Bailey, A. Bell, J. W. Bowman, F. Blyly, J. Brambaugh, J. Balenline, J. H. Bryan, W. J. Blair, H. Bebe, J. Clark, D. Gulp, A. D. Carry, F. 0. Carry, J. C. Cun- ningham, J. Debelbus, J. W. Deming, J. Dunnivan, F. Dushect, S. Eyer, W. Fletters, A. L. Frakes, D. Fuse, B. J. Funk, J. Grove, Sol. Gruber, H. Guipe, Jos. Hughes, M. W. Henry, W. R. Linds- ley, P. B. Lowcks, Wm. Matthews, E. Morris, J. B. Nolan, M. Rone, W. Shewy, Irvin St. John, J. Wittmyer, C. H. Whyte, C. F. Whitson and Wm. Wittmyer. Among the great majority of Elkhart men in this company were a few from the surrounding counties, and nine from neighboring States. Its principal duty was performed before ISashville. The 152^ Regiment held a fair representation of the military element of Elkhart in many of its companies. In the roll of offi- cers the following names appear: Major Waldschmidt, Capts. H. W. Smith, J. W. Liveringhouse, Lieutenants E. Liebole, J. Scheckles, J. F. Carmien and C. M. Boyd. The roster of enlisted men contained the following names: 1st Sergeant, J. S. Chase; Ser- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTr. 565 geaiits, E. F. Manning, H. J. Corns, M. Hurd, C. Onderkirk; Cor- porals, J. Zoover, A. Klinefelter, W. Bowld, S. Davis, M. Hartzog, W. Dagget, W. J. Smith, C. Barnliart; Musicians, Gr. W. Keller and II. A. Eudy; Privates, J. C. Allen, W. Blake, P. Gulp, J. Con- fer, G. Coinpton, T. W. Corns, A. M. Cassida, J. Campbell, C. Confer, O. R. Everett, J. B. Eckhart, S. Ei nsperger, II. Farver, W. H. Foster, H. Guy, H. Grissom, J. Garl, Wm. Plovey, J. R. Haw- kins, R. Hilton, P. Heller, E. Hildebiddle, C. Hope, Eli Jenkins, A. Knee, D. L. Keggeriss, Wm. Kissinger, T. Longaker, G. P. Morse, J. Miller, C. Miller, Stephen Monries, J. P. Prickett, T. Pendlaud, B. Probst, S. D. Plumbley, C. Ramer, C. Renninger, C. C. Rabins, W. Rosbrugli, I. F. Simpson, F. Strayer, I. Sheline, B. Stone, G. Stanger, S. Shively, D. Stewart, i). A. Shiner, A. Scott, W. B. Taylor, J. R. Thomas, E. Vesselius, C. T. Williams, and recruit Henry Vesseiius. In Company B were: J. H. Baker, J. Jarrett, N. O. Kersey, J. B. Mock, A. Rliinehart, P. Slater and M. Thompson. Company E was mainly composed of Elkhart men, viz.: D. M. Fravel, C. Klein, I. C. Fox, W. S. Pearman, J. Allison, J. Baum- back, C. Wentworth, L. Beckner, S. Tefft, L. Zumbrun, J. E. Huff, J. M. Selders, M. H. Phelps, F. Abrecht, R. Alford, C. E. Brown, Felix Burns, G. A. Blood, N. Berkey, E. Berkey, W. L. Burroughs, J. Berger, J. D. Boyd, R. Brown, J. A. Carmien, C. Chivington, L. Croop, J. J. Cripe, E. D. Case, A. E. Doty, E. Davis, Sam Erb, J. Favinger, J. C. Grimes, B. Grant, J. Griswold, E. Hildreth, H. Helwes, J. W. Handson, C. F.Haskins, A. C. Jennings, T. Knight, G. Kreuger, D. Landaw, Lewis Liveringhouse, G. A. Losee, F. Lanther, A. Mayfield, H. Medland, II. Miller, A. J. Miller, L. W. Neusbaum, J. Nimrick, D. C. Newell. J. H. Newell,W. Overshott, F. Nay, J. Obrecht, L. H. Phelps, D. Poorbaugh, L. W. Peppley, S. Prough, A. Prough, G. M. Reger, E. Rehr, U. Snowberger, J. Spahr, W. Smith, W. Sparks, P. A. Slote, F. A. Stroup, S. A. Scalf, T. D. Thomas, L. Walter, F. Walter and W. F. Walker. In addition to the above named soldiers there were 11 men in the company from other counties. The duty of this company was principally performed in conjunction with one of the j)rovisional divisions of the Army of the Shenandoah. The ^Ist Battery, Light Artillery, comprised W. Harper, W. A. Miller, E. W. Cooper, J. W. Cornell, W. L. Cornell, E. Cole, J. Copeland, S. 11. Eldridge, H. W. Hickson, W. J. Smith, B. L. Slight, G. A. White, d'. Ilouser, W. Haggerty, H. II. Loomis, of 5G6 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. Middleburv, C. L. Brant, J. A. Aslibaugb, G. Barnhouse, L. Coiiin and W. Cornell. Elkhart. W. Marker, E. L. Montgomery and G. H. Miller, Bristol; C. J. Weriitz and E. M. Hubbell, Goshen. No less than 27 members of this battery were consigned to their graves previous to September, lS6i. Of the entire number of men comprised in these regiments, over 3,000 volunteers, volunteer recruits and drafted men were from Elkhart county who, when entitled, received a bountj- of $192,- 611.97; while their families received from the county treasurer the sum of $60,42O.-tS. ■ DEATH OK DISEASE. The losses by death or disease suffered by the respective regi- ments during their service were as follows: 9th, 3iS; 17th, 234; 19th, 280; 28th, 157; 29th, 296; 30th, 310; 41st, 230; 44th, 250; 48th, 213; 57th, 266; 71st, 263; 74th, 280; 8Sth. 212; 100th, 235; 127th, 174; 129th, 175; 136th, 5; 142d, 65; 152d, 49; 21st, Bat. L. A., 27. Total, 4,069. The above statement is surely a record of duty done, and if the large proportion of Elkhart troops attached to these twenty regi- ments be considered, with what pride may their relatives and coun- trymen look back to the past when they offered up such a number of gallant hearts on the altars of patriotism, and thus preserved the Republic from a terrible fate — the destruction of a true federaliza- tion, by one apparent enemy from within, assisted by unnumbered enemies of liberty from without. Yes, let the people of the pres- ent and future follow in the tracks of the illustrious dead, whenever this great country is threatened; and transmit from generation to generation a land of illimitable possibilities, a patriotism incorrupt- ible, a Government at once strong and just, and a set of principles so perfect that they will not only give happiness to the citizens of this country, but will also lead the jjeople of other trampled lands to carve out for themselves a high road to that freedom which a God intended they should enjoy. OAK RIDGE CEMETERY is honored in being the temporary resting place of many of the heroic dead. HISTORY OF ELKHART COrXTY. 567 The following list of soldiers buried in Oak Ridge was read dur- ing the celebration of Decoration Day, May 30, 1879, by J. W. Ir-.vin. who presided over the ceremonies. John Back, Peter Dermoty, Frank Buckers, Lewis Raymer, Andrew Scott, Henry Hemrick, Henry Boreman, Wm. Bresline, David Stndebaker, John Q. Sherman, Asa Norton, Capt. Jackson Woolverton, Capt. E. F. Abbott (killed in battle), Wm. Weed, Henry Sarbangh, Jerry Wysong, Frederick Walters, Capt. H. F. Mann, Gideon Albright, J. R. Albright, I. B. Smith, Frederick Harter, Col. E. J. Wood, Levi Ganser, Abraham Jacobs, Peter Behler, P. A. Tiedman, Aaron Howard, E. Potts, William Vesey, Eugene Devine, Lieut. W. Crawford Blaine (fell in battle;, James Harris, John Graham (died in home camp), E. W. H. Ellis (com- mander of eamp\ Capt. L. J.Croxton, Q. M.,Geo. Self, J. W. Butts, John Martin, Perry J. Maine, Miss Hannah Powell (volunteer hos- pital nurse), William Stevens, veteran of 1S12. died at the age of 90 years. He took part in the action of Sackett's Harbor. The Hon. J. D. Osborn delivered the oration appropriate to the day, and in reviewing the heroic deeds of the American soldiery, made it the occasion of defining the oft repeated phrase, " Love of Country," which, as he said, is not merelj' a desire to retain it as an abiding place in which to live and rear our families, but it is a loveof our institutions, its laws and its traditions, its honor and glory. lACKSON CEMETERY. The Rev. J. B. Work paid a brilliant tribute to the memory of the dead interred in Jackson Cemetery, on the same day. In giving the names of those fallen soldiers of the Union, it will merely be necessary to quote from the discourse of the orator. "History records that in a battle fought at the foot of Mount Vesuvius between the Romans and Campagnans," the Roman Counsellor, Decius, to inspire his troops, caused himself to be set apart as a sacrifice to the god of war, and thus arrayed rushed on the enemy, sword in hand, bravely fighting till he fell all covered with wounds. But we boast not of the one, but of the thousands, of the sons of Columbia who led the forlorn hope, — Donelson and Corinth, Ma- 568 HISTORY OF ELKHART COCXTT. and Chickamauga, Xashville aud Petersburg, — whose ashes to-day sleep peacefully in the national cemeteries. From among 3'ou went forth fathers, and husbands, and sons. Some returned maimed and disfigured for life; some came home to die. and some came cold in death, and to-day sleep in your beautiful city of the dead." Mr. Work then named the gallant men who now occupy a small space in the cemetery : E. M. Hubble, Jas. Corns, Lewis Corns, J. H. Corns, Darwin Kiler, Mark Thompson, R. H. Elzed, Price, John Lupes, Bushong, Gross. "Peace be to their ashes;. they sleep in quietude among their kindred, awaiting the coming morning of immortality." His wish found an echo in the hearts of his hearers, and thus the memories of the dead wei-e honored in the cemetery of Jackson. The idea of this annual celebration is fully shown forth in a recent address of the " Grand Army of the Republic" to the soldiers and sailors of the State of Indiana. It states: "It is fit- ting, therefore, that we, from time to time, gather in pleasant reunion to commemorate those days of common danger, common suffering, and yet withal of warmest fellowship and kindliest sym- pathy. Let companions in arms, long separated, take this oppor- tunity once again to meet around the peaceful camp-fire to renew the friendships of the living, and to keep fresh the memories of those who died that the nation might live." This is the language of the noblest part of humanity; for, since every great cause, every civilizing reform, and every attempt of chained tyranny to ride rough-shod over liberty, requires the sacrifice of much human blood, it is but just that the comrades and countrymen of the soldiers so sacrificed in battle should assemble at stated times to do honor to the dead, and pledge themselves by all the memories which such a meeting awakens, to fight, and die if necessary, in defense of all these holy privileges and great principles that pertain to the Republic. THE FAMILIKS OF THE SOLDIERS. A meeting of citizens was convened at Goshen April 20, 1861, for the purpose of adopting measures for the relief of the families of volunteers, when the following names of subscribers to a relief fund and the amounts contributed were submitted: Jo^^J A, ^.J^^V' HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 571 J. W. Irwin ilOO 00 E. W. H. ElUs. ... 100 Geo. Howell 100 00 J. W. Violett 100 DO B. G. Crary 100 00 J. L. Crary 100 00 John Cook 100 W.A.Thomas.... 100 00 H. W. Bissell 100 00 W. W. Wickam... 100 00 C. G. ISIarch & ( 100 00 J. S. Black ■5 00 Geo. H. Hazen.... 5 OC A. Yeakel 10 OC Wm. Shilling .5 00 W. A. Beane 5 00 I. Heddon 5 00 W. B. Martin 10 00 D. C. Bishop 2 00 0. B. Munson 2 00 Jacob & Bros 2.i 00 C. F. Butterfield.. 10 00 Israel Wyland. . . . 3 00 I. W. Drake 3 00 H. Eggleston P. C. Messick 3 00 n 00 W. F. McCoy. . . . 25 00 M. M. Latta 2.5 00 Jesse Fuson 5 00 Wm. H. Lash.... 10 00 C. E. Lawrence. . . 10 00 A. L. HubbeU 25 00 D. M. Fravel 5 00 D. B. Studebaker.. 5 00 T. S. Yates 5 00 Geo. Purl 2 50 W. Earle 15 00 J.Shelt 15 00 L. H.Noble 25 00 A. J. Matteson... 5 00 A. C. & W. Jackson 25 00 E. & J. Gortner... SO 00 E. F. Abbott 5 00 A. C. Manning. . . . 100 00 A. McKenney 5 00 J. H. Schell 10 00 J. A. S. Mitchell. . 5 00 A. &B. Hascall... 50 CO A. Lochiem 10 00 C. Hawks 25 00 M. E. Cole 50 00 W. H. Pease 25 00 S. C. Brainard. . . . 10 00 Isaac Pierce 10 00 1. S. Freeman 50 00 R. Morton 5 00 John Tiidemarm ) J. H. Bams 100 00 P.M. Henkel 25 00 Jos. Lauferty 40 00 C.B. Taylor & Son 100 00 M. IMercer 100 00 PooleyA Co 25 00 BenHartzog 15 00 A. W. Walters.... 20 00 J. H. Defrees 100 00 C.B.Kline 5 00 J.B.Drake 20 00 J.Hays 10 00 P. E. Studebaker.. 5 00 S.H. Weyburn.... 50 00 C. Grosspitch 5 00 Allen Smith 25 00 M. Bashon 25 00 B. Hess 5 00 J. H. Dille 10 00 N. H. Brown 5 00 C.W.Stevens 25 00 Peter Behler 5 00 E.J. Wood 10 00 G.K. Winters 5 00 A. A. Tudeman.. 5 00 Wm. EUison 10 00 J. E. Lindsley.... 00 J.L. Kendig 5 00 A. E. Crane 5 00 J . D. Knox 5 00 J. M. Peters 5 00 Wm. Bachelor. ... 3 00 E.Martin 5 00 This was only the work of an hour, and shows, with the thousands of other evidences, the patriotic spirit which animated the people of Elkhart county. They waited not for the county authorities to initiate the fund; but with their proverbial promptitude came for- ward in support of a cause which was only second to the defense of the Eepublic. There were many donations subsequently made by cit.'zens of the county, but this list is confined to the initiators of the good work, in token of the honor wiiich ever awaits the originators of philanthropic and patriotic movements. Private benevolence held tlie place of public duty until the September ses- sion of 1861. The Board of Commissioners, aware of the pressing necessity for volunteers to serve in the armies of the Republic, and G. D. Evans 5 00 M. BiUings 10 00 F. Jackson 25 00 S. P. Yeoman 10 00 Henry Yonts W. B. Macumber. 5 00 5 00 JohnStauflfer 10 00 D. Bowser 5 00 AbnerBlue 10 00 O. D. Miner...... 5 00 W. A. McAlUster. . 25 00 Geo. Rowell 25 00 Geo. Temple 5 00 M. W. Pearson. . . . 5 00 H. Morgan 5 00 I. Weyburn 10 00 R. McCleary 4 00 J. B. Butter 10 00 Allen Douglas 10 00 B. Krider 5 00 C. Arnold 5 00 M. Weybright 5 00 .L Albright 5 00 W.L. Cady 20 00 John Hunt 5 00 Thomas Miller. . . . 5 00 W. B. Palmer 5 00 J. A. Venen 10 00 L.Phelps 10 00 P. Drake 5 00 W. W. McVilty... 25 00 D. D. Coppes 5 00 Noah Anderson... 10 00 E. G. Chamberlain. 15 00 I. B. Slaughter. . . . Beers & Cunning- 5 00 15 00 C. S. Hascall 10 00 J. K. Mulholland. 5 00 Gideon Albright... 15 00 E. Hawks 25 00 Jacob Hahn 5 00 A. J. Broombaugh. 1 00 Total $3,038 50 572 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. knowing also that luanj men within the county were desirous of entering into the campaign, if only an offer were made by the county to provide for their families during their absence, an ordi- nance was issued, appointing agents to supervise the wants of the families of absent volunteers, and empowering them to provide supplies for each family, such supplies not to exceed the value of $10 per month in each case. The agents thus appointed served without pay, and the list comprised the following names: Charles B. Deavy, Clinton; James Banta, Benton; Lewis Hoops, Jackson; C. S. Farber, Harrison; Dean Swift, Concord; G. K. Hoke, Baugo; J. C. Bennett, Olive; Abner Blue, Jefferson; D. B. Mather, Mid- dlebury; A. B. Arnold, York; L. H. Sovereign, Washington; J. Shaver, Osolo; E. C. Abbott, Cleveland; T. Yoder, Unioii"^ G. W. Ebby, Locke. A report was tendered by these men to E. W. H. Ellis, County Auditor, on Dec. 3, 1S61, showing the number of families supplied in each township and the amount of money expended in the carry- ing out of the ordinance to that date. This report may thus be sum- marized : No. Township, Supplied, Amount. Elkhart 43 f 333 50 Middlebury 13 105 83 Olive 14 209 72 Jefferson 5 70 08 Clinton 3 48 45 Benton 2 28 49 Washington 4 53 00 Union a 12 00 Concord 15 224 05 Total 101 |il,083 12 This would show an outlay, in the case of each of the 101 families, of $10.72 for the three months ending Dec. 3, or $3.57 2-5 each per month, being $6.42 3-5 less than the sum actually permitted to be devoted in each instance. The commissioners, in session, February, 1862, amended the original ordinance in some particulars, and suggested that the volunteers engaged in the field, however patriotic their duty may be, are not relieved from the responsibilities which paternity imposes on them, and therefore siiould coutribute, so far as in their power, to the sustenance of their families. This order was doubt- less suggested by the great increase in the demand for supplies, for Auditor Ellis' report, presented in March, 1862, shows the expend- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 573 itnres in this connection to exceed by over 300 per cent, the out- lay of the first three months. Townships. Amount. Elkhart #1,360 58 Clinton 122 00 Benton 100 00 .Jackson 34 00 Harrison .'iO 00 Concord 703 00 Baugo 26 00 Olive 387 00 Jefferson 119 00 Middlebury 369 00 York 9 !)0 Washington 80 00 Osolo 38 7.5 Cleveland 61 28 Union 21 00 Locke G 05 Total *:i,491 73 Tiie following expenditures, for the first six months, will convey a knowledge of the spirited manner in which the county came for- ward to supply the families of the soldiers: 3 mouths ?, month.? Toimshlp. ending ending Xlay, 1862. Sept. l, 1862. Ellkhart $1,018 21 *317 46 Cinton 138 00 47 00 Benton 4o 00 .Jackson 121 2.5 Harrison 48 00 Concord 6-^8 75 (Jlive 106 33 .Jefferson 68 25 Middlebury 317 84 York 40 75 Washington 09 00 f )solo 90 44 Cleveland 21 00 Baugo Jjocke L'nion , Total *2,827 21 $1,184 88 During the September session of the Board, the township trus- tees, in charge of the families of absent soldiers, were instructed to report to the county auditor the names of families entitled to support, who would then issue county orders to the trustees for the use of such families. With this change in the form of proceed- ing the reporting by townships ceased, and a very complicated form was adopted. For this reason, the expenditures, under the head of " supplies to the families of volunteers," for the remaining term will be only briefly noticed, since a recapitulation of the monthly expenditures would prove as unnecessary as it would extensive. From an examination of the figures on record it will 80 00 28 00 300 60 135 13 103 03 62 00 60 02 35 04 10 00 574 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. be evident, that np to and including May 31, 1863, the sum devoted to the support of volunteers' families was $15,141.42, and from calculation of the number of Elkiiart men in the armies entitled to bounty, and who received such bounty, it appears that no less a sum than $5,126 was paid out of the county treasury to that date. A statement of supplies for families durins; the five succeeding months in tliis cause, is as follows: June, $1,008.93; July, $540.50; August, $782; September, $757.99; October, $996.83.— Total, $4,085.75. This sum, with the total expenditure for the year ending May, 1863, gives a grand total of $24,354 disbursed within a period of seventeen months as bounty to volunteers, and for the support of their wives and chil- dren. From October, 1863, to May, 1864, a further sum of $7,818.88 was similarly expended, showing an outlay of $32,172.92 for the two years ending May 31, 1864. The report furnished in June, 1865, for the year ending May 31, 1865, gives the amount expended on volunteers as $18,019.10, and the bounty as $22,329.90, which, added to $32,172.92, brings the expenditure entailed on the county by the civil war down to May 31, 1865, to the amount of $72,521.92, and this sum with $7,019.69, disbursed during the subsequent half-year, mounts up in the aggregate to $79,541.61, expended directly by a county then emerging from infancy. Some thousands of dollars were also expended by the county during the war for the relief of the poor and other benevolent purposes, so that it is not too much to place the direct financial loss falling on Elkhart county, and solely occasioned by an insurrection of slave- holders in defense of a principle opposed to the Republic, at the high figure of $130,000. The indirect losses resulting from that war, and falling heavily on this county, can never be estimated. Why? So magnificent is the militai-y record of the county that a stranger attempting to write its military history would, without suspecting the greatness of the people, their recuperative powers, or the extent and grandeur of their achievements in war, most probably pass it over with a reference to a few regiments, of which he learned a little in the works of former antique historians, or perhaps leave it unnoticed. The sacrifices of the people were not made in vain. The county, with a rare power of recuperation, survived its great losses, and though her sons who fell in defense of the Union cannot be restored to this world, their memory lives, and will live on forever, to inspire the future with a full sense of what liberty is worth, and teach future generations to guard it as nobly and faithfully as they did. CHAPTER XII. COUNTY FINANCES AND STATISTICS. Westward the course of empire takes its way, The four first acts already past, A fifth shall close the drama with the day; Time's noblest offspring is the last. There is no more certain index to the financial condition of a free State than its public accounts. So it is with any portion ot the State, where the citizens enjoy the liberty of managing their own affairs. Now, since it is conceded that such a statement as is generally set forth in the annual report of a county auditor, or in the annual exhibit of a county treasurer, may be taken as a sure standpoint from which to judge the financial condition of the county and the wealtii of the inhabitants, it is not too much to assume that Elkhart holds a first place among the integral parts of Indiana. To render an examination of the growth of the county, as shown by its revenue, more convenient, let us select from the foregoing table a decennial statement. In 1S30 the good old Board of Justices received through the county treasurer and other officials the sum of $19S.81, of which was disbursed $183.44, leaving a surplus of $15.37. In 1839, ten years after the county was organ- ized, the revenue as reported to the county commissioners reached $3,438.53, the expenditures $5,198.72, showing a sum of $1,700.19 due by the people. In 1849 the receipts are found to have almost doubled in amount, — no less than $0,162.15 being received, of which $5,545.18 were disbursed. The surplus revenue carried for- ward was $61<').97. In 1859 the sum reported to have entered the treasury was $33,020.58, and the sum disbursed $29,777.11, leaving a balance favorable to the county of $3,243,47. Ten years later, in (575; 5Y6 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1869, the sum accounted' as received by the treasurer was $258,- 330.64, and that disbursed $118,710.09. showing a surplus ot $139,620.55. This large revenue was doubtless due to the sale of bonds or debentures to meet the outlay occasioned by the public improvements then inaugurated. The value of such bonds passed into the hands of the county treasurer in the ordinary form, and moneys so received were disbursed in payment for the labor expended on such public improvements and in the administration of county affairs, leaving the huge surplus to the credit of subsequent years. It was a wise provision on the whole, and though the taxation was high, it passed by unnoticed, and prepared the way for paying off at once the large sum of money voted for the erection of the beautiful county building which now rises a monument to the tax-payers ot the period. Provision had also to be made for many radical reforms in other works pertaining to the people, and this precaution tended to the prompt payment of the public accounts within a very few years, together with leaving a surplus fund of over .§-20,000. In 1879 the amount received was $155,216.11, of which $118,- 475.58 were expended, leaving a balance of $36,740.86 to be carried forward to the first year of the next decennial period. The county auditor's statement for 1880 shows that on May 31 a sum of $27,700.88 was in the treasury to the credit of the county, with all bonds redeemed, all public works paid for, the county free from all liabilities, and a magnificent property valued at .§190,000. The progress has been most remarkable, though by no means strange. It is the result of an enterprise which seems to be inherent in the people; a peculiar enterprise which places their investments gen- erally above the calculations of the speculator, and leads back wealth to the men who engaged in it. It has been said by Gold- smith in his philosophical poemon the Deserted Village, that where wealth accumulates men decay; but it does not apply here. That fortunes have been won by many of our people is a fact; but that wealth has accumulated here in the sense of the poet, and as the European phase of the case lead him rightly to conjecture, is a question ; because here it is made the main spring of industry, keeps a hundred mill wheels rolling, and offers to the people em- ployment and convenience. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 577 RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES. Year. Receipts.' Expenditures. Year. Receipts. Expendltui-es. 1830... .. $ 198 80a 206 87i $ 188 43i 1856. . . .$ 40.910 17 $ 37,937 60 1831... 535 81} 789 12i 1857. . . . 31,589 52 26,618 64 1833. . . 426 10' 1858. . . . 29,097 63 29,784 93 612 59 814 99' 1859. . . . 33,020 58 29,777 11 1834'. '.; 797 33A 840 81 1860. . . . 64,880 87 58,377 39 1835... .. 1,248 23 1,119 88i 1861.. . . 38,364 76 35,971 76 1836. . . .. 1,420 78 1,207 16 1862. . . . 44,754 49 43,951 90 1837. . . 2,235 21 1,966 20 1863.. . . 48,378 53 48,242 28 1838. . . .. 3,856 81 1,772 43 1864 . .. 51,689 88 43,844 59 1839 1 1840 1 • 8,488 53 5,198 72 1865. . 1866.. . . 70,038 30 .. 147,100 36 69,819 36 120,499 34 1841... 2,539 95 3,059 97 1867. . . . 118,010 37 60,525 23 1842. . . 2,768 94 2,777 78 1808.. .. 16.5,99185 101,013 63 1843..., 3,979 19 3,140*87 1869 . . 2.58,330 64 118,710 09 1844..., 4,761 35 2,994 00 1870. . . . 299,799 92 230,020 46 1845..., 4,807 03 3,961 18 1871.. . . 241,988 35 221,360 78 1846. . . 5,657 56 5,624 47 1873. . . . 319,983 83 141,175 82 1847..., 5,118 88 5,333 73 1873.. . . 237,358 81 110,218 16 1848. . . 5,405 97 5,175 36 1874.. . . 344,727 94 334, .567 94 1849... 6,162 15 5, .545 18 1875. . .. 149,182 96 135,077 09 1850..., 7,329 75 6,296 28 1876. . . . 143,087 97 135,i.50 43 1851 ... 5,845 63 5,435 15 1877. . .. 121,525 37 106,093 48 1852..., . 11,914 59 9,926 21 1878. . . . 147,693 97 132,261 18 1853..., . 30,634 26 28,983 46 1879.. . . 15.5,216 44 118,475 .58 18.54.... . 30,873 63 32,374 90 1880. . . . 153,498 89 135,798 01 1855. . . , 28,649 49 24,983 74 In the foregoing e.xhibits the balances are carried forward and added to the receipts of the subsequent year. The expenditures comprise the special school tax, which is received by the treasurer and disbursed for school purposes only. In the following balance sheet for the fiscal year ending May 31, ISSO, issued by Auditor Henkel, is given a detailed statement of the sources from which this large revenue is derived, and the varied channels through which it is partially returned to the people. It is a financial history in itself, showing almost a dollar to the credit of each member of the population, together with a county property at once extensive and valuable. 6T8 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. ,-_. Expenditures I on hand May 31st, 1879 $ 36,702 02 County revenue 51,937 06 Special school tax 27,034 51 f 37,034 51 Township tuition tax 13,412 86 13,412 86 Road " 12,539 23 12,539 23 Dog " 2,124 75 2,124 75 Township " 4,036 63 4,036 63 Coqioration " 343 07 343 07 Redemption of land 1,170 11 1,118 36 Shows 85 00 State benevolent institutions 1,163 21 Docliet fees circuit court 374 00 374 00 Jail 2,497 69 1.5,587 65 Ditches 1,111 81 1,626 42 County officers 10,860 75 Bridges 3 00 10,556 31 Poor 22 00 10,284 29 Prisoners 1,641 09 Lisane 1,556 27 School fund 23 45 Books and stationery 3,252 02 Printing and advertising. ■. 102 90 972 50 Roads and highways 413 80 Public buildings 3 25 2,329 25 Poor farm 2,218 98 Juror fees 2,336 10 Refunded taxes 80 01 Fox scalp bounty 13 50 Balance on hand May 31, 1880 27,700 88 Total f 1.53,498 89 $1.53,498 89 To render tlie foregoing statistics more complete a statement, compiled with much attention, is taken from the county records, showing the value of taxable property from which revenue is derivable, together with a tabulated table dealing with the property of great corporations within the county. Total county tax levied in 1830, §19S.S0| COUNTY STATISTICS. No. Acres. Value of Value of Total. Value Tear. Lands. Improvements. of Lots. 1839. . . $ 429,999 ■f 116,436 1841... .. 160,129 .. 234,194 i 304,317 $ 73,000 967,303 1849.... 663,035 131,173 1859... .. 288 383 3,489,565 684,001 3,173,566 181,870 1869.. .. 390,677 4,751.731 1,142,705 .5,894,436 649,329 1879... .. 389,893 7,037,750 1,306,856 8,334,606 1,157,453 Value of $ 236,859 780,178 1,307,214 1869. . 1879 . Value of Per- Total Value of Property. Taxables. Tax. f 175,308 1,077 92,909 $ 751,603 1,152 f 3,903 288,960 1,377,434 1,844 5,517 1,739,318 5,881,613 3,263 11,599 3,658,479 11,285,773 4,663 19,703 3,058,435 13,817,707 5,436 19,360 3,206 * 1,127 4,807 t 1,127 1.705 11,599 7,422 6,396 78.891 20,363 11,372 45,.507 24,776 11,387 J^^y^^ff^ ///l^^^ HISTORY OF BLKHAET COUNTY. 581 Total Taxjn- Year Township Sinking Special Corporation Total Am't eluding De Tax. Fund Tax. School Tax. Taxes. of Taxes, llnquents. 1839 $ 3,785 1841 8,238 1849 f 797 13,758 $17,966 1859 1,457 .f 1,144 §10,838 $3,383 53,789 55,765 1869 5,416 11,270 33 803 12,058 347,065 1879 3,345 19.909 23,283 143,384 151,906 In 1839 the tax on unoccupied lands and lots was $54.70. In 1849 the State tax of $5,517, was the sum of 30 cents on the $100. In 1869 the tax on male dogs was $1,948, and on female, $161; surveyors' fees, $50.35; county sinking fund tax, $22,540; interest tax, $11,270; township tuition tax, $12,539. The large "dupli- cate" of this year was deemed necessary at the time, because the erection of the new court-house and a general improvement of county property were undertaken this and the next year. The Michigan Southern, then the only railroad in the county, yielded half the tax levied. In 1879 the tax on male dogs was $2,190, and on female dogs, $83. The total of corporation dog tax was $2,368. The additional special school tax was $282.50; State-house tax, $2,757.82; tuition tax $13,458; railroad and telegraph tax, $10,621. The foregoing is certainly a progressive record. The primitive tax duplicate book of 1830 has given place to large, elaborate books, and the official work in this connection, which the years 1830 down to 1840 entailed on the clerk of the circuit court, is now performed by a county auditor and a county treasurer. The old court-house has passed away and therefore cannot be placed near the new; but the old records remain to be seen, and they bear precisely the same comparison with the county books now in use as did that old court-house with the beautiful county buildings now rising from its ruins. The duplicate of 1830 presented a few items, summing up a total of $198. 80f; the duplicate of 1880 gives two large folios, showing the township statistics arranged under twenty- six headings, and the total of taxation, $162,527.75. The trans- formation scene is complete. For the purpose of comparing the census returns, we will take some one article of a class. Of animals, we will accept horses; of grain, wheat. The first census taken after the organization of the county placed the number of horses at 1,206; the second, in 1850, at 3,154; the third, in 1860, at 5,476; and the fourth, in 1870, at 7,004. The first ten years, from 1840 to 1850, the increase in the number of horses was 1,948; from 1840 to 1860 it equaled 582 BISTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. 2,322; and for the ten years ending in 1870, 1,528, or a total in- crease of 7,004 within a period of forty years. A statement fur- nished by the auditor of Elkhart county to the Department of Statistics in 1S79 places the horse population at 9,529, but as the returns were not considered very precise, these figures may only be considered as an approximate to the true number. The returns for 1840 give 44,504 bushels of wheat; for 1850, 174,71(; bushels; for 1860, 370,776 bushels; for 1870, 542,000 bushels, and the county returns for 1879 place the yield at 732,240 bushels. These statistics are evidences of uncommon progress. Within ten years the old settlers must have 2,225 acres of their rich prairie under wheat alone, i. e., if we may accept twenty bushels per acre as an average product. Presuming that the productiveness of the soil still continued, and conceding that each acre yielded twenty bushels, there must be no less than 8,736 acres under wheat in 1850. In 1860 the acreage computed on the same basis would mount up to 18,539; in 1870 to 27,100, and in 1879 to 36,012 acres, all under wheat, producing an average of twenty bushels per acre. Presum- ing that the average rates below twenty, which there is no reason to suppose, unless the season was adverse to the growth of cereals, the acreage must exceed these figures, and so far prove more favorable testimony to the farmer's industry. The fact of the cultivators being able to place so many acres under wheat, and still more under other cereals, corn and grasses, is a standard index to the wealth of the agriculturists of the county, and may be also taken as a proof of prevailing prosperity. POPULATION OF THE COUNTY BY TOWNSHIPS. 1830 1840 1850 1860 1870 1880 Baugo 587 702 749 740 Benton 100 1,385 1,188 1,593 Cleveland 419 533 .549 .545 CUnton 804 1..575 3,099 2,199 Concord 1.50 1,390 1,324 1,460 1,463 Elkhart 175 1,815 1,433 1,477 1,556 Harrison 840 1,528 1,6.55 1,854 Jackson 991 1,360 1,289 1,590 Jefferson 707 1,073 982 1,331 Locke 171 488 882 1,361 jnddlebury I,ia5 1,-529 1,709 1,907 OUve 337 991 1,149 1,346 Osolo 35 763 922 730 Union 110 1,193 1,221 1,784 Washington 808 1,124 1,391 1,404 York 453 .599 906 1,000 Goshen City 600 1.200 2,042 3,133 3,968 Elkhart City 300 800 2,000 3,265 6,939 Total 325 6.600 12,690 20,966 26,036 33,209 Indians 600 HISTOKT OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 583 Within a period of 50 years, tlie population has increased 32,884. The greatest addition was made between 1850 and 1860, equaling 8,270, and the least addition between 1860 and 1870. MARRIAGE STATISTICS. Another means of judging the progress of the county is to look over the record of nuptial engagements, and make note of the advances in this department. In the case of Elkhart county the task is a congenial one, because it presents to us facts and figures which prove the extent of happy unions effected, and the subse- quent benefits falling like manna over the countrj'. To give a full list of marriages is beyond the limits of a historical work; but it is just to notice the brave men and ladies who inaugurated such alliances each year, thereby setting a salutary example for others to follow. Kegarding the first marriage and birth which took place within this county, Mrs. Samuel Kensberger stated that her sister, Mary E. Hess, married Jacob Weybright early in 1830, and that the first white maleciiild born here was Jacob Hess, who appeared upon the world's stage June 30, 1830. A Mrs. Wogoman, iiee Mrs. Susan Nickerson, stated that Mrs. Mary Rush, who lived at the southwest corner of Pleasant Plain, gave birth to a son and daughter May 16, 1828, and that to Mrs. Betsy Skinner was born a son Nov. 9, 1828. This latter and valuable settler lived near Mrs. "Wogoman, on the eastern portion of Elkhart Plain. Now, since marriages and births are so closely allied, this introductory reference is in place, and may be considered the preface to the following: Number of matrimonial transactions in EUiliart county from 1830 to 1860, with names of those who annually inaugm-aled that business. Total No. Date. First nuptials of each year. for year. Nov. 11, 1830, Elizabeth Leeper and Samuel Fish ; 1 March 30, 1831, Mary Jones and Job Odle, ( -.^ March 30, 1831, Christiana Robertson and Sam. Reynolds f Feb'y 20. 1832, Melinda Milage and Daniel WUliams 17 Jan'y 15, 1833, Juliana Lowderman and Enoch Bonner 27 Jan'y 2, 18.34, Maria Ellis and Timothy Woodbridge 36 Jan'y 3, 1835, Julia Ann Danner and A. H. Tumbleson 38 Jan'y 19, 1836, Hester Kelly and William Lightfoot 54 Jan'y 6, 1837, M. J. Defrees and Jeremiah Simmons 50 Jan'y 4, 1838, Diann MiUs and John Connolly 47 Jan'y 6, 1839, Eliza Arm Cropper aiwl Jackson Gray 50* •Barbara Price and David Butts were united In the bonds of matrimony by Justice Joseph Cowan on Nov. T, 1839. The nrst old record contains many quaint remarks of the clerk of the nrst Circuit Court, and also of his deputy, W. C. (iraves. On the occasion of the marriage of Lou. Wilson and Obadlah Cooley, Graves presented the bride ^vlth a poetical couplet, and also subscribed beneath, the lines : " TUl Hymen brought his love-delighted hour There dwelt no joy In Eden's rosy bower." 584 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. Jan'y 1, 1840, Lucy W. Clarke and Charles S. Dunbar 64 Jan'y 3, 1841, Clementine Brodrick and John Davenport 66 Jan'y 13, 1842, Phebe Larimer and John Eldridge 71 Jan'y 8, 1843, Catharine Beckner and Wm. Miller 56 Jan'y 9, 1844, Margaret Moore and S. S. Huyler 83 Jan'y 1, 1845, Irena Spencer and J. R. Tallerday 77 Jan'y 11,1846, Rebecca J. Corpe and Ben. PhilUps 98 Jan'y 1, 1847, N. J. Wilson and James Frizzle 104 Jan'y 3, 1848, Lucinda Ebbert and S. Young 98 Jan'y 7, 1849, Susan Miller and J- Stutsman 105 Jan'y 3, 1850, Agnes Vail and W. B. Weddell / .,„„ " " " Cynthia Smith and John Martin f ^"" Jan'y 9, 1851, Rebecca Cormauy and Lewis Winters 138 Jan'y 1, 1853, Caroline A- Hubbell and S. G. Clark) ^q, " W. A. Foster and Aaron Pratt j ^'^'■ Jan'y 4, 1853, Sylvia McCaun and Jonathan Wagner 108 Jan'y 3, 1854, E. J. Wolf kell and James H. Mills 160-161 Jan'y 1, 1855, Helen E. Barrow and T. O. Burnhous 285 Jan'y 1, 1856, Sarah E. Judsou and C. W. Wilcox 156 Jan'y 1, 1857, Lydia Stutsman and Wm. Berkey 1 " " Catherine James and Barney Marker I ^no " Mariette Skinner and L. P. Williams f ^•'^ •' " RebeccaBarringerandD. RodebaughJ Jan'y 1, 1858, Laura A. Tillapaugh and R. W. Cook 170 Jan'v 1, 1859, Marion Marchland and F. Walter 153 Jan'y 1860, M . A. Griffith and Evan Hoop )^ ,qq " " L.J.Brown and John Burridgej " Jan'y 3, 1861, L. E. Robinson and James Bienz 178 Feb. 37,1863, Barbara Mast and J. L. G. Glick 103 Jan'y 1,1863, Alice Ruple and Abrara Nusbaum 168 Jan'y 3, 1864, H. F. Weybright and Wm. H. Gay 306 Jan'y 1 , 1865, Anna Brown and Daniel Shembarger 340 Jan'y 1, 1866, Eliza Lint and David Overhalser 274 Jan'y 1, 1867, Harriet Karn and H. W. Watters 340 Jan'y 1, 1868, Lavinia M. Julian and J. W. Moody 274 Jan'y 3, 1869, Caroline R. Randall and Eldorado Verselius 250 Jan'y 2, 1870, Christiana Freed and Jos. Laudis 214 Jan'y 2, 1871, Harriet Bowen and Smiley Smith 240 Jan'y 2, 1872, Frances Herchebode and Solomon Furtney 233 Jan'y 1, 1873, Mattie Martin and J. H. Virgil 334 Jan'y 1, 1874, Ellen Wert and Frank E. Zinn "1 " " M. A. Lonzo and Jacob Sager ;■ 249 " " Anna Winnegar and D. ChristophelJ Jan'y 3, 1875, Jennie Hess and R. Davenport 268 Jan'y 1, 1876, Nettie E. Watson and William Ecker 264 Jan'y 3, 1877, Mary Butler and David Brundage 250 Jan'y 1, 1878, Kate Newell and James Harvey "| " Alice C. Deardoff and T. F. Poorbaugh } 364 •' " Hattie Butterfield and Geo. Leer J Jan'y 3, 1879, Sarah Hoover and B. L. Weaver 230 Jan'y 1, 1880, Emma Butler and H. G. Winters NUMBEE OF DEATHS INDICATED BY THE APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOES. 1870,38; 1871, 46; 1872, 56; 1873, 50; 1874, 46; 1875, 47; 1876,45; 1877,48; 1878, 49; 1879, 55.— Total, 480. This total forms but a small proportion of the deaths for the decennial period. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 585 Many died without leaving anything to administer, and therefore are not numbered in the table. This, however, is tlie most pleasing manner in which to regard the relinquishing of the goods of this world by a man of the world. He parted with old and young friends, and died in the consciousness that he left them sufficient means to pursue a quiet and peaceful life in a happy home. CHAPTER XIII. TOPOGRAPHICAL AND INDUSTRIAL. Come, come to the lovely luxuriant far West, Come recline with me under my bower, Where wild pigeon coo, and the dove builds her nest In this land of the shade and the flower. Mrs. Reed, St. Joseph Co. A few words on the topograph)' of the county and its industrial establishments will suffice to show the advantages which surrounded the earl}' settlers, and the rapidity with which they built up the many hives of industry that now afford labor to thousands of hardy sons of toil. ELKHART COUNTY is situate in the heart of the territoiy, once Icnown as the St. Joseph country. From the Michigan State line to its southern limits is a fraction over 23 miles, and its breadth, from Noble county on the east to St. Joseph county on the west, 21 miles. Its total area is 4S3 square miles, or about 309,000 acres, — almost all capable of a high state of cultivation. In the records dealing with the trans- actions of the Board of Justices and Board of Commissioners, the dates affecting the organization of the county are given ; but for the purposes of this topographical sketch, the names assigned to the townships by those ancient county governors are here given: Elkhart, Concord, Jackson, Benton, Middlebury, Harrison, Jeffer- son, Union, Clinton, York, Washington, Osolo, Locke, Olive, Baugo and Cleveland. The principal agricultural products of the county are wheat, corn, flax, potatoes, oats, clover seed, with all the garden and orchard products known in this latitude. The luxuriant grasses insure large returns under the head of dairy products, sheep- farming is extensive, while cattle and hogs sum up a large item in the wealth of the people. The county is not totally deficient in minerals, as iron ore has been discovered in many districts, and it is considered that a portion of the great coal field of Indiana stretches so far as its western boundaries. (586) HI6T0RY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 587 THE RIVERS AND STREAMS comprise the St. Joseph and Elkhart rivers; Christiana, Yellow, Pine, and Turkey creeks: Little Elkhart, Kock Run, and Baugo streams. The St. Joseph river enters the county in York township, and flows in a southwesterly course through Washington, Concord and Baugo. The advantages it confers upon this portion of the State, and particularly on this county, can not be questioned. The St. Joseph and its tributaries have had a share in building up the city of Elkhart, and perhaps many years will not elapse until the prosperous village of Bristol will advance itself to the importance of a large and populous town. The Elkhart river enters the county in Benton township, and taking a northwesterly course pursues its tortuous way through the townships of Jackson, Elkhart, Jeiferson and Concord, making a confluence witii the St. Joseph at the city of Elkhart. Along its route it furnishes a complete water-power, more particularly at Goshen, where, drawn by man from its original channel, it sets the machinery of many mills in motion and thus contributes vastly to the prosperity of the city and county. The Christiana creek enters the county in Osolo township, and flowing south through Concord unites its swift waters with those of the St. Joseph. By this stream the first mill wheels ever set in motion here were turned, but the original structure has long ago disappeared to give place to another and more extensive enter- prise, known as Beardsley, Davenport & Cook's Paper Mills. This little stream has acted its part well, and still continues to flow on with undiminished vigor, reminding the passing traveler of other days, when Missionary Carey had the hardihood to com- pare its swift current to his wife's loquacity, and call it Christiana in her honor. Yellow creek is purely Elkhartian. It begins in Harrison town- ship and ends in Concord, where it empties into the Elkhart river. It, too, fulfills a part in the economy of nature. Turkey creek enters the county in Jackson township, and forms a confluence with the Elkhart river near the village of Waterford, within a few miles of Goshen. The Little Elkhart stream flows from the northeast and unites with the St. Joseph river at Bristol. At Middlebury the waters of 688 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. the Little Elkhart are devoted to the use of local industries, and in its course are many good mill sites. Stoney, Soloman's and Puterbaugli creeks are all diminutive streams, but capable of conferring many benelits upon the districts through which they flow, and might with little trouble be made to afford a water-power. Pine creek confers many advantages on Joflerson township. A few mills are worked by its power, and it is of inestimable value to the farming interests. Kock Run is another Elkhartian stream; it has its source in the eastern township of Clinton, flows through Goshen, and forms a junction with the Elkhart river a few miles northwest of the city, near the Chalybeate springs. The ruins of John Carpenter's corn- mill, near the confluence, are still visible. There are numerous springs and streams throughout the county, each one fllling its place unostentatiously and well. Every conven- ience that a people can derive from rivers and streams is within their reach, so that in this respect the county is all that can be desired. The height of land occurs in the southern portion of the county, where the parting of the waters may be witnessed, — one set of streams flowing toward the sunny South, and the other toward the icy North. Jefterson, Elkhart, Washington and IVIiddlebury town- ships contain some hilly tracts; but they are all capable of cultiva- tion and are highly productive. The northern townships comprise very rich lands, both timber and prairie; the southern districts were covered with heavy forests of oak, maple, beech, walnut and other species of trees when first seen by the old settlers; but the labors of 60 years have stripped the grand old woods of their primeval majesty, and now only enough remain to ornament the country and give promise of fuel and lumber for the uses of home industries. Elk- hart and Goshen are the two centers of wealth and civilization. All the conveniences of the West and luxuries of the East may be found in these little cities, so that where, a little over a half century ago, the wild Miami or Pottawatomie held his war-dance or dog feast, are to-day seen thrifty and beautiful towns and vil- lages, inhabited by a people in a high state of civilization. A SKETCH OF OLD AND NEW INDUSTRIES. That the manufacturing resources of Elkhart county are unsur- passed, is conceded. Forests of valuable timber, rivers of large <^^^!^i^^Z^^^^^ie^e^ ^'£^^<i is not to be wondered at, as the premiums oflered for them were ridiculously small, not enough in many cases to pay the cost of bringinir them to the fair. The managers of the exhibition did not rely on these articles to render the show attractive or to secure a large attendance. Tiiey knew very well that the more nearly a lair resembles a circus the better it is patronized. They accord' ingly arranged to have a large number of fast horses present, as well as several persons who would render themselves amusing. They also allowed numerous showmen to exhibit disgusting mon- strosities within the inclosure on the ])aynient of a license to the managers of the fair. It is not enough to say that fairs have not improved any during the past twenty-five years. The truth is, they have greatly depre- ciated in interest and in value to the agricultural community. At the time when specimens of the improved breeds of animals were HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 595 scarce, it was of great advantage to farmers to have an opportunity to see them. Now tliey have hecome so common as to be no longer curiosities. Tlie like is true in relation to new breeds of poultry and farm machinery of various kinds. Xt one time there was great interest in plowing matches and in field trials of different kinds of machines. Of late there have been no trials of skill or any tests of the merits of different kinds of machinery. It is likely that local associations made a grave mistake in allow- inw all persons to compete for premiums. The practice has become general for professional breeders to take their stock to all the fairs they can reach during a season. As a consequence, they take all the premiums of the stock of the kind they breed and discourage others from exhibiting at all. The professional breeders who can exhibit at 20 fairs derive a large sum by way of premiums, and at the same time advertise their stock if they do not make .sales on the spot. The presence of show herds on the fair-grounds discourages small breeders who live in the country or district, as well as farmers who raise stock while they are engaged in general agricultural pursuits. Of late most persons have come to look on the award of prizes at fairs with considerable distrust, if not with absolute contempt. They know that the great majority of judges are not competent to make awards according to the real merits of the animals or farm products that they examine. They may be honest, but they are lacking in knowledge and are easily imposed upon. Many who are appointed judges by the managers of fairs fail to attend, and their places are supplied by persons found on the fair-grounds. The prac- tice of distributing premiums in such a manner as to give the best satisfaction to the various exhibitors has liccome general. Judges who are conscious that they are incompetent hesitate about making awards, and generally divide them in a way they think will give no offense. To make awards that shall be in the highest degree satisfactory to the breeders of fine stock it is necessary to employ the services of experts who shall pepaid for their trouble. This is the course pur.sued at the principal fairs in Great Britain, and the awards made there generally give satisfaction to the various exhibitors. The judges devote a large amount of time to the stock in each class, and make a diligent comparison of the scale of points. Exhibitors and all others interested learn by the decision of the judges not only which animals are. in their opinion, superior to the Oyt) HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. others on exhibition, but in what particular and to what extent they are superior. A decision of this kind is of greatadvantage to breeders, as they may learn by it what animals to couple in order to produce young that shall combine the numerous points of excel- lence to the highest degree. In England a prize animal ranks for more than it does in this country, on account of the high reputation of the judges and the great pains taken in making the awards. Here it does not add much to the reputation of an animal that it takes the first prize at a fair. AVhen the managers of a small county fairadvertise that "compe- tition is open to the world," they give notice to farmers in the vicinity that the chances of their obtaining prizes are very small. It the premiums offered are sufficient to attract wealthy professional breeders they will be present with their show herds, and, as a matter of course, will take all the premiums. The expense of driving animals to a fair, of taking care of them for four or five days, and driving them back to the farms where the}- belong, is considerable. In addition to this there is ordinarily an entrance fee and the cost of a season ticket for the exhibitor. Few farmers will be at all this expense and trouble simply to render a fair inter- esting. If there is no prospect of receiving some recognition of the merits of their animals they will keep them at home. If com- petition was restricted to the county, however, there would be a friendly rivalry among the local farmers and stock breeders. They would have a reasonable idea of what they would have to contend against, and would run the risk of exhibiting. Professional breeders can take their stock to most fairs with less expense and trouble than persons can who live in the samecounty. They have but to load them on cars and unload them in the vicin- ity of the fair grounds. If the animals themselves are " profession- als," or members of a " show herd," they are accustomed to traveling on railroads and will step on or off a car with as little hesitancy as a commercial traveler. They are not frightened at any of the sights they see or any of the noises they hear in a strange place. They will make for the best stall on the fair-ground as expeditiously as a " drummer " will secure the best room in a hotel, though the proprietor has announced to the public that they are all full. A county fair should be managed in such a way as to encourage agriculture, horticulture, and stock-raising among the people of the county. Inducements should be held out that would cause HISTOKT OF ELKrrART COUNTY. 597 nearly all the farmers to exhibit. Persons are most interested in an exhibition in which they take part. To be iirst in the county in the production of any class of animals or any kind of field crops is a distinction that most farmers will strive to obtain. Restricting competitions to the people of the county in which a fair is held often has the efi'ect of causing'farmers to purchase improved stock, partly for the purpose of exhibiting it at the annual fair. It also has the efl'ect of inspiring local pride, as the farmers do not like to liave their fair compared unfavorably with one held in an adjoining county. The managers of many local fairs have not been content with limiting competition to the '• world." They have even extended it to " the flesh and the devil." and the latter has not been slow in embracing the opportunity offered to exhibit his wares. His trusted agents are found in tents, stalls, and booths, engaged in practices that should not be tolerated in any civilized community. In these vile places monstrosities are exhibited that are disgusting in the extreme. Books and pictures are sold that would corrupt the mor- als of pirates and highwaymen. Games of chance are played in which there are no chances of winning the money that is staked. Songs are sung and low jokes exchanged that would disgrace the vilest den in Five Points. These abominations are bringing many fairs into disrepute. Many boys get their first taste of liquor and take their first les- son in progressive vice on the grounds at a county fair. They invest some money in a prize stationery package that contains a brass ring, ornamented with a piece of colored glass, and borrow more capital to make another investment. They hear vulgar expressions in a side-show, which they repeat among their play- mates. The grounds of many fair associations rerpiire purifying, and then need a faithful watch kept over them. Managers should know that thieves, ]nckpocket9, gamblers, sleight-of-hand perform- ers, and the venders of obscene literature are among the first to pro- cure fair lists and to prepare to make excursions. A combined eflbrt should be made to exclude these persons from fair grounds. The practice that has become very common of late of ofl'ering prizes for fancy work, drawings, poor paintings, natural curiosities, school exercises, and a hundred other things that have no immedi- ate or remote connection with any department of agriculture, is questionable. They occupy space that should be devoted to farm, garden, orchard and dairy products. They detract attention from 59S HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. the articles for the exhibition for which agricultural fairs were instituted. The premiums ofiered for them require a considerable portion of the entire receipts of the fair, and diminish the premiums given for agricultural products. They may all be well enough in their place, but there is no more propriety in displaying them at an agricultural fair than at a camp-meeting or a political conven- tion. Let the projectors of these expositions order the exclusion of the votaries of nonsense, and the institution will be quite in keeping with this progressive age. RESOURCES. The editor of the Daily Review has given much attention to the resources of the county. In his columns he shows the remarkable progress, and treats the subject with characteristic candor. '• The Keview " he says " will be pardoned if its claims on behalf of Elkhart county appear at all exti'avagant. for certainly nothing can be further from its wish. On the contrary, it believes that a statement of facts alone, without embellishment, is all that is needed to attract even greater and more wide-spread attention to a section of country that has already received almost every possible recogni- tion at the hands of the Almighty — a section of the State that has from a wilderness, and within the memory of living men, been con- verted into a garden of fruitfnlness and a busy hive of productive labor." The comparative statements elsewhere given, and compiled from the tax duplicates every tenth year from 18i5 to 1875 inclusive, are more eloquent than figures usually are, and yet in a concise, unpre- tentious way they speak of a constant influx of immigration; of hard work and patient endeavor on the part of the pioneers and of those who have come after them. They speak of a prudent, econom- ical and accumulative people, whose poverty changed to com- petencies and wealth by dint of labor. They also show us a ratio of growth that is encouraging. In 1845 the appraised value of all taxables in the county was but $1,319,314. Ten years later the valuation was $5,074,894, an increase of $3,755,580, and in 1855 the valuation of personal property was greater than the total valuation of lands, improvements and personal property combined of 1845. For the decade closing 1865 notwithstanding the drain made upon the country by the war, an equally gratifying increase is HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 601 shown. The farming lands in the county, in 1855 appraised at $1,147,383, in 1865 were appraised at $3,597,891, while the value of personal property had swelled from one and a half millions to three and a third millions of dollars. The total value of taxables (for 1865) was $8,739,-194; ten years later (or last year) it was $14,299,034. The total value of lots and improvements within the county in 1842 was $91,511 ; last year they were placed at $2,302,560. Of course no one will understand for a moment that these fignres represent the reid valuation, but as the ratio of assessment has con- tinued essentially the same they serve to show the ratio of increase. Such a gratifying showing can really be nothing but a statement of the relation of cause to eifect. We see before us both the cause and effect. We see a county comprisiTig an area of 309,120 acres, and of that total area the per cent, of waste land is merely nominal. We see railways traversing the county in every direction, and whether we ride through the county on the cars or by private con- veyance, we note upon every hand evidences of improvement. We see attractive farm houses, we behold large barns and out-buildings, the fences are in repair, a very considerable proportion of the land is under cultivation, and we can hardly realize that these effects have all been brought about within so few years. We visit the factories of Elkhart and Goshen — they are many and they give employment to large capital and hundreds of work- men and work- women; we know that through them Elkhart county is levying tribute upon conrmunities elsewhere throughout the length and breadth of the land; and we can hardly realize that this system of productive enterprise, with its manifold ramifications, is, so far as our county is concerned, the child of to-day, as it were. And while the county possesses all the attractions of a rich agri- cultural section, while its prairies, its " barrens" and its erstwhile forests produce the fruits of the fields in abundance, we realize that the grandest development of the future must come from our constantly increasing manufacturing interest. The abundance of water-power obtainable in the county is the '■ open sesame" of its success thus far, and will prove the magic watchword by which difficult pathways may be traversed and otherwise impenetrable barriers passed. The principal streams of the county are the St. Joseph, Elkhart, Baugo, Christiana, Little Elkhart. Yellow creek. Pine creek, Ilock Run and Turkey creek. Elkhart river furnishes magnificent water-power at Elkhart, Goshen. 602 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY Benton and other points; the St. Joseph, at Elkhart, affords suffi- cient power to operate almost countless factories, and at Bristol a magnificent power can be obtained from it. At Middleburj the Little Elkhart afi"ords good power; Pine creek serves to operate a number of saw mills along its course, and so does Rock Bun. At Goshen and at Elkhart a system of hydraulics, costing thousands upon thousands of dollars, has been perfected, and the power that nature has provided has been conserved to a degree that augurs well for the future. For the details of the industries of the county, see the histories of the respective townships. CHAPTER XIV. NEWSPAPERS AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS. The Press, all lands shall slug; The Press, the Press we bring. All lands to bless. O, pallid Want ! O, Labor stark ! Behold ! we bring the second ark ! The Press, the Press, the Press ! God and the intelligence of the American people have given a free American press! It is the exponent of the American mind with few exceptions, and these only occur in the few cases where ignorance leads the freeman of onr soil to become a convert to the European school of flunkeyism, or where the people are so short- sighted as to permit an immigrant newspaper writer to indulge in eulogies on the greatness of transatlantic peoples. Some unfor- tunate men are so situated: though happily few in number, their nonsensical praise of the slave-holding monarchies of the world rests only in the minds of the more imbecile of our citizens, so that now, and to our shame, it is not very uncommon to hear a man, born on this free soil and raised under its liberty-inspiring influences, extolling the glories and the pageants of foreign lands. It is all most disgusting trash! There is little in the government of Europe, in the slavery of four-tifths of its population, to com- mend itself; and the knowledge of this, so prevalent in the United States, is a full safeguard against the growth of that foolish, if not unnatural and most pernicious vice commonly called tlunkeyism. The people understand their duties to the Republic, and none among them more so than these indefatigable men who identify themselves with the press of the country. Elkhart county has been really blessed in its newspaper men; all evidences point out the writers of the past to equal those of the present; flunkeyism was not the attribute of one of them: they labored late and early in training the minds of their constituents, and in most cases in a philosopical manner; so that they conferred inestimable good on the district, and won, by degrees, the confi- dence of the people. They opposed all innovations and constitu- (608) 604 HISTOEY OF ELKHART COUNTY. tlonal amendments which might have a tendency to subvert the principles of this Government; they set their denunciations ot tyrannical and arbitrary measures in '• black-letter;" they stigma- tized moral cowardice, and showed that from the village council room to the chambers of the national Government virtue should be doubly cherished, and vice subjected to rebuke and punishment, and thus bestowed a mine of sound reason upon the nation, and deserved a share of national gratitude. A reader may possibly imagine that the idea is too far fetched; but let him claim the con- fidence of the men under notice, or act their part for even a brief space of time, and then a full realization of their labors and their sacrifices will break upon his mind. He will learn something of their studies and their anxieties, and join with the writer in the high opinion which he has formed of the honest newspaper men of the Republic and of this county. The question of enchaining the press has often presented itself to the favored few. Some severe measures were enforced against a little editorial band in this country not many years ago; and though the honesty of the men deserved a higher consideration at the hands of Congress, their terrible denunciations of a just war half justified their punishment, and left the dangerous precedent uncriticised. Victor Hugo, who has labored in the interest of man's political freedom throughout a long and eventful life, has given a beautiful idea of the press in his eloquent warning to the French legislators: " Consider well what you would do," said he. "Reflect on the task that you have undertaken, and measure it well before you commence. Suppose you should succeed: when you have destroyed tlie press tliere will remain sometliing more to de- stroy, — Paris! When you have destroyed Paris, there will remain France. When you have destroyed France there will remain the human mind. I repeat it, let this great European alarm party measure the immensity of the task which, in their heroism, they would attempt. Though they annihilate the press to the last journal, Paris to the last pavement, France to the last liamlet, they will have done nothing. There will yet remain for them to destroy something always paramount, above the generations, and, as it were, between man and his Maker; something that has written all the books, invented all the arts, discovered all the worlds, founded all the civilizations; something which will always grasp, under the form of revolutions what is not yielded under the form of progress; HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 605 sometliing wliicli is itself unseizable as the light, and unapproacha- ble as the sun, and which calls itself the human mind!" The veteran writer makes the press almost synonymous with the nation. Prescribe its liberty and the nation suffers: therefore let us regard and cherish our newspapers, — stigmatize what is corrupt in them, and applaud their justice. Such is due by the people to the press and to the nation. The Northwestern Eevieiv and St. Joseph Intelligencer became a reality iSTov. 16, 1831. It was the result of the literary and mechanical enterprise of two young journalists, J. D. and J. H. Defrees, and may be considered the first newspaper devoted to the interests of the St. Joseph country, as well as the first local sheet presented to and published for readers in this county. On May 23, 1832, the Messrs. Defrees removed the office of the Pioneer to the second story of a house in South Bend, once the tavern of Mr. Lilly, and being established there, gave to the journal the name of the St. Joseph Beacon, devoting its columns more particularly to the interests of the St. Joseph country. This was the troublous period of the Sac war excitement, which the sensible reasoning of the editors of the Beacon failed to allay. J. D. Defrees opposed his columns to the unwise action of the State in sending the 40th Regiment to the front, and again he criticised severely the conduct of the regiment, so that the enmity of the volunteers was not to be wondered at. On the return of the 40th from Chicago in 1832, the more reckless men attacked the Beacon office, and would have given it up to destruction had not wise counsel prevailed. The Beacon continued to be published at South Bend until 1834, when Mr. J. D. Defrees transferred his office to AVhite Pigeon. Previously, in 1833, Mr. J. H. Defrees disposed of his interest in the Beacon, and removing to Goshen, entered on that commercial career which has taken such a very important part in building up a prosperous town. The Gosiien Express was the first print projected within Elk- hart county, the first number being issued Jan. 28, 1837, and on the lapse of this name it was succeeded by the Northern Indianlan in the latter months of 1839. This journal was edited by C. L. Mur- ray from its beginning to its last issue, and was a most important auxiliary in forwarding the good of the people. The Beacon, Express, and Northern Indianlan disappeared in turn, or as it was then said, merged into 606 HISTORY OF ELKHABT COUNTY. The Goshen Democrat. The first days of August, 1873,witnessed the transfer of the Democrativovn Col. Melvin B. Haseall to Messrs. C. L.Murray andWm. A. Beane,with the former of the new proprie- tors in the editorial chair. Four days after the transfer, or on Aug. 6, the editor addressed his constituents, and so pertinent was liis review of the Democrat from its establishment to his time, that it will meet the whole requirements of histoi'y in this connection. '• To the great majority of our readers, we are well known," said Mr. Murra}-. •• In all the public events wliich have transpired and agitated the people we have taken a more or less active part. We have been their representative and their senator preceding and during the war, and thus shared their contidence as well as experi- enced somewhat of public life. When but a boy we were put into a printing office, in Towanda, Bradford county, Pa. AVe followed the fortunes of our brotlier-in-law, Warren Jenkins, with a print- ing office, in 1829, to Milan, Huron county-, Ohio, and from thence, in 1832. to Columbus, the capital cf the State, wJiere in a few years we graduated as a journeyman printer and assumed the foreman- ship of the Ohio Statesman, and was in that office when its proprietors, Gilbert and Melcher, sold to Sam. Medary. In 1836, in conjunction with David P. Espy, another brother-in-law, we purchased the office of the Piqua Courier, in Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, and along in 183G, sold out to J. D. Barrington; and at the solicitation of John D. Defrees and Janaes H. Barns (a committee appointed by tlie citizens of Goshen to hunt up a printer here) w^e proceeded to Cincinnati, purchased materials, brought tliem as far as Dayton by canal, and wagoned them the balance of the way to the •• Land of Goshen." and, in partnership with Anthony Defrees, Jr., published the first paper in Goshen. Soon after Mr. Defrees sold out his interest, and we became its sole owner and editor. '■ The Goshen Democrat, edited by Thomas H. Bassett, followed about six months after the establishment of the Goshen Ecpress. Neither paper at that time could live independent of the private contributions of tlieir respective friends. Becoming involved in the general smash-up of the banks in 1838, the Express was taken ofi" our hands by a number of gentlemen, who formed a company to sustain it. We retained an interest in the paper and conducted it for them. The original article of association now lies before us, signed with their own hands, 3'ellow and worn with age ; while most of the men — active, prominent men and politicians then — HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 607 uow molder in tbeir graves. They are as follows: — John AV. Violett, Oliver Crane, James H. Barns, Joseph H. Defrees, John- ston Latta, Elias Manning. Elias Baker, AV". A. Thomas, Cephas Hawks, Fred. A. Harris, L. G. Harris, John Stauffer, AVilliam Latta, Sara. H. Clymer, John D. Defrees, J. L. Defrees, Davenport and Haine, Thomas Thomas. Jonathan AVyland, H. Beardsley. E. S. Hinton, James Frier, Mark B. Thompson, John Weed, Geo. Crawford, J. D. Vail, John McBride, John llohrer, Jacob Cornell, Owen Coffin, and James R. McCbrd. A^hen we look back to those early times in our history and can think of such men as these as our associates and friends, it makes our heart glow with a just pride. The memory of the dead brings back many pleasant recol- lections, and the living have always our highest personal regard. " The printing-office was finally, after a great many vicissitudes, sold and taken to Elkhart, and from there, in 1845, purchased by F. A. and L. G. Harris, and carried to Monoquet, Kosciusko county, wliere we had again the honor of publishing the tirst paper, con- tinuing it there a little over one year, until the county seat was finally settled at AVarsaw; it was sold out to Peter L. Runyan and taken to that town. AVe moved to Indianapolis in 1846, and was employed by J. D. Defrees as a writer on the State Journal. After remaining there through the Taylor campaign we returned to Jefferson township, where we had previously bought land, and erected a log cabin, went to work, cleared up a farm, and lived there ever since, until we sold out and moved to town. All through these long years, up to the last presidential campaign, we acted with the old AVhig, and after the rise and agitation of the slavery question, with the Republican, party. AA^e attended the Cincinnati Conven- tion, was appointed a member of the State Executive Committee from this district, united with the Democrats in support of the National and State tickets, wrote and spoke in their support, and we stand with them to-day heart and soul, and with all those who sincerely believe that we had enough of political dishonesty and corruption, and will unite to overthrow it. It is with this purpose in our old age ' we return to our lirst love,' and take up the pen, caring nothing for parties or party names, having the utmost faith in the honesty of tlie people, and their power, if they will but e.xercise it, to correct all abuses and eliminate all official corruption." The Democrat was projected in 1838 by Edward Brown and Thomas H. Bassett. Bassett was succeeded in the editorial chair bv Dr. E. AV. II. Ellis, who, with his brother, AV. R. Elli?. con- bus HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. tinued its publication up to 1S50. Mr. Beane, the present editor, entered the office in 1844 under Dr. Ellis, and has continued his connection with that journal down to the present time, with the exception of a few years devoted to other business. In 1850 Emery & Bonton purchased the paper; subsequently Judge Robert Lowry, of Fort Wayne, took an interest, and in 1S55 the Judge disposed of his interest to J. T. Bennett. Earle & Heath succeeded as pub- lishers in 1858, and AVm. A. Beane as proprietor in 1860. Mr. W. H. Norton, the present assistant editor of the Z>e?W(9cra^, purchased the controlling interest in 1862. From the latter part of 1863 to 1866 Mr. Beane held the editorship; H. S. Fassett, now of the South Bend Register, published it up to March, 1868. In 1872 Melvin B. Hascall with La Porte Heflaer assumed control; but within the subsequent year the office became the property of Mur- ray & Beane. In 1878 Mr. Murray retired from the Democrat and entered upon the publication of the South Bend Herald, leaving the entire business in the possession of W. A. Beane. The office sent many gallant soldiers to the front during the civil war, among whom were E. F. Abbott, S. J. Conuell, Wm. J. C. Blaine and Wm. Coffin. In many other respects, too, it has proved itself one of the strongest supporters of the first principles of the Kepublic, and so long as it continues in this course it must live and prosper. William A. Beane, editor and proprietor of the Goshen Demo- crat, was born in Preble county, Ohio, Oct. 5, 1828. He was the son of William and Harriet (Howell) Bean. . The family removed to Elkhart county, Ind., in 1836, and resided at Benton village. There the elder Beane died in 1840, and his wife followed him to the undiscovered country in 1872. There were five sons and two daugh- ters in the family. One son and one daughter are in Oregon, and one son in Leesburg, Ind. William came to Goshen in 1843 and began to learn the printer's art in 1844, entering the office of the Goshen Democrat when Dr. Ellis controlled that paper, and being more or less identified with it ever since, with the exception of six years, during which time he was a clerk in the store owned by John Winder. In 1860 he bought the Democrat office, and has been its proprietor since, with the exception of short intervals. He has taken the paper through every political campaign since the memor- able Lincoln and Douglas contest, and has always wielded a vig- orous pen in behalf of Democracy. He is a genuine country editor, and accepts the inevitable ups and downs of newspaper life with equanimity, indulging occasionally in vigorous English when ^' *^ i Lm^^ ^/ti^ri^^A , fj^^t ■^^£'>-\^ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 611 there is momentary call for it, but soon recovering his usual good nature and even temper. His paper is a prominent landmark in the history of Elkhart county, and has never been more conspicuous than under the editorial conduct of Mr. Beane, who has given it an individual and pronounced ciiaracter. He has held and sought no office of any grade, choosing to be an editor only, untrammeled b}- the necessities of hunting and holding public place. Mr.Beane was married in 1854 and has six children, three sons and three daughters. His daughter Hattie married Dr. ^y. E. Geddis. who now practices at Leroy, Mich. Frank is married, and is a telegraph operator at Boone, Iowa. Charles E., the oldest son, is engaged with his father in tiie Democra/ office. The youngest son. Joseph A., and the two daughters. Minnie L. and Lucy A., are yet small and attend school. The history of the Democrat as a newspaper appears else- where in this work. The Kinderhook Dutchman was published in 1840, and edited by Dr. W. H. Ellis. Its columns were purely political in character. Tlie editorial salutatory, from which is the following extract, is its history: •• A few reminiscences will account for the title of our paper. The first settlers of New York, and that delightful portion of country bordering on the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, emigrated from Hol- land, to endure the privations and share in the bounties of the new world. From them have descended some of the first statesmen of America, among whom stands pre-eminent Martin Yan Buren, the son of a humble Dutch farmer of Kinderhook." The Dutchman was a quarto shcjt, well printed, edited with ability and a terrible opponent of Wh'ggism. Yet the Whigs survived its repeated at- tacks, and provet' once more that intolerance in political matters does not bring power to the party which advocates and practices it. Notwithstanding the earnest Democracy of the literary Doctor, it may be stated positively that he enjoyed the esteem of all men and the friendship of many. The Elkhart County Times is said to have appeared in January, 1856, with Robert Gillson and J. M. Defrees editor and proprietor. We are told that the Goshen Times was established previously by E. W. Metcalf; and to this opinion many old residents incline; but that the County Times had an existence is not denied. Therefore, while conceding all that is asked for the enterprise of Messrs. Gill- son and J. M. Defrees, the writer does not feel justified in chang- ing a line of what he has hitherto written in connection with the 612 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. Metcalf enterprise. It is possible, iu fact probable, that one or other of the Defrees family took an active part in projectina; the Times, as they did in every other newspaper enterprise in North- ern Indiana; but every record brought under the writer's notice points out the following sketch to be correct: The Goshen Times was established in 1855 by Editor E. W. Metcalf, who afterward transferred his interest to Dr. E. W. H. Ellis and C. W. Stevens. This newspaper may be said to have occupied a very prominent place from its first issue; and though it has been exposed to many and severe vicissitudes, it survived time and cliange and thus it comes down to the present, carrying with it the same principles and form which insured it a welcome in 1S55. Dr. Ellis and many of the men connected with the Times have passed to their eternity, but through some healthy influence the style of their moral writings has been perpetuated, so that to-day we may take up this journal with the assurance that in its columns nothing opposed to good taste will be found. In January, 1861, Dr. E. W. H. Ellis disposed of his interest in the Goshen Times to C. W. Stevens. The salutatory address of the new editor was brief; but yet contained a reference to the high order of the services rendered b}^ Dr. Ellis to the press and people. In June, 1862, after a connection with the Times extending over six years, C. W. Stevens sold his interest to Messrs. Copeland and Cole. In November, 1863, Myron E. Cole retired, selling his in- terest to H. W. Smith. In 1867 William McKendall Starr pur- chased the Times, and eight years later was joined by James R. Bookner, who, however, retired within six months. In 1877 Dr. Byerle purchased a half interest, and early in August, 1880, became sole proprietor, permitting Mr. Starr to retire after an exceptionally brilliant and useful career on that journal, extending over 13 years. Dr. Ellis may be termed the father of tins journal. For many years he labored with assiduity to render its columns a re- flex of his mind, and, so far as can now be learned, had his labors attended with signal success. In his address to the editorial con- vention in 1859 lie saj's: " It is not less a man's duty than his right to form his principles from a sense of their correctness, and assert them without fear. If there be a man living whose prerogative it is to claim a position as an equal of his fellow man, it is the upright, conscientious, fearless, independent editor. It is his daily business to pass in review the shifting scenes of the panorama of the world, to discuss the great HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 613 principles which lie at the foundation of the government, to ponder the acts of men in power, to weigh the merits of conflicting princi- ples, and to scrutinize the secret springs of human action. In the exercise of these functions he may often come in conflict with men aspiring to, or already occupying, positions of influence or of power; but even this should not deter him from the faithful discharge of his duty. The patli of the sycophant may be smoother and carry one forward over gentle slopes and along flowery vales, and by purling streams, but the path of independence is that of honor." The honest old medico-editorial Ellis laid down a line of action which honest writers ever follow, but he treated the power that would venture to subject the people, the press, rather too gently; but perhaps the circumstances of his time did not call for stronger language. That he acted on what he believed to be the duty of an editor is conceded; that his good example and salutary advice, as a writer or a speaker, have had efl'ect, cannot be doubted, and it is to be hoped that all men who, even for a day, hold an editorial chair, will, like him, oppose every creature wlio supports political and religious intolerance, public or private dishonesty, treason to the State, or the slavery of any section of our population. Dr. Henry J. Byerle, editor and proprietor of the Goshen Times, was born in Berks county. Pa., June 4, 1823. He was the son of Frederick Byerle and Salome Miller Byerle. The elder Byerle was a blacksmith. Henry attended common school until he was fifteen years of age, when he began to clerk in a general store, where he remained until he was twentj'-one. He began to study medicine when he was eighteen years of age, and graduated at the Philadelphia Medical College. He began the practice of medicine when he was twenty-one in Lebanon county. At the end of one year Dr. Byerle left Lebanon county, and practiced in other parts of the State. In 1856 he came to Goshen, where he remained two years, and then removed to Kosciusko county, where he resided till 1865. During his stay in that county he was elected to the Legis- lature, this being in the year 1863. On resuming his residence in Goshen he engaged in the drug business. In 1870 he helped to organize the Goshen Manufacturing Company, and superintended it till 1878. During this time he introduced the manufacture of extension tables, which was then a new enterprise in this part of the county, and has proved very successful, assuming large propor- tions as a branch of industry. Dr. Byerle served two terms in the City Council of Goshen from 186!) to 1873. He purchased an in- (il4 UI8T0RT OF ELKHART COUNTY. terest in the Goslien Times in 1877, and became sole proprietor ot the establisbmeut and editor of tbe paper in tbe summer of 1880. He is also at the present a partner in the drug and bookstore of Byerle & Tanneyhill. The Doctor has lost two wives by death, the last marriage taking place in 1877. He had three sons and four daughters by the first two marriages. The oldest son is a practic- ing physician in Chicago, and two of the sons are married and re- side in Goshen. A married daughter resides in Illinois. Dr. Byerle is a member of the Methodist Church, is a Mason, an Odd Fellow, and a Republican in politics. He has taken much interest in education, and has been twice elected a member of the School Boai'd. Mrs. M. E. T. Byerle, wife of Dr. H. J. Byerle. is the daugh- ter of the Rev. Thomas Tanneyhill, of Bryan, Ohio, and was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, Aug. 5, 1835. After receiving a common-school education, she entered Dickinson Sem- inary at Williamsport. Pa., and was graduated at that institution in 1857. In 1870 she received the honorary' degree of A. M. from Baltimore Female College; and the same year she was chosen Preceptress and Professor of Mental Science in her Alma Mater, which position she resigned at the expiration of two years. In Nov. 26, 1877, she was married to Dr. Byerle. Mrs. Byerle has written a number of poems and narrative pieces for various publi- cations, and is the author of a Sunday-school volume entitled " The Young Folks of Rentfrew," which was published recently by the Methodist Book Concern. The Elkhart Obsei'ver was placed before the people by Edward Molloy in 1872. Its editorial columns gave evidence of ability and even large experience, and were often contributed by Mrs. Emma Molloy. In 1873 the management was augmented by the addition of R. K. Brush, and subsequently its pages showed a decidedly Republican tendency. Local brevities and foreign news almost always claimed impartiality, so that the Observer may be said to have given general satisfaction to its readers, and conferred much'aood^upon the communitj' by its comparatively broad views, and liberal-conservative teachings. The Independent.— M.es,s,vs,. George T. Ager and O. A. Rhine entered the field of journalism early in 1877. The town of Mil- ford, in Kosciusko county, was chosen for the l)irth of the Independent, and there its publication was regularly continued until Nov. 15, 1877, when the office was transferred to the much HISTORY OF ELKtIART COUNTY. 615 more important town of Goshen, and the publication of the jour- nal resumed. The first issue of the Independent as an Elkhart county newspaper was made Dec. 25. 1877. Since that period, in fact from its beginning, the publishers have pursued a course which has really made the name of their journal synonymous, or rather in keeping with its editorial columns. The principle of political independence, or independence in polities, has been clearly defined, and any breach of faith on the part of statesmen fully examined and justly condemned. The best interests of the country have had an able exponent and a careful guardian in its columns; a thorough knowledge of local and national aftairs is evidenced in them, and far above all is the broad and liberal manner in which specifics against the intolerances of sectionalism are placed before the reader. The establishment of a journal at Goshen, thoroughly independ- ent in its treatment of every subject, was necessarily opposed by many obstacles. There two ably edited newspapers held the con- fidence of Democrats and Republicans. An independent party scarcely existed in sufficient numbers to support an independent journal, but the business tact, political integrity, and editorial ability of the management, overleaped ail difficulties and succeeded in winning for the Independent a permanent place and fair fame among the journals of the city and county. Thi^ Elkhart Reviexo was projected in February, 1839, by Messrs. Welier & Chase. For a period extending over 21 years, Charles Henry Chase has been connected with that journal; he has wit- nessed every step of its progress, saw associates come and go, until in May. 1S71. the purchase of an interest in the office l)y A. P. Kent promised a permanent partnership, and in the year following tiie issue of a daily journal placed the capital upon Chase's enter- prise, and gave to the citizens the Elkhart Daily Review, — a sure monument of their advance in number and wealth. The Revieio treats local news fully and impartially; but in its editorial columns is intensely Iiepublican in sentiment, and is looked upon by that political party as a true exponent of their principles. (JJtarleii H. Cha>d these means of grace were resorted to. and acknowledged and sanctioned of God. in the conversion of many precious sonls. which resulted in the excommunication of all who sanctioned such proceedings from Church fellowship. A conference was called and a Church organized on the 15th of May, ISTi. in Berlin, Ont,. and the name Reformed Mennonites adopted as a name of distinction. The year tollowing a small body of Meunonites. calleil New Meunonites, united with this body, when the name United Meunonites was adopted. In 1S79 another small body, viz.: the Evangelical Mennonites, united with this body, when the present name. Evangelical Uniteii Mennonites was adopted. The Church w;is organized in Elkhart county in the year 1574, with a few members, and in the autumn of the same year the first U. S, Conference was held in ilie church of the Evangelical Associa- tion in Harrison township. Soon after a church edifice was erected at a cost of. $l,5t^). The Church has been gradually increasing since its organization, and at present v^lSSO) number in this county about 200 members. A class of 20 members was orgunizetl in Go&lien, Xovember, 1S7S. A Church organ, the Gospel Banner, has been published in Go- shen since July, 1S7S, edited by Eld. D. Brenneman. In January, 1S79. a publishing house was established, which is being conducted by the Church, under the management of a committee chosen by the General Conierence, and the j^aper publisheti in both tlie Ger- man and English languages. January, ISSO. botli papers were changed from montlilies to semi-monthlies, English edited by D. Brenneman and German by B, Bowman. The present monthly circulation of tlie two periodicals is 4,000 copies. THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. The Episcopal Church of Elkhart connty was first organized at Goshen in March, 1S59 On the 24th of that month a meeting of HISTORY OF ELKUART COUXTT. 635 Episcopalians was held within the office of Geo. Howell, nuder the presidency ot liev. Wm. H. Storey, at which the following resolu- tion was carried: We, the undersigned, being desirous of forming ourselves into au Episcopal congregation, by the name of St. James' Parish, agree to adopt and be governed by the constitution and canons "of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States, and the consti- tution and canons of the diocese of Indiana. This resolution was subscribed to by 30 members, who then joined in the election of their first vestry. This resulted in the ap- pointment of Messrs. P. M. Henkel. (.\ B. Alderman, Geo. Howell, C. W. Stevens. Charles Edward Lawrence, Henry Pearch. Wm. B. Martin. John Graham and G. T. K. Wadleigh on the vestry. The first services were held every alternate Sunday in the Swedenbor- gian church, until IStU, when Rev. C. A. Foster and the vestry suc- ceeded in the erection of a church edifice, in which services were given regularly. The pastors of this Church in the county were: Reverends Foster. ISoS*; Samuel D. Pueford. 1S67; Robert Charles Wall. lSt59; I. E. Wildemau. 1S70; Richard Totten. 1S71; Thomas W. Mitchell. :\[artin V. V. Averill, .\. E. Bishop and W. Forgus. The churches of this congregation at Elkhart, Goshen and Bristol are substantia! buildings, and now claim large congregations. THE PRESBTTERIAX CHCKCH. The Presbyterian Churches of Goshen and Elkhart were organ- ized in 1S3S and 1S40 respectively, the first with a congregation of 15 members, and the second witli one of 10 members. The Churches of Millersburg and Bristol were subsequently organized. Theoron Depew was the first minister of the latter Church, and Rev. Mr. Cook, of Goshen. Elkhart and Millersburg. These pio- neer pastors were succeeded by Rev. Messrs. Ronton, Kenzie, John- son, H. L. Vannuys, Edward Barr and Theoron Depew. The beautiful church of Goshen and the more extensive and costly church of Elkhart have been constructed during the pastorate ot Rev. Vannuys, and reflect ranch credit upon the organizations. THE CATHOLIC CHIRCH. The extensive territory of Indiana was at a very early period organized into missionary districts by the successors of the re- nowned Marquette. The names of the fathers, who. after the establishment of Yincennes. pushed northward to the Indian set- 636 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. tlement of Elk Heart, are now unkuown. ^vitll the exception of the name of Eev. James ilarest, at least within the connty of that name; but that thev came and went are facts Cixrried down by Indian tradition. Father De St. Palais, al'terward Bishop of Vincennes, traveled over the connty in a missionary character, at a date comparatively recent; but even of him little is re- membered by the old inhabitants of the county of beautiful prairies. The Rev. Francis Cointet has left an endurable name, and may be termed the first pastor of the Catholics of Elkhart county. His successor in this mission field was the Rev. Dr. E. B. Kilroy, who, in speaking of Coiatet, said that he was the first who visited Groshen, as now known, though many of his countrymen and co- laborers passed over the site of that pretty little city long before the good old pioneers came to settle there, and even prior to the time when the honest Mad Anthony, Col. Jackson and other soldiers first saw those lovely prairies, on which not a few of them afterward settled. The Rev. Francis Cointet continued to be a regular visitant from Jan., 1S47 to Xov., 1854, when he succumbed to the terrible cholera, and died at Notre Dame University. Dr. Ivilroy speaks of him as one peculiarly endeared to the people. " I never knew," said he, '• a more devoted missionary than he was; he lived on horseback. At Goshen he generally accepted the hos- pitality of Peter Fitzpatrick, tiien a store-keeper there, but now one of the brothers of Xotre Dame Tniversity." Dr. Kilroy took charge of the mission of Elkhart county in lSo5. Even then he would leave Notre Dame on horseback, carrying with him his vest- ments, and make a first halt at Elkhart, where were four Catholic families ; thence to Goshen, where 10 families generally formed the congregation. •'At that time," says the Doctor, " I used to be the guest of a German, whose name has almost escaped my memory, but whose hospitality is unforgotten. I doubt not but the name was J. Usselman. The sheriff of the county was one Charley Seeley, a fine, liberal, broad-minded, whole-souled man, who not only gave me the court-house free, but caused the bell to be rung for mass, and very often invited me to dinner at his pleasant home. From Goshen I used to go six miles out to the home of a German family (now on the railroad route), where I would celebrate mass for a con- gregation of 15 persons, thence to Ligonier and Kendallville, and re- turned via Plymouth. Within two miles of Ligonier there were four or five Irish families, who, with a few educated Americans, left HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. G37 nothing undone to insure my comfort. The names of those good people are now forgotten by me; but if my wishes have prevailed, their genial natures have been justly rewarded. In those days my mission extended from Kendallville 'to within 20 miles of Chi- cago, and during my travels I was often forced to sleep in nature's bed-room, the beautiful forests of Northern Indiana. The roads were horrible then; but for the two years which I gave to constant travel over them the fatigues of those journeys were fully com- pensated for by the genial welcome of my co-religionists, and people and ministers of other forms of Christianity. Indeed many men who did not thoroughly acquiesce in the teachings of the Church, attended my Sunday mass, and tlie court-houses of Goshen, Ply- month and Valparaiso were always crowded, when I preached. In fact, during those times, were it not for Protestant donations, I would not have been alile to feed niy horse, so that I shall never cease to remember the many kindnesses received from the people of Goshen and its vicinity." After Dr. Kilroy left the mission of Elkhart, he was appointed president of St. Mary's University, Chicago, and during the war for the Union, was commissioned by the great war governor, Morton, a special agent for the supervision of the sick and wounded soldiers of Indiana. Since the restoration of peace the Rev. Doctor has traveled much, both in the great land of his nativity, through- Europe and in the Canadas. When last at Eome the late Pope conferred on him the title of Doctor of Divinity, on account of his extensive knowledge, important services to Church and State and general moral greatness. He is the oldest living gradu- ate of Notre Dame University, and consequently a pupil of Father Badin, the tirst priest ordained in the U. S. For many years past Dr. Kilroy has occupied a very high position among Canadian churchmen, and is at present pastor of the important parish of Strat- ford. .\.mid all the honors which the people generallj' bestow on him, his thoughts oftentimes revert to Indiana — the home of his boyhood and his early missionary career. Elkhart county is well remembered by him, and a desire exists to visit once more a people whom he loved and a land which he admired. Eev. Father Schaeffer took charge of the mission of Elkhart county immediately after his predecessor's appointment as State agent for the care of the sick and wounded in 1861. He, too, was a zealous missionary, and during his short connection with the people of Elkhart, made preparations for the erection of the church which now offers a place of worship to the Catholics of Goshen. t)db HIOTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. The principal members of his congregation were John Hill, J. Usselmann, John Sullivan, Christian Engel, Jolm Koehrig, Charles Zirwes, Matthew Skelly, John MulhoUand and Feuton Straub. The liberal subscriptions of these men together with moneys received from members of other religious denominations formed a building fund, and within a short period a substantial brick edifice was erected at a cost of $4,500, and consecrated by Bishop Leurs, of Fort Wayne, assisted by the Rev. A. B. Oechtering, now of Mish- awaka, in 1861. The new Church and congregation merited better pastors than were given them in the immediate successors of Rev. Mr. Schaeffer, nor were the people content until the appointment of Father Meisner, nt)w of Peru, and of the Rev. J. Quinlan, both of whom succeeded in restoring confidence and peace. Early in 1S75 the Rev. M. F. Noll was appointed to the pastorate, and subsequently in 187S the Rev. H. A. Boeckelmann received the appointment, who still continues in its ministry. The Catholics of Benton, Bristol and New Paris are comprised in the Goshen congrega- tion. Those of Millersburg received the same attention as was extended to their co-religionists of Elkhart and Goshen, with the exception of a period extending from 1S75 to 1S7S, when the Rev. D. Duchmig, of Avilla, administered that portion of the mission. At present the numerous branches of the Rinck family, with the families of L. Ninor, J. Lesch, Peter Beaver, F. Koehler, — Funk and I. Spellman form its principal membership, and have erected a ch\irch at a cost of $2,250. This advance is due to the unob- trusive, though zealous, Father Boeckelmann. During the brief term of his pastorate much has been done in the interest of the Catholics of central and southern Elkhart, and it must be a subject for con- gratulation to learn that both himself and the few hundred mem- bers of his congregation possess not only the friendship, but, in many instances, receive the unqualified cooperation, of the great majority of the people of Elkhart county who are only separated from them in religious opinions. This congregation owns the cem- etery of St. John's, two and one-half miles northeast of the town, but owing to the ditficult approaches to it, and its distance from the church, the deceased of latter days have been consigned to mother earth in the general cemetery of Oak Ridge. The church of St. Vincent de Paul, at Elkhart, was built durihg the pastorate of the Rev. A. B. Oechtering, who organized that congregation in 1867. it having been hitherto attended by the mis- sionary priests. On Oct. 25, 186S, it was consecrated and religious HISTORY OF ELKHART COUXTT. b6\) services performed within its nnfinisbed walls, nor was the church dedicated until Oct. 25, 1870, when the bishop of Fort Wayne assisted by Reverends Ducbmif^ and Oechtering officiated. In November, 1869, Rev. John Oechtering received charge of the con- gregation, and on his being transferred to La Porte one year later, his reverend namesake was appointed pastor, who was in turn suc- ceeded by Rev. J. H. Qainlan in 1871. Since that period the Rev. M. F. Noll and Father Kroeger have administered the mission with remarkable abilit}-, as is evidenced by the prosperous condition of cliurch finances and the large average attendance. Among the church builders of more recent times are found the names of Vincent Yoisnett, Denis Brophy, J. Ludwig, John Singer, August Ludwig, etc. The number of members belonging to this mission is set down in the aggregate at several hundreds. THE LUTHERAN CHURCH. The Lutherans organized in October, 1S61, at Goshen, with a membership of 10, comprising Messrs. P. M. Henkel, Adam Yeakel, Shoup, Emerick, Kemph, Pronnett Hope, Grosspitch, Ob- linga, and M. Bartholomew. The congregation, though limited, then met with some additions, and in a short time raised a Church. The Rev. M. M. Bartholomew was made its first pastor, and con- tinued his services for a period of six years, when he was succeeded by the Rev. John Weber, who held the pastorate for five and one- half years, until the advent of the Rev. Geo. Schmogrow. Since his time the Englisli Lutheran Church, with the Rev. L. M. C. Weick- sell as pastor, and the Trinity Lutheran with Rev. Geo. Harter in pastoral charge, has continued the good work inaugurated here in 1861. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. The first congregation was organized at Elkhart in April, 1869, with Rev. L. R. Royce as pastor and 10 members, viz.: Jarvis Clark, John Ellis, Alpheus Bugbee, Mrs. Reynolds, Mrs. John Ellis, Mrs. Anne Bounell and Mrs. E. Ellis. Three years after this organization they succeeded in raising sufficient funds to erect a new church, and in the latter ])art of 1872 it was opened for the uses of worship. Since tliat period it has kept pace with the prog- ress of other religious denominations. 640 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. neff's CHUECH. In 1860 the German Baptists erected their first church, seven miles southwest of Goshen. For a period of thirty years they wor- shiped in their dwellings, in accordance with the custom of Daniel Gripe, their first pastor. Elder Gripe appointed preachers for the Sabbath days, who would, each in his turn, discourse to the people at the house of one of the old settlers; but in 1832 Jacob Stude- baker and Martin Weybright were ordained ministers, and relieved the ancient elder of much of the work which formerly devolved on him ; however the old man would occasionally preach until, after an existence of 87 years and six months, he passed to the grave, and a year later his brethren erected the first German Bap- tist church within Elkhart county. This denomination possesses a large membership and 10 places of worship here. THE GERMAN METHODIST CHURCH. The German Methodists have made a most remarkable progress. A few years only have elapsed since they worshiped in the most primitive churches; but now they have erected sacred edifices throughout the county singularly chaste in design and costly in construction. Their members and influence are acknowledged; but yet it is strange that the records of their organization are so scant as scarcely to leave a date on which to base their history in this county. One fact, however, is established, which is that their Church at Goshen is said to be prospering under the pastoral care of the Kev. John Schneider. THE MENNONITES. These Mennonites are peculiarl}' interesting, since they take very little interest in the military or political world, merely contenting themselves with whatever the earth ofters, and serving a God quietly and perhaps unobtrusively. They derive their faith from Menno Simon, a clever and ambitious man, who aimed at a study of Christianity, and molded his belief almost in accord with the theoretical Waldensians. The advent of these people to Elkhart may be set down as the year 1843, when John Smith arrived. Hoover, Henning, Strohm, C. and J. Christophel, Jacob Wesler, Hartman, Holdeman, Moyer, Smeltzer, Shaum, Blesser and Hershey subsequently came and settled in the county previous to 1850. Kev. D. Brenneman and others followed. The early meet- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 6-1:1 ing houses of the Meiinonites were of tlie most primitive character; but as years rolled on even the}' advanced a little and now claim a church or meeting-house in every township. The Amish Meunon- ites, though few in number, have a few churches. There are several other denominations possessing churches and meeting-houses within the county, each doubtless deserving a historical sketch, but the very little information which can be gathered regarding them precludes the possibility of a notice in this section of the county history. The reader may, however, rest assured that there is suflBcient church room within the county, a large number of pastors who. evidently, cannot find a leisure hour to reply to a polite note, asking for information in the interest of their churches, and thousands of really honest men and women, whose faith is living, and whose devotion is unquestionable. CHAPTER XVI. EDUCATIONAL. Some high or humble enterprise of good, Contemplate till it shall possess thy mind, Become thy study, pastime, rest and food. And kindle in thy heart a flame refined. The education of the masses is the leading characteristic of a free country; it is the guide to national greatness and to salutary reforms. Without it the people are less than the negroes of the darker days of the Republic; without it man cannot sura up the blessings of liberty nor aid fully in the duties of a good citizen. Though man may be always prepared for liberty, yet he who had not an opportunit}'. in his earlier years, to attain even the rudi- ments of that education which a school ofiFers, is a dangerous man to confer liberty upon; because his animal passions are then let loose, and the educated the political reformers — who con- tended, and won the precious boon for him, as well as for themselves, have often reason to cry out, " O Liberty, what crimes are commit- ted in thy name!" From a want of a well-organized system of education many, if not all, evils spring. The terrible forces with which the dangerous classes often threaten to annihilate the people are recruited from the haunts of ignorance and vice. All the shocking crimes which disgrace the annals of many glorious revolutions have their origin in ignorance. The hideous Parisian communist and the brutal sectionalist receive their ideas from it, and by it are urged on to these horrible deeds which darken, as it were, the enlightenment of the age, and leave a deep stain on the pages of our history. Though the secret tribunal of olden times comprised men of fair fame, the members of it were led to the perpetration of acts that to-day would merit capital punishment and consign their names to obloquy. In the dark ages such men were heroes, and ignorance worshiped them as such. In later years religious and political parties have resorted to desperate aud disreputable means to assert supremacy. and so all the evils attend- ant on a want of education have been carried down to our time, to show us the dangers of ignorance, and lead us from the paths of (643) HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 643 vicioueneES. That the terrible example set bv bad men has borne good fruit is evident. Look over the educational statistics of the State, aud deductions may be made of a most consolatory nature. A desire exists in the hearts of even the youtli to pursue a course of study which the State offers, and as years grow apace this desire becomes an absolute longing until now a promise of the universal- ity of knowledge seems to be consummated. Mr. Chamberlain, in his address in 1859, when speaking on the uses of education, said: — ''Old settlers, I cannot leave this theme, on this occasion so appropriate to enforce the duties which it imposes, without urging the consideration of their paramount importance. Even every motive inspired by mere grovelling self- ishness, to urge no higher and nobler incentives, should induce us, now that we are passing off the stage, to see to it that those in whom ourselves are reproduced should be qualified by every kind of useful knowledge to buffet with the world, and all the adverse events which will beset them on their journey through life. ' Riches take to themselves wings and iiy away.' Therefore, for our children's sake, let us not place reliance upon riches. But use- ful knowledge is that food of the soul which, allied with the immor- tality of our being, fosters and develops all the undying energies which characterize our true nature. As oar feet are sliding from their iiold on mortal life, let us then see to it, I say, that this great, first and last duty, in ever}- iota, is faithfully fulfilled. We owe it to ourselves, we owe it to our children, we owe it to our race, we owe it to our country, we owe it to our God. Yes, I tell you, our feet are sliding, noiselessly it may be, yet, resistlessly as the course of time, we are going, going, going. In the performance of this duty then we have no time to spare; even since our last meeting we miss some familiar faces. Where is Harris, who then was one of our number, and whose familiar voice greeted us with good cheer? His work on earth is done; and if ours is not, let us be warned to be up and doing. Where is Mather? Cut off in the prime of life; we shall meet his ever kind and cordial greeting no more here. Where is young Defrees? An old settler indeed, born on the banks of the St. Joseph, the very year, and at the point where I first looked upon that placid emblem of the even current of his life, — the first fruits, shall I say, of the great reaper, native to our soil. Thus the boy has come and gone. And we are old settlers of a generation. Do we realize it?" Q-ii HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Elkhart county has from its beginning paid much attention to educational matters. In the foregoing chapters reference has been made to tlie first village school and to the industrious teachers who instructed the j-outhful pioneers that came hither with their parents; but here the work of years of well-diracted labor unfolds itself, and shows its immensity in the nuttiber and high character of the county schools. In every city, town and village of Elkhart, progress, remarkable, unusual, magnificent, has been made. Xo reasonable expense has been spared to render the working of the schools perfect, aad it must be a subject for congratulation to a people who made much sacrifice of time and money, to behold the result of their own earnestness in the matter, and the zeal mani- fested by both township and county school officials. The follow- ing statistics show the progress of the cause of education in the county, and cannot fail to be of much interest: REVENUE FOR TUITION, 187S. Amount on hand September, 1877 831,829.58 " received Februarv, 1878 39,033.54 " June, 1878 17.066.23 ^Miscellaneous receipts 1,365.85 Total $79,384.30 Amount expended since September, 1877 §50,781.-30 " now on hand 28,502.90 $79,284.30 SPECIAL SCHOOL REVENUE, 1S78. Amoimt on hand September, 1877 818,547.01 '• since received 30,985.85 849,532.86 Amount expended since September, 1877 831.542.05 " nowonhand 17,990.81 849.. 532. 86 REVENUE FOR TUITION. ISSO. Amount on hand September 1, 1879 823,892.66 " received in February, 1830 20,928.15 " June, 1880 25,638.12 Miscellaneous receipts 2,021.94 873,4^0.87 Amount expended since September 1, 1879 846,958.07 " now on hand 25,.533.80 $72,480.87 ^^ m. f ^T-^^Sc. /^^-^ /?^>^^^2^ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. bit SPECIAL SCHOOL REVENUE, 1880. Amount on hand September, 1879 117,608.68 •• since received 38,881.18 Amount expended since September 1, 1879 31,036.53 •' now on hand 15,463.38 $46, 489.80 1878. 1880. No. of school buildings, brick 64 80 frame 81 64 total 145 144 Est. val. of school-houses, including grounds, seats, etc. .$339,4.37.13 $ 353,79 " " globes, maps, etc 4,300.00 6,190.00 Total " school property |333,637.13 |358,983.38 " amount of special school tax $38,491.48 $35,197.33 No. of vols, in tp. libraries 3,704 3,765 " " taken out during the )-ear 459 448 " " added to the libraries 1 5 Amt. pd. trustees for managing educational matters $1,007.50 $1,055.50 No. of school-houses erected during the year 10 5 Val. " " " " " $17,650.00 $6,700.00 No. of private schools 5 1 " teachers in the same (male 1, females, 4) 5 1 pupils in the same admitted within the year 55 19 iaily attendance of same 38 18 '• cost of tuition per pupil, per month $ ..58 $3.00 No. of tp. institutes during the year 107 130 " pupils admitted to the public schools during the year. 9,107 9,130 " " white, male 4,800 4,840 " female 4,804 4,386 " " colored, male 16 3 " " " female 18 3 Average daily attendance of all children 6,060 6, 184 No. of districts 133 134 " " '■ in which no school was taught 1 '■ " " graded schools 5 8 " '•township " " 3 1 Average number of school daj's 143 160i No. of teachers, male 158 16.5 female 143 140 " total 381 305 Wages of teachers per day, in townships, males $1.56 $1.67 " " " females 1.34 1.37 " " " in towns, males 3.69 4.09 " " " " " females, 1.54 2.03 " " " " in cities, male 3.67 3.67 females 2.13 2.13 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. SEMI-DECENNIAL STATISTICS. No. o£ No. of Attendance Total Ain't Year. School Days. Teacliere. at School. P'd Teachers. 1855 66 -65 2,720 .f 3,381 1860 159 6,952 9,438 1865 96 201 7,507 15,875 1870 143 287 7,969 33,388 1875 139 384 9,108 43,755 1880 160.5 305 9,130 An address delivered by Prof. Monry in 1878 deals with the subject of school management very fully. His opinion on such matters is of some importance, since he has made the school a sub- ject ot life-long study. He says: " By a complete course of studj' we understand that a certain fixed curriculum is to be pursued and finished by the pupils in a deter- mined period of school life, and as thoroughly taught by their instructors. Referring to the Constitution of Indiana, we obtain an idea of what the framers of that fundamental code of State law intended should constitute a cominon-school education. It may be expressed in brief thus: Moral, intellectual and practical, or agri- cultural training and improvement. The State is bound to provide for all its children the opportunity for a free and thorough educa- tion, embracing all necessary training under the above heads. Each child has a right to be instructed in a course of study com- prising a sufficient range of subjects to awaken all his faculties and employ his time from tlie age of 6 to 21 years. The organic laws of the State do not limit to any youth the acquisition of knowledge, nor fix tiie boundary line of mental culture. It aims rather at affording its youth full opportunity to gain all the knowledge they have the capacity to acquire. The limits of acquirement are regulated by two factors: First, the capacity of the pupil; second, the willingness of the parents to avail themselves of the oppor- tunity offered by the State. Legislative acts have determined the least number of branches constituting a course of study, and these are enumerated in section 11:7 of the new school law. No person who has given the subject of education much attention will question the propriety of demanding that every child of sound mind in the State shall receive at least this limited amount of instruction. How can he be fitted to perforin his duties as a citizen and voter unless he has at least this much education? " Any teacher who cannot teach these indispensable branches is not qualified to be employed in the schools of the State. The salaries of teachers are now such as to justify our demand that they IIISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 649 should be able to teach all the Ijranclies previousl.y indicated. It is a very encouraging feature to observe the pupils in the rural schools advancing in their endeavors to obtain a good English education, and their appreciation of its value. In this day of enlightenment and progress when any one aspiring to the teacher's duties and responsibilities is so amply aided to prepare for the same, no one can say that the examination we require them to pass through is too extended or severe; in other words, that we ask too much in requiring a thorough knowledge of all the ordinary English branches. This does not keep the standard of our schools too high. In more advanced districts we often find this course of study considerably e.xtended, algebra, geometry, botany and other kindred subjects being extensively taught. Nor do we find that other and more ordinary branches are less thoroughly pursued in schools where this addition is made. On the contrary, it seems to arouse the ambition of the scholars and enkindle in the school an activity which permeates and increases in value all the work done. Yet, unfortunately, many tail to obtain a competent knowledge of even tiiose branches of study which are to a certain extent made obligatory upon the would-be teacher. Many causes may be assigned for such failures; but, perhaps, the chief one in the greater number of cases is a lack of a systematic plan of study formed from the beginning, and pursued undeviatingly through the school course. This should be so systematically mapped out and arranged that both the pupil and the interested parent or friend of tlie pupil may at any time perceive just what has been done and may be accomplished in a given time. Also, this course should be so arranged that each pupil may, at any time, be able to compare himself with the standard of acquirement and intelligence suitable to his age, and in comparing may see at a glance what he lacks to obtain it. This co-operation on the part of the pupil must not only constantly benefit himself, but also greatly aid the teacher in his endeavors to keep up a high standard in the school. The idea of a course of study for the country schools is a new thing, and is one of the good results of county supervision. The good already accom- plished by it is most encouraging for the future, and the teachers are becomiiig convinced that no school can be properly system- atized without its use. '•Grading, as applied to school work, simply means advancement by regular steps. This is the natural process by which the mind acquires knowledge, and any departure from ways established by 650 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. the Creator entails its own penalty. But when wrong methods are employed in education the penalty is not paid by the responsible violators of its laws; the children who trust implicitly in their in- structors are the sufferers. The practicability of grading rural schools has long been a question, but experience — the test which proves or disproves the value of any system — ^has shown it not only possible but highly practicable and valuable in its results. "We, indeed, now find that from any school not graded no satis- factory results can be attained. Some of ourleading educators concede the possibility of attempting to establish this system in our country schools, but doubt that of maintaining it. True, in the rural dis- tricts many obstacles intervene to retard the good results of first- rate educational measures, yet these only prove the necessity of having a still more efficient system of organization in country than in city schools in order to produce equally go.id results. Justice requires that, as much as possible, all our youth profit equally by the advantages of our excellent school system. Since then the sys- tem of grading is not only a possible, but a perfectly practicable, one, as can be proved by its results in many Indiana schools, it should be applied to all, and the teachers and other oflicers, of both city and country schools, should insist that each school be thor- oughly graded, and that this system be maintained from year to year. " Many of our Northern Indiana schools may be cited as illus- trating the eminently good results of this system, since under its workings they have risen to a far higher state of efficiency than ever before. Teachers and patrons of our schools are unanimous in com- mending its results. The necessity of gradation, or in other words, of proceeding by regular degrees, is a fundamental principle in life. "We find it established everywhere, in all business enterprise, in all mechanical pursuits, in the labors of professional men, in the ranks of our army and navy; yet nowhere is its necessity so imperative as in the work of the educator. " A child proceeds from the known to the unknown, and he ad- vances by regular steps or degrees. These steps are necessarily short, but if they are skillfully directed they will be just long enough to promote in the highest degree the best development of the learner's powers. " A carefully arranged course of study is the first thing needful in the introduction and establishment of grades in the rural schools. This course should indicate the number and kinds of grades into IIISTORT OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 651 which the stipulated studies will divide the pupils. Grades are not formed by dividing walls, but by the different degrees of ad- vancement on the part of the pupils. Therefore there may be sev- eral grades in any one department. Some fi.xed regulations are needful to sustain a grade when it is once established. An incom- ing teacher should find a perfect record left by his predecessor. This should indicate the exact grade and class to which each pupil belongs, either because of promotion or because he has failed of such promotion, and it is found necessary to leave him in lower grades and classes until he can pass satisfactory' examinations. The record should farther show the exact page in each study where the pupil should recommence his work. These records should be made in books, prepared for that purpose, and kept in the archives of the district for reference. Keeping these records on blank paper is simply of itself enough to defeat the entire system of grading. It is onlv possible to grade perfectly and to give the system a fair trial, where the school officers are willing to do their whole duty." During the first months of 1880 many of the township trustees sent in their reports, and as they have special reference to the divis- ions of the county, they may be regarded with some interest in this connection. Middlebury Schools. — One of the school trustees, Mr. D. H. White, of Middlebury. furnished to the county superintendent of schools a report under date of December, 1S79. Since that period Mr. D. T. Kaulfman, the present township trustee, furnished a statement as follows: Total number enumerated, 573; number enrolled during the month, 33S; average belonging, 307; average attendance, 285; per cent, of attendance, 91; days of absence, 578; number neither tardy nor absent, SO; time lost by tardiness, 3-i hours. Mr. J. C. Mehl, a conscientious teacher, reported very favorably of his pupils, but was so precise in the premises that he debited himself with a jjeriod of time extending over ten minutes; yet, as he acknowledges, a rabbit was caught during those few minutes, which must be matter for congratulation to the farms and school authorities, as it was an exercising subject for himself. The trustee of Elkhart township, Mr. Thomas Miller, furnished the following report: Total number enumerated, 530; number in school during the month, 368; number belonging, 3i7; average daily attendance, 304; per cent, of attendance, 90; days of absence, G52 IIISTOET OF KLKIIART COL'NTy. 605; number neither tardy nor absent, 120; time lost by tardiness, 43 hours. This report is unsupplemented by any remark from the teacher; but it is not to be supposed for a moment tliat the individual is less conscientious than Mr. Mehl. Mr. Peter D. Berkey reported for Harrison township as follows: Total number enumerated. 716; number in school during the month, i57; average number belonging, t2S; average daily attend- ance 372; per cent, of attendance, 89; days of absence, 126; num- ber neither tardy nor absent, 90; cases of tardiness, 282; time lost by tardiness, 82 hours. The trustee for Concord township, Mr. J. D. Compton, gave the total enumeration, 518; number in school during the month, 3J-6; average belonging, 300; average daily attendance, 274; per cent, of attendance, 90; cases of tardiness, 109; days of absence, 487; nnniber neither tardy nor absent, 76; time lost by tardiness, 22 hours. Mr. Isaac Wisler, trustee of Locke township, reported a total enumeration, 402; number in school during the month, 222; num- ber belonging, 201; average daily attendance, 184; per cent, of attendance, 90; days of absence, 425; number neither tai'dy nor absent, 60; cases of tardiness, 168; time lost by tardiness, 62 hours. The trustee of Cleveland township, Mr. Hiram Kantz, furnished his report as follows; Enumeration, 145; number in school during the month, 110; number belonging, 114; average daily attendance, .96; per cent, of attendance, 91; days of absence, 250; number neither tard}' nor absent. 14; cases of tardiness, S6; time lost by tardiness, 29 hours. In this gentleman's report to the county superintendent he states that one of the teachers in his township failed to send in a report. Some other townships have been backward also, so that the returns of the county are not complete. Mr. Isaac Lamb, of York township, gives the following report, as published in February, ISSO: Total enumeration, 345; number in school during the month, 249; number belonging, 228; average daily attendance, 215; per cent, of attendance, 93; days of absence, 269; neither tardy nor absent, 90; cases of tardiness, 100; time lost by tardiness, 39 hours. Clinton towiishij) schools, reported by Mr. Jacob Rohrer, claim an enumeration of 666; number in school, 430; number belonging. HISTORi- OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 653 ;3!)1; average attendance, 352; per cent, of attendance, 89; absence, 870; neither absent nor tardy, 93; cases of tardiness. 216; time lost by tardiness, 64 hours. Mr. Jacob Ehart, trustee of Olive township, reported enumera. tion, 538; number in school, 326; number belonging, 305; attend- ance, 286; per cent., 94; absence, 545; neither tardy nor absent, S4; cases of tardiness. 133; time lost by tardiness, 38 hours. Osolo township schools, reported in January, 1880, by Mr. Geo. Rich, the township trustee, show the following results: Total enumeration, 222; number in school, 116; number belonging, 85; average attendance, 81; per cent, of attendance, 90; absence, 196; neither tardy nor absent, 22; cases of tardiness, 32; time lost, 11 hours. Mr. F. G. Romaine, trustee for Washington township, reported as follows: Total enumeration, 186; number in school, 168; num- ber belonging, 152; average attendance, 129; per cent., 89 ; ab- sence, 469; neither absent nor tardy, 19; cases of tardiness, 51; time lost,*18 hours. The trustee for Baugo, Lester Sawyer, reports a total admission of pupils to the schools of the township during the year of 292. An average attendance of 132; average number of days in which school was taught, 140; number of teachers employed, 12; and average salary, $1.41 per day. The balance to credit of township school fund on Sept. 1, 1880, is reported to be $1,089.17; thenurn- ber of township institutes, 16; and the estimated value of school property is $10,100. The schools of Benton received 411 pupils during the year end- ing Sept. 1, 1880. The average daily attendance was 270; the number of days on which school was taught equaled 140; teachers employed, 23, at an average salar}' of §1.56 per day. The balance to credit of school fund is §877.21; the number of township insti- tutes, 7; and the estimated value of school property, $10,300. Thomas Prickett, the trustee, furnished the report. Mr. C. Landgraver, trustee of Jackson township, reported the admission of 538 pupils to the schools during the year ending September, 1880; number of teachers employed, 10; amount to credit of school fund, $117.74; value of school property. $13,100; and number of township institutes, 8. The number of pupils admitted to the Jefferson schools was 393; teachers employed, 20; amount to credit of school fund, $358.25; 654 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. value of school property, $11,650.00; and number of township institutes, 6. Phillip F. Xve is trustee of this township. The trustee of Union township, Samuel Smith, reported the ad- mission of 606 pupils to the schools during the year ending Sep- tember, 1S80; the number of teachers employed, 20; the amount on hand, $721.67; the number of institutes, 7; and the total value of school property, $13,300. The statistics show a steady advance in the number of pupils attending the township and city schools. That great progress has been made in the art of education is evident, but amid the general improvement, many evils still exist. Graded schools do not lead in every township; there are exceptions to the industry, zeal and ability which characterize by far the greater number of teachers emploj-ed. Men who forget the duties they owe to their children do not render all that co-operation which is in their power, and many teachers are actually driven to lose interest in pupils who become incorrigible under home influences. In a few instances the trustees do not exercise sufficient care and earnestness in their connection with school matters, and very often this laxity on the part of men holding such important positions leads to dire results by instilling itself into the minds of instructors and pupils. It was ever thus: carelessness on the part of the old and responsible begets negligence on that of the young and irresponsible. An example must be set and a precedent laid down by those in authority before the governed incline to industry and all the virtues which follow it. Every man to whom this country has endeared itself must exert all the powers of both mind and body to lay down examples for youth and lead them away from the brink of that chasm, to which evil precedence and ignorance might have guided their footsteps. A federal govei-nment, a great republic, requires the masses to be educated. Ignorance and a pure federalism cannot dwell in the same house; therefore the republic ordains that liberty and enlight- enment must progress together, and she calls upon the true men of the land to educate ! educate ! In dealing with the history of each township, the schools will have special attention bestowed upon them. This course suggests itself as the proper one, since no less than l-H buildings devoted to educational purposes have to be noticed. All of them are worthy of description, and many claim pre-eminence. They are identified with the townships, and so should hold a place in township history. Consequently there is no desire to interfere with tJie regular order of this work, and in the observance of that order a minute sketch of the schools will hold a place in the succeeding chapters. TOWNSHIP HISTORIES. BAUGO TOWNSHIP. Long before the white man had set foot on " Hoosier soil," the wild Indian had christened the stream Baugo creek, which were the ''sportiniT waters" for the Indian boys. It was from this creek that the township derives its name. The word Baugo is bat an abbreviation of the original which is Banbango, signifying the "devil" or the "devil river." The creek was thns christened because of its terribly swift current during a freshet. On such oc- casions, even the expert Indian dared not venture out in the raging waters' for fear that his little bark would become unmanageable, be hurled against the precipitous banks, and be broken to pieces, and "big Injun '' be drowned. The whites used the name " Baubaugo" for some time, and they, thinking that it required too great an amount of " wind " to speak the word, concluded to modify it to their own satisfaction, which they did, omitting the former '' ban," and having it simply " Baugo." The dates of the arrival of the early settlers, and of the organ- ization of the township, and other items of history are almost buried in obscurity. The old pioneers that effected the first settle- ments in the midst of hundreds of wild savages of this township have long since passed oif the " stage of action," and been lain beneath the sod. According to the evidence of Mr. Daniel Richason, who is the most authentic source we have, Mr. Wm. Mote was the first, he having settled here in 1830. The next was John McNey, who was followed by Messrs. James Davis, John Barnes, Mr. Kel- log, Jacob Rnpel and Wm. Richason. Later came Azel and Horace Meads, Jacob Ilupel (again), Isaac Morris and some others. The last named person remained in the township for only one year, then went to Olive township. Afessrs. "Wm. Richason and James Davis ei-ected a saw-mill on the Baugo at Jamestown (now called Jimtown). This town is situated on the bank of the Baugo, on section 26; it was laid out about tiie year 1835, by James Davis. The first house was a frame, built by Samuel Cotterel. lie nlso (055) 656 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. opened the first store in the place. The town was almost aban- doned. A brick school-house is all the building in the place that is worth mentioning. The first election was held in the school-house at this place in 1836; the township was organized some time pre- vious to this. The first school-house in the township was built of logs in Jamestown. The county chapel is the M. E. denomination, and was bnilt in 185i by Zenas Belden. It is 30x4:0 feet in size, and is a very elegant and commodious stnicture. In 187i a Baptist society erected a church on section 27, at a cost of $1,700. It is surrounded with a cemetery beautifully laid off in wards. PERSONAL SKETCHES. The history of Baugo township will now be completed by its most interesting subject matter, namely, sketches of its principal citizens, many of wliom are pioneers whose gray hairs are monu- ments of the hardships and privations of frontier life. J. V. Crawford, farmer, sec. 13; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Licking county, O., Oct. 20, 1833, and is a son of James and Mary Crawford, the former a native of Yirginia and the latter of Pennsylvania. In 1830 the family moved to AVyandot county, O., where he grew to manhood, and in 1853 came to Jfoble county, this State, where he resided till 1864; then came to this county, where he has since been engaged in fanning andstock- raising. Sept. 17, 1857, he was married to Lucinda M., daughter of John H. and Barbara Haines, who were natives of Pennsyl- vania. To this union were born 5 children, of whom 3 are living, viz.: Eustatia. John H. and Luetta. The deceased are Altha B. and Barbara E. Mrs. Crawford died S^ept. 0, 1871, and Mr. C. again married Feb. 13, 1873, Harriet Krieg, by whom he had 5 children, viz.: Clowe (Chloe) A., Oliver II., Susan R., Ches- ter C. and Ada S. Mr. C's. father was a first cousin of Col. Craw- ford, w-ho was burned by the Indians on Battle Island, Wyandot county, Ohio. Mr. C. owns a farm of 133 acres, in sec. 13, wortli $75 per acre. Leonhard Frank is a native of Germany, and was born Feb. 7, 1830. His parents were George and Margaret Frank, also natives of Germany. In 1854 he came to America, landing in New York city May 17. He first located in Burlington county, N. J., and in 1855 removed to Crawford county, Ohio. Here he remained until 1867, when he came to St. Joseph county, Ind., where he remained until 1879 and then came to this county, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising, at which he has been eminently success- ful. He was married Oct. 15, 1855, to Miss Mary Conger, by whom he has had 11 children; the S living are: George, Emeline and Caroline (twins), Lewis, Andrew. Theresa, Katie and John. Mr. Frank owns a farm of 146 acres on sec. 11, Concord tp. HISTORY OF KLKIIART COUNTV. 657 « Ahriihiirn B. HoJdevian was born in "Wayne county. O., April 4, ls:M. His parents, Christian and Christiana Holdeman, were natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. His educational advantajjes were more extended than those of a great many others of that day, and we see the results: 20 years spent in teaching; May -i, 1856, he mar- ried Elizabeth Weed, and had 2 children, viz : Emma (now Mrs. Frank Gire) and Warren (decV Mrs. Holdeman departed this life May 11, 1860. and Mr. H. again married Se])t. 15, same year, Mary, daughter of Isaac and Anna Kilmer. They have had 7 chil- dren. 5 of whom are living, viz: Abner, Anna E., Alice M..Priscilla and Martha M., Sarah E. (dec.) and Menno Simon (dec). Mr. Holde- man owns a farm of 185 acres, in sec. 36, worth $75 per acre. Re- ligiously he is a Mennonite and politically a Republican. John Uolderman, sr., was born in Tuscarawas countj-, O., June 6,1812, and is a son of Jacob Holdermau, of Pennsylvania. Mr. H. was reared on a farm. He was utterly deprived of the advan- tages of securing an education : from boyhood to manhood he was seen wielding the ax or mattock made by his father. In 18-32 he married Charity Culp, by whom he had 3 children, 2 now liv- ing, viz.: Jacob, who married Catharine Mills, and Anna, now Mrs. Solomon B. Culp. Mrs. Holdermau died about the year 1837, and Mr. H. a«rain married in 183S, Anna Seese, by wdiom he has had 12 children; 9 of these are living, viz: Christopher, who married Miranda Mace; John, who married Nancy Helms; Rachel, now Mrs. Wm. Helms; Abraham, who married Lizzie Moon ; David, who married Ella Bishop ;«Tobias, who married Lovina Crater; Lovina, now Mrs. John Page; James, who married Celestia Stoner; and Sarah, now Mrs. Jefterson Fish. Mr. Holdermau owns 170 acres of land worth $50 per acre. Politically he is a Democrat. FriinMin Pontioiis was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 18, 1845, and is a son of Gabriel and Martha Pontious, who removed with their family' to this county in 1852. They settled on sec. 15, this tp., where the subject of this sketch still resides, engaged in farming. He was married May 26, 1870, to Miss Sarah Ann Fort- uey, daughter of John and Anna Fortney. She was born Jan. 25, 1851. They have 2 children, Ida N. and Martha E. Horace liandolj)^ was among the early pioneers of this county, having settled liere in the spring of 1836. He was born in Oneida county, N. Y., Jan. 11, 1815. "His parents were Abel and Phebe Randolph, the former a native of New York and the latter of Massacliusetts. In 1834 Mr. Randolph went with his parents to Lenawee county, Mich., and in the fall of 1835 went to Illinois, thence to this place. Mr. Randoljjh jiassed his youth on a farm, having access only to the common schools. Dec. I!', 1841, he mar- ried Polly A., daughter of John and Flora Faling, of Xew York. They have had 5 children, of whom 4 are living: Harriet, now Mrs. Byron Majors; Edwin, married to Mary Brower; Mary A., now Mrs. Daniel Breasecker, and Walter. "Seth died Jan. "l9, 1872. 658 HISTORY OF ELKHAET CODNTT Mr. Randolph's companion was taken away by death, thus leaving him alone, and March 12, lS7i, lie joined himself to one Mrs. Jane Belden (McNey), with whom he still lives. To this union have been born 3 children, of whom 2 are living, viz.: Josephine and Charles. Feb. 14, 1S66, Mr. Randolpli's father died, aged 70, and now sleeps with many other pioneers in the Elkhart cemetery. lie was a soldier in the war of 1812. He fled to America, but was impressed by the British, and for five years fought against the " people of his choice." On one cold winter's niorning he deserted his post and took his property, which consisted of a horse and sleigh, and ventured across the St. Lawrence on the ice. When some distance from shore the ice broke and his horse fell through and was drowned, but he merely escaped with his life to the free soil. He immediately enlisted in the American service and served till the war closed, which lasted only five days after his enlistment. Mr. Randolph, the subject of this sketch, now resides in Baugo tp. , where he settled in 1S68, and is engaged in farming and rearing stock. In politics he is a Democrat. We give a portrait ol Mr. Randolph in this volume. Lester Sawyer, farmer, sec. 25; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Portage county, Ohio, May 23, 1832, and is a son of Levi and Car- oline (Beer) Sawyer, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Ohio. His early life was passed on a farm, receiving his educa- tion in the common schools, and qualified himself for teaching, which he followed for seven years. In 1854 he came to this county, where lie has since resided, e"new(?y, farmer, sec. .5; P. 0., Millersburg; was born in this county Jan. 15, 1852, the son of C. B. and Mary A.nn (Benjamin) Dewey, natives of Ohio and of English ancestry; mother was killed by a runaway team. He was educated in the common school in Clinton tp., this county, at the "Pleasant" school-house. In 1872 lie married Mary Hoffman, and they have 3 daughters. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat. His land comprises 53 aci-es. D. W. D'niius, miller at Benton, was born Oct. 21, 1849, in Huntington county, Ind., the son of Hiram and Hester (Fripley) Dinins, natives of Ohio and of German descent; educated in the common school in this State; learned the miller's trade, and was eight years in the employ of C. & E. Hawks, Goshen; he was brought up, however, on the farm. As a miller he has been re- markably successful. He is now running the "Benton Mills," hav- ing rented them Aug. 9, 1880, vvhen they had pretty well run down, but he has brought them up to the highest standard. Business has so increased that he now runs the mills night and day, being as- sisted at night by his father. In 1872 Mr. D. W. Dinins married Sarah Moore, and they have 2 sons. Politically Mr. D. is a Re- publican. William. It. Eaton., carpenter and farmer, sec. 1; P. O., Millers- burg; was born in Union county, this State, in 1835, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Sim pson ) Eaton, of English ancestry, father a native of Virginia, and mother of Tennessee; educated in the com- mon schools of his native county; in 1S5S he married Sarah Moss, and they had 1 child, Henry M., born Aug. 11, 1860, who is now a farmer. Mrs. Eaton died in 1861, and in 1863 Mr. E. married Lucretia Allen. He owns 70 acres of good land, 50 acres of which he has cleared of heavy timber, mostly himself. Politically he is a Republican, and he has been School Director in this tp. He had three brothers in the last war, two in the 36th Inf., and the other in the 9th Cav. All three suffered wounds in battle. Willis Foster, farmer, sec. 11 ; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Ohio in lb47, the son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Hague) Foster, of 670 HISTORY OF ELKHART COCNTT. Enojlish ancestr}', the father a native of Virginia. The subject of this notice was educated in the common schools of this county; in 1872 he married Mary Carr, and they have 2 sons, Charles and George D. Mr. F. owns SO acres of land, and is a successful farmer; has lived in this county since 18a3. Is a Eepublican. John Freehand, farmer, sec. 2; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Preston county, W. Va., Dec. 23, 1812, the son of John and Mary (McCann) Freeland; father a native of Maryland and of English de- scent, and mother a native of Pennsylvania and of German and Irish descent; educated in the log school-house in Virginia; came to this county in 1835, arriving with only $2.50 in his purse; ob- tained a start in life by working out by the month, and lately he has been oifered §1-I:,0b0 for his farm, which is in the suburbs of Millersburg. He has been prominently identified with the history of this community. In 1837, in Benton, he married Sarah Long- acre, and 6 of their 7 cliildren are living; the 3 sons are married. Mrs. F. is not now living. She was a Baptist, as is also her hus- band. John Gordy,i&r mer and stock-raiser, sec. 31; P. O., Syracuse, Ind.; was born Aug. 17, 1820, in Ohio, and is the son of Wra. and Jane (Stewart) Gordy, father a native of Maryland and of English descent, and motiier a native of Ireland. Mr. G. was educated mostly in the common schools of Ohio; has been a farmer all his life; now has 120 acres of very valuable, well-improved land; he settled on his present estate in 1835, and is therefore one of the most prominent pioneers. Politically, he is a Eepublican, and in religion both he and Mrs. G. ai"e members of the " Church of God." in which he has been Eider and Deacon. His wife, nee Mary Ann Mann, he married in 1842, and of the 8 children born to them 3 sons and 2 daugliters are living. The eldest son, G. W., was killed in the war of the rebellion, he having enlisted in Co. G, 48th Inft., in 1863. Joseph H. Hawkins was born in this county, near Goshen, Nov. 11, 1833, son of G. W. and Electa A. (Sweet) 'Hawkins, of German descent, iather a native of Pennsylvania, and mother of Ohio; they were pioneers here, but she died when the subject of this sketch was a small boy; the latter was placed in the hands of other parties, with whom he passed his early life upon a farm, without ever attend- ing school. Learning the tanner's trade in Benton, he worked at it two years; but since 1S£8 he has run the Benton saw-mill most of the time; this mill was built in 1847. In early life Mr. Hawkins had a narrow escape from the rapacious jaws of a pack of wolves. He and his younger brother were out after the cows and got lost; when it became dark they heard the wolves, and Joseph immediately climbed a tree and helped his brother up into it by aid of his foot; the wolves soon arrived, and would not leave the place until the light of the torches borne by the anxious neigh- bors hunting for the lost was fully upon them. In after years, when Mr. H'. was performing his duty as Constable in arresting a HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 671 felon named John Long, the culprit shot him in the side near the heart, and thus did the subject of this notice have another very narrow escape with his life. Dec. 25, 1854, Mr. H. married Mary J. Corns, and they have a son and a daughter, namely: Georoe Fremont, born in lS.'i6, and Cynthia Viola, born in 1S63. In 1865 Mr. 11. enlisted in the 152d Ind. Vol. Inft., Co. A, and was discharged at the close of the war. Politically, he is a Republican, and was once a Constable for 15 years. Mrs. H. is a member of the M. E. Churcli. Tilmaii JIilb/-sh,t'a.rmer and stock-raiser, and musician, sec. 2; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Juniata county. Pa., Feb. 9, 1833, a son of Peter and Catharine ( Weller) Ililbish, both of German de- scent, the former of whom was born near Philadelphia in 1797, and died July 13, 1858; was brought up on a farm, attended school but little, though by perseverance he educated himself so as to be able to teach school, which he did two terms, to the satis- faction of his patrons; he studied his books nights and at odd in- tervals, while he was the eldest of the children and had to work hard. He early exhibited a faculty for excellence in music, which he has duly cultivated until he now ranks as the best musician in Elkhart county; he has composed several pieces; excels also in teaching music, both vocal and instrumental; lias a fine library on musical science, and by taking the chief musical periodicals of the day he keeps himself posted in the modern progress of that science; he can play upon various musical instruments of the day, his favorite being a combination organ; the one in his possession is one of the best. In 1857 Mr. Hilbish married Miss Melissa, daugliter of John and Catharine (Sumniy) McBride, the former of IScotch-Irish de- scent and the latter of German, and they have 10 children, namely: Frances, Amma, Lowell, Miron, Leighton, Ralph, Celestia, Effie, Willard, Minnie and Orpha. "When Mr. H. commenced in life he had Init little means ex'- cept his good sense and physical capacit}-, and by these he has accumulated considerable property-. He owns about 1,500 acres of land, raises and sells cattle, hogs and sheep. He is care- ful and cautious in all his transactions, strictly honest, and is there- fore one of the most influential citizens of the count}'. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and Mrs. H. is a member of the M. E. Church. It is said by those personally acquainted witli him for years that he is not only a kind and affectionate husband and father, but that he is also genial, kind and hospitable to those who visit his house, and that his kindness extends to those who are in his employ, and that kindness even extends in a remarkable degree to his dumb brutes, especially his horses, of which he has soTne very fine speci- mens. It is also said by those best acquainted with him, that he is not only strictly honest in all liis dealings with his fellow men, but 672 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. that one of bis most prominent traits of character is, he is very precise and systematic in all his business transactions. A portrait of Mr. Hilbisb is given in this volume. David Zr//'6, farmer and stoclv-raiser, sec. 26; P. O., Ligonier; was born in this county in lSi2, and is a son of John and Mary (Blue) Hire, natives of Ohio, and father of German ancestry, edu- cated in the common school in tliis tp., in District No. 4; in 1867 he married Rachel Knox, and they have 2 sons and 1 daughter, namely: George Anderson, Linval Justin and Nettie Ennola. Mr. and Mrs. Hire are both members of the M. E. Church, and he is a prominent Eepublican, competent for almost any office in the county, fie owns SO acres of good land, but he is still somewhat in debt. He is an industrious, liberal man. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. I, 7-l:tb Ind. Vol. Inf. and was discharged in 1865. He was in the battles of Jonesboro, Mission Ridge, etc. Jesse Hire^ farmer, sec. 13: P. O., Ligonier; was born in Ross county. Ohio, Jan. 21, 1811, the sou of Randolph and Mary Ann (Iman) Hire; when of age he settled in this tp., at the same time with his parents and shortly after his first marriage, in 1832. At this time he had nothing with which to make a start in life except the ability and disposition of himself and young wife to be indus- trious and economical; he was even barefoot, had not sufficient clothing, and only five cents in money. The first two years he worked at digging and walling wells, whenever he could find that kind of work to do, and during the spare time he followed hunting and fishing. In this wa}' he began to accumulate a little, and after awhile, by the aid of other occasional odd jobs, he obtained money enough to commence to buy and feed stock; the stock was brought to him, instead of his going after it, as the business was considered a good one, and his reputation outstripped that of all competitors. The neighbors brought along their stock especially about tax-pay- ing time, and if Mr. Hire was away from home they would leave their stock in his cattle yard; afterward, sometimes after many days, Mr. Hire would pay them, setting his own price, and they were always satisfied. Mr. Hire had but a few days' school education in his life, but he is a successful farmer and business mau. At one time he owned 4-00 acres of good land, and he says he has cleared 200 acres of heavily timbered land by himself He has given land to his chil- dren, and he now owns 240 acres, on sec. 13, where he has lived 46 years. He is the father of 14 children. 10 of whom are living. He has been married three times, and by his first wife he had 4 chil- dren, by his second wife 8, and by his third 2. In politics Mr. H. is a Democrat, having cast his first vote for Gen. Jackson. Baltzer Juday, a prominent pioneer, was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1818, the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Butt) Juday. natives of Rockingham county, Va., and of English and German descent; educated in the common schools of this State, having emigrated here in 1836. He is one of the few who are admitted to the county HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 073 fair free on the ground of having been a resident of this county for 40 years. In 1843 lie married Ann Price, and they had 2 chil- dren, 1 of whom is living. Mrs. J. died in 1845, and Mr. Juday in 1848 married Elizabeth Ileltzel, and they had 5 children. She died, and Mr. J. subsequently married his present wife, by whom he has had 11 children. The parents are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. J. in politics is a Democrat. The pioneer ex- periences of Mr. Juday are many, and for an outline of those which are characteristic we must refer the reader to other parts of this volume, where many pages are devoted to the subject. Residence, sec. 13; P. O., Ligonier. John M. Juday, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., Syracuse; was born in 1838 on the section where he now resides, and is a son of Michael and Margaret A. (Brenner) Juday, of German ancestry. In 1867 he was married to Margaret A. Miller, and they have had one son, "Warren C, who was born June 15, 1869. Mrs. M. is the daughter of "Wm. Miller, and was born in this State in 1844. She is an intelligent lady. Both herself and husband are advocates of Repub- lican principles, and he has always voted with the Republican party. He is a member of the U. B. Church. In business matters he has been successful, and he now owns 87 acres of land worth $50 an acre. His father died Dec. 30, 1872, and his mother is still living. Dr. S. B. Kyler. deceased, was born in 1806, in Frederick county, Md., the son of Jacob and Ruth (Brown) Kyler, father of German and mother of German and Irish descent; educated in the high school at Xenia; studied medicine in Bellbrook, 0., with Dr. Bell; earned his way by teaching school and splitting rails; com- menced practice in Benton in 1838, being the first physician here. In 1838 he married Susan Ann Coy, a daughter of Henry Coy, of Ohio, and was born in Greene county, that State, of German ances- try; they had 2 sons and 2 daughters. Darwin, the eldest son, was killed in the war of the rebellion, at the battle of Jonesboro; he had enlisted in the 74th Ind. Vol. Inf. Co. I. William B., the second son, is married and living in Benton. The daughters, Mary J. and Fannie M., ai-e living with their mc>tlier on the farm of 57 acres adjoining Benton. In religious belief Dr. Kyler was a IJniversal- ist; Mrs. K. is a member of the Reformed Church, and the daugh- ters are Metliodists. The Doctor was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, since which time he acted with this party. The public offices which he held were those of Tp. Trustee and Overseer of the Boor. At the time of his death, in 1877, he was the oldest practicing physician in the county. Arch Kill nifionw-ABhovn in Virginia in 1816, the son of Mark and Nanc}' (Davis) Kinnison, natives of tlie " Old Dominion," the father of English-Irish and the mother of Scotch-Irish descent; educated in the common schools of his native State; in 1842 he married Charlotte Wood, and they have had 4 sons, all of whom are now living. In 1877 Mr. K. and his son Ewin went to Europe and visited Scotland, France and Germany; Willis also spent a short 674 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. time there the same year. Mr. Kinnison came to this county iu 1833, and has ever since followed farming with success; he has given his sons 650 acres of land, and he still owns 150 acres. Two sons are married and living in Noble county, Ind.,and two are unmarried and living on sec. 22. Mr. K. and all his sons are Republicans. JoshiKt Kitson, farmer, sec. 26; P. O,, Ligouier; was born in Ohio in lSi7, and is a son of Alford and Elizabeth (Row) Kitson, natives of Ohio and of English and German descent; educated in the common schools of Ohio and Indiana; settled in this tp. in 1861. In 1871 he married ]\lelinda Hire, and they have 2 sons and 1 daughter. Mrs. K. is a member of the M. E. Church. In politics Mr. K. is a Democrat. In business affairs he has been remarkably snccessful. He owns ICO acres of land, most of which is in a high state of cultivation. WiUiiim Kooiice was born in Virginia in 1820, the son of Michael and Susannah |]\[iller) Koonce, natives of Virginia, and of German descent; educated in the old-fashioned log school-house; was married in 184il to Catharine Christe, and they have had 3 children, all of whom are living, 1 daughter at home. IMr. K. is a farmer, now owning 80 acres of land, and was getting along well with his vocation until he was taken sick some years ago; for about a year now he has been bed-fast. He reads considerably, is an intelligent man and is a Republican. He and his wife are both members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Koonce was a resident here when coon-skins were legal tender for all debts, and when it was impossible for man to e.xist without the deer and coons and other animals of the forest, which they could kill and cat. Then people went to mill on horseback; the mails were carried also on horse- back, anil there were no wagon roads. William. Long, farmer, sec. 10; P. O., a\Iillersburg; was born iu Pennsylvania and brought up in Wayne county, 0.,from the age of seven until the year 1S65; he is a son of Jacob aiid Ann (Sasden) Long, natives also of the Keystone State, father of German and mother of Irish descent. Both ot Mr. Long's grandfathers were in the war of the Revolution, lie was educated in the common schools of Ohio; is a natural mechanic and can turn his hand to almost anything. His tirst marriage was to Sarah A. Iv.valt, Sept. 28, 1858, and they had children; she died in IS—. His second marriage was iu\Vpril, 18 — , to Susan Mnldoon, by whom he has had 7 children. He came to Elkhart county Oct. 12. 1868. settling on sec. 10, this tp., where he still resides. In 1878 his house and household furniture were destroyed by tire. He owns 176 acres ot land and other property, all of which he has made by his own exertions. He is just completing a new house, at a cost of $2,500. He is of a literary turn of mind, and is especially posted in law. He has practiced at the Bar, particularly in Allen county, with more than average success. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 675 Thomas Longocre, blacksmith in Benton, was born in this county in 1S31, and is the son of John and Sylva (Hayes) Long-acre, natives of Virginia, and of German descent; educated in the common schools; married in 1858 to Mary Aim Willis, and they have had 2 boys and 3 daughters. Mr. L. is a Kepublican, and has held the office of Assessor six terms. During the war he enlisted in the 152d Ind. Yol. Inf., Co. A, and was discharged at the close of the war. His father was Captain of the militia in Tennessee in an early day; he came to this county in 1S29, and was a member of the militia company liere; he served six months in an Indian war. He was a prominent man in his day; was Tp. Trustee several years, and in politics was a Jackson Democrat. Ji'mes Lucketj, jr., farmer, sec. 25; P. O. Ligonier, Ind.; was born in 1838 in Pennsylvania, tlie son of James and Sophia (Tervis) Luckey, natives of Virginia, father of Irish descent, and mother of " American " and Indian, being a descendant of Pocahontas. Mr. Lucke}', the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools; came to this count}' in 1836. April 1-1, 1869, he married Rosanna Barbra, and they have had 3 sons and 1 daughter, namely: John B., born March 1, 1870; William T.. Aug. 2, 1872; George W., Feb. 27, 1876; and Bertha J., Sept. 22, 1878. Mrs. Luckey was born in Germany in ISii, and was brought to this countr}' by her parents, who settled in Ohio, and came to Indiana in 1853. Mrs. L. speaks the German as well as the English. In 1862 Mr. Luckey enlisted in Co. I, 74th Ind. Vol. Inf., and was discharged in 1865; during the time he was appointed a non-com- missioned officer but refused to serve. He was in every battle in which his regiment was engaged ; was witli Sherman on his grand march to the sea; was shot in the hand at Chickamauga. Politically he is a Democrat. In farming he has been inoderateiy successful; now owns 80 acres of land. Mr. Luckey's father was an early set- tler in this county and a prominent man in his day. He had a finished classical education; was a successful teacher many years, and was also a practical surveyor. He was prevailed upon to run for tlie ofiice of County Surveyor in 1861, which year he died, aged 77 years. He had also been a soldier in the war of 1812. Jacob MoJVtifi, farmer, sec. 12; P. 0. Ligonier; was born in Ohio, 1814, and is the son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Tillman'i McNutt, natives of Tennessee, father of Irish and mother of German de- scent; educated in the log school-house of pioneer times, in Preble county, O.; in 1833 he married Sarah Price, and they have 2 sons and 1 daughter. Mr. McNutt came to Noble county, Ind., settling near where he now resides in 1834, and 11 years ago he moved to sec. 12, his present residence, where he owns 157 acres of land. He remembers when this part of Indiana was little more than an unbroken wilderness, and when he saw sometimes as many as 50 deer in one herd. Politically he is a Democrat. Mrs. McNutt is a member of the Christian Church. 676 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Michael F. Myers, farmer, was born in Montgomery county. O., Nov. 16, 1S39, the son. of Micliael and Elizabeth (Frantz) MyeVs, of German descent, father a native of Maryland, mother of Virginia; educated in the common schools of Ohio. June 26, 1870, he mar- ried Cynthia Blake, aad they have 2 daughters, Lilly M. and Matilda. Mr. Myers owns 160 acres of land, and has been a suc- cessful farmer. Politically he is a Eepnblican. Samuel Ott, one of the oldest citizens of Benton tp., was born in Preble county, 0., Dec. 5, 1809, son of Frederick and Katie (Beard) Ott, natives of Virginia, and of German descent; educated in the frontier school-house; in 1831 he moved to this county and com- menced to improve a quaj-ter section of land, where he has ever since resided. He has seen the country about him grow from a wilderness, with but here and there a settler, blossom into fruitful fields and support a dense, civilized commiinity. In 1832 he mar- ried Miss Anna Eookstool, and they liad 8 children, 6 of whom are now living. Mrs. Ott died in 1866, a member of the Evangelical Church, of which denomination Mr. Ott is also a member. In po- litical matters he is a Republican, and is a man highly esteemed in his community. Thomas Prlclcett was born in this county in 1833, and is the son of Jacob and Thirza (Pindell) Priekett, natives of Virginia, and of English ancestry; educated in the common school; in 1864 he mar- ried Martha M. Darr, and they have had 5 children, all of whom are living. Mr. P's. occupation has been farming, but he has run a saw-mill for the last 12 years. In politics he is a Republican; is Tp. Trustee. Mr. Priekett enlisted in Co. E, 29th Inf , in July, 1861; was transferred to the 9th Inf before he was mustered in; Dec. 12, 1861, he was elected Orderly Sergeant March 3, 1863, 2d Lieutenant; and Sept. 20, 1863, was promoted 1st Lieutenant, which position he resigned the next year on account of business at home. Daniel Bex was born in Cincinnati. 0., in 1815, the son of John and Nancy (Whistler) Rex, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent; was educated in the common schools of Ohio, and was married comparatively early in life to Delilah Vittle, and of the 11 children subsequently born to them 7 are living. 2 sons and 5 daughters, the eldest of whom, Sarah Jane, is the wife of Mr. Jonas Frantz, of Goshen. Mr. R. is not a member of any religious de- nomination; politically he is a Democrat. He owns a farm of 160 acres of land.'and in his business has been financially successful. Anthony Rinh, farmer, sec. 11; P. 0.. Millersburg; was born in Clinton tp.. this county, Oct. 21, 1841, the son of George Jacob and Catherine (Cline) Rink, natives of Germany, who came to this tp. in 1840, where they still reside. Anthony is the eldest son in a familv of 11 children, 7 of whom are living, all in this county, a,nd 6 are married. The subject of this notice received his education mostly in the common-schools of this tp. In 1866 he married Margaret Lesh, and they have had "half a dozen" boys, as he HISTORY OF EIiKHAET COUNTY. b( ( expressed it. In 1S61 Mr. Rink enlisted in the Tith Ind. Vol. Inf., and was discharged at the close of the war; was in all the battles in which his regiment was engaged, including that of Missionary Ridge, and was wounded at the battle of Jonesboro, Ga. He owns 83 acres of land valued at $60 an acre. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church, and he is a Democrat, believing in the union of States and a government of the people, for the people and by the people. Joseph R'tppey, farmer; P. O., Syracuse; was born in Jackson tp.. this county, Oct. 30, 1831, and is the son of Matthew and Jane T. (Montgomery) Rippey, natives of Ohio, father of English and mother of Irish descent. His father was an early settler in this county, and is a wealthy and enterprising farmer living in Jackson tp.; has represented his county in the State Legislature. The sub- ject of this sketch received his education mostly in Jackson tp., this county, and partly in the high school at Goshen; he has been remarkably successful as a farmer and stock-raiser; he makes the short-horn Durham a specialty, and usually receives the first pre- mium on the cattle he takes to the fair. Besides fine cattle, he keeps a stock of horses and hogs. He has one calf for which he paid $175 when it was si.x months old. He has 320 acres of land, most of which is under good cultivation; has also a neat and sub- stantial residence, barn, out-buildings, etc. Jan. 29, 1857, Mr. Rippey married Sarah B. Snyder, and they have 2 sons and 2 daughters; Mrs. R. is a daughter of Jacob Snyder, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry; she was born in Ohio. Mr. R. is a Democrat, and was Constable for the year 1859. A portrait of Mr. Rippey appears in this work. t/'/wes i?oac/ii, farmer, sec. 15; was born in Warren county, O., in 1838, the son of James and Maria (Hampton) Roach, natives of Virginia, father of Welsh and mother of English descent; educated in the common-schools of Indiana and Hillsdale (Mich.) College. Sept. 16, 1861, he enlisted in the 30tli Ind. Vol. Inf., and was dis- charged Oct. 1, 1864; he was at the siege of Corinth and several other battles; was a non-commissioned officer a part of the time. In 1871 he married Paulina Baker, and they have 1 daughter and 1 son, Carrie Dell and Albert D. Mrs. R. is a member of the "Church of God." Mr. R.'s mother is still living with him, 71 years old, and has lived in this county ever since the subject of this sketch was two and a half years old. In early day all kinds of timber were Inirned in heaps to get them out of the way, but now a tree is frequently worth $100, and Mr. Roach has one for which he has been offered $115. Thomas W. Bouclt, farmer and stock- raiser, sec. 15; was born iu AVarren county, O., in 1836, brother of the preceding; educated in the common schools in this county; married in 1863 to Huldah Harper, and they have 3 sons and a daughter. Mr. R. is an "old settler" in this county as he was but five years old when he was brought here by his parents, who settled on sec. 15 on the day tliat 678 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Gen. Harrison took bis seat as President of the United States. This tp. was tlien a wilderness, the woods alive with squirrels, wild turkey and deer. Mr. Roach, the subject of this sketch, has traveled some in the West; taught school awhile in Illinois. Here be owns 120 acres of land, -.i residence costing about $3,000, splen- didl}' finished, and as a farmer he has been very successful. Is a Republican and has served several terms as School Director. John RookstooL farmer, sec. 5, is a pioneer of this county; was born in Virginia in 1818, son of George and Catharine (House) Rookstool, natives of Virginia and of German descent; educated in the Ohio common school; by occupation he was a farmer, but has also followed threshing for the last 30 years. In early life worked at many kinds of business, including that of the still-house; but he has been a temperate man, and thinks he has never drank as much as a quart of whisky in his whole life. He owns 120 acres of land, and has made most of his property by his own exertions. When he first came to this county he made his home with Jacob Ott, an uncle of Samuel Ott; for several years his increase in this world's goods was verj' slow, but by industry and economj' he has made himself comfortably circumstanced. His first marriage was to Mary Ott, who lived but a year afterward, and May 11, 1851, he married Catherine Kitson, and they have had 12 children, 11 of whom are living, 3 sons and 8 daughters. Mr. R. is a Democrat, and has been Supervisor two or three terms. George Simpson, farmer, sec. 1; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Tennessee Oct. 7, 1819, the son of Roadham and Mary (Thomas) Simpson, natives of Virginia, and of English descent; attended school but a few days in bis life, but is successful as a farmer. June 19, 184:3, he married Margaret Justis, and 10 of their 13 children are living, 4 boys and 6 girls. Mr. S. emigrated to this county in 18i8, settling the ne.\t spring on sec. 1, where he is still living. He and his wife say that they were never so happy as when they got the timber cut away far enough from the house so that they felt secure in time of a storm. Mrs. Margaret Simpson was born in Baden, Germany, in 1836, and was a daughter of Michael and Catharine (Desson) Barton, who emigrated to this country when the subject of this sketch was a young child, and resided for some-years in Pennsylvania; in 1860 they nioved to this State, where they still reside. In 1862 Miss Barton was married to John Simpson, a native of Teonessee, born in 1812; in 1830 he came to Indiana and settled on sec. 2, this tp. He was a successful farmer, in politics a Democrat, was Tp. Super- visor one or more terms, and finally died Aug. 14, 1875. The children are: Estella, born Dec. 23. 1864; Henry, Jan. 6, 1867; Frederick. May 28, 1869; John, Oct. 5, 1872; and Mary Catharine, Dec. 5, 1874. JVoah Stark, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, the son of Philo and Permelia (Haden) Stark, father a native of Rhode Island, and of English descent, and HISTORY OF KI.KIIAKT COUXTT. 679 mother a native of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Mr. Stark was educated in the common schools of this county, and has been all his life a farmer. In 1S57 he married Eliza Jane, daugh- ter of William Simpson, the first settler on Elkhart Prairie (1828). Mr. and Mrs. Stark have 3 sons and 1 daughters. Mr. S. is a Demo- crat, and has been Scliool Director three terms and Supervisor. He owns 80 acres of good land. Hiram Stetler, farmer, .=ec. 27; P. O., Benton; was born in Ohio July 12. 1830, the son of John and Catherine (Shoup) Stetler, na- tives of Pennsylvania, and of German ancestry; educated in the common schools of this county; learned the cooper's trade, at which he worked about 18 years, when he was 36 years of age. since which time he has followed farming; started poor but has accumulated a handsome property by his own exertion, now owning 200 acres of land, worth §50 an acre, a brick house costing §2,000, a bai-n §2,500, etc., etc. In 1860 lie married Martha D. Vail, and they liave 2 sons and 2 daughters living. She isamemberof the M. E. Church, and he isaPepublican;has been Justice of the Peace four years. He settled in this tp. in 1838, and in 1865 he moved to sec. 27, where he now lives. His parents are still living in Benton. His father is a Democrat, but his 4 sons are all Itepublicans. J. J. StiUioell, deceased, was born in 1818 in Ohio, of English and Irish ancestry; came to this county in a very early day, and died in 1870. His widow, nee Mary M. Richards, a native of the same State and of German ancestry, is still living on the home farm, which is superintended by Benjamin, the youngest son and unmarried. He was born !N^ov. 8, 1852, educated in the common school of this county, and in politics is a Democrat. John F. StiUweU. farmer, sec. 19. was born in Ohio, Feb. 3,1843, son of the preceding, and the oldest of a family of 6 children; while a lad at home lie was noted for his honesty and frankness in the confession of wrong; was educated in the common schools of this State. In 1862 he'married Mary A., daughter of Samuel Ott, and they have 4 daughters. Mrs. S. is a member of the Evangeli- cal Church. Mr. S. is a Democrat and has often been desired by his friends to run for office, but this tp. is strongly Republican. He is one of the substantial men of this community. John J. Stiver, farmer, sec. 5; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Preble count}', O., in 1823, and is the son of Valentine and Marga- ret (Cook) Stiver, natives of Lancaster county. Pa., and of German descent; they were among the early settlers of this community, settling in 1844 one mile south of where John J. now lives, and are yierliaps the oldest couple living in the county, being 81 3'ears of age and still keeping house. John J., the subject of this sketch, received his education in the common schools; in addition to farm- ing he has run a threshing-machine for 25 years, doing a profitable business; he owns 153 acres of land. He was married in 1850 to Elizabeth Ann Shewey, and 5 of their 6 children are living; John GSO HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. H. died in 1875. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Lutheran Church, and he is aKcpublicaa. Jessa D. Vail, the most widely known resident of Benton tp., settled here in 183T; he was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 1814; his parents were Samuel and Agnes (Griswell) Vail, father a native of New Jersey, of Welsh descent, and mother of Pennsylvania, of English descent; received his education in the pioneer log school- house; his occupation has usually been farming; was in the mer- cantile business four years, which was just long enough to break him up completely, but has always paid 100 cents on the dollar. His first marriage was to Elma Cope in 1838, and 3 of their 5 children are living; one son is studying law in Goshen. His second wife died without any children; by his present wife he has had 2 chil- dren, one of whom is deceased. Mr. Vail has seen both sides of life. His pioneer experience was not always smooth, for in 1840 he found himself in debt $1,000, and nothing to pay it with; but in 1849 he was again above his debts, and was worth nearly §500; since that time he has attended to farming and stock-raising, and is at present the owner of 215 acres of laud, well stocked and improved. During the war he was a member of the militia !)oard and spent most of his time in his duties as such; he was the enrolling officer of this tp. He is an out-and-out Republican, has held several minor otiices, as School Director, Trustee, etc. He was raised a Quaker, is friendly to Churches, but does not belong to any particular denomination him- self His wife belongs to the M. E. Church. Eli Vernon, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 15; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Ohio in 1829, the son of Allen and Elizabeth Hage) Vernon, natives of Virginia, and of English descent; educated in the common school in Ohio; in 1853 he married Frances Butler, whose parents were among tiie early settlers of this county', and their 6 children are all living; their eldest son is teaching penman- ship in Ligonier College; 2 others are attending the same institution. Mrs. V. is a member of the M. E. Church. Politically Mr. V. is a Republican, and has been Assessor five years. He came to this country in 1853, cleared over 100 acres of heavily timbered land, has done a'great deal of hard work, is a successful farmer, now owning 140 acres of land. William Wehrly. farmer, sec. 19; P. O., Benton; was born in Ohio in 1833, the son of George and Margaret (Fi.x) AVehrly, natives of Virginia, and of German ancestry; obtained most of his education after night by a firelight made of hickory bark gathered for that purpose; attended the subscription school a short time at the old-fashion log school-house; has taught school in this State 15 years, most of this time winter terms only. Feb. 5, 1851, he mar- ried Susannah Conrad, and they had 2 sons and 1 daughter; she died Aug. 9, 1859. and Mr. AV.'in 1860 married Charlotte Dates, and their children are 2 daughters and 1 son, the latter now a babe, who •' must and shall be a congressman." Mr. W. is a Republican, has BISTORT OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 683 been Supervisor, Town Clerk, Trustee, etc.; owns 370 acres of land and is a very prosperous farmer. He often contrasts his present financial condition with what it was in 1849, when he first came to this county, and when all his earthly possessions consisted of $1.50, which he says was good money, — all in silver. He worked out by the day and month, and taught school at $10 per month, to get a start in the world. He helped to build the first school -house in his district, and taught the first school. Daniel D. Wfiitmei', farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Ligonier; was born in Stark county, O., in 1825, and is the son of Benjamin Whitmer. Both his parents were " Pennsylvania Dutch." Mr. W. was edu- cated in the common schools of his native county, and May 21, 1862, he was married, and 5 of his 6 children are living. She died Sept. 28, 1876, a member of the Lutheran Church, to which Church he also belongs. Politically he is a Democrat. He owns 130 acres of land. He recentlv built a large barn 70x40 feet, with a wing 30x40. Henry WiIkinso7i was born in this State in 1859, and is a son of Austin and Margaret (Hellser) "Wilkinson, natives of Ohio, of English and Gerujan ancestry; was educated principally in the common schools of his native State, and attended high school two terms in Michigan. In 1875 he married Mary Grisamer, a native cif this county, and their only child, lona, was born in 1876. Mrs. W. is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. W., political!}', is a Democrat; has taught school several terms, follows farming, and financially has been successful. Z. W. Wiimer, proprietor of the Millersburg Steam Planing and Saw-mill, was borH in Niagara county, N. Y., Feb. 1. 1832; his parents were John and Mary (Herr) Witmer, natives of Pennsylva- nia, and of German ancestry. At an early age, with his parents, he removed to and settled in Benton tp., this county, where he received such education as the common schools of that time afi"orded, and assisted his father upon the farm until about the age of 16, when he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he continued to work till 1858; then he made a trip to Colorado, being among the first to settle in that territory, and assisted in erecting the first shingle-roof building in Denver. There he remained some two and a half years, a portion of the time employed as foreman for a prom- inent building firm, and at intervals was engaged in mining, and met with a fair share of success. He returned to Indiana and was united in marriage in 1862 with Mary Ann, daughter of Abel and Catharine (McClellan) Lyons, the daughter of old residents of Noble county, Ind. They have had 4 children, 2 of whom are liv- ing, viz.: D. S. Witmer, now in his IStli year, and Lettie V., in her 13th year, both of whom are pupils in the Millersburg high school. Mr. "Witmer is the proprietor of the extensive manufacturing estab- lishment known as the Millersburg Steam Sawing and Planing Mill, which, under his management, has developed from a compar- atively small business to one of much magnitude and importance. 684 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. He has beeu a member of the Board of Education, and Inspector of Elections for the tp. of Benton. Himself and wife are members of the Christian denomination. Mr. W. is an active Republican, having cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856. He owns 40 acres of fine land iu this tp., and 160 acres in Kansas. Mr. W. is wholly self-made, and is highly esteemed as a successful business man and wortlw citizen. A portrait of Mr. Witmer appears in this work. Swegler Young, blacksmith, was born in Ohio in 1824. the son of George and Margaret (Swegler) Young, natives of Maryland, father ot Irish and mother of German descent; educated in the common schools of his native State; learned the trade of black- smith, which he has followed ever since he was 16 j'ears of age; settled in Benton iu 1845; Jan. 2, 1848, he married Lucinda Eahart, and they had 3 daughters and 1 son. Mrs. Young died April 19, 1880. Their son James was married in May, 1879, to Etta Sloan. Mr. Young is. as was his wife, a member of the United Brethren Church; is a Republican, and has been Tp. Trustee 6 years, and is the owner of 80 acres of land, worth -$75 an acre, besides shop, etc. Mr. Y. is a man of great endurance and constitutional vigor, as he has not been sick more than three days in his lite. CLEVELAND TOWNSHIP. The true history of tliis township, even from the most authentic sources available, is ditiicult to obtain, and cannot in all particulars be insured as accurate, from the fact that much connected with its settlement remains couched in remarkable obscurity. This township was formerly a portion of Concord; but in the year 1835 a division was made, and that portion lying between the Michigan line on the north and the St. Joseph river on the south, St. Joseph county on the west and Washington township on the east, was organized as an independent township; and from the '■ Forest City " in Ohio, it was dul}' baptized and sprang into active life with the name of " Cleveland." In the winter of 1837-'3S a petition was circulated suggesting that this territory should be again divided. The requisite number of signatures was received, the division accordingly made, and the eastern division, by proper organization, was made the township of Osolo. The first settlement in Cleveland township was made about the year 1830, when Francis Rork. John and Frank Bashford and Mr. Eogart came and located by pre-emption on Cobert's creek on the western side of the township. Mr. Rork kept a public house for a time, his house being about the first erected in the township. In 1834 this company was reinforced by the arrival of Mr. Dibble, Mr. Smith, D. J. and R. B. Clark, Mr. Jackson, Silas T. Mattox and possibly a few others. In the following fall, in 183.5, came John and T. H. Evans, Walter Strong, Joseph Call, Samuel Hough- land and Mr. Ormsby; also, soon afterward, J. D. Carlton and Mr. Burgitt. F. Bashford sold his pre-empted claim to Mr. Shiphard. T. H. Evans yet resides upon land of his first entry and upon which he first settled. The first school was taught in 1835, which was held in a cabin belonging to Mr. Rork. The second term was taught by Miss Wealthy Evans, who was at that time but li years of age. The school room was soon found to be not sufficiently large to accommo- date the school youth, who at one time, with accessions from the set- tlement at the south, numbered about 100, when a building of greater capacity was erected and schools were an acknowledged reality. (685) 686 HISTORY OF JiLKUAET COUNTY. A settlement was begun in the southern part of the township by Mr. Wagner, the Piersons and a number of others, who came in 1837. Several gentlemen by the name of Eediield came from the State of New York, in 1835, and purchased a large tract of land lying in this township and in the State of Michigan, adjoining. Mr. George liedfieldyet lives on a part of this purchase, being one of the wealthiest gentlemen in the township. Also the Ervin brothers are mentioned as coming in an early day and purchasing a large tract of land in the western part of the township, on which they made considerable improvement. George Ervin, one of the original owners, lias since sold 1,-iiO acres of this land to the IS'otre Dame University, a large Catholic institution situated in St. Joseph connty, on which this property bordered. The first religious meetings were held in the school-houses, and the first preachers were Mr. Selcraig. an Episcopal, and Mr. Avery, a TJniversalist minister. The first church was built by the Metho- dist denomination, and stands on the township and county line, on the west. Jan. 12. 1878 a meeting was called to perfect an organi- zation looking to the erection of a church in the northern jjart of the township, in the locality now known as '■ Yankeetown." It then numbered about 25 members, among whom were Hiram Kantz, Andrew Kantz, Mr. and Mrs. Shinn, David and Susan Coleman, Joseph Dasher. Sarah Dasher, Hannah and Henry Dasher. Jacob Coleman. Amos Shinn, Lucinda Coleman, Sarah C. Shinn, Emeline Coleman, Agnes Kantz, Jonathan Brouse, Ester Brouse, C. Walter and Susan Walter. Mary Shafer, now deceased, and John E. Arbo- gest, — who imniediately engaged zealously in the work, and as the result of that earnest determination, and the unselfish labors of all, they saw a house for worship erected within that year, being dedicated to that service Dec. 15, 1878. The building, in size, is 30x45 feet, and 18 feet high in the main. The building and the grounds which the society purchased cost $1,800. Sunday-schools are continued throughout the year. During winter the attendance is about 60, and through the summer season the average is about 100. In 187S the Methodists erected a fine and commodious church building, in a beautiful grove of oaks on section 2, in the southern part of the township. In 1856 a flouring mill was built by Mr. James High, on Cobert's creek, in the southwest part of the township. The mill has two run of stone, is now owned b}' Mr. D. Darr, and is doing a thriv. iug business in that line. HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTT. 687 The first election was held at tlie residence of T. H. Evans. Mr. Smith and Mr.. Dibble were elected as justices of the peace, Mr. Evans was elected treasurer, and one of the trustees, which offices lie held for several years. The soil of this township generally is very fertile, producing handsomely all kinds of farm crops. It is universally of a sandy nature and easy of cultivation. The farms are in the main under good cultivation, and many fine co>mtry residences ai-e found. The farmers generally are in good spirits, denoting pros- perity, enterprise, thrift and future happiness. BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES. Following are biographical notices of prominent citizens of Cleveland township, whose nationality, parentage, children, politics, religion, etc., are of interest tothe community. T. H. Evans, an elderly farmer on sec. 29, whose P. O. address is Elkhart, was boru in Eutland county, Vt., May 21, 1803, the third son of Frederic and Wealthy (Cleveland) Evans. His mother was born in Connecticut, and died at the age of 86 years. His grandfather deserted from the old government of Great Britain, and with the notorious " Till '' came to America, and in the war of the Eevolution did valiant service in aid of the colonists in their struggle for liberty and independence. The subject of this sketch left his parents at the age of nine years, to make his home with Mr. Samuel Wright, who was a member of the Great American Fur Company. He lived with Mr. Wright, attending school and doing chores for board, until he was 14 years old, when he was placed in control of the saw-mill and oil mill owned by Mr. Wright. He made several expeditions with Mr. Wright to the headwaters of the Sennac, remaining about four months in the spring season, and three months in the fall, trapping for furs and bartering with the Indians. At the age of 19 he made a trip by water from Buffalo to Chicago, visiting the divisional points of trade established by that companj'. When 21 years of age, he superintended an extensive brick manufactory at Dansville, New York. Jan. 5, 1826, he was married to Miss Lucinda Hughes, ot Washington county, New York, with whom he happily lived for more than half a century. Mrs. Evans died Nov. 6, 1879, at the age of 77 years. After their marriage they moved to Cu3'ahoga county, Ohio, where for the following nine years Mr. Evans was engaged in the wagon and carriage trade. In 1835 they came to Elkhart county, Indiana, and began life here on a new farm, upon which Mr. Evans yet lives. They had 4 children born to them, 2 of whom are yet living: Ann, who is now the wife of Mr. Asa Clark, a tin merchant in the city of Elkhart; and Horatio, SSS HISTV>KT OF KLKHAKT COCXTT. who is married and resides on a tsurm in this section. They have had 3 children, but 1 of which. ATarreu, is vet living. Mr. Evans is the owner of 120 acres of fine land, nnder a &ir state of improvement and caltivation. which is worth fatJO per acre. He is also an earnest advocate and snpporter of the principles of Kepublicanism. A portrait of Mr. Evans is given in this volume, Jacob G- ^miii is a native of Pennsylvania, having been bom in "Washinffton count>- An^. 27. 1S04. He is the Aird son of Georiie and Marararet Frank. Mrs. Frank is a meml^r of the Hewit family, of Pennsylvania- At the age of seven years his parents moved to Stark county, Ohio, whither he accompanied them, and worked with his rather on his ikrm until his :*Tth year, when he began fanning for himself. In 1S32. in order that life should l>e more pleasant and success more certain, he united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Lewis, daughter of Wm. and Nancy Lewis, natives of Pennsylvania, where Elizabeth was born in the year 1511. They remained in Ohio for abont 35 years, when they came in 1S.54 and located on the land where they yet reside, in the full enjoyment of age, peace, and plenty. This union of 1S33 has been blessed by the birth of ^ children. -1 of which are yet living, and are all married. George married Miss Mary Ruggle, and now resides in the city of Eikbart. Saloam. who is the wife of the Rev. Michael Crager. is a resident of Elkhart. EUzal>eth. also, is a n?s:deut of this city. B. Quesual married Miss Jennie "WTiite, of Michigan. Franklin was a mem- ber of the -fcSth Ind. A'ol. Inf.. anvl died of fever in the hospital near Corinth, Miss., one of the thousands who gave their life for the salvation of the country of their birth. Mr. and Mrs. Frank are worthy members of the' Evangelical Church. They now own SO acres of valuable land, well improved with good buildings, and under gvxxl cultivation, worth ^60 per acre. Tims it is demon- strateti that a worthy farmer is not without honor even in his own country. IXirid SuHt-y'n^^ was liorn Xov. 15. 1S21, in Montgomery county. Ohio. st>n of Henry and Mary Hnntsinger. both natives of 2sorth Carolina, and emigrateii to St. Joseph ft>unty in 1S31. _ In this county our subject gained his majority, and was married Xov. 37. 1S47, to Miss Julia A. High, who was born in Miami county, Ohio. They have had 7 children. 5 of whom are living: Alini, James J.. John C, David E.. and S*rah M. Mr. H. settled in this tp. in 1S60. where he h.^ resided since. He served nearly three years in Co. G. 74th Ind. Tol. Inf.. and was in Sherman's famous iuareh to the sea. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the First. Baptist Chnreh at Elkhart: P. O.. Elkhart, Sinnn JKiuits was U>rn in Union county. Pa.. April 14. ISSS, His j>arents, Cristian and Anna Mary Kan'ti, were also natives of Pennsylvania. His father is deceased, and his aged mother now resides in Snyder county, P*. The subject of this sketch was HISTORY OF ELKHART COrNTT. tiS9 rear^i as a tanner, which occnpation he followed for two year? ntter he was of aire; at this time he embarked in the mercantile trade in pjirtnership with William Boyer, at what was atterwanl known as Kantz, Pa., tliere being a postotfice established through the la- bors of Mr. Kantz. At\er a few years ^Ir. K. sold out and went to farming, which occupation he has followed since. He emi- grates! to Bristol, this county, in 1S7-2, and here he only made a short stay, when he settled in this tp., where he has "followed the vocation ot fanning. Mr. Kantz was married Dec. S. lSo9, to Miss Casandren Walter, who was lx>m Jan. 5, 1S35^, in Union county. Pa, They have had 7 childi-en: Agnes P.. Calvin A., Sarah J., Xora I)., Annie M., Charles W. and Ernest. Mr. Kantz is one of the le.iding citizens of this tp. At present is Township Trustee. He and his wife ai-e worthy members of the Lutheran Church. Kesidence, sec. 22: P. O., Elkhart. Tilnuiit Kn/iit^. P. O., Elkhart; is a farmer, and a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lehigh county Dec^ 6, 1S20. the oldest son of Solomon and Rebecca (Diehlt Kuhns, both natives of Pennsylva- nia. Mr. K. lived and worked on a tarm with his parents until 2;> years of age. when he was married to Miss Sarali Click, daughter of Samuel Click, of Pennsylvania. They were married in Stark county, O., where he had moved with his parents when 14 years of age. They livevi in Ohio and continued farming tmtil 1S64, when they moved to Elkhart county, Ind., and located on the farm where he now lives. They have had 3 children. 1 of which, Cornelins, died in Ohio at the age of seven years. The two yet living are Germanns D., married to Lovina Saunter, and resides in Elk- hart county; and Samuel, married to Mary Xoyes. and also lives in this county. Mr. Kuhns is the possessor of SO acres of excellent land, which is nnder a high state of cultivation, and worth, at a low estimate, ^60 }wr acre. They are members of the Evangelical Chnrch, mnch respected in tlieir commumty, and are living alone at their old home, in the full enjoyment of a retired farmer's life. L^.and R-.iimdaJl. decease*.!, was born in Vermont, Jan. 22, lSlt>, and is a son of Gideon and Sarah Kamsdell, natives of the same State. Mr. Rimsdell was reare^l on a farm and edueatet.! in the common schools, which were the best that country aftbrded. In his 20th year he went to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he lived till 1S«)5, when he came to this county. He was married March ol, 1S41, to Phebe King, and had 7 chiUli-en ; of these, 5 are living, viz. : Henry. Addison ( wtio married Lizzie Mock"), Lyman, Albert and Milton. Mr. Ramsdell was qnite a prominent man in this county. He left a farm of 240 acres, which was .all aceumnlateil by his own industrious efforts. He died Feb. H>, 1S76, aged 60 years and 2S days. He had been a member of the Evangelical Church for several years. The respect in which he was held % the Church and community was attested by the large attendance at his funeral. 690 UISTOET OF ELKnAET COUXTY. He leaves a wife and 5 children, all of whom except one are mem- bers of some Church. G. W. Shiphard, until recently a farmer on sec. 15, is a native of Vermont, having been born at Edwardsburg, in sight of the Green mountains, Aug. 30. ISIO. He is the youngest son of David and Diadama (Hopkins) Sliiphard, natives of Bennington, Yt. His father died when he, George, was 11 years of age. He was married in 1832. at the age of 22 years, to Miss Fannie Cottrel, daughter of Xicholson and Abbie Cottrel, natives of Massachusetts. Mr. Shiphard -and Miss Cottrel were in Cuyahoga county, Ohio, where they continued until 1S3T, when they came to Indiana, and settled on the farm which he bought in 1835. iCrs. Shiphard died in 1838. They had 4 children, of whom but one is yet living, Fannie, now the wife of Mr. Marks. Leander received a wound at the battle of Chickamauga, and died from the effects of that wound soon after. In the spring of 1839 Mr. Shiphard was married to j^chsah Cottrel, sister of his first wife. They have had 4 children. The 3 living are Lucia, now the wife of Mr. Dunamaker, of Minne- sota; Corwin married Miss Mary Luther and is living in Nebraska. Solon, one of the deceased, while serving in the war of the rebell- ion, was taken prisoner, and for nine months was confined in Anderson ville prison; was afterward paroled, and when on his way home to "God's country" and when near Memphis, the boat on which they were sailing was blown to atoms by an explosion, and Solon's life went out before he reached the home of his father. Ella is married to Mr. Curtis and yet resides with her parents. The second Mrs. Shiphard died in 1871. The farm which Mr. S. has ust sold consisted of 160 acres, under a fine state of cultivation and worth $60 per acre. Charles L. Smith, farmer; P O., Edwardsburg, Mich.; was horn in Chautauqua county, N. Y., Oct. 21, 1826, the first son of Milo and Mary iLathrop) Smith. His father was a native of Yermont, born Aug. IS, 1796, and his mother a native of Massachusetts, and died in Elkhart county in the 38th year of her age; father died in the 82d year of his age, at Edwardsburg. Charles remained on his father's farm until 13 years old, when they moved to St. Joseph county, where he continued living with his parents until 21, teach- ing school and farming with his father until he was 27 years of age, when he married Miss Amelia Roberson, daugliter of Zachariah and Agnes Roberson, natives of New Jersey. He then bought a farm in Elkhart county, on which he moved and where they have resided until the present time. They have had 3 children, all now living: Milo, who married and is living on the old farm; Charles A., who is now attending the college at Valparaiso, Ind.; the youngest, a daughter, is Cora B. Mr. Smith was nurtured ac- cording to strict Democratic principles, but is now an' earnest advocate and supporter of Republicanism. His grandfather went into the Revolutionary war as drummer boy and remained until peace was declared. Mr. Smith now owns a finely improved farm of 120 acres, with many extra conveniences of his own arrangement , niSTOKY OF ELKHART CODKTT. 691 His land is valued at $60 per acre. They now are prepared to pass down the highway of life with honorable ease. Geo. A.Smith was born in Stark county, Ohio. Oct. 5, 1832; his father, John S. Smith, was a native of Alsace, France, and came to America in 1S2S, settling in Stark county, Ohio. He came to this county with his family in 1S37 and settled in Cleveland tp. He died Oct. 20, 1S79, lamented by all. Re was a worthy member of the Evangelical Association; his two brothers, George and Peter, were soldiers in j^apoleon's army. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common school. He was married in 18G2 to Miss' Susan Ever, daughter of Isaac Ever, and they have -1 children, viz.: Albert H., Wesley E., Anna B. and Clara E" Mr. Smith owns 280 acres of valuable land, and is engaged in farming and stock-raising. He held the office of Township Trustee for two terms. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Evangelical Association. Johro Stetvart was born in Dauphin county. Pa., Jan. 13. 1807. son of John T. and Barbara (Lingle) Stewart, both of Ger- man descent; his father emigrated to Ohio in 1807. John, the subject of this sketch, was reared on the farm and received his education in the common schools of Pennsylvania. He was mar- ried to Miss Margaret Rudy March 1.5, 1832. who was born May 20, 1811. in Dauphin county. Pa. They have 5 children: Margaret Samuel, John. David and Matilda. Mr. Stewart followed weaving in Pennsylvania, and since locating here he has followed farming and stock-raising. Mr. S. and also his wife are members of the Evangelical Church. Residence, sec. 2(>; P. O. Elkhart. Jacob WaKl was born in Wirtemburg, Germany, Feb. 7. 1809 His parents were George and Catharine (Kaiffer) Wahl, of whom he is the youngest child. At the age of 22 he came with his par- ents to America and settled in Mahoning county, Ohio, where he continued working at the carpenter's trade, which he had learned and followed in the old country. He was married Aug. 23. 1838, in Mahoning county, where he and his wife continued to live until 1850, when they moved to Elkhart county, Ind., and upon the farm where they now reside. Mrs. Wahl is the daughter of George and Sarah King, natives of Pennsylvania, where Mrs. Wahl was born August 23, 18K). Mr. Wahl was permitted to attend at the common schools of his neighborhood until his 1-tth year, which completed his education. Their cliildren have been 8 in num- ber, 6 of whom are yet living. They are Catharine { now Mrs. Smith), Sophia (now Mrs. Jacob G. Gatz. of Grand Rapids, Mich.), Jonathan H. (now a merchant in Illinois), Jacob (married and resides in the city of Elkhart), Wm. F. (married and living at Grand Rapids), and David (married and livingnear the old home in this count}'). Mr. Wahl is the owner of 200 acres of well-improved land, on which he resides, in the pleasant decline of old age. They are members of the Evangelical Church, in which society they have continued for upward of forty years, and when they shall have " finished their course" it shall certainly be said of them, that they >' fought the good fight" and victory is surely theirs. CLINTON TOWNSHIP. luasmuch as the facts in this history of Clinton township are gathered only from the most reliable sources, and dates as to organ- ization of township, biographical sketches, etc., carefully looked into, it were strange indeed if the items gathered together and blended and interwoven in this our history of a prosperous town- ship and live, wide-awake people were not entirely, if nearly, free from error; and at the outset, for whatever merit these pages may possess, the writer thereof wishes to extend his thanks to the peo- ple of this township for the necessary information so kindly furnished, that they may there read, when the history shall have attained massive proportions, a record of their lives as cast amid pioneer associations and worthy their manhood in the trying scenes of Western life. The township of Clinton, but a small spot indeed upon the surface of the globe, is yet fraught with interest to the sons and daughters of that agricultural class, who, through an energy born of the scenes in which they lived, have arisen from the obscurity of poverty to affluence or to a position of indejiend- ence in a financial view, at least. From a careful search of the records and a personal interview in many cases, tlie township is found to be named by one of the earliest Elkhart county pioneers in 1S36, in honor of his son Clinton, now a practicing physician near Ligouier, Ind. The first election was held on the first Monday in August, 1836, and the following were the names of the voters at the time: Solomon Ben- ner, Wm. Pearman, Wm. Carmien, Wilson McConnell, Enoch Bomer, Samuel Thomas, Jacob Baker, Isaac Biby, James Acton, Peter Mont, Martin Biles, Geo. Biles, Peter Biles, Wm. Denney, John Denney, George Zullinger and Col. Denney. The Board of Trustees consisted of Geo. Zullinger, Wilson McConnell, Peter Mont and Jacob Bockenover. The justice of the peace, we are in- formed, was Wilson McConnell. Elias Simpson, son of Wm. Simpson, was the first child born in the township. To the casual reader it might appear that the history of the townships would be in corresponding ratios to each other. The habits of the people differ but little. There was a social equality and depth of good- (692) HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. will that cemented firmly the bonds of friendship between these people struggling for foothold upon the soil of the Hoosier State, and yet in some respects the history of one township would not be the history of another. Inasmuch as one such history is replete with the soul-stirring incidents of the deer-hunter or the backwoodsman, whose fields went by default while he knelt in the solitude of the forest upon the banks of some clear, running stream and adjusted the traps that brought a small revenue from the fur catch usually made dur- ing the spring and autumn seasons, and thus while the broad- shouldered yeoman of one township shouldered his gun in merry independence of the land that could have been obtained for a trifle, his neighbor, perhaps, of an adjoining township, with a keen eye to business, raised his lowly cabin, planted his first crop, cleared the mighty oak from his pathway and prepared for an advance in land and an era of prosperity in the future years; and others of like ilk, having no time for idleness or dissipation, emulated his example, and soon the smoke from a score of cabins floated out over the tree-tops, and the grand work of founding a township, a county and a State had fairly begun. Such were the men who set- tled within the borders of this township, whose lessons of economy in the old-time States of Pennsylvania and Ohio were not lost upon them here; and not many years elapsed before neat frame houses were seen in lieu of tJie cabin with its wide, unseemly fire- place and stick chimney. Yet it is not to be presumed that a community of any township allowed the pressure of business to interfere with all social pleasures. On the contrary, many a prosper- ous citizen farmer of this township recalls, with fond recollections, the giddy mazes of the dance, the mirth-provoking husking-bees, cabin-raisings, shooting-matches and kindred sports, that made up the suni total of frontier happiness. It may not be amiss here to relate one or more anecdotes of events at a time when the railroad found a resting place only upon Eastern soil, and the steamboat, unquestionably one of the great civilizers of this age, rode in triumph only the billows of the Hud- son or Eastern waters. Samuel Ulery is a true type of the pioneer, fond ot a joke, and a presiding genius oti an}- and all occasions, a practical joker. Ho frequently called down the vials of wrath upon his youthful head, only to be turned into merriment the next instant by the ludicrous aspect of the humorous joker and well-timed remarks. One day it 694 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. ■was announced in the cominnnity that all hands were expected to bear a part in a log-rolling the following da^-. After a few pre- liminary remarks some dispersed to their homes, and those who did not were instructed by an excellent leader, Mr. Ulery, to finish the allotted task for the morrow by moonlight, and on its comple- tion to proceed to the smoke-honse of the individual, where all eatables were stored, and despoil the receptacle of such substantial articles as hung therein. In due time this silent, self-appointed committee succeeded admirably in both designs, and the following morning were to all intent, innocent and amazed spectators of an empty larder, and an utterly non-plnssed aad bewildered neighbor, whose astonishment knew no bounds at a prospective day's work accomplished. Wm. Pearman (^deceased) was a well-remembered citizen of this township, and among the earliest settlers. During the days when the aborigines were still numerous, he frequently made long trips to mill. In the meantime his family awaited patiently his return, but the absentee, as it frequently happened, returned only after the lapse of days, and the family of the energetic pioneer dined upon a rude, but we will suppose invigorating, repast, in lieu of the meal or flour 60 far fetched. In imagination let us lift the latch-string of the cabin door, a harbinger of welcome alike to friend or stranger, and enter the humble abode where the family had gathered around a plain deal table to partake of their noon-day meal. Dislies or bowls, few in number, rest securely upon a snow-white table-cloth, their contents plain, unadulterated hominy save the extra bowls of sweet fresh milk that formed a most delicious dessert for an otherwise de- cidedl3- limited bill of fare. But as the years lied by and immigration quickly populated this township, the pastimes and hardships became emblems of the past, and handsome and substantial farm houses arose upon tlie site where formerly nestled an abod^ of far humbler pretentions. Churches were also erected by a now prosperous people; also school-houses, neatly painted and lavishly furnished within. Twenty-three years ago the religious sect known as Amish wor- shiped in private dwellings, but shortly thereafter Ijecame enabled to build a house of worship. The first ministers were John Smiley, Chris. Plank and J. Troyer. Present pastors, Benjamin Shrock and Eli Miller. This church was rebuilt four years ago. Present membership, about 200. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 695 Twenty years ag-o the religious community known as Dnnkards, or German Baptists, worshiped daring tlie summer season in barns. The first pastor was Jacob Berke}'. Present membership in the comparatively new Church, about 200; cost of building, about $3,000. Elders, Levi H. Weaver, D. J. Hostettler, Isaac Berkey and Benjamin Stutzman. The Lutheran Church, presided over by Rev. John B. Blakemore, is a decidedly handsome brick edifice, and the attendance is quite large. The number of inhabitants in the township is probably about 1,000, and there are few townships in the county, if any, wliere farming is more successfully carried on, or a more liberal spirit pervading its citizens. MILLEESBURG. There are few individuals now living within the corporate limits of Clinton township, or, indeed, the county of Elkhart, who have contributed more toward its prosperity and progress than Solomon Miller, who settled in this township in 1S42, one year later locat- ing on the site of what is now the flourishing city of Millersburg. During the winter of 1855 he conceived the idea of a town that would answer the purpose of diverting trade from some of the countr}' towns, as Bristol, Middlebury, Goshen, etc. He was at the time the owner of 100 acres, all of which is now com- prised within the corporate limits of Millersburg, in the south- west quarter of section 34. Tlie town was platted by Mr. Miller, and surveyed by J. R. McCord, who for many years was county surveyor. Streets were laid nut and names given to them, as Wal- nut, Cook, Clinton and Jefferson. James C. Miller, son of Solomon Miller (from whom this sketch is obtained), erected the first building, a small but neat frame dwell- ing-house, in what is termed the original town of Millersburg. Additions have been made by others as the town grew in import- ance. David Eldridge built the second residence in the place, and the first store. He is described as a somewhat eccentric genius, who opened out with a limited stock of dry-goods and groceries. On one occasion a customer wishing to purchase twenty yards of muslin was firmly but respectfully declined, on the plea of limited stock and an unwillingness to be the proprietor of an empty store. Wm. A. Potter was the successor of the above gentleman in the mercantile line, and succeeded, transacting a somewhat lucrative HISTORY OF ELKHART COtTNTY. business, and added somewhat to the appearance of their infant vil- lage by the erection of what might be termed an eight-square build- ing, to which he afterward transferred his stock. The railway projected in ISoo, known a- the Lake Shore & Michigan South- ern Air-Line, and completed in 1856. was the means of a large increase in population; and mechanics, business men and farmers became eager purchasers of town lots, some of which were sold by the fortunate owner for almost fabulous sums. Considerable build- ing was carried forward prior to the war; but when armed treason had been trampled into the dust by the loyal people of the North, when victory wore a garland of peace throughout the length and breadth of the land, the now noticeable town had gained some com- mercial importance that caused a feeling of uneasiness to pervade the inhabitants of other inland towns whose birtii dated back a score of years or more previous. A temporary depot for the accom- modation of the traveling public was built in 18.57 or 1S5S, whicli served the purpose of freight and passenger traiBc until 187S. when the present depot, constructed after a more modern style, became a source of creditable pride to the worthy people of Millersburg. From 1856 to 1860 the town boasted of but few inhabitants, and for four long, desolate years, from 1861 to 1865, the fruits of the war, as we have stated, cast a shadow upon it; but from 1S66 to 1879 the people, aroused as it were from the ashes of inactivity, went to work with renewed zeal, and the very air became musical with the ring of the hammer and tlie rasping sound of the saw in mechanical hands. Not only were new houses seen going up in all directions upon every street, but new store b^iildings began to go up. ultimately presided over by men of force and standing in the community; and among those men we take especial pride in mentioning, besides those we have alluded to, Messrs. Hoffman & Davis, who built the store building now occupied by Mr. Pence, a leading dry-goods merchant, and successor of Hoffman it Davis; Elhart Ells & Bowers can also be included in the list as dry-goods mercliants, and were gentlemen of unquestioned ability and de- cided energy. John U. Christener, deceased, opened out with a miscellaneous stock. He is described as a man of honor, thrift and nncommon energ}', and succeeded well with the people with whom he cast his lot. He died some four years ago, and the busi- ness of the store is now successfully carried forward by the esti- mable widow of the deceased. Eli Wilson and Messrs. J. & J. HISTORY OK ELKHART COUNTY. 697 Singler, grocers, Andrew C. Coy and others are prominent busi- ness men of Millersburg. W. PI. Kiblinger & Co. is a firm that commands the confidence of the people whose trade center is at Millersburg, and we accord- ingly speak of it. The firm is composed of father and son, though the junior member is senior in point of age. The origin of the business dates back to nine years ago, the firm style then being P. F. Kiblinger. W. H. Kiblinger afterward became sole proprietor, and subsequently a brother, J. W. Kiblinger, became a partner. Last fall lie retired from the firm, and P. F. Kiblinger again be- came connected with the business, really in name alone, however, for he is interested in the introduction of a patent eaves-trough, and the management of the business naturally rests with his son, who is a business man by training and experience; was for three years bookkeeper in a large book and publishing house of Chicago, and since locating here he finds his time well occupied. The firm is the only one in the village which does a hardware, stove, tinware and agricultural implement trade. They have a well-stocked establish- ment, too. Mr. Kiblinger, Sr., is a native of A-^irginia, and 28 years ago located in Lagrange county, this State, from there remov- ing here. While not among the oldest residents of this immediate locality, both father and son are to be spoken of as progressive business men, and so we make this mention. W. T. Barnard is the only representative of the drug trade in Millersburg. Mr. Barnard has been a resident of the county for the past nine years; he is a native of Xew York State and once before lived here, and seven years ago engaged in the grocery trade in this village. Continuing it as a specialty until three years ago he then added drugs to his other stock, and since then drugs and groceries have comprised his trade. Mr. Barnard has a good busi- ness, a business built up by fair dealing. He is well known to all who make Millersburg a purchasing point and our report upon the trade of the county naturally enough embraces him. Mr. Barnard is a middle-aged gentleman — a reporter's guess would place him at about "40." He is wide awake to his business interests, and it is to be hoped he will be comprised in our business circle these many years yet. D. & H. Hockert constitute, we believe, the most recently organ, ized firm in the village, they having established their present house last July. Neither of the gentlemen are strangers to this commu- nity, however, for they are, although young men. among the oldest 698 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. residents of the county, iu fact they are natives. For the past ten years they have been in the mercantile business in Pleasantville, Iowa. The Messrs. Hockert are making a specialty of the dry- goods and general merchandise trade. The first physicians of the place were Wm. Chamberlain' and Bartlett Larimer, who located about 1858. The minister was Wm. Bowmer, who settled about 1850, and preached in the school-house, built in 1855. The first church was of Lutheran denomination, was commenced Aug 7, 1867, and dedicated one year later, Aug 18. Pastor, G. J. Biddle. A second church of the Presbyterians was built about this time, and of the two was the first organized. The German Eeformed Church, or perhaps now more widely known as the "American" Reformed Church, was brought to completion in 1868. Pastor, Henry Bayr. In 1878 the present commodious school-house, superseding the frame, and rather classed as a " pio- neer " school-house, was erected. In 1879 the first school-house situated in town was destroyed by fire. Miller's north addition to the town was made in about 1860, the eastern addition during tiie war. The town comprises about 80 acres, numbers about 500 population, is very pleasantly situated at the extreme southern portion of Clinton township, and is a shipping town of considerable importance. Its leading professional and business men, not omitting the ministerial profession, are: Drs. Bartlett Larimer, S. B. Junkins, J. W. Jennings and Dr. Witmer; Eev. Mr. Work, pastor of the Methodist Episcopal; of the Lutheran, Jabez Shaffer; Rev. Mr. Ziegler, of the Reformed; Presbyterian, no regular pastor; Roman Catholic, built during the present year and dedicated; no regular pastor to date. There are two grocery stores, three dry-goods stores, two drug stores, two hardware stores, one grist-mill, one saw-mill and planing-mill (the proprietor, Mr. L. W. Witmer, also attends to scroll work in connection with his other business enterprises); and two cooper shops. The first postmaster was Wm. Brown, appointed by Buchanan; there have been several since then. In 1877 Mr. Miller became the postmaster, receiving his recognition as such from President Hayes. The first hotel was built by J. and J. Singler, occupied at first by Singler, then David Gross and Samuel Weyborn; the present occupant is J. S. Yanhauten. Lawrence Konant built a hotel, now known as the " Union House." It would perhaps be deemed superfluous to call attention to the thriving, prosperous citizens of Millersburg, as theirname is legion. ^ %^ % Q^i3^^^^j^:f^^^^^ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 701 Each one has lifted a hand that the tide of atttuence might tend steadily upward and onward, and great honor rests upon them for their eftorts in the founding of a town, tlieir extension and diffusion of knowledge, and liberal patronage of literary productions of merit. The town is quiet and orderly; few disorderly' characters staiu the records of its existenci". The Constable is Ernest Long; Justice of the Peace, Wm. B. Rush. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. The history of Clinton township would be far from complete without the sketches of the lives of its most prominent citizens, which we now proceed to give as faithfully as it is possible to com- pile such mat Daniel Bachelor, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 2; P. O., Millers- burg. In this age„when friendship is seemingly at a discount and sociability of rare occurrence when compared with former years, it is with a feeling of unalloyed pleasure that one grasps with friendly hand the pioneer whose aged footsteps still traverse the shores of time. Among the few veteran pioneers Daniel Bachelor is worthily classed. He was born in Hancock county. Me., in 180S, the son of Benjamin and Olive (Layton) Bachelor. After a short residence at his native place he accompanied his parents to Athens county, O., where he received a district-school education. He married Mary, daughter of Eli Evritt, of the State of New York. Moved from Oliio to this county in early day, when the forests were inhabited by wild beasts and Indians, and the prairies were unbroken; the dwellings of white ]ieople were few and far between. He purchased a piece of land, and here, enclosed in the forest and surrounded by the aborigines, the wolves and plenty of wild game, he lived happily for many years, participating occa- sionally in the log-rollings incident to the time, and in hunting ex- peditions, etc., killing one autumn season 27 deer. At this time it was his wont to make liis waj- to what is called " Elkhart Prairie " for breadstuff. There was then upon the banks of Elkhart river a grist-mill, constructed after the pattern of that day. There were no regular schools or churches, although it was the habit of those religiously inclined to assemble for worship at some neighbor's cabin. Mr. and Mrs. Bachelor have 5 children living : Marion, "William, Mary J., John and Eliza, ilr. B. votes the straight Democratic ticket, casting his first vote for Jackson and his last for Hancock. Mrs. Esther Beane was born in Preble county, O., Nov. 14, 1809, the daugiiter of Adam and Esther (Hardman) Harter, of German descent; was educated in Ohio, where she resided until mar- riage, in 1830, to Joseph Beane, a native of N^'irginia; they have had 8 children, of whom 2 sons and 5 daughters arc living. The family 702 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. removed to Elkhart Prairie in 1837, and endured all the privations of pioneer life. Mrs. B. was obliged to fasten her doors and secure her children in the house, so numerous were the wolves in the imme- diate vicinity. Mr. B. was a prominent and well-known citizen of Elkhart county, having served several terms as Justice of the Peace, several years as an Associate Judge, and one term as a mem- ber of the Legislature. During his life-time he married more couples than any other otficial in tlie county; was also a man of considerable literary taste, and died in 1878, an exemplary member of the M. E. Church. Mrs. B. is a member of the same denomina- tion. J . H. Berry, farmer, sec. 35; P. 0., Millersburg; was born in the State of jVew York in 1S34-, the second child of Thomas and Mar- garet Berry; father a native of Mexico, and mother of Holland. They became residents of Ohio in 1834. J. H. grew to mature years in his native place and in 1863 he married Margaret, daughter of Amos and Susannah Down, of this State, and their 3 children are: Clarence D., Mary E. and Amos. During the war Mr. B. dealt considerably in tax-title land, and in 1S67 he purchased his present propert}' of 146 acres. Simon Boomershire was born Aug. 3, 1813, in Montgomery county, O., a son of Peter and Maria M. (Rumberger) Boomershire, of German ancestry; attended high school one term; followed farm- ing and also taught school in Ohio until 23 years of age, when he was married to Hannah C. Schroyer, a native of Ohio, and of their 10 children 6 are living, and are well-known resideiits of this county. Mr. B. is an olcl resident here; has been Tp. Trustee, and Assessor of Jackson tp. for a number of years. He resided in the latter tp.from his immigration to this county in 1838 to his removal to Millersburg in 1877. Himself and wife are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Amos Br 010 n, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 10; P. O,, Goshen; was born in Pennsylvania in 1818, the sixth child of Ilobert and Sarah Brown, natives of Maryland and earl}' settlers of the Ke}'- stone State; they removed to Perry county, Pa., in 1827, and in 1837 Amos settled in what is now Middlebur}' tp., in this county, and subsequently changed his residence to this tp., where he now resides on a farm of 80 acres. In December, 1838, he married Miss Sarah, daughter of John Phillips, of Virginia, and of their 8 chil- dren 4 are living. Mrs. Brown died in 1854, and the following year Mr. B. married Mrs. Brode, relict of David Brode, and daugh- ter of Miles Evans, of Pennsylvania; bv this marriage tliere is 1 child. John Bryner, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, a son of Jacob and Rachel E. (Hart) Bryner; settled in this tp. when 21 years of age; married Malinda, daugh- ter of David McGeary, and they have 4 children, Charles, John, James and Jennie. Mr. Bryner is a zealous Republican. HISTOEY OF F.LKHABT COCNTV. 703 Mad'tsoit Ghivington. deceased, was born in Ohio in 1830, a son of John and Harriet (Patten) Ghivington; the exact date of his set- tlement in this county cannot now Vje ascertained, but it was probably over 25 years ago. He was married in this tp. to ]\Iiss Fanny, daughter of Fred and Maria (Pickle) Staver, and their 5 children are Audelia, Annabel, Sarah J., Thomas J. and Mary Emily. When the " Solid South " flung to the breeze the black flag of secession. Mr. C. enlisted in the defense of the Union, and ser%-ed faithfully for 15 mouths, when he was honorably discharged; he died in 1864, from the etfects of exposure in the service. He was a faithful member of the M. E. Church. John Conklin was born in Wayne county, N. Y., Oct. 29, 1830, son of Gabriel and Maria (Dygert) Conklin, the former a native of Connecticut and the latter of New York State; when very young his father died, and in 1S44 he was brought by his mother and step- father in immigration to this county; worked in a saw-mill near Goshen Is years. In 18.53 he married Nancy E. Hunt, who died in August, 1S59, leaving 3 children; in September, 1861, Mr. C. married Angelia Mabie, who died two years afterward, leaving 1 daughter, who now resides in Kosciusko county. Daring the war Mr. Conklin enlisted in the 74th Ind. Vol. Inf., and paitici- pated in the battles of Perryville, Chickamauga Sept. li>-20, Mission Ridge Nov. 25, 1863; was wounded at Cliattahoochie July 9, 1864, when he was sent to the Jefferson vi He, Ky., hospital, and thence to Madison, Ind., where lie was discharged Mareii 7, lS6o; he then returned to his own home in this county and re- sumed his former occupation at the mill. Sept. 22, 1865. he mar- ried Mary Ann Eiipp, and they have 1 son and 4 daughters, all but 1 of whom are now attending the high school at Millersburg. ^[r. C. is now foreman in the extensive steam saw and planing mill of L. W. Witmer, in Jlillersburg. He is a staunch Republican, and both liimself and wife are members of the Lutheran Cliurch. B. F. Dewey, farmer, sec. 33; was born in this tp. in 1847, the son of C. B. and Mary Ann (Benjamin) Dewey, who were natives of Ohio, and of English descent; father was an early settler of this county, a prominent farmer, and in politics a Republican; he died in 1862; B. F.'s mother was a member of the Lutheran Church and died October 22, 1879. B. F. and his brother C. N. are conducting the farm of the old homestead, and the latter is also a successful school-teacher; a sister is at home with them. The farm which they successfully carry on consists of 230 acres, SO acres of which belong to B. F. Dewey. The latter was married Sept. 21, 1871, to Samantha Longear, and they have 3 children. He is a Republi- can, and she is a member of the M. E. Church. Jesse Dillon was born in Lancaster county, Pa., in 1817. His parents were natives of the same State, and of English ancestry. He removed with his parents to Ohio in 1819, where he attended the common school; at a suitable age was apprenticed to the black- smithing trade for a term of six and one-half years. Was Constable 704 HISTORY OF ELKHART COCNTT. and Supervisor in Ohio, in wliicli State he was married in 1839, to Mary Green ; the}' have had 2 children, who are now residents of this State. Mrs. Dillon died in 1858. Mr. D. was again married in 1861, to Elizabeth Grimes, daughter of an old resident of Clinton tp. They are the parents of 6 children, of whom 5 are living, viz.: James F!, boru Aug. 31, 1862; Marion Belle, May 23, 1868;" Wil- liam E., Dec. 8. 1872; Eufus W., June 10, 1875; Emma Jane, April 18, 1879. Mr. D. is a member of the M. E. Church, and politicallj a Republican. Joimthan Guntle, farmer, sec. 24; P. O., Fish Lake; was born in Preble county, O., in 1827, the 3d son of Peter and Mary Gun- tle, natives of Pennsylvania and Marj'laud, father a resident of Ohio from 1S02 to 1849, and mother from 1804 to 1869, when she died. In 1865 Jonathan settled in this township, where he has since resided, following farming and school-teaching. In 1863 he enlisted as a private soldier in the service of the Government, and experienced the e.xciting episodes incident to Morgan's memorable raids. In 1854, in Preble county, O., he married Miss Caroline, a daughter of Henry Snider, sr., of that county, and of their 10 children 7 are living : William H. H.. James M., Sivilla H., John D. D., John Q. Adams, Charles Carroll and Cai'oline. Mr. G. is a gentleman of refined taste, lilieral education and exemplar}' manners. Jacob Hasel was born Oct. 22, 1834, in Pennsylvania. His parents were John M. and Mary (Frederick) Hasel, natives of Penn- sylvania, of German ancestry. They removed to Huntington county, Ind., where lie was for sorr\e time employed in a saw-mill, but soon became dissatisfied with that part of the country, which was then densely wooded, and he soon concluded to return to Ohio, where he made but a short stay, and once more came to Indiana, this time settling in Middlebury tp., where for a portion of the time he followed carpentering, and was also engaged in farming. Mr. II. was married Jan. 1 , 1857, to Elizabeth Tonker. Tiiey are the parents of 5 children, 2 of whom are living, namely: Ellie J., about 20 years of age, and Willie L., about IS years of age. Mr. H. is a member of the German Baptist Church; was Land Ap- praiser for one year; owns a valuable farm, with pleasant surround- ings. ^Peter Hoffinan was born in Luxemburg, Germany, in 1826. the son of Michael Hoffman; educated in the common schools of his native place; emigrated to this country, landing in JS'ew York in 1847; learned, and followed for a number of years, carpentering and cabinet-making, by which he made his start in the world; for 14 years he was road-master on the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne railroad, a position that requires a thorough business man; at the end of this time, although the company was not willing to give him up, he resigned his situation and went to farming, and since tliat time has bee'n engaged in that vocation. He was married Nov. 10, 1852, to Elizabeth Dillman. and they have 2 sons and 7 daughters. Mr. and Mrs. H. belong to the Lutheran Church, ot' which society HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 705 Mr. H. is one of the trustees. Politically lie is a Democrat, and as a farmer he is considered first class; he owns 240 acres of good land. He settled in this tp. in ISGO. John Hoovens, farmer, sec, 20; P. O.. Goshen; was born in this county in 1S38, son of Matthias and Frances Hoovens, natives of Virginia, who settled here in 1835, and were therefore among the original pioneers of Northern Indiana. Mr. H. received a fair education considering the period of time in which he passed his boyhood, and acquired his present property by the slow and grad- ual process of unremitting toil. He now owns 140 acres. In 1866 he married Miss Mary, daugliter of Samuel Cripe, of this tp., and they have 6 children: Emma, Amza, Maranda, Cordelia, Charles and Jennie. Mr. and Mrs. H. belong to the Baptist Church. J. A. Hoover, a prominent and successful farmer on sec. 8, was born in Pennsylvania March 3, 1825, the son of Abraham and Christina (Martin ) Hoover, natives of that State, and of German descent; educated in the common school in Ohio; was married in 1848 to Susannah Eschliman, born Aug. 22, 1826, and of their 8 children 6 are living, namely: Abraham, born Aug. 3, 1849, and died April 2, 1873; John M., born Aug. 29,1850; Martin E., born Sept. 27, 1852; Mary, born Feb. 22, 1854, and died May 1, 1873; Christian, born May 17, 1856; Elizabeth, born March 27, 1858; Samuel A., born Aug. 16, 1860; and Jonas O., born Aug. 10, 1863. The eldest was born in Stark county. O., and all the rest of the children in Indiana; they are all intelligent and industrious, and have a good education; most of them are members of the Church, Men- nonite or Amish. Politically Mr. Hoover is a Democrat, and has held the office of Tp. Trustee. He owns 120 acres of land where he resides, besides 160 in Illinois, where he lived several years. Isaac Morn, furmer, see. 29; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Ashland county, O., in 1844. and is the third son of Frederick and Deborah Horn, ?i«e Green, residing in Ohio until attaining his 20th year. Isaac located in this county in August, lS(i2. He enlisted in Co. E, 74tli Ind. Vol. Inf.. for three years' service or during the war, participating in numerous engagements, as Chick- amauga, Spoon River, etc. During the fierce combat at Atlanta he was severely wounded in the face. Feb. 27, 1865, he was honora- bly discharged, when he returned home, where since the war he has established a well-stocked farm, comprising 60 acres. The wife of Mr. Horn was Miss Sarah Simpson, a daughter of George and Mar- garet, nee Justis, Simpson, and their marriage occurred in 1869. James Ilorn, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., Goshen; was born in Ohio. He was a soldier in the late war, enlisting in August, 1862, in Co. E, 74th Ind. Vol. Inf., and participating in the battles of Chieka- mauga, Jonesboro. Mission Ridge, etc. He was married Nov. 1, 18G4. to Miss Elizabeth Ilostetler, who died in February, 1879. The second wife of Mr. Horn was Miss Mahala King, a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth King, nee Burns. 706 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. Abraham Hostetler, farmer, sec. 2; P. O., Fish Lake; was born in Lagrange count}', tliis State, in 1S49, the son of Emanuel H. and Fanny (Stutzraan) Hostetler; married Miss Priscilla, daughter of John and Mary Yoder, who was born in 1846 in Wayne county, O., and settled here 12 years ago. The children are Chauncey M., Harmon H., Franklin, Ardelia May and Alvin E. Mrs. Isahella Hiilvey was born March 29, 1829, in Champaign county, O., and is the daughter of William and Matilda Latta, early settlers on Elkhart Prairie, who emigrated to Indiana in 1S29. The subject of this sketch was educated at the college at Ontario, Indiana, and in 1856 was married to Henry B. Hulve}', and their 4 children living are: Lilian, aged 23; William H., about 22; Anna M., 19; and ^Susan E., 16.' When Mr. Hulvey was married he was extensively engaged in the dry-goods trade, and ran a grist and saw-mill; he afterward went to farming in Benton tp. He died Sept. 24, 1876, leaving a handsome piece of property, which he had accumulated wholly by his own industry. Mrs. H. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. J. R. Kaiiffmaii, farmer and fruit-raiser, sec. 29; P. O., Millers- burg; was born in 183.5 in Ohio, the eldest son of David Kauffman, of Pennsylvania, who settled in Ohio many years ago. The subject of this biography was united in marriage, in Wayne ounty, 0., to Miss Barbara Smoker. For some little time Mr. K. worked at his trade of carpenter and joiner, and in 1S53 located in Lagrange county, Ind., where he married Miss Lydia Miller, a daughter of Solomon and Ilachel Miller, by whom he has 10 children : Mary, Adeline, Rebecca, Barbara. Lydia A., Martha. Daniel, Samuel, Fanny and Emanuel. Mr. K. is very successful as a small-fruit- raiser, especially of the Wilson strawberry, raspberries, grapes of all varieties, and other small fruits too numerous to mention. He also manufactures an excellent brand of grape and o;her wines, that have brought him considerable more than a local reputation. Adjoining the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Miller is a spring of living water, unsurpassed in this county, and of an even temper- ature throughout the year. Mr. K. has 60 acres of land. Josephs. Kauffman. deceased, was born in Pennsylvania in September, 1819. a son of Andrew and Anne (Stoifer) Kauft'tnan, and their children since born are: Chris., John, Jacob. Fred., Andrew, Benjamin, Joseph, Magdalena, Elizabeth and Xancy. In Bedford county. Pa., ^STovember. 1850, Mr. Kauft'man married Eliz- abeth Evans, a lady of unusual intelligence, who proved a good help-meet in the subsequent battle of life. Tiieir children are: Albert, Mahala, Levi. Bufus, Amzi, John H., and Laura, deceased. Mr. K. settled in this tp. in 1851, where he purchased 80 acres of land, on which he conducted his farming business with success. He died in 1876. respected as a gentleman, and as a man of advanced ideas. He was a member of the M. H Clinrch. Bartlett Larimer. M. D., was born in Rush Creek tp.. Fairfield county, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1833, and was the 7th child of John and HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 707 Rachel Larimer, who were married March 12, 1S18, the names of the cliildrer being Brice, William. Isaac, Margaret, Eleanor, David, Bartlett, John and Edson. JoUn Larimer was of Irish descent, Rachel Larimer of Scotch descent. John moved with his family from Ohio to Middlebury tp., Elkhart county, Ind., arriving Oct. 1.5, 1S35. being among the early settlers. Bartlett Larimer had bad health when starting to move, and it was expected by many that he would be planted by the road-side, but on the way he began to recruit, and soon after arriving in Indiana would call for something to eat through the night. He was so slender and light that coming along his father could lift him in and out of the moving wagon by the coat collar. His father entered and settled on 2S0 acres of land in Elkhart county, and owned 160 acres more in Noble county, Ind. At this time there were still a good many Indians in Middlebury tp. and they used frequently to visit Mr. Larimer's residence. The Doctor's mother died Aug. 1.5, 1S3S, in the 3Sth year. The family lived as well as they could without a mother, till the father went back to Oliio and married Mrs. Nancj' Smith, Jan. 30, 1S40. She brought along with her, her 3 children. Ellen. John and Green Smitii, which considerably increased the size of the family. Tliey all lived peaceably together, for the stepmother was a very line woman. The father died Feb. 24, 181:3, in the -t9th year of his age. After that the family lived on the farm as usual fur a year or two, when the stepmother concluded to go back to Hocking county, O., to the farm she had left on coming to Indiana. Brice, Eleanor and Bartlett Larimer carried on the old farm till the fall of 1850. Up to that time Bartlett Larimer had attended the district school about three months each year; also attended the Lagrange Collegiate Institute at Ontario, Lagrange county, Ind., Wabash College, Michigan University, and worked hard and economically to make his way through school and get a start in the world. Af- ter traveling some time in the Northwest and West, teaching school and doing other odd jobs, he attended a medical course at the Michigan State University at Ann Arbor, dissected subjects of both sexes, and Jan. 7, 1864, he receiveda diploma from the Rush Medical College, at Chicago. Commenced the practice of medi- cine in Missouri in 1858, followed his profession about five months in Columbus City, Kansas; taught singing school also, with suc- cess. Arrived in Elkhart county in April, 1859; spent the two ensuing summers in Lagrange county, Ind.; bought some land, 120 acres all together. Aug. 23, 1860, he married Sarah Emily, daughter of Solomon Miller, on whose farm Millersburg was located. His children are: Bartlett, jr., born July 18; 1870, and John, horn May 10, 1872. He began the practice of his profession here Oct. 1. ISCOduilta house the next spring. In Februai-y, 1862, his brother Edson began studying medicine with him, continued till Oct. 1, 1862, and then he, Edson, attended a six months' course of medical lectures at the Michigan University. Nov. 8, 1862, Edson Franklin, first son of 708 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Bartlett Larimer, was born. April 1, 1863, his brother Edson came back from college and studied with him and practiced some till Oct. 5, 1863, when Bartlett Larimer left his business with him and went to Chicago and attended another full course of medical lectures at Rush Medical College, where he graduated, as before stated. He returned to Millersburg the latter part of January, 1864. and has carried on a successful practice till the present time. He kept his business settled tolerably close, and in 1864: purchased SO acres of land in Xoble county, Ind., for $680.00, twenty acres joining Millersburg on the north, for $1,000.00 ,and 523 acres in Lagrange county. Ind., for $1,569; sold house, and built another in Millers- burg. In September, 1865, W. H. Short commenced to study medicine with him, attended his first course of lectures, term of 1866-'", at University of Michigan, then returned, studying and practicing some with him until the fall of 1868, when he went back to the Michigan University and graduated in the spring of 1869. W. H. Short located in Lagrange, Ind., Maj', 1869. where he has been doing a very large and successful practice. In a letter to Dr. Lari- mer he says: •• Noting the above dates brings fresh to my mind, many pleasant times and recollections of Millersburg. I often think of the encouragement you used to give me, when I was al- most discouraged, especially the first year. I now look back over the period that I was studying and trying to prepare for the work as the most pleasant part of my life." Dr. Larimer is an independent thinker in the science of medicine, and evidently does not dose his patients any more than he believes is necessary for their good. Drs. James A. "Work, of Elkhart, and John L. Short, of Lagrange, Ind., studied medicine under Dr. Larimer. Dr. L. is a strong temperance worker, believing that both alco- holic drink and tobacco are never required by the human system. At one time he, with the aid of counsel, prevented all the drunkard- makers in the county from obtaining license. He is also active in Sunday-school work; has been S. S. Superintendent 16 years. The Doctor has owned considerable land ; has sold from time to time, and still has 160 acres in Elkhart count}', 155 in Noble county, and 278 in Lagrange county. In 1879 Dr. Larimer visited Europe, via Ireland, Scotland, England and the continent, and saw the principal sights, too numer- ous to mention here. Since returning to "sweet home" he has attended to his usual business, and at the solicitation of others has delivered several public lectures on topics relating to tiiis grand tour. Anthony Lesch was born in Luxemburg, Germany, May 22, 1818; his father, a leading citizen of his locality, was William and his mother was Mar^aret^Strae) Lesch. The subject of this sketch received his education at the graded or common schools of his native country, and was apprenticed to the cabinet business, which he thoroughly mastered. He underwent a critical examination, at which specimens of his handicraft were exhibited before receiving HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. a license to follow the cabinet-makina; business. He was married in 1838 to Angelina Hoffman, and they had 9 children. She departed this life in 1861. Mr. L. was married again in 1868 to Mary Riland, and is the father of 16 children, 9 of whom are liv- ing, — i sons and .5 daughters. Mr. Lesch has been for manj' years extensively engaged in the shipping of lumber and staves to Chicago and other points, in connection with which he also carries on farm- ing. He also built, the first house within the corporate limits of Millersburg; also keptjboarding house and grocery at an early day, and has accumulated by energy and industry a handsome compe- tence. Mr. L. and family are prominent members of the Roman Catholic Church, and were largely instrumental in securing for the Catholics of Millersburg and vicinity the fine church in that town, now nearly completed. truest Long was born in Allen county, Ind., in 1855, the son of William and Mary ( Muldoon) Long, father a native of Pennsylvania, and of German descent, and mother of Canada East; received his education in the common schools of this county. He has been twice married; the first time was in 1877, when he moved to Kan- sas, and before the close of the year Mrs. Long died; ho then returned, and in 1879 was married to Mary Long, his present wife. In politics he is a Democrat, and is holding the office of Constable, to which ofiice he was elected April 5, lS8i>, and has filled the ofiice with credit since. Mr. Long seems to take the trouble to quality himself for his business. He is as well posted in law as some are who practice at the Bar. Daniel Lutz, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 28; P. O., Millers- burg; was born in Lancaster county. Pa., in 1835, a son of Chris- topher and Magdalena {nee Royer) Lutz. During the year 1835 the family settled in Stark county, Ohio, and Sept. 1, 1851, located in Concord tp., this county. In 1855 he married Miss Susan Ulery, a daughter of Daniel and Catherine Ulery, whose biogra])hy will be foxind elsewhere; 10 children were born of this marriage, 3 of whom are not living. Mr. L. has been financially successful in life, and is a most worthy citizen of this tp. Renlen Lntz, farmer, sec. 6; P. O., Goshen; was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1851, a brother of the preceding. Mr. Lutz moved to this State and first settled in Concord tp., this county. Aug. 10, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G., OTth Lid. Vol. Inf., for three years' service during the war, participating in the engagements at Jonesboro, Atlanta, etc., and became one among the many sterling actors in the terrific drama known to history as the Atlanta cam- paign. In 1860 Mr. Lutz was married to Miss Amanda M. Kess- ler, by whom he has 6 children: Eflie A., Laura V., Bertha F., Orvil, Archie 0., and RoUin V. Mr. L. is the owner of 120 acres of land. John McKihhon, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 12; P. O., Fish Lake; was born in Ireland in 1804, and is the 5th child of Thomas and Jane McKibbon, who came to this country in 1S12, locating in YIO HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Somerset county, Pa. In 18-10 John McK. settled in this tp., where he now owns 2-10 acres of land. He is a generous old gen- tleman who has long since passed the traditional three-score years and ten alloted to man. In early day he was an indefatigable worker, and fulh' merits the success he has achieved. In pioneer times he became an adept at hewing timber, at which business he would receive a dollar a day. Geo. E. Miller, farmer, sec. 31 ; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Butler county, Ohio, in 1836, son of Jacob and Catherine Miller, natives of Germany, who were among the first settlers of Ohio. In 1846 the family removed to this county and tp. Mr. Miller is a farmer of some means, liberal in his views, and a man of advanced ideas. lie is the owner of 70 acres of land, and is a member of tlie Dunkard Church. Jacoh J. Miller, farmer, deceased, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1822, the 2d son of Jacob Miller, a native of France, who by occupation was a carpenter. Jacob J. Miller was married to Miss Mary A. Stutzman in Fairfield county, Ohio; 32 years ago he moved to this county, locating at first near Rock Ilun, ultimately six miles west of Elkhart, where he purcliased SO acres of land, till- able but heavily timbered; he set resolutely to work at his laborious task of clearing away for a homestead, during the first year clearing one acre, and in addition working at his trade. Mr. Miller is de- scribed as an agriculturist of unusual intelligence and a worthy Christian citizen, whose untimely death 16 years ago, while yet in the fiush of early manhood, was deeply regretted bj' all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Levi J. Miller, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 17; P. O., Goshen. The subject of this sketch belongs to that numerous class of self- made men who passed their childhood, youth and manhood in this count}' at a period of time when that advance guard of civilization, the log cabin, nestled among the clearings that marked the prog- ress of Western enterprise. In this tp., in 1813, young Levi first saw the light and grew up with vivid recollections of the industry of the people f.mong whom his lot was cast, who, though poor in Surse, were millionaires in all that make up the manhood of an in- ividual or a nation. In common with the youth of that date, he received a good district-school education. In 1871 he was united in marriage to Miss Leah Burkhart, by whom he has 1 child. They have also an adopted son. He owns 160 acres of land. Himself and estimable wife are members of the Amish Church. Solomon Miller, from whom the flourishing village of Millers- burg derived its name, was born March 2, 1803, in Anderson county, Tenn. His father was Frederick, a native of Tennessee, and of German descent; his mother's name was Ann Elizabeth, wee Sharp, of Welsh extraction. Mr. Miller's parents emigrated to Preble county, Ohio, during his infancy, where he received such an educa- tion as was available at that early day, in tlie rudely constructed log school-houses. Followed farming until 1827, when he removed HISTORl- OF ELKHART COUNTY. ill to Indiana, where he reirained some three years, when he returned to Ohio and was married to Elizabeth U. linger that \-ear. This marriage was blessed with 8 children, 7 of whom are living, viz.: James Carnahan, Amanda Jane,Williani K., Sarali Emily, Andrew U., Hester Ann Elizabeth and Alexander C'owper. The two elder children are citizens of Kansas; Sarah Emily is the wife of Dr. Bartlett Larimer, a prominent citizen and leading physician of Millersburg; Andrew U . is an extensive farmer in Lagrange county, Ind.; Hester Ann Elizabeth is now residing with her parents in Millersbnrg. Mr. Miller was Captain of an infantry company in Ohio, his com- mand being on one occasion armed and equipped to resist the antic- ipated attack of the AVolverines upon the sovereign State of Ohio, and also accompanied the Rangers at the capture of Black Hawk. Mr. Miller purchased the site of what is now Millersburg in 1834, and removed permanently to this State Sept. 30, 1842. IMrs. Mil- ler, who is still hale and hearty, and her husband are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. M. was Tp. Trustee for seven years, also Assessor for two years; was appointed Postmaster by Presi- dent Hayes in 1S77, — in all of which positions he has won golden opinions as a most worthy and efficient public servant. He cast his first vote for Henry Clay, was identified with the Free-Soil party, and was an active supporter of John C. Fremont in 1856. Finan- cially, Mr. Miller has been moderately successful. John D. Myers is a son of Abraham L. and Susanah (Garnett) Myers, the former a native of Virginia, the latter of Ohio; was born in this county Nov. 18, 1841, and received a fair education in the common schools, which he continued to attend until his removal to Iowa in 1856, where he remained some two years, and was em- ployed at farming and in a saw-mill until his enlistment in the 74th Ind. Vol.; was with his regiment in the battles of Chickamauga and Mission Ridge, and accompanied Gen. Sherman from Chattanooga to Atlanta. He also took part in the famous charge at Jonesboro, and was with Sherman's army in all their campaigns from Atlanta to Savannah. He was mustered out of the service with his regi- ment in Indianapolis. Mr. Myers, after his return from the war, learned the carpenter's trade; was married in 1870 to Martha Eliza- beth France, and they are the parents of 2 cliildren: Edith, born Nov. 5, 1871, and Mary Ettie, born July 10, 1873. Mr. Myers and wife are members of the M. E. ChurcJi, and politically Mr. M. is a Republican. Jonathan Myers was born in Ohio in 1815, the son of Jacob and Hester Ann (Bowman) Myers, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. He received his education in the common schools in Ohio; was married Aug. 1, 1836, in Ohio, to Saloma Wyland. and they have 6 children, all living, 2 boys and 4 girls. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been members of the German Baptist Church since 1848; he is a Democrat, in politics, but has not voted for 2., born in 1864, and Charles, in 1870. Mr. Potter owns and manages a steam saw-mill, just across the line in Lagrange county, and is extensively engaged in the manufacture of lumber, laths and shingles; and he also owns a farm of 65 acres, in Benton tp. The former enterprise he has conducted for the past 15 years, with a fair amount of success. Is not a member of an v religious denomination, but is an active worker HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTr. 713 in aid of all benevolent and Christian enterprises. In politics lie is a Democrat. William A. Potter, one of the pioneers of this county, was born in Lower Canada in 1809. His father was a native of Connecticut, his mother of New York State. His parents moved to the latter State while the subject of our sketch was yet in his infancy, and when about iive years of age was an eye witness of the battle of Plattsburg, of which he has a vivid recollection. He remained in New York State until about 20 years of age, working on his fath- er's farm; emigrated to Ohio in 1S29 and passed through Cleve- land, then but a small hamlet, and located in Portage county, Ohio, where he remained for about five years. He then determined to go further West, and consequently the year 1835 finds him in the wilds of Indiana, having settled in Middlebury tp., this county, where he located some land, and underwent all the hardships and privations incident to a pioneer's life. Indians and wolves were still quite plenty in that part of the country, the former causing considerable trouble to the settlers at such times as they succeeded in procuring fire-water. Mr. Potter was married Sept. 13, 1837, to Mary Bachelor, daughter of one of the old settlers of the county. To this marriage was born, Dec. IQ, 1838, Joel, now a business man in this tp. Mr. Potter is an Elder in the Evangelical Lu- theran Church, and an old Jacksonian Democrat, and has been moderately successful in business. Isaac iiilly, farmer, sec. 19; P. O., Goshen; was born in Penn- sylvania, and is the fifth son of James and Rebecca Rilly. While yet a young man Isaac Rilly located in Montgomery count}', Ohio, at first finding employment as a laborer upon a farm; while a resident of this county he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Stutzman, a daughter of David and Mary Stutzman, natives of Pennsylvania, and he has had 8 children, 5 of whom are living. Among them are: Mary, who married Henry Miller; Hester, who married John Myers; Matilda, who resides on the homestead. The children born of this marriage not living are Susan, Millie and Elizabeth. As early as 1830 Isaac Rilly made his way to this county, where land could be procured at nominal figures; he set- tled upon sec. 20 in this tp., where he built a small cabin, one door answering the purpose of entrance and exit. His nearest neigh- bors at this time were a small band of Pottawatomie Indians, encamped on sec. 16. In due process of time a school-house, same dimensions and style of cabin houses, was built, and it answered the purpose of educating the pioneer children in the simpler stud- ies for a number of years. Mr. Rilly is a true type of the Western pioneer, generous, energetic and withal unquestionably hones^ Z^rtJiieZ /?w^, farmer, sec. 35; P. O., Millersburg; was born in this tp. in 1847, and is the third son of G. J. and Catherine Rink, (n«e Kline). Like the pioneer boys of the period, he received a common-school education ; married Miss Polly, a daughter of George 714 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. and Elizabeth Eodgers. by whom he lias 2 children, Anna and Andrew L. George Jacob R'lnh was born in Bavaria, Germany, Jan. 20, 1820; is the son* of Sebastism and Mary (Kn.vr) Eink; received his education in the schools of Germany, going to scliool from the time he was five years old until he was 13. He was married Jan. 27, 18-40, to Catherine Kline, and of their 9 children 7 are living; all are boys. Mr. Rink has given each of his sons SO acres of land, making a total of 560 acres. He is also the owner of a farm of 80 acres. Most of his boys have added to the possessions received from their father. John is the owner of a farm of nearly 300 acres, and is only 36 years old. This proves that where children are properly trained tlie}' do not always waste all that is given them; but on the other hand, parents may safely trust their children and still see them living and doing well on what was given them as a patrimony. Mr. Rink himself received a small legacy from his father. He came to America in 1836, and the next year to this county, and lived with a relative a short time; then after a few removals we find him on sec. 35, in this tp., where he has lived a long time, and has a very comfortable home, where he and his wife are still living, and expect to spend their declining years. They are members of the Catliolic Ciiurcli. Mr. Rink's polit- ical views are Democratic. In business he has been very success- ful, for when he came here he did not own anything, and was $113 in debt. He got his start in the world by working by the month at $10, and by the day at 50 cents. He has always payed dollar for dollar in his transactions, and at one time was the owner of 640 acres of land. John. Rink was born in this tp. Feb. 16, 1844. and is a son of the last mentioned; received his education in a common school kept where Millersburg now stands. Aug. 20. 1864. he married Alice Hoff'man. and of their 4 children 3 are living.— all boys, namely: William, born Aug. 15. 1866; Jacob Franklin, Aug. 13, 1868; John Ronando. Nov. 29, 1870; Perry Michael. Nov. 27, 1873. Mrs. Rink died Aug. 9, 1879. The remainder of the family are at home on the farm, which consists of 172 acres, most of wliich is under a high state of cultivation. Mr. R. is a successful farmer. His house and barn cost about $4,000. Politically, Mr. R. is a Democrat, and in religion he is, as was also his wife, a member of the Catholic Church. J. P. Rummel was born in 1838 in Ohio, son of Henry and Elizabeth (Perkey) Rummel, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Ger- man descent; family removed to Steuben county-, Ind., in 1844, where J. P. received his school education, and followed farming until 30 years of age. In 1860 he married Harriet Starbaugh, and they have 2 children. In 1868 Mr. R. went into milling at Angola, Steuben county, which business he continued there and at other points until he purchased the flouring mill at Millersburg, which HISTORY OF ELKHAET CODNTT. 715 he at present conducts. Politically he is a Republican, and relig- iously he and his famil}' are members of the Disciple Church. WiJliam B. Rufih was born in Vermillion county, lud.. July 4, 1836; his parents were Samuel and Elizabeth (Butcher) Rusli; the l'ormer"was born in Virginia, of Irish ancestry, and the latter in North Carolina, of German extraction. The subject of this sketch was taken to Cole county. 111., by his parents during his infancy, where he remained until nine years of age, when the family removed to Terre Haute, in this State, where he attended common schools, and afterward learned the trade of liis father, that of cooper, at which he continued until 1852; was engaged on his father's farm, eight miles west of Terre Haute, on the State line, for more than two years, and then he made a tour of the Western States. Mr. E. was married Dec. 29, f S69. to Catherine Hunt. They are the parents of 5 children, 2 sons and 3 daughters. Mr. R. resided in Antrim county, Mich., for seven years, during which time he was elected Justice of the Peace, and also filled several other important offices. In 1877 Mr. R. removed to Millersburg, and the following year commenced the coopering business, which he carries on quite extensively, shipping tight barrels, etc., to Cliicago and elsewhere. Financially he enjoys great success. Mr. R. is now serving as Justice of Peace, having been elected to that posi- tion by a flattering vote. Since arriving at manhood he has made great efl:brts to perfect himself in the knowledge of the law and proficiency in literary acquirements. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Repub- lican. Benjamin Scalfvf a.?, horn in Rowan county, N. C, Feb. 26, 1814, and comes of a family noted for their longevity; his father, Benjamin Scalf, was born May 10, 1764, and died at the residence of his son, the subject of this sketch, in Millersburg, on March 8, 1870, thus reaching the patriarchal age of 105 years and 10 months. Mr. Scalf's motlier was Celia Keziah, also a native of North Caro- lina. Young Benjamin was taken by his parents to Washington county, Tenn., in 1823, where he received a common-school educa- tion, and worked at farming until about 17 years of age, when, in 1832, he emigrated to Union county, Ind., and was married Sept. 24, to Eleanor Narcissa Thomas, the daughter of Samuel Thomas, an old resident of Virginia. Their 5 children are: William Lewis, born in 1836, now a prominent citizen of Millersburg; Samuel A., born in 1837, a farmer by occupation, now residing in Michigan; Caroline; Phcebe died in infancy; Francis Marion, born June 23, 1841, and died Nov. 1, 1868; Henry P., born Feb. 11, 1844, now engaged in business in Goshen. Mr. Scalf located permanently in this tp. in 1838, where he commenced tlie business of boot and shoe maker, being the only one engaged in that line of trade in Millers- burg for a great many years. He has many incidents to relate of early pioneer life, and makes mention of seeing the Indians making iiia]ilo sugar on sec. 16. Himself and wife are both members nf the 710 HISTOKT OF KLKHART COINTT. M. E. Church, and he is strictly Democratic in politics. In busi- ness he has been successful. liev. Jahez Shiffer was born March 11, 1S33. in Oliio. His father. Jabez, was a native of ^[aryland. of German ancestry, and his mother, boru in Pennsylvania, was of Scotch-Irish origin; He emigrated with his parents to Allen coimty. Ind.. in 1S41. where he attended the public school and worked at farming until 25 years of age; commenced reading for tiie ministrv in 1S5S; served the M. E. Church at Angola. Steubeu county, Ind., one year, then went to Allen county, then to St. Mary's, Adams county. After a year or two Mr. S. withdrew from the M. E. Chnrch. uniting with the Evangelical Luthei-an Church, and was stationed at Eutler, DeKalb county, and at Lagrange, Ind.. and came to Millersburg in 1S79. where he is held in high esteem as a pastor of rare fervor and ability. Ahrtiham Shrock. farmer, sec. 17; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Holmes county, O., in 1S43, eldest son of Benjami"n and Mary (Stntzman^ Shrock, natives of Holmes county, 0.. who settled in Miami county, same State, in 1850, where young Abraham attained his majority, receiving a good common-school education. In 1S7'1 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Miller, a daughter of Mary Miller, of Jefferson tp. Their 5 children are: Arvila. Geo. B., Lorcna. Ada and an infant ahild. Mr. S. is the owner of 52 acres of laud, and he is a member of the .Vmisli Church. Matthew Skelhij. farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Indiana May 2S, 1S3S; his parents, Walter and Matilda (^Casly^i Skelley, were natives of Ireland, who emigrated to this Stato in lSo5. Mr. Skelley received his ei1uc«tion in the .public schools, and has always followed farming as an occupation; with the exception of being Supervisor one year, he has never held any otKce. He was married Jan. 27, 1877, to Emma T. Yonker, a native of Elkhart county, and he has 1 child, Isabella Agnes, born Aug. 17, 187S. Mr. S. is a progressive farmer, enjoys life under comfortable circumstances, and keeps pace with the times. Himself and family are members of the Catholic Church. L'l/ayette Smith, farmer, Millersburg, was born in 1839, in Ohio; received his education in the common schools of Tuscarawas county, that State; tbllowed fanning previous to his present vocation; when the war broke out he enlisted in the t)2d Oliio Inf., and became a participant in the battles of Chickamauga, Mission Ividge, Eesaca, etc.; after the war he settled at Millej-sburg, and was among the iieaviest sufferers by the conflagration in this place December, 1879. He was married in 1869 to Xancy J. lu'derick, of tliis county, and of their 4 children 3 are living, namely: Edwin E., Eva M. and Almeda. Stephen B. Smith, tarmer and stock-raiser, sec. 10; was born in Sussex county. X. J., July 27, 1809, son of Zephaniah and Mary (Baxter") SmitJi, who moved from iS'iagara county, N. Y., to New Jersey in 1815, and located in tliis tp. in 1837, where the subject % J^^'^^'^ ^ (^^K^^^^^^"^^ HISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 719 of this sketch and other members of the family reside; Gilbert, Zepluuiiah and Stephen B. reside in this State; John B. resides in Ypsiianti. Mich.; Sarah Ann Bogert resides in Crawford county, Kan.; 4 liave died, viz.: Geor£;e, Jane and Charles, wlio died as Newfaiio, Niagara county, N. Y.. and Elizabeth, who died in Cass county, Mich. Stephen and Zephaniah Smith eacli bore his share in the struggles and privations of early days, and the life of one it typical of the other; both are farmers, and the panorama of life as unfolded to one discloses to view the same shifting scenery as to the other. Stephen remembers the tp. of Clinton as heavily timbered in 1S37. his observations coinciding with those of others as to abundance of game and limited educational facilities. In the build- ing of his first cabin he spent the greater portion of one day in calling upon his neighbors for assistance at the raising. In 1845 he married Miss Martha McConnell, also a pioneer of this tp., by whom he liad 2 children; 1, not named, died in infancy. Stephen B., jr., is a resident of Dakota, and was once a soldier on the itbrce of the Western reserve. Stephen and Zephaniah Smith, jr., have gained their present ppsition of independence by sterling integrity and individual exertions. Zephaniali is the owner of 120 acres, Stephen of 113. The wife of the latter died in 1S72, and was laid at rest in what is familiarh' known as the " Smith Cemetery." The brothers are strongly Republican. Ph'ilo Starks^ farmer, sec. 35; P. O., Millersbnrg; was born in Vermont in 1806, the only child of William and Electa Starks, natives of the Green Mountain State. He became a resident of this county in 1832, a period of time when it might be literally said that Indiana was so deep in the wilderness that no wand of civilization marked its progress save the civilizing influence of the woodman's ax or the round-log cabin of the frontiersman. Previous to the date mentioned Mr. S. had owned in Pennsylvania a small tract of land, and like many of the residents of that State he listened to the glowing accounts of productive land in Indiana, and made the trip in the usual mode of conveyance, a covered wagon, settling in Middlebury tp. He worked for three years as a cooper, when he f)urchased an 80-acre tract near what is now the town of Middlebury, or $100. He found the township heavily timbered, inhabitants limited in number, and Goshen, the city of the future, an embryo village composed of three cabins, one a receptacle for a few in- discriminate articles of merchandise. On sec. 35 Mr. S. built a cabin, unadorned by windows or doors save the merest substitutes for them; the tools he farmed with were of the crudest description, and years elapsed before he became moderately prosperous. Game was very abundantdnring the days of his early settlement, and the veteran pioneer calls vividly to mind a large Indian encampment of Pottawatomies on the banks of the Elkliart river. There were no grist-mills within any reasonable distance, with the single ex- ception of what was familiarly termed a ''corn -cracker," a small water mill used only for the purpose of grinding corn or buckwheat. IIISTOEY OF ELKHART OOUNTT. 719 of this sketch and other incinbers of the family reside; Gilbert, Zepliaiiiali and Ste])iien 15. reside in this State; John li. resides in Ypsiiaiiti, Mieii.; Saraii Ann lio^ert resides in Crawford county, Kan.; 4 iiave died, viz.: Georf>;e, Jane and Charles, who died as Newfaiie, Niagara count)', N. Y., and Elizabeth, who died in Cass county, Mich. Stephen and Zephaniah Smith eacli bore his share in the struggles and privations of early days, and the life of one it typical of the other; both are farmers, and tlie panorama of life as unfolded to one discloses to view the same shiftiniij scenery as to the other. Stephen remembers the tp. of (!linton as lieavily timbered in 1S;J7, liis observations coinciding with those of otliers as to abundance of game and limited educational facilities. In the build- in"; of his first cabin lie spent the greater portion of one day in calling upon iiis neighbors for assistance at the raising. In 1845 he married Miss Martha McConnell, also a pioneer of this tp., by whom he had '2 children; 1, not named, died in infancy. Stephen 13., jr., is a resident of Dakota, and was once a soldier on the force of the Western reserve. Stephen and Zephaniah Smith, jr., have gained their present ppsition of independence by sterling integrity and individual exertions. Zephaniali is the owner of 120 acres, Stephen of 113. The wife of the latter died in 1S72, and was laid at rest in what is familiarly known as the " Smith Cemetery." The brothers are strongly Re])ublican. J'/il/o Starkx, farmer, sec. 35; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Vermont in 1S06, the only child of William and Electa Starks, natives of the Green Mountain State. He became a resident of this county in 1832, a period of titne when it might bo literally said that Indiana was so deep in the wilderness that no wand of civilization marked its jirogress save the civilizing influence of the woodman's ax or the round-log cabin of the frontiersman. Previous to the date mentioned Mr. S. had owned in Pennsylvania a small tract of land, and like many of the residents of that State he listened to the glowing accounts of productive land in Indiana, and made the ti'ip in the usual mode of conveyance, a covered wagon, settling in Middlebury tp. lie worked for three years as a cooper, when he purchased an 80-acre tract near what is now the town of Middlebur}', for $100. He found the township heavily timbered, inhabitants limited in number, and (loshen, the city of the future, an emi)i-yo village com])osed of three cabins, one a receptacle for a few in- discriminate articles of merchandise. On sec. 35 Mr. S. built a cabin, unadorned by windows or doors save the merest substitutes for them; the tools he farmed with were of the crudest description, and years elajised before he became moderately jn-osperous. Game was very abundant during the days of his early settlement, and the veteran pioneer calls vividly to mind a large Indian encampment of Pottawatomies on the banks of the Elkhart river. There were no grist-mills within any reasonable distance, with the single ex- ception of what was familiarly termed a "corn -cracker," a small water mill used only for the pur])ose of grindingcorn or buckwheat. 43 720 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. The bill of fare in those days usually consisted of turkey, pork, venison and corn dodgers. In 1S30 Mr. Starks married Amelia, daughter of Elijah and So- phia Haden. They are now in very comfortable circumstances, and like nearly all of those who endured the privations of early Western life, are liberal in all things worthy of their patronage. They have lived to see a territorial wilderness converted into a great State densely populated, over which a labyrinth of railroads can-y their liuman freight with almost lightning-like rapidity; and to such men in the advance guard of civilization is the State indebted for the leading position it holds to-day among a vast constellation of States in the Union. Jonathan Stiver was born in Montgomery county, O., in 1835, the son of John B. and Catherine (Bickle) Stiver, natives of Dau- phin county, Pa. ; received his education in this county; he has been a farmer most of his life, and is also of a mechanical turn ot mind. He was married Jan. 4, 1S65. and now has 4 sons and 1 daughter. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Lutheran Church, in which society Mr.. S. is also a deacon. In politics he is a Demo- crat. He is the owner of 104 acres of land, and is an industrious, upright citizen, a pioneer who is held in high esteem. JonatJuin B. Stutzman, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 16; P. O. Millersburg. V Mr. Stutzman is a model agriculturist; a man of generosity and kindly acts, whose successful life will be brietly dwelt upon here. Like many of those, his neighbors, who founded a home in this tp., he has acquired the bulk of his property through indefatigable labor and its inseparable companion, honesty. He was born in Mifflin county. Pa., in 1813, the eldest son of Michael and Hannah (Yoder) Stutzman; moved to 'Wa3'ne county, Ohio, in 1827, where in after years he was united in marriage to Miss Fanny, a daughter of David Burchman. by whom he has 5 children, viz.: Eliza, who married Solomon Yoder; Poll}% who married Joseph Kanffman; Jephtha P., who married Mary Garber; Cath- erine, who resides on the homestead ; Anna, deceased, who married Moses Kauffn:an, and Jonathan. Mr. S. is a member of the High Amish Church. James Tay/o?', farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Millersburg; was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, in 1846, the third son of Joseph and Mar- garet Taylor, who resided for many years in Henry county, Ohio. In 1S76 Mr. Taylor moved to this township from Lagrange county, Ind., and is now the owner of SO acres of land; is well situated in life and a worthy citizen. In 1S62 he enlisted in Co. A, 6Sth Ohio, and served 22 months, being in the battles of Goldsboro, Atlanta, Jonesboro, etc; was honorably discharged after the close of the rebellion. In 1872 he was united in marriage with Miss Rosa Graff Millar, a daughter of George and Mary Millar, of Germany. They have 1 adopted son, Eddie Dennis. Daniel Ticc, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania in 1838, where he grew to the mature years of manhood, and where he was united HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 72l in marriage with Miss Sarah Yoter, a daughter of the late Daniel Toter, and thev have 7 children; all are now living, viz: John, who married Miss Susan Niselj; Susan. Valentine. Catherine, Rebecca, Sivilla and Mary. Mrs. Tice is comfortably situated m life, and owns 60 acres of productive land. She is a member of the Amish Church. Daniel Unrue, farmer, see. 20; P. O.. Millersbnrg; was born in Ivockingham county, Va., in 1809. the third son of George and Catherine Unrue, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, who in an early day moved to Virginia, and afterward to Ross. Montgomery and Darke counties, Ohio, where the old folks passed the remainder of life. Daniel, growing up to manhood in Ohio, received a dis- trict-school education and began the battle of life in straitened cir- cumstances. Pie was marriecl in Ohio in 1835, to Miss Catherine, a daughter of Henry and Parinelia Snider, and their 4 children are Louisa. Leatha A., Daniel and Samuel. Nineteen years ago Mr. U. settled in Benton tp.. thence moved to tlnstp.,wherehe formerly owned 160 acres, — at present writing 80. J. S. Vi'iiihauten was born in Indiana in 1844, the son of Jacob and Catherine Vanhauten, natives of Pennsylvania, father of Hol- land and mother of German descent. J. S. received no other edu- cational advantages than what was afforded b}' the common schools in his native State. His earlj' life was spent on a farm and he is now the owner of a farm. He was married in 186.5 to Sarah J. Hoven, and they have 3 sons. Loren, Ira Merit and Omer. Mr. Vanhauten is keeping the Weyborn Hotel in Millersburg. where he is always ready to accommodate the traveling public. He also keeps a stable with several horses and carriages to accommodate travelers, and is remarkably liberal in his charges. But his prin- cipal business in Millersburg has been in keeping a first-class butcher shop, in connection with which he has liad rather an exten- sive trade. Since he commenced here he has butchered on an aver- age, yearly. 300 headof fat cattle. At present he devotes most of his time to that business. He is very attentive and obliging to his customers, which will almost always insure success. He is a first- class Republican in politics; believes in keeping cool and voting the right wa}'. He has a mind of his own, but never intrudes his views upon others. Saimiel H. Weyhurn was born in 1817 in Tompkins county, N. Y., his father, George, being a native of Pennsylvania, of English ancestry, and his mother, Polly (Ferris), being of Scotch-German origin. He received his education in the common schools; removed to Middlebury township, this county, in 1840, where he located as a farmer, and was married in 1843 to Anna Case, whose parents were old residents of Elkhart county. Mrs. Weyburn departed this life in 1848, leaving one son, Oscar "Weyburn, born in 1845, who died in the service of his country in October, 1863, and is buried at Mound City, 111. Mr. Weyburn was married again in 1855, to CONCORD TOWNSHIP. The man who gave me being, though no Lord, Was natm'e's nobleman, — an honest man ! And prouder am I, at this hour, to stand. Unpedestalled, but on liis lowly grave. Than if I towered upon a monument High as the clouds with rotten infamy ! The sphere of humaa knowledge is extending! Man seeks new soitrees of information; be even ventures to solve the problem of nature, and oftentimes carries his inquiries so far as to become ridic- ulous. In history it seldom occurs that such stretches cf the imagina- tion are permitted to battle with revealed truths. Perhaps in no other branch of science is there less liberty granted than in that of his- tory. No exaggeration is allowable, no artifice can be requisitioned to distort facts. The historical writer has to deal only with what lias been accomplished in the past, and probably make such deduc- tions therefrom as may lead him to form an idea of what the future may bestow upon the country of which he treats. Now, since it is much more difficult to deal with facts than fiction, the office of the historian is not a sinecure. Every word which he transmits to paper has to be well weighed and retained or cast out, according to its merit. In the compilation of this work a strict regard to truth has been observed, every subject of importance has been taken from or com- pared with the records, and the unwritten, or legendary, submitted to the pioneers for confirmation. In many cases extracts have been made from the writings of the most prominent men among the old settlers; because the times which they passed in review, and the exquisite manner in which they treated their subjects, tended to render their reminiscences invaluable, if not absolutely necessary for a complete history. Doubtless many important events are omitted in the county history; but it will appear that such, being 80 intimately connected with the townships, receive a full notice in the pages devoted to the 16 divisions of the county. The biograjA- ical chapters are not the least interesting. They necessarily com- prise much historical matter, and as the lives of the men brought under notice are entwined closely with the progress of the county, (724) HISTORY or ELKHART COUNTY. 725 SO also do their biographies commingle with history, and combined form subject matter at once entertaining and instructive. The history of the Churches contains much valuable information. It bears a telling testimony to the busy activities of the times, and proves that the spiritual make even advances with the temporal industries. Comparatively few years have elapsed since the God of Christians was worshiped under two or three diiierent forms. Now no less than 30 religious societies adore Him in ?>0 different ways. There is, however, one consolatory reflection, and that is, the beautiful fraternity which binds all the denominations together, and gives them promise of a continuance of friendship in the land of the hereafter. The schools are treated ver\' briefly in the history of the county. This is entirely due to their identification with the townships, in which connection the reader will find that replete information regard- ing them which educational establishments so well deserve. With- out the Church and school all would be chaos, nescience would reign supreme, and man's ideal-— the free American — would return to that primitive condition from which the Church and school grad- ually raised them. The great industrial establishments of the township hold a prominent place, while the pioneer and social his- tory is given in a comparatively full form which may insure its welcome. In every department of this third part of the work a full effort has been made to render it at once reliable and satisfac- tory . THE TOWNSHIP was erected in 18.30 and embraced all the territory north of Elkhart township, erected at the same time. Much of its early history is given in the pages devoted to the county; but in this connection it may be necessary to repeat the names of the pioneers who claim to be its first settlers. Those are: Jesse Rush, who settled on Pleasant Plain in 1827-'S; Lsaac Compton, with his brothers James and John, who settled in the township in 1829. Dr. Havilah Beardsley, Wm. Dobson and Jesse Morgan were settlers on Pleas- ant Plain in 1829, while Peter Tuley, Peter Diddy. Associate Judge I. Middleton and Betterton came in the fall of the same year. Sub- sequently the settlements received additions in the persons of John Banning, Jacob Puterbaugh, Howell Huntsman, Chester Sage, Stephen Stutsman, Adam Teal, John Nickerson, Andrew Kichard-. son, Geo. Crawford. Allen Tibbits, Parker Robinson, Joseph Case, 726 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT OOrXTr. Ozias Stotts, Thomas McMurray, Samnel Telemachus and his brothers. David and John, Abraham Livingood. Eber Root. Sterne Bronson, Jacob Ellis, Samuel Simonton, Timothy "Woodbridge and Ebenezer Chamberlain. It is related that Jacob Ellis erected the first frame barn in the township, that Ebenezer Chamberlain taught the first school, and X. F. Brodrick the second, but this is so fully set forth in dealing with the history of the city of Elkhart that its repetition here is quite unnecessary. Every advantage which nature could confer on this township was freely bestowed. The beautiful rivers, the St. Joseph and Elk- hart, with the creek which forms the outlet for the northern lakes, yields water privileges that cannot be excelled. Numerous little streams give to the agriculturists a supply of good water, while the many springs of crystal and chalybeate complete the circle of advantages. The land is undulating, and though rather sandy in many sections the sandy loam of the greater portion of the township is very productive, and yields the farmer a full reward for the labor which he may have Expended on it. -The houses of worship and schools are numerous, and the people generally pros- perous, living in peace, and sustaining well their part in building up the county. CONCORD TOW>"SHIP SCHOOLS. Tiie grade system has been introduced into these schools, out- side the city, but it has not yet reached that perfection so much to be desired. The pupils are subjected to the ordinary course of studies, and. so far as can now be learned, a remarkable proficiencv is evinced by the majority who attend school regularly. The teachers are industrious, and apply themselves to the onerous duties of their profession with commendable earnestness. The irregularity in attendance is to be deplored. Happily the in- corrigibles are few; but the evil examples, which they lay down, will eventually have a deteriorating influence and counteract much of the good that has been effected by zealous instructors. Concord township graded school edifice is an elegant structure situated on sec. 2i, was erected in the year 1S79, at a cost of $2,- 500. J. D. Compton was the trustee. It has an apartment for a graded school. In Concord township there are nine brick school-houses and one ' frame, valned at $l7.00i'. and the apparatus, maps, etc.. at about HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 737 $200. The special school tax on the $100 is 32 cents, and on each poll, 25 cents; the total estimated special school tux is $3,200; the local tax for tuition assessed on each $100 is ten cents, — on each poll, 25 cents. There are 117 volumes in the township library, of which 30 were taken out during the year. The trustees were paid $160 for managing school interests during the year ISSO; one school-house was erected during this year, at a cost of $2,100. There were seven township institutes held during the year. 01 revenue for tuition, the amount on hand Sept. 1, 1S70, was $547.- 99; received in February, ISSO, $1,051.59. and in June, $1,116.81; miscellaneous receipts. $25; total, $2,7-11.39; expended during the year, $2,321.03, leaving $420.36 on hand. Of the special revenue the amount on hand Sept. 1, 1S79. was $2,217.72, and $1,604.33 received since; expended, $3,622.28. leaving $199.77 on hand. Male pupils admitted to school, 229, and female, 181; average daily attendance, 325; there are 11 school districts in the township, in all of which school was taught during the year; average length of school terms, 140 days. There were nine male teachers and 13 female; wages per day for both sexes. $1.56^. C. H. Chase, of the Bevieic, whose connection with the county extends over 21 years, and whose deep interest in educational mat- ters is truly Bostonian, has said that the public-school system of Indiana is acknowledged to be inferior to no other State, and in many respects is superior to those of its sister commonwealths. This may eaSly be accounted for from the fact that in part the people who settled the State, reclaiming it from a wilderness, were evi- dently a people who favored education. With the early settlement of the country came the district school of nearly half a century ago, and wherever a sufficient number of families located a common pur- pose manifested itself in the erection of rude log school-houses. These primitive temples of education in towns, villages and rural districts have given place to structures more or less elegant, in many instances costing thousands of dollars. The district school (the embryo of the system of to-day) has been supplanted by the graded and high schools, with their thorough and comprehensive courses of instruction, and the rude adjuncts of education of the earlier days have been superseded by the model appliances of to-day. There is not a town in the county without a thorough school sys- tem. Most of these towns liave built superior school buildings, and visitors will find the schools, both as regards the buildings them- 72b HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. selves, the discipline and the entire working arrangement, a source of great interest. The county is proud of its schools. Thej^ are as open to the chil- dren of the humblest as of the wealthy. Social distinctions do not obtain a foothold, and through these public schools there is no royal road to educational preferment. The basis is purely mental advance- ment; and the rivahy that exists is that engendered by mental application. The goal to be won is the incentive, and the reward is one that is co-equal with the duration of life. Let the good work progress, and may the cry Educate I Educate! be raised until the school has reached perfection throughout every State and Territory of tliis Eepublic. ELKHART VILLAGE. We have learned something of the organization of Concord township in that chapter of the county history devoted to the records. Here it is purposed to deal specially with its history. In carrying out this intent it will be well to consider that Elkhart cit}' is really Concord township — not in the sense that Paris is France, but in that of wealth, number and influence. The census of 1880 leads one to such a conclusion. Out of a total township population of 8,402, no less than 6,938 congregate in the city, leav- ing only about one-fifth of that number, or l,i63, to inhabit Concord proper. The manufacturing and mercantile interests ren. der it the objective point of inquiry within the township; its educational establishments and churches contribute to make it the intellectual capital of that portion of the county, and an enterpris- ing, intelligent people offer it as a home to the industrious. PURCHASE OF A PARADISE. So early as 1826 the fact of its importance as a site for a town recommended itself to a few of the early settlers. Lewis Davis^ whose name has been mentioned in the count}' history, saw the many advantages of the district; yet, for some reason unexplained, he did not seize the opportunity then presented, but, on the contrary, left his knowledge and his thoughts in this regard at the disposal of Dr. Beardsley, and with a singular philanthropy prevailed upon his Ohio friend to acquire the tract of land in the vicinity of the meeting of the waters. We have seen in the county history a record of the hona fide transactions between Dr. Havilah Beardsley HISTORY Of ELKHART COUNTY. 729 and the Indian occupiers of the soil. Xotwithstanding the high character of those dealings, a sale of lands agreeing in description with these transferred in April, 1S31, was effected by Moran in February, 1827, and a portion of the Indian reserve placed in pos- session of Richard Godfrey, of Michigan. This transaction may be termed the beginning of a series of disputes, which were event- ually carried to the courts, and dragged, if we may use the term, their weary course through all the meshes of the law for many years. A review of the old correspondence in connection with the Moran-Godfrey transactions will e.xplain more fully the claims of the latter on the estate of Dr. Beardsley. So early as 1826 Godfrey made overtures to the Pottavvatomies regarding the purchase of their lands in the neighborhood of the coniiuence of the Elkhart and St. Joseph rivers; but the individuals with whom he conversed did not seem to entertain his ideas favorably. Being fully impiessed with the value and beauty of the location he sought an interview with Chief Moran, and soon convinced the ruler of the band that by acceding to his offer the result would prove mutually satisfactory. During September, 1S26, a petition was prepared, and sent to the department of Indian affairs; but owing to the irregularity of the act it could not be received, and was consequently returned enclosed in the letter of which the following is a copy: To Pierre Morain: The treaty of Aug. 20, 1821, under which the petitioner, Pierre Morain or Perish, a Pottawatomie chief, holds the section of land referred to in the above petition, provided that the tracts of land stipulated to be granted by said treaty shall never be leased or conveyed by the grantees or their heirs to any person whatever without the permission of the President of the United States. It appearing to be proper in the opinion of Gov. Cass that the permission claimed should be granted, I, therefore, re- spectfully recommend that the petition be submitted to the Presi- dent of the United States for the purpose of procuring his sanction to the application. Department of War, office Indian affairs. Approved 27th No- vember, 1826, LB. Thomas J. McKenny. The returned documents were received, conference with Godfrey sought, and the petition at once made and sent to the President. This important document took this form: To JoHx QuiNCY Adams, President of the United States of America: The petition of Pierre Moran, or Peerish, a Pottawatomie chief, hereby, sheweth, that by an article in the treaty of Chicago the 2.5th day of March, A. D. 1821; there was granted to vour 730 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. petitioner one section of land and to his children two sections of land at the mouth of the Elkhart river; that your petitioner is con- siderably indebted to several persons and is desirous of making and also of making some permanent improvement on the lands granted his children, but has no other means at present of so doing but by sale of the said section of land belonging to him. Your petitioner therefore prays that the President will be pleased to grant him permission to sell and convey his said section of land so granted to him by the said treaty of Chicago, to enable him to carry into effect his wishes as above stated, as in duty bound will ever prav. Detroit, May 31, 1826. Pierre Morain. Witness, A. G. Whitney. The President signified his assent in the following laconic sen- tence, and Moran was free to dispose of the Eden which was the home of his band and the cradle of his younger days. The request of the petitioner, Pierre Moran, is granted. 28th JSTovember, 1826. J. Q. Adams. The deed of conveyance followed close upon the receipt of Presi- dent Adams' approbation; so that in February, 1827, Godfrey was the nominal owner of ancient Elkhart. The deed ran as follows: Know all men by these presents, that I, Pierre Morain, or Perish, a Pottawattamie chief as named in the treaty of Chicago, concluded by Lewis Cass and Solomon Sibley, Commissioners on the part of the United States and the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie na- tions, dated at Chicago in the State of Illinois on the twenty-ninth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, and that by an article of said treaty ratified the 25th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two, there was granted to me a section of land at the mouth of the Elkhart river, with a stipula- tion that it should not be sold or leased without the consent of the President of the United States. Therefore, in consequence of his permission annexed to my petition herewith, and in considera- tion of the sum of three hundred dollars to me in hand paid by Kichard Godfrey, of the county of Wayne, in the Territory of Michi- gan, the receipt of which I acknowledge, have granted, bargained, sold, and released, and by these presents do grant, bargain and release unto the said Richard Godfrey, the section of land as above described, together with all and singular the rights, members, hered- itaments, and appurtenances to the said premises belonging or in anywise incident or appertaining, to have and to hold, all and sin- gular, the premises before mentioned nuto the said Richard God- frey, his heirs and assigns for ever. And I do hereby bind myself, my heirs, executors and administrators to warrant and defend for ever, all and singular, the said premises unto the said Richard God- frey, his heirs and assigns forever. I do hereby bind myself, my HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 731 heirs and assigns against everj- person whatsoever, lawfully claim- ing or to claim the same or any part thereof. AVitness my hand and seal this 2d day of February, in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred and twenty-seven (1827). Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of John Paxton, Jas. M. McCloskey, his Pierre x Morain. mark. Whether Godfrey fulfilled his part of the contract has never been satisfactorily proven. Again, the fact of Dr. Beardsley's good faith in carrying out to the letter the part allotted him in the deed of April, 1831, cannot be doubted, nor was the approbation of Presi- dent Jackson given without an assurance that reciprocity, in good faith, existed between the aboriginal owner and the white purchaser. As has been stated, this dual acquisition of Indian lands created much trouble in the little settlement of olden times; and the pro- longation of the dispute aided, most effectually, in retarding the development of the village. The courts could scarce)}' ever settle the conflicting interests and opinions which existed, so that the only course left for adjusting the difficulty was arbitration or com- promise. Dr. Beardsley suggested the latter, and having obtained the acquiescence of bis opponent bestowed upon him a valuable sec- tion of land east of the Elkhart river. Previously the Doctor was so conscientious as to caution all who desired to purchase lots or erect buildings against investing; because, as he said, the propri- etorship of certain portions of the property which he claimed rested on the strange antics of the law, and actually left him in a state of uncertainty. From tlie moment a compromise was effected the star of Elkhart's prosperity began to ascend, and by degrees continued its upward movement, until, in 1870-'71, the village cast off the swaddling clothes of its infancy, and rushed onward to com- mercial greatness within a few years. the original plat. President Jackson's letter, approving Dr. Havilah Beardsley's purchase from the Indian chief JVIpran, arrived early in 1832, and prior to the lapse of a few months, the new proprietor was in pos- session of the favored tract. Without delay lie employed Surveyor Crawford to lay out a village, and he, with commendable industry, completed the work entrusted to him and furnished Dr. Beardsley with his plat and description, which were duly recorded in April, .rfl' HI5T0KT OF EI.XHAKT CTSTT. lSo2. The loilowiDg is a copy of this docuineut, taken trom the old records of J. ^. Violett's time: State of Ls-diana, ) p., , ^ . p^„„^ Town, Elkhart. f Elk. art County. OBiei^iAI. PLAT. Begiuniag at the X. W. corner of lot No. 1. where there is a cedar'post planted two feet in the ^roand in section Xo. 5. T. 37 X.. K. 5 E. 2d principal meridian: first. Main street. S2i feet wide, bears X.. 20 degrees west. Second street. 66 feet wide and ran- Din2 }«rallel. Washington street. 52^ feet wide, bears S.. 70 degrees west, and at right angles with Main and Second streets. Jeflerson. Jackson and Pigeon streets running parallel to Wash- ington street. Lots nnnibered in numerical order. 1, 2. 3. 4, etc.. throughout the plaL All regular lots are 52^^^ feet in front and 165 feet back. All sin- gular lots hare their length given in feet on the lines and also the beariuffs. Eight lots ia a block, and each block cut at right angles through the centers, with alleys 16i feet wide running parallel to the streets. H. Bkaei>slet. Proprietor. Kecorded by John AT. Violetl, April 30. 1S32. A copy of the original plat of (Jeoi^ Crawford was made in March. IS 75. by Connty Surveyor Henry Cook, and duly recorded under oath, as ar'io simile oi the old map. It shows an aggregate of 4S lots, and gives prominence to a very precise description. THE FIKST HOrSE was constructed on the town plat by and for Horace Root, and the second by Samnel P. Beebe. This was situated on the north- west corner of Main and Jackson streets, almost on the site of the residence of Mr?. Beebe. Ranssalaer Harris inaugurated store- keeping near John Huntsman's log mill, on the north bank of the St. Joseph : but to Samuel P. Beebe must be accorded the honor of opening a mercantile establishment in the village proper, since his store once occupied the site of Stephen Downing's hotel, now over- shadowed by the Clifton House, Those early merchants were soon joined by Elijah Beardsley, Brodriek and Davenport, J. S. and A. Defrees and Geo. Crawford. John Xewell. Presley Thompson and August Xewton succeeded Stephen Downing in the hotel busings, and together with the pioneer and miU-builder, Dr. H. Beardsley. formed the nucleus of a little settlement which was destined to extend until its name would hold a place on the commercial roll of the nations. HISTiIRT OF ELKHART COUSTY. i 33 ■ :' A REVIEW OF MEN AND EVENTS. The doings of old settlers are always interesting, although the subject has met with a general notice in the countv history. The following may be of s}.>ecial interest to the people of Elkhart. The presence of George and Mrs. Crawford as the guests of Mrs. E. D. Braden, in Elkhart city, July 10. 1S76. was made the occa- sion of a most consolatory grouping of many old settlers. There were present, George Crawford, Henry Xeal. N. F. Brodrlck, E. D. Braden. J. D. Deror. M. Spangler/F. B. Pratt, AV. J. Essick, Mrs. Hannah A. Crawford. Mrs. Eosalia Beebe, Mrs. Eachel E. Beardsley. Mrs. N. F. Brodrick. Mrs. Phila M. Seeley. Mrs. Isa- bella Henry. Mrs. Louisa Defrees. Mrs. E. D. Braden. Mrs. John Cole, Mrs. A. M. Tucker. Mrs. John Cook. Mrs. I. B. Syphert. Mrs. F. B. Pratt. The report of this meeting contains much tliat must be always of the greatest interest. Tiie oldest settler present was Mrs. Crawford, who came hither with her parents in October. 1S26. and settled on Beardsley" Prairie. In March, 1S30. she. being then married to Mr. Crawford, removed with him to his new home on the north bank of the St. Joseph river. In January. ISSO, Mr. and Mrs. Crawtord celebrated their golden wedding at La Porte. It was during this festival that Mr. A. L. Beardsley laid the seeds of that cold which brought him to his grave a few days later. THE FIRST SETTLERS. On the site of the present city were Jesse Eush and Andrew Xoffsinger. They squatted on the northwest bank of the St. Joseph in March, 1S27. or on that portion of the city now best known as Johnson's addition. Eush removed to Pleasant Plain early in 1S2S. and. as has been laid down in the county history, became the parent of the Si-st wliite child born in the district. Though Mrs. Crawford justly laid claim to the " oldest settler- ship." Mrs. Eosalie Beebe. a lady now t>2 years of age. was the oldest person present. Her house was the first principal building constructed, immediately south of the St. Joseph river, in 1S32, and may be said to occupy the site of her present residence, near the corner of Main and Jackson streets. The chronicler of that meeting bears high testimony to the enviable characteristics of Mrs. Beebe. Like all early settlers, she and her husband. Judge S. P. Beebe. were hospitsible in the extreme. Mrs. Beebe made the tirst 734 HISTORY OF ELKHART COrNTY. wedding garments, and also the first funeral costnraeever intended to grace the nuptials or adorn the death bed of a white settler within the village. The lady for whona those garments were got- ten up was Mrs. Maria Ellis Woodbridge, sister of John W. Ellis. In the latter part of 1834 and the beginning of 1835 Mrs. Beebe spun suflicient yarn for 50 yards of cloth on the first spinning- wheel which appeared. in Elkhart. During the same period the lady knit 50 pairs of socks, for which she found a market in the Mishawaka settlement. Mrs. Beebe manufactured the first cake of cheese south of the St. Joseph, and Mrs. Rachel E. Beardslej the first one on the north side. George Crawford's identification with the earlier years of the count}- is set forth in former pages. His utility in those olden times is now unquestioned. He was one of General Mitchell's assist- ants in 1840, when that soldier removed the Pottawatomies, Otta- was, and Winnebagoes to their new reservations. The first grist-mill was built by him and Huntsman in 1829, near the conflnence of the Christiana creek and St. Joseph river, and the first postoflice, known as Pulaski, was adminstered by him from 1829 to 1837. The labors of the ancient postmaster were not onerous, as his only duty was to examine the mails as the courier passed his residence north of the St. Joe. en route from Fort Wayne to N^iles, and vioe versa. NAMING THE VILLAGE. Dr. Beardsley gave to the tract of land lying immediately soutli of the river the name of Elkhart, on acount of the island at the confluence of the rivers resembling so much in form an Elk's heart. This name came into use in 1832; and three years after the Pulaski postoflice was changed across the river, henceforth to bear the name of Elkhart, and grow up with the village. The first court was held in the house of Geo. Crawford and Chester Sage, in Pulaski, by Judges Peter Diddy and Wm. Latta. This court has been fully noticed in the chapter devoted to legal gleanings in the county history. The first physician was Dr. Havilah Beardsley, who established the practice of medicine here as early as 1830; but the first doctor devoting particular attention to the profession was Dr. Kenyon, who settled in the villaire of Elkhart in 1834. mM^ ^f^ q/ct^i^ ^a-M ^a'-fi^^A^ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 737 A temperance society was formed so early as 1S30 by Tlioraas Morrison; but its influence was almost unrequisitioned. since drunk- enness did not prevail to any extent, and where it did take hold the society was absolutely unable to combat it. In 1S42 a citizen of Chicago came hither, and. in defiance of the temperance orators, established a regular saloon. This may be considered a necessary evil, and to annihilate it is a work which man cannot accomplish. Education, the advance of knowledge and the constant building up of the intellect can alone master it. The village school. — The settlers well remember the time when Mr. N. F. Brodrick was the conscientious school-teacher of the district. He instructed the youth of the village and adjoining settlements within the old cabin, on the banks of the Elkhart, in 1S36, and even resorted to severe, if not very summary, measures to insure an observance of school discipline and close attention to study. This antique school-house was situated at the eastern ex- tremity of that portion of the city known as "Washington street. The first Sabbath-school was inaugurated therein by Mrs. Beebe, but this lady changed the meeting of children to her house, and, it is said, taught girls of IS summers tlie alphabet, together witii giving them instruction in the principles of Christianity; here also she instructed J. K. Beardsley in the rudiments of the language which Americans speak, and laid the foundation of that moral knowledge which guided him and his cotemporaries throughout life. The second school building was erected in 1837, on the site of the present lumberyard of H. E. Oakes on Second st., and hitherto occupied by the log cabin of James Bannon, which formed his home from 1833 to 1837. The M. E. Church saw its first Elkhartian congregation assem- bled in Bannon's humble mansion in 1832. The Presbyterian faith was previously preached thereby Luther Humphrey, and even before Humphrey's time the teachings of the Church of the United Brethren were inculcated in the same building by William Davis. " Tammany Hall " was erected in 1836, on the spot now form- ing the corner of Main and Jefferson streets. In this hall the villa- gers were accustomed to meet and discuss matters pertaining to their miniature Venice. Temperance associations were strength- ened there, and such advocates of temperance as Justice N. F. Brodrick, " Little John," and the •' reformed drunk," James Bau- guss, addressed large meetings, and may possibly have added a few members to their society. i3> HISTOKT OF ELKHART lX>rXTT. The Baptist cougreijatiou was orgauized in old Tammauv in lSo6. with but few meml>ers. The Presbvterians organizeti them- selves in May, 1S40, within the house of Judge Beebe, and for three Tears made that their place of worship, nnlil the erection of their first church, on the southeast corner of Iligh and Second streets, in 1S44. During those early years George Crawford and Isaiah Irwin were tlie pi-esiding elders, and Xoah Cook the first regular in- structor. The first sewing-machine was introduced into the village by Mrs. Louisa Defrees about the ye^r ISol. It served its purposes well, and though only (7;. old coff-irhtucl Singer, it wiis the pride of the settlement, and the pet of the industrious old ladies for many years. Now, in ISSO, it is a cherished heirloom, and forms one of the most interesting articles of household furniture in the residence of C. H. Chase, whose lady is the daughter of the original purchfiser and owner. The first piano, brought into the village by Milo Chamberlain, is now in possession of Mrs. A. N. Chamberlain. Arriving here in the year ISoO it has, like the sewing-machine. l>een regarded with much interest, not only on account of its antique belongings, but also because each and every one of its notes awakens some en- dearing reminiscence, and calls to mind memories of many who per- formed on it or listened to its tones in days now long psist. The instrument was the lt<7th manutactured by Dubois ».t Stodart, of New York, in 1S39, and was purchased by the Chamberlains in lS4c>, while yet residing at Geneseo, in the Empire State- The second instrument was introduced by John Davenport, in 1S52. Much more pretentious than its pretlecessor. and appnxHch- ing in size and finish the pianos ot the present day, it stands in testimony of the new era in piano raanufecturing, as inaugurated by A. B. Gale, of Xew York, in lS4o. This second relic of tlie first musical circle formed within the county is now in possession of Mrs. J. M. Hacirathorn. The care l>estowed upon it, shows the high appreciation in whicli it is held. A SERIES OF HISTORICAL ITEMS. In l>o9, C. H. Chiise established the Elkhart Bevletr. In 1S60. while some excavations were l>eing made within the city, tlie workmen unearthed nnmerous skeletons and detached lK>nes, and so extensive was the area over whicJi these remains of the aborigines were scattered, that the learned among the visiting HISTORY OF KI.KHART OOUNTY. 739 crowds conclnded the locality to have been the sepuK-lire of tlie tribes. The conflagration of Dec. 8. 1860, though limited in extent, entailed heavy losses on sonic of the citizens. The census of the town, taken in 18(50. showed an aggregate pop- ulation of 1.023. in 18t)l the loyalty of the Elkhartians was unmistakably dem- onstrated. All seemed anxious to rush to arms in defense of the Republic, and so great was the enthusiasm of the people that not only a quota but several regiments could then be organized. The ladies' aid societ}' of Elkhart was organized Nov. 2, 1861. .V month later the soldiers then engaged on Southern battle-fields contributed a very liberal sum for the support of wives and children at home. On May 24, 1802, another large remittance was received from them. This was very opportune; notwithstanding the provision made for the support of soldiers' families, money was still necessary, and particularly during that month. Many of the doctors of the city acted most liberally, .and gave their services gratis where such generosity was deemed necessary. The small-pox assumed a threatening aspect in May, 1862; but fortunately such sanitary measures were taken as to stay its prog- ress. The meetings of Unionists and fraternization of political parties may have been said to be accomplished between June 21, 1802, find Feb. 7, 1863. This jvitriotic course was suggested bj' the exigen- cies of the times, and became a precedent which gained much admiration. The black rain fell Oct. 24-25, 1802. The shower came down fast and heavy during the night, and when the bnsy crowds went forth to their varied avocations ne.xt morning they waded through pools of jet black water. The celebration of the Fourth of July, 1863, was a magnificent assertion of the undying attachment of the people to the country. The news of the fall of Richmond in April, 186a. was received at Elkhart with joy. The manifestations of the people were highly consolatory, and the great event was duly signalized. The assassination of President Lincoln created a feeling of pecul- iar horror. The people, however, did not sit idly by to mourn; public meelings were called, resolutions of sympathy adopted, and the foul crime denounced. The floods of February and March, 1806, caused the destruction of many bridges throughout the township. tiO HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. The •establisliment of a ladies' library May 26 .fifave a new impe- tus to literary work. A disastrous fire, which took place Dec. 12, 1867. caused heavy losses to many citizens. The great freshet of March, 1S6S. entailed the ruin of many bridges and much damage to property. The improvement of the city was carried out extensively in 1S69. The fire of March 11, 1S69, was of a trivial character. The discovery of another ancient Indian cemetery in March, 1869, oflPered a new source of inquiry to the antiquarian. The hydraulic works of 1870 opened np anew era in the progress of the town. The establisment of railroad shops, gas works, public hall and mercantile liouses in lS70-'7i opened up a bright prospect before the citizens, and formed the beginning of the building era. The destruction of the Elkhart paper-mills in February. 1S74. was attended with very heavy losses to the proprietors. The well- directed efforts of the firemen and petiple saved the adjoining fac- tories from a similar fate. The first instance of drowning in the history of the village was given in June, 1871. The old settlers' meeting of Jnly, 1876, was one of the most con- solatory gatherings ever convened within the county. A tornado swept over the city in July, 1S77. marking its course by the ruin of buildings and the uprooting of sections of the forests. Dr. Miles and D. H. Christophel discovered the remains of a mammoth animal on the farm of Wm. Delancy, in Concord town- ship, during the earlier days of July, 1S7S. Suicides were very prevalent daring the year 187S. Many ex- traordinary cases of self-destruction being reported. Magnets were introduced into Sage Bros. Mills in July. 1879, for the purposes of extracting metallic substances from the grain. Many other items of some importance might be added to this list, bat they are either so personal or uninteresting that it may on the whole prove much more worthy this volume to omit them. Elkhart's octogenarians, 1S79-'80. Mrs. Sheckles 94 Mre. P. H. Seelev. ... 84 Robert Brush 85 Mis. Beebe 93 3Irs. DoUv Decamp 85 Timothv Shaw 83 Mis. HuU 84 Asa Avets 89 C. Haiues 97 Mis. Lamb : . 81 Z. Wooden 86 Charles Hate SO Mis. Kate Smith 81 John Proctor S8 Charles Huggins 80 3Iis. Shuev 82 John Hurd 81 JohnHonseman 80 Mis. Sanders 83 Phillip Truby 83 John Francis SO Marj- Win*ns 80 John Norton 84 3Irs. Beardslev SO Jarris Claik 84 history of elkiiakt county. /41 Elkhart's aged citizens. Dr. J. W- Allen 70 Mrs. L. A. Wright.... 76 Mrs. Mary Roseu 66 Gorham Upham 74 Mrs. J. Otis 74 " A. C. Keynolds. . . C5 H. P. Bibbins 72 Mrs. Webber 76 •' JI. E. Braden 66 David Thompson 71 Mrs. Theis 76 " Doctor Henry 69 James Brady 78 Jlrs. Ruth Clark 79 " Luc'da Hungerford 66 R. P. Hanby 78 Mrs. Bushnell 75 Andrew Myers 67 A. Bugbee 78 Sirs. Green 71 Gabriel Pontius 69 Bela Bandies 73 Mrs. Harris 75 Jacob Shue 69 G. T. Davis 72 Mrs. E. Stevenson 75 Leonard Dinehart 61 Calvin Beebe 71 Mrs. F. Stillman 73 D. C. Stutzman 68 Joseph Otis 73 Sirs. J. Rice 71 Samuel Kessler 66 David.Wilson 77 Mrs. Turnock 71 R. N. Randal 66 Phoebe Wilson 75 Mrs. M. Brodrick 71 Levi Stutzman 66 WilliamBooth 73 Mrs. R. Stillman 72 D. S. Benting 61 Isaac KeUey 73 George Knapp 68 F. L. Shaffner 69 Joseph Bradt 78 Isaac Bucklen 64 Daniel Mitchell 63 Dan Burkey 70 C. G. Conn 67 Peter Row 66 V. L. Talbott 71 Ira G. Hubbard 68 Henry Row 68 Davis Schofield 70 Samuel Rix 65 Lot Doty 69 W. C. Henry 78 Michael Fisher 64 Jacob Wertz 67 Joshua Fulkerson 7.) Isaac M. Moore 67 Jacob Metzger 66 John Camahan 73 Peter Marker 64 George Hinebaugh. . . . 68 Alvin Tucker 78 John Mountjoy 64 Abram Look 69 Abiel Hungerford 71 Geo. L. WilUams 66 Valentine Ulerck 66 R. D. Braden 71 Samuel Work 64 John Hoot 65 ^Wm. Lemmon 70 Joseph Worley 69 John Gai-man 63 Henry Neal 73 Samuel Blytha 63 Michael Mitchell 67 Robert Everv 70 William Walters 65 Benjamin Hoover 69 John Garey ' 61 Harrison Gage 61 John Stroll 64 Henry C. Smith 70 David Simonton 62 Jonas Markel 63 Robert Fulkerson 76 S. S. Strong fi3 Joshua R. Randall 65 John Fulmer 73 M. S. Spangler 64 Jacob Smith 69 Lewis Kelley 73 Silas Baldwin 69 Albert Beck oke Geo. R . Hoke 71 Charles Peak 66 Anthony Manning 64 John Roop 75 J. V. O. Schutt 67 N. G. Sage 63 • Daniel Decker 73 B. D. Sherwood 67 N. Sage 61 Michael Snyder 71 Ira Case 08 George Burroughs 63 Isaac Compton 78 John Hazelton 68 Daniel Hill 64 Jacob Weaver 73 S. C. Gore 66 Conrad Cook 63 Reno Richards 70 J. Borst 66 G. W. Foster 67 J. H. Hutchison 70 James Parker 66 F. Rauschnider 63 John Whitmyer 78 Andrew Mahoney. . . . 64 Willam Alcorn 63 Jacob Fisher 70 Charles Salkeld 64 T. C. Hopkins 61 Wm. Creegor 72 W. Dotson 64 Charles Stokes 61 D. L. Talbott 70 Benjamin Pegg 61 J. T. G. Ward. 63 Jacob Carlton 73 Francis Tnmian 64 J. H. Keeley 69 Joseph Whiteman 70 Z. L. Carpenter 61 John Ekhart 68 Henn- Taft 73 John McCorman 62 A. W. Dunbar 63 Jacob Frank 76 G. W. Bullock 61 Wilson Derling 66 John Holly 74 Robert Williams 69 Norman Taylor 64 James Oakes 73 William Parker {i4 Henrv Wright 61 William Hiller 70 John Davenport 09 E. D" Smith 63 Mrs. Redding 73 William Da\is 03 Richard Turnock 64 Mrs. Mercy Neal 75 Anthony Cronk 61 James Cornish., 63 Mrs. Pratt 73 Henry Rosen, 08 Samuel Barger 68 Mrs. Shupert 76 Mrs. Olive Bucklen .. . 64 William Davis 61 Mrs. R. Hungeriford. . . 74 " Anna Cronk 05 Bela Reynolds, 05 742 HISTORY OF ELKHART COCXTY. A bird's-eye view. The city is most favorably situated south of St. Joseph and west of the Elkhart river, with many of its industrial establishments forming a town of factories upon the right bank of the latter stream. Along the north bank of the St. Joseph is Beardslev avenue, the location of a few beautiful residences and the proposed site of many more to be erected in the near future. The Elkhart river forms its confluence with the St. Joseph opposite the principal terrace on this avenue; a short distance west the Christiana creek enters the river, and forms the dividing line between the northern factory section and the avenue. This creek may also be considered as the northern limit of the city, since its flow south through Osolo township is checked at the boundary line of Concord, and its course changed due east, and then southeast to its confluence. Xorth Elkhart extends from Laurel street to Ellis street and includes Beardsley avenue. West Elkhart extends from the Beardsley Mills on Front street to Walnut street, and south from Laurel street to Strong's avenue, embracing all that tract known as Gregg's and Strong's additions, ^s ortheast of the Christiana are the additions of Proctor, Cone and Johnson : while immediately opposite, on Elkhart avenue, along the hydraulic company's canal, and extending west to the eastern channel of the Elkhart river, are the starch manufactories and mills. The South city is bej^ond the L. S. & M. S. railroad track, and is divided into east and west sections by Prairie avenue. East Eikhart is situate beyond Grace Lawn Cemetery and extends from the Middlebury road north to the main line of the Lake Shore railway. Both the cemetery and this portion of the city are east of the Elkhart river. Vincent Voisnett donated to the city an island in this river, abcut five acres in extent, to be used as a public park; but for some reason the request of the douor has not been fully carried out. J. E. Beardsley has made a similar gift of Park Island, a beautiful spot lying in an expansion of the St. Joseph, with its western shore washed by the waters of the Elkhart. Both Islands seem to have been formed for the purposes of public recreation grounds, and it is to be hoped that false economy will give place to the true, thus enabling the City Council to take advantage of the valuable gifts which the donors have oflered to the people. The city may be considered half way between the metropolis of the West and one of the great business centers of Ohio, being 101 miles from Chicago and 142i miles west of Toledo. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. 713 THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE. In response to the prayer of a petition presented to the commis- sioners, and signed by many electors of the village of Elkhart, the Board ordered an election to be held June 29, 1S5S, so that the people might, in accord with the law, have an opportunity of assenting to or dissenting from the incorporation of Elkhart. The petition, under notice, was signed by at least one-third of the voters of the village, and since those men may be considered the builders-up of Elkhart's present importance, it is but just that their names be handed down iu these pages. This is due them; because they who take the initiative in any action which leads to healthy progress deserve to have their names recorded in con- junction with their deeds, particularly in a work such as .this is, that deals minutely with the affairs of the county from its begin- ning to the present. Therefore the names are given as follows: M. F. Shuey. B. T. Stevens, A. Clark. J. H. Broderick. J. W. Xorton. J. A. Miller, J. Wollam, W. McXeil. A. S. Root, J. Taylor, R. K. Maun, R. Hanson, J. W. James, F. ^V. Burns, M. E. Cole, L. C. Benson, H. Hatch, J. Davenport, A. Shaum, A. S. Daven- port, J. H. Onderkirk, M. Pulty, B. L. Davenport. J. Myers. D.J. Clark, J. Holland, Charles Beardsley, S. T. G. Ward,'j. B. Sy- phert, J. C. Evans, R. Crouse, J. E. Clark, John Smith, R. Devor, Milo Chamberlain, H. Cornish, R. D. Braden. C. Jeiirys, D. A. Danforth, Jos. Stephens, Ben. Roswell, H. Crarapton, J. H. Hutchison, S. E. Ludlow. Samuel C. Gore, W. Strong, B. F, Swinehart, W. Lowell, J. C. Jordan, H. Cole, J. J. Cathran, J. G. Whiteside, AY. H. Thompson, J. W. B. McNeil, J. Paulus. J. Mc- Naughton, T. Kessler, R. Windes, W. B. Rowley, J. H. Pierick, J. Marshall, J. D. Devor, J. H. Shuey, J. W. Allen, P. Morehous, S. Baldwin, S. ^Y. Jones, L. A. Alfor'd, O. H. Main, R. Milham, J. C. Handy, H. E. Oakes, Thos. G. Davis, A. J. Deon, A. E. Faber, J. W. Benton, S. Mason, S. S. Strong. N. James, X. F. Broderick, B. F. Brown, J. R. Beardsley. H. A. Dunbar. Ben. Baff, T. Hany, J. C. Bender, H. Neil. Geo. Sherwood. B. D. Sherwood, H. Brett, O. Drury, Charles Higgins, N. Upham, J. W. Higgins, W. Heimiew, P. F. Davis, "Wm. Ferguson, X. Goodspeed. J. Tanderlep, H. Ogle, W. R. Aller, D. Asprey, E. A. Ross Lewin, J. D. Clark, W. Crampton, X. ^[arkel, C. Xorth, G. F. Jones, J. S. Clark, A. Stephens, J. Risley, ^\m. Colwell, J. F. Clinger, W. E. Banta, A. Heath, Dean Swift, J. Cole. B. S. McLauferty, H. Roush. D. C. 744 HISTOBY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Payne, E. M. Crasmau. The election was held. Henry Neal, B. F. Brown and N. F. Broderick acted as inspectors. The vote cast numbered 216, and the majority favorable to incorporation was reported to number 54, and the commissioners declared, during their September sitting, that the village be incorporated and be known as the •' Town of Elkhart." The trustees elected to represent the interests of Elkhart as an incorporated town from 1858 to 1874-'75 comprised the following: Yeaks. Names of Trustees. 1858-'9.— P. Morehous, Virgil Young, A. P. Simonton. 1860-'61. — John Davenport, Geo. Sherwood, John McNaughton. 1861-'62.— Charles Beardsley, Dean Swift, J. W. Allen. 1862-'63.— Charles Beardsley, Dean Swift, T. W. Allen. 1863-'64.— Charles Beardsley, A. S. Davenport, Dean Swift. 1864-'65. — Charles Beardsley, A. S. Davenport, S. Maxon. 1865-'66.— Charles Beardsley. D. H. Henry, C. J. Gillette. 1866-'67.— Charles Beardsley, Col.. A. M. Tucker, C. J. Gillette. 1867-'68.— Charles Beardsley, Col. A. M. Tucker, C. J. Gillette. 1868-'69.— John Cook, H. N. Allen, Andrew Stephens. lS69-'70.— S. Stettner, B. F. Stephens, Isaac Ferry. 1870-'71.— M. Spangler, I. Ferry, S. Stettner, B. F. Stephens, Wm. Theis. 1871-'72.— F. Wickure, D. Thompson, F. L. Collins, Norman Sage, Wm. Theis. 1872-'73.— J. D. Devor, R. D. Braden, F. L. Collins, J. H. But- terfield, Jacob Arisman. 1873-'74.— Jacob Mish, H. Clark, C. H. Leonard, H. C. Wright, J. Arisman, J. Worley. 1874-'75.— John Cook, Jolin McNaughton, Wm. Gravit, H. P. Chapman, H. C. Wright. of receipts and expenditures of the town of Elkhart from 1858, the date of incorporation, to April, 1875, is here given: Year. Revenue. Expenditures. Year. Revenue. Expenditures. 1858-'9 .f 43 00 $ 43 50 1869-'70 $11,990 50 $11,993 84 1860-'l 89151 700 11 1870-'l no report no report 1861-'2 712 24 529 23 1871-'2 11,658 22 11,640 43 1862-'3 1,086 63 1,013 48 1872-'3 15,844 29 15,827 56 1863-'4 no report 2,010 78 1873-'4 8,651 18 8,641 06 1864-'o 1,055 34 1,057 78 1874-'5 8,415 54 8,408 66 1865-'6 1,78115 1,443 93 1875-'6 9,19158 1866-'7 2,375 45 1,936 12 1876-'7 16,20150 9,632 39 1867-'8* 39,933 84 39,335 98 1877-'8 33,267 99 19,715 70 1868-'9 12,006 47 11,376 41 1878'9 31,563 65 18,839 98 ♦In 1867-'68 the sale of school bonds realized $38,933 61, which being subtracted from $39,933 84 leaves $11,000.23 as the direct revenue of the year, including the balance brought forward from April, 1867. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 745 1879-'80. Receipts. Disbursements . General city fund $15,584 46 $13,383 99 Cemetery fund 504 35 35153 Street and aUey fund 1,949 84 1,874 16 Interest fund 1,477 50 1,320 00 Sinking fund 6,913 40 6,900 00 Additional special school fund 5,973 54 5,940 00 City and school bonds outstanding: payable in 1880, $600; 1881, $3,700; 1882, $-4,000; 1883, $5,500; 1884, $4,200; total bonded indebtedness, $18,000. Total balance in treasury Sept. 1, 1880, $2,632.41. The following is a statement of the financial condition of the city in April, 1875: Sinking fund — receipts $1,696.12; disburse- ments. $1,569.35; interest fund — receipts, $1,274.17; disbursements, $54.17; road fund — poll tax received, $78; paid Wm. Proctor, Marshal, $78; additional special school fund, — receipts, $18,690.70; disbursements, $17,920; Grace Lawn Cemetery.— receipts, $379.27; disbursements, $356.74. Total balance on hand, $970.95. Bonded indebtedness, $33,700. Balance from general fund, $6.88. ELKHART CITY. In April, 1875, the voices of the people were heard calling for a change in municipal organization. The great addition to population, the manufacturing and commercial interests of the town, demanded such a reform, so that the people were fully justified in bidding adieu to the good old times of the trustees, and in confiding the care of public affairs to a more pretentious body. On April 28, 1875, the issue was placed before the people whether a city corpo- ration was necessary. The contest between the party of progress and the conservative section was close, sharp and decisive; 575 votes were recorded for incorporation, and 561 votes for a continu- ance of the ancient government. The progressionists won in the battle by the small majority of 14 votes. The election of munici- pal officers was held on the 11th of May, 1875, and the form of city government then inaugurated has been carried down to the present time. In the subscribed table the names of officers are given db initio: OFFICERS OF THE CITY FROM 1875 TO 1881. 1875'76. — Henry C. "Wright, Mayor; Benjamin Brown, Clerk: Henry Bearup, Treasurer; C. J. Gillette, Marshal; B. O. Man- 746 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Chester, Assessor. Councilmeii — John Cook, Charles Walley, C. W. Green, S. S. Strong, Wm. Gravit, D. S. Simonton, John Salkald, Frank Jaurette, Jacob Arisman, J. S. Kinzey, Taylor Arisinan, David Kegerise. In January, 1876, the clerk, B.Brown, resigned, and J. D. Wood was elected to that office. 1876-'77.— J. K. Beardsley, Mayor; James H. State, Clerk; A. R. Beardsley, Treasurer; C.J. Gillette, Marshal; J. D. Hughes, Assessor. Councilinen — John Cook, J. R. Randall, C. W. Green, R. D. Braden, F. L. Collins, John W.Ellis, Jacob Jacobson, Cyrus Seilor, B. O.Manchester, Henry J. Kremer, J. R. Mather, .Vnthony C. Manning. lS77-'78.— J. R. Beardsley, Mayor; J. H. State, Clerk; A. R. Beardsley, Treasurer; C. J. Gillette. Marshal; J. D. Hughes, Assessor. Councilinen — John Cook, J. R. Randall, C. W. Green, R. D. Braden, Joseph Hollis, J. W. Ellis, Cyrus Seilor, Jacob Jacobson, B. O. Manchester, Henry J. Kremer, M. M. Kaufman, A. C. Manning. lS7S-'79.— A. M. Tucker. Mayor; J. H. State, Clerk; A. R. Beardsley, Treasurer; C. J. Gillett, Marshal; L. D. White. Asses- sor. Councilmen — Stephen A. Burns, John Cook, John McNaugh- ton, C. W. Green, J. P. Primley, Joseph Hollis, Charles H. Watson, Cyrus Seilor, J. R. Mather, M. M. Kaufman, Daniel Weaver, B. O. Manchester. lS79-'80.— A. M. Tucker, Mayor; J. H. State. Clerk; A. R. Beardsley, Treasurer; C. J. Gillette, Marshal; L. D. White, Asses- sor. Councilmen — J. R. Beardsley, John McNaughton, C. W. Green, Daniel AVeaver, Joseph Hollis, J. P. Primley, George Stevens, C. H. Watson, H. J. Kremer, J. R. Mather. William Isen- bice, Stephen A. Burns. 18S0-'81.— City Officials.— Mayor, C. G. Conn; Clerk. B. O. Manchester; Treasurer, J. D. Devor; City Attorney. J. M. Van Fleet; City Civil Engineer, Henry Cook; Marshal, A. B. Miller. Councilmen — 1st Ward, J. R. Beardsley, James Bigelow; 2d Ward, John Minnich, Cul. W. Green; 3d Ward, Joseph Hollis, Daniel Weaver; 4th Ward, George Stevens, John McNaughton; 6th Ward, C. H. Watson, H. J. Kremer; 6th Ward, Wm. Isenbice, John Keraberling. Justices of the Peace — Concord — Jas. H. Hutchinson, J. D. Arnold. Thomas G. Davis, Elkhart P. O. HISTUEV OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 747 THE MODERN MOUNn-BUILDEES. In treating the history of a city such as Elkhart is, it is just that the men who huilt it up should have a full notice. From the time that a little settlement near the Christiana, known as Pulaski, was formed, the beautiful site of Elkhart began to attract much attention, and grew gradually, perhaps slowlj', until 1870-'73, when it made those remarkable strides over the path of progress which led to its present proportions. The early corn mills of the settle- ment, and the woolen and oil mills, gotten up by Dr. Beardsley between lS37-'iO, may be considered the foundation of Elkhart's manufacturing preeminence; but here it is proposed to deal with the enterprise of the builders who erected mercantile establish- ments and residences, particularly during that time which may justly be termed Elkhart's building era. The first brick residences erected comprised Dr. Beardsley's, in 1S4S; Philo Morehous', lSi9; John Davenport's, in 1S.50; B. L. Davenport's, in 1850; Dr. Henry's, in 1850; Dr. Haggerty's, l)uil t in 1851 by Andrew Hay and improved by Guy Johnson, and Daggart's in 1852. In 1856 J. M. Hackathoru settled in the village. He states that the few substantial structures then devoted to mercantile busi- ness comprised the buildings of Silas Baldwin, Sam. Powers. Good- speed's block, B. D. Sherwood's, Beardsley & Davenport's, Clifton block and Morehous' block. The Methodist church was built in 1854r-'5, principally by the Davenports, who presented much of the building material, and supplied a good deal on most liberal terms. Immediately after, the following additions were made: Jones' block, 1856-'7; Strong & Mason's, McNaughton's block, 1857. Davenport, Primly. McNaughton and Henry completed the Commercial block in 1859. Conley's Hall, Morehous' Hall, Conn's Hall. Brodrick's Opera House, the Masonic Hall, and the buildings of Simonton and Guipes were constructed subsequently; but not until the spring of 1871 did the citizens enter on that course which created a city within a surprisingly brief period. The roil of builders and buildings which follows bears out this affirma- tion. 748 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COTTNTT. IMrEOTEMENTS MADE BEFORE JULY IST., 1871. Names. .\raounts. Names. Amounts. Col. A. JI. Tucker, store . .f 10,000 J. Kasat, frame house... .. $ 35 Brodrick Bros., " .. 6,000 Henry Wilcox, 35 J.Huiter, " . . 6,000 D. Beardslev, 75 J. Guipe, " ... 7,000 J. Henry, 30 D. S. Simonton, 3 " . . 7,500 F. W. Miller, . . . 2,000 H. Goodspeed, " ... 4,000 S. Hoke, brick house . . . 10,000 W. B. VanderUp, " ... 1,800 J.Cornish, " ... 4,000 S.Baldwin, " .. 3,000 M.G. Sage, - ... 7.500 Cornish and Krau, " . . 3,000 J. Zeitler, improvements. 350 H.L.Martin, " 800 L.J.Punches, 35 J. Arisman, shop E. Seely, lime office 110 Mrs. H. W. Clark, " 300 .. 1.000 Jlrs. Wilson, 30 Blackbm-n, Seligman, store. ... .. 1,000 Mrs. E. Haselton, " . . . 400 Etna Lumber Co., office 3.50 Phineas Clark, 35 Doty Bros., marble shop E. Kibbe, store . . 1,000 Mrs. Dean, . . . 200 ... 5,000 T. Kenyon, 50 Hydraulic Co., building .. 3,.500 S.Hi-h, 50 Gas Co., building ... 50,000 A. E. Faber. 30 W. Mitchell and Co., brewery ... 3,500 L. Reynolds, . . . 150 Myers & Smith, shop Webster & Wright, shop . . 1.50 F. Kines, 50 50 J. McNaughton, •' . . . 3,000 H. L. Martm, market . . 1.000 R.D.Braden, 500 Presbyterian congregation, brick E. Broombaugh, ... 1,300 church .. 8.000 A. R. Bm-ns, ... 1,-500 Menonnite congregation, frame Barney Bros., " . . . 800 church .. 1,000 R. Tumock, . . . 1,600 B. Manchester, frame house — 400 S. Gregg, Mrs. Hilton, . . . 1,800 S. Fishbum, 400 . . . 700 M. Winger, " .... 900 H. E. Martin, ... 1,400 S. Wiltrout, .. 800 J. Cassler, . . 1,000 J. Fletcher, ,. 500 Hattie Valance, . . . 3,000 Phillip Kittle, .. 1.700 G.Tracy, 80O Fred Sibert, 400 H. Bairows, 600 A. G.Ober. 300 H. Bucklen, ... 1,300 T. G. Davis. . 1,000 John Brodrick, " 40 N. Arch. ,. 500 H. Gafifney, 175 L James, ■• 800 J. Torrey, 300 A.Valentine, '• .. 1,500 D. A. Danforth, '• . . . 100 J. Bucklen, . 1,300 J. Babcock, . . . 300 J. Kreider, . 1,000 Dr. A. S. Davenport, " . . . 150 J. Grubb, . 800 Wm. Hunt, 50 John Brdderick, 700 Henry Hatch, " 130 Dr. Bowen, . 1,000 Dr. C. S. Frink, . . . 500 D. Labarr, . 500 Mrs. Pultz, 25 J.C.Hull, . 500 J. Primly, H. P. Chapman, " . . . 400 — Mann, . 500 . . . 100 J. Werley, 350 R. Decker, 35 Stranger, 400 M. Spangler, 50 H.B.Sherwood, . 1,800 J. G. Watts, 50 Dr. J. H. Henry, . 1,300 Mary E.Hall, 50 Wm. Whitmire, . 300 Jlrs. Look, 20 H. B. Chapman, 3 " . 3,000 — Kahler. , . . 100 JohnZeitler, 500 A. H. Stillman, 50 Mrs. Wood, '• .... . 3,000 D. R. Stutzraan, 150 G. W. Rittenhouse. •' . 1,300 A. Shupert, G. W.Best, .50 H. E. Oakes, . 1,400 30 J.Davenport, •' . 1,000 Mrs. L. Loomis, '• 55 J.L.Brady, 300 J. Brodrick, 40 Dr. R.J. Haggerty, " 100 Messrs. Dressier, " 35 J. Salkeld, 35 Calvin Crane, 200 W. R. Aller, 400 Davenport & Hoke, '■ ,.. 1,000 J. R. Mather, . 350 HISTOKr OF ELKUAET COUNTY. 749 H. Bucklen, frame store 81,000 O. W. Vanderlip, brick store 8,000 Sage Bros. " 4,000 E. D. Fieldhouse, " .... 4,000 D. S. Kahler, -svagon shop 7,000 J. F. Funk & Bros., engine room 250 J. McNaughton, 3 frame liouses. . 1,800 J. H. Henry, houses and improve- ments COO Blackburn & Seligman, frame store 600 H. C. Wright, improvements GOO Hattie Vallance, " 100 Fred Bergham, frame house 200 James McGuire, ■' 3U0 Joe. Rollins, - 1,200 Mrs. Westervella, " 60i) C.P.Kidder. " 400 F.Nye, " .... 500 H. E. Oakes, additions and im- provements 1,000 Hackathorn & Co., additions and improvements 150 M. Truby, additions and improve- ments 400 A. Labell, frame house 5U0 F. Hanson, " .... 1,000 R. Decker, " .... 500 J. iM. Barber. " .... 800 Mrs. Carpenter, " 450 J. C. Dodge, " .... 1,000 Wm. Barnes, " 800 Wm. Ferguson, " 600 H. Bucklen, '• 600 S. Scoles, house and improve- ments 840 J. R. Mather, improvements 750 A. H. Lepper, ashery 1,200 T. Kenyon, improvements 800 Jacob Mandler. frame house 1,000 Geo. Weaver, " .... 1,500 Wm. Axtel, 3 " 2,.5O0 Henn- Clark, " 500 J. McBam, brick " .... 1,500 J.Gurey, " .... 3,000 J. Ai. Van Fleet, improvements.. 1,000 H. P. Chapman, frame house. . . . 2,000 Wm. Hague, " 1,000 John Salkeld, improvements 400 M. Spangler " 125 Danforth & Chamberlain, brewery 1,500 M. F. Shuey, house and improve- ments 600 H. M. Evans, frame house 800 S. Baldvrin, improvements iI25 James Miller, ice-house 500 F. B. Pratt, barn and improve- ments 2,,500 G. W. Best, improvements 500 A. AVork, " .... 125 Vanderlip Bros., frame house 1,800 Henrv Bower, " 700 John Zeitler, addition 900 Mrs. H. Stanley, improvements. . 350 J. H. Hutchison, " 500 D. S. Simonton, " ... 150 Wise & Swartz, " ... 500 Daniel Hill, 3 frame houses 3,600 D. S. Beardsle}', brick house. . . . 1,500 O. L. Marsh, frame " 350 Rev. J. G. Biddle, barn 150 E. A. Drake, " ... 150 Ben Rosswell, " 150 John Hendricks, frame house. . . . 600 Henry Johnson, improvements.. 1,100 Rev. J. B. Fowler, " ... 150 J. Moody, " .... 1,000 G. Mcllvaine. " .... 100 H. D. W. Barley, " .... 400 Thomas Turnock, frame house . . . 675 A. W. Dunbar, improvements.. . . 75 Dr. J. A. Crocket, " 650 J. H. Broderick, " 150 D. Thompson, " 200 Mr. Upham, " 300 Harper & Rittenhouse, " 1,.500 O. T. Chamberlain, " 1,500 F Palmer, frame house 1,000 B. F. Swineheart, improvements. 300 Sage, " .. 200 John Waffner. frame house 250 John Worden, " 1,200 P. Truby, •' .... 800 S. F. Bostwick, " 1,500 Shultz, " .... 800 Ziegler, " .... 800 Cook, " 800 Wm. Middleton, " .... .500 J. Weriitz, " 250 Lewis Lehman, " 1,500 Wm. Barger, " ... 500 Mrs. Swope, " 600 Wm. Wilson, improvements 400 Blair, brick house 2,000 E. Jliswander, frame house 600 JohnRoswell, '• 500 $93,365 During the last half year of 1871 many new buildings were erected and improvements made. 750 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. BUILDIN(;s AND IMPRgz^ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 755 VALUE OF BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED, 1871. 1872. 1873. Business Houses $ 52.500 f 43.000 $ 28,;!00 Factories 50,000 8,000 111,600 Public Buildings 6,000 15.800 Dwellings 44,670 84,530 162,065 Improvements 6,000 8,000 31,940 $153,170 il49,530 $349,705 ELKHART CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT. The fire department of the city is extensive and efficient. In addition to the liose companies, Nos. 1 and 2, and the hook and ladder company, it comprises the Engine Co. The engine cost about $10,000. Hose Co. No. 1 was organized in lS62-'3,and claims the honor of being the oldest branch of the fire department. The Tucker Hook and Ladder Co. was formed in 1867, and has since its organization performed very creditable duty at home, and won prizes for their efficiency and discipline abroad. The Wide-Awake Hose Co. may be said to have completed its organization in 1869, and marked its course since with signal dis- tinction. THE POSTOFFICE is on West Jackson street, above the press-room of the Review, and beneath the editorial and composing-rooms of that journal. The aff'airs of the office are well administered by F. Miller. The number of letters mailed during the first week of JMovember, 1879, was 4,068, and of journals and circuhirs, 9,08-1, giving an aggregate of 13,152 packets. These statistics show some increase over those which the old office of Pulaski could bring forward in its palmiest days, and it is very questionable whether the yearly mails of that office, the half-yearly returns of B.D. Sherwood, the quarterly reports of R. K. Mann, or the monthly returns of R. K. Brush could fur- nish such figures. The number of boxes in the office is 1,000. THE WATER. The advantages of a supply of good water have been fully known to the citizens, and consequently much attention has been bestowed by them upon the subject. An instance of this was aff'orded dur- ing the writer's first visit to Elkhart. Mr. W. H. Replogle caused 756 insTORT OF elkhaet county. an examination of the water in the Dunbar addition to be made, and this resulted in the following report from the analyst, Dr. W. A. Neal. " The well contains lime, 12 grs. per gallon ; chlorides, 6 grains per gallon; magnesia, 1.25 grains per gallon; alumina, 0.88 grains per gallon; silica, 0.32 gi-ains per gallon; iron, none; or- ganic matter, animal and vegetable; ammonia, a trace; phosphates, a trace; nitrates, unusual amount; nitrites, some; loss and unde- termined, 3.55 grains; total solids, 24 grains per gallon. "The microscope reveals large numbers of monads and bacteria. The organic matter present is of a sticky, viscid character, with the peculiar odor when burnt indicating its animal origin, and that it is not wholly decomposed into ammonia, nitrates and phosphates. The water in this well is of bad quality and ought not to be used for drinking. The fact of its containing such a small amount of free ammonia would indicate that the probable source of pollution is at some distance. If this is so, all the water in that portion of the town will be more or less impure. Mr. Replogle tells me that he has now two cases of typhoid fever in his house. "In contrast with this I have analyzed water from a well in the south part of the city that contains no ammonia, and not the least trace of nitrates, nitrites or phosphates, wliich shows the water here is naturally good, and with care the most of it would remain pure." Now, however, the citizens have comparatively good water, and plenty of it. The hydraulics meet almost all the present require- ments of the city in this connection. The chalybeate springs are numerous, and artesian water is found at a depth of from 50 to 150 feet. In September, 1880, a boring was made on the south side of East Pigeon street, and a strong current struck at a depth of 120 feet. THE POWER OF THE WATERS. The hydraulic works of Elkhart are formed on a most extensive scale. Seldom have the waters of rivers been diverted from their natural channels with more beneficial results than those attendant on the canals of the city. Everywhere throughout the eastern sec- tion, north and south of East Jackson street, the waters of these canals set in motion 10,000 wheels and reduce the raw products of the field or mine into marketable shape. Tliey form the primary source from which employment to thousands of skilled mechanics and honest laborers springs, and the basis on which the prosperity HISTORY OF ELKHAET CODNTT. 757 of the city may be said to rest. The great part played by this hydraulic system on the stage of the city's progress can not be over-estimated. For many years past the utilization of the rivers has been a subject of much attention, and though the result of all inquiry has been exceedingly magnificent, it may be presumed that the hydraulic power is only in its infancy. Mr. Chase, who has for many years taken a deep interest in public aft'airs, and always entertained the highest hopes for the city of his adoption, says, that here at Elkhart we have three streams: the St. Joseph, the Elkhart and Christiana. Already some of our public-spirited citizens, gentlemen who were willing to take hostage of the future, have expended thousands of dollars in utilizing the water-power of these rivers by constructing a system of hydraulics that is, per- haps, the^most noted of "sight-seeing" objects about town. As a result of their endeavor we have this gross result: From the St. Joseph (within the city limits) from 4,000 to 5,000 horse-power is secured; from the Elkhart about 2,000 (possibly 2,500) horse-power is obtained, and from the Christiana about 600 horse-power. Part (a mere fraction, however) of this power is already utilized, and there are opportunities for almost numberless other mills and fac- tories. To the full realization of our hopes for Elkhart as a manufactur- ing city, however, we must in fact look to the future. Survej'ing the field, and knowing the immense additional power that can be secured by comparatively slight outlay, the writer pauses for a moment in astonishment at the outlook. On the north side of the St. Joseph river, above the city, there is an opportunity to increase the water-power from that stream by building a 10-foot dam, 300 feet in length, and extending a race three and a half miles, bringing it within the city limits and to the head gates of the St. Joseph hydraulics, thereby utilizing the entire volume of the St. Joseph river under a 13|^-foot head, and at a cost not to exceed $50,000. This would secure not less than 4,000 additional horse power — a power cheaper and better than that now controlled by the St. Joseph Hydraulic Company. Still further power from the Elkhart river can be secured by con- structing a 10-foot dam near the south line of Silas DeCamp's farm, three and three-fourths miles away, and by bringing a race down the south side of the river to a point at or near the Middle- bury bridge (within the city limits), thereby utilizing the entire volume of the stream with a 24-foot fall. 'Ihis improvement would 758 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. cost about $50,000 and would give at least 3,000 additional liorse power. Surveys have been made by Wrn. Proctor, who assures us of the entire feasibility of the work. These opportunities for further increasing the water-power of the city are by no means all. Two gentlemen, residents of Findlay, Ohio, whose interests here are represented by Mr. J. O. Gregg, secured one mile of river front in the southwest part of the city, and below the confluence of the St. Joseph, Elkhart and Christiana rivers, and surveys have demonstrated the practicability of develop- ing an immense water-power at that point. By building a dam 300 feet long and eight feet six inches high, a natural fall of eight and three-fourths feet can be obtained, with immense volume, i. e., the entire volume of these streams. By dredging below the dam, tak- ing out three riffles, about 100 rods long, the fall can be increased to 16 feet, and the power obtainable would be equal to the entire developed power that we now have, variously estimated at 7,000 to 8,000 horse power. THE BANKS OF ELKHART. That the monetary interests of the city have not been left unguarded is evidenced by the subscribed sketches of its banking establishments. No doubt whatever may exist in regard to the highly beneficial part they took in that serio-comic drama which resulted in raising Elkhart to the rank of a city; nor can it be questioned for a moment, that to their timely organization and subsequent good management the people owe a debt of gratitude. Let us examine the history of these useful institutions. The First National Bank was organized among the earliest under the national banking law, being No. 206 on the list, and Feb. ^0, 1864, it began business. The capital of the bank was placed at $100,000, all of wliich was paid in. and at its organization P. More- hous became president and Silas Baldwin cashier. Since then the management has undergone a radical change. About 12 years ago Mr. B. L. Davenport became president, a position which he retained until his decease in 1880, and about 13 years ago Mr. John Cook was elected cashier, the active duties of that office mainly fall- ing upon the assistant cashier, Mr. Allen Cook, as his father, Mr. John Cook, finds his time largely occupied in the management of the business of the paper-mill. The Board of Directors of the First National is composed of the president and cashier, and of Hon. J. R. Beardsley, Allen Cook, HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 769 Silas Baldwin and Frank Jauriett, but the active management of the affairs of the banking company rested with Mr. Davenport prior to his decease and now with Mr. John Cook. While the capital of the bank remains the same as at the ontset, it is really increased by the surplus, now $24,000; its circulation is over $90,000, its loans and discounts approximate $150,000; its deposits range from $70,000 to $100,000. The bank owns the property in which it transacts business, and though not originally designed for banking purposes it has been so remodeled that it affords every convenience that could be wished. The cost of the building was about $7,000, and it was erected by Silas Baldwin in 1860. St. Joseph Valley Bank was established Feb. 25, 1872, with E. R. Kerstetter as president. The present directory comprises Col. A. M. Tucker as piresident, and W. H. Knickerbocker, cashier; the subscribed capital is $50,000, and its business extensive. During the eight years of its existence the bank has taken a very promi- nent place in the financial world, and has contributed its full quota to the progress made by the people of Elkhart during that impor- tant period in the history of the city. The Elkhart Bank was organized in 1874 by Geo. W. Best, a Kentuckian lawyer. In April, 1879, the present company was incorporated, showing a capital of $25,000 and a surplus fund of $5,000. Geo. W. Best was the first cashier; since his time, however, the official list has been changed, so that now Mr. E. R. Kerstetter is president, T. F. Garvin, cashier, and J. D. Wood, acting cashier. These gentlemen administer the affairs of their bank with marked ability and busi- ness address, so that the cordial welcome which greeted the inauguration and the continued patronage which has been accorded it are quite in keeping with its merits. The president, E. 11. Kerstetter, is a young man, and a native of this county. This gentleman has been variously identified with the business interests of the county. Some years ago he was engaged in mercantile busi- ness at Goshen, and in 186P) was elected Sheriff of the county. In 1868 he was re-elected, thus serving the full limit allowed by the law, and four years ago he engaged in banking. He also is engaged in manufacturing operations, being connected with the Excelsior Starch Company and Goshen Woolen Mills, and in man}- other forms has identified himself with the prosperity of the county. 760 HISTOET OF ELKHART COimiTr. THE M. S. E. E. CO.'S SHOPS. The division engine works and repair shops of the company were established in 1S70. The principal department is 124x600 feet, and with the wings gives an area approximating to 100,000 feet. The T. rail and carpenter shops, two round-houses, freight houses and offices, passenger depot, etc., form a railroad town, and give employment to a force numbering between 700 and SOO men. The exhibit of receipts and shipments for June, July, August and September, 1880, will convey an idea of the immense commerce of the city, and also show clearly the part played by the railroad in building up the industries of the city. The freight business of the summer of 1880, was as follows, in pounds: Received. Forwarded. June $4,493,464 $1,180,636 July 3,886,919 1,946,128 . August 5,379,350 3,519,043 September 3,407,793 2,563,386 MUSICAL INSTEUMENT MANUFACTOET. The firm of Conn & Dupont may be said to have established the manufacture of brass-band instruments so early as 1875. Sub- sequently Monsieur Dupont retired, and the sole proprietorship devolved upon Mr. C. G. Conn, a young man. Mayor of the city, and owner of one of the greatest manufactories of brass musical instruments in the world. In 1877 the factory was moved from its old location, in rear of the Review office, to its present site east of the Elkhart river on Jackson street. This building is three floors in height, 90 feet long and 40 feet broad, and was erected at a cost of $10,000, including water-power. The stock and machinery are valued at $15,000. From a force of three men employed at the beginning, the factory now gives work to a corps of 84 skilled mechanics, who have made for it a universal reputation. The tr.ide equals, if it does not exceed, that of all other horn manufactories iu the country. The office and printing- rooms are under the control of N. G. Parker; and the laboratories under the supervision of Petrus Cocuille, The machinery is of the most approved description, and run by a 90-horse hydraulic power, and all under the direction of the enterprising proprietor. The difierent floors of the establishment cover an area of 12,000 feet, and form a scene of busy life peculiarly interesting and HISTORY OF ELKIIAKT COUNTY. 761 really satisfactory, so that the advancing prosperity of the manu- facturer is not to be wondered at, nor the celebrity attained by his band instruments made a subject for surprise. THK GAS LIGHT AND COKE COMPANY. The gas works of Elkhart were erected in 1871, by Philo More- hous, S. A. Fletcher, Sr., S. A. Fletcher, Jr. and E. J. Peck. The present stockholders are Messrs. Morehous, JSTorman Sage and F. Jauriette, with Superintendent E. J. Jenkins. The capital stock of the company is $50,000; but a sum of $3,000 over this amount has been invested. The office of the company is in the western division of a range of neat buildings forming the frontage. In it are the station meter, governor, meter prover and the entire scientific apparatus. In the next building are the purifiers; the eastern wing and the return building are given up to the storage of material and retort house. A full supply of the best Pittsburg coal explains the cause of the unusually exceptionally high lighting power of the gas manufact- ured, and leaves little doubt of the desire of the company to sup- ply honest light, or the ability of the superintendent to direct the carrying out of such desire. In September, 1871, the number of cubic feet manufactured was 158,000; for the corresponding month in 1880 it reached 365,000, — another proof of the advance made within a decade. The great gasometer, the grounds, the office, puri- fying room, retort, even the coal shed, all display care in arrange- ment and taste in supervision. The department given up to the storage and sale of coke, which is an important branch of the busi- ness, is also well kept; so that it is just to credit Superintendent Jenkins for industry and ability in management. DAVENPORT & BEARDSLEy's FLOURING MILL is situated on the northern bank of the St. Joseph and worked by the waters of the Christiana creek. The building and machinery are substantial and approved. This mill has a very extensive trade, principally merchant work, gives employment to a number of men, and forms, as it were, the pioneer of numerous factories which will, in the near future, occupy the banks of the river. THE HARVEST yUEEN FLOURING MILLS. In 1869 Messrs. M. G. & N. Sage built and equipped what was then and has since remained, the largest flouring mill in Northern 762 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. Indiana — christened the " Harvest Queen." The building itself is a frame structure, 50 x 85 feet, five floors, with flume or wheel house (containing si.x Lefl"el wheels) 10 x 16 feet. There is also a detached building known as the barrel house. The mill and equip- ments represent an investment of about $40,000. There are seven run of four-foot burrs, five being for merchant and two for custom work, and the capacity of the mill may be fairly stated at 350 bbls. of flour per day. The cost of this building in 1869 was $10,000, and the machinery $30,000. The number of employes has not increased during the last five years, but a steady trade has been maintained and a fine quality of flour produced. In July, 1879, " magnet-searchers " were introduced for the purpose of extracting pieces of wire and other metallic substances that might possibly become intermixed with the grain. This portion of the machinery is interesting and forms one of the specialties of the concern. THE ELKHAKT CITY MILLS. When, 16 years ago, in 1864, Vincent Voisinet engaged in the flouring mill business here, he probably hoped for the time to come when he would control a larger mill than the one then run. If such was the case the hope has been realized, for in April, 1876, his new mill was started. The Elkhart City Mills are located on Jackson street, east side of the Elkhart river, in a very central location. The building is a frame structure, 26x56 feet, four floors, and from foundation to garret is as neat as a housewife's kitclien. The power is derived from the Elkhart hydraulic, using four Leffel turbine water-wheels, giving about 60-horse power. The mill, which represents an investment of about $15,000, has four run of four-foot burrs, and its ordinary work will be, running 24 hours, 125 to 150 bbls of flour per day. The entire mill is new. Its machinery is new, and careful pains have been taken in equipping it that nothing but the best, from the burrs to the bolting clotlis, should be put in place. As a result, it is an interest that will reflect credit upon its proprietor, builder and the community. THE EXCELSIOK STAECH WOEKS. The Excelsior Starch Manufacturing Co, was organized in June, 1873, with an authorized capital of $30,000. S. S. Strong was elected president, J. L. Brodrick, treasurer, and C. B. Brodrick, HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 763 secretary, and but one change in officials lias since occurred, Ed. K. Kersetter becoming secretary six years ago. P. Hill is superin- tendent, and the Brodrick Bros, and himself originated the enter- prise, which soon after came under the management of the stock company. The factory or works are located upon the hydraulics, and com- prise a brick building 110x150 feet, four floors. Running full, the ^"orce employed numbers from 60 to 70, and the average daily con- sumption of corn is 800 bushels. When the business was begun the capacity of the works, or at least the production, was but 40 bushels per day, and this marked increase shows how prosperous the enterprise has been, the value of its annual products being now about $125,000. The power is obtained from the hydraulics. All kinds of starch are made, and the factory is one of the few in the country which manufactures by the same chemical process as the more famous Duryea Co. Indeed, absolute purity — chemical purity — is the standard of excellence. All manner of packages are prepared, from the impalpable powder for use in preparing del- icate dishes for the table, to laundry and other grades, some in bulk, others in packages of any desired weight. The progress of this important branch of the city industries may be noticed. In 1873 the number of hands employed did not ex- ceed 10; in 1875 the number increased to 25, and now, in 1880, no less than 60 are employed in the manufacture of starch alone. Again, in 1873 the value of products did not exceed $40,000; in 1875 they reached $75,000, and in 1880, $125,000. The cost of the building is $40,000, and the present value of machinery is set down at $30,000. The officers of the company are: P. Hill, presi- dent; J. W. Ellis, secretary, and Justus L. Brodrick, treasurer. THE ELKHART STARCH FACTORY. The Elkhart Starch Factory, now operated by the firm of Muzzy & Sage Bros., was the first venture of the kind in this part of the State. It was originally started by Mr. A. L. Muzzy, in 1870, but it was a small concern; the factory itself was not more than 40 feet square, and its total consumption of corn did not exceed 20 bushels per day; from that time until this the product of the factory has gradually increased, until in 1878 it exceeded 250 bushels of corn per diem. This starch factory was destroyed by fire June 11, 1878. The loss summed up $50,000. The action of the fire department saved 764 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. the Excelsior Mill from a similar fate. Within seven days a new- company, comprising Messrs. Asa L. Muzzy, "Norman Sage, M. G. Sage, A. E. Beardsley, H. E. Bucklen, J. McNaughton, D. S. Simon- ton, W. J. Meader, George E. Compton, Frank H. Sleeper and Frank E. Muzzy, was formed and preparation made for the rebuilding of the mill. Now, instead of the old 40 feet square structure, the works have assumed proportions in keeping with the growth of trade The main building is now 50x110 feet, four floors, besides another 30x40 feet for storage and the manufacture of boxes. Since tlie Messrs. Sage Bros, became interested in the business it has at no time lacked capital with which to realize all the benefits accruing from an increase in business. Mr. Muzzy is a practical starch manufacturer, and exercises superintendence at the factory, while Messrs. Sage attend to the finances, correspondence, etc. The firm does not transact a general trade, all of the starch made being shipped to New York and Chicago jobbers. As regards the quality of goods manufactured it is needless to speak. Tested by countless thousands of people in all parts of the country during the past 10 years, and known far and wide for purity and general excellence, they have been their own best recommenda- tion. THE ELKHART PAPER MILLS. The establishments of Beardsley, Davenport & Cook are most extensive, and the trade which connects with them, already large, is increasing daily. One of the mills of this company is situated on the Christiana creek, and the other on the hydraulic canal. The principal manufactures of these hives of busy industry are printing and wrapping papers. The quality of paper compares favorably with that produced by the oldest factories of the country, so that a busi- ness, at once large and prosperous, has been built up which takes a leading part in adding to the importance of the city. ELKHART PDLP MILLS, established in June, 1875, by J. O. Gregg, for the manufacture exclusively of ground wood pulp b}' machinery and process invented by him and controlled by three letters patent, issued in 1874, 1875 and 1876. In January, 1879, the Combination Board Company was organized to succeed the Wood Pulp Co., and to engage in the manufacture of a straw board lined with wood pulp, the manu- HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 765 facture of this article being secured to them by two letters patent issued to J. O. Gregg in February and April, 1879, and in Canada in 1880. The present officers of the company are: Pres., J. M. Minnick; Sec, Jas. Cupp; Treas., Abram Upp; Agt., J. O. Gregg. The special machinery used in the manufacture of the combina- tion board, invented expressly for this purpose, and protected by letters patent, is very complete, almost reaching perfection itself. It performs at one operation and without hand work the entire manufacture of a lined board; the lining being thrown into the machine in sticks like stove wood, comes out a complete straw board with a white wood lining ready for market. A press reviewer said, when speaking of this factory in 1876, that the Wood Pulp Co., of Elkhart, are not manufacturers of paper but of pulp. On the St. Jo. hydraulic stands a detached frame building that has nothing in it* externals to mark it as a place of peculiar interest, and the visitor who penetrates to the interior of the building will find little exposed to view to excite his curiosity. He will hear a peculiar grinding noise, will hear the rush of water, will note the trickling of a small stream of a milk-and-water-look- ing fluid, will see a pile of fragments of wood denuded of bark. Descending to the basement he will see a machine similar to a paper machine, though of smaller dimensions, and he will note thickish sheets of a nondescript material issuing from it. These sheets are wood pulp. The pieces of wood we note on the floor above are fragments of aspen or white poplar. Held by a self-adjusting weight against a mammoth stone revolving with great rapidity, and constantly moistened with water, these blocks of wood, ground to a pulp and converted into sheets, are afterward used by paper manu- facturers in every part of the country. The Wood Pulp Co. of this city supplies the home mills in part; their product also goes to Cleveland, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and to other points, and now that another pulp engine has just been put in place, the capacity of the mill has been increased to two car-loads of pulp per week. The change has indeed been gratifying. Tiie number of men employed at the beginning did not exceed four;'now, in 1880, no less than 25 men are employed, and the annual sales have crept up from $15,000 to $60,000. In 1875 the cost of buildings and machinery was $5,000, and five years later, in 1880, they are valued at $35,- 000. 766 HISTOET OF KLKHAKT COUNTY. ST. JOSEPH VALLEY MILLS. The " St. Joe Valley Mills," located on the St. Josepli Hydraulic Co.'s power, were established in 1873 by Geo. W. Erwin, J. C, Erwin, A. Upp and S. A. Burrows, all of Middletown, O., the style of the firm being Erwin, Upp & Co. In 1S75 Mr. Upp disposed of his interest to Clark Lane, of Hamilton, O., who subsequently transferred part of the same to his son, J. C. Lane. Geo. W. Erwin having died in May, 1878, his interest is now carried by his heirs and executors, F. B. and J. C. Erwin. Erwin, Lane & Co. has been the style of the firm since 1875. The main buildings are three in number; the one containing the rag assortingand bleaching departments, also the engine room, is 40 by 110 feet; another, in which is located the dry lofts, finishing room" and shipping department, is 10x100 feet; each four stories in height; they stand parallel, fronting the St. Joseph river, and are connected by the machine and size-room building, which is 30x108, two stories. Tliey are all heavy brick and stone structures and iron roofed. In addition to the main buildings t.Iiere is a boiler-house, one rag dusting and one rag warehouse, the three having a super- ficial floor space of 10,000 square feet. The six buildings cost about $40,000. The machinery, which is of the best makes and most modern patterns, and driven by seven large turbine wheels, is valued at $50,000. and does not differ materially from that employed in all writing-paper mills. When the mill was first put in operation it gave employment to nearly 100 hands, and produced a little less than 500,000 pounds of paper the first year, valued at about $100,000. This year (ISSO) it will average between 145 and 150 hands, and will produce over 1,200,000 pounds of paper, valued at over $200,- 000. The price has declined considerable since lS73-'4. The specialties are first-class, fine and superfine white and colored writing papers, and bristol boards. The soft, pure water of the St. Joe river enables them to give their papers a peculiarly bright, handsome, clear color, which cannot be excelled, if equaled, by any mill in the country. The general products of the St. Joseph Valley Mills include hard-sized paper in all colors. Commercial note, foolscap, legal, flat- cap, and the numerous sizes and styles are made, and no efibrt is spared to make the production the best in the market. The sales are largely made to jobbers in Chicago, St. Louis, Cincin- nati, Louisville, with more or less Eastern trade. HISli 1:T of ELKHART COUNTY. 767 About two-thirds of the employes of the mill are females, and the enterprise thus affords remunerative employment to a large class that would otherwise be non-producers. The enterprise is more than a representative — it is a leading one, and the prestige it has attained has been earned on the score of merit. ELKHART TISSUE-PAPER MILL. Toward the close of 1S76 a few gentlemen of Elkhart organized themselves under the style and title of the "Elkhart Tissue-Paper Co." The building purchased by them was known as the old "Woolen Mill. This has proven a most favorable location, pros- perity has attended the establishment since its inauguration, and though the number of employes at the present (25 ) shows no increase on the number employed in 1876, there is every reason to believe that a fair progress has been made, and that the acquisition of iinproved machinery explains the fact of there being no addi- tion to the hands first employed. MAXOX, PAEMATER & CO. The firm of Maxon, Parmater & Co. has been in existence about 10 years. The cc-partners are StrafiTord Maxon, P. J. Parmater and Eber Darling. The specialties of the firm are the lumber trade and the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, and molding, besides which a general planing-mill business is done. All of the co-part- ners give the business their personal attention. Mr. Maxon superin - tending the manufacturing department, Mr. Parmater attending to the sales department at the yard, and Mr. Darling officiating in the office. The office and yard are on East Jackson street, a central location, and the premises include an area of about five acres. In stock the amount of lumber usually carried will average a half mil- lion feet or more, and every facility exists for supplying builders ■with needed articles in this line. At tliemill, whicii is located on the hydraulic, a force numbering from 15 to 20 hands is usually employed, and though the business of the mil! and yard is chiefly the supplying of a local demand, it has assumed large proportions. The members of the firm liave worked faithfully and well toward the upbuilding of this business, and they have deserved credit for what they have accomplished. 768 HI8T0ET OF ELKHART OOUNTT. THE PHCENIX PLANING MILL. Along the hydraulic are grouped the most important of the man- ufacturing industries of the city, and as one of the " brotherhood of producers " we name the Phoenix Planing Mill and sash, door and blind factory. The "Phcenix" is appropriately christened, too, for, like the fabled bird of mythology, it arose from its own ashes, the mill, or its predecessor, rather, having been burned. The business was establislied in 1869 by the firm of Gore & Van- derlip; in 1873 the firm became Gore & Wright, which was suc- ceeded by Gore & AYright Bros. ; and the 1st of January the present firm style was assumed, the co-partners being James K. Gore and F. W. Wright. Mr. Gore came here in 1856 from Cold Springs, N. Y. He was a machinist by trade, and now for 10 years has been actively con- nected with our manufacturing industries. Mr. Wright is also a New Yorker by birth — from Whitehall. Both gentlemen are " workers," and the success that has followed their efi"orts is attribu- table directly to themselves rather than to extraneous circumstan- ces. The market for their wares is largely local, but the trade has developed very much. Since the fire new machinery throughout has been placed in the mill, and it is now one of the most com- pletely equipped establishments of its kind in this portion of the State. Running full, the force employed usually numbers from 12 to 1.5, and the general business done is the best evidence of the pop- ularity of the proprietors, and the genuine character of workman- ship. ELKHART STEAM MARBLE WORKS. Fourteen years ago N. P. Doty happened in Elkhart. He believed he saw an opening in the marble business, telegraphed his brother, D. M. Doty, to " come on," and soon after the firm of Doty Bros, was formed. These gentlemen were young men; they had had, at that time, 10 years or more experience as practical marble cutters, and they believed in themselves. They had no competing firms in the city. The evidences they gave of their skill attracted attention; their business grew, and in 1870 they found it necessary to introduce steam-power for the cutting of marble for slabs and shafts, and for HUTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. TG\) shaping pedestals. Although the only dealers here they have had to contend against competition from all the surrounding country, by no means having a monopoly; every particle of success they have attained has been won by liard work and close endeavor. The visitor to Grace Lawn Cemetery will note, among other exquisite evidences of the firm's skill, the handsome monuments erected over the graves ofMr. Joy, of Dr. Henry and of little Katie Tucker, as well as almost innumerable others, and throughout Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan they have marked many a grave with tokens more or less costly. FOUNDRY AND MACHINE SHOP. The early history of this foundry is obscure indeed; the concern passed through a number of changes in proprietorship, but the present firm, composed of Harvey Little and Wm. Forward, has been operating it for three years. Mr. Little came here from Mish- awaka 17 years ago; there and at South Bend he had been con- nected with a similar line of manufactures; for 40 years he has been engaged in the business, 26 years as a proprietor. Mr. Forward has been here about the same number of years; he, like Mr. Little, is a practical molder and has had a life- time experience; both gen- tlemen are workers, devoting their whole time to the interests of the factory. The specialty of the foundry' is architectural work of all kinds, such as fronts for buildings, columns, etc. Their work has gone to nearly every town in Northern Lidiapa and Southern Michigan, and every contract that has been filled has but added to the repu- tation of their works. A specialty is also made of repairs of all kinds, and also of the construction of mill work; the firm completed the new machinery for the pulp mill here. Beautifully designed and executed iron fences and railings also form another specialty; indeed a general range of work is done, and the shops comprise an interest that we could illy spare from Elkhart. A force ranging from 10 men upward is employed, and under careful management the enterprise accomplishes its part toward still further developing the manufacturing interests of the city. THE THOMPSON AUTOMATIC WINDMILLS. Tiie firm of Tliompson & Davenport was established June 1st, 1880, as the successor of the Elkhart Windmill Co. The manu- 770 HISTOKY OF ELKHAUT COUNTY. factory gives employment to four artisans, two mill-constructors, and 20 traveling salesmen. The value of manufactured goods from the date of establishment to the close of the year may be set down at $10,000, but a much larger trade is anticipated for 1881 on* account of new mill, patented Sept. 23, 1880, by Mr. Thomp- son, and known as "The Thompson Automatic." This will doubt- less supersede all the old contrivances in this connection, and together with creating a new era in the manufacture of windnaills, will also tend to increase the trade of the firm. THE EAGLE KNITTING FACTORY was established in 1877 by Messrs. Quaife & Thompson. In Feb- ruary, 1878, the firm was incorporated as a limited liability company under the laws of the State, with W. H. Quaife as presi- dent, and L. A. Thompson as secretary and treasurer. The capital stock was then fixed at $10,000; but being reorganized in February, 1880, the capital stock was increased to $30,000, and J. M. Hughes appointed treasurer, L. A. Thompson secretary, and W. H. Quaife president. The value of machinery is over $10,000. The factory entered upon its career with a force of 10 hands; after the first reorganization in 1878, 35 were employed, and toward the close of the year 1880 the work engaged no less than 200 hands. The value of goods manufactured during the first 12 months of its existence was $18,000, and that of sales effected during the j'ear ending Octo- ber, ISSO, equaled $125,000. The power used is steam, and the machinery specially adapted to the work; automatic measuring at- tachments and all the improved mechanisms known for producing the best and most uniform goods have been requisitioned. A steam finishing machine, constructed specially for the company, gives to the goods a superior finish and gloss, and contributes much to in- sure a full patronage. The factory is well organized, order is observed in every department, and the employes are treated in a humane manner. In a word, it is a credit to the city and its pro- jectors. THE ELKHART KNITTING FACTORY is situated at the northwest corner of Pigeon and Main streets. Like its competitor, it gives employment to a large number of hands; but being a more modern institution does not approach it in trade or organization. Among its projectors were Messrs. S. S. Strong and Jacob Mandler. There is room enougli in the city for HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 773 these industrial establishments. The good they may accomplish in a commercial sense is incalculable; but there remains a moral good to be brought round, and this rests entirely upon the thorough discipline of the persons employed during the hours of labor, and the establishment of well-ordered reading and recreation rooms wherein the girls may spend their leisure hours. The first duty pertains to proprietors, the second to the citizens. WINCHESTER A TIEDKMANn's CIGAR FACTORY. In February, 187(>, E. E. Tiedemann and E. M. Winchester asso- ciated themselves together under the name of the "W. & T. Cigar Company and began the manufacture of cigars and tobacco. It was a new enterprise in the city — at least no similar establishment of any magnitude had ever been conducted here, but from the out- set its success has been assured. The co-partners were workers; they had an ambition to build up a large and remunerative busi- ness, and they have gone. at it in the right way. Mr. Tiedemann is a practical cigar manufacturer and has general charge ot the factory proper, while Mr. Winchester attends to the buying of stock and the sales department. He is familiar with the business, having been connected with it a long time; buj'S his wrappers direct from tobacco growers in Connecticut, with many of the more prominent of which he is well acquainted; is equally careful as to all the stock purchased, and the result is that the company is putting upon the market a line of cigars tiiat are, in point of excellence and price, un- surpassed. FOSTER, GORDON A Oo's CARRIAGE FACTORY. The business of the factory was established 11 years ago by Mr. E. D. Foster, a native of New York, who came here from Ohio 17 years ago. He has been variously employed since then; a part of the time he was engaged in blacksinithing, but for the past 11 years carriage- making has occupied his time. The present firm was formed si.x years ago last March, succeeding to E. D. Foster & Son. The increase in business late years may be well illustrated by the following statement of fact: Eleven years ago Mr. Foster's cash capital did not exceed $50; with that beggarly amount he entered what has since proved to be competition witii the leading carriage factories of the country. Instead of the small shops and limited facilities of then we find the firm now occupying roomy and con- I (4 HI6T0RT OF KLKIIAET COUNTY. venicnt shops, the main building beinw two floors, brick and stone, 90x21 feet. Two other buildings are also used, each about 20x30 feet, one having varnish and finishing departments above and re- pository below, the other a repository for unfinished work and for storage of lumber. When running full the factory employs from 20 to 25 men. For the past few j-ears the business has doubled its proportions ever}- year, and the trade, wliile to a great extent local, reaches to points as far away as Missouri, Minnesota and Iowa. F. B. PRATT & CO. The members of this firm have gained a high position in the world of manufactures. For a number of years thay ha%'e been ex- tensively engaged in the construction of vehicles, and now employ from 60 to SO men. Their carriages and buggies are well built, and deserve the large patronage which has been accorded tlie company. THE AKISMAN SAW-MILL may be considered a relic of the past. A portion of it comprises the old mill of the village of Pulaski, and if a continuance of the present prosperous condition of it« trade can be hoped for the old mill-wheels may turn on forever. THE BOSS BRICK FACTORY. The factory now operated by J. K. Boss was established in 1871. The owner is a native of Switzerland, but coming here direct en- tered one of the old brick yards, and worked his way upward from an employe to the proprietorship of a great industry. In 1S71 he employed 10 men, but since he has added valuable machinery and steam-power, valued at $3,000, employs 15 men, and thus ren- dered his factory capable of ])roducing 3,000,000 brick per half year. The perforated brick made by J. W. Penfell's brick and tile ma- chine, have brought the name of the maker under public notice, and insure for the factory a growing patronage. WEATHEESTACKS BOX FACTORY, established in the fall of ISSO, has in tiie course of a few months built up an extensive trade, and gives promise of taking an impor- tant place among the industrial establishments of the city. HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 775 THE STRAW-BOARD PAPER FACTORY is another product of these busy times. The company was organ- ized in 1878-'79, and since the establishment of their works a steady trade has been maintained. THE PRESS OF ELKHART CITY. Eeference has been made to the Review in the history of the county; but since it is the design of township history to treat local industries fully, a further notice of C. H. Chase's literary and busi- ness enterprise will be in place, particularly because it is so intimately associated with Concord township and the progressive city of Elkhart. The Elkhart Weekly Review is solely the work of the present editor of the only daily journal in the county. Over 20 years ago, 18,59, Mr. Chase sent on one of his friends, John S. Weller, to project a paper, with instructions to style it the Revie^o, in perpet- uation of the name of a journal with which he was formerly connected at Cleveland, Ohio. Tlie directions of the principal were faithfully carried out, so that within a few months, wheniie had closed a course of honorable labor in the East, he came to Elkhart city, took possession of the editorial chair, and through a long course of years held it with honor to himself and profit, indirect but certain, to the community with whom he cast his fortunes. Dur- ing the first year of its publication Mr. Weller retired from the paper, and until 1865 it was conducted solely by its projector, when Mr. B. Mattingly became part proprietor and remained so until the fall of 1866. He was succeeded by Geo. S. Chase, a brother of the first, who remained with him until 1871, when Mr. A. P. Kent bought his interest and has since been continuously proprietor with Mr. Chase, the firm being known as Chase & Kent. In 1872 these gentlemen entered upon the publication of the Elkhart Even- ing Review, and from that period to the present the journal, its patrons and the city grew up together, until now they are so closely allied to each other that when one of the three branches moves forward the other two follow, and thus march steadily onward to the goal of prosperity. Tlie office of this journal is situated on West Jackson street, over the postofiice. It is replete in all its de- partments. The editorial room may be considered hj many a little too liinited in extent, but for convenience it is admirably adapted. The newspaper composing room occupies a large, well-lighted 776 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. apartment adjoining the sanctum. Its furnishings are complete, cases well filled with new type and all the suggestive parapher- nalia of the chapel in the hands of experienced men and a judicious management. The job room is very extensive, and in the extent of its various fonts and the excellence of its presses may vie with many great printing establishments of the Union's cities. The neatness and dispatch with which the work of this department has been performed have won for it a high reputation, and insure its progress. THE ATMOSPHEEIC-GAS ENGINE. This work of art is quite in keeping with the Review office. It is so constructed that gas and air, mixed in such proportions as to give a mild explosive compound, are admitted under a piston, which slides air-tight in a vertical cylinder open at the top. The compound is ignited, explodes, and the explosion drives the piston upward. The ignited gases having increased in volume, lose their heat, their pressure becomes less as the piston rises, and when it has reached the top of the cylinder a partial vacuum is formed, and the pressure of the atmosphere makes the piston descend. The work thus done steadily by the atmosphere during the return stroke of the piston yields the driving power, which is transferred to the shaft by suitable mechanism. This utilization of the instantaneous driving power of the explosion by allowing the piston to fly up freely from it without doing other work than emptying the cylin- der of air, is the basis of great economy and success of these engines. The nearest approach to this piece of mechanism is the spray engine, recently invented in Russia. The superiority of it, how- ever, is not in the machinery, but lies solely in the fuel. This mag- azine of dormant energy, as we may term raw fuel, is simply the fluid refuse of petroleum oil, and after being blown into a spray by means of a jet of steam from the boiler of the engine, it is ignited inside the furnace, and burns with a roaring sheet of flame. Such a mode of combustion has several prominent advantages over the usual coal tire. It requires no stoking, and the flame can be manip- ulated like a jet of gas, and the steam pressure kept up to a required degree. Like the atmospheric-gas engine, it is unaccompanied with smoke or ashes; but for the purposes of the press-room comes far below the American machine in its utility. The gas engine is a most interesting and useful adjunct of the Review office; there is no boiler, no steam, no fire. All the labor HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 777 involved in feeding a steam engine is dispensed with. The expense of running it does not exceed $S per month, all the dangers of steam are obviated, it can be put in motion at any moment, and everything in connection witli the department is clean and orderly. The visitor to the Bevieiv office should seek a conference with the foreman of the press-room. He will show the workings of this small but powerful contrivance of mechanical genius, and as it is really a thing of beauty as \yell as of utility, the visitant will be more than amply rewarded. The j)re8S on which the daily and weekly editions of the Revieio are struck oft' is another interesting work. To learn the part that a newspaper really plays in the world of intellect, one must travel from the editorial chair to the press room, and there behold the result of another branch of study in that machine, which receives, prints, and delivers the living sheets to the circulating clerks. Elkhart owes a debt to her newspapers. THE ELKHART OBSERVER, which has been already noticed, passed into the possession of the Review in April, 1876. A contemporary residing in a neighbor- ing county conveyed his thoughts to the press, and in congratulat- ing the purchasers, said : "We understand that Messrs. Chase & Kent, of the Elkhart Re- view, have purchased the Observer office, in that place, and consoli- dated the two offices. That is right. There should be but one Republican paper in Elkhart, and we congratulate the Revieio upon its success in obtaining the field. Now, boys, shake ns up a live paper." The boys did shake up a live paper, creditable alike to themselves and to their city. The Elkhart Democrat. This journal is identical in principle and form with the Democratic Union, established by D. "W. Sweet in 1866. Under the management of Mr. Sweet a daily edition was issued for some time; but owing to varied causes this off'spring of the old weekly was discontinued. Mr. Shutt, the present editor and proprietor, took possession of the journal Aug. 30, 1878, and has since continued to enjoy the confidence of the j)olitical party which he represents. In lS7it the name of the paper was changed to that of the Elkhart Democrats and the form converted into an eight-page sheet 32x4i inches. The value of the office is $2,000, the weekly issue 1,000 copies, and the number of hands employed, four. ISTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. The EJMart County Journal, a very neat eight-column weekly, under the proprietorship of Messrs. D. H. Christophel and "W. E. Hawk, two young men well known in the city, the former long connected with printing and newspaper work and a native of this county, and the latter a retired dentist. The character of the Journal was at once apparent and unmistakable. It is Republi- can in politics, independent in spirit, pure in tone, and beautiful in typography. Its contents at the start showed that its projectors had made a deliberate survey of their field, and studied thoroughly the wants of the people of Elkhart county. It at once became a favorite with the readers, as is shown by its rapid growth in circula- tion. It has at the present writing, just three months after its establishment, a circulation of 700 copies, a result which has rarely, if ever, been reached in local journalism. The office is as complete as that of any weekly newspaper may be. Fonts of new type, standard presses and a steam engine make up the modus operandi; while ability in the editorial and assiduity in the com- posing room render the workings of the establishment almost per- fect. Tlie Herald of Truth was established in IStU. at Chicago, by Funk Brothers. Three years later the firm removed the office to Elkhart, and dnring the period of 13 years, connection with the city have made remarkable progress. The journal, wjiich they publish monthly, has a wide circulation throughout the United States, the Canadas and Europe. Their office comes next to that of the Bevieto in extent, and, like it, possesses an improved atmospheric-gas engine. This is known as the " Otto Silent." It does its work effectively and noiselesly, and is certainly a mechanical cnriosity. It differs from that in the Beview office by its compression of the explosion. The entire cost of running it 10 hours per daj' is about $33.00 per month, and its power equal to that of four horses. The press-room is very well equipped; the composing and editorial departments are well organized, and altogether the establishment may be considered complete. The business of the Herald and Publishing House of Funk Bros, gives employment to 20 hands and the monthly circulation of their journal is said to have reached 5,000 copies. CHCRCHES. Preshyterian. — The Rev. E. Barr has, in conformity with his unquestioned zeal and the promptings of a literary mind, furnished the following sketch of the Church over which he now presides: HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. 779 The First Presbyterian Church, of Elkhart, Ind., was organized with 10 members, May 1, 1840, in the house of Judge S. P. Bee- bee, corner of Main and Jackson streets, by a committee of the Presbytery of St. Joseph, consisting of Norman Kellogg, Luther Humphrey and Noah Cook, ministers, and Elias Smith, an elder from the Churc^h at Mishawaka. James Crawford and James Irwin were ordained elders, and Rev. Norman Kellogg was the first minister. During a period of 30 years the Church was served by various ministers as "stated supplies" for a longer or shorter time. The first pastor installed over the Church was Rev. William J. Essick who took charge of the Church on the 1st of May, 1870, in obedience to a call signed by all the members of the Church, and whose installation took place on the third Sabbath evening of the December following. The Presbyterian Church was one of the earliest Church organizations formed in the town of Elkhart; and had no house of worship for several years after its organization. During the summer of 1S4G a frame church edifice was completed on the corner of High and Second streets. This was the first church building erected in the town; and for some eight years was the only house of worship available, not only for the Presbyterians, but also for two or three other religious denominations. The earnest and self-denying efforts put forth at the time of securing this house for the public worship of God by the little handful of pioneer Christians, amidst the difficulties incident to tlie condition of things at that early day, can scarcely be appreciated by the youth- ful generation that has arisen since. Tiie congregation continued to occupy this house as its place of worship for about 26 years; but during the pastorate of Rev. "Wm. Essick it was decided to erect a more commodious house. During the years 1871 and 1872 the old structure was disposed of and gave place to tlie new brick one which stands on the same lot. The present building is but the rear section, or lecture room, of a main edifice designed to front on High street, and which, when completed according to the design, will be an ornament to the city, a credit to the society, and, in a measure, that which is due to Him for whose worship it is to be built. The portion now com- pleted and in use is, however, itself a large, well-finished church. It is nearly 40 by SO .feet in its extreme, outside measure. The walls and ceilings are frescoed, and the windows are of beautiful stained glass. The room has a gallery at each end, with seats for 200 persons; and the entire seating capacity is fully adequate 780 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. for the comfortable accommodation of 600 people. The house is lighted with gas, and has furnace heaters. The central location of the church makes it easily accessible from all parts of the city. The present membership actually resident is about 100. The Sabbath-school numbers 100, and at the present writing is on the increase. The session and trustees constitute a '' Church Council" of 13, viz.: the pastor, six elders and six trustees or deacons, to whom is committed the general management of the aifairs of the Church, the appointment of ushers, treasurers, chorister, organist, sexton, officers of the Sabbath-school and all the standing com- mittees of the Church. Tlie sacrament of the Lord's Supper is administered quarterly, on the first Sabbath, respectively, of March, June, September and January. In 1870 Rev. W. J. Essick became pastor and served the Church for nearly three years. During his ministrations the present church building was constructed. It has cost, as it now stands, about $11,000. The front, which was designed, has not yet been built Since 1S73 the Church has been served by Rev. S. M. Crissman and Rev. S. E. Barr, and for the past year by the present pastor, Rev. Edward Barr, who was installed in November, 1879. The present number of members is 180. The present officers o± the Church are as follows: R. D. Braden? J. R. Mather^ J. D. Devor, Aaron Woik, "Wm. C. Hendricks, M. Spangler. Win. Mann, J. M. Hughes, Elders. Hon. I. N. Everett, Dr. J. A. "Work, H. T. Browning, Dr. Wm. George, Trustees. Congregational. — The Congregational Church is a re-organiza- tion of the first Congregational Cliurch, established here between 1811 and 1S15, but afterward merged into the Presbyterian Church. This organization took place April 10, 1869, and the names of the first members are D. J. Clark, Mrs. Ruth Clark, Mrs. A. M. Bon- nell and Mrs. Catarin Ellis, who were members of the old Church prior to re-organization, with the following who subsequently joined it: Mrs. S. Shuey, Mrs. Mary Faber, Alpheus Bugbee, John W. Ellis, Mrs. C. W. Ellis. Mrs. Mary Clark, Mrs. Amanda Reynolds. John W. Ellis was the first clerk. D. J. Clark was the first deacon, and Josiah Graves, Joel Ellis and John W. Ellis, trustees, with Rev L. R. Royce, first pastor. The church was completed in 1872, at an expense of $8,000. The size of the edifice is 40x50, and the style composite, or a grouping of Grecian and Roman. It gives a seating capacity of 500. In 1874 Rev. Wm. Royce gave place to Rev. C. S. Warburton, and he was succeeded by Rev. M. W. Dar- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 781 ling, who is now the incumbent of that mission. Messrs. John W. Ellis, S. Maxon and W. II. Qiiaife are the trustees. German Evangelical Church. — The establishment of this con- gregation dates hack to 1860, when Eev. E. L. Lipplinger, of the Mishawaka circuit, rendered the services of the Church. Then the onlv members forming the society in the town of Elkhart were Christian and Gertrude Theis. William and Matilda Paul, Conrad and Lora Zissel, with J. M. Gomer and E. Piegel. The two latter members continued tlie good work of Mr. Lipplinger until 1865, when Rev. G. A. Hartel took cliarge of the mission district of Mishawaka. More German emigrants having settled in the district, Hartel found it necessary to devote greater attention to the wants of his increasing ilock, and procure for them a suitable place of worship, instead of the small dwellings in which tlieir periodical meetings were held. The pastor, with the members, made arrangements for a place of worship; the members, with the aid of good citizens, raised $1,100, then purchased the west lot of the block, on which the large, new school building is now located, where the one-story dwelling occu- pying it was fitted up into a neat little chapel and used for worship. The old school building being burned, the city contemplated to build a large house needing more ground, and proposed an ex- change of that lot for the lot on Division street, where the Evan- gelical Church now stands. The little chapel was moved on the new lot, fitted up, and in 1867 the Indiana Conference located a mission in the city; sent Rev. J. Fisher here as missionary, when an extensive revival was held. Quite a number were converted and united with the Church. The little chapel was now too small, so arrangements were made to build a larger and better church. These arrangements were carried out in 1868 at a cost of $9,000. The church then erected is a brick structure 65 by 45 feet, and two stories in height; in the basement is a Sunday-school room, two class rooms, and an audience room. Above the structure are a cupola and bell. From 1868 to 1872, a number of English citizens were converted and united with^the Church, so that it became necessary to organize an English class. In 1872, conference being held here, the congre- gation was divided, some 70 members were organized into an Euglisli society, and an English mission established. This reduced the German congregation to 100 members, but since 1872 an in- crease of 31 has been recorded. The trustees are: C. Zissel, J. 782 HISTOKT OF KLKHART COUNTY. Trachsel, M. Fisher, II. L. Martin, Frank Eineliart. Together with the pastors hitherto named, Reverends John Fox, John Cas- teller and W. G. Brackley were pastors for short intervals since 1872, while M. W. Steppey holds the pastoral charge at present. The First English Evangelical Lutheran Churph was organ- ized in June, 1873, with 43 members. The year following Rev. J. G. Biddle entered upon the church-builder's task. The masons had already completed their portion of the work, but before the roof could be placed in position the cyclone of June, 1874, passed over the country, and among the ruins which bore testimony to its destructive powers were those walls of the proposed church. Sub- sequently, in 1874, the congregation, assisted by the people, succeeded in erecting the building, which since has been their house of worship. T. J. Himes is the present pastor. The Sweedish Evangelical Lutheran congregation was organ- ized Nov. 15, 1873. The first pastor was G. Lujidahl, who came from La Porte to this place once a month. The first trustees were L. Wahlberg, John Hutlin, Adolf Johnson and Gust. Simonson. The first members were A. P. Robinson, A. Wahlin, A. F. John- son, John Hutlin, John Anderson, Joel Stroemquist, P. M. Nelson, C. Anderson, C. A. Johnson, A. Nystrcem, A. E. Lundgren, with all their wives, and N. A. Coilberg, G. Simonson, I. J. Simonson, Fr. Nilson, J. Nystroem and Ida C. Johnson. The church building was erected in 1875, of brick, at a cost of about $2,500; size, 30 by 46 feet, and ceiling 16 feet high. The present pastor, G. Lundahl. Present trustees: J. Stroem- quist, F. Nilson, S. Stensou and C. Magnuson. Present number of communicants, 48. The congregation belongs to Augustine Synod, a great Swedish ecclesiastical body in this country. A Sun- day-school flourishes in connection with this Church. Catholic Church. — The fii-st congregation was formed in the fall of 1866, by Rev. August Oechtering, with Vincent Yoisnett, Val- entine Marx, A. Ludwig, Jos. Ludwig, I. Singer, F. Lenkerheld, Wm. Ringwald, James Evans, Denis Broph}', James McGuire, and H. A. Martin. In 1868-'9, the new church was inaugurated, and completed at a cost of $1,500, and opened for divine service Octo- ber 25, 1869. This work was carried ont iinder the direction of the Rev. A. B. Oechtering. In November, 1869, Rev. John Oech- tering succeeded to the pastoral charge. Rev. J. H. Quinlon was appointed pastor in November, 1871, and during the nine years which have since elapsed, Rev. Mr. Noll, and Rev. "Wm. Kroeger, HISTORY" OF ELKHART COUNTY, 783 the present pastor, have been in spiritual charge of the congrega- tion. Tlie number of comninnicants is estimated at 300, and that of children attending Sunday-school at 145. The Methodist Episcopal Church. — The Church of Elkhart was organized so early as 1832, within the mansion of one of the early settlers, as related in a foregoing page. The appointment of S. B. Ball, of the Soutli Bend circuit mission, in 1S36, and the visits of other missionaries between that year and 1841, when C. W. Miller was appointed, kept the members of the little congregation together, The visiting ministers succeeding C. AV. Miller were: Warren Grif- fith, in 1842; E. Iloldstock, 1843; B. Winans, 1844; O. V. Lemon 1845; J. H. Bruce, 1846; James Farnsworth, 1847; B. Winans, 1848-'9; E. Holdstock, lS52-'3; Isaac Ayers, 1854; E. Preston, 1855-'6; W. S. Birch, 1857-'S; J. 11. Hutchison, 1859-'60. James Jolinson was the first resident pastor in 18(31; T. Comstock, 1863; V. KBeamer,1865; H. J. Lacy, 1867; E. Hall, 1869; S. H. Ehodes, 1871-'3; A. E. Matin, 1875, and M. H. Menenhall, D. D., the pres ent incumbent. The church edifice was inaugurated in 1856 and completed the following year, at a cost of $10,000. Later a terrific storm swept over tlie town which carried away a portion of the roof and razed many feet of the walls; however, the damage was immediately repaired; 'since that time the building has been much improved and extended. It is Romaic in architectural style, and possesses an area of 3,600 square feet. The present congregation number 400. The trusteeship devolves upon Wm. Axtell, J. C. Stuck, Wm. Bauger, A. Hay and T. J. Bostwick. The Eev. J. H. Hutchison, the acting mayor of the city toward the close of 1880, was among the early pastors of the Church. The Baptist Church was organized with five members in July, 1860. The Rev. Dr. L. A. Alford was the first pastor. The church possessed by this society is a frame building, semi-Gothic in style, and commodious. The Reverends Russell, Huntley, W. W. Smith and the present pastor, R. E. Keigiibor, have held pastoral charge in succession since Dr. Alford's time, and though the Church has been without a shepherd for some time, the members have always manifested a rare fidelity in their adherence to the First Baptist congregation. Tlie church was erected in 1861, and dedicated August 3 , the same year. St. John'' s Episcopal. — This congregation was organized in 1867 with Rev. M. Y. Averel as pastor. Rev. R. Totter and A. E. Bishop succeeded him in the administration of the parish. In 78i HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1873 the church of St. John was erected, and, with the gronnds on which it is located, cost the congregation about $4,000. The Church has been attended from time to time by the pastor of the neighbor- ing parish of St. James; but now the congregation has not a resident pastor. The Christian Church was organized Oct. 23, 1878, with C. F. Mortimer as pastor, and I. C. Stephens, John Titus and A. F. Lan- den, trustees. The house of worship was erected in November and December, 1878, at a cost of $1,400 including lot, and is in extent 24x-40 feet. The style is plain, with Gothic gables. Mr. Mortimer iindertook to build this church without advising with his congregation, without a dollar in the church-building fund, or without a written contract with the constructors. He carried his enterprise to a successful issue, so far as the building is con- cerned, but bequeathed to his congregation a small debt — large when the limited number of the brethren is considered — which entails upon each principal member a considerable annual expendi- ture in paj'ment of interest on the amount due to the builders. The Mennonite Church. — The organization of a Mennonite congregation was entered upon in the fall of 1867, and completed during the ensuing spring. The first place of worship was sup- plied bj' J. F. Funk, who bestowed upon his co-religionists a large room in connection with his book-store. The members of the first congregation comprised J. F. Funk, H. B. Brenneman, Joseph Summers, A. R, Funk and a few others, with the first-named as pastor. From 1808 to December, 1870, two regular meetings were held. During the closing days of December a congregation was formed to meet every two weeks; but not until the completion of their church in November, 1871, did the members observe regu- larity in attendance. This church is a frame building 36x40 and was erected at a cost of $1,200. Jos. Summers and M. D. Wenger are the trustees at present, and I. F. Funk with J. S. Coffinan, pastors. The United Brethren Church of Concord township was erected in 1863, the society having been organized some time previous. It has a membership of 34. Henry Smith is class-leader, Isaac StauflFer, steward, and Eev. Mr. Seese. pastor. Emanuel Church of the Lutheran German Reformed denomina- tion is situated on sec. 11. The corner-stone of this divine temple was laid Oct. 15, 1859. In this "temple foundation rock" were deposited a copy of the Bible, of a hymn book, the Church cate- HISTOBT OF ELKHART COUNTY. 785 chisms and of the Church periodicals, and a prayer was offered that the gates of hell might not prevail against it. The church build- ing was commenced soon after and finished in 1860. It now has a membership of 28 and is prospering. Mlddleport Congregational Church. — The society at Middleport known as the "Congregational Brethren" first sprung up about the year 1870. At this date and for some years previous they had mingled with a society of members of opposite belief and they worshiped together till the winter of 1870, when Rev. Jacob C. Gripe commenced a protracted meeting in the Elkhart Yalley church. The meetings continued about two weeks, and great good was being accomplished, when very unexpectedly trouble came like a "thunderbolt," and soon the society was in twain, and the society of " Brethren " concluded to be no longer " ruled by men, but by the commandments of God;" and the only course to pursue was to organize a new Church, knowing that in so doing they could wor- ship their God in accordance with the dictates of their own con- sciences. Accordingly, on Friday, Oct. 2.3, 1874, Revs. Hendricks and J. C. Cripe organized the society, and the following Wednesday communion was administered at the iiouse of Mr. David Garver, this being the first ordinance carried out in the society. Meetings of worship were held in the school and private houses till the fall of 1878, when the leading members met and determined to build a church of their own. The building was commenced and finally finished, altiiough under the greatest difficulty. The second Sun- day in Januai'y, 1879, it was dedicated to the service of God, the sermon being delivered by Rev. J. H. Hutchinson. The present Bishop is Rev. Daniel S. Gripe. Evangelical Church. — Middleport is a small village situated near Dunlap station, about five miles from Elkhart, on what is known as the "Elkhart and Goshen road." The Evangelical Church at this place was built in 1866, by Wm. Eisenbeiss; Stan- ton Stevcnscn and Michael "Weaver (now deceased), trustees. The principal contributors were Charles Hate, Benjamin "Weaver, Wm. Shroyer and others. The society now has a membership of 16. Wm. Shroyer is the present class-leader, and Rev. S. S. Albert, pastor. TUE CITY SCHOOLS. What Elkhart city has lost by not being the county capital is more than compensated for in the number and magnitude of her 786 HISTORY OF ELKHART OOUNTT. educational establishments. Here is a city of 7,000 inhabitants, possessing five substantial brick edifices and one frame building devoted to purposes of education, affording a seating capacity to 1,523 pupils, and employing 26 teachers. The amount of good accomplished by these institutions is incalculable. Though viciousness can never be wholly eradicated, there is found in edu- cation a benignant influence which softens the evil part of nature, and leads it upward in just such a manner as the botanist trains some inclining plant in a course where it would prove both ornamental and useful. The school will banish ignorance, as we understand it, it will ameliorate the condition of man by leading him into a knowledge of true liberty, to an exercise of the mental faculties, and above all to a recognition of the uses for which God intended him. Beyond this man is incapable of proceeding. When he has completed the round of studies laid down in the curriculum the foundation of knowledge is laid, and he has arrived on the stage of comparative enlightenment. There are two sorts of ignorance, says the student of nature and theology. We pliilosophize to escape ignorance, and the consummation of our phiiosophj' is igno- rance; we start from the one, we repose in the other; they are the goals from which and to which we tend; and the pursuit of knowl- edge is but a course between two ignorances, as human life is itself only a wayfaring from grave to grave. We never can emerge from ignorance. If, as living creatures We are such stuff As dreams are made of, and our little life Is roimded with a sleep, SO, as cognizant intelligences, our dream of knowledge is a little light rounded with a darkness. One mortal, one nation or genera- tion of mortals, may flare a flambeau, and another twinkle a taper; still the sphere of human enlightenment is at best a print, com- pared with the boundless universe of night surrounding it. Science is a drop; nescience is the ocean in which that drop is whelmed. Let us therefore ignore transcendentalism in education. Let us observe what is practical in it, and cast away all that partakes of the speculative. By this means we will arrive at a truer knowledge of ourselves; we will understand the economy of the Divinity, who placed us in the world, and being imbued with a sound, practical knowledge, we may one day become Christians, practical, not nom- inal, and being so, worship the God of the universe in peace, not selfishly and hypocritically, but liberally and earnestly, even as the HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 787 martyrs of the catacombs did in the ages past, when the Kedeemer brought peace to men of good-will. Such a happy state of faith and morals can only be brought into existence by education. The means are at hand; pure minds and strong hearts can alone reach the desired goal; and it is a consummation devoutedly to be wished that all to whom the management of schools shall be intrusted, and the teachers to whom the education of our youth shall be confided, should be men and women particularly suited to the important work, persons who can appreciate the responsibilities of their posi- tions, and who will not fail, on any occasion, to believe and incul- cate that what is Ctesar's belongs to Caesar, and what is God's pertains to God. In the latter part of 1S79 a portion of the county press inquired into the condition of the schools of Elkhart and Goshen. In deal- ing with the educational houses of the former city, the editor of the " Goshen Times,^' compiled a summary of the County Superin- tendent's report, from which the following extract is taken ; "The total enumeration of school children in Elkhart is 2,000, and the actual attendance upon the public schools during the past term has aggregated very little short of 1,400. The last monthly report published showed nearly that number, and the enrollment was largely increased during the last six weeks of the term. "Elkhart has six school buildings, with a seating capacity of 1,400 hundred. In two of the buildings there are unfurnished rooms which will be completed and seated as soon as needed. In the central part of the city, however, the buildings are overflowing, and it will not be many years before more buildings will be a necessit3\ "Twenty-five teachers are employed in the schools, about 14 of whom are in the central building. The high school has a principal and two assistants. The course of study of the schools has been arranged with particular reference to practical ability in the preparation of pupils for after life. " The School Board consists of the following gentlemen : Dr. W. H. Thomas, President; Aaron Work, Secretary; S. Maxon, Treas- urer; Prof. A. P. Kent is the Superintendent; C. M. VanCleve, Principal of the High School, assisted by Miss Kate Drake and Miss Florence C. Nichols." Now, comparing the subscribed statistics taken from Superin- tendent Moury's report of September, ] 880, an advance in attend- ance and an increase of school accommodation will be evident. It Y8S HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. will be seen that the frame buildina;s are gradually giving way to more pretentious and substantial structures; that a marked im- provement has taken place in every branch of the city school sys- tem, and that large balances remain to the credit of the people. This advance has been generally admitted. A reviewer of the city school superintendent's report says : " We are in receipt of the biennial and annual report of the public schools of Elkhart for the school year ending 1S80. A close investigation of the report warrants us in the assertion that the public schools of Elkhart are not only in a flourishing condition but under the very efficient management of Supt. A. t*. Kent are destined to advance materially. The high-school course is now bearing a prominent feature in these schools, and will undoubtedly be largely attended in the future." The public schools of the city were first organized about 1860, with C. J. Conn as principal and three lady assistants. The schools were held in a wooden building which occupied the site of the present central building, but which was burned in 1S66. Among the super- intendents who had charge of the schools from 1860 to 1870 were Mr. Conn, Mr. Luce, D. A. Ewing and Valois Butler. In 1868 the present central building was erected, and at the time was considered a useless expenditure of public money, on the ground that it was far too large for the necessities of the city. The enormous growth of the city, however, soon proved that the Board were not unwise in their judgment. In 1870 there was an enrollment of 784 in the entire schools of the city. In 1880 the enrollment in the central building alone aggregated more than that number, and the average attendance in that building alone in 1880 was greatly in excess of the entire attendance in 1870. The building which at its erection had one floor entirely unused is now crowded from basement to belfry, and yet it is too small to accommodate comfortably all who belong within its walls. In 1870 Prof. J. K. "Walts assumed the duties of superintendent, and very much of the credit of careful organization and grading is to be ascribed to him. In 1874 he resigned, and J. M. Strasburg was elected to the vacancy, which he held for one year, to be suc- ceeded by M. A. Barnett. In 1879 this gentleman was succeeded by the present incumbent. Prof. A. P. Kent, a man who had been in business for several years in the city, and who was well known by the people. In 1873 the fifth-ward building containing four rooms was com- pleted, south of the railroad; in 1875 the fourth-ward building of BISTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. 791 the same size was erected; in 1S7S the Weston school-house was finished and occupied; in 1879 the Beardsley school was erected. There are now six buildings in as man}' parts of the citj, all filled to tlieir utmost capacity. The high school has been the especial care of all school officials. The course has been steadily advanced, and the aim of the present Board and superintendent is to make that school a model and an educational power. In his last report Superintendent Kent says: '•The course of study arranged for the high school is condensed and practical. The classical course fits graduates for the State University, at Bloomington, and the diploma granted by the School Board entitles candidates to enter that institution without an exam- ination. Year by year the amount of work required will be in- creased until the completion of the course will fit students for entrance upon tlie freshman year at Ann Arbor, or at any first-class university. •' Some slight changes were made last year in the studies in the course, and an English course of three years was arranged. It has been the experience of several years that many pupils choosing the English course have left school at the end of the second or third year, thus losing the benefit of many of the studies which are most important in completing the common-school education of the coming generation. With this experience to suggest it, a course has been prepared which embraces much that has hitherto been lost by pupils who did not complete the four years. It is not too much to hope that this course will secure the continued attend- ance for three years of many who felt they could not spare four years in the school. It is also hoped in time to make the mental discipline obtained in the high-school course so complete that pu- pils who graduate here will take rank along side the graduates of the smaller colleges, seminaries and academies of the West. Such excellence of instruction may be attained, and it will be the aim of the present Board and teachers to secure it as soon as possible. '' The three years ' course will be suited to the wants of a very large class of young people from the surrounding districts. In its prep- aration the aim has been to preserve and introduce those studies which have double utility, one of mental discipline and another of every-day use in the arts of life. Those young men who desii-e to acquire a knowledge of the sciences beyond that obtained in the common schools of the county will find excellent opportunities for pursuing these branches under the leadership of competent instruct- ii)'Z HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. ors. The school is supplied with apparatus for succesfnlly teach- ing such branches. The course also provides for a careful drill in the studies required in the common school, and an eifort will be made to lit students to become successful teachers. During the final term of the course those studies in which candidates for teach- ers' certificates are examined will be thoroughly reviewed, with a view to pieparing candidates for the County Superintendent's examination. '• The attention of all who feel a desire for a course of study beyond that pursued in the district school is invited to the three years ' course. All foreign pupils will be gladly welcomed and entitled to the best the school can afford." ELKHART CITY SCHOOL STATISTICS OF 1879-'80. There are five brick school houses and one frame, valued at $74,- 243.28; value of apparatus, maps, etc., $700; special school tax on $100.25 cents; total special school tax, $4,283.22; amount paid trus- tees for managing school matters, $111; revenue for tuition on band Sept. 1. 1879, $1,697.29; received in February, 1880, $4,571.97; in June, $6,584.81; miscellaneous, $755.24; total $13,609.31; ex- pended since Sept. 1, 1879, $10,065.15; now on hand, $3,544.16; amount of special school revenue on hand Sept. 1, 1879, $4,991.65; received since, $6,479.03; expended, $6,394.24; on hand, $5,076.44. 756 male and 765 female pupils were admitted to school during the year, besides two colored pupils; average daily attendance, 1,194; average length of the schools, 180 days; one male and 24 female teachers were employed; wages, $4.35 and $2.07 per day. GENERAL STATISTICS. Total valuation of property in city $1,713,390 '• scliool property 74,243.28 Population of city by census 6,941 Enrolled for school purposes, males 1,020 females 1,015 " 2,035 Enrollment in schools 1,523 Average belonging 1,194 Cost of tuition on enumeration $5.26 " " " '"population 1.54 " '• " " average belonging 8.95 '• '• •' ''enrollment 7.02 Enrollment in High School 74 Graduates of High School 1880 8 Total, graduates of High School 53 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 793 TEACHERS. High School 3 Central Building 11 Fourth Ward 4 Fifth "Ward 4 Beardslej' 1 East Elkhart 1 Weston 1 Total 35 GENERAL SUMMARY. '7T-'S '7S-'9 •79-'80 Number days of school 190 190 180 Number of buildings 5 6 6 Number teachers, including superintendent, men 3 2,7 3 '• " " " women 22 23.9 34 Enumeration for school purposes 1,928 1,996 2,035 Number sittings in school 1,312 1,371 1,374 Enrolled in High School 74 75 74 EnroUment, Central Building 943 928 875 Fourth Ward 187 189 329 Fifth Ward 363 285 300 East Elkhart , 47 60 67 Beardsley 57 67 61 Weston School 17 65 Total enrollment 1,421 1,471 1,523 BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR 18S0-'81. A. Work, President; H. T. Browning, Secretary; S. Maxon, Treasurer; A. P. Kent, Superintendent. Teachers for 1880-'81: High School, George W. Barr, Principal; Kate Drake, Assistant; Florence C. Nichols, Assistant; George L. Nichols, Assistant. Central Building: Millie A. Herring, A Grammar; Hattie F. Goldie, B Grammar; linnie Lambie, Grammar; Bessie Dinehart, C and D Grammar; Estella McKin- stry, D Grammar; Mrs. M. L. Hewitt, A Primary and D Gram- mar; Carrie E. Tinker, A Primary; Hattie Chase, B Primary; Ada Maxon, B and C Primary; Esther McCleave, C Primary; Mrs. Maggie C. Stevens, D Primary. Fourth Ward: E. B. Myers, B C and D Grammar; Mary Hawley, A and B Primary; Estella Burns, B and C Primary ; Jennie Alvord. D Primary. Fifth Ward : Phebe Stephens, A Primary; Sylvia Higgins, B Primary; Fannie Kiblinger, C Primary; Ida Kiblinger, D Primary. East Elkhart: William D. Middleton, 1st Five Grades. Beardsley: Nellie B. Hart, Mixed, Ist Five Grades Weston: M. A. Bonnell, 1st Five Grades. jUi HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. THE CITY OF THE DEAD, Grace Lawn Cemetery has usurped the place of the village bury- ing ground of former times. The growth of the necropolis has kept pace with that of the city, until now it assumes an extensive- ness and funereal beauty which arrest the attention of the passing traveler, and claim that peculiar admiration from the citizens which only a well-ordered cemetery can excite. This temporary resting place for the bodies of the dead is situate on the Elkhart river, and is approached from the city by the Middlebury road. The monu- ments are numerous and costly, perpetuating in enduring marble the names of those who aided materially in building up the city of Elkhart, as well as of many soldier patriots who gave their lives in defense of what all must hold forever dear, the integrity of this Republic. Grace Lawn has been the scene of many a deep sorrow; but it has also witnessed a few pleasing spectacles. Judge I. IST. Everett's oration, delivered on Decoration Day, 1878. was a beautiful tribute to the memory of the dead. He said, in concluding his peroration, that the larger number of fallen friends and comrades were not buried there. " They fell far away in the enemy's country. They are moldering on the fields of Shiloh, of the "Wilderness, of Chick- amauga, in the valleys of West Virginia and Tennessee, in the trenches and rifle-pits of Petersburg and Atlanta, on the hills of Resaca, on the heights of Alatoona and Kenesaw mountains, or perchance one lies buried fathoms deep beneath the waves of ocean. 2^0 marble marks their resting place. 'No loving wives, mothers, fathers, or children bedew their graves with tears, or cover them with garlands, the last tributes of surviving aftection. Let us not forget them on this sad occasion; but let the garlands of flowers, which they so nobly won, be here consecrated to their memory. Let all our patriot dead be honored in their quiet graves, now and hereafter, until the great Captain of the universe shall summon them to the final roll-call." Grace Lawn is a monument to fidelity. It is honored in the possession of the dust of those gallant men, who sacrificed every- thing in the cause of the Republic. The head-stones placed above their graves are so many warnings to those who, in the future, might dream of subverting the principles of the Constitution, and are sad but strong remembrances of what we owe to the Union. Let us glance down the' roll of honor. HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 795 SOLDIERS BURIED IN GRACE LAWN CEMETERY. Of the 9th Ind. Vol. Inf., Geo. Kiblinger, Oliver Carlton, Charles Thompson, H. Wines and George Stephens; of the 14th, Owen James; of the 44th, Col. J. F. Curtis. Lieut. F. Baldwin, Charles M. Henrj, Isaac Marshall, Henry Mebsler, A. Sims Dav- enport and Jeliersoii Bender; of the 4Sth, Benj. Sweet, Lawrence Elliott, W. J. Monroe and Samuel Arisman; of the 74th, Capt. P. F. Davis, Charles Hinman and Charles Randall; of the 128th, I. C. Chamberlain; of the 133d, Tully Chamberlain; of the 1st Mich. Sharpshooters, Alex. Nickless; of the 12th Mich. Vet., Ambrose Dunne; of the 61st N. S. Col. Inft., Z. Z. Morehouse; of N. Y. Vol., Dan, C. Cutter, George Pettis and Wm. Kennard; other Ind. Vol., Dr. Eunyan, J. P. Galvin, J. D. Sherman, John Demiug, Louis Delo, Mark Grant, John Titus and John Smith. Let the memories of these men live on! Let their graves be kept green; and, in other years, when folly may, perchance, lead any section of our people into a wrong course, let the soldiers of the future follow in the tracks of past defenders, and, if necessary, die, guarding the rights of freemen and the first principles of the Republic. SOCIETIES OF ELKHART CITY. Elkhart City Medical Association. — The organization of the medical society was completed in June, 1877. It embraces some of the best known physicians in the city, viz.: Doctors C. S. Friuk, C. S. Pixley, O. B. Harrington, J. A. Work and G. B. Pratt. There are other prominent medical men, such as Doctors Haggerty, Poy- neer and Taylor, who do not now belong to the society. The homeo- pathic physicians, A. L. Fisher, Thomas, A. A. Fahnstock and Crockett, are outside this organization. Elkhart Driving Park Association ■w&sovg?imzQ^ in 1873-'4, with W.F. Wickwire, 1st President; C. H. Chase, 2d President; J. H. Pottfield, 3d President. The association is financially prosperous. The Agricidtural and Horticultural Societies comprise many of the leading men of the county, and contribute much to dissemi- nate useful knowledge among the agricultural classes. The meetings of the Masonic order were held in the old hall, 94 Main St., until the erection of the Masonic building, 88 Main St. ElkJuirt Chapter, No. 91, was organized on March 13, 1874. Among its present officers are: James Stephens, H. P., and C. W. Fish, Secretary. 796 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. Kane Lodge, No. 183, F. & A. M., was organized, under dis- pensation, in February, 1855, and chartered June 5. Sol. D. Light, "W". M., and Guy Lemon, Secretary, are among the officers. Eagle Lodge, No. 368, F. & A. M., was formed on July 24, 1867. H. P. Wilcox is "W. M., and George Barney, Secretary. Eastern Star Chapter has been recently chartered, with Mrs. C. G. Conn as Matron, and Mrs. E. P. Willard, Secretary. Glen Council of the Royal Arcanum, No. 252, with A. R. Burns, Regent, and Chas. Leonard, Sec'y, is a recent addition to the society organizations of the city. German Wo7'kingmen's Society, with Charley Myers, President, and Julius Hunt, Sec'y, is another institution inaugurated here a short time ago. Independent, Order of Odd Felloios, comprising Pulaski Lodge, Encampment No. 60, and the Naomi Lodge, No. 67, of the Daugh- ters ofRehekah, were among the earliest societies organized in the city. Elkhart Encampment, No. 104, was subsequently estab- lished. Knights of Pythias. — Elkhart Lodge, No. 75, K. of P., was organ- ized in July, 1877; the present officers comprise E. P. Willard, P. C, and G. L. Thorpe, Recorder. The Good Samaritan Lodge of Good Templars. — No. 34. was formed Dec. 22, 1858. Andrew Hay is the present W. C. T., and August Busseher, Secretary. Concord Lodge, Knights of Honor. — No. 147, K. of H., was organized in August, 1875. C. S. Pixley is Dictator, and Dr. Kee- ley, Secretary. A. O. U. W. This order was introduced into the city June 12, 1875. The present M. W. is A. A. Fahnestock, with Seymour Birch, Recorder. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers was formed here May 10, 1872. Machinists^ and Blaclcsm^iths' Union may be said to have com- pleted its organization in 1876. Elkhart Silver Cornet Band. — This company of musicians was organized in 1868, and being subsequently reorganized, changed the name in October, 1879, to that of the " Trumpet-Notes Band." The uniform is more ornamental than useful. Brown's Trornbone Band, with Avery Brown as Director, takes a very prominent place in the district musical circle. The uniform worn by the members is at once useful and respectable, being blue with scarlet facings. HISTOKY OF ELKHART COrNTT. 797 THE HOTELS. The Clifton House occupies the site of the old Dawing Hotel, built in lS3i. This was razed, and the Defrees House erected by Thompson Newell Newton and Presley. This building was burned in 1853; but during the subsequent year Beardsley and Davenport erected the Clifton House, and placed it under the man- agement ot Lester Cook" & Co. ; this structure was also destroyed by fire in 1860. In 1863-'rl Messrs. J. R. Beardsley, B. L. Dav- enport and Silas Baldwin built the present hotel. It has been successivel}' managed by Clark. Brown and Marr, the present pro- prietor who entered into possession July 29, 1880. There are 44 bed- rooms, dining hall, parlors, office, lavatories, and a telegraph office ( established Sept. 27, 1880 ) in the hotel proper, while the building gives place to three large stores. This hostelry comes next in an- tiquity to the Elkhart Exchange, the remnant of which may be seen near the confluence of the Elkhart and St. Joseph rivers. The various fires and vicissitudes to which it has been subjected does not interfere with its lineage: from 1834 to 1864 it fell, to be rebuilt. Like a Chicagoan edifice, it has been reduced to ashes often, and so often grew stronger and more extensive out of its ruins. The Elkhart House was built in 1844 by Perley Thompson. In has since been enlarged and improved and takes a very promi- nent place among the hotels of Northern Indiana. W. F. Wick- wire has been the lessee for a period of 36 years. There are many other hotels and boarding houses throughout the city, all more or less extensive and very liberally patronized. THE RAILWAY HOUSE, in connection with the Michigan Southern railroad depot, under the control of the genial Captain Tyler, does the largest business of any of the hotels. It is a most important factor in the make-up of the city, and offers a home to the traveler, which may not be excelled. PERSONAL SKETCHES. That much of the history of this township was made by the men whose biographies follow, is an undoubted fact. Therefore it is considered that the action of the historian, in dealing exclusively VyS HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. with the history of the township, and leaving that portion of it which naav be entwined closely with personal sketches, to be writ- ten by the biographers, is right and just. The value of histro-bi- ography cannot be over-estimated; it is as interesting as it is instructive, and with this belief the subject is entered upon with a hope that justice may be done to all, and a correct recital of inci- dents fully placed before the reader. Dr. Johnson W. Allen. — The subject of this sketch, a promi- nent retired physician of Elkhart, is a native of Addison county, Vt., and was born March 4, 1811. His father, Truman Allen, was a native of Connecticut; his mother. Polly. ?(ee Wheeler, was born in Ireland; he was brought up on a farm on the Genesee river, where his parents removed when he was but 3 years old; he received his literary education in the Geneseo Academy, after which he read medicine for five years; he studied in the hospital at Toronto, Canada; graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at New York city in 1835; he removed to Fredericktown, Knox county, Ohio, in the fall of 183.5, where he practiced his chosen profession until 1818; he then came to Elkhart, where, by a thorough knowledge of his profession and energy, he built up a large practice, which he held through all the many years belabored in the cause. The constant labor of many j'ears ha- so enfeebled him that he has retired, but has laid up for himself an abundance of this world's goods to make him comfortable the remainder of his years. He was married in 1838 to Miss Emeline E. Strong, by whom he has 1 son, William P. Mrs. Allen died in 1851, and the Doctor again married in 1858, this time Maria B. Seamans. A portrait of Dr. Allen is given in this volume. Taylor Z. Arismmi, of the firm of Arisman & Son, grocers at 200 Main street, Elkhart, was born in Juniata county, Pa., Dec. 21, 1847. His father's name was Jacob Arisman, and his mother's maiden name Savina Stumbaugh. His family resided on a farm, and remained at Taylor's birth-place till he was seven years of age, when they removed to Elkhart county, Ind., and located on a farm three miles from the city. His father was for years in the employ of the Michigan Southern »fe Lake Shore railroad, and March 13, 1864, he and his son Taylor opened a grocery store on Main street. This business they have prosecuted ever since, and are now among the leading grocers in Elkliart. The elder Arisman had the honor of a membership in the first Common Council of the city of Elkhart, being elected from the 5ch ward, and his son Taylor at the same time, took a seat in the Council from the 6th ward, a noteworthy coincidence in a city no larger than Elkhart. Mr. Taylor Arisman is a member of the Odd Fellows order, and is a Past Grand and a Past High Priest. He has represented the Encampment in the Grand Lodge of the State, and is District Deputy Grand Master of Encampment No. 104. HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 799 Jose2)h B. Arnold, Sittorney Sit \2iW, was born iu York tp., tliis county, in 1836. He was the first white child born in York tp. He is now -14 years of age, and his life is contemporary with the growth of the county. He was the son of A. B. and Althina D. (Davis) Arnold, who were among the first settlers in the county. They came from Western New York in 1835, and settled on a farm in York tp., where they resided till 1S65, when they removed to "Wisconsin. They now live in Walworth county, near Geneva lake. There were 5 sons in the family, of whom Joseph is the oldest. He remained on the farm till he was of age, and during his minority attended a collegiate institute at Ontario, Lagrange county, Ind., and was three months at school in Cleveland, O. He settled in Goshen in 1860, and acted as Deputy Clerk of Circuit Court of this county until January. 1862, when he began to read law in the office of John H. Baker, since member of Congress. He was admitted to the Bar in 1863, and thereafter located in Elkhart, where he remained a year and a half. He then returned to Goshen, where he resided till 1871. During this period he was a partner of Hon. John H. Baker, and a portion of the time he was with Judge W. A. Woods. He was also District Attorney in 186S-'9, and in that capacity was public Prosecutor for Elkhart, St. Joseph, La Porte and Marshall counties. In 1S71 he removed to Wisconsin, and remained there till 1879, when he returned to Elkhart and resumed his residence hei"e. He was married in 1865 to Miss Louisa J. Broderick, daugh- ter of N. F. Broderick. They have 2 children, both sons. Mr. Broderick is a member of tiie order of Odd Fellows. He is at present engaged in the practice of law, having an office on Main street, opposite the Clifton House, and is known as one of the better class of attorneys in Elkhart count}'. Huzen W. Avery was born in the town of Topsham, Orange county, Yt., Feb. 22. 1831. His parents were Christopher and Emley Walker, also natives of Vermont. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the common schools. He engaged as a clerk in a grocery for two years; about 1855 he began railroading as fireman on an engine, and now he has been engineer for several years. Mr. Avery now runs engine No. 112 on the eastern division of the L. S. & M.'S. R. E. He came to Elkhart in 1866; was married, Dec. 31,1863, to Miss Julia ^Vrmstrong, a native of Bradford, Vermont, and a daughter of AVilliam Armstrong. Silafs Baldwin, one of the oldest and most prominent citizens of Elkhart, was born in Bloomfield, N. J., in 1811. He was the son of Daniel S. and Elizabeth (Kent) Baldwin. There were 9 children in the family. They removed from New Jersey to a place near Pittsburg, Pa., and remained there two years. From there they went to Warren county, Ohio, and resided there till 1828 or 1829. From tlience tiiey removed to Cass county, Mich., and set- tled on the open prairie before the land had been placed in market. Silas was then 18 years of age. In 1821 -'22 he was a laborer on farms. In 1832 he volunteered in the Black Hawk war. He was in a com- 800 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTT. pany commanded by Capt. Isaac Butler, Gen. John R. Williams being the officer in superior command. They marched for the hos- tile territory in May. and after reachino; Chicago, took charge of that post till Maj. AVhittler. of the regular array, and his troiip, came round the lakes and relieved them, which was in the month of June. In 1S36 Mr. Baldwin began to speculate in Government lands, finally entering a dry-goods store in Edwardsburg. ilich., a business that he followed till lSi3, when he removed to Elkhart, then a small place. At that time there were here a saw-mill, grist- mill, a distillery, two hotels, stores, and about 300 people in the village. When he arrived in Elkhart Mr. Baldwin opened a stock of goods for P. P. ililliard, and in the winter of 1844 he bought the stock, and. with only confidence as an investment, continued the business till 1856. During that time he was burned out twice, but, by strict attention to business, integrity and good management. arose each time, like Phcenix. from the ashes of his burned property, and continued business. During all the disasters and mutations of his fortune he was never sued for anything, but. with rare tact, satisfied his creditors in every crisis. In ISoO Mr. Baldwin took an active part in the struggle concern- ing the passage of the Michigan Southern railroad through this county, and acted as agent for the railroad in securing the right of way from Baugo to Bristol, collecting the local subscription him- self, and on completion of the road he was continued as station agent at Elkhart. In 1856 he discontinued the dry-goods business, which be had carried on so many years. He assisted Mr. More- house in the organization of the First National Bank of Elkhart, and was the cashier of that institution till 1S6T, owning a large proportion of its capital stock, but resigned the cashiership in the last-named year, on account of ill health. He is at present vice- president of the First Xational Bank, one of its directors, and still retains his stock in it. Mr. Baldwin has occupied important polit- ical relations during his career. He was nominated for the Legis- lature twice by the Democratic party, the last time in 1S49. He clianged his political views when Fort Sumter was fired on, and since has been a consistent Republican. In lS4Jrhe was appointed Postmaster of Elkhart, under Postmaster-General Clias. A. Wiclifi'e's administration, but resigned on account of ill healtii, in favor of B. L. Davenport, who succeeded him. His domestic relations and his worldly fortunes have been shared by Jane (Gephart) Baldwin, whom he married in 1S37. One of their daughters, Elizabeth, is now Mrs. A. R. Beardsiey. of Elkhart. A son, Frank, was killed at the battle of Stone River; he was a Lieutenant in the -iith Ind. Inf. Helen was the wife of Col. John AV. Shafer, who was muster- ing-out oflicer at Louisville, Ky. Mr. Baldwin is a man of indepen- dent character, belongs to no society or order, acts according to his individual views, and" has had a career that places him among the very first representative men of Elkhart county. HISTORY OF ELKHART COTJNTT. 801 Mr. B. may truthfully be said to be one of our self-made men, starting with very limited education, such, as was acquired by a few months' attendance at the old log school-house; with no means to commence the battle of life — except what nature had supplied — his career has been remarkable in mauy respects. Lamhert Barnes was born in Lancasiiire, Eng. He came to America in July, 1S4S, when he was 25 years of age. He had mar- ried Alice "Wilde, and learned the paper-makers' trade before he came to this country. At first he went to Wisconsin, and after- ward located at St. Charles, 111., and was in the employ of Butler & Hunt, wrapping and print paper manufacturers, and was foreman in that establishment, remaining there 14 years. From St. Charles, in ISGl, he went to Middletown, Ohio, and remained there till his removal to Elkhart. Here he was in the employ of Erwin, Lane & Co., and continued with them till his death, which occurred in September, 1S74. He left 7 children to the care of his wid- owed wife: William, who is employed in the paper mill; Lizzie, Alice, Minnie, James, Clara and Oscar. James also is a paper- maker, and Oscar is employed in a box factory. Minnie married Willard A. Cone, son of Crocker Cone. Mrs. Barnes occupies a comfortable home in northeast Elkhart, and is blessed by the asso- ciation and aid of her children, who are still at home or live near her. JRev. Ehoard Barr was born in the town of Wooster, Ohio, Dec. 15, 1827, and is a son of Thomas and Ann Barr, natives of Penuyslvania. The former was a Presbyterian minister, and began his labors in 1810. He was a foreign missionary for several years, and solicited for home missions for some time In 1835 he removed with his family to Rushville, Ind., where he died in August of the same year. From the age of 10 years our subject was brought up in Indianapolis, in the family of James Blake. He was educated in the Hanover (Ind.) College, and road theology privately. He entered the ministry' in September, 1857, in the Churches his father had organized years before. He went to Bed- ford, Ind., in 1859. From 1861 to 1866 he had charge of the Frankfort Church. He then went to Mnncie, Ind., and remained 18 months. Then took charge of the First Presbyterian Church of Lafayette, where he remained five years; next he was called Ijy the First Presbyterian Church of Madison, Ind., where he remained but one year. He came to the charge of the Elkhart Church in 1873, remaining but six months, when he resigned and went to Bedford, Ind., remaining six months, when he was recalled to Frankfort, where he remained five years. While there he erected a new church edifice. He was again called to the Elkhart Church in 1879, where he is now laboring. He was married in May, 1851, to Miss Millia Webb, of Orleans, Ind., who has borne him" 7 chil- dren: C4eerge W., Oily A., Thomas E., Susan J., Mattie G., Mary C. and Ruth. Geo. AV. is principal of the high schools of Elkhart. S02 HISTORY OF ELKHART COrNTY. Thomas is in Lake Forest College, 111.; OUv is a graduate of Glen- dale Feinale College, Ohio. Noiinan Becklcy, the well-known Assistant Superintendent of the C, W. & M. railroad, was born in Barre, Washington county, Yt. His father was Samuel Beckley, and his mother's name before marriage, Koxana Colbv. Mr. Beckley spent his boyhood with his father till he was 16, when he began an educational course, passing some time at ^Montpelier and Xewberry seminaries. While he was at school, during the winter season, he taught school for the purpose of replenishing his funds. This course of educational life was continued till he was 20 years of age, when he journeyed westward in quest of his fortune. This was in lSi4. Mr. Beckley remembers Chicago at that period as a place scarcely a respectable embryo of the present city of wonderful growth. The Tremont House, where he stopped, was then a three-story wood structure. For a few months after his arrival in Chicago he was employed by Luther Rossiter, then a lumber dealer and leading man in Chicago. The yard was on Water street, west of Wells. Mr. Beckley con- tracted tlie ague in Michigan, before reaching Chicago, and at length was obliged to return to Vermont in quest of health. He took a position under C. F. Belknap, the famous contractor onXew England railroads, and was by him apjiointed foreman of construc- tion gangs, and continued that service till the grading on the Ver- mont Central railroad was done. Afterward he was employed a year on the Fitchburg railroad as paymaster. Subsequenth" he was section foreman on the track of the Vermont Central, and roadmaster till 1S60. During that year he assumed a position as roadmaster on the Michigan Southern road, Chicago division, with headquarters at La Porte. This relation he held for two years. He then removed to De Kalb county. 111., and took the manage- ment of the Sycamore iV: Cortland road, a short line in that locality. He managed the enterprise so perfectly as to be able to declare a dividend of li per cent, on the capital stock. Owing to the jeal- ousy and hostility of the Ellwoods, prominent stockholders in the company, Mr. Beckley retired. In 1S74 he was appointed Assist- ant Su|)erintendent of the Michigan division of the Michigan Southern road, with headquarters at Elkhart, and removed his family from Sycamore in 1S7S. During that year he became General Manager of the Cincinnati, Wabash (.t Michigan railroad, and has held that office ever since. .• While Mr. Beckley was in Illinois he superintended the laying of the track on the Chicago i.t Iowa railroad. He is a member of the Methodist Church, and is zealous in Sunday-school and Church ■work. He has always identitied himself with the temperance cause, and has cliosen only temperance men, when tliat was possible, as employes on the various roads where he has been manager. He is a Republiciin, and labors arduously for the success of its prin- ciples and measures. inSTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. b06 Mr. Beckley was man-ied Oct. 2, 184:7, to Rosetta Wills, of Hart- ford, Yt. He has 1 daughter and 2 sons: Emma Elizabeth, who married M. H. Weslej', a farmer in De Kalb coiintv, 111.; Edward Henry, who is in the ofBce with his father, and Edward Everett, still in school. Calvi7i Beebe, an octogenarian citizen, who resides in the north- eastern part of Elkhart, can look backward npon a life and career one of the most interesting among the many in Northern Indiana. His 80 years have been crowded with change, labor and suc- cess; and now, though so aged, he is gifted with a measurable degree of strength and vigor, while his remarkably elastic and spirited temperament renders him cheerful even under the burden of years. He is one of the comparatively few who can glance backward over his remotely reaching pathway and view with satis- faction the successes that gem it all along, with scarcely a disaster or a dark passage to mar the retrospect. His companion, almost as aged as himself, has been, the sharer of his labor and success for more than 60 years, and hand in hand with her husband, she gazes toward the sundown of life with him, her countenance irradi- ated with the thought that nothing but connubial harmony has dwelt in her household; that her life, with that of her husband, has been a suct;ess, with no morbid modern feeling of unrest and dissatisfaction at the so-called tyranny of matrimony to mar the recollection. Mr. Beebe was born in Lyme, Conn., Feb. 22, ISOl. He was the son of Noah and Sybil (Ilathbone) Beebe. His father was a Eevolutionary soldier, and was present at the burning of New London, Conn., b}' Benedict ^Vruold, and saw the mingled blood and oil from soldier and pork warehouse flowing through the streets ankle deep. When Calvin was seven years of age his father's family moved to Burlington, Otsego county, N. Y. At that time even interior New York was a frontier country, and the Beebes settled in the woods and cleared oft' the primeval forest to make a farm. When Mr. Beebe was 16 years of age he went to Oneida county, and hired out as a farm hand. When he was 19 he married Miss Sybil Linsley, a lady but one month younger than himself. They began life on 100 acres, 10' acres of which land lie had cleared before marriage. They resided there Ave years, and in August, 1835, removed to Parkman. Ohio. This town was named for Mrs. Beebe's uncle, one of the famous Boston Parkmans. Geo. Parkman, the man who was killed by Dr. Web- ster, of Boston, a tragedy that at tiie time shocked the community b}' its horritying accompaniments, was a cousin to Mrs. Beebe. Samuel Parkman, the second richest man in Boston of his day, was Mrs. Beelie's great uncle. Her mother's family were Puritans of well-defined descent, and her father's ancestry were Scotch loyalists. The family record dates back 400 years, and an old family Bible extant among the descendants gives a record that antedates Queen Mary's reign 12 years. Her great uncle. Samuel, was one of the proprietors of New Connecticut, Ohio, and grunted 804: HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. a mile square of tliis estate to Robt. P. Parkman, her uncle. Mr. Beebe aud wife lived at Parkman 13 years. He there cleared 55 acres with his own hands. lie afterward moved to Bertrand, five miles west of Niles, Mich., and there took up 160 acres of the Pottawatomie reservation. This he cleared and converted into a beautiful farm. He resided here niue years, and then removed to Cass county, and purchased 80 acres, of which he cleared 55. In 1849 he sold this farm and went overland to California, stimulated by that spirit of enterprise which always belonged to his character. At first he stopped in the mines, but soon located in Sacramento. When he arrived in that embryo city there were but five houses there, and much of the land on which the now large and flourish- ing city stands was covered with forest. This last condition was a source of profit to Mr. Beebe. A man owned 10 acres of the town plat, wliich he desired to clear so that he could sell the land for building lots. Mr. Beebe bought the timber thereon for $1 an acre, cut it ofi^ himself, and sold the wood, for which he realized $1,400, which was accomplished in three and one-half months. While he was employed at tliis he made $23 per day. He then went into the dairy business, and altogether during the nine months of his stay in California, he made $4,000. The trip took IS months, with which snug sum he returned home by sea. He immediately bought a farm in Mason tp., Cass county, and eight days after his arrival home he had the farmstead in order for business. In 1865 he sold this property for three times the amount he paid for it. He has been so unfortunate as to liave his shoulder dislocated, and after selling his farm he bought 14 acres where he now resides, in north- east Elkhart, and fitted it up for a quiet home in his declining years. During his life-time he has cleared nearly 300 acres of "heavily timbered land, and converted it into fruitful fields.^ If a mail is a benefactor of his race who makes two blades of grass grow where erst there was but one, what praise belongs to such a man as Mr. Beebe, who has restored so many waste acres to opulent productiveness? Mr. Beebe is a member of the MethodistChurch, and Mrs. Beebe belongs to the Presbyterian denomination; neitlier is this a source of contention in the household, liberal-mindedness and good fellowship being the spirit that actuates both these worth)' examples of sterling manhood and womanhood. During Mr. Beebe's long life he has been a strictly temperate man, never in sickness or health having used tobacco or spirituous liquors in any form, and has been a generous supporter of religion and education by example and donation, as well as to the poor. Mr. Beebe's portrait appears in this volume. Emmanuel C. Bickel, of the law firm of VanFleetefe Bickel, was born in Elkhart count}', three miles east of the city, April 24, 1850. His father was a farmer, who came to this county from Ohio in 1843, settled on 80 acres of land, and reared a large family of chil- dren, of which Emmanuel was the third son. He had the advan- tages of common-school tuition when he was young, and afterward HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 805 attended tlie Butler Institute, Goshen. During his school years he taught during vacation season, and was employed part of the time on the hydraulic works in Elkhart, which were then being con- structed. In 1870 his father's family removed to Davis county, Missouri, and settled on a farm tliere. Emmanuel went to Col- orado in 1873, and remained there six months, returning to Elk- hart in 1874. He soon entered thelawotKce of John M. YanFleet, Esq., and after four years became that gentleman's partner. He •was married in 1876 'to Miss Marietta Smith, of Hillsdale, Mich. They have 2 children, both dauirhters. He was appointed Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, and occupied that position for six years, but recently resigned, on account of the pressing legal business of his firm. He was the prime organizer of the Elkhart Building and Loan Association, drafting its constitution and by-laws, and doing more than any other to promote the successof that important enter- prise, which is backed bv a capital of $400,000. He has for four years occupied the position of Secretary of the Elkhart Lecture Association, and has deeply interested himself in that means of social improvement and pleasure. Mr. Bickel has always been a hard-working, painstaking man, and has made a success of what- ever he has undertaken, and has the promise of a bright future before him. Ricluird Blackburn was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, England, Nov. 9, 1827, and is a son of Eichard and Jane (Wood) Blackburn, also natives of England. He learned the tailoring business in his native country, and came to Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1852, where he remained 18 months, then to Galesburg, Mich., and carried on merchant tail- oring for 19 years. He came here in 1872, and established the same trade, to which he has added a full line of clothing. His cap- ital stock amounts to $15,000; and his sales amount to $30,000 an- nually. He married Miss Mary Pounder in 1853. They liad 10 children, 7 of whom are living: Alice, Lillie, Abbie, Emma, Jennie, Mariam and Richard. Edward K. Boyer was born in Snyder county, Pa., Jan. 10, 1845. His father's name was Phillip S. Boyer, and his mother, previous to marriage, was Miss Amelia Kessler. His father was a farmer, and Edward remained with his parents until their death, which occurred when he was 11 years of age. Afterward he lived with his nncle till he was 17, when he enlisted in the war of the Rebellion. In 1S64 he re-enlisted, and went out with the 74th Regiment. He was at the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Bermuda Hundred, Fort Fisher and several other engagements. After the war he worked in a woolen mill a year. He was married on Feb. 2, 18ti6, to Miss Louisa G-. Kantz. He removed to Elkhart Aug. 17, 1866, and was for some time employed in Palmer & Davenport's woolen mill; he worked four years in the railroad foundry here under F. L. Collins; was a clerk one year in the grocery store of F. L. Kremer, and afterward went into business with Kinzy & Boyer, which relation was continued three years; 806 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUXTT. then he formed a partnership with M. L. Stevenson, at 210 Sonth Main street, and the tirm has done business till the present time. He has 2 children. James F. and Clyde E. He is a member of the English Evangelical Chnrci!. of which he is a Trustee. In 1S79 he was appointed Street Commissioner, but owing to business engage- ments declined to serve. Mr. Boyer is recognized as one of the representative business men of Elkhart. Robert D. Braden was born April 6, ISIO. in Ross county. Ohio. He was the son of Robert and Elizabeth (Dean) Braden. Robert passed his time on his father's farm till he was 21. Mr. Braden's father was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to America just after the Revolution, landing at Philadelphia the day before Washington gave his farewell address to the army. When Robert was of age he engaged to work in a blacksmith shop, managed by his brother. He remained in this employment three year.*, and was married to Jane Wallace in 1S3-1. They removed to Hardin county. Ohio, where he carried on a blacksmithing business. In 1S44 he removed his family to Elkhart. He found here a small village, but a congenial spirit among the inhabitants. Among the more prominent people here then was Silas Baldwin, the Brod- ericks. Dr. Beardsley. Geo. Crawford and the Davenports. Mr. Broderick was in the dry-goods business, and John Davenport was engaged in the same line. There was a little mill on Christian creek, in the northern part of the town, and the saw-mill that had formerly rasped the air and ripped the logs on the Elkhart had been burned.' Mr. Braden established a blacksmith shop, which was the third in the town. He received most of his pay for work in •'truck;'' all trade was by exchange of labor and commodities. His first shop was on the ground now occupied by the postoflice. He built the shop where his sons now work in 1S.56. The first Mrs. Braden died in March, 1863. leaving 4 cliildrenv James. Robert. Scott and Belle. The boys are now blacksmiths, managing the shop and business founded by their father. The daughter, Belle, married Ellis Ludlow, he dying nine years ago. leaving her .5 chil- dren to care for. She resides in Elkhart. In 1864 Mr. Braden married again, this time Mrs. Margaret Broderick. widow of Mark A. Broderick. This lady is still living. Mr. Braden's recollection of the early history of Elkhart is interesting. There are now but three houses standing that were here when Mr. Braden arrived in 1844. Mrs. Braden has been in Elkhart 46 years. AVhen she arrived the site of the city was covered with forest, and the river was crossed by ferry. Mr. Braden has served for two years as Town Marshal: was" elected a member of the Board of Trustees in 1872; and was elected to a seat in the Common Council from the second ward in 1876, and served in this capacity two years. He is a member of the Masonic order. Latterly Mr. Braden has been an invalid, from chronic disease. Charles B. Brodrick was born in Elkhart Nov. 16, 1846, and is a son of Nehemiah and Mary L. Brodrick; father was born in Calvin Beebe HISTORr OF ELKHART COUNTY. 809 Sussex county, N. J., April 30, 1S05, near the site of the present town of Lafayette. His early educational advantages were lim- ited. At tlie a^c of 11 years he went to Piqua. Ohio, and entered the store of William Jolmson. He soon after went with his father to Allen county, where the latter was employed as blacksmith at the Shawnee Indian agency for 12 years. After residing awhile in Piqua county, again Mr. B. returned to the Indian agency at "Wa- paukouetta and engaged in selling goods to and trading witli the Shawnee Indians, whose language he learned to speak flu- ently. He was married in 1831 to Margaret Herry, by whom he had "5 children. The subject of this sketch, Charles B., is a leading merchant in Elkhart; he was in Colorado at one time with neither friends nor money, and when lie engaged in business, he had no capital, save what he had earned by liis own eflForts. He is now a prominent stockholder in the Excelsior Starch Factory at Elkhart, a history of which is given elsewhere in this work. He and his brother own a half interest in a business house of Elkhart, known by the firm name of Broderick Brothers & Hazelton. He was married Sept. 5, 1870, to Miss Henrietta Daley, by whom he has 1 child, Pearl. Henry T. Browniiig was born in Columbia county, N. T., Sept. 10, 1846. He was the son of Thomas Browning and Eliza (Butts) Browning; his father was a physician in Chatham and prac- ticed there for 25 years. The family emigrated to Kalamazoo, Mich., when Henry was 10 years of age. He attended the city schools of Kalamazoo and spent a year of study in the State University at Lansing, passing through the chemical course of that institution. In lS64-'5 he was in the commissary depart- ment of the army, and was mostly stationed at New Orleans. On leaving the army he engaged in the drug business at Howell, Mich., first being employed as clerk, then taking a half interest, and finally buying the entire stock. In 1876 he removed to Elkhart and bought out Isaac Buckleu & Sons, druggists, and has continued business in the same line ever aince. He occupies a fine store on the northeast corner of Jackson and Main streets, one of the most centrally located in the city. Mr. Browning was married in 1874, to Miss Mary L. McPherson. of Holland, Mich., and has a son and daughter, Mac and Bessie. He is a member of the Prssbyterian Church, and is one of the Board of Trustees of the Elkhart schools. He is a director of the St. Joseph Valley Building and Loan Association and treasurer of the Elkhart Lecture Association. Isaac Bucklen was born in the town of Winfield, New York, Aug. 30, 181C, and is a son of Simeon and Mary (Sou thwick) Buck- len, natives of "Worcester, Mass. He was reared on a farm, and his early education was received in the common schools. He farmed the home place until 1859, when he removed to Coldwater, Mich. He came to Elkhart and engaged in the drug business for 15 years, being very successful. He has since sold the stock of drugs aud rented his store room, and is now a member of the firm of H. E. SIO HISTORY OF ELKHART COUXTT. Bnckleu »t Co.. Chicago and Elkhart, maunfactiirers of Dr. King's New Discovery. Electric Bitters, and Backlen's Arnica Salve. He was married in September, ISi^. to Miss Olive Wilcox, bv whom be has had i children, 2 of whom are living, Marv and Herbert E. The latter is the head of the tirm just mentioned. Henry Burgess was born in Xapierville, Canada. Xov. 3, ISJrl, a son of Julian Burgess, and was reared and educ;\ted in his native town. He came to Valparaiso. Ind., in ISGl. where he remained in the employ of the Pittsburg l^: Fort Wayne Railroad Company for abont seven years. He then came to Elkhart, where he has ever since been in the employ of the L. S. & M. S. R. R. Co., occnpying the situation of conductor. He was married in 1S72 to Mrs. Snsan : Look, daughter of Conrad Koeliler. She was born in Goshen, this county. They have h.ad 4 children. 3 of whom are living, viz. : Harry, Merton and Guy Garfield. Mrs. Burgess was first married to Levi Look, by whom she had 3 children; Libbie, Addie and Lcvie. Joh)i H. ButterfieM. a prominent liveryman of Elkhart, was born in Erie county, X. Y., Sept. 1, 1S30, and is a son of James and Elizabeth i^Fairehild) Butterfield. Mr. B. was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came with his par- ents to Washtenaw county, Mich., in 1S31. He engaged in the livery business in difterent places in Michigan, and in ISliO located in Elkhart, and consequently is tlie oldest liveryman in this place. He is doing an extensive business in his line. He was married in 1S53 to Miss Mary C. Tuttle. in Livingston county, Mich. They have 1 child. Frank W. Mrs. Butterfield died in 1S57, and he again married in 1S61, this time Miss Alzina Manchester, of Xiagara county, X. Y.. by whom he also had 1 child. Clara. His second wife died in 1S62. and Mr. Butterfield again married in 1S66, this time Mrs. Ann M. Burns. This union was blessed with 3 children, namely: Mary, Hattie and George. Mr. B. is a member of the Knights of Honor and of the Royal Arcanum. Dr.FranJc S. CarltoiK dentist, was born in Cleveland tp., this county. May IS. 1S40, and is a .«on of Jacob D. and Lucy S. Carlton, natives of Cleveland, Ohio. His grandfather, Ahimiah Sherwin, now resides in Cleveland, at the age of 92 years. Our subject spent his early days upon the farm of his father in Cleveland tp., and re- ceived a common-school education. He also attended school in Hillsdale. Mich. At the sound of the war trumpet he stepped boldly to the front, and was the first to enlist from his tp., in the three months' service. He served the time in Co. C. 9th Ind. Vol. Inf., and then re-enlisted for three years in Co. C, "ith Ind. Vol. Inf., but was discharged in about nine months on account of disa- bility. In 1S73 he established a dentistry office, and has built up a large practice. He was married in 1S63 to Miss Carrie M. Kellogg, by whom he has 2 children. Charley and Byron. Geo. Colt is the fourth son and fourth child of a family of o chil- dren; was born Feb. IS. 1S33, in Huron count}-, O.; his parents were Edward and Mary Cole. He was reared ou a farm and his HISTOKV OF ELKHART COUXXr. Sll education was received in a common school. He Ci\me to this county in February. 1S59, where he lias since resided, engaged in farming and stock-raising on a farm of 145i acres. He was married Dec. 31. 1S63, to Anetta Walker, daughter of Lucius and Lvdie Walker, natives of Orange county, Vt. They have had 1 child, Arthur Walker. Mrs. Cole was born in Versiiire, Vt., Aug. 27. 1S37. Mr. Cole is a hearty supporter of the principles of Democracy. G. E. ComptiDi was born in Osolo tp., this county, Aug. 5, lSi9, and is a son of Ezekiel and Frances t Ward^ Compton, who came to this connty during the pioneer days of 1S33. He was brought up on a farm and educated in Elkhart and the county schools" He came to Elkhart in 1S65; was in the employ of Davenport cV: Hope for live years, and with A. A. Beardsley for four yeai-s. He then, in 1S74, formed a partnership with Mr. Mcader in the dry-goods and boot and shoe trade. He now carries a stock valued at $15,- 000, and his annual sales amount to Si0,00o. He was married in 1S77, to Miss Lizzie, daughter of Samuel Ames. They have 1 child, Harman. Mrs. Compton is a member of the Congregational Church. Crocker Cone, florist, was born in Cayuga county, N. T., in 1S20. He was the son of Birthday Cone, who was a farmer in the town of Lock, and moved to Ohio in 1836. and in Woodbury. Delaware county, opened a store, and prosecuted tiie mercantile business at tliat place, and afterward in Kno.x county and Freilericktown. Crocker left home when he was 19, and. as a peddler and collector, traveled through the Western Sbites. This devious life he contin- ued till he was 32 years of age. when he returned to Knox count}-, and engaged in farming a ye&r and a half In lS52he removed to Indiana, and bought 9S acres of land within the corporate limits of the town of Elkhart. This tract was then covered with forest, and Mr. Cone has cleared the land since it came into his possession, selling it ofl". piece by piece, as the town expanded in that direction, till now he has but 31 acres of the original 9S. This he has brought to a high state of cultivation as a market garden, having followed that industry since he lirst came to Elkhart. About five years ago he made a beginning as a florist on a small scale. This branch of culture has giown under his careful and intelligent management, until now he has the most substantial and completely appointed propagating houses in Northern Indiana. Hisestablisliraent is the only one ofthe kind in Elkhart county, and consequently his busi- ness is very large, and constantly increasing. He practices his own method of propagation, and has made of it a flattering success. His plants are all hardy and healthy. His establishment is an interesting feature of northeast Elkhart. Mr. Cone was married in lSi9 to Miss Ann E. Reed, who died in 1851. He was mar- ried to his present wife, Eleanor Kelsey Cone, in 1S53. They have 5 living children. Charles L. Cook was born in Philadelphia connty. Pa., March 16, 1S21, and is a son of Stacev and Martha Cook, natives of New 812 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Jersey. He was reared on a farm and received a coinmon-school education. He removed to Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1S36; he there engaged in farming and hlacksmithing until 1S61, when he came to Elkhart, where he engaged in blacksmithing until 1S7S. He is now proprietor of the Pacific Dining-Hall, corner of Main and High streets, Elkhart. He was married in lSo2 to Miss Julia Mowry, by whom he has 2 children, C. Franklin and Alice M. John Cool', one of the leading manufacturers and capitalists of Elkhart, was born Dec. 3. 1S26. in Eoss county. Ohio. He was the son of James and Annie (Winder) Cook. His father was a farmer, and the family removed to this county and settled in Goshen when John was 6 or 7 years of age. He attended school in that place, and learned the compositor's art in the office of the Goshen Demo- crat; his father being in trade, John at length became a clerk in his father's store, and remained there 10 years. Aiterward he became cashier in the Salem Bank, Goshen, a position that he occu- pied 13 years, himself and Thomas G. Harris bein., was born at Selin's Grove, Union (now Snyder) county. Pa., Nov. 3, 1836, son of Francis and Barbara (Bauman) Eckelman, natives of Pennsylvania; father was a farmer by occupation and was much respected in his community; he died in Northumberland county, in that State, in 1858; the Doctors motlier is still living, and resides at Selin's Grove, Pa. The subject of this sketch passed his early years on his father's farm, receiving a common-school education and attending one year at Union Seminary at New Berlin, Pa. AVhen of age his father died, and he took cliarge of the estate and carried on the farm about a year. In the spring of 1858 lie commenced the study ot medicine in the office of Dr.' P. R. AVagonseller, at Selin's Grove, and the following fall and winter he attended lectures at the Penn- sylvania iledical College at Philadelphia; in the spring he returned to his studies at Selin's Grove, and the fall and winter of 1860-'61 attended another course of medical lectures at the same college, where he graduated the ensuing spring. He then came West, lo- cating in Bristol, this county, wheic he at once commenced the practice of iiis profession, meeting with good success. April 9. 1861.at Mottville, Mich., by Rev. A. S. Bartholomew, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Luke, a native of Selin's Grove, Pa., and a daughter of Abram Luke . The Doctor immediately commenced keeping house at Bristol, where he continued his prac- tice until the spring of 1866, when, not having much faith in the future growth of that place, although his patronage there surpassed SIS HISTORY OF ELKHART COCXTT. that of any other physician of that town, he removed to DesMoines, Iowa, and shortly afterward to Tipton, Cedar connty, Iowa, where he carried on a drugstore and practiced medicine for four months; he then sokl out and located in Buchanan, Mich., where he followed both these businesses until the fall of ISO", when he again sold out and finally removed to Elkhart city, for which place he had always entertained some feeling of partiality. By this time he had become considerably reduced financially, and his start here, therefore, was on a very limited scale. He opened a drug store at 130 Main street, and, offering his professional services to the public, he soon more than re- gained his former footing in this county, and took a high rank as one of its leading physicians ; his practice at present is second to none in the city. At first he resided for three years, with his family, in the upper story of the building in which he had his drug store; he then built the large store which he now occupies, 20 by SO feet, and two stories high, of brick, and one of the best buildings on Main street. In 1S76 he erected a very tine private residence on 2d street, at a cost of about 815,000. It is of Milwaukee brick, with artificial stone trimmings, and is the latest style of architecture. It is two- stories high, with basement, and 30 by 55 feet. The house is fur- nished in modern style, with all the conveniences necessary to comfort and economy. It has a Bell telephone which connects with his place of business. The grounds surrounding the residence are finely ornamented with walks, shrubbery and a fountain, the latter supplied with water by a windmill. It is an ornament to the city and speaks much to the Doctor's credit in the way of enterprise. He is very pleasantly situated in all matters necessary to the com- forts of life, financially, socially and in his family. His children are Minnie Y., Melius M. and Ora S. The Doctor is a member of the Odd Fellows and Knight Templar orders. We give a portrate of Dr. Eckelman in this volume, Joel Elll-i. one of the retired citizens of Elkhart, was born in Otsego county, K. Y., Feb. 14, 1S21. His father's name was Jacob, and he is the brother of John "W. Ellis, whose sketch appears on page S20. "When Joel arrived in this county with his par- ents he was nearly 12 years of age. He remained with his father on the farm till he was 24. when he was married to M'ss Emeline Bailey. He soon afterward engaged in the forwarding and commission business on the St. Joseph, an enterprise of much con- sequence at that period, and one which has made him a historical character in the progress of Elkhart county. From IS-IO to 1S51, Mr. Ellis continued the business, until his name became a house- hold word over an extent of country 30 miles to the south and eastward. At that day the only outlet to this region for market purposes was down the St. Joseph to the port of the same name on Lake Michigan. Mr. Ellis owned boats and three warehouses, the latter being situated on the Elkhart, a little above its confluence with the St. Joseph. Remains of one of these warehouses are still standing. One of these warehonses was at the foot of Wash- HISTORY OF ELKIIAET COUNTY. SI 9 ington street, another on S3'camore street, and a third on lot Xo. 3. Tlie means of transportation employed by Mr. Ellis were keel- boats, and these towed by light draft steamers. At the time men- tioned there were 20 or L'5 boats running between Elkhart and St. Joseph, of which five were steamers. Besides these there were numerous tiat-boats. There was usually from 25 to 30 inches of water on the shoals, and quite large cargoes of produce were taken down the river. The steamers would carry 300 bushels of corn, and the keel boats much more. Among the shippers at Mr. Ellis' docks were Barnes & Defrees, Hawks Bros., of Waterford; Mr. Bivens, of Oswego; j\[r. Darrough, of Benton, and Harris Bros., of Mon- ocut. All kinds of merchandise were brought up from St. Joseph. Mr. Ellis relates how, at one time, just before the opening of navi- gation, he had 27,000 barrels of flour in his warehouses at one time. This was in the spring of ISiT. But the time came when the building of the Michigan Southern railroad destroyed the im- portance of the St. Joseph river as an avenue of tratfic, and Mr. Ellis found, as many another man has found, that what was a great benefit to the community at large was a serious interference with his own present profits and his future prospects. In 1852 naviga- tion on the St. Joseph river, for commercial purposes, closed forever, and the keel boats and steamers went into a perpetual ordinary, or were knocked in piecesfor other utilities than conveying farm prod- ucts to market. Mr. Ellis found his warehouses deserted, and the corn, wheat and flour of the region, and the merchandise that was needed in it, going and coming on the M. S. railroad. Reluc- tantly he yielded to the inevitable, locked his empty ware- houses, tied up his boats or run them down the river for sale, and turned his attention to other and more modern pursuits. But it was a serions loss to him. The last cargo was a load of high wines for Hawks Bros., which was shipped in the Red Rover, Capt. James Smith. The barge never came back, but was sold in St. Joseph. After he had closed the forwarding and commission business Mr. Ellis took u]) his residence on a farm of 320 acres that he owned south of Elkhart, and improved it. In 1863 he returned to Elk- hart to reside, having exchanged a portion of his farm for 90 acres within the corporate limits of the town. This property has grown quite valuable by the growth of the city, and a portion of it has been sold as city lots. Mr. Ellis' residence is situated on Burg street, in one of the finest portions of North Elkhart. Ho is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and occupies a high social position in his locality. Mr. and Mrs. Ellis have 6 sons and 1 daughter. Jacob is employed as a railroad man; Wm. D. is mar- ried and is an employe in Mayor Conn's music-horn factory; Charles F. also is an attache of that establishment; Mace P. is railroad- ing; Fred L. and Joel Ellis, Jr., are at home, and Clara, the daughter, is also at home. A portrait of Mr. Joel Ellis appears in this volume. S20 HISTORY OF KLKHART OOCXTT. John W. EUis. of the Excelsior Starch Works. Elkhart, was born in Oswego count}-, X. Y.. in the vejir IS'io. He was tlie son of Jacob and Catharine (^Burch* Ellis. ^Ir. Ellis" boyliooii and youth were passed on his father's farm. His tamilj removed to Elkhart. Ind.. in ISol. and settled upon wild land, among the Indians, in what is now Conconl tp. When Mr. Ellis was ISyears of age he found employment in a store in Elkhart as a clerk. His employer wjw Philo Morehouse, and he remained with him about two years. He then engaget^l in trade on his own account at Edwai-dsburg. Mich. In one year he made a change to Wauke- gan. Wis., remaining there till 1S50, when he went out among the pioneers to California, and was engaged in mining there for two years. He went out in what was exiled the " secontl emigration,"' overland, making the trip in 52 days, from the Missouri river to Sac- ramento, the quickest passage of that season. On returning he again engaeed in trade atWaukegan. and continueil in that line till 1S56, when he came to Elkhart, and here was engaged in meivhandising and farming till 1S73. He still owns a farm in this vicinity. AVhen the Excelsior Starch Mills were built he joined the stock company, assisted in establishing the works, and has since given his attention to promoting the success of the enterprise. He is also connected with the Eagle Knitting Factory, and is a director in that company. Mr. Ellis, in 1S49, was married to Miss Clarissj^ Green. They have o children : Mary C. Jay B., Colonel Fremont, James S. and Lulu Belle. Mary C. is married to Ross F. ^IcGregor. Dayton, O.. who is a steam-engine manu- facturer. Jay B. is a machinist, and has a shop in Elkhai't. Colonel F. is a physician; was a graduate of the Xew York Homeo- pathic College, and is practicing in Ligonier, Ind. James S. is connected with the Eagle Knittin* Works. Lnlu is attending school. Mr. Ellis is a member of tlie Congregjitional Church in Elkhart, and is a Deacon in that organization. He is a member of the Masonic onler. and holds the rank of Sir Knight. He w.as a member of the City Council in ISTti and 1S7S. From 1S«>I to ISTo he was Assessor of the town and tp. of Elkhart, and thus acquired a thorough knowletlgeof the value of property here. Mr. Ellis has been secretary of the E.xcelsior Starch Mills for the last three years, and a director of the company since its organization. Mr. John W. Ellis' portrait appears in this work. Orhjiui S. EmerfOiis foreman in the machine department. Elk- hart. Ind.. was born in Kennebec. Maine. May 20. ]S3(>. and is a son of Asa P. and ^lary (Sole"! Emerson, the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter of Maine. While in early childhood he was taken by his pai-ents to AVaterville, Me., where he was reared ; bis educ^ition was receiveti in the schools of that town. He was married Oct. G. 1S5". to Caroline N. Crane, by whom he has had 3 children: 2 of these are living, viz.: Fi-ed O. and Mariettji. Chas. M. is decease*.!. Mr. Emerson learned the machinery business while in WaterviUe. Me., where he worked for seven vears. then IIISTOKY '>!• ICI.KIIAIir COl'NTV. 821 went to New York city, and was enga^jjed for one j'car in tlie same business witli Vernes, Bard & Co., a rire-engiue company. At the expiration oftiiat time he went to Nortli Vassalboro, Me., where lie remained for five years, tlien to Vermont, and passed seven years at his trade in the towns of Franklin and Concord, then he went to La Porte and tlience here. In ]iolitics he is a strong Republican. jF. B Erw'ni, jiaper manufacturer, St. Josepii Valley Mills, was born in Ilandolph county, Ind., in 1S36. lie was the son of Georfje W. Erwin, and Catiiarine (Jolin ) Erwin. His father was a farmer near Lafayette, Ind., but in 1851 embarked in paper man- ufacture in Middletown, Ohio, lie was in the business at tliat place 20 years, and in 1873 built the Elkhart AVritinj?- Paper Mill, with the assistance of other parties. The firm was then known by the style of Erwin, Upp, & Co. Two years afterward Mr. J. C. Lane bought Air. llpp's interest, and the firm of Erwin, Lane & Co. was formed. This company includes among its members J. C. Erwin and V. E. Erwin. The latter was once interested in a vanilla-paper mill with his brother, and has followed paper manu- facturing since he was 18 years of age. lie was also a lumber dealer and contractor. He came to this State in 1873, to su])eriu- tend the building of his father's mill. Ho was married in 1858 to Miss llachcl Mc(Juicty, of Middletown, Ohio. Tliey have two sons, both of whom are now attending school. He is a Freema- son, and in politics a lieiniblican. t/o/i/;C.^r?t'(/), of the firm of Erwin, Lane it Co., of the Elkhart Writing- Paper Mills, was born in Wayne Co., Ind., Nov. 28, 1838. He was the son of (ieo.W. Erwin,and brother of F. B. Erwin. He was connected with his father and brothers in the paper manufacture in Middletown, Ohio. The elder Erwin was instrumental in the building of live different jiaper mills in Middletown, the greatest paper pro- ducing town in the State. John C. and his brother, F. B. Erwin, were interested in a vanilla pa]>er mill in Ohio. From 1865 to 1873 John C. Erwin and his father were interested in the found- ing and management of the first writing-paper mill in Ohio. In the latter year tiiey established a writing-paper mill in Elkhart, and F. B. Erwin, having, with his brother, sold the vanilla mill in Ohio, came to Elkhart and assisted in building the mill, and sub- sequently took an interest in it, in connection with the firm of Er- win, Lane & Co. John C. Erwin is connected with the Butler Pa])er Company, of Chicago, and is a director in that organization. Mr. Erwin was married to Miss Mary Ilagaman, of Middletown, Ohio, in 1S67. Tiiey have 3 children, Catharine, George, and an infant, the oldest being 12 years of age. Simon Exsig was born in Stark county, Ohio, March S, 1819, and is a son of John and Susannah Essig, natives of Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm, and received a common-school education, in an old-fashioned country school-house. He was married Dec. 5, 1830, to Miss Polly Wertenbergcr, a na- tive of Stark county, Ohio. They have had 9 children, 7 living, 822 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. viz.: Susannah, Lydia, John, Sitnon, Lewis, Lovina and Solomon. Mr. Essig came to this county in 1856. He liad norhing to begin with in life except a good constitution and a will ; and has now a good home. In politics he is Democratic. Three of his uncles ■were soldiers in the war o! 1812, and his Grandfather Essig served as blacksmith from beginning to end of the Revolution, in Gen- eral Washington's command. Judge Isaac N. Everett was born in VanBuren county, Iowa, in 1843, when that State was a Territory. His parents had removed to that then wild and remote country from Champaign county, 0., and returned to the latter locality in 1851. Tliej' made tlie journey out and return by wagons, as there were no railroads in the West at that early day. When Isaac was 12 years of age his father died, but he was enabled to begin a course of study preparatory to a col- lege course; when, however, the call for troops to put down the Rebellion became pressing, Judge Everett responded to the patri- otic voice, and enlisted in the 31st Ohio Infantry. Under Gen. Rosecraiis he made the march through Kentucky to Murfreesboro, and on to Tullahoma, and was in the campaign that resulted in the battle of Chickamauga and the capture of Chattanooga. He was also in the Atlanta campaign. He then obtained a furlough and re- turned to Ohio. When lie reached the front again, Sherman had cut loose from Atlanta, and had torn up the railroad tracks in his rear. Mr. Everett was in the movement through the Carolinas toward Richmond, resulting in the capture of the rebel capital. He was honorably discharged at AVashington, after the grand review. He spent the subsequent winter in Louisville, Ky., and at length entered Wesleyan University, Delaware, O. In 1867 he read law in the oiEce of Munger & Walker, Findlay. O., and thereafter spent one year in the law department of the Micliigan University, Ann Arbor. He graduated at the end of that curriculum in the spring of 1869, and located at San Antonio, Texas, for practice. He was elected by the Legislature of that State Judge of the 26th judicial district, which lay north of San Antonio, and held that position for four years, when he resigned, which was in 1848. The same fall he relurned to the North and settled in Elkhart. He opened a law office here and was elected City Judge in 1879. He was married in 1873 to Miss Mary Phillips", of Kenton, O. They have 1 son. Judge Everett is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Dr. Augustus A. Fahnesbock was born in Harper's Ferry, Ya., Sept. 25, 1833. His father, Alfred Fahnestock, was a native of Baltimore, Md., and his mother, Eleanor Falmestock, of Peters- burg, Va. They removed with their family to Lancaster, Ohio, in 1835. In 1849 our subject went to Rochester, N. Y., where he became well versed in the sciences of botany and chemistry. He remained in Rochester three years with EUwanger & Barry, nurserymen of that place. He was then appointed Professor of Botany and Chemistry in the New York Central Medical College, which position he held for three years. He then went to Albany, HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 823 N. Y., and superintended the construction of a lari^e liot-liouse and graperj' at that place. In 185(5 the Doctor went to St. Louis, Mo., and there became foreman for Seigle Bros', nursery. He soon afterward took charge of the nursery of Asa Horr, in Dubuque, Iowa. In 1858 he went to Toledo, Oliio, and in company with his father and another gentleman, established a large nursery there. During the winter of 1861-':? he attended lectures at the Cleve- land Medical College, and paid his tuition b}' delivering lectures upon botany. He graduated at Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, and then began the practice of medicine in Monroeville, Ohio. At the end of five years he went to the old homestead, and attended to repairs for two years. In 1870 he came to Elkhart and engaged in the practice of medicine. He makes the diseases of women a specialty, and has been eminently successful. The Doctor has one of the finest medical libraries in all Northern Indiana. He was married in 1854, to Miss Susan A. Wood, a native of Ithaca. X. Y. ; this union has been blessed with 6 children, of whom 5 are living, viz.: Eleanor E., Catharine W., Grace, Charles L. and William M. Eleanor is a prominent teacher in the Asylum for Feeble-minded Children, in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. F. is a descendant of Count Von Joseph Fahnestock, first Prime Minister of Prussia in 1659, who married a daughter of John Sobieski, Kinir of Poland. Dr. A. L. Fisher was born in Ontario county, N*. Y., Aug. 1. 1845, and is a son of Jeremiah and Althea (Willson) Fisherithe former a native of Bristol, N. Y.. and the latter of Ontario county, X. Y. Jeremiah Fisher's great grandfather was a commissioned ofiicer under King George II. in the Province of Massachusetts Bay. His wife (our subject's mother) is a cousin of Marcius AYillson, author of the noted series of Willson's Readers; and she is a niece of Gilbert Willson. of Richmond, Ontario county, N. Y., who is 95 years old. The Doctor received his literary education in East Bloomfield Academy, and is a graduate of Hahnemann Medica College, of Philadelpiliia, Pa., having received his diploma in' 1871. Previous to his graduation he practiced one season in Kal- amazoo county, Mich. After graduation he remained one season in Michigan, and then went to Shelby ville, Ind.. where he remained but six months. Then, in 1872, lie located in Elkhart, and has had a constantly increashig practice until his field of labor is very large. In 1872 he" married Miss Carrie A. Wheelock, of West Bloomfield, N. Y.. by whom he has 2 children: Ilally and Winifred. He makes a specialty of diseases of infants and children, with wliich he is eminently successful. Edwin D. Foster, carriage-maker, was born in Granville, Wash- ington county, N. Y., in 1824. He was the son of Wm. and Fanny (Evans) Foster. They removed to Ohio when Edwin was three years of age. His father died Jan. 13, 1859, his mother continuing to re- side on the old liomestead. Edwin began to learn the trade of a blacksmith when he was 19 years of age. Subsequently he leartied aii-i UISTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. the carriage-maker's trade. Before leaving Ohio he married Eliza J. Hayden, of Miiiison, Geauga county. He came to Elkhart in February, 185S, and opened a shop near his present site. About 1865 he was elected Marshal of Elkhart, and served two years. He bought the commodious brick carriage factory that he now occu- pies, of Harper & Rittenhouse. The building had been occupied as a furniture and window-shade factory, had been burned and re- built, but not finished. Mr. Foster completed it, and fitted it up for the purposes of a carriage factory. His sons learned the trade with him, and were for some time emploj'ed in the shops. When Charles Alvin was 21, he took a half interest in the enterprise, and Alex. Gordon also joined in partnership. He retired after three years, and the brothers, Alvin and George, have latterly carried on the business under the tirm name of Foster Bros. George H. Foster, one of the brothers, has been Deputy Postmaster for several years. There are 7 sons in Mr. Foster's family, 5 of whom are of age. All but 1 are over six feet in height, and 1, Frank, is six feet three inches tall; the father is six feet, six and one-half inches in-altitude; 3 of the children are married. Mr. Foster is a member of the Meth- odist Church, and has been a Good Templar for 20 years, and mem- ber of one lodge of that organization for 20 years, and he has been all along a strong temperance man. The Fosters are making a fine line of carriages, and the work that they produce contrasts sharply with the cheap vehicles that more pretentions factories are turn- ing out for the deception of unwary purchasers. I)r. O. S. Frink, the subject of this sketch, is at this time the oldest active practitioner of regular medicine in the city of Elkhart. He was born in Jefferson county', N. Y., April 3, 1835, but in the following year he was initiated into the mysteries of back-woods life in the Hoosier State. His parents, Nathan and Marian (Pease) Frink, both natives of New Yoi'k, with his 3 sisters and 1 brother, settled in Noble county in the fall of 1S36, and at once began the task of clearing np a farm in the heaviest of heavily tim- bered land, near the head-waters of the Elkliart river. The work was hard, but the lather's persevering energy, aided by his eldest son, at last conquered, though the idolized mother died in less than a year, leaving a truly desolate family. The hand of poverty rested heavily on the household and sadly interfered with the edu- cational ambition of the subject of this sketch. The common school and later on in life tlie Fort Wayne College, for a short time, gave him all the opportunities he had excepting his own unaided but determined efforts. In 1854 he began the -study of medicine, and in the spring of 1859 he graduated at the Medical Department of the University of Michigan. He then located in Home City, Ind., where he practiced his profession until the fall of 1862, when he received a commission as Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Vols., and was assigned to hospital staff duty in Washington, Nashville and Knoxville, Tenn., until January, 186i, when he was promoted Surgeon U. S. Vols., and assigned to the field, at J '^^^-7^/ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 827 first in charge of the Operating Board of the 23cl Corps, then as Surgeon-in-Ciiief of the 1st Division and afterward to the 3rd Division of the same corps, comtnanded by Gen. J. D. Cox, on whose staff he remained until the close of the war, filling the posi- tion of Medical Director of the corps during the last four months of its existence. After being mustered out of the service, he was breveted a Lieut. Colonel of U. S. Vols, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the field, the commission being signed by Andrew Johnson. In the fall of 1865 he located in Elkhart and resumed the practice of medicine. He was married in the fall of 1S5S to Miss Arabella J. Vermilj^ea, by whom he has had 4 children, 2 of whom are living, Elioine and Charles W. In 1869 his wife died and two years afterward he married Mrs. Angeline S. Lowe,of Phila- delphia. The fruits of this union have been 4 children, 3 of whom are living, viz.: LauerS., Emily and Maud. The Doctor has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since his fifteenth year, and his wife was of a Quaker family, but has from childhood been a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church and latterly of the Methodist Church. Bev. John. F. Funk, Pastor of the Mennonite Church, at Elk- hart, and editor of the Herald of Truth, was born in Bucks county. Pa., April 6, 1835, and is a son of Jacob Funk, a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Funk is a self-made man, having started with a limited common-school education ; he worked and attended scliool during the summer and fall, and taught through the win- ters, for a few years. In 1S57 he went to Chicago, and engaged in the lumber business for nine 3'ears. In 1804 he established a Men- nonite paper in Chicago, entitled. Herald of Truth, which he brought to Elkhart in 1867. He now owns a book-publishing house and bindery, which he runs in connection with his paper : He organized the Mennonite Church in Elkhart since locating here, and is still its Pastor. He was married January 17, 1864, to Miss Salome Kratz, by whom he has had 6 children ; of these but 2 are living, Martha and Phebe. David Garver was born in Wayne county, O., July 30, 1819, and is a son of Frederick and Sarah Garver, tlie former a native Frederick Co., Md., and the latter of the vicinity of "Williams- port, Pa. Mr. Garver was reared on a farm, and educated in a common school. He came with his parents to Cass Co., Mich., in 1828, where they remained until 1835, then removed to this county. He was married in 1843 to Miss Elizabeth Burget, by whom he had 9 children, 6 of whom are now living, viz.: Susan, Edwin, Albert, Silas, Ellen and David. Mrs. Garver died Nov. 30, 1864, and he again married Sept. S:8, 1865, this time Susan Van Wert, by whom he has 4 children, viz.: Albert, Amelia, Em- ma and Clara. Mr. Garver owns a fine residence, on section — Alexander Gordon. — Among the prominent farmers of Concord township, we find the name of Alexander Gordon. He was born Jan. 26, 1828, in Westmoreland Co., Pa. His parents were John HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. and Eleanor (McWilliains) Gordon, the former a native of Penn- sylvania, and the latter of Ireland, and came to America in 1793. Our subject was reared on a farm till he was 18 years of age, when he engaged in lumbering, which vocation he followed tor aboiit 25 years. His father died when he was quite young, and he had to support both himselt and mother. His father at one time was one of the prominent farmers of Westmoreland county, but a great misfortune befell him. He went as security for other men and be- came so deeply involved that bankruptcy was the result, and he died in poverty, and in these limited circumstances he left his family. But in spite of all these hardships Alexander passed the prime of his life and thus accumulated property to the amount of |;-40,000. He was married Aug. 20, 1857, to Mary J., daughter of Robert and Mary McBride. They have had 8 children, 6 of whom are living, viz.: Allen H., Albert A., Alexander, \Vm. G. Addie G. and Alice A. Mr. Gordon was Postmaster in Nebraska, Pa., for 4 years. In life he has always been considered prominent. He is a strong advocate of Republicanism. James H. K. Gore, of the firm of Gore & Wright, planing-mill proprietors and wood-workers, was born in Dutchess county,N. Y., in 1837. His father's name was Samuel C, and his mother's name Ruth (Ketcham) Gore. His father was a ]iattern-maker. His family moved to Putnam county when James was two years of age, and remained there till he was 18 years old. He learned the pattern-maker's trade at Gold Springs, opposite "West Point. When he was 18 years of age the family emigrated to the "West, and set- tled in Elkhart, the father engaging in the wood-working business. James went to Mishawaka in 1860, and was employed in a furniture factory. Being a musician, in 1861 he enlisted in the 6th Michigan Infantry as leader of the 'band. His regiment was ordered to Baltimore, and ren:ained there six months, then to Newport News, Ship Island, New Orleans,Yicksburg, Baton Rouge, finally return- ing to New Orleans, where they were mustered out in 1862, the Government concluding to dispense with brass bands in the army. Returning to Mishawaka, Ind., Mr. Gore engaged in the manufact- ure of chairs, for 13 months. In 1863 he raised a company in Mishawaka and was commissioned as its Captain, being assigned to the 138th Indiana Regiment, going out for 100 days, but remaining five months, mostly engaged in the duty of guarding railroads in the rear of Gen. Sherman's army while they marched through Georgia to the sea. In 1865 Capt. Gore went to Fond du Lac, Wis., and was employed as foreman of the Union Iron Works there. In 1869 he returned to Elkhart and embarked in' the planing-mill and wood-working business with John Vanderlip, till Jan. 1, 1873, when Henry C. Wright bought Mr. "V^auderlip's interest, and he firm of Gore & Wright was formed. In 1875 Fred Wright bought Henry C. Wright's interest, and has been Mr. Gore's partner until the present. The firm run a planing-mill, manufacture doors and blinds and sash, and do a general jobbing business in the wood- HISTORY 0¥ ELKHART COUNTY. 829 working line. Their factory is on Jackson street, east of Sage Bros' mills, and is furnished with a large amount of modern machinery. Capt. Gore was married in 1S62 to Miss Elizabeth E. Field. One daughter, Grace, was born of this marriage. Tiie first Mrs. Gore died in 1863, and Mr. Gore was married to Miss Elizabeth J. Ferris, of Mishawaka, in 1866. They have 1 son, Moi-ton W. Capt. Gore is a third-degree Mason, and a member of the order of Chosen Friends, lieligiously, he is a communicant in the Episco- pal Church. He suffered heavily by a fire on April 13, 1874, losing liis wood-working establishment, but hopes by industry and good fortune to retrieve his loss. Joseph 0. Gregg was born in Circleville, Pickaway county, O., Jan. 5, 18il. His father, Israel Gregg, was engaged in the dry. goods trade in Circleville. Mr. Gregg from his earliest boyhood to the outbreak of the Rebellion spent most of his time in school. When Fort Sumter was fired upon he enlisted for three months in the 14th Ohio Infantry, and participated in the battles of Cheaj lliver. Laurel Hill, Phillippi and Cassack's Ford. When his firs ^ term of enlistment expired he re-enlisted for three years, and was engaged in the battles of Ft. Henry, Ft. Donelson (where he was bayonetted), Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, was in the Shenandoah Valley campaign, and with Gen. Grant during the Wilderness campaign, the march on Richmond and the several battles of that famous movement, ending in the fall of Richmond. He is satis- fied with having filled his position faithfully in the ranks as a private of the Sixth Corps until he was honorably discharged. At the close of the war he engaged in hia father's business, that of a dealer in dry-goods, on his own account, in Findlay, Ohio. Here he was married to Miss Emma F. O'Neal, daughter of Hon. Chas. AV. O'JMeal. Failing health forced him to dispose of his business and remove to the West. In 1S70 he located in Elkhart, Ind., where he has continued to reside until the present. In 1874 he invented and obtained letters patent on a process for reducing wood to paper stock, and erected a small mill for its manufacture. In 1875 he invented and patented an improvement in his process, and jjatented the doubled-faced grinder in 1876. In 1878, finding the price of wood pulp declining, he invented the "combination board," on which he has obtained three letters patent, and is now engaged in its manufacture. This enterprise is proving to be a rich harvest to the Combination Board Company, of which Mr. Gregg is a member. Mr. Gregg's life so far has been a busy one. He firmly believes that close attention to business and careful manage- ment will win, and jjractically demonstrates his faith in this doctrine by devoting to it all his time and strength. Michael Griffin was born at Chattam, near Canterbury, Kent, England, May 28, 1827. His father was Michael Griflin, and his mother's maiden name was Sarah Baldwin. The father's occupa- tion was that of a paper-maker. His father now lives at Kidder- minster, England, and is 83 years of age. b3U HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Mr. Griffin lived at Kiddermiiistei- four 3'ears before he came to America, and there learned the trade of paper-making. When he had completed his apprenticeship he started ont on the "paper- maker's round," as it was called, in search of work. He was furnished 18 to 2i cents a day by his trade association, and with this insufficient allowance he traveled 1,300 miles, looking in vain for eraplo3'ment. When he had completed the great circuit he became disgusted with England, and turned his hopes and his face toward America, the land of freedom and glorious opportunity. He was furnished £10 by the emigration society of that day, and by its aid was enabled to make the voyage to New York. From that city he, with a companion in adventure, went to Hartford, Conn., where they worked for tliree months at various labor. Their next stopping place was at Herkimer, N. Y., where Mr. Griffin found employment in a paper-mill througliout the winter of 1849. He afterward worked at his trade in Bradford, Vt., where he remained 18 months. He was subsequently employed in Claremont, X. H., and Sliirley, Mass. From the latter place he removed to Middle- town, Ohio, and was employed by the Erwin Bros., since so well- known in connection with the paper manufacture in Elkiiart. Eeturning East, lie was employed at Bennington, N. H., Dracut, Mass., and Lawrence. At the latter place he married Miss Lydia Cox, and has lived happily with her ever since. After leaving Lawrence he worked seven and a half years in Dorcliester, Mass., and in 1864 he had what he considered an advantageous offer in Louisville, Ky., and worked in a paper-mill there for six months. The cost of living being high there he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, and while there worked six w*eeks in Castalia. Afterward he removed to Richmond, Ind., then to Hamilton, Oiiio, to Soutli Bend, Sellers' Landing, 111.. Peoria, Excello, Ohio, finally locating permanently in Elkhart. Since coming here he has been in the employ of Erwin, Lane & Co., and in the tissue-paper mill. He was one of the corporators of the tissue-paper company, and now owns considerable stock in that institution. When he arrived in Elkhart he had but $140; now he owns a tine house and lot in North- east Elkhart, and his stock in the paper-mill, and is out of debt. He has been a "rolling stone," but he has gathered some moss, and his employment in so many different paper-mills in various parts of the country has given him a large experience in his business, a principal element of success in any calling. Mr. Griffin has 5 children living, having lost 2 by death. His 2 sons, Henry and Franklin, are employed in the paper-mill with their father. Jane, a daughter, married Lloyd Hatch, a paper-maker. Ehoda and Eliza are nnmarried. John M. Hachithorn was born in Plymouth, Richland county, O., Dec. 1, 1831. He was the son of Peter and Margaret (Andrews) Hackathorn, and remained in Plymouth till he was 2.5 years of age. He settled in Elkhart in 1859, and was here employed as a clerk /•or John Davenport for a time, and finally became his partner. In HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 831 1860 he was married to Miss Clementine Davenport, daughter of his partner. In 1870 he engaged in the grocery trade, whicli he continued till 1875. In 1877 he began to deal in ice, and now manages the Elkhart ice houses. He is a member of the Masonic fraternit}', having passed through all the degrees of that order, and now belongs to the chapter and commandery. Pie was once interested in the hj-draulic works, and the Elkhart Woolen Mills. He built the brick store next south of the Clifton House, Main street, and a very line residence on the corner of Second and Marion streets. He also erected a handsome dwelling in ISTorth Elkhart, where he now resides. Mr. Hackathorn is the principal ice dealer in Elkhart. Dr. Robert Q. Raggerty was born in Hancock county, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1S53, and is a son of the late Robert J. Haggerty. a prom- inent physician of Elkhart. He was educated at Notre Dame, Ind., and is a graduate of the Missouri Medical College, of St. Louis, and also of the Ensh Medical College, of Chicago. He began practice in Elkhart in 1878, and is doing a good business, having practiced with his father prior to his death, which occurred in January, 1880. Charles C. Harris was born in Yates countj% New York, May 31, 1S37, and is the son of Nathan and Phila A. (Cole) Harris, natives of New Hampshire. Mr. Harris was reared on a farm until 16 years of age. He began workingfor railroad companies in 185.5, and has been a railroad man ever since. He began at the foot of the ladder and has gradually' arisen until he is now conductor on a passenger train, and is in the employ of the L. S. & M. S. E. R. Company. His parents came to this county in 1838. [His father soon after died, and he returned with his mother to New York, where he remained until \i years old, and then returned to this county. He was married in April, 1859, to Miss Salina Punches, by whom he has 3 children: George, Nellie and Carrie. Will. Hortsog, farmer, sec. 24; P. O., Elkhart; is a son of Ben- jamin and Sarah Ilartzog, natives of Pennsylvania; he was born in Wayne county, Ohio, Aug. 29, 1830; in 1843 he came with his par- ents to this county, where he grew to manhood; his education was attained in the common schools. He was married June 8, 1854, to Catharine, daughter of George and ^lary Huiebaugh, and has had 5 children; 2 are living, viz. : Benjamin, married to Alice C. Big- gie, and Sarah A. Mr. Hartzog is of German ancestr}-. His grandfather came to America at an early day. Mr. H. is the owner of 206 acres of land, part of which is in sec. 24. Politically he embraces all the doctrines and principles of the Republican party. Jaiiies W.Uass was born in Springfield, 111., Oct. 21, 1834; his parents were Jacob and Marial Hass, the former a native of Ger- many and came to America when only 11 years old. He was sold by the captain to a man in New York city for his labor, which re- quired his services for two years; in 1833 he settled in Springfield, 111., when that State was yet a Territory. He pre-empted the land whereon tlic city of Springfield stands. In 1836 be removed to 832 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. Butler conuty, Ohio, where he remained till 1841, then moved with his family to Randolph county, Ind.; in these two places our sub- ject was reared and educated. In 1S53 they moved'to Cass county Mich., and there Mr. Jacob liass died. In 1854 James W. went to Dallas county, Iowa. In 1860 they returned to Cass county, Mich., and in 1866 came to this county, where he has since resided. May 15, 1856, he married Alcinda Paul and had 4 children. 2 of these are living, viz.: Hattie and William. Mrs. Hass was born Feb. 14, 1840. Her parents, Benjamin and Mary Williams, were early settlers in this county. Mr". Hass' father was a Captain in the war of 1812. Mr. H. owns a farm of SO acres one-half mile south of Elkhart, worth $110 per acre. Andrew Hay was born in Bedford county, Pa.. Dec. 18, 1827. and is a son of Jacob and Mary Haj'. He was reared on a farm and early became accustomed to hard labor. At the age of 17 he learned the plasterer's trade, which he has followed ever since, ex- cept two years, which time he farmed in Michigan. He came to this county in 1844; was married Oct. 11, 1855, to Miss Sarah A. Stockbarger, by whom he has 4 children: John J., Andrew Horace Greeley, Mary S. and Sarah H. Zoa. John J. is in the regular army at Fort Lincoln, Dakota Territory. Mr. Hay is a fine workman, and has a good, remunerative business. Walter S. Sazelton, of the firm of Brodrick Bros. & Hazel ton, was born in Strafford, Orange county, Vermont, Dec. 1. 1840, and is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Kibling) Hazelton. Five generations of the Hazeltons have resided on the same farm, our subject's great- fraudfather, grandfather, father, a brother, and his brother's son. 'he latter now resides there. This is in Orange county. Vermont. There are 12 children in his father's family, 6 boys and 6 girls, all living, and he is the youngest. The others are all in Vermont except his youngest sister, who is in California. He went to Cal- ifornia by way of the Isthmus, in 1864. He went there on bor- rowed cash, and when he arrived in San Francisco, he was without money. He there borrowed $5 of a friend to bear his expenses to Sutler county, the place of his destination. Ho dug post holes the first month for his board. He walked to Lincoln on Sunday, a distance of 10 miles, to purchase a pair of sheep shears. His friend with whom he had been stopping, persuaded him to abandon the idea of sheep-shearing, and he took him to Cashviile. and secured for him a situation as" clerk. He returned to Elkhart in 1876, and February, 1877, opened a grocerj' store, which he ran for Is months. In 1S79 he engaged in the dry-goods business, and also carried a stock of boots and shoes, notions, etc. This firm of Brodrick Bros. & Hazel- ton now do a business of $40,000 annually. In 1872, on the 20th day of October, while in the Golden State, he married Miss Lavona L. White, a native of Middlebury, this county. She happened to be on a visit to her uncle. Charles S. White, who was at that time a partner of Mr. Hazelton in business in Cashviile, California. HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. . HciiJ They have 1 child, Eva M. Mr. Hazelton is a member of the Masonic fraternity. WiUiam C. Hendricks was born in New Canaan, Conn., seven or eight miles from Norwalk. He was the son of David and Sarah (Hoyt) Hendricks. His great grandparents emigrated to this country from Holland, and doubtless spelled their name with the suffix ichs. His grandfather started on a return voyage to Holland, but was never heard from after he put to sea. AVhen he was eight years of age the family moved to Addison county, Vt. ; from there he removed to Onondaga county, N. Y. The father was a carpen- ter and builder, and erected the first church in Pompey, N. Y., in ISIS, a structure that still stands. Mr. Hendricks learned his father's trade, and studied architecture in New York city, and was employed in that metropolis nearly a year. He was married in the winter of 1828 to Mrs. Lois Stevens, he then being 29 years of age. In process of time he engaged in the furniture trade in Pompey. Having land in Hancock county, HI., he in 1839 visited that State, and stopped in St. Louis a while thereafter. At length he came to Elkhart county, Ind., and located on a tract of land in Jefferson tp. His wife died about 30 years ago, and he was married a second time, to Emily Gould, of Pompey, N. Y., daughter of Col. Gould. Mr. Hendricks finally sold his farm and invested in Elkhart real estate, and has latterly resided in the city, busj'ing himself in tak- ing care of his property. One of Mr. Hendricks' step-sons. Dr. Chas. W. Stevens, is superintendent of the St. Louis Insane Asy- lum, and was a professor in a Missouri medical college. Richard F. Stevens, another step-son, is also a physician, and was once Col- lector of the port of New York. Z>r. John H. Henry was a pioneer physician of Elkhart. He was born in Urbana, (^hio, March 30, 1811. He was the son of David and Sarah (Robinson) Henry. When he was three years old his parents removed to Sidney, and lived on a farm. Here the future doctor spent his years till he was 21, when he began to study medicine with Dr. Thomas, and eventually commenced practice at Lima, Ohio. Subsequently he removed to Roundhead, and con- tinued practice there for rive years. While residing at Roundhead he was married to Mrs. Zimmerman, who had 2 children by a former marriage. They came to Elkhart in 1840, and he began practice here. Forty years ago Elkhart was a mere hamlet, and the Doctor was one of the first physicians in the place. His prac- tice rapidly increased, so that he was obliged to ride night and day. This constantly subjected him to the act of getting in and alight- ing from his vehicle, which at last induced a disease of the knee- joints, by which the Doctor was made an invalid, and was obliged to take to his bed, where he remained 11. years and six months, ■when death came to his relief, which occurred on Sept. 2, 1872. His severe affliction attracted the attention of physicians far and near, many of whom visited him and made a study of his case. Being a strong Republican in politics, he took a profound interest S84 . HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. in the Union cause at the outbreak of the rebellion, and his last effort before taking to his bed, where he was helplessly to remain so many long years, was to accompany the first company of Elk- hart volunteers to the depot, preparatory to their departure for the front. Dr. Henry was a man of great energy of character, of sterling moral convictions, clearness of intellectual judgment, and a thorough student in his profession. Whenever a new subject was presented to his mind he investigated it thoroughly and con- scientiously, and never allowed bigotry, prejudice or egotistic con- ceit to bias his mental decisions. He was a religious man, and a consistent member of the Methodist Church. His business ventures were successful, and he amassed a large property in houses and lands. Three of his sons and one daughter are now living. One is a physician in Chickasaw county, Iowa, and is a proficient in surgery. Mrs. Isixbel Henry, surviving widow of Dr. Henry, was born in the year 1812. She was a native of Ross county, Ohio. Her father, John Wallace, was a native of Ireland, and left Dublin for America when he was in his 20th year. He was a gentleman of education, taught school when a young man, and was engaged in the mercantile business in Ohio, finally taking up and improving a farm, on which he taught his boys to work. Her mother's name was Hannah (O'Counel) Wallace, a Southern lady. Mrs. Henry was first married in Ross county, Ohio, to James Zimmerman, by whom she had 2 children. He died when they had been married but three years. She afterward became the wile of Dr. Henry. She is a lady of remarkable character, and firm in her convictions of right and wrong. She is a member of the Presbyierian Church, and has been a life-long temperance advocate and defender. Her name has become historic as the leader of the Woman's Crusade in Elkhart in 1ST3. It was Mrs. Dr. Henry who led the famous prayer-meeting at a saloon on Harrison street, amidst a howling mob, where the heroic ladies maintained their ground till near mid- night, even after their leader, Mrs. Henry, had been knocked down by a missile hurled at her by one of the mob. The assailan t was prosecuted for the dastardly outrage, a fine of $500 was assessed against him, and he was sentenced to one^j-ear's imprisonment. The aftair was published in the newspapers far and wide, and created a great sensation in Elkhart and throughout the West, but resulted in terminating the mob spirit in this city that had resulted from the anti-saloon crusade. Mrs. Henry is now residing in a comfortable dwelling on Pigeon street, waiting serenely for the summons that shall call her to meet her deceased husband on the golden shore. Peltire Bill, President of the Excelsior Starch Works, Elkhart, was born in Kennebunk, York county. Me., Aug. 13, 1842. His parents were George and Mary (Lock) Hill. His father was a farmer, and till IS years of age" he attended school and worked upon the farm, after which he went to Buffalo, N. T., where he spent HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 835 two years in various labor. He finally engaged employment in a starch mill, and remained in Buifalo until 1870. While in that city he was foreman in Gilbert's famous starch works. When he first arrived in Elkhart he superintended the construction of a starch mill for A. L. Muzzy, afterward known as the Muzzy & Sage mill, and managed it for them till 1873. At the close of this period he joined his fortunes to the Excelsior Starch Company, becoming one of its members, and assisting to establish its business. He superintended the erection of the company's works, and put them in running order, and performed the function of superintendent thereafter. He was elected vice president of the company the second year of its existence, and president in 1880. He was mar- ried in 1870 to Miss Almira Hulbert, daughter of James Hulbert, of Adrian, Mich. They have 2 children: Ruby and Charley. Mr. Hill is the practical man in manufacture at the Excelsior Works, and probably understands starch-making and the machinery for that purpose as well as any man in the West. Joseph Hollis was born in Vermont June 17, 1829. His par- ents were Lyman and Elizabeth (Gardner) Hollis, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of Vermont. Mr. Hollis was reared on a farm till he was 21, and educated in the common schools. In 1841 he went to Seneca county, Ohio, and in 181:7 to La Porte, and followed carpentering there till 1859; then came to this county and pursued his former occupation. In 1871 he moved his family to Elkhart, where he now resides. Is at present the foreman of a company of bridge builders on the L. S. & M. S. R. R. ISTov. 9, 1856, he was joined in marriage to Ollie, daughter of Enos and Mary Eaton, and has had 2 children, both deceased, viz.: .James S. and Mina B. Mrs. Hollis was born July 17, 1836, in Seneca county, O., and is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. Hollis is a member of the Masonic order, and is also a member of the City Council. Ira O. Huhhard was born in Oswego county, New York, Feb. 24, 1814, and is a son of Thomas Hubbard. He was raised on a. farm, and received a limited common-school education. He learned the cooper trade when young; came to this county in 1842, and farmed until 1875, when he removed to Elkhart. March 20, 1839, he married Miss Catharine M. Sandhovel. She was born on the Mohawk river, Montgomery county. New York. They had 2 chil- dren: Andrew P.(deceased) and Mary J. (now Mrs. John W. Field- house, of Elkhart). Justice James H. Hutchison was born Nov. 2, 1810, in Colum- bia county, Pa., and though he is now threescore and ten years of age, he is yet hale and-hearty, and his countenance sheds the beam of youth upon all who behold it. He was the son of Andrew and Peggy (Irwin) Hutchison. His mother's father was killed in the Wyoming massacre, and the family scattered for refuge in the forest, the children being found, one after another, as they hovered under the friendly leaves like birds seeking protection from the 826 HreroET of elkhakt couNrr. relentless storm. Mr. Ilntchison's father died when James was but three years of age. There were 3 sons and 2 daughters in the family. Of these Joseph was Postmaster of Sterling. 111., under James Buchanan, and John K. Hutchison became a "Presbyterian clergyman, and died in Texas. Mr. Hutchison was kidnapped from his guardian, James Beyer, an Irishman of great wealth, by one Clark, who thus desired to spite Mr. Beyer for some alleged wrong. The boy was conveyed many miles away, and left with one Hurst, where he was for some time lost to bis friends, and where be remained until he was 17 years of age. His guardian had begun a suit oi habeas corpus against the kidnapper, the costs of which Mr. Hutchison was obliged to settle after lie reached his majority. At the age of 17 he left Hurst, and apprenticed himself to a hatter. He remained with him four years, and afterward worked at the trade till it became unprofitable; then engaged in painting till he was so seriously poisoned that he was obliged to desist from that. Then he was clerk in a store for a while, and was thus engaged in Kendallvil'.e. Ind., when he began to preach, having received a license to exercise that function from a presiding elder of the M. E. Church. He held a protracted meeting at Kendallville, and a revival followed; a Church has grown up in that place as a conse- quence of his labors. In ISoi Mr. Hutchison joined the North Indiana Conference at Peru, having previously preaclied under the elder as a supply. He tlien began the career of a Methodist traveling preacher, which he continued for 20 years. During this time he was stationed at Orland, Angola, Leo, Bluft'ton, North Manchester, Columbus City, Lagrange, Wolcottville, and lastly Ligonier. After settling in Elkhart he was Marshal of the city for eight or nine months; was active in the work of suppressing the rough and gambling dens that too much abounded at that period. In 1876 he was elected Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected in ISSO for another four years' term. Mr. Hutchison was married the first time in 1832 to Miss Maria Musser, of Louisburg, Pa., and they had 10 children, 6 of wliom are dead. The first wife having died, he was in 1850 married again, to Lavina Heater, of Bucyrus, Ohio. She died in 1854. leaving 2 daughters. He was married a third time, to Miss Mary Kiblinger. and a son and daughter resulted from this union. Both these children reside at home. Esquire Hutchison is 70 years of age, but is still strong and vigorous. He has been a man of remarkable experience, and his life lias been crowded with events that tried the endurance of his mind and body. He belongs to that massive and courageous type of pioneers that are fast passing away. When he was a boy he had his skull broken; he has liad both legs fractured, and at the time of tliis writing he is recovering from a fracture caused bv a fall; he has had many severe periods of sickness, but surmounting all, he is still a man of youthful appearance for his years. Since his residence in Elkhart Mr. Hutchison has procured a list of names of residents over 60, 70 and SO vears of age. This he did to refute statements HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 837 that bad been made that Elkhart county was an unhealthy locality. He found li persons over SO years old, 50 over 70, and 112 over 60. These lists were published in an Elkhart paper, and caused much comment. Aiisfiii D. Joy was born in Cass county. Mich., Sept. 30, 1853, and is a son of Nelson and Maria Joy, the former a native of New York, and the latter of Tennessee. Our subject received his educa- tion in Hillsdale College. Michigan. He came to Elkhart with his parents in 18<'>2. His father was a prominent livery man of Elk- hart, and died in 1874. Austin then took charge of the business, which he has since conducted with the best of success. He carries a capital stock of $6,000, besides barns. He was married in 1876 to Miss Irva E. Simonton, daughter of A. P. Simonton, of this city, and one of the oldest settlers of the county. Mr. Joy is a member of the Knights of Honor, and of the Royal Arcanum. D. S. KahJer was born in the town of Lancaster. Pa., Nov. 7, 1825, and is a son of Jonas and Sophia Kahler, also natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared and educated in his native town. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, while yet a boy. He came to Canton, Ohio, in 1S46, where, in 1S51, he married Miss Catharine Sanders, a native of Stark county, Ohio, and a daughter of George Sanders. They have had 3 children, 1 living, Ida. The de- ceased's names were Amanda and Rennie. Mr. Kahler removed to South Bend in 1S53, and in 1867 he came to Elkhart, where he engaged in shipping fruit, potatoes, etc., for some time, and was very successful. He then engaged in merchandising until 1878, when he retired from active life, and now resides in Elkhart. James Kai'unaijh, of Kavanagh & Pollard, grocers, "Palace Store," Main street, was born in Wyoming county, N. Y., May 26, 1842. He was the son of Charles and Ellen (Murphy^ Kav- anagh. His father was once in the boot and shoe trade in the city of Brooklyn. N. Y. The father died in 1S59, the mother still re- siding on the homestead farm in Wyoming county. James settled in Elkhart in April, 1872. He worked in a machine shop till 1877, when he engaged in the grocery business with A. V. Good- speed, who was shortly after succeeded by John B. Pollard, and Kavanagh & Pollard have continued the business to the present time. The " Palace Store" is a landmark on Main street, and is a favorite resort of a long line of customers. Mr. Kavanagh has always been a strong temperance man, and was a candidate for the office of Treasurer at the first city election, but was defeated by the license party. At the nominating convention he received the unanimous vote, though be was opposed by several young men who had resided in the city much longer than he. He was mar- ried Oct. 8, 1873, to Miss Maria Ordell Goodspeed, of Elkhart. They have 3 children : Charles H., Ellen Maria and John M. Kav- anagh. Geo. W. Keely, farmer, sec. 37; P. O., Goshen; is a native of Snyder county, N. Y., and was born April 24, 1829. His parents, 838 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Peter and Sophia, were also natives of New York. Geo. W. was reared on a farm. His advantages were very much limited. He was married in March, 1854, to Sarah Xeiniand, and they have had 4 sons and 1 daughter: John, Robert (married to Miss Alice Row), William, a school-teacher, James and Catharine. Mr. Keely is a farmer by occupation, and owns a farm of 93 acres, worth $100 an acre, with a cosy little residence. Br. A. F. Kelley was born in Massillon, Oiiio, Jan. 8, 1849. He was the son of James S. and Annie E. (Van Stavoren) Kelley. His father was a hardware merchant during the latter years of his life. In the early period of Massillon's history he was much in office, and was known by the familiar title of '• Judge " Kelley. Dr. Kelley spent his boyhood and younger manhood in Massillon, and attended the public schools at that place. At the age of 17 he entered Kenyon College, and remained in that situation for some time. "When he was 19 he began a course of study in Hobart College, Geneva, New York, and graduated at that institution in 1870. He began the study of medicine in the medical department of Wooster University. He passed one year at the Cleveland Marine Hospital as house physician, after which he located in Massillon for the practice of medicine. His health having become impaired he came to Elkhart in 1873, and engaged in the drug business. Pie at first purchased Mr. Miller's interest in the firm of Hill & Mil- ler, and continued with Mr. Hill three years, at the end of which C. H. Leonard bought Mr. Hill's interest, and the firm name has since been Kelley & Leonard. They conduct one of the leading drug stores of Elkhart county, the prescription business being a principal feature. Dr. Kelley is a member of the Episcopal Church, is a Mason, and belongs to the Knights of Honor. Joel W. Kellogg, dealer in house-furnishing goods, Elkhart, was born in Ontario connty, N. Y., in 1841. His father's name was Daniel H. Kellogg, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Ann Neal. His father was a farmer, and reared 3 children, 2 sons and 1 daughter, Joel being the eldest son. The family emigrated to Elkhart county. Ind., when Joel was fonr years old, and settled on a farm in Cleveland township, four miles north of Elkhart. Mr. Kellogg spent his boyhood on his father's farm, obtaining an Eng- lish education in the district schools. When of sufficient age he left tiie farm and engaged as clerk in a grocery store owned by H. H. Allen, Elkhart. After a lapse of time he engaged in the crockery and house- furnishing line with E. A. Drake. "At the end of 15 months he bought Mr. Drake's interest, and has continued the bnsiuess on his individual account till the present. On July 12, 1880, the St. Joseph Valley Building and Loan Company was organized, in which Mr. Kellogg took a leading part. He was elected Secretary of the association, and in that capacity opened the first subscription books, then proceeded to conduct the business of the company. He still holds the office of Secretary of the asso- ciation, and is also a Director. He is a member of the order of HISTORY OF ELKHART COUXTY. 839 Choson Friends, and is the Recorder of the lodge in Elkhart, and a Director. Mr. Kellogg was married to Em ma E. Jacobus in 1863. They have 3 children, Edwin P., Arthur F. and Elton F., all of whom are attending the public schools of Elkhart. Edmund It. Kerstetter is a native of York tp., Elkhart county, and was born Oct. 23. 1840. His parents were Peter and Mary Kerstetter, who came to this count}' about 1837. They removed to Goshen in 18-41, where our subject was leared and partially edu- cated. His collegiate education was received at the Hillsdale Col- lege. Michigan. He served three years in the late war, in the 17-2d Yol. Inf. He entered the service as Adjutant, with the rank of Ist Lieutenant, and after one year was promoted Assistant Adju- tant-General with rank of Captain, which position he iield until he resigned in 1864. He afterward served the people of Elkhart coxmty as Sheriff for four years. He then, in 18T1, came to Elk- hart, and established the St. Joe Yalley Bank, which he ran for six years, and then sold out. He was married in August, 1877, to Miss Alice M. Lee, by whom he has 1 child, Edgar L., born Nov. 12, 1878. Mr. Kerstetter is one of the founders of the Elkhart State Bank, which was established in x\.pril, 1879, and is president of the same. The directors are: E. R. Kerstetter, T. F. Garvin, Mr. Strong, Rev. J. B. Fowler and E. P. Willard. T. F. Garvin, cashier; J. D. "Wood, assistant cashier. John S- Klnzy, of the grocery firm of Kinzy & Manchester, was born in Lancaster city. Pa.. Nov. 19, 1845. He was the son of Beneville and Elizabeth Kinzy. The family removed to Stark county. O., in 1853, where they remained till John was of age. In 1861 the father and two sons enlisted in the 16th Ohio Regiment. The father was wounded at the battle of Chickamauga, and'died in eight days thereafter. Emmanuel, one of the sons, was taken pris- oner in the same battle, and Isaac, the other son, took part in the same engagement. The latter, afterward being sick at Yicksburg during the siege of that place, was brought home, and died soon after. At 21 Mr. Kinzy engaged in carpentering and undertaking, and followed that occupation 10 years in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, when his healtli failed. He arrived in Elkhart in 1868, and in 1870 went to Crawford county, HI. Returning to Elkhart in 1873, he followed his trade till 1875, when he took a new departure and became a clerk in a carpet and paper store carried on by A. C. Post. He opened a grocery store in October of the same year, E. K. Boyer being his partner. Mr. Kinzy finally sold his interest to M. L. Stevenson and went to Chicago, where for some time he was in the meat market business on State street. A winter's experience persuaded him that he could do better in Elkhart, and he returned to this city in 1879, and engaged in the grocery trade on Feb. 14, since which time he has continued in the same line. Mr. Kinzy ■was elected a member of the Common Council in 1874. and was the first Councilman from the fifth ward, and served one term. He is a member of the Evangelical Association. He was married in 840 BISTORT OF ELKHART COrNTT. 1868 to Lizzie A. Eowland, of Stark county, Ohio. They have 1 daughter. John Krau was born in Germany Dec. 25, 1827. His father was a butcher, and he early learned that trade: but this did not suit his taste at that time, and he thi-refore learned to manufacture paper, and traveled over Germany, France and Italy, workino; at his trade in various places until 1855, when he came to America. He got as far as Detroit, and there sold his watch and some of his clothes to procure money to complete his journey to South Bend, where he remained eight months and worked as a common laborer. He then went to Three Rivers, Mich., and worked as engineer in a paper-mill for 18 months. He also worked at the same business in Illinois, Milwaukee and Beloit, "Wis. He remained at the last named place in charge of the engine at the paper-mill for four and a half years. He then, in 1862, removed to Goshen, where he remained but six months, when in the autumn of the same year he came to Elkhart and engaged in the butchering business, which he carried on with success until 1S66. when he went to Michigan and engaged in the real-estate Inisiness for two years. He then returned to Elkhart, and re-established a meat market, which he still owns, and has a large trade. He started with nothing, and now is considered one of "the wealthy citizens of Elkhart. He was married in 1857, to Miss Christina Dick, and of their 7 children 1 are living, viz.: Johnnie. Willy, Charlie and Georgie. Mr. and Mrs. Krau are worthy members of the Lutheran Church. Henry J. Kremer, grocer, 151 Main street, was born in Snyder county. Pa., Dec. 25, f819. He was the son of Beneville and Eliz- abeth\ Plasser )Kremer. They resided on a farm where Henry spent his boyhood. Besides his common schooling he attended two terms in the Labanon Yalley Seminary. At the age of 20 he came to Elkhart county, and remaining a year he returned to Pennsylvania and was married to Miss Elizabeth Luse, by whom he has 4 children, whose names are Elmer Eugene. Charles Clarence, Nellie Maud and Carrie. He returned from the West for the second time in 1872. and was employed in a planing mill for three months, after which he engaged as clerk in a grocery store, which he followed for two years and a half. He then worked for the rail- road company for six months, and in 1877 he ventured in the gro- cery trade on his own account, and has continued the business with success ever since. He is a member of the Evangelical Church and a Sunday-school Superintendent. He at present is a member of the Elkhart City Council from the fifth ward, is serving the second term in that capacity. This year he is a member of the Committee on Ordinances. He took an active part in the contest concerning the water- works, and strenuously opposed the projected scheme on account of the insufficient nature of the contract oflered by the railroad compan3'. ' Leiois H. Ley. foreman in the boiler department in the round- house at Elkhart. Ind., was born in Lebanon county, Pa., March HI6T0KY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 841 15, 1S39, and is a son of John and Maiy Ley. In 1852 he went to Monroe county, Mich.; he learned the blacksmith's trade at AVhite- ford, that count}', and in lS(i2 went to Adrian and engaged in boiler- making for the L. S. & M. S. E. 11. Co. He continued at this till 1863, then shoved off to Nashville, Tenn., and pursued the same craft in the employ of tlie Government till the close of the war, then returned to Adrian, Mich., and resumed the same vocation. In 1871 lie removed to Elkhart and followed the same business for the same company. In 1873 he was appointed foreman of the boiler department, which charge he still retains. He was married Oct. 24, 1866, to Miss Ann E. Downing, a native of Liverpool, England. She was born April 16, 1841, and in 1852 came to America with her parents, James and Jane Downing. They have had 2 children, viz.: Minnie J. and Starr D. Mr. Ley is a Sir Knight of the Masonic order. He has taken 13 degrees, and was a participant in the Sir Knights' Triennial Conclave at Chicago, Aug. 26, 1880. Mrs. L. is a member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Ley's grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionar}', war. John Lindennan, son of Christian Linderman, was born in Elk- hart county in July, 18 — . His father came from Germany about 50 j'eai's ago, and is now 80 years of age, and still living in Baugo tp. John remained on his father's farm till he was past 20, when he began to learn the blacksmith's trade in Elkhart, his employers being Landin ct VanSickle. After three years he began business for himself on Main street. About this time he was married to Miss Harriet Melissa Dodge, daughter of J. C. Dodge, Elkhart. Mr. Linderman has conducted the blacksmith and carriage-making business almost constantly since he first opened a shop for himself. He is located nearly opposite the Eagle Knitting Works, High street. He is a member of the Odd Fellows' order, and belongs to the Encampment. Human Little, of the firm of Little & Forward, iron founders, Elkhart, was born in Orleans county, Vt., where he remained till he was 16 years of age. He was the son of James and Rosetta (Knight) Little. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was captured by the British, but was released by the re- nowned Ethan Allen. Mr. Little had a dubious experience when he was a boy, and early learned that the world has a cold and un- friendl}- side. Thrown on his own resources when a mere lad, he drifted about Vermont, and through uncharitable and harsh treat- ment acquired a profound dislike for the jieoplc of his native State. "When he was 16 years of age he resolved to go West, and started with but 50 cents in his pocket. He first went to Whitehall, and took the tow-path of the Champlain canal for Troy. As he was trudging along he was hailed by a boatman on a passing canal packet, who asked him to ride. He replied that he had no money. The boatman told him to come aboard, and he did so, and was treated in a generous manner all the way to Troy. Mr. Little said this boatman was the first Christian he had found in his life. 8i2 HISTORY OF ELKHART COCNTT. Reaching Albany lie started along the tow-patli of tlie Erie canal, and soon hired out as a teamster for $10 a month. Tluis he worked his passage to Buffiilo, and liad money left when he arrived. From Buffalo he took steamer for Detroit, Micii., and eventually reached Marshall, where the first job he secured was one of husking corn. He finally found employment in a foundry, and remained in Marshall a year, when he. went to Detroit. Once in ins Michigan experience he made a trip from Detroit to Ann Arbor witli bare feet, a distance of -±0 miles, which he walked in one day. He was ayoutli of rare pluck and endurance, and feared nothing so much as his whilom persecutors in Yermont. He would encounter any- thing in the Western vvilds rather than go back to them. In 1843 he went to Misliawaka, Ind., where he was employed in a foundrv. Afterward he went to Soutli Bend, where he remained eight years, and then spent. some time in Mishawaka again. At both these places he was employed in the foundry business. In 1864 lie set- tled in Elkhart, entering a foundry. He bought an interest in a foundry, and continued to develop the enterprise until the large iron works of Little & Forward were established. This foundry is the onl\' industry of the kind, with the exception of the railroad shops, in the city of Elkhart. Mr. Little is eminently a self-made man, having had next to no early schooling, and making every step of his wa}' over great difficulties and against disheartening odds. Ahmham Livengood, deceased, was born in Somerset county. Fa., Jan. 14. 1806. He is a son of Peter and Barbara Livengood. At the age of nine years, he went with his parents to Darke county, O. ; there he was reared to manhood; his education, which was limited, was attained in the common district schools. In 1828 he came to this county, settling near P>lkhart; soon afterward he en- tered the homestead that his family now occupies; being a lover of fruit he planted apple seeds, and by and by he had a very admirable orchard, yielding abundant crops of fruit, which were exceeding great luxuries in those early days. Elkhart city was " nowhere ; " then only one small, rude log cabin marked the place. To the widow it seems as if the city had sprung up by magic. Then the Indian light birch canoe sliot down the river like a bird upon the wind. But few white settlers Iiad effected settlements. Mr. Livengood married April 27, 1826, Catharine Noffsinger, and had 7 children, 5 of whom are living, viz.: Isaac, Christopher, Ira, Ann and Joseph. Mrs. L. died Sept. 21, 1841, and Mr. L. again mar- ried Nov. 6, 1842, Mary Whitting, by whom he had 13 children; the following are the "the names of the living : Charles E., Wm. F., Ellen, Kebecca and Alma, Albert, Frederick, Martha, and Edith. Mr. Livengood was a man of serious convictions, and was a lover of society. He aided in organizing the U. B. Society, wliose church is located near the old homestead. This church was built principally by himself. He endeavored to the utmost of his ability to establish a religious society that would re- .Jt HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 845 main after his departure, and in this he was not disappointed. His house was the home for the preaclier and for the orpiian. He lived to a good old age. His death occurred July 7, 1S71», in his 74th year. He was a cordial supporter of the doctrines of Republican- ism, yet not radical. In few words, he was a very estimable neigh- bor and citizen. John Lusher. — This enterprising merchant is a native of Switzer- land, and was born in November, 1840. His parents were John and Mary Lusher, also natives of Switzerland, who emigrated to Clyde, Ohio, in 1850. Our subject there clerked three years for B. K. Bacon & Co. He came to LaPorte, Ind., in 1860, where he worked in the railroad shops for 10 years He then went to Salem Cross- ing, a few miles west of LaPorte, and engaged in the mercantile business nearly two years in the same building that Snyder now oc- cupies. He came to Elkhart in 1873, and purchased the grocery store of Simon Stetney, which he continued and increased the capital. He added crockery and glassware to his business in 1875, and in the spring of 1876 added boots and shoes, and in the fall of the same'year, added dry goods and carpets. He employs four clerks besides himself and wife, and does a business of $50,000 annnally. He was married iirst in 1S59 to Miss Cynthia Garland, by whom he had 6 children; of these, 5 are living, viz.: Sarah, Mary, Emma, John and Charles. Mr. Lusher married a second wife in 187* in the person of Miss Rhoda Herrold, a native of Athens county, O., and a daughter of David Herrold, who came to Indiana several years ago. Mr. L. is a worthy member of the Lutheran Cliurch. John S. Maloon was born in New Ilampshire Oct. 27, 1S27. and is a son of Waldo and Abigail Maloon, also natives of New Hamp- shire. He was brought up on a farm and educated in the conimon school. Mr. Maloon engaged in farming fur the most part until 1867, when he emigrated to Omaha, Neb. In 1871 he returned as far as Elkhart. He soon went back to Nebraska and located at Grand Island, where he remained for eight months. He has worked in the railroad shops of the L. S. & M. S. Co., for eight years, as locomotive carpenter. He was married in 1850 to Miss Tamar H. Webber, a native of Woodbur3% Vt., who was born Nov. 26, 1830, a daughter of John C. Webber. They have had 5 children, viz. : Abbie and Charles, living; and Daniel, Sarah and John, deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Maloon have been connected with Baptist Churches for 26 years, and Mr. M. is at present one of the Deacons of the Elk- hart Baptist Church. Benj. 0. Manchester, of the firm of Kinzy & Manchester, grocers, was born in Mahoning Co., Ohio, Nov. 11, 1846. He was the son of Isaac and Eleanor (Wilson) Manchester. His father was a farmer. Benjamin began to attend school at four years of age, and pursued his studies 14 years, never missing a day during the terms of school. He attended the Mahoning Academy for five years. His parents designed to give him a legal education, and all his tuition bad that end in view. When the family removed to the 846 HISTOKY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. West in 1864, and Benjamin was 18 vears of age, bis design toward the legal profession was frustrated. After his arrival in the West he taught school for six terms. At 20 years of age he was married to Miss Mary Fisher, of St. Joseph county, and farmed one year thereafter. In 1870 he moved to Elkhart, and was employed as a clerk in the summer and taught school in the winter. He was principal of the fourth-ward school one year, and of the fifth-ward school for three years. He resigned the latter position in February', 1879, in order to go into business with Mr. Kinzy. He was elected Councilman from the fifth ward in 1876, and was re-elected in 1877. In May, 1880, he was elected City Clerk, holding that office at the present time. When he was teaching he studied law during the evenings with Judge Evarts, and was admitted to the Bar in 1878, more for his own gratifica- tion at having accomplished the original design of his life than with the object of practicing law, as he himself confesses. He has been in business since February, 1879. and has achieved great success. His firm carries about $2,500 worth of goods, and does a business amounting to S25,000 a year. Tliey have a bakery in connection with their store. Mr. Manchester belongs to the Evangelical Asso- ciation, of which he is an active member. He is a member of the order of Chosen Friends, and was manager of the finances of the lodge in Elkhart for some time. He was also once a member of the'order of United Workmen. He has a family of 3 children, Philip Earle, Joseph Melvin and Etta Belle. Philip E. is 12 years of age, and is a student in the high school. Thomas M"rr, proprietor Clifton House. Elkhart; was born in the town of Milton, Xorthumberland Co.. Fa., Oct. 22, 1840, and is a son of William Marr. deceased, who removed with his family to La Porte county, Ind., in 1S45, settling on Stilwell Prairie. Our subject knows all about clearmg land, and all other hard farm work, for "his father owned a tract of ^timbered land. At the sound tf the war drum, in 1861, he stepped forward to assist Uncle Sam, and enlisted in Company C, 29th Ind. Vol. Inf He was afterward pro- moted to the oflice of First Lieutenant, Co. E, of the same regiment, which position he held until the close of the war. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Liberty Gap. Dalton and others, sixteen in all. He had three horses shot dead from nnder him, and he himself escaped unhurt. After the war closed he engaged in farming for five years, and has since run liv- ery business in^Atlanta, Georgia, La Porte, Ind.. and Chicago. At Chicago he built the Dexter Park stables by the Union Stock Yards. In Julv, 1880, he came to Elkhart and took charge of the Clifton House and is doing a large business. Jonathan B. Mather was born in Orange couutv, N. Y., May 25,1821. He is a son of Jonathan Mather,"a descendant of Increase Mather, who was a brother of Rev. Cotton Mather, of Massachu- setts, wliose fame was spread throughout the world about the year 1630. The maiden name of the mother of the subject of this sketch HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 847 was Anna Bishop. He was reared on a farm and received no other educational advantages save those furnished by the common schools. He came to this county in 18.59, and pnrciiased the Bron- son farm of 160 acres, two miles east of Elkhart, for $8,000, and in 1S65 sold the same farm for $16,000. He then bouj^ht -15 acres near the corporation of EJKhart) on the west side, and donated six acres of this to the L. S. i.^ M. S. R. R., on which to erect their extensive shops. He has been interested in three additions to Elkhart, one of which he made wholly himself He now resides in a magniticeut brick dwelling on tiie south side, on lot No. 1, Pleasant Point ad- dition. Mr. Mather was married Jan. 13, 1849. to Miss Jane Swartwout, by whom he has liad 4 children, 3 of whom are living, viz.: Sarah J., James S. and Carrie N. The name of the deceased was John C. Mr. and Mrs. Mather and all their children are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. Strafford Maxon was born in Wyoming county (formerly Gen- esee), N. Y. He was tlie son of Jolm and Lydia (Sweet) Maxon They resided on a farm in New York, and emigrated to Elkharf Indiana, settling on a farm above the city, now occupied by Mr' flalsted. He was eight years old when the family came to Indiana- When he was IS years of age he went to California, and re-, mained in the Golden State three years, saving while there $1,000 a year by his industry. He returned to the Eist with $4,000, and embarked in the mei'cantile business in Elkhart with this snug capital, which he continued for about 10 years. He then began the business of a wood- worker, and ran a planing- mill on the site of the Elkhart Iron Works. He sold that establishment in 1858, bought his present site, Elkhart avenue, and built his present mill thereon. He has continued the wood-working business there ever since. He manufactures sash, blinds, doors, brackets, window frames, sidings, flooring, moldings, etc. He has for some time been associated with P. J. Parmater, and besides their planing and wood-working mill, they carry on an extensive lumber yard on Jackson street. Mr. Maxon was married in 1854 to Miss Mary A. Stillman. They have 3 children. He was a member of the Elkhart City Council for some time, and City Treasurer, and served several years as a member of the Board of Education, holding that position at the present time. In that capacity he has done much for the cause of education in Elkhart, taking a leading part in the perfection of its present school system. He is a member of the Masonic order, and is a Rejiublican in politics. II. MoL<(chlan., proprietor of the Elkhart Harness Works, was born in York county, Canada, Nov. 15, 1842, and was the son of Hugh McLachlan. He began to learn the harness-maker's trade when he was 18 years old, at Holland, Wellington county, Canada. He at length emigrated to Michigan, and settled at Hillsdale, where he married Miss Vibillia Becket. He remained there two years, and removed to Elkhart in 1866. Here he ventured in the harness business, which he followed till 1869, when he engaged in the same 848 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. business with David Slear; afterward lie was in business alone; and Oct. 20, 1875. formed a partnership with A. Eraerj, that gentleman retiring Oct. 20, 1877. Since that date Mr. McLachlan has continued business on his own account. He manufactures his own goods, and sells at wholesale and retail. He carries a stock valued at §5,000 to $6,000, and has a first-class harness establish- ment in every respect. His marital relation has given him 2 chil- dren, Hugh and Elizabeth. Mr. McLachlan is a member of the Masonic order, and a treasurer in Kane Lodge, and a member of the Chapter. WilUam M. McMillan, of the firm of E. Lacy & Co., meat market, Elkhart, was born in Centerville, St. Joseph county, Mich., June 8, 1853, and is a son of Ithuriel McMillan, who was brought by his parents from Ohio to Centerville in a very early day. He says they went 42 miles to mill. Wm. M. came to p]lkhartin 1870, and has been engaged in butchering ever since, except 20 months, which time he spent in the employ of the L. S. & M. S. Railroad Company. He was married in April, 1880, to Miss Martha Dunn. Jacob Metsger, deceased, was a native of Germany, and was born Oct. 25, 1813. He crossed the wide Atlantic to the " free soil" of America in 1834, and settled for the first and only time in this county, where he remained through life. He vvas married Oct. 2, 1843, to Mary A. Robinson, and had 8 children, via.: Catharine (now Mrs. Abraham Luke), S. A. (now Mrs. Albert Milton), John, Mary A. (now Mrs. Jacob Leedy), Jacob, Rosella (now Mrs. Frederick Mast), William P. and Lillie Bell. In 1850 he started with his family for the " gold mines" of California, and after a long and toilsome journey across the -'sandy plains" they reached their destination; they remained there about three years, then returned, coming by the Isthmus. He died Dec. 9, 187l>, at the advanced age of"66 years. He was a consistent member of the German -Bap- tist Church for several years. He left to his ftimily a farm of 178 acres, in sec. 24, worth $60 per acre, with pleasant surroundings. A portrait of Mr. Metzger is given in this book. E . D. Miller, merchant of northeast Elkhart, was born at Selin's Grove. Pa., Feb. 17, 1855. He was the son of Isaac and Rosetta (Lenhart) Miller. He remained at home till he was 17 years of age, when he began to learn the machinist's trade in the city of Harrisburg, where he remained till he was 20. At that age the spirit of adventure seized him, and together with Mr. Charley Camp, a young lawyer, he embarked in the sale of chromos, trav- eling in that business throughout several of the Eastern and "Western States and the Canadas. They made a wholesale business of it, and when they stopped in town, would employ a number of lads to canvass the place, remaining themselves at the hotel to direct the business. In this way they would sometimes make as much as $50 a day. At last Mr. Miller reached Elkhart, where he concluded to settle down. At first he was employed with Fish & Camp, in the insurance business, and remained with them one HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTS'. 849 year. He then went into the office of M. F. & C. F. Shuey, and worked at insurance, and studied law, and also handled financial matters to some extent for F. A. Mussey. In 1879 he bought out a general stock of groceries, etc., in northeast Elkhart, and has continued business there ever since. He has the only store in that part of the city, and is doing a thriving business. On July 22, ISSO. he was married to Miss Maria Knevels, who was a teacher in the Elkhart high school. Mr. Miller is yet a young man, has made good progress in the business of life, and has a prosperous future to hope for. Frederick W. Miller, the Postmaster of Elkhart, is a native of Cass connty, Mich; was born Feb. 13, 1837. His parents were Frederick W. and JBelinda (Colby) Miller, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of New York. They came to Michi- gan in 1835, when the country was wild, and settlers few. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm, and educated at Hills- dale (Mich.) College. He located in Elkhart in 1^66, and engaged in the drug business until 1874. He was appointed Postmaster in 1875, by President Grant, and re-commissioned by President Hayes. He filled the office of City Treasurer of Elkhart for two terms to the entire satisfaction of his many constituents. In 1869, he was united in marriage with Miss Helen Bird, by whom he has 1 child, Frank B. Mrs. Miller is a worthy member of the Pres- byterian 'Church. Daniel Mifchel is a native of Snyder county. Pa., and was born Sept. 6, 1818. His parents. John and Sarah Mitchel, were also natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Mitchel was reared on a farm and in a blacksmith shop. His father was a blacksmith by trade, and at an early age he became quite expert in wielding the sledge and hammer; education limited; came to this county in 1845; followed his trade here for a number of years, but his attention was directed principally to farming. In August, 1S37, he married Hannah Aurand, by whom he had 6 children; 5 of these are living, viz.: Joim, Jesse, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Henry Shutley), Henry J. and "Wm. W. John and Martin L. were both soldiers in the late war. The latter fought in the battle at Chattanooga, where he received tlie fatal shot, and soon after expired on the scene of action; thus "met death on the battle-field" in the defense of his country. In politics Mr. Mitchel votes the way for which his son shot, bled and died. Enos M. Myers was born in Ashland county, Ohio, Jan. 4, 1852, and is a son of Andrew and Mary Myers, natives of Penn- sylvania. He was brought np on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came with his parents to this county in 1855. They resided, however, for 12 years in Cass county, Mich., and in 1876 he removed to Elkhart. He kept dairy tor two years, when he engaged in the butchering business. He has a large and steadily increasing trade. Ills shop is situated on Harrison street. Sept. 7, 1876. he married Miss Elizabeth Patrick, by whom he has 1 850 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. child, Jessie. Mr. Myers is a member of I. O. O. F., and Mrs. Myers is a worthy member of tlie United Brethren Church. Jonas H. Myers, a leading agriculturist of this county, was born in Montgomery county, May 26, 1824; six years later his parents, Joseph and Mary C. Myers, located in Preble county, where the subject of the sketch received his preliminary education, remaining until his 16tii year, when his attention was attracted to the fertility and resources of Indiana, by glowing accounts from tliose conversant with the facts, and hither he directed his foot- steps; and after the usual trip made in the usual manner of pio- oneer days, he settled in Concord tp., near the present flourishing city of Elkhart; one year later finds him hard at work as an ap- prentice to a blacksmith, having a small shop at Goshen, and trans- acting a comparatively light business in general blacksmithing, repairing and horse-shoeing; after a service of some 18 months in this vigorous field of action he departed for Elkhart, where he continued in the same vocation for about two years; thence in 1845 he went to Vermont, Fulton county, 111., thence to EUisville, same county, the year following, where he worked as a journeyman until the war with Mexico; in the interim he made a visit to Nauvoo, Hancock county, 111., where he had the pleasure of looking upon the great Mormon temple, and listening to a ser- mon from that distinguished apostle, the late Brigham Young; after a brief visit to the spot made memora'ble by Mormon settle- ment, lie proceeded to Lewistown, where he enlisted in the United States service, for the suppression of the uprising in the Mexican frontier, a member of Co. K, 4th 111. Vol. Iiif ; he served under the noted commanders Gen. Winiield Scott, the gallant Col. E. D. Baker and Capt. L. W. Ross; he remained in the service one year, and participated in many of the well-known battles of the war, as Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, etc., for three months, in commou with other soldiers appointed for this purpose. He did excellent duty as a hospital nurse at Jalapa Hospital for a period. Shortly after the expiration of hospital service, he was honorably discharged, and returning to his peaceful pursuits of private life, he resumed at Elkhart his old-time occupation, until the acquirement of suf- ficient means wherewith to enter into business, when he settled at Monmouth, HI., where he formed a copartnership in the drug trade with his brother. Dr. John "W. Myers. However, it would ap- pear that Elkhart was a center of attraction, for at the end of a year's experience in compounding prescriptions for suffering hu- manity, we find him once more a resident of Elkhart, where he opened out as a cabinet-maker and dealer in clothing. Like many energetic business men, Mr. Myers was somewhat migratory in his business relations, for shortly afterward he severed his business connections in this commercial branch and settled upon a farm south of this city, where he resides at the present writing, owning 216 acres of land. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 851 Feb. 22, 1824, he was united in marriage with Isabella Sandt'ord, who was born April 22, 1835, in New York; to whom were born 7 children; of these 6 are living, viz.: Robert, "William, Lonisa, Jacob E.. Anna and Catharine. At the age of 22 Mr, Myers became a teacher of a district school in this tp., familiarly called the "Mock school-honse." This was the first school-house built in this district, and this school was also the first school taught in this district. In going west Mr. M. made the trip by steamer on the St. Joe river from Niles to St. Joseph, and thence across Lake Michigan by steamer. This was the only mode of conveyance at this early day save the stage-coach, the inseparable harbinger of advancing civilization. Arriving at Chicago, the " Garden City" of the day, he sojourned for a short time at the old "Lake House," so graphi- cally described in the pioneer history of the " City by the Lakes." From the great future metropolis, boasting but a few thousand in- habitants and a few awkwardly constructed dwellings, he made a laborious journey by stage and wagon conveyance, to •V'ermont, 111., via Joliet and Peoria, then the principal cities of the now noted "Praii-ie State." But little more remains to be told beyond the fact that Mr. Myers is a man of the people, reared amid pioneer influences. He received little or no aid whatever in a financial point of view, and his subsequent successful business and agricultural career were founded upon the simple yet worthj' rule of economy, in force among sturdy inhabitants, who were sterling actors amid the scenes of early "Western life. Mr. Myers' portrait, from a photograph taken this year (1880), is given in tliis volume. William A. Neal. M. D., was bornj^in Elkhart Jan. 29, 1836. His father. Henry Neal, still residing in Elkhart, is one of the pioneers of the count3^ Our subject is the oldest native of this city now residing here. He graduated at Eush Medical College in Chicago, in 1857. He located in New London, Iowa, the same year, where he practiced until 1861, when lie entered the army as Assistant Surgeon in the 1st Missouri Engineer Corps. He had charge of. Post Hospital at Johnson, Tenn., during the summer of '64, and was with Sherman on his noted march to the sea. In the fall of 1865 he located in the town of Dayton, Berrien Co., Midi., where he practiced medicine for 14 years. In 1879 he located again in his native town, and is building up a good practice. He was married May 20, 1857, to Miss Elizabeth J., daughter of Rev. E. H. Lamb, deceased and they have had 4 children, 3 living, Eva, "William H. and Harry. Tiie deceased's name was Frank. James Newman was born in Luzerne county. Pa., Aug. 7, 1827, and is a son of John and Anna Newman, also natives of Pennsyl- vania. His parents removed to Ohio when he was but five years old. He was there brought up on a farm, and educated in the common school in the town of Clyde. After he obtained his 852 HIETOEY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. majority he worked on a farm several years. In 1855, when per- forming his duty as Deputy Sheriff, in attempting to arrest a ruffian, he was stabbed in the neck, which came near ending his days, and which crippled him for life. He came to the vicinity of Coldwater, Mich., in 1863, and to Elkhart county in 1865. He farmed until 1870, when he engaged in the livery business in Elk- hart, which he still follows, and has a good patronage. He was married in June. 1854, to Miss Adelma Stone, by whom he has had 12 children; of these, 9 are living, viz. : Charles, Fred, Emma, Adelma, Jay, Dewey, Ernest, Arthur and Maud. John J. Newman, a pioneer paper-manufacturer of the "West, was born in Brown county, Ohio, in 1826. He was the son of Joseph and Kancy (Jolley) JS^ewman. His family resided on a farm about five miles from Georgetown, Ohio; his father died when Mr. Kewman was nine years of age. When he was 12 he went to Cin- cinnati with his mother, and was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade. He worked as a carpenter nine ^-ears, after which he began business for liimself, and continued it till 1850; he then removed to Middletowc, Ohio, where he engaged in millwrighting, contract- ing, papei'-making and other business, by which he made con- siderable money, but met with some misfortune. About six years ago he came to Elkhart for the ])urpose of building a writing-paper mill for Erwin & Upp. and remained there as millwright some time after it was completed. He built the Cook & Beardsley mill, superintended the building of the tissue-paper mil], and the com- bination-board mill, and placed the machinery in the straw-board mill. This latter establishment he is now managing. He has done probably more than any other man in Elkhart toward the practical work of establishing the important paper-mill interest here. Mr. Newman was married in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Miss Elizabeth Devall. They have 3 living children, 2 of whom are married; one residing in Middletown, Ohio, and the other in Elkhart, the latter being foreman of the box factory here. The youngest is at home. Mr. Newman was once quite active in the politics of Ohio. He was delegate to the State convention that nominated John Brough for Governor of Ohio, in opposition to Yallandigham, and participated heartily in that memorable campaign. He was a mem- ber of the City Council of Middletown, Ohio, four years, and was solicited to stand as a candidate for Councilman of Elkhart, but de- clined. At Middletown he was Chief of the Fire Department for several years. Mr. Newman is a Eepublican in politics, having adhered to that party since its formation. Thomas Oliver, grocer. Main street, is a native of Scotland, and came to America with his parents in 1840. They landed in New York and came West to Mishawaka, this State. Thomas was then only two years old. When he was quite young his father died. During boyhood he was obliged to labor arduously for his support, and at 21 he was out of employment. In 1862 he enlisted in the army, going out with a Kansas regiment. He had resided in HISTORY OF ELKHART COrNTT. 853 Missouri since 1859, and the ja3'hawlcers had given him a Union sentiment. He spent three years in the army and was most of the time west of the Mississippi. Wlien he left the service he returned to Mishawaka, and iu 1S70 went to Watseka, IlL, and engaged in the liard ware and agricultural implement trade. After three and a half years in this business he sold out, and in April, 1875, em- barked in the grocery trade, and has since continued this business. He is a Mason, and has passed through all the chairs in the Odd Fellows order. He is a representative grocer in Elkhart. Benjamin Page was born in Union county, Pa., Aug. 3, 1835, and is a son of Abram and Mary M. Page, who were natives of Penn- sylvania. His early life was passed on a farm, and he was educated iu a common school. In 1855 his father and family moved to Berrien county, Mich., and in 18G0 to St. Joseph county. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Page and his family came to this county. He was married Aug. 25, 1860, to Susan Scott, and they have had 3 children, viz.: Mariett, LiUie and George R. Mr. Page's grandfather (Page) participated in the achievements for our national independence. He owns a farm of 172 acres, one mile south of Elkhart. He has been a member of the Masonic order for 10 years, and a Democrat all his life. Stephen ParTcer, mechanic, was born in the province of Lower Canada, district of Montreal, county of Sheftord, township of Stukeley, June 11, 1822, the son of Nathaniel Parker, who emi- grated from Brattleboro, Vt., in 1800, with his father, Capt. Caleb Parkei-, of Revolutionary fame, who was a descendant of Thomas Parker, a native of England, who came over to this country about 1634: in the ship '■ Susan and Ellen," settling first at Lynn, Mass., and afterward at Reading. Stephen's mother's maiden name was Persis Stone, daughter of Purchase Stone, Esq., of Wayland, Mass., whose ancestry came from Ireland about 1645, as nearly as can be learned, and settled in the vicinity of Wayland. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Canada, and brought up on a farm; wheu he was 15 years of age he enlisted in the war of the " Papineau Rebellion," under Capt. Shepard Parker, his uncle, but his father was unwilling to spare him, as he had two other sons already in that war; at 21 he left home and worked at manufacturing matches two years; 181:5-'7 he worked on a farm in Massachusetts, and then one year at carpentering and in a factory; during the season of 1848 he worked for his father, in Canada, then bought a farm and followed agriculture on his own account. March 12, 1851, he married Miss Mary Jane, a native of Canada and daughter of Gorham Page, Esq., who was taken to that coun- try at the age of four years by his father, settling in the township of Bolton; Mrs. Parker's mother was the first white female child born in Stanstead tp., Can. In the spring of 1853 Mr. P. sold out in Canada and removed to St. Johnsbury, Vt., where he worked at the manufacturing of threshing-machines three years, when he rented a part of the factory and commenced business for himself; at HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. the end of a year he sold out and worked in the locomotive and repair shops of the Conn. & Passussmasick Rivers E. R. Co. until 1858, when he returned to Canada and engaged in the manufacture of carriages and wagons until 1867, when he again sold out and came to Elkhart, arriving Feb. 15, 1868, since which date he has spent the most of his time in carriage and wagon work; was about five years in the employ of Allen & Worrey, Smith & Myers, and Ball & Sage, serving as superintendent for all these companies in the same wagon- works. He is now employed on the general wood-works in the locomotive department of the L. S. & M. S. R. R. shops in Elkhart. In the winter of 1849, Mr. Parker was a charter member of the Sons of Temperance of the Alpine Division, No. 67, in Chester, Mass.; was charter member of Beaver Lodge, I. O. G. T., in 1863, in Magog Province, Canada; in the spring of 1874 he was elected a member of the City Council of Elkhart on the Temperance Repub- lican ticket, and served one term. In the fall of 1875 he united with the M. E. Church and was soon afterward appointed Steward; in the spring of 1877 was appointed Class-leader, by Rev. F. T. Simpson, then preacher in charge. Ph'ilo J. Parmcder, of the firm of Maxon & Parmater, lumber- dealers and wood-workers, was born in Niagara county, N. Y., March 15, 1833. He was the son of Aaron and Louisa (Winegar) Parmater. The family, when Philo was a small boy, removed to Michigan, settling on a farm in Farraington, Oakland county, which they improved from its state of primeval forest land. They remained there till 1845, when they took up their residence in Ypsilanti. After five years Mr. Parmater came to Elkhart, and remained here till his departure ibr California, which occurred in 1853. He made the journey overland, aTid engaged in mining in Colorado county. He remained in California 15 years, and returned in 1867 with considerable capital in his possession. He has spent his time in Elkhart nearly ever since. He went into the wood- working and lumber business with Mr. Maxon some time since, and holds that business relation at the present time. He was married some years ago to Miss Ellen Schutt, daughter of J. V. O. Schutt. Erastus A. Perkins, farmer, sec. 15; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Lower Canada Oct. 8, 1818. His parents were David and Judah Perkins, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of New Hampshire. In 1833 the subject of this sketch went to Vermont, and in 1852 came to this county. He was married Nov. 24, 1842, to Nancy A. Wadley, by whom he had 5 children; of these onl}' 1 is living, Emma G. She is a graduate of Oberlin (O.) College; she is also a telegraph operator, and operated on the L. S. & M. S. railroad for about two years, and on the Grand Trunk railroad for six months. Some time ago she spent two years in California. Mr. Perkins is a farmer by occupation; he owns a farm of 124 acres one-half of a mile south of Elkhart, worth $110 per acre. HISTOKT OF ELKflAET COUNTY. 855 Henry and James PhilJiher, of the coopering firm of Philliber Bros., were born in Freeport, Armstrong Co., Pa., the former March 6, 18i3, and the latter Oct. 13, 1841. The family removed to Davenport, Iowa, in 1855. Their father being a cooper, the sons learned tlie trade at an early age. In 1857 they all came to Niles, Mich., where the fatlier established a coopering business, his sons continuing to work with him. In 1863 James enlisted in the United States navy, and Henry, in 1864, enlisted in the Board of Trade battery. During his 13 months of service in the Tennessee fleet James was commissioned as Master's Mate. Henry served his country IS months, and was in the a.vmj of the Cumberland during the battles around Chattanooga. After spending several years as journeymen coopers, the brothers embarked in the business on their own account, in Elkhart, an enterprise which they have prosecuted since with constantly increasing success. Since their establishment here they have erected a large building and attachments on Water street, and are now prosecuting an extensive business. They own the land on which the factory and Henry Philliber's residence stands. They are the principal coopers in Elkhart, and furnish all the bar- rels used by the Sage Bros, and by the Voisinets. They are now making over 40,000 barrels a year, and have a capacity for 80,000 per annum. Only Henry Philliber is married. His matrimonial alliance was made with Miss Carrie Shelden, Sept. 7, 1863. Tliey have 5 children. Franh M. Primley was born in Elkhart Nov. 9, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Sarah Primley, who came to this county about 1845. Mr. Primley was brought up and educated in Elkhart. At the age of 18 he learned tlie tinner's trade, which he followed until 1873, when he opened a hardware store on Main street. He still runs the hardware business with success, and also has a tin-shop in connection with it. Me is a jolly old bachelor. JuGoh Prirnhy, deceased, was born in Pennsylvania May 18, 1814; was reared on a farm, and for several years after he was grown he followed tlie vocation of a farmer. He then went to Louisville, Ky.. and learned the cabinet-making trade. About 1840 he went to Mercer county, Ohio, where lie married Miss Sarah Hitchmer, a native of Warren county, O. They had 10 children, of whom 6 are living: Franklin M., Amanda E., "Jonathan P., Hamil- ton, Worthington and Sherman. He came to Elkhart in 1845, and worked at his trade for several years, when he engaged in the gro- cery business some time, and afterward engaged in the sale of dry goods for a period. He died May 16, 1875, a good, moral man. Jonathan P. Pr/mley. dvnggist, was born inElhartin Dec, 1862. His father was Jacob Primley, who settled in Elkhart at an early day, and began his career here as a cabinet-maker, and finally be- came a dry-goods merchant. He reared a family of 4 sons and 1 daughter, all of whom still reside in Elkhart. The elder Primley died in 1875. The subject of this sketch attended the schools of Elkhart and began his business life as clerk for C. E. Potts & Co., 856 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. Eichmond, Ind. He remained with them two years and a half, when he returned to Elkhart and was emploj'ed as clerk in the drugstore of Joseph Rollin. He afterward was a clerk in the store of H. C. Dodge. He then bought Mr. Rollin's drug store, whicli was located in a fine brick building on Main street, near the depot, where he has carried on the drug business till the present time, He has one of the best locations, and the finest-appointed, welt stocked drug stores in Elkhart, and is doing a lucrative business. He was married in 1879 to Miss Phoebe Simonton, of Elkhart. Mr. Primley is still a young man, and his present leading position among the business men of Elkhart is an example of what energy, industry and correct business habits can accomplish, and ranks him among the representative men of Elkhart city and county. Proctor. — The Proctor family of Elkhart is one of the most prominent in this county. They are noted for their longevity. John Proctor, father of the well-known business man and capitalist, William Proctor, was born in 1791, and is consequently 89 years of age; yet he is still quite vigorous, and can talk fluently of the early times when the nation was yet in its youth. Mr. Proctor's father came from England at a very early day. His son thinks he was brought over when a boy, and his labor sold to a Vii'ginian for the purpose of replacing his passage money. The boy's lather and mother were dead before he left England. He was bound out as an apprentice to a shoemaker in some town near Norfolk, Va. He grew to be a man and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and was in many of the battles throughout the seven years' contest. He was at the battle of Stony Point, under Gen. Wayne; and was at the siege of Yorktown. After the war closed he traveled over the Alle- ghany mountains and Blue Ridge chain to West Virginia, and began life as a farmer, locating on the Kanawha river. In process of time he engaged in milling, and constructed boats, and in coopering, and shipped the product down the river to market. He continued to run the mills after John had reached his majority, and then John man- aged the mills, while his father worked the farm. John also worked at coopering, and boated on the Kanawha. He speaks of the great amount of game that abounded in that country in the early days, such as elk, deer and wild turkeys. The employment of the peo- ple was largely fishing and hunting. He attended school in a log cabin, with slab stools-or benches. It was amid such primitive and uncouth surroundings that Wasiiington, Madison, Jeflerson, and Randolph rose to the eminence of the greatest of our earlier statesmen; and contending with such circumstances, gave endur- ance and energy to such pioneers as Mr. Proctor. The teachers of schools in that day and section were generally soldiers crippled in the Revolutionary war, who were thus pensioned on the subscrip- tion of the people. There were iiere and there planters of consid- erable importance, who lived in better style than the majority, and had slaves to perform their labor and home service. Mr. Proctor's mother's family were natives of Virginia, and her maiden name HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 857 was Elizabeth Huddleson. John was married in 1812 to Miss Eebecca Spangler, a lady of German descent. In 1816 he resolved to go to Indiana. Being a boatman, he determined to make the voyage toward his future home in a dng-out. Accordingly he pro- cured a large tree trunk, fashioned his primitive transport, placed his family, his household goods and " gods" therein, and embarked on the gliding Kanawha. Floating down that stream and out upon the Ohio, the voyaging family at length reached Cincinnati. From that city they made the journey to Brookville, Franklin county, Ind., by wagon. As soon as he could get settled he began to work at coopering, blacksmithing, and carpentering, and labored hard at various employments for a dollar per day. As time passed he bought 80 acres of land in Ilandolph county (then Wayne). Buy- ing at second liand he had to pay $4 an acre instead of the Govern- ment price. His farm was on the boundary of the Indian lands, and Mr. Proctor gives tliem tiie honorable name of excellent neighbors and honest men, living in tiie garden of Eden, without a care, and unburdened by the labor and exigencies of civilized life, and un- tainted by its sophistries and fictions and dishonesties. He now asserts with earnestness that he had rather have one of those In- dians than 20 Christians; that money by the bagful was perfectly safe in their hands, and lost property of any kind once found by them would be faithfully restored. They, without charge, assisted him to erect his first cabin. Eventually Mr. Proctor sold his original farm, and bought land in Henry county, which he after- ward traded for a mill on Buck creek. This brings us to the time when William Proctor was quite a lad. He was born in Randolph county in 1822. When he was four years old he removed w'ith his parents to Henry county, and remained there till 1835, when the family came to Elkhart county. He lived upon the farm till he was 20, when he went to La Porte county and engaged in saw-milling, carpentering and farming till fall. The following winter he taught school eight miles south of Goshen. After his three months' term closed he began a course of study at Ontario Seminary, Lagrange county, and remained there nearly three j-ears, working on farms during haying and harvesting. Pie spent the winter of 1846 in Texas. In the spring he returned to Indiana and bought 120 acres of land on St. Joseph river. He cleared 100 acres, built a barn, and in 1849 was married to Miss Frances Downing, daughter of Col. Downing. In the spring of 1850 Mr. Proctor went across the plains to Cali- fornia, driving a team. He remained there till the fall of 1851, mining and trading the while. When he returned he resumed life on his farm, and occupied it till 1856, when he located in Elkhart and engaged in the mercantile business, which, while he was occu- pied with it, embraced dry goods, hardware, clothing, groceries, etc. He also has constructed some of the finest buildings in Elkhart. He built the Fourth and Fifth ward school-houses, Odd Fellows' block, Main street, and several other structures. In 1869 he was 858 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. superintendent of the Elkhart Hydraulic AVorks, and had oversight of the construction of tiie St. Joseph River Works. In 1873, in connection with John W. and Edwin Irwin, he took the job of constructing the hydraulic works of Constautine, Mich., a work that was successfully accomplished. Since that time he has busied himself mostly' with fMrming. He has 150 acres of fine land within the city limits. He was City Marshal of Elkhart for two years, namely in 1872-3. He served one year as Trustee of Washington tp. Mr. Proctor's domestic relations have pro- duced its mingled joys and' sorrows. He has lost 4 children by death, and 3 are now living. His son, C. M. Proctor, is now a civil engineer, with an office in Elkhart. Another son, L. M. Proctor, is attending school at Notre Dame. Ella May is but 14 years of age, and is attending school. The deceased children wer o named respectively, Emma, Florence, Homer and Marian. Mr. Proctor is a member of the Odd Fellows' association. Henry Puterhaugh was born in Miami county, Ohio, Jan. 14, 1822, and is a son of George and Polly Puterhaugh, natives of Franklin county, Penn. He was reared on a farm and educated in a common school. He came to this county in January, 1849, and settled on a piece of woodland in Concord tp. He has pur- sued the avocation of a farmer to the present time. May 25, 1842, he married Miss Mary Lloyd, who was born Feb. 4, 1822. They have 5 children, viz.: John, Mary A., Amza H., David, Orvil T. His land was given to him by his father. He also owns a farm in Kosciusko county, Ind. Mr. P.'s grandmother lived to the ad- vanced age of 94 years. Joseph Puterhaugh was born in Miami county, Ohio, Oct. 20, 1823, and is a son of George and Maryfuterbuagh, natives of Lan- caster county. Pa. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He taught school for several years in Ohio, and then learned photography with one Mi-. Baker, of Tippecanoe, Ohio. He followed this for one year, and then, in 1849, came to this county and taught a school the following winter. His father gave him" 160 acres of timber land (including 2 acres of cleared land), which was a part of an Indian reservation, and had formerly been occupied by a person who, learning that it belonged to the Indians, abandoned it. There were no roads through this land at that time, and he was obliged to cut his way to his land. He was married May 29, 1851, to Sarah A. Patterson, daughter of William and Nancy Patterson. She was born in Fayette county, Ind., March 16, 1827. They have 5 children, viz.: William F., George L.. Harriet A., Elizabeth F. and Jesse C. Mr. Puterhaugh owns 183 acres of valuable land in Concord tp., and 80 acres in Kansas. In politics he is a Republican. He served four years as Justice of the Peace, and was re-elected, but declined to serve. He is the present Assessor for Concord tp. His father was born in 1792, served in the war of 1812, and died in 1872, at the age of SO years. IIISTOBY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 859 Daniel Richason is a son of Joshua and Jane Eichason, natives of Bucks countj, Pa. He was bora Oct. 25, 1814. His parents were earlj' settlers in Baugo tp., tlieir settlement in the county being in 1832, and in Baugo t]->. in 1834. Mr. Richason. our subject's father, was a coachiuaker by trade, and worked at that a greater portion of his life in Addlesborough (or Crooket Billet). He died in August, 1841, aged 62 years. The subject of this sketch was reared in the woods, and received his education in log school- houses. When young he learned the tailor's trade, which he fol- lowed for IS years. He was married July 20, 1837, to Nancy A. Mote, and had 12 children, 9 of whom are living, viz. : John, Allen, Benjamin F., Jane (now Mrs. Joseph Dobson), Mary A. (now Mrs. Pliilip Smeltzer), Olive, Rachel (now Mrs. Jno. Lightfoot), and Mahala (now Mrs. Jacob Sternberger). Mrs. Richason died March 2, 1875, and Dec. 28, 1876, Mr. R'. again married, Mrs. Coder, nee Moshier, the widow of Andrew Coder, who died in 1863. They had 8 children, 4 of whom are living, viz.: Andrew, Sanford, George and Ella. Mr. Richason's great-grandfather was a member of Win. Penn's colony, and was present when the treaty of peace was made with the Indians. Mr. R. is the owner of 164 acres of land in Baugo tp. John A. Rlchley is a native of Seneca Falls, New York, and was born May 2. 1836. His parents were Joseph H. and Susan A. (Adams) Richley, the former a native of Philadelphia. Pa., and the latter of Easton, Pa. Mr. Richley engaged as clerk for the Franklin House at Seneca Falls for some time, and in 1858 became to South Bend. Ind., where he engaged as salesman for French & Adams for two years, and then acted in the same capacity for Guthrie & Zimmerman for 18 months. He then came to Elkhart and spent a portion of the winter, then returned to South Bend and clerked for Wyman. In 1862 he enlisted as a private in Co. C, 73d Ind. Yol. Inf. He took, it upon himself to help recruit, and suc- ceeded in enrolling 66 men in 11 days. At the organization he was elected First Lieutenant, from which, in six weeks, he was promoted Captain. He was taken prisoner May 2, 1863, at Rome, Georgia, while assisting Col. Straight to prosecute a raid in the rebel territory. They surrendered "to Gen. Forrest on the condi- tions of parole, bnt'tlie rebel general violated his pai'tof the con- tract for the reason, he said, that his prisoners had committed depredations. Mr. Richley, with others, was kept in Libby prison for one year. He was exchanged at Columbia. S. C, and sent to Washington, and thence to Columbus, Ohio; but was soon sent back to the front at ITuntsville, Ala. He was discharged in July, '65, returned home, and Aug. 9 married Miss Alice L. Howland. In 1867 he engaged in the sale of hats, caps, straw goods, furs and gents' furnishing goods, in Elkhart, and has had a steadily increasing trade. He carries a capital stock of $6,000 to $10,000, and his annual sales amount to $12,000 or $15,000. 860 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Jesse Bush, deceased.— According to the testimony of the Eiish family that are yet living. Mr. Jesse Hush was the first settler in this county, having settled here in May IS, 1S26. He was born in Pennsylvania, May, 1791. In ISIO he went to Darke county, Ohio. His conveyance from Ohio to this county was a four-ox team. He was a voter at the first election, and aided in building the first school and church houses in the county. He aided in laying out the county and at its organization. He also assisted in laying oflf Elkhart city. After a siege of 12 years of pioneer life he fell vic- tim to the terrible epiden>ic that raged so destructively in the year 1838. After a lingering illness Mr. Kush died. The entire family, except Richard, was prostrate with this disease (cholera). He was married and had 9 children, 7 of whom are living, one son living in Alabama, and one remaining on the old homestead. '' Beacon " Jesse Hush was the son of Isaiah Rush, who was the brother of Jesse Rush, the latter one of the earliest settlers of Elk- hart county. The younger Jesse came to Indiana with his father in 1849, the family settling on Sumption Prairie, St. Joseph Co. The next spring Jesse Rush, sr., bought a farm of 160 acres in Liberty county, where he resided until his death in 1854. When Jesse Rush, jr., came to Indiana he was 19 years of age. He had partly learned the blacksmith's trade in Ohio. He resumed this employ- ment in South Bend, working for Robert Hardy, with whom he remained for two years, after which he worked in La Porte for three years. He subsequently was employed at his craft in Momence, 111., then in La Porte again, where he worked for his previous employer; then in Mishawaka, where he remained for five years. "We next find him in Westport, Mo., where he was in the employ of M.F.Graham & Co. during three years. While he was at Westport the civil war broke out, and in April, 1862, he returned to Elkhart. He has opened a shop on Main street, renting at first, but at length purchasing the same premises. Here he has continued business ever since, adding to blacksmithing the wagon and car- riage business. Mr. Rush was married on Oct. 15, 1860, to Miss Sarah A. Elliott, of Elkhart, daughter of G. W. Elliott. They have 3 children, Geo. E., Harry and Amy, — 2 living at home, and Harry being at South Bend, where he is learning the machinist's trade. Mr. Rush is a Junior Deacon in Eagle Lodge, R. A. M., and has passed all the chairs in the order of Odd Fellows. Jesse C. Rush was born April 23, 1836, and is a son of Josiah and Maliuda Rush. He received a common-school education; but little of his jouth was spent in a school-house; he was principally on a farm grubbing, chopping and picking brush and roots. He now owns 160 acres of land, in sec. 28. He was married Nov. 13, 1862, to Eliza J. Scoles, by whom he has had 1 child, Herrick Mar- tin. Mrs. Rush was born in Marshall county, Ind., March 7, 1844. Richard Rush is an Ohioau,and was born in Darke county, that State, May 18, 1825, and is a son of Jesse and Mary Rush, who were among the early settlers of this county. He came with his ^ ^ ''^ I'm Qya^^id^ SrS^mt^il7n HISTOEr OF ELKHART COUNTY. Sb6 parents to this county in 1S2G, being onlv one j'ear old; conse- quently he remeinbei-s but little about his native place. Here, with the Indian boys, he passed his childhood years, receiving little or uo education, only in bow and arrow shooting with the keen-eyed Indian lads. At this feature of amusement he became quite expert and seldom "shot amiss," and could kill a pheasant or partridge 20 yards distant. He also participated in their various amuse- ments, such as wrestling and boxing. At this date they were camped on the farm which he now occupies, and there were on this tract of land an Indian camp numbering about 300 inhabitants, situated on the beautiful hillock which rises so commandingly above the adjoining prairie. Old Mumshaw and Banaca were chiefs of that band, and they treated the settlers with great kindness. In 1836-'7 the Indians were removed westward, and it was then that Mr. Kush turned his attention to books; but, because he had no company, Dec. 6, Ibid, he married Mary, daughter of Isaiah and Emily Irwin, of New York. They have had 7 children, 6 of whom are living, viz. : James, who married Ella Bridgeman, Emily, who married Francis M. Miller; Clowe (Chloe?), who married Wm. J. Morrow, Maggie E., Lizzie, Mary A. and Alfred, deceased. Mr. R. owns 100 acres of land in sec. 20, worth $75 per acre. Politically he is a staunch Democrat. Martin G. and Norman Sage, of the banking and milling firm of Sage Bros., were natives of Chautauqua county, N. Y. Their father's name was Moses, and their mother's maiden^ name was Nancy Goldsmith. The family removed to Adamsville, Mich., in 1834, where they remained till 1869. There they were engaged in milling and merchandise, father and son. On their removal to Elkhart they embarked in the same enterprise here. They were also largely engaged in farming. The father died in 1862, and his mantle fell upon the sons, they taking up his business and financial affairs where he had left them. He had become much involved in debt, but the sons, by industry and careful management, cleared the property of encumbrance, and now are one of the soundest firms in Elkhart. They make common stock of their property and business, keep no accounts between themselves, and have never had a dis- agreement in their lives, working together as one man. Their present business embraces a bank, a large flour mill, and stock in a starch factory, the Elkhart Gas Company, a straw-board mill, and the Elkhart Hydraulic Works. Martin Sage has been a member of the Common Council of Elkhart. He was Notary Public for many years in Adamsville, and Norman was Postmaster at the same place for a period. Both gentlemen have families, and occupy fine brick residences in the southeastern part of the city. S. W. Shumard. — The subject of this sketch was born in Cler- mont county, Ohio, Feb. 21, 1834, and is a son of William and Lavina Shumard, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Ohio. He was reared on a farm, and educated at Milford Semi- 864 HISTORY OF EI.KHAKT COUNTY. nary, Ohio. His fatlier owned a liirin, and a saw and flouring mill, which gave the boys employment both winter and summer. In 1S56 he went to California by v^-ay of the isthmus. He there engaged in mining for three years, and was very successful. He then returned and engaged in farming until 1S64, when he went to Oregon. He remained there until 1865, when he came to Goshen and kept a boarding house until 1S69. He then came to Elkliart, and opened a saloon in company with Douglas Beardsloy, which they ran for one year. In 1870 he. with Abe Blivenour, opened a wholesale liquor store in Elkhart, and ran it for two years. They went to Pittsburg. Pa., in 1S72, and ran a saloon one year. Mr. Shumard tlien returned to Elkhart and erected a brick block on Harrison street and opened a grocery in it, in company with Mr. Golden. In the spring of ISSO he purchased Mr. Golden's interest, and is now conducting the business alone. He has a good and steadily increasing trade. He was married in 1862 to Miss Martha Golden, daughter of John Golden. They have 1 child, Luln. H. L. Shupert. — Among the soldiers that fought valiantly for the freedom and liberty of our county, we find the natne of H. L. Shupert. He was born Dec. 15, 1829, in Montgomery county, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Ann Shupert. natives of Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Shupert was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools. His father was a cooper by trade, and when ■ young our subject learned the trade and worked at it for about 25 years. He was married in September, 1855, to Julia A. Shaw, and had 2 children, viz.: Laura J. and Samuel (dec). Mrs. S. died in 1859. and Mr. S. again married, September, 1861, Mary E.. daughter of Samuel and Nancy Barnhart. To this union were born 3 children, viz.: Nellie, Charles L. and William, March, 1863. Mr. Shnpert enlisted in Co. C, 9th III. Vol. Inft., under Capt. Braden and Gen. Sherman. He accompanied Gen. Sherman on his entire campaign, and participated in the battles of Resaca, Peacli-tree Creek, Atlanta. Chattanooga, Jonesboro, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn. At the last place ho received a slight wound. He served till the close of the war, and received his honorable discharge. In politics he strongly adheres to the principles of Republicanism. George Franklin Ski/tf, editor and proprietor of the Elkhart De}}ionrat.\fashorn in Allen county, Ind., Feb. 21, 1855. He was the son of Daniel and Barbara Etta (Cope) Shutt. His father for a large portion of his life followed farming as a pursuit, but lat- terly he has been in the mercantile business at Maysville, Ind. George remained on the farm till he was 19 years of age. During his youth he attended the Maysville and Spencerville graded schools. At 19 he entered the Auburn (Ind.) normal school and pur- sued a course of study there. Subsequently he taught school two terms in Delvalb and Adams counties. He was also employed as a clerk in a general store, and afterward in a drug store. In October, 1876, he bought a half interest in the ^aysviWc Hepoi-ter, C. F. Mosier owning the other half. Maysville proving to be an HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 865 unprofitable field for the newspaper business the partners moved the ofiice to Bristol, and there establisiied the Banner. In the following July Mr. Shutt sold his interest to Mr. Mosier, and took a trip to JS'ebraska, and remained there till April, 1878. During his stay in Nebraska he taught school at Clarksville six months. Returning to Indiana, ho resumed his connection with the Bristol Banner, which he retained till the following August, when he retired from that jjaper and purchased the Democratic Union, of Elkhart, and changed its name to Elkhart Democrat. Since then he has continued proprietor of the paper, and in March, 1879, he assumed its editorial control. Mr. Shutt is a young man, of good newspaper aliility, and is a consistent advocate of Demo- cratic principles. Socially he is a member of the order of Odd Fellows. A. P. Simonton was born in Clarke county, Ohio, Feb. 5, 1816, and is a son of Samuel and Anna (Pierce) Simonton. natives respectively of Delaware and the District of Columbia, and pioneers of Elkhart county. His Grandfather Simonton was from AVales, and settled in America in an early day among the Indians. His son John, uncle of A. P., was taken b^- the Seneca Indians when a small boy, and never returned. He finally forgot his name, except the Christian part, John. He was made chief, and was known as Capt. John. He was afterward heard of, and his nephew. A. P.'s brother, Lieutenant (afterward Captain) Isaac Simonton, went to see him. and found him the husband of a squaw, and father of several half- lireeds. It seemed that he had become so thoroughly heathenized that he had no desire to return to the settlements and mingle with his own blood relations, and died as he had lived, a savage. Mr. A. P. Simonton came to this county with his parents in 1832, where he has since lived. His early educational advantages were limited, as schools were few and inferior in his boyhood days. In 1841: he engaged in general merchandising in Elkhart for 20 years. He still owns 280 acres of land, besides town property. Was mar- ried in 1841 to Miss Celia Martin, by whom he has 4 children, viz.: Caroline (Eby). Alice L. (Stiner), Ervaetta (Joy) and Phemia (Prim- ley). Mrs. Simonton died Jan. 2*;, 1860, and he again married May 27, 1862, this time Miss Maria B. Mason, by whom he has 2 children, Minnie F. and Jennie M. B. Mr. Simonton's eldest brother, Capt. Isaac P., was Captain of the 2d Regiment of di-agoons, and died at Fort Wayne, near Fort Gibson, in the Indian Territory, in 1842, while in command of that fort. Samuel, the second brother, died in Elkhart March !t, 1874, Our subject is tlie third son, and David S.. next mentioned, is the fourth. The fifth, John E., died March 16, 1876. The sixth son, Marcellus T., died in London, England. He was a graduate of Yale College, and of the law school. He had started to sail around the world, goinsby way of California and India, and on arriving in London, death overtook him. Eliza C, the first daughter of the Simonton family, is now Mrs. Beardsley (a widow), of Wisconsin. The second daughter, »bb HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Hannah, is Mrs. Giles A. Jackson, of Oakland. California. The third dau^jhter, Eliza F., is now Mrs. Geo. M. Tibbitts (a widow), of Elkhart. D. S. Simonton, whose portrait, from a photograph taken this year (1880), appears in this work, was born in Clarke county, O., near Springfield, Dec. 17, 1817, son of Samuel and Anna (Pierce) Simonton, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the lat- ter of Maryland, near Washington, D. C. He emigrated to Indiana in the fall of 1832, bringing his family, which consisted of 5 sons and 3 daughters, and settled in Osolo tp., on the bank of whao has since been known as Simonton lake, which derived its name from Mr. Samuel Simonton. This gentleman was a farmer during life; he died in 1850, and his wife the following year; during life he was a Democrat, took an active part in poli- tics, and served as one of the three County Judges in an earl}' day; was also Justice of the Peace, and held other positions. Isaac P., one of his sons, was a Captain in the U. S. arm}', a graduate of West Point, served in the Seminole war, and was employed by the Government in removing the Choctaw and Cherokee Indians from Kentucky and Tennessee to their reservations west of the Missis- sippi river; he was also appointed Post Captain of their reservation, and was holding that position at the time of his death; he was regarded as one of the best and most efficient officers, and would doubtless have risen much higher in his profession had he lived, as he was but a little over 30 j-ears of age at tlie time of liis death. Mr. D. S. Simonton, the subject of this sketch, obtained the most of his education at the common schools, and was brought up on his father's farm; at the age of 28, Jan. 24, 1S44, in Cass county, Mich., he was married to Miss Emily Allen, a native of Xew York and a daughter of Luke Allen, one of the old settlers of that county; Mr. S. and wife commenced keeping house on the old homestead, in a house built by himself, near the home of his father; at the age of 33 he commenced working at the carpenter and join- er's trade, which, in connection with farming, he followed for sev- eral years; in 1860 he abandoned farming entirely, and moved to Elkhart city, where he has since resided, a builder and contractor; he now owns seven brick buildings on Main street, which he built himself, and he also owns four or five private residences which he has erected; altogether he has put up 15 buildings in this city, besides 12 or 15 in the country. No one of the early settlers has done more than Mr. S. in things that will live after him. Politi- cally he is a Democrat. He was a member of the first Council after Elkhart was chartered as a city. His children are Lawrence, Emma and Clara. Lawrence married Alice Carpenter, and lives on a farm in the city limits; Emma is the wife of Cyrus Williams, and lives at Believue Place, Batavia. 111. ; and Clara is the wife of Frank Sleeper, superintendent of the Ottumwa (Iowa) Starch Factory, where they reside. Mr. S. may be considered a self-made man, as HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 867 he had very little to start with in life, and his lar^e property is the product of his own management and labor. Michael Spangler was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 26, 1S17, and is a son of Benjamin and Priscilla (Weyer) Spangler. He is the eldest of 8 children; was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He came to tliis county in 1864, and located on a farm, but sold iiis farm and removed to Elkhart in 1866, where he engaged as clerk in a grocery store for a time; has been Secretary of the Elkhart Farmers' Home Fire Insurance Company for several years, and has Ulled the office of County Col- lector for the past eight years. He was married in 1838 to Miss Saloma Essig, a native oi' Stark county, Oliio. They have 3 chil- dren: Alpheu-, August I and Cora J. Mr. S. resided a short time in Kalamazoo. Midi. Mr. and Mrs. Spangler are wortliy members of the Presbyterian Church, and he is a member of the I. O. O. F. BenjaTTbin F. Stephens was born in Dauphin county. Pa., Jan. 17, J831, and is a son of Andrew and Mary (Braden) Stephens, also natives of Pennsylvania. His boyhood days were spent upon a farm, and at the age of 17 he learned the trade of cabinet-maker, which vocation he pursued, in connection with the furniture busi- ness, until 1S76. He also kept hardware for six years. He came to Elkhart in 1852; was married Marcli 4, 1858. to Miss Euphemia Martin, by whom he has had 2 children: Herrick E. and Ann (dec). In 1870 Mr. Stephens made a tour through the Southern States. He has closed out his furniture and cabinet business on account of ill health, and is now administrator for four estates, and agent for a life-insurance company. He held the office of Trustee for Concord tp. for two years, and was also President of the Board of corporation Trustees, of Elkhart, for two years prior to city organi- zation; was a member of the Board of Education for four years; is now President of the City Board of Health, and has been Treasurer of the Bible Society for 20 years. He also lield tlie responsible position of Sabbath-school superintendent in the M. E. Church for about 22 years. In 1876 Mr. Stephens, in company with liis wife and son, visited his former home at Harrisburg, and also Washing- ton, and attended the Centennial Exposition at Philadelpliia. Dur- ing this tour they visited Xew York, Mrs. Stephens' former home, in Dutchess county, New York, and tlie Niagara Falls. MUton L. Stevenson, of the grocery firm of Boyer & Stevenson, was born in Concord, Elkhart county, Sept. 16, 1854. He was the son of Daniel S. and Susanna (Miller) Stevenson. Milton passed his boyhood on his father's farm, and his education was obtained in the district schools and those of Elkhart, wliere the family resided after 1871. He at length became clerk in the grocery store of B. O. Manchester, and thus remained till the proprietor sold out to H. J. Kreiner, after which he continued with the new owner till lie sold to Kinzy & Boyer, and remained with these gentlemen till Oct. 26, 1878, when he purchased Mr. Kinzy's interest, and the »D0 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. firm of Bojer & Stevenson was formed, wliich is doing business at the present time. Their store is at 210 Main street, south of the railroad. They have the only well-stocked grocery store on the South side, and are doing a large and increasing business. They carry a stock valued at $4,000, and have a full line of groceries, provisions, queen's-ware, wooden ware, and all goods usually sold in a store of the kind. Mr. Stevenson was married on May 20, 1880, to Ada L. Minnick. lie belongs to the English Evangelical Church, and is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. S. S. Strong, one of Elkhart's prominent citizens, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in June, 1817. In September, ISSi, his father's family removed from Ohio, and settled on a farm in Cleveland tp., this county. His father's name was Walter Strong, an early settler in Cleveland tp. Mr. Strong spent his boyhood on his father's farm, and attended school during the regular terms. At the age of 21 he was employed as a clerk in a stoVe in Elkhart. At length he ventured in business for himself. He at first formed a partnership with Mr. A. Defrees, and afterward was in partnership with A. X. Hascall. Altogether he was in trade for 20 years. His last partner was Mr. Maxon, and the firm was known as that of Strong & Maxon. After going out of trade Mr. Strong became connected with the hydraulic works of Elkhart, and assisted in the construction of that improvement, collecting all the money for stock. He afterward assisted in the organization of the Exclsi or Starch Mill Company; he sold his interest in this cor- portaion in February, 1880. He was a prime mover in the formation of the Elkhart Knitting Company, established in 1879, and is at present its president, and devotes nearly all his time to the management of that enterprise, which is in a flourishing con- dition, manufacturing all kinds of hosiery. Mr. Strong was a City Counclman one term. He is a member of the Masonic order. He has been secretary of the hydraulic company since its organi- zation, with the exception of three years, and is now a stockholder. Mr. Strong was married Dec. 31, 1840, to Miss Harriet B. Still- man, daughter of Jared A. Stillman, of Elkhart. This lady died in 1854, leaving 3 children, Norman H., Charles A., and Walter A. Mr. S. was again married in 1856 to Miss Louise M. Strong, daughter of James Strong, of Cleveland, Ohio, who is still living. By the last marriage there are 5 children, all at home: Laura Belle, James E., Freddie, Clarence and George. Mr. Strong is a Republican in politics. His oldest son, Norman, enlisted in tJie Union army during the Rebellion, leaving home without consent of parents, being only 16 yeai-s of age, and par- ticipated in the battle of Fort Douelson before being enlisted; he soon afterward enlisted and participated in the battle of Shiloh; was soon afterward taken sick and discharged, having been out nearly a year. Mr. Strong's portrait is given in this work. HISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 869 Ghas. R. Stuart was born in Farmington, Mich., Oct. 14, 1S46. His parents were E. and Mary C. (Bowers) Stuart. In early child- hood he was taken by his parents to Ilndsoii, Mich., where he lived till he was 18, when he went to Hannibal, Mo., and was two years engaged in the wood and brick business; at the expiration of that time he went to California in search of his fortune , and after an eight years' exploit returned to Ooldwater, Mich., and subsequently carae to Elkhart, where he has been engaged as machinist with the exception of two years, which was improved in the same business at Jackson, Midi. He was married Oct. 4, 1873, to Melissa Scoles, a native of Marshall cnunty, Ind. She was born Aug. 27, 1849. To them were born 2 children: Samuel, now living, and Arthur, deceased. In politics Mr. S. advocates the principles of Itepubli- canism. John C. Stuck, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Stark county, Ohio, and was born May 3, 1844. His father, Adam Stuck, was a native of Pennsjdvania, and his mother, Barbara (Rudy) Stuck, was born in Ohio. Mr. Stuck was brought up on a farm, and educated in the Canton (Ohio) Seminary, and Prairie College., He served three years for Uncle Sam in the late war, in Co. B 115th 0. V. I., and participated in the battles of Stone River, Laverne, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattanooga, Louisville and others. Atone time he was mounted Orderly for Gen. Burnside. He was one of the manj' boys who were compelled to make their beds in the mud and water, on corn stalks, brush and fence rails. On one occasion, when he slept on the ice and snow, his hair became frozen fast to the ice so that his partner had to cut his hair in order to release him. When but a boy Mr. Stuck learned the molder's trade, and since the war he has been diligently pursuing this trade. He removed to Three Rivers, Mich., in 1868, remaining there 18 months, when he came to Elkhart, and has since been in the employ of the L. S. & M. S. R. R. Co. He was car- wheel molder for four years, and now is molder of drive- wheels. He was married, Sept. 25, 1867, to Mary Smith, who died Feb. 23, 1870. Mr. Stuck again mar- ried, March 17, 1872, this time Mrs. Fieelove Smith. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. Stuck has been Steward in the Church, and is now Class-leader, Sabbath-school Superintendent and Church Trustee. Rinard Stutsnyui was born in Concord tp., this connty, Dec. 1, 1844, and is a son of David C. Stutsman, who came to this county in 1836, and who is a native of Montgomery county, Ohio. Rinard's mother was Barbara (Roofj Stutsman, born in Alsace, France, Jan. 9, 1806. She died at the old homestead in Concord tp., four miles south of Elkhart, Aug. 17, 1880. David C. Stutsman still resides on the homestead. The subject of this sketch was reared on a tarm, and educated in a log school-house with slab seats and old-fashioned desks. He was a soldier two years in the war; served in Company C, 9th Ind. Vol. Inf. He participated in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Jonesboro, Franklin, Tenn., 870 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Nashville and others. His brothers, David E. and Abraham, also served in the late war, doing valiant service for Uncle Sam. Mr. Stutsman, after returning from the war, engaged in farming for one year. He then went to Ingham countv, Mich., remaining four 3'ears, and engaged for the most part in the manufacture of pumps. He came to Elkhart in 1872. and has been engaged in the manu- facture of pumps ever since. He also drives wells and repairs pumps. He is doing a good business, and is a hard worker. He married Aug. 23, 1866, MissGemima Smith, a native of Greentown, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jeremiah Smith, and they have had 3 children, 2 of whom are living, viz.: Lula M. and Floran It. Dean Svjift (deceased) was a native of Clarkson, Monroe Co., New York, and was born Oct. 2, 1815. His parents were Lewis and Mary (^Forbes) Swift, also natives of New York. Mr. Swift was reared and educated in his native town, where he also early learned the carpenter trade. He erected a saw-mill and ran it live years, then sold it. May 2.5. 1837, he married Miss Eme- line Winegar, in the town of Farmington, Oakland Co., Mich. She is also a native of Clarkson, New York, and is a daughter of John Winegar, who emigrated to Michigan in 1835. They had 3 children, viz.: Julia A. (wife of Gen. Hascall, of Goshen), Helen A. (dec.) and Susan (now Mrs. Wood). Mr. Swift removed to Detroit in 1S43, and worked in the car shops, and in 1848 he came to Elkhart, and engaged in the mercantile and milling business. He was very successful in business, and grew wealthy. He was a brother of Prof Lewis Swift, the great astronomer of Rochester, N. Y., who discovered seven planets, and has been awarded three gold medals for his discoveries. Mrs. C. E. Wolsey, the fine artist of Rochester, N. Y., is his sister. He died June 17, 1874. One pride of his life was that he never smoked or chewed tobacco or drank intoxicating liquors. Dr. Warren H. Themas was born in Goshen, Ind., April 28, 1841, and is a son of Thomas Thomas, who came to this country in 1828, and now resides in Warsaw, Ind., at the age of 89 years. The Doctor was educated at Dickinson Institute, Romeo, Mich. He read medicine under Dr. Whippy, and practiced awhile in Monticelio, Ind. He graduated at Hahnemann Medical College at Chicago, in 1874, and returned to Elkhart and resumed the practice of his chosen profession. When he began he had nothing, but now is classed among the prominent physicians of Nortliern Indiana, and has a large and growing practice. He was married Jan. 2, 1867, to Miss Emma, daughter of Daniel Hill, of Elkhart. They have had 2 children. Royal (dec.) and George A. The Doctor was President of the Board of Education of Elkhart one year, and was a member of that body for three years. He has al- ways manifested great interest in educational affairs, and is widely known as a worker in that capacity. He is a member of the Ma- sonic fraternity, and was Master of a lodge at Goshen at one time; he is 1st Vice President of the Indiana Institute of Homeopathy. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 871 David Thompson, one of the few prominent octogenarians of Elkhart, has a history contemporary with the modern raih-oad era. He was born in Coventry, Orleans Co., A'^t., in 1806. He was the son of Samuel and Lucy (Woodbridge) Thompson. Enoch Wood- bridge, member of Congress from Vermont, was his mother's cousin. David's boyhood was passed at home, and his early education was obtained from tlie district schools nearest at hand. At 21 years of age he went to Boston to seek his fortune. His father was a millwright, and David's mind was early turned toward mechanics. When the Boston & Providence railroad, the first work of the kind in America, was being constructed, by some fortuitous circum- stance Mr. Thompson secured the job of bnilding the bridges of the road, and finally performed an important part in the comple- tion of the work throughout its entire length, having charge of the road-bed and track for some time afterward. Thus he was a sharer in one of the most important events in the history of the United States, and of civilization as well; for the construction of the Boston & Providence railway initiated what is often termed the railroad age, the most remarkable in the world's annals. He afterward, in ISSS-'l, performed important work on the Boston & Worcester and the Boston & Lowell railways. He remembers the primitive rolling-stock of the first railroads, the wooden- wheeled coaches, the bodies of which were shaped like an old Con- cord stage-coach, and had a foot-board along their sides on which the conductor walked to collect fares; and the uncouth, bungling and uncertain engines of American make, which it was'necessary to supplant by locomotives made in England. He was contractor's agent on the Worcester road, and laid part of the track on the Stonington line, and on several other New England roads. Li 183i he secured a contract on the Pensacola & Columbia railroad, and made the voyage from Boston to the scene of his labors in a sailiiiir vessel. The Seminole war was then at its height in Florida, and Mr. Tiiompson's brother Samuel was in the Federal army and died in Florida of disease contracted in the everglades. Mr. Thompson was engaged in building bridges and laying track on the Pensacola line when the panic of 1836 prostrated the financial interests of the country and bankrupted the corporation by which he was employed. AYork on the road ceased, and Mr. Thompson found himself down South without employment, but he was fortunate enough to draw the last dollar of his pay from the Pen- sacola bank before the crash came. Looking about for new adven- ture, Mr. Thompson found a man by the name of John Shepherd, who was traveling through the South selling maps. Desiring to travel and get out of the country in some manner, Mr. Thompson made an arrangement to travel with this Northern peddler, and with him made a tour through Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Iowa, thus spending the summer of 1836 and the winter of 1836-'7. At last he arrived in Chica- go, and took steamer for St. Joseph, Michigan, and coming to 872 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Edwardsburgb, Cass Co., Mich., he began work as a millwright and honsebuilder, employing seve.al hands. lie subsequentlj' en- gaged in farming and dealt in cattle from ISSi to 1S57. His for- tune began to accumulate during these years, and he bought and sold land on speculation. His landed property now is quite large; he owns a farm of 1-W acres in Cass county, Mich., and 400 acres in Clev^eland tp., this county. On his ]\Iichigan farm there is a saw-mill. He was married in 18iO to Elizabeth Hatch. This lady died, leaving 2 daughters. He was subsequently married to Ara- menta "Wadleigh, by whom he has had 2 sons. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Odd Fellows, and has passed all the chairs in that order. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, hav- ing taken the Blue Lodge degree. He was prominent in tp. affairs, and was once a member of the Common Council. One of the remarkable reminiscences of Mr. Thompson's life is of his accompanj'ing DeWitt Clinton in his Erie, Ohamplain and Ver- mont canal surveys. He carried the tripod for the Clintons, and was witii them for months. He speaks in glowing terms of both as perfect gentlemen, and kind and obliging to him as a boy. Mr. Thompson's life, as a whole, has been crowded with events and experiences of unwonted interest. A good portrait of this gentle- man is given on anotlier page, from a picture taken at the age of 73 years. Michael Trithy, jeweler, was the son of Philip and Elizabeth Trnby, and was born in Greentown, Stark Co., O., Jan. 4, 1827. Until 21 years of age he remained at home, dividing his time, when of sufficient age, between going to school, blacksmithing and farm- ing. At 21 he journeyed to Indiana and located at South Bend, his parents having taken up their residence on a farm on Pleasant Plains, two miles south of Elkhart. He was first employed in South Bend in a wagon-repairing shop, and in that capacity ironed the first carriage made in that place, making even the springs. During the eight years he resided in South Bend he taught day and singing-school a portion of the time. He was also member of a brass band there, and chorister in the Baptist Church, a position which he held for three years. In 1859 Mr. Truby tried his for- tune in Mexico, Mo., where he was successful in business till the breaking out of the civil war, when he felt obliged to leave the place on account of his adhei-ence to the Union cause. This was a eerious material loss to him, for he left behind considerable real estate, from which he has as yet failed to realize. When he came to Elkhart, in 1862, he was much reduced in circumstances, and was obliged to begin at the foot of Fortune's ladder. He opened a watch-repairing shop, and has since prospered, till now he has a full assortment of jewelry, silverware and books, and is doing a profita- ble business. He is a member of the order of Odd Fellows, and of the German Workingmon's Society, of Elkhart. Mr. Truby was married in South Bend Jan. IS, 1855, to Mary V. Ketcham. They have 4 sons, the younger 2 living, James M. and Charles M. HISTORY OF ELKHART COCNTT. 873 Tniby. Mr. Tniby has a remarkable literary relic, a German Bible published in 1(376, which came into the possession of his mother's family immediatelj' after the Revolution. Tiie family record in this heirloom reaches back to 1327. The volume is a huge tome 15 inches long and a foot wide, bound in embossed leather, fastened with brass clasps, with brass nails in the corners. The letter press and engravings in this almost mediaeval volume exhibit a high art, showing that but little improvement has been made in the printer's and engraver's crafts since the 17th century. Mr. Truby is the inventor of a combination door latch and alarm bell, on which he has a patent. This ingenious device connects the latch with the bell, and can be detached whenever it is not desired to give an alarm. It is a perfect instrument for a door latch and alarm com- bined, and a complete security against unwelcome intruders. CoT . Alba Mark Tnchei\ tlie well-known military and railway man, was born at West Hartford, Windsor Co., Vt., Nov. 14, 1836. He spent his boyhood, until 13 years of age. on his father's farm; then, feeling a spirit of enterprise and a desire for a higher education, he procured employment as a teamster on the Vermont Central railway. He afterward worked in the stone quarries at Portland, Conn. The money thus earned enabled him to begin a course of study at the Newbury Seminary, wiiich he continued two years. In 1854 he was employed as a civil engineer on the Connec- ticut & Passumpsic River railroad, and remained a year, and in 18.55 he went to Adrian, Mich., for the purposeof securing employ- ment on the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana railroad. When he arrived he had but %^ in money, and his need of employ- ment under the circumstances became painfully pressing. He ap- plied to Col. James Moore, Superintendent of the above named road, who gave him a clerkship at Tecuniseh station, at §25 a month. In the May following he was transferred to Elkhart to take a similar position, at $4:0 a month. He was shortly after made agent of the station, a remarkable promotion when it is considered that at this time he was but 18 years of age. He afterward resigned and accepted the lucrative position of union ticket agent at Janes- ville, Wis. His next step on the ladder of fortune was made at Toledo, Ohio, where he became clerk in the General Superintend- ent's office of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana railroad. Subsequently to this he engaged in selling goods in Elkhart, which he pursued one year, when he accepted a place as clerk in the general freight office at Toledo. In 1862 he enlisted in the 100th Ind. Regt. of Vol. He was commissioned 2d Lieutenant by Gov. Morton, and was soon promoted to a 1st Lieutenancy, and was made Regimental Quartermaster. He afterward became Post Quarter- master and Commissary at Indianapolis. His regiment being removed to Memphis, Tenn., lie was, in March, 1863, appointed acting Assistant Quartermaster. He was in October ordered to change the gauge on a section of the Louisville, Frankfort & Lex- ington railway, a work which lie speedily accomplished. He was 874 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. simultauecusly engaged in the superintendence of other important railroad and engineering work. He was at one period of the war disbursing Quartermascer at Louisville, and was during the erection of barracks, Quartermaster at Jeffersonville and New Albany. Such was the ability displayed by Col. Tucker in all the various railway and Quartermaster service which he performed that he was offered a position as Assistant Quartermaster in the regular army, but he declined the proifer, and resigned his position in the army Oct. 18, 1865. On leaving the army Col. Tucker was offered the position of General Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Central railway, but did not accept it. In 1867 he was President of the Board of Trustees of the town of Elkhart. He was elected County Auditor Oct. 10, 1867, by a flattering majority. He was superin- tendent of construction of the new court-house at Goshen. After leaving the auditor's office Col. Tucker enjoyed a period of com- parative freedom from labor and responsibility, until about two and a half years ago, when he was appointed Assistant Superintendent of the Michigan Southern ik Lake Shore railway, with an office in Elkhart. This position he occupies at the present time. V. Voisinet and family came to Elkhart from BufRilo, N. Y. Mr. Yoisinet had been a farmer near that city. He bought the old mill owned by Morehouse & Swift, and carried that on a few years with T*^icholas Webber. He then purchased Mr. Webber's interest, and conducted the business individually for a few years. His son, Y. E. Voisinet, went into partnership with him two years since, A. M. Doll also taking an interest, the firm assuming the style of V. Voisinet & Co. Mr. Voisinet built the present fonr-story mill in the fall of 1875. It is supplied with four run of stones, and one double set of rolls, and is fitted up in all respects as a first-class flouring- mill. The grain converted in this mill is purchased in the vicinity, and the product mostly shipped to the East, thus making it a home enterprise of great local value, and one of the most im- portant in Elkhart. Charles Walley^ one of the leading furniture dealers of Elkhart, was born in Albany, N. T., April 3, 1831. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Walley. His father's occupation was the manufact- ure of lumber and shingles. When Charles was six years of age his parents removed to Williamstown, Mass., where they remained till he was 20 years of age. He then went to South Adams, Mass., and was there two years. During his minority he had learned the carriage- painter's trade, and had charge of the painting department of a carriage shop at Williamstown. In 1855 he went to Chip- pewa, Canada, and tarried there six months. We next find him at Battle Creek, Mich., where he had charge of a paint shop. After three months, he spent some time at Constantino, and then went to Superior City, Wis. He there established himself in the house and sign-painting business. He spent the years 1856-'8 there, during the period when that city was growing rapidly. He speaks of the great abundance of wild game that roamed in the vicinity at the HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. S75 time, and says that it was a common thiug for a party of hunters to go out for a lialf-day's sport and return with a wacron load of deer. Leaving Superior City Mr. Walley and family came to Indiana, and had charge of the Mishawaka Iron Company's paint shops for five years. He then bought a cooper shop and managed that three years, making a good thing of the enterprise. In 1S6S he sold this business, and bouglit Kellogg Bros.' retail furniture store at Mish- awaka. He carried forward this business for three years, and in 1871 sold out and moved to Elkhart, wiiere he established a furni- ture store, and has continued that trade here ever since. He has an undertaking department connected with bis business, and is one of the two dealers in first-class furniture in Elkhart. He is conduct- ing an excellent business, and has received ample encouragement for the legitimate and honorable way he performs his obligations to customers. Mr. Walley has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Sarah Trow, previous to marriage. This lady died in 3859. He was again married in 1860 to Emily E. Ross, of Mish- awaka. Tiie}' have 4 living children. Mr. Walley is a member of Kane lodge of Freemasons, Elkhart. He was elected Council- man from the First ward in 1871, and took a seat in the first Council after the city had been incorporated. Ransom H. Watson, son of John and Isabel ( Dyer ) Watson, was born in Chenango county, New York, Feb. 14, 1821. He was reared on a farm, and his educational advantages were none other than those aflTorded by the common schools. His mother died in New York, and he moved with his father to Smithtield, Pa., where his father died. Ransom H. then came to Kirtland, Lake Co., Ohio, where he remained some time. While there heattended ser- vices in the Mormon temple, which then existed. He was married in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1842, to Miss Rebecca Ferguson, by whom he has had 4 ciiildren: of these, 2 are living, Albert A. and Nettie. He came to this county in 1844 and settled on a farm three miles west of Elkhart, but soon afterward went to Mishawaka. In 1845 he went to Joliet, 111., and remained six months. He then returned to Mishawaka and engaged in making cemented cis- terns, which were about the first of the kind made in Elkhart county. He remained in Mishawaka two years, when he moved into the country to a point about four miles west of Elkhart, and for four years kept an inn or country hotel, called the " Indiana House," but more commonly known as the " Elephant House," as his sign was the pict- ure of an elephant. After living in various places he finally' settled in Elkhart, and has engaged in various vocations, but mostly deals in real estate, buying and repairing city property, etc. He has resided seven years of this time on his farm, but has resided in Elkhart eince 1875. He carried the mail from Elkhart to Dowagiac, Mich., for eight years. Mrs. AVatson died in 1878, and he again married in 1879,' this time Miss Olive Stone. M. K. Weaver, druggist, was born in Ashland county, Ohio, June 13, 1847. He was the son of Michael and Elizabeth ( Kilmer ) HISTOKY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. Weaver. The familj- resided od a farm in Ohio, and emigrated to Elkhart county, lud., when Mr. Weaver was six years of age, set- tling in Olive tp. At 16 Mr. Weaver entered the drug store of Hill & Miller, Elkhart, and continued in their employ three years. He afterward spent a year in Toledo, and some time in other places, still continuing in the drug trade. He purchased tlie drug business and stock that he now owns about three years ago, and has been in the business since. Keeps a full line of drugs and goods in his line, has a fine position on Main street, and enjoys a thriving trade. Chester ire?i#:rc»/'i'A, dairyman, Elkhai-t, was born in Hamilton, N. Y., Jan. 14, 1821. and is a son of Burl and Rebecca Wentworth. He was reared on a farm and was educated in the common schools. At the age of 16 he went as an apprentice in the blacksmith shop. Dec. 28, 1848, he married Miss Sallie M. Owen, who was born in Lebanon county, N. Y., Feb. 26, 1830; she was a daughter of Steplien and Mary Owen, also natives of New York. They have had 2 children, Jennie E. (now Mrs. Edward B. Smith), of. Elkhart, and Orin C. in Chicago. Mr. W. followed dairying in Smyrna, X. Y., for some 10 years, then went to Boone county. 111., where he pursued the same vocation, and in 1871 he came to this county. He is located one-half mile south of Elkhart. He keeps 31 cows and supplies a portion of the city of Elkhart with milk. Jacob Werts, after a long and toilsome life of labor, has passed into retirement. He first saw the brightness of the sun Jan. 18, 1815, in the county of Berks, Pa. His parents, John and Mary Wertz. lived to a good old age. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1854 he went to Berrien county, Mich., and in 1857 he came to this connty, where he has since resided. He married Oct. 19, 1849, Sarah Dubbs, by wliom he had 9 children; 1 is deceased. The following are the living: Susanna (now Mrs. Stephen Orney), Eli, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Sam'l Stronp), Samuel, John, Sarah (^now Mrs. Alfred Trump), Frank and Milton. Mr. Wertz owns a farm of 88 acres, in sec. 13. In politics he is a Bepublican. Acnvn Work was born in Fairfield connty, Ohio, May 26, 1837, and is a son of Abel E. Work, a native of the same place, and born on the same farm. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common school and at Crawfordsville. Ind. He came with his parents to Middlebury tp. in 1842, and settled on a farm where the father still resides. He was married in 1866 to Miss Amanda Walmer, daughter of John Walmer, of Middlebury tp. They have 3 children, Luetta M., George E. and John C. Mr. Work removed to Elkhart in 1S67. and in 1869 engaged in the grocery business, which he continued three years, when he abandoned it on account of failing health. He engaged in the sale of lime, cement, coal, etc., 1873-'5, and has now resumed the same business and has a good trade. Mr. Work also owns stock in the Elkhart Tissue- Paper Mills. He has recently erected a fine brick residence on High street. niSTORT OF EMvlIART COCNTT. 877 Dr. James A. WorTc was bora in Middlebury tp., this county, Feb. 15, 18-i5, and is a son of Everett Work, a native of Fairfield county, who settled in this county in an early day. The Doctor was brought up on a farm, and received his early education in the common school; but later he attended tiie Lagrange Collegiate Institute, and also a select school in Goshen. He then read medi- cine, and in 1866 attended a course of lectures at the Ann Arbor Medical College, and in 1869-'70 attended another course, gradu- ating at tliat institution in March, 1870. In April of the same vear he located in Elkhart and began the practice of his chosen profession. lie has built up a good practice, and has won the confidence of tJie people, lie makes diseases of women and chil- dren a specialty. He was married Oct. 10, 1872, to Miss Emma Bartholomew, by whom he has 4 children: Lyda E-, Henry E., Madge M. and Ruth. Both the Doctor and Mrs. Work are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Elkhart City Board of Health, and also a member of the Elkhart County Medical Association, and of the St. Joseph Valley Medical Associ- ation. ]^ot only has the Doctor won the confidence of the people, but he stands high in the medical profession. He has, since locat- ing in Elkhart, represented the county four years in the American Medical Association. In politics he is an uncompromising Demo- crat. Henry C. Wright, lumber merchant, of Elkhart, was born in Whitehall, Washington county, X. Y., Sept. 2, 1832, and is a son of Daniel S. and Lucy A. (Wadhams) Wright, the former a native of Shoreham, Vt., and the latter of Wadhams' Mills, Essex county. Mr. Wright received his education at St. Lawrence University, Pottsdam, Vt., where he graduated in 1849. He clerked in the Collector's office in Whitehall for three years; he then clerked in his father's drug store for some time, and also " stayed" in a grocery a short time. During the winter of 1857-'8, he was Librarian for the New York Legislature. In the spring of 18.58 he went to St. Louis, Mo., and the following autumn to Rantoul, Champaign county. 111., where he kept a general store until 1861. He then' entered the army in Co. I, 25th Pteg. 111. Vol. Inf., and was made Regimental Quartermaster, witii the rank of First Lieu- tenant. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, Stone River, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Altoona, Atlanta and others. He was married in 1857 to Miss Marion Hendricks, a native of Amsterdam, N. Y., and daughter of John R. Hendricks. Tiiis union has been blessed with 5 children: Ella F., Mary E., Ernest, Lucy W. and A^ictor. Mr. Wright moved to Battle Creek, Mich., in 1865, and to Kalamazoo in 1868. He remained tliere two years, when he removed to Elkhart, ilr. W., however, having come the fall pre- vious and established a business in the lumber trade. He now owns a large lumber yard there, and is doing a good business. He was Mayor of the city in 1876, and was a member of the Board of Corporation Trustees of Elkhart prior to the city organization. 878 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Jacob ZooTc is a native of Chester county, Pa., and was born Oct. 19, 1824. His parents were Abraham and Elizabetli Zook, natives of Pa. He was reared on a farm and educated in a common school in his native county. In December, 1S5.5, he came to La Porte, Ind., where he superintended tlie manufacture of agricultural imple- ments for Jervis & Co. for one year. He then, the next day after Buchanan was elected President, entered into the employ of the Michigan Southern Kailroad Company, and has remained in their employ to the present time. He came to Elkhart in 1871, when the railroad shops were removed from La Porte to this place. He is foreman in the pattern shops. He went back East in 1856, and at Cape May, N. J., that year, married Miss Caroline Meach, a native of Berkshire county, Mass. They have had 4 children, of whom 3 are living, viz., George, Grace and Mary. Mr. Zook was City Surveyor in La Porte, and was a member of the Elkhart Board of Education one year. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. WW ^^/f^^^tf/4^^1^ ELKHART TOWNSHIP. This township, though not so extensive as it was 50 years ago, contains 5,431 people, of whom 3,068 reside at the county seat. We have seen in the county history how the first Board of Justices divided the new district into the townships of Elkhart and Con- cord. Here it will only be necessary to note its topography, the names of men connected with its early history, and review its prog- ress. The face of the country is undulating and rather hilly toward the north. It is watered by the Elkhart river, which enters the township near Latta's line in section 34; by Rock run, a purely Elkhartian stream, and by Turkey creek, which enters at section 33, and forms a junction with the Elkhart near Waterford village. In sections 2 and 3 are two small lakes or ponds. The hydraulic caual receives the waters of tlie Elkhart river in section 24, one mile and one-half along its course south of the city of Goshen. Elkhart river forms the western limit of the city. The forests of the district are valuable, and occupy a large area. The drift soil or sandy loam that now takes the place of the great inland seas, which a few centuries ago spread over our prairies, and even occupied that place on which nature has planted her sand hills and her forests, yields up a raineof agricultural wealth and bestows comparative peace and competence upon hundreds of industrious farmers, and helps to render the trade of towns and villages pros- perous. The privileges given to the people of this township by nature itself cannot be overestimated — a rich alluvial soil, beautiful rivers and streams, thrifty forests of the most valuable trees, and a climate genial and comparatively healthy — all, all tend to prove the existence of a favored tract, where the best energies of man may be expended with pleasure and profit to himself and good results to the nation. Elias Riggs and "William Simpson may be named as the first settlers in, the township". Mrs. Susan Nickerson, better known as Mrs. Wogoman, was here in June, 1828 ; John B. Gripe in March, 1829; Balser Hess and his brothers, William Felkner, Solomon Hockert, Major Violett, and John H. Yiolett, the first white male 52 (881) 882 HISTORY OF ELKHABT COTJNTT. child born in the township, Nov. 22, 1829, were actual settlers be- fore the close of that year, — the Frier brothers, Pearman, Peppen- ger, Irwin, Carpenter, Beck, Meddill, Sparklin, Bishop, Latta, John Inks. Stutsman. Blair, Cook, Jacob F. Cripe, Daniel Cripe, Stauffer, McConnell. E. Felton and Thomas Thomas, together with many whose names appear in the sketch of Goshen City. The first mechanic was Jacob T. Cripe, who often grated corn in a perforated tin pail, and so prepared it for the morning's frugal meal. John Inks was the first millstone cutter, and the work of these years was that of making stones for Piock'Run and Elkhart Mills." The honest blacksmith ot the settlement was Joseph Knox. It is unnecessary to describe that old forge; it looked as delicate as a toy house, and like a match, would light up and fall into ashes in a few minutes. However, Knox did his work well and took his equal part in building up the country. The first preacher among the white settlers was Hev. E. Felton. Azel Sparklin was also a preacher and class-leader, both introducing the doctrine of the Methodist Church. Daniel Cripe was the first Dnnkard minister, and is considered to have even preceded Felton. Balser Hess was the Baptist minister of the day, and a cotem- porary with Cripe. He was succeeded by Lechrist and Comer. The first marriage in the township was that of Eve Hess and Jacob Weybright. It was celebrated with unusual eclat, and the young couple enjoyed the friendship of the community ever after- ward. The first baptisms among the white settlers were those of Staufier and McConnell in 1830. This is so stated, but yet there are many circumstantial evidences of such introductions to Christianity hav- ing been previously made. The first school was taught by Mr. Potts in a grotesque little cabin on Elkhart Prairie, known as the "Wilkinson Lake School, commonly called "The University" by some newspaper men of the St. Joseph valley. The young Friers, Sparklins, Blairs, Thompsons and Dr. Jackson claimed this humble school as their alTrm mater. It, too, took a great part in building up the town- ship. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. The township school-houses are all substantial brick structures, and are valued at $12,000. Few, if any, of the children of the township are unable to read; but the prevalence of a total igno- rance 6f the language of Webster, and its written signs, is sadly appai'ent among the ranks of the aged and their immediate juniors. This ignorance of American letters is, in some cases, attended with a want of sympathy with the institutions of the Republic; however, the influence of the unsophisticated is so very limited that very little evil can result from their ignorance. On the con- trary, the disadvantages under which they labor urge on their chil- dren to industry and study, and thus a great misfortune leads to a great good. It is a case of light from obscurity. In ISSO there were nine school-houses in Elkhart township, all brick, of which the value was $12,000; value of school apparatus, $150; special school tax, four cents per $100, besides 25 cents special tax on each poll; total estimate of special school tax, $500; local tax for tuition assessed on each poll, 25 cents; number of volumes in library, 327; number taken out during the year, 87; number township institutes in 1880, 6; as to revenue for tuition, the amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879, $932.71; amount received in February, $S-i9.27; amount received in June, $1,000.98; miscel- laneous receipts, $217.13; total, $3,000.09; amount expended dur- ing the year ending Sept. 1, 1880, $2,014.70; amount on hand Sept. 1, 1880, $985.39; amount of special revenue on hand Sept. 1, 1879, $932.07; amount received during the year, $1,160.22; amount expended during the year, $1,136.75, leaving a balance on hand of $955.54. There were 229 male pupils admitted to the school during the year, and 190 female; average daily attendance of all children, 302; average length of school taught within the year, 1-40 days; there were nine male teachers employed and seven female, the average wages of the former being $1.9G per day, and of the latter, $1.51f. There is one district graded school in the township. CHURtH. The German Baptist (Dunkard) Church of Elkhart township, was organized in 1834. The first members were David Gripe and wife, John Miller, Martin Weybright, John Gripe, Samuel Gripe, Elizabeth Stutzman, John Woolsey and wife, and Jacob Gripe, Sen. The society grew gradually in numbers by the accession of 884 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COU.NTT. settlers who carae into the township. The meeting-house was erected on section 8 about 22 years ago. Jacob Studebaker. Daniel B. Stndebaker, Jacob Leer, Andrew Bigler, have been preachers to the Church, and Moses Iless is the present pastor. CITT OF GOSHEX. The history of this city and the township to which it belongs is so peculiarly identified with that of the county, that many subjects pertaining specially to Goshen have been noticed in the second part of this work, which is devoted to the county history. There the survey of the original town plat by George Crawford and the subsequent sale of many of the lots by Oliver Crane in July, 1831, is recorded. The original plat contained 301 lots; but from time to time the village extended its boundai-ies until toward the close of the first half of the century no less than 961 lots were built upon, and left about 100 in the market. Those additions comprised Allbright's, containing 36 lots; E. M. Chamber- lain's, 111; Walsh's. 5; Purl's, 35: McAllister's, 9; freeman and Hattel's. 5; Wilson and Beyerle's, 32: Kendig's, 18; Hahn's. 13; Eowell's, 22: Mayfield's. 17: Wilson & Bartholomey's, 44: Mercer, Latta and Copelaud's, 182; Wm. Crane's, 127; Oliver Crane's. 50; J. IL Barnes', 160: L. Mercer's, 51; and Wilson and Hawk's, 44. Those valuable little town sections have passed in great part from the hands of the original owners into those of over 900 householders, and the tract, once a prosperous hunting ground ot the red man, has been converted into one of the neatest little cities in the union. The streets are very regular, and with the excep- tion of that portion of Main and Market streets devoted to business houses, give place to a double line of thrifty shade trees, while ranked on either side are the neat, and in many instances, magnifi- cent, residences of the people. The roadways are graded, the side- walks broad and in good order, and the utmost eflfort of good taste displayed everywhere. The first house erected on the town plat was erected by William Bissell at the corner of Sixth and Washington streets, where the Baptist church is now located. Dr. King built the second house. Singer constructed the first frame building in 1S31, and eight years later E. N. Chamberlain builta brick structure of quite a preten- tious character. The first mill was erected on Rock Run creek, near its confluence with the Elkhart. This was a mill of the olden time indeed; but HISTORT OF ELKHAET COrNTT. b»0 yet it was quite in keeping with the enterprise of the period. John Carpenter erected this mill in 1S31, but found a competition the same year a short distance up the stream. In lS35-'36 the patron- age formerly extended to these little milling establishments was transferred to the Waterford mill, erected by Elias Baker in 1S35. His interest in this concern was purchased immediately after by Hawks Brothers, and thus the manufacturing era was entered upon in the township. The first settlers were Wm. Bissell, Wm. Singer, Edwin Martin, Wm. Waugh. Abner Stilson, John Carpenter. R. Blackmer, Abraham Gallentine. Samuel Modi, Moses Mercer. Henry "White, Elias Carpenter, the Replogle family, George McCoUuni. John- son Latta, Joseph H. Defrees, Luke llulett, James S. Defrees, E. M. Chamberlain, James Cook, John Fitzpatrick, H. W. Bissell, Jackson, John Cook, Joseph D. Kno.x, Dr. Bemhisel, Fred A. Harris. John L. Meredith, Leonard G. Harris, Milton Mercer, James E. McCord. John Winder, Ruck, T. Gregory, Isaac Hagle, Dr. Kling, Wm. P. Ilagle. Wm. Chance, Peter L. Runyan. Charles Irwin. Wm. K. Beck, Thomas Thomas, W. A. Thomas, Levi Beck, Henry Duseubury, John Powers, John Jenks, Phillip Matthews, Wm. Barbee, T. Morrison, S. O. R. Harris, Wm. Kellison, Mahlon Davis, Samuel T. Young and Major J. W. Yio- lett. Wm. Bissell died within a short time after he erected his house; the progressive character of those early settlers who survived hira is to-day evidenced in the beautiful little city they have added to the union. The first merchants were Wm. Bissell, Singer. James McCord, Wm. Barbee, John Cook, James Cook. J. H. Defrees, James S. Defrees, S. O. R. Harris, J. Barnes, F. A. and L. G. Har- ris, John Winder. Jackson ».*e: Fitzpatrick, Ruck & Gregory. Henry Davis and Jacob Studebaker were the first building con- tractors, having erected the old court-house at a cost of $4,500. Among the mercantile and professional men in that locality, in 1S37, were Barnes A: Defrees, Harris & Co., Barbee dt Gilmore, merchants; Abner Stilson, jeweler; P. K. & J. R. Price, saddlers; Steward & Garner, tailors; D. Parrett, furniture dealer, with W. H. Rector and the Defrees Brothers, merchants of Benton. Dr. S- A. Latta, Attorneys Cooper and Jernegan, Editors Murray and Defrees represented the professions. Goshen markets, March, 1837: — UI8T0RY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. Flour, per bbl., §7.50; wheat, per bu., $1.50; buckwheat flour, per bu., $3.00; corn meal, per bu., 62^0; corn, per bu., 50c; oats, per bu., 37ic; potatoes, per bu., ST^c; chickens, per pair, 25c; eggs, per doz., 12ic; beef, per lb., 6^c; pork, per lb., 12ic; butter, per lb., 25c; lard, per lb., 16c; tallow, per lb., 15c. SOCIETIES. A club known as the "Elkhart Hickory Club" was organized at Goshen Nov. 25, 1843, with George Taylor, President; Henry White and Patrick IIiggiu,Vice-Presidents,with II. B. Delrance and E. "W. II. Ellis as Secretaries. It had for its object the promotion of Democratic interests, and boasted of an influential roster. Members of the Goshen Lyceum assembled in regular meeting February, 1841, and passed the following resolution: "That it is right and expedient for Congress to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia." This Lyceum has rendered much good to the people. An essay on "National Characteristics," by John W. Irwin, read before that institute in January, 1874, was very accurate, very extensive, and so arranged as to fully elucidate his subject. CEMETERY. On Aug. 21, 1S46, the old graveyard, as it was then termed, was surveyed and staked oft' into lots. The ground was heavily tim- bered then, and the " two acres " unfenced, but since, owing to the salutary action of the old journalists of the town of Goshen and the hearty co-operation of the people, it has been turned into a beauti- ful home for the dead; and the prophetic language of the journalism of the period has become a reality. " Years hence," said the editor of the Democrat, '' it may be, when we, who are now busy on the stage of life, shall be slumbering there in our narrow homes; those who bear our names and who are bound lo us by ties of consan- guinity, may come to drop a tear over our silent resting place, to exalt our virtues, and draw the mantle of charity around our frail- ties." The first house-builder on the site of the village of Goshen wasWm. Bissell, who, dying in 1831, was buried on the banks of Eock Run, now north of the railroad, not very distant from Oak Kidge. The record of burials has been fairly kept from 1836 to 1860, during which time 100 persons were buried there. From 1860 to 1878 there is no record ; but from 1878 to ISSO it is complete and shows the interment of 156 persons. HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 887 MISCELLANEOUS. The Goshen chalybeate springs have been referred to by State Geologist Cox and Editor H. J. Beyerle. The former gives the prop- erties of the water, while the latter points them out as sources of health to the people generally, and of wealth to the enterprising man who would improve the immediate neighborhood and render the approaches to the springs lit for traffic. The chemical analysis of the water is as follows: Solid matter, per ten pounds, 23.8 grains, composed of bicarbonate of lime, bicarb, of magnesia, bicarb, of iron, chloride of sodium, sulphate of soda, sulphate of lime and sulphate of magnesia. The water varies little in taste from that produced by the artesian well in Central Park, Chicago, but evidently is of higher gravity. Twenty years after the village was first settled the population wag 780, including 11 colored persons. Ten years later, in 1860, the number increased to 2,053; in 1870 it was 3,133, and in 1880 it reached about 3,968, with every prospect of advancing, for years to come, in the same ratio. The ad%'ent of the Air Line of the Michigan Southern, and the subsequent completion of the Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan railroad, in 1870-'-l-, with its northern terminus at Goshen, aided materially in rendering the progress of the city remarkable. July 22, 1856, 20 lots were vacated by order of the Commission- ers, and in acquiescence with the prayer of a petition, presented on behalf of the Michigan Southern & Northern Indiana Eailroad Company, asking for a right of way. June, 1858, a rain storm swept over the county which did much damage to buildings and crops. The Hawk's block in the town of Goshen suffered most, the tornado causing the abutments to give way. During the progress of excavating the foundation for Beyerle's block, on Main street, in April, 1875, a Spanish coin, under date 1775, was found. ORGAIflZATION OF THE VILLAGE. An election of trustees for the town of Goshen was held Nov. 23, 1839, under the presidency of John Cook, with E. G. 888 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. Chamberlain. Clerk of Election, when the following votes were recorded for each of the trustees: John Cook, 37; D. Parrett, 33; Abner Stilson, Jr., 35; A. Galentine, 35; J. S. Rayme, 31. These trustees and their successors administered the government of the village until 1851, when it was incorporated as a town. The action of the villagers of that period was salutary. Neither premature nor late, Goshen was exalted at the precise time that circum- stances called for reform in municipal government, and it may, perhaps, be said, that to the well-timed action of the people in this matter much of this prosperity is due. VOTING ON THE QUESTION OF THE DAY. • June 7, 1854, M. M. Latta, Jos. H. Defrees, Samuel Geisinger, C. S. Hascall, James 11. Barnes and D. M. Ilenkel presented a petition to the Board defining the limits of a town, and asking that it be incorporated under the name of Goshen, the commis- sioners appointed the 28th of June for an election. This' appeal to the people resulted in a total vote of 102, 97 votes being recorded in favor of incorporation, 4 in opposition, and 1 not counted. The following names appeared upon the voters' list: John Hunt, A. A. Norton, T. L. Wilbarger, C. K. Hoops, George W. Myers, T. L. Powell, A. B. Grubb, James Blair, B. A. Grubb, Erwin Vin- son, Eb! Eaymond, John Gortner, Thomas Todd, L. H. Noble, F. Yoiral, S. E. Davis, Jos. Lauferty, Jr., J. D. Devor, Joseph Ash- brook, Michael Weybright, Joseph Silver, "W. A. Thomas, C. S. Hascall, Hiram Whittaker. A. L. Hubbel, M. M. Latta, A. C. Jack- son, F. M. Denny, B. G. Crary, Norman Teal, A. P. Frink, S. C. Brainard, J. W. Irwin, Michael Murry, Sam. Bottomfelt, Smith Chamberlain, Elias Gortner, W. L. Bivins. G. W. Richards, G. W. Fosdick, Leander Sherwin, S. Geisinger, Henry Cook, J. L. Crary, W. W. McVitty, Melvin Hascall, F. Jackson, William Bean, John Cook, Jr.. T. R.*^ Albright, John Keck, P. M. Henkel, J. H. Defrees. Among the names are the following whose owners have passed away from the scenes of their well-directed labors: Lee Sander- son, E. L. Ball, T. G. Harris, George Howell, D. S. Trapp, Jacob McFadden, L. B. Parmalee, Ben. Mikesell, Henry Pierce, J. Hahn, J. S. Freeman, C. P. Jacobs, J. H. Taylor, Norton Brown, Sam. Lauferty, W. J. Matchet, I. F. Tiedman, Daniel Coffin, Harvey Shepherd, A. Connell, J. F. Maxfield, A. W. Clark, Wm. AVaugh, Wm. Dodge, J. Banning, Peter Kerstetter, W. H. Lane, M. Miles, J. H. Barns, J. R. McCord, David Myers, J. H. Mather. HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUKTT. 889 The possessors of the following names, who were residents of Goshen in 1854, may possibly still reside in that city, but the un- certainty regarding them requires that they be given a third place in this list: Wm. T. McConnell, Alex. McConnell, Austin Wheeler, G. W. Baringer, John Zimmerman, F. M. Denny, F. W. Taylor, Ch. Arnold, J. J. Stone, J. W. Zuver, Wm. Grandy, Oscar Dunn, M. Myers, G. Williamson, Theo. Hunter, W. M. Roe, T. K. Park, W. N. Ilively. The commissioners acknowledged the legality of the vote within three months, and in September declared Goshen an incorporated town. EXTENSION OF THE CITY. At a meeting of the commissioners, held December 1862, Geo. D. Copeland and Charles P. Jacobs, Jr., presented a petition asking the Board to order the annexation of adjacent territory to the town. The commissioners ordered that "all the territory lying contiguous to the southern boundary of said town, between the west line of Fifth street, as laid oif and platted in the record of Latta and Cope- land's addition to said town, and the west line of Third street, when extended south in its present direction to a point where the south line of Latta and Copeland's addition, if extended west, would intersect said west line of Third street, extended south as aforesaid, (except McAllister's addition to said town, which is already annexed)." TOWN STATISTICS. Receipts.' DisDurse- ments.t Receipts.- Dtsburse- 1855. . . f 83 00 $ 83 00 1868.... 4,573 76 4!777''88 1856. . 419 57 359 43 1869. . . . 12,003 06 14,612 85 1857. . 744 23 568 93 1870. . . . 14,313 48 14,312 48 1858.. 588 42 499 03 1871... 8,054 10 7,885 20 1859. . . 2,751 30 650 91 1873. . . 8,054 10 7,885 30 1860. . . 3,100 39 894 73t 1873... 9,185 99 1861.. . 3,733 58 3,707 68 1874 . . . 9,313 89 8^994 36 1802. . . 1,976 48 1,705 10 1875.... 31,271 07 17,583 37 1863. . . 544 13 430 10 1876. . . . 40,180 35 34,001 36 1864... . 3,159 30§ 1,554 50 1877. . . . 30,426 09 15,933 30 1865. . . . 2,195 43 1,678 11 1878. . . . 17,600 31 11,443 48 1866. . . . 1,986 U 1,373 96 1879. . . . 16,968 92 12 403 04 1867. . . . 1,706 24 1,676 38 1880.... 18,952 93 16,137 61 ♦Including balance on hand. tlncluding $9,300 and $9,985.19 for b lilding school-house and t xtending water ■works, and $13,136.69 bonds redeemed. JBesides $601.91 transferred to the school fund. gOf this amount Geo. Sherwood paid $1,795.52 as tax. 890 HISTOKT OF JSLKHAET COUNTY. FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE CITY IN MAY, 18S0. LiahiUties. Old canal bonds, at 6 per cent., .f 4,000 00 2d issue of water works bonds, 8 per cent, ...... 10,000 00 3d Issue of same, 6,000 00 School-house bonds, 8 per cent, --...-.. 7,500 00 Outstanding city orders, 148 37 $27,648 37 Itegources. Balance on hand, - - - $2,815 31 Balance due on tax duplicate, --.-.... 5,161 53 $7,976 84 Excess of liabilities, $19,671 53 GOSHEN CITY STATISTICS. An election was held April 18, 1868, to test the voice of the people in the matter of erecting the town of Goshen into a city. This resulted in an afBrraative vote of 391 and a negative vote of 31. The city received its charter, and an election of officers was held on May 5 the same year. The following is a copy of the first city tax duplicate: Direct city taxes, $4,556.88; fines and costs, $350.35; show licenses, $79.50; peddler's licenses, $60.75; auction licenses, $29.00; sale of cemetery lots, $132.00; stairway licenses, .$25.00; ten-pin-alley licenses, $25.00; liquor licenses, $1,150.00; freight refunded, $4.25; sale of lumber, $23.17; loans to treasury, $2,950- .00; received from County Treasurer on duplicate, 1867, $2,417.51; delinquent tax, 1867, $199.65. Total taxes received, $12,003.06. In addition to the resources given in the report, there is city property valued at $8,232.00, comprising seven acres cemetery lands, unplatted, valued at $1,400.00; 306 lots, platted, valued at $5,332.00, and property within the city valued at $1,500.00. So that the financial condition of Goshen is in reality most satis- factory, for when all the improvements are considered, the net liability of $19,671.53 appears very small indeed, and leaves the citizens quite content with the municipal administration. OFFICEES OF THE CITY GOVEENMENT OF GOSHEN FEOM 1868 TO 1879. 1868-'69. — H. D. Wilson, Mayor; Laporte Heefner, Clerk; Joseph Lauferty, Treasurer; H. G. Hale, Marshal; J. A. S. Mitch- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 891 ell, City Attorney; James Allison, Assessor; George B. Walter, Chief Fire Engineer; George T. Ager, Civil Engineer. Council- men. — A. A. Norton, W. B. Snyder, Samuel F. Eisenhour, George B. Walter, M. B. Hascall. Board of Health.— M. M. Latta, W. C. Harrington, W. W. Wickham. lS69-'70.— n. D. Wilson, Mayor; Laporte Ileefner, Clerk; Joseph Lauferty, Treasurer; H. G. Hale, Marshal; W. E. Pooley, Assessor; J. A. S. Mitchell, City Attorney; George T. Ager, Civil Engineer; Adam Yeakel, Chief Fire Engineer. Councilmen. — Henry Bartlemay, N. Pooley, H. J. Beyerle, *W. W. McVitty, S. F. Eisenliour, M. B. Hascall. 1870-'71.— M. B. Hascall, Mayor; Laporte Heefner, Clerk; Joseph Lauferty, Treasurer; C. D. Henkel, Marshal; f William Pooley, Assessor; J. A. S. Mitchell, City Attorney; W. A. McAl- lister, Chief Fire Engineer; George T. Ager, Civil Engineer. Councilmen. — W. A. McAllister, Christian Hinderer, S. F. Eisen- hour, Moses Simmons, H. Bartlemay, H. J. Beyerle. 1871-'72.— M. B. Hascall, Mayor; C. "N". Fassett, Clerk; A. A. Norton, Treasurer; C. D. Henkel, Marshal; Israel Wyland, Assessor; J. A. S. Mitchell, City Attorney; M. S. Davis, Chief Fire Engineer; George T. Ager, Civil Engineer. Councilmen. — H. K. Thomas, H. Bartlemay, H. J. Beyerle, C. Hinderer, J. C. Beck, S. F. Eisenhour. lS72-'3.— J. A. S. Mitchell, Mayor; C. N. Fassett, Clerk; A. A. Norton, Treasurer; L. A. Hascall, Marshal; Israel Wyland, Assessor; W. A. AVoods, City Attorney; Elias Gortner, Chief Fire Engineer; George T. Ager, Civil Engineer. Councilmen. — S. F. Eisenhour, H. K. Thomas, H. Bartlemay, Daniel M. Fravel, C. Hinderer, H. J. Beyerle. 1873-'74.— J. A. S. Mitchell, Mayor; C. N. Fassett, Clerk; A. A. Norton, Treasurer; L. A. Hascall, Marshal; Israel Wyland, Assessor; W. A. Woods, City Attorney; O. F. Dewey, Chief Fire Engineer; George T. Ager, Civil Engineer. Councilmen. — :1;S. F. Eisenhour, H. G. Hale, H. Bartlemay, D. M. Fravel, C. Hinderer, Christian SchaiFer. July 26, 18G9, and Moses Simmons elected Sept. 6, 1869, to tiU vacancy . f Resigned Jan. 3, 1871, and Israel Wyland appointed to fill vacancy. tDied Nov. 24, 1873, and W. W. McVitty elected Dec. 13, 1873, to fill unexpired term. Sya HISTORY OF ELKHAET CO0NTT. 1874^'75.— George Freese, Mayor; W. A. Bradford, Clerk; A. A. Norton, Treasurer; A. Myers, Marshal; Israel Wj'land, Assessor; E. M. Johnson, City Attorney; O. F. Dewey, Chief Fire Engineer; George T. Ager, Civil Engineer. Conncilmen. — C. B. Alderman, D. M. Fravel, P. A. Welch, H. G. Hale, II. Bartleraay, C. Hinderer. 1875-76.— George Freese, Mayor; W. A. Bradford, Clerk, A. A- Norton, Treasurer; A. Myers, Marshal; Israel Wyland, Assessor; R. M. Johnson, City Attorney; O. F. Dewey, Chief Fire Engineer; George T. Ager, Civil Engineer. Conncilmen. — C. B. Alderman, D. M^. Fravel, H. G. Hale, J. B. Slaughter, C. Hinderer, P. A. Welch. lS76-'77.— C. B. Alderman. Mayor; W. A. Bradford, Clerk; A. A. Norton, Treasurer; A. Myers, Marshal; Israel Woyland, Assessor; R. M. Johnson, City Attorney;©. F. Dewey, Chief Fire Engineer; George T. Ager, Civil Engineer. Conncilmen. — H. G.Hale, J. B. Slaughter', D. M. Fravel, J. P. Butterfield, P. A. Welch, Henry Kolb. 1877-'78.— C. B. Alderman, Mayor; W. A. Bradford, Clerk; A. A. Norton, Treasurer; A. Myers, Marshal; Israel Wyland, Assessor; L.-W. Wanner, City Attorney. J. W. Drake, Chief Fire Engineer. Councilman.— II. G. Hale, J. B. Slaughter. D. M. Fravel, J. P. Butterfield, P. A. Welch, Henry Kolb. 1878-'79.— C. B. Alderman, Mayor; J. B. Walk, Clerk; Adam Teakel, Treasurer; A. Myers, Marshal; James Blaine, Assessor; L. W. Wanner, City Attorney; J. W. Drake, Chief Fire Engineer. Conncilmen.- P. A. Welsh, J. A. Carraien, A. M. Parsons, H.G. Hale, J. B. Slaughter, Henry Kolb. 1879-'80.— C. B. Alderman, Mayor; J. B. Walk, Clerk; Adam Yeakel, Treasurer; A. Myers, Marshal; James Blaine, Assessor; L. W. Wanner, City Attorney; *J. W. Drake, Chief Fire Engi- neer. Conncilmen. — Henry Kolb, John Eieth, W. A. Bradford, A. M. Parsons, J. A. Carmien, John McAuley. 1880-'S1. — Charles B. Alderman, third term, Mayor; Austin B. Slattery, Clerk; Christian H. Schfeffer, Treasurer; James M. Barns, City Marshal. Conncilmen. — A. M. Parsons, James O. Smith and Christian Engell. A city hall is in prospectus to be built on that portion of the city property, on Fourth street, between Jefierson and Washington; • Died 25, 1879, and "William A. McClenathan elected to serve unexpired term. HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. • S93 however, a year or two may elapse before the Council will take up the work. GOSHEN CITY SCHOOLS. The school buildings of Goshen are to the city, in point of architectural style, what the court-house is to the county. Their projectors met with some opposition from the conservative or old- fogy element; but the proud boast of the citizens is justified by the fact that over 90 per centum of the people were in favor of progress, and co-operated cordially with the trustees. Anti-pro- gressiveness, however sincere, deserves to be ostracised. If it were supreme this Republic would fall to atoms, and return to the crude, pre-Eevolutionary times, when a trans-Atlantic oligarchy subjected a people to its whims and caprices, and formed plans for enslaving the first generation of Americans — formed plans that brought them disgrace, infamy and defeat instead of new victims and victory. So is it at present. He who would pro- test against advance must ultimately be crushed under it. It will not halt in its march, and the conservatism that once opposed it must flee to the desert, or hide from its approach. The true economy of human life looks at ends rather than at incidents, and adjusts expenditures to a moral scale of values. DeQuincey pictures a woman sailing over the water, awakening out of sleep to find her necklace untied and one end hanging over the stream, while pearl after pearl drops from the string beyond her reach; while she clutches at the one just falling, another drops beyond recovery. Our days drop one after another by our carelessness, like pearls from a string, as we sail the sea of life. Prudence requires a wise husbanding of time to see that none of these golden coins are spent for nothing. The waste of time is a more serious loss than the extravagances against which there is such acclaim. There are thousands who do nothing but lounge and carouse from morning till midnight — drones in the human hive, who con- sume and waste the honey that honest workers wear themselves out in making, and insult the day by their dissipation and debauch. There are tens of thousands of idle, frivolous creatures who do nothing but consume and waste and wear what honest hands accu- mulate, and incite others to liv^e as useless and worthless lives as they do. Were every man and woman an honest toiler, all would have an abundance, and half of every day for recreation and cult- ure. The expenditure of ajfew dollars in matters of taste is a small S9i HISTORY OF ELKHART COrXTT. matter in comparison -with the wasting of months and years by thoQsands who have every advantage society can oifer, and exact as a right every privilege it affords. The school must progress if the heavens should fall. It is the next highest hope of Christianity, and one which forever is breathed by the patriot and the philanthopist. Ihe old idea of "where igno- rance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." is long since exploded, and nothing less than the education of the masses is required by the civilization of the times and the intelligence of the republic. Notwithstanding the calamity of the destruction by fire of the high- school building in 1874, the City Council took steps for the imme- diate erection of the present magnificent building, which was com- pleted in 1S75, under the management of the School Board then in power, viz.: H. J.Beyerle. Elias Gortner and E. L. Billings. Provisions are now being made for making a large addition to the Fifth-street school-house during the ensuing summer vacation. The high-school building cost S^O.OOO and is a model of school architecture. The ward school-houses are intended to be of suffi- cient capacity to meet the requirements of the present. The follow- ing are the names of the present Board of Education: Board of Education for 1ST9-'S0; also for ISSO-Sl: W. A.. Whippy. M. D.. President; term expires June, 1SS2; TV. A. Mc- Allister, Secretary; term expires June. 1SS3; Elias Gortner, Treas- urer; term expires June, ISSl. The interest that this Board has taken in the welfare of the schools, in sustaining every judicious proposition and effort put forth by the instructors for the permanent improvement of the schools, is highly commendable, and their effi- cient labors are duly appreciated by the intelligent people of Goshen. Instructors for ISSO-'Sl. — Ambrose Blunt, A. M.. Superintend- ent; Emma K. Chandler, Principal of the High School; Charles S. Taylor. A. B., O. H. Blacklidge. M. S.. Lettie Cleveland. Cora Beckwith, Julia E. Goodwin. Maggie MoGuffin, Kate C. Gortner, Julia C. Curtis. Marie H. Mesiok. Lucretia B. Collett. Emma L. Butler, Maggie Ketchum, Matilda Mullin and Xettie Cr.ary. Goshen in ISSOhad three brick school-houses and one frame, the total value of which is estimated at $34,000; total value of school apparatus, $1,000; special school tax on each $100, ten cents; on each poll, 50 cents; total of special tax, $1,200; local tax for tuition assessed on each 8100, 16 cents; on each poll, 50 cents; amount paid trustees. $150; amount of revenue for tuition on HISTORY OP ELKHAKT COUNTY. 895 hand Sept. 1, 1879, $4,635.66; received in February, 1S80, $3,325.- 49; in June, $3,958.57; total, $11,919.72; expended since Sept. 1, 1879, $6,545.37; now on hand. $5,374.35; amount of special rev- enue on hand Sept. 1, 1879, $1,823.46; received since, $3,770.14; total, $5,593.60, expended since Sept. 1, 1S79, $3,971.25; now on hand, $1,622.35; 465 males and 533 females were admitted to the schools during the year; 700 was the average daily attendance, and 187 days was the average length of the schools; there were three male and 13 female teachers, whose daily wages were, for the former, $3.83, and for the latter, $2. The per centum of attendance based on the number belonging was 95.04. The per centum of enroll- ment, based on enumeration for 1879-'S0. was 75. The cost of tuition and supervision per capita, based on population, was $1.80; based on enumeration, $5.43; based on enrollment, $7.24; based on average belonging, $9.83; based on average attendance, $10.32. The cost of tuition alone per capita, based on average number be- longing, was $8.72. The following table shows the number of pupils enrolled in the Goshen public schools on the first week of each school year from 1876 to the present time: also, the number belonging on the closing days of the school years lS76-'7, 1877-8, 1878-'9, 1879-'80. The numbers denote the enrollment during the first week of each school, the initials at the head of the columns respective!}- signify- ing the High school, A, B, C and D Grammar schools, A and B Primary, B and C Primary, D Primary, 5th street, Pike street and Rock Run. The last column but one is the totals, and the last the number belonging on the closing day of the year. 1876-'7 33 30 44 61 59 33 47 40 100 99 46 591587 1877-'8 53 35 44 63 53 (i4 57 36 93 63 40 603 613 1878-'9 54 30 46 40 57 58 65 57 90 67 50 610 683 1879-'80 57 49 33 64 55 67 53 67 110 85 83 733 734 The following extract from Superintendent Blunt's address will show the attention which is bestowed upon all matters pertaining to the education of the city youth: •' It would not be considered possible to devise a school system for country, town or city that would meet to the fullest extent the wants of each individual. There is a great variety of circumstan- ces existing in every community, causing serious ditficulties in com- plying with anij uniform system. As public schools are supported 896 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. for the education of children of all classes, under various conditions of life, it becomes those having educational matters in charge to contrive such ways and means as shall render these schools as ben- eficial as possible to the greatest number. In cities and towns the graded school system has evident advantages over any other, and first in point of expense and efficiency. In a graded school one teacher can give competent instruction in a few branches of study to a large number of pupils, while in a mixed school of the same num- ber, it would require two or more teachers to do as thorough work. Thus it is observed that expenses are lessened, while equal efficiency is secured. Second, a greater evenness of work can be performed, and hence a greater evenness of discipline and culture in all princi- ples connected with the various branches of study can be accom- plished by the pupil. He takes up the proper study at the proper time, and pursues each with equal interest and zeal. By this it may be observed that division of labor in schools, in virtue of the graded system, is as important to the pupil as to the tax-payer." This system of grading has again and again commended itself. Every high-class educator has attempted to give it perfection, and from the energy with which the reformers work the time may not be far distant when graded schools will be established all over the land. "While the pupils of the Goshen schools receive the most thorough instruction in arithmetic, grammar, reading, writing, spelling and geography, they have the advantages also of a thorough course in elementary science, including botany, zoology, physiology, chemis- try and natural philosophy, drawing, vocal music and civil govern- ment, in the grades below the high school. The Eock Kun school-house was built in 1862, at a cost of $1,200; the Pike street school-house, 1865, $2,500; the Fifth street school- building, 1869, $5,000; the high-school building, 1875, $20,000. The furniture, etc., cost 10 to 15 per cent more. In 1876, the schools were for the first time properly graded and organized, under the superintendency of Prof A. Blunt, a graduate of Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn. The schools now rank among the best in the State. The graduates of the high-school department are prepared to enter the Sophomore yearof our best colleges, and enter our State universities without further examination. THE CHURCHES. The full notices given the Churches of Goshen in the history of the county leaves nothing to be added here, save the following briel CObHtN Cliy HIuH bCHOOL HISTOKT OF ELKHAET COTJNTT. 899 reference to them. This may explain the writer's reason for giv- ing such an extended Church history of Elkhart city. First M. E. Church — Corner Fifth avenue and Jeiferson street. Services each Sunday at 10^ a. m. and 7^ p. m.; prayer meetings, Tuesday and Thursday evenings; Sunday-school, ] :45 p. m. Rev. "W. O. Pierce, Pastor. First Presiyterian Church — East Market St., near Fifth avenue. Services every Sunday at 10^ a. ra. and 7^ p. m.; prayer-meetings, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings ; Sunday-school, 1 :45 p. m. Itev. JI. L. Yannuys, Pastor. First Baptist Church — Corner of Sixth and Washington streets. Services every Sunday at lOi a. m. and 7^ p. m.; prayer-meeting, Wednesday evening; Sunday-school, at 12 o'clock, noon. Eev. Chas. Ager, Pastor. Oerman M. E Church — Fifth avenue, corner of Madison st. Services every Sunday at 10^ a. m. and 7^ p. m.; prayer-meeting, Thursday evening; Sunday-school, 2 o'clock p. m. Rev. John Schneider, Pastor. First Beformed Church — North Main st.,near Yiolett House. Services every Sunday at lOJ a. m. and 7:30 p. m.; prayer-meeting, Wednesday evenings; Sunday-school at 3:30 p. m. Rev. W. H. Ziegler, Pastor. First English Lutheran Church — Fifth avenue, corner ot Purl street. Services each alternate Sunday, at IQ^ a. m. and every Sunday at 7i p. m.; Sunday-school at 2 o'clock p. m. Rev. L. M. C. Weicksell, Pastor. Trinity Lutheran Church — Fifth avenue, corner of Purl st. Services, German, every Sunday morning; English, every Sunday evening ; Sunday-school, German, 9 o'clock a. m. ; English, 2 o'clock p. m. Rev. Geo. Ilarter, Pastor. St. James'' {Episcopal) Church — East Market st, corner of Sixth; Sunday-school at 12:30 p. m. No pastor at present. St John''s (Catholic) Church — West Monroe st., between Third and Fourth. Services at the usual hours every Sunday, except the first Sunday in each month. Rev. Father Henry A. Boeckel- man, Pastor. Mennonite Church — Place of worship, in Kindig's block. Ser- vices at usual hours on Sabbath ; prayer-meeting, Thursday eve- ning. Rev. D. Brenneman, Pastor. Pike Street Mission — West Pike st. Services and Sunday- school at usual hours. 53 900 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Jewish Synagogue — South Third st. Services according to the custom ot this Church. Eev. A. Cohen, Eabbi. UNION MEDICAL SOCIETY. Formation of the Union Medical Society of Northern Indiana at Goshen on Feb. IS, 1S45, with Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, Pres., Dr. R. M. Kendall, Vice President; Dr. M. M. Latta, Secretary; Dr. S. B. Kyler Treasurer; Doctors R. Willard, J. W. Chamberlain and R. M. Kendall, Censors, with Doctors Latta, Paul, Ilenkle, and Ellis as committee on constitution and by-laws. There were present with the above oflScers Doctors Geo. Parsons, F. W. Taylor, A. W. Dewey, Henry Wehmer, D. C. Ayres, J. W. Chamberlain, and W. I. Machett. This society was incorporated bj' Legisative act, approved Jan. 19, 1846. THE ladies' benevolent ASSOCIATION of Goshen may be said to have been organized at the residence of Mrs. Harris,in March, 1815. Mrs. Griffin was elected President, Mrs- Harris, Mrs. Chamberlain and Mrs. Marston, Directresses, and Mrs. Ellis, Secretary and Treasurer. ELKHART COUNTY TEMPERANCE SOCIETY, partially organized eai-ly in March, 1816, with John Evans as Presi- dent and N. F. Broderick Secretary, completed organization May 1, 1846. The object was very good, the members earnest and honest, but it is said that only those who wei-e temperate already joined the ranks. ELKHART COUNTY INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION was organized Aug. 10, 1874. The number of members then enrolled was 56, among whom were: I. L. Kindig, C. B. Alderman, I. N. Koontz, L. II. Noble, Albert Osborn, J. C. Beck and A. L. Hub- bell. These gentlemen formed the directory of the association. THE GOSHEN BUILDING, LOAN AND SAVING ASSOCIATION was formed July 11, 1874, with Jos. C. Beck, President; Ruel M. Johnson, Vice Pres.; Ira "W. Nash, Treasurer; Elbridge G. Herr, Secretary. Tlie Directors comprised: E. W. II. Ellis, John W. Irwin, Rollin Defrees, Albert Yates, J. W. Liveringhouse, W. W. Hinchman, with the officers. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 901 INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS. Elkhart County Lodge, No. 34, of which David C. Cox is IS". G., and AY. C. Weaver, Sec'y, at present, was chartered April 20, 1846. Organized within the the old court-house on May 20, by B. B. Tay- lor, S. D. W. L., No. 11; the following officers appointed: E. G. Chamberlain, N. G.; L. G. Harris, V. G.; S. Sunington, Junior Secretary, and C. S. Dole, Treasurer. Freeman Encampment, No. 79, J. II. Mallett, C. P., and F. D. Defrees. Scribe, being officers at date, was organized, Aug. 7, 1866. The first officers included M. A. McAllister, C. P.; J. S. Freeman, S. W.; M. Wey bright, H. P. KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. Calanthe Lodge, No. 41, with E. G. Herr, C. C, and F. Y. Huntley. K. of E. & S., was organized Nov. 5, 1873, by Grand R. & C. S., Charles P. Garty. The first officers included J. S. Hig- gins, P. C; R. M. Johnson, C. C; W. A. Whippey, Y. C; T. F. Garvin, P.; F. A.Hascall, K. of R. &G.; F. G. Hnbbell, M. of F; E. G. Herr, M. at A.; R. W. Starr, I. G.; W. H. Miller, O. G. GOOD TEMPLARS. Goshen Lodge, No. 140, of which M. B. Hascall is "W. C, and Alice Clutter is Sec'y, has been recently organized in the city. BIBLE SOCIETY OF ELKHART was organized here Aug. 26, 1844, with Geo. Rumsey, President. Goshen Lodge, No. 12, A. F. & A. M., with Jno. B. "Walk, "W. M., and E. G. Chamberlain, Secretary, at present writing, was organized under dispensation on Sept. 14, 1844, with nine mem- bers. The first officers were Azel Skinner, W. M. ; George Parsons, S. AV. ; Ebenezer Brown, J. AA^. The charter was granted in May, 1845. Fravel Lodge, No. 306, A. F. & A. M.,ot which H. Y. Curtis is AY. M., aud E. II. Dunning, Secretary, was organized under dis- pensation Aug. 21, 1862, and the charter granted May 26, 1864. 902 HISTOBT OF ELKHAET COITNTT. M. M. Bartholomew, TV. M.; Geo. Howell, S. W.; TV. P.. Martin J. TV., were the officers first after the granting of the chapter. Goshen Chapter, Xo. 45, K. A. il.. with J. B. "Walk, H. P., and E. G. Chamberlain, Sec'v, present officers, was organized in Feb- ruary. 1S60, with 12 members, of whom E. W. H. Ellis. H. P., James H. Barnes. King, and Joseph Laufertv. Scribe, were the first officers. Bashor CouncO. Xo. 15, E. A. M.,with J. K. Mnlholland, I. M.. and E. H. Dunning, Recorder, was organized March 12, 1S61. under dispensation. The first officers of the council were C. A. Foster, T. I. M.: TV. B. Martin, Deputy, and H. G. Hale, P. C. TV. yiHE DEPAKTilEXT OF GOSHEX. The first company organized at Goshen was known as the "Reliance Engine Company. Xo. 1," and dates back for service to Sept. 4, 1S62. Its roll of last year showed a membership of 21 men. The "Rescue Hook & Ladder Company, Xo. 1," was organized almost six years later, or on May 4. 1S6S. and at its last review (1S79* comprised 24 members. Both companies were duly erected and chartered under the laws of the State. The '' Reliance Hose Company, Xo. 1,'' composed of 1 7 men. wa organized July 2, 1S70, and the " Hydraulic Hose Company, Xo. 2," completed its organization Jan. 25, 1S72. and now possesses an available force of 17 men. The companies subsequently organized are "Triumph, Xo. 1," July 19, 1875, with a roster of 22 men: •• Goshen Hose Company, Xo. 4.''June 21, 1S75, now composed of 22 men, and the companies Xos. 3 and 4, comprising youths under 21 years of age. An address delivered by Capt. A. TV. Simmons at the Parade and Review of Firemen, held at Goshen in May, 1S79, dealt with the benefits accruing to the community from these organizations. He referred to the conflagration of December. IS 77, when to make an efibrt at saving from destruction the Xoble and Crary buildings on Market street the Fire Department worked with unequalled per- severance, under every disadvantage that a freezing wind entailed, and succeeded in insuring the safety of adjoining property. On the first Monday in February, ISSO, the Triumph Hose Company dedicated its new reading and club rooms at Goshen. The Hon. Henry D. TVilson dwelt at some length and very eloquently upon the success which had been attained by the Fire Department- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUXTT. W6 recapitulated much of its iuterestiug history, and concluded by a relation of the many benefits destined to accrue to the members from their new reading room and club. THK BRAScS BANDS. The first band was organized here in 1S55, by C. Devor, with 11 performers. The second in 1864, by C. B. Grospitch; and the third in 1S7S. by M. Yanderbelten, known as the Goshen Silver Cornet Band. Tliis musical company holds a very prominent posi- tion in the esteem of the people, and among the band circles of the State. It comprises many voung men, who are destined in the future to reach the highest social and, perhaps, political honors which the county may bestow. This band carried ofi:' the prize from six competitors during the fireman and band tournament in Sep- tember, IS 77. The instruments are silver plated and have been specially manufactured for the company by Conn & Dupont, of Elk- hart. THE POSTOFFICE of this city is conveniently situate, and well administered. An idea of the business transacted annually may be had from the fact that the letters, postal cards, packets and newspapers sent through the mails during the first week of November, 1S79, aggregated 9,000. The present postmaster succeeded his father. Dr. E. W. H. Ellis, in that position in 1S76. THE CITY NATIONAL BANK. The City National was organized in December, 1S72, with an authorized capital of $150',000, of which $50,000 was paid in. This paid-in capital has since been increased ^20.000 by its surplus earn- ings, making the real capital of the bank at the pi-esent time $70,- 000. At its organization II. IL Hitchcock was elected President and Ira W. Nash. Cashier. The directory included the President and Cashier, Messrs. J. H. Defrees. Joseph Lauferty. Abraham F. "Wilden, Laporte Heffiier, Henry J. Beyerle, E. W. Walker. In the election of 18S0, held by the stockholders of the City National Bank, the following directory was chosen: Messrs. J. H. Defrees. Dr. H. H. Hitchcock, A. C. Jackson, E. W. Walker. Joseph Lauferty, H. Elson, Ira W. Nash. 904 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. The officers then elected comprised Messrs. A. C.Jackson, Presi- dent; II. li. Hitchcock, Vice President; and Ira "W". Nash, Cash- ier. The bank has had a prosperous career. Its deposits average about $50,000, and its loans and discounts about $75,000. Last summer, to afford itself convenient quarters, it built the handsome stone bank building now occupied, the property representing a valuation of about $8,000. The office itself is neatlj fitted up, and in the rear of the bank pi-oper (which embraces cashier's and teller's depart- ment, vault, safe, etc.) are the private rooms of the officers. The resources of this institution in 1879-'S0 were estimated at $178,- 932. This is the only national bank at Goshen, and there is but one other in the county. Its record is one concerning which its officials may well feel proud, and its influence in business circles is scarcely to be estimated. THE SALEM BANK dates its organization in 1854, we believe, and for a number of years was a bank of issue, operating under a State charter with John Cook, Thomas G. Harris and Samuel Geisinger forming the directory. Of late years it has been a private bank, and in 1SG5 Messrs. Milo S. Hascall and John W. Irwin became its proprietors, succeeding John Cook. Both of these gentlemen are old residents of the county. Gen. Hascall was a graduate of West Point, and also an attorney by profession. He was Clerk of the county when the war broke out; resigning that office he entered the army; became Colonel of the 17th Ind., and afterward Brigadier General; for a time was military commander of the State, and resigned in 1864; has since made his home here. He has been in the county about 30 years, and always has been an active business man. Mr. Irwin is also an attorney ; for two terms was Treasurer of the county, and has lived in Elkhart county since 1832. The resources of the bank may be set down at $105,000, made up of building, safe and fixtures valued at $7,000, with cash assets, including capital, estimated at $98,000. The liabilities of this banking house in October, 1880, summed up $65,000. A. F. WILDEN's BANK was established in 1871 by Mr. Wilden. The first office was in the Mechanics block; but in 1875 a change was made to the present HJ6T0ET OF ELKIIARTCO0NTr. 905 commodious building, just east of the City National on Market street. Mr. Wilden continues to manage the concern with Mr. John L. Blue as Cashier. THE farmer's bank. This monetary establishment was organized in 1876 with W. A. Thomas and Laporte Ileffner forming the proprietary. The actual resources of the bank in October, 1880, were $100, 000, with a large and neat office in Thomas' block valued at $9,000. The original pro- jectors take an active part in administering banking business at present and are assisted by Mr. Miller, formerly County Recorder. The high reputation attained by these bankers is fully merited. THE HYDRAULIC CANAL. During the year 1866 a project, which was to render Goshen a most important manufacturing town, was originated, and in 1868, brought to completion. Among those to whom thanks are mainly due for this great motive power are J. II. Defrees, E. W. II. Ellis, Dr. M. M. Latta, P. M. Ilenkel, Cephas Hawks, Milton Mercer, John Stauffer and Adam Yeakell. The western bank of this canal is formed from earth taken from the face of the plateau, above the valley of the Elkhart. The water of the river proper was diverted from its natural course, one and one-half miles southwest of the city, and turned into this channel at a cost of $100,000. This large invest- ment dwindles into insignificance when the manifold advantages of this wealth-giving canal are considered. This fact will be further substantiated by the following review of the industries which almost owe it their present prosperous condition, if not their very exist- T«E LINSEED-OIL MILLS. These mills were established in 1868 by J. II. Defrees and son. The first year's operations consumed about 5,000 bushels of seed, of which .3,000 bushels were supplied by the county. In 1872, 10,054 bushels were purchased in the Goshen market, forming half the quantity operated upon that year. The year 1878 was the beginning of the greatest progress. No less tiian 30,000 bushels of seed were converted into oil and oil cake. In 1880 the purchase of flax-seed reached 42,000 bushels, yielding 84,000 gallons of linseed oil, and 1,555,400 lbs. of oil cake. 906 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. The export of the manufactured oils and cake has reached an extent as surprising as it is consolatory. The position of this mill among kindred establishments throughout the country is high indeed. The enterprise which carried out the project deserves a most flat- tering recognition from those without as well as within the State. In the little city of the Elkhart valley, every advance made by such an industry is hailed with delight, and it is to be hoped that not only will the present large trade continue, but rather increase, until the enterprise of the proprietor calls for the erection of additions to the present extensive facilities which the mill offers. THE GRIST-MILL was erected at the instance of J. H. Defrees in 1879, south of Mar- ket street, on the hydraulic canal. This mill commenced operations in October, 1879, and is likely to prove another link in the chain of progress. c. & E. hawks' mill and factory. The flouring mill of Cephas and Eleazer Hawks was erected on the hydraulic canal in 1868. Previously, from 1836 to 1844, they operated the old grist-mill of Elias Baker, at Waterford, and in the latter year reconstructed it. In the new building, the work of the mill was carried on down to 1868, when the machinery was moved to the present establishment. In 1836, the mill gave employment to four men, now eight and often 10 hands are employed, and the trade has advanced from a few barrels per week to 1,000. The number of bushels of wheat converted into flour weekly is about 6,000, or 260,000 annually. the furniture factory was built in 1872 for the purpose of a sewing-machine factory, and continued to be so used until July, 1874, when Hawks, Fravel & Co. purchased the building and projected the manufacture of furniture. This firm continued the making of furniture until Jul}', 1878, when Hawks Brothers purchased the entire interest. Tlie progress is marked indeed. In 1874 20 men were employed; now no less than 75 hands are directly engaged in connection with the work. The annual value of products in 1874 was about $20,000; of 1879, $65,- 000, and a sale of goods amounting to $80,000 may be reported for 1880. The cost of the original factory was $5,000, additions since HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTT. 907 made, $2,000, and machinery, $5,000. The lumber used in the manufacture of furniture is obtained from this and neighboring counties. Messrs. C. & E. Hawks may be said to have built and equipped the two factories to which reference has been made. They also built the flouring mill, and the large double store occupied by the firm, — a three-story and basement building 44x85 feet — and in numerous other ways have advanced the best interests of the citj'. The firm of Hawks Bros. & Co. have an enormous trade. They deal in dry goods and general merchandise, and in hardware; they have an establishment that is known far and wide through the county, and none of our business firms command greater confideace or greater trade. Together with all this, the employment of a force bordering on 100 is a boon to the city which cannot be over-esti- mated. GOSHEN CITY FLOgEING MILLS. These mills were erected in 1868-69 by Thomas and StaufFer, at a cost of $16,000. The same firm continued to operate it until the death of Mr. Staufler in September, 1875, since which time Mr. W. A. Thomas has been sole proprietor. The mill is a large frame building, situated upon the hydraulic, the main building being 67x33 feet, four floors, with an addition ot 16x50 feet. Water is the motor power used, and the mill is sup- plied with five run of stone, four of them four feet in diameter, and one 30 inches. The capacity of the mill may be fairly stated at 100 to 125 bbls. of flour per day. Both custom and merchant work are done, the merchant flour being largely shipped to New York and Baltimore. The number of luen employed at beginning was six, while at present there are 15. There are 30,000 barrels of flour pro- duced annually, valued at $150,000. The cooperage attached gives employment to seven men. ceaet's furnituee factoet was established in 1867-68 by B. G. Crary, and was the first build- ing erected for manufacturing purposes along the hydraulic. The cost of structure and machinery was $10,500. The number of men employed at beginning was six, while at present the factory gives employment to 20 hands. The trade is principally in extension tables, and is carried over all the State. From an annual product of $6,000 the business has gradually grown, until now the whole- 908 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. sale department turns out goods to the value of $20,000, and the retail about $12,000. The manufacture of furniture for retail trade includes bureaus, bedsteads, tables. The factory is a large frame building, three stories high and 30x80 feet. It is well equipped with machinery, water-power from the hydraulic being used, and during the day the factory presents a busy aspect. THE GOSHEN WOOLEN MILLS. ■ The woolen mill projected by C. B. Alderman and J. E. Wine- gar in 1869 and completed in 1870, proved one of the most extensive and profitable enterprises of the time. In April, 1871, Gen. M. S. Ilascall entered into tlie partnership; in April, 187-5, J. M. Noble purchased an interest, and in February ,1880, the old firm disposed of their entire interest to the firm of Noble, Kerstetter & Co. The company includes Messrs. King & Fields of the Clear Lake Mills, E. E. Kerstetter, of Elkhart, with Mr. Kerstetter and J. M. Noble, of Goshen. There are 1,040 spindles in use, and in October, 1879, self-operating spinners were introduced, at a cost of $2,500, while other improvements are meditated. The mill is a stone and brick structure, the main building being 40x95 feet, three floors and basement. It has two additions, the dye house, one floor, 24x36 feet, and engine and boiler room, two floors, 36x46 feet, the second story being used as a drying depart- ment. The mill has really three sets: two for manufacturing and one for custom. The machinery is operated by either water or steam power, one 44-inch turbine wheel, taking its power from the hydraulic, being used, and also a 40-horse power engine with 65-horse power boiler. There are 680 spindles, three broad and eight narrow looms, together with all necessary dyeing and fulling and other apparatus. In the mill a force numbering 30 or more is usually employed. The chief produce of the Goshen Woolen Mills are flannels, jeans, blankets and yarns, though some cassimeres and cloths are made. Besides having a large local trade the mill sells its goods very generally throughout six of the Western States, — Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Iowa, — and it pursues a policy distinctively its own, as, instead of virtually paying a commission to jobbers to introduce the goods, the firm sells direct to retailers. It has been a policy productive of good results, too, and the business has grown to such proportions that the "Goshen HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY, 909 Woolen Mills" are known ftir and wide. Aiming not only at excellence, bnt nniform excellence in manufacture and placing straight goods on the market at the lowest rates, the enterprise has worked out its own career. The value of sales for the first six months in 1880 summed up $50,000, which compares very favorably with the amount of sales effected during the corresponding period in 1868, which scarcely exceeded $27,000. The cost of building and machinery was about $10,000. THE SAW AND PLANING MILL located on the hydraulic canal possesses both water and steam power. The mill was projected in 1864 by David Darr, who sold his interest in 1866 to John B. Drake. In 1877 C. A. Davis entered into a partnership, and subsequently purchased the entire concern. The cost of the original building is estimated at $4,000, while the value of the mill at present is $12,000. Its capacity is set down at 1,500,000 feet of hard lumber, such as poplar, walnut, oak, maple and hickory. In preparing the raw lumber for market 15 men receive constant employment. The value of annual product is set down at $20,000. Though the mills just reviewed are all extensive and require a great water-power such as the canal bestows, yet half the ad- vantages which the hydraulic offers are not requisitioned. There is room for many additions to the industrial establishments of the city, and nowhere is a finer location presented than that which the neighborhood of the canal affords. E. & J. goetner's iron foundry. This iron foundry was started in 1863 by Messrs. Gortner & Smith. They built the large house now occupied by the Goshen Pump Company, Howe & Simmons' Chair Factory, and by the foundry. The building cost about $8,000, and the entire concern with machinery about $22,000. A lathe purchased in 1864 cost $960. In lS66-'7 the number employed was 40 men. The threshing machines of the firm are widely known over the State, and win for the manufacturers a prosperous trade. Since 1868 the foundry has been exclusively managed by . J. Gortner, and a steady business has been maintained. It is located near the L. S. & M. S. railway, the main building being a frame 40x110 feet, two floors, with foundry and blacksmith shop 36x80, and another addition 35x60. 910 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. The works are well provided with both iron and wood-working machinery, and has working capacity for full 50 men, though the force rarely numbers more than 20. GOSHEN PUMP COMPANY. This company, with W. L. Bivins as President, manufactures 40,000 pumps annually, and gives employment to between 25 and 30 men. It was established here in 1872. The first pump factory was inaugurated at Waterford in 1851, by J. Wegely, who in 1853 disposed of his interest to Jonas Shively, and he in turn sold out, in 1855, to W. D. Platter. Platter moved his machinery to Goshen, where he continued the manufacture until June, 1879, when the works were purchased by the present company. E. w. walkek's factory. The factory was established in 1870, the present works, located by the side of the L. S. & M. S. railway, having been built by Mr. Walker in 1875. The main building is a two-story brick structure, 52x100 feet, with engine room 25x50. The motive power is steam, a 60-horse power engine being used, and in the works employment is given to a force usually numbering from 50 to 60 hands. The trade of the works is principally with manufacturers in some six or eight of the Western States, the chief sales being made in Illinois, Missouri, Michigan, Iowa. Indiana and Kentucky. Some traveling for orders is done, but the great bulk of business seeks the factory direct. During the first years of the business from 35 to -10 men were employed and the annual value of product was $10,000. AVithin a period of 10 years this value has risen to $130,000. The value ot machinery is estimated at $14,000 and that of the buildings at $19,000. Edward W. Walker is manager and proprietor. WHITTAKER BROTHERS' SHOPS. The shops were established in 1872. The buildings cost $2,500, and the amount of annual product about $5,000. The working force has increased from two in 1872 to 12 in 1880. THE WAGON FACTORY OF J. J. DELOTTER. Among other prosperous manufacturing interests in our sister city of Goshen we make note of its carriage manufactories, and HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 911 here refer to the odc named above. The shops are old established, but Mr. Delotter's proprietorship of them dates from February. ADAM YEAKEl's FACTORY is among the principal carriage and wagon establishments of the cit}'. The number of men employed ranges from five to eight, and the quality and style of workmanship is much appreciated by the people. GOSHEN SWEEPER AND WRINGER CO. This company was organized in 1878, with C. W. Walker and II. E. Gore as principals. The buildings erected by the firm and com- pleted in 1880 are extensive and neat. The main building is 100 feet long by 40 feet wide, and gives place to two floors. The ware- room office and brush factory are in another building, 50x30 feet. The cost of both structures was $J:,000, and of machinery, even now in use, $2,800. The number of hands employed in 1878 was 20. This force has been augmented by a similar number in 1880. In 1878 the sales were $18,000, in 1879 $27,000, and in 1880 $40,000. The trade of the firm extends over the Eastern and Western States, with the principal markets in Chicago, New York, Boston and Philadelphia. There are 25 traveling agents and two clerks engaged in transacting the business of the firm. Mr. Gore is the inventor and patentee of sweeper and wringer. CHAIR FACTORY. The manufacture of chairs was established in June, 1876, by Howe & Simmons, but Mr. Howe, who was engaged in that work, may claim the credit of inaugurating that industry. The factory occupies the entire second floor of Gortner's foundry. The machinery is valued at $2,500; seven men are employed, and the value of goods manufactured in 1880 approximates $20,000. About 400 chairs are made every week, and still the firm intend to further increase their facilities, until the increasing demand is fully met. BATTEL BROTHERS & CO. Ilattel Brothers erected the western end of this industrial con- cern in December, 1877, and the company, subsequently organized, made additions, until the building now forms a rectangle 102x40 feet. The cost of this structure is estimated at $2,400, and that ot yia HISTOKY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. the machinery at $3,000. The nninber of men employed in 1877 did not exceed 10, while now the factory gives employment to no less a number than 40. Five travelers are also employed, who sold during the past year $50,000 worth of tables, bedsteads and bureaus in Indiana, Iowa and Missouri. lu 1876 the wares of the Messrs. Hattel were destroyed by fire, entailing a total loss of $1,300. The present firm comprises Messrs. Henry Kolb, "Wm. Grose, D. "W. and Jacob Hattel. Though young in years, it has made very favor- able progress, and gives promise of reaching the climax of commer- cial prosperity. I. X. L. PUMP CO. This manufactory was established Jan. 1, 1880, by James A. Arthur, John Korrady, Jr., and Alfred Lowry. The number of men employed by this firm during the month of March, 1880, was four; at present the factory gives employment to 13, and is making such satisfactory progress, that an addition to the force may be necessary during the coming year. angel's coopekage. The first cooperage was erected by Christian Angel in 1861 on Third street. He employed four men, who were occupied in turn- ing out work for Messrs. Thomas & StaufFer, J. II. Defrees, for his Syracuse mill, and Dr. E. W. H. Ellis' mills at Goshen. In 1862 the cooperage required the services of eight men. That year he rented steam power from Geo. Powell and used stave machinery. In 1863 he entered into partnership with M. M. Bartiiolomew, and moved the machinery one-half mile south of Goshen. Here the most remarkable progress was made, 20 men were employed, and the patronage of Messrs. W. A. Thomas, 0. & E. Hawks, Geo. W. Ellis, of Goshen, and Turner & Company, of Chicago, secured. Before the close of the year M. M. Bartholomew disposed of his half interest to Mr. Angel, and the latter moved the machinery and shop to the present location on Second street, near Third and Madison. Here the work of the cooperage so increased that it gave employ- ment to 35 men; but the fire-fiend attacked the shops Aug. 12, 1873, and destroyed both buildings and machinery. The proprietor lost by this fire about $4,000 directly, and indirectly, $1,500. The manufacturers, bankers and merchants offered to contribute an amount equal to the entire loss, and would have done so had not HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 913 Angel requested his good neighbors to desist. In 1874 a new build- ing was completed and the cooperage again in full operation. Since that period a steady trade has been maintained, and many additions made to the buildings. The yearly business of this manufactory may be summed up as follows : 40,000 slack barrels, 35c $14,000 8,000 tierces and packing barrels, $1.385 10,666 2,000,000 staves and heads, .06c 13,000 Total $36,666 echart's cooperage. John B. Echart's factory, at the corner of Madison and Eighth streets, gives employment to three men. The principal wooden-ware produced comprises butter-tubs and tight work.. straub's cooperage. Straub's manufactory is principally devoted to egg barrels and packing barrels. RAD & RINGLEy's Cooperage is devoted to custom-work. The work is generally substantial and meets the approval of the patrons of the firm. THE RIVERSIDE CIGAR COMPANY was formed early in 1876, with John A. Tiedeman as principal. The trade has been steadily increasing until now it approximates $3,000. The leaf used in the factory is principally purchased in Chicago and Detroit, and a market for the manufactured goods found within the county. NATHAN SAILINGEr's factory is not so extensive as that of the Tliverside company. His trade is chiefly confined to the county. MANUEL GONZALES does a limited, but a paying trade. The manufacture of cigars here gives employment to seven men; the character of the goods is in high repute, and the extent of the trade satisfactory to the persons engaged in it. 914 HI6T0KT OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. THE NOBLE SCHOOL FURNITURE COMPANY. The officers of the company are: J. M. Noble, President; L. H. Noble, Treasurer, and W. A. Bradford, Secretary, the active man- agement of the business mainly resting with the two last named gentlemen, Mr. J. M. Noble finding his time occupied in the man- agement of the large hardwood lumber interest of L. H. Noble & Son. He also, as elsewhere stated, is connected with the Goshen Woolen Mill Company. Mr. L. II. Noble came to Elkhart county in 1849, from Ohio, and ever since has been in active business here. The company established themselves in the school-furniture man- ufactory business in 1872, and they now employ 50 hands, and sell about $115,000 worth of furniture per year. They have a branch office and salesroom at 270 and 272 "Wabash avenue, Chicago, under the charge of C. R. Ilewett, and orders or letters of inquiry addressed either here or there will meet with prompt attention. The material used by the company in the construction of their school furniture and tables is wholly walnut and ash. The school furniture is made with alternate strips of this material, so that the effect is pleasing to the eye; the seat conforms itself to the body in such a natural manner as to avoid fatigue. This accomplished, that is, conformity to the natural j^ose of the body, it became nec- essary to embody other points of excellence, so that strength and durability should be combined with an appearance of lightness. In the manufacture of school furniture especial attention is also paid to teachers' desks of various patterns. The firm also sell globes, chairs, blackboards and the many adjuncts of the school-room. The factory itself is by the side of the L. S. & M. S. R'y, having abundant side track. The main building is a three story frame structure (built last year) 46x100 feet. The engine, boiler rooms and kilns are 42x65 feet, and a two-story wareroom, frame, 44x98 feet, is now building. The work rooms may really be considered models in their way. They are splendidly lighted, are heated by steam, and every convenience exists for prosecuting work expe- ditiously. The various machinery in use (and machinery is used wherever it can be to advantage) is ofthe best pattern, selected with special reference to the peculiar lines of manufacture engaged in by the company. The buildings, although frame, are well protected against fire by a thorough system of pipes and hose, with abundant water supply, and, taken all in all, the most casual visitor can see that the works are the result of experience and careful observation. ^^HG. ^^C^i^C'H^.Ct/l/t^ HISTORY OV ELKHART COUNTY. 917 THE RESIDENCE OF MR. NOBLE. This beautiful residence is situate on East Market street, and occupies a section of the Mock forming the northwestern frontagje. The house was erected in lS75-'6, at a direct cost of $19,000. The exterior, though architecturally complete, conveys but a small idea of its interior beauty. The style of the building is early Gothic with all its turrets and pointed gables. The abutment or substruct- ure is composed of variegated stones, cut down to a uniform square and pointed in cement. The wood used in the exterior frame is all yellow poplar, as enduring as cedar. The grounds form a plain green terrace through which 1.000 square feetof concrete pavement lead to the exits and entrances, and all is enclosed by a neat net- work of iron paling. Without this fence the owner caused over 1,500 feet of concrete sidewalk to be laid down and sliade trees to be planted along the street. The maples on the southern front prospered, but the birch trees on the east are battling with the change of location. However, mogt of these are thrifty and will become living ornaments to that portion of the city. As has been said, all this exterior beauty gives very little idea of the interior magnificence. Mr. Noble has introduced within the building a style and pleasing solidity of wood work which the trav- eler has failed to see eclipsed, perliaps equaled , in the houses of many European monarchs. Black and white walnut, butternut and polished asharensed throughout in the doors and walltrimmings. The furniture is ebonized wood, and the drapery or npholstery com- prise maroon rep, variegated damask or green satin. Let us travel through this mansion. Entering through a double massive gate in solid wood, of the costliest grain, the main hall is reached. The base, surbase and wainscoting are butternut, with walnut facings. The walnut is precisely similar in quality to that used in veneering, is solid, and bestows an appearance upon the hall at once telling and effective. The dining room is unequaled in its decoration. The base, surbase and alternate laths of the wainscoting are solid black walnut of the choicest grain. The intervening laths are white wal- nut of the best quality. The window blinds, frames and sashes, with the five doors leading from the room, are all en suite. The sideboard is a massive piece of furniture, made of solid walnut boards, supplied by the owner, and a table of the same material. The kitchen is one of the apartments near the dining saloon ; the wall and window trimmings are almost similar to those used in the 54 918 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. decoration of the dining liall with the exception tlmt white walnut hoi is the place occupied bj Mack in the former description. The four doors leading to this neat culinary are massive and correspond with those leading to tlie dining hall. The bath-room off the hall is as cozy as it is costly; all that artifice could do to render this lit- tle apartment luxurious has been doue, no expense has been spared, and consequently it is all that man may desire in such a connec- tion. The first parlor is on the left-hand side of the hall. The doors leading to it are paneled in polished butternut with heavy black walnut facing, and are hung on wheels. The base, surliase and wainscoting, with window frames and blinds, are all made in the same woods and so correspond. The center table, piano and mirror frames, with other articles of furniture are in ebonized wood, while the drapery is a rich maroon rep. The sitting-room on the oppo- site side of the hall is in white walnut with black-walnut facings, with furniture of the most superb description, and variegated drapery. The first bedroom is ofl'this reception parlor. It is entered through a massive door of polished ash and solid black walnut. The base, sarbase, wainscoting, window frames, blinds and furniture corre- spond so that the effect is simply beautiful. The bath-room re- ferred to previously is oft' this room, and is furnished in the same manner. The stairway is a work of art. Beginning with the newell, which supports the many -lighted gasolier, it may be said to be a solid block of walnut with mosaic ornamentation. The hand rail through all its length is solid walnut of the choicest grain, and bearing a high polish. The guard rails are heavy polished ash and well designed. This beautiful stairway leads upward to the princi- pal lobby. The rooms on the second floor are all large, airy apart- ments, furnished most tastefully, if not luxuriously, and differ only from the splendid rooms beneath in possessing a lightsome appear- ance, caused principally by the employment of white walnut and tinted woods in decorating the walls, as well as in the window frames and doors. The beauty of the lumber chosen by Mr. Noble for his residence must be seen to be known and admired. Nothing more peculiarly entertaining in interior house decoration has ever been brought under the notice of the writer, and this fact connected with the great, the important part taken by the owner in building up this city of Goshen must for ever mark him as a man of high taste and extraordinary enterprise. HISTOEY OF ELKHART COUNTY. \) L\f RAILWAY STATISTICS. Tlie annual business statement of the Goshen R. E. station for the year ending Dec. 31, 1860, contained the following recapitula- tion: Freight received, 12,950,475 pounds, $18,688.82; freight for warded, 11,079,575 pounds, $18,860.90; receipts of ticket office $4,182.83; receipts of telegraph office, $278.45; total, $42,011.00 The total amount of money received by express was $260,290.95, and the amount forwarded through that channel $310,547.65; show ing a total financial dealing of $570,838.60, for the transmittance of which the express office charged $1,920.50. It will be sufficient for the purposes of comparison to give the statistics of the same depot for three months ending Aug. 31, 1880. The increase in freight received and forwarded will be apparent, aud speaks, with the accuracy of figures, the almost unparalleled ad- vances made by the city. Michigan Southern: forwarded, June, 7,902,441 pounds; July, 12,717,364 pounds; August, 8,417,097 pounds; total, 29,036,902; received, June, 3,007,192 pounds; July, 2,933,071 pounds; August, 3,583,382 pounds; total, 9.422,645 pounds. Cincinnati, Wabash & Michigan: forwarded, June, 907,827 pounds; July, 632,243 pounds; August, 904,226, pounds; total, 2,444,296 pounds; received, June, 4,793,256 pounds, grain, flax seed, etc; July, 10,158,223 pounds; August, 6,613,679 pounds; total, 21,565,158. These figures show the extension of trade or exportation to be spreading East and "West, and the importation of raw material, for use in the mills, to be from the South. VILLAGE OF WATEEFORD. The village of "Waterford is situated on the east side of the Elk- hart river, in Elkhart township, on section 28. The land was original- ly owned by Judge Elias Baker, who erected a small log dwelling and a grist-mill here in 1833, John McBride being the mill-wright. The Eev. Azel Sparklin settled on the Sparklin farm, adjoining Waterford on the east, in 1829. He was a local Methodist preacher, the first minister in the neighborhood, and the only one for several years. He for a long time performed nearly all the marriage ceremonies and preached the funeral sermons in the sur- rounding country. Major John W. Violett, whose name is also identified with the early history of Waterford and with the history 920 HISTOKT OF ELKHAET OOUNTr. of the county, likewise settled here in 1829, his lands adjoining the village. Mr. Cephas Hawks, Sr., visited this county in 1835, and bought the Baker property in June, 1836. Mr. Cephas Hawks, Jr., settled in Middlebury in the spring of 1836, but came to what is now Waterford in the fall of that year and took possession of his father's property, in which he soon afterward purchased an interest. At a later date Mr. David Balleutine also bought an interest in the property; and in the summer of 1S3S the village was laid out by Ballentine, C. Hawks, Sr., and C. Hawks, Jr. In the fall of 1836 Cephas Hawks, Sr. & Sons opened a store in a small shanty, but built a larger store-room the next year, in which the firm and their successors, the sons, kept store for many years. Dr. H. Heatwole, the first established physician liere, came in May, 1853. The Hawkses built a new mill near the site of the old one in 1843 and '44; and in 1868, on the completion of the Goshen hydraulic canal, the Waterford dam was taken down and the mill removed to Goshen. The first postofiice was established here in 1S54, and S. D. Lombard was appointed postmaster. He was succeeded by Frank Johnson, and Johnson by W. L. Baker, who had the ofiice discontinued. About the year 1865 the office was re-established, and W. D. Platter appointed postmaster. The Methodist church was built about the year 1842, the Methodists having met for wor- ship prior to that time in the school house. In 1853 the Christian church was built, and in 1858 the Associate Keformed Presbyterian church. The latter denomination has now no preaching here, and their church was removed to Rodibaugh's grave-yard a few years ago. A frame school-house was erected here about 40 years ago, and the building is now occupied by Mrs. Barlow as a dwelling. A one-story brick school-house was erected in 185S, and tlie present fine two-story building about the year 1871. In 1851 aMr.Wegely started a small pump shop here. This shop was afterward pur- chased by Jonas Shively, and then by W. D. Platter. The latter removed it to Goshen, where he carried on an extensive business, and recently sold out to W. L. Bivins. There was at one time a large amount of business done at Water- ford, particularly at the mill. Farmers from a distance of many miles and from all directions came here to get their wheat con- verted into flour and their corn cracked. Bethel (or Christian) Church, at Waterford. This church is known by many as the '" New-Light " Christian Church, to designate it from the '" Campbellite " Christian Church. It is now situated at BISTORT OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 921 "Waterford, Elkhart township, but was organized at Benton, in Ben- ton township, Oct. 9, 1842, by Elder Peter Banta, with a member- ship of nine. Their names were as follows: David Monroe, David Bowser, Benjamin Benner, Elias Baker, Isaac Longeer, Eliza Stanley, Caroline Benner, Elizabeth Bowser and Maria Monroe. But three of the charter members are living, viz.: Benjamin Ben- ner, Caroline Benner and Elizabeth Bowser. This little band of worshipers adopted nothing but the Bible for its rule of faith and practice. There were no meetings held at Beaton after the organization, for the place of meeting was immediately changed to the log school-house one mile west of Waterford. The first pastor was Rev. Banta, the founder. The first confer- ence in the district was held in 1850, in the barn of William Albin, who resided near Waterford. They erected a house of worship in Waterford, in 1853, and Nov. 26 of the same year changed the name or title of the Church (or class) to that of the Christian Church at Waterford. They sustain regular services and have a flourishing little Church of 50 communicants. The present pastor is Rev. Geo. Abbott. PERSONAL SKETCHES. This most important branch of township history must commend it- self to every one. That it necessarily contains much valuable informa- tion and the relation of a series of events more or less historical is conceded. Therefore it is considered just and proper, that any- thing which may have a place in the pages devoted to it should be passed lightly over in the foregoing chapters, in order that repeti- tion might be avoided, and the more precise and complete facts intermingled with the always interesting reminiscences generally given in personal sketches. Hon. Charles B. Alderman^ present Mayor of the city of Goshen, was born in Greenville, Vt., Nov. 16, 1828, the son of Bidwell and Vesta (Smith) Alderman. The former died before the subject of this sketch was born, leaving the care of the family to the sorrow- ing widow, who removed to Western New York when Charles was two years old, and located at Leroy. Mrs. Alderman afterward married the father of General llascall, now of Goshen, and thus became the step-mother of the General. They remained in Leroy till the spring of 1854, and while there he attended district school. At the age of 16 he left the farm and was engaged as a clerk in a grocery and crockery store, owned and conducted by Steward Chamberlain. He held this position till he was of age, when, close confinement having impaired his health, he engaged in contracting 922 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. and building for three years, an occupation designed to benefit his health on account of the outdoor exercise it gave him. During this period he was married to Miss Elizabeth McLaren, a lady of Scotch ancestry. In the fall of 1853 Mr. Alderman came to Middle- bury, this county, and in 1854 he located in Goshen. When Mr. and Mrs. Alderman settled in Goshen their only child had been born to them, a son, George F., who is now cashier of the Sherman House, Chicago. When well settled in Goshen Mr. Alderman went into the employment of Hascall & Ellis, as clerk in the large mercantile house they were then conducting. AVheu that firm made an assign- ment, and A. W. Hascall & Co. bought the stock, Mr. Alderman went into the firm as third partner. In the spring of 1856 the firm sold their business to West & Gallantine, who after six months of trade desired a change, when Hascall. Alderman & Brown bought them out. In 1860 Mr. Brown sold his interest to his partners and retired, and Hascall & Alderman continued the business till 1864, when A. jSf. Hascall bought an interest in the firm, Mr. Hascall also retiring in the spring of 1865. In the spring of 1868 Mr. Alderman sold liis interest to Gen. Hascall, and left the firm on account of failing health. During his career as a retail dealer in goods, himself and associate partners, from 1856 to 1868, sold over fl.OOO.OOO worth of goods. The time at length arrived when Mr. Alderman was to make a new departure and become a manufacturer instead of a merchant. In 1869 he joined forces with Mr. James E. Winuegar, and began to build the Goshen Woolen Mills. This work was finished in 1870. They erected the substantial three-story-and-basement brick structure, which is such an important feature among the improve- ments on the hydraulic canal, and filled it with costly and modern machinery. This establishment has since been one of the principal industries of Goshen, and is a lasting honor to its projectors and builders. In 1872 Gen. Hascall took a third interest in the busi- ness, but in 1875 he sold his share to J. M. Noble, the firm as thus reorganized continuing business till 1879, when a sale of tlie entire establishment was made to the present owners, mention of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. In 1875 Mr. Alderman joined the stock company that now controls the Goshen Gas Works, himself taking half the stock. He has since occupied the position of president of fhe company. Mr. Alderman's official life in Goshen began in 1874, when he was elected Councilman of the first ward for the term of two years. In 1876 he was elected Mayor, and his fellow-citizens hon- ored him with a re-election in 1878. Still pleased with his administration of municipal affairs, Mr. Alderman was elected Mayor for a third time in 1880. This last election, however, was not an easy "walk-over,'" for his opponents urged the battle against him to the utmost. But such was Mr. Alderman's popularity that he came through the contest victorious by a handsome majority. HISTOBT OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 923 During Lis term as member of the Common Council Mr. Alderman was Chairman of the Finance Committee, and also of that on the water-works, and the duty of placino; the water- works bonds de- volved upon him. The bonded indebtedness was negotiated at satisfactory rates to tax-payers of the city, and Mr. Alderman wou high praise for his efficiency in tiiis important business. Mr. Alderman has been a Freemason since 1864, when he took the Master's degree in Goshen lodge, No. 12, and was raised in that lodge Feb. 11, 1867. lie is at present a Royal Arch Mason in Goshen Chapter, No. 4.5, and was exalted June 8, 1868; a member of Bashor Council. No. 15, and a member of Soutli Bend Cjtn- mandery. No. 13. Mayor Alderman's life since he came to Goshen has been crowded with events, and no resident of the city has been more honored and distinguished by his fellow-citizens. John Baker, one of the aged citizens of Elkhart county, was born in Bedford county, Pa., in 1801. He is thus 79 years of age, yet at this writing he is vigorous and active, and signs his name in a bold, distinct and strong hand. His father's name was John, and his mother's maiden name was Barbara Ilershey, the latter living till the age of 96, and but recently deceased. The family is of German descent. When John was 21 years of age his mother removed to Ohio, the children accompanying her, the fatlier having previously died, and the mother having married a Mr. Arnold. Mr. Baker remained in Ohio till 1834, wlien he came to Elkhart county, Ind. He was married at the age of 23, and settled on a farm two miles west of Waterford. This ]>ropertj' he traded for the farm he now occupies. It was formerly the Joseph Stouter estate, and Mr. Baker arranged the transfer with the heirs. Mr. Baker has been on this farm for 23 years, and has brought it to a high state of cultivation. He has three living children by his first wife. His second marriage was in 1835, to Susanna (Cripe) Stouter, widow of Joseph Stouter. He has also three living children as the Vesult of this union. Mr. Baker belongs to the German Baptist denomination. He is, as a man, a remarkable instance of strong and hearty old age, and may live yet many years. Hon. John H. Baker, M. C, was born in Parma tp., New York, Feb. 28, 1832; removed at an early age with his parents to the present county of Fulton, Ohio, where he assisted in such farm labor as is incident to frontier life until he was nearlj' 21 years of age. His school education was limited to afew wjnterterms of the pioneer kind. He afterward taught school, and attended the Wes- leyan University at Delaware, O., completing the first two years of the college course; studied law at Adrian, Mich.; was admitted to the Bar; commenced practice in 1857 at Goshen, in which he wae constantly engaged until his election to Congress in the fall ot 1874; was elected as a Republican by 13,671 votes, against 13,613 for his opponent, Freeman Kelley; was re-elected in the fall of 1876 by 18,481 votes, against 16,273 for the same opponent. He has been re-elected twice since that time. In the 44th Congress he 924 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. was second on the Committee on Elections, and as a working mem- ber he perhaps took a more prominent part than any other. In the 4:5th Congress he was on the Committee on Appropriations, and took a very active part. In the 46th he was continued on the same Committee, and ranks first on the Republican side. Other mem- bers of this Committee are Frank Iliscock, of New York; James Monroe, of Ohio; Jay A. Ilubbell, of Michigan; and J. G. Cannon, of Illinois. James Beck was born iu Fleming county, Kentucky, Oct. 20, 1803. J. Beck, his father, was also born in Kentucky, but now de- ceased; was the father of 16 children, of whom 4 were girls and 12 were boys. Mr. J. Beck was a man of untiring energy and perse- verance, and accumulated a snug little fortune, but too insigniiicant to start his large family out in the world with a capital that would support them for any great length of time. Mr. James Beck, be- ing a man of pluck, and determined to secure wealth and position, came northward and settled in this county, where his energy and daring soon became known, and he was elected the first Constable of tliis county, which office he filled with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of his constituents, who, not being satisfied with the honors already bestowed upon our pioneer, elected him Sheriii of the county in 1832, which office he administered as only a man of his peculiar qualifications could. The people being highly pleased with the manner in which he dispatched the business of the office, in 1834 again elected him Sheriff, but after serving for one year, he resigned. He was married to Miss Sarah West, of St. Joseph county, Sept. 7, 1834, who was born April 12, 1813. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Beck 3 children, 2 girls and 1 boy, all of whom are liv- ing, and respected citizens of Goshen. Hannah Jane was married in 1877; Mary E. and James A. are living at home, administering to the wants of their father, who has so kindly cared for them in their infancy until such times as they were able to go forth and battle the world alone. Mrs. Beck is a woman of delicate taste and lofty purpose, and has not failed to instill into the minds of her children while they yet could be easily molded, the same noble and inspiring elements. Mr. Beck describes in a very graphic manner his first arrests while holding the offices of Constable and Sheriff". The following are items: In 1831 an unman-ied man by the name of Morgan, being indebted on a note to the amount of $50, and at the maturity of said note being unable to pay the same, a capias was issued for his arrest, Being better posted than his pursuers, he had fled from the county to avoid being arrested. Mr. Beck, not knowing that his power to arrest was limited, pursued Morgan, and came up with him in an adjoining county, and undertook to make the arrest. Morgan, not willing to be thus deprived of his freedom, informed the Constable that his papers were valid only in the county for which he was act- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 925 ing as Constable, and thus tantalized Mr. Beck to his entire satis- faction. At last Mr. B., not knowing what to do, consulted an attorney, who suggested that they issue a civil process, which was done, and in due time the debt was collected. The second arrest was made in what is now known as Benton. A man named Lyman Leonard, a counterfeiter, was the victim. He was arrested and tried at Goshen, in an old log house, and found guilty and sent to Jeifersonville for five years. His accomplice, Wilkinson, was acquitted, as there was not sufficient evidence to warrant a conviction. He was taken by Mr. Beck to Jefferson vi lie, on horseback, having his legs and hands shackled, as he was a des- perate character. There was considerable difliculty e.xperienced in taking Leonard to Jeifersonville, but Mr. B., being accustomed to the wilds of a new country, was equal to the emergency, and suc- .cessfully performed his duty. Joseph G. Beck, one of the prominent merchants of Goshen, was born in York county. Pa., Sept. 30, 1S36. His parents were Joseph and Lydia (Chust) Beck. Mr. Beck's boyhood was passed at home, a portion of his time being spent in common school. For some time alter he arrived at manhood's estate he was a dealer in general merchandise, at Davidsburg, York county, Pa. He came to Goshen in 1859, and here embarked in the general grocery and dry-goods trade in 1865. Li the same year he married Miss Caro- line E. Shaeffer, by whom he has four children, 3 sons and 1 daughter. Two of these sons, George and Clinton, are now with their father in his store. The youngest son, Weston, is pursuing his school studies. The two older sons are graduates of the Goshen high school, and the daughter, Anna, will graduate in the spring, having taken a Latin course. Mr. Beck's store, on the corner of Maine and Market streets, is one of the best known places of the kind in town, which has been made conspicuous not only by his liveliness as a merchant, but also by his unique way of advertising by the bulletin-board system. He originated the Goshen Building and Land Association, which is a chartered institution; was its first president, and is now its secretary. This association was organized in 1874, and has a pledged capital of $50,000 and an authorized capital of $100,000. The company has already built a dozen houses. Mr. Beck was also the first who moved to raise stock for the Elkhart County Agricultural Society, and was elected its treasurer at the first annual meeting of the directors, and has held that position since. Mr. Beck took an active part in securing gaslight for Goslien, and was instrumental in getting a pledge of stock to the gas company. He is an active man in private and public business, and one of the most useful citizens of Goshen. He is a member of the English Lutheran Church of Goshen, and is at present Deacon. He is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Bashor Council, Blue Lodge 306, and to the Chapter. HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. Milton J. Beck, Esq., attorney and Justice of the Peace, is one of the younger representative men of Goshen. He was born in Allen county, Ind., and has spent most of his life in this State. His father is Noah Beck, and his mother's maiden name was Joanna Jenkins. His father was a Pennsylvanian of English descent, and his mother was a native of Virginia, and also descended from Eng- lish ancestry. Wlien the subject of this sketch was eight years of age his parents moved to Ohio, settling in Miami county, where they remained four years. They then ventured another removal, this time trying their fortunes in Elkhart county, Ind. During childhood Mr. Beck attended the common schools nearest at hand; when older he enjoyed the advantages of the high school, finishing his education in that department of instruction. At the age of 19 he began teaching, and continued that occupation till he Vas 23, studying law with Baker & Mitchell during that time. At the end , of a three-years' course of law study he was admitted to the Bar, and immediately thereafter opened an oflice in Goshen. He was elected Justice of the Peace iu the spring of 1S7S, and was married in the month of June following to Miss Mary L. Billings, daughter of Capt. E. L. Billings, of Goshen. They have 1 child. Though Esquire Beck is yet a young man he has made a flatter- ing progress in his profession, and can look hopefully forward to a career of prosperity. He is a Republican in politics, and a member of the Methodist denomination. He is President of the State Fire- men's Association, a member of the Hose Company jSTo. 3, Goshen, and takes much- interest in the means of tire defense. In a word, he is an active and useful member of Goshen society, and is ac- knowledged as such by his friends and neighbors. Dr. Henry J. Beyerle was born in Berks county. Pa., June 4, 1823. When he arrived at the proper age, he attended the village school for a few months each winter until he was 16, when he was installed as clerk in a small country store. Later in life lie entered npon the study of medicine with Dr. McDonough, at Bernville, Pa., and he was graduated at Philadelphia Medical College in 1850. He practiced his profession in different localities in Penn- sylvania until the spring of 1856, when he came to Indiana. After stopping a few months in Goshen, he removed to Syracuse, Kos- ciusko county, and subsequently to Leesburg, in the same county, engaging in the practice of medicine. In 1862 he was elected to the State Legislature, serving through the stormy and eventful ses- sion of 1863. In 1865 Dr. Beyerle again took up his residence in Goshen, en- gaging in the drug business, in which he still continues. About the year 1871 he took charge of the business of tlie Goshen Man- ufacturing Company, of which he was the leading stockholder. The company had a foundry and machine shops, engaging in the manufacture of reapers and other machinery, and doing also a gen- eral foundry business. Dr. Beyerle introduced the manufacture of extension tables as a part of their business, and this soon became HISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 927 the most important branch of it. Their tables were shipped east to the Atlantic and west to the Pacific; also north into Canada, and south as far as Tennessee and South Carolina. Other shops for the manufacture of extension tables were started in Goshen and sur- rounding country, until their manufacture became a leading enter- prise of Elkhart county. In the spring of 1877, Dr. Beyerle purchased a half interest in the Goshen Times, and in August, 1880, he became sole proprietor and editor of that paper. In politics he was a Whig while there was such a party, casting his first vote for Henry Clay for President, and he has given the Republican party his support since its organiza- tion. In his earlier years, Dr. Beyerle contributed a variety of articles, both in poetry and in prose, to some of the leading maga- zines of Philadelphia and New York; and he wrote also a few reports of interesting medical cases to the Philadelphia Medical and Surgical Journal. He now gives tlie Times his exclusive attention. In Goshen fie has served the people in the City Council and upon the School Board, and he has always taken an interest in the local enterprises of the dny. Dr. Beyerle has been married three times, namely: to Miss Lydia Bicksler, of Fredericksburg, Pa., who died in 1862; to Miss Amelia ShuU, of Montpelier, lud., who died in 1877, and to Miss M. Ellen Taneyhill, of Bryan, Ohio, his present wife. He has 5 living chil- dren. 3 sous alid 2 daughters. A portrait of Mr. Beyerle is given in this volume, from a photo- graph taken in 1880. H. W. Bissell was born in Oneida county, N. Y., June 26, 1812, and is a son of Eliphaz and Diantha (Norton) Bissell, natives of Litchfield count}'. Conn. The former was a surgeon in tlio war of 1812. Mr. B. was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, and Cazenovia (N. Y.) Seminary. He came to Goshen in 1837, where he began selling goods in 1839, in which he remained a few years, and then engaged in buying grain. He was married May 7, ISIO, to Miss Sabrina A. Spencer, by whom he had 3 chil- dren, 1 living, Amelia Jennette, now Mrs. A. E. Billings, of Jack- son, Michigan. Mrs. Bissell died May 26, 1846, and he again married, Oct. 10, 1847, Mrs. Anna M. Sands, who died May 19, 1880. Mr. Bissell owns a farm of 000 acres, which he runs by hired men. and resides in Goshen. He is an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. Prof. Ariiirose Blunt, son of Ebenezer and Margaret (Sproul) Blunt, was born in Bristol, Lincoln Co., Me., Nov. 14, 1835. His ancestors are of English descent upon his father's side, and of Irish extraction upon his mother's side. They came to America long before the Kevolution, and settled in New England. His great-grandmother was a Kaler, and of German descent. His grand- father, Samuel Blunt, was a man of unusual literary attainments, and the distinguisiied Edmund M. Blunt is of the same family. The father of Mr. Blunt was a sea captain, and followed the sea for yab HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. many years. Later in life lie became a farmer. His grandfather on his mother's side was a man of wealth and influence in Maine. His ancestors were in the Kevolntion, and his grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. Mr. Blunt's youth was spent on the farm, receiving his early education in the district school. At the age of 16 he entered Lin- coln Academy, at New Castle, Maine, with the intention of fitting himself for a teacher, and continued during the fall term, and the following winter taught school. For four years he worked on the farm in summer, attended school in the fall, and taught in the winter. In March, 1856, he entered Yarmouth Academy, at Tar- mouth, Maine, and commenced studies preparatory to entering college, giving special attention to the Greek and Latin languages. He remained here about three years, teaching during the winter months. In the spring of 1859 he was elected Supervisor of Schools in his native town, and held the office for one year, during which time great improvement was made in the schools. In the autumn of 1859 he entered the freshmen class of Waterville Col- lege (now Colby University), at "Waterville, Maine. He continued in this institution three years, taking a high stand as a scholar, especially in the languages and mathematics. While here he taught during the winter vacations. In the fall of 1862, having obtained an honorable dismission from this institution, he, after passing a rigid examination, entered the senior class of the "Weslej'an Uni- versity, at Middletown, Conn., where he graduated with honors in July, 1863, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and subse- quently, in 1866, the degree of Master of Arts. During his seven years'(conrse of study he received no pecuniary aid from any one, but depended entirely upon liis own labor for support. Soon after graduating he took charge of Cincinnatus Academy, N. Y., where he remained four years. Under his management this academy acquired a standing as a scientific and classical school equal to any in that part of the State. He resigned this position in the summer of 1867, and took charge of Deposit Academy, New York, the fol- lowing autumn. Here he remained two years, with eminent success, and upon resigning this position he accepted a call to take charge of the Salem high school, at Salem, Ohio. This school, under his administration, ranked with the best in the State. The mathematical course was equal to that of any Western college, and in the classical dejjartment the course in the ancient and modern languages fitted pupils for any college. He continued here two years. Many of the students who attended his various schools, are now physicians, lawyers, ministers of the gospel, teachers of emi- nence and authors. Prof H. J. "Worman, author of a German grammar, and Prof. Roberts, formerly of Lyons, N. Y., were members of his school. One of his pupils took the first prize at Princeton College, and a post-graduate's fellowship. Finding the labors of the school and close confinement to study wearing upon his constitution, and especially upon his nervous sys- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 929 tern, he resolved to abandon the profession for a time and enter upon a business that would give relaxation and exercise. In De- ?osit he had an interest in a book store, and was also editor of the )eposit Courier for two years, in connection with Hon. Joshua Smith of that place. In the summer of 1871 he came to Goshen, and purchased the book and stationery store of C. J. Madden. In tlie following October he formed a partnership with Charles C. Latta, of Goshen, and added a news department to the business. They greatly enlarged the business, and had a rapidly increasing trade. He sold his interest to Mr. Latta in 1876. The professor is, in every sense of the word, a self-educated man, having paid his own way through college at an expense of about $1,600. He married Miss Elizabeth J. Lee, of Cincinnatus, New York, in July, 1865. She is a daughter of Mr. G. Lee, formerlj' of Con- necticut, and on her mother's side, is a relative of the Browns, founders of Brown University. She is a graduate ot Mt. Ilolyoke Seminary, Mass., and a person of fine literary attainments. They have 5 children living, viz.: Charles Lee, James Griswold, Georgianna Cieis, Achsa Margaret and Harry E., and a deceased child named llermione. Mr. Blunt experienced religion when about 12 years of age, but was connected with no Church until 1867, when he united with the Congregational Church at Deposit, N. Y. Since coming to Goshen he and Mrs. Blunt have united with tlie Presbyterian Church. The professor stands prominent as an educator. During the past 15 years he has lectured and worked, more or less, in county insti- tutes. He has been one of the principal lecturers in the Elk- hart County Teacher'.-; Institute for the last eight years, and is one of the originators of the Elkhart County Normal School. In 1876 he took charge of the Goshen city schools, and has been eminently successful as their Superintendent in advancing the educational interests of Goshen until tliese schools have become an honor to this thrifty little city. He still remains in this posi- tion. Rev. Henry A. BoeekeJmann, Pastor of St. John's (Catholic) Church, Goshen, was born in Hanover, Germany, March 31,1851. His father's name was Francis Boecke]mann,and his mother's maiden name was Ann Schroeder. lie came to tliis country with his pa- rents in the fall of 1S53, when he was but three years of age. The passage was made in the ship Cerro Gordo, which sailed from Bremen and landed in New Orleans. At that city the family took passage on a river steamer and voyaged up the Mississippi and Ohio, and at length reached Logansport, Ind. Mr. Boeckelmann remembers his parents relating how that on the passage over from Europe the Moorish pirates attacked the vessel, when some dis- tance from the Spanisli coast, but were repulsed by the determined resistance offered by the crew. The voyage from the very begin- ning was tempestuous and unfortunate. When the Cerro Gordo had eot outside of the Bremen harbor it encountered a hurricane, 930 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. and was driven back to port. A young man bad alreadj' died aboard tbe sliip, and the corpse was left on shore where tlie vessel •was driven back. When the ship set sail again continuous gales were experienced, and a long time was consumed making a few hundred miles. The sea was so heavj', and the ship beliaved so badly, that many of the inexperienced landsmen sickened with very fright, and during a severe gale, when the mainmast broke and fell into the sea, the terror culminated in a scene of wild confusion. It was thought that several died of fright. Dur- ing the passage, which consumed four months, 32 deaths occui-red on board. When the elder Mr. Boeckelmann and his family were settled in Logansport, he engaged in the stone business, which he fol- lowed for many years. Henry attended common and parish schools, and early evinced a tendency to books and a learned pro- fession. At the age of IS he entered the Christian Brothers' Col- lege, St. Louis, where he remained six years and one term, gradu- ating at the close. He then began a course of theological study at St. Viateur's Seminary, Bourbonnais Grove, HI. This curriculum was passed in 1877, and for one year thereafter Mr. Boeckelmann remained as professor of natural sciences. After the expiration of this engagement he enjoyed a vacation, and at lepgth received an appointment to the pastorate of St. John's Church, Goshen, by Bishop Joseph Dwenger, of Ft. AVayne diocese. He arrived at the scene of his labors July 28, 1878. He has continued this pas- toral relation ever since. He succeeded Father «I\I. F. Noll. He has a flourishing congregation. During his residence in Goshen he has built a house of worship in Miilersburg, where there is a Church of several families. Father Boeckelmann is a gentleman of genial temper and cultivated, liberal mind, courteous and corapan ionable, and is highly prized by the people to whom he ministers, John W. Chajyman was born Jul}' 20, 1828, in Hocking county, Ohio, and was the son of Jasper and Mary (Inbody) Chapman, His father was a farmer, and removed to Elkhart county, Indiana when John was young. At IS years of age Mr. Chapman en gaged to learn the edge-tool trade at Waterford, this county, and continued that occupation for 12 years. He at length bought a farm three miles from Goshen, on the west side of the river, and improved it. He also made edge-tools on his farm. He was mar- ried when he was 20 years of age to Miss Phoebe Snyder, of this township. They have had seven sons and two daughters. The sons all remain at home, and assist their father in farm labor and in the manufacture of cutlery. At first Mr. Chapman began to make edge tools on a small scale, and his power was furnished by a foot- lathe only. Then his business so increased that he procured a six- horse engine, and continued operations on his farm. Finally he bought property and established a factory a little west of Goshen, placed a 35-horse-power engine therein, and enlarged his facilities -o that now he employs 12 or 14 hands constantly. His goods HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 931 have now been placed in the hands of larsje jobbers, and are meet- ing with mnch favor and a ready sale. His manufacture embraces bntcher, bread, pruning and table knives. Mr. Chapman's enter- prise may be the uucleus of a large business in the not distant future. Win. W. Cohhum was born in Hocking county, Ohio, Oct. 4, 1827, and is a son of James and Sarah (Webb) Cobbuni, the former a na- tive of Rockbridge county, Va., and the latter of Harrison county, Va. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the common school. At the age of nine he had a white swelling upon his left lower arm, which rendered him a cripple for life. In 183S he came with his parents to Wells county. Ind., and located on a farm. At the age of 14 he engaged as an ox-driver, which business he followed for nine years. He then worked in an ashery two years; since which time he has spent the most of his time on a farm. He was Superintendent of the County Infirmary four years in Wells county, and has occupied the same position in Elkhart county for nearly three years past. He was married in 1851, to Miss Elizabeth Burgess, by whom he had 1 child, deceased. She died in March, 1857, and he again married in 1861, this time Miss Urillah Shoup, daughter of David Shoup, of Lagrange county, Ind. Mrs. Cobbum is a native of Bedford county, Pa. They have 4 children, viz: David, Charlotte E., Emma A. and Amos W. The first Metho- dist sermon in Wells county, Ind., was delivered in the house of Mr. Cobbnm's father in 1839, by Rev. Elza Lank. Jacoh G. Cooper, an early settler of this county, was born in Northumberland county. Pa., Feb. 25, 1813. His father, John Cooper, was a native of Germany, and was a soldier in the war of 1812. He narrowly escaped being taken prisoner at the surrender of Hull. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, and received a common-school education in Fairfield county, Ohio. He worked upon the Ohio canal for three summers duringits construc- tion. He then went to Hancock county, Ohio, and purchased 80 acres of timber land. He worked very hard; his fatlier died when he was but 15 years old, which threw a great responsibility upon him. He came to this county in 1849, settted on sec. 17, Middlebury tp., where he engaged in farming for several years. He was mar- ried in 1835 to Miss Judith Woodward, by whom he had 13 chil- dren, but 3 of whom are living, viz.: Julia A., James O. and Oscar D. Mrs. Cooper died in 1862, and he again married, this time Sarah Karn, of German descent. Six children are the fruit of this union: Carrie A., Aredia B., Ilattie M., Sena E., Nellie M., and Gracie. Mr. C. is a Christian man and holds a letter from the M. E. Church in the county where he formerly lived. He re- moved to Goshen in 1865. He still owns a good farm. B. H. Cr'ider was born in Franklin county. Pa., Nov. 7, 1816, and is a son of George and Frances (Hoover) Crider, also natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Mr. Crider was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. At the age of 19 years yrf^ HISTOBT OF ELKHART COUNTY. he learned the carpenter trade, at which he has worked for the mostr part for over 20 years. He was married in 1843 to Miss Sarah Saurbangh, by whom he has '2 cliildren: Orlando and Ketta. For 16 years after he was married Mr. Crider engaged in farming. He came to "White Pigeon, JMich., in 1S.55. and to Elkhart county in 1856. In 1859 he went into the grocery business in Goshen. This be soon abandoned, when he engaged as a clerk with Wm. A Thomas, of Goshen, for the period of three years in his dry-goods store, then located in Ligonier, Ind. He then worked at his trade until 1864. At that time he was appointed Superintendent of the County Poor Farm, which situation he held until 1878. He is now working at his trade, and is a fine workman. He erected the First Baptist church edifice and several nice residences. He has been a worthy member of the M. E. Church for 40 years. Emanuel F. Cripe was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, March 7, 1829. and is a son of Samuel and Susannah Cripe, who removed with their family to this county in 1830. This was when the Indians were very numerous and whites few. Emanuel attended school in a log cabin, and David Pippenger was his first teacher. His father and uncle, Emanuel Cripe, purchased the first stove for the school-house and waited two years for their money. Mr. Cripe, having but limited early educational advantages, is a self-made man. In September, 1851, he married Miss Fannie Mikesell, by whom he has had 10 children, 9 now living, viz.: Milton, Mary J., Elias, Sarah E., Milo, Alice, Arminda, Ira and Sadia. The deceas- ed's name was Elijah. Mr. Cripe owns 160 acres of valuable land, and is a farmer. He is a worthy member of the German Baptist Church. Charles A. Davis was born in the tp. of Concord, this county, Oct. 4, 1846. He was the son of Henry G. Davis, and his mother's maiden name was Cynthia T. Tibbits. Both parents were of Eng- lish descent, tlie father being a Vermonter, and the mother a native of Michigan. His early education was obtained in the common schools. At the age of 18 he attended the Catholic school at Notre Dame, in St. Joseph county, Ind., remaining there 10 months. Subsequently he spent a year and a half at the Methodist Univer- sity at Kalamazoo. He then returned to the farm and remained a year. His father had erected a saw-mill on his farm, and Charles purchased it and carried on the business for six years. He made this quite profitable. He was married in 1870 to Miss Henrietta Francis, and they have 2 daughters and 1 son. In 1870 he came to Goshen, bougbt an interest in the planing mill then run by J. B. Drake, and the two proprietors continued business together for three years, when Mr. Davis rented Mr. Drake's share and has since conducted the entire business alone. Besides planing lumber he makes scroll work and moldings, and is doing a thriving busi- ness. Mr. Davis is a Freemason and a Knight of Pythias, and is a representative man among the mill-owners of Goshen. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. y'63 Mr. Fmnh B. Befrees, son of Hon. J. II. Defrees, is a native of Goshen, having been born there in 1S43. His childhood was spent uneventfully, as is usual with American-born cliildren; he attended the common schools, and thus acquired the rudiments of education. In 1661, when he whs at the age of 18, he went to Evanston, 111., entered the Northwestern University, and began a course of study. He remained there until 1864, when he enlisted in the 136th Indiana Regiment, and went out for a 100 days' service. His regi- ment was ordered to tlie front, and joined Sherman's army in Middle Tennessee. In November, 186-1, having been discharged from the service, he returned home to Goshen and went into the mercantile business. He sold his stock and good will in 1875. He had engaged iu the manufacture of linseed oil in 1872, which he has since continued. He has lately commenced in a flouring- mill. Mr. Defrees is a gentleman of business sagacity and energy, and has generally made a success of whatever he has undertakeiii. He is a Methodist, and a zealous promoter of the moral and social welfare of the community. As a member of the Odd Fellows' fraternity he has occupied all the local offices in that order, from the lowest to the highest, and is now mentioned for Junior AVarden in the Grand Lodge. Mr. Defrees, on March 27, 1866, was mar- ried to Miss Mary Elma Beers, daughter of Hev. H. Beers. They have 2 daughters. Hon. Joseph M. Defrees was born May 13, 1812, in Sparta, White Co., Tenu. He is of French descent, and during one of the numer- ous persecutions of the Huguenots, his ancestors fled from France to Holland, and thence to America, some time previous to the Rev- olutionary war. Three brothers emigrated together, and one of them settled in Virginia, another in New York, and the third in North Carolina; the subject of this sketch is a descendant of the first mentioned, and is a son of James Defrees, who was once Postmaster at Piqua, O., and who first married Margaret Dougherty and had 9 children, and subsequently Mrs. Mary ( Frost ) Rollin, and by her had \ children; in 1835 he moved to Goshen, Ind., and finally died in Syracuse, Kosciusko Co., and is buried in the Goshen cemetery. Joseph H. attended school in his childiiood in Tennessee, and from six or seven to 14 years of age he attended school at Piqua; he then worked three years at blacksmithing; ne.xt learned the printer's trade in the office of the Piqua Gazette; in 1831 he left Ohio in company with his brother J. D. Defrees, and established the North- western Pioneer at South Bend, Ind., a Whig paper, and the first west of Detroit; in 1833 he sold out his interest in this paper and commenced merchandising at Goshen, then a place of about 40 log cabins; here he was County Agent to sell town lots, and Sheriff for a portion of the term ; in 1849 he was elected to the House of Rep- resentatives, in 1850 to the Senate, 1866-'67 he was a member of the Lower House of Congress, during the exciting times of recon- struction, and in 1870 he was again elected to the Lower House of the State Legislature, where he was the first to introduce the bill 934 HISTORY OF ELKHABT COUNTY. disfranchising those who had been educated at the public expense and had taken up arms against the Government. His speeches in Congress were not so numerous as his acts, but whenever he did speak, it was in a plain, off-hand manner, without rhetorical flourish, and to the purpose. In 1S32 Mr. Defrees married Mary A., daughter of John R. and sister of Frank B. McKinney, ex-Member of Congress, and has had 6 children, as follows: James M., who married Victoria Holton, and died in 1859; he was a graduate of "Wabash College at Craw- fordsville. a lawyer, and at one time Prosecuting Attorney of this district; Margaret J., who died in infancy; Hattie E., who was educated at Fort Wayne College, and married John II. Baker, a prominent lawyer in Goshen; Frank B., who was educated at Evanstou. 111., married Miss Beers, of Goshen, and has since been a merchant; Mary E., who was educated at Fort Wayne and Evan- ston, and married J. A. S. Mitchell, an attorney at law and once the Mayor of Goshen ; Sarah C, who was educated at Pittsburg (Pa.) Female College, and married Cyrus J. Thompson, a lawyer at St. Paul, Minn. Mrs. D. died in February, 1864, and in the latter part of 1865 Mr. J), married Mrs. Margaret (McjSTaughton) Pearce, a native of Scotland. Aaron Delotter was born in Enterprise, Montgomerj' Co.. Ohio, in 1834. His father's given name was Louis, and his mother's maiden name was Maria Stiver. The family resided at Aaron's birth-place till the fall of 1845, when they removed to a farm near Milford, Kosciusko county, this State. In 184S Aaron went to Leesburg to learn a trade, and chose the carriage-njalccr's art. His advantages for an education had been limited, 11 months of district schooling comprising his entire curriculum. His apprenticeship expired in 1853, when he came to Goshen and worked till 1861 at his trade. During that year he enlisted in the 29th Indiana Eegiraent as a member of the regimental band, and continued that relation for 14 months. He was in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Returning home at the end of his term of enlistment, he soon re-entered the service of the Quartermaster's department at Nashvjlle, Tenn., and remained through the war. After his discharge from the army he worked at his trade as a journeyman until 1867, when he moved to Logansport and embarked in the tobacco and cigar business, and continued thus till 1874. His genius then led him into the novel enterprise of selling confectionery from a flat-boat, which he prose- cuted from St. Louis to New Orleans, along the banks of the Mis- sissippi. This not proving very remunerative, Mr. Delotter returned to Logansport in 1876, and continued the confectionery business till 1878, when he resumed the tools of the carriage-maker. At length himself and brother opened a shop in Goshen, where Mr. Delotter is at present engaged. In 1861 he was married to Miss Cecilia A. Alfred, daughter of L. A. Alfred, the noted excursion Superintendent, by whom he has 1 child. He is a Freemason and a Good Templar, being Past Worthy Chief of the latter order. HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 935 John B. Eckhart was born in Hesse-Cassel, Prussia (then Ger- many), Dec. 17, 1821, and is a son of John and Elizabeth Eckhart. He came to ]^ew York city when a young man. He worked there three months, and then worked on the raih-oad, when it was being built through the Alleghany mountains. After working there four months he, in com pan}' with another German, walked to Columbia, Ohio; they waded the Monongahela river and other streams, and crossed the Ohio river on the bridge at AYheeling. It was in the month of July, and a very hot July; therefore they took advantage of the moonlight nights, traveling in the nights and sleeping in the daytime. Mr. Eckhart had not as yet learned to speak the English language, but he had with him a small translation of the most com- mon terms, which he used while prosecuting the journey in making his desires known. He worked on a farm while at Colfimbia for some time, when he learned the cooper trade. He came to Goshen in 1851. That portion of the city in which he now resides (Eighth street") was then a woodland. He worked for some time at 40 cents per day. In March, 1862, he married Miss Margaret Michel, by whom he has had -1 children; 2 of them are living, viz., Charley F. and Dora A. While working on the railroad Mr. Eck- hart met with a severe accident, by a stone thrown directly over him from the point of blasting, striking him in its downward flight. It broke his skull, and the brain was left bare. His life was despaired of for several days, but he finally recovered. For several years, however, he could not walk straight, his appearance to one from a little distance being that of a drunken man. He is now doing a good business at coopering, and his trade is constantly increasing. Dr. JSrastus Winter Hewett Ellis, one of the most notable citi- zens of Elkhart county, and father of W. E. Ellis, the present Postmaster, was born in Penfield, Ontario (now Monroe) Co., N". Y., April 29, 1815. His father was Dr. William Robinson Ellis, born in Windham count}', Conn., who was an officer in the Revolu- tion, and served under Gen. Washington. In the year 1820 Eras- tus' father, in company with a brother, determined to seek their fortunes to the southwestward, and as a means of transit, shi]iped in a boat at Glean, and voyaged down the Alleghany river to Pitts- burg, thence down the Ohio to Cincinnati. Erastus was then a small boy, and he can remember but little of the voyage, but the sound of an organ in one of the churches in Cincinnati fi.xed his attention, and caused him to remember that city. The two brothers stopped at Jacksonburg. a small town in Butler county, Ohio, where Erastus' father at last settled. There his school days began. His first teacher was Peter Muntz, who afterward died in Elkhart county, Ind. A school-book was afterward found in this gentle- man's possession, which the elder Ellis had written, entitled '• Mirror to Noah Webster's Spelling Book," which showed, that though he was a flat-boat pioneer, he had an eye to education and text-books. Erastus was remarkable as a speller, no doubt deriv- 936 HISTORY OF EI.KHART COUNTY. ing his proficiency in this difficult branch from his father's •■Mir- ror." His fatlier took pleasure in showing him ofl', and made him the champion orthographer of the country around. The Doctor quaintly and facetiously remarks in his " Memorandum," " I am a toleralile speller yet, but I have had a good many bad spells since I was a boy." His father was several times disappointed in busi- ness, and, though always a successful medical practitioner, he be- came impatient of long continuance in one place, and removed frequently. He went to Leavenworth, Ind., back to Bellfontaine, Ohio, then to Maumee, and finalh', in the spring of 1S26, down the lake to Buffalo, and thence to Knowlesville, N. T., where Erastus' mother died, in November, 1828. Besides Erastus. she left his brother, ^Xm. R. Ellis, live years younger; his sister, Lucy Ann, born in 1822, and a brother, born in 1824. The latter died in the Union array in 1863 or 1864, near Nashville, Tenn. While at Knowlesville Erastus attended one ttrm at Gaines' Academy studying Latin, and in the winter and spring of 1829 he taught school in the town of Eoyalton. Niagara county, N. T. At the close of his term he began to prepare for the study of medicine at Brockport, N. Y. He reached that place in company with his father, about Sept. 1, 1829, and entered the office of Dr. John B. Elliott as a student. He remained with Dr. Elliott for seven years, attending his drug store "Jind receiving tuition, board and a portion of his clothing in return for his services. Here he identified him- self with Sunday-school work, and was a member of the choir in the Presbyterian Church. In the winter of 1833-'4 he attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia. Part of the time here he was a room-mate of Dr. David Brainard, the eminent physician of Chicago. He received his diploma at Eochester, N. Y., when he had not reached his 19th birthday. Being quite a pol- itician, and an enthusiastic Jacksonian- Democrat, by request of the prominent members of his party he, in 1834, assumed the editorial control of the Village Herald, which was devoted to the success- ful candidacy of Wm. L. Marcy as Governor of the State of New York. This relation continued about four months. He also orig- inated the Token, a literary semi-monthly publication, which had a circulation of 1,000 copies. He was appointed Commissioner of Deeds of Monroe county in 1835, in which office he accumulated his first capital, §100. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the militia about this time. In 1836 the ambition of the 3'oung physi- cian prompted him to '' go West." and, in company with several other families, he arrived in Mishawaka, St. Joseph Co., Ind., about Aug. 7, and soon entered upon the practice of his profession. In the spring of 1837 he removed to South Bend, his father having preceded him to that point. Father and son there engaged in medical practice together. The next year they removed to Elk- hart. Here they had an extensive ride. He says that at that time every house was a hospital. He at this period in his career intended to continue the practice of medicine for life, but being a delegate HISTOKir OF ELKHART COUNTY. 93T to a Democratic Congressional Convention at Lafayette, that con- vened Jan. 8, 1839, he became known as a Democratic politician, and was importuned to take editorial control of the Goslaen Dem- ocrat, Hon. E. M. Chamberlain urging the proposition upon him, and assuring him that it would not seriously interfere with his medical practice. The proprietors agreed to compensate the Doc- tor with the munificent salary of $200 a year and board! His board cost his employers .s2a week. He soon purchased a share in the office, which stood on Main street. He says that he soon found it impossible to practice medicine and wield the editorial quill at the same time, and after the first year he abandoned the saddle-bags altogether. His father died at Elkhart, Sept. 23, 1839, regretted on account of his excellent qualities. The circulation of tlie Dem- ocrat was but about 400 copies, and the job printing limited, but the Doctor succeeded in placing it on a paying basis. During the campaign for Martin VanBuren, he issued the Kinderhook Dutch- man, an edition of 1,200 copies of which were printed. In Aug- ust, 1844, he was elected the first Auditor of Elkhart county over C. L. Murray, and was re-elected in 1846. The salary of thisofiice, though but $600, gave life-blood to the Democrat, and a little money to Dr. Ellis. In 1850 he was elected Auditor of the State of Indiana, when he resigned both the Auditorship of Elkhart county and his editorial position. May 17, 1842, Dr. Ellis was married to Miss Maria Crozier, formerly of Chillicothe, Ohio. This lady died April 21, 1846, leaving 2 children, Sarah Annette and "William R. Jan. 27, 1848, the Doctor was again married, the second wife being Minerva Jennette Brown, daughter of Ebenezer Brown. She died at Indianapolis, June 15, 1856. leaving 1 child, Emma Maria; she had also given birth to 4 other children, all of whom were deceased when she died, 2 being buried in Indianapolis, and 2 in Goshen. In August, 1858, the Doctor was a third time married, the last Mrs. Ellis being formerly Mrs. Rosalia Harris, widow of Leonard G. Harris, and daughter of Samuel Harris, of Elkhart. He assumed charge of the Auditor's office, Indianapolis, in Jan- uary, 1850, the journey thither at that time requiring a week of tedious travel. In the summer of 1850 himself and John S. Spann purchased the contract for the State printing and also the printing material of the Indiana State Sentinel. Under this contract they printed the Revised Statutes of 1852. They began the publication of the Indiana Statesman, a weekly paper, which was continued two years, of which Dr. Ellis was the editor. In this paper he opposed the extension of slavery in the campaign of 1848, and thus placed himself at variance with the majority of his party, and secured his own defeat to the nominatiou for Auditor in 1852, and retired from that office in January, 1853. He left the Democratic party in January, 1855, on account of the position of the Demo- cratic State Convention, when it was proposed to make the border ruffian policy of the administration a test of party policy. ySS HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. The life of Dr. Ellis was henceforward replete with public events. He was elected by the Legislature Commissioner of the Institute for the Education of the Blind, and Secretary of the Board; was chosen President of the Pennsylvania & Indianapolis i-ailroad, an office which he held two years; at a subsequent time he was Presi- dent of the Madison & Indianapolis railroad for two and a half years. He was also one of the Directors of the Indiana & Illinois Central railway, and of two or tliree other lines then in their incipiency. He at length engaged in tlie mercantile business in Goshen, with his brother-in-law, Chauncy S. Hascall, investing $11,000. This proved disastrous to the Doctor, and he lost $40,000 — almost every dollar of his property! In 1856 he was again candidate for Auditor of State on the first Republican State ticket, but was defeated. After the close of the campaign he returned to Goshen and purchased an interest in the Goslien Times, C. W. Stephens being the other partner. For two years he was editor of the paper, when he sold his interest to Mr. Stephens, and closed his connection with the press. In 1858 he was again elected Auditor of Elkhart county, and was re-elected in 1862. When the Peace Congress was proposed on the outbreak of the Rebellion, Gov. MortOn appointed Dr. Ellis as one of the dele- gates from Indiana, and he acted in that capacity in the memorable convention that met in Washington with such futile result. He took an active part in raising troops for the war, and was appointed by Gov. Morton Commandant of a camp to raise a regiment of three years' men. The camp was located about two miles south of Goshen, and ^vks called Camp Ellis. When the first draft was made he was appointed enrolling officer for Elkhart county. He was Deputy Marshal of the county till the close of the war. In 1865 Dr. Ellis was elected State Director of the Bank of Indiana, and held the office for one year, or until the winding up of the institution. The public life of Dr. Ellis closed with the expiration of his last term as Auditor, when he engaged in the more particular care of his private affiiirs. Dr. Ellis joined the Masonic order in 1846. and afterward became a charter member of Goshen Chapter, No. 45, and for several years was its High Priest, and also Thrice Illustrious Grand Master of Barber Council of Royal and Select Masons. He has occupied other lofty positions in the order. The Doctor's life from youth to old age has been an exceedingly busy one, and replete with important public service, a distinction that ranks him among the very first citizens of Elkhart county. David Evans was born in York county,' Pa., May 22, 1822. and is a son of David and Mary (Lyons) Evans, also natives of Penn- sylvania. His father was of German descent, and his mother of English extraction. He was brought up on a farm, and at the age of 18 learned the carpenter's trade, which business he continued for 15 years. Oct. 9, 1845, he married Miss Elizabeth Deardorfl", by whom lie had 4 children: Sarah J., John, Anna M., deceased, and HISTORY OF ELKHART COTINTT. Elizabeth, deceased. Mrs. Evans died Dec. 16. 1874. and he again married Oct. 10, 1S78. this time Mrs. Susan Deardorff, daughter of Joseph Gripe. Mr. Evans has given some land to his children, and still owns 160 acres. Mr. and Mrs. Evans are mem- bers of the German Baptist, or Dunkard, Church. In education he is a self-made man. WiUicnn B. Ferrell, deceased, was born in Lawrence county, Pa., Nov. 5, 181.5. His parents were James and Eleanor Ferrell, the former a native of Pennsj'lvania, and the latter of New Eng- land. He was reared on a farm until the age of 15, when he learned the carpenter's trade. This he followed nearly all the re- mainder of his life, and was very successful, and is a fine workman. In 1840 he married Miss Sarah Thomas, who was born in Lawrence county, Pa., June 9, 1819. They have had 7 children, 6 of whom are living: Mansfield A., Clara (now Mrs. Geo. Merrill, of Goshen), Laura (now Mrs. L. Krider, of Goshen), John W. (of Silver Lake, Ind.), Eliza (now Mrs. Henry Motto, of Goshen) and Mary E. They came to Goshen in lsO-4, where, Nov. 2, 1878, Mr. Ferrell died. He was a faithful Christian man and an ardent worker in the cause of temperance. He was a kind and affectionate husband and father, and a valuable member of society. In fact, none knew knew him but to love him. Yolhert Fink was born in North Germany, and came to this country when he was but seven years of age. He was the son of Conrad and Helen Fink. The family landed in Baltimore and re- mained a short time, and then went to Harrisburg, Pa. There were 3 boys in the family: Henry, the eldest, Frederick C. and Volbert. Henry and Frederick are now living in Harrisburg. At 16 years of age Volbert went into a butchering establishment in Harrisburg, to learn the trade of a meat purveyor. At 20 he em- barked in the business on his own account. He made a success of the enterprise, and amassed considerable property, but lost heavily by subsequent reverses. Thinking that fortune would smile upon him more propitiously at the West, he came to Goshen in 1867, and immediately embarked in the meat-market business here, open- ing his first shop where the City National Bank now stands. He remained at this stand till Aug. 16, and then removed to Thomp- son's old block, where he did business for two or three years; thence to Gulp's building, finally locating in his present place on Main street. Since his arrival in Goshen he has steadily progressed in business, and has accumulated a handsome competence. He is reputed to have more capital than any other butcher in Goshen, and he has accumulated it all by his own industry, he having not a cent when he began life for himself Mr. Fink is considered one of our most reliable business men, and his word is as good as hia bond. He was married in 185S, in Harrisburg, to Miss Catharine Stoll. They have 6 living children, l sons and 2 daughters: Helen, Mary, George, Charles, William and Harry. Mr. Fink and all of 940 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. his family of sufficient age have been confirmed in the Lutheran Church. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. James Frier, deceased, an early pioneer of Elkhart county and a self-made man of merited reputation, was born in the county of Down, Ireland, July 11, 1796. llis mind having been excited by the glowing accounts of the great western empire in America, and dissatisfied with the oppression endured by his countrymen, he took an early opportunity to emigrate, and, shipping at Belfast in 1818, after a long and tempestuous voyage, in due time arrived safely in Quebec. The colony of Lower Canada was, however, too closely attached to the mother country, and too much alike it in customs and habit, to induce the young and impulsive Irishman to adopt it for a permanent residence, and he accordingly soon made his way to Chittenden county, Vt., where, in 1823^ he mar- ried Miss Clarinda Young. The Western country was just then being developed, and glow- ing accounts came to his ears of the beauty and fertility of the lands toward the setting sun. For a man in his humble circum- stances it is not improbable that the cheapness of the lands was one of the chief allurements. In 1829 he removed with his family and effects by way of the Erie canal and lake to Detroit. Here and at White Pigeon they passed the winter, when they resumed their journey to Indiana. March 17, 1830, they arrived in Elkhart county through a bed of snow two feet in depth. The first night after their arrival, Mr. Frier cut down some bushes to prepare shelter and a bed to sleep upon, and here we may believe the hardy emigrant and his little family, under the protection of that Heav- enly Father they had been taught to worship, slept as soundly and as sweetly as if in a palace and on beds of down. He located on the east side of Elkhart Prairie, making a settler's claim of 160 acres, which he subsequently purchased at the land office at Fort Wayne. The first thing in order was to erect a house. He searched through the woodland which skirted the prairie until he found a large fallen or lodged tree, which he made use of for the rear end or back side wall of his edifice. He planted corner poles or posts some ten feet high in front, from which he extended rafters to the log in the rear. The sides and roof were formed of interlacing boughs and poles, and a Mackinac blanket suspended as a door performed the double duty of keeping out the cold and keeping in the smoke for the curing of their bacon. A shed somewhat similar, but of less elaborate construction, was prepared for the use of the hired men. This was, however, replaced by a more commodious cabin made of logs, the following autumn. Mr. Frier and his wife were zealous and devoted mem- bers of the Methodist Church, and for many years his dwelling was the welcome home of the itinerant preacher, and was the prin- cipal meeting-house, or preaching place, on the prairie. The latch- string was always out, and no one went away ^hungry from its doors. Mr. Frier was an industrious man and was greatly prospered HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. 941 in the accumulation of wealth. Human habitations gathered around him but slowly. There were no schools or churches. It was a long way to the house of a neighbor, many miles to a store, and 40 miles to a mill, across the border in Michigan. Many a time with his ox team and Pennsylvania wagon he forded the streams on his way to mill, at the imminent peril of his life, but the Great Father was, as he always said, his preserver. Game was abundant, and contributed no little to the table of the pioneer. His pet deer were often chased by the wolves to his door, and the turkeys perched within easy reach of his trusty rifle. Upon the organization of the county in 1S31, he was appointed the first Assessor, but was relieved from duty on account of not having been naturalized. This defeat being remedied, he was af- terward appointed County Treasurer, and in 1840 served as Deputy Collector of Taxes, under the late Thos. H. Bassett. In every re- lation of life he was an honest man, a kind neighbor, and a gen- erous friend. In 1S50, on the breaking ont of the gold fever in California, he went bv ship to the promised land of gold. Here he died in the fall of 1852. Robert B. Gecldes, born in Ohio in 1843, is the son of John and Lucinda (Heath) Geddes, natives of New York, and of English de- scent. The subject of this sketch is a citizen of Goshen, where he received his education and also learned his trade, thfit of a painter and grainer, in which lie is a first-class workman. He commenced to learn his trade at the age of 17, and has worked at it continually ever since. Most of his work is in the city of Goshen. He enlisted in 1862 in the 57th Ind. Vol. Inf., Co. K, under Captain Billings. He was third Sergeant, and was discharged at the close of the war. In politics he is a Democrat. He was Constable in Goshen in 1872-'3. Dr. F. D. Hardino, allopathic physician, was born in Tioga county, Pa., July 5, 1838. His father's name was Joseph M. Hard- ing, and his mother's maiden name was Pamelia M. Hayden. Both parents were American born. Dr. Harding's education was begun in the district schools of his neighborhood; as age advanced it was pursued in Dickinson Seminar}', Williamsport, Pa., and afterward at the Methodist College, at Lima, N. Y. He received his medical education at Geneva Medical College and also has a degree from the Chicago Medical College. He enlisted in the 40th Ind. Vol. Inf., in 1862, and served as Assistant Surgeon during the summer of that year. Leaving the army he came to Goshen and settled down as a medical practitioner. He has been very successful as a physi- cian, and now ranks among the better class in Elkhart county. Dr. Harding, in the spring of 1867, was married to Miss Mary E. Clifford, a graduate of the Northwestern University at Evanston, 111. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Oen. Milo S. Ilascoll, one of the most prominent citizens of Indiana, was born in LeEoy, Genesee Co., N'. Y., Aug. 5, 1829. He was the son of Amasa and Phoebe (Smith) Hascall, natives of 942 HTSTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. Massachusetts. The elder Mr. Hascall was a prominent man among his neighbors, and occupied various official positions. Emigrating to the State of New York, he first located at Canandaigua. and sub- sequently removed to Le Koy, Genesee Co. The boyhood of Gen. Hascall was passed with his parents on the farm, the rudiments of his education being obtained in tiie common district schools of his locality. At the^age of 16 he attended an academy, and thus obtained a sight into the fields of a higher education. At 17 years of age he left home and came "West to Goshen, where three of his brothers then resided. This was in 1S4T. Chauncy S. Hascall, one of the brothers, was then engaged in trade in Goshen, and the General entered his store as clerk. This engagement lasted but three months, when he taught school for one term. While he was tenching he received an appointment as cadet at "West Point. This oppor- tunity was secured through the influence of Hon. Charles "W. Cath- cart, member of Congress from the La Porte district, which then embraced a large part of Northern Indiana. He went to AVest Point in June, 184S, and remained there four years, graduating June 16, 1852. He ranked 14th in a class that entered 96 and graduated 43, a good record indeed, and one of which any "West Point student might well be proud. His class embraced several gentlemen that became prominent in the history of the country. Among these were Henry "W. Slocum, of Brooklyn, Gen. D. S. Stanley, Jerome N. Bonapart, the Baltimoi-e member of the illustrious family, Geo. L. Ilartsufl; Gen. Charles Pt. Woods, Marshall T. Polk, Alex D. McCook, Gen. "Win. Myers, Gen. A. N. Kantz and Gen. Geo. Crook, the Indian fighter. Gen. Sheridan was also a member of the class. After his graduation Gen. Hascall was promoted to the Third Artil- lery as brevet 2d Lieutenant, and stationed at Fort Adams, R. I., where he remained about one j-ear. He was then promoted to a 2d Lieutenancy in the Second xVrtillery. and was stationed at Old Point Comfort, Va. Here he remained to the time of his resigna- tion, which was in ""853. He came to Goshen after leaving the army, and traveled for some time thereafter. For one year he was a contractor on the Northern Indiana ct Michigan Southern railroad, after which he studied and eventualh' began the practice of law. Durijig his law practice he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for the Court of Common Pleas. In the fall of 1S59 he was elected Clerk of Elkhart Circuit Court, which office he retained till the spring of 1861, when the war of the Pebellion broke out and called him to his countrj-'s defense. "When the first call for three months' men was made the General was among the number that readily enrolled themselves as privates in the ranks. He was a member of the first company organized in Goshen. "When the company was full he was elected its Captain, and conducted it to Indianapolis, to be mustered into the three months' service; but the Captain and his comrades were too late. Such was the eager rush to arms of the citizen soldiery that before the Goshen company arrived, only 72 hours after the call had been HISTOET OF ELKnAET COUNTY. 943 made, the six regiments required of the State had been filled, and the Goshen patriots had to disband and return home. But Gov. Mor- ton, having learned that Capt. Hascall was a graduate of West Point, requested him to remain in Indianapolis, which he did, and was ap- pointed Captain and Aid de-Camp on Gen. Thos. A. Morris' staff, in w)ii ell capacity he had the labor of organizing and drilling si.\ regi- ments in Camp Morton, preparatory to the regiment's taking the field. When Gen. Morris took his command to West Virginia, in June, 1861, and began the first active movement of the war, Capt. lias- call accompanied him. He was in the first engagement of the war after Sumter, which was fought at Philippi. There the enemy, under Gen. Porterfield, were defeated and routed, and the first rebel flag was captured. The next day after this engagement Gov. Mor- ton sent a telegram to Capt. Hascall announcing his appointment as Colonel of the Seventeenth Indiana Infantry. He immediately returned to Indianapolis, bearing on the way Gen. Morris' ofiicial report to Gen. McClellan at Cincinnati. He also was the bearer to that General of the flag taken at Philippi. On arriving at Indian- apolis he was mustered into the three years' service as Colonel of the Seventeenth Indiana Regiment, he being the first officer of that grade so mustered into the three years' service. His regiment was ordered to Parkersburg, W. Va., and arrived there at about the time of the first battle of Bull Ilun. He was immediately ordered to proceed to Oakland, Western Maryland, it being feared, after the rebel success, that the enemy would invade Pennsylvania by way of Harper's Ferry. His regiment remained there on the lookout for two weeks, during which time Fort Pendleton, in the vicinity of Oakland, was erected. It becoming evident that the rebels would not invade Western Maryland, Capt. Hascall and his troops were ordered to Grafton, W. Va., and thence, by way of Philippi and Beverly, to Elkwater and Cheat Mountain, where they remained till the winter of 1861, participating in all the engagements about Elkwater, Huttonville and Cheat Mountain. In an engage- ment with the enemy at Elkwater, in September of that year, Colonel Hascall's regiment killed the celebrated John A. Wash- ington, of Mt. Vernon fame, who was on the staff of General Lee. When the dead body was taken back to the enemy. Col. Hascall received the first flag of truce offered by the rebels under Gen. Lee at the beginning of the war. In December of that year he was ordered to proceed with his regiment to Louisville, Ky., where he was placed in command of a brig- ade, consisting of the 17th Indiana, the 6th Ohio regiment, or " Guthrie Grays," the iSd Ohio, and the 15th Indiana Regiments. This brigade was assigned to the division commanded by the late Gen. William Nelson. After three months had passed, he was transferred to the command of a brigade in Gen. Thomas J. Wood's division, and served in that capacity during the advance on, and capture of, Nashville, and in the advance on Shiloh. In April of the following year he participated in the battles of Shiloh and 9i4 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COTJM-TT. Pittsburg Landing. At the close of that fearful engagement he received the first flag of trnce sent by Gen. Beauregard during the ■war on the occasion of his sending in to get permission to bury his dead on that field. On April 20, of the same year, while on the march from Shiloh to Corinth, he received his promotion as Brigadier General of volunteers, the same being awarded without solicitation or application on his part, and from that time till the fall of 1S6J: he was actively engaged in the armies of the "West, in all their operations. He was most of this time in command of a division, and on several occasions, temporarily in command of an array corps. During the terrible battle of Stone Eiver, he was in command of the entire forces on the left, after 10 o'clock of the first day's battle, and to him more than to any other one otficer on the field was due the credit of preventing the crushing defeat on the right from becoming an utter rout of the Union army. After this memorable battle Gen. Hascall was sent to Indianapolis to superintend the work of returning deserters from the States of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. While engaged in this work, he was, at the request of Gen. Burnside, transferred from the Army of the Cumberland to the Army of the Ohio, and-placed in command of the district of Indiana. It was during this time that the ■• cop- perheads '" in Indiana, Ohio and Illinois were most active and vio- lent in their opposition to the measures of the Government to suppress the Rebellion. During his command in Indiana, Yallan- digham was arrested, the Chicago Tones and numerous '' copper- head'' papers in Indiana were suppressed, the great meeting of rebel sympathizers in Indianapolis, that met to seize the State arms and turn the State over to John Morgan, was foiled in its design. When Burnside began his famous movement from Lexington, Ky., to capture Knoxville and East Tennessee, he relieved Gen. Hascall of the command of the district of Indiana, and placed him in command of a division of the 23d Army Corps, at the head of which he went with the army into East Tennessee, and took an active part in the capture of Knoxville, and afterward in the siege of that city, when Gen, Longstreet was attempting its capture. When Lougstreet's forces were finally repulsed and Sherman moved upon Atlanta, Gen. Hascall marched at the head of his division, and took an active part in that campaign, and was con- spicuous in all the engagements that resulted iu the capture of that city. His division planted the first batteries around the doomed city, and threw the first shot and shell within the enemy's lines. At the close of the war Gen. Hascall resumed the arts of peace, and, in connection with John W. Irwin. Esq.. engaged in the bank- ing business in Goshen, iu the institution kuowu as the " Salem Bank,'' and has continued that financial enterprise to the present time. During his business career here. Gen. Hascall has been one of the most active and successful men in Goshen. In politics he is an ardent Republican, and during the late campaign he made HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 945 numerous telling speeches throughout Indiana in behalf of his party. Jacol Mattel, Jr.. is a Pennsjlvanian by birth, his natal year being 1842. Ilis parents' names were Francis and Rebecca {nee Clem) Ilattel. His father was born in France, but emigrated to this country from Germany; the family emigrated from Pennsyl- vania in 1S45 and settled in Ohio, where they remained three years, when they removed to Elkhart county, Ind. This was in 1S4S. Mr. Ilattel's grandparents reside in Elkhart county, and are prob- ably the most aged individuals in it, and have lived man and wife over 60 years. The larger portion of Mr. Hattel's childhood was passed in New Paris, this county, where direction was given to his young idea by attendance at district school. At 14 he began an apprenticeship at the furniture trade, which, having finished, he continued to pursue till he was 21, when he was married to Miss Elizabeth Whitehead, and 2 sons and 2 daughters are their children. In 1S73 he removed to Goshen, and joined his brother, D. M. Ilat- tel, in the furniture business. This was continued for two years, when a sale of the concern to Aaron Marks was eftected. Aug. 1, 1S76, he bought the furniture shop tlien conducted by Benj. G. Crary, and Dec. 9 the establishment was burned. Nothing daunted, Mr. Hattel continued business. In 1S7S he erected a part of the building he and his associates now occupy, on "Washington street, near the hydraulic canal. In the spring of ISSO he associated with himself and the brother who had been in company with him for some time, Messrs. Kolb and Grass, under the firm name of " Hattel Bros. & Co." Latterly the manufactory has been enlarged, so that the building is now 100 feet in length and two stories in height. The company employ 30 hands, and are doing a thriving business in the furniture-making line. Mr. Hattel can be well satisfied with his career, having added an important industry to the manufactur- ing interests of Goshen. Cephas Haioks. of the prominent firm of Hawks Bros. & Co., was born in Phelps, Ontario Co., N. Y., Dec. 8, 1812. His father was Cephas Hawks, and his mother's maiden name was Chloe Case. Both parents were of Scotch descent. His father's occupation was mainly that of milling. The family remained in Ontario county till 1S28, when they emigrated to Michigan, then attracting many settlers from Western S'ew York, and settled in Washtenaw county, Cephas then being 15 years of age. He at- tended common school in his boyhood and youth, both in New York and Michigan, and thus acquired a practical English educa- tion. When he was 17 years of age. and was about to begin a course of higher tuiton, he was attacked with inflammation of the eyes, and sufi'ered from thatatHiction for three years. In 1836 he visited Indiana with his father, and decided to remain there. His father settled in Indiana in the following year, 1837, and bought the mill at Waterford, in this county, and subsequently did a mill- ing business under the firm name of C. Hawks & Sons. About 946 mSTOKT OF HT.KHART OOrNTT. 1S45 Eliazer, brother of Cephas, bought the fathers interest in the mill, and the brothers have eontintied to run it there and in Goshen to the present time. In ISol J. P. Hawks went to California, and returned in ISoi. when he t<'ok an interest in the firm at "Waterford. In 1S65 the dry-goods and hardware business was joined together, and P. C. Messick was taken into the firm, and its style became Hawks Bros. & Co. The grocery business was also added to the other enterprises of the company. The hardware business had been begun in Goshen by the brothers in 1855, and the milling business was removed from Waterford in 1S6S. The firm began to manufacture furniture in 1S73. and the business has since grown to large pro- portions. The business of Hawks Bros. & Co.. in Goshen, now comprises the dry-goods, hardware and grocery trade, and the fur- niture business, and the transactions in each foot up a large ag- gregate during the year. Mr. H. is well known all over Xorthern Indiana as the head of his firm, and may be considered one of the most prominent citizens of Goshen. Mr. Hawks was married Jan. 2S. ISil to Miss Belinda B. Bliss, daughter of Dr. Ezra Bliss, of Middlebnry. Two sons and i daughters have been bora of this marriage. One sou. Frank, is a bookkeeper for the firm, and the other, Edwin W.. has the super- intendency of the manufacturing establishment. Only one daugh- ter survives, and she is the wife of Mr. John Gortner, of Goshen. Mr. H. is a prominent member of the Presbyterian Church. Dxc\gM H. Hawks, a leading druggist of Goshen, was born in Waterford. this county. Jan. 10, 1S52. His father was Joel T. Hawks, his mother's maiden name being Sai-ah Brown. Mr. Hawks" boyhood was spent in Waterford. his father being engaged in milling and trade there, and since a member of the well known firm of Hawks Bros, t^ Co., of Goshen. His parents moved to Goshen when Dwight was 10 or 12 years of age. Mr. Hawks' early schooling was obtained in the district schools of AVaterford. At\er the family had taken up their residence in Goshen he attended high school, and subsequently took a course in the North- western Business College, at Madison, Wis., and graduated at that school in 1S71. During the years that this educational pro- cess was going forward he had been somewhat employed in his father's store. He formed a partnership with John May berry, for the purpose of carrying on the drug trade, in 1S72. At first the firm did business in the Noble building. North Main street, but later in the building on Hascall's corner. Main and Market streets. In September. 1ST9, Mr. Hawks purchased the interest owned by Mr. Mayberry, and since has conducted the business individually. He has a thriving trade, and the best location for his line in town. He is a Eoyal. Select and Council member of the Masonic order. He is a Republican in politics, and belongs to Hose Company No. 3, of the Goshen Fire Department. HISTOKT OF ELKHART COCI^TT. 947 John D. Ht:}>ert. who has for many years been proiniuently ideutitied with the lumber-producing interests of Goslien. was born in Watertown, Jefferson Co., N. Y., Feb. l-l, 1S25. He was the sou of John and Mary (Weeks > Hebert. The family resided on a farm near "Watertown, and there John spent his childhood and youth until his majority, and, like other farmers' boys, his days alternated between work on the farm and attending school. His education was further enhanced by a period spent at the academy in Watertown. After he was of age he sought his fortune in what was then regtirded as the West, and stopped first at White Pigeon, Mich. He subseijuently went to Mishawaka, this State, and engaged in the lumbering business. He spent the year ISoT in St. Louis, returning to Mishawaka and remaining through 185S. Eventually he settled down in Goshen, where he had previously lived a year. Here he engaged in the saw-mill business, and has continued in that line until the present. In 1S72 he organized a stock company for the purpose of manufacturing hard-wood lumber, the members being himself, Oscar Dewey and James L. Kerstetter. Mr. Hebert had purchased the establishment allied the "Globe Wood Works," o\TOed by Xelson. Ferris & Co., and had run the mill for 15 years. When the new company was organized a new mill was built, 40x60 and three stories in height, which was filled with difterent kinds of wood-working machinery. This was burned down in 1S75, but it was rebuilt the following spring, though with reduced capacity. In the spring of 1S75 the company was reorgan- ized, and was then composed of J. D. Hebert, Eaton Hahn and Jacob Wogomen, and these gentlemen own the mill at the present time, Mr. Hebert being the manager. Mr. Hebert was married in 1S61 to Miss Mary Cooly, of Goshen. They have 3 sous. The eldest is at school in Jacksonville. 111. Mr. Hebert is a Freemason, and a charter member of Fravel lodge, Goshen, having been a prime mover in its organization. He is a Republican in politics, and his fellow-citizens have manifested their confidence in his ability and integrity by appointing him for many years consecutively Inspector of Election, and for five ^ears in suc- cession Clerk of the Board of Inspectors. Ismel He-ys. a prominent farmer and well-known old settler of Elkhart county and of Elkhart Prairie, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, Sept. 2S, ISIS. His parents were Balser and Sarah ( Immel) Hess, who removed with their family to Elkhart Prairie, this county, in 1S29. At that time there were but few settlers, but many Indians in this locality. Mr. Hess had the Indian boys for his playmates, and many times he wrestled with them, and, as he says, received his education among them. He does not mean, how- ever, to convey the idea that the Indian boys attended school. He attended the old-time school, which was taught by subscription, in a log cabin. The seats were of puncheon, as well as the floor and writing desks. The latter were fastened up by means of pins in the walls. Mr. Hess owns an excellent farm on Elkhart Prairie, 9i8 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. which we describe, with the rest of this locality, elsewhere in this work. He feels tlie necessity of an artesian well in the neighbor- hood, and proposes to organize a company soon to prosecute the work. He was married Jan. 24, 1853, to Miss Eosanna Gripe, daughter of John Gripe, an early settler of this county. They have had 10 children; of these, 7 are living; Mary E., Seymour, Moses, Cassius M., Martha, Nancy and Ida L. The deceased were: Susan- nah and 2 infants. Mrs. Hess is a member of tlie Dunkard Church. Mr. Hess is a staunch Republican. His position is that where there is no devil there is no danger; and that when two leading political parties are nearly equal in strength, both are in danger. He thinks the country is nowin danger of passing into the hands of its enemies. He believes in a "' true and living God." Jolin M. Hoover, school-teacher, Goshen, was born Aug. 29, 1850, in Stark county, Ohio. His parents, John A. and Susanna Hoover, were natives of Pennsylvania. At the age of two years he came with his parents to this county, settling in Clinton tp., where he was reared to maturer years. He received his education in the common schools and also the high school at Goshen, and has for 10 years followed school-teaching. Dec. 17, 1874, he married Miss Josephine S., daughter of Samuel and Martha Rensberger, of Ohio. Mrs. H. was born March 3, 1855. They have had 1 child, Law- rence Montgomery. Mr. Hoover's grandfather, Balser Hess, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and his father fought in the Revolu- tionary war. Clayton Huff was born in Kosciusko county, Ind., June 28, 1846, and is a son of George and Belinda Huff, who came to Indiana at an early day. His grandfather, Enoch Wright, was one of the pioneers of Elkhart county, and laid out the town of New Paris. Mr. Huff was reared on a farm, and being the only son, had to work very hard, and had but limited educational ad- vantages. He came to this county in 1850; was married in April, 1871, to Miss Lovina, daughter of Edward Clark. They have 3 children : Edward, Herbert and Nellie. Mr. Huff helped run the Union Mills, near Waterford, for five years, but now is engaged in farming. R. D. Irwin. — Among the enterprising farmers of Elkhart tp. is the subject of this sketch. He was born July 30, IS'24, in Alle- gheny county. Pa. His parents were Alexander and Elizabeth Irwin, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1832 they came to this county and settled on Elkhart Prairie. At this time there were but few settlers there; all was wild and was but the borders of a " large wilderness extending far westward." On this barren prairie the subject of this sketch was reared to maturity. His education was received in log houses, where he had to sit on slab benches. Dec. 29, 1853, he married Catharine Osboru, who was born in New York Aug. 19, 1832. To them were born 3 children; 1 is living, viz. : Albert J., an eminent physician in Goshen. Mr. Irwin's grandfather was a soldier in the American Revolution. ^ 0i^>h^ca^i^o.^ ^. /y^ HISTORY OF ELKHART CODNTT. 951 James L. Kerstetter was born in Minerva, Stark Co., Ohio, Feb. 6, 1837. His father's name was Peter Kerstetter, and his mother's maiden name Mary Rogers. His parents moved to Elkhart county in 1840, when he was two years of age. He passed liis boyhood in Goslien, and attended district school. In 1854 he entered Kala- mazoo College, and afterward he attended Wabash College, Craw- fordsville, Ind. After leaving school he was for some time a clerk in E. efe J. Gortner's dry -goods store, and in the winter he taught school and "boarded round." At length he went to Lagrange Center and was employed as clerk in the store of King & Cum- mings. In 1861, his father having enlisted in the army, Mr. Kerstetter returned to Goshen to supervise his father's affairs dur- ing his absence. When he was relieved of that duty he engaged in the grocery business with A. L. Hubbel, and continued that relation for four years. Ilis brother returned from the war in 1865, and desiring to go into business, the two brothers bought a stock of goods belonging to the Barnes estate, and began a busines which they continued a year and a half, when Mr. Kerstetter's brother was elected Sheriff, and he, James, became Deputy, and the brothers conducted the sheriffalty while they ran the store for six months, and then the goods were sold. Edward being re-elected, the brothers continued together as Sheriff and Deputy. Subse- quent to this period, when W. II. H. Venamon was Treasurer, Mr. Kerstetter was his Deputy. Later he entered into partnership with John D. Ilebert and O. F. Dewey, and engaged in the wood- working line, which was continued for two years, when, in the fall of 1874, the mills were burned up. Losing heavily by this misfor- tune, in the following January he went to La Porte and engaged with King & Fildes to work in their woolen mills. He remained there five years, when the owners of the Goshen Woolen Mills, desiring a competent manager, requested Mr. Kerstetter to take charge of the factory. A partnership was formed by King & Fildes, J. M. Noble and Mr. Kerstetter, under the firm name of Kerstetter, Noble & Co., by which arrangement the mills were renovated and made one of the flourishing manufactories of Goshen. The capacity of the mills has recently been increased by the addition of another set of cards and spinning machines. The company are now principally engaged in the manufacture of flan- nels. The mills are provided with both water and steam power, so that when the water is low and inadequate, steam can be used as a motor, and thus obviate delay. Mr. Kerstetter was married in the fall of 1861 to Miss Susan E. King, a jtjro^ep'e of Mr. F. C. King. One son and two daughters are the fruit of tlie alliance. He was elected Alderman in 1864. He is a Freemason, and a Republican. T. J.Kessler, one of the most spirited and liberal-minded of the younger citizens of Goshen, was born in Summit county, Ohio, in 1843. He was the son of Abraham P. and Mary (_Wirt) Kessler. The family came to Elkhart county to reside when the subject of 962 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. this sketch was five years of age. They settled on a farm in "Wil- mington tp., where Mr. Kessler performed the duties of a farmer's boy, and attended common school. In the spring of 1863, he enlisted in the First Regiment of Michigan Sharpshooters. The regiment was assigned to the second brigade, first division, of the army of the Potomac, Gen. Wilcox commanding. He was in the battle of Petersburg, when his command captured that place. When the war closed Mr. Kessler returned to Goshen, and was employed as clerk by Defrees & Co. He was married in the fall of 1867 to Miss Hattie C. Barnes, by whom he has had 1 son, who is now 10 years of age. Tiirough the influence of Hon. Wm. Williams, member of Congress for this district, Mr. Kessler, in 1872. was appointed to the United States railway mail service, with a route on the Michigan Southern road. He has been engaged in that employment ever since. As would be natural, Mr. Kessler is true to his "cherishing mother," and is a staunch Republican. He occupies a handsome and commodious residence on Market street, opposite tlie court-house, and has the finest and best appointed stables in Goshen. Mr. Kessler is one of the gentlemen whom it is a pleasure to meet, and being still young, can look for- ward to a future of prosperity and honor among his fellow citi- zens. Joseph L.Kindig was born in York county, Pa., Sept. 21, 1830. His parents were Joseph and Salome Kindig, also natives of Penn- sylvania, and the latter still lives on the old homestead. Mr. Kin- dig was brought up on a farm, and was educated in Litez Academy, and York County Academy. He came to Goshen in 1854. and engaged in the mercantile business the same year, in which he remained till 186S; and was eminently successful. He was mar- ried in 1857, to Miss Laura A., daughter of Joseph D. Knox, of Goshen. They had 2 children, both deceased. Tiiey are worthy members and pillars of the Baptist Cliurch in Goshen. Dr. Martin K. Krider, homeopathic physician, was born in Milton, Wayne Co., Ohio. His father was Jacob Krider, and his mother's maiden name was Anna Overholt. Both parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Dr. Krider began his education in the primary schools of his locality. During his youth he attended a high school in Smithville, near his native town. His school days were ended in 1865, when he was 18 years of age. He removed to Indiana in 1865 and began teaching school at the age of 19. He had an inclination to anatomical and medical stud- ies at an early age, and began a systematic reading on those sub- jects at the age of 15. Teaching and studying, he prepared himself for medical lectures, and took a course of that kind of instruc- tion at Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, in 1875, and graduated at that school in 1878. He opened an office in Goshen soon after, and has continued to practice here ever since, having secured an enviable reputation and lucrative business. Dr. Krider has been cheered and encouraged in his arduous endeavor by an excellent HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 953 helpmeet, whom he married in 1869. His wife was Miss Saloma Hoover, a farmer's daughter, of Harrison tp. Four children were born of this marriage, all daughters. Dr. Krider has taken an active part in social matters, especially those promotive of temperance reform. He is a member of the order of Knights of Honor, and Dictator of the Goshen subordinate lodge. He is a Republican in politics. The present year, owing to an overburden of professional worlc, he formed a partnership with a younger brother, Dr. W. B. Krider. so that tlie firm is now known as " Krider Brothers," and promises to grow in the favor of the community. William E. Manrow, a prominent dealer in stoves and tinware, on the corner of Eighth and Jefl'erson streets, Goshen, was born near Massillon, Ohio, May 23, 1835, and is a son of M. H. and Orra (Eldridge) Manrow. He spent a portion of his early days on a farm. At the age of 16 years he returned to Massillon, laboring on the farm one season, when he went to Canton, Ohio, and there learned the tinner's trade, remaining here three years. In 1854 he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and worked at his trade seven months, then at Findlay,Ohio, one year, and then went to Geneseo, 111., where he kept books and worked in a hardware store for one year. He then spent a short time in the towns of Muscatine and Davenport, Iowa, and East Paw Paw and Earlville, 111. He then returned to Massil- lon, Ohio, and married Miss Nancy H. Shilling, Feb. 10, 1859. They have had 6 children, viz.: Isaac N. (dec), William S., Natlian W., Charles O., Myron "W., and Archibald (dec). Mr. Manrow engaged in the sale of stoves and tinware in New Philadelphia, Ohio, for si.x years. He then formed a partnership with two other parties, and engaged in stamping tinware and the sale of stoves for 15 months. He came to Goshen in 1876, where heengagpdin sell- ing stoves and tinware for one year, when he took A. A. Norton as his partner. He then received Mr. Brubaker as a partner, to whom he sold out in about four months. He then did journey work for some time. In 1878 he obtained a patent for his noted " Universal Eave-Trough Hanger." This had been rejected five times by the examining committee, from which decision his attorney appealed to the Examiner-in-chief, who reversed the decision and granted him a patent. Mr. M. has sold about 40,000 of the hangers, and his trade is increasing. He is a fine workman, and is doing a good business. He is agent for the noted Rathbone stoves. Johji Mayherry is a flourishing druggist of Goshen, doing busi- ness on Main street. He was born in Medina county, Ohio, his parents being Joseph and Eliza (Jones) Mayberry. Thej' removed from Ohio in 1849, and settled in Harrison tp., Elkhart Co., when the subject of this sketch was an infant. They remained on their farm about four years, and then removed to Goshen, when Mr. Mayberry's father engaged in trade. John attended the village schools, where he acquired a good English education. When he was sufficiently advanced in years he entered the drug store of Geo. Manahan as clerk, and remained in that employment for five years. 954 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. When Marsh & Hill succeeded Mr. Manahan he contiiuied with that firm for two years and a half. After this he went to Elk- hart, and was for three years in the employ of Isaac Buckland. Returning to Goshen, he worked for Hawks Bros. & Co. five months, and succeeded Beyerle & Barber as jjroprietor of a drug business on Main street. He was married while at Elkhart to Miss Emma Hawks, and they have had 2 sons and 2 daughters. When he went into the drug business in 1873 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Dwight H. Hawks, and the firm did business on the corner of Main and Market sti-eets, where Mr. Hawks is now located in the same trade. In December, 1870, he sold his interest to Mr. Hawks, and began the drug business, where he is now located, on Main street, and he has secured a fiourishing trade. Mr. Mayberry is peculiarly fitted for his vocation, and by his aflability and close attention to the wants of his patrons is making troops of friends. James H. Mayfield was born Jan. 1, 1821, in Washington, D. C. He was the son of Henry and Betsey (Shields) Mayfield. His father emigrated to America from London, Eng., in 1819, and located at Washington, where he was engaged in the boot and shoe business for five years, after which he took up his residence in Bal- timore, and there was engaged in the same trade that he pursued in Washington. Mr. Mayfield during his boyhood attended the city schools of Baltimore, and thus acquired a good English education. At length the parents sought the betterment of their fortunes by removal to Ohio, and eventually settled on a farm in Knox county. There they remained about five years, when they again moved westward, stopping till 183i at Mottville, Mich., and then remov- ing to York tp., this county. In 1843 Mr. Mayfield, having arrived at manhood, was engaged in making fanning-mills with Peter Kerstetter. The firm of Kerstetter & Mayfield made fanning- mills for six years, and were about the first manufacturers of this kind of machinery in the place. In 1852 Mr. Mayfield went to California, and remained there three years. He accumulated in half of this period $3,000, and lost it in the memorable failure of Adams & Co.'s bank. Recovering somewhat from his loss, Mr. Mavfield returned to Goshen, and, his father dying, he came into possession of his property, which was, in part, land in the northern portion of the city of Goshen. He utilized this land for some time as a market garden, and subsequently converted it into an addition to the city, and, by the proceeds of the sale of town lots, accumu- lated funds for the purchase of a fine farm on the west side of Elk- hart river, below Goshen. Mr. Mayfield was the pioneer market gardener of Goshen, and still makes this branch of industry a specialty. Socially he is interested in the Methodist society of Goshen, and contributes both labor and money for the promotion of religion and morals. He has, during his residence in Goshen, been honored for twelve years with the ofiice of Councilman. He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, and votes the Republican HISTOET OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 955 ticket. Mr. Mavfield has a tasteful residence in the soutliern part of the city, on Main street, and is spending his time in the man- agement of his tine farm. Win. A. McAllister was born in Elba, Genesee county, N. Y., March 20, 1817. His father was William McAllister, his motlier's maiden name being Annie Snyder. Mr. McAllister spent his chilhood at his birth-place, and at nine years of age lie went with liis family to reside in the city of Buffalo. There his father died when "William was 14 ^-ears of age. About this time he was appren- ticed to the harness-maker's trade, and began business in this line on his own account when he was 26 years of age. During tlie fol- lowing year he was married to Miss Eleanor Stevens, of Butialo. They had 1 child, a son, now a physican of large practice in South Bend. Mr. McAllister and family came to Goshen from Buffalo in 1853, and soon after established a harness store and manufactory, which business he has continued ever since. He has been in his present location on Main street for five years past, and keeps a large stock of excellent goods in his line, employing several men in the manufacture of harness. His is one of the oldest and best established houses of the kind in Elkhart county. He is a menjber of the Presbyterian Church, and also is a Freemason and an Odd Fellow. He was once a member of the Goshen Common Council, and is now on his second term of three years as School Director. In the latter capacity he has done much toward the present perfec- tion of the Goshen school system. Alex. McCona/Mugky, deceased, was born in Ireland in 1820. He came to Canada with his parents in 183-t, and prior to 1840 he came to Elkhart county. He worked for James Frier three years, then married his daughter, Jane, June 2, 1844. This union was blessed with 9 children, viz.: James, Clarinda (dec), William (dec), Charles, Leonard, David. Elizabeth, Austin (dec), and Isadora. Mr. McConanaughy was an honest man and a good neighbor. He died Oct. 22, 1866. Dr. Burt P. McDonald was born in Adams tp., Allen Co., Ind. His father was W. H. McDonald, and his mother's maiden name was Xancy E. Palmer. He passed his boyhood in Adams, and attended district school. When lie was 19 years of age he began a commercial course at Fort Wayne, and graduated in 1866. After that he entered Dr. S. B. Brown's office, in Fort Wayne, for the pur- pose of learuing dentistry, and remained there three years. Look- ing about for a place to practice the dental art, he selected Goshen, and located here in 1869. He opened an office over the present location of the Salem Bank, and there he had continued to practice to the time this sketch was written, a period of nearly 12 years. During almost this entire period he remained the master of the dental situation in Goshen, there being no rival in the place to share the labor and the profits with him. The consequence has been a successful career. He has been an honored member of the State Dental Association, and was elected secretary of that body in 956 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1874, and re-elected in 1875. In 1871 he married Miss Sarah A. Mather, daughter of Judge Joseph II. Mather, of the Circuit Court. His household has been brightened by 2 daughters. Dr. McDonald is yet in the prime of life, and has tiie cheerful appear- ance of a gentleman with whom time and fortune has dealt with a gentle hand. Francis A. Merriman was born in Sangamon county, 111., Sept. 5, 1830, and is a son of Reuben and Betsey Merriman. He was raised on a farm, and was educated in the common schools and the Springfield, 111., high school. He came to this county in 1868, and cairied away one of Elkhart tp.'s fair damsels, in tlie person of Chloe Sparklin, daughter of Azel Sparklin, one of the first set- tlers of Elkhart Co. Mr. Merriman had, however, been married previous to this, in 1858, to Miss Emma Bishop (now deceased), who bore him 5 children; of these 2 are living, Eddie and Mary. ThomaR Miller was born in German^' in December, 1818. His parents were also Germans. He came to Lancaster, Pa., in 1831, and to Richland, Ohio, in 1833. In 1S36 he came to this county, where he has since resided. lie early became accustomed to hard work, and enjoyed but limited educational advantages. He is therefore a self-made man. He was married in 18-11, to Miss Susannah Ulery who came to this county in 1830. They have 7 children, viz.: Margaret, Sophia, Caroline, Mary, Sarah, Lydia and Franklin T. Mrs. Miller died in 1854, and he again married in 1871, this , time Catharine Ferguson, a native of Dublin, Ireland, who came to this county in 1844, all alone. In 1842 Mr. Miller opened a farm on sec. 5, which he still owns. He is the present Tp. Trustee for Elkhart tp., and in politics is Democratic. Mrs. Miller is a member of the Episcopal Church. Hon. Joseph A. S. Mitchell, familiarly known by his townsmen as '■ Capt. Mitchell," was born in Franklin county. Pa. His father, Andrew Mitchell, was a farmer by occupation and died in 1840; respected and esteemed by all who knew him. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Lecron, and died in Jul}', 1880, in the 76th year of her age. His father was of Scotch descent, and of Presby- terian proclivities. His mother was a French lady, born and raised in the State of Maryland. Capt. Mitchell exhibits striking characteristics of both nationalities. That sterling integrity and steadfastness to his opinions and convictions, which have given him a name to live among his fellow citizens, is eminently Scotch; that courtesy of manner and cheerfulness and elasticity of temper which have distinguished him as a genial gentleman among his fellow men he undoubtedly owes largely to his mother. Capt. Mitchell came to Indiana while he was comparatively a boy. His education was begun in the common schools of Pennsylvania. At the age of 17 he went to Illinois and attended college at Blan- dinsville, where he was also tutor for one year. In 1856 he returned to his native State, and began the study of the law, at Chambers- bnrg, in the office of Riley & Sharp. He was admitted to the Bar HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. 957 in 1859. During the following summer he traveled through the South, and, having finished liis tour, came to Goshen in the autumn and began the practice of the law. His professional career at that period was of short duration, for soon his country's peril called him to arms. He enlisted in the 2d Indiana Cavalry, and served in that regiment two years. He was immediately made First Lieutenant of Co. M, and subsequently was promoted to the Captaincy, and assigned a position on Gen. McCook's staff as Inspector-General, which position he held until the close of the war. "When the war closed, and the Army of the Cumberland, to which his, the First Division, belonged, was disbanded. Captain Mitchell returned to Goshen and resumed the practice of the law, for which his subsequent career showed that he was eminently fitted, the firm of Baker & Mitchell being one of the most prominent and successful in Elkhart county. Capt. Mitchell was elected Mayor of Goshen in 1872, and served his term with acceptability. He has always been a Detnocrat, and active for tlie promotion of his party's views and measures, though he has eschewed office-seeking, choos- ing to promote his professional interests rather than to squander his energies in a scramble for official position. In November, 1865, he was married to an estimable lady. Miss Mary E. Defrees, daughter of Hon. Joseph H. Defrees of Goshen, and their children were a son and a daughter. Recently a cloud of be- reavement has overshadowed Capt. Mitchell's household by the death of his son. Capt. Mitchell is yet in tlie prime of his manhood, and occupies an enviable position in his profession and in society. Dr. John K. Mulholhind, homeopathic physician, has experi- enced a life of such noteworthy character as particularly entitles it to be recorded in this volume. He has made manifest the fact that enthusiasm in a life purpose is the great requisite for success, and that when this element is present seemingly impossible departures from a beaten track of habit and pursuit can be made witli fortu- nate results. There seems to be no congruity between the character and habits of a merchant tailor and that of a physician; ^-et Dr. Mulholland has shown his capacity to change from the former to the latter, even in middle life, when age and practice should seem to make such a right-angled departure very difficult, if not impos- sible. Dr. Mulholland was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1832. He was the son of Francis and Cecilia i Kelley) Mulholland. His father wasof pure Irish descent, while his mother was of Scotch-Irish parentage. The elder Mulholland was a gentleman of competence, and was able to give his son good opportunities for early school- ing. The Doctor's mother died when lie was young. x\.t the age of 18 he left his native land, following the example of so many of his countrymen by coming to America. He landed in New York and remained there 12 years. In 1860 he sought his fortune in the "West, and located in Goshen. At length he engaged in the clotiiing and merchant tailoring business on Main street, a business which he successfully pursued for 11 years. In 1872 he sold his stock in 958 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. trade to parties from South Bend. The desire to study the homeo- pathic system of medicine had taken possession of his mind, and after he had sold his business he prepared to satisfy that desire. In due process of time he took a course of lectures at Hahnemann Med- ical College, Chicago, and graduated in 1878. Soon afterward he began practice in Goshen. Some of his friends advised him to seek another location, on the grounds that a prophet hath no honor in his own country and among his own kindred; but he was actu- ated by much enthusiasm in his calling, and seeming to think that a steadfast, honest purpose and devotion to his work would win at home if anywhere, he set to work, opening an office in Masonic block. Main street. His experience as a homeopathic physician has only added to his zeal in the profession, and success has re- paid him for his effort. Dr. Mulholland was married to Miss Anna Hill in Nashville, Tenn., in 1859, where he had spent a period before coming to Goshen, in 1859. This lady died at Goshen in 1866. He was again married in 1868, the wife of his second choice being Mrs. L. E. Knapp, a widow with 1 daughter. Dr. Mulholland is a Knight Templar and Master of Bashor Council, Goshen. J. M. Nolle, one of Goshen's leading manufacturers and most enterprising citizens, was born in Norwich, Muskingum Co., Ohio, in 1845. His father is Louis H. Noble, a well-known citi- zen and manufacturer of Goshen. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Motte. Both parents are of English descent. Mr. Noble spent his childhood until he was four years old in Norwich, ■when, in 1849, he removed with his parents to Goshen. He attended district school until he was 14 years of age, when he went to Evanston, 111., and passed through a course of instruction in the Northwestern University, remaining there one year. He after- ward attended a commercial school in St. Louis and graduated there. On his return to Goshen he engaged in the hardware busi- ness as clerk for one year, when he embarked in the same line ou his own account in Bourbon, this State. At the end of one year he returned to Goshen and engaged in the hardware trade with his father, the relation being maintained till 1873. During this year, the firm embarked in the hard-wood lumber trade, which soon de- veloped into large proportions. For three j'ears the company fur- nished all the black-walnut lumber used by the Singer Sewing- Machine Works at South Bend. During this time'tlie Nobles handled more black-walnut lumber than any three firms in the State, and dealt in other hard-wood lumber besides. At length the firm launched into the manufacture of school furniture, an in- dustry that has developed into one of the most important in Goshen. Mr. Noble was at the same time individually engaged in the Goshen Woolen Mills. He is still connected with all these lines of business. In 1868 Mr. Noble was married to Miss Abba Boylan,of Wal- cott, N. Y., daughter of Aaron Boylan, of that place. Two sons HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. iJoy have been born to them. Mr. Noble has taken great pains to beau- tify and adorn his home on Market street. Its exterior is a model of residence architecture, but its interior is undoubtedly the finest in the State or the West. It is finished with a great variety of woods, selected with great care as to beauty and variety by Mr. N. himself. Mr. Noble is a member of the M. E. Church. In politics he adheres to the Democracy, and he is a Master Mason. He is a re- markably successful man in business, having never taken hold of an enterprise of which he did not make a success. Already a wealth}' man, he has not yet reached middle life, and if fortune smiles upon him in the future as in the past, still greater achieve- ments await him. See pages 917-'8. L. n. Nolle is one of the leading manufacturers of Goshen. He is the senior member of the firm of Noble & Son, manufact- urers of school furniture and dealers in hard-wood lumber, an account of whose large business appears in another place in this history. He was born in Brownsville, Fayette Co., Pa., April 7, 1816. His father was Joseph T. Noble, and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Turner. His parents moved during his boy- hood to Zanesville, Ohio. His early education was obtained in district schools. Tlie elder Mr. Noble was engaged in the hotel, business in Zanesville. When Mr. N., the subject of this sketch, was 22 years of age he engaged in the dry-goods trade in Ohio which he continued until he came to Goshen in ISiO. Here he established himself in the same line of trade and did business for eight years thereafter. For some time he had a partner named Ma.xfield. At length he engaged in the hardware trade, with Charles E. Lawrence as partner, and during this time branched out in the hard-wood lumber business, an enterprise that eventuated in the present lumber and furniture establishment of L. H. Noble & Son. Mr. Noble was married at the age of 22 to Miss Elizabeth Motte, by whom he has had 2 sons aud 2 daughters. Both sons are engaged with him in the furniture and lumber business. One of the daughters married Mr. Joseph Jenkinson, a lawyer of Fort Wayne, aud the other, Mr. F. A. Ilascall, brother of the noted Gen. M. S. Ilascall, of Goshen. Mr. Noble has been a man of remark- ably successful career, and now resides in a pleasant home on Fifth street, where himself and his estimable lady can, with satis- faction, reflect upon their past life of industry and usefulness, and comfort tliemselves with the knowledge that the competence that their own hands have brought them shall cheer them in their declining years. Wm. H. Norton, of the Goshen Democrat, was born at Penn Yan, Yates Co., N. Y., March 4, 1836. He was the son of Asa A. and Mary E. (Stokes) Norton. His parents removed to Goshen when he was a small child, and settled on a farm one and a half miles from town. At the age of 15 he went to Indianapolis to learn the printer's trade, and was employed in the office of the \)W HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Statesman, then under the control of Dr. Ellis, who was at that time Auditor of State. He remained there three years, when he returned to Goshen, attended school a while, and afterward went to Chicago. He was employed in the Chicago Democrat office when " Long " John Wentworth controlled that paper. When the Pike's Peak fever broke out Mr. Norton was swept away by the wild rush and remained out at the mountains two years. He seems to have struck something of a lead, for he returned to Goshen in 1861, bought the Democrat office, and conducted the paper till 1863. He then sold it to Hon. Robt. Lowry, and removed to Fort Wayne, where he purchased a job-printing establishment and continued business there till 1869, when he sold out and returned to Goshen. Since that time he has mostly been connected with the Democrat. He was married in 1864 to Miss Eliza J. Foote, of Hillsdale, Mich. They have 4 children. Mr. jSTorton is a member of the Masonic order, and votes the Democratic ticket. ^4. M. Parsons, Esq., member of the Common Council of the city of Goshen, was bora in Lewis county, N. Y., in 1831. He was the son of Aaron and Lucina Parsons. He lived at home till he was 19 years of age, attending district school, and also the academy at Denmark, K. Y. At 19 he went to Pome, N. Y., and made an engagement to learn the sash, blind and door-making trade. From 1856 to 1860 was in Chicago, and in September of that year he returned to Goshen. He here engaged in the liquor trade, and has remained in that vocation until the present time. Mr. Parsons made money rapidly, and at one period was the possessor of an ample fortune. He erected the finest building in Goshen, namely. Masonic Hall, on Main street, which stands to-day a monument of his enterprise and good taste. Mr. Parsons was elected a member of the Common Council of Goshen, from the first ward, in 1878, and is now serving the third year in that capacity. He is a mem- ber of the order of the Knights of Pythias. He has the advantage among his fellows of being a man of tine personal appearance and of urbane and generous nature, qualities that make him popular as a purveyor in his particular line and among the constituents of his ward. His place is the resort of the respectable and order-loving portion of the citizens of Goshen and vicinity. Hev. TF. 0. Pierce, D. D., was born at New Haven, Hamilton Co., Ohio, Oct. 28, 1835; entered Wilmington (Ind.) Seminary in 1855, and graduated at the Ohio Wesleyan University in 1859; was engaged in teaching up to 1865, in which time he was Presi- dent of Morris Hill (Ind.) College; entered the ministry of the M. E. Cliurch in 1865, in which relation he filled the office of Pastor until 1875, when he was elected Professor of Greek and Hebrew in the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, which position be resigned to re-enter the work of the fegular pastorate. He is now (^1880) stationed as Pastor over the Goshen M. E. Church. With a great fondness for language he has acquainted himself with the elements of four of the modern languages, viz.: __German, HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 961 French, Spanish and Italian; and five of the Shemitic languages, Hebrew, Arabic, Syriac, Clialdee and Samaritan. He received tlie degree of Doctor of Divinity from Cornell College in 1878. William D. Platter is a native of Ross county, Ohio, and was born Sept. l-t, 1832. His parents were George and Ann (Andrews) Flatter, who removed with their family to this county in 1835. They settled 12 miles from Goshen ; for five miles of that distance they were obliged to cut a road through the heavy timber. Their first house was made after the fashion of an Eastern sugar camp, with one side open, and a large log heap in front by which to warm themselves and do their cooking. Their bedstead consisted of poles placed the entire length of the cabin, a little above the floor, answer- ing for two pair of beds, the parties lying feet to feet. This was in the thick timber, and grubbing, picking, chopping, etc. must be done liefore a hill of corn could be planted. This they did by toil- some labor. After working in various lines of business, Mr. Platter in 1854, originated the Goshen Pump Manufactory. His first pumps were made as follows: He would go out, cut down a tree and hew it to the proper size, and bring it to his little shop and bore it. In this way he would make two or three pumps, and then proceed to sell them. His trade increased, and he employed some hands to assist him. It grew better and better, until when he sold out in 1879, his annual sales amounted to $90,000. He now owns 972 acres of valuable land, besides a magnificent residence in Goshen, and a great deal of other property in the city. He was married June 15, 1852, to Miss Mary Stutsman, a very estimable lady, who died Oct. 8, 1879. Mr. Platter is a worthy member of the lieform Church of Goshen. In politics he is a Republican. Perry C. Purl, who with his brother owns a fine farm on the outskirts of tlie city of Goshen (his residence being in the city), was born in Goshen Jan. 24, 1842. He is thus one of the few natives ofthe place who have arrived at manhood and are now actively identified with the business and interests of the locality. He was the son of Elias and Lavina (Francisco) Purl. His father came to Goshen about 1834, and stopped here the first winter. He afterward settled on the farm the sons now occupy. The origi- nal farm comprised 157 acres, to which the sons have added suf- ficient to make a domain of 175 acres. Mr. Purl remained on the farm with the father till he died in 1872, and then assumed the man- agement ofthe property with his brother, Wm. W. Purl, the mother remaining with them. The brothers began the improvement of horse-stock in January, 1879, an enterprise that has made them well known throughout the county. They imported the first Clydes- dale stallion owned in this vicinity. This fine animal, who bears the suggestive cognomen " Time of Day," was reared by John Hen- derson, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, and cost $2,000. The Purls have several other fine stallions, and are doing much for the improvement of horses in Elkhart and the surrounding counties. They also are contemplating the introduction and breeding of fine-blood sheep yOa UISTOEY OF ELKHART COUNTY. upon tlieir premises. Their property lies largely within the limits of the city of Goshen, and is consequently valuable. P. JV. Reitzell was born in Franklin county, Pa.. Feb. 14, 1824. His parents died when he was but five years old, and he was then " tossed from pillar to post," with no guardian or friends. He attended school but 90 days, and then paid his board and tuition. He learned the blacksmith trade when quite young. He soon after learned the art of boring rifles in guns, which he followed until the war. He is also a natural machinist. He was married Oct. 18, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth Hentzell, by whom he has had 5 children; but 1 is living, Clara. Mr. K. now works in the "Walker manufac- tory . Mr. Reitzell's family are members of the Baptist Church. Samuel A. Rodihaugh. — This enterprising young farmer is a native of this county, and was born Oct. 24, 1850. His parents were Samuel and Anna (Bowman) Rodibaugh, natives near Day- ton, Ohio. Mr. E. was raised on a farm, and now resides on the old homestead, sec. 33, Elkhart tp. His parents were early settlers here. There was an Indian camping ground just in front of the house which he now occupies. He was married, Sept. 24, 1874, to Miss Martha Leedy, daughter of John Leedy. They have 4 chil- dren, Edith, Blanche, Florence and Vera. Ernst A. Salathee was born in Ebersdorf, near Lyons, France, May 25, 1829. His father's name was Ernst "W. Salathee and his mother's maiden name was Adelaide Hess. He was two years of age when his parents moved from France and settled in Newsalz, Silesia, Germany. There he attended school, and entered Hilder- sheim College when he was 1.5 years of age, and graduated at that institution at the age of 17. At this time he began employment in a store in Newsalz. In 1846 he came to this country, his father having preceded him. He landed in i^ew York, and from there went to Bethlehem, Pa., a Moravian town. He remained there three or four .years, and taught school, and was employed for some time in the deputy recorder's ofiice in Easton. From there he went to Akron, Ohio. At tliis place he was employed as clerk in a store, and taught penmanship. At length he took up the art of ornamental painting. This he continued for several years, both in Akron and after he came to Goshen. Since arriving here he has, besides ornamental painting, followed the employment of clerk, and also has been engaged in the drug business. At this writing he occupies the position of deputy recorder, having filled that office for several months past. He owns 40 acres of land outside the city, which employs the interims of oflicial labor. Mr. Salathee was married about 20 years since, in Ohio, to Miss Ann K. Latimer, by whom he has 5 children now living, 2 sons and 3 daughters. Only one of these children is married, a daughter, to Mr. Geo. Inbody. Christian H. Schaefer is one of the most prosperous merchants in Goshen. He was born in Ottenstein, in the Dukedom of Brunswick, Germany, July 14, 1826. His father's name was Fred- erick Sehaefer, and his mother's name before marriage was Wilhel- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. mina Giesraan. Mr. Schaefer spent his boyboocl at home, and attended tlie primarv schools of his native place. In his 14th year he was confirmed in the Lutheran Church. Before he was 18 years of ai^e he served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade; after that he traveled as a journeyman blacksmith, and thus visited difierent parts of Germany and England. During the revolution of ISiS Mr. Schaefer joined the fortunes of the revolutionists of Germany, and was taken prisoner by the Prussians, but was released the same year, when he enlisted in the regular array. He was a soldier from 1848 to 1851, and experienced much campaign- ing and hard fighting in Schleswig-Holstein. He was discharged from the service in 1853, and soon thereafter emigrated to America. Landing in New York, he remained there a short time, and then journeyed westward, stopping at Ft. Wayne, where he found employment in a hotel. He also worked there at his trade a por- tion of the time during his stay. He came to Goshen in 1855. In 1856 he was married to Miss Christiana Gall, who has presented him with 2 sons and 1 daughter. He worked at blackstnithing till 1861, when his health failed and he embarked in the grocery and produce business. He is now doing a thriving business in the dry-goods line. He is a member of the Masonic order, and in poli- tics is a Democrat. He was elected a member of the Common Council in 1874, and City Treasurer in 1880, and the latter oflice he now holds. Mr. Schaefer is one of the substantial and enterprising men of Goshen, a man of liberal and kindly impulses, and in all respects an excellent citizen. Isaac A. ShnTnons, attorney at law, of Goshen, was born Dec. 28, 1845, in Miami county, Ohio. He was the son of Andrew and Mary A. (Weatherhead) Simmons. His father was a farmer, and came to Elkhart county in 1847, who, after several years of indus- trious management of his farm and nurture of his family, departed this life in 1861. Isaac remained at home until 1863, when he enlisted in the First Indiana Regiment, which was ordered to the Department of the Gulf, and went first to New Orleans, and was placed under command of Gen. N. P. Banks. With his regiment Mr. Simmons accompanied the Red River expedition, and was in all the engagements and captures of towns along that stream toward Shreveport. He was also in Arkansas, and participated in the bat- tles of Marksville Plains and Yellow Bayou. On Jan. 10, 1866, he was honorably discharged, and returned to Goshen. He soon after entered the Goshen Collegiate Institute as a student, of which Prof. Butler was principal and Prof. Ellwood associate principal. He spent two years here, when he became a student of the law department in the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He had previously read law under the preceptorship of Wilson & Osborn, and bad taught schools in the intervals of study at the Collegiate Institute. He returned from the university, and was married in June, 1869, to Miss Jennie McKibben, of Goshen, who has pre- sented him a son and a daughter. About this time he was admitted ybi HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. to the Bar, and went into law practice in Goshen, and has since continued his professional labors here. He was Deputy Prosecut- ing Attorney for this district during six years, closing in the spring of 1880, and during his terms of service managed the State pros- ecutions and legal business connected therewith in Elkhart county. Mr. Simmons is a member of the Odd Fellows order, and also that of the Knights of Honor. He has recently had the misfortune to lose the estimable partner of his joys and sorrows, who died Jan. 13, 1880, an affliction which has drawn a dark zone across his life pathway, and tinged his future with a somber shade. John B. Sluvghter, the only marble dealer in Goshen, was born at Kavenna, Portage Co., Ohio, March 3, 1831. He was the son of Solomon and Ruth (Bnrdick) Slaughter. He passed his boy- hood on his father's farm, and attended common school. When he had arrived at a sufficient age he was apprenticed to the marble cutter's trade, his employers being Jones & Sons, of Cleveland, Ohio. One of the sons of Mr. Jones at this date is United States Senator from Ohio. Mr. Slaughter finished his apprenticeship in three years, and then traveled throughout the West as a journey- man marble cutter, working by intervals in various places, among them Chicago, Toledo, Huntington and Ligonier. In the latter place he carried on the marble i>usiness for three 3'ears. In 1859 he came to Goshen, and established himself in marble cutting and dealing, since which time he has commanded that trade in Goshen, being the only proprietor of marble works here. Having been so many years in the business, and having begun in his present loca- tion so early, he can justly claim to have erected more tombstones and cemetery monuments than any other marble dealer in Elk- hart county, or probably in Northern Indiana. He has been 1 the trade on his own account for 21 years, and been a marble cutter for 31 years, — a length of period in this branch of industry that few men of his craft can claim. Mr. Slaughter in 1861: was married to Miss Lydia M. Dean, by whom he has had 2 sons and 1 daughter. Mr. Slaughter is an ardent Republican in politics, and a Free- mason, holding in the order the office of Scribe in chapter 15, and has belonged to the mystic brotherhood 26 years. He has been honored by his fellow citizens with an election as City Council- man for two successive terms. The gravity' of Mr. Slaughter's occupation does not prevent his being a cheerful gentleman, and one whose every-day life is characterized by kindness and fair treat- ment of his fellow men. Levi Smith, deceased, was born in Rockdale county, Ky., near the town of Crab Orchard, Feb. 8, 1815, and is a son of Jonathan and Barbara Smith, natives of Tiger's Valley, Va. His mother was a daughter of Col. Crow, of Revolutionary fame. His father died when he was but three years old, and consequently he was compelled to work assiduously and undergo many hardships, as his mother was poor. He removed to Clarke county, Ohio, with his HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. 965 mother in 1S20. He afterward served three years' apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, in Logan county, Oliio. He came to this county in 1834 and established a distillery in company with Sam- uel Burns, near Watertbrd. He was married Nov. 9, 1837, to Miss Polly McDowel, by whom he had 1 child, James A., now in Elkhart. Mrs. Smith died in June, 1840, and he returned to Ohio in 1842, and engaged in the distillery business. In May, 1843, he returned to this county, and Aug. 21 following he married Miss Elizabeth W. McDowel by whom he had 10 children; of these, 6 are living, viz.: John H., Levi M., Rebecca R., William P., Lovina C. and Carrie L. He engaged in farming one mile south of Elk- hart for several years, and grew wealthy. He died July 26, 1880, loved and respected by all. He was a very benevolent and kind man. He left 92^ acres of land to each of his 7 children, and the same to Mrs. Smith. J. Souder is a prominent farmer of Elkhart tp.; resides on sec. 25. Wm. M. Starr was born in Mifflin county. Pa., April 16, 1837. His father's name was Geo. L. Starr, who married Lucinda Putter. The family i-emoved to Ohio when William was an infant, locating in Williams county, and settling on a farm, where they remained till the fall of 1S55. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Starr entered the office of t!ie Hepuilican Standard as an apprentice, and remained there two years. After an interval of one year he resuined the art preservative and traveled as a journeyman. When the war broke out he enlisted in the 13th Indiana Infantry, at Peru, prompted by the first call for troops after the fall of Fort Sumter. He served 13 months and was captured in the Shenandoah valley when on the skirmish line. He was taken to Libby Prison, but was confined there but a few hours, when he was paroled and sent to Washing- ton. There, in due course of time, he was honorably discharged. Returning to Bryan, Ohio, he purchased a partnership in the Press and Leader, with S. L. Hunter, and was connected with that paper for five years. He removed to Goshen and assumed control of the Times in August, 1867. He continued in the editorship of the paper and management of the Times printing establishment till the summer of 1880, when he sold his share of the property to Dr. Beyerle, the present proprietor, who had owned an interest in it since 1877. Since his disposition of the Times he has bought a half interest in a printing establishment in Jacksonville, 111., Joseph J. Ironmonger being the original owner and his present partner. Mr. Starr also owns 160 acres of land in Emmet county, Mich. He was married in Br^^an, Ohio, May 8, 1866, to Miss Aggie E., daughter of Rev. Thos. Tanneyhill. Mr. Starr is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church, also of the Masonic order, and of the Odd Fellows. He is a Republican in politics. At this writing, he intends soon to depart from Goshen and take up his residence at Jacksonville, the scene of his future labors. 966 HI5T0ET OF JiLKHAET COCNTV. Samuel Stricklerv;a.i born in Pennsylvania. "When he was six years of age his parents moved to Canada, and resided near the Niagara river till after the war of 1S12, wlien they removed to Xew York, and resided IS miles east of Buffalo until 1S26, wiien the family returned to Canada. Benjamin W. Strickler, son of Samuel Strickler. came from Canada to Indiana with his parents when he was 12 years of age. llis father lived in Goshen one year and a half, when he settled on a farm of 160 acres, in sec. 7, this tp. He improved and cultivated this farm till 186S, when he died, at the age of 5S, leaving a widow and 5 children. The north half of the farm fell to the share of Benjamin, and he cultivates this estate at the present time. In 1S60 he was married to Miss Kebecca Shunk, ■who had recently come from Pennsylvania. They have 3 children, George Allen, John Henry and Mary Alice. Samuel Stutsman was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, Oct. 11, 1821, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Stutsman, natives of Pennsylvania. He came witli his parents to this county in 1S32, when there were many wild Indians here. He has played and shot with bow and arrows " many a day with the Indian boys." His father settled on the east side of the Elkhart river, and the school was on the west side, and he could attend school only when the ice ■was thick enough to allow him to cross on it. As this was only a portion of the winter, and the school taught by subscription, his early educational advantages were very limited. His school-house, of course, was of the pioneer class, viz. : a little log cabin furnished with slab seats, and boards supported on pins in the wall for a writ- ing desk. He was married in 1S15, to Miss Caroline Swinehart, by whom he has had 11 children; of these, 7 are living, viz.: Benja- min, Amanda, Amelia A., Martha, Sarah, Sealon and Delilah. Mr. Stutsman resided in Concord tp., and still owns the same farm of 170 acres. lie grew feeble, and in IS"! removed to Goshen, where he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the United Breth- ren Church in the locality where they formerly resided, Mr. Stuts- man having served as Church Trustee for some time. William A. Thomas, banker and capitalist and a leading manu- facturer of flour, was born in Monroe county, Ya.. March 3, 1816. His father's name is Thomas Thomas. He still resides in Warsaw, this State, and is SS years of age. His mother's maiden name was Mary Kelley. The family remained in Monroe county, Yirginia, until William was 10 years of age, during which time he had some tuition in a subscription school. Leaving Yirginia iu 1S26, the family removed to Kichmond, Ind., and settled there. William enjoyed the advantage of such tuition as the district schools afforded at that early day. In 1S2S the family again struck their tents, and this time drove their stakes in the then famous St. Josepli's valley, but not '• tinding anything to live on " there, as Mr. Thomas expressed it, they finally sought a resting place in Elk- hart county. This was in the spring of 1829. The family settled on a farm, which was located on what was called " Two-Mile HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 907 Plain." There they remained until the elder Mr. Thomas was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, when they changed their residence to Goshen. For some time afterward William worked on a farm near town. In 1S35, his father having opened a store in Leesburg. William became a clerk in it, and remained in that occupation till 1S37, when he returned to Goshen, and was employed in his father's store as salesman here. This was con- tinued till 1S3S, wiien he went into the Circuit Clerk's office as deputy to his lather. This employment lasted until the close of his father's term of service, which extended over 14 years. In 1844 Mr. Thomas was a candidate for clerk on the Whig ticket. His was the losing party that year, and he was consequently defeated. After this campaign, and until the spring of 1845, Mr. Thomas was not particularly employed. During the last-named year himself and Milo Mercer engaged as partners in the dry -goods trade. Their store was on Main street. On October of the same year Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Sarah McKenney, by whom he had 1 daughter. The firm sold goods till the spring of 1848, when the partnership was dissolved, after which Mr. Thomas continued the dry-goods business alone. He sold goods for 20 consecutive years without the intermission of three days. He was burned out in 1872, but this did- not materially interrupt his business. He closed up his dry- goods trade in 1875. In 1869 he established a flour mill on the hydraulic canal. This enterprise is still in a flourishing condition. In September, 1876, Mr. Thomas opened the Farmer's Bank on Main street, Goshen, and that enterprise is still maintained under his management. The first Mrs. Thomas having died, Mr. T., in 1850, was again married, to Mrss Eliza McKenney, sister of his former wife. She has presented her husband 3 daughters; 2 of these are married : one to C. M. Harris, and the other to Laporte Eaton. Mr. Thomas is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics he is a Republican. Betijaiain F. Toms was born in Ashland county, Ohio, in 1838; came to this State in 1860 and located in Goshen, where he has since resided, and for the greater part of this time has been in the employ of Mr. Hawks as miller. Mr. Toms was married to Miss Matilda Price Feb. 22, 1866, who was born in this county, and there have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Toms 6 children, of whom there are 5 living: Benjamin F., Alpheus, Emily. Ellen, Lizzy and Jas- per. Mr. John T. Toms, father of the subject of this sketch, is a native of Pennsylvania, as is also his wife. Mr. Toms is a very en- ergetic man and a good financier, as his present circumstances indi- cate, having had but a limited education, such as could be obtained in the common schools of Ohio 30 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Toms are members of the Baptist Church. Wm. Twoiney is of Irish descent, having been born in Killarney, county Kerry, about 1824. His father's Christian name was Thomas, and his mother before marriage was Miss Catharine Mc- Sweeney. His parents were Catholics, and William attended parish 57 ifbO HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTr. scliool in his native place until lie was 16 j-ears of age, when he went to London to finish learning the shoemaker's trade, which he had partly learned under an apprenticeship to his brother. He worked in London about seven years, when he and his brother re- solved to come to America. In the month of January they em- barked in the ship Franklin, commanded by a Swedish captain, which was in the American trade. The passage over was a stormy one, and consumed six weeks before the rugged coast of Xew Eng- land was descried. Unfortunately the Captain missed his reckonings, and the vessel was grounded on a sandbank near Cape Cod. The peril was imminent, as the sea ran high and was pounding against the vessel fearfully, and threatening to break her in pieces. The Captain had concluded that the tide would soon be at the ebb and thus the ship would be floated oft' the bank; but again he had mis- calculated, for the tide began to flow, bearing the vessel still deeper into the fatal bank, and making her total loss certain. The sea continued to dash upon the ill-fated bark until she went to pieces. All the crew and passengers but four, of which number our hero was one, were swept off by the waves, or were lost by attempts to launch the life boats. The four clung to the bowsprit until they were rescued by a party of wreckers. Mr. Twomey's bi-other was among the lost. After liis escape from a watery grave he was hos- pitably treated by the inhabitants of Cape Cod, where he worked for some time at his trade, thus procuring means to purchase clothes and tools. He went to Boston and there worked at his trade for 18 months; thence he went to "Worcester, Hartford, New Haven and New York, finding employment for a time in each city. While in Hartford he was married to Miss Mary Kough, by whom he has had 6 children. He removed to Goshen in the summer of 1S55, where he was employed as a journeyman for about 18 years; he opened a shop on Market street, opposite the postofiice, about six years ago, and has kept it ever since. Mr. Twomey is a genial gentleman, and vividly recites the story of his shipwreck to his friends. Hev. H. L. Vannuys, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Goshen, was born in Kentucky Nov. 3, 1829; his father, Tunis Vannuys, was a native of New Jersey, and his mother, Kate (De- maree) Vannuys, was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. Vannuys is a graduate of Hanover College, and also of the Theological Semi- nary of Princeton, New Jersey; he came to Goshen Oct. 21, 1852, where, in March, 1853, he organized the Presbyterian Church, with fifteen members; he is still the pastor, and his is, perhaps, the longest pastorate in Indiana; the summer of 1867 he spent in Europe; during his labors in Goshen, nearly five hundred have been added to the Church. He was united in marriage with Miss Rebecca H., daughter of S. P. "Williams, of Lima, Lawrence county, Ind., and they have had 1 child (deceased). Mrs. Vannuys died in 1869, and in 1872 he married Miss Lillie "W. Loring, by whom he had 1 child, which is also deceased. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 969 Maj. W. H. Venamon was born in Piqua, Ohio, in 1836; his father was Harvey Yenamon, and his mother's maiden name was Margaret Barnes; they were both Kentuckians, and of English de- scent. When Mr. V. was six months old, his parents moved to Kosciusko county, Ind., where they remained till lS-i9; they then made another remove, this time locating at Goshen, this county. Maj. Venamon, when a boy, attended the district schools of his neighborhood, and in 18.51 he began to learn the cabinet maker's trade; he worked at this occupation until 1859, when he attended Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, in Chicago. In 1862 he enlisted in the 100th Ind. Reg., and performed three years of ser- vice; he followed the illustrious Sherman from Vicksburg to the sea, and was in 47 battles; he entered the army as First Lieutenant, and was promoted through the regular gradation to the rank of Major; he served as Quartermaster and Adjutant; when he was Captain he took his company into the battle of Mission Ridge, 32 strong; when the carnage was over, only seven men answered the roll-call; 25 had been either killed or disabled. On June 18, 1865, Maj. Venamon was honorably dis- charged, and returned to Goshen; soon after, he went into the boot and shoe trade with Jacob Ilattel; in about a year from that time he was appointed County Treasurer, in place of Hiram Morgan, deceased. He served in this capacity for one year, and when elec- tion recurred, he was voted into office for another term, and re- elected for the ensuing term. After the expiration of his last terra, he spent two years in traveling through the Eastern and Western States; returning from this diversion, he settled down in Goshen. Five years since he engaged in the sash, blind and door manufact- ure with Mr. W. R. Whitmer, and has since continued this busi- ness relation. Maj. Venamon is a genial gentleman, of excellent physical proportion, and is yet untouched by time and the vicissi- tudes of experience through which he has passed. He belongs to the Masonic order, being a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery. Jo/m B. Yesey was born in Cayuga county, Ohio, May 22, 1836 ; in 1838 the family moved west to Indiana and settled in Middlebury tp., this county, then a very new country. The howling of wolves could then be heard often at night. As the country improved they removed to Elkhart tp. and bought a farm one mile northeast of Goshen, then a small village of 800 or 1,000 inhabitants. Here the subject of this sketch worked on a brick yard and farm, as necessity directed (his father trying to attend to both),the most of the time until he was of age, attending the common subscription school then in vogue from three to four months a year. At the age of 16, however, he attended for a year the Ontario Collegiate Institute, Lagrange county, then the best school in this part of the countr}'. In the mean time he had some experience in business. He rode considerable as Deputy Sheriff for C. W. Seely, collected taxes, etc. ; also taught a number 970 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. of terms ot common school, witli good success. His services were considerably souglit after, and he always i-eceived the highest wages paid in the tp. where he taught at that time. Aug. 8, 1S60, he was united in marriage to Miss Alice Xewell, of Jefferson tp., Elkhart county. He had by strict economy and industry saved up about $1,200, and after buying a team and farming utensils, household goods, etc., he had $700 to pay on a farm of 85 acres. He soon sold the first farm, being unable to pay the balance of payments as they came due (for $300 more than he gave, however), and bought a large farm of 205 acres, for which he went in debt for more than two-thirds of the price paid, and paid every dollar he owed in three years. He owns the same farm yet and a part of his father's small farm, for which he paid the money. He never received anything from home. He also has property in Goshen, where he now lives. He followed the pursuit of a farmer, mixing a little other busi- ness with it. mainly stock, until 1875, when his wife's health became very much broken, and he was advised to change climate. He was with his wife and two children in Minnesota, then through the West to San Francisco ; after remaining there a few days they started down the coast and went as far as Los Angeles; returning to Indiana, they went to Michigan near Detroit, thence to New York, Philadelphia and Washington. After about IS months, Mrs.Vesey's health being much improved, he returned to Goshen and engaged in the lumber trade ; after continuing in this business two years his health failed and he was obliged to sell out, since ■which time he has been looking after his farms and attending to some other business. Isaiah Violett, son of the well-known and prominent John W. Yiolett,deceased, was born in Elkhart in 1835 ; he received his educa- tion in the public schools of Goshen; was married in 1862 to Miss Helen C. Hale; is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and lends his aid to all charitable institutions. He resides on the old homestead sec. 27, owns 140 acres of valuable land and is engaged in genera} farming. In politics Mr. Yiolett is a staunch Republican. John R. Violett, a wealthy farmer and a prominent citizen ot this tp., was born Nov. 22, 1829, at a point about two miles south of what is now tiie city of Goshen, and was the first child of white parents in Elkhart county. They were among the earliest settlers of the county. The father, John Wesley Violett, was a native of Virginia, but of French descent, his ancestry having emigrated to America in the early days of this country's settlement. He was born Aug. 29, 1795, near Harper's Ferry, where he lived until he was about seven years of age. His father having died, his mother, with her family, emigrated to Ohio and settled on Buck creek, about 10 miles from Springfield, where he was engaged in assisting his mother on the farm, when not attending school, until he reached the age of 18. He enlisted in the army during the war with Eng- land in 1812, serving about two years. When Fort Meigs was HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 971 besieged he was at Fort Finley. For his services in the army he was granted a Government land warrant in after life. In politics he was a Whig of the Henry Clay school, and he was a great admirer and ardent supporter of " Harry of the AVest," for whom he cast his first ballot for President, a copy of which he carefully preserved. In 1S20 he went to Missouri, where he remained about three years, receiving an appointment as Justice of the Peace. In 1S23 he returned to Ohio and purchased a farm in Clarke county. Aug. 31, 1824, he was elected Sergeant-major of the 2d Regiment, Fifth Brigade, Fifth Division of the Ohio militia. Mr. Violett was a man of close observation and good judgment, and methodical in all his business habits. He kept a memorandum of passing events, and but a few months prior to his death he collected from his diary an account of his journey from Ohio to Indiana. In the spring of 1S28, he sold his farm in Clarke county, Ohio, with a view of remov- ing west of the Mississippi to procure a larger tract of land. Hav- ing heard favorable reports of the country in Indiana, watered by the St. Joseph of Lake Michigan and its tributaries, he concluded to look at it. Oct. i, 1828, he set out, accompanied by his father- in-law, each being supplied with a good stock of provisions for the trip, knowing they would be obliged to camp out a part of the time during their explorations. Thej' went to Fort "Wayne, then but a hamlet, and the following day they proceeded as far as Wolf lake, where they camped over night. Leaving this desolate place, they found a better country for the next 80 miles. They soon struck the Elkhart bottom, a rich expanse of timber land. After crossing the river they discovered Elkhart Prairie, which thej' thought the most beautiful tract of land they had ever seen. They came to a spring at the Elkhart river, wliere DeCamp afterward built a mill, and remained over night. The next morning they crossed the St. Joseph river near the mouth of Elkhart. Here they found the first set- tler since leaving the neighborhood of Fort Wayne. In about nine miles they reached Beardsley's Prairie, a beautiful rolling plain with a few squatters, and put up with Mr. Beardsley, wliere they found good accommodations. Here they found the first crop of growing corn, and investigation showed it to be good, both in qual- ity and quantity, for sod corn. The blades were yet green, no frost appearing that fall until Oct. 9. In this place they became acquainted with Hon. George Crawford, now of La Porte, and his partner, Mr. Meacham, who gave them satisfactory information in regard to the country and its probable wealth and productiveness. The following day they visited Young's Prairie, a rich and beauti- ful tract of land, where they put up with a squatter for the night. He claimed a large amount of the prairie for himself and friends. In this place was another crop of good corn. A'^ext day they went to White Pigeon Prairie and stayed over night with Judge Winckel. He also had a good crop of corn. In tlie morning they left for Elkhart Prairie. Major Violett had concluded to settle there, and wished to further examine the prairie and its surroundings. Arrived 972 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. there they camped for the night at Elkhart river, where Benton now stands. The following day was spent in looking over the prairie. They fonnd the prospect for a settlement very flattering, a plentiful supply of good water, and an abundance of valuable tim- ber. They were soon joined by Messrs. Crawford and Meacham, on their way South to purchase stock-hogs; about the same time Matthew Boyd arrived at tbeircamp. He afterward became a res- ident of Benton . Oct. 14-, they started for home. That evening they met Elias Eigtis and his son-in-law, with their families, mov- ing to the Elkhart Prairie. They first built a house on the land afterward owned by Colonel John Jackson, and were the first set- tlers on the plain. ' During the winter Major Yiolett made prepara- tions to move to Elkhart'Prairie, and March 3. 1S29, he started with an ox team loaded with provisions, farming utensils, and their heavy furniture, leaving his family with his friends for a time. He was accompanied by two other men with ox teams and by two young men, "William Chance and James Bishop, whom he had hired" to assist him in starting his farm. They were 12 days on the journey. He made a squatters claim on the prairie running through the timber lands to the river. Here he built a cabin and soon after began making rails for fencing. During the spring he put in cultivation .82 acres of corn, inclosing with a substantial rail fence 50 acres of his land. This was the first crop of corn raised in the vicinity, and proved of great use the following winter and spring to families and stock that had come into the country with- out suflicient grain. In July, Major Yiolett moved his family to his Indiana home. He was a pioneer of the county, and among the first of the set- tlers who are entitled to the credit of opening up this beautiful region. He was a man of marked ability, a pungent writer, a ready, pleasing and convincing speaker, and his intellectual superiority made him respected and influential. In religious matters he was unorthodox in belief, always entertaining a high respect for Church organizations, religious rites, and the convictions and opinions of others, but unable to accept many of the creeds and practices of the Churches. He was firm in his political position, and active in the support of his convictions, but was in no sense a politician. In 1830, upon the organization of the county of Elkhart, he was elected Recorder; his commission being signed by James Morrison, Secretary of State, and James B. Ray, Governor of Indiana. He held this oflice seven successive years. In 1830 he was appointed Major of the 82d Regiment of Indiana Militia; in 1840 he was a candidate for Associate Judge, but his party being largely in the minority, he was defeated, and in 1842 he was appointed Commis- sioner for the Erie & Michigan canal, and subscribed 81,000 toward its construction. He was a candidate of the Whigs for State Sen- ator in 1844:, but was defeated, although securing more than his regular party vote. In lSo4^'5 he built the Yiolett House in Goshen, which stands to-day as a monument of his public spirit. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 973 During his life-time he was a model and enterprising farmer, and engaged extensively in a nursery, supplying the county with fruit and ornamental trees, in which he was the pioneer of this section. Major Yiolett in private life was a cordial, genial gentleman. His home was the center of a free and hearty hospitality, dispensed with- out ostentation by himself and family. Here, surrounded by a loving family and kind friends, endeared to him by long years, he passed the remainder of his days. His character was above reproach. He died Oct. 24. 1S71, in the 76th year of his age, lamented by a large circle of relatives and friends. The subject of this sketch, JohnH. Violett, as we have before said, was the first white child born in Elkhart county. The old cabin, which his father built in the spring of 1S29, in which the family lived at the time of his birth, was after- ward sold to Daniel Hess, but the outside door, being the only one in the cabin, and the first one hung on hinges in the county, is still perserved by the family as a relic of value. His early educational advantages were extremely limited. The log cabin in which John received his first school experience was built on sec. 27, near where Waterford now stands, and was con- structed with one log left out on the side, with strips of wood nailed across, over which oiled paper was pasted, serving as a win- dow. At the age of 15 he closed his school-going days, and devoted his time exclusively to hard form labor for about six years. In the spring of 1850, in company with others, he went by the over- land ronte to California, where he engaged in mining with satis- factory success, remaining there until the following March, when he set out for home from San Francisco, by way of Panama and New Orleans. Unfavorable winds and weather drove them hun- dreds of miles south of the equator in the first part of the return trip, and they ran near the Marquesas Islands, arriving in port after a voyage of 7-4 days. He soon afterward bought a farm of his father not more than 100 rods from where he was born, upon which he built a substantial and comnaodious brick dwelling. He also purchased a saw-mill on the Elkhart river, and engaged in farming and the manufacture and sale of lumber, continuing both until 1853, when he sold the mill, and gave his attention entirely to his other interests. At the opening of the war of the rebellion he at once set about arranging his affairs so that he could leave home, and on Sept. 2, 1S61, he enlisted as a private, refusing pro- motion, in Co. E, Oth Regiment Indiana Infantry, in which he served faithfully for three years. Among the sanguinary battles in whicli he was engaged were the two davs' conflict at Pittsburg Landing, April.6 and 7, 1862; Stone Puver' fought, Dec. 31, 1862, and Jan. 1 and 2, 1863; Chickamauga, of June 19 and 20, 1863; Lookout Mountain, on the occasion of the great achievement of General Hooker's division, by which the summit was reached, and the rebels were charged and defeated b}' the boys in blue, that memorable conflict known in history as the battle fought " above the clouds," which occurred Nov. 24 and 25, 1S63; and was in nearly all the 974 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. severe engagements in which his regiment participated. He was made prisoner in Tennessee and taken to Libby prison, but was immediately exchanged, being among the last of the captured who received that favor from the hands of the rebels. At "the expira- tion of the term of enlistment of his regiment, and after having experienced three years of active duty in the service of his country, he was with his regiment ordered to Indianapolis, where they were mustered out Sept. 6, 1S64, since which time he has devoted him- self chiefly to farming until the spring of 187S, when, his wife having died, he rented his farm for two years. He has now prac- tically retired from active business; but his inclinations having always been for agricultural pursuits. His habits of active business life make him await with much anxiety the time when he may again assume control of his farm. In all his transactions he is methodical, prompt and energetic. His farm, which we have before referred to, consists of 170 acres, mostly prairie land, with a valu- able tract of timber extending west to the river, which gives a delightful view. He prides himself on keeping his farm in a high state of cultivation. In the fall of 186i, before Mr. Violett returned from the army, he was placed in nomination by his friends as a candidate for Sheriff. The Goshen Times in reference to his nomination said: "John H. Violett was nominated for Sheriff without his knowl- edge or consent, while he was manfully doing his duty as a private soldier "way down in Dixie,' and that, too, over other worthy men, who were present in the convention working for the place." He was elected by a gratifying majority, and held the oflice for two years. In politics Mr. Violett is an uncompromising Repub- lican. He was a Whig until the breaking up of that organization in 1854. He is earnest in the support of his political convictions, as well as a liberal contributor. Mr. Violett is an extensive reader, being familiar with the general news of the day, as well as with present and past matters of literature. He is a clear thinker, a close observer, and a sound reasoner, and acts upon his own judg- ment. He is a good and pleasing converser. His contributions to the press are clear, comprehensive and forcible, and he is especially strong in sarcasm and pungent humor. In religion he is entirely unorthodox in belief He was reared in a strong moral atmosphere, although not under Church discipline. In early youth he began his reflections, and soon became doubtful concerning theological dog- mas, and may now safely be termed a radical. Mr. Violett was married April 28, 1852, to Miss Catherine, daughter of David Eodibaugh, of Elkhart tp., an esteemed lady, and a woman of marked ability. She died July 16, 1877. They had 4 children, 1 of whom is living: Mariet J., born Oct. 11, 1853, died June 2, 1860; Horace E., born Nov. 2, 1855, died April 23, 1859; Chloe, born Aug. 11, 1857, married Charles A. Irwin, son of E. D. Irwin, of Elkhart Prairie, Oct. 14, 1873; Florett,born April 21, 1860, died Oct. 16, 1863. He was married Nov. 28, 1878, to Melissa Leedy, HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 9T5 of Elkhart tp., a lady of pleasing presence, of good parentage, culti- vated and refined in appearance, and highly respected. They have by this marriage 1 child, Ethel May, born Jan. 26, 1880. Mr. Violett is of the usual stature, squarely and solidly built, stands erect, and possesses a robust constitution and good health. His character is above reproach. A portrait of him is given in another part of this volume. WilUamN. Violett (deceased) was born in Ohio Oct. 25, 1826; his parents, John W. and Chloe Violett, came to this county in 1829, and it being a new and wild country, he had but limited edu- cational advantages; he managed, however, to acquire a good education, and became a good writer and author; many of his articles and excellent poems have found their way into the news- papers. He was married in 1852 to Miss Eliza A. Haney, daughter of Joseph Haney, of St. Joseph county, Ind. They had 4 children : Frank S. (dec'd), James E., Byron H. (^dec'd), and Mary E. Mr. Violett died Feb. 27, 1873, loved and respected by all who knew him. He was a zealous worker in the cause of temperance, and labored for the promotion of morality and good societj'. He was a great lover of home and family. Henry Wanner was born in Kutztown, Berks Co., Pa., March 28, 1832. His father was John Wanner, and his mother's name, before her marriage, was Elizabeth Behiel. He passed his child- hood in his natis'e place, and attended subscription school; when he was 16 he was apprenticed to his brother to learn the tanner's trade; he served at this three years, and afterward worked as a journeyman three years; he then went on a tour of observation, traveling through Pennsylvania, Ohio and other countries. Return- ing to Berks county he engaged in the tanning business with his brother, which he followed for six years; then went to Ohio and worked at his trade in Canton, Wooster and Mansfield, and after- ward in Ft. Wayne, Ind. He again went to Canton, Ohio, where he engaged in the leather trade and currying business; remained there one year, and then, in 1866, removed to Goshen, where he located, starting in the tanning business again, and continued in it for five 3'ears. Latterh' he has been engaged in the manufacture and sale of composition stone, and laying sidewalks; he also com- bines with this a trade in coal, lime and cement; he has experi- mented largely in the making of composition stone, and has brought his work to perfection. Pie makes an article as enduring as the natural rock, avoiding all cheap material that would injure tlie stone which he turns out. The large amount of wide and handsome stone sidewalks that beautify Goshen, and give it such an unusually mature and substantial appearance, can be attiibuted to Mr. Wan- ner's enterprise and perseverance. He is thus leaving a record of himself in enduring stone that shall last through many future gene- rations, and should therefore rank among Goshen's benefactors. Mr. Wanner is a Mason, an Odd Fellow and a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. He adheres to the Democratic political faith. 976 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. J . M. Wanner, one of the substantial citizens of Goshen, was born in Kutztown, Pa., July 6, 1S57. His parents were P. C. and Sarah (Mover) "Wanner ; he remained at Kutztown durins; his boy- hood , leaving that place and coming to Goshen in 1876 ; he attended ^Normal school in his native place, beginning at the age of 10 years; he was six years in the model department of that institution; he taught school two terms. After arriving at Goshen he worked for his uncle, who was in the leather trade, until July, ls79, when he bought his uncle's interest, and has since continued the business on Main street; he deals in hides and leather, and has the only estab- lishment of the kind in Goshen, and probably the largest in the county. Mr. "Wanner belongs to the Reformed Church, is a Democrat in politics, and being still young gives promise of suc- cess as a business man, and usefulness as a citizen. Zou IVanner, Esq., is one of the younger attorneys of Goshen, yet he has had a large e.xperience in public and professional life, as the following sketch will show. He was born in Berks county. Pa,, in 1840; his father was David "Wanner, and his moth- er's maiden name was Miss Elizabeth Bower; he attended com- mon school in Reading, Pa., he spent 12 years at the AUentown Seminary, and finished his school days there in the fall of 1S61. During that fall he entered Franklin and Marshall College, Lan- caster, Pa., and graduated from that institution in 1864. After a course of legal studies he was, in 1S68, admitted to the Bar, and began to practice in Reading. Fortune seemed to favor him, and he was made Deputy Register of Berks county, and served in that capacity in 1868, 1869, 1870 and 1871. He was a member of the City Council of Reading 1871-'2, and presided over that body. Thinking that he could better his fortune in the "West, he pros- pected in Kansas and Nebraska in 1875. Returning eastward, he fianlly located in Goshen, and opened a law office the same fall; here he has since practiced his profession with increasing success. Being an active Democrat, he was the candidate of that party for District Attorney in 1876, but failed of an election through the numerical weakness of his supporters; he has been City Attorney since the spring of 1878. In 1866 he was married, in Allentowu, Pa., to Miss Kate M. Deck and they have 4 children, 3 daughters and a son. During the last presidential campaign Mr. "W. was actively engaged in making speeches at political meetings, and did much to further the success of his party. Rev. Luther M. C. Weicksel, the Reformed clergyman of Goshen, was born in Venango county. Pa.. April 30, 1853; he was the son of Rev. Henry AVeicksel, a Bavarian by nativity, and Angelina Crager "Weicksel, a native of Maryland. There were 6 children in his father's family, 4 sons and 2 daughters, one of the latter a half sister to the other children. Two of the sons are now study- ing for the ministry. The boyhood of Mr. Weicksel was principally spent in Warren, "\\''arren Co., to which place his father removed when Luther was about five years of age. The father had a pas- HISTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. 977 torate at "Warren, and remained there until Luther was 11 years of age. His education was begun in the common and graded schools of the place. In 1861: he removed with his parents to Wilmington, Del., and in lS(i7 was placed at school in Thiel Hall, an academy located at Water Cure, Pa., and which has since been removed to Greenville, is now called Thiel College, and is under the control of the Reformed Church. Mr. Weicksel remained at Thiel Hall two years, when he entered Muhlenberg College, Allen town. Pa., and graduated at that institution in 1S73. He afterward took a three years' course in the Lutheran Theological Seminary. Philadelphia, and was ordained as a Reformed minister at Reading, June 14, 1S76, by the Ministerium of Pennsylvania. In March of the same year he received a call to the pastorate of the Reformed Church in Goshen, accepted it, and began his labors here in the June follow- ing. The congregation was then just organized. The German Methodist church building was purchased and refitted for a place of worship. A charge was also established in Benton, of which Mr. Weicksel became Pastor, and so remains to the present time. Under Mr. Weicksel's ministration these two congregations have steadily prospered, and the outlook for the future is encouraging. Lately the church building at Benton has been considerably improved, and both that and the parent organization at Goshen are free from debt. John Werner is a native of Saxony ; was born on that noted day July 4, in the year 1S25, and is a son of Godfrey and Christiana Werner, who were also natives of Saxony. John was yet an infant when his father died, and his mother died when he was only five years old. In 1849 he came to America, landed at New York city Aug. 28. His vocation is masonr}', having learned it in the old country. For some time after he came here he was engaged as a day laborer. In 1850 he moved to Goshen, where he followed his trade. In 1858 he moved west of Goshen, and for two years pur- sued brick-making. In 1860 he purchased the farm where he now lives, which contains 250 acres. Since his residence here his occupa- tion has been brick-making. He manufactured the brick for the present court-house, which required 1.-200.000. He also superin- tended the building of this edifice. He also furnished the brick for the Presbytermn church, which took 250,000, and for the Episcopal church and the new school-house. In June, 1S4S, he was married to Caroline Saxon, who was born in Saxony. To them were born 2 children, both now deceased. Mrs. Werner died April 20, 1865, and Mr. W. married again, Xov. 19, the same year, Frances, daughter of Samuel and Susanna Cripe, of Ohio. In 1878 Mr. Werner built a very fine residence, at a cost of $5,000. In politics he is a Democrat. Reuben Whitnier was born in Northumberland county. Pa., in 1833. He is the son of Benjamin Whitmer, and his mother's maiden name was Lydia Michael. Both parents were of German descent. About a year after Reuben first saw the light the family 978 HISTOET OF ELKHAKT COr^"TT. removed to Jnniata valley. They remained there 10 or 15 years. "WTien Mr. Whitmer ivas IS years of age he began an ap- prenticeship to the wood-worker's trade in Lewistown, Pa. His ed- ucation then consisted of what he had been able to acqnire in the common schools. In 18*34 he came to this State and landed in Bristol. At last he settled in Goshen, and soon after he was mar- ried to Miss Mary Ilackeuberg and they have had 5 sons. He embarked in the sash, blind and door business inlS66. He after- ward took in a partner. Albert Yates, and still later "W. H. Yena- mon bonght out the share owned by Mr. Yates, and Whitmer tt Yenamon have since carried on the business. Their factory is the only one of the kind in Goshen, and they consequently have a thriving trade. They have a tine brick factory building on the hydraulic canal, filled with excellent machinery. Mr. "VThitmer is a Presbyterian, a Mason, and adheres to the Eepublican political faith. Dr. WiUiam W. Wibkham is one of the vetei-an physicians of Goshen. He was born at Onondaga Hill, Onondaga Co., X. Y.. Aug. 16, 1S20. His fathers name was Allen Reynolds Wick- liam, and his mother's maiden name was Susan Starkweather. His father's ancestors were English.and his mother was of Scotch descent. His paternal grandfather was one of the Mayflower pilgrims, and therefore the Doctor can glory in being a scion of the Plymouth Kock stock. He seemed to be an enterprising boy at a tender age. for he was only nine when he left his father's house to seek his fortnne in the wide and nnfriendly world. He then was unable to read, not even knowing the letters of the alphabet. His first venture was at work on a farm in Xiles township, Cayuga Co., X. Y. At 16 years of age he apprenticed himself to the carpenter and joiner's trade, and thus labored for three years, studying medical books in the evenings. After he began to work at his trade on his own account, he continued to study medicine. In ISlo we find him in Ohio, where he continued to work at his trade. He prac- ticed medicine for a period in Oiiio under the direction of his pre- ceptors. Drs. Johnson and Price, of 2sew Haven. Huron Co. He finally moved to Goshen, Indiana, and began medical practice here in lS4r7. He has continued to practice here since that time, a period of 33 years. Dr. Wickham has been married to four wives. The wife of his youth was Miss Lydia A. Rogers, by whom he had 2 daughters, both of whom are now living. The younger is married to Dr. "Wm. B. Krider. of Goshen; the elder is still single. The first wife died of consumption, after living with her husband seven years. After his bereavement the Doctor remained single for tliree years, when he was married to Miss Anna Roiley. who died of dropsy, after about eight years of wedded life. Two children were born of this union; the fii-st a daughter. Mary Eliza; the second a son, William Allen Reynolds. The son began rejiding medicine with his father at the age of 15, and graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COCSTT. 979 at the age of 10. He practiced a short time, ami is now in Cbicago. After the death of his second wife Dr. Wickham married Miss Amanda E. Woodworth, daughter of Ira B. Woodworth, of Middle- bnry. Elkhart Co. The ceremony was performed while the lady was enduring her last illness; she, seeing that her days were drawing to a close, with touching constancy and devotion requesting of her affianced that the contract of marriage be ratified on the appointed day, so that she might die the wife of Dr. Wickham. Her disease finally terminated in a brain fever, which was the caiise of her death. After a lapse of time the Doctor was again married, to Miss Emma L. Kendall, which was in JS6o. The fruit of this last nnion was a daughter, who has developed a wonderful genius for music; in fact, she is a musical prodigy. At three years of age she astonished her parents by stepping to the piano and playing a tune without the slightest instruction. Tliat was the initiative of a remarkable unfolding of musical proficiency. About three years ago she clamored for a violin, and at length her father procured one for her. She seized it with eager hands and immediately displayed wonderful facility in performing upon it. She was instructed by Prof. J. B. Henry Van der Yelpen, and after three months' tuition she played the overture " "William Tell '' to very near perfection. After taking lessons a year of the Professor she was taken to Cincinnati by her parents, and was interviewed by Theodore Thomas and Yacobson, both of whom were astonished at the manifestation of her musical genius. They urged her parents to place her under tuition in Cincinnati, but the Doctor informed them that, as he was then situated, he could not possibly afford the money to defray the necessary expense. So enthusiastic were the two great musical instructors that they offered to give her tuition gratuitously. The offer was accepted and the young prodigy en- tered upon a course at the conservatory. She has remained there one year, and has made wonderful progress. Eemenyi has seen her. and, after witnessing one of her performances on the violin, declared that, considering her age, only 12 years, her equal could not be found in Europe or America. She even now plays in the best orchestras of Cincinnati, with the oldest musicians. The world will soon have a new musical sensation in the performances of Miss "Wickham. Dr. "Wickham's present wife was a daughter of Emanuel Kendall, of Mansfield, Ohio. Her parents died when she was only 12 years of age; she at that age was placed in "College Hill Seminary,'' was there six Aears and graduated at IS years. She is a tine pianist. Mrs. Wickham's grandparents on both sides were natives of Germany. The Doctor is a member of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Master Mason. Politically, he is a Greenbacker. In 1S63 he was called by Gov. Morton to go to Stone river to act as a surgeon for the relief of those who suffered from the battle there. He had charge of hospital No. li during that service. Of late years the 9S0 HISTORY OF ELKHART COCXTT. Doctor's life course has been even, his time being devoted to his large practice. Latterly he has associated with himself Dr. Albert J. Irwin, a vonng physician of ability and reputation, and only thus is Dr. "NVickham able to manage his large practice. Sxsan Wbg'om'in is the earliest representative now living among the pioneer settlers of Elkhart county. She was born Sept. 9, 1S06, in Adams county, Ohio. She, with her first husband. John Xicke- son, left Nobleville. Hamilton Co., Ind., Xov. 12, 1S27. and reached Pleasant Plain Dec. 1. Tliey came with an ox team and wagon bearing their household goods, one barrel of flour, two bushels of corn-meal, tea. cotiee, etc., to last one and a half years. There ■was snow on the ground, which obscured the wagon track of the five families that had previously gone through from Ft. "Wayne, but they traced their way by the blazed trees. Though undisturbed by Indians and other mishaps that often befall pioneer travelers, yet they experienced the hardships of emigrant fare. They were obliged to build fires, gather boughs, and scrape away the snow for their night camping, and once, «-hen five miles in tlie wilderness, the king-bolt of the wagon broke and Mr. Kickeson was obliged to go back that distance and get it mended, while his wife built a fire, and with babe and cows for company spent the long hours of the day. For 40 miles she walked and drove three cows, and mucli of the time carried the baby. They settled on the east side of Pleasant Plain, on nice prairie land, built a comfortable cabin, plowed the land and raised vegetables. "Wild game was plentiful. Other settlers began to come in, and the prospect was a pleasant home, after the usual pioneer hardships. In 1829 Col. Brown was surveying in the county, and they paid him SS to run the section lines, which, •when completed, divided all the land they had taken between the Indian reservation and the school section. After this they were allowed to remain only by paying rent, thus losing all their labor in breaking the land. They then removed to Kosciusko county, to get where there was prairie, and taking' up a claim, lived there about two years, when a man appeared and swore that he had cultivated one corner of the section, and again they were thrown out of two years' hard labor and, what is so dear to every heart, a permanent home. They then went on to Iowa, remaining a few years, but aflairs did not prosper and they returned to Elkhart county to an SO-acre lot they had pur- chased before going to Kosciusko county. The early settlers in these days enjoyed life, felt less of want and more of satisfaction than came to some of them in their latter days. There was no written law or preached gospel, but in many cases they lived more peacefully and religiously than now when court-houses and churches dot the county like trees in an orchard. Keligious meetings were held from cabin to cabin occasionally, and in 1S30 two preachers of the Christian denomination held a service, and ultimately a Church of that faith was established. For a year or more Mrs. Nickeson meditated on the duty of professing a HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 931 belief in God Almiglity and joining his visible Church. Many hindrances were in the way, but Feb. 12, 1S3'2, she rode on horse- back nine miles, forded a river filled with tloating ice. and on the next day was immersed and became connected with the Church of which she has ever since been a consistent member. In IS-il John Xickeson died, leaving her a widow with several small children. In 1S12 she married Jacob Wogoman, and had by him 2 children. In these early days Indians were plentiful, but they suffered no loss save once: One day an Indian and two squaws came to her when husking corn, traded muslin and calico for corn, wishing to sit by her cabin fire to shell it. When they left she thought their bags too full, and on examining the house she found they had been to the pork barrel, taken a shoulder and side meat, some meal, and linen thread which she bad spun and bleached ready for use. They were pursued, but an Indian encampment being within a few miles, further chase was deemed unsafe. Like a thrifty pioneer that she was, she had a small flock of sheep, but they must be confined in a rail pen for fear of the wolves, and often she chased the hungry pack away from the pen where they were gnawing and scratching for a taste of mutton. The hog and nine pigs were missing one day, when she followed and found wolf tracks and six pigs gone; the remainder she succeeded in driving home again. Mrs. Wogoman enjoyed no advantages of education, but her mother wit was such that rarely any designing person got the bet- ter of a bargain. One instance we will give, though many might be recorded. While a widow, a neighboring man hired her horse for 25 cents a day and kept him till he owed her $6. He died, and his son. a lawyer, settled the estate and paid her $3 in merchandise. She often asked him for the remainder, and at last he came to pay it. He demanded a receipt. She said, " Write it and I will sign it." It was so done, and he handed her $2, and then triumphantly carried ofl" the receipt for $3! After this he avoided her. Time passed, she needed the money, yet could not collect it. She wrote a plain, concise statement of fact, and to which she could give oath, handed it to Dr. Ellis, then editor of the Democrat, saying if a man would serve a poor widow like that he deserved to have the story carried as far as the papers went. The Doctor said if the man did not pay he would publish if, but the delinquent soon appeared and found his creditor digging potatoes in the field. He rode up by the fence and called out, '■ Here's yonr money." She replied, without moving, •' You can keep it," and he again said, " Come and get yonr money," while she answered, •' If you can live and keep it I can live without it. You are a big lawyer in fine clothes and I am a poor widow with a baby and small children to support. I was not raised in the woods to be scared by an owl, and if you cheat me out of much you must get up before daylight." He passed her seven shillings, and the remainder is unpaid to this day. yoz HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. The hardships of pioneers are of a peculiar kind and develop hard)', rugged virtues. They beget kindh' feelings and hearty sympathy with one another, for which the more complicated cus- toms of civilized society and an abundance of wealth sometimes fail to furnish an equivalent. Hon. William, Allan Woods was born near Farmington, Mar- shall Co., Tenn., May 16, 1837. June 16, 1837, his father, Al- lan Newton Woods, was buried, who was a student in theology, preparing for the Presbyterian ministry. His mother {nee Ewing), left without dower or estate, was compelled for several years to sup- port herself and children (two daughters, besides an older son than our subject) by the use of needle and loom. The ancestry on both sides (including in the various branches the names of Blair, Cald- well, Dawson, Donaldson, Leeper and McCleary) was of Scotch- Irish extraction, the first of them in this country having come over from Ireland about 1760, and settled in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia. In 1811: the mother of our subject married Capt. John J. Miller, who in the spring of 1847 removed with his family to Iowa, and settled on a farm near Troy, Davis Co. In the fall of the next year Mr. Miller died, leaving Allan (so he was called at home) the only reliance of his mother, to conduct and work the farm, which he did with fair success for two years or more. At the age of 14, his mother having married again, and not to his liking, he left home, to make his own way in the world. For a year and a half he had employ- ment with a steam saw and grist mill company, driving ox-team, haul- ing logs, and doing all kinds of work in and about the mill, at $12 per month, one half of which went for board, washing and mending, and yet he saved money, never using tobacco or intoxicating liquor. Next for a few months, he "clerked in a store," being entrusted with the conduct of a branch store. Always identifying himselt with the interests of his employers, his judgment was often consulted and followed. In his earlier years he had attended a few terms of common school, and had made unusual, but necessarily limited, progress. He developed an early taste, a passion, indeed, for reading, but had the use of very few books. At 14 he read Shakspeare with great delight, and about the same time the "Wandering Jew," which was his first novel. In 1853 the Troy Academy was founded, and he became one of its first pupils. He subscribed a small sum ($5) to- ward the erection of the Academic building, and, unable to spare the money, " worked it out" by carrying hod for the plasterers. Promised by a friend the loan of the money to pay his way through college, he entered vigorously upon his preparatory studies, paying his way in the academy by services as assistant teacher. During this time he was the Chief of the Lodge of Good Templars, at Troy, and in the winter of 1854— '5 went as delegate from that lodge to Iowa City, and there helped organize the Grand Lodge of that order for the State, and was elected one of the officers of that body. r^^TT^-.. /V, ?y7.r^^M^ HISTORY OF ELKHART COUXTY. 985 In September, 1855. he was matricHlated as a Fresliman in Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Inch, and at once was recognized as one of the most laborious and promising students. He very soon achieved leadership in his debating society'. Easily mastering the regular course of study and taking besides such optional studies as were allowed, he gave much time to reading, especially in history and metaphysics. Graduating with his class in 1859, he was employed for the next year as tutor in the college and received from the examining committee special commendation of his class in his- tory. In the fall of 1860 he was employed to teach in a collegiate school in Marion. Ind., and continued in that work until the news of the battle of Bull Eun broke up the school. He then enlisted and made preparations to go into the army, but, by an accidental fall into a stone quarry (on the farm of Sterns Fisher, near Wabash, Ind.), received such an injury of foot and ankle as to disable him for the service. Before graduating from college he had read Blackstone, with reference to his choice of professions; and having chosen the law, had pursued, while teaching, a course of legal studies, and Feb. 20, 1861, had been admitted to the Bar of the Gi-ant Circuit Court, then presided over by Judge Biddle, now one of the Supreme Judges. Continuing his legal studies, he served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the February term, 1862, of said court, and then removed to Goshen, arriving March 17, 1862. He came an entire stranger, having neither kindred nor acquaintance in the county. The war had prostrated business and, still burdened with the debt of money borrowed while in school, his prospects were not encour- aging; bnt his abundant time was improved to advantage by hard study. Confidence was soon won and with it helpful friendship. On the recommendation of Dr. E. W. II. Ellis, he was appointed Provost Marshal for the county to conduct the draft of 1862, and as such had the collection, without giving bond or security, of near $20,000 from the "conscientious exempts" from the draft; and afterward had the refunding of this money to those of whom it had been exacted. The faithful execution of this trust established his reputation for integrity. Within half a dozen years he had reached the front rank of law- yers in Northern Indiana and lield his place with increasing success and reputation until raised to the Bench of the 34-th Judicial Cir- cuit. In 1866 he was elected Representative in the Legislature and was known as "a working member," originating many, and .secur- ing the passage of several measures, — among them a bill to regulate railway freight charges, perhaps the first measure to pass in any Legislature in the direction of what was afterward known as the Granger movement. (This bill was defeated by a veto.) He was practically the leader of the opposition to schemes of legislative jobbery and corruption. Since Oct. 22, 1873, he has served upon the Circuit Bench with eminent success and acceptabilit}-. In 1878 he was nominated and re-elected without opposition, and having but fairly entered on his 58 98b HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. second term as Circuit Judge, June ] 7, 1880, received the noinina- tiou of the Republican party of the State for a place on the Supreme Bench as the successor of Judge Biddle, and his nomina- tion having been ratified by an election, he will, if spared in life and health, be entitled to take his seat on that Bench on the first Monday in January, 1881. From boyhood he has been intensely opposed to the institution of human slavery, as indeed was his father before him, and his step- father, Capt. Miller, and on this account was disinherited by his Grandfather Woods, who died Oct. 2S, 1851, leaving his estate and negroes to those who, or whose parents, had not antagonized his pro-slavery views and prejudices. While borrowing money to pa.y his way in college, he insisted upon and accomplished the manu- mission and bringing to the free North of a negro boy to whom he and his sisters had become heirs, declaring his readiness and pur- pose to leave college and abandon hope of a professional career rather than go on by the aid of the price of a human being sold as a slave. His share of the sum oflered for the bo}' would have paid well nigh a year's expenses in school. In his youth Judge Woods became a member of the Presbyte- rian Church at Truy, and has always maintained an attendance upon the services of that denomination. He was married Dec. 6, 1870, to Miss Mata A. Newton, daughter of Hon. A. Newton, ex-Mayor of DesMoines, Iowa, and grand- daughter on her mother's side of Geu. Wm. B. Mitchell, a well- known pioneer of this county, and who was the Government agent for the removal of the Indians from this vicinity, and represented the county in the State Senate. They have 2 children, Alice New- ton, born "Nov. 22. 1871, and Floyd Allan, born Sept. 11, 1875. Jiev. Wm. H. Ziegler. Pastor of First Reformed Church, Goshen, was born in Cumberland county. Pa., Oct. 3, 1852. He was the son of Jonathan Ziegler, his mother's maiden name being Eliza- beth Jacobs. His father was a farmer, and William was reared on the farm until the age of 17, and attended common school and thus fitted himself for teaching, a vocation which he began at the age of 17. He taught three terms, employing the time intervening by attending the Normal School at Newberg, Pa. In the spring of 1873 he went to Clarke county, Ohio, and near Springfield taught another term. After this he went to the Theological school of Tif- fin, Ohio, where he remained three years and completed his course of study. He was ordained to the ministry in 1876, and received a call soon after from the Goshen Reformed Congrega- tion to become their Pastor. He accepted it and soon entered upon his labors. He has remained in this relation ever since. When he became Pastor of the Goshen Church it was a mission, and had but 12 members; now there are 75 members and a comfortable and commodious church. Mr. Ziegler is a Royal and Select Master Ma- son,a member of Bashor CouDcil,No. 12,Goshen, and is a Republican in politics. He is also a member of a Good Templar Lodge. He is a man of excellent native quality, and has proved himself to be a very acceptable minister of the gospel. HARRISON TOWNSHIP. This township is diversified with slight hills and valleys, and it is mostly woodland, although the greater portion is under cultiva- tion. The land is quite productive and yields large crops of corn and wheat. The first settler in this township was Daniel B. Stutsman, who came in 1831. He erected alogcabin,moved into it, and commenced the work of clearing. His was the first white man's ax that was heard in this township. The wild Indian was yet there. They were the neighbors to the white man, and indeed were their true friends. They would seldom visit the white settlers, but before leaving would give them some trinket or article of some sort, as a token of their love and respect for them. Mr. Stutsman's was the only white family in the township for a long while. They indeed encountered many hardships in those pioneer days. They sub- sisted chiefly, besides bread, on wild meat, and while he had various ways of capturing wild game, we will make mention of one in connection with an incident. Mr. S. had off at some distance from his " cabin home " a turkey pen or trap. The trap was constructed of poles, perhaps three feet by four feet in size, with a ditch dug along under the pen for the turkeys to pass in, be having previously scattered shelled corn around the pen and also in the ditch as a bait. They would devour tlie corn in the ditch to its terminus, then to get out would fly upward, instead of returning via the entrance, and would soon find them- selves entrapped. A turkey will always fly upward instead of down- ward to get out of a trap. On one occasion Mr. Stutsman went out to his turkey pen with his rifle, baited it with the corn as usual, and stepped back a few paces to wait for turkeys to come. He soon heard the rustle of leaves (it was autumn and the leaves had just fallen) at a distance, and on looking some rods apace saw an object resembling a red-headed gobbler moving along as if looking over a log. Mr. S. coolly raised his gun, intending when Mr. Turkey alighted on the log to dispatch him with a bullet; just then an Indian with a red handkerchief tied around his head, seeing that " big Injun be shot " leaped from behind the log and came running withall the (987) ySb HISTOEY OF ELKHART COUNTY. speed that he could make to Mr. Stutsman, and clapping his hands on his benefactor's shoulders, exclaimed, " Good che-mo-ko-mon, good che-mo-ko-mon !"( interpreted, good wiiite man) " no shoot Injun," so glad was he that he did not meet with the fate to which he was destined, had he not emerged from his hiding place at that moment. Nor very soon after did Mr. Redman disguise himself as a turkey. In 1833-'! David Y. Miller, Conrad Brumbaugh, James and Wm. Stewart and Samuel Buchanan eiiected settlements in this township, and in 1835 came James McDowell and Christian S. Far- ber. Time continued to roll over these old pioneers' heads till the spring of 1836, when they numbered 10 families. The 10 voters there convened and organized the township. The first election was held the following November, where 10 votes were cast, all Whigs and all were cast for Gen. Harrison. From the result of this elec- tion the township derived its name. The first justice of the peace was Wm. Stewart, who served five years. In 1838 the citizens erected a log house for school purposes. We can have but a faint idea of the rudeness of these huts, and do not wonder at them for not receiving a very scientific education when we consider the limited advantages they enjoyed. There are now nine frame and brick school-houses in the township, and we see what pre-eminent facilities the present generation enjoys above those of earlier days. We see now as the result of these advanta- ges, a large number of the natives are teachers, and many are teach- ing their home schools. Religious meetings were held in school-houses for a number of years. The first church in the township was built by the Mennonite society on sec. 28, in 1855, by Daniel B. Stutsman and Abraham Teeter. In 1862 the Dunkards erected a church on section 26. The Mennonites also built a church on the same section in 1868. ■ About 1840 a postoflice, designated as " Cabin Hill," was located in the western portion of the township, but was discontinued after a few years of business, and was subsequently established at South- western, a small village in the southern part of the township. It was run there a few years, then discontinued, and some years since was re-established. The justices of the peace from the beginning to the present are: Wm. Stewart, elected in 1840 for five years; Christian S. Farber, elected in 1845 for five years; Solomon P. Yeoman, elected in 1850; HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 989 then Benjamin Benner, Christian S. Farber again, John Otto, Joseph Grnpp, Martin P. Griish, Melcher Gulp, Joshua Shriver, Aaron B. Craig and Leander Anderson. Others have been elected, bnt never qualified. The prominent men of this township are Messrs. Joseph G. Gulp, John A. Whisler, Leander Anderson, John Hay and Andrew and Peter D. Berkey, Daniel Ji. Stutsman, Wm. McDowell, Jacob Bechtel, P. H. Kurtz and Benjamin Hoffman, stock raisers; and Benjamin Benner, J. Shively, J. Buzzard, J. S. Gripe, Wm. Cough- man, G. S. Farber, G. M. Borntrager and some others are the lead- ing men that are engaged only in farming. PERSONAL SKETCHES. Following are short biographical notices of several citizens of Harrison township, whose lives have been so identified with its history as to be an essential part of it. Some are pioneers who have experienced all the scenes of frontier life elsewhere delineated in this work, and some are more prominent in the modern progress of the community. Leander Anderson was born July 12, 1848, in this county. His parents, Noah and Mary Anderson, were natives of Delaware and Pennsylvania, respectively. His father was born Sept. 10, 1810. In 1832 he came to this county, first settling in "Waterford, where he lived till 1837, then moved into Harrison tp., where he resided till his death, which occurred Sept. 29, 1874. He was married Jan. 25, 1831, to Mary Ann Hay, daughter of Valentine Hay. To this marriage were born 10 children; 8 are living, viz. : Warren, Felix, Isabella (now Mrs. Kaylor), Esther (now Mrs. Nicholas Reed), Benj. F., Leander, Hiram, Erastus G., Uriah and Warren. Mr. Anderson was quite prominent among the people of this county. He served as County Commissioner for several years, and as a member of the Legislature for one term. Mr. Anderson's portrait is presented in this work. Jacoh Bechtel. — Among the prominent farmers of Harrison tp. Mr. Bechtel ranks with the leading. He was born in Lancaster county. Pa., May 30, 1815. His parents, Peter and Sophia Bechtel, were natives of Pa. In 1828 they moved to Ashland county, Ohio. There he was reared, and received his mite of knowledge of school books in the rude log hut. To give a descrip- tion of this school building would not be out of place. It was a log structure, and not so very spacious within its massive walls. The roof was constructed by laying large logs on the top, and cov- ering with dirt; the floor was formed of rough, unplaned puncheons, the seats of slabs; the room was heated by a large fire-place, which occupied the full width of one end of the room; the win- 990. HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. dows were made by removing a log from the side of the building, and greased paper was used for tlie window lights. What a hard- ship this would be to children of the present day ! In 1850 he came to this county, where he still resides, following the indepen- dent vocation of farming. April 20, 1837, he was married to Miss Anna Mover, daughter of John and Elizabeth Moyer, natives of Pennsylvania. They have had 10 children, 7 of whom are living, viz.: John, who married Sarah Hoover, now deceased; Elizabeth, now Mrs. C. W. Nusbaum; Abraham, who died while in the war, at Gallatin, Tenn., Feb. 19., 1863; David S., who married Sophia Otto; Barbara A., now Mrs. Geo. H. Hoover, in Kansas; Sophia, now Mrs. Levi Hoover, also in Kansas; Peter, Catharine, Joseph (deceased), and Caroline (deceased). Mr. Bechtel was elected to the office of Tp. Trustee. He served in this capacity three years, then was elected County Commis- sioner. He served in that office till 1862, and in 18C5 he was re-elected and served six years. Mr. B. is a Republican, and is also a member of the Evangelical Church. His grandfather, Jacob Kinch, was a Hessian, and came across some time during the Revo- lution. Benjamin Benner, the subject of this sketch, is a native of Philadelphia, Penn.; was born March 23, 1804, and is a son of John and Mary A. Benner, natives of New Jersey. In 1806 the family removed to Baltimore, Md., where they lived till 1821, when Benjamin went to Cumberland county; in 1832 he moved to Clarke county, Ohio, and in 1834 he came to this county and settled near Waterford, where he lived till November, 1839, when he moved into Harrison tp., in a little, low, "log cabin in the woods," which had neither doors nor windows. Wild game was plentiful, and they subsisted chiefly on wild meat. Sept. 27, 1839, he married Caroline Broughton, daughter of T^athan and Lydia Broughton, natives, respectively, of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Mr. Ben- ner was born in New York, on the Mohawk river. Ten children were added to this family, 7 of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth (now Mrs. Henry Bowser), Lydia A. (now Mrs. Isaac Richards), Car- oline Cnow Mrs. Joseph Dalrymple), Maria (now Mrs. Win. Misner), Franklin (married to Lizzie Collins), Martha (now Mrs. Warren). The father of the subject of this sketch was a soldier in the war of 1812, and well does Mr. Benner remember the battle of North Point, which occurred Sept. 12, 1814, and where Gen. Ross was killed. The subject of this sketch has held various offices of the tp., al- though no office-seeker. He owns a farm of 80 acres, in sec. 25, worth $7,500. Andrew BerTcey was born May 19, 1831, in Somerset county, Penn. His parents, Daniel P. and Fann}' Berkey, were natives also of Penn. Mr. Berkey went to Fulton county, Ohio, in 1855, and the same year he came to this county, where he still resides, farming and stock-raising. In 1854 he married Rachel Wertz, HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 991 daughter of John and Susan Wertz, natives of Penns^'lvania ; of their 7 eliildren 6 ai-e living, viz. : Elizabeth (now Mrs. Moses Barini^er), David (who married Christiana Sherman), Malinda (now Mrs. David Means), Albert, Hiram, Allen, and Mary Ann, (deceased). Mr. Berkey owns 160 acres of land in sec. 10, worth $60 per acre. P. W. Berkey was born in Somerset county, Penn., July 22, 1844. His parents were David and Fanny Berkey, who were born also in Pennsylvania. In 1866 he came to this county. He was married October 20, 1868, to Miss Catharine Berkey, daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Berkey, natives also of the Keystone State ; 5 children were born to this union, viz. : Idella, Warren, Julia, Mor- ris, and . Mr. Berkey has filled the office of Tp. Trus- tee for two terms. He owns 80 acres of land, valued at $5,200. Christ'mn Borntrager was born in Holmes county, Ohio, Oct. 25, 1842. His parents were Christian and Susanna Borntrager, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1860 he came to this county, where he has since resided, farming and stock-raising being his occupation. He was married Dec. 24, 1863, to Miss Nancy A. Garber, of Wayne county, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob and Lucy Garber, natives of Pennsylvania. To them were born 4 children, viz. : Mary E., Daniel J., Andrew W. and Susanna. Mr. B. of a 'fine farm of 160 acres, sec. 22, valued at $10,000. John Buzzard, farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Goshen; was born in Northampton county, Penn., Dec. 15, 1811. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Buzzard, were natives also of Pennsylvania. lie was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1850 he came to this county and settled in Harrison tp., where he still resides engaged in farming and stock-raising. In May, 1838, he was married to Catharine Coffer, by whom he had 4 children; 3 are living. Mrs. B. died, and Mr. B. was again married in 1847, to Anna Weldy. To them were born 5 children, of whom 4 are liv- ing. Mr. B. owns a farm of 240 acres in sec. 27, valued at $65 per acre. Joseph Coughman was the second white settler in Harrison tp. He was born in Old Virginia in 1797. His father was Jacob Coughman, and both his parents were also natives of Virginia. He was quite young when his father died, and his mother moved with him in 1804 to Montgomery county, O., where he was reared. For an education he had access to the common country schools, they being held in log cabins erected in the woods or in deserted dwelling houses, which were furnished with slab seats, puncheon floor and a huge fire-place. These were the attractive features of the school-rooms in the days of Mr. Coughman's boyhood. Tims his early life was passed on the frontier in the Buckeye State. In 1834 he emigrated to this county, where he spent his maturer years in settling up and improving a new-born country. He was joined in marriage in 1824 to Elizabeth Brumbaugh, by whom helms had 7 children; of these, 4 areliving,viz.: Eve (now Mrs. Israel Immel), 88a HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Susan (now Mrs. Joseph Umniel), William ^who was married to Miss Sarah, dauujhter of Joseph and Elizabetli Bartiiuer), Christiana (now Mrs. Joseph Culp). Mr. C. owns 120 acres of laud four miles southwest of Goshen. This was the fruit of Mr. Conghman's indus- try during the ■' trying times " of pioneer life. Mr. C. is still living, at the advanced age of S3 years. His wife died in the summer of 1879. John 8. Cripe. — Among the early settlers of this county that are yet living is Mr. John S. Cripe. He was born in Montgomery county, O., April 29. 1829. The same year he was brought by his parents to this county. They first settled in Elkhart tp. Here, amid the primeval wilderness of nature, he was reared. The Indians were his parents' neighbors. The wild animals were as numerous as the chickens are this day. His educational advantages were no more extended than others of the times. The schools in his child- hood years were held in the rudest sort of jog buildings, wit h slab seats, puncheon floor and a large fire-place. The light that shone iipon their books was received through window lights of greased paper. There were but a few log cabins in Goshen. The roads ■were similar to the Indian trails; all the land was covered with a dense forest of trees. In 1859 Mr. Cripe moved into Harrison tp., where he owns 213 acres of land, worth $80 per acre. April 15, ISoO, he was married to Miss Mary Shively, by whom he has had 11 children; of these, 6 are living, viz.: Isaac, Catharine (now Mrs. Abraham "VTeaver), Lewis, John, Mary L. and Amanda E. Mrs. Cripe died March 15. 1S73, and Mr. C. again married Jan. 1, 187-1, Elizabeth Rensberger. by whom he had 3 children, viz.: Frances, Wm. H. and Ellen'T Mr. and Mrs. Cripe are both members of the German Baptist Church. Mr. C. is a Republican. Joseph G. CuJp was born in Mahoning county, O., March 20, 1842, son of George and MagdalenaCulp, the former a native of Penn- sylvania, and the latter of Virginia. At the age of eight years he with his parents moved to this county. Here 'mid the forests of Elkhart county he was reared to manhood, and educated in the common schools of the " woods," which were held in log cabins of the rudest sort. Jan. i, 1861, he was married to Miss Mary, daugh- ter of Jacob and Mary Wisler. natives of Pennsylvania. To this union were born 7 children; of these, C are living, viz.: Ellen, Emma, Amanda, Mahlon, Susanna and Mary xV. Mr. Culp is the present Trustee of Harrison tp. He owns a farm of 90 acres, in sec. 30, valued at 875 per acre. He principally devotes his time to dealing in live-stock, buying and selling. Jacob B. Dillman, farmer, was born in this county June 8, 1859, and is a son of Reuben and Nancy Dillman, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common scliools. He was married June 13, ISSO. to JNIiss Belle Teeter, daughter of Andrew and Anna HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 993 (Hartuian) Teeter, natives respectively of Indiana and Ohio. She was born May 6, 1S60. C/i)'''stia» S. Farber. — Among the early settlers of Harrison tp. was the subject of this sketch. He settled in this tp. in 1836, where he still lives, engaged in farming and stock-raising. The date of his birth was Feb. 17, 1811. His parents were Christian S. (Sr.) and Mary Farber, father a native of Germany, and mother of Maryland. The former emigrated to America in ITSi, and settled in Baltimore, Md., where he lived several years, working at the carpenter's trade, and in after years followed millwrighting. Mr. Farber, the subject of this sketch, moved to Greene county, Ohio, in 1S33, trom Berkeley county,Va. where he was born. In 1S36 he came and settled in this county, which then resembled the great forests of Brazil or those of Asia. Here he erected a log cabin, moved into it, and began the laborious task of clearing and improv- ing, and Jiis labors were not in vain. He now owns a farm of 240 acres, valued at $00 per acre, all this the fruits of his labors in pioneer days. Mr. Farber has held various tp. offices, among which were Justice of the Peace for nine years, Tp. Appraiser, Assessor, Trustee, Clerk and Constable. Aug. S, 1833, he was married to Miss Sarah McDowell, daughter of James and Jane McDowell, natives of Virginia. Mrs. Farber died May 4, 1S7.5, and Mr. F. again married the same year, Sophia Greenwolt, by whom he has had 2 children, viz.: Mary M. and Cornelius. Mr. F. is a member of the M. E. Church, and is a Republican. Eleazrr Frymaji was born in this county Sept. 1, 1848. His parents are Samuel and Barbara Fryman, the former a native of Ohio, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Eleazer was reared on a larm and educated in the common schools of Elkhart county. He was married Nov. 14, 1869, to Elizabeth Steiner, daughter of Andrew and Henrietta Steiner, natives of the Kej'stoue State. To them was born one child, Samuel A. In politics Mr. Fryman is a Republican, and strongly adheres to that noble faith. JoJnt liny, farmer, sec. 13; P. O., Goshen. Mr. Hay was born in Montgomery- county, Ohio, Dec. 2.5, 1S29. His parents were Michael A. and Christiana Hay. the former a native of Pennsyl- vania and the latter of Ohio. In 1857 John came to this county. July 2.), 1852, he was married to Rachel Ileasand, by whom he has had 8 cliildren; 6 of these are living, viz.: Abraham B., Michael H., Amza P., Christiana, Josepii C. and Ida M. Mr. Hay owns 250 acres of land, worth %60 per acre. Bc)ij,nnln H. Hoffman, farmer, sec. 26; P. O., Goshen; was born in Lancaster county. Pa., Nov. 14, 1825, and is a son of Jacob Hofl'man, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. Our subject came to this count}' in 1854, and had only a team, wagon and household goods. Tiiis was the property he had in possession, and by unceas- ing labor he has become the possessor of a iine farm of SO acres, worth $80 per acre. Dec. 14, 1850, he married Miss Margaret Coble, daughter of Abraham Coble, who was a native of Pennsyl- 994 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. vania. To them were born 5 children, viz.: Samuel (who married Elizabeth Meyer), Jacob F., John (who married Gallic Yost), Aaron, Emma J. and Thomas (who is engasjed in business in Oregon). P. H. Kurtz was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 18, 1828. His parents were Emily and Catharine Kurtz, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Pennsylvania. The father emigrated to America in 1817, and settled in Pennsylvania. The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm and educated in a common school. In 1850 he came to this county, first settling in Jackson tp. In 1852 he moved to Kosciusko county, where he lived till 1855; then returned to this county and settled in Harrison tp., where he still resides, engaged in farming and stock-raising. He makes a specialty of rearing the Jersey stock. Mr. Kurtz followed lumbering for 15 years and carpentering for some time. He is by occupation a mill- wright. Jan. 17, 1852. he was married to Mary Shively, daughter of Isaac and Susan Shively, who were natives of Pennsylvania. To them were born 9 children; 7 are living, viz.: Lewis P., Catharine (now Mrs. Henry Sherman), Henry P., Louisa. Daniel, Leander and Ida. He owns 120 acres, in sec. 3, worth $9,000. David Leer, a farmer, sec. 2; P. O., Goshen; owns 80 acres, worth $60 per acre. Mr. Leer was born in Pennsylvania Feb. 5, 1809. His parents, Jacob and Mary Leer, were born in Pennsyl- vania. AVhen young he was taken to Montgomery county, O., where he was reared to mature years. In 1831 he came to this county, being among the first in Harrison tp. He married in 1885 Elizabeth Stutzman, by whom he has 7 children; 4 are living, viz.: Jacob, Levi, Susan (now Mrs. Henry Books), and George. Wm. Lozver, deceased, was born in Berks county, Pa., Nov. 14, 1823. His parents were John and Mary (Burks) Lower. William went to Ohio in 1832, and in 1855 he moved to this county. He was married Dec. 2, 1849, to Sarah Funk, daughter of Henry and Susan Funk, who were natives of Ohio. Four children were born to them; of these only 1 is living, John Adams. Mr. Lower followed farming till the time of his death, which occurred March 23, 1875. He had been a member of the Reformed Lutheran Church, and four years of that time filled the office of Deacon. He was a noble man. Oliver McDonald, deceased, was born in Berkeley county. Ya., in 1817. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common district schools. In 1832 he with his parents moved to Clarke county, Ohio, where he lived till in 1841. when he came to this county. While in Ohio, Dec. 31, 1839, he was married to Eliza C. Trimble, daughter of Wm. and Mariura Trimble, who were natives of Ohio, the former of Licking county, and tlie latter of Knox county. To them were born 10 children; 7 of these are living: Amanda (now Mrs. Abraham Sailor), Sarah A. (now Mrs. Daniel Miller), Mary E. (now Mrs. Adam Zint), William (married to Louisa Weaver, and now resides in Michigan), Joseph T. (married to Anna Moyer), John O. and Eliza E. Mr. McDonald resided in HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 995 this county from 1S41, engaged in farming till the date of his death, which was March 7, 1865, at the age of 48 years. lie had been a member of the M. E. Church for a number of years, and was a very estimable citizen. WtUiam McDoioell, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser on sec. 35; P. O., Goshen. This gentleman was born in Greenbrier Co., W. Va., Aug. 21. 1827, and is a son of James and Jane (Boyd) McDowell, both natives of Ireland, and born in 1791; they were brought to America when about one year old, the family settling near Wilmington, Del.; from 1797 to 1835 they resided in Green- brier Co., W. Va.; then they came to this tp. and settled on sec. 35, entering a half- section of land October 15, where they remained until death; the former died May 30, 1872, and the latter in April, 1866. They were early and honored pioneers in this county, and were the parents of 8 children, the 6th of whom is the subject of this sketch, who was reared in the woods of frontier life. All that cheered the hearts of the settlers was the music of the woodman's ax ringing through the forest and the whoa, haw and gee given to their scanty team that the future might bring them a bountiful crop of wheat and corn. In this they were not disappointed, al- though they had to wait through many a long and tedious year of hard labor and exhausting toil. The educational advantages which Mr. McDowell enjoyed in his younger days were, of course, limited to the meager subscription schools of log-house times, fully described elsewhere in this vol- ume. Mr. McD. has been married three times; first, to Elizabeth Al- ford, March 23, 1848, by whom he had 1 child, now deceased. Mrs. McD. was born in W. Virginia, Feb. 26, 1830, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Cart) Alford, of German descent, and she died Feb. 28, 1849. Secondly, Feb. 5, 1851, Mr. McD. married Miss Elizabeth, daughter ofCoonrod and Margaret (Fenton) Cart, by whom he had 5 children: Louisa, born Nov. 14, 1851, now Mrs. Jeremiah Bechtel; Minerva E., April 29, 1856; Harriet A., April 19, 1858; Harvey S., March 10, 1802; and Oliver E., Aprir20, 1867. The mother of these children was, also, a native of W. Vir- ginia, where she was born Feb. 26, 1830; she died April 29, 1868. And, lastly, Jan. 11, 1870, Mr. McDowell married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Charles and Mary (Carniish) Friend, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Pennsylvania, and both of Ger- man descent. They were among the early and honored pioneers of Jasper county, Ind. The father sacrificed his life in his country's cause, dying in 1S64 at Xasliville, Tenn., while serving in the 12th Ind. Cav. The mother died in Porter county, Ind., in 1871. The present Mrs. McD. was born in this State May 4, 184'5, and is now the mother of 3 children, namely: Charles F., born Dec. 3, 1870; Frank W., Dec. 21, 1872, and Mary J., Jan. 11, 1874. Mr. McDowell owns 100 acres of the old homestead, which is very fine farm land, on which he built, in 1870, a nice brick resi- yyb HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. dence at a cost of $6,000. In 1S67 lie built a barn costing $1,600, The ferra is in orood condition, valued at SS,000. Mr. McDowell is one of the staid and influential citizens of Elk- hart county, is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and his wife is a member of the M. E. Church. His father fought in the war of IS 12, and his maternal grandfather, James Bojd, served six years in the Revolutionary war under Gen. Washington. As a highly honored, representative citizen of Elkhart county, we present a portrait of Mr. McDowell in this work. Sam'l Neterer was born July 7, 1831, in Blair county, Penn. His parents, Jeremiah and Margaret Neterer, were also natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and educated in a com- mon school. In 1S61 he came to this county, where he still resides, engaged in farming, etc. He owns 165 acres of land, valued at $S0 per acre. He married Jan. IS, 1S61, Elizabeth Rohrer, by whom he has had 6 children, viz. : Jeremiah, John, William H., Charles "Wesley, Samuel and George. Mr. Neterer was drafted in the late war but procured a substitute at Indianapolis. John Otto, farmer and sawyer, sec. 15; P. O., Goshen. Mr. Otto is a native of Center county, Penn., and was born Dec. 20, 1822. His parents, Daniel and Mary Otto, were also natives of that State. In 1840 he went to Ashland county, Ohio; in ISoO he moved to Stephenson county. 111., and in 1S51 lie came to Elkhart county, where he still resides, engaged in the saw-mill business in connection with farming. June 5, 1845. he married Polly Price, daughter of George Price. Five children were added to this union; of these, 3 are living, viz.: Mary M. (now Mrs. Henry Bechtel), Sophia (wife of David Bechtel) and Daniel F. Mr. O. owns 51 acres of $70-an-acre land. Jonas Shlvely was born in Stark county, Ohio, July 14, 1824, and is a son of Isaac and Susanna Shively; was reared on a farm (and at work in a saw-mill) and educated in common schools. In 1850 he came to this county, where he still resides, engaged in farming and the saw-mill business. He erected a saw-mill in 1856, on sec. 26. In 1872 it was burned down, and rebuilt in 1872. In 1878 it was burned again, but was soon after rebuilt. Mr. Shively owns a farm of 160 acres, in sec. 26. In August, 1852, he married Hester, daughter of John D. and Mary Miller, who were natives of Ohio. To them were born 8 children; 5 are living, viz.: xVmanda, Eeuben, Alonzo, Joseph and Ellen. Our subject's grandfatiier, Jacob Shively. was one of the most giant-like pieces of humanity found in the history of America. He was 7 feet 7 inches in height, and weighed over 400 pounds. His strength was equal to four men. lie participated in the achievements for our National Inde- pendence. Samuel Steitier was born in Wayne county, Ohio. June 1, 1835. His parents, John and Elizabeth Steiner, were natives of France, who emigrated to America in 1806 and settled in Wayne county, Ohio, where they lived till 1836, when they moved to Allen county. HISTOKT OF ELKHART COLNTT. 997 There Samuel was reared and educated. lu 1S56 he came to this countv, where he still resides, following fanning and stock-raising. Marcli 3, 1859, he was married to Sarah Kercher, daughter of William aud Elizabeth Kercher. who were natives of Pennsyl- vania. Five children were the result of this union, viz.: James C, Abrara L.. Eli W., Emma and Anna. Mr. Steiner's father served in the Franco-Prussian war under Xapoleon Bonaparte. Mr. S. owns a farm of SO acres, valued at $5,600. Daniel B. StutsTnan, the first settler in Harrison tp., was born Nov. 11, 1807. His parents were Daniel and Susan (Brumbaugh) Stutzman. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools, which were held in log cabins witli slab seats, puncheon floor, greased-paper window lights, brick stove and stick chimney. In April, 1S32, he came to this county and settled near Goshen, and the next October he moved into thi.^ tp., just previously erect- ing a small log cabin. The Indians were numerous, wild game was plentiful and the land uncleared. Mr. Stutzman was married Dec. 27, 1S29. to Elizabeth Bashor, by whom he has had 7 children ; of these 6 are living, viz.: Samuel B., Mary (the wife of John W. Miller), Catharine, Susanna (now wife of David H. Jones), Lu- cinda (now wife of Joseph Paulas), Daniel X. and George S. (deceased.) Mr. S. owns a farm of 200 acres, valued at $20,000. Mr. S. was engaged in the nursery business for about 30 years, keeping all the various kinds of fruits. Andrew Teeter, farmer, sec. 3; P. O., Goshen; was born in Montgomery county, Ohio. Sept. 5, 1S29. His parents, Abraham and Esther Teeter, were natives of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm. His educational advantages were limited to the com- mon schools of the day, which were held in rude log houses. In 1837 he came with his parents to this county. In IS-tO his parents died, and he returned to his native home; he remained there till in 1847, when he returned to this county, where he still resides, engaged in farming. He owns 156 acres of land, worth $80 per acre. Sept. 22, 1850, he was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Adam W. and Katie Hartman, who were natives of Ohio. To this marriage were born 8 children, 5 of whom are living, viz. : William C. (who married Callie Basserman ), Katie (now Mrs. Daniel Yost), Esther (now Mrs. Elias Schwartz), Isabella (now Mrs. Jacob B. Dillman) and Noah. C. M. Troyer, farmer, sec. 24; P. O., Goshen; was born in Holmes county, Ohio, Aug. 22, 1833, and is a son of Michael and Magdalena Troyer, of Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1852 he came to Lagrange county, Ind.. and in 1862 came to this county, where he has since resided, engaged in saw-milliner. He was married Feb. 24, 1861, to ElizabetTi Yoder, and has had 8 cliildren; of these, 7 are living, viz.: Wm. H., Martha J., Mary E., Samuel H., Lydia A., Milo M. and Idella M. John F. is deceased. 99 S HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Simeon B. Truex, farmer, sec. 31; P. O., Wakarusa; was born in Morrow county, O., April 3, 1839. His parents, William and Jane Truex, were natives of Bedford county, Penn. His father was born June i, 1796, and his mother Nov. 4, 1799. He was educated in the common country schools. In August, 1865, he came to this county, where he still resides, following farming and stock-raising. Nov. "i, 1860, he married Mary Ann, daughter of Henry and Lydia Barger, natives of Harrison count}', Ohio. To this union were born 8 children, of whom 5 are living, viz.: Geo. E., Lj'dia J., Eva A., Oscar C. and Yiola Z. Mr. Truex was born Nov. 8, 1843. His grandfather, Benjamin, fought in the war of 1S12. Mr. and Mrs. Truex are both members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. T. is a Democrat. JohnH. Whisler, farmer and stock dealer, sec. 19; P. O., Goshen; was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Aug. 28, 1842, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Hoover) Whisler, natives of Pennsylvania. He came to this county with his parents at the age of live, and here he was reared and educated, Nov. 11, 1869, he married Christiana, daughter of John and Mary Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania. To them were born 3 children, viz. : Noah, Jonas L. and Emma. Mr. W. owns 85 acres of land, in sec. 19, worth $70 per acre. He also owns a farm of 827 acres in the West. Mr. AV. has devoted his time for the last eight years principally to live-stock dealing ; he also pays considerable attention to farming ; the season of 1879 he harvested 700 bushels of wheat from 26 acres. JACKSON TOWNSHIP Jackson township is bounded on the north by Elkhart, west by Union, south by Van Buren, in Kosciusko county, and on the east by Benton. This township may be divided into three sections, by the Elkhart river, and Turkey creek, viz. : eastern, middle and western. The eastern comprises Elkhart Prairie, where the first settlement in the township was made by Col. John Jackson, from whom it derives its name, who was sent here to disperse the Indians. Mr. Jackson being pleased with the face of the country, selected for his future home a large tract of land situated in wdiat is now designated as sections 1 and 2. After succeeding in his under- taking, he returned home, and in January of 1829 came again to In- diana, bringing his family with him ; but finding that Messrs. Riggs and Simpson, with their families, had obtained possession of the site he offered them $50 for their rights, which they took and relin- quished to him their rights they had acquired by virtue of their squatter's claim. Immediately following Mr. Jackson's settlement came Mr. Thompson Weybright and Rippey, all of whom settled in the east- ern division or on the east side of the river. The next settlements were made in the middle division, or between the Elkhart river and Turkey creek, in the northern part of the township, called the " Barrens." We find settling here Mr Steward, John Rohrer, David Rodibaugh, Jonathan "VVyland, Ben- jamin Bennett, Daniel Studebaker, Ingle, Allen Coniey and Thomas Hall. About this time came Enoch Wright,'Abshire Iler- riman and others. Of this number there are but two living; Benjamin Bennett and Frederick Ilerriman. This division comprises more than two-thirds of the entire town- ship, and in it we find the old Huntington road running north- east and southwest through the eastern part of the township and intersecting the State road in the extreme southern part of Elkhart township. This road was surveyed that a mail route might be had from Huntington to Chicago. The State road, also in this division pursues a direct southern course, after entering the township, to (999) 1000 HISTOET OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. New Paris, and theti makes a jog for about 20 rods to the west, when it assumes a southerly direction for one-half mile, when it angles to the southwest. This was the first laid-out road in the township, and was surveyed by Mr. Crawford, Mr. Thomas Ilall piloting iiim from Logansport to Goslien. The western division comprises nearly one-fourth of the town- ship. Here we find Samuel Whitehead, Peter Whitehead, John Whitehead, Adam Whitehead, David Miller, John Miller and Coonrod Broombaugh, settling as early as 1831 and '2. Of these all are living except two: Samuel Whitehead and Coonrod Broom- bangh. This is known as the " Whitehead settlement." We will, for convenience, make another division in the extreme southern part of the township. Between the State road and Turkey creek, extending north about one mile, is a section of country known as the " Southern Barrens." Here we find settling at a very early date: Thomas Hall, Henry Mathews, Inks, John Mathews, Philip Mathews, Daniel Brown, David McGority, James Drake, Bennett, and the Ciarks (two brothers and sister), James McCloud and others, all of whom are deceased, except John Mathews, James McCloud and Miss Clark. The last-named is now in Ireland, where she has gone to seek her last resting-place. She has attained a good old age, and will soon pass away; but her name will remain in history for all time to come. The roads in this township, with the exception of the State and Huntington, are accommodation roads, never having been surveyed; nor have there been petitions for the same. The early settlers of the township knowing that roads would be required, have left open to the public their fields, and by custom out of the mind of man, the roads have acquired their legal supremacy; and although they are rather arbitrary in direction, there can be fonnd no better roads in the State, so far as travel is concerned. From good and reliable sources we have been informed that before Col. Jackson settled in this township Thomas Hall, a native of Ohio, settled on the Southern Barrens. But very little is known of Mr. Hall's location or of his burial place; but undoubtedly he peacefully slumbers beneath the soil that grows the wheat of which the bread is made that sustains the life of some younger man that has not as yet heard that there ever was such a personage as Thomas Hall. The physical features of this township are not so varied as some other townships in the county; we find the northeastern parthigh, HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 1001 rolling prairie land, while in the southeastern, a section densely tim- bered and moderately undulating, with sufficient sand intermingled with the soil to obviate tlie sticky black mud found in Illinois; in the central part we find the barren lands, which undulate just enough to convey the water from the land. In the western part we find a repetition of those in the eastern and middle. In this township is found the highest eminence in the county, Buzzards Hill. From its summit can be seen the court-house in Goshen as well as ever}^ town in the county. THE GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH. In 1850 Solomon's Creek Church was organized with Fredrick P. Loehr and Martin Weybright as ministers, and Jacob Arnold, John Weybright, Joel Rush and Levi Wyland deacons. In the year 1858 Daniel Shively was chosen to the ministry, and in 1862, F. P. Loehr was ordained elder. After the Church was organized, the meetings were held in barns, school-houses and private dwell- ings until 1864, when the members built one of the largest meet- ing-houses in Northern Indiana. This was at a time when volunteers for the war were exhausted and drafts became necessary ; conse- quently commutation money in connection with the expense of building a house of worship taxed the members very heavily and was a source of some annoyance; but they paid the debt, and now the Church has no obligation which she is unable to meet. Just about the time the house wascompleted, in 1864, Martin Weybright was called to enjoy the reward of his labors upon earth, never hav- ing been permitted to worship in the new church; and early in 1865, F. P. Loehr moved to Michigan, leaving Daniel Shively alone in the ministry until June, 1866, when George W. Cripe was chosen minister. In the latter part of the same year Peter Ilammon moved into the Church and remained about a year, when he moved away. In 1867 Joseph llardman and Geo. Domer moved in, and in 1868 Lewis Muntz was chosen to the ministry. The same year Geo. W. Cripe moved into another district. In 1869 Jesse Calvert was received by letter of recommendation, and in 1871 Josepli llardman moved away and Joseph Ilartsough was received by letter of recommendation. In 1872 . Abraham L. Neff was chosen to the ministry, and in 1873 Geo. Domer moved away and David Yaunce moved into the district, and in 1876 1002 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. Joseph Hartsough moved awaj, so that in 1S77 the ministers were Daniel Shively. Louis Muntz, A. L. Neff and David Yaunce. Jan. 3, 1878, Daniel Shively was ordained to the eldership and G. H. "Warstler chosen to the ministry. To the deacons already named there were added by choice in 1856 Daniel Shively, and soon after David Coy. In 1S5S. as before stated, Daniel Shively was chosen to the ministry, and in 1860 Josiah Eensburger and Ashley Furgeson were chosen deacons. In 1861 Levi Wyland moved away and Eli Myers was chosen, and in 1863 he departed this life; and in 1864 Josiah Eensburcrer and Ashley Furgeson moved away, and the same year Geo. W. Cripe, Elias Cline and Geo. Smith were chosen. In 1865 Geo. Smith moved away and Christian Harshman was received by letter of recom- mendation. In 1866 Geo. W. Cripe was chosen minister, and Daniel Forney moved into the district, and in 1S67, John Arnold and-Cyrus Lentz were chosen. In 1869 Jacob Arnold departed this life, and the same year Joseph Lantzenheiser and John Robwevon moved into the district, and in 1S70 Eli liarter also moved in. In 1872 Christian Harshman was disabled by a stroke of paralysis, and the same year Cyrus Leutz moved away. In 1873 Joel Rush died, and Joseph Lantzenheiser and Eli Harter moved away, and in 1871 Michael Treesti and J. H. "Warstler were chosen, which was the last choice held for Church servants, either ministers or deacons, until 187S,when Daniel Shively was ordained to the elder- ship and G. H. Warstler chosen to the ministry. In 1876 Cyrus Leutz was received back by letter of recommendation, making at present 10 deacons, as follows: John Weybright, Daniel Forney, Christian Harshman (disabled), John Arnold. David Coy, Elias Cline, John _ Robinson and Warstler. By recapitulation we iind that in all 13 ministers and 21 deacons served in the Church since its organization, making a total of 33. Of these it will be seen that when the Church was organized there were two ministers, four were ordained and six received by letter of recommendation. Of deacons, four when organized, 12 chosen and five by letter of recommendation; there died of this number two ministers, viz.: Martin Weybright and Joseph Hardman; the latter died about the year 1875 in another arm of the Church, and three deacons, Eli Myers, Jacob Arnold and Joel Rush, five in all, leaving 28 as so many monuments of God's mercy. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. METHODIST EriSCOPAL CHURCH. As early as 1830 we find Methodist missionary ministers in the township working in the Lord's vineyard. The names of these pio- neer ministers have been forgotten. The tirst class was organized about 1S32 near Mr.MatthewRippey's on the east side of the river and to this class Mr. and Mrs. Kippey belong, with four other families. About 1S50 tins little band was transferred to Benton town, where thev increased in numbers with a corresponding increase in wealth, until thev considered themselves sufficiently able to build a church, which was completed about 1856, and Since that time they have been a ver^- prosperous people, doing an immense amount of good, holding successful revival meetings every winter, and thus adding to their number hundreds since the erection of their church. Of the old pioneers who belonged in 1856, none are left except Mr. and Mrs. Rippey, the others having been called into fields heyoiid the river, and they, too, soon must go, as the harvest is now ready and more reapers are required ; but they do not hesitate, as they have been faithful here and their reward is awaiting them there. The next class organized in the township was at McCloud's in the extreme southern part of the town. At this place, as early as 1832, directly after the arrival of Mr. McCloud, we find Methodist gatherings at his house, which was built of logs, and stood at the south end of the house now owned by Thomas Clayton ; here, in harmony and unison, were met once a week the little band of six or eight, and would consume an hour or so in communing with their God, and among them are remembered the names of James Mc- Cloud and wife, the two Mr. Clarks and sister. After this class had increased in membership and wealth they determined on building a church, and the question arose as to the most favorable place. At length they chose as a site the little village ot Milford, in Kosciusko county, and there they erected a church, an honor to the memory of the original little band of six or eight. In the southeastern part of the township, near Renforour's, there was another small class and they built a church in New Paris, the only one in the township, and to-day we find a large and apprecia- tive audience in attendance every Sunday. Note the contrast ot 50 years ago, when in barns, school-houses and private houses little bauds were gathered together to worship unmolested, and with the privilege of shouting if they desired. Not so to-day, but on the contrary we find those opposed to such demonstrations. 1004 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. EDUCATIONAL. About 1S34 the first school held in the township was in an old log school-house about one-half mile north of jS^ew Paris. The school was opened in the winter and closed in the summer. The attendance was very slim on account of work necessary to be done in order to maintain their families through the winter, and there were but a few families living in the neighborhood, the most of them living three and four miles away. The teacher's name could not be ascertained. Suffice it to say, he was a man of rare ability and a representative of tliose times. Immediately following the erection of the first log structure for school purposes, similar structures were put up in different parts of the township; and as soon as convenient frame structures took their place, and thus was crowded out the last vestige of old pioneer days; and for all the old log school-houses of early times are despised, yet they were the more healthful, and in a measure, perhaps, the more convenient. Modern improvement again encroaching, we find frame school buildings giving place to the large and commodious brick edifices, and as the years roll on and each succeeding one brings its round of improvement, it is hard to say what next in the line of school edifices will be sought out; but let it rest where it now is, and the steady advance of civilization will in the next 50 years surpass what it has accomplished in the last half century. TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. Prior to May, 1832, Jackson township was a part of Kosciusko county, but in May, 1832, there was a survey made, and Jack- son township was formed, and has retained its present boundary since. Before its organization there was a school commissioner appointed by the county commissioner. David Rodibaugh received the appointment as such oflicer in the fall of 1831, and held that office until the organization of the township. Joseph Cowan was elected the first trustee. lie also held the office of assessor and justice. Frederick Ilerriman Iwas elected constable, which office he held for 10 years. Joseph Cline succeeded him and remained in the office for quite a number of years. Mr. Cowan was also the first postmaster, which office he held for a great number of years. Mr. Ilerriman tells a very good story in regard to the way the office was administered. Upon going to the office one day for HISTORl' OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. mail, Mr. Cowan brought out the sngar-bowl, took out two letters, and upon examination it was ascertained that Mr. 11. had no mail! The first mill in the township was built as early as 1S31 by Mr. Ingle, near the line between Benton and Jackson, which furnished the greater part of the lumber for the early settlers. Directly after the building of this saw-mill Mr. Wyland erected a saw-mill in the northern part of the township, and some years later a steam saw- mill was built in the southern part. Of these three mills two are in active operation, and owned by David Eodibaugh and Lutz, Mr. K. owning the one in the northern part and Lutzthe one in the southern. Although these mills have been built for a great many years, yet they are in very good condition, and do a great deal of business. In 1833 Mr. Ingle put in a corn burr and ran a saw-mill and grist-mill with the same water-power. Soon after this Mr. Wyland built a regular grist-mill and did custom work tor a great many years; after a number of years he sold out to Mr. Bainter, who operated it for some time. Becoming at length tired with the business he sold out to David Kodibaugh & Clark. Mr. Clark expressing a desire to engage in some other undertaking, Mr. Eodibaugh bought out his half interest, giving to his son, L. K. Eodibaugh, one-third interest. Mr. Landgraver, livery-keeper in New Paris, is the owner of a saw- mill in that place which does a good business. There are also in this little village two wagon shops and one of the largest elevators in the county, all doing a paying business; Messrs. Johnson & Son are men of business capacity and know just how to build up a grain trade. Messrs. Eodibaugh & Son have a woolen factory, which is the only one in the county and perhaps the largest of its kind in North- ern Indiana. Mr. Neilson, the foreman, a Scotchman by birth, is a man who has devoted his whole life to the business, and is thor- oughly competent to manage the monster undertaking. Everything in the factory is in the best possible working condition. There are two sets of machinery in operation and one spinner with 240 spindles, and another with 200 ; one loom with a weaving capacity of 240 yards per day. These looms are operated entirely by women of experience. The dyeing is all done by steam, and the chemi- cals used would start quite a drug-store. Over 200 styles were made last year, and this year will exceed those figures. Thirty 1006 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. years ago the factory building was but 20x40, and now we find a building 60x100 feet, with all the modern improvements. As we look back upon the rapid growth ot the business, we cannot help but think that it is in a great measure owing to tbe ability of its managers, and not entirely to the increase of population. Fifty years ago Jackson township was a timbered wilderness, but by the strong arm and ingenuity of man the majestic oak and the valuable walnut have been laid low. Then comes the building period, and log houses spring up as if by magic, with their large and comfortable fire-places with the andiron and crane and the monster back-log: and around these sat the hardy lads and rosy lasses dressed in their linsey-woolseys, watching the sparks as they are drawn up the spacious chimney, and on either side sits the fether and mother winding yarn, while the tallow dip glimmers in the wind blowing through the cracks between the logs, the driving storm beats through the clapboard roof. In the morning the undaunted family, seeing the cold snow upon everything, don their heaviest clothing for the day's duties, again to gather around the inviting fire-place at night. Such was life during the otherwise long and dreary years of the early growth of the West. NEW PARIS. This village is located on sections 9 and 10 in Jackson township. It was laid out in 1838 by Isaac Absliireand Enoch Wright. The latter had settled here in 1829; the former did not come to the county until 1834:; and both came from Preble county, Ohio. James R. McCord surveyed the town. New Paris has several stores and the usual mechanics, and is particularly noted for the manufacture of wagons and carriages. The construction of the C, W. & M. railroad added much to the prosperity of the town, and was the cause of other improvements. A large saw-mill is cutting up thousands of logs every season. Johnson & Son purchase large quantities of wheat and other prod- uce for shipment, and are also doing a banking business. The town has a fine brick school-building, and there is an average of a hundred pupils attending the school. The first settler in New Paris was Frederick Harriman. He built the first house, a double log-cabin, on the lot where Abe Strohm now resides. He also erected a shop on the site now occupied by Strohm's store, in which he manufactured spinning wheels. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1007 The first dry-goods store was owned aud conducted by David Parrot, a former citizen of Goshen. He removed West a number of years ago, and has grown wealthy. Elkanah Hoffman was the first blacksmith. The first hotel was built and kept by T. Divinnie, who was also the first village tailor. He was a mechanic of no mean pretension, and has long since passed to the other shore. W. C. ilatchett was the first physician of the town, and it is no disparagement to others who have resided here in the same capacity, to say that he was the peer of any of them. The first school-teacher was John McGrew, and he wielded the birchen sceptre over about 20 " olive branches." The first divine of this place was the Kev. Mr. Hall, a pioneer preacher of the M. E. Church, who was sent here as a missionary, and preceded the Rev. G. M. Boyd. The first church building erected in the town was by the M. E. congregation, and is the one now occupied by that denomination. The first postmaster was Jacob McFadden, and tradition says that the mail was kept in a bowl in the cupboard. Mr. McFadden removed to Kansas, where he became one of the first martyrs to that insatiate tyrant. Slavery. During the turbulent days of 1856, he was set upon by ruffians and murdered in his own house, which was reduced to ashes, his remains sharing the same fate, — all in consequence of his advocacy of free-soil principles. First child born in New Paris was Elkanah Hoffman. First wedding in Xew Paris was John Hess to a Miss Rohrer; both now deceased. Since the construction of the C, AV. & M. railroad, New Paris has become quite a shipping point. Johnson & Son, the proprie- tors of the grain elevator and warehouse, have purchased grain and clover seed as follows, during the year ending Nov. 29, 1879: wheat, 183,614 bushels: corn, 25,.585 bushels; oats, 12,822 bushels; clover seed, 7,704 bushels; paying out for the same, $225,824. The total disbursements of this firm, for the year ending as above stated, including general banking business, amounted to nearly half a million of dollars. * Among the business men of Elkhart county, none have had more signal success in the mercantile line than Mr. Abe Strohm, of New Paris, the leading merchant of the village. Mr. Strohm was born in the township of U.xbridge, Upper Canada, on the 11th of March, 1839. When he was but two months old his parents 1008 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. moved to Indiana, where his mother died. He was taken to Can- ada again at the age of eight years, when he was left to make his own living. Many times young Strohm felt the pangs of hunger and cold in that icy country, but he bore his lot with that pluck and determination to make his way in the world that has character- ized his business life in later years. He again moved to Elkhart county in 1852, where alternately he was engaged in farming and teaching in Union township till 1S70, when he became a resident of New Paris. About this time he became partially blind, but still his courage did not forsake him. He clerked for a while, was frugal and careful, and in 1875 commenced business for himself with a wagon-load of goods. He fostered his business carefully, and now has one of the largest and most complete establishments in North- ern Indiana. He sells dry goods, boots, shoes and groceries, the different lines being kept in departments by themselves. He en- joys a very large trade, extending over a large territory. This short sketch would be incomplete in one of its most important par- ticulars did we not refer to Mrs. Strohm, who has been a most ex- cellent helpmeet to her husband, assisting in the management of the business with skill and tact. Mr. Strohm is a firm believer in the eiEcacy of printers' ink, and is a careful and judicious adver- tiser. He commenced life in the most abject poverty, and while nearly blind, has placed himself, while on the sunny-side of 40, in easy circumstances, with ample means for a rainy day. Verily, his life is a shining example for poor boys of the present day, who are possessed of pluck and honesty, to study and follow. A large Pottawatomie village stood on what is now the farm of John E. Thompson, in Jackson tp., which was the residence of the chief 0-nox-see, or The Five Medals. In 1812 the Indians laid siege to Fort Wayne, and the savages were dispersed in September of that year by troops under General Harrison. One of the detach- ments of the troops, under Capt. Samuel Wells, of Kentucky, moved from Fort Wayne toward 0-nox-see's village, crossing the river at a point near the present village of Benton; but they found the village deserted. They set fire to the village, and also destroyed a large stock of provisions which the panic-stricken Indians had left behind them. Col. John Jackson, the father of Dr. A. C. Jackson, was a lieutenant in one of these companies. 0-nox-see and his followers retired to Detroit, and placed themselves under HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1009 the protection of the British. In a letter dated "Great Crossings, Scott county, Kentucky, Nov. 11, 1812," the writer, Col. James Thompson, says: "I had the pleasure to assist in burning a very large Indian town on the Elkhart river 60 miles northwest of Fort "Wayne; but the yellow rascals flew in every direction before us." BIOGRAPHICAL. The personal sketches which follow are principally of old settlers and prominent citizens of Jackson township. The prominent points of their lives form an essential and interesting feature of the community's history. Henry Baringe.r, farmer, sec. 27; P. O., New Paris; was born in Ohio Oct. 12, 1838; son of David and Susannah (Rittz) Baringer, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent, who came to this State about 1843 and located in Elkhart county, where they have since resided. Dec. 27, 1864, he married Miss Lutz, and they have had 2 children; but 1 is now living. Mr. Baringer has a limited education, owing to the amount of work he had to do when living at home. He is engaged in threshing in the fall and works his farm in the summer months, lie bought the first threshing-ma- chine in this county. He belongs to the German Baptist Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. Maiiasseh Bennett was born in Parry Co., Ohio, April 27, 1833. He is tiie sou of William and Phfube (Skinner) Bennett, natives of Ohio, and of Scottish and German descent. He received his edu- cation in the common schools in Ohio. By occupation he was a farmer, till 17 years of age; he then commenced to learn the car- penter's trade, and worked as an apprentice till 21 years old, then came to Indiana, where he stands among the tirst workmen in the State, and by many is said to be the best carpenter in the county of Elkhart, Ind. He has been twice married; the first time to Susannah Myers. They had 3 children, 1 boy and 2 girls. The second time Mr. B. was married to Anna Stilwell. They had 2 children, both boys. His wife died Aug. 23, 1879, a member of the Evangelical Church. Mr. Bennett is a Republican in politics; is a student, and has been all his life. He has taught school 14 winters in Indiana. Financially, he has been only moderately suc- cessful; is the owner of a house and lot in New Paris. Br. Charles S. Brodrick was born at what is now the county- seat of Auglaize county, Ohio; at the time of his birth, which was in the year 1821, the place was an Indian village, called Wapahk- onuetta, the name being derived from a prominent chief of the Shawnee Indians who resided there with a remnant of his tribe. The place still retains the original luime. Prominent among the tribe at this time was the great Shawnee chief Tena-Squatawa, the prophet, and twin brother of the great warrior Tecuraseh. 1010 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. Robert Brodrick, the father of the Doctor, with his family, was living there in the capacity of sub- Agent, which position be occu- Jied for 16 years, when he resigned, after the election of Andrew ackson to the Presidency. This step was to save his head from the political block, as he had the hardihood to oppose the old hero in that presidential canvass. He removed the prophet and 200 of his tribe to Shawnee Mission, in Kansas, in 1836, under the direc- tion of the Government, no other wliite man accompanying the ex- pedition. In 1834 he started to emigrate with his family to the Rock River country in Illinois, but, owing to an accident which rendered further progress impossible, he was forced to stop in this count}', thus giving another example that man who runneth hath not always the power to direct his steps. The father of the Doctor was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, May 21, 1776 — the year that independence was declared — and died "March 8, 1848. He married Pamela Sayre, of Orange Co., N. Y., whom he survived but a few short years. They reared a numerous familv, the subject of this sketch "being the 13th child. The father's 'family is of Irish origin, the mother's of Welsh extraction. The Doctor's grand- father, Anthony Brodrick, took an active part in our struggle for independence, holding a colonel's commission in Washington's army. He exjiended a large fortune, which was never refunded by the Government, as all his legal proofs were burned at the city of Washington, when the British troops sacked that city in the war of 1812 under the administration of James Madison, who was Pres- ident at that time. The Doctor received his medical education in the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and after practicing one year with Doctor Buchtal at Elk- hart, he married Miss Mary Adelia AValton, of Cass county, Mich., and settled in the village of Benton in this county, where he prac- ticed his profession 18 yeai-s with signal success. In 1870 he re- moved to New Paris, where he still pursues his former vocation. He has but one living child, Ada L., the oldest of three daughters, the others liaving died in childhood; Idela May, the second, died at the age of 2 years and 5 months; Mabel Walton lived to be 7 years and 7 months old. They were both remarkably bright, the latter extremely brilliant; so much that she was a subject of remark by all who met her, verifying the old adage that death strikes at a shining mark. It is now 46 years since the Doctor first entered the confines of Elkhart county, which had just been organized, with the county- seat located at Goshen, where it still remains. A great deal of the county was in a state of nature fresh from the hand of him who fashioned the universe, and indeed it was lovely and grand in its pristine dress before the spoiler had laid the hand of civilized life upon its native beauty. The magnificent old forests, so majestic in their grandeur, have long since given way to the woodman's sturdy strokes and the fertile farm, the thriving village, or the busy city, attest the advancement of enterprise and industry, where now can HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. • 1011 be heard the whistle of the lumbering locomotive. Then the red man chased the fleet-footed deer; there was no better hunting ground on earth than Elkhart county, at the period of which we write. The Doctor has counted 19 deer in one herd; wild turkeys were abun- dant, and occasionally a black bear would put in an appearance; but like their foe, the dusky denizen of the forest, they have long since disappeared from among us. The Doctor's career iinancially has been a partial success, to say the least, as he has amassed, with the co-operation of his gooS helpmate, a competency for his declining years, and something for those whom it is his duty to provide for when he takes his departure to the shadow land. Politically he is a Kepublican, but never held an office of trust or honor, as he never entertained any aspiration for political preferment. David Dausman, a farmer and stock-raiser, was born March 27, 1816, at Elsass, France. (This part of France now belongs to Ger- many.) His parents were natives of the same place, and farmers. lie is a namesake of his father. His mother's maiden name was Magdalena Baker. Her parents were farmers. His father was all his life a farmer. David, Jr., was raised on the farm till 14 years old, when he commenced to learn the pottery trade, and in this as in everything that he undertakes, he endeavors to excel by dili- gence. As a proof of this he worked there till 21 years old. He learned his trade in Upper Canada, near Ft. Erie. Mr. Dausman received most of his education in Germany, although he is a native of France. He went to school (German) seven years in Elsass. His employer thought so much of him while he was learning his trade that he sent him to the English school six mouths, in Canada. He made Canada his home till he was 25 years old. He was mar- ried Aug. 3, 1841, to Magdelena Byers, who is a native of Canada, born in 1815, in Bertie tp. Her father was a farmer, and was liv- ing at the time of his daughter's marriage. The marriage ceremony was performed in Buffalo, JSTew York. This happy union has been blessed with 6 children, all of whom are living; 4 of them are mar- ried and doing well, 2 living in Indiana, and 2 in Michigan. The children's names are Anna, Mary, David, Catherine, Samuel and Moses. The last 2 are at home with their parents. Mr. D. emi- grated to Elkhart county, Ind., 1S41, the same year he was married, first settling in Goshen, where he was engaged in the manufacture of pottery, in company with ]\[r. Julian Defrees. They have a suc- cessful business. Mr. D. has been engaged in the pottery business 21 years. He has the honor of running the first pottery in Elk- hart count)'. He was engaged 10 years in the business in Union tp., this county, and several years in Jackson tp., where he lives at present. He has also always carried on a farm. He is the owner of 239 acres of laud, most of which is under a high state of cultiva- tion. He has made what he has by his own exertions. His political views are Republican, and he has held several offices in this tp. Mr. and Mrs. D. are members of the Evangelical 1012 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. Church. He has been Steward of that Church for the last 20 years. Mr. D.'s portrait may be found in this vohune. Henry Daiisman, farmer; sees. 26 and 7; P- O., New Paris; was born in Canada Dec. 1, ISiS, and emigrated to this county in 1850. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Hershey) Dausman, of English ancestry. Mr. Dausman has been twice married; his first wife, Sarah Brumbaugh, by whom were 5 children, Ida, Peachie, Norman, Bertie and Nora; second wife's name was Katie liiggle, by whom is 1 child, Orbie. Mr. Dausman is a Demo- crat, and cast his first vote for McClellan. Andreio Edivie was born in Massachusetts in 1850, the son of George and Jane (May) Edwie, natives of Scotland; received his education in the common schools in Massachusetts and Audover College. His occupation is that of a carriage trimmer, in which business he has been successful. He employs from two to three men must of the time. He is as good a workman in his line of business as any man in the county, if not the best. In carriage trimming he " takes a back seat" for no living man. lie was mar- ried in 1878 to Sadie A. Clark. His political views are Demo- cratic. He has lived in this county since 1877. He commenced to learn his trade when he was ouly 16 years old, in New Haven, Conn ; served four years, then ran a shop in Calais, Me., three years. At present he is in New Paris, working at his trade, has plenty of business and is doing well, as every intelligent mechanic should do. Dr. Samuel Eisenheiss was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 19, 1838, sou of Frederick Charles and Anna M. (Dorathy) Eisenheiss, who came from the town of Welsviier, Prussia, located on the Rhine. In 1855 the Doctor commenced the study of medicine at the Rush Medical College in Chicago, and on the completion of his course of study settled in New Paris. He was married to Eliza- beth Heny, daughter of Joseph II. and Mary Bowman. Dr. Eisen- heiss' family consists of himself, wife and 3 children, whose ages are as follows: Erastus, 18; Albert, 16; and Charles, 10. The Doctor spent some eight years at South Bend and several years at Bremen, Marshall Co., this State, in early youth. He is the owner of a neat, comfortable house, in which he resides, and also Other projjerty, in the town of New Paris. During his residence in this township he has acquired a lucrative practice, is held in high esteem by all with whom he has been associated, and is looked upon as a gentleman in every walk of life. William E. Oilbert, farmer, sec. 25; P. O., New Paris; was born in Ohio in 1837, son of Joseph and Mary (Juliem) Gilbert, natives of Ohio, of English ancestry; was reared on a farm; came to this county, and settled on sec. 25, this tp. Jan. 10, 1860, he married Martha Jane Rookstool, and of their 7 children 6 are liv- ing: Mary Ellen, Henrietta, Melvina, Charlie, John and Tula. Mr. Gilbert united with the German Baptist Church in 1868, and is HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1013 still a member of that denomination. He has been very successful in business, and is now the owner of 100 acres of land, all under cultivation and well stocked. Albert Kauffman, farmer, was born in Blair county. Pa., Oct. 26, 1857, son of Joseph and Mary (Evans) Kauffman, of American ancestry. March 12, 1876, he was married, and he has now 1 child. Blanchie. He came to this count}' in 1849, and resided with his parents until he was married, when he took a farm and has since been farming tor himself He is one of the best farmers in the county, and as he takes pride in his work lie will succeed in all his farm undertakings. He is a Republican, and cast his first vote for Mr. Hayes.^ Tobias Ke'tm, farmer; P. O., Syracuse, Kosciusko Co., Ind., was born in Pennsylvania Oct. 26, 1822; son of Solomon and Elizabeth (^Hostettcr) Keim. of German ancestry; immigrated to this State with his parents Oct. 20, 1846. They located at first in Noble county, but not being satisfied with their location, came to Elkliart county in March of the following year, where he has since resided. They came witli teams from Pennsylvania, having considerable difficulty in crossing swamps. He married Miss Anna Damer, of Ohio, and they have had 12 children, 10 of whom are living: Solo- mon, Frederick, Mary, Susanah, Samuel C, John C, Sarah, Ma- ria, Ellen, Adam and Anna; he has one boy, who has attended college and is now teaching school. Mr. Keim is an honored and respected member of the German Baptist Church. He is a Eepub- lican, and cast his first vote for Zach. Taylor. Dr. James Matheivs was born in this county May 28, 1847, sou of and Mary (Miller) Mathews, the latter a native of Kentucky, whose parents were also Kentuckians. His father's parents were Pennsylvanians. The subject of this sketch commenced the study of medicine in the office of Dr. P. D. Harding, at Goshen, Ind., continuing with him three years, and taking a course of lectures at the Ohio Medical College at Cleveland; practiced two years at Detroit, a part of this time being at the hospital of St. Mary's, where he pursued clinical studies; also practiced some at Harper Hospital in that city; graduated at Detroit, then practiced three years at Wolf Lake, Noble Co., Ind. In 1872 he married Miss Mary Jane, daughter of William and Narcissa Cowan; and their only child, a daughter, died at the age of four years, one month and 16 days. The Doctor resided at the William Cowan farm a short time, and tlien removed to New Paris to make that place his perma- nent home. In a professional point of view he is well situated, enjoying the confidence of an intelligent conimunity. Politically he is a Kepublican, and both himself and wife are members of the Methodist Church. John L. Miller was born in Montgomery, Ohio, in 1836. He is the son of David S. and Salotna (Leslie) Miller, natives of Ohio and of German ancestry. He received his education in the com- mon school in Union tp., this county. He came to the county lOli HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. when only five years old. lie was married in 1856 to Sarah Reck- ard. They have 3 children, 2 girls and 1 boy. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are both members of the German BaptistChurch. Mr. M. has seen many changes in the county since he can remember; has seen Jackson tp. when it was almost a wilderness; has seen the wild deer and wild Indians and other wild animals in this tp. He can remember when riight would come the timber appeared to be alive with wolves and other animals; and, as he said, a local work like this might be written just about what he has seen here. Samuel R. Miller was born in Bedford county, Penn., June 4, 1820; his grandparents were from Germany, and came to America previous to the Revoluti(;)n, settled in one of the Atlantic States, and at a very earh' day moved to Pennyslvania, and settled in Bedford county. They were among the first in this county, and endured the hardships and trials of pioneers. The Indians in that vicinity were exceedingly hostile, in consequence of the encroach- ments made by the whites upon their hunting grounds. They ■ killed nine persons at one time during the wheat harvest. His grandmother was present at this massacre, and hid in the wheat- field, and thus eluded them, and eifected her escape after they had gone. Mr. Miller thinks that both of his parents were born in Bedford county. His father was a carpenter, and was frequently away from home at his trade. He therefore did not know much about him, as he died while the subject of this sketch was quite young. His father and mother had both been previously married, and each had children at the time of their union. He had but one own brother and one own sister. His brother died, and his sister married, and is living in Nebraska. His father died when he was but seven years of age. When he was twelve years of age, he moved with his mother to Montgomerj' county, Ohio, and engaged in farming for a very wealthy man at two dollars per month. Here he remained two years, and then moved to Elkhart county, Indiana, and settled on sec. 6. This was in October, 1835. Their hardsliips cannot be described. To tell the truth, the family were frequently in want of the necessaries of life — without money, and without the means of securing food and clothing. The}' endured all without murmuring, or even letting their neighbors know of their wants. At the age of 17, Mr. Miller entered 80 acres in Union tp., and subsequently bought 80 acres in Elkhart tp., and finally took up 120 acres, where he now resides, on sec. 17. Up to his 27th year, he was engaged in clearing land — handling the ax, mattock and maul, and was persevering in his efforts to make the wilderness a garden, and to secure for himself a home. In 184:7 he married Mary A., daughter of Adam Whitehead, an old settler in the county. They have had 8 children, 7 of whom are still living, viz., David W., Susan E., Eva C, Mary J., Samuel D., Sarah A., and Adam F. David W. married Mary E. Hower, and has 3 children. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1015 Mr. Miller is a Democrat and has been identified with the politi- cal history of his tp. and county, having been Constable, Justice of the Peace, Supervisor, and Township Trustee, for nearly 20 years. He has frequently been a delegate to the County, District and State Conventions, and was elected Sheriff in 1874. He is deservedly popular in both parties, and has an eye to the welfare of his con- stituents. As Township Trustee, the whole management of the town affairs — employme'it of teachers, assessing taxes for schools and other purposes, and the various duties depending upon that office — have been conducted by him with such prudence and wisdom as to secure the general approval of all parties. In set- tling estates, as administrator and executor, and guardian, he has devoted a great deal of his time, and has invariably performed these duties to the entire satisfaction of his clients and wards. Mrs. M. is a member of the Grerman Baptist Chnrch. During the first years of his residence in this county, the family were supplied with fresh meat by his gun. Wild turkeys, deer, wolves, prairie chickens and wild geese, were very plenty when he first came to Indiana. lie has himself killed with his rifle several hundred deer. They were so numerous that the spow would be trampled hard by them, near the cabin, where a tree had been felled. They came to browse. Many a time by moonlight has he shot them. Sometimes, when a nice, sleek buck presented himself in close range, the clear, cold air of a Sunday would be startled by the crack of the rifle. The plea in extenuation would be, meat for the family. During his j'outh and manhood his toil has been incessant. He has split 800 rails in a day from tlie oak that grew on his section. Labor has been rewarded. He now owns 120 acres of land. Ilis annual crop of wheat is from 20 to 38 acres; corn, from 10 to 20 acres, and about 10 acres of oats. Mr. Miller has also been engaged in the carpentering business. He is a downright honest man, social, genial, and good company. A portrait of Mr. Miller appears in this work. Rev. Lewis Muntz; P.O., Milford, Kosciusko Co., Ind.; was born in Ohio in 1825; came to this county with his parents in 1833, and settled near Goshen, Ind. In 1865 he was married to Miss Christiana Snyder. He has been engaged in the ministry for qiiite a number of years, and took an active part in building one of the largest mills in Northern Indiana. Mr. Muntz is also a farmer, and is well-known in his locality for his excellent character. James O'' Neal was born in Indiana in 1857, and the son of Thomas O'Neal of Irish descent, who was a soldier in the late Rebellion. He enlisted in the Hoosier State. He was killed while in the service of his country. James' mother died when he was young, and he does not know much about her. James received his education in the common school in this county. By occupa- tion he is a farmer, but the last IS months has been keeping a 1016 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. livery stable. He has from three to seven horses, and three to five buggies. Is reasonable in his charges. John Pollock was born in Ohio in 1S16. He is the son of Andrew and Betsy (Gilchi-ist) Pollock. His parents are natives of the Eastern States. They were Scotch-Irish. i3y occupation he is a farmer. He was married in 1843 to Judith Potter. They have had 9 children, 6 of whom are living — 3 girls and 2 boys. Mr. Pollock received his education in the common schools in Ohio; came to Noble county in 1844. He acted as Supervisor, and also Tp. Treasurer six terms. He is a Eepublican. He has one son living near where he does, George W. He is a married man, living on his own farm. He was born in 1849, in Noble county, Ind.; received his education in tlie common schools; has traveled some. He and his father counsel together in regard to business afi'airs. Mr. P. never has paid a lawyer any money in his life, and has never been sued. He started as a poor man, and at present is the owner of 150 acres of good land, worth $70 per acre. Rev. D. J. Pontius -was born in Marion county, Ohio, March 6, 1839, and is the son of John and Julia Ann (Worline) Pontius, the former a natis-e of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. March 22, 1864, he married Martha W., daughter of Jacob Myers, and 2 of their children are living, a son and a daughter. Mrs. P. died Nov. 13, 1879. Children: Ada Adaline, born Sept. 10, 1866; George Clarence, 1872, and Amos Nathaniel, born in 1879 and died the same year. Mr. Pontius has been a minister of the Evangelical Church about 20 years, three years in Elkhart; received his educa- tion in Ohio and at the Northwestern College of Illinois. Is a Eepublican in politics; owns a farm in Fulton county, this State, and is worth now about $3,500. Michael Price was born in Ohio in 1829, the son of Michael and Catharine (Ott) Price, who settled on sec. 3, in 1832. The father died here in 1844; he had been in the war of 1812, and was a farmer by occupation, and the owner of 240 acres of good land. Tlie sub- ject of this sketch received his education in the log-house schools of early day in Jackson tp., where he had the honor of attending the first school taught in the tp. This school-house was built at the cost of about $30; almost everybody in the neighborhood helped to build it. Simon Boomershire was the teacher. Mr. P. was 12 years old before he went to school, then started in the a b c's to climb the hill of knowledge. He was married in 1857 to Delilali, daughter of Joseph Harper, an early settler of Elkhart county. They have 3 chil- dren, all girls, one married. Their names are Melissa, Nancy Ann and Agnes. Noah Ott is tlie son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. P. Mrs. Price is a member of tlie Lutheran Church. He is a Eepublican in politics, is the owner of 172 acres of good land, and is an industri- ous, high-minded man. Matthew Rippey, retired farmer, sec. 2; P.O., Benton; was born in Warren county, O., Feb. 20, 1803, the son of Joseph and^Eliza- ^-v ^^/la^, ix^^ ^CcA I^^rs-t^/la-f-l^^ew I^ippey. HISTORY OF ELKHART COTJNTY. 1019 beth (Davis) Eippey, the former of Irish descent, born in Virginia, March 23, 1776, and died June 10, 1S30, in Henry county, this State, and the latter of AVelsh ancestry, born also in Virginia, Jan. 11, 17S2. In ISOS this family moved to Franklin county. Indiana Territory, and in ISll to AVayne county, where the subject of this sketch was principall}' brought up at farming, which occupation he has followed through life with success. He lived on the frontiers in the time of the war of 1812, where the Indians were committing depredations almost every day, in the way of stealing horses, killing cattle and hogs, robbing people's houses, and once in a while, killing a"man. Mr. K.'s school education was limited to a few winter terms, he having to go three miles to school; being the third in a family of 10 childi-en, and his father a blacksmith, he had to work hard to aid in supporting the family. August 3, 1826, in Wayne county, Ind., Mr. Rippey married Miss Jane P., daughter of Eobert and Sidna (Hellems) Mont- gomery, the former of Irish descent and the latter of German ; by this marriage Mr. 11. has had 5 children, i of whom are living, namely : Elizabeth, now the wife of Myrick Watts, of Jackson tp. ; Robert M., who died in the army, being Captain of Co. I, 39th Iowa Inf ; Rebecca A., now the wife of Joel W. Long, of Kosci- usko county, Ind.; Joseph, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser of this tp. ; and William D., a very extensive farmer in Kansas, hav- ing 1,200 acres of corn this season. The children are all married. Mr. Rippey moved from Wayne to Rush county, Ind., in 1827, and established his home in the wilderness; in 1831 he came to this county, where he still lives. Though 77 years of age he is remark- ably pert, and still retains all his mental faculties in a high state of vigor. When he was first married he had but little means, but by industry and economy he has accumulated considerable property, enabling liimself to give each of his children 160 acres of good land, while he still owns 330 acres; he at one time owned about 2,000 acres. He attributes much of his success in life to the aid and counsel of his wife. He commenced for himself by working for $7 a month; afterward, for a time, hfe followed the chase, killing deer and selling their hams and hides to buy his groceries; also made some shoes at night, two pairs a week, to hire work done in clearing. Notwithstanding all his ])rivatious and strict economy, he has been liberal in aiding the philanthropic enterprises of his community. He is one of the oldest citizens of the county, highly respected by all his acquaintances. He and his wife are prominent members of the M. E. Church, to which society they have belonged for over 40 years. They are now living with a grandson, who conducts the old farm. Of Mr. Rippey, the Ligonier Banner said: "The other day we had the pleasure of greeting in our sanctum that venerable farmer and staunch Democrat, Hon. Matthew Rippey, of Benton. Mr. R., though well advanced in years, walks as erect as a man of 30, and his intellect is as vigorous as ever. He was once a member of the 60 1020 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Legislature, and having resided in Elkhart county upward ot 34 years, he is pretty well acquainted with the pioneers of Northern Indiana. It always does us good to take these veterans by the hand and spend an hour in pleasant and profitable conversation." The Goshen Democrat copied this and added: '• We copy the above for the purpose of giving it our hearty endorsement, and to correct some errors of statement." "Mr. Eippey has been in this county nearly i2 years. He was elected Representative to the State Legislature in 1839 and 18-10. The election of 1840 was very highly contested. Mr. Eippey run- ning against Hon. J. II. Defrees, whom he defeated by 36 votes, while Gen. Harrison carried the county. In 1S44 he waselected to the State Senate, in the district composed of the counties of Elk- hart, Kosciusko and "Whitley, defeating Maj. Violett. Again, in 1S4S, he was elected to the Lower House. Mr. Rippey always had the confidence of the people to such an extent that whenever there was doubt about the result, he was called upon to lead the forlorn hope. And in 1S62, when it was supposed that no Democrat could be elected, he was again elected to the Legislature, making in all four times elected to the Lower House, and once to the Senate. For a number of years he was Justice of the Peace, and Township Trustee many years, and as a neighbor, always doing business as administrator, and in other ways having the fullest confidence of the people. He has now relinquished farming and intends taking the world a little easier. May he live for many years to enjoy the fruits of his labor, and the love and afiection of his neighbors and friends." Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Rippey are given in this volume. David Rodibaugh was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, 1819, the son of David and Silum Rodibaugh. natives of Pennsylvania and of German descent. He received his education in the common schools in Ohio. He was married the first time in 1842, and the second time Jan. 1, 1856. Of the last marriage there have been 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls. Also there were 2 children by his first wife. He and his wife are both members of the German Bap- tist Church. In politics Mr. R. is a Greenbacker. He came to tlie county in 1831, therefore is an early pioneer settler of Elkhart county, locating on sec. 4. in this tp. ; was worth at that time about |;l,005. He has been remarkably successful in business, and has accumulated a handsome fortune. He is the owner of over 900 acres of land and the mill in Jackson tp., besides other property. He is well liked, is a very lionest and fair man in his dealings. His son is a part owner of the 100 acres of land where the mills stand. Mr. R. remembers when the deer "and wolves were thick here, and when he could sometimes see a bear as it would skulk into the forest. He has seen this tp. change from a wilderness to a fruitful field of plenty. While he can remember all this, lie can also remember of seeing many old settlers pass away never to return. HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1021 Daniel Shively was born in Stark county, Ohio, in 1829, the son of Isaac and Susannah (Snyder) Shively, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. The subject of this sketch has been in this tp. since 18i9, and has stood on the walls of Zion faithfully in this community. He has proclaimed the gospel here in Jackson tp. for 20 years for three Churclies, and at present the Churches are all in a flourishing condition. Rev. Shively seldom votes, but his politi- cal views are with the Republicans. In 1S52 he was united in marriage to Hester Whitehead, and of their 8 children only 2 are living. Mrs. Shively is a member of the same Church that her husband has so long preached for (the German Baptist). Mr. Shively is a man that reads and knows what is going .on in the world, and, as he should be. is a teacher as well as a preacher. '' An idea in the head is worth more than a dollar in the pocket." Mr. Shively has been moderately successful in business. Ahram Stromh was born in the tp. of Uxbridge, Upper Canada, March 11, 1839. Both parents were natives of that county. He came to Elkhart county in ISiO, and settled in Union tp., and after- ward returned to Canada in 1848 and lived among the farmers the best way he could, roughing it at the very outset of life in the truest sense of the word. On leaving Canada in 1852 he came back to the same part of the State from which he had removed, to make a start in life for himself He commenced to work at farming, and studying at night, withthe view of obtaining an education, so that he might be qualified to teach, which he finally accomplished by arduous exertion. He commenced to teach in tlie fall of 1858, teaching in the winter and in tlie summer was engaged at farming; and thus his time passed on for a period of 11 years, alternately engaged in teaching, studying and farming. In 1870 he moved to New Paris, at which time his sight was very much affected, the result of close application to his studies; so much so that he was compelled in consequence to change his business, and he engaged in selling goods through the country. In July, 1875, Mr. Stromh commenced business in New Paris with a wagon load of goods, such as were sold in a general country store, and by strict integrity and good e.xecutive ability and attention to business, has made an envi- viable reputatiou as a merchant in the tp. in which he resides, and in a pecuniary point of view is well situated, and enjoying the con- fidence of the people who deal with him. In 1861 Mr. S. was married to Sarah E. Miller, daughter of Henry M. and Catherine Boomershire, and they have had 3 chil- dren, 2 boys and 1 girl, all of whom are living. This would be an incomplete sketcli without mention being made of Mrs. Stromli, a most estimable woman, who has in every way been of valuable assistance to her husband in conducting his busi- ness, his impaired sight rendering her service necessary, which she always gave in the most cheerful manner. Mr. Stromh has a large and commodious store, which is tilled at all times with a full line of goods, such as his customers require; a fact that is undeniable 1022 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUXTV. evidence of the enterprise of this self-made man. Mr. S. is one of the most esteemed citizens in Jackson tp. Jane Strvhy was born in Ohio in 1S30. Her maiden name was Mary Smith, and her parents were natives of Yirsrinia. She has been married three times and is a widow at the present time. She is living in Jackson tp. on her own farm of .31 acres. She has one son living with her; his name is J. O. Middleton. He is capable of taking a hand at any kind of work on a farm and is not afraid of work. He and his mother are getting along very well. Mark Baird Thompson was one of the old settlers in Elkhart county, and shared in the trials and triumphs of the early pioneers. He was born in Orange county. New York, Nov. 17. 1S02, and died greatly lamented by a large circle of acquaintances, June 23, 1S72. His ancestry is of English and Irish descent, and came to America subsequent to the Uevolution. His father was in the war of 1812, and participated in the battle of New Orleans. The family moved to Butler county, Ohio, when he was hut one year of age, and bought a small farm, upon which he settled, and engaged in boat- ing on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and died in New Orleans, where he is buned. The family remained in Butler county after his death for several years, where his wife died of cancer in the face. Mr. Thompson, the subject of this sketch, followed farming dur- ing hisminority, and also learned the tanner's trade, but abandoned it. Upon the death of his mother, the family were broken up, and he went to Wayne county. Indiana, and bought a tract of land, and engaged in farming. "VThilehere he married Jane Thomas, daugh- ter' of John Thomas, a native of Wales, and a shepherd by occupation in his own country. At the age of 27 he sold his pos- sessions and moved his family to Elkhart county, and pre-empted the east half of sec. 2 in Jackson tp. He arrived here April 5, 1S29. One-half of his purchase was prairie land, and the other half heavy timber. The steel plow was not in use in that day, and plowing the prairie was a ditficult task. His more immediate neighbors were Col. John Jackson, Elias Riggs and William Simp- son. JMajor Yiolett, William Latta and Asel Sj^arklin came in about this time. The Indians were numerous, but never molested the settlers. Wild turkeys and wolves were plentiful, and the latter frequently annoyed the flocks. Beer were liuuted by fire-lights on the river, and at first afibrded the settlers a plentiful supply of fresh venison. Mr. Thompson was twice married. His first wife had 6 chil- dren, 3 of whom died young. The others were : Harriett, who married Timothy McCarta, has a family and resides in Minnesota ; he was in the Union army during the Rebellion, and died in Libby prison ; John E., who lives near the old homestead; and Helen who married William Wyland, and resides in Shelby county, Iowa. Mr. Thompson married, for his second wife, Harriet Beane, ot Benton, and bv her had 5 children, as follows : Charles E.. HISTORr OF ELKHART COrNTT. 1023 Catharina J.. Mark B.. Lafayette II. and one who died yonug. Mark B. enlisted in the Union army during the l^ebellion, and was killed in the battle of Jonesboro. Georgia. He was a worthy young man, and his loss was severely lelt in the family circle. Mr. Thompson's patriotism was manifested by sending three boys to the army during the Eebellion, and by carrying on the farm alone at the age of 00. Mrs. Thompson died May 6, 1S72, and was soon followed by her husband " to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns,"' honored and lamented by the whole community. Hon. John E. Thompson, a wealthy and influential farmer ot Jackson tp., Elkhart county, was born Sept. 20. 1S2S, in Wayne county, Ind. He is the son of Mark B. and Jane (^Thomas) Thompson. llis lather came originally from Orange county, Xew York, from which State he first removed to Ohio, then to Wayne county, and afterward to this county. His mother was a native of Wales and emigrated to this country in childhood. Capt. Thompson is a descendant of John Thompson, who was of Irish parentage, and who arrived in the United States some years before the war of 1S12, in which he participated, serving under Gen. Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. The early edncation of the subject of this sketch was very limited, being obtained by an irregular attendance at the primitive common schools of a tiiinly settled country. Assisting in the hard manual labor of his father's farm, he could devote but little time to study, and when about 15 years of age he was obliged to abandon school entirely. Possessing an observant and retentive mind, he succeeded, notwithstanding his disadvantages, in acquiring sutiicient practical knowledge for his guidance through an active and useful life. On attaining his majority he received from his father a deed for iO acres of land, ou which lie began life for himself. Prospering in the cultivation of this tract, he was soon enabled to purchase 9t) additional acres. He erected a neat and substantial brick dwelling and out-buildings, and now possesses a model farm in every respect. In politics Capt. Thompson was a Whig until ISoi, becoming a Republican on the organization of that party, of which he has since been an earnest and consistent supporter. Although he has held many positions of honor and trust, he has accepted them only at the earnest solicitations of his constituents. In 1S5S he was elected to the State Legislature for a term of two years by a flattering majority, and during the sessions served on the committees ou temperance and on commerce. Sept. IV*. 1S61, he enlisted, and on the 24th of the same month was mustered into the service of the United States as 1st Sergeant of Co. K, 30th Pegiment Indiana Volunteers. In June. lSfi2. he was commissioned 2d Lieutenant of the above-mentioned company, and in the following January was promoted to the rank of Captain, in which capacity he remained until the company's term of enlistment expired. Among the many battles in which he participated during the war may be 1024 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. mentioned Pittsburg Landing, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chicka- mauga and Lookout Mountain, or "the battle above the clouds." Capt. Thompson also took part in the siege and capture of Corinth and Atlanta. His regiment accompanied Gen. Sherman to Love- joy Station, 25 miles beyond Atlanta, at which point it was ordered back to Nashville, Tennessee, and thence to Indianapolis. Here it was mustered out of the service Sept. 29, 1864, and Capt. Thomp- son proceeded to Goshen, where he arrived Oct. 5, and at once resumed his work on the farm. In LS66 he was elected Commissioner of Elkhart county, and served four years. He was again chosen to represent his county in the Legislature in 1S72, acting as Chairman of the Committee on Counties and Townships, and as a member of those on Corporations and on Statistics. Being re-elected in 1876 he was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture, and a member of the Committee on Fees and Salaries. In 1878 he was one of the can- didates for Representative of Noble and Elkhart counties, jointly, and was defeated by only 10 votes. In Elkhart county he received about 100 votes more than his associates on the same ticket, but the Democratic and Greenback influence in Noble county caused his defeat. In the fall of 1880 he was elected to the Legislature for the fourth term, by 573 majority, and S3 ahead of the Senator. During his administration as Commissioner many of the public improvements of the county were inaugurated and consummated, among which were the construction of long-needed bridges, and the erection of county buildings. In the discharge of the duties of his office he manifested such energy, ability, and fidelity, as to command the confidence and respect of his political friends and opponents. As a Legislator he was indefatigable in his efforts to promote the best interests of his fellow-citizens, regardless of their party affiliations, lie introduced the bill for reducing the time of holding the otiice of Tp. Trustee of schools to a period of two terms, the passage of which resulted in increased efficiency of the common-school system. He also proposed the bill providing for refunding to corporations, towns, etc., money which they had ad- vanced in aid of proposed railroads which had not been constructed within three years after such advance. This bill was also of great importance in certain sections of the State. Capt. Thompson is prominent in all enterprises undertaken for the benefit of the com- munity and county in which he lives. He married Jan. 1, 1872, Annie C. Jackson, of Jackson tp. He is not a member of any Church, but is a liberal contributor to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is a devout and worthy communicant. During his active career in Elkhart county, he has won the respect of all; and now, in the pride of manhood, has the promise of many years of usefulness. He owns 136 acres of land. A portrait of Mr. Thompson will be found in this volume. HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1025 Myrlck TTaWs, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., New Paris; native of Yermont, of English ancestry; came to this tp. in 1S44; has been twice married, first to Miss Slary Foster who died while they wei'e livine; in Vermont; then he married a daughter of Mr. Rippey. Mr. Watts was born in Vermont in 1829, where he lived with his parents until he was married. He is a man of great energy, and as a farmer has been successful at every undertaking in which he has been engaged. John Whetten, Jr., farmer, sec. 32; P.O., New Paris; was born in Allen county, Ind., Nov. 25, 1852, of English ancestry. Dec. 25, 1872, he was married to Miss Adelphine Saver; they have 2 children, Nellie and Lou. Mr. Whetten has been a life-long Republican, casting his lirst vote for Mr. Hayes in 1876, and his second Presidential vote for Mr. Garfield; he is a man of ability and energy, who will make a success of whatever he undertakes. Thomas Whetten^ son of John and Jane (Greer) Whetten, was born in Allen county, Ind., March 31,1850, and came to this county in 186i. He has been twice married, first to Louisa Frasier; who died in 187- ; he married for his second wife Miss Mary McCloud, Oct. 25, 1S7-. Mr. Whetten is a very industrious young man and will succeed in whatever he undertakes. He has a farm of 100 acres all under cultivation, and has at the present time 30 head of hogs, eight horned cattle, 10 sheep and three horses, all of which denote high breeding. Mr. W. is a Republican, casting his first vote for Grant. William Whetten, sec. 22; P. O., New Paris; was born in Allen county, Ind., Oct. IS, 18i4, sou of John and Jane Whetten, of English ancestry; was reared on a farm, and brought by his par- ents to this county in 1S6-1, who settled on sec. 22, Jackson tp.; he married Catherine Dillen Oct. 22, 1869, and of their 3 children 2 are living: Eddie Edwamia and Woodford. Mr. Whetten is a very energetic young man and has accumulated quite a little for- tune, which he knows how to preserve. He has 208 acres of land, of which 160 are under cultivation, with stock enough to consume what the farm produces. Mr. Whetten will in a few years become one of the foremost and wealthiest citizens of the community. He cast his first national vote in 1868 for U. S. Grant, and is still an advocate of Republican principles. Daniel J. TF7w'^eAe(/c^ was born in this county in 1850. He is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Frantz) Whitehead, father a native Pennsylvania, mother of Virginia, and both of German descent. He received his education in the common school in this county. By occupation he is a farmer. He was married in 1870, to Susanah Smith. They have had J- children, but only 2 living at present. Two of the daughters are deceased and 1 boy and 1 girl living. Mr. and Mrs. W. are both members of the German Baptist Church, in which society he is a Deacon. He does not "take much stock" in politics, but when he votes, he votes the Democratic ticket. He is the owner of two-thirds of 160 acres of 1026 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. land, where be is living at the present time and where he was born and has passed liis life, on sec. 17. He never went to school in any- other place than in District No. 6. where he resides. S. S. Whitehead, carriage manufacturer in New Paris, was born in this county June 7, 18-14. He is the son of Valentine and Eliz- abeth Lantz, natives of Montgomery county, O., near Dayton, and of German descent. He received his education in the common school in this county. His occupation most of his life has been that of a carriage-maker, in which business he has been successful. At the present time the firm name is Whitehead & Landgraver. They also run a saw-mill. Mr. AVhitehead had l)een in the business 10 years before Mr. L. came in as a partner. Mr. AVhitehead is a Re- publican in politics. He is a man that reads; he takes eight pa- pers, and has a choice selection of good books in his library. His partner is a solid Democrat. Mr. W. has been twice married, the first time in 1865, to Henrietta Deitz, and they had .3 children, all living, 2 boys and 1 girl. He lost his companion in 1872, and in 1874 he was married to Martha Jane Vail. They have 2 children living, 1 boy and J girl. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the M. E. Church. In business he has been successful, but not without some reverses. In 1874 he met with a sad loss by fire. His car- riage and blacksmith shops and saw-mill all were burned to the ground. The firm name at this time is Bonebrake, Deitz & Whitehead. The building was rebuilt by the present firm, and on a more extensive scale. They employ about 22 bands, and are doing a great deal of first-class work. Valentine F. Whitehead was born in Montgomery county, O., in 1833. He is the son of Samuel and Sarah (Frantz) Whitehead, father a native of Pennsylvania and mother of Virginia, and both of German descent. He received his education in the common school in this county; he has spent most of his life in this county. His parents came here when he was only two and one-half years old. His occupa- tion has been that of farming all his life, except four years spent in teaching school. He was married in 1861 to Christina Smith, and they have 2 boys and 4 girls. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Whitehead is a Republican in politics. He has been financially successful in business; is the owner of 360 acres of land, 190 under a high state of cultivation. Mr. W. is a man that knows more than to idle away liis time. Life is short to make the most ot, and he works industriously every day. Marion W. Young was born in Pennsylvania; came to this county Aug. 16, 1827; both father and mother were natives of the same State. The subject of this sketch left Pennsylvania in 1854, and settled in Union tp., this count}', and remained there about 20 years. On leaving, he settled in Elkhart county, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Young was mai-ried in 1849, to Mar- garetta Brothers, of Stark county, Ohio, who died in May, 1879, HISTORY OF ELKHART COTINTT. 1037 leaving no children. In regard to education his advantages were limited, having no other opportunities than those furnished by the common schools of early days. He has always followed the life of a farmer, and owns 80 acres, which is under a high state of culti- vation, and raises fine crops of wheat. Ilis farm is'located on sec. 7. George W. Zniii was born in Franklin county, Ohio; the son of George and Elizabeth (Parnell) Zinn, natives of Maryland; father of German descent, mother of English. His great grandfather came from Germany. His father was an early settler in Ohio, and built the first house in Mt. Vernon. Ohio. His father had 7 brothers, all of whom grew to manhood. Mr. Zinn received his education in the common schools, mostly in Ohio. By occupation he is a farmer. He was married in 1842 to Elizabeth Myers. They have 3 children living ; 3 are dead. The son is in business in Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. Zinn are members of the Methodist Church. He has acted as Steward of the Church. In politics he is a Republican. He has held several minor offices; at the present time he is the County Commissioner of this county. He came to Elkhart county in the month of October, 1837. He has spent some time in traveling; was in the city of Galesburg, Knox Co., 111., when there was only one house there; it is now the fifth town in size in the State. It is with surprise that the pioneers of Illinois and Indiana look back and see the rapid strides that these States have made in their memories. Mr. Zinn has been a steady, hard-working and persevering man. and has steadily added to his farm since he came here. He started in without much of earthly possessions. To illustrate his increase financially, he holds five deeds for the land where he lives at present, of the different parts. He has one of the best farms in this county, consisting of 200 acres, well improved. Most of his land is prairie. In a finan- cial point of view Mr. Zinn has been successful. He has given his children all a good opportunity to obtain an education. JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. This is a full Congressional township except one-half of section 31, which the Elkhart river cuts off by running from the southeast corner of the above section in a northwest course out of the west side of the section. The general surface of this township is much varied. That portion lying southwest of a line drawn from the north- west to the southeast corner is comparatively level, and is very fine for agricultural purposes; and its farms with its magnificent resi- dences and large and commodious barns will compare favorably with those of other portions of the county. That portion lying northeast of this line as described is very rolling, and a greater part is so broken it is unfit for agricultural purposes. The farms are generally small, and tlie attention of those occupying them is given to fruit-growing. There is in this township a body of water covering an area of about 100 acres, and is known by the name of Dock lake. Whence it derives its name, we are not informed. The surround- ing country for some distance is very rough and broken. Pine creek, which has its source in the southeastern part of the town- ship, flows in a northwesterly direction, and leaves the township on section 6 about _one mile from where it enters into the St. Joseph river. The numerous small branches which flow in this creek afibrd ample drainage for almost all the land in the township. To Thomas Carick and father, and a person named Stutsman be- longs the honor of being the first settlers in this township. The for- mer pre-empted the southwest quarter of section 21, but paid very little attention to farming, most of his time being spent in hunting and trapping. JamesWilson also settled about the same period, and was soon followed by James Defrees, afterward justice of the peace, being the first elected in the township. Next came Joseph Gardner, who settled on section 22 in the spring of 1S35. William and Joseph Newell, William Martin, Elijah Adams, James Kane, John Neft' and John Wilson soon afterward became residents, from which date the township was rapidly settled. Ozias Stotts, deceased, was an early pioneer, settling in 1834 on section 34, and living to the ripe age of 75 years. E. C. Lake, Abner Blue, Joseph D. Knox, (1028) HISTORY OF ELKHAET COTTNTY. 1029 Israel Wolf and P. W. Eoler are early settlers of the county, and reside at present in Jefferson township. Soon after the arrival of the above named pioneers, settlers began to pour in so fast that it was even then difficult to keep pace with their advent, and after the lapse of 40 years it is impossible to speak of them in the general order of their coming. They formed one of the pleasantest communities in Northern Indiana. To those who opened up and developed the wonderful resources of Jefferson township, the present and coming generations will owe eter- nal gratitude. They suffered untold privations and inconveniences, labored with unflagging energy and will, receiving only meager compensation for their toil, were far away from their friends and their old homes, and, with scarcely any means of communication with them. The pioneers were encouraged and kept up with the hope of soon establishing comfortable homes for themselves and their families, and with a noble ambition of conferring on posterity blessings which shall ever be a monument to their memories. Though struggling through the pressure of poverty and priva- tions, early settlers planted among them the school-house at the earliest practical period. As may readily be supposed, the accom- modations of the earliest schools were not good. Sometimes schools were taught in log cabins, which had a mud-and-stick chimney in one end of the building, earthen hearth and fire-place, wide and deep enough to take in a four-foot back-log. For win - dows part of a log was cut out in either side and maybe a few lights of eight-by-ten glass set in, or just as likely as not the opening would be covered over with greased paper. Seats were made of slabs, and writing desks were made to match. The first sciiool building erected was on section 21, which met all the requirements of that day. Its continuous occupation was up to the date of its burning. Here the young minds were taught to " shoot " by a Mr. Stockdale. Directly after above building was burned, another was erected, and at present there is a fine brick structure standing in place of the first one. Things are changed now ; we no longer see the log school-house, but instead, we see frame or brick structures here and there over Jefferson township, buildings too, of which the people of this township can feel proud. The early pioneers were not entirely without preaching. Says an old settler, '• The ministers of the gospel of the Savior of the world hunted us up and preached to what few there were, therefore we did not degenerate and turn heathen, as any community will 1030 UISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. where the sound of the gospel is not heard." There is but oue church building in this township, and this is occupied by the Ger- man Baptists. As this township is centrally located among others well supplied with cities and villages, there is no municipality of this kind within its bounds, and no churches other than tlie one just mentioned. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. The biographical notices which follow constitute the most impor- tant element of the history of Jefferson township, being, as they are, life sketches of well-known citizens, some of whom have braved the hardships of frontier life, to whicii we have so often alluded in this volume. Christidor Ast, a native of Switzerland, born Aug. 16, 1805, sou of Chris, and Annie Ast, natives also of Switzerland, and now deceased. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm and received a common German education. He came to America in 1845, first settling in Stark county, Ohio, where he resided until 1850, at which time he came to this county, settling in this tp. He was married in 1830 to Miss Magdaline Lounber, who was born in Switzerland in 1807. They have had 10 children, 8 of whom are living, to wit: Christian, Rudoff, Libba, John, Annie, Jacob, Joseph and Maggie. Mr. Ast was poor wlien he came to this coun- try, and by hard work and close economy he has accumulated con- siderable property, owning 110 acres of good land. P. O., Goshen. C. A. Barthel, a native of Saxonj', Germany, was l)orn May 1, 1829. His parents were C. G. and Christiana Bartliel, who came to the county in 1853. The subject of this sketch emigrated to this tp. in 1849, in which he has lived ever since, except three years he resided in Goshen, when he followed his trade (masonry), giving the most of his time to farming, doing only occasional jobs of masonry work for his neighbors. He married in Ma}', 1849, Miss Frederica A. Schultz, a native of Germany, by whom he had 5 children, to wit: John, Lydia, Henry, Mary J. and Alfred. Mr. B. lost his life- companion Oct. 12, 1868 or '9. He married again Sept. 5, 1872, Miss Susan Ruhlman, who was born Dec. 28, 1841, in Malioning county, Ohio; by this marriage were 3 children: Hallie M., Cath- erine I. and Louis F. Mr. B. owns 120 acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the Lutheran Church. Residence, sec. 16; P. O., Goshen. H. JBemendorfer was born Aug. 18, 1824, in Loudon county, Va., son of Peter and Susan Bemendorfer, natives of Pennsylvania, who emigrated to Virginia in 1813, where they resided lintil 1828, wlien they moved to Stark county, Ohio; here they remained some 10 years, at which time they migrated to Carroll count}', where they HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1031 resided until their death. The subject of this sketch became of age here and married Miss Eebecca E. Prince Sept. 25, 1851, who was a native of Stark county, Ohio; they have had 10 children, 9 of whom are livincj: John P., Mary E., Malinda S., xVUen R, Charles H., Geo. W., Cora E., Hattie M. and Burtrige. Mr. B. was reared on the farm. When of age he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, at which he worked some 28 j^ears; for the last seven years he has devoted his time to farming and brickmaking. He keeps a full supply of brick on hand. He has held the office of Tp. Trustee 10 years; owns 115 acres of land on sec. Si; P. O., Goshen. William Berlcey, a native of Somerset county. Pa., was born April 11, 1828. He is the son of James and Elizabeth Berkey, who are also natives of Pennsylvania, and are of German descent. Tiiey moved to Holmes county, Ohio, in 1830, where they resided until 1864, at which time they came to this county and settled near Goshen, where Mr. B. resided until his death. Mrs. B. departed her life some years later, at the residence of William Berkey. The latter came to this county in 1817, working in woolen mills and various other kinds of work for three years, when he went to California and worked in several mine* for nearly two 3'ears, returning again to this county, where he was engaged as clerk in a store. This he followed for some time, when he bought out a boot and shoe store. This business he pursued until the pur- chase of his farm, since which time he has devoted his attention to that vocation. He was married Jan. ], 1856, to Miss Lydia Stuts- man, a native of Pennsylvania, and born Feb. 14, 1830; their 2 children are Nettie and Jennie. When Mr. B. started out in life for himself he was in debt for the lioots he wore on his feet; to-day he is the owner of a nice farm, and is a well-to-do farmer. Resi- dence, sec. 17; P. O., Goshen. Ahner Blue was born in Miami county, Ohio, April 3, 1819, and is the son of James and Mehetabel Blue; the former was born May 20, 1774, in Miami county, Ohio, and departed his life May 20, 1819; the latter was born Aug. 12, 1777, and died in thi's county Jan. 30, 1850. Abner was reared on the farm, and received a common education. At the age of 17 years he came to this county and followed the carpenter's trade for a number of years. Mr. Bine purchased his first land in 1837, and since he has added to it, now owning 150 acres. Mr. B. has given his entire attention to farming for the last 12 years. He was married Aug. 17, 1844, to Miss Harriet Clay, a native of New York. They have had 5 children, 4 of whom are living, viz.: Louisa, James L., Clarinda and Hiitoka. Mr. B. lost his life companion July 26, 1859, and he again married Oct. 28, 1862, this time Miss Eliza Doolittle, a native of St. Joseph county, Ind., born Feb. 28, 1838; of their 2 children one is living, May. Mr. B. has held the office of Tp. Treasurer and Justice of the Peace. He is an Odd Fellow 1032 HISTORY OF ELKHART COrNTT. and member of the Baptist Church. Residence, sec. 32; P. O. Goshen. Eev. Thomas Comstoclc. of the North Indiana Conference, was a native of Ohio, boru March 2, 1829, but was brought with his father's family to Wabasli county. Ind.. in 183G. Judge Comstock. his fother. settled ou Eel river, at the place which is now called Lib- erty Mills, where he opened a large farm, erected mills and engaged in other business pursuits. Here the subject of this sketch spent the years of his youth and earlier manhood, and was well trained to habits of industry and business. He married Miss Elizabeth T. Thorrie in September, 1852: she was a native of Belmont county, Ohio, born in 1828; their 1 children were Alma C, John D., Lura E., and Wilbur T. While Mr. Comstock was in his youth, he was converted at a camp-meeting. He was baptized and received into the Methodist Episcopal Church ia 1813, by Rev. C. W. Mil- ler. He entered the North Indiana Conference in 1851, and trav- eled the Harlan Circuit one year; but feeling the necessity of a more thorough education, he attended school 'at Genesee College and subsequently took the regular course at the Garrett Biblical Institute. He served one year as professor in Fort Wayne College, and re-entered the Conference in 1859; he was Pastor at Decatur one year; at Goshen one year; at Elkhart two years; was again connected with the Fort Wayne College one year; Pastor of Warsaw Sta- tion three years, and of Wabash Station two years; though his return was unanimously desired by his charge, he was then ap- pointed to Central charge at Richmond. He was just entering upon his third year's work in this charge, when he was taken with typhoid pneumonia. All that affectionate care and the skill of two physicians, his own choice friends, to prescribe was done for six weeks, when he was informed by his physicians that his closing hour was near. The information did not startle or alarm him — not at all, though until then he had thought it possible that he would recover. He asked to have the Sacrament administered, and that prayer should be offered that he might have victory, and while they prayed God gave him triumphant victory to his weeping wife and children. He said most tenderly , " I love you ; I love you ; gladly would I go with you through life, but Jesus loves you better." When ice-cold water was given him, he said -'Jesus the water of life will give." He gave directions to make no display, " The Master is coming, and 1 wait patiently his arrival." Such are but few of the many words uttered by him in his last hours. At about 11 o'clock, a. ra.. June 17, 1872, he calmly and sweetly tell asleep in Jesus. Thomas Comstock was a model as a pastor. He was also an able, clear, pointed and successful preacher, and the several charges served by him will long remember him as a most consistent and indefatigable worker. "Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." John Eldridge was born in Logan, Hocking Co., Ohio. March 19, 1820, and is the son of Walter and Mary Eldridge, former a HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTT. 1033 native of Connecticut and latter of Pennsylvania. John was reared on the farm, receivina^ a common education in district schools; he came with his parents to this State, first settling in Forrest Grove near Middlebury. He lived two years in Lagrange county, and married Miss Pho?be Larimer Jan. 13, 1S42; they have had 6 children, 5 of whom are living, to wit: Mary. Sarah J., Plarriet, Emma and William. Mr. £. lost his life companion Sept. S. 1S66, and he again married in 1S67, and the third and last time. Ann Schermerhorn in 1S69. Mr. E. has been reasonably successful in life. lie bought his present farm of 100 acres in March. 1S7S. Mrs. E. is a member of the Lutheran Church; Mr. E. is a member of the Presbyterian. In politics Mr. E. is a Kepublican. Residence, sec. 4; P.O.. Bristol Joseph Gardner, Sr., one of Elkhart's early pioneers, is a native of Rottenburg, Germany, and the son of Joseph and Victoria Gard- ner. The subject of this sketch was born Feb. 22, ISIO, and at the age of 22 years he faced Westward, crossing the Atlantic, to seek his fortune [if such was in store for him) in the New World. He first located in Buiialo, X. Y., where he resided until 1S3.5, at which time he migrated to this county, first locating south of Goshen, where he resided one year; he then moved to his present farm, where he has resided continuously ever since, following the occu- pation of a farmer. In his boyhood and early manhood days he worked in oil mills. He was married Oct. 4. 1832, to Miss Cath- erine Vollmer. of Buifalo. X. Y.. who was born April 9. 1S09, in Rottenburg, Germany ; they have had 8 children, 7 of whom are living, to wit: John L.. Wm., Joseph, Daniel. Charles and George W., twins, and Benjamin. Mr. Gardner received a good German education, and subsequently a common English education. He commenced poor in life, and now is owning 280 acres of beautiful land, besides giving each of his 7 children $1,400 apiece. He is of a remarkable family, being one of 22 children. Residence sec. 22; P. O., Goshen. Joseph Gardner, Jr., a native of this county, was born Oct. 11, 1840, and is the son of Joseph and Catherine Gardner; was reared on the farm, and received a fair English education in the common schools of this county. He married Miss Nancy Logan Feb. 8, 1862. who was born Feb. 2. 1843. in Ohio, and their 4 children are: Charles, Carrie, Minnie and Ira. Mr. G. owns a nice farm of 160 acres on sec. 9. Adam Harman, a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, was born in 1814; his father was born in Adams county. Pa., aud mother on board of a vessel e/; rotite to the United States. Mr. H. married Miss Catharine Wolford, a native of York county. Pa., in 1840, and they have had 8 children. Mr. Harman is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, owning a nice farm on sec. 29. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of the Lutheran Church. Residence, sec 29. Ifoah HoUinger, a native of this county, was born July 14, 1850, and is the son of Samuel and Barbara Hollinger; was raised a 1034 HI5T0EY OF ELKHAKT COr.STr. farmer, ill which occupation he is at preseut engaged. He was mar- ried to Miss Amanda Bowers Feb. 16. 1S75, who is a native of DeKalb county, this State, being born iu ISSi; they have 1 chil^, Alfred E. Mr. H. owns 6i) acres of Xo. 1 land, worth §70 per acre. Residence, sec. 15; P. 0., Goshen. Pa 11^ Kh'kiorfer, a native of France, was born July 6, 1S17, son of Christian and Mary Kirkdorffer, both of whom are now deceased. The subject of this sketch began learning the crockery trade at the age of li years, which business he followed some 30 rears. At the a^e of 19 he came to the conclusion to try America, which he accordingly did. Oa arriving here he had but one dollar in his po3ket, anl coald spaak only his native laugiiage; he was in IJfew York withjut friend? or money to fight the b-ittle? of life with, under great disadvantage >; he got trastel for bjard. and luckily found work in a lumber yard, piling up lumber, for which he received $1 par day. This he did for a few days, when he weut up Xorth river sjme 100 miles distant from Xew York city, where he worked seven years and saved as miny hundred dol lars, dnring thetimi working for $10 to §lt3 a m^nth at the tanner's trade. Daring this time he lent §1100 of his hard-earned money, all of which he lost. Xot at all discouraged, he kept on with that same enerory. Iq consequence of this loss he concluded to push on further West, which he accordingly did in 1S41. first locating in Goshen, where he was engaged in the pottery business, which he pushed forward with great zeal. In 1S52 he removed to Union tp., and settled on land purchased prior to this date, and here he also opened liis pottery business, which he followed until 1S71; in the meantime he carried on his farm. At this date he quit his trade and moved to this tp., where he has given his entire atten- tion to farming and stock-raising. He owns 115 acres of beautiful land, all of which he has purchased from his own personal earn- ings. Mr. K. was married to Miss Soloma Dausman in 1S17. Miss D. was born iu Canada in 1S30; 6 cbildren have since been born to them, viz.: Jacob, George. Mike, Paul. Edwin and David. He lost his companion in lS6o, and in 1S05 married Miss Lydia Knapp, who was born in ISll in this county. One child has been born of this union, Morris A. Many can be profited by noticing the situation Mr. K. was in when he lauded on American soil, and the difficulties he necessarily had to overcome. He has become independent, as far as the necessaries of life are concerned, by his energy, skill and good management. Residence, sec. 21; P. O. Goshen. IranJc Eimpp, a native of Ontario county, N. Y., is a son ot William H. and Catherine E. Knapp, natives of Xew York, who came to this county in 1S40 .and settled in Middlebury tp., where they resided until their death, the former occurring in August, 1S70. and the latter in April, 1S71. Frank was reared on the farm, and has always followed farming, except two and one-half years he was engaged in the lumber trade. He worked in the Auditor's HISTORY OF ELKHART COUXTT. 1035 office under Col. A. M. Tucker. He married Miss Jennie Lind, daugliter of the late Judge Cliamberlaiu, Sept. 15, 1S71, who 'was born Feb. 24, ISol. in this county. Tliey have 1 child, Christine IS^ilsson. Mr. K. owns 70 acres of good land on sec. 34. P. O., Goshen. H. C JOake is a well-known and respected citizen, and also among the earlv pioneers of this county, who came in 1S36, when the Indian population was 20 to one white. Mr. L. attended schools in the early days, when the teachers were of the ox-gad per- suasion; he received sufficient education in these schools to be of great use to him in business thns far. He was born March 27, 1S15, in Monongahela county, W. Va.. and was married in 1S46 to Nancy J. Middleton, who was born near Columbus, Ohio. They have had S children, 5 of whom are living, to wit: Mary, Geo. W., John O.. James I. and Richard. Mr. L. has followed brick- making, though at present he is engaged in farming, stock-raising and trading. He owns 320 acres of good land, all of which he has Snrchased with his own earnings. Residence, sec. 10; P. O., Iristol. Daniel Lehman, a native of Somerset county, Pa., was bom April 10, 1S12, and is a son of Jacob and Mary Lehman, the former born in 1S76 and the son of John L. Lehman, of Switzer- land. He died in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. The latter was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in Holmes county, Ohio. Daniel was reared on the farm, and at the age of 16 years he began to learn the cabinet trade, which he followed some 14 years. He came to Indiana in 1S43, settling in Miami county, where he resided until 1S63, at which time he came to this tp., and has followed the occu- pation of a tarnier until a few years ago; at present he is living a retired life. Mr. L. has been successful, financially. He owns 200 acres of good farm land. He was married to Miss Magdalena Shrock Jan. 11, 1S31. a native of Mifflin county. Pa., born Feb. 5, 1S09; by this union 12 children were born, to wit: Elizabeth, Lib- bie. Henry, Jacob C. John D.. William B., Lucinda, Joseph A., Cornelius P., Franklin P., Mary M. and George AV. This family is perhaps the most remarkable one in the county, as John D. and William B. are twins, and Franklin P.. Mary M. and George W. are •* triplets,"' all of whom are living. Jacob C. served in the 14th Ind. Vol. Inf. in the "late unpleasantness." Mr. and Mrs. L. are members of the Amish Church. Residence, sec. 21 ; P. 0., Goshen. Eliz'iheth Logan, nee Donaldson, was born April S, 1S26, in Huntingdon county. Pa.; married David Logan in August, 1S49, who was born Jnly 25. ISOO. in Ireland; brought to America when three months old by his parents, settling in Fulton county. Pa.; in ISol he moved to Stark county. Ohio, and to this county in 1S54; was financially very successful during life, and died April 10, 1873. Mrs. Logan is now carrving on her farm of 215 acres. n036 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. on sec. 21. Her children are: Daniel, Mary, Emma, Frank, Hester Ann, Eliza, Eli and Elliott. F. O., Goslien. Samuel McDowell was born in Greenbrier county, Va., July 16 1823, son of James and Jane McDowell, the former a native of the county of Down, Ireland, and was born April 6, 1791, and the latter of Monroe county, Va., and born Nov. 4, 1791. They emi- grated to this county in 1835, settling on sec. 35, Harrison tp., where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1874. Mrs. McD. died in 1867. The subject of this sketch was reared on the farm, and received his education in the subscription schools; he was married to Miss Elizabeth Feerman, April 4, 1844, who is a native of Washington county, Tenn., and they have 12 children, 10 of whom are living, viz.: James A., Chloe A., Wm. B., Jane M., Andrew T.. Thos. M., John M., Joseph Z., Howard S. and Emma E. The first place Mr. McD. lived after his marriage was on sec. 26, this tp.^ from there he moved to Clinton tp., where he lived 13 years, on land he purchased for §11 per acre, and such was the rise of land that he sold it for §50 per acre in 1865. After look- ing around he concluded to buy land in this county, which he accordingly did. In 1879 he came to this tp. and bought W. H. NewelPs farm, where he is at present. Mr. McD. has held the office of School Trustee in this tp. Mr. and Mrs. McDowell have been members of the M. E. Church 30 and 40 years respectively. Kesidence, sec. 24; P. O., Goshen. G. W. Miller, a native of this county, was born May 24, 1844; his parents, Abrara and Catherine Miller, were early set- tlers of this county; he was reared on the farm and received a common education. He married Miss Hester Ann Stutsman Nov. 3, 1867. Miss S. is a native of this county. By this union were 7 children, viz.: Ira. Franklin, Chancy, Jessie, Charles, Milo and Arthur. Mr. Miller owns SO acres. Mr. and Mrs. M. are mem- bers of the Dunkard Church. Kesidence, sec. 22; P. O., Goshen. E- T. Mooney^ a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, was born March 2, 1816, and is the son of Joiin and Nancy Mooney, both of whom are natives of Ohio and are of German descent. Mr. Mooney served in the war of 1812. The subject of this sketch was married March 25, 1843, to Miss Isabel Sites, who was born December, 1823. The fruits of this marriage were 5 children, 3 of whom are living, to-wit: "William E., Isaac N. and Alice F. Mr. M. emigrated to this county in 1867, locating in this township. Mr. M. received a common-school education in his early life, and attended medical school at Cincinnati. Ohio, where he received a thorough knowl- edge of medicine, after which he began the practice of that profes- sion and pursued it for several A'cars with reasonable success. At present he is devoting his entire attention to farming and stock- raising. He is the owner of a nice farm. Mr. M. has held the office of Justice of the Feace. He and his most amiable wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Residence sec. 17; F. 0., Goshen. HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1037 David Myers was born in this count)- Jan. 3, 1S50, and is the son of John and Hester Ann Myers, natives of Ohio, who came to this county in 1841. David was brought up on the farm, to which vocation he has devoted the most of his life thus far. Mr. Myers has followed the book business at his leisure times, selling family Bibles, History of the Great Ilepublic and many other American standard works. Mr. Myers bears a good reputation as canvasser of considerable note. Mr. S. married Miss Ella Miles Sept. 22, 1878, who was born Oct. 22, 1857, in this county. They have 1 child, Clara A. Mr. M. has had good success, now owning 78 acres. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the German Church. Eesidence sec. 31; P. O., Goshen. John Q. Neff, native of this county, was born Feb. 10, 1838, and is the son of John and Sarah Nefl", both natives of Virginia, and early settlers of this county, emigrating here about 1S35. John was reared on the farm and received his education in the common school. He was 10 years old before he ever saw a school-house. He attended school in a house that stood where John Eldridge now lives, taught by James VanFrank; this was in the year of 1S46; also he attended school ta^ight by Miss Fannie Warren, now Mrs. Doolittle. living in Iowa. Mr. N. was married Sept. 13, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Miller, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, born March 7, 1845. Their 3 children are Carrie, Ora and Howard. Mr. N. is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, paying particular attention to raising horses. He has a iine three-year-old Norman stallion, 16 hands high and weighing 1,600 lbs., which he purchased of Samiael Carver, when he was eight months old, at the cost of $400. His sire was imported from France by E. Dillion, of Bloomington, 111., and the dam was raised by Mr. Dillion. Mr. N. is an active worker in the Sunday-school and Church (Baptist), of which he and his wife are members. Eesidence, sec. 4; P. O., Bristol. P. F. Nye is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, also the present School Treasurer of Jefferson tp. P. O., Goshen. P. W. Holer was born in Eockingham county, Va., Jan. 3, 1803, son of .John and Susan Eoler, also natives of Virginia, both now deceased. He was reared on the farm until 15 years of age, when he began to learn the trade of chair-making, and continued to work at it some live years, when he changed his business to that of general merchandising, in partnership with Edward Stevens, in the town of Mount Crawford ; from there they moved their stock to Sidney, Augusta Co., at which place they carried on the business until Mr. E. came to this county in 1835, first settling near Benton. Finally he moved to Benton, where he also sold goods in partnership with Samuel T. Clisnerfor one year, when he moved to Middlebury tp., where he resided until 1851, when he returned to Benton and bought a farm, where he followed farming for 10 years, at which time he moved to Goshen, when he lived a retired life some 14 years, and is at present living with his son-in-law, Mr. Lincoln, who is farm ing Mr. E.'s land. Mr. Eoler was married to Miss Catherine 1038 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Carson in March, 1832, who was a native of Frederick county, Vir- ginia, born in 1813. The}' liave had 3 children. 2 of whom are living: Edward 0. F. (who is a professor in the Chicago Medical College), and Ellen C, wife of H. U. Lincoln. Mr. R. has held the office of Sheriff. Although well along in years he prefers walking to Goshen, some three miles distant, to riding. Mr. R. is well known throughout this county, and well liked by all. Residence, sec. 34. P. O., Goshen. John W. S!m,7nons, farmer, is a native of Shelby county, Ohio, and was born Dec. 7, 1838. He is the son of Andrew and Mary Ann Simmons, natives of Ohio, who emigrated to this county in 1847, locating in Harrison tp., where they resided until death. John W. was reared upon the farm, receiving a common English education in the schools of Ohio and Indiana. He was joined in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Louisa Mock, Nov. 6, 1859. Miss M. is a native of this county, and was born Jan. 6, 1842, and they have had 6 children, 3 of whom are living, to wit: Emma F., Elmer E. and Charles G. Mr. S. served one year as Corporal in Company K, 57th Indiana Vol. Inf.; being in many battles, of which Stone River was one. Mr. Simmons speaks with pride of his regiment ; and so he can, as it has a clear record, having never i'altered in the discharge of its duty, winning many laurels on the field of battle. Mr. S. is very much disabled, caused by the bursting of a blood vessel on his left leg while he was in the dis- charge of his duty. Residence, sec. 31; P. O., Goshen. Edwin n. Stevens is a native of Bradford county. Pa., born Feb. 12, 1822, and raised in Tioga county, N. Y. He is the son of Ebenezer and Dolly Stevens, father of English and mother of Ger- man descent. They came to this county in 1857. Edwin H. left Tioga county, N. Y., at the age of 25, and emigrated to Ashland count}', Ohio in 1851, and engaged in the mercantile business, in partnership with Jackson Wolverton, where they remained one year, at which time they moved to Goshen, and carried on business un- til 1853 ; then he moved to his present farm. In Mr. Steven's early life he taught school some 10 years, also was Superintendent of Schools, and resigned on coming to this county. He was married March 10, 1863, to Miss Mary Violett, whose parents were among the earliest settlers of this county. She was born April 9, 1821, in this county. Their 5 children are Charles, Jessie and Emma (twins) and Mattie and Morton. Mr. Stevens has held the office of Assessor, and was elected in 1878 as State Representative, where he has discharged his duty honorably and to the satisfaction of his Republican friends that elected him. He owns 32 acres of fine land. Residence, sec. 36; P. O., Goshen. Osias Stoits, deceased, was born March 20, 1804 ; he is the son of Uriah and Elizabeth Stotts ; he was married in Ohio March 16, 1827, to Miss Mary Middleton, who was born Oct. 25, 1805, in Franklin county, Ohio ; 13 children were born to them, of whom 6 are living, to wit : Uriah, Ozias, Sarah, James, Jacob and Abram. HISTORY OF ELKHART OOTJNri'. 1039 Mr. Stotts settled in this county in 1832, first locating in Concord tp., where he resided until 1834, at which time he came to this tp. and lived until death overtook him, April 24, 1879 ; at the time of his death he was owner of 273 acres of good land, since which time it has been divided among tlie widow and children. Mr. S. died in true Christian faith, being a member of the United Brethren Church. Tlesidence, sec. 18; P. O., Elkhart. George Stutsman was born May 3, 1811-, in Montgomery Co., O.; His parents, Daniel and Susan Stutsman, were natives of Pennsyl- vania; the latter died when the subject of this sketch was three years old; and, at the age of 16 his father came to this county, when the Indians here were outnumbering the whites. He saw tlie noted chief "Raccoon;" also remembers well the time when there were but a few log huts and one frame building in Goshen. Mr. S. was reared on tlie farm, and received his education in the old log school- house, built of round logs, daubed with mud, having a stick chim- ney and slab seats. He married Miss Ruth Cope June 11, 1840; she was the daughter of Caleb Cope. They have 5 children: Simon, Lewis G., Lucinda E., Arvilla, and Emma, deceased. Mr. S., in his younger days, followed carpentering; also, the mercantile trade 3^ years on the Wabash and Erie canals. Mr. S. is a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, and owns 222 acres where he resides, and 160 acres in Missouri. He has been a reader of the Goshen Democrat ever since it was started. Of course he is an old, staunch Democrat. Residence, sec. 4; P. O., Bristol. Israel Wolf was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, July 23, 1829, the son of George and Hannah Wolf, natives, of Northumber- land county, Penn., who were among the early pioneers of Ohio, and emigrated to this county in 1835, settling in this tp., where they resided until 1855, at which time they moved to La Porte county, where they resided till their death, the former occurring in 1857 and the latter in 1867. Mr. Wolf was a millwright, which trade he followed a greater portion of his time, besides carrying on farming. Israel was reared on the farm, and received a fair Eng- lish education in the common schools of this county. He began the carpenter's trade at the age of 15, and has worked at it some 30 years. A i'ew of the last years he worked at this trade. At present he is giving his entire attention to farming and stock- raising, in which he is having good success, owning 120 acres of beautiful land. Mr. Wolf has" held the oftice of Justice of the Peace, Constable, and Assessor of the tp. for six terms; also, is or has been real-estate Appraiser, and at present is a guardian and ad- ministrator. Mr. Wolf was married Dec. 26, 1849, to Miss Nancy Wilson, a native of Logan county, Ohio. They have had 11 chil- dren, of whom 7 are living, to "wit: Frank tf., Thos. J., who is agent at Bristol, Annett M., Israel D., McClellan, Mary A., and Cora. Israel is a school-teacher, and Frank a carpenter. Mr. W. has lived in this county ever since his first settling here, with the exception of one year, when he lived in La Salle county, 111. 1040 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. He moved there in 1852 and returned in 1853. Mr. W. is located on sec. 15; P. O., Goshen. Andrev) Yard, a native of Stark county, Ohio, was born April 1, 1827, and is the son of Valentine and Susan Yant, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the latter of Ireland. Andrew migrated to this county in 1856, since which time his vocation has been that of a farmer. He has met with fair success, now owning SO acres of land, worth $40 per acre, lie was joined in marriage with Eveline Lower, a native of Pennsylvania. They are the parents of 5 chil- dren, 4 of whom are living, to wit: Susanna, .Mary E., Eva and Ada. Residence, sec. 32; P. O., Goshen. LOCKE TOWNSHIP. Locke township is situated in tlie southwestern part of Elkhart county, and is bounded on the north by Olive township, on the ?ast by Union township, on the south by Kosciusko county, and on the west by St. Joseph and Marshall counties. It is only halt a Congressional township, the western half being set off in Marshall and St. Joseph counties. It has proven to be a difficult undertaking to obtain a very elab- orate history of the early settlement of this township, and very few of the old settlers are now living; they have, one by one, slowly passed away to their final resting-places, and many a hymn of sor- rowful regret has long since been sung to their immortal memory, for "men die, but their deeds live after them." It is said that at a very early date in the history of the township, the citizens of it, so far at least as election purposes were concerned, had to go into Harrison township to vote; they next voted in Union township, then in Olive, and finally they were set off to themselves, probably about the spring of 1843. The first settler of the township was Samuel Lockwood, and from him the township was named. Mr. L. came in the fall of 1836 from Vermont; he and his wife and a family of 6 children came directly from that State by water and landed at Milwaukee; thence they went to Chicago, and from that city, then, indeed, a mere village, they came straight by land to this township. Here they erected a little log hut and remained in the midst of the wil- derness and tall forest trees for 10 days before any other man came to the township with whom they could share their vast domain. Here they lived on until Dec. 18, 18i6, when Mr. L. died; his wife survived him about 11 years, but on Jan. 11, J 858, she. too, passed away and followed her husband to the silent grave. They are buried on the farm on which they first located and both now sleep side by side. Since the burial of Mrs. L. a large and tall tree has grown above her grave, and beneath its massive roots sleep the earliest pioneers of Locke township. But after Mr. Lockwood and his family had been residents of the town- ship for about 10 days there came Abner Hibray and John Pitts (1041) 1042 " HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. from New York and settled on section 2, Mr. Lock wood having located on section 3. In September, 1839, came James Berry, who settled on section 22; and after the death of John Pitts, he was the only Whig in the township for a number of years. In 1839 Morlan Albin made this township his home and settled on section 14. During the same year came Daniel McCoy and Philip Eeed; the former was the first justice of the peace of Locke town- ship. About this time came David Salisbury; and prior to the year 1840 the following came: Samuel Wilson, John Burns, Jacob Burns, Joel Farlay and Franklin Stevenson. The first election in the township was held about 1841 or '42, in an old log school-house on section 14, and at that time there were only nine voters in the township. John Pitts is buried on section 2. Abner Hibray moved to Michigan and died there; James Berry is buried on section 22, on the farm on which he first located, in the cemetery called South Union. Philip Reed went to Lake county; from there he went into the army where he died. Mr. Salis- bury died si.x or seven years ago, and is buried in the South Union cemetery. Such has been the fate of the early pioneers of Locke township; they have long since passed away, but their memory still lives. The township settled very slowly until about 1846, when it began to be peopled hj a class of citizens who were noted for their intelligence and industry. At the time the township began to be settled, it was nearly all timbered land and abounded in game of all sorts. The first church was the " Union church," built for all denomi- nations on section 22; it is now called the "South Union church." The first school-house was built on Morelan Albin's land, on sec- tion 14. The first frame house was built by Philip Reed on section 12. The first saw-mill was probably erected by the Lockwoods. The first store in the township was kept by John Wolfe in what is now the village of Locke. The first marriage was that of Lucins Lockwood and Hannah Ilibray, the joyful event being duly cele- brated by a great many of the young folks of the community. The first child born in the township was Permelia, daughter of John Pitts. The first death is supposed to have been that of old Mrs. Berry, which occurred about 1840. The first postoflice ever estab- lished in the township was at the house of Daniel McCoy, on sec- tion 14, at what is familiarly known throughout the township as "Five Points;" this was established about 1846 or '47, and Daniel McCoy was the first postmaster. After Daniel McCoy, the next HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 10-13 postmaster was Joseph Albin. The postoffice remained at " Five Points " until about 1852, when it was removed to section 12, about one mile east; here Levi S. Stoner was the next postmaster. He held it until the spring of 1861, when it was removed to section 13, where Solomon Berlin ofSciated as postmaster. Mr. Berlin con- tinued to act in that capacity until 1869; after the village of Locke was laid out the postoffice was removed to that place in 1869. To-day, in Locke township, the work of progress and clearing up seems at times to have just begun ; for everywhere throughout the township the observer will see during the summer time logs and stumps smoking, which reminds one a great deal of what must have been the condition of affairs, only to a greater extent, -10 years ago. There is yet a great deal of timber in the township, every farm hav- ing more or less timber on it; but it is being fast used up by num- erous saw-mills all over the community; there are four in the vil- lage of Locke, — one on section 36, owned and run by Miller & Schmucker; one on section 3, owned by Asher Lockwood; one on section 10, run by S. S. Mann, and an old mill, now very much dilapidated, on section 12. The soil of the land in this township is excellent for farming purposes. The low lands are now being drained by numerous ditches, which will undoubtedly prove an almost incomparable benefit to the township in general. The population of the township in 1880 was 1,364, an increase of almost 500 over the census enumeration of 1870, a fact which bespeaks much good tor the township. In its political record it is about equally divided between the two great parties. William B. Cowan, Democrat, is the present school trustee. There are two cemeteries in the township; one on section 22, called the "South Union" cemetery; and one on section 3, called the " North Union" cemetery. Both are situated near churches bearing corresponding names. The township is sufficiently well watered by numerous little creeks, particularly by "Lost creek," which waters the central and western part, and a branch of the "Little Baugo," which flows across the northeastern part. In 1874 the Baltimore & Ohio railroad was laid across the southern portion of the township, crossing sections 34, 35 and 36. In 1878 quite a remarkable little circumstance occurred which deserves to be mentioned in this history. During that year a claim was made by a Chicago lawyer, whose name was D. Palmer, against 1044 HISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTY. the residents of section 13. The purport of this claim was to wrest section 13 from the hands of its rightful owners, pretending to be made in the interest of an Indian squaw, of Kansas, who was said to claim that she was a legitimate heir to the original owners of this section of land. The prosecution claimed $20,000 damages; but the real purpose of the claim was undoubtedly an almost unprecedented swindle. Thus regarding it, the owners of the land employed legal counsel and concluded to stand them a suit. This they did at Indianapolis, costing them about $1,800, and came out victorious. The probability is that the matter is now settled. The schools of Locke township are under the efficient supervision of William B. Cowan, School Trustee, who was elected in the spring of 18S0. The township has six school buildings, one brick and five frame houses; they 'are located conveniently throughout the township, and in them are]afforded about seven months' school annually to the children of this township; one, at the village of Locke, is a graded school and employs two teachers. The edu- cational interests of this township are well attended to by the trustee in particular, and by the patrons of the township in gen- eral. At the enumeration of the school children of this township in March, 1880, the number was 375. There are four churches at present in Locke township. The Vnited Brethren dmrch. is situated at the town of Locke; the church building was erected in 1871, and was dedicated in November of the same year by Bishop Edwards, of Illinois. Among the charter members were George W. Ernst and wife, and F. M. Truex. The first minister after the church building was erected at Locke was Eev. Albert Reed, who presided over the Church two years; then came Rev. E. Seithman, who remained one year. After him came Rev. I. Good, who was their minister one year; he was followed by Rev. E. Bast one year; then Rev. I. Eby one year; he was succeeded by Rev. William Simons, who remained one year. The next was Rev. Joseph Beghtel, who offici- ated for two years ; he was followed by Rev. E. F. Light, who is the present incumbent. The congregation now numbers about 40 members. There is a Sunday-school in the church, of which Samuel HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. 104:5 Kuckman is superintendent. The present trustees of the Church are Samuel Ruckman, George W. Ernst and F. M. Truex. The Amish church, situated on section 36, was built in 1878. Some of the first members of tlie Church were: Henry Stahly, John Eingenberger, Sam'l Yoder,David I'oder, John Yoder, Peter Stahly, John Emmert, Ulery Millei'. Levi Ilarshberger, Mrs. Betsey Ilochstetler, John Johnson, Josepli Schmucker, Jonas Lance, John Troup and Allen Goon, — all the above-named men and their wives. This Church is the new branch of the Amish Church, and the con- gregation now numbers about 50 members. The first preacher of this Church was John Ringenberger ; then John Yoder, and after him came Samuel Yoder. He was succeeded by Jonathan Schmucker, who is the present incumbent. North Union Church. — This church building is situated on sec- tion 3, and was built in 1876 for the use of all denominations. The following worship in it: Christians, Dutikards or German Baptists, and two or three branches of the Mennonite Church. Eev. Custis Stricklin is the regular minister for the Ciiristians of this organ- ization, and Rev. Lamber for the Evangelical Mennonites. South Union Church. — This church building is located on section 22, and was built in 1871. The Mennonites, German Baptists and United Brethren all worship in this building. Rev. Mr. Engle- meyer is the regular minister for the German Baptists, and Rev. E. F. Light, for the United Brethren denomination. THE TOWN OF LOCKE. And now, having noticed almost everything in connection with the township except its towns and business interests, we will proceed to devote a few pages in that direction. The town of Locke was laid out in 1867 by George W. Eby, M. H. Morlan and L. B. "Winder. It is situated on section 24 of Locke township, two and one-half miles northwest of Nappanee. The first house built in the town was erected on the half-section line, in the center of what is now Main street. The first store in the town was opened by John \Yolfe in 1867; the first saw-mill was built in 1865. The first mail was car- ried to the town of Locke by Mr. L. B. Winder on April 1, 1869; the first postmaster was J. D. Lake, he having succeeded Solomon Ber- lin, who was formerly postmaster, tlie postofiice then being located on section 13. Mr. Lake was succeeded by Jacob Hemminger; the next postmaster was Jesse Truex; and after him came S. Lightner, l(yi€ HISTDBT OF SLXHAKT OP lJtH . who was sBceeeded by Jacob "VTaltes, the present incJimbQat acting in thai capaeirr. A» one time the village of Locke, although a mnl town, seemed destined to become qnite a bnsiness point ; and so it was. Once in its hisiorv its bnsiness interests were snbsiantiallj as follows: Hiree dry-goods stores, one drug store, one grocerr store, one hard- ware store, one tin shop, one furniture store, two K»t and shoe shops, two saw-mills, one shingle-mill, one wagon shop, one steam grist and flouring mill, three blacksmith shops, about forty dwell- ings, one hotel, one pnblic school-honse, one church and three phy- sicians. Bnt in ISTo-'o, after the town of Xappanee was laid out, the eyes of a great many of the citizens of Locke were turned toward this new town to watch its probable growth. The town of Xappanee soon began to incresise in population and business, and it being a railroad town, seemed likely to become a better bnsiness point than Locke: accordingly a great many of the citizens of Locke moved to Xappanee, some of ihem. indeed, moving their old honses with them. To-day. however, there is considerable bnsiness done in Locke, since it is snrronnded on all sides by an excellent tract of conntty« peopled by an industrious class of citizens. In the town there is one first-class drug store, of which Jacob S. Walters is the prv>prietor; he is a good bnsiness man. is well liked by the people, and is doing a good business for the site of the town. Mr. Walters carries a stock of drugs and groceries, amounting to abont $:i.500; his annual sales are abont ^.000. He engaged in bnsiness in ISTT. Then there is a lajge dry-goods and grocery store, owned by ^. A: J. lliu-nuan, and run by John Hartman. an equal partner in the firm. They are enterj^'rising business men. keep on hand a com- plete and full stock of dry goods, groceries. Kx>ts and shoes, and. in fact, everything in their line. They are doing a -good home bnsi- ness, and enjoy a first-class local trade: carry a stock of aK^nt §S.OOO: annual sales about $4,000. There is also a furniture store in the town run by Henry F. Eby. who carries a small stock. The town can boast of one first-class grist and fionring mill, which is owned by Creorge W. Eby and John Tintsman, and is run by John Tinisman and Martin H. Morlan They are doing a g\v>d business and add a great deal to the bnsiness interests of the place. This mill was bnilt in lSc>7 by the Wisler brothers: was purchased by Eby and Tintsman in 1S7S. Miller «fe BISTOKT OF ELKHAKT COCSTT. llMT Rickert are pivprietors of a saw-mill, in which thej make barrel- heads, staves, etc Thev ship these to Goshen. Warsaw, Elkhart an«i Ligonier, and are doing a gvx>d^bnsineiss. There is also a large saw-mill in the town, owned and run by George "W. Ebj. W. L. Tucker is proprietor of a saw-mill, which was changed 6\.im a dwell- ing-honse into a saw-mill in IS"?; he makes shingles, staves, table fixtures, bedstead slats, etc, ; is doing a good bnsiness and ships some to Elkhart and Goshen. Then there is also a mill doing gen- eral wood work, owned bv Smeltrer. Smith * Mellinger. In Mav, 1<79. Dr. John if. Paxson came to the township and eetUed in Locke; he enjovs a fair practice of about ^i.OOO annaalij. The present business interests of the place may be said to be the following: one dry-gvxxis and grv>cery store, one furniture store, one boainling-hoas«, two physicians and surgeons, one grist and flour- ing mill, four saw-mills, one United Brttheren ohareh. one excellent school-building, one carpenter, one jeweler, two blacksmith shops and 50 to 75 dwelling-houses. The town of Nappanee, which deserves special mention, is sit- nated partly in this township and partly in Union. However, since a majority of the business hoos^ and of the population are in this township, we hesiute not to make mention of it in connection with the history of Locke towiiship. VUXAGK OF XAPPAXEK. The town of Xappanee was laid out in November, IST4. by John Cnlp, Jr., Henry Stahly and Daniel Metzler. It was surveyed by George T. Ager. the County Surveyor at that time. The town is situated in the southwestern part of Elkhart county, on section 36 of Locke township and on section 31 of Union township, on the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. It is 15 miles from Oroshen, the county- seat, IT miles nrom Elkhart and 10 miles from Milford. The vil- lage is surrounded by a tract of land, excellent for ^ming pur- poses; however, when the town was first laid out, a great part of the land in the immediate vicinity was covered with timber. But within the last half decade, by the erection of large and numerous saw-mills. a great part of the timber has been sawed up into lumber, the work of improvement, progress and advancement has been going rapidly on, and the town site, which was formerly quite low, has been filled up considerably, so that now the place makes a very pr^en table appearance, far better than many of 'Qxe older and lai^«r towns «jf the county. 1048 HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. The first building in the place was erected for the Eby Brothers, as a passenger depot, and Henry F. Eby, now of the village of Locke, was the first freight agent. In a short time a postoffice was established, with Dr. J. S. Smith as postmaster. Rickert & Co. started the first store in the broom shop of Daniel Metzler, where Binkley & Co. 's drug store now stands. In the spring of 1S75 Samuel Ilartman opened a hotel for the convenience and accommo- dation of the public. Will F. Peddycord & Co. opened the first drug store; J. C. Bailey, the first dry-goods and grocery store; Mr. Bridenstein, the first boot and shoe shop; C. D. Yolkman, the first blacksmith shop. Joseph Stromh started the first starch- box factory and planing-mill; J. C. Mellinger and Frank Meyers, the first saw- mill. All the above-named improvements and business interests followed in rapid succession and in something near the order men- tioned. The name of the town was taken from a town in Canada, and the latter is spelled with only one p; there is still a diflereuce in the spelling of the name here, but the majority' spell it with two p's. The first death that occurred in the town was that of an infant son of James D. Lake; this was also the first birth. The first mar- riage was that of John Coppes and Malinda Stromh, which was solemnized by Will F. Peddycord, Justice of the Peace, in 1878. But all the above-named improvements were only the beginning of a town which was destined to become something more than a mere railroad station. ^Numerous other business houses were soon under process of erection, and a great many laboring men flocked to the town to seek employment. In a short time the town began to improve rapidly. In 1876 Good & Shrock built a saw-mill and commenced opera- tions immediately; in 1875 F. G. Bryson started a blacksmith shop. In 1816 Dr. J. S. Smith resigned his position as postmaster in favor of John B. Peddycord, who is the present incumbent; during the same year David Gentzhorn opened a saloon. In the year 1877 the firm of Mellinger & Co. was established, being com- posed of J. C. Mellinger, John Coppes and Frank Coppes, the two latter owning a half interest. It is not necessary to say tliat all these gentlemen are enterprising business men, for their business indicates it. They are the proprietors of the Union Planing Mill and Starch-box Factory, in which they are doing an immense busi- ness for the size of the town, sliipping monthly on an average 8,000 starch-boxes to the Excelsior Starch Factory of Elkhart. They HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY' 1049 also own and run a large saw-mill, and have ISO acres ot timber land; in both departments of their business they employ from 18 to 30 hands. Mr. Mellinger started a saw-mill here in 1873, even before the town of Nappanee was begun, in company with Frank Meyers. They continued as equal partners until 1876, when the former bought the latter out and continued alone until 1877, when he formed the partnership with the Coppes Brothers, already spoken of. In 1S76 Dr. C. H. Schwartz came to the town and located as a practicing physician and surgeon; in the year 1877 Binkley & Co. started a drug store; they still continue. In the same year "\Ym. J. Charpie commenced buying grain in Xappanee; and in tlie year 1878 the tidal wave of business seemed to have come; during that year the following improvements and changes were established ; a large clothing store was started by Samuel Meyers, of Goshen; this store carries a stock of about §8,000; annual sales about $25,000; it is now under the charge of David Friedman; he keeps always on hand a complete stock of clothing and gents' furnishing goods, and is doing a good business. During that year Jacob Heraminger moved his boot and shoe shop from Locke and established it at Xappanee. AYilliam B. Cowan opened up a large hardware store. Mr. C. is one of the best business men of the place; he carries a stock of $4,000; annual sales amount to about §12,000; he makes his own tin-ware, and has a good run of trade. In March, 1878, the Sierer Brothers started a drug store and still continue the same. The firm of Burns & Kreider, manufacturers of the Nappanee Pumps, was established this year, although Mr. B. had been en- gaged in the same business alone since 1877. During this year Dr. J. K. Julien settled permanentl}- in Nappanee, and Fred. D. Richmond became the genial proprietor of the Nappanee House. Peter C. Stahly established a large and commodious furniture store and jewelry shop; the latter is now under the control of his brother, S. C. Stahly. In 1878 W. F. Urich opened an agricultural ware- room, where he keeps all kinds of farming implements and sewing- machines; he is also an insurance agent, representing the York and Keystone Mutual Life Insurance Companies, of Pennsylvania, both responsible companies. During this year E. P. Brown and George McLaughlin started a saloon, and Joseph M. Bailey com- menced to buy grain in Nappanee; the latter is doing a good business, and farmers can always depend upon getting the highest market price for all kinds of grain; during the year 1879 he 1050 HISTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. bought 5i,000 bushels of grain. In the year 1879 Benjamin Witham opened a blacksmith, wagon and carriage shop and Joseph Stromh opened an agricultural warehouse. Mr. S. is one of the enterprising business men of the town and does an excellent busi- ness in his line, keeping on hand a complete stock of agricultural implements in their season. This year Charles Biehl started a harness shop; he is a wide-awake business man, is doing a good business and certainly merits a liberal patronage of the people. During the year 1880 Br. A. A. "Ward, a practicing physican and surgeon, settled in Nappanee, and Dietrich & Co. opened a com- modious dry-goods and grocery store. Thus the reader will observe how, little by little, the village of Nappanee has increased in business and in population. But six years ago here was a tract of low land and timber; now it is cov- ered with a thriving little village of almost 700 inhabitants, and is the most enterprising little town of its size in Elkhart county Among the business houses thus far unavoidably omitted one deserves special notice. John and Jacob Hartman, under the firm name of Hartman & Brother, are the proprietors of the largest dry- goods store in Nappanee. They established their business here Oct. 6, 1875, and the store was run by W . G. Flengel until 1877, when Jacob Hartman moved to Nappanee, and now controls it. The other member of the firm, John Hartman, is now at Locke, where he conducts a dry-goods store iinder the firm name of J. & J. Hart- man. At Nappanee the Hartman Brothers have a large and com- modious store-room, filled with alargestockof dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, queen's-ware, etc. They are doing an immense business, carrying a stock of about $6,000. Their sales for the year 1879 amounted to $35,000. And now, by way of recapitulation, we come to notice the pres- ent business interests of the place. They are substantially as fol- lows: Two dry-goods and grocery stores, two drug stores, one restaurant and lunch room, one first-class restaurant and grocery, one clothing store, one cigar and stationery store, one hotel, one jewelry store, one furniture store, one furniture manufactory, two saloons, two agricultural warerooms, one harness shop, two hard- ware stores, two boot and shoe shops, one butcher shop, one livery stable, two saw-mills, one planing mill and starch-box factory, one mill doing general wood work, such as making lath, shingles, etc., one pump factory, two millinery shops, two barber shops, one church, four doctors, two blacksmith, wagon and carriage shops, HISTORY OF ELKHART OOrXTY. 1053 two insurance agents, two collection agents, two grain merchants, one elevator, one Odd Fellows' lodge, one cornet band, one union scliool-bnildirg, and last but not least, one weekly newspaper, the X.VPPAXEE XEWS. . After the discontinuance of the "Wakarusa Sun. at Wakarusa.the Nappanee iWjr-y was started at N.appanee, sometime in the month of March, 1S7!», with A. B. Smith as editor and proprietor. Mr. S. continued to publish the paper until Feb. 11. ISSO, when it was pur- chased by E. D. Stoner and C. H. Whiteman, and published under their management until March 14. ISSO. At that time "W. H. Holdeman purchased Mr. "Whiteman's interest, and the paper was then issued by Holdeman & Stoner until July 25. ISSO. when Mr. Holdeman bought out his partner's interest, and from that time until the present the paper has appeared with W. H. Holdeman as editor and proprietor. The paper was formerly a four-page folio, until Mr. H. took charge of it. when it was changed to a five-colnmn quarto. Sept. 25. ISSO. the paper was fitted out with an entire new dress and new type. It is independent in politics, liberal in its views, and always looks to the best interests of the people. The paper is published on Thursday of each week, has now a circulation of over 500; the subscription price is only ^l.bO a year, and every enterprising business man and farmer in the community would do well to take it, as it is published by an able editor and experienced writer. XAPPAXEE SCHOOLS. The school building at Xappanee is one of the best in the county It was begun in 1S7S and finished in 1S79. It is a Union school building, having been built by Union and Locke townships. The school trustees at the time of its erection, were Isaac Wisler, of Locke, and S. H. Smith, of Union. The building is a large and handsome brick structure two-stories high and was built at a cost of about $6,000. It is a graded school, and the patrons of the dis- trict have in it about seven months' school annually, and employ two teachers. At present the schools are conducted by "W. H. Hol- deman as principal and Miss Florence Staufler as assistant. The attendance is quite large, the enrollment for the month of June, 1880, numbering 160. 1054 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. ODD FELLOWS LODGE. This organization was chartered by the Gr?ind Lodge of Indiana at the November session, in the year 1879. It was organized by Special Deputy, A. E. Boyce, of "Welisboro. The charter members were: Gabriel Wolf, P. S. Hare, C. H. AVhiteman, Christian H. Schwartz and Will F. Peddycord. The lodge is numbered 575; the membership at present is 19. UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH. The church building at Nappanee was erected in 1875, and was built by the individual subscriptions of different persons throughout the community. The following are a few of the charter members of the Church organization at this place: Jonathan Yarian and wife, Benjamin Yarian and wife, and Joseph Pose and wife. At present the congregation numbers 15 members, as follows: Jonathan Yarian, Joseph Pose and wife. Wm. Posenburg and wife, Julia Berlin, F. M. Truex and wife, Catharine Pariek, John Ernst, Mrs. Evans, Susan Engle, Alpheus Marknej', George StuU and Nettie Moneyhafer. The first minister of the Church at this place was Pev. John Good. The present one is Pev. E. F. Light. Pegular services are held in the church every Sabbath at 10^ o'clock. There is a union Sunday-school in the church, of which Will F. Peddycord is the present superintendent. THE NAPPANEE CORNET BAND was first organized at the town of Locke, in August, 1876, and was afterward re-organized at JSfappanee in 1878. The leader of the band is A. C.Miller, of Nappanee. There were 12 charter mem- bers when first organized at Locke; it is now composed of 13 regular members, meets regularly once a week to practice, and furnishes as good music as any band of its age in the county. And now we have noticed all the business interests of the town of Nappanee; we have observed how from year to year its citizens have increased in enterprise, and we have seen that the town is only six years old. There are few towns in Northern Indiana that can boast as much as this for its age. It is composed of an enterpris- ing, intelligent, literary class of citizens, who always look to the best interest of their progressive town first and themselves after- ward. Situated as it is, in the midst of a beautiful scope of farm- HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. ing land, several miles distant from a large town, it has proven to be, an excellent market for all kinds of grain. It is rapidly increasing in population and improvements, and it is difficult to surmise what is yet in store, at no far distant day, for the citizens of this enterprising, progressive village. BIOGRAPHICAL. The rest of the history of this township is in the form of brief biographical notices of its pioneers or prominent residents, most of whom have toiled for many a long and tedious year to make the country the fruitful field it is seen to be to-day. Joseph M. Bailey, a grain merchant at Nappanee, was born in Indiana in 1850, of Irish descent, and is the son of Isaac and Sarah C. (Mackey) Bailey, both of whom are living in Walkerton; the former is a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. They came to this county in 1SJ:5, remained here five years, and then removed to Walkerton. The subject of 'this sketch was married in 1872 to Caroline Hctzel, who was born in Indiana in 1S52, and is the mother of 2 children: Cliffie and Maud. Politically, Mr. B. is a Eepublicau. He commenced buying grain at Nappanee in December, 1S7S; is buying for Joseph Calbeck, of Cromwell, and is doing a good business, always paying the highest market price for all kinds of grain. During the year 1879 he bought 54,000 bushels. Ferdinand Bed', farmer, sec. 23; P. O., Locke; was born in Germany in 1829, came to this country in 18.56 and first settled in Ohio, where he lived about two years and then came to this tp. ; he is a son of Jacob and Catharine Beck. In 1S60 he was married to Hannah Hare, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1843; she is the mother of children, all of whom are now living: Rinuldon, Viola, William, Charles, Ella and Otto. Politically, Mr. B. is a Demo- crat. He was educated in Germany, where his school advantages were good; he now reads a great deal, both in English and Ger- man, lie owns 80 acres of land on sec. 23, worth about $50 per acre. He had no start in life when he began for himself, but has worked hard during the whole time and has succeeded quite well. Fianna Berlin, farmer, sec. 13; P. O., Locke; is the daughter of Christian and Anna (Rhodes) Slabaugh, and was born in Penn- sylvania in 1824; her parents are both deceased and were natives of Pennsylvania ; her father died in Ohio over 30 years ago and her mother in this county in 18G5. Mrs. B. was married in Ohio in 1851 to Solomon Berlin, who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1827. and died Sept. 22, 1872. He was the son of John and Susanna (Hoflman) Berlin, was a Republican, and a member of the Masonic lodge at Wakarusa; was also a member of the United Brethren Church. Mrs. B. owns 105 acres of land on sec. 13, 1056 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. M-liicli she values at $60 per acre. Slie is the mother ot 4 childreu, of whom 2 are now living: Francis E. and Warren E., both at home. Jidia Berlin, daughter of Christian and Nancj' (Ehodes) Sla- baiigh, both of whom are now deceased, was born in Portage county, Ohio. May 31, 1S33. Her parents were both natives of Pennsyl- vania. Mrs. B., the subject of this sketch, is -a member of the United Brethren Church. She was married Sept. 13, 1851, to Josiah Berlin, who was born in Ohio June 2-1, 1834. He was the son of John D. and Susanna (Hoffman) Berlin, and died in Elk- hart county March 27, 1864. Politically, he was a Eepublican. Mrs. B. is the mother of 2 children: George L. and Charles E. She is now residing in Xappanee, and owns 76 acres of land in Locke tp., worth about $3,500. Ct/rus Berlin Court, farmer, sec. 26: P. O., i^appanee. Mr. B. was born in Switzerland in 1831; came to America with his mother when only 12 years of age, and settled in Wayne county, Ohio. He is the son of John P. and Lizzie (Parrow) Berlin Court. His father died in 1839, and his motlier about 1868; both were natives of Switzerland. Mr. B. came to this county in Novembei-, 1853. and settled in this tp., where he still resides. The same year he was married in Wayne county. Ohio, and immediately after his marriage came West. His- wife's maiden name was Anna Haussauer; she was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1829, and is the mother of 11 children, of whom 7 are living: Elizabeth (^wife of David Christner, of Lagrange county r; Catherine, Kachel (wife of xVugust Field, also of Lagrange county); Susanna. Sarah. David, and Fannie. He owns 120 acres of land, worth about §45 per acre. Has been an industrious laborer all his life. Mr. and Mrs. B. are mem- bers of the Amish Church. Robert Berry, farmer, sec. 22; P. O., Locke; he is the son of James and Mary (Walburn") Berry, and was born in Ohio in 1840. His father died in this tp. in February, 1871; his mother is still living; both natives of Ohio. They came to this county in Sep- tember, 1839, and settled in this tp. Mr. B. was married March 10, 1861, to Kebecca Conner, who was born in Ohio June 7, 1840. She is the mother of 8 children, 7 of whom are living: Mary M., Eliza A., Jane, Laroua, Nellie, Wesley, and Nora. Politically, Mr. B. is a Democrat; owns 40 acres of land on sec. 22, worth about $1,400. John G. Blessing, farmer, sec. 25; P. O., Locke; was born in Ger- many in 1849, and came to America in 1866. He is the son of Christian and Christina (Coppenhaver) Blessing; his father is still living. Mr. B. came to Elkhart county in 1866, and to this tp. in 1875. He was married in this tp. in 1875, to Sarah Blyley, who was born in this tp. in 1845, and is now the mother of 3 children, all of whom are living: Huldah, Rosina and Herman. Politicalh', Mr. B. is a Democrat. He owns 40 acres of land on sec. 24, worth about $40 per acre. HISTORY OF ELKHABT COUNTY. 1057 Benjamin CJouse. farmer, sec. 15; P. O., Locke. Mr. C. was born in Pennsylvania in 1S27, and is the son of John and Susanna (Snyder) Clouse, both of whom are now dead, and were natives of Pennsylvania. They came to this county about 1850; here they both died. In 1855 Mr. C. was united in marriage with Lydia Fink, who was born in Ohio in 1S38; she is the mother of 11 chil- dren, of whom 10 are living: William, Chancy. Frank, Rosa, Emanuel, Susanna, Jutchen, Edward, Daniel and Lewis. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the United Brethren Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He owns 80 acres of good farming land, worth about Sio per acre. Samuel D. Coppes, farmer, sec. 12; P. O., jSJappanee; was born in Medina county, Ohio, March 22, 1844. and is of English-German descent. He is tlie son of Jacob and Sarah (Fravel) Coppes; the latter is living in Locke tp., and is a native of Pennsylvania; the former, also a native of the same State, died in 1876. They came to this county about 1850, and first settled in Harrison tp. Mr. C. was married in this county March 12, 1868, to Elizabeth Berlin, who was born in Ohio in 1S42, and they have had 7 chil- dren, of whom 5 are now living: Harvey, Frank, Clora, Delia and Lillie. Politically, Mr. C. is a Eepuhlican. His educational advan- tages were not very good, but he is a great reader. He owns 80 acres of land on sec. 12, which he values at about $65 per acre. He has been a very hard-working, industrious farmer all his life and had no start when he began for himself. WiUiam B. Cowan, dealer in hardware at Nappanee, is the son of Joseph and Phebe (Bird) Cowan, both of whom died in this county, the former in 1873 and the latter in 1870. Mr. C. was born in Clarke county, Ohio, Dec. 30, 1820, and is of Dutch- English-Irish descent. Parents came to this county in 1834 and first settled in Jackson tp. ; there they both lived and died. The subject of this sketch came to Locke tp. in 1878 and engaged ia business at Nappanee. He was married in 1855 to Elizabeth Kirshner, who was born in Ohio in 1826; she is the mother of 5 children, of whom 2 are living: Samuel S. and Phebe J. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the English Reformed Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advantages were limited to a few months' school in the winter time; however, he is a self-made man. He owns 303 acr^s of land in Texas which he has never seen. Mr. C. was Justice of the Peace of Jackson tp. for 14 years: he also held the office of Constable in that tp., and is at present School Trustee of Locke tp. lie is a good business man and an upright and highly respected citizen of the town in which he lives. Mention of his business interests has already been made. Thomas Earl, farmer and brick-maker, sec. 2; P. O., AVakarusa. Mr. E. was born in England Dec. 29, 1829, and came to America Dec. 3, 1848. He is the son of John and Mary (Mills) Earl. He came to this county in 1853 and remained about 20 months, when he went to New Tork and from there to Europe. After returning 1058 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. to New York and remaining there for a time, he again (1859) came to this county and settled permanently. lie was married in 1856 to Mary A. Stevenson, who was born in England in 1S33; she is now the mother of 5 children, of whom 4 are living: Thomas K., "Wallace, Evarissa and Edward E. Politically, Mr. E. is a Demo- crat, lie and his wife are members of the Christian Church. He owns 100 acres of land on sec. 2, worth about $60 per acre. He has been a farmer all his life, and has also made brick for a num- ber of years. He has now a brick-kiln on his farm where he, in connection with D. K. Longenecker, makes brick, mostly for home iise. George W. Ely, a prominent and highly respectable citizen of this tpj, is a son of John W. and Yeronica (Weaver) Eby, and was born in Ontario. Canada, in 1829. His father was born in Penn- sylvania in 1807. and is now residing in Ontario; his mother, also a native of Pennsylvania, died there about 40 years ago. Mr. E.'s forefathers on his father's side settled in Pennsylvania in 1717, and on his mother's side, in 1732. Mr. Eby came to this county in 1857; in 1850 he was united in marriage to Lydia Weaver, who was born in Ontario, Canada, in 1834, and is the mother of 10 children, of whom, unfortunately, only 1 is now living, namely, Lydia. Mr. E. has held the office of Justice of the Peace; is an Odd Fellow; his excellent wife is a member of the Mennonite Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. He now reads and writes both German and English. In 1866 he helped lay out the town of Locke, and soon after started a general merchandise and lumber business; he retired from business in 1877, and commenced farm- ing, where he now resides, as a successful tiller of the soil, on sec. 13, where he owns 160 acres of land. P. O., Locke. Ellas Fisher, farmer, sec. 14; P.O., Locke; was born in Ohio in 1842, and is of German-English descent; he is a son of Absalom and Charity (Rush) Fisher; his mother is living in this tp., and his father died in the tp. in 1866. His parents came to this tp. in 1851; in 1865 he was united in marriage to Matilda A. Furguson, who was born in Lake county, Ind., in 1843, and is the mother of 6 children, of whom 3 are now living: Elias E., John L. and Joseph B. Mr. F. has been Assessor. Politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advantages were poor, but he has taught himself to a considerable extent. He owns 100 acres of land, of which 60 are under cultivation, worth about $50 per acre. Mr. F. has worked diligently all his life, has been a carpenter and also has run a saw- mill. He is now a farmer, and is an obliging neighbor, an honest, enterprising, successful man. John Freed, farmer, sec. 3; P. O., Wakarusa; is the son of Jacob and Anna (Freed) Freed, and was born in Ohio in 1824. His father came to this county in 1852. In 1844 Mr. F. was married in Ohio, to Miss Catharine Newcomer, who was born in Ohio in 1824, and died in 1866; she was the mother of 8 children, of whom 4 are living: Jabob, Paul, Henry and Samuel. He was married HISTOKT OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 1059 secondly, in 1867, to Catharine Boyer, who was born in 1824; she is the mother of 16 cliildren,ofwhom only 2 are living. Politically, Mr. F. is a Republican; he owns 136 acres of land, worth about $60 per acre. David Gentzhorn, saloon-keeper at Nappanee, is a son of David and Fannie (Smith) Gentzhorn, both of whom died in Pennsyl- vania; the latter was a native of that State, and the former of Ger- many. Mr. G. was born in Pennsylvania in 1842, and is of German descent. He came to this county in the fall of 1863, and first located at Goshen, where he was first a day-laborer and after- ward ran a restaurant and saloon there. He was married in 1868 to Caroline Clouse, who was born in Ohio in 1848; she is the mother of 7 children, of whom 5 are living: Charles F., Harvey A., Birdie, James M. and one unnamed. Mr. and Mrs. G. are mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advantages were limited, but he is a faithful reader at present. He engaged in business at Nappanee in 1876, and is now running a first-class saloon, doing a good business; keeps the Toledo beer. Owns town property worth about $1,300. John Hartman, son of Adam and Elizabeth (Ramer) Hartman, both of whom are living in Union tp., was born in Elkhart county, Ind., in 1852, and is of German descent. He came to this tp. in 1875, and engaged in business in the town of Locke. He was mar- ried in June, 1878, to Rebecca Peters, who was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1858. Politically, Mr. H. is a Democrat. He is now residing in Locke, and is engaged in business at that place, being one of the partners of the firm of J. & J. Hartman. Mention of their business interests has already been made in the history of the tp. AsKer Lockwood is a prominent farmer on sec. 3; P. O., Wakarusa; is the oldest settler of the tp. now living. He was born in Windsor county, Vt., Nov. 18, 1832, and is of English descent paternally, and French maternally; he is the son of Samuel and Sarah (House) Lockwood. They came to this county in the fall of 1836 and settled in this tp., being the first settlers by about 10 days. Here they lived, amid the' forests of tall trees and in the wilderness of a wild and almost unsettled country. His father died Dec. 18, 1846, and his mother Jan. 11, 1858; they are both buried on the farm on which they first settled and on which Asiier, the subject of this sketch, now resides. Since the burial of his mother a tail tree has grown above her grave, and beneath its mass- ive roots they lie there, buried side by side, the first pioneers of Locke tp. In 1860 Mr. L. was married, in this county, to Matilda Whitmore, who was born in Ohio June 11, 1843; their union has been blessed with 11 children, of whom 6 are now living: Clara, Flora, Ellen, Ettie, Samuel and Lera. Mr. L. is a member of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. When we consider the circumstances with which young Asher was surrounded when a boy, it is needless to say that his advantages for securing 1060 BISTORT OF ELKHART COCNTT. an education were extremely limited; during his wjiole life he has gone to school but three mouths. He owns SO acres of land, well improved and excellent for farming purposes, on sec. 3, on which he resides, worth about s75 per acre; he owns also SO acres on sec. 10, worth about §40 per acre. He has a saw-mill on his farm, which was built 27 years ago, and is the oldest one in the tp. Mr. L. is a hard-working, industrious and successful farmer, an honor- able and upright Christian man, who strives to live consistently with his profession. Robinson Loney, a farmer on sec. 27; P. 0., Locke; is the son of Kichard and Rebecca (Kirkpatrick) Loney, and was born in Knox county, Ohio, March 11, 1832. He came to this county -in 1S53 and settled where he now lives; owns SO acres of good land, which he values at about §50 per acre. His educational advantages were poor. He is a Democrat. Mr. L. was married in 1852 to Eachel Hall, who was born in Ohio in 1S32; she is the mother of 9 children, of whom 6 are living: Ann (wife of Christian Pippin- ger), Mary (wife of Adam Pletcher. both of Marshall county), Harriett (wife of E. W. Culp, of this tp.), George, John and Manda. Charles Miller, proprietor of a saw-mill at the town of Locke. Mr. M. was born in Germany in 18o-±, and came to America in 1854, settling first in Canada, where he remained eight years, and then went to Colorado; after having remained there two years he came to this tp. He was married in Canada in 185S to Rebecca Troyer, svho was born in Canada and died in 1875, leaving 4 chil- dren and a husband to mourn her loss: Mary A. (wife of Albert Eddline, of New Paris), Martha J.. Elizabeth L. and Cora. Mr. M. has been Assessor of the tp. for nine years, and was also appointed Census Enumerator for the year 18S0. Politically, he is a Republican. He was educated in German}', and now both reads and writes German and English, He owns 28 acres of land on sec. 24, worth about §1,500, and he is also a partner in a mill, doing general wood-work of all kinds, and of which mention has already been made. Martin. H. Morlaii. miller at Locke, he is a son of Hosea and Ann (Ingledue) Morlan, both of whom were natives of Pennsylva- nia and died in Ohio. He was born in Ohio Dec. 30,1835; his father was killed at a barn-raising when Martin, the subject of this sketch, was quite young ; his parents were the earliest settlers in the eastern part of Ohio and came to this tp. in 1858: Mr. M. was married in September, 1860, to Amy Winder, a native of Ohio; she is the mother of 8 children, 6 of whom are now living : Hilbert, Clara A.. Mary S., Elihu and two others. Mr. M. is now the Jus- tice of the Peace of this tp. Politicall}', he is a Republican. His wife is a member of the United Brethren Church. He owns 35 acres of land on sec. 24, which he values at about §50 per acre. He has rented a half interest in the grist-mill at Locke, and is at pres- ent engaged in that business. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. 1061 Jacob D. Myers, farmer, sec. 1 ; P. O., Wakarusa; wasboru in Ohio in 1835, and is of Pennsylvania Dutcli descent ; he is the son of John and Sarah (Longenecker) Myers ; the hitter is living in Ohio and is a native of that State ; his fatlier died in.Ohio in 1854, and was a native of Pennsylvania. Mr. M. came to this county in 1863 ; he was married in 1858, to Catharine Wisler, who was born in Ohio in 1830 ; they have 2 children, both of whom are liv- ing : Isaac W. and Leah M. Politically, Mr. M. is a Republican, his wife is a member of the Mennonite Church ; he owns 80 aci"es of excellent land on sec. 1 and 40 acres on sec. 4. John M. Pa.rson, practicing physician and surgeon in the town of Locke; he is the son of Jacob E. and Caroline M. (Mulberry) Paxson, was born in 1842, and is of Scotch-German descent. lie came to this county in 1856 and to this tp. in May, 1879, and set- tled at Locke, where he has since resided. In 1866 he was married to Almira Rogers, who was born in Xew York in 1843 ; they have had 3 children: Coral B., Lulu M. and Grace. The Doctor is a mem- ber of the Masonic lodge and is, politically, a Republican ; his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. The Doctor's educational ad- vantages when young were (j^uite limited. He commenced the study of medicine about seven years ago and has been practicing about four years. He enjoys a good practice, amounting to about $2,000 annually. Will F. Feddyeord, Justice of the Peace of Locke tp., was born in Fulton county, Ohio, in 1846. and is of Irish descent ma- ternally, and Irish-English paternally; he is the 6th in a family of 10 children, of whom 8 are now living, and whose parents were John and Elizabetii (Graham) Peddycord ; the latter died in May, 1879. and the former about two years previous; both were natives of Ohio. Mr. P. came to Elkhart county in November, 1874, and settled in the town of Locke, where he engaged in the drug business, with the intention of watching the then probable growth of Hap- panee. He remained in Locke until the' spring of 1875, when he removed to Nappanee, where he now resides. In this place he continued in the drug business until February. 1877 ; however, the previous November he was elected Justice of the Peace of Locke tp. He is a member of the Odd Fellows lodge at Nappanee, No. 575. and was one of the charter members of that organization. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Church; politically, he is a Republican. In 1870 Mr. P. was united in matrimony to Mary E. Vaugim, who was born in Holmes county. Ohio, in 1844 ; they have had 2 children: Lulu and Frankie. He is one of the enter- prising young men of Nappanee and represents the Hartford, Phojnix and ^tna Fire Insurance Companies ; is also collection agent. Daniel Philips, a farmer on sec. 22 ; P. O., Locke. Mr. P. is the son of Brice and Honor (Durbin) Philips, both natives of Mary- land, and are living in Ohio. He was born in 1830, and came to this county about 1850. He was married in this county in 1853, 1062 HISTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. to Mary Berry, who was born in Ohio in 1833, and is the mother of 1 child, namely, Reuben. Mr. P.'s educational advantages were poor. He and his wife are members of the United Breth- ren Church. . , He owns 99J acres of land on sec. 22, worth about $50 per acre. Fred D. Richmond, proprietor of the Nappanee House, ]N ap- panee, was born in New York Oct. 28, 1832, and is of American descent. He is a son of Daniel S. and Thankful (^Patterson) Richmond, both of whom are now deceased, the former died in the army in 1864, and the latter in 1856; both were natives of !New York. In 1856 Mr. K. was married to Catharine Berlin, who was born in Ohio in 1830; they have had 3 children, all of whom are now living : Charles (a farmer in Locke tp.,) Byron (a cooper at Bremen) and John (a machinist at Garret.) In 1858, the subject of this sketch came to this county and settled in Locke tp.. where he followed blacksmithing imtil September, 1878. Polit- ically, he is an earnest advocate of the principles of the Republican party; he is a member of the Masonic lodge at Wakarusa, No. 448. His educational advantages were only, such as were afforded by common schools. David H. Rohrer, clerk in the dry-goods and groceiy store of Dietrich A: Co., was born in this county June 10, 1857, of German descent. He is the only child of Henry and Elizabeth(Huntsberger) Rohrer; his mother is now living in Harrison tp. and was born in Pennsylvania in 1831 ; his father died in October, 1857, at the age of 28 years; he was a native of the same State. They came to this county in 185 — and settled in Harrison tp., where his father died. Mr. R., the subject of this sketch, came to this tp. in October, 1878; he was married in the same year to ^ary E. McDonald, who was born in this county May 9, 1858; they have had 1 child, namely, William H. Politically, Mr. R. is a Republican. His opportunities for securing an education were only moderate, being confined to a few months' school in the winter; however, he is one of those self- made young men who never give up, and now he takes an active part in everything of a literary nature, and also speaks German. He owns a dwelling house in Nappanee worth about §1,000, and a business house occupied by Dietrich & Co., worth about $2,000. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm until he came to Xappanee, when he occupied the position of clerk with the above firm. He was formerly with Charpie *fe Fluegel in the same busi- ness at Nappanee until February, 1880. Mr. R. is an enterprising, energetic, business young man. Samuel Ruckman, a carpenter in the town of Locke, was born in Ohio in 1833, and is of English-German descent; he is a son of James and Hannah (Hoffman) Ruckman, both of whom are living in Ohio; the former is a native of Virginia and the latter of Ohio. Mr. R. emigrated to this county in 1859 and located permanently in this tp. in 1860. His educational advantages were very limited. Politically, he is a Republican. He owns 20 acres of land on sec. HISTORY OF ELKIIAET COUNTT. 1063 21, wliich he values at $1,000. He has worked industriously dur- ing his whole life. In 1S60 he was united in matrimony to Miss Sarah Wisler, born in Ohio in 1836; they have had 3 children, all of whom are living; Martha J. (a school-teacher), John J. and Emma 1. Mr. and Mrs. K. are zealous members of the United Brethren Church. They are also earnest laborers for the cause ot temperance, and Mr. R. is Superintendent of the Sunday-school at the United Brethren Church. Sarah A. S'dshiiry, fanner in sec. 13; P. O., Locke; is the daugh- ter of Joseph and Amy (Taylor) Winder, and was born in Portage county, O., in 1S31, and is of German descent; her mother, who is a native of Pennsylvania, is now living in Nappanee; her father, a native of the same State, died in 1S50. Mrs. S. was married in Ohio in 1S49, to Joseph Miner, who was born in Ohio in 1826, and died in the array in 1S63; he was the son of Thomas and Mary (Hoffman) Miner. Mr. and Mrs. S. had i children, all of whom are living; Josephine, the wife of Jacob S. Stutsman, a farmer of Harrison tp.; Mary, tbe wife of Samuel Helman, a tiirmer of Jef- ferson tp.; Perry L. and Ella L.,both at home. In 1S6S Mrs. S. was married to Uavid Salsbury, who is now living in Wyoming Terri- tory. She came to this county with her first husband in 1852, and settled where she still resides; she owns 70 acres of land which she values at about $-10 per acre. Susanna Sander, farmer, sec. 13; P. O., Nappanee; is the daugh- ter of Henry and Lydia (Mellinger) Stauffer; her father is now liv- ing with her and was born in Ohio in 1812; her mother, also a native of Ohio, died in 1877. Mrs. S. was born iu Ohio in 1839, and is of German-English descent; her parents came to this county in May, 1850, and settled in Union tp.; in 1856 she was married to Daniel Sander, who was born in Ohio in 1825, and died in 1877; he was a Republican and a member of the Mennonite Church; Mrs. S. is also a member of the same Church; owns 81 acres of land, valued at about $50 per acre; is tlie mother of i ciiildren, of whom 2 are living: Henry and Mary. Dr. C. H. Sohioarts, practicing physician and surgeon at Nap- panee, was born in Switzerland in ISiO, and came to this country in 1852, settling in Holmes county, Ohio; he is the son of Nich- olas and Elizabeth (Kuntz) Schwartz; his father is living in Ohio; mother died in Switzerland in 181:7; both natives of that country. The Doctor came to this county in 1872, and located at Middle- bury; came to Nappanee in November, 1876. In 1868 he was married, to Sivilla Rohrer, who was born iu Holmes county, Ohio, in 1848; they have had S children, of whom 7 are living: Rosetta A., John A., Mary E., Ida E., William E., Charles W. and Atlee E. The Doctor has been Tp. Clerk, and Clerk of Board of Educa- tion in Holmes county, Ohio. He and his wife are members of the German Reformed Church ; politically, lie is a Democrat. He began the study of medicine in 1869 at Cleveland, Ohio, and began 1064 mSTOET OF ELKHAET COUNTY. tlie practice of it in 1872. At Xappanee, where he now resides, he enjoys a good practice of about $2,000 annually. Mo-^es C. StahJy, farmer, sec. 36; F. O., Nappanee; son of Christian and Fannie (Hanssaner) Stahly,was born in Union tp., of this county, in 1849, and is of German extraction. His parents are living in Union tp., and came to this county about 1840. His father was a native of Germany, and his mother of Ohio. He set- tled in this tp. in 1S74; he was married in 1ST2 to Mary Xicely. who was born in Ohio in 1S51. and they have 4 children, of whom 3 are now living: Mattie. Emma and Fannie. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Araish Church. His education, when young, was limited; owns SO acres of land, on which he lives, worth about $50 per acre. He is a hard-working, industrious man and farmer. John Tintsman, a miller in the town of Locke, was born in Ohio in 1834, and is the son of Mark. and Susanna (Bowers^ Tintsman, both of whom are natives of Fennsylvania and residents of this tp.; they came to this county in 1S50, and settled where they now reside. The subject of this sketch came to Locke in 1S7S and engaged in business at this place. (For mention of his business see history of the tp.) In 1856 he was married to Sinah J. Plat- ter, born in Indiana in 1838, and they have had 11 children, of whom 5 are now living: John A.. Lillie S., Katie A., Charles H. and Mata J.; Mrs. T. is a member of the Evangelical Church. His educational advantages were such as were afforded by common schools; politically, he is a Republican. He is an upright man and a prominent citizen in his community. W. L. Tucker, son of Loton and Sarah (Mallory) Tucker, was born in Vermont in 1827, and is of French-English descent; his mother is living in Michigan, and -is a native of A'ermont; his father, a native of France, died in 1830. Mr. T. came to this county in 1833. and after living in Concord tp. three years removed to Michigan; after traveling about considerably in Michigan, Mis- souri and St. Joseph county, he finally came to tliis tp. and entered into the saw-milling business here, mention of which has been already made. JEIe was married in 1850 to Elizabeth Clinda- nell, a native of Delaware, and they have 3 children: Cora, Bion and Mabel. Mr. T. has held the office of Constable, and is a mem- ber of the Odd Fellows' lodge at Niles, Michigan, Xo. 6. Politi- cally, he is a Republican. W. F. Urich, dealer in agricultural implements and insurance agent at Xappanee, was born in Pennsylvania in 1851, and is of German-Scotch descent; he is the son of G. P. and Harriet j^Zeller) Urich, both of whom are natives of Pennsylvania and are now liv- ing near Philadelphia. Mr. U. came to this State in 1870, and settled in St. Joseph county, where he lived one year, and then went to Noble county; there he lived until 1878, when he came to Nappauee. He was married in 1875 to Frances C. Shull, who was born in Ohio in 1856, and they have 1 child. Amy E. Mr. U. is a member of the Lutheran Church, and politically is a Republican. HISTORY OF KLKHART COUNTY. 1065 His educational advantages vrere good; lie was educated at the col- lege in Sandusky, Ohio, from which institution he graduated in 1S6S. and after his graduation was principal of the same for a year and a half. Mr. U. at one time was a dry-goods merchant, aijd also a traveling salesman for a house in Philadelphia; he engaged in business at Nappanee in 1878, and has always on hand a complete stock of agricultural implements in their season; is also agent for the American sewing-machine; represents two life insurance com- panies, the York, of Pennsylvania, and is general agent for the State of Indiana of the Keystone Mutual, of Pennsylvania. He is doing a good business, and is one of the prominent business men of Nappanee. Jacob S. Walters, druggist, was born in Union tp., of this county, in 1S55, and is of German extraction; he is a son of Eustace and Elizabeth (Hartman) Walters; his mother is now living in Union tp.; his father died there in 1868. Mr. W. came to this tp. in 1877, and engaged in business, as already mentioned in the history of the tp. He was married in 1879 to Henrietta Burkholder, who was born in Wisconsin in 1859; they have 1 child, Arthur. His wife is a member of the Evangelical Church. Politi- cally, Mr. AV. is a Republican, and is a member of the Masonic lodge. » J. _£'. Wehli/, a prominent farmer on sec. 10; P. O., Wakarnsa; was born in Ohio in 1SJ:7, and is of Pennsylvania Dutch descent; he is the son of John and Anna (Kitch^i Weldy; both are now de- ceased and were natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. W. came to this county in 1869. and located where "he now lives; he was married"in Ohio in 1868, to Susanna Mumaw, who was born in Ohio in 1847; their 6 children are all living : George, Jacob, Daniel, Amos, Silas and Martin. Politically, Mr. W. is a Republican ; he and wife are members of the Mennonite Church. His educational ad- vantages were limited; he owns 130 acres of land on sec. 10, worth about $50 per acre. Zeivis B. Winder was born in Bioomfield tp., Crawford county, Pa., April 26, 1825, and is of English descent; be is the oldest in a family of 8 children, of whom 6 are now living; their parents were Caleb G. and Margaret (Bioomfield) Winder; the former was born in New Jersey, in 1800, and died July 1, 1844; the latter was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, in 1811, and died in 1846; the tp. in which she was born was named after his great-grand- father on his mother's side, who was one of the pioneer settlers in Crawford county. Pa., when the parents of Mr. W. were married and settled down in active life. They first located in Crawford county. Pa., where 4 sons were born, Lewis being the eldest. After having lived there a few years, they removed to Randolph tp., Portage Co., O., where they both died and lie buried on the same land which they formerly owned; here they peacefully rest, sleeping that sleep the loveliest since it dreams the least. In January, 1865, Mr. W. came to Indiana and bought land from John R. Davis, on sec. 24 of 1066 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. this tp.; this land he still owns and occupies; bnt in the meantime he has purchased iO acres more on the same section. He was first married, Sept. 14, 18-48, to Sarah A. "Walker, who was born in Ohio Dec. 10, 1829, and is the daa,a;hter of Thomas and Hannah (Batter- shell) Walker; she died in this tp. Aug. 22, 1871, being the mother of 2 children, Malissa and Emma; the former died when quite young, and the latter is the wife of Jacob Pippinger, a farmer of this tp., Oct. 1, 1SY5. Mr. W. was married to Mary A, Ber- lin, daughter of John D. and Susan (Hofman) Berlin, who was born in Ohio in 1838 ; when a l)oy, he had only the advantages for an education which were aftbrded by subscription schools in log houses, until he was 12 years of age; and even then, being the eld- est in his father's family, it was often inconvenient for him to attend school, frequently being compelled to remain at home and perform manual labor with his father, who was a farmer, and also a hatter by trade. Mr. W. relates quite a remarkable little story concerning his father, which will not here be out of place. He learned the trade ot a hatter at Brownsville, Pa., and afterward went to Natchez while yet unmarried, and remained there until he was shipped to St. Louis, as an invalid from the yellow fever; hence he began a wan- dering jaurney on foot, through the Western States; after having journeyed for 14 years, during which time no one knew aught of bis whereabouts, he returned to the home of his boyhood days, supposing himself to have traveled about 2,500 miles. Mr. W. is now living in the village of Locke, which town he assisted in laying out in the year 186 — , a part of it upon his own land. He now owns and controls the farm, but is engaged at present in carrying the mail from Nappanee to Goshen by way of Locke and Wakarusa; he has been in this business ever since 1869. Mr. W. is one of the enterprising men of Locke tp., who has been more or less intimately connected with its history ever since iie has been a resident of it, and who has thus deserved more than a pass- ing notice in doing justice to the history of this tp. He is a man who reads a great deal; has worked industriously all his life, and is an upright, highly respected citizen of the community in which he resides. Alpheus Wisler, farmer, sec. 15; P. O., Locke; is a brother of the following mentioned, and was born in Ohio in 1844. He was united in marriage in 1867 with Catharine (Jlery, who was born in Union tp., this county, in 1848; she is the daughter of Daniel and Mary (Davenport) Ulery, and has 3 children, all of whom are living: Daniel U., Leander E. and Curtis E. Politically, Mr. W. is a Republican; his educational advantages were fair, and he reads a great deal. He owns 107 acres of good farming land on sec. 15, worth about $45 per acre; has on it a neat little trame house, which he built in 1874, at a cost of $1,200. Anthony Wider, farmer, sec. 1; P. O., "Wakarusa; was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Aug. 8, 1838, and is of Pennsylvania HISTORif OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1067 Dutch descent. He is a brother to Isaac, Alpheus and Jonas "Wis- ler, mentioned on these pages. He was married in this county Oct. 9, lSti3, to Mary M. Freed, who was born in Ohio in 1842; she is the mother of S children, of whom 7 are now living: Sophia A., Margaret A., L3'dia A., Henrietta A., Cornelius O., Ella A. and Nellie A., the latter two being twins. Politicall}-, Mr. W. is a Republican. He and wife are devoted members of the Mennonite Church. His educational advantages were few, but he reads a great deal; owns 100 acres of good land on sec. 1, which he values at about $50 per acre. Mr. W. is one of the many industrious and successful farmers of his community. Isaac Wider, a prominent farmer and influential citizen of this tp., was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in 1829, and is of Penn- sylvania Dutch descent; lie is a son of John and Sophia (Staufler) Wisler, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to this county in the fall of 1849; his mother died in Union tp. in July, 1877, and his father is still living in that tp. His brothers are mentioned on these pages. Mr. W. came to this State in 1849, and settled in this tp. in the spring of 1853; he came with his parents from Ohio. He was married in 1858 to Kebecca M. Winder, who was born in Ohio in 18 — , and they have had 7 children, of whom 6 are now living: Oliver P., Jonas M., Albert L., Mary J., Elizabeth xV. and Addie; all are at home. Mr. "\V. has held the office of Justice of the Peace for 12 years and School Trustee three and a half years, also Assessor one terra. Politically, he is a Republican. His edu- cational advantages were rather limited, being compelled to attend school in log houses with slab seats; however, he is a great reader and speaks the German language. He owns 160 acres of land, 80 on sec. 24 and SO on sec. 23 ; the former tract is worth about $60 per acre and the latter about §15 per acre. He has been a hard-working man all his life, having had no start when he began for himself. By trade he is a blacksmith, boiler-maker, machinist and jeweler; he is now an industrious and successful farmer on sec. 24; P. O., Locke. Jonas Wisler, brother of the three preceding, is a farmer on sec. 14; P. O., Locke. In 1853 he was married in this county to Elizabeth J. Wilson, who was born in Virginia in 1834; she is the daughter of Samuel and Mary AA'"ilson and is the mother of 7 chil- dren, of whom 4 are now living: .John W., Ella J., Mary S. and Sarah A. Mr. W. is a Republican. His advantages for securing an education when young were quite limited; his father, being a distiller in Ohio, furnished an abundance of work for his children in their boyhood days. He owns 80 acres of well-improved land on sec. 14, worth about $5,000; also 100 acres on sec. 13, which he values at $50 per acre. Has been a farmer all his life, but in 1853 he with his two brothers, moved to where the village of Locke now stands and started a machine-shop, doing general wood-work, as 1068 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. turning wooden bowls and the like; there lie remained till the fall of 1864, when he returned to his farm. George A. Yoder, son of Jacob and Barbara (Miller) Yoder, was born in Pennsylvania in lS5i, and is of German descent. His par- ents, who were natives of Pennsjlvania. are now both deceased. Mr. T. came to this county in February. 1S79; he was married in 1876 to Mary Miller, who was born in Ohio in 1855; she is the mother of 2 children, both living: Edward and Eleanora. He and wife are members of the Mennonite Church; politically, he is a Kepublican. His educational advantages were limited. He owns a house and lot in town, worth about SSOO. He is an equal partner in the firm of Xittrower ct Yoder, whose business interests have already been mentioned. MIDDLEBUKY TOWNSHIP. This is considered one of the finest townships in this favored county, and for agricultural purposes is not surpassed by any. "Where less than 50 years ago the deer and wolf roamed at will, the native red man their only enemy, are now handsome school-houses, residences and well cultivated fields. The native forests have dis- appeared, and by the energy and skill of the sturdy pioneer, instead of dense tracts of hickory, oak. and maple, which covered the fertile soil, we now behold the sweet fields of corn, broad acres of waving wheat, numerous herds of thoroughbred stock grazing in green pastures; indeed, every evidence of wealth and prosperity. To those who opened up and developed the wonderful resources of Middle- bnry, the present and coming generations will owe eternal gratitude. They suflfered untold privations and inconveniences, labored with unflagging industry and will, receiving only a meager compensa- tion for their toil. They were far distant from their friends and their old homes, and with restricted means of communication with them. The pioneers were encouraged and sustained with the hope of soon establishing comfortable homes for themselves and their families, and with a noble ambition of conferring on posterity bless- ings which shall ever be a monument to their memories. The first pioneers who came to this township were Enoch "Wood- bridge and family, who settled here in 1832, and after a brief period these were followed by settlers both south and north ot the now flourishing town of Middlebury. Also on the State road east of Middlebury a Mr. AVhittlesy had settled adjoining the premises of the Trusdell family. Mr. Solomon L. Hixon, from whom many of these facts are obtained, and whose eventful life is sketched on another page, is undoubtedly the oldest pioneer settler of the town- ship now living. He came March 4, 1S34. At this early day the pioneer families were to a great extent cut off from nearly all social, religious, educational and commercial ad- vantages. They were people who greatly valued such privileges; and though they were for some time without school-houses and churches, easily found the facilities for enjoying themselves both socially and religiously. Middlebury has always been proud of her 63 " (10G9) 1070 HISTOKr OF ELKiiAKT COUSTT. schools, and according to lier population stands second to none in the county, and perhaps in the State. The inhabitants of Middle- bnrvNTere eminently religious. Preaching and prayer-meetings were had at private houses until better accommodations could be obtained. At Sugar Grove. some three and one-half miles southeast of iliddlebury of Charm postoffice. is located the German Baptist church, which was built in 1S42 by tlie Xew-School Presbyterians, and afterward purchased from them by the former denomination. On section 27, some two miles south of Middlebury. is located a Lutheran church, which has quite a laj-ge membership, and is in a prosperous condition. The other churches of the township are situated in tlie town of Middlebury, and the histories of the two are so closely identified that we pass from the history of the township to that of the town. Perhaps one of the most prosperous inland towns of Elkhart county is the little town of Middlebury. teeming with all the life, vigor, energy and enterprise of cities boasting of more inhabitants and more metropolitan in character. In this, our history of the town and its worthy inhabitants, we shall turn the leaves of time gently backward until we shall have arrived at the you- 1S32. when the township of Middlebury was settled by Enoch Woodbridge and family, who emigrated from Vermont. Three years later the town of Middlebury was platted by Winslow, Warren and Brown, who were then and subsequently ranked among the more intelli- gent and progressive citizens of the count}' of Elkhart. As the county became settled the town grew in a corresponding ratio to the wealth of its citizens. The first building was used as an inn or frame hotel, and was erected by Wm. T. Hunter, who moved from Ohio, and catered to the wants of the public as a hotel proprietor for a number of years. Geo. S. Sayer and John C. Case about the same time completed two substantial frame build- ings, and in connection with Swan & Earl, Geo. Sayer was among the first merchants of the pioneer village. S. L. Hixon, from whom this sketch is obtained, remembers other merchants. Chas. A. Dole and Jas. S. Dole, who are described as wide-awake, active business men, who at one time embarked in the distilling business, located near the site of the present grist and saw-mill. This was built by Cornelius Northup, and at first used as a saw-mill and ultimately also as a flouring mill. The distillery we have referred to seems not to have been a success financially; neither its rival, located on the wagou-road to Goshen. Benj. G. HISTORY OF ELKHART CO^^'TT. 1071 Evau# was the first ^wstinaster, and attended quietly to the duties of this vocation in the family residence. Dr. Cornell was the first justice of the peace, his jurisdiction extending over four townships, includins; Middlebnry. The first saw-inill alluded to at the open- ing of this narrative was built by the Woodbridges in the spring of lS3Jr. The erection of tiie flouring mill followed two years later. A man name*.! Hawkins kept the first blacksmith shop. The first wiigon-maker was Daniel C. Bishop. Cliurch services by those of the Methodist denomination were first held at a school-house, erected for worship and secular instruc- tion in 1S36. Rev. Ira "Woodwonh was the first resident local preacher. Nancy A. Hixon, first wife ot S. L. Hixon. w,as the first Sabbatli-school teacher. The first children born were those of S. L. Hixon and Wm. T. Bentley, in ISoo . The first death was that of John iloore, tran- sient, a land explorer, who died quite suddenly at the residence of John C. Holmes in August. 1831. The first couple married were Horace "Woodbridge aud Miss Blanchard. The first physician was Ceph:\s Dunning, who came in 1S34. The first residences in the village were log cabins built by S. L. Hixon, the "Woodbridges and 1-t neighbors, including their sons, kindly assisting Mr. Hixon at the " raising " of his cabin, as it was termed. It would, perhaps, be deemed superfluous to note in detail the many prosperous merchant and business men of Middlebnry at this writing, as many of them honor our pages in biographical sketches that will cause them to live in the memory of a new race, whose footsteps tend toward the mature years of manhood aud woman- hood. Foster it White are among the leading merchants of the place, and carry a first-class line of dry-goods and groceries. A. S. Gross is also among the shrewd and more progressive merchants. In this line there can also be mentioned with commendable pride C. Stoots and "VTilliam Miller. The trade in groceries is well and hon- orably represented by C. S. Matlier and Jas. Walters. The druggists are two in number, — Dr. S. E. Martin and Ira J. Woodworth. The physicians of the place are Drs. Martin. Jos. Heatwole, Putt J. G. Smith, Merkin and Ham. Mr. Cope, whose biography appears else- where, has gained a good practice, having no competition in the dentistry line. The hotels of the place are two in number, the City Hotel, pre- sided over by the genial Tom Slater, and the York House, under the management of Michael Heflinger. Messrs, Elliott ».t Foster and 1072 HISTORY OF ELKHART COXINTT. Pence & Koffman transact an extensive business in the hardware line. There are three carriage and wagon manufacturers, who do a thriv- ing business. The names of the gentlemen are Jos. Hutchins, Jacob Kindig and Tony Hoover. There is one livery, owned by A. Griner. A year ago, it is thought, through the efforts of an incen- diary, the extensive planing and saw-mill owned by Wm. Stauffer was destroyed by fire. The present saw-mill is also owned by Stauffer. There is one public graded school, which is taught by il. O. Fisher, principal, Miss Mellington in the primary department and Miss Hill in the intermediate department. The membership is quite full, and the school in a very thriving condition. There are two churches, Methodist and Lutheran; the pastors are Eev. J. T. Blakemore, of the Methodist, and Mr. Erick, of the Lutheran. Last, but by no means least, in the newspaper line, is the Middle- bury Record, a weekly, practical newspaper, devoted to the interests of Middlebury tp. and Elkhart county; an out-spoken, eight-column Republican newspaper. Its circulation is widespread, and its spicy, breezy columns teem with life. Its stirring editorials are a pleas- urable surprise to its many readers, whatever their political pro- clivities may be. The proprietor, Mr. Joel P. Heatwole, began its publication in June, 187S, and his surprising success is due to his literary ability and rare energy. Mr. H. is a son of Dr. H. Heat- wole, a prominent physician of Goshen. The principal excitement since the foundation of the town was the projected railway in 1835, known as the " Buffalo & Mississippi railroad." A corps of surveyors were sent out, and a line near by or in the town staked out for a road, creating no little flutter of ex- citement among the residents. The proposed railroad, however, was finally abandoned — so far, at least, as concerned Elkhart county; and the nearest railway accommodation now is at Vistula, on the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad. PERSONAL SKETCHES. Personal history is even more- important and interesting than any other, and, accordingly, we complete our account of Middle- bnry township with a series of sketches of those individuals who have been most prominently identified with the career of this pros- perous community. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 10Y3 William Abel, a well-known farmer and stock-raiser of Middle- bury tp., was born in New Jersey Dec. 15, 1815, a son of Andrew and Elizabeth (Van Denventer) Abel, who were of English ancestry. They removed to Tompkins county, N. Y., about 1815, where they resided the rest of their lives. Young William, when about 5 years of age, went to live with his grandfather in Yates county, N. Y., where he remained some nine years, and where he received the benefits of a common-school education. When about 1-4 years of age he returned to his home in Tompkins county, and remained there until the death of his father, which occurred about 1835. Mr. Abel about this time learned the carpenter's trade, which business he followed with considerable success in Buffalo, Rochester, Batavia, and other places in New York State for several years. He was married Jan. 8, 1839, to Sarah Owens. They had 2 children, of whom 1 is living: Helen, now the wife of E. H. Billington, a farmer of Shiawassee county, Mich. She is the mother of 2 children — , C. M. Wentworth, born Nov. 12, 1866, and Edna M. Billington, born in January, 1871. Mrs. Abel departed this life Ai;g. 3, 181:6- Mr. A. removed to this county in 1839, and settled Z^ miles south- east of Middlebury, where he remained some three or four years, when lie removed to Milford, Kosciusko county. There he pur- chased a hotel and conducted it two years, when he rented it and removed to Middlebury, where he lived until his purchase of his present home in 1853. Feb. 22, 1819, Mr. Abel was united in marriage to H. Jane Garr, a native of Tompkins county, N. Y., born Oct. 6, 1828. Of this marriage was born T child: Lewis W., Sept. 15, 1853, who died Nov. 15, 1863. Mr. Abel, during some six years of his life, was engaged in the business of grafting, in which he was most successful, and it was conducted by him in the most honorable manner. He has never held any public office, and is a warm supporter of all Christian and charitable objects; is a self- made man; owns 100 acres of as line land as there is in the tp.; is a genial gentleman of the old school, and highly esteemed by all who know him. John B. Beers is a native of Orange county, N. Y., born April 28, 1828, the son of Joseph C. and Mehetabel ("Winters) Beers, of New England ancestry. Young John received such education as the district schools of his neighborhood aflPorded until the age of 15, when he served an apprenticeship to the plastering and bricklaying trade in New York city, and immediately engaged in the business in New Yurk, Brooklyn and in Orange county, N. Y. Was united in marriage in 1852, with Minerva Sherwood, and they have had 4 children, as follows: Henry H., about 26 years of age; Josie C, 21; Frank F., who died at the age of 19. and Jennie, who died at 4 years of age. Mr. B. came to Middlebury in 1852, since which time he has conducted the plastering and bricklaying trade quite extensively in Middlebury and surrounding country, employing at times a good many men, and doing a superior class of work. Is a self-made man and financially successful. 1674 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUKTT. Jonas W. Beers, brother of the preceding, was born in Orange county, X. T., Jnlj 29, 1833. Mr. B. received an ordinary com- mon-school education and assisted on the farm until 16 years of age, when he learned the mason and bricklaying trade, which he was actively engaged in prior to coming to Indiana in ISo-t. lie first located near Bristol, in this county, and followed his calling jointly with farming in that locality for about 20 years, with the exception of about four years, which he spent with his family in Muskegon county, Michigan. He removed to Middlebury in the fall of 1875. Mr. Beers was married in 1856. to Rosetta Lamphear, a native of Orange county, K. Y. They are the parents of -i children, viz.: George M., born Sept. 5, 1857; Charlotte L., Sept. 26, 1862; Bertie S., Jan. 27, 1869; Cora S.. Oct. 25, 1873. Mrs. Beers departed this life March 3, 1876, an exemplary member of the M. E. Church. Mr. B. actively engaged last spring in the grafting business, and sends out several teams and numerous hands in this enterprise. He has been moderately successful in life. Rev. John T. BJakemore, of Middlebury, is among that class of cultured and Christian gentlemen who have gained considerably more than mere local fame, both as clergymen of fine ability in the pulpit, and orators of considerable power during the 'late Presidential campaign. He was born in Alabama March 11, 1849. Joseph Blakemore. the head of the family, was a native of Georgia and the mother of South Carolina. John attended the common schools in Alabama and followed farming until the close of the Rebellion ; managed his father's cotton plantation until 1868, after which he entered the famous Lookout Mountain Institute, under the management of Cecil F. Bancroft, a relative of the famous historian; September, 1873, he entered the AVesleyan University at Athens, Tenn., at which he graduated with honor March 27, 1874. He was married May 28, 1874 to Maggie Ziegler, a native of Tennessee, and they have 2 children living; Blanche and Nancy. Mr. B. was once President of Andrews College, of Alabama, and was also prominently identified with the M. E. Conference, held in that State in 1873. He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Haven, and to the oflice of Elder by Bishop Scott. September, 1879, he resigned the Presidency of Andrews College, where he had suc- cessfully taught 300 students, and was transferred to the Northern Indiana Conference by Bishop Scott and appointed to fill the pastorate at Middlebury Oct. 23, 1879. He is very deservedly popular at Middlebury, and the publishers of this volume predict for him a brilliant and successful future. Henry C. BocJcus, the eldest son of John and Catharine (Green) Bockus, natives of New York, and of German ancestry, who moved to York tp., this county% in 1855. The subject of this sketch was born March 27, 1842; received a fair education in the district schools in New York State, and with his parents came to Indiana in 1855, where his occupation was that of farmer until the breaking out of the Eebellion, when be enlisted in the 12th Mich. Inf., his HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1075 regiment being engaged doing guard duty at Little Rock, Ark., and White river until his term of enlistment had expired, and he •was mustered out of the service at Camden, Ark., Feb. 15. 1S66. Mr. Bockus returned to Lagrange county, and was a successful farmer there for six or seven years, and removed to Middlebury about 1S75, and soon after became proprietor of the City Hotel, •which he conducted in the most popular manner until July 8. ISSO. Mr. B. married in 1S67, iSarah E. Baker. They have 1 child, William Henry, no^^v about 12 years of age, and a pupil of the Middlebury graded school. Mr. Bockus has been quite successful in life; is a self-made man, and a Democrat in politics. John Bockus^ brother of the precediug, was born in Saratoga, X. Y.. March 25. 1S47; received a common-school education and •was employed in farming prior to his enlistment, September, 1864, in the 1st Mich. Yol. Sharpshooters Eegt., and participated in the various engagements which took place after his enlistment in front of Petersburg, and •was mustered out •with his regiment at Detroit, Mich., June 14, 1865. Immediately after the close of the war Mr. Bockus returned to York tp. and resumed his former occupation, that of farming, and in June, 1874, removed to Middlebury. since which time he has been engaged in carrying theU. S. mail between Middlebury and Yistula, making two round trips daily. Mr. Bockus was united in marriage July 5, 1S6S, to Mary Lee. They are the parents of 1 child: Yernon, born June 17, 1S76. Mrs. Bockus is a worshiper in the M. E. Church. Mr. B. has been a member of the Board of Trustees of Middlebury corporation for four terms; has also been President of the Board. He is a worthy and popular citizen. Allen Cope, M. D., dentist, is a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born Xov. 30. 1S52. His parents are Jesse and Elizabeth (McGrew) Cope, natives of Pennsylvania, and of English ancestry. His early education was acquired in the common schools, and when about 21 years of age he commenced the study of dentistry. Upon perfecting his course in the profession, he established himself in his native town, Connellsville, Pa., where he remained about one and a-half years; also practiced in other places in the same State. He came West in 1874. and after considerable practice in Michigan he located in Bristol, this county, where he remained some three years; removed to Middlebury in 1S79, where he is acquiring a large and constantly increasing practice. Dr. C. was married in 1870, to Alice Kantz; they have 1 child, Albert L., born March 16, 1880. The Doctor is a Republican in politics, and for a young man has been moderately snccessful. financially. Moses A. Cordrey, bookseller and stationer, was born in Tuscara- was county, Ohio, Feb. 9. 1836. He is the son of Thomas D. and Sarah (Schuster) Cordrey, natives of Pennsylvania and Oiiio respect- ively, and of Scotch-German ancestry. Mr. Cordrey's parents died during his infancy, and with his brother-in-law he removed to Lagrange county, Ind., in 1845, where he remained some eight 1076 mSTOET OF ELKHART COrXTT. years, and spent bis Tontli in attendance upon the common schools and working upon the farm. He came to Middlebiirv in 1S53, and followed clerking and painting until his enlistment in the SSth Ind. ToL, which regiment was detached for special duty during his term of service, at Louisville. Ky. He was mustered out with his regiment at Indianapolis, June 23, 1S65. Mr. C. returned to ilid- dlebury and resumed his former occupation of clerking, which he continued until his purchase of his present business in 1S72, and has built up quite an extensive trade in school, miscellaneous and blank books, stationery, fancy goods, etc. Mr. C. was married Dec. 25, lS6o. to Elizabeth J. Sherwood, of Tompkins county, X. Y. They have 2 children living: Eddie AV., born Oct. IS. 1S66, and Forney F.. born Feb. 10. 1S71. Mr. C. has filled the office of Clerk to the councilmen constantly since the organization of the town. Z>r. Jacob ComeV. a gentleman of rare culture and unquestioned ability, both as a physician and agriculturist, was born in Franklin county. O., in 1S09. the 5th son of Benjamin and Eosanna (Foley) Cornell; father settled in that county in 1S02. and in Clarke county in 1S12. Dr. C. calls vividly to mind the war with England, the battle of Tippecanoe, the generalship of W. H. Harrison" and the perforation of his tent by British bullets. He received what might be called a "round log-cabin" education; was brought up on a farm; for a period before he was 21, was engaged in driving hogs, in which business he met with an accident during a stam^e of the animals, which finally resulted in the amputation of a leg four and a half years afterward; during this time he applied himself diligently to the study of medicine: in the spring of 1S33. one year after the Black JSawk war. he located in this tp.; for two years he lived in Jeflerson tp., before its organization ; was elected Justice of the Peace, his jurisdiction extending at that early date over the tps. of Middlebury, Jefierson, Washington and York. In 1S36 he married Miss Mary A., daughter of Joseph and Lucretia (Merritt I Hubbell, and of their 9 children the following 6 are liv- ing: John W., who married Miss Leonora Ultch; AVilliam L., who died in the army: Abijah, who married Miss Sarah L^ltch, and after her death married *Miss Ella Mead; Milton A., who married Lucy Copeland; Jacob, who married Emma Trout; and Frank M. The two deceased are Lucretia, who married C. C. Ellsworth, and Ella, who married Daniel Smith. For a period of 40 years Doctor C. has been a successful physi- cian, and has held many local offices of public trust and respon- sibility; he is a Kepublican. He owns 240 acres of land, and is very comfortably situated in life. Dr. P. TT. Criun was born in Columbiana county. Ohio. March 18, 1S16, the third son in a family of 6 children; when he was 16 years old his father died, and he remained on the farm with his mother until of age, when she died; he obtained a fair English education, mostly before his father died; at the age of 22 he mar- ried Miss Cynthia Patterson, a member of the M. E. Church, and HISTOBT OF SLKHABT rXTr. 107T they have had 4 children, bat onir 2 of whom are living, a sou and a daughter. From ISoS to 1>R"> lie was in the mercantile business, in partnership with his brother ; he then read medicine in the office of Dr. J. Hindmau three years, when he went into partnership with him and continued in this relation to 1S47; he then took a course of medical lectures, and located for practice in Xew Berlin, Stark county. Ohio, near his native place; in IS^ he settled in Ligonier, Ind.. where he followed his profession until the fall of 1ST9. when he exchanged his town property for a beautiful fruit fiurra one mile east of Middlebury, where he now resides, practicing medicine. Mrs. C. died in the spring of ISSO. and the Doctor is now lett with only a little granddaughter to comfort him in his old age. For the last '25 years the Doctor has been identified with the " Church of God." being a firm believer in the teachings of the Scriptures. His parents were members of the Lutheran Church. Wjlter W. Eldridgi, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in this State March IS, ISiS. a son of "Walter and Elizabeth ^Poyser) Eldridge, the former a native of Vermont and the latter of Penn- sylvania, both of English ancestry. Mr. Eldridge, Sr.. entered and settled on sec. 36. this tp.. in 1S37. and at the Ume of his death, June 10, ISTl. owned 24<) acres of land. He was a highly esteemed citizen. His surviving widow, a vigorous and genial old lady, was bom in September. 1S04. She is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church. Tne subject of this sketch received a liberal educa- tion in the common schools and in the Goshen high school. Dec. 2. 1S70, he married Maria Shoup. a native of 0£io. and they are the parents of 4 children, 3 of whom are living: Henrv O.. bom July 2. 1S72. Annie S.. Aug. 25, lS7o, and EllaR. June 25, ISSO. Mr. E. is a Kepublican. Perry B. Elliott is the son of AVilliam G. and Tiola t^Hutchin- soni Elliott, who are natives of Ohio, of English descent. The subject of this sketch was born in I^range county, Ind., Aug. 30. 1S54. during which year his parents removed to Clinton tp.,. where they still reside, and where William received such education as was available in the common schools, and was brought up in the knowledge of such pursuits as well fitted him for the occupation of Lis choice, that of farming. Mr. Elliott was united in marriage Dec 25, 1S7S, to Effie A. Lutz, a native of this county, born Oct. 20. 1S61, after which event he immediately removed to this tp.. where he now resides. Has held a minor tp. office, and is a young man of much intelligence and promise. JRcv. E. IT. Erlck, a well-known clergyman of Middlebury, was born in 1S35 at Springfield. Ohio. Peter Erick, his father, and Elizabeth, his mother, were natives of Washington county. Pa., whose ancestry is traced back to Germany; they located in this State in 1S42. where the subject of this notice acquired a prelimi- nary education in the common schools, making rapid progress in his studies, and shortly thereafter entered Koauoke Institute (literary), where he took up the higher branches of a classical 1078 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. English education. Having determined to adopt the ministerial profession he became a student at the M. E. College of Fort Wayne, where he took a select course preparatory to his minis- terial duties first devolving upon him in ISoS, when he took charge of the Ossian Church in Allen county, Ind.. remaining one year, when he became Pastor of a prominent Cliurch at Murray, Ind., where his ability converted many into the way of righteousness. When the war broke out he organized a company, was chosen its Captain, and ultimately became Chaplain of the S9th Ind. Yol. Inf. ; at the battle of Murfreesboro he was taken prisoner, but provi- dentially made his escape in the fall of 1863; he resigned his commission and returned to Indiana; again became the popular Pastor of various Churches of the M. E. denomination. In Febru- ary, 1879, he came to Middlebury, taking charge of the M. E. Church. Nov. 5 he was elected President of the Synod of Northern Indiana; was regularly installed Pastor of the Lutheran Church of this place Nov. 24, 1879. Feb. 7, 18.54, he was married to Sarah C. Hoofmire, a native of Ohio, and 4 of their 7 children are living. Marion 0. VlsJier, Principal of the Middlebury graded school, was born in Ontario county, N. Y., June 21, 1850; his parents are Oscar N. and Elizabeth J. (Case) Fisher, also natives of New York, and of English ancestry. Mr. F. received his preliminary educa- tion in the common schools, and subsequently attended the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Lima, N. Y.; since that time he has made teaching school a profession; after coming to Indiana in the fall of 1872, had charge of several schools in various places in Elkhart county, and also in Michigan; he is now principal of the Middle- bury high school, and is considered an accomplished and successful teacher. Mr. Fisher was married in 1876 to Miss A. Pease. Clinton E. Foster. — To trace the genealogy of the Foster family to the present time from 1776, the days of the Revolution, when some of their ancestors, originally from England, were engaged in opposing the landing of the British at Guilford, in connection with the Connecticut militia, we begin as follows: Orin Foster, son of Aaron, was born March 18, 1776; he married Eachel Crampton, who was born "Oct. 8, 1777. David Foster was their son, who was born in North Madison tp., New Haven Co., Conn.. April 11, 1802. April 4, 1825, he married Charlotte K Eedfield, who was born Aug. 8, 1798, in Killingworth tp., New Haven Co., Conn.; 5 children were born to them, viz.: Polly J., born March 9, 1826; Oliver W., June 5, 1827; Clinton E., Nov. 3, 1828; Wealthy A., May 15, 1831; Sarah J., April 15, 1840— all of whom are now living except Sarah J., who died May 5, 1843, and Wealthy A., who died Oct. 8, 1877. David L. Foster came to Indiana from New Haven, Conn., in 1836, and bought in Middlebury tp., Elkhart county, 720 acres of land. The next year he came on with his family, where he remained until his death, Jan. 17, 1853. His wife, Charlotte, survived him three years. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1079 Clinton E. Foster, the second son. still holds the old homestead. He married Clarissa C. Martin Oct. 28, 1852. One child, a daughter, Mary A., was born April S, 1854. Clarissa C, his wife, died Dec. 21, 1856. Oct. 14, 1858, he married Lvdia A. Bartholo- mew. To them were born Anna M., Oct. 9, 1859; Ella H., born Dec. 9, 1860; Emma C, born April 4, 1S6S; "Wilma J., born June 17, 1874: George Eedfield, born March 15, 1876; James Clinton, born May 3, 1S79. Two of these are dead, viz.: Anna M., who died Sept. 2, 1860, and George K., who died Aug. 14, 1877. James Frederick was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 11, 1818, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Miller) Frederick,also natives of that State, and of German descent. The family moved to Stark county, Ohio, about 1833, where James completed his education and learned the cooper's trade,which business he prosecuted extensively for a number of years. In 1833, in Ohio, he married Susannah Carper, and their 6 children are: Wilson S., born June 28, 1856; Geo. W., Feb. 19, 1858; Robert Franklin, April 5, 1861; Mary E., July 27, 1863; James N., Nov. 23, 1865, and Newton, April 23, 1868. Mr. F. moved from Ohio to this tp. in March, 1856, settling on sec. 35, where he still remains, the prosperous owner of fine property. He is a Republi- can, but not a member of any Church. Mrs. F. is a German Bap- tist. Jacoh Geismger, deceased, was a native of Lowell county, To- ronto, Canada; he was in his 12th year when he accompanied his parents to Medina county, Ohio, where, after attaining to man's estate, he became a teacher in the district schools. In 1S3S lie was married to Miss Martha Warren, daughter of John and Eva War- ren, and 8 children blessed this union, viz.: John (a resident of Chicago), Henry (who resides on the homestead), Samuel (at Goshen), Mary J. (who married J. B. Selder, of Michigan), Ben- jamin J. (who resides in Illinois), Martha (in Ohio), David (in this tp.) and Jos. N. (in Colorado). Mr. Geisinger departed this life duly 20, 1876, leaving a valuable farm property of 200 acres. Jno. W. Geisinger enlisted in the war for the Union, in the 100th Ind. Vol.. as a private, and was promoted Captain for meritorious conduct; Samuel enlisted as a private in the 74th Ind. Vol., was honorably discharged, but re-entered the service in the 100th. Adam Grincr, livery-stable proprietor and City Marshal, was born July 3, 1853, the Ion of Philip and Saloma (Mathnensmith) Griner, natives of Pennsylvania: was liberally' educated in the com- mon school and Middlebury graded school; followed farming; in 1870 he married Loretta Hani, formerly a school-teacher in La- grange county, and thev have 5 children: William F., born Sept. 9, 18"71; Nina P., Julv 30, 1873; Ilda I., March 3, 1876; Jessie R., Dec. 28, -1878, and Eva L., May 17, 1880. After marriage Mr. Griner commenced farming on his own account, but failing health caused him to dispose of his farm, and move to Middlebury; with some hope of benefitting his shattered constitution he made an extended tour through the Northwest. In 1877 he commenced 1080 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNXr. the liverj business in Middlebury, which he still conducts, with success. Every spring he also does a great deal of grafting, which is a prominent industry in this community. Mr. G. has been Mar- shal two terms, and is a Democrat. Phillip Oriner, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 37; P. O., Middle- bury. There are but few citizens of this tp. more widely known or more universally esteemed for their kindly disposition and excel- lent traits of character fhan the above named gentleman. lie is a native of Pennsylvania, born near the city of Harrisburg in the year 1813, and is a son of Philip and Margaret Griner," also of Pennsylvania. During the spring of lS3i> Philip accompanied his parents to Wayne county, Ohio, where he was married in 1S37, to Miss Fannie Cochnoure, and their 3 children are: Barbara, Mary, and Simon. Mrs. G. departed this life, in the county above men- tioned, June 20, 1S46, and Mr. G. was- married April 2, 184:8, to Miss Siloraa Smith. Some years after the decease of his second wife, Mr. Griner was married to Sarah Jacobi, of Stark county, Ohio, in 1S53. Mr. Griner ranks among the more successful farmers, now owning 120 acres of fertile farm land and a beauti- ful residence. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Alfred Haines was born Aug. 25, 1S16, in Pennsylvania, and is the son of Samuel and Mary (^Wiremau) Haines, natives of the same State and of German descent. They removed to Ohio about 1852, where Alfred attended the common schools, and also acquired a knowledge of the carpenter's trade; when about 18 he learned the cabinet-making business in Indiana, where the family had re- moved to about 1867. He continued to work at the carpenter business, and as contractor and builder erected some of the finest residences in Middlebury tp. In December, 1871, he married Anna Nusbaum, a native of Ohio, and they have 3 children whose names and ages are as follows: Melvin, born June 0, 1875; Orlando, born Oct. 18,1876; Delia E.. born Dec. 2S, 1878. Mr. H. has followed carpentering and building until within a short time, having recently entered into partnership with Mr. Nusbaum in the furniture and undertaking business, in which they are having quite an extensive trade, being the only firm of any magnitude in that line in Middlebury. Mr. H. is an enterprising business man and has met with a fair share of success; himself and Mrs. H. are members of the German Baptist Church. Samuel Haines, farmer and stock-raiser, is the eldest son of Frederick and Susannah (Shultz) Haines, natives of Pennsylvania, and was born in that State Sept. 6, 1820; he received the ordi- nary common-school education of his period, and followed farming. The death of his father, which took place when Samuel was about eighteen, rendered it necessary that he should take charge of the farm, which he conducted for his mother and the younger members of the family until his marriage, about 1841, to Mary Wireman. Mr. and Mrs. Haines have 5 children, as follows: Henry W., born Oct. 3, 1842; Harrison H., July 1, 1843; Alfred, Aug. 25 HISTORT OF ELKHART COUNTY. lOSl 1846; William. Jan. 30. 1850; Howard L.. Oct. 6. lSo4. Mr. H. after his marriage remained some 13 years in Pennsvlvania, ac- tively engaged in farming;^he then removed to Wayne countv, Ohio, and after a residence there of about six years, he removed to Mid- dlebury tp. in the spring of 1859; here he is pleasantly situated, enjoying the fruits of an industrious and well-spent life! He and Mrs.' Haines are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. \Vm. P. Ham. M. D., is a creditable member of the medical fraternity. He was born in Ohio in 1843. His father, Nicholas Ham, was a native of Switzerland, and his mother of Pennsylvania. The Doctor received his preliminary education in the common schools of Ohio; worked upon the farm, and when sufficiently ad- vanced became a teacher. In his 18th year he began the reading of medicine; at 20 he entered the medical department of the Uni- .versityof Michigan at Ann Arbor, taking a course of practical medical lectures; he then entered the medical department of the State University of Iowa, at which institution he had the degree of M. D. conferred upon him. In May, 1864. at the age of 2l, after fraduating. he established himself as a physician in the town of )undee. Tuscarawas Co., Ohio. He passed a very creditable examination before the State Medical Board. He was appointed, previous to this, a medical officer in the volunteer service, by John Brough, then Governor of the State; he received his appointment and commission as Assistant Surgeon in the lT5th Ohio Inf.; after Tiine months' service he resigned his commission, owing to failing health; he remained at home until he regained his heafth, when, at the urgent request of Surgeon-General Barr. he was recommended as Assistant Surgeon of the 53d Ohio Yol. Inf., with which regi- ment he remained until mustered out of the service and honorably discharged. After his retirement from the active scenes of war, the Doctor associated himself in the medical profession with his former preceptor; he remained in practice here until the spring of 1866. when he settled at Middlebury, Ind., where he soon gained au ex- tensive practice. He possesses a line medical library. Through life he has been unusually successful, and to his creditbe it said,"is literally a self-made man. The lateZ>?'. W. G. Harper was born in Lancaster, O.. in 1S03; came to Indiana about 1835. and died in 1880. He was married at White Pigeon. Mich., Oct. 17. 1838, to Miss Emily Sargeant, a native of Lee, Berkshire Co.. Mass., the daughter of" Dr. Erastus Sargeant, of that town. Of this marriage "were born. AVilliam. Aug. 23. 1840; Charles A., May 2, 1843'; Jeannette S., May 12, 1845, now Mrs. Josiah Adams, of Jackson, Mich.; Sarah, Oct. 21, 1847; Alexander, Feb. 21. 1851; John, Sept. 4. 1855; and Mary Keeler. May 13, 1862. Mrs. Harper was a devout member of the M. E. Church, and an educated and estimable woman. She de- parted this life Feb. 25, 1875. Joel P. Heatioole. editor and proprietor of the Middlebury Record. Had that grand old patriarch of ancient times, the lamb- 1082 HISTOEY OF ELKHART COUNTY. like Job, lived in this age of 19tli-ceutur_v progress, and under- taken to conduct an eiglit-colunm newspaper through au exciting political campaign, or catered nimbly to the moods of a newspaper- reading public, he would in short meter have been shorn of his pro- verbial patience, while the wailing winds of heaven, catching at his idiotic form, would have driven the now celebrated divine to the • obscnritv of an nntimelv and unknown grave. lu the little village of Middlebury, unusuallv progressive, however, for an inland town of SOO inhabitants, in May, 1S7S. Mr. Heatwole. began the publi- cation of an eight-column sheet known as the iliddlebury I^evonf. He brought to his aid little save the capital of education," practical knowledge and. literary ability above the average, and as week after week fled by, the subscription list loomed up in the hundreds and the ringing editorials were favorably commented npon. and the spicy locals read with pleasure and profit, until at last it became a fixture in thehomes of the more intelligent people of Middlebury and surrounding country. Mr. Keatwole was born Aug. 22, 1S56, in this county, son of Dr. and Barbara Heatwole {nee Oulp), of Goshen. In common with many of the youth of Elkhart county, young Joel first attendeii the common schools, afterward receiving an academic education; tanght school, on leaving the tarm, and was elected principal of the Middlebury schools on attaining his ISth year; his posi- tion was a difficult and trying one, but he filled it so satisfactorily that he gained a warm place in the atiections of the public. In August, ISTii. he began the publication of the Middlebury Ii^nferj)rhe, which he continued until May, 1S7S. the date previously alluded to as the birth of the I2e.. is a son of Henry and Barbara (Culp^ Heatwole. natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent; they kicated in Elkhart county in iS5o, where Joseph subsequently taught school; in ISTo he entered Mount Union Oolleije, Ohio, re- maining two years, and in the spring of 1S7"> began tlie study of medicine; in 1S76 he attended Miami Medical College, pursuing a course of lectures, entering the Ohio Medical College" in the falf of 1S77, at which institute he graduate*.! in the sy^ring of 1S7S; he then located at Middlebury, where he has succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice. March 2, 1879, he was married to Miss Ella L. Lemon, a daughter of Eev. O. Y. Lemon, of Win- chester, Indiana, a well-known'clergyman. Solomon L. Htxon is a native of Union county, Penn.. where he was born Dec. 13, 1S05; his father, John Hixon, was of Eng- lish origin, his mother, Mary, nee Landes, of German ; both were natives of Pennsylvania. Solomon was educated in the common schools of that eai-ly period of national existence in wliich his boy- hood was passed. Scholars of Union county. Pa., at that time HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTr. 1083 were instructed in the most coinmou rndimeuts of Gerniuu and En_a:lish studies, and the boy of more than average intelligence was looked upon with the same degree of awe that surrounds the college professor of to-day. Kis school days were limited in num- ber, as he was needed at home, and early became instructed in the rudiments of hard work upon the Western homestead, but little im- proved. In his 24th year occurred the death of his father, and he then moved to Ohio Sept. 11, 1S2!;1, partly on foot and partly by stage, then in universal use. A faithful dog was his only com" paa- ion. Many amusing incidents occurred un the trip. He located in what was then Portage county, and purchased property near what is now the city of Akron, Ohio. A carpenter by trade, he found the pay of a mechanic more than the emolumentsof farming at that stage of the country's career, and after remaining four years and he;\riug glowing accounts of the "St. Jo. country,"' he made a pros- pecting tour of the Iloosier St;ite in 1S33, and was especially pleased witli the productive farming land now comprised within the limits of Elkhart tp. Two years previous to the date we have mentioned Mr. II. was married to Miss Xancy Ann Remile, a native of Portage county. The parents of this lady were from Middelbnry, Vermont, and among the tirst settlers of this tp.. and gave it its present name, after his native town in the Green Mountain State. Five children blessed the union of Mr. and Mrs. llixon, 2 of whom are living, viz.: Henry, a prominent citizen of Middlebnry. born March 22, 1S32; Elizabeth, deceased; Stephen and Cliarles R., who died in infancy; Livonia, wife of Charles S. Mather, a leading merchant of Middlebury. Mrs. Hi.xon, who had shared equally with her hus- band the trials incident to pioneer life, passed from this earth to a home not made with hands in 1864. Christmas eve of 1S65 Mr. H. was again united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Mrs. Susan R. Bailey, of Michig;\n. who is still living. In 1S34: Mr. Ilixon became a permanent resident of this tp., lo- cating on sec. 10, remaining one year, when he moved south and took up his residence in a log cabin which he purchased, and farm property, amounting in all to some 200 acres of land, very little, if any, improved. He resided here, accumulating an abundance of this world's goods, through industry, when he concluded to settle in the prosperous town of Middlebury, — prosperous through the indetatigable efforts of himself and kindred spirits, whose muscular and mental labors carved the way to a more prosperous era. In 1837 this worthy couple became identitied with the Baptist Church. Never an office-seeker. Mr. H. was. however, at onetime. County and School Commissioner, etc.. and has always shown himself to be a warm friend of education and advanced ideas. Thus we have seen he stands to-day a representative of that class who are worthily crowned with the title of self-made men. and when the last chapter shall have been written in his daily career, the ledger of life will have been found equally balanced. Has a portrait in tliis work. lOSJr HI5TOKT OF ELKHART COUNTT. Abraham Hoover, a prosperous tanner and popular citizen of this tp., was born in York county. Pa.. March 9. 1S22, and is the 2d son of Abraliani and Christina (Martinet Hoover, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Germ in extraction. They removed to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1S32. where Abraham. Jr.. chiefly obtained a toler- ably fair education, and was engi^s^cd upon his father's tarm until his marriage to Martha Garber in IS-to: Mrs. H. is a native of Lancaster county. Pa., and with her husband is a prominent mem- ber of the Mennonite Churcli. They are the parents of 11 children. 10 of whom are living, and several of them are well-known residents of Elkhart county. Mr. Hoover remained in Ohio one year after his marriage, and in the spring of ISiT settled on sec. 35. where he has prospered, being the owner of a large tarm with fine improve- ments in the immediate vicinity of Sugar Grove school-house, a handsome structure erected in 1S67. chiefly through the efforts of Mr. Hoover. He is a genial, friendly gentleman and esteemed by all who know hiui. WUI'iam Hoover, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O.. Middlebnry; was born in Lancaster county. Pa., in ISol, and is the youngest son of John and Elizabeth Hoover, with whom he moved to Ricii- land ceth Enff. by whom he has 3 children: Sonora A., Carrie E. and Eddie. The present farm, comprising SO acres of well-improved laud, was purchased during the present year. A. H. HojiJcins was born in Genesee coimty. X. T.. Feb. 23, lS3o. His father. James M., was a native of Xew York, and his mother. Sally, nee Chivington, was born in Ohio, and they were both of English descent. "They settlet.! in Clinton tp.. this county, in ISoS, where the subject of this sketch was a pupil at the c^^mmon schools; was occupied' ou his father's farm summers and taught school winters, and by economy and industry was enabled to pur- chase a farm in Benton tp.. and soon afterward, accompanied bv a brother and sister, entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in which institution he remained two years. Close confine- ment compelled a withdrawal from literary pursuits for a time, but he was again soon engaged in teaching, and was Principal of the Middleburv gn\ded-school one year, and also in other places in this county. Mr. H. was married in 1S61 to Emily J. Hough, who HISTORY OF KLKHAKT COUSTT. 1085 was born in Wayne county, Ind. Mr. H. is an active Republican, and ha# been moderately successful. T. TT. Hutchinson, carpenter and builder. Middleburv. was born in Clarke county, Ohio, Oct. 4, 1832, and is the son of Mahlon and Eliza iGritiin> Ilutchinson. the former a native of Massachusetts; the latter was born in A'ernou county, Ind., in 1S13, and is still livins:. a vigorous and intelligent old lady. Herself and husband settled in Lagrange county, Ind., about 1840, where T. W. acquired a fair common-school etlucation, and was occupied at working upon his father's farm until he was about 20 years of age, when he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade; followed that occupation about two years in Lagrange county, when he removed to Middleburv, where he has been actively engaged in building operations, having erected many fine residences and nearly all of the school structures in the tp. He was married about lSo3 to Frances Keasey, and they have 3 children, viz.: Lafayette, about 25 vears of age. now a resident of Missouri; Frank, about 23, and t'rederick, about 21. Mr. U. is a popular and successful citizen, and in politics is a Eepublicau. S'^lomon ^(lufinan. farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 2S; P. O., Middlebury ; was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in September, 1S37, the oth son of Moses and Lydia Kauffman, who moved to this county from Pennsylvania at 16 years of age. Young Solomon became a resident of Elkhart county in 1S66. He was united in marriage with Miss Kate Spiker, of Ohio, by whom he has 5 chil- dren: Charles, Edna, Cora, Frank and Emma. Mr. K. bought his present farm, consisting of 123 acres of valuable land, in 1874. He is a farmer of intelligence and good standing, and a member of the Lutheran Church of this tp. AnJreic Keim, farmer, sec. 19; P. O., Middlebury; was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1S47, and is the ith son of Emanuel and Magdalena Keim, of Pennsylvania, who settled in Ohio at an early day. locating at Lagrange. Ind.. in 1851. in 1864 removing to this county. Andrew was married in Holmes county to Miss Fred- erika Darr, a daughter of Jacob Darr, of Germany, by whom he has 1 child. Eddie, a promising boy, who will make his mark as a scholar. Mr. K. owns 65 acres of land. He is a member of the Dunkard Cliurch. Enumuel If. Keim was born Dec. 21. 1816, in Somerset county. Pa. His parents were Nicholas and Fanny (Hocksetler^ Keim. natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. Mr. Keim received an ordinary common-school education, and when 16 years of age learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and gradually acquired a knowledge of the carpenter and building business, which was the first occupation that he was eng;\ged in for himself, and which business he conducted with marked success while he remained in Pennsylvania, and subsequently some 14 years in Ohio. He was married in 1836 to Magdalena Garber, who was born in Pennsylva- nia in 1814. Mr. and Mrs. K. are the parents of 11 children; 9 ot lOStf HISTVKT OF ELEHAKT CVrXTT, whom are living, and some of them are well known residents of this eonntT. 3Ir. Keim removed to Ohio about lSs>7. and oame to Indiana in ISM. locating in Lagrange connij. where he pnrehased several hundred acres of land and comtaeneed the lite of a taruier, which prviperty he disposed of in lSt>l and immediately removed to Midiiieburv. settling on t!ie site of his present home- on which lie has made" many imprv>vementSw He still owns 160 acres of .and. Mr. Keim is a warm friend of popnlar edacation; has held sevend offices in Ohio, and himself and ntmilr are members of the Amish Chureh. Jtj<.\>b H. Kindio. a native of Penusvlvajiia, was lx>rn tX^t, 4, lSo:3. His parents were Zachariah and Mary orn Sept 30, iS37, the latter now residing in Jefferson tp. Mr. Lee moved to Ohio in iSoi. remjiined there five years, and in ISod came to Middlebury tp.. and located on the site of his present home. Carpenters at that time were scaree in Middlebury. and his services were in active demand. He assisted in erecting many of the first frame buildinars in thenp.. including the M, E. Church in Bristol. Ind, Mr. aud^Mrs. Lee are meml^ers of the M. E. Chnr\jh :n Middlebury. of which Mr. L. is Class-leader, Steward and Trustee. Is foremost in aiding .all charitable objects, and is financiallv suc- cesslnl, owning a moderate-sired aud very fertile farm near Middle- bury. Guiison M. XehiiMiK farmer, was K>rn in Pennsylvania in 1S5S, of German descent. His parents cjmie to Indiana in 1S^^.^, He received an orvlinary common-schoi>reducatiou, was r.*ised to farm- ing pursuits, and was marrietl in 1S79 to Minerva C, YatiDorston. They had 1 child. Charlie, born Jan. 14, ISSO. Mr. L. owns SO :icres of land where he resides, and for a young msm has been quite successful in life. Ji>saph K. Ludicirn in February. 1S55, in Union county. Pa. Solo- mon Ludwig. his fiilher. \vhs a native of Pennsylvania, !»* also his mother, the former of German aneestrv, the latter of Sotoh. Young J<.^seph was educatevl in the ov^mmon schools of the day. At 17 he m.aae a trip Wei^t as far as 01uoagv\ St, Louis, and Cairo; was gxme two and a half ye.ars, in the meantime acquiring a knowlevlge of millwrighting, when he settle^! at L!urrang<>, in this" State, where he built a flouring mill. In 1S74 he moved to Middlebury and purdiased the projvrty known .-is tlu> "Middlebury grist-mill." since which lime he has tn»ns.<»ctevl an extensive business and well desorves all the patrona^^e he receives. Himself and wite are mem- Wrs of the M. E. Ohurdi. Chtirlas S. Jfitt/>rn in Oi-anj»e cv^uuty. N, Y., May 13. 1S41. and is tlie sou of David B. and Melissa Sstyer. Mr. Mather received a !il>eral educa- tion in the Middlebury scIk>o1. and also attended the high scJiool in Hillsdale, Midi., and engaged in the prxxluce business esirly in life, on the same premises now ^Kwupied by him, but which he has enlarged at various times l^< enable him to transact his incre,Hsiug business, which has develo^xni into a general trade in groceries, boots and shines, hats and caps, fimcy gvxHis, etc, Mr. Mather was married in September. lS6o, to Livoua Hixon. a native of this c^^nnty, and their S children art-: Frank D,. bi^rn in 1S65; Edward U., in 1S6S, .and Lewis J., l>orn in January, ISTo. Mr. Mather is an active KepublicJin in politico, and has been generally successful in business, Gforg<> I>. Jfather. a popular and well-known resident of Mid- dlebury, is the youngest brother of the next-mentioned; was born in this CK>nnty June il, 1S59. Young George was a regnl.ar attend- ant at the Middlebury hish school, and was for several years an assistant in the ston; of C^ias. S, Mather, and when alK>ut IS years of age attenderl for one term the Piirsons Commercial C<>llese in KalamajKH^, MicJi. Mr. Mather was marrie^l Sept. 1. ISSO. to"Min- nie B. Bnrridgt, a former well-known school-teacher in this county, and a daushter of old residents of York tp. At this writing Mr. and Mrs. M. have but recentlv returned from an extended trip to all the large Eastern cities, Mr. M. is the owner of several fine farms in tlie vicinity of Middlebury, nnml^erinff in all 361 acres, and is Kx>ked upon as one of the solid men of Middlebury tp. JoiMtAttn S. Jl.. was born in Orange county, X. Y.. Ang. 22, 1S36. He is the eldest son of the late David B. and Melissa (Saver) Mather, natives of New York State, and, on the paternal side, direct descendants of Cotts^n and Ii^crease Mather. Jonathan's psinfnts emigrated to luiHan.rin lS37an0: Etta, Feb. 3, 1S63; Louis. Anor. 27. 1S65; Frank, Dec. 5, lSt37: Frederick, Feb. IS, 1S70; Wiilard. Ang. 7, 1S72. This Mrs. Pickrell died Jnne 15. 1573, and in 1S75 Mr. P. mar- ried Elizabeth Oder, who died less than one vear afterward. In 1S75 Mr. P. married Margaret Fnller, and their 2 children are George, who was born Julv 30, 1879, and Thomas, born Jan. 20, 1880. Soon after his first marriage Mr. Pickrell purchased the prem- ises where he now resides, upon which he has made many fine im- provements. For 17 years he was a buyer and shipper of live stock for the Chicago market, bnt for the past few years has wholly retired from that business. He has been twice elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to qualify. He is an old Whig and at present a Republican, and is a substantial and worthy citizen of this community. Alfred Proiigh, farmer and stock-raiser, was born Feb. 27, IS-tl, in Hocking county, Ohio; his parents were John and Elizabeth (Funk) Prough, of Pennsylvanian birth, and German ancestry. When he was very young the family removed to Lagrange county, Ind., where they still reside, and are among the early settlers of that county. Alfred received a fair common-school education, and followed farming for an occupation ; he was married Jan. 6, 1S67, to Arilla Elliott, born in 1S50, in Lagrange county; 4 of their 6 children are living, viz.: Thomas Lemmon. born April 7, lSt38; Alice Dell. Oct. 5, 1869; Anna E.. July 29, 1875; Orange Alfred, Sept. 21, 1S80. After marriage Mr. Prough resided in Lagrange county, for one and one-half years, and in June, 1S6S, removed to his present location, where he owns a fine farm of 153 acres, and is a substantial and well-known citizen. Mrs. Prough is a member of the M. E. Church. Fra7ikUn L. Putt, M. Z>., of the town of Middlebury. well and favorably known as a man of sterling integrity, was born in Ohio in 1831; his parents, Louis and Susan Putt, me Buzzard, were of German origin, and became settlers of Ohio in an early day. Franklin attended a select school in his youth, worked upon a farm, and became employed to some extent in hauling clay for potter's use. Aug. 15, 1848, his father died, and on the anniversary of his fathers death, 29 years later, occurred the death of his most noble mother. The Doctor enlisted at the breaking out of the war, partici- pating with his regiment in several engagements; the exposure in- cident to army life caused serious illness, and for months he lay ill in hospital, and when sufficiently recovered, was honorably discharged from service on the 24th of May, 1863; he again enlisted, and found his regiment at Strawberry Plain, Tenn., and before 24 hours HISrOET OF ELKHAET COUNTT. 1093 had elapsed, was ordered into the line of battle at Rnssellville, Tenn.; was transferred to the Army of the Potomac and became one among the numerons body of soldiers who moved onward to Eichmond; was transferred to the army then operating in the Shenandoah Valley, where he distinguished himself as a scout; was severely wounded in a dangerous expedition, but recovered from its effects, and was an eye-witness of the surrender of Lee at Appo- mattox Court-house, and ultimately at the grand review held at the city of Washington. lie was mustereii out of the service Aug. 15, 1S65. After the war he entered the Greenbnrg Seminary and commenced reading medicine with Dr. W. II. Putt, a physician of Rowville, Ohio, where he remained one year; then went to Ana Arbor, Mich., attending a course of lectures: in 1SC9 he graduated at Cincinnati, Ohio, then he removed to Millersburg, Clinton tp., Ind.. locating at Middlebury March 10. 1S70. Aug. i, 1S67. he was married to Rachel L. Wise; their 2 children are Laura and Clara. Mr. and Mrs. Putt are members of the Lutheran Church. SiJmuel Ji(7f^chiii/de7\ blacksmith, Middlebury tp. ; P. O., Middle- bury; was born in Lancaster county. Pa., March 19, 1S12. the fourth son of Benjamin and Kate Rafschnyder, nee Lutz, who were natives of Pennsylvania. He passed his youth in the land of his birth, where he learned the above mentioned trade. In 1S34 he was married to Anna Shaffer, by whoTn he liad S children: Anthony, Mary, John, Ann, Jacob, Samuel, Lucy and Amelia. Mr. It. has gained considerable local reputation as an expert mechanic and inventor. Heniy Hisser was born in Germany Nov. 2, 1840, and is the third son of Henry and Elizabeth Risser, who emigrated to America in 1S45. and settled in Asliland county, O., and in Wood county O., where the family moved to four years later. Henry received an average common- school education, and followed farm- ing until of age; then he learned the carpenter's trade, which occu- pation he followed while in Ohio, and also in Whitley county. Ind., to which place he removed in 1S63; remained there some six or seven months, and came to Elkhart county in 186-1. Mr. Risser was married in 1869 to Barbara Xusbaum. born in Ohio; they have 3 children, whose names and ages are as follows: Marv Ada, bora Sept. 22, 1S69; John Edward. June 21. 1873; Williani H., Aug. 3, 1875. Mr. R. purchased the tarm where he now resides in 1877, and had occupied the same premises for several years previous. Mr. and Mrs. R. received some little inheritance, are prosperous peo- ple, and are members of the Mennonite Church. Leicix B. Root was born in Cayuga county, X. Y., Jan. 26, 1853. His parents are Samuel L. and Mary (^Brown ) Root, natives of New York State, and of English ancestry. Mr. Root received quite a liberal education, commencing in his youth in the district schools; he afterward attended the Port Byron ( N. Y.^t Academy, where he fitted himself for entering Cornell L'niversity in 1872, in which institution he remained two years, aud after making a trip through 1094 HISTORY OF ELKHABT OOtrVTT. the West, decided to settle in Elkhart county. He first located in Jefferson tp.. where he taught school two terms, when he removed to Middleburv. aud was Superindendent of the Middleburj schools three years. He was married in 1S75 to Alida F. Legg. They have i child, Lewis P., born June 21, 187S. Mr. Koot'is County Surveyor elect, and is personally popular where known, having run largely ahead of his ticket in York aud iliddlebury tps., where he has at different times resided. LazLTence Sherwin. a native of Ireland, was born April 2, 1S22; received a fair education in the select schools, aud followed the occu- pation of a farmer on his father's premises until his emigration to Ameri&i in 1S42. He remained in Albany. N. T., for about one year. He engaged in building the celebrated locks upon the Erie canal, at Lockport, X. T., for some 12 months; came to Bristol in this county in ISrti; was in the employ of the railroad company at that station for three years, and clerked for William Probosco. of Bristol, for several years. Mr. S. was married in 1845 to Mary Mead, born June, 1824, in Canada. Mr. and Mrs. S. liave had 6 children, whose names and ages are as follows: Francis Henry, born April 2, 1S46, and died Dec. 21, 1S69; Richai-d James, born Dec 25, 1S4S; Mary Elizabeth, Aug. 24. 1S53, and died in infancy; S. Jf. Sherwin, born Dec. 1, 1S53, now a school-teacher in Middleburv tp.: Arthur L., Dec. 27. 1S54; and Julia A„ born April 1, lS5t?, now the wife of Henry Sanger, of York tp. Mr. Sherwin is wholly a selt-made man, having no inheritance save that of rare industry and unquestioned honesty. He is the owner of 225 acres of land near his home, upon which are fine improvements, including an elegant family residence erected in 1S76. Mr. S. is an old Xack- sonian Democrat, and is one of the solid men of the tp. Abe Schrocl: farmer and stock-raiser, was born in AVavne county, O., Aug. 10, 1S2S. His parents. Peter P. and Fanny (Planks Sclirock. also natives of Pennsylvania, are still living, at an advanced age. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools of Ohio, and was brought up to farming pursuits until some time after the family removed to Indiana in 1S42. He then worked two years at the carpenter's trade, and in '49 settled upon his present place. The same year he married Polly Miller, and they are now the parents of 10 children, of whom 5 daughters and 4 sons are living. Several of them are among the best known resi- dents of Elkhart county. Mr. and Mrs. Sehrook are prominent members of the high Amish Church. Mr. S. owns 1S7 acres of valuable land; is a self-made man and is esteemed by all who know him. T/ionui^ P. Slater, proprietor of the City Hotel, Middleburv, was born in Ohio July 14, 1850, and is the eldest son of Joseph and M. B. (Katter) Slater, also natives of Ohio, of Irish-German ancestry. Young Thomas received a liberal education, having been a constant attendant at the common schools, and at a later period was a pupil for several years at the Yan Wert {O.) high school, at HISTOKT OF ELKHART COCKTT. 1095 which institution he graduated in 1S69. After completing his studies he taught school about three years, and also read law for some time. He afterward entered the employ of the P., F. W. ifc C. Kv. Co., first as freight conductor, then as passenger conductor, which latter position he continued to fill until June. ISSO. to the satisfaction of the traveling public, being genial in his disposition and accommodating in his manners. Mr. Slater was united in marriage July 14, ISSO, with Mrs. S. J. Boggs, a native of Ohio. They removed to Middlebury Aug. 25 of the same year, and im- mediately assumed the proprietorship of the City Hotel, which they are conducting in the most successful manner, and as a land- lord he is a host in himself. Mr. Slater is a staunch Republican, and Mrs. Slater is a devout member of the Congregational Church. C. B. Smith, an influential farmer and stock-raiser of this tp., was born in Maine in ISIO; his parents, John and Sarah, /;js Virgil was born in New York State July 10, 1793, son of Jacob and Elizabeth (^Southworth') Yirgil, of English ancestry ; received the common education of tiie time ; came to Indiana Ter- ritory in IS 13, settling in Wayne county, which was then a dense wilderness, inhabited by Indians, wolves and deer; eight years af- terward he came to Bristol, this county, where he followed the breaking of wild land for himself and others. In ISIO he married Miss Sophia, daughter of Joseph Hancock, a native of Massachu- setts, who served in the Revolutionary war under General Wash- ington; was a ranger at one time, and a scout, and was wounded by an Indian. Mrs. V.'s mother was Katie, nee Baltimore, who was born in Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Y. were the parents ot 9 children, 7 of whom are living: Oliver Hazzard Perry. John S., Elizabeth, Carrie, Addie, Mary C. and Mark. Mrs. Y. died in 1S71, at the age of 74. This year Mr. Y. moved to Middlebury, where he still resides, a hale and hearty old gentleman. Himself and and lamily are members of the Disciple Church, and in politics he is a Repub- lican. Charles E. Walter, farmer and stock-raiser, sec. 15; P. O., Middlebury; was born in Huron county, Ohio, in 1S3S, and is the eldest son of Gideon Walter, who emigrated from Ohio when the subject of this sketch had attained his titth year, locating in the tp. of Middlebury. Gideon AYalter is now a resident of Michigan. Mrs. Walter, who merited the respect and confidence of all who knew her, has long since crossed the dark river that ceaselessly flows to the shores of eternity. Charles grew to manhood in this county, where he received a liberal education. He enlisted in the war for the Union in 1S62; through physiail disability lie was honorably discharged the same year. In 1863 he was united in marriage with Miss E. J. Mead, a daughter of Albert and Eliza J. Mead, of this county, old setilers in Northern Indiana, and natives of the State of New York. Their 3 children are Josie, Joshua H. and Julia. 1098 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. Joseph Walter, a well-known business man of Middleburj, was born in Baden, Germany, Feb. 26, 1819, and is the son of Matthias and Francisca (Loesch) Walter. Having acquired a fair education, be learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, and continued to follow that occupation prior to umigrating to America in 1S19. His first location in this country was New York city, where he was married in 1850 to Catherine Burk, a native of Bavaria, and they have had 6 children, of whom 4 are living, viz.: Mary, born June, 1851; Joseph A., in 1855; Catherina, in 1857, and Stafen in 1858. Mr. Walter became a resident of Indiana in 1855, first locating in La- grange county, where he purchased a farm, which he successfully conducted for some 20 years. This property he disposed of in 1874, and resumed his former calling of carpenter and joiner for about two years. In 1876 he purchased the grocery, provision and liquor business in Middleburj, which he still continues in a very successful manner. John Wert, a popular, well-known farmer and stock-raiser of Middlebury tp., was born March 2, 1815, in Stark county, O., and is the son of George and Catherine (May) Wert, natives of Penn- sylvania and Oiiio respectively, and of German descent. Mr. W. received a fair education in the district schools, and at the age of 17 learned the trade of blacksmith, whicli occupation he followed with considerable success during the time he lived in Ohio; he was married in 1S37 to Catherine Jacoby, a native of Ohio; their 14 children are all living, several of them well-known residents of Middlebury tp. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church. Mr. Wert has always interested himself in aiding popular education, is a self-made man, and is financially successful, owning where he lives a fine farm of 220 acres, from which the yield of wheat alone in 1879 was 2,120 bushels. T. C. Whitcomb, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in Ohio July 8, 1838, and is the son of Martin and Mary (Shumakerl AVhit- comb, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent; he received a fair education, and, until almost 18 years of age, was engaged in farming; he then served an apprenticeship to the carpenter and builder's trade, which he followed quite successfully in Ligonier and elsewhere, as contractor and builder. Mr. Whitcorab was married May 3, 1860, to J. E. Carr, who was born in 1840, in Stark county, Ohio; their 2 children are A. E. Whitcomb, born in Illinois, Jan. 7, 1861, and Myron E., born in Indiana, Oct. 4, 1863. After his marriage Mr. and Mrs. W. removed to Illinois, where they resided some two years, then returned to Lagrange county, and remained for a nnmber of years; lived two and one-half miles west of Mid- dlebury until the fall of 18S0; then to his present home, formerly the residence of A. P. Wright, where .he has a productive farm of 160 acres, which is pleasantly situated about three-fourths of a mile north of Middlebury. Mr. W. is a Republican, and Mrs. Whit- comb is a consistent member of the M. E. Ciiurch. HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1099 Hon. David H. TT/w^e, Senator elect for this Senatorial district on the Republicau ticket, is a representative citizen of this couutj, of rare niodestj' and unassuming manners, who bj nature and edu- cation will be peculiarly fitted for the duties incumbent upon him in this capacity-. He was born in Ohio in 1834-. of English-Scotch ancestry; his father, James J. White, was a native of Xew Jersey, and also his mother, whose maiden name was Hoffman. The family emigrated to Indiana in 1S35 and settled in this county, at Middle- bury, in 1S36. David White received his preliminary education at the common schools, graduating at the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, in 1S60. He engaged in mercantile business in 1865 in Middlebury, continuing a successful business without change, the firm name being then as now, " Foster & White," widely known throughout Elkhart county. In 1861 Mr. White enlisted in the 14th Ind. Vol.. Co. E, as a private soldier, participating in numer- ous battles, as Perryville, Stone River, and all the engagements of the Cumberland, and for meritorious service he w^as promoted to a Captaincy. He is active in business and liberal in all things worthy, and receives the almost unanimous support of the people in his Senatorial cajivass. Ira Bt^Woodworth, in connection with Solomon L. Hixon and many others whose names will be found elsewhere in this volume, takes a front rank among the pioneers of this county. He was born on May 10, 1810, in Cayuga county, jST. T.; receiving a com- mon-school education in his youth, he followed agricultural pur- suits, and in 183i settled with his parents in Jackson county, Mich., shortly thereafter locating in this tp.. one-half mile north of the present town of Middlebury, where he continued to reside until some 15 years since, when, disposing of his farm property, he located in the fiourishiug town above mentioned. He was married in 1832 to Eliza Murdock, a native of New York., who died in Indiana in 1837. Two years later he was married to Nancy Ann Truesdell, of Geneseo county, N. Y., who died in 1S65, leaving 3 children: Donis A., Ira J. and t-aruline A. Mr. W.'s fourth wife was Lavina Hurlbut, of Massachusetts. "^^ Abel E. Worh, an old and well-known resident of this tp., was born June 29, 1815, in Ohio, the eldest son of Aaron andMillicent (Eavart) Work, natives of Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish descent. Abel E. received as good an education as could be afforded by the rude common schools of his younger days; at the age of 19 he commenced to learn blacksmithing, which business he followed near his father's home for about six years. Sept. 15, 1836, he mar- ried Cynthia Larimer, and they have had 8 sons, namely: Aaron, born May 26, 1837; Isaac L.', Dec. 16,1838; John W.. Jan. 11, ISil; Samuel A., Feb. i'6, 1813; James A., Feb. 15, 1845, a well- known piiysician of Elkhart; William C, June 19, 1847; Robert W., June'20, 1849; and Abel M.. Sept. 13, 1851, now Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Rochester, Ind. Isaac L. and John W. died of lung disease in Gallatin, the former Dec. 29, 1862, anil the 1100 HISTOEY OF KLKHAET CXJUNTT. latter Jau. 15. 1S63; they were members of Co. I. 74th Ind. Vol. Inf., having enlisted under Capt. llowell Aug. 11. 1S62. Mr. Work became a resident of Indiana iu lSi2. and for 3? years car- ried on blaeksmithing in connection with farming, and has accumn- lated a resj^iectable amount of property, wholly by his own industry and perseverance. In politico he is an old Jacksouian Democrat and lie and his wife are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Henry I. Yoder was born in Holmes county. Ohio. Xov. 2, 1S36, and is the son of Jacob M. and Magdelena (^Miller) Yoder, who were of Pennsylvania and Ohio nativity respectively. Henry acquired a liberal common-school education; was brought up on a farm ; was married in IS.i" to Mrs. Mary Kauffman Miller, who was the mother of 1 son, Samuel Miller, now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Yoder are the parents of 3 sons and 3 daughters, as fol- lows: Jonas, born in 1S5S: Saloma. in 1S59, now the wife of Wm. !Xusbaum; Anna Mary, born 1S60: Frederick, Angnst. 1S62; Fan- nie, in 1864; Jacob H.. Feb. 6, 1S71. After marriage Mr. Y. re- turned to Ohio, and followed agricultural pursuit* on his father's farm, where he remained until 1S62. in which year he settled in thistp., about two miles west of his present home; resided there some four years; sold out and moved to Missouri, where he re- mained seven ye^rs; disposed of his property in Missouri and re- turned to Indiana, purchasing the property at Sugar Grove, where he now resides, and on which he has made improvements, includ- ing the building in which the '• Charm '" P. O. is located, and of which he is Postmaster, having been appointed to that position Oc- tober, ISSO. Mr. Yoder is a popular citizen in his neighborhood, and has been quite successful in life; himself and Mrs. Y. are prominent members of the Amish Church. OLIVE TOW^fSHTP. When we realize that only half a century has elapsed since this conntry was but a vast forest inhabited by the fearless Indian, the graceful deer, the howlin^ wolf and the savage wild-cat, we are struck with astouishineut at the remarkable progress made in set- tling up and improving the land of tliis county, and more particu- larly of Olive township, to its present prosperous condition. Its beautiful farms, line residences, commodious churches and schools are indeed attractive and inviting to the passing stranger. This township is located in the western part of the county, south of Baugo, west of Harrison and north of Locke townships, and ad- joins St. Joseph county It formerly comprised 36 sections, but about 1S40 the western half was detached and given to St. Joseph county. This township was organized in the spring of 1S36 by Cornelius Terwilliger. Jacob Sailor, Frederick Morris, Samuel and Levi Martin and David Allen. After organizing, Mr. Terwilli- ger proposed that they christen it "Olive." which was unanimously agreed to, and "Olive" became the name of the township. The above-named persons settled in this township in lS3rt-'o. Of these Jacob Siiilor was the first, having settled here in the early part of 1S34. Soon after these settlers came Daniel Mikel, who had been in the county since 1S29. The first election in the township was held in April, 1S37, at the house of Isaac Morris. The ballot-box was an old-fashioned sugar- bowl. At this election 12 votes were cast, of these only one Whig, This voter was Daniel Mikel. who for six successive years returned to the polls and deposited his solitary Whig ballot, truly exhibiting his cordial sentiments in the original meaning of the word W-h-i-g (i. e., we hope in God). Although alone, help came up from other parts, for the very mountains were swarming with Whig advo- cates, and he soon saw the ascendency and prosperity of his party- for at the next presidential election Wm. H. Harrison, the Whig candidate, was elected President of the U. S. By and by others came and joined this King David and settled in his immediate neighborhood, and subsequently, as did Mr. Mikel, proved loyal to Republicanism, for which the majority of the citizens of this town- ee (1101) 1102 HISTOET OF ELKHART COCXTT. ship are so noted. At xl\e first election, as alreadv stated. 1:2 votes were cast- The voters were, as near as can be ascertained, Daniel Mikel, Jacob Sailor. Sr.. Samuel Moore, Saranel Martin. Jacob Sailor, Jr.. Moses Sailor, TTni. Sailor, Cornelins Terwilliger. Isaac Morris, Aaron Meddars, Frederick Morris and James C. Dodge. Mr. Mikel was one of the trustees chosen at this election. Mr. Terwilliger was the first justice of the peace, and filletl that office for three consecutive terms, with genei-al acceptability ; he was succeeded by John Inks, who at the close of his term was succeeded by his predecessor. In 1S40 settlers came in more rapidly, and they were all " busy &s bees " in clearing and farming. In order to meet the requirements of educating the younger generation, which now were moving out on the threshold of life, the old pioneers en ma^^se took from the primeval forest rough, unhewn logs and erected a cabin on sec. 11. This structure was furnished with slab seats, split-log floor, greased-paper window- lights, and a huge fire-place that would easily receive a log ten feet in length. On a bitter cold winter morning the shivering, half- frozen children would be seated compactly around the "great fur- nace," thus forming a semi-circle and utterly crowding the "Hoosier schoolmaster" back in the relentless cold. It was only on such occasions that the pupils had the " upper hand " of their teacher. Log school-houses were " all the go "' and " style " till about 1S4S, when they were replaced by frame and brick structures. Religious meetings were held in school and private houses till the year 1866, when the Lutherans erected a church edifice at Wa- karusa. Messrs. Jesse Flickinger and AVilliam Lutz were the prin- cipal contributors in this enterprise. The next church house was erected by the Baptist society the following year. The founders of this Church were Mr. Stevens, deceased, and Joseph and Benj. Hughes. In 1S74^ a church of the M. E. denomination was built by Josiah X. Kronk, Joseph Seaman. Christian S. Farber. David Iker. Geo. Berkey and Geo. H. Gore. The Christians built a house of worship in Wakarusa in ISTO, and the principals of this organi- zation were Drs. Shafter and Knepple and I. C. Bennett, since deceased. In 1S61 a Mennonite church was established on sec. 2 by Jacob Wisler, John "Weaver. Martin Hoover and Ohristiiui Bair. The cemetery nej\r this church was laid out in ISoo. It is hand- somely divided in wards, and is situated on such a beautiful eminence the passer-by is impressed that that spot was intended by HISTORY OF ELKHART OOVNTT. 1103 Providence for the resting-plrtce for many of the finite creatures of earth, and many of the county's old pioneers and estimable men are buried in this phice. In 1S7S a minor branch of the old Men- nonite society erected a house of worship on the site of the old church, which was erected in 1S51, this being the first frame church in the township. In ISiO a postofiiee, designated as " Mt. Olive." was established three and a half miles north of Wakarusa. Harvey Bly was post- master. In ISof:, shortly after the location and the laying out of Wakarusa, then '• Salem," the postofiiee was removed and estab- lished at that point. This town is situated in the southern part of Olive township, and was laid ott' by Messrs. Holdeman, Smeltzer and Fletcher. In 1S50 the name was changed from Salem to Wakarusa, there being another Salem in Indiana. The first merchants were Thomas Inks and Jackson Woolverton, the latter having bought the first stock of dry goods and notions. Mr. Moon, now deceased, was about the first settler in the town. Thomas Inks built the first house. The village now contains four churches, the Methodist Episcopal, Lutheran, Christian and Bap- tist; one two-story brick school-house, bnilt iu 1S7S; one stave and heading factory, built in 1S6-; one saw and planing mill, built in 1866 by Loucks, Werutz & Co., and now owned by Werntz. Dell & Co.; two wagon and carriage factories, two harness shops, two drug stores, three shoe shops, two dry-goods stores, one hardware and implement store, one furniture store, one grist-mill, two blacksmith shops, one meat market, one hotel, one millinery store, one barber shop, one saloon, two physicians, one veterinary surgeon, and a popu- lation of nearly 400. There are a number of artesian wells in the place, and the water is of the best quality. Among the rare personages that are found in the human family, Wakarusa furnishes one which is very remarkable. The person is Stephen E. Lammond. He was born March IS, 1S64, in Ohio. His parents are Cortland and Xancy Lammond. He is now in his 16th year, is three feet and nine inches in height, and weighs 60 lbs. He is a very brilliant little man, and reads in the fourth reader, besides other advanced studies which he pursues. When the late war was waging to its utmost and the call "'to arms" was wafted on almost every passing breeze, almost every able man of this township realized the imminent danger of his conn- try. Some left their plow in the furrow, like old Gen. Putnam, and others dropped their hoes in the field, and proceeded to the 1104 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. ranks and fought nobly; and some even bled and died in the con- flict. This township furnished more soldiers for the army than any other of its population in the county. Politically, this township is strongly Republican. At the October election of ISSO they polled a majority of 153. Several of the township's old residents became quite prominent, and at present hold responsible county offices. The land of this township was formerly very heavily timbered. A goodly part of the land has been cleared, and there is discovered a tract almost unequaled in fertility. The value ranges from $60 to $S0 per acre. It is settled by an industrious, enterprising and intelligent class of people, farming and stock-raising being their chief pursuits. Lumbering is also followed to some extent. Among the leading fanners of this township we iind Jeremiah Haun, C. Nusbaum. John Moore. C. W. Nusbaum, Richard Terwilliger, Joseph Holderman, C. X. Holderman, Amos Jones, D. Wisler, Thos. Moore and J. H. Dell, who also is engaged in a saw-mill, A. Lechlitner. Geo. Berkey and a few others. BIOGRAPHIES. We give more at length the biographies of many of these lead- ing farmers and other prominent citizens, as follows: Jacob Bell, retired farmer; P. O., Wakarusa; was born in War- ren county. Ohio, Oct. 29, 1809. His parents were James and Sarah Bell. His father was born in New Jersey, and his mother in Pennsylvania. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of the country. The schools were held in log houses of the rudest sort, with furniture, if possible, even rougher. In 1S31 he settled iu St. Joseph county, while the Indians were there and the wild animals yet inhabited its forest. In 1S4S he came to this county, where he has since resided. In 1841 he mar- ried Mary A., daughter of Xathaniel and Anna (Dixon) Drake, who were early settlers in this county. They were from Ohio. Fourteen children were added to this family, 7 of whom are living, viz.: Emeline,now Mrs. C. Holderman; Amos, who married Rebecca Burk; James, who married Minnie Shepherd; John, who married Gethie Stauffer; Jane, now Mrs. John Burk; Silas and Harriet. Mrs. Bell died May 9, 1S60. Mr. Bell's grandfather, Jacob Warner, served six years in the Revolution for the national independence. Mr. B. owns 80 acres of land iu sec. 26. J . H. Bruhalcer, attorne\' at law, Wakarusa, was born in this county May 22, 1854, and is a sou of Joseph aad Elizabeth Bru- baker, natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio; came with his parents to this county in 1849; was reared on a farm till 14 years of age; HISTOKT OF ELKHART COUNTT. 1105 then Ins parents moved to Wakarusa; then our subject entered a drug store as clerk, in which position he remained three years; then went to Ohio and sold dry-goods for one year; next returned and opened a dry goods store in Wakarusa, and did business in that line for one year; then engaged in the drug trade for about a year and a half; then commenced reading law. lie also edited the Wakarusa Sun about three years, but some time ago it was discon- tinued. He was married Xov. 13, 1S76, to Hattie E., daughter of Harvey and Lucinda Bly, natives of New I'ork; had 2 children, Arthur and Walter. Mr. B. had a brother Amos in the army, who was killed at the battle of Mission Ridge. John Crater. — Among the Union's veterans we find the name of John Crater. He was born in Lancaster county. Pa., Oct. 24,1843. His parents, Jacob and Sarah Crater, were also natives of that State; he was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the military service. Co. G, 55th Ohio Inf Vol., under Capt. Strong. He participated in the battles of Chattanooga, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta (which lasted three days). Savannah, then Ilardyville, 8. C, where he was taken prisoner and confined for a short time in the Cheraw and the Salis- bury(!N.C.) prisons; then was transferred to the Libby prison at Rich- mond, Va. While thousands of others lay bleeding and dying on the field of battle he was in the dungeon cell almost dying of hun- ger. He at one time gave S5 for a morsel of corn bread. After four months of intense suflering he was released, and siibsequently fought in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was in the entire Atlanta campaign, and also with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was honorably discharged at the end of the war. He then returned to this county, where he still resides. He was married Oct. 29, 1865, to Jane Bowes, daughter of Roger and Elizabeth Bowes, natives of England. They emigrated to America in 1850. To this marriage 8 children were born, 2 of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth and Cornelia. In politics Mr. Crater is a Re- publican. " He votes the way he shot." Jacob Crij>e, deceased, who lived near Wakarnsa, was a native of Hagerstown. Pa., whence he moved with his parents to Montgom- ery'county, Ohio. At the age of 25 years and while yet living in Ohio he was married to Miss Elizabeth Shank. Four children were born to them, namely: Henry, Samuel, Mary and Catharine, when by death Mr. Cripe was deprived of his wife. He afterward married Mary Shank, a sister of his first wife; they had two chil- dren, namely: John and Xancy, In 1829 he moved with his present family and his oldest son, Henry, together with a few of his neigh- bors, into the wilds of Indiana, into •' Elkhart Prairie," then inhab- ited by" Lo!" the poor Indian. He planted a small acreage to corn, and in the fall returned to Ohio, where he remained through the winter. Then they returned to Indiana and settled about one mile west of where the city of Goshen now stands, where he lived until 1854; he then sold his farm to Mr. Dillman and^moved to Clintoa 1106 HISTORY OF ELKHART COrNTT. tp., where shortly after he died. He is said to have been the first white settler in Indiana svest of the Elkhart river. Thej were troubled considerably in the beginning with the Indians who were continually loitering about their dwelling and begging for some- thing to eat. His son Henry married^Magdalena Miller, and Samuel married Miss Elizabeth Miller, sisters, and members of a pioneer family. Mary was married to Jacob Dili, who lives near Wakarusa. The remainder of the family, Jacob H., Nancy, Mary, Catharine and Solomon, are all living in this and adjoining coun- ties, in good circumstances, and are useful membersof their respect- ive communities. Jacoh F . Ehret. Trustee of Olive tp., sec. 14; P. O., Wakarusa; was born July 15, 1S36, in Philadelpliia, Pa. His parents, Elias and Sophia Ehret, were natives of Germany and came to America in 1818 and settled in Philadelphia. In 1835 they moved to Medina county, Ohio, and in ISIO came to this county. Jacob F. lived on a farm till 19 years old, then learned thecirpeuter's trade, at which he worked 22 years. He was married New Year's day of 1862 to Mary J., daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth Morris, who were among the earliest settlers of this tp. Mr. and Mrs. E. have had 9 children, viz.: Cornelius O., Minerva E., Lavina E., Alice, Clara. Sophia, Bertha, Frederick C, and Sarah A. Mr. E. was elected to the ofllce of Tp. Trustee in 1878, and re-elected in April. 1880. Peter FinJc was born in Lancaster county. Pa.. Sept. 29, 1S32. His parents are Emanuel and Lydia Fink. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. He was married in 185-1 to Mary Clouse, by whom he has had 8 children, viz.: Mary A., Sarah A. Keuben, Alsetta, Emanuel, John and Frank. Mr. Fink came with his parents to this county in 1812, and still resides here, en- gaged in farming and raising stock. He owns a farm of 100 acres, in sec. 2, well improved. August 20, 1862, he enlisted in the army, Co. I, 71th Peg. Ind. Inf. and fought in the following bat- tles: Chickamauga. Mission Ridge. Jonesboro, and also skirmishes, and was with Sherman on his march to the sea. He was discharged in June, 1865. Mr. F. is a member of the Masonic order, and in politics is a Democrat. George HaUey Gore was born Feb. 15, 1S17, in Preston, New London Co., Conn. At 5 years of age. the familv moved to New York, where the subject of this notice attended the com- mon school; at 12 he was apprenticed to the woolen-cloth manufacturing business, and served seven years. Losing his health, he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, and continued in that business till 1850, when he moved his family to Lagrange county, Ind., where he was a millwright a few months; he then bought an interest in the foundry at Sturgis, Mich. He afterward made an engine and erected a steam saw-mill in Concord tp., this county. In 1859 he sold this mill, moved to Goshen, and was employed in the construction of threshing-machines two or three years. In 1863 he moved to Wakarusa, where he now resides. Oct. 29, 1810, HISTORT OF ELKHART COtJNTT. 1107 he married Eleanor Kay, of Glasgow, Scotland, and they had 5 children: Harriet J., Charles H., (^vvho married Martha Lincoln and had Cora and Charles E.\ Mary J.; Caroline; and Emily, (who mar- ried Stephen Morris.) Mrs. G" died, and Mr. G. married Plicebe J. Mitchell, and by her had James F., John S. and Martha M. Mr. Gore's second wife died and he married, for his third wife, her cousin, Mrs. Mary A. (^Morris) Mitchell, and by her had 2 children, Elmer E. and Lucy M. This last wife had 2 children living, Samuel J. and Wm. H. Jerem'aih Haiin. son of John and Martha Haun, was born in Fayette county. Pa., Feb. 14, 1S30; in 1S36 he and his parents moved to Holmes county, Ohio; here he was reared and educated. He was married Feb. 14. 1S52, to Miss Maria, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Longenecker,and they have had 13 children, of whom 5 are living, viz.: Martha E. (now Mrs. Allen MauererV Joseph G., Pera E., Adelphia E. and John M. In 1S64, while in Holmes county. Ohio, his family was seized with a very fatal form of diph- theria. In the short space of two weeks 5 of his children died, namely: Mary, Almira, Isaac, Joseph and Harrison R., and 3 others died soon after. Mr. Haun and wife are members of the M. E. Church. He owns a farm of 161 acres, in sec. 22, valued at $9,000. He is a Eepublican, and has tilled the office of Township Trustee for two terms. Philip Kilmer, farmer, sec. 36; P. O., Wakarnsa; was born Aug. 9. ISOS, in Pennsylvania. His parents were Isaac and Eve Kilmer, of the same State. He was reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. Nov. 4. 1S53, he came to this county, where he still resides, engaged in farming. March 15, ISoS. he was married to Catharine, daughter of Christian and Hannah Morton, of Pennsylvania. They have had 10 children. 6 of whom are liv- ing, viz.: Jacob, who married Christiana Lindamon; Hannah, now Mrs. Martin Loucks; Eve, now Mrs. Thos. Clay; Martha, now Mrs. Henry Miller; Philip, who married Anna Mover; and Catharine, now Mrs. Fremont Degolyer. Mr. Kilmer had 1 son, Christian, who was a soldier in Co. K, 73d Reg't Ind. Vol. Inf., in the late wai-. and fought in the battle of Stone River, where he received a fatal wound, and diedApril 27, 1S63, at the Xashville hos- pital, after an illness of over four months. Mr. K. owns a farm of 117 acres on sec. 36, worth s60 per acre. He is a member of the Mennonite Church, and politically is a Republican. Eicfiard McDonomjh. of the firm of Gore. JS'usbaum, McDonough 6 Co., stave factory, Wakarusa, was born in St. Joseph county, Ind., April 5, 1856, and is a son of John and Magdalena Mc- Donough. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1S74 became to this county, and in 1S7S entered part- nership in the above-named firm. In August. 1877, he married Leah Lechlitner. bv whom he had one child, Mary, born Jan. 1, 1S78. 1108 BISTORT OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. Daniel Mikeh an early pioneer of Elkhart county, was born in North Carolina Aug. IS, ISOS, and is a soir of Joseph and Mary Mikel, who moved to Ohio in ISll, settling near Cincinnati; there he was reared and educated in the common schools held in little, low log cabins; he well remembers seeing the soldiers of 1S12 as they were marching by their humble residence to the little village of Cincinnati, whicli to-day is the metropolis of Ohio. In 1S29 he came to this county, and for the first two years followed boat- ing on the St. Joseph and Elkhart rivers : then the light canoe of the Indian would pass their heavily laden llat-boat like a bird on the wing; the steamboat did not yet ply its beautiful waters, and the shrill whistle of the iron horse was not heard; the noise of the atmospheric insects and the Indians' ■•jabbers," or their savage, war-like yells, was the only music for the few white men that wan- dered in this forest. In 1S31 Mr. Mikel came into Olive tp.; there were but two other settlers within its limits; he chopped down a few trees and built a log house and moved into it; although the tall, sturdy oak seemed to defy his strength, he did not sit still and watch their bough.s waving gracefully in the breeze, but with his ax com- menced slaj'ing these monarch oaks, and it was not long until he had prepared several acres for the plow. Thus his industry surmounted many great obstacles that came in his way. The meat they ate was all wild, principally deer and wild turkey. On one December morning, being in need of meat, he shouldered his rilie and started out in search of a deer; after going some dis- tance from the house he saw a large deer standing in the path; he raised his gnu and tired; the deer ran a few steps and leaped over a large log; Mr. [Mikel loaded his gun, and on looking up, saw a deer gazing over the same log at him ; he leveled on the deer, and it very quickly disappeared behind the bushes; he reloaded his gun, and on looking at the log again he saw the deer still looking; he raised his trusty old ritle and discharged its contents at the sup- posed taunting deer; it disappeared; he once more loaded his gun; on looking up, saw a deer trot out in the path before him and stop; he dispatched him with a bullet, and on looking behind the log he found that every shot did its intended work, — three deers killed. He took care of his game, then resumed his hunting for the day, and at night returned with five more, being eight in all. They were so numerous that sometimes a gang of 60 would be seen. In December. 1827. Mr. Mikel married Catharine Eller, and they have had S children; 5 of these are living, viz.: Joseph, William, Mary, uot Mrs. Jacob Fields, Sarah and Albert. Mr. M. owns 120 acres of land, partly in sec. 2, worth $50 per acre. In politics he is a Republican, and for many years was the only Whig voter in his tp. Some of iiis early ancestors were soldiers in the Revolution. I}r. Hugh T. Montgomery, physician and surgeon, Wakarusa, Ind.. was born in Harrisburg, Penn.. Dec. 10, ISiO; his parents were Riland and Caroline Montgomery; father was a native of Pennsylvania and mother of Maryland. In 1S55 he moved with HISTOKT OF BLKHAET COUNTY. 1109 his parents to South Bend, and in 1S61 to Warsaw, where they re- sided uutil 1S67. when tliey went to Bourbon, Ind. The Doctor was educated in the schools of South Bend and Warsaw, but prin- cipally at the last named place, lie began the study of medicine in 1S71 under Dr. A.T. Matchett. of Bourbon, and continued there till the fall of 1S73, when he attended the Chicago Medical Col- lege, and graduated March 16, 1S75; he also graduated at the Chi- cago School of Anatomy. In the year 1875 he came to W"akarusa, and commenced the duties of his profession, and has good patron- age, lie is a Democrat, and was nominated by that party for Rep- resentative, but owing to his e.xtensive business he declined to serve. Dr. M. was married Oct. 12, 1S7S, to Miss Hattie Lin- wood, who was born Jul}- 17, 3858, and is a daughter of E. B. and Mary Linwood, who were natives of New York and Massachusetts; they have one child, Ethyl L. John Moore was born in Washington county, New York, Feb. IS, 1820, and is a sou ot Samuel and Sarah Moore, the former a na- tive of England and the latter of Ireland. His father served in the French Revolution, under Gen. Wellington, and fought at the bat- tle of Waterloo, where they were repulsed by Napoleon's army. He came to America in 1801 and settled in Washington county. New York; in July, 1835, he and family came to this county, and in 1837 settled in Olive tp. Here John was reared and educated. He was married April 5, 1846, to Julia Crampton, by whom he has had 12 children; 10 are living: Elizabeth J., now Mrs. Tabor Mitchell; James C, Harriet M., now Mrs. Samuel Rowell; Emma A., Martha J., Sarah C now Mrs. Lamar Gillette; Charles IL, Maggie L., John S. and Thomas E. Mrs. Moore died April 27, 1873. and Mr. Moore again married in 1S75. He is a Democrat; has held the office of Justice of the Peace for nearly 12 years, and is the present candidate (October, 1880) on the same ticket, for Representative. He owns 144 acres of land in sec. 11, worth $60 per acre. Thomas Moore, brother of the preceding, was among the early residents of this county. He was born in Washington county, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1832. In 1835 he and his parents came and located in this wild and almost unbroken forest of Elkhart county, passing the first two years of tiieir pioneer life in Concord tp., but afterward moving into Baugo tp. Here, in Nature's temple, Thomas was reared "and educated, learning more about frontier life than of the treasures contained in the school books. Oct. 27, 1857, he was mar- ried to Elizabeth, daughter of Peter and Ann Troxel, who were born in Pennsylvai:ia. They had 10 children, of whom 2 are deceased. The following are the names of the living: Emma J. (now Mrs. John F. Root\ Wm. P., John H., James IL, George I., Peter, Mary A. and Frank W. Stephen Mo7'ris was among those upon whom the '• sun of life " fell in a melancholy forest. This event took place Nov. 18, 1834, His parents were Isaac and Eliza (Sailor) Morris. Here in this 1110 HISTOKT OF ELKHAET COUNTY. place of solitnde he grew to manhood, having for an education access only to the common schools that were held in the rudest sort of log houses, but his help at home deprived him of many advan- tages that would have proved beneficial to him in after life. He was married Dec. 30, 1S56, to Mary Chance, by whom he had 4 chil- dren: of these 2 are living, Caroline and Saraantha. ilrs. M. died May 13. 1864, and he again married Sept. IS, 1865, this time Emma Gore, and had 1 child, Charles E.. born in April. 1867. Mr. Mori-is, enlisted in the army in Co. C, 9th Kegiment Ind. Yol. Inf., under Capt. T. F. Mann, and participated in The capture of Grafton and in the battles of Philippi and Laurel Hill. He was discharged in August, 1861. In 1855 he went to Olmsted county. Minn., and was appointed Sheriff of that county by the •• Club law." being the first sheriff in the county. His father was among the early settlers of this county, having located here in 1832. He was born in Yir. (?) Feb. 7, 1803. In 1S06 he and his parents moved to Monroe county, O., thence here. He, like many other pioneer boys, had a very limited education. He was married Sept. 25, 1825, to Elizabeth Sailor, and they have had 10 children, 9 of whom are living, viz.: Isaac, Stephen. Moses. Cornelius. Esther, Elizabeth, Eliza, Mary, Uachel M., and Jacob (deceased), who was a soldier in the late war. and died at Louisville, Ky. Joseph y^ittrouer was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, 1809. His parents, Samuel and Catharine Xittrower. were also natives of Pennsylvania. At the age of 11 years Joseph was cast out among strangers to do for himself. In 1S14 he went to Montgomery county, O., and in 1864 came to this county, where he still resides. Feb. 2, 1837,_he married Anna Metzler, by whom he has had 9 children: David, Jacob, Samuel, Abram, Mary (deceased). Catha- rine, Elias, Anna (^deceased) and Amy. Mr. N. owns SO acres of land, worth $60 per acres, all the fruit of his honest labors. His mother is still living, at the ripe age of 88 years. His grand- mother lived to the age of 87 years and nine months. C. M. I^usbaum was born in Switzerland April 30, 1838, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine Xusbaum. also natives of Switzer- land; was reared and educated in his native country. In 1S5S he came to America on the vessel '• Samuel Fox." He first settled in Putnam county, Ohio, where he resided one year, then came to this county. He was married April 1, 1861, to Rhoda E. Sailor. At that time the war was raging, and heeding the call to arms, he, ■with a true patriotic spirit, not conforming to the old Mosaical law " that he should remain with his wife one year after marriage be- fore going to war," the following August (1861\ enlisted in Co. G, Tith Eeg. Ind. Inf., under Capt. Davis and Gen. Sherman. He participated in the terrible conflict at Chickamauga, the battle of Mission Ridge, Jonesboro and other minor engagements, numbering 14 in all. He also accompanied Sherman's army on their march to the sea. He was honorably discharged in June, 1865, having served nearly four years. He returned home and resumed farming HISTOKT OF ELKHABT COT7NTT. 1111 and stock-raising. In this family were (i cbildren, of whom 4 are living, viz.: Emeline, Albert A., Milo K. and John. Mr. N. owns a farm of SO acres in sec. 11, well improved, and a fine resi- dence. He and wife are both members of the Evangelical Church, and he is a Republican. C. TT. i\^M^5a^^/«. farmer, sec. 23; P. O.. Wakarnsa; was born Xov. 11. 1836. in Ashland county, Ohio, and is a son of Christian and Catharine ^ Wise) Xusbanm, natives of Switzerland and Baden respectively, who emigrated to America in an early day. In April, IS-tS, Mr. X. came with his parents to this county, where he has followed farming and stock-raising for some years; was engaged in the mercantile business in Wakarusa for one and one-half years; also taught school for about eight years. Feb. IS, 1S5S, he was married'to Elizabeth Bechtel, daughter of Jacob and Anna Bechtel. and they have had 11 children; of these, 9 are living, viz. : Leander B.. John W., Lucretia C. Oliver P., Charles M.. William W., Anna M., Jacob Y. and Matie Y. Mr. X. owns a farm of 110 acres in sec. 23, worth S65 per acre. In politics he is a Republican, and has held the oflice of Assessor for 13 years. Mr. and Mrs. X^usbaum are both members of the Evangelical Association. Dai'id Ramer. blacksmith and wagon-maker, Wakarnsa, was born in Richland county. Ohio, Feb. 4. 1S42. His parents were Jacob and Catharine (^Reed ) Ramer. lie was reared among the "Buckeyes" till ISiS, then came to this county and passed the re- mainder of his young days among the Hoosiers. ELis education was received in the common country schools. August 4, 1S61:, he married Miss Hannah C.. daughter of I. C. and Mary Bennett, natives of Canada. They have had 3 children, viz.: Emma A,, Olive E., and Clarington C. Mr. R. was a soldier in the late war, in Co. G, 74th Reg., I. Y. I., and participated in the battle of Louisville, where he was taken ill, and on that account was discharged Feb- ruary 24, IStio. He then returned to AA'akarusa and has since pursned the wagon-making and blacksmith trade. Politically, he is a Republican. E. TT. Eobinson, meat merchant, Wakarusa, was born July 1, lS22,iu Franklin county. Pa. ; his parents were Hezekiah and Cath- arine Robinson, also natives of Pennsylvania; he was reared and educated in Thomastowu, Pa.: in 1S50 he went to Tifliu. O.. and in 1S65 he came to Wakarusa, where he has since been engaged in the meat trade. He was married in 1S54 and had S children; of these, 3 are living, viz.: Wm. F., Albert W. and Mary C. ^^now Mrs. Frederick WhitmerV Mr. R. enlisted in the army May 2, ISHl, Co. A, 104th Reg. O. Y. I., Xatioual Guards, and served 100 days, then was discharged ; had one son who served three years. .Nelson Rood, proprietor of the Elkhart Tiling Factory, sec. 2 ; is a son of Lorain B. and Susanna Rood, and was born April IS, 1848, in Mercer county, Ohio. He was raised on a farm and edu- cated in the common schools. He followed school-teaching some years. In 1868 he came to this county ; he first located the tiling 1112 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. factory in Jefterson tp. in October, 1S71, and in 1878 he removed it to its present site. He manufactures 2, 2i, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 inch tiling. The engine is lO-horse power. He married Nov. 26, 187-t, to Hutoka Blue, daughter of Abner Blue, and had one child, viz.: Hallet Ernest. 8'imuel Seitz was born in Schuylkill county. Pa., Sept. 25, 1822. His parents were Jacob and Salome Seitz. He was reared on a farm, receiving but little education. His parents were poor, and his lot was cast among almost heartless strangers. He attended school only when the inclement weather prevented him from working. Thus he did not attend school more than a month (in all) in a year. In March, ls53, he came to Olive tp., this county, where he still resides, engaged in farming, etc. He mar- ried Aug. 11, lS44r, Lucetta Williard, by whom he has had 5 chil- dren; 3 are living, viz.: Lydia A., now Mrs. Michael Ehret, in Mich. ; Catharine, now Mrs. Eli Waggoner, and Harriet, now Mrs. Bishop Shutts. Mr. and Mrs. Seitz are both members of the Re- formed Church. Mr. S. is also a Republican. He owns a farm of 80 acres in sec. 27. Richard TerioiUlger, son of Cornelius and Harriet Terwilliger, was born in Ulster county, N. Y., July 12, 1833. In December, 1S37, he and his parents came to this county; here in the wilder- ness he grew to the years of maturity, receiving his education in the common schools; also attended the Elkhart schools. May 31, 1860, he was married to Mary A. Stair, daughter ot Jacob and Susan Stair, and they have had 4 children, viz.: Byron E., Alma L., Jacob W. and Susan H. Mr. T. owns 80 acres in sec. 10, valued at §4,800 ; he is a Democrat. Barney Ulhie, Jr., merchant, Wakarusa. Mr. Uline was born in Wayne countj', N. T., June 28, 1841. His parents were Barney and Esther Uline, of Xew York. He was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. In 1847 he went with his grand- father to Renssalaer county, N. Y., and in 1861 to St. Joseph county, Ind., and the same year he came to this county. He worked in the saw- mill till the following November, when he enlisted in the army as drum-major in Co. F, 4Sth Reg. Ind. Inf , and partici- pated in the siege of Corinth, battle of luka, battle of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, and 15 others of note. At the latter part of the war he was promoted 1st Sergeant of his company. He was discharged in August, 1865; he then returned home and resumed saw-milling, at which he continued till 1876, and then engaged in the mercantile trade. He was married Dec. 24, 1867, to Slary E., daughter of Robert and Rebecca Milliken, and they have had 2 children, viz.: Charles A. and AValter C. Mr. Uline is a Repub- lican. His Grandtather Burnet fought in the Revolutionary war. Lewis Wagner was born in Mahoning county, O., June 20, 1851, and is a son of Nicholas and Margaret Warner, who were natives of Germany, and came to this country in March, 1848, and to this county in 1866, where they still reside. In 1870 the subject of this HISTOET OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 1113 sketch came to Wakarnsa, and in 1S78 opened a saloon. lie was married May, 12, 1872 to Anna Miller, who was born'Feb. 9, 1855, and they Iiave 1 child, Lloyd. Mrs. W. is a daughter of Geo. and Susan Miller, who are natives of Canada. Mr. W. is a Repub- lican. Jonathan R. Williard was born in Dauphin county, Penn., March 15, 1827. His parents were John and Anna Williard, who were also natives of Penn.; was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools; he came to this county in April, 1865, where he still resides, following farming and stock-raising. He was mar- ried Jan. 29, 1856, to Catharine, daughter of Frederick and Cath- arine Sciiwalim. They have had 2 children; only 1 is living, namely, Stanford I. Christain is deceased. Stanford I. is a gradu- ate of the Goshen schools, and follows school-teaching. He was born Nov. 1, 1858. Mrs. Williard was born Aug. 21, 1836. Mr. W. owns a farm of 40 acres, in sec. 22, worth $75 per acre. In 1873 he built a $2,000 barn. He was a poor orphan boy, cast out among strangers, and grew to manhood with but little education. By his industry he has become possessor of property to the amount of $6,000. Christian I. Werntz was born in Schuylkill county, Penn., Sept. 15, 1836; his parents, Daniel and Lydia Werntz, were natives of Columbia county. Penn. At the age of si.x years. Christian, with his parents, moved to Ross countj', Ohio, where he was reared; they traveled all the way in a wagon drawn by one blind horse; his edu- cation was attained in a log cabin with rough slab seats, unhewed puncheon floor and greased-paper window-lights. He commenced at a very early day to work in a saw-mill, which he followed prin- cipally through life. His father was a miller by trade. In 1848, he came to this county, where he resided till 1856, then went to Iowa and Nebraska, but returned the same year. Aug. 10, 1862, he enlisted in the army in 2l8t Ind. Battery, under Capt. A. P. Andrews; was honorably discharged June 20, 1865, having served nearly three years; he participated in the following battles, viz.: New Middleton, Hoover's Gap,Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Colum- bia City, Franklin and Nashville, Tenn.; also various other skir- mishes. He was captured by the Morgan company at New Middleton and was held for nine days and then released. At the expiration of his term of service he returned home and resumed his former business, saw-milling. In 1876 he \nsited his native place, attended the Centennial and the cities of note in the East. March 5, 1877, he married Martha Shugars, daughterof John and Catharine Shu- gars, natives of Ohio; they have had one child, Malinda. Mr. W. served one term as County Commissioner, and partly superintended the building of the county jail. He owns a farm of 48 acres near Wakarusa. A portrait of Mr. Werntz is given in this volume. John Wire was born in Mahoning county, O., July 9, 1837, and a son of Samuel and Elizabeth Wire, natives of Pennsylvania. He 1114 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. was reared on a farm; his educational advantages were limited to the common schools. In 1857 he went to Kansas and afterward to Michigan, and in 1863 came to Wakarusa, where for eight years he was engaged in the mercantile trade. Sept. 3, 1865, he married Hannah Kimble, a native of Wyandot county, O. Slie was born in January, 1840, a daughter of Nathan and Mary Kimble, of Massa- chusetts; the former was a Captain in the war of 1812. Jackson Woolverton, deceased, one of the first business and representative men of the town of Wakarusa, was a native of Tompkins county, N. Y. He was born May 30, 1820. In early life he emigrated with his parents to Ohio. In the fall of 1848 he was united in marriage with Miss Lucinda M., second daughter of E. Stevens, of Tioga county, N. Y., and settled in Ashland, Ohio, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In tlie spring of 1852 he moved to Goshen, Ind., and in 1854 to Wakarusa, where he engaged in business nntil the breaking out of the fiebellion, when he responded to the call of his country, and entered the service as Lieutenant in Co. G, 74th Ind. Vol. Inf In the spring of 1864 he resigned his commission on account of poor health, returned home and died the following spring, March 12, 1865. Of the children now living, the eldest, A. B. Woolverton, is a practicing physician at Silver Lake, Kansas. Philip Young, farmer, sec. 3; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Stark county, O., July 17, 1845, the second son and child in a family of 8 children, all of whom are living; the parents were Peter and Catiiarine Young, natives of Ohio, the former of whom died in 1874 and the latter in 1852. Philip was reared on a farm and received a common-school education. Sept. 1, 1869 he married Charlotte Marble, wlio was born in Michigan Sept. 13, 1854, and they have 1 child, Charles. OSOLO TOWNSHIP. Osolo township is bounded on the north by tlie State of Michi- gan, east by Washington township, south by the St. Joseph river and Concord township, and west by Cleveland township, of which it was formerly a part. Samuel Simon ton is supposed to have been the first settler, who about 1834 located on what is now section 9. Soon afterward came Abraham Heaton, who settled on section 25, followed by Philip Mechling, who fixed his location on sec. 26; and in 1835 James and Ezekiel Compton, Mrs. Long, a widow lady, John Gardner and a Mr. Kutting formed a settlement on Christiana creek. In the year following Mr. Alpheus Bugbee became a settler in the same neighborhood. In January, 1838, the township was organized. Abraham Ileaton, the second settler in the township, was the first justice of the peace. The year following the organization, in 1839, Nat. Newell, Henry Salmon and Guy Johnson, and soon Luther Wood, William, Erastus and Walter Beach came and selected loca- tions and were residents of Osolo township. The first election was held in the first school-house that was built, known as the Johnson school-house, which was erected on section 20, in 1838. Tlie now flourishing, healthy life of the settle- ment brought with it the necessity of a postofiice, which was established in 1839; and Alpheus Bugbee, a resident on the west side of Christiana creek, was the first postofiice incumbent. After a time Mr. Smith Howland, by appointment, became postmaster. But after a few years the oflice was discontinued. There are several small lakes in this township; Simonton lake, Mud lake and Cooley lake are in the north, and Heaton lake in the east- ern part. Mud lake is the principal source of Puterbaugh creek. Christiana creek is said to have been thus named in honor of the wife of a Christian missionary; it enters this township in the northwest corner from the State of Michigan, and empties into the St. Joseph river on the south. The country generally presents a pleasant and thrifty appearance. Having been formerly covered thickly with small oak timber, it was called the "barrens," and the numerous groves yet found give it quite a picturesque appearance. There (1115; HISTV^KT OF ELKHART COCNTT. are placesthat are quite romantic. The soil is a sandy loam with a goodly mixture of gravfel ; it is easy of cnltivation and produces good crops. The farms irenerally are under good cultivation, hare fine buildings, aud.the fanners are prosperous and happy. BIOGRAPHICAI.. We give below a number of personal sketches, including some of the most prominent residents of the township : £ii80, is the third son of Abel and Charlotte Newell, nee Holburt; was among the first settlers in the tp. He 1122 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. ■was born in Chittenden county, Vt., Jan. 2, 1810, and brought up on a farm; received his education in the old log-cabin school-houses, on the run, picking up a little here and there; his father had too much work to do to spare the time to let him go to school. His work was farming in summer and drawing logs to mill in winter. He stayed at home with his father until 23 years old; he then was married to Miss Lucinda Johnson, who was the daughter of Solo- mon and Rhoda Johnson, in 1831. He emigrated with his wife to Detroit, Mich., thence to this tp., locating on sec. 16, where he bought 100 acres of land with a small log house on it, and three acres broken, and commenced to farm with nothing but his hands and the assistance of his wife. He had to battle with grim poverty staring- him in the face, but with a will to do, he conquered. The family consisted of 2 children, George and Marion, now Mrs. Cole- man. In 1839, Mr. ]Sr. lost his amiable wife, and he was left to battle on among the early trials of pioneer life, and has continued in his every-day life, never again taking to himself another com- panion. He now has by industry obtained possession of 715 acres of land in this tp., which is worth $50,000. Besides, he has given his 2 children aid in money and land. During the year of 1879 he raised 3,000 bushels of wheat, 1,500 of corn, 50 tons of hay, sold 12 head of cattle and 20 hogs. He is now in his 71st year, having nearly completed the time allotted to each man, and is hale and hearty. The picture from which the engraving in this volume was made is the only one he ever had taken in his life, and he sat for it on the day he was 70, Nov. 25, 1880, as if to be thankful for the prosperity we have had in this life. In politics Mr. Newell is an ardent Democrat. William Neivell, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Chittenden county, town of Charlotte, Vt., Feb. 10, 1819, the fourth son of Abel and Charlotte Newell; his mother died when he was only six years of age, in 1825, and his father died in 1838. He was brought up on a farm, and received his education by attending the common, old log-cabin schools one day in a week, or just as his father could spare him from work. In those times all good days had to be put in at work, instead of school, and thus he was de- prived of his education. In 1844 he came to this county poor "as a stick," and worked by the day, and taught singing-school, which was one of the best and most developed features in his education. In 1845 he began to farm, and in 1846 was married to Harriett A., daughter of H. M. Evans. She was born in Ohio in 1827. They had 6 children : Marie E.,(now JVCrs. D. M. Winans \ James M., Edwin F., Mary A., (now Mrs. C. M. Proctor),Anna L., and Hattie M. In 1868, Mr. "N. lost his wife, and in 1870 married Mrs. CatherineWatts, who was born in Indiana in 1835, and they have had 1 child, Grace G. Mr. Newell now owns 220 acres of land in this tp., which is worth $90 per acre, all of which he has made by his careful and sturdy atten- tion to farming. Politically, Mr. Newell is a Greenbacker. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1123 John Onderk'trh farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Elkhart; was boru in Onondaga county, N. Y., May 1. 1802, the -tth son of Nichohis and Catharine Onderkirk {nee Brockham), natives of the State of Xew York. His father followed the occnpatiou of farming. He was educated in the old-time log school-house, with its slab benches, and old-fashioned teachers. In 1S33, he was married to Mary Pettigrove, who was born in Montgomery county, N. Y., July 30, ISll, where they remained until 1841, when they came West with their 3 children in an old wagon, locating Dec. 22, 1841, on the farm on which they now reside, consisting of 160 acres, which cost him at that time $400 cash down. Tiiey then began improving their land, using the same old team that had brought them from New York. They struggled through thick and thin for many years of toil, but at last can boast of afarm of 218 acres of land, well improved, with splendid buildings, and worth $60 per acre. Their family consists of 5 children: Elma Jane (now Mrs. Burns), Andrew H.. Elizabeth E. (now Mrs. McDonald). Charles and Hannah Amelia. Mr. Onderkirk is one of the prominent and respected citizens of this community. In politics he is Democratic. George W. Bich, farmer, sec. 9; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Erie county, Penn., Aug. 28, 1841, the son of John S. and Lydia A. Rich, natives of New York, who emigrated to Pennsylvania, where the subject of this sketch was born. In 1843 they came to this tp., where they began farming, with no capital but a good supply of will-power and energj\ He '-traded" one of his horses for 37 acres of land, and the other horse, which had constituted his team, he exchanged for a team of oxen; and thus he began life amidst all the adverse circumstances experienced by tliose who attempted to carve a home in the wilds of Indiana. Mr. Rich was two years of age when his parents moved to this State. He received his education in the common schools of Indiana and Michigan ; being permitted to attend school only during the winter months, he was able to acquire only a'" pass- able" education. In ISOl he was married to Emeline, daughter of Maurice and Margaret Dills, natives of New York, who moved to this county at an early date. She was born in this county July 11, 1842. They have 1 child, Elma, born June 25, 1862. Soon alter his marriage Mr. Rich moved to Elkhart, where he engaged in blacksmithing. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. G, 74th Ind. Vol. Inf , and served until the close of the war; Wixs not at his home, and never failed to report for duty during tlie three years of his ser- vice in the war of the Rebellion. After lie returned home he fol- lowed farming two years. In August, 1S72, he moved to Elkhart and engaged in the grocery business, which he continued two years, when he returned to his farm, where he taught school during win- ter and attended his farm at intervals. He owns 157 acres of land, worth $40 per acre. In 1874 he was elected Town Trustee, in which office of trust he served two terms. In 1880 he was elected Assessor in Osolo tp., and in the fall of the same year he was 1124 HISTORY OF ELKHART COCNTT. chosen as the Republican candidate for County Treasurer, and was elected b}- a handsome majority. John Shove7-, whose portrait appears in this volume, from a pho- tograph taken in 18S0, is a farmer ; was born in Warren county, Ohio, Aug. 3, 1812, the fourth child of John and Elizabeth Shaver, nee "Weaver, natives of Pennsylvania. His father died when the subject of this sketch was only 10 years old. He had white swell- ing, his leg was aiiipntated, and the flow of blood caused his death, in Logan county, Ohio, in 1S22. His mother afterward married William Hogau, and she died in Logan county, O., in 1874. John resided with his stepfather until 19 years of age, and then bought his time of him and commenced for himself. His education was in the common schools. He continued to work by the day and month for IS years, gathering money to make a home in his old age. Jan. 1, 184(3, he was married to Elizabeth Bailey, who was born Feb. !•>. 1812, in Clinton county, Ohio. He continued to work by the month until 1S41. He and his wife, with one child, came to Indiana and located in this tp. on'160 acres of land, which he entered on sec. 20, where he still resides. They have had 7 childi-en; the living are: William F., John H.. Louisa (now Mrs. Chapman), and DeWitt C; the 3 deceased are Maria, Abraham and Sarah E. In March, 1852, Mr. S. lost his amiable companion, and in 1858 he married his present wife. Miss T. A. Dils, who was born in 1826 in Cayuga county, K^. T. They have had 3 children, namely, Ida C, Jennie and Charles C. Mr. Shaver now owns ISO acres of land in Osolo tp. and 140 in Cass county, Mich., which is worth, at a fair valuation, §25,000. He is a man of great benevolence, and by the work of his own hands has obtained what property he now owns. In 1S79 he raised 800 bushels of wheat, 200 of oats, 1.200 of corn, and sold 14 head of hogs, 4 head of cattle and 12 head of sheep. He is now in his 68th year, is hale and hearty, and enjoys the sociability of his friends and children. Politically, he is a Democrat. He has at various times held responsible offices of public trust in this tp., and is classed among the leading citizens. He and his wife are members of the Osolo grange. Mr. Shaver came to this section in an early day, when friends were friends and help was help; and it is interesting to sit and hear him tell of some of his early history in this State, one especially of a bear hunt in 1S50. in which a great deal of sport was had killing four of the creatures near his own home, he being the lucky marksman. He captured the rugged monster and her three 3'oung cubs. He never had any fear of being hurt, was always venturesome and ready to pursue the chase for game. The account of the bear fight we will give in his own words: " In the fall of 1851 four black bears wandered from the woods on the farm of Nicholas Smith, whose biography is next given. They were first discovered by Mr. Smith's children, who spread the alarm HISTOKT OF ELKHART COCXTr. 1125 thronghout the neighborhood. I began to make preparations for the fight. In attempting to load the gun, found that 1 had but one cap. therefore had but one loaded gun; so I and my neighbor, David Bender, started for the woodsr David being armed with a pitch-fork. On entering the woods we found two bears in a tree, one in the top the other about 25 feet high. The lower one I shot in the head, which suddenly fell to the ground dead. Ordering Bender to remain by the tree to keep the other from coming down, I proceeded to load my gun. All at once I was astonished by hear- ing in a loud voice, -The old ones are coming." The mother, on finding one of her cubs dead, gave us a most fearful look. The other cub suddenly falling from the tree, they marched ofi". but re- turned again and again to the dead child. Tiiey finally hid them- selves, however, in the thickets. We pursued them, and shot the old one just back of the shoulders. Being somewhat angry it be- gan to tear up grubs at a most furious rate. It finally ran off toward the Christiana creek. ■' In attempting to reload my gun. broke the ramrod. Fortunately two men came to my assistance, one witii a musket, the other with a rifle. On pursuing, found it again, lying in a hole nearly fatigued. It was shot again in the foreleg. By this time I had my gun loaded and was in the field ready for action. It ran again. I pursued it and found it standing with its fore feet resting on a log, with tongue out and breathing very hard; at every breath it would jerk its head up and down, and was by this time nearly exhausted. I fina ly succeeded in getting close enough to it to shoot it in the head, which nearly kilfed it. I then jumped upon it and cut its throat with a knife. The men told me to get off of it, as I was in a dangerous situation. It then kicked most furiously. We were finally pleased by seeing it breathe its last. *• We then thought we would go back to the woods to find the cubs. We tracked one nearly a mile, found it up a tree; succeeded in killing it. On our way home we found the other sitting by its dead mother, which was soon dispatched." Nicholas Smith was born in the State of New I'ork Nov. 12, 1807, the son of Joseph and Rebecca (^Cummings) Smith, natives of Massachusetts and both now deceased; educated in the common schools of his native State; when of age he learned the carpenter's and painter's trades, working a whole year for^l^t and $10 worth of tools; then worked at carpentering a while for $15 a month, and in his 23d year he and his brother bought a flax mill, and during the winter months they dressed flax; afterward they worked at carpen- tering for six years. In the spring of 1S3'> he came West and entered 360 acres of land in Cass county. Mich.; in the fall lie re- turned and married Mary Ann. daughter of Ebenezer Wright; he then moved upon his father's farm, where he remained nntil the fall of 1S45, when he moved to this county, settling in Osolo tp., on a farm of 190 acres owned by his brother; 10 acres of this land were broken, and nothing was upon the place but a small house 1126 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. and barn ; at the end of a year he bought half of the place, and in a few years the other half. Mrs. Smith died in ] 847, leavings children: William C.Judson D. and Mary W. For his second wife Mr. S. married Matilda Olds, who was born near Toungstown, Ohio., and they had 1 child, Estella. This Mrs. Smith died, and Mr. S. subsequently married Miss Caroline, daughter of Augustus Newell, and a native of Yer- mont, and of their -3 children, Herbert A. only is living, and George B. and Alice are deceased; they died with the scarlet fever in 1871. Mr. Smith lost his third wife, and he afterward married Mrs. Mary A. Clark, nee Winnins, who had by her former husband 1 child, Lewis L. Mr. S. now owns 380 acres of land, on sec. 17, besides a large amount elsewhere; he owns an undivided five-ninths of 9,000 acres in the upper peninsula ot Michigan. During 1879 he raised 1,100 bushels of wheat, 2,000 of corn, and 10 tons of hay, etc. He and his wife are members of Osolo grange, and she is also a member of the Congregational Church. A portrait of Mr. Smith appears in this volume. Bichard /Smith, favmer, sec. 23; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 4, 1831, son of Jacob and Mary Smith, natives also of Pennsylvania. His father died in that State in 1852; he was educated in the common schools of that time. His mother died in Elkhart connty, Ind., in her 76th year. He engaged in milling for a number of years in different places. In 1860 lie was married to Isabella Dills, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1833. Their family consisted of 2 children: Mary Elnora and Sherman Ellsworth, now deceased. Mr. S. owns 120 acres of land in Osolo tp., worth $60 per acre. They are members of the U. B. Church, and polit- ically Mr. Smith is a Republican. Samuel Sioinehart, Sr., farmer, was born in Union county, Pa. Nov. 6, 1817, son of Jaccb and Eebecca Swinehart, natives also of Pennsylvania, and both deceased. Samuel was educated in the common schools in Ohio and was brought up on a farm. In 1813 he was married to Sarah Weyrick, who also was born in Pennsylvania. They have had 6 children, 2 of whom are deceased: Kebecca A. and James. Those now living are David, Samuel, Elizabeth and Sarah. He came to this county in 1852 and located in Osolo tp., on the farm which he now owns, and which at that time was all in timber, without any improvements, consisting of 160 acres of land, now well improved, with fine buildings, and worth S60 per acre. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, Mr. S. classes himself a rank Democrat. Samuel Thompson, farmer, sec. 27, was born in Union county Pennsylvania, Aug. 5, 1817; is the 1th son of Jacob and Margaret Thompson, natives also of Pennsylvania. His father died in April, 1858. Ten years later his mother also died. He was educated in the common schools of his native State; learned the carpenter and joiner's trade under his father's instructions. He was married in HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1127 Ohio in 1838, to Martha Ewart, who was born in Ohio and died in 1841. They had 1 child, now the wife of Rev. Hughes, now Minister of the Presbyterian Clnirch in Iowa. In 1844 he was married to Amelia Henderson, who was born in Springfield, Ohio, Nov. 29, 1822. In 1847 they emigrated to this county and settled on the farm he now owns, consisting of 160 acres of land; is well improved, with good buildings, and is worth $2,000. When he first came to this county he was very limited in circumstances, but by diligence and careful management he has attained the valuable home which he now possesses. He and his wife are members ol the Presbyterian Church at Elkhart. He has always been a gen- erous supporter of the Church and is a stalwart Republican. William, Thompson, farmer, sec. 18; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Union county, Pa., Nov. 19, 1826, son of James and Margaret Thompson, natives of Pennsylvania, both now deceased. His father died in April, 1857, in his tiOth year, and his mother in 1864, in her 80th year. The subject of this sketch was raised on a farm, and educated in the common schools in Ohio. At the age of 20 he began working for himself, as a farm hand. In 1S54 he was married to Mary J., daughter of James and Mary Douglass. Her father was a native of Westfield, Mass., and her mother of Penn- sylvania, born May 1, 1831. After marriage he continued farming in Ohio until 1839, when he came and settled on the farm which he now owns, and on which he still lives. It consists of 273 acres of land, which is under a fine state of cultivation, and worth $75 per acre. His children living are: Elmer Ellsworth, Ulysses Grant and Margaret Jane. Four are deceased: Sarah E., Mary E., Chas. J. and William A.. They are members of the Osolo grange. Him- self and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. T. is a Republican. Cyrus Wirt, farmer, sec. 26; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Sum- mit county, Ohio, Dec. 2, 1826, son of James and Elizabeth Wirt, the former a native of New Jersey, and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father died April, 1865, in Summit county, Ohio, and his mother died January. 1865, in the same county. He was raised on a farm and educated in the common schools of Ohio. In 1854 he came to this county and located in Washington tp., where he engaged in farming. In 1856 he married Susan Philson, who was born in Pennsylvania Sept. 27, 1837; their family consisted of 9 children; the living are: Louisa A., Cora B., Eliza E., Ida May, Minnie E., Elva B. and James Garfield; 2 are deceased, Oi-rin H. and Horace L. Mr. W. came to Osolo tp. in 1873. and bought the farm which he now owns, consisting of 225 acres, which is worth $12,000; he is one of the directors of the Home Fire Insurance Co. His two daughters, Louisa and Cora, are teachers; have received a good education in the Elkhart schools, and as teachers have proven their earnestness and capability. Mr. Wirt is a Republican. 112> HI5TOKT or ELKHART COrXTT. O. L~ Wo-yd. farmer and dairyman, sec- 39; wss born in *. anada March 26. ISli*: is the son of Luther and Permelia Wood, natives of Vermont, and both deceased. He was raised on a farm and edu- cated in the common schools until 14 years old and then followed the seas, first as a sailor, then -was promoted until he reached the position oi master in 1S49; he then gave up life on the sea and came West and engaged in agricnltural pursuits; in connection \rith his fiirm he has a first-class dairy, consisting of 37 co^rs, which yield fk>m 50 to o5 gallons of milk per day, Mr. "Wood vras married in 1S49 to Eliraheth Hicks, born in Xew Jersey in 1S:20; they have 2 children : Anna, now Mrs. Jndson D. Smith, and Charles O. Mr. W. owns :214: acres of land in a good state of cultivation, worth $100 per acre- In politics, he is a stannch Republican. ^^^o^• tovtxship is a beaatiM and rich tract of farming country, sitnated in the Sonthvrest part of £lkhart countv. On the north lies Harrison township; on the east. Jackson; on the south, Kosciusko county, and on the west, Locke township. The B. * O. railiv>ad passes through the south tier of sections. The township consists of a mixture of black sand and loam, making a goovl and rich soil. The surtiace of the township is level, and at an earlv time no doubt appesired to be low and marshy, but with some very fine ridges passing through it. Formerly the township contained many small swamps, particularly in the eastern part, but nearly all these have been drained, and now form a part of the fine £arms that abound through this section. At one time it was a finely timbered country, but most of the valuable timber has been removed. When the settlers first b^an to dear their farms there was no market for Inmber, and there were no saw-mills to saw it if there had been a market; and many a fine walnat and poplar, and specimens of other kinds of valuable timber were consisned to the log-heap and burned in order to get them out of the way. In the southeast part of the township is a tamarack swamp consisting of six or eight square miles, and is at present the only waste land of any extent in the township: but the inroads of civilization art fast breaking in upon this barrier to progress, and it wiU soon have to yield to the fate of its kindred. Many of the farmers have long since seen the benefit of nnderdraining their fums, and for their forethought and enterprise are now reaping bonntifal harv^ts as a reward. The soil when properly tilled is rich and loose, and yields largely any of the roots or cereals. Since the completion of the B. «!cr O. railroad through this section they have a good market for any of the products raised here, at Xap. panee, a beantifial little town partly in Union and partly in Locke townships. When the pioneers first came to this section Indians were quite plentiful, and many relies of that race of people are still to be fonnd. A few jears ago while Mr. Boitiiolda' was In^aking np a new piece of groond on his £arm in section 18, they foimd a number (1129) 1130 HISTOKT OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. of bullets. of a large size in piles, buried in the ground about the depth that they plowed. They were in a marshy piece of ground, which at one time formed a pond of several acres. They picked up seven or eight hundred, which seemed to have been in several piles near together. Hunting was at one time quite a source of wealth to the people here. Game of all kinds was plenty in the woods. The meat of the animals furnished the hunter's family with food, while the skins and furs always found a good market at Goshsn. The pioneers all knew how to use their trusty ritles, and all were hunters; yet some took a pre-eminent rank in that profession, and among that class Daniel Ulery seems to stand foremost. He says that he has killed over 500 deer in Elkhart county. He has at different times, by four shots only, killed eight deer. He thinks that the best time for hunting deer was about 15 or 20 years ago. The most that he ever killed in one day was four. He always hunted on horse-back. He had a tine bay animal, which he had trained for hunting. After he had moved to this township, about the winter of 1817, lie was visiting his sick father, who lived about a mile from Goshen. During the day his father asked him if he thought it pos- sible that he could get a deer for him, as he thought that he should like some venison. Mr. Ulery replied, " Yes, father, I can kill you a deer, but the weather is very bad for hunting." In the afternoon he returned home, accompanied by one of his younger brothers, ■who w^s to take the venison to his father. The next morning, they started for the woods. It was a very cold, stormy morning, about the middle of December. They had traveled about a half mile ■when they started up three deer. They seemed to be quite wild. After following them about two miles they saw them standing at some distance from them . Mr. Ulery thought it would be a long shot, but still he thought that he could secure one. So, riding up by a large tree, he dismounted and stepped on the opposite side of the tree from his horse. He raised his gun, took aim at a deer, and, just as he pulled the trigger, something scared his horse, which made a jump in front and received in his head the contents of the gun, intended for the deer. He was killed. Mr. Ulery took the bridle and bell from the dead horse, and went home, vowing that he would never hunt any more. After remaining at home for a few days he began to be in better spirits and thought he must do something to make up the loss of his horse. So he cleaned up his gun and again commenced hunting, and by the 15th of January HISTOET OF ELKHART COtTNTT. 1131 he had killed 27 deer. He then took his hides and venison sad- dles to Goshen and sold them, receiving $86 in cash, twice the value of the horse. Daniel Bainter was the first to settle in Union township. He came in April, 1S3-4, and built the first cabin in the township. It was 16 feet square and of split logs; no lumber was used. The floor was made of puncheons. It had but one door and window. Mr. B. split the board out for the door and had sufficient nails with him to nail it together. It was then hung on wooden hinges. This cabin stood near where his home now .stands, on his farm in section 15. Mr. Bainter is still living on the farm which he entered. He was one of the first men in Elkhart county, having passed through here as early as 1S27, going with his father to where South Bend now stands. A few years after Mr. Bainter settled here John Walbnrn moved into the township. He had come with a wagon from Ohio, driving his stock with him. He had to cut his road for some miles to get to his land. He reached his destination on the corner near where the school-house now stands, about sundown. He had hired his brother-in-law, William Albin, who lived at Waterford, to haul a load of lumber from that place for him. He cut a couple of forks and a pole, and setting them up by some trees, made a shed which served for a house until he got his cabin up. The settlers now began to come in fast, and among the first we mention Daniel Landers, John Pippinger, Christ Louder, Mr. Sheline, Cotner Strycker and the Stumps. The township was organized in the spring of 1837. The first election was held in Daniel Bainter's cabin. The men ofiiciating were Josiah Elston, Daniel Bainter and Daniel Landers. Daniel Bainter and John and Samuel Brown were elected trustees. The following summer the first school-house that was put up by the township was built at Union center. It was a log building. Previous to this there had been several buildings put up in difl'erent parts of the township, the people clubbing together for the purpose. The schools at present are in a good condition, and the citizens have a bright hope for the intelligence of the future generations. The school-houses are now mostly of brick and furnished with the latest improvements. The first death in the township was an infant child of Daniel Bainter. It was born July 8, 1839, and died when nine months old. The second case of death was an infant of Daniel Landers. The 1132 HISTORY OF ELKHAET .t Co. John D. Coppes. of the firm of Mellinger tt Co., was born iu this county in 1856, of German descent; he is the son of Jacob and Sarah (Fravel) Coppes; his mother is living in this tp., and father died Aug. 4, 1S74; both natives of Pennsylvania. They came to this county about 30 years ago and settled in Harrison tp., but afterward removed to Jackson tp. In 1878 Mr. C. was united in marriage with Miss Malinda Strohra, who was born in this county HISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1135 in 1859. Politically, he is a Republican; his educational advan- tages were limited, but lie keeps up with the times, lie owns town property and has a fourth interest in all the property owned by Mellinger & Co., which includes their large saw-inill. manufact- uring mill, and also 180 acres of land in Locke tp. Mr. C. is one of the most enterprising young business men which the town of Nappaiiee aftords. David D. Croop, <5/'.. was born in Seneca county, N. T., March 2, ISli; when he was quite young bis parents removed near Buiialo, where he grew to manhood. He was married here in July, 1S3S, to Catharine Heiser, daughter of John F. and Eva (Sutter) Heiser, of the same place. She was born in New York March 22, 1S15. After their marriage they lived in Clarence, near Buffalo, for a few years, when they joined tlie tide of emigration flowing to Indiana at that time. They stopped in Elkhart county, and in the spring of ISJrS settled on their iarm in this tp., where the family still con- tinues to reside. They purchased their lot of 80 acres of a man who had entered it and cut some timber on it. They paid $500 for the land. Mrs. Croop says they built a small cabin in the wood, and as they had no lumber to make a door with, they hung a blanket up for one. The cabin stood on about the same ground where their house now stands. The}' had 6 children: Daniel, born March 11, 1839; Levi, Jan. 13, 1842; Andrew, Dec. 6, ISli; David E., Jan. 10, 18-48; Samuel, Feb. 12, 1850; and Sarah, Nov. 16, 1S53. Mr. Croop died Feb. 9, 1862. They had both long been worthy mem- bers of the Evangelical Church at New Paris. P. O., Goshen. Hem-y Culp was born in Mahoning county, O., Oct. 8, 1846. His father, Henry Culp, was born in Columbiana county, O., June 23,1820, and was married July 1, 1S41, to Sarah Wanseller, who was born April 2t>, 1822, in Mahoning county. They had a family of 10 children, Liddie, Samuel (dec), George, Henry, Jacob (dec), John, Eli, Elizabeth. Sarah and Malinda. They left Ohio in 1857, coming to this tp. He had bought his land in November, 1851, buying 240 acres, and paying .$750 for the lot. Previous to his moving here he had made several visits to this county, and had made some improvements on his land. He died on that farm a few years ago. Had been a member of the Mennonite Church for a number of years. Henry, the subject of this sketch, is now living on the old homestead. He was married to Catharine Webber Aug. 7, 1873, who was born in Tuscarawas county, O., Nov. 29, 1853, the daughter of Jacob and Catharine AVebber, of Locke tp., and natives of Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Gulp's children are: Irene l>ell, born June 5, 1874; Charles W., Oct. 12, 1875; Henry A., July 19.1878; Rufns E., May 27, 1880. July 13,1880. Henry A. had three fingers on his right hand cut oft' with a rope and pulley while unloading hay in the barn. Mr. Culp has a good education, and for a number of years has followed teaching. At present he is farming. P. O., Nappanee. 1136 HISTORY OF ELKHART COUSTT. George W. Erne-^t. son of Conrad and Elizabeth i^Ross^ Ernest, jatires of Ferry conntv. Pa., was born in Cumberland county. Pa., April 10, 1S22; be left therein the fall of 1S47. going to Morrovr county. O.. and coming to this conntv in the fall of 1S50. He came to his" farm in L'nion t^. in February. 1S52, and has been living here since. He was married Aug. 9. 1843, in Cumberland county. Pa., to Rachel Xoggle, of the same county. They have 3 children : Susan, married George Walter, of Uuiou tp.; ]\Iary E., married David Ewing, of Kosciusko county, Ind.: and Levi, married Cath- arine Gulp, and lives in Harrison tp. Xrs. Ernest died in the spring of IS-tS. and is buried in ilount Gilead cemetery, in Morrow county, Ohio. Mr. Ernest was married a second time, to Maria Truex. daughter of Obadiah and Jennie Truex. of Morrow county, O. Her parents are natives of P>edford county. Pa., but lived for a number of vears in this county. Her father died here in the spring of 1 STS.and is "buried in the Pippinger cemetery of Union tp. ; her mother lives with Mrs. Ernest. Mr. and Mrs. Ernest have had 7 children. 3 of whom are living, viz.: Alfred, John and James L. Mr. Ernest and his family are members of the U. B. Church. He has been con- nected with the Church for 37 years. He says that when he first came to the county he had about ^7 in money and a horse; he sold his horse and bought the land where he now lives: he owns 120 acres of well-improved laud in this tp.. sec. 19. P. O.. Locke. Jacob H'lrtman. of the firm' of Hartmau vt Bro., is the son of Adam and Elizabeth vRamer^ Hartman. and was born in Elkhart connty, Ind.. Sept. 6. 1S49. and is of German descent. He was married in this county in 1876, to Miss Ahvelda J. Farrington, who was born in Indiana in 1S50, and they have 2 children: Arthur F. and Melvin F. Politically. Mr. H.is a Democrat; his educational advantages were poor. He came to Nappanee in 1S77. and assumed chargeof his business here. A complete history of his business interests has been given in the history of the town of Nappanee. Tobias Bartnurn was born Sept 7, 1842, in Ohio, and is of Ger- man descent. He is the son of Adam and Elizabeth (Ramer) Hartman. both of whom are living in Union tp.. the former a native of Germany, and the latter of Lancaster county, Pa. They came to this county aboiit 1S4S and settled in Harrison tp., where they resided four years and then removed to this tp. In 1864 Mr. H. ■was married in this county, to Elizabeth Brundage, who was born in Canada in 1S42; she is the mother of 4 children, all of whom are now living: Daniel. Mary A.. Sarah J. and Henry. She is a member of the Mennonite Church. When young. Mr. H. did not have the advantages afforded him for securing an education that a great many children had. He is a Democrat; owns town property in Xappaiiee. where he resides, worth about $2,800. He has been a farmer and lumber-dealer for a nnmber of years: moved to^Xap-^ panee in 1877. where he is now assisting, as salesman, the firm of Hartman tt Bro., dry-goods merchants at that place. HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1137 Ja:ob Hemmniger. boot and shoe maker iu Nappanee, is tlie son of Johu and Mary (Shoe) Ileuiniinger. and was born in Ohio in 1S4:3; is of German descent. His mother and father were natives of Ohio, and both died in Marshall county, Ind. Mr. II. came to this county in 1S6S and first settled in the village of Locke, wliere he remained as a boot and shoemaker until 1S7S, when he came to Xappauee. lie was married in 1869 to Hattie Ivleindinst, who was born in Germany in ISiO. She is the mother of 3 children, 2 living: Emma E. and Harvey H. Mr. H. was Postmaster at Locke about IT months. He is now living in jSTappanee and is doing a good business in his line of custom work. John J. Huffman, son of Jacob and Rebecca (Sheets') Huffman, of Jackson tp., natives of Columbiana county, O., was born iu Sen- eca county, Ohio, April 2(3, 1844. In the spring of 1865, he came with his parents to Kosciusko county, Ind., and lived there till 1870, when he removed to Union tp. of this county. During the late civil war Mr. PI. was a member of the -llHh Reg. Ohio Vol., Co. C. In the spring of 1S69 he was married to Catharine Walburn, daugh- ter of John Walburn, who was among the first settlers in this tp., coming on his present farm in 1838; he endured all the hardships of a pioneer life with a resolute will to come off victorious in the end; he now has a pleasant home on his fine farm of 160 acres. "When he first came to his farm he had to cut his own road through the wood from Waterford. He was married in 1838 to Charity Albii\, daughter of John and Catharine (Moreland") Albin, and they had 3 children, all of whom are married, viz.: Eliza Jane, Robert and Catharine. Mr. "W. was born in Clarke county, Ohio, in Sep- tember 1812, and is the son of Robert and Catharine (Thomas) Wal- burn. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of North Carolina. He now lives on his farm in a retired manner, and Mr. Huffman attends to his farm on sec. 20. P. O., Locke. Dr. J. K. Jul'ian. practicing physician and surgeon at Nappanee, son of John and Judith (Winder) Julian, was born in this county in 1847, of French-Scotch descent. His parents both died in this county; his father in 1879, and his mother in 1855; the former was a native of South Carolina, and the latter uf Pennsylvania. In 1878 Dr. Julian came to Nappanee and settled }>ermanently, although this place had been his home for a number of years, and he is in reality one of the pioneers of the town. He was married in 1874 to Louisa Eugle. who was born in Ohio in 1853; she is the mother of 3 children, of whom 1 is now living, namely, William. Politically the Doctor is a Republican. His educational advantages were such as were afforded by common schools; his parents came to this county about 1835, but had been through the county a number of years before. The subject of this sketch went into the army when only 16 years of age, eidisting at Kendall ville, Ind., in the 142d Regiment, Co. D, under the command of Capt. Thomas Chance; was in the service about one year, and during that time was in the battle at Nashville. He began the study of medicine in 1868; is a graduate 113S HISTOET OF ELKHAKT COrNTT. of the Indiauapolis Medical College; he began to practice iu 1S72. at the villaire of Locke. He remained about six years and then came to Xappanee, where he now resides; is now iu partnership with Dr. J. il. Bowser; both are enterprising young doctors, well skilled in the medical art and are well liked by those who employ them. They enjoy an excellent practice, of atout ^(>.000 annually. John J. McDonald, farmer, sec. 19; P.O.. Locke; was born in Berkeley county, W. Ya..in February. lS2t3. In the fall of 1S37. in company with "his parents. Charles and liobecc^^ McDonald, who were natives of Berkeley county. W. Va.. he removed to Clarke county. Ohio; here he lived -20 years: iu the spring of 1857 became to this county and settled in Harrison tp.. near Southwest P. O., and moved on his" farm in this tp. in the spring of 1S77. In the spring of 1S50 he was married to Miss Sarah Maxwell, a very estimable yonng lady, and the daughter of Guion and Sarah Maxwell, of Clarke county. 0.. formerly of Berkeley county. "West Va.; she was born in Clarke county. 0.. "January. 1834:. Mr. and Mrs. ilcDonald have 10 children, vi'z.: 'William^ John E.. Martin L.. Mary E.. Thomas. Charley. Amy. Eliza. Frankie .ind Belle. Emma E. mar- ried David Rohrer and lives in Nappanee; they have had 1 child, William H. ; John E. married Harriet Moyer. .and they live in Kent county.Mich. Mr. McDonald has always "been engtiged in farming; his farm consists of SO acre^ of well-improved land, on which he has good buildings. John C. MeUinger was born in Ohio in 1S49. and is of German extraction; he is the son of Melchor and Elizabeth (Culp) MeUin- ger. natives of Ohio, now living in that State. Mr. M. came to this county in 1S73. and located in this tp. In 1S70 he was mar- ried to Miss Lucinda Coppes. who was born iu this county, in 1S52; thev have had i children, of whom 3 are living, namely: Ella I., Em'ma A. and Genetta. ^Irs. M. is a member of the Mennonite Church; Mr. M's educational advantages when yonng, were fair; reads and writes both German and English. He engaged in the saw-milling business in Xappanee. in which town he now resides, in 1S73. in partnership with Frank Meyers; they continued the same business, as equal partners, until 1S76, when Mr. M. bought out his partner and continued alone until 1S77. when John and Frank Coppes formed a partnership with him. both together buying a half interest: they still continue under flie firm name of MeUin- ger it Co. To-day" they are the proprietors of a large saw-mill iu Kappanee, doing an extensive business. They ship lumber in large quantities to Go'shen. Chicago and other Western points. They also run a manufacturing establishment in which they make all kinds of building material, but make the manufacture of starch- boxes, for the Exl;elsior Starch Factory, of Elkhart, a specialty. They ship, on an average, about 8,000 boxes monthly, and their monthly sales for this one department of their business amount to about $"l,000. Their property is worth abt>ut $10,000. and they employ IS hands, more or less. And in doing justice to the sub- HISTORY OF ELKHABT COUNTT. /1 39 ject of this sketcli, it is necessary to say that lie is one of the most prominent, enterprising business men in the townof Nappanec, and to-day is probabh* doing more for the benefit of tlie town than any other individual in it. He is a firm believer in the doctrines of the Republican party, and is prominently connected with its interests in his community. John B. Peddyoord, Postmaster at JSTappanee, was born in Ful- ton county. Ohio, in ISiS, and is a son "of John and Elizabeth (Graham) Peddycord, both of whom are now deceased. He came to this county in 1875, and located in Nappanee; he was appointed Postmaster during the same year. lie was married in October, 1S7S, to Xancy F. Zimmerman, who was born in DeKalb county, Ind ., in 1S56. Mr. and Mrs. P. are members of the Methodist Church; his educational advantages were fair. Is Xotarj' Public, and in the postoflice room he has a small stock of candies, cigars, stationery, etc.; sells a good deal. Solomon Sheets, one of the prominent farmers of this tp., was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, May 24, 1S24. His parents, John and Catharine Sheets, were natives of Ohio, and died in Van Wert county, Ohio, the former in 1S63 and the latter in 1870. The family is of German descent, and were among the first to settle in Ohio. Mr. Sheets left Columbiana county when a young man, go- ing to Van Wert county ; liere he was married in November, 1852^ to Elizabeth Kummel, daughter of Gnion and Susanna Eummel,of Van Wert county, Ohio, wlio was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, in 1830. They have had 9 children, of whom i are living: Amos, Emma J., George and John. Amos married Maria Grove, and lives in this tp.fEmma J. married A. W. Beed; tliey have 1 cliild, Ira C, also living in this tp. Mr. Sheets left Van Wert county, Ohio, in 1862, coming to this tp., where he has been living since. He was educated in tlie public schools of Ohio. Since coming to this tp.he held the office of Tp. Trustee eight years and discharged its duties to the satisfaction of all. He now owns 100 acres" of ^ood land in sec. 17 of this tp. ; his farm is well improved with a fane residence, bespeaking for him a pleasant home. P. O. Locke. Samuel J. Shrock, of the firm of Good & Shrock, was born in Ohio in 1843, and is of Pennsylvania Dutch descent; he is a son of Jonas and Barbara Shrock, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. Tliey came to tliis county about 1844, and settled in Locke tp., where they resided until 1864, when tliey re- moved to Lagrange county; there they both died, the father in 1865 and mother in l'878. Mr. S. was married in 1864 to Catharine Rupert, who was born in Ohio in 1846, and they have had 6 chil- dren, of whom 4 are living: Amanda, Adam, Barbara and Charles. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Amish Meiinonite Church; po- litically, he is a Republican. His educational advantages were limited; attended school in log houses, the first being subscription schools. He came to Nappanee in 1875, and in 1876 engaged in the saw-milling business with Mr. Good; they still continue as equal partners, doing a good business; the mill which they are llJrO HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. running, they built in 1876, and began operations immediately; the greater part of their work, at present, is for Zook & Heefner, of Goshen, although they do a great deal of custom work, and ship some; the same firm also owns a half interest in a saw-mill in Kosciusko county. Christian E . Slahaugh, farmer, sec. 18; P. O., Locke; was born in Lancaster county, Pa.,in November, 1S20. When he was five years of age bis parents. Christian and Annie Slabaugh, left their native State and removed to Clarke county, Ohio. Here Christian E. was reared until 13 years old, when they again removed to Portage county, Ohio; here he grew from boyhood to the riper years of manhood, and in October, 1852, he was married to Miss Sophia Walters, daughter of Henry AYalters, of the above county, who was born Oct. 7, 1828; they have 2 children: Wilson, born Sept. 2, 1853, and Lydia, born Aug. 5, 1855, and married John Albin; they live in this tp. In politics Mr. Slabaugh is a Democrat; for 40 years he has been a member of the German Reformed Church. He has a good farm in this tp. with a pleasant home. Oeorge W- Slahaugh was born in Portage county, Ohio, Dec. 20, 1836. His parents were Christian and Nancy (Rhodes) Slabaugh, natives of Lancaster county, Pa.; his father died in Ohio; his mother removed to Harrison tp., this county, and remained some years; then went to live with her daughter, Mrs. Berlin, in Locke tp., and died there in 1865. The paternal grandfather of Mr. S. came from Switzerland. George W. lived in Ohio until he was 17 years of age, then removed with the family to this county, settling in Harrison tp. He was married in Harrison tp. Nov. 17, 1859, to Rebecca Nease, daugiiter of Jacob aud Elizabeth (Walmer) Nease, who was born in Lancaster county, Pa., July 7, 1840. Her parents removed to Dauphin county. Pa., while she was an infant, where they resided until she was 10 years of age; they then removed to Dayton, Ohio; stopped here only a short time, and then came to this county, settling in Harrison tp. in 1851. Mr. and Mrs. S. have 7 children, 3 of whom died wliile quite young: Alvaretta E., Jacob H. and Jennie M. ; the names of those living are Annetta, born Feb. 6, 1862; Miron Milton and Byron Berlin, twins, born Oct. 11,1867; audJMinola E., born Feb. 1,1872; the twins are tine- looking boys and resemble each other so much that they can scarcely be told apart by their Tuost intimate friends. Mr. Slabaugh moved to Locke tp. in 1860, where he lived a few years; then returned to Harrison to., and to his farm in this tp. in the fall of 1869. He has a tine iarm in sec. 32, worth $8,000 or $9,000. It is all well under-drained and in good condition; he has good build- ings and pleasant surroundings. Both Mr. and Mrs. S. received their education in the rude school buildings characteristic of that day; they commenced in the world poor, but by careful and honest frugality have obtained for themselves and their children a pleas- ant home. P. O., Nappanee. HISTOKT OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1141 Samuel R. Smith, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Smith, who were among the first to settle in this tp., was born May 11, 1846, in this tp., and here he has always lived. He received his education in the schools of his native tp., and the high school of Goshen. He is one of the most energetic and prominent men of his tp. Feb. 18, 1864, he had the misfortune to lose his left hand while feeding a clover mill on the farm of one of his neighbors. He was Deputy Assessor of this tp. four years, commencing in 1865, and Assessor S years; he has also twice appraised the real estate of this tp.; in the spring of '78 he was elected Tp. Trustee, and was again elected to that office in the spring of 1880, which office he still fills to the satisfaction of all. September, '09, Mr. S. was married to Rigena Ippert, of this tp.; their 4 children are: Milton, Minnie, Delena and Irvin. Mr. S. is engaged in farming and teaching; has taught IS terms of school in his tp. He now has a farm of 50 acres on sec. 23, with a pleas- ant home. P. (X, 'Sew Paris. Christian Stuhly was born in Rhinebron, Germany, July 27, 1820. His parents were Henry and Barbara Stahly, natives of the same town. In November, 1835, they left Germany, landing in New York, and came to Starke county, Ohio, where they spent the winter, and in the spring removed to Wayne county, Ohio; here Christian lived eight years, then came to this county. He was mar- ried inWayne county, Ohio, Feb. 3, 1842, to Miss Fannie Haussauer, daughter of Peter and Mary Haussauer, of Wayne county, O., who was born Aug. 27, J 822; her father came from Germany and was among the first to settle in Eastern Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. S. have a family of 7 children: Peter, born Oct. 2, 1842; Barbara, Feb. 25, 1844; John, Sept. 23,1846; Moses, July 27, 1849; Magdalena, Nov. 10, 1851; Solomon, July 19, 1853; and Samuel, July 28, 1858. Mr. Stahly entered his farm in this tp. in October, 1840, and moved on it in July, 1842; since that time this farm has been his liome; here his children were born, and lived until they married and found homes for themselves. In his financial affairs Mr. S. has been quite successful; he has a pleasant home and a good farm of 157 acres, besides helping his children to secure homes. He first entered 80 acres, and when he settled on it there were but two settlers within a mile. The roads at this time were not cut out, and he was forced to cut his own road for two miles in order to reach his land. He has long been a member of the Amish Church. P. 0., Nap- panee. Peter C. Stahly, furniture dealer in Nappanee, is a brother of the preceding, and was born in this tp. in 1842, and is of German extraction. He was married in 1805 to Elizabeth Smucker, born in Oliio in 1840, and they have had 6 children, of whom 4 are liv- ing: Barbara, Manasseh, Fannie and Adam. Mr. and Mrs. S. are members of the Amish Church. Politically, he is a Democrat; has been a farmer all his life and now owns 45 acres in this tp., worth about $4,000; was also a cabinet-maker for 15 years, working in Locke tp. He engaged in business at Nappanee in 1878; carries 1142 HI8T0EY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. a complete stock of furniture, amounting to $1,200, and is doing a good business. He has now in process of erection a factory, by wliich he proposes to manufacture his own furniture. This will, no doubt, be a great help to Nappanee, and will be characteristic of the business and enterprise of the proprietor. Jolin Stauffer was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in Decem- ber, 1S2S. When he was about 10 years of age his family removed from his native State, living in Portage county, Ohio, about 10 years, and theu removed to Starke county, of the same State, where they lived five years; theu came to this county in 1S52. Mr. Stauffer was married Oct. 29, 1854, to Miss Abigail Winder, daughter of Joseph and Amy Winder, of this county, who was born in Portage county, Ohio, Oct. 15, 1833; they have 5 children: Florence E., ^born July 6, 1855; Wallace W., Sept. 3. 1861; Horace E.. March 8. 1858; Cora A., April 4, 1868, and Nellie I., Dec. 22, 1S71. They are all well educated; Florence and Horace have been attending the Valparaiso Normal School. Horace mar- ried Bell Jones, and is at present attending medical college in Chicago. Mr. Stauffer was reared on a farm and received his edu- cation in the schools of Ohio. His parents are Jacob and Elizabeth (Huffman) Stauffer, both of whom are now living in this tp. ; his father was born in Fayette county. Pa., May 18, 1804. When 11 years of age he was taken to Columbiana county, Ohio. This part of Ohio was then a wilderness; he says that he can still remember when there were but two families living within four miles of their home. Here he grew to manhood and was married April 16, 1825, to Elizabeth Huffman, who was born Oct. 6, 1805. They have now been living together 55 years, and both are yet hale and hearty. They have 2 sons, Henry and John, both resi- dents of this cc>unty. Joseph Strohm, dealer in agricultural implements at Nappanee; was born in Canada in 1836, and is of Swedish descent; he is the oldest of 2 children, whose parents were Jacob and Barbara (Leh- man) Strohm, who settled in Union tp. in 1S49; his father, who is a native of Pennsylvania, is now living in Nebraska; his mother, also a native of Pennsylvania, died in this tp. in 1842. In 1857 Mr. S. was married to Mary Hare, who was born in Oliio in 1839, and they have had 12 children, of whom 4 are living: Henry, Malinda, Anson and Clayton ; Malinda is the wife of John Coppes, of the firm of Mellinger & Co., of Nappanee. Politically Mr. S. is a Kepublican; he is a member of tlie Masonic lodge. No. 448, at Wakarusa; his educational advantages were limited, being com- pelled to attend school in log houses; he owns property in Nap- panee, where he lives, worth about |1,500; he has been a farmer and carpenter a number of years, also ran a saw-mill and planing- mill in this tp., and one in Nappanee; he engaged in the agricult- ural business in 1879, and keeps a full stock of all kinds of farming implements; is doing a good business and is one of the prominent men of the town. HISTOBT OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1143 Solomon J. Strycker was born on the farm on which he now resides in this tp. in May, 1847. He was married May 5, 1870, to Miss Isabella Skinner, daiighter of Abraham and Mary A. Skinner, of Noble county, Ind., who was born in that county in November, 1S53; they have 3 children, Ephraira, Mary Ann and "William H. Mr. S. was educated in the schools of this tp., and is a member of the German Baptist Church at Union Center. His father. Christopher Strycker, was among the first settlers in the tp. ; he was born in Lincollen county, West Canada; his parents were Henry and Mary (AVanner) Strycker, natives of Pennsylvania; they left that State while they were jet young, going to Canada. His father died there. His mother died in this county, and was the second person that was buried in the old cemetery in sec. 23. Mr. Strycker, Sr.. was born Sept. 1.5, 1815; he came to this county and bought his present farm of 160 acres in this tp. of William Bradford, formerly of New Paris, in June. 1836, paying for it $400. Mr. S. did not commence improving his land till several years later, when he moved on the place with his wife. He says that when he first came here he had but 25 cents to his name, with the excep- tion of what was invested in his land, and it was all woods, without even a cabin. He was married in this county March 31, 184'2, to Martha Stump, daughter of Solomon and "Anna (Burkholder) Stump, who came to this tp. at an early date. They have a family as follows: Solomon, Maria, Elizabeth and Sarah. He is a mem- ber of the German Baptist Church and has a pleasant home. Martin Stuchnan, son of George and Christina Stuckman, natives of Bedford county. Pa., was born in Pennsylvania July 13, 1810. He left his home in company with his parents when about 13 years of age, going to Stark county, Ohio, where they lived about sis years, when they removed to Crawford county, Ohio; here he resided for the next si.x years; from there he removed to this county in 1S36. He entered the southeast quarter of sec. 23, but soon after traded with John Stump for the farm now owned by Mr. Harr. He lived here for several years, when he sold it and bought the farm on which he now lives. He was married June 3, 1837, to Martha Elson, daughter of Josiah and Hannah Elson, who were among the first to settle in this tp. He died in 1879 at the advanced age of 87 years, and is buried in the south part of Kosci- usko county, Ind. She was born in September, 1817. Their children are George, Martin, Henry, David, Hannah, Mary, John and Peter. Mrs. Stuckman died some years ago, and he was again married in 1866 to Ellen Shane; she had 1 child, Mary. Mr. Stuckman has always been engaged in farming; has a good farm of 160 acres in sec. 27. P. O., Gravelton. Joseph Truex, son of Cornelius and Elizabeth Truex, natives of Bedford county. Pa., was born in that place June 23, 1813; when he was 9 or 10 years of age his parents removed to Morrow county, Ohio; lived there till about 15 years ago, when they removed to Bartholomew county, Ind., where his mother died soon 1144 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUXTY. after. His father lived till about eight years ago, and is buried in he same place. Mr. Truex, the subject of this sketch, left Ohio in 1S51, and settled on his farm in this tp. When he came, his farm was all in the woods. It was first entered on Aug. 20, 1S3S, b}' Samuel Sills; he sold it to Jonas Kanffman for $200 in 184S. Mr. Truex next bought it in 1S53 for the sum of 8-80. He has improved the place and now has a good farm with good buildings. Mr. Truex has been twice married. First in May, 1S39, to Mary Xellon. daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Xellon, of Morrow county, Ohio; they have 3 children : Melissa, married Cornelius Mesmer. and lives in Morrow county, Ohio; Clark, married Jerusa Iber, and lives in Locke tp; Elizabeth is at home. Mrs. Truex died in 1S4T, and Mr. T. married Emily Fisher, daughter of Absalom and Jemimah Fisher. Her father was a native of Virginia, but died in this county; her mother was born in Moitow county, Oiiio. Mrs. Truex was born Aug. 26, 1S30. Mr. and Mrs. T. were married in December, 1S49, and have 7 children, 5 of whom are living: George, born Aug. 29. lSo3; Hiram. Feb. 6, 1855; Joseph, Oct. 2, 1S47; Absalom B., April 5, 1S60; Lonza W., May 28, 18(32. Mr. T. says he has always lived like a fox in the woods. Daniel TJlery. son of John and Elizabeth Ulery, was born in Cambria county, Pa.. July 28, 1814; he removed with his parents to Montgomery county, Ohio, when he was four years of age. They lived here until Daniel was 20 years of age, when the family removed to this county, settling in Elkhart tp. in the fall of 1S34. Mr. U. was married April 15, 1S41. to Miss Mary Davenport, daughter of Noah and Catharine Davenport, natives of Ohio. She was born in Miami county, Ohio, April 30, 1821, and they have S children, all of whom are married and have families. Their names in tlie order of their ages are Levi, Liddie, John, Catharine. Elizabeth, Samuel, Sarah, David and Aaron; the latter died when an infailt. Mr. Ulery has been engaged in hunting and farming since he came to this county. He entered the farm on which he now lives in 1S35, at the Land Office in La Porte. He and his wife have been members of the German Baptist Church for about 20 years. He has been Tp. Trustee for three years. Both Mr. and Mrs. L'lery received their education in the subscription scliools of Ohio. George S. Walter was born in Hessian, Germany, April 14, 1844. His parents are Gustavus and Elizabeth Walter, of this tp. They left Germany when the subject of this sketch was about four years of age, stopping first at Pittsburg about four weeks, then going to Columbiana county, Ohio; here they lived about fonr years, then removed to Harrison tp., this county. They staid here "but a short time and removed to this tp., where the family has since resided. Mr. Walter was married Oct. S. 1865, to Miss Susanna Ernest, daughter of G. W. Ernest, of this tp. ; they have 6 children : Frank, Alzina, Ida, Jessie, Milo and Ira. Mr.'W. was educated in the public schools of the county. He has a good farm of 80 acres, worth HISTOKY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1145 about 13,400. He Ciime to this farm in 1872; it is in sec. 19. P. O., Locke. Dr. A. A. Ward., practicing pliysician and snrgeon, in the town of Nappauee. is the son of Abram and Anna (^Hammond'* "Ward, and was born in Ohio in 1S43, and is of Scotch-Irish descent; his father is living in Holmes county, O., and was born in ITi'S; his mother died Feb. 14, ISSO. aged 77 years; both natives of Pennsyl- vania. In ISt.U the Doctor was married to Anna Seiler, who was born in Switzerland in 1844: they have 2 children, both living: Celia and Marretta. Politically, the Doctor is a Democrat: his educational advantages, when yonng, were good; he attended high school at Berlin, Ohio, and the Michigan University at Ann Arbor, in the medical department of which he graduated in 1867. He first began the practice of his profession in Ohio, in 1866, under his instructor, where he remained one year, and then went to Bremen, Indiana, where he practiced about one year: he next went to Mil- ford, and after remaining there about a year he removed to Eochester, Missouri, where he lived three years; thence to Denver, Illinois, remaining there eighteen mouths ; then he lived in Michigan two years and a half, thence in Rochester. Indiana, whei-e he remained until ISSO; then came to Xappanee, where he has been only a short time, but is building up a practice that will amount to abont $2,500 annually. He is an excellent physician, is weU liked by those who have employed him, and is forming a large circle of friends. He says he has always had a natural inclination to travel around from one place to another, but expresses his intention now to remain permanently in Xappanee. SamiiiJ J. Winder was born in Portage county. Ohio. Dec. 17, 1848. He is the son of Jesse and Amy (.Taylor) "Winder: natives of Erie county. Pa.: they came to this county, settling in Harrison tp. in 1866. He was married May 4, 1S73. to Caroline Hoverstick. daughter of George Hoverstick, "of this tp..who was born in Penn- sylvania Aug. 6, iS54, and came to this county about 28 years ago. They have 2 children: Frank A., born Xov.'23, 1S74: Harry "S., born Aug. 26, 1S77. Mr. Winder is a carpenter. He moved to Elkhart in lS71,and in 1S76 he left that pkce, going to Xappanee, where he continued to work at his trade until the last year, wlieu he removed to Hoverstick's farm, where he now resides. He received his education in the public schools of Ohio, and is an advocate of the Republican party: P. 0., Xappanee. Andrew Wi^e was born in Morrow county, O., !N'ov. 8, 1S3S. He is the son of Samuel and Barbara (Shofe") "Wise, natives of Pennsylvania. He came to this county and settled in Harrison tp. in 1S59, and to this tp. in the fall o"f 1>76. He was married March 20, 1864, to Rogina Eyer, daughter of John and Barbara Ever, of Olive tp., who was born Dec. 19, 1S42. Their children are: Samuel, born March 19, 1866: Emma M., Xov. 23. 1S69; Mary A., Sept. 20, 1873; George E., Aug. 29, 1S76; Liddie E., Sept". 27. 1878. Mr. "Wise is engaged in farming; was Township 1146 HISTOBT OF ELKELLKT OOTTSTT. Trustee for two terms, commencing in 1S04: was Postmaster at "Wakarnsa four years. He now has a small piece of land and a pleasant home in this tp. J-ioy^' H. Wilier, farmer, sec 7; P. O., Locke: was bom in Colombiana county. Ohio, Oct. 7. lS3o. He came from Ohio with his parents in 1S49. to this county and settled on the farm on which he now resides in this tp. : he has lived in the county ever since, and most of the time on his present farm. He was married May 13. ISoS. in this county, to Annie Troxel. daughter of Peter and Annie Troxel. of Wayne county. Ohio: their chfldren are. William H.. born March. 1559; and Louisa A.. Jan. 13. 1S6-3. Mrs. Wisler died April -21, 1S66, and is buried in the cemetery four mile* north of Wakarusa. Mr. Wisler was married a second time Jan. 2»>. 1S6S. to Sarah Kilmer, daughter of Isaac and Annie Kilmer, of this tp. Their 3 children are, Isaac S.. bom Jan. 33, lSe9. and Fanny F.. bom Aug. 19. 1>70. and died Aug. i3, 1S77: Anna S.. born Xov. 24, 1S73. Mr. Wisler is now engaged in farm- ing. He and one of his brothers built the grist-mill at Ljcke, and ran it for several years. He has been a Deacon in the Mennonite Chnrch for 15 years; has a good farm and a pleasant home. Sgnjam^n Witham, blacfimith at Xappanee, was born in Allen county, Ind.. in 1>43. and is of Irish descent; he is the son of Henry and Permelia vG*tes'' Witham. both of whom died in this county, and were natives of Ohio; they came to this county at an early date. Mr. W. was married in IS 71. to Sarah Auglin. bom in Indiana; they have had 3 children. 2 of whom are living: Permelia "R. and Mary A. He and wife arie members of the Church of God. Politically, he is a Democrat ; he engaged in business at Xappanee, in 1579. and is doing a good business; he has recently formed a partnership with Benjamin Frazier; they also make wagons and busbies. Henry lly«>«^, son of Robert Wysong. of this tp.. was bom in Montgomery county. Ohio, October. 1S19. and was married Dec. 12. 1S41. to' Annie Miller, who was bom in Xovember. 1 S±2. They removed to this county from Preble county. Ohio, in lS4o. coming to their present farm on Sept. 52 of that year. They have 3 children : Daniel. Josiah and Henry. The latter was bom in Feb- mary, 1S53. on the old home farm which he now owns. Here he grew to manhood, and while a boy attended the district school near his home, and in later years the high school at Goshen, and tlie State Xormal at Terre Haute. At>er leaving school he was engaged in teaching for several years, but is now tamiing. He was married in September. IS 75. to Lovina Miller, daughter of David C. and Rachel Miller, of this tp.. who was born ^Nov. 5. 1S57; they have 1 child. Charles E., born in February. 1S7S. Mr. Wysoncr has a good fkrm on sec 33, with pleasant surroundings, P. O.. Xappanee. Eli Yarian was bom May 2o, 1S39, in Portage county. Ohio, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Yarian; he married Louisa Belin Sept. 22. 1S66. daughter of John and Susanna BeUn, of Locke tp.; sne VK kora i« CoJimfaa-s .r -- rr Ol .: V^t S, 1S4«; tb^rc^Bdna are Efwik R. bora t» ^ M*t IS, 1S70; Sssie L, Jaa. i.lS72; Lid ■ iriaaiMfa»fc.deeB«3eii. Mr. YanuK cuK » 1 7 !>«)$; boa^t die )ud «B«luehtikTiUtt9eoiliL the EdBten ar«T at Fott Fi^er: the l^t batiie ia vhieh he took x.a: received at the battie of XashviDe. T^na. He reeaved his di&- ehM3^atGte««iaiid,Ohio.Ja]TK.lS«aL Hekaovaaiadastiioas fuaaer, Mosuashis v^Mataoan this tpc: heisa BeiMbiieaa. Jtmrnnn Tmam. hroAet of the praeediBs, wk ban ia For- ti«e coaatT. OUo. Mar S. ISST. ishere he passed hk earhr life; J^ », 1>«X be animl Mi% Jaae Hoek. daa^hter of Peter Hook, of Sa»BUt coaatT, Ohio, vho vk bom ia Ea^laad, aad aie 11 Tears of age vhea her &milT caae to C^ioL 1:har cUldrea are WiIiias0..benJaa.l6;lS«3:aadJeBaie£^JaB.«.lS€J. Mis. Tanaa 0 bushels of plums alone in a single season. Strawberries are reckoned by thousands of crates, and grapes by hundreds of tons. This enterprise gives employment throughout a goodly part of the summer and fall seasons to a large number of women and children, to whom this kind of labor is peculiarly fitted. MODEKX BRISTOL, the only town in "Washington toNvnship, has a population of about 700, and is situated near the center of the township, on the south shore of the Elkhart river. Being a goodly distance from other business points, and situated in a well-settled and productive country, it is a town of more than ordinary business capacity. Dry goods and stores of general merchandise are five in number, kept by Wm. R Merriti & Son. Xiekolson & Chess. Wm. Goss. Thomas Hilbish and W. H. Lee. There are three grocery stores, kept by J. F. Cathcart, F. G. Romaine and Joseph Wheeler; two hardware stores, kept by C. E. Bickell and Cyrus Bertch; three drug stores, kept by Drs. L. A. Congdon, G. W. Seeley and G. J. B. Floyd. The boot and shoe trade is represented by B. F. Hattel. Samuel Sanders and J. H. Miller; two hotels, kept by Phinneas Clark and Joseph Wheeler; furniture manufacturing and sale is carried on by Dennis SnlliFan; a jewelry and clothing store is Bicely kept by HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. Mrs. R. Krug. who for her energy in seeking to maintain such a worthy occupation is entitled to the patronage of the good people of Bristol and community; harnesses are fitted to the horses of this section by Mr. John Trager; the meat market is kept by Frank Anderson; two restaurants, kept in good style by Mrs. W. B. Wise and Mr. S. B. Carpenter; billiard halls kept by Mr. Stone and Thomas T. "Ward; also one saloon and billiard hall, kept by Isaac F. Alverson. Charles F. Siebert is a contractor and builder, and also proprietor of a lumber yard. Blacksmithing is well represented by W. M. Sanders, Darwin H. Johnson, Simon Haines and Mr. Paulus; wagons are made and repaired by Homer Adams, Daniel C. Bishop, George II. Warren and Hiram Congdon. The two cooper shops are kept by Messrs. Cone and the " Hoop-pole Broth- ers;" millinery stores are kept by Miss Eliza Hill, Mrs. Baird and Mrs. Childs, the latter a daughter of that early settler, Mr. Bronson ; dressTnaking is carried on by Mrs. Mary A. Congdon and Mrs. Sarah Bassett, granddaughter of the first justice of the peace of Washington township. John Boyer is the miller. Drs. Brazie & Barbour, F. M. Aitken, C. C. Bowers, J. S. Dodge and J. R. Congdon constitute the medical faculty of Bristol. The present postmaster is Rev. John Maffitwho figured con- spicuously in the earliest history of Bristol. The Bristol Banner, a newsy, spicy, stalwart Republican paper, is owned, edited and published by C. F. Mosier. Three religious denominations have each good and commodious church buildings. Rev. Mr. Lamport is the present minister of the Methodist Church, Rev. Mr. Stanley of St. John's Episcopal, and Rev. Mr. Fisher for the Presbyterian Church. The schools of the town are in a flourishing condition. A fair school building and an average attendance of from 150 to 200 pupils, with carefully conducted grading, gives Bristol good educational facilities. A magnificent iron bridge spans the river- here, which, together with the approaches thereto, cost about $16,000. The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern R. R. passes through Bristol, which aids in giving life and animus to the place and ren- dering it quite a shipping point. BIOGRAPHICAL. The following are brief personal sketches of a number of the citizens of Washington township. HISTOEY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1153 Aaron E. Adams, farmer, sec. 29; P. 0., Eristol; was bom ia Jeiierson tp., this county, Feb. 20, 184S. His parents, early settlers of the county, are still living. He received his education in the common schools; taught school some years previous to his mar- riage in 1866; was married to Ella J, Paxson, who was born in this county. They have 3 children: Arther E., Frank P. and Clarrie E. lie owns 198 acres of land, well cultivated, and worth $60 per acre; they are both members of the M. E. Church. Politically, he is Eepublican. Elijah Adams, farmer, sec. 19; P. O. , Bristol; is a native of In- diana county. Pa., and was born Jan. 13, 1815. His parents were also natives of Pennsylvania, who moved to AVayne county, Congress tp., O., when the subject of this sketch was only five years old, Mr. Adams being the ninth voter in that tp. at that time. His mother died in Ohio in 1837, in her 45th year, and his father in Indiana in 1843 in his 65th year. The subject of this sketch received his education in an early day by his mother's assistance, which in those days, was somewhat of an undertaking, to study and work at the same time, but he had a determination to have an education, as well as a farm, which kept his mind busy as well as his hands. At the age of 20 years his father gave him $200 and with the $100 that he had saved, he came to this county and entered three 80's of land in Jefferson tp. in 1835. He then returned to Ohio, and engaged in teaching school and going to school until 1839. He was married to Susan Herr. She was born in Pennsylvania in 1819. He continued to teach school until 1840. He came to Indiana and commenced to farm on his own land, teaching school dur- ing the winter months, until the fall of 1855. He sold his farm and moved over into Washington tp., where he now resides on 176 acres of land, well cultivated and worth $60 per acre. Their family consisted of 6 children. The living are: Aaron E., Ambrose I. and Martha A. (now Mrs. Henry Menges); the deceased are: Eva R. and one in infancy, and Arthur A., in his 21st year. Arthur was a bright and good boy, and bid fair to make a man of good and useful habits. He had taught school and was educating himself when taken sick and thus all was ended. Mr. A. had done well by all his children, giving each a good start, in which they might make homes for themselves. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace 12 years, and Real Estate Appraiser one term in Jefferson, and appointed Ileal Estate Appraiser in Washington, which he held three years. They are now living, both well along in years; they are members of the M. E. Church and politically he is a Re- publican. Frederick M. Aitken, M. J)., of Bristol, was born in BufFulo, N. Y., Sept. 19, 1846, the son of Andrew and Sarah E. Aitken. His father removed from Buffalo to Bristol April 20, 1850, by railroad and stage to Detroit, from Detroit to Niles by water route, and from there to Bristol by stage. His father was a merchant in Bris- tol. His mother died April 3, 1864, and his father Aug. 12, 1869. 1154 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. The subject of this sketch was educated in the common schools in Bristol. At the age of 18 he began the study of medicine under Drs. Congdon & Echleman, of Bristol, and continued with them three years. He then attended a medical college in New York city. In 1868 he began the practice of medicine in the town of Bristol, where he soon attained a good practice and took a front rank in the profession. He was married Sept. 8, 1874, to Margaret Marth Rough, who was born Sept. 4, 1853, in Snyder county, Pa. Their family consisted of 1 son, Charles Andrew. He has now established a good and lucrative practice, in the town of Bristol and surrounding country. At the present time Dr. Aitken holds the office of School Trustee. He is a Democrat, and himself and wife are members of the P. E. Church. Jmac N. Alverson, proprietor of billiard hall and saloon, Bris- tol, was born in Utica, N. T., Jan. 2, 1825, son of William and Ellen Alverson. His father came to this county in 1836, and was one among the few to help make the town of Bristol. He engaged in farming, which occupation he continued until his death, April 27, 1878, in his SOth year. His mother is still living with him. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade, wliich he followed a few years. In 1850 he went to the gold regions of California, and was there 21 years. He then came back to Bristol and engaged in his present occupation. He was married in 1873 to Catharine Fulk, a native of Pennsylvania. They have 2 children, Irene and May. He owns property in the town of Bristol to the value of $2,500. Politically, he is an advocate of the Greenback Labor Reform. J. E. Barhoxir, M. D., was born in Romeo, Macomb county, Mich., in 1848; his father died at this place seven years later; after his father's death he went to Pontiac, Mich., living with his gi-and- parents until 1862, when he enlisted in the 9th"Mich. Yol. Inf., which regiment then proceeded to Nashville, Tenn., and joined the command of Gen. Geo. H. Thomas. The command marched from Murfreesboro, Tenn., to Chattanooga, and from there to Atlanta, Georgia, being engaged in the battles of Murfreesboro, Lookout Mountain, Mission Ridge, Buzzard's Roost and the siege of Atlanta, at which place the enemy separated their command. Gen. Thomas pursued Gen. Hood in his movement upon Nash- ville, where the last great battle of Nashville was fought, resulting in the annihilation of Hood's array. A few months after this, at the close of the war, Dr. Barbour was mustered out of the service and returned home, where he remained; he attended school during the winter, until he was 20 years of age; at this time he determined to study medicine, and, to prepare himself more fully, attended the Pontiac high school for two years, and attended a course of lectures at the Detroit College of Medicine the following year; was passed under the instruction of Dr. Arnold, of Detroit; the next winter he attended a course of lectures at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and graduated at the Homeopathic Hospital College at Cleve- land, Ohio, in the spring of 1877; then returned to Bristol, Ind., where HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1155 he is associated with his brother-in-law, Dr. Erazie, in practice, where for four years they have prospered, diligent in business, devoting their energies to the great aim of making life a success. Dr. Barbour was married to Emma A., daughter of Samuel Rhine- hart, Esq., of Cass county, Mich., Jan. 1, 1879; they have 1 child, Harry Arnold. The Doctor has always been a Republican. Peter S. Bardo, farmer, sec. 24; P. O., Bristol; was born in Northumberland county, Penn., Oct. 13, 1837; his father and mother were natives of Pennsylvania and both deceased. He was raised on a farm and received what education he has in the com- mon schools. He was married in 1S56 to Rebecca Gortner, who was born in Lycoming county, Penn., and they have had 9 chil- dren; the living are Anna C, Guy, John M. and William A. The family came to Indiana in 1S65, locating in "Washington tp. Mr. B. now owns 120 acres of land, which he has under a fair state of cultivation, and worth $.50 per acre. They are members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics he is a Democrat. C. H. BertcK hardware merchant and express agent, Bristol; born in Snyder Co., Pa., Apr. 18, 1852; mother died in 1871 ; father living; they came to Indiana in 1865, when C. H. commenced to work for S. B. Romaine, clerking in store until Mr. R.'s death, and after that for the estate, until July, 1879; then commenced busi- ness for himself; after the death of Mr. R. he received the appoint- ment of express agent. He was married in 1872 to Patience Hendershott, born in Warner county, Ohio, in 1814; they have 3 children: William H., Charles C. and Julia O. Mr. Bertch is a Democrat. ChnrJes E. Bickel.dte2i\eT in stoves and tinware, Bristol; was born in this tp. Dec. 16, 1814; his father and mother were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to this county in 1843. In 1872 his mother died; fatlier is still living in Bristol; in 1869 he lost his sight by sun-stroke and heat; although completely blind, he can walk the streets by the assistance of his cane, day or night, and enjoys the social gatherings of his tamily. At the age of 17 he commenced to learn his trade, and continued it up to 1878; he then commenced business in this tp. for himself; he now keeps a full supply of all kinds of goods in his line of trade, and does all kinds of work in the line of tinware and stoves, supplied on short notice. He was married in 1877 to Harriet Wire'baugh, born in Ohio Dec. 26, 1848; they have 4 children: Jennie, "Charles E., Nellie and William W. Mr. B. is a member of the Bristol Silver Cornet Band, and his wife is a member of the M. E. Church; politically, he is a Republican. Jacob Blchel, farmer, sec. 29; P. O., Bristol; was born in Union county, Penn., May 17, 1817; father and mother were natives of Pennsylvania; father died in 1824, mother in 1823. He was raised on a farm and received what education he has by attending the common schools of Pennsylvania. He started in life without any assistance. In 1840 he married Louisa Ortz, born in Union county, 1156 eiSTOKT of' ELKHART COUNTY. Penn., Oct. 24, 1818; they have had 7 children; the living are: Thomas J., John P., Mary C, Sarah J.; the dead are: Margaret L., William H. and Andrew J. Mr. B. came to this county in 1S61, and rented for a few years; he located on the present farm in 1865, which consists of 159 acres nnder a good state of cultivation, and worth ST5 per acre, all of which he made by his own hard work and close' attention to business. He and his family are all mem- bers of the German Lutheran Church; politically, he is a Demo- crat. C. C. Boioer, M. D., Bristol, was born in Middlebury, Snyder Co.. Penn., l!^ov. 27, 1850; he is the sou of Hon. Thomas and Catherine Bower, nee Kreemer. His parents also were natives of Pennsylvania and are living in Middlebury; his father was formerly a merchant. He attended the common schools of his native town during his boyhood days, and as he began to reach the years of maturity, sought better to educate himself. At the age of 15 he attended school one year at Thompson town, living with his uncle; after which he attended the Union Seminary one year in I^ew Berlin, formerly the county-seat of Union county. He then attended the State Normal School at Millersville, Lancaster Co., Penn., for a term of three years, receiving his diploma from said institution with high honors. He then filled his brother's chair as teacher of natural science in the Keystone Academy of Pennsylvania one year, then took charge of the public schools, as principal, in Middlebury one year. Ho ne.xt taught the unexpired term of the grammar department in the Milroy graded schools in Mifflin county, Penn., and at the expiration of the term, started a teachers' Kormal school in the same town during the summer months. In the following winter he became principal of the schools one year, then attended medical college, having previously studied under Drs. Harshberger & Son. He attended the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, two years, graduating March 17, 1877. He then took charge of the practice of the Palmer (N. Y.) Lead- Mining Company, situated at Palmer, Washington county, Mo. Many and long were the rides he had while in that place. He then settled in this tp., where he continued the practice of medicine. Dec. 12, 1878, he was married to Ella Wilson, daughter of Elizabeth McManigal, of Logan, Hocking Co., O.. who was born in Milroy, Mifflin county, Penn., Dec. 12, 1856, and died at their home in Bristol. July 12, 1879. He now has attained a lucrative practice in the town and surrounding country. Joseph Bowers, farmer, Bristol, was born in Windham, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1806. His parents died while he was a child, and he was left to shift for himself At the age of seven years he was bound out and he learned the wagon-making trade; after remaining 11 years he ran away and went to sea, which he followed for two years and received what education he got in life. We again find him in New York, where he engaged as a farm hand, working by the day and month for four years. In 1828 he was married to Sarah Aus- HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1157 tin, who was born in Dutchess county, N. Y., in ISOS. and died in 1871. They had 8 children ; the living are Hoy t, Adaliue (now Mrs. Sample), Joseph F. and Harriet A. (now Mrs. Russell). Those deceased are Jane, Susan Emily, Clarissa and Henry H. After his marriage he and his brother started a cabinet-making shop and engaged in that trade two years, when their building was burned. The subject of this sketch then went to work at his tirst trade and continued until 1S36. He came to Detroit, Mich., where he engaged in the mechanical and ladd-office business. He next engaged in chopping and closing up a new farm. In 1861 he came to Bristol and lived two years, returning to Michigan upon his farm, remaining until 1S67. He then came back to Bristol to sta}-. He lost his wife in 1871, who had helped to make and share the toil of the labors on the farm. In 1S72 he married Ellen Goodspeed, who was born in Nantucket, Conn., in 1837. Mr. Bowers is one of those who commenced in life without a dollar or a friend, and, assisted by his first wife, he had obtained and owned over 700 acres of land in Michigan. He sold and gave to his children 400 acres and now owns 300, which is well cultivated. His property in Bristol and Michigan is worth at a fair valuation $30,000. Politi- cally, he is a Greenbacker. John Boyei\ miller and farmer, Bristol, was born in Union, now Snyder county, Penn., Feb. 6, 1S23. His father died in Freesburg, Penn., his native town, being the first child horn in that town. He was consumptive and died in his 4Stli year. He was a tinner by trade, as was also the subject of this sketch. He moved to j^orthumberland county, McEwensville, where he continued to carry on his trade part of the time. He was also connected with a foundry-. He was married in Snyder countj', Penn., to Hannah Rantz, who was born in the same county in 1820. They had 4 children: Mary J., now Mrs. Culbertson; Emma Louisa, now Mrs. Seller; Florence A., now Mrs. Cathcart, and John C. BoyeV, who lost his life in the explosion of the Minneapolis mills. He was born Sept. 18, 1853, at McEwensville, iSTorthumberland Co., Penn. In 1861 he moved with his parents to Bristol, lud. Here he early acquired a thorough knowledge of the '• milling business " in his father's mill. He received a good common-school education in Bristol, and afterward attended the Commercial College at Kala- mazoo, Mich. In May, 1876, he was married to Miss xVnnabell E. Robinson, a very respectable young lady of Mishawaka, lad. Being desirous to acquire a more thorough knowledge in the art of milling he went to Minneapolis, and on account of his reputation and excel- lent skill, he soon obtained a situation in the Minneapolis mills. where he labored until his tragical death. He seemed to have had apresentment of tins calamity; for he had his life insured for §1,000 for his wife's benefit, and he often spoke to his intimate friends in regard to some gloomy presentiments that seemed to be oppressing his mind. 1158 HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTT. The subject of this sketch came to this county in 1861, where he built the present mill and began his improving. He now has his mill in good running order and prepared to furnish as good flour as can be made. He owns 270 acres of land besides his mill and town property. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church. Po- litically, he is a Republican. H. W. Brazle, M. D., was born in Mesopotamia, Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1845. At the age of three years his parents moved to Ashtabula. Ohio, where they resided until 18.54. It was during this time that the Doctor received the beneiit of the common schools. In 1854 his parents moved to Lapeer county, Mich., and settled on an undeveloped farm. While living in this backwoods place he attended school during the winter and worked in his father's saw- mill during the rest of the 3-ear. In August. 1S61, at the age of 16. he enlisted in the 7th Michi- gan Inf, and left immediately for "Washington. The winter of lS61-'62 his regiment was doing picket duty at Edwards' Ferry, 30 miles above Washiiigton. on the Potomac; he was engaged in the disastrous battle of BaU's Bluff wiiile here. In the spring of 1862 his regiment was ordered to the support of Gen. Banks in th^ Valley of the Shenandoah, and went as far up the valley as Win- chester; from here his command went to Fortress Monroe, via Washington to the Chesapeake bay; from here they folUiwed the campaign of Gen. McClellan, at Yorktown, Williamsburg, West Point and Fair Oaks. During the memorable seven-days' fight the Doctor was taken prisoner, but was exchanged after a brief cap- tivity at City Point. He returned immediately to his regiment at Harrison's Landing. From this point the 2d corps to which his regiment belonged returned to Washington, and from there to the memorable defeat of Pope at 2d Bull Kun; thence to Antietam, Snicker's Gap, Paris Haymarket, Thoroughfare Gap, Sulphur Springs, Somerville Ford on the Rapidan, first and second battles of Fredericksburg. Chantilly. etc. His regiment then followed the fortunes of the Army of the Potomac in its race after Gen. Lee, which finally culminated in the terrible engagement at Gettysburg; from here down through the Wilderness, — Run and the en- gagements around Petersburg; here the Doctor was discharged by reason of expiration of term of service, but immediately enlisted again and joined the veteran corps of Gen. Hancock. At the close of the war he was discharged, at that time holding the rank of Captain; during his service he was wounded twice, at Antietam and Gettysburg. Immediateh' upon returning home he attended the high school at Lapeer, Mich., one year, and then the Albany schools in New York another year; upon leaving school he commenced the study of medicine with Dr. A. H. Thomp- son of Lapeer, Mich., with whoui he stayed one year and then con- tinued his studies with Dr. L. Van Hooser, "at Albany, N. Y. During the winter of 1869-'70 he attended the University' of Mich- igan at Ann Arbor, and continued his studies the ensuing year HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTT. 1159 with F. Woodruff, M. D., of that place. The winter of 1870 he attended the Homeopathic College at Cleveland, Ohio, and grad- uated and settled into the practice of his profession at Ypsilanti, Mich.. April 3. 1S71. June, 1S71, he married Miss Julia P. Barbour, of Eomeo, Mich. He continued the practice of medicine at Ypsilanti until April 6, 1874, when he settled in Bristol, where he has enjoyed a large and lucrative practice up to the present time. In 1876 he associated with himself in his practice 'Dr. J. E. Barbour, of Detroit, Mich., under the firm name of Drs. Brazie & Barbour, which partnership continues to the present time. As physicians they command an extensive practice, and have by their temperate habits and careful attendance to their profession, merited and obtained the contidence of the whole surrounding country. Dr. Brazie is a member of the Presbyterian Society; is at pres- ent an Elder and Trustee of that organization. In politics he has always been a staunch Eepublican. Benjamin F.Cathcart, fruitgrower and utirseryman, was born in Wayne county, Ind., Jan. 6, 1818. His parents were natives of New Tork; father died in 1839, mother in 1877; both died in Indiana; came to the county in 1830 and located on the St. Joseph river; father was a farmer; family consisted of 11 children, 5 of whom are still living, the subiect of this sketch being the eldest. He was married in 1S3S to Joanna Calkins, born in New York in 1820, and died in 1841 leaving 3 children: James M., Royal and Harri- son; the two latter are deceased. Harrison was in the late svar of 1861, and was killed at the battle of Shiloh. For his second wife Mr. C. married Mrs. Mary Ireland, who was born in Logan county, Ohio, in 1810, and died in 1853, leaving one child, John F. He then married, for his tliird wife, Sarah J. Clarkson, sister to his first wife; she was born in Cass county, Mich., in 1831; they had 6 children; the living are, Anna, Royal and Rosa, twins; 3 are deceased. Mr. C. moved upon the farm on the Hill, consisting of 80 acres of land, 30 acres of which he now has well improved and planted in frnit; it is one of the finest frnit farms in the county, situated about 150 to 200 feet above tlie valley of the St. Joseph river, and alwa3-s has a supply of good fruit to meet the wants of his customers; he is a Greenbacker. Oioen Coffin, sec. 13. H. K. Congdon, farmer, sec. 2(>; P. O., Bristol; was born in New York State May 25, 1828. Ilis father and mother, now deceased, were among the early settlers of the county, coming in 1S37. The subject of this sketch received his education in the common schools, and in 1850 he was married to Amandy Smith, who was born in Ohio in 1835; they have 5 children: Mary M., Frank U., Wilber L.. Joseph H. and Merthe A. He owns 185 acres of land, which is worth §50 per acre. His wife and family are members of the Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican. 1160 HISTOET OF ELKHAKT COrSTT. tTam^^ L. Conodcti. retired fariiieT, was born in Vermont Ang. 9" 1S16, and was brought up on a farm m Xew York State. Re started ont in life at the ag« of IS years for himself, and at 20 he came to Indiana and located on the Wabash, where he farmed for a few years: then returning to Xew York he took a wife in 1S39, whose maiden name was Clarissa Mather. She was born in ISIS and died Aug. 6. IS 76. They moved back to Indiana and located in Elkhart county, and there began farming, which occupation he followed up to late years, when he retired from labor. Their family consists of 2 girls and 5 boys, all living: Mary I., now Mrs. Wm. T. Keller: James L.. George G., John L.. Loran A., Ira F. and Minerva. He owns 200 acres of land, worth ^10,000. besides his property in Bristol. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Episco- pal Church at Bristol, and Mr. C. is a Bepublieau. I}r. Jostj>h JR. Cc'ttgdon, farmer and frait- grower, was born in Niagara county. IS". Y.. Feb. '22. 1S;J6. He spent his boyhood days on his father's tarm and in attendance at the common schools of his neighborhood. The family moved in lSo9 to this county, locating on a farm of 200 acres. At the agx? of 16 he taught a term of four months' school at Pleasant Plain, receiving for it ^oO. which was the first money he had ever earned, thinking then he was well fixed; but he had to obtain a support for himself and partly for his parents. At the age of 17 he began the study of medicine with Drs. Weimer «S: Chamberlain, of Elkhart, under whom he contin- ned his studies for three years, teaching school during the winter months to assist in his support and thns aid him in his determina- tion to become a physician. His health was not the best, however, and he was advised by his preceptors to continue in some other occupation on acconnt of failing health; but so strong was his desire to obtain a knowledge of the practice of medicine that he could not give up what he had obtained. He then attended the high school at South Bend three months, receiving his certificate to teach in St. Joseph county. He then returned to this county and obtained at Goshen a certificate to teach in tlie schools of the county, teaching and studying medi- cine during tliis time. He attended a course"of lectures at La Porte in ] Sio. and for one year thereafter practiced his profession at Val- paraiso, Ind., having nothing to receive any support from except what he earned by £is practice and teaching school. In the summer of 1S46 he returned to Bristol, and began the practice of medicine there, teaching school during the winter months and attending to his patients at night. He then resolved to make Bristol his fuTure home, and bought him a small home, which he had to pay for by his teacliing and practice. In ISit! he married Mrs. Mary H. Wilcox, who was born in Connecticut in 1S16. and their only child is now Mrs. Milbnrn, of Bristol. Mrs. Cougdon died in 1S47, and in lSo2 Dr. C. married Miss Julia E. Cnrtis, who was born in Oneida county, X. Y. By this marriage_they had 2 children : Mary J. and Martha C, both HISTOKT OF ELKHAKT COrXTT. 1161 of whom are now deceased. His second wife died March :2. 1S60, and in lSr>^ Dr. Congdon was again married, this time to Miss Carrie E. Cnrtis. a sisfer to his s^^nd wife, who was bom in this eonniy. Their 4 children are Cora E.. Willis R.. Minnie M. a:id Emma J. The Doctor has been and is ret verv prv>speK)ns in business. He is at present the owner of 4X>. The family are members of the Episcopal Church. The Doctor has a widely extended drele of acqnaintances, is held in high ^teem as a man, a citizrai and a neighbor. He is a Republican in politics. He now has retired from the field of practice, and is living a somewhat retired life, having bv his indastnr and integrity attained ail he now has. His portrait appears in this work, from* photo- graph taken at the age of M years. JLtiiAer T. Cox- farmer, sec- 21; P. O.. Bristol; was bom in Ju- niata oonnty. Penn„ Xov. 4, 1S44; son of William A. and Maria R Cox. They were natives of Pennsylvania, and came to this connty in ISM. locating in Washington tp. Lnther attended tlie Normal school of Ohio and also the commereial sciiool at Coldwater. Mich. In 1ST3 he msuried Sarah A. Hilbish. bom in Pennsylvania in 1S47; they have 1 child, Lena Endors. He owns 1:^0 acres of land which is under a fiur state of cultivation and worth #70 per acre, Hiey are members of the Olerman Eeformed Church. He is a Democrat. Jam^-^ Shavr Dodgi^ Jf. D., physician and suigeon. Bristol. Ind.. was born in Morrow county. Ohio, Ang. 24. ISW; his parents moved to this county in 1S4>. His mother died in 1S49, and his father in 1S56. The latter was a blacksmith and &rmer. After his father's death James S. returned to Ohio, where he attended school until 1S63, when he enlisted in the 3d Ohio Cav.. under Col. Seidell, serving until the cl-.^se of the war. He received his discharge Ang. 5. lS6o, and returned to Ohio, where he remained fw a short time, then came to this county, where he attended school and also Uught. In lS«>t> he began the study of medicine under Dr. R J. Haggerdy: attended two terms a: the medical depart- ment of the Cniversity of Michigan, at Ann Arbor; and graduated March 31. 1S69; then returned to Elkhart and began the practice of medicine. In the tall of 1S6H he attended lectures at the Jefierson Medical Colle^, of Philadelphia, and in the spring of ISTO he attended the college of physicians and surgeons in New York one term; thence he weal to Philadelphia, passed examination, receiv- ing his commission as Assistant Surgeon in the U. S. X., and pro- ee^ed to Washington to report for duty, but was attacked with locomotor ataxy and compelled to resign, and returned to this ooantT. After regaining his health he resumed his practice in Elkhart. In 1S76 he moved to Bristol, where he has since remained 1162 HISTOKT OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. and has built up a lare;e and lucrative practice. In 1875 he was married to Miss Xettie J. Peck, of Elkhart, born in Geneseo county, N. T., in 1855; they ha%'e 1 child, J. Syre, born July 4, 18Y6. Mrs. Dodge is a member of the Episcopal Church. Polit- ically, the Doctor is a Eepubliean. Daniel Ehi, retired farmer, was born in Stark county, Ohio, Feb. 23, 1810, He was raised on a farm, and in a mill, and at the age of 19 years he left home and went to Crawford county, Ohio, where he worked by the day and job for a year. He then came to the West and stopped for a short time in Michigan; then came to this county, where he worked for Mr. Frier on a farm ; then he worked in Michigan again three years at farming and milling, and also engaged in tiie Black Hawk war of 1832, after which he re- turned to Ohio, and was married in 1833, to Esther Shelhamer, who was born in Schuylkill county. Pa.; he immediately after- ward returned to Washington tp., this county and entered 155 acres of land, and commenced to make a home. He has had 7 children, 3 deceased: 1 in infancy, Mary Ann and Octavia. The 4 living are : Adelia Ann, Elias D., Owen and Olivia. His first wife died in August, 1865, and he married for his second wife Mrs. Polly Greenway, who was born in Pennsylvania. He is now situ- ated on good property. He and his wife are members of the Free- Will Baptist Church, and politically he is a Greenbacker. Henry Uanford Fowhr, M. D., deceased, one of the pioneer settlers of the St. Joseph valley, was born in the town of Washing- ton, Conn., Feb. 21, 1804. His father was a physician and a pro- fessor in the New Haven Medical College. As the son came to years of maturity, he chose his father's profession and attended lectures at Xew Haven, until his father's death. Soon after that event he went to the medical college at Fairfield, Conn., where he finished his medical course and received his diploma. Although solicited to settle in his native town and take his father's place, he thought best to do otherwise, and began his practice in Ogdens- burg, St. Lawrence Co., K^. Y., where he remained for a short time only. In 1828 he made an extensive tour through the Western country, which at that time was very thinly settled, and in many places, a sandy barren or primeval forest. He went to Detroit on the lake, purchased a pony, and made the journey on horseback all through Southern Michigan to the lake; returning to Detroit, he sold his pony to the same man from whom he bought him and re- turned to the East; purchased a stock of medicines, and after other preparations made his way back to Western Michigan, where he settled in 1829. Aug. 9, 1830, he married Miss Betsie A. Frisbie, of Connecticut, and immediately after came West and settled in Niles, Mich., for a short time, where he began his practice; was also at that time surgeon of a regiment in the Black Hawk war. From jSTiles they removed to a farm which. the Doctor owned in Cass Co., Mich., situated on a beautiful lake, which the Doctor named Diamond lake because of its sparkling water. Here he practiced HISTOEY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1163 his profession amid all the difficulties and privations of life; many and long wei-e the rides of many miles in every direction which he took -when he was called to minister at the bed-side of the sick and dying. Late in the year of 183i he removed to this county and lo- cated on the bank of the St. Joseph river, where he helped to lay out the town of Bristol. He continued to practice for a good many years with good repute,' until his sudden death, which took place on Sun- day Sept. 2, 1$T7, in his 74th year. The last 30 years of his life he did not practice his profession to any great extent. He passed his time in various literary pursuits. His family consisted of 1 sou, George W., now a resident of Missouri, and 2 daughters, Mary and Ellen, deceased. His wife is living on the old home farm. Dr. Fowler was a man fond of literary attainments, well read find intelligent. He had the reputation of being one of the best educated men in the county; was a good writer and labored much with his pen; he delivered many ad- dresses on various occasions, before lodges, pioneer societies and temperance meetings. He was an earnest and consistent temper- ance man, and seldom, if ever, prescribed any liquors. He is sup- posed to have delivered the first temperance address west of Toledo. He was a man of generosity and benevolence, a good neighbor, a kind father, a tender and loving husband. George Frank, farmer, sec. 14; P. O., Bristol; was born in Springfield, Ohio, in 1823. He was raised on a farm, with little or no schooling. In 1841 he married Christenia Punches, a native of the same place. Mr. Frank followed farming until 1860, then came West and located in this tp.; he owns 100 acres of land, under a fair state of cultivation, worth $50 per acre. They have had 6 children; 3 are deceased ; the living are Saioma, Lena E. and Eliza Ann. Both are members of the United Brethren Church. Mr. F. is a Democrat. Edson Gregory, farmer, sec. 32; P. O., Bristol; was born in Danbury, Conn., Nov. 3, 1816. and resided in a house deserted by the rebels during the Revolutionary war. His father was a hat- ter. Edson followed various occupations; he came to Goshen in 1837, and clerked for his brother for one and one-half years, then commenced fai-ming on his brother's farm. He then returned to Connecticut, and visited friends several months; finally settled in Washington tp., where he now resides, and owns 226 acres of good land, worth 860 dollars per acre. His father and mother came to this county in 1841. and located on the farm with him; in 1850 his father died, and in Sept. 4, 1862, his mother died. Mr. G. was married in 1847 to Lucinda A. Hunn,born in Canandaigua county, N. Y., in 1815, and died July 1.5, 1876; they had 5 children: Eliza H., Margaret M., Francis E., Joseph E. and James G.; 2 are married. Politically, Mr. G. has always been Democratic. Peter Hilbish, farmer, sec. 16; P. O., Bristol; was born in Juni- ata county. Pa., July 28, 1844, son of Peter and Catherine Hilbish, 1164 HISTOET OF ELKHAJIT COITNTY. natives of Pennsylvania, who moved to this tp. in 1856, where the father died in July, 1858; his mother still resides in the tp. and lives with her daughter, Mrs. Cox. He received a common-school education, and in 1871 he was married to Mary Ann Kinney, who was born in this county in 1850. They have 2 children, Nettie Lorrena and Lucy May. He owns 120 acres of land, which is worth $75 per acre. He is a Republican and both himself and wife are members of the German Keformed Church. A. P. Messier, farmer, sec. 19; P. O., Bristol; was born June 12, 1816; his parents were natives of Peimsylvania, and were very poor, so that the subject of this biograph}', like many others, was obliged to work by the day for his living. At the age of 18 years he commenced to learn the tanner's trade, by which to help support his parents. When he was 21 years old h&.went to Summit county, Ohio, where he continued to work at his trade two years; he then bought out the property and machinery of John Bickel, where he continued to work with a will, to have something in iiis older days and to provide for his parents, who soon came to Ohio, where he had settled. April 21, 1842, he was married to Mary L. Wirt, who was born in the town of Milton, Penn., May 2, 1819, and they have had 4 children; tlie living are Thomas J., William H. aud Elizabeth N., now Mrs. W. G. Commins, of Chicago. The one deceased was Clara A., who died Oct. 1, 1860. In 1847 he sold out his tanner}- and located in this tp. on a small farm. He has continued to add to it until he now owns 185 acres, which is well improved and is worth $75 per acre. His father and mother came to this county and lived with their two sous until their death, the former July 14, 1856, in his 79th year, and his mother July 14, 1863, also in her 79th year. Since Mr. K. came to the county he has become one of the County Commissioners; he was elected in 1876 and served until 1879. They now have in the family a young lady. Miss Elsie F. Houtz, which they have reared from childhood. They are all mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Republican. The portrait of Mr. Kessler in this volume is from a pho- tograph taken at the age of 65. W. W. Zee, merchant, was born in Bri'stol Dec. 7, 1851; his father. Joseph W. Lee, was a native of Canada; came to this county in an early day and followed farming until his death, which occurred in 1858. His mother was a native of New York; after the death of her husband she married S. B. Romain, aud resided in Bristol. The subject of this sketch was married in 1879 to Dinomis O. Dolph, born in Sylvania, Ohio, March 9, 1851. He commenced business in Bristol the same year, where he yet continues, carrying a good stock of dry goods and general merchandise, and has gained for himself a flourishing trade, to which, by general consent, he is justly entitled. He is a Democrat. HISTOKV OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 1165 Andrew J. Menges, farmer, sec. 28; P. O., Bristol; he was born in Snyder county, Fa., Sept. 5, 1S16; his father and mother were natives of the same State, and came to this county in 1864 ; he was raised on a farm and received his education in common schools. He was married in 1873 to Sarah Heintzelman, born in Pennsyl- vania in 18-18; they have 3 children: E. Pineholt, Lotta M. and Eva. He owns 67 acres of land in this tp., where he resides, worth $60 per acre; he is a Democrat. Elias a. Menges was born July 16, 1816, near Freebur^f, Union (now Snyder) Co., Pa., son of John Jacob and Catharine (Roush) Menges, the former a native of Lancaster (now Lebanon) county, Pa., and the latter a native of Northumberland (afterward Union, now Snyder) county, same State; father died in his 73d year, and mother in her 79th; they had resided on the same farm since 1822. In 1864 the subject of this sketch sold the farm on which he was raised and came to this county', buying a farm of 67 acres in sec. 28, tiiis tp. ; in the spring of 1865 he bought another farm of 157 acres, mostly in the same section, on the St. Joseph river road from Bristol to Elkhart. Mr. Menges was educated in the old-time sub- scription schools, chiefly in German; in 1843 he was instrumental in carrying his tp. into the acceptance of the common-school system; acted as Secretary of theTp. Board of School Directors six years; in 1843 he was also commissioned by the Governor of Pennsylvania as Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, 1st Division, of the State Militia, which position he held seven years; in the fall of 1855 he was elected Associate Judge of the Common Pleas Court in his native county. June 16, 1842, the day he was 26 years of age, he married Hen- rietta Ziegler, and they have had 3 sons and 3 daughters: Mary Catherine, Andrew Jackson, John Jacob, Amelia Matilda, Martin Luther and Anna Maria. The family are all members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Zion's congregation. Mr. Men- ges is naturally very liberal and benevolent, — too much so for his own good, as he has lost a great deal by the greed of dishonest parties. In political matters he is a Jeffersonian Democrat. Cyrus F. Mosier, Jr., editor and publisher of the Bristol Ban- ner, was born in Rush, Monroe Co., N. Y., June 24, 1840, and is a son of Cyrus F. (deceased) and Rebecca Mosier, natives of New York. When Mr. Mosier was two months old his father died and lel't his mother in rather limited circumstances. She soon removed to Corning, Steuben county, N. Y., where she lived till 1846. then came to JSoMe county, Ind., and afterward to DeKalb county. In 1848 she married Rufus K. McDonald, a prominent man of Allen county. Cyrus F., then but a boy, began to grow tired of domestic life, and wishing to learn and know something of the '' outside world," left his mother's pleasant home at the age'ot 15, and went to Newville, in that county; there, with his own personal resources and the aid of his mother, be attended school most of the time for six years. In 1856 his stepfather died and left his mother in no- 1166 HISTORT OF ELKHAET COUNTY. wise favorable circumstances. She then removed to Newville, Ind., where Cyrus was attendiui^ school. At the expiration of his school life the war broke out, and he, seeins; the imminent peril of his countrj', volunteered April 19, 1861, in Co. F, 1st 12th Eeg. I. Y. I. to go and fight for liberty. Before going, he went to see his mother; being her only support, felt unwilling to leave her; but there was true patriotism in the words of this noble woman as she said, "Go, my boy, the country calls you;" and faithfully did he obey her; off he went to the battle-fields tliat were already crimsoned by the soldiers' blood, not knowing but that his own blood might stain the " field of conflict." He served one year and was dis- charged at "Washington city; three days after arriving at home he re-enlisted in the service, this time in Co. E, 55th Reg.; was mustered in as 1st Sergeant, and subsequently was given the rank of recruiting ofiicer; after a month's service in that capacity he, with his regiment, moved southward to Richmond, Ky. ; at the close of his term (three months) the commanding officer entreated the regiment to remain, as the Union forces numbered only 7,000, and the enemy, under command of Gen Kirby Smith, 30,000 strong, were advancing upon them; they all consented to stay and the next day, Aug. 30, they fought in six standing battles, which lasted from daybreak to sunset, at which time they were captured by the " Rebs;" but of the 55th Reg., 130, headed by Col. Geo. Humphrey, of Fort Wayne, Ind.. made their escape. Among the number was Mr. Mosier. He then came to Indianapolis and was mustered out, and soon returned home; but his soldier spirit allowed him to remain only a short time; he enlisted in Co. D, llSth Reg.; was elected 1st Lieutenant of this command, and after five months hon- orable service resigned his commission and returned home and commenced school-teaching, whieli he followed for five years; was engaged in brick manufacturing nearly three years, and May 12, 1876, he assumed journalism by starting an auxiliary paper entitled the " Maysville Reporter^'' at Maysville, Ind. He edited this paper tillJuly, 1S76, then started a printing press, in company with G. F. Shutt, then of Maysville, and continued its publication till March, 1877, when he came to Bristol and started the Bristol Ban- ner, which he still publishes. It is a real spicy little sheet and has quite an extensive circulation. It was edited as a neutral paper till Sept. 24, 1880, when it was changed to Republican. Mr. Mo- sier practiced law for a time in New Haven, and also held the oflice of Town Prosecutor in that place for two consecutive terms. He took a very active part in the political campaign of ISSO, for the promotion and success of the Republican party. He was married May 24, 1863, to Miss Drusilla L., daughter of Jonas H., M. D., and Alice A. (Barber) Roe; the former born in Sussex county, N. J., Aug. 3, 1819. and the latter near Cleveland,Ohio, Jan. 26,1824. Mrs. Mosier was born in Orangeville, Ind., March 18, 1S45. Mr. and Mrs. Mosier have had 3 children, only 1 living: Horace H. Irtis y. and Ines Bell are deceased. Mr. Mosier's venerable HISTOKY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. 1167 mother is living in DeKalb county, at the advanced age of 69 years. Willnim Paling farmer, sec. 27; P. O., Bristol ; was born in Bickerton, Cheshire, England, Sept. 8, 1822, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Palin, also natives of England. His mother died in England Sept. 15, 1822, and his father died Oct. 6, 1873, at his home in England. He was deprived of his mother bj' her death, when he was but one week old. At the age of nine years, in com- pany with his uncle, Geo. Moss, with whom he was living, he came to America and located at Newton, Trumbull county, Ohio. He there labored on the farm with his uncle for 12 j'ears. He then returned to England to visit his fatlier and remained there two years. He then returned to Trumbull county, O., and engaged in the mercantile trade in the city of Warren, continuing in that busi- ness eight years. He then started on a trip, by the Nicaragua route, to California, remaining in the gold fields of that region two years, returning byway of Panama. On his return to Warren, O., he again resumed the mercantile trade, which he continued two years. In 1862 he again visited England and took a journey to the borders of Europe, via France. Belgium, Germany and Hol- land, returning via Scotland, Ireland and A\'"ales'. He removed to Bristol here in the spring of 18.56, purchased a farm, and now, after many long years, resumed tbe occupation of his boyhood, and was again a farmer. He is the owner of 93 acres of land, worth $100 per acre, and 40 acres on the Hill, valued at $50 per acre. He formerly owned the land on which the race and dam were built for the hydraulic water-works, an enterprise of great value lying in waste. In 1868 Mr. Palin raised probably the largest crop of wheat ever grown in the county. It averaged 60 bushels per acre, by accurate measure, notwithstanding a storm just previous to harvesting had blown down and so tangled the grain that a goodly quantity was lost in harvesting the crop. So great was the waste that the volunteer crop the next season produced 15 bushels per acre. The wlieat was known as the Spriugdale variety. He was married in Warren, O., Sept. 1-4, 1854, to Nancy Harsh, who was born in the same place in August, 1830. Their 3 children are Wm. K., Anna and John H. Mr. Palin is an ardent supporter of the Eepublican party Joseph Rieth, farmer, sec. 31; P. O., Elkhart; was born in Berks county, Penn., Oct. 16, 1820; father was a farmer and a native also of Pennsylvania. He remained with his father until he was about 25 years old, when he married Susan Wenger in 1845, who was born in Lancaster county, Penn.; they have had 5 children: Isaac, Daniel, Samuel W., Mary and Ellen; 4 of these are married. In 1852 he came West and located west of Goshen, where he rented a farm, remaining two years; then he moved upon the Basco farm, where he remained nine years; then upon the Keller farm, where he remained nntil he bought in Middlebury tp. and lived 10 years; he then sold out and bought his present farm, consisting of 170 1168 HISTORY OF ELKHART COVNTT. acres of land, under a fair state of cultivation, wortb $75 per acre all of which he attained bv his steady attention to business, having only $50 to begin with when first married and started out for him- self, lie and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church at Elkhart. Politically, he is a Democrat. Mrs. E. P. Half, widow of the Eev. E. B. Eolf, deceased, who was born in Vermont in 1812, and died Nov. 16, 1872. At an early day Mr. Rolf moved from Vermont to New 1 ork, where he was educated for the ministry, and from there he came to Indiana, where he married Mrs. E. P. Brown, who was born in Columbia county, N. T., Jan. 25, ISIS, and had by her former iiusband 2 children: Freeman M. and William D., both deceased. The latter enlisted in the late war of 1861 and died while in the service at Camp White, Tenn., and her former husband died in 1859. He was a native of Vermont. She owns 120 acres of land, worth $70 per acre, and she resides on her farm. She is a member of the Communion Baptist Church. EraiiMm G Romaiu, books, stationer}-, groceries, etc., Bristol; was born in New York city Aug. 20, ISis. His father came to Indiana in 1859 and located near Bristol, and soon after moved into the town of Bristol and sold goods until his death in 1861; his mother is still living in Bristol. Tiie subject of this sketch was married in 1871 to Mary A. Salsbury, born in Indiana; they have 4 children: Foranee M., Theodore K., Benjamin and Anna. Mr. II. clerked in a hardware store in Elkhart six years, and since his marriage he has continued to carry on his present business; lias held the office of Town Clerk three consecutive terms, and Tp. Treasurer two terms ; they are members of the Episcopal Church ; he is a Republican. Jonas Sassamtin, farmer, sec. 34; P. O., Bristol; was born in Snyder county. Pa., Aug. 23, 1838; his parents were also natives of Pennsylvania. His father died Sept. 1878, and his mother still resides in Pennsylvania. He was principally raised on a farm and educated in the old way of attending school. He was married in 1865 to Mary Jane Bertch. also a native of Snyder county. Pa., born in 1845. They have had 9 children; the living are: Oliver. Franklin, Noah, Eva and Mary Susan (twins), and Byron ; those deceased are: Emma, Anna and 1 in infancy. In 1866 Mr. S. came to Indiana and farmed one year; he then moved up into Michigan, where he farmed for five years: he then came back to Indiana, where he bought a farm consisting of 80 acres of land, worth $60 per acre. He was one of the lucky ones in the wheel of fortune, and drew a card which took him into the late war, where he remained nine months. They are members of the German Lutheran Church and politically he is a Democrat. Charles T. Seihert, carpenter and lumber dealer, Bristol, was born in Northumberland count}'. Pa., Sept. 22, 1830, son of John and Magdalena Seibert, natives of Pennsylvania; father died in June, 1846, in his 56th year, and his mother died in 1861 in her HISTOET OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1169 66th year. The subject of this sketch was raised upon a farm and received a common-school education in the district schools. At the age of 20 he began his trade, following it in Pennsylvania for his support; in 1861 he came to this county and began to carry on his trade. In IS 61 lie married Mary E. Kessler, who was born in Ohio in 1S17. They have 4 children: Charles K., Mary Emma, Mary Magdelena and Bertha. In April, 1877, he added to his business the lumber trade, which he carries on for Maxon, Parme- ter & Co., of Elkhart. They handle from 200,000 to 250.000 feet of lumber each year, and he also has a full supply of lime and cement. He owns a neat and comfortable residence in the town of Bristol. They are members of the Presbyterian Churcli, and polit- ically he is a Republican. B. J. Sherwhi, farmer, sec. 32; P. O., Bristol, was born in Bris- tol, Ind., Dec. 25, ISiS. His parents were natives of Canada, and came to this county in 1840 and located where the subject of this sketch was born, and educated in the common schools. The latter was principally brought up on a farm; dealt in live stock in Kan- sas si.x years ; then in a grocery at South Bend four years, and he came to the farm he now owns, March 25, ISSO, which consists of 122 acres of land, and worth 860 per acre. He was married in 1872 to Clara Paxson, who was born in this county in 1853, and they have 1 cliild, Ada May, who was born in 1878. Politically, Mr. S is a Democrat. Ananias Stom, barber and hair-dresser, Bristol; was born in Stark county, O., jSTov. 21, 1845; his parents were natives of Ohio; father deceased. He came to this county in 1873 and located in Bristol. He was married Feb. 5, 1880, to Intha M. Ernsberger, born in Ohio in 1S5S. In connection with his trade, Mr. S. keeps first-class cigars, also billiard and pool tables. He respectfully asks the patronage of the citizens, and guarantees satisfaction. lie is a Democrat. Dennk Sullivan, cabinet-maker and joiner, Bristol; was born in Ireland April 1, 1828; his father emigrated to America in 1834, landing in Quebec; from there he went to Bangor, Maine, where the subject of this sketch commenced for himself, working ou a farm for Mr. Reed; he then went to New York and worked in a tobacco factory, then to Connecticut, where he again followed farm- ing with Mr. Smith. At the age of 17 he commenced to learn his trade, which he followed four years, then moved West and located in Batavia, 111., where he engaged in business, working at his trade. He then moved to Indiana and located in Bristol, where he followed his occupation, working part of his time in Elkhart and Constan- tine; finally he opened liis present business, and has since continued to follow it. He was married in 1852 to Marv A. Hall, born in New York, 1826, and died May 17, 1870; they had 5 children, 3 of whom are deceased; the 2 living areHattie, now Mrs. Kline, and "William. Mr. S. married for his second wife E. A. Jessup, born in Ohio in August, 1846; they have 1 child. Bertha M. He commenced life 1170 HISTOET or ELKHABT COrNTf. •with nothing bnt his own hands; has earned all by his own labors and attention to business: they are members of tlieM. E. Church; Mr. S. is a Kepublican. Thomas WelU, farmer, sec. 20: P. O.. Bristol: is the son of Charles and Marv Ann Wells. His father died in December, 1852. and his mother is now living, part of the time -with him. He •was born Feb. 2, 1S44, in this tp.. and was reared on a farm: re- ceived his education in the common schools, and ■was married in 1S6S to Caroline Shadle, -who was born in Fulton county, Ind.. in IS-tS. He now owns 5S acres of land, -well cultivated, and worth $70 per acre. He is a Kepnblican, and his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church. Jose^^h Wheeler, keeper of a hotel and grocery store. Bristol, -was bom in Genesee county. X. Y., Feb. 16^ 1S16. His father and mother •were natives of Vermont and moved to Xew York in 1S15, locating in the town •where the subject of this sketcli was born and raised. At the age of 17 years he learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, working only eight months as an apprentice, and followed the same until 1S3.^. He came West and located in this tp., where he commenced to carry on his trade and engaged in the construc- tion of railroad eating-houses and railroad bridges. He built the eating-house in Elkhart on the line of the L. S. it M. S. K. R. which took him three months, and he says it was the only one he built that he lost money on. He married for his first wife Cordelia Clark, who was born in Vermont, and died in 1S47. They had 3 children, of whom only 1 is now living: Charles if. For his second •wife Mr. AY. married Mrs. Francis Blair, who was born iu Ohio in 1S4S: she had by her former marriage 4 children: the living are: Francis and "Walis. She died in 1852. Mr. W. married for his third -wife Marilla M. Canvass. She was born in the city of Erie, Penn.. and died in 1S60. They had by this marriage 5 children; the living are: Homer C. and Herbert H. : the 3 deceased were: Henry H.. Milard and Joseph. For his last wife he married Jane M. Pierson. who was born in Ohio. He owns the property he occu- pies, and we can say that not many have undergone as much as he as and stood the storm. Politically, he is a live Eepnblican. Hirrri-son Zelgier. farmer, sec. 2S: P. O., Bristol: was born in Union county, Penn., January, 1S20. His parents were natives of the same State; father died in 1S66, and mother in 1S71. He was raised on a farm in Pennsylvania among the hills and rocks, and received his education in a common school: at the age of 21 he commenced with ^lO on a farm, and continued there 11 years: in 1S5S he came West and located in this county on his present farm, which consists of 105 acres of land, well improved, and worth $85 per acre. In 1816 he mai-ried Catherine Snyder, born in Sny- der county. Penn.; they have had 5 children: the living are: Elraira, now Mrs. Cox: Lucretia. Samuel W. and Amanda; 1 is deceased: William A. Mrs. Z. is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Z. s a Democrat. YORK TOWNSHIP. Prior to the final division of the northern part of this county this had been a portion of the territory comprising Middlebury. The soil of this township is sandy, of medium fertility and easy of cultivation. A continuation of the hills spoken of in the Wash- ington township history extends into this township, and are used in the culti\-atiou of fruits, which are abundant. The people, as a class, are industrious, contented, and from these qualities is always derived a bountiful supply of happiness. The first settlement, with the intent of actual improvement, is said to have been made by Wm. Hunter in 1S33, who located in the southern part of the township near the Little Elkhart river. In 1S3A this adventurous pioneer received a considerable reinforcement when came J. X. Brown, J. and Wm. Cummins. Wm. Hall, Friend Curtis. David Ebi, Hiram Chase, E. Bonney, John and Ruby Yan- Frank, Edward Joyce and A. Arnold, and settled on the Yistnla road. They soon were convinced of their numerical powers, and the Many hearts of pioneers "Which always beat as one combined in the petition for an organization of a new town- ship, which petition was granted; and from the fact of a majority of the citizens having come from the State of New York, the appro- priate conclusion is easily drawn why the newly organized domain should, by common consent, receive the lasting title of "York." From this time forth the settlement of the township was rapid. Settlements and improvements were made in other localities, and farms were opened up with all that steady, healthy rapidity char- acteristic of tlie determined minds of those who fearlessly, reso- lutely and manfully place themselves in that sometimes unenviable position to fulfill, or fail in the attempt to fulfill, the resolution to "■ grow up with the country." About the time of the organization of the township Samuel Ebi started a distillery in the northwestern part of the township, which was continued in operation for about 30 years, or until 1S65, when the demand for spirits was found to be not so great as when log-rollings were more numerous and revenue was not so high. (1171) 1172 HISTORY OF ELKHAKT COUNTY. In April, 1S37, an election was held at the residence of Friend Curtis, which resulted in the choice of Wra. R. Cummins as Justice of the Peace, Jedediah Cummins as Constable, Daniel Ebi as Supervisor of Roads, and John Shelhamer and Mr. Williams for Overseers of the Poor. And as none conld rightly lay claim to be considered rich, ^though not absolutely poor, these men could almost claim by virtue of honest election to have the entire citizen ship under their jurisdiction. Lulie and Mark Sanker, Samuel Ebi and Nathan Whipple came in 1837. Mr. Whipple and Edward Bonney built a flouring mill and saw-mill on the Little Elkhart in 1837, which were the first mills erected in the township. These mills are situated about three miles east of the town of Bristol, and are, after a lapse of 43 years, yet doing service for the community. It is somewhere written that the first school was taught by Miss Melinda Bliss, in an old cooper shop; but later investigation develops the fact that there were no old cooper shops at that time, and that the first school was taught by Maro Wheeler, then but 15 years of age, later a member ot the firm of Secor, Berdan &, Co., wholesale grocerymen of Toledo, Ohio. A school-house was built on sec. 21, in 1837, which was the first school building erected in the township. The first religious services were held by a Mr. Depew. a Presby- terian who did missionary work near a place called Borineyville. Services were lield in a school-house at that place. In 1836 Rev. Eli Garrison came to this township and organized a Baptist Church, which was the first Church organization here of which we have any knowledge. He died in April, 1837, and his is said to have been the first death to occur in the township. The carpenter and joiner's trade was first represented by David Ebi, who also attended the duties of undertaker. He did the work of his trade in his dwelling. During the autumns of 1837 and 1838 the fever and ague raged among the people with great distress, and even in this sparsely settled community. Mr. Ebi had orders for three coffins at one time, all for grown people. The L. S. & M. S. railroad passes across the northwestern part of the township. During its construction a wood-shed was built at a point along the track, where the people of this community and of Middlebury made an eftort and were successful in securing a depot at the same point. It answered to the name of '' Middlebury HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. 1173 Station " uutil the place was granted a postoffice, when it was given tlie name of " Vistula." The place was laid out in 1865, and receives the freight for Middlebury. The town of Vistula now has two churches, — Disciple and Lu- theran; also a Methodist organization, which holds services in the Lutheran church. The present minister in the Disciple church is the Rev. Mr. Kershner, who was formerly a minister among the Mormons. It has one dry -goods store, kept by Smith & Patterson; and a grocery store, kept by Shelleubarger & Son, who also de.il largely in lumber and Grand Eapids land plaster. Blacksmith and wagon shops are in operation by Seymour & Seybert, and a wagon shop by Edwin Corp, who also is engaged extensively in apiary husbandry. There is also one hotel. This quiet precinct was once, in its early history, the scene of a very exciting tragedy, which for a time kept the inhabitants sup- plied with conversational material, and was the occasion of not a little nervousness. It seems that one Samuel Miller began a series of strange pastimes which betokened an approaching fit of insanity or ungovernable madness, by walking the road, unoccupied, and curiously passed one of his neighbor's houses and threw down a package of small papers, which, when afterward examined by a friend and returned to his wife, were found to be notes and valuable papers of upward of $100 in value. He then went to his home, procured a large knife, sought his wife and informed her of his inten- tion to kill himself, yet also horrifying her with the statement that his purpose was to take her life first, and without further warning plunged the blade of steel into her breast while she was sitting with her babe in her arms. He then without pausing to know the result of his attempted murder upon his wife, stabbed himself, inflicting a wound that in a few hours caused his death. Surgical aid was soon obtained, the wounded wife was well cared for and finally recovered. She was a very estimable woman and afterward married a worthy man, Aaron Brooks. They now reside in the edge of the State of Michigan within a mile of the scene of the bloody tragedy. , PERSONAL. We close with a few biographical sketches of prominent residents in this township. Ha7"vey Clausoti, farmer, sec. 33; P. O., Middlebury; was born in Orange county, N. Y., Aug. 23, 1820; was raised and remained 1174: HISTOET OF ELKHAJST COUNTY. in his native State until 21 jears old; then moved to New Jersey, where he resided 29 years; thence to this county, where he is now located on a farm, consistinj^ of 240 acres of land under good state of improvement, with good substantial buildings, and well supplied with fruit, which he values at $70 per acre. He married for his first wife Charlotte Purdy, in ISil; she was born in New Jersey in 1819, and died Dec. 12, 1S52, leaving 2 children: Henry P.. born in 1S43, now living in New York; and John H., born in 1846 in New Jersey. He enlisted in the war of the Eebellion, where he died June 13, 1862, at Raleighville, Tenn. Mr. C. mar- ried for his second wife Phebe Mathers, who was born in 1S16 in New York State, and died in Indiana March 21, 1873; she left 1 child, Charles E., born May 4, 1858, in New Jersey. For his third wife Mr. C. married Miss Lydia Brown Burridge, born in this county in 1842. Mr. C. is a Democrat. David EIn comes of an old and respectable family, his grand- father, David Ebi, having served as a soldier in the Revolution, in a Virginia regiment of volunteers, through the entire war, when he was honorably discharged, but never claimed the pension allowed the old veterans of 1776. He of whom we write was born near Canton, Stark count}', Ohio, Dec. 19, 1813, and was one of a fam- ily of 17 children, of whom 14 survive. The first 19 years of his life he remained at home, assisting his father on the farm. At this time, however, he evinced a desire to learn the carpenter's trade, and stipulated with his father for the remaining years of his minority, agreeing to pay him $50 therefor, which contract he faithfully ful- filled, much to the satisfaction of the father. In 1831 he shouldered his knapsack and left his father's roof to begin life for himself, and was domiciled for that year with his uncle, David Ebi, during which tiine he attended school. In 1832, with his brother Michael, he was apprenticed to a carpenter, but worked so hard that at the end of the second j'ear he was obliged to return to his uncle's house to recuperate, availing himself of the opportunity, in the meantime, to again attend school, and resumed his apprenticeship in the spring. • Aug. 30, 1835, he engaged in a business expedition to Michigan, for a brother, and walked to Akron, Ohio, the first day; he arrived at Mottville Sept. 6, walking from Detroit since the 2d of the month. On arriving at Mottville he found his brother. Daniel Ebi, living with his father-in-law, Daniel Shellhammer. Here he met his future wife, Catharine Shellhammer, to whom he was married March 30, 18B7. Mrs. Ebi was borit^in Schuylkill countv, Penn., Nov. 11, 1817. and died Sept. 26, 1858. Mr.' and Mrs. 'Ebi had 8 children, of whom 5 still survive. Among their greatest trials was the loss of tliree of their older sons, who died at a time when they were just developing into interesting youths. An unfortu- nate financial transaction, caused by the delinquency of another, cost Mr. Ebi the loss of all his hard-earned property, at a time when he was laying the foundation for future competence. His life-history HISTORY OF ELKHART OOUNTT. 1175 is a cliequered one, experieiicing all of the vicissitudes of a pioneer existence. He has at last, after many wanderings and changes, returned to tlie township, where he made his first stay in Michigan of more than a single night. He came to this tp. the day after he was married, a one-horse wagon sufficing to transport his wife and all of his household effects. He bought 40 "acres of land and built a small board house, without doors, windows or chimney; the cooking was done out of doors, a stump being utilized for a stove, and thus they passed the honey- moon ; it would scarcely come under the head of " love in a cottage," and yet love was not wanting, though the cottage was yet to be built. It came in good time, however, and was all the better for being the sole handiwork of the master of the house himself. He resided here 12 \ears, when his wife's health failing, he changed his location to the village of Bristol, in whicli place he built two cot- tages for his own use, residing there many years. Ou the 10th of April. lS60Tin company with one A. P. Wright, he went to Colorado, where, after prospecting for a time, he settled in Gilpin county, and engaged in mining. At intervals he worked at building himself a house, which, on completion, he converted into a provision-store, and succeeded well in the business of mer- chandising in that line. In 1866 he returned to Bristol, where he met Mrs. Barbara Koehler, a widowed lady whom he had known for 20 years, and April 15 following they were married. He sub- sequently purchased the farm of his wife's former husband, on which they resided two years, and then sold the same and moved to Oshkosli, Wisconsin, where they resided five years. In 1873 Mr. and Mrs. Ebi paid a visit to his sous living in California, where the}' remained nearly a year, and returned to Elkhart July 6, 1874, and on the ISth of the same month fixed their residence, as at present, in ISIottville. Mr. Ebi. while in Colorado, assisted in framing the territorial laws and regulations, and was a delegate to the first territorial convention, in 1S60, from Gilpin county. He is a member of the M. E. Church, which he joined, with his wife Catharine, in 1838. The present wife of Mr. Ebi has 2 children by her former hus- band. Conrad Koehler (a native of Germany), a son and a daughter. She was born in Lancaster county. Pa., in 1821, her maiden name being Barbara AYhitman. She was first married when 19 years of age. S'lmiiel Ehy. farmer, sec. 8, was born in Stark county, O., March 31, 1807; was raised on a farm under his father's care, and at the age of 18 years, set out to work by the day and month, pay- ing one-half of his earnings to his father until he was 21 years old; worked in a brick yard, and learned tlie distilling trade; at the age of 28 he married Elizabeth Kesslei', who was born in Pennsylvania Aug. 20. 1^10; they lived several years in Ohio, and continued to farm until the fall of 1837; Sept. 14 he and his family landed in this county, whei'e he purchased a farm of 176 acres, on which he 1176 HISTOKT OF ELKHA.ET COUNTY. now lives. Thev have raised a family of 10 children, 6 of whom are now living, namely: Caroline. Delilah, Elizabeth, Benjamin, Edmond and Mary Ellen; the deceased are William, Samuel, Harrison and Sylvester. Coming to this county in an early day Mr. Eby has seen many changes and suiJered many disadvan- tages; he is now in his Tith year, and his wife is in her 71st, and they enjoy good health. Politically, he is Democratic. Moses Eceringham , farmer, sec. 13 ; was born in Lycoming county. Pa., April 14, 1S27; his parents^are deceased. Ile'was married in Pennsylvania to Mary Ann Hitesman, who was born in Xew Jersey. They have had 9 children, S of whom are living; 3 are married and the balance remain at home. Mr. E. came to this county in 1862 and purchased the farm he now lives on, consisting of 40 acres of land in a fair state of improvement, and worth ^50 per acre. He is a Democrat. George G. Greiner, M.D., physician, Vistula, was born in Snyder county, Pa., May 29, 1843, son of William and Margaret Greiner; father died in 1S50, in Pa., when George was only seven years old. He was principally raised on a farm until he was 16 years old; his mother moved to town to give her children a better education. George commenced to study naedicine at 20 years of age, and con- tinued to study and attend lectures at the State University, Phila- delphia, at which school he graduated in the winter of 1865-'6; after graduating he came West in 1866, and located in Vistula in 1877, where he began his practice of medicine. He was married to Sarah C. Hass, who was born in Pa. in 1838; they have had 6 children; the living are: William H., Alfred, Sti 11a and LulaMay; those deceased are Maggie May and Edith; one died in infancy. The Doctor has worked up a practice in the vicinity of Vistula and also has the good will and confidence of all. He owns a neat residence in which he lives, his mother living with him. Politi- cally, he is Republican and is Justice of the Peace. Harrison G. Hodf/es, farmer, sec. 27, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., April 6, 1815; father died in Knox county. Ohio, in his 83d year, and mother in Indiana. He was married to Elizabeth Vanloon in Ohio, and they had 9 children. Mrs. H. died of insanity at Columbus, Ohio. Mr. II. married for his second wife Mrs. Eliza (Rush) Martin, in 1861. She had 4 children by her former marriage. Mr. Hodges owns 40 acres of land under a fair state of cultivation, on which he lives and farms; he is Republican. Eleazar Ivins, farmer and frflit-grower, sec. 24; was born in Stark county, Ohio, April 21, 1830; is the son of Isaac and Mary Ivins; he came to Indiana in 1841 with his parents; worked at home nntil 18 years old, then began for himselt; at the age of 20 years had earned enough to purchase 40 acres of land. He was married Oct. 10, 1858, to Elizabeth Dean, born near Columbus, Ohio, in 1839; they have 5 children: Dale, S. V., Owen, Ida M. and Ralph. Mr. Ivins owns 121 acres of land, well improved and HISTORY OF ELK BART COUNTY. 1177 supplied with fruit of all kinds; he also has 30 stands of bees, in which he claims to make a specialty. He is a Greenbacker. Imac Ivhis, retired farmer, sec. 23; was born in Mansfield, Burlington, Co., N. J., Sept. 30, 1S06. He moved to Ohio in 1S24, where he married Mary Woods.who was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, Sept. 5. 1S13; they have had 16 children. 10 of whom are living; 6 of his sons enlisted in tiie war of the llebellion; 1 died in Anderson vi lie prison, and 1, soon after coming liome. Mr. Ivins came to this county in 1841 and located on the land he now lives on. He and his wife are past doing for themselves, and have to depend on the children; he still owns 153 acres of land, on which he first settled. He is a free thinker and a Republican. A. J. Lee, farmer, sec. 22; P. O., Middlebury; was born in Middlebury tp., this county, March 1, ISiO, son of Thomas and Sarah S. Lee; father died in 1849; mother living now with him. He was raised on a farm, and by cai-eful attention to farming he has made for himself a good home, consisting of 120 acres of land, worth $40 per acre. He was married in 1863 to Alvira Camp, born in this tp. ; they have 2 children: William A. and Charles C. Mr. L. has held the oflice of Justice of the Peace, and is now School Trustee of this tp. Politically, he is a Democrat. Lyman B. Lowll, deceased, was born in Vermont in 1802, and was married May 12, 1S44 to Mercy Crownover, who was born in Pennsylvania in l.s0C>; they had only 1 child, John Moralivo, who now resides on the home farm and lives with his family in part of the house with his mother. In 1864 Mr. Lowell died, leaving his wife and son a good farm of 96 acres, worth $50 per acre; he came to this State in 1850, and located on the west side of the river, and in 1859 to this county. John Nihart, farmer, sec. 33, was born in Northumberland county. Pa., May 23, 1S26. His parents moved to Indiana when John was nine years old, and located five miles east of Goshen; the father died iti 1873; mother in 1866. Mr. N. was married in 1854, to Elizabeth Myers, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1824; they have 7 children, all living, namely: Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Jacob Henry, Ella May, John Winfield, William Sherman, Clara Elizabeth. His son. Benjamin F., is now conduct- ing the Normal school at Atchison, Kansas, and George W. is in Cass count}', Mich., engaged in the practice of medicine. Mr. Nihart commenced his married life with nothing, and for 11 years farmed in Middlebury tp., after which he moved to this tp., and now owns one of the finest farms in the tp. It consists of 185 acres of land, worth $75 per acre, on which he has good buildings and an abundance of fruit; his wife is a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a Democrat. William Overleese, tenant farmer, sec. 21; was born in Ohio in 1843; his parents are both deceased; he came West and located in Indiana in 1860, and in 1864 enlisted in the 13th Ind. Regt., and served until the close of the war; then returned to Goshen where 1178 HISTORY OF ELKHAET COUNTY. he teamed and farmed; was married in 1870 to Eliza J. Carey, who was born in this county; tliey have 4 children: Letta, Delia, Sybil and Forney. David Patterson, merchant, Vistula; was born in Northumber- land county, Penn., June 7, 1811; his father was a soldier of the •war of 1S12, and died with camp fever; his mother moved to Stark county, O., where she married Samuel Nash, and moved to this county. His step-father was killed while walking on the rail- road track in Michigan; in 1873 his mother died, in the 81st year of her age. Mr. Patterson was married in 18-33 to Rebecca Thom- son, who was born in Ohio, and died in August, 1875; they had 6 children, 3 boys and 3 girls: Almon G. enlisted in the late war of 1861, and died at Gallatin, Tenn., with the typhoid-pneumonia; Elizabeth S. married Lucius H. Knapp, who also enlisted Aug. 20, 1861, and was killed in November of same 3'ear in battle; she died March, 1862; Eleanor H., now Mrs. S. W. Wickham; Alpheus J., Alvira T. and Elma. Mr. Patterson married, for his second wife, Jane Hutchison, born in New York in 1822. Since he came to this county he has worked, and by his labor and toil has earned 312 acres of land, worth $50 per acre: he rented his land and is engaged in merchandising in Vistula, in connection with Job Smith, where they keep all kinds of goods necessary to supply the trade; they have a good share of the country patronage. They buy graiu for commission men and pay in cash. In early life while on the farm Mr. P. kept a travern, what was known as the "Patterson Corners;" also was Postmaster for six years at the same place; has held the offices of Justice of the Peace and Supervisor of the town: politi- cally he is a Democrat. Josloh D. Pierson, farmer and fruit-grower, sec. 24; was born in Monroe county, N. Y., May 12, 1821. In the earlier part of his life he followed various occupations, such a? keeping store, and practiced dentistry for a number of years; coming West in 1854, he located on the present farm he now owns, consisting of 95 acres, which he has under a good state of cultivation; has a good house and barns, and an abundance of fruit of all kinds, which is of the choicest varieties, and all budded; his grapes and peaches can not be excelled in the county. He was married March 13, -1843, to Cornelia Hart, born in New Hartford. N. Y., in 1818; they have had 7 children; the living are: HartE., J. De Forest and Mary Augusta; those deceased are: Anna A., Cornelia F., Charles H. and Dnane K. Mr. P. is one of most influential citizens in the tp.,and a man of good principles; he and wife are members of the Methodist Church at White Pigeon, Mich.; he is a Repubiican. L. M. Sanger, farmer, sec. 32; was born in Connecticut March 29, 1809; his parents moved to Genesee county, N. Y., where they lived 16 years; from there to Allegany county, where they lived prior to his coming West; in June, 1836, Mr. S. settled in Middle- bury tp., where he entered land at Fort Wayne, and still holds the patent issued by the Governor. He returned to New York in 1845, HI8TOKT OF ELKHABT COPSTr. 1179 and married Laara Morton, born in New York State; they have 6 children: Phebe, now Jtrs. Gregory; Laura, Morton, Marcos, EmeJineand Henry. Mr. Sanger owns 120 acres of land; he is one of the oldest settlers of the tp., which he helped to organize; he is a Republican. ^ Charles F. Van Fratnk, farmer, sec. 19; is the son of next mentioned, and wja bom in New York State June 11, 1833; com- ing West with his parents he grew up. with the State in the im- provements of the county, his father being one of the first settlers in this tp. ; was married in 1859 to Amelia BiokeL born in Ohio in 1836 J they have 3 children : Williani.Walter, Frederic Charles and May. Mr. V. owns 108 acres of lanH nnder a good state of culti- vation ; he is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a lUpnb- lican. John Van Frank, retired farmer, sec. 19; was born in Oneida county, N. Y., May 10, 1803; was on the farm with his father until of age, when he began lifp for himself, continuing bis voca- tion in his native State. In 1832 he married Miss Harriet Whip- ple, who was born in North Providence, R. I., Jan. 7, 1808, and they had 2 children: Charles P. and David B., both born in New York. In the spring of 1835 they came via Buffalo steamer to Detroit, and ox-team thence to what was then Middlebury tp., this county, a wilderness, where Mr. Y. entered 40 acres of land. At that time there were but 20 or 25 settlers in the township. In answer to a petition of the citizens, the fractional tp. of York was set off from Middlebury, named after the State of New York, and they immediately elected their justice of the peace, school trustees, supervisors, road commissioners, etc Since coming to Indiana Mr. V. has had 4 children, only 2 of whom are now living: James D., who lives with his father on the home farm, and Hannah Maria, now Mrs. John A. Hogan, Wyandotte county, Kan. The 3 deceased are: Edward P., who died March 1, 1838; Mary Eliza- beth, who died July 24, 1851; and David Branerd, who enlisted in Co. I, 88th Lid. Vol. Inf , in 1861, and died at Bowling Green, Ky., Dec. 7, 1862, of pneumonia. He and his wife join«a the Presby- terian Church at Mottville, Mich., aod when the Church at Bristol was organized, they united with it, where is still their place of worship. In 1842 Mr. V. was elected Elder. He and his wife are now very aged, yet they enjoy good health. They have en- dured the hardships of frontier life, and by persevering toil they have made homes for their children and laid deep the foundations of good society. CLarles V. Van Frank and Harriet A. Bickel were married August 10. 1S59, and they have 3 children: William Wal- ter, Charles Frederick and Mary Maria. James D. VauFrank and Susie Analinda Fowler, were married Jan. 7, 1869, at Peeks- kill, N. Y.; tliey have 1 son, Lewis Hiram. Hannah Maria and John A. Hagan were married Sept. 26, 1871; they live at Arm- strong. Kansas; they have 2 children: John Van and Lawrence D. Mr. J. Van Frank united with the Congregational Church in f ^ J 1180 HI8TOKT OF KLKHABT CO0WTT. 1821 in Clinton, Oneida county, N. Y^ and Mrs. John Van Frank united with the Congregational Churdi at Hampton, same county, in 1830. A portrait of Mr. John Van Frank vrill be found in this volume. Alfred P. Wright, a i)rominent and well-known farmer and stock-raiser, now residing in York tp., is a native of New York city, and was born Dec. 23, 1832; in 1835 his parents removed to Monroe county, N. Y., near Rochester, where Mr. Wright received a very liberal CMiucation. lu his youth the common schools were steadily attended; afterward he was a pupil at the Henrietta (N. Y.) Academy for several years, and in 1852 entered the Lima (N. Y.,) Wesleyan Seminary, remaining in this institution some two years. At the completion of his studies in 1854, he removed to Bristol, this county; in 1855 he returned to Monroe county, N. Y., where he was married Jan. 23, 1855, to Caroline Fargo; they had 1 child, Carrie F., born February, 1856, now residing in New York State. Mrs. Wright died in 1856. Mr. W. remained near Bristol until the spring of 1855, when he disposed of his property in Elkhart county, and traded quite extensively in Kansas, Missouri and Iowa, and in the spring of 1859 went to Pike's Peak, Col.; conducted a girty across the plains and first discovered the Gunnell Lode in urekaGulch, Gilpin count}-, Col., which developed into a first-class mine, and is still being worked. Mr. W. also built the first steam apparatus for hoisting ore, put up in the mountains. He returned to Indiana in 1860, and March 8 was married to Mary C. Virgil, born in this connty in 1836; they have 6 children, of whom 5 are living, viz.: Jennie J., bom Feb. 16, 1863; Ida S., March 23, 1865; Alfred P., Jr., March 16, 1868; Harry G., Jan. 20, 1870; and Arthur G., May 17, 1875. After his marriage Mr. W. returned to Colorado, where he was very successful ; himself and Mrs. W. trav- eled through the Eastern States for about one year, and finally lo- cated on the site of their present home in this tp. Mr. W. has been County Commissioner one term; his success in life is due princi- pally to his own industry and perseverence. We present a portrait of Mr. Wright in this volume. Joseph A. Yoder, farmer, sec. 27; was born in Wayne county, Ohio, May 29, 1849; he moved with his father to Indiana in 1850, when he was only two years old. He was married in 1868, to Mary Prough, who was born in Indiana; they have now 3 children: Ada C, Sophronia E. and EllaF.; he owns 40 acres of land in this tp., under a good state of cultivation, worth $50 per acre; politically, he is a Republican. Noah B. Metzler was born in Mahoning county, O., Aug. 30, 184(>, being one uf a family of 10 children, of whom 4 sons and 4 daughters are still living. His ancestry were German, and came to America before the Revolution. His father, Samuel Metzler, was born in Lancaster county, .Pa., Dec. 1, 1817. His grandfather, HI8TOKT OF ELKHART COUNTY. 1181 gavid Metzler, and family moved to Mahoning county, O., when iinuel was but a boy. His mother, Susanna, nee Bnrkholder, was J»rn in Rockingham county, Va. Noah's early life was spent on Mb father's farm, where he worked during his boyhood, at the same time making good use of the opportunities for education offered by a district school, wliich he attended during the winter terms until he was about 18 years old; at the age of 19, in October, 1859, he wat appreuticed to John Winch, carriage-maker, of Columbiana, Ohio; after serving his apprenticeship he went home, where he remained until October, 1862, when he came to this county. The following November he went to work with Shively & Co., manu- facturers of agricultural implements; while in their employ his principal work was that of making rake-wheels. In 1866 he went to work for Wharton & Sons, carriage-makers, of Warsaw, Ind. ; after working for tiiem a few months he returned to New Paris, where he and Mr. Ettlein started a small wagon-shop; the first two vears they worked in a small building on Main street, north of the Blanchard House; during that time t!iey were chiefly employed iu doing repair work, bui found time to turn ont a few wagons and bug- gies each year. In 1868 they erected on Market street, a two-etory frame building 22 x 32, the lower story tor the manufacturing of wood-work, and the upper for a paint shop; they also built a black- smith shop the same year. They carried on the business in the new shop until January, 1869, when Mr. Ettlein sold his interest in the firm (excepting buildings) to Metzler & Landgreaver, who carried on business until the following March, whenJ.Zigler (a blacksmith) was admitted in the firm, and the business carried on under tiiefirm name of Metzler. Landgreaver&Zigler; they were doing a good business until August, 1874, when their work-shop (the main building) with all its contents was destroyed by fire, and also a repository which they built a few years before, and a lot of lumber, etc. Their loss was several thousand dollars. They picked up courage and proceeded immediately to build a temporary shanty, in which to make the wood-work for vehicles which were ordered. The following October Mr. Landgreaver retired and the firm of Metzler & Zigler was formed, which exists at the present time. In 1875 they erected a good, substantial, two-stor}' building 32x46 feet. A good trade has been carried on by this firm since then; they developed a high grade of work, having built up that reputa- tion for durability and style which classed them among the leaders in the business in Elkhart county. In 1879 they fitted up a nice repository. Jan. 14, 1868, Mr. Metzler was married to Mary Wantz, and they have 2 children, both girls: Clara Bell, who was born Nov. 3, 1868, and Amy Myrtle, Feb. 3, 1876. ^i- ?'P 8950 •^0' . .*" ""^^ .0, V V "j>" V .^'•^^ K ^^°x> Treatment Date. AUG 1998 1 \^ PRESERVATION TECHNOLOGIES, L 0.10^ '• o&^ ^^.^^ ^^. :- "-^^0^ .^^°- ♦^^o^ V-^' ./^--. .<^ ... ^•^°^ •. ^-k..^^ ^^-^^^ .o"..' "^^^''^ ,5°^ .* ,>') 'Cr. ^V V •^^0^ .^•^°-. *..*' '.*