USA > Indiana > Porter County > Valparaiso > History of Valparaiso, [Indiana] from the earliest times to the present > Part 1
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Gc 977.202 V24HI
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01643 7979
Gc 977.202 V24HI
HISTORY OF VALPARAISO, [INDIANA] FROM THE EARLIEST ..
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofvalpara00valp
Laum 9. 02/35 - 190.6
HISTORY
OF
VALPARAISO
FROM THE
EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT.
·BY A CITIZEN,
VALPARAISO : NORMAL PUBLISHING HOUSE. 1876.
INDIANA COLLECTION
L. P. MANVILLE,
- DEALER IN - DRY GOODS, CLOTHING, HATS & CAPS, BOOTS & SHOES. NO. 3 MAIN STREET, VALPARAISO.
WE MAKE MERCHANT TAILORING A SPECIALTY.
J. S. LOUDERBACK,
CITY BAKERY.
FRESH BREAD, PIES AND CAKES.
Groceries and Provisions, Glass and Queensware, Wood and Willow Ware. No, 19 Main street.
GO TO MRS. GREGG'S FOR YOUR MILLINERY. Under 1st National Bank.
Old Hats made new. Pattern Hats re- ceived every week.
W. P. WILCOX, DEALER IN DRUGS, MEDICINES & HEMICALS, FANCY & TOILET ARTICLES, Sponges, Brushes, Perfumery, &c. Prescriptions carefully compounded at all hours of the day and night. No. 2 Academy of Music Block.
G. PODALL,
DEALER IN FURNITURE OF ALL KINDS. BOOK CASES. CHAMBER SEITS, d.c. ADJOINING OPE A HOUSE.
DALSON & HISER, LIVERY AND FEED STABL' FRANKLIN STREET, Nearly opposite Court House. Give us a call.
A. W. MILLER'S LIVERY AND FEED STABLES. LaFayette St .. West of Gould House. When you want the finest outfit in the c.ty call and see me. Charges moderate.
G. AUSTIN. House, Sign Ca"" Ni . riage and Ornamental Painter. &C. All orders promptly attended to. Over Agricultural warcrooms, east Main st.
A. V. LEIBEN. dealer in Fresh Meats. Corned Beef. Salt Pork, Smoked Meats. Sugar Cured Hams, Spiced Beef and dealer in Live Stock. Cheaper for cash than any other house in the city. Two doors south of the Messenger Office.
0 Y'S TERS, ICE CREAM, &C., AT
DRESSER'S
C FEC TIONERY PALACE ! CHOICE CIG AR S.
MCCORMICK & URBAINS, DEALERS IN
GROCFFIES & PROVISIONS.
VALPARAISO, IND. NO. 3 ACADEMY OF MUSIC BLOCK. FRANK COMMERFORD,
Druggist and Pharmacist,
Has had 24 years experience. A large stock of Toilet Goods constantly on hand. Come and get a glass of Aretie Soda Water. Mr. W. D. Shelly, of the Normal Chemistry elass. will be happy to see his friends a Commerford's.
CARDS
Visiting and Address Cr's
PRINTED AT THE
NORMAL PUBLISHINGHOUSE. CHAS. FERNEKES. MANUFACTURER AND WHOLESALE DEALER IN
CONEECTIONFRY !
The finest Ice Cream, I.emonade, Soda Water and Fruits. Also, a large stock of Toys, Yankee Notions, &c. No. 7 Main street.
DR. ISAAC BOYD, THE OLD AND RELIABLE DENTIST. OVER VAIL'S JEWELRY STORE. -0- Office hours : From 7 to 12 A. M. and I to 6 P. M.
GOULD HOUSE, A. R. GOULD, Proprietor. -0- First-class Sample Rooms Handsome- ly furnished.
OMNIBUS TO AND FROM THE DEPOT.
EMPIRE STORE.
STRAUSS & JOEI.
- DEALERS IN - Dry Goods, Clothing, Hats and Caps, Ladies' & Gent's Furnishing Goods.
We have just received our new and elegant Spring styles. Students should ret fail to examine our ck, which is complete in every department, and prices such as to give univers .] satisfaction. We will Teat plersuro in showing our goods and prices.
.
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LUCACO
VALPARAISO IN 1858.
HISTORY
OF
VALPARAISO
FROM THE
EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT.
...
BY A CITIZEN.
977.295 Sk34h .
VALPARAISO: NORM.M. PUBLISHING HOUSE. 1876.
Allen County Public Library Ft. Wayne, Indiana TO ROWLAND STORY, THIS LITTBE WORK IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BY
THE AUTHOR.
Issued in accordance with proclamation of President U. S. GRANT, and filed in the office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court.
I have read the History of Valparaiso, by Hubert M. Skinner, aud consider it to be well written, and substantially as correct a history as could be compiled from the material available for such a work.
T. . 1. F. CAMPBELL.
1677773 · HISTORY OF VALPARAISO.
CHAPTER I .- Chiqua's Town.
N ALL the old years which rolled their course over Pottawat- tamie-land previous to 1833, the site of our city of Valparaiso was uninhabited by any permanent population, and unfre- quently visited by white men. The site, however, is not devoid of historic interest. Across the northeast corner, bending to the southward, passed the old Sac trail, which formed the principal highway between the East and the West, leading over the isthmus between lake Michigan and the everglades of the Kankakee. Over this old trail roamed the wandering tribes of the forest for ages. Over this path, in 1681, probably passed the illustrious French voyageur, La Salle, as he hastened, a weary and foot-sore traveler, on his return from his unfortunate "Heart-Break Expedition " down the Kankakee. With but three companions, this celebrated explorer fled to the east- ward, over the wild prairies and through the forests. Just one hun- dred years later, in 1781, the Spanish army of Don Eugenio Pierre, who had come from St. Louis to conquer the lake region for the king of Spain, passed over the old trail, and in the region of Powell's Addition and North Valparaiso resounded the tread of the invading troops and waved the flag of Spain.
Without the city proper, but within the suburbs, and but a mile to the eastward, is the site of the old Indian village known as Chiqua's Town. Like the other villages of the Aborigines, Chiqua's Town com- prised but little that was permanent in its character. The dwell- ings were of a temporary nature, being composed of skins or barks, and at times almost wholly disappeared, as the inhabitants were migra- tory in their habits. The village was frequently almost deserted, as
8
CHIQUA'S TOWN.
the men and boys went out on their numerous hunts and excursions of various kinds. At other times the village presented a lively scene, as the hundreds assembled there on their return. The principal features which gave permanence to the location were the dancing ground, which was prepared with great care for its use, and the fields of corn which surrounded the spot and stretched away to the westward, within our present borders. These fields were cultivated by the squaws, a few of whom were always to be found at the village, engaged in their domestic work or in cultivating the fields. On the occasions which marked the return of the natives from their hunts and journeys, the old town was a scene of wild festivities. Whiskey was purchased of M. Bailly, a French trader of Bailey Town, and was drank in large quantities. The men joined in the dances, and the squaws played upon the rude musi- cal instruments which they possessed. A grand feast followed, and for several successive days and nights the participants in these festiv- ities resigned themselves to uninterrupted enjoyment. How long this spot had been thus held as a residence or rendezvous by the natives of this region is not known, but a high antiquity is indicated by its numer- ous graves and mounds. Early in this century it was known as such to the traders who traversed Pottawattamie land, and subsequently to the settlers who came to the vicinity in the early years of our country's his- tory. It received its name at that time from the chief, Chiqua, a Pottawattamie leader, who made the place his home, and held it subject to his control.
The site of Valparaiso, together with nearly all of the land which now forms our county, was purchased of the natives by the United States in October, 1832, and in the following year families immigrated to the new territory thus opened up to them. Among the earliest set- tlers was Thomas Campbell, who came from New York in company with the family of his uncle, Adam S. Campbell. It was in May that this party of pioneers came in their wagon from the East. They paused for a time at Laporte, which then consisted of two log houses. Thomas and his uncle stopped during one night at the house of Isaac Morgan, which had been recently established upon the prairie, that still bears the name of its first occupant. On the morning of the 22d, the Camp- bells came on horseback as far to the west as the Tish-ka-tawk, where they paused at what is now called Campbell's Field. The site of the future city lay smiling in the warm spring sunshine, its undulating hills and valleys robed in verdure, and its streams sparkling in the light. On this morning, after some consultation, they decided to advance no farther to the westward. After returning to Laporte for Mrs. Camp- bell and the children, who had remained there while these explorers were selecting their location, the party took up their residence near Chiqua's Town. Thomas Campbell, then a young man about twenty- two years of age, had selected the locality of their halt near the Tish-
9
EARLY STRUGGLES.
ka-tawk, as his future home. There, to-day, stands his elegant resi- deuce, the largest mansion to be found in our county, and one of the most elegant of the many commanding structures of the city.
CHAPTER II .- Early Struggles.
LARGE number of immigrants came into the new region to the west of Laporte in the following year, and established their homes upon the prairies. Among the early immigrants of '34 was a Mr. J. P. Ballard, who erected the first building upon the site of our city. It was in the valley by the stream which flows beneath the Morgan street bridge, that this first cabin rose, and in the grounds which are now attached to Judge Talcott's residence on Water street. The building was a rude log cabin, but its location rendered it a pleas- ant home, and the events which transpired beneath its humble roof have attached to it a historic interest. During the next two years the tide of immigration poured into the region of our county with unceas- ing flow, and soon a very considerable population was scattered over the country.
Early in the year '36 new county was formed by the General Assembly from the territory lying west of that of Laporte, and received the name of Porter, in honor of a naval commander of the war of 1812. Benjamin Saylor was appointed by the governor to the office of organizing sheriff, and in the election, which was held in March, the first Board of Commissioners were elected. The first meet- ing of these officers was held, by common consent, at the residence of Mr. Ballard, although the locality of the seat of government had not yet been determined upon. It was on the 12th day of April that the officers first assembled. There were present the commissioners, :- Messrs. John Sefford, Benjamin N. Spencer and Noah Fouts, together with Messrs. Geo. Turner, the clerk, and Sheriff Saylor. Seated around a table in Mr. Ballard's kitchen, this first council began its labors in the establishing of a civil government. An old map of the survey lay before them. The first work of the officers was to arrange" the division of the county into townships, and to order the elections of their officers. This work claimed the attention of the Board during the entire day, and it was not until the next evening that the labors of the first session were completed. The next month, the officers again met at Mr. Ballard's house, and continued in session during three days. Meanwhile, the question of the location of the county seat became the all-absorbing question of the day. No more fruitful field for specula- tion is ever offered to pioneers than in the location of the future city. There were many rival points which presented their claims to this dis-
10
EARLY STRUGGLES.
tinction, and many rival land owners who exerted every influence in their power to direct the choice of the commissioners who had the mat- ter in charge. These commissioners were Messrs. Judah Leaming, Matthias Dawson and W. L. Earl. The final contest lay between the two towns of Porterville and Portersville, both of which were myth- ical, so far as any real settlement was concerned, and were to be found only in the plats of their surveys. Porterville occupied a field imme- diately east of the old Catholic cemetery, west of Valparaiso, and Por- tersville, the site of our present city. The first was owned by a Mr. Wm. K. Talbott; the last, by Mr. John Saylor. The proprietor of Portersville was determined to win the day at any cost; and this he did, but at a dear rate. He divided the town into ten shares, of which he reserved only one for himself, and distributed nine of the shares among his friends, by this means awakening a strong influence in favor of the town for the county seat. He then offered to present to the county all the streets and alleys, the court-house square and half the town lots. This princely offer serves to illustrate how determined was the struggle between the two mythical towns-mythical because as yet unbuilt and not even recorded, but existing only in the plans of the speculators. As soon, however, as the struggle had' fairly begun, building enterprises began in the east town, as it seemed to win confi- dence from the start.
The first houses of the town were generally built of lumber, instead of logs (as was usually the case in early towns of the far west) since the new county had, with rare enterprise, established saw- mills at the very start, and lumber was readily obtained. In the spring a rough board structure was erected by Cyrus Spurlock, the first Recorder of the county, on the site of the Academy of Music. There were two rooms in the establishment, the first being used as a saloon, where brandy was drank from gourds, and the rear apartment being appropriated by the family of the proprietor. At this building the Commissioners' Court met in June. The rear room, where their session was held, was a small, low-walled chamber, about twelve feet square ; and as the days were hot and sultry, the location may have been consid- ered favorable by the Board, in view of the convenient proximity of the Recorder's bar. Here, also, was the scene of the first wedding in the new town. It was on the fifth day of May. The parties were Rich- ard Henthorne and Jane Spurlock, and the ceremony was conducted by the Recorder, in his office.
During the summer, Jobn Saylor built a house where the Empire Bleck now stands. and Dr. Blachley erected another, just across the alley.
In the fall, the " Tale of Two Cites " was told, and their fate decided. Portersville was selected by the commissioners as the county
11
PORTERSVILLE.
seat, and was recorded, the plat bearing the date of October 31st. Mr. Talbott sadly rolled up his map of Porterville and placed it in his bureau drawer, where the mice soon destroyed the only existence the town ever had.
CHAPTER III .- Portersville.
URING the Summer and Fall of '36, the young town of Por- tersville was the scene of active building enterprise. The court-house square was located in a grove which stood upon a gentle eminence, and was then, as now, considered to be the most beautiful square in the State. As soon as it became generally known that this town was to triumph over its western rival, speculation immediately began in lots. Those about the square were first taken and improved. Dr. Seneca Ball, who removed at this time from Laporte with his cousin, Jno. C. Ball, erected a small store building at the northeast corner, on Main street, where is now the well-known burnt district. Opposite, to the eastward, Mr. Jeremiah Hamill put up another small building, where he also kept goods for sale. A small structure was also built on Bryant's corner, and used for a carpenter shop, Mr. Robert Stotts being the proprietor. East of the square, Mr. Wm. Walker commenced the erection of a large tavern. Before he had completed it, he sold the property to Messrs. Sol. Cheney and Jno. Herr, who finished the building and kept a tavern in it. The building still stands on its original site, immediately north of the liv- ery stable of Dalson & Hiser, though turned half around, and with the end to the street. Late in the year was begun the north part of the Valparaiso House, which was completed during the following summer by Mr. Abraham Hall. The old building, greatly enlarged, still stands, though the greater part is now but a tenantless, mouldering ruin. When fully completed, it was a grand house for its early day, when lumbering coaches and the still more uncomfortable mover wagons were the only common modes of travel. South of the square, where now stands the residence of Mrs. Baker, was built a small residence by Mr. William Eaton, where Mr. Wm. Bishop first opened his store in the fall of this same year. To the westward, and on the next block, Mr. Spurlock put up a rude log cabin. There were no fences and no sidewalks, and streets were only designated by the paths which led through them, or by the marks of the surveyors.
In October, the Circuit Court held its first session in the house of John Spurlock. Judge Samuel C. Sample held the " bench," which, in this instance, was a rush-bottomed chair, behind a deal table. It was a damp, chilly autumn day, with clouds which forboded rain. A
12
VILLAGE LIFE.
large number of persons were in from the country, however, and crowd- ed about and within the court-room. The venerable Judge Sample helped himself to a " snort " of brandy at the Recorder's bar, and was ready for business. Court was declared open, and the first cause called. The suit went by default, as the plaintiff did not appear. The grand jury, finding no convenient room for their deliberations in the house, passed over to the site of the T. G. Miller block on Main street, where their council was held under a burr oak tree. £ The rain, which had long been threatening, now fell ; but beneath the canopy of leaves of this council tree, the jurors continued their session. One of them started a fire of logs near by, and the genial blaze and heat im- parted some comfort to the cheerless rendezvous.
Within the same year, the first liquor saloon was opened by Abraham Hall, in the Valparaiso House. In '37, the court-house was erected, on the site of the Frank Hunt block on Washington street. It still stands, occupying its original site, being now used as a saloon by Phil- lip Bayer. The jail was built at the same time by Sheriff Saylor, on Mechanic street, near Morgan. It was built of white oak logs, and was used for many years. The postoffice was kept in one of the office rooms in the first story of the court-house. Court was held in the large room above.
In the winter of this same year, the name of the town was changed to that of Valparaiso. It happened that a party of old sailors from the South Pacific stopped, one night, at Hall's old tavern, and passed the evening in telling tales of the old Chilian seaport of that name. It was at old Valparaiso that the hero for whom our county was named, fought his famous battle on board the " Essex," and at the suggestion of the party of marines, the young county seat was appropri- ately named for the Spanish-American seaport.
CHAPTER IV .- Village Life.
ITHIN the year '38 was preached the first sermon in Valpa- raiso. Rev. Elder Alpheus French conducted the services, and the house of Wm. Eaton, on Mechanic street, was the building thus hallowed by the first Christian worship. The most mem- orable event of this year was the trial of one Staves, who murdered a man in the north part of the county. The old court-house was crowd- ed from day to day as the trial progressed. The man was found guilty, and sentenced to be hung in June. The sentence was executed. and the murderer paid the penalty of his crime. The scaffold was erected near the alley south of the present High School building, and on the border of the street. Hundreds were present to witness this most
.
13
VILLAGE LIFE.
memorable scene, and saw the doomed man go to his death with his crime unconfessed, and protesting his innocence to the last.
During the next year the Rev Dr. J. C. Brown and the Rev. Father Forbes were sent by their respective churches as missionaries to Val- paraiso and vicinity, and in '40 the Presbyterian and Methodist churches were organized at this place. The former congregation generally held their services in the court-house, until their church edifice was erected, and the other church, after a time, rented the brick basement of a frame building on the corner of Main and Lafayette strrets, where now stands the elegant Knights Templar's block of Mr. Fiske. In the year '40, T. A. E. Campbell, then postmaster of the town, took the census. The village then contained about three hundred inhabitants.
In '42 the Presbyterian pastor, Dr. Brown, succeeded, by his indomi- table energy, in erecting the large edifice still used by his congregation, upon one of the most beautiful sites imaginable, where now stands the residence of G. Bloch. The church building was afterwards removed to Jefferson street. Dr. Brown, Elder Jackson Buel, Elder Morgan, B. Crosby and others of the church, hewed the timbers and raised the beams with their own hands, and selected and set out the shade trees, laid out the walks, and in various ways added to the beauty and worth of the old church by their care and exertions. In '43, the first news- paper was established, and was edited and published by James Castle, whose office was on Bryant's corner. The paper was only twelve by sixteen inches in size, but was an interesting feature of the town. The early society of Valparaiso was in a high degree moral and refined ; and it is with no little pride that our citizens of to-day can point to those early residents, whose example has been left as a price- less legacy to the present generation.
Of the men of the decade of the Forties day, who are no longer to be found in our midst, we will mention a few names : Harlowes S. Orton, the first attorney of the place, (now a leading jurist and states- man of Wisconsin,) resided at the dwelling which still stands on its old site just north of the Hamill House. His office was in the court-house. Mr. Chas. E. De Wolfe, now one of the wealthiest men of Michigan City, kept a variety store on Bryant's corner, and resided at the present home of Judge S. I. Anthony. Mr. Jno. D. Ross, another leading merchant of the place, crected the house now owned by Dr. James Newland, the original site being the corner of Mechanic and Franklin streets. Here he resided until '46, when he removed to Michigan. Mr. Wm. Tainter, who, with J. N. Skinner conducted the store of Wm. H. Goodhue, of Michigan City, and was a prominent citizen, lived near she site of the Baptist church until he removed to Wisconsin. Rev. Dr. Brown occupied the house of _Jno. Saylor for a time, and in '43 removed to his residence on Jefferson street. Dr. Brown now sleeps beneath the grand monument in the old cemetery, and his family still live in the old
14
THE CORPORATE TOWN.
mansion. General Robert A. Cameron, M. D., an editor and leading physician of the town, lived in the house now owned by J. W. Bradley, on Mechanic street. After the close of the war, in which he ably served, and the death of his estimable wife, General Cameron removed to Colorado, where he still resides. Dr. Seneca Ball, sometime Judge and Representative, lived on the corner north of his store, and oppo- site the Methodist church. This last structure was built in '49, dur- ing the pastorate of Dr. J. G. D. Pettijohn, who lived diagonally oppo- site the Presbyterian church. Dr. Ball removed to Kansas, but returned and died in Valparaiso in '75. Elder Nathaniel R. Strong kept the first undertaker's establishment, in connection with a furniture store, at the southwest corner of the Square, and resided near the store. Mr. Strong long remained at his old home, one of our most prominent citizens. He removed to California in '75, and now resides in San Fran- cisco. Elder Jackson Buel, for many years one of our wealthiest and most influential business men, lived at the present residence of Mayor J. N. Skinner, and conducted a large blacksmithing establishment on the site of the Dresser store. Mr. Buel's family still reside in Valparaiso, in one of the beautiful residences of Washington street. The names of these gentlemen are associated with the pleasant and proud recollec- tions of the old days, and will long continue to be household words in the homes of the present generation. Whatever the tide of success and prosperity that may yet turn to Valparaiso, the old village days are the days upon which our citizens will ever look with greatest pleasure.
CHAPTER V .- The Corporate Town.
HE TOWN of Valparaiso became incorporated by special act of the Legislature, in the year 1850. Obadiah Dunham was the first inspector of elections. The town remained incorporated during a period of fifteen years, at the end of which time it con- tained the requisite population for incorporation as a city.
The town council generally met at the Recorder's office during all this time. This assembly numbered six members. These were fre- quentdy changed, a selections were held every year, and many of our cit- izens belonged to the number. In '54, the block now owned by Messrs. Hubbard Hunt and Cave Rodgers, was built by . Messrs. Skinner and Mason, at the southwest corner of the Square. " This was the first brick block erected within the town, and was built near a thicket of hazel brush. Other fine blocks were erected from time to time, and scarcely a year has since passed without witnessing the rise of one or more com- modious and substantial business houses. In '56, was a remarkable
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