USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > A history of St. Joseph County, Indiana, Volume 1 > Part 56
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vision bright the fair and goodly proportions of that ambitious hamlet rise from the green sward.ยช And one comes now and then to look upon the scene where the days of boy- hood slipped away and wonders why the old house seems small and plain. We, too, liv- ing in the opening era of an electric age, must summon up the rural setting of the little village.
" 'To me more dear, congenial to my heart, One native charm than all the gloss of art.'
"The noble forests, the sweep of the river alive with the laden craft of the pioneer, the sunny brooks winding in and out of cottage gardens, the green slope of the gentle hills formed the scene, obscured now, it is true, by the mists of rolling years, but clear enough to enable us to realize the verdant beauty of the scene so inspiring to the pride which filled the hearts; the courage which strengthened the purpose of those early set- tlers and builders of homes in the little community.
"Directly across the street and attached to the Kuss grocery is a portion of one of the old dwellings, built by Mr. Henry John- son in 1835, and on the southwest corner of the sanie block may be seen the old Delmo House, built by Mr. Zenas Dunbar at about the same time. It resembles the Orr house and is still a comfortable dwelling, having a central hall with square rooms on either side and a wing at the back. Mr. Dunbar having lost heavily by the washing out of the dam, sold this property to Mr. Delmo, who lived there a number of years. Of the Andrew Taylor house opposite, no especial details were learned. It must, however, have been built at an early day, and is now most interesting because of its unaltered appear- ance and the fact of having been the family residence since its erection. The quaint por- ticos are a distinctive feature of the old- fashioned cottage, and as such it is hoped
a. The Mishawaka cemeteries are all within the former plat of Indiana City.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
that it may be preserved. The small house on the corner of First and Spring streets was built by Edward Mulligan, one of the molders in the old bog iron furnace. In the parlor of this cottage mass was said by the Reverend Father Cointet, then a young priest at Notre Dame. The Reverend Father Sorin, of blessed memory, often held services there at a time when no church was available. An altar was raised on the parlor table and the sinall bedroom next the parlor was used as sible to learn the order in which the early homes of the village were built, but very evidently a number were raised at nearly the same time. So, during our ramble past the portals of these simple homesteads and tread- ing in the footsteps of those who lived and loved and toiled and hoped and prayed, so long ago, we reach the old Nicar house which might have been called Brook Side. so closely did the waters of the little stream in which all the children of the village played and paddled in by-gone summers past the door way. Robert Nicar, its builder, came from Virginia, and the broad chimneys of that little home were the "Golden Mile Stones" of his southern heart. In the kitchen fire- place swung the crane and the pot-hooks of a past regime. The house was low and wide, with two rooms opening from a small entry, fronting on First street, and was considered a roomy cottage.
". . U'p vonder hill the village murmur rose.'
"Up the hill. past old Saint Paul's, whose fluted pillars and hand-carved doors give si- lent testimony of the honest, patient work of men, not called contractors nor architects. but carpenters, a calling dignified by the Master whose symbol gleams above the little steeple, we pass one or two old houses, and on the left hand side in the high bank, so says an 'oft-told tale' whispered among the children as they played on the hill side in the summer evenings. an Indian chief lies buried by the hands of those who found him on his rude bier.
"The house back of the church and front- ing the high school, known for years as the James Smith property, was built by Mr. Wilson and is now owned by Mrs. Leonard Adsit. of South Bend. It probably dates from about 1839, and, thongh much enlarged, still preserves the harmonious lines of houses built at that time, having a story and a half upright, and one story wing, with pillared porch, giving a touch of the colonial to its exterior. The interior finish of hand- wrought doors and window casings is still sound and pleasing, but the great charm of this old home, and lovingly remembered by those who played in childhood beneath its trees. was the garden. The big grass plat in the northwest corner, completely shaded by an immense tulip tree, the long well-kept walks between trim flower beds and leading from the honse to the little gate opening into the church yard appeal to remembrance. Surely. such peonies-red, pink and white -- never grew in any other garden. There honey- snekle and snowballs, ribbon grass and roses flourished in profusion.
". Where smiling spring its earliest visit paid,
And parting summer's lingering blooms de- lay 'd.'
"On the spot now ocenpied by the high school building and grounds another old home and its well-kept boundaries was for many years one of the landmarks of Mishawaka. Mr. Zelotes Bancroft built the house and his wife, one of Mr. Philo Hurd's daughters, more familiarly known in later years as Mrs. Edwin Hollister, played the little pipe organ in St. Paul's church. We feel the sweet spirit of those days unmarred by the vandal- ism of street commissioners when told that an elevated walk leading from her gate to the church was built that the dainty lady might pass in stormy weather unharmed to her labor of love at the organ. brought from Waterloo, N. Y., where it once stood in a
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IHISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
hotel. Pathetic, indeed, is the little chant and hymn book marked Z. Bancroft and pub- lished by Elam Bliss in 1836, now among the relies in the collection belonging to the Northern Indiana Historical Society.
"It is not possible to give more than a pass- ing glance at some of the old homes, but we must linger for a little before two houses on West street near the spot once known as the Indian burial ground. The one now occu- pied by Mr. Samuel MeQuillan was built by Levi Dean, a son-in-law of Mr. Philo Hurd. The second, near the corner, where steel rail and noisy engines have usurped the place once made lovely by the brook's song, was built by A. M. Ilurd, as a home for his father, Mr. Philo Hurd, who lived there until his death.
"The MeQuillan home, known for many years as the Samuel Towle place, has been enlarged and changed somewhat, but the charm of the old time has been carefully pre- served. The heavy cross-paneled door, made from black walnut and having an iron knocker with a brass plate, was recently brought from the garret and restored to its old place at the entrance to the hall. The staircase and all of the woodwork is of the same dark material. the large fireplace in the sitting room having enrious cupboards like doors below the mantel to enclose the hearth stone when not in use. An old painting below the parlor mantel piece and thought by one who has lived there for many years to have been an original decoration, is most interesting. All of the timbers in this house are of heavy walnut and a recent attempt to reduce the size of an exposed beam was found to be quite impracticable. In the door yard of this old home are many fine old trees, sur- vivors of the forest primeval, which were probably cherished by the first inmates who were valned members of the community.
"Indeed, the very walls of these old homes seem reminiscent of the simple. cordial hos- pitality which prevailed during the early growth of the village, when singing schools
and donation parties were the chief social functions. From letters written in 1837 and 1838, we learn that music and musical par- ties were the principal amusements. The vil- lage contained one piano and expected the arrival of another at that time.
"The Ireland house is another relic. It was built by Mr. Goodrich, but has for so many years been occupied by the Ireland family that it has become part and parcel of that name. One of the household treasures is a record of the first marriage in the vil- lage, dated March 29, 1834, a faded reminder of one of the early duties of Squire Ire- land.
"The Looman Smith honse, now owned by Mr. Daniel Bieger, is one of the few brick houses built at an early day, and must have been erected during the forties. Like others of that era, it is solidly framed and finished in black walnut. The carving on door frames and window casings is very good and more elaborate and ornate than was usual at that time. There is a large fireplace in the sitting room, and a hall originally led from this room to a staircase on the other side of the main part. The designer must have contem- plated the use of solitary confinement as a means of family discipline, as a small, dark room was formerly a part of the house. This home was rather gloomy in appearance at one time, but, although unchanged externally: seems completely transformed.
"The home on the corner of Hill and Second streets was built by Mr. Colby at an carly date and was originally. much like the Adsit house. It was owned for many years by Mr. John Niles. The increasing needs of the household and the numerous clan of kin- dred ever welcomed there caused its roof to widen over many additions extending on all sides and without regard for artistie appear- ance, but was always essentially old- fashioned, roomy and comfortable. Divided and enlarged in late years, only the front of the main house and a portion of the wing remain the same. It was once famous for its
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
rose garden and from the place in the days of its first ownership Gilbert Colby, after- ward a successful manufacturer, moved all of his worldly possessions across the street in a wheelbarrow to his first home, having a cash fund of 25 eents as. a nneleus of his fortune.
"The home of Mrs. Marcella Terry was built by Robert Montgomery when he was a young man. The main part of the house is said to have been rafted down the river from Michigan. An exposed beam gives a quaint look to the front room of the wing, and if the giant elm which shelters under its spread- ing branches the entire house eould whisper tales of the men and women who have lived and died since that old tree was young, we would need no better historian.
"Many points of interest must be passed unnoticed in this paper, but we must not miss the old house standing beside the Terry homestead. Its native heath was the high school playground and has been mentioned as the Bancroft cottage. It was, however, the home of Mr. Allan Sisson until moved to its present site, and stood back of another famous garden during the intervening years which link the old days to the present. An- other old home near by recalls the builder, one of the men who helped to bring the cylinder for the furnace many weary miles, a kindly Scotchman, James White by name. The house was surrounded by a fine orchard which was then at the west end of Third street. It was a pretty old place and was sold by Mr. White to Mr. Colby and after- wards became the home of Mr. and Mrs. James Oliver. One old apple tree marks the spot where many others made fragrant the Maytime of years long past, but a public highway has swept away all traces of the garden. The house, still used as a dwelling, was built in 1835.
"Gone is the little pink house which stood on the banks of the creek back of M. Tromp's home. It used to nestle under the trees at the foot of the garden, like a pink lady-
slipper. There were bees and blossoms and happy children in that cosy cottage garden during many summers. In the little kitchen were baked the delicious tarts, always in de- mand for donation parties and made famous by the art of Grandpa Martling, who never parted with the recipe brought from 'Merrie England.'
"The house of Mr. Charles Towle, built by Judge Demming during 1835, is one of the veteran homesteads. Its present sound condi- tion bears witness to the fact that sturdy hewn timbers and handmade nails were used by Mr. Wing and his fellow craftsmen who framed and finished the old landmark. In the parlor in the northeast corner of the house Mary Demming and Charles Crocker were married with not a soul among the wed- ding guests to dream of the golden dower to be won for the happy pair from the unde- veloped resources of the far west. It beeame the home of Mr. Gilman Towle, who enlarged and improved it in various ways and is now an ample and dignified homestead. Here, too, was a dear old garden where, beneath the mould, a tiny bit of china was found not long ago which fitted the broken edge of an old colonial plate found between the walls of the house.
"The house built by Mr. Asher Miller some time during the forties and now the home of Mrs. Booth is in design and detail a most pleasing member of the group of old timers. The quaint look given by the projection of the center beyond the columned porches of the wings is unique and like the New Eng- land village homes. The roomy parlor has a beautifully carved mantle piece, supported by Ionie columns, and happily the ornaments so entirely in keeping with the design are old hand wrought candelabra purchased for the house by Mrs. Edwin Hollister when she was ehatelaine of this old home. In this par- lor she played upon the first piano brought to St. Joseph county while children and grown- ups stopped outside to listen to a novelty more wonderful in the western village than
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
automobiles in the same streets today. The room in the right wing was called the Bish- op's room, as the Millers and Hollisters often entertained that right welcome visitor. In the large room at the back, evidently used occasionally as a dining room, there is a slid- ing eupboard running from below. The large room in the basement seems to have been finished for a dining room, as glass knobs and brass button shaped fastenings give an air of elegance to the interior.
"During the summer of 1834, Mr. Joseph Skerritt built a house on the corner directly west of the Booth house. No trace of it has been found but many persons will remember it as the IIarris house. The old Si Burt house was once the residence of Mr. Doty and here under her father's roof, Miss Susan Doty and Mr. James Oliver were married by the Rev. Norman Kellogg. Mr. George Mer- rifield was one of the wedding guests and pre- sented the bride with a bouquet of roses from his garden. Transplanted to memories' fair fields they still bloom, 'A thing of beauty and a joy forever.' The house has been turned around and changed in appearance. The joist beams are round logs and all of the timbers so heavy that alterations were dif- fieult to make. Mr. George Merrifield is still growing roses on land purchased in 1838 and where, mid scenes of pastoral beauty on the grassy slopes of the lovely river valley, the lines of the old Indian trail may be traced. The spring about which the red men camped still sends its waters, a tiny cress filled stream, to the river and the lark spur which grew about the cabin of Joseph Pemberton in 1831 blooms as cheerily as ever. The house built by Mr. Merrifield now belongs to the Cass family. It was made after the good old fashion of thick timbers cut on the river bank; has large chimneys and once boasted a huge 'dutch' oven, where 12 loaves of bread and numerous pies were baked at one time and removed on a big shovel. The house occupied by the family at present was built by Mr. Jacob Merrifield somewhat later. The
fact that many of the primitive features of the landscape exist about this old home is most delightful in this day of ravenous growth. Returning down the street we reach the site of the old Barbee tavern, which, in- corporated into the modern residence of Mrs. Quigg, offers no suggestion of the roadside hostelry, where the stage onee drew up with a flourish of whip and horn. The bar was in a wing on the left and the landlord's name was Kellogg. Another tavern stood on the corner west of the Doty house, and there were three others in the town. All succumbed in due time, leaving the field to Orlando Hurd of jovial memory.
"The Judson home, built during the early years of Mishawaka's prosperous growth, was a pretty place and intended by Mr. Judson to be the home of his old age. The material, carefully selected, was the best to be had. 'I am building upon a rock,' said the master of that home. Alas! that the adverse winds of an unkind fortune should have swept him from that haven. The house, completely re- modeled by its present owner, presents a new face to the passer and as the home of Mr. Martin V. Belger is one of the attractive places of East Second street.
"The house built by Mr. Albert Hudson was the first brick dwelling erected in town, and has always been a family possession. It looks quite the same, and though older and a little worn is familiar as in the old time.
"A late fire has changed the Henry John- son house. Built in 1838, it was at that time the finest dwelling in northern Indiana and presented the only colonial front in the vil- lage. With spacious double parlors and hand- somely finished interior, it was much admired by townsfolk and visitors. There was orig- inally a large, open fireplace in the kitchen and doubtless the cooking was done there. Much of the substantial mahogany furniture placed in this home by Mr. Johnson was pur- chased by Mr. George Milburn, who bought the property many years ago and lived there with his family until their departure to To-
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
ledo. Mrs. Milburn treasures in her Kansas pig eaten around a glowing fire in the fur- home the fine old furniture brought from the nace that night. East.
"It is quite remarkable that so many of the old walls remain for us to ponder over, and enter today, when we consider that Misha- waka is a western town, not placed among the rocky hills of the East. The cottage built by Mr. Milburn on Fourth street is still a cozy dwelling standing in a large garden, and Mr. William Milburn built an old style house in the same block and lived there several years. It finally became the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. M. Wing and the latter resides there with her niece, Mrs. J. R. Hudson. The house has the same interior finish and much the same arrangement of the others deseribedl in this paper.
"On the north side of the river are many old homes. well preserved and worthy of de- seription. It is not possible to mention more than one at this time. Mr. William Sisson built this home when Indiana City still pre- served its identity and it is very little changed. the old hardwood finish and brass door knobs remaining intact. The property was bought by the order of the Sisters of the Holy Cross, and Mother Angela lived there for some time.
"A portion of Earl's tavern, built in 1833. still stands, and one room of the foundry boarding house is a part of Mr. Charles San- dilands' residence. A jolly set of moulders must have met around the table where Mrs. Ireland supplied the wants of the brawny workers. One of the pranks of those merry men, related by Mr. Merrifield. was a mad chase to capture a fat pig to grace the rous- ing supper always given in the old furnace after 'blowing ont.' Foreman Lucas led his men eastward over the Barbee creek, en route over hill and dale, the odors wafted from a dutch oven suggested its savory contents. Having secured the pig and homeward bound, the foragers stole oven and all. to the utter bewilderment of the housewife, whose Satur- day baking added zest to the feast of roast
"From pork to pictures is a wide digres- sion. but that art and artists were not want- ing in the village the portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Wing. exhibited by the historical so- ciety. give evidence. They were painted in 1847. by Mr. William Utley, afterwards a colonel in the civil war. where he became famous for conducting a negro boy who wished to join the Federal army into the Union lines in a hollow square formed of his men, with bayonets fixed. the rebels in full pursuit. Young Mr. Utley was a nephew of Mr. Wing, who lived in Mishawaka for a time, painting other portraits of which little has been learned.
"The fact that 'a prophet is not without honor save in his own county' is generally found to be most unpleasantly true, but that Rose Hartwick Thorpe has written real poetry none will deny. She lived as a child in a little cottage near Barbee creek and spent hours dreaming by the brookside.
"Many years have passed since the old homes visited in this Maytime were new, but they served their day and generation well and from their doors the builders passed to rest. while many of the sons and daughters of those scattered households have won distinc- tion in the fuller, more restless life of to- day."
Sec. 11 .- SOCIETIES AND CLUBS .- While, as might be inferred from Mrs. Vanpelt's remin- iscences. Mishawaka has always been a home town, a city of homes; vet the friendly spirit of the people has, from the beginning. mani- fested itself also in the formation of social. benevolent and patriotic associations.
St. Joseph Lodge, No. 27, Independent Or- der of Odd Fellows, was organized about 1843. Among the members at that time were Dr., afterwards Colonel. Norman Eddy. John Niles. Albert Cass, Harris E. Hurlbut, A. H. Long and James Easton. This lodge was aft- erwards discontinued, but on August 13. 1867. Monitor Lodge, No. 286. was instituted.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
The charter members of Monitor Lodge were A. Il. Long, James Easton, Washington Gib- son, Philip MeElvain and Thomas S. Long. On September 5, 1872, the great fire de- stroved the lodge hall with all its costly fur- niture : but very soon a new and finer hall in the Phoenix building, took its place. The lodge is still in a flourishing condition.
A Masonic lodge was organized May 26, 1852. The first officers were: R. S. Alden. W. M .: D. Il. Smith, S. W .; J. Holdridge, J. W .: J. E. Hollister, treasurer: T. S. Cowles, secretary; A. C. Foot, S. D .; W. M. Wood. J. D., and A. L. Brimsmaid, Tyler.
The following is believed to be a list of about all the other societies and clubs of the city as they now exist :
Fidelity Rebecca Lodge, No. 122. I. O. O. F .- Mrs. Vona Borden, N. G .; Mrs. Marie Burkhart, secretary.
Free and Accepted Masons. Mishawaka Lodge, No. 130, F. & A. M .- A. II. Henwood. W. M .: John W. Hutchinson, recorder.
Grand Army of the Republic, Houghton Post, No. 128-Manuel Fisher, post com- mander : Charles Frank, adjutant.
Improved Order of Red Men, Mishawaka Tribe. No. 304, I. O. R. M .-- John C. Quick. sachem : George Hitesman, secretary.
Independent Order of Foresters, St. John's Court, No. 1490 .- B. F. Pew, chief ranger; P. A. Young. secretary.
Catholic Order of Foresters, St. John's Court, No. 952 .- John Barry, chief ranger ; William Gehl, secretary.
Catholie Order of Foresters, Sacred Heart Court .- Mrs. Minnie S. Vincent, chief ranger : Mrs. Anna Winters, record keeper.
Knights and Ladies of Columbia, Misha- waka Council, No. 2, K. & L. of C .- C. F. Taylor, scribe.
Knights of the Maccabees, Mishawaka Tent. No. 12. K. O. T. M .- W. J. Armstead, com- mander ; F. A. Partridge, record keeper.
Knights of the Modern Maccabees, Twen- tieth Century Tent. No. 1121 .- Elbert Robin-
son, commander: George Hitesman, record keeper.
Annex Christian Association .- Everett G. Eberhart, president : Vernice Undwig, secre- tary.
Catholic Benevolent Legion. St. Joseph Valley Conneil, No. 503, C. B. L.
Catholic Knights of America, St. Michael's Branch, No. 498. C. K. of A .- John J. Schindler, recording secretary.
Knights of Pythias, Mishawaka Lodge, No. 453. K. of P .- William Garman, C. C .: Frank P. Christoph, K. of R. and S.
Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias-Wal- ter C. Herzog, captain : William Drumhiller. recorder.
Ladies' Branch W. O. W., Home Grove Cirele, No. 10. W. O. W .- Mrs. Lizzie Philion, guardian : Mrs. Minnie Spaeth. secretary.
Ladies of the Maccabees, Mishawaka Hive, No. 68, L. O. T. M .- Mrs. Ella Middleton, commander: Mrs. Allie Michael, record keeper.
Ladies of the Modern Maccabees. Misha- waka Ilive, No. 907 .- Carrie Diltz, command- er; Bertha Beeman, record keeper.
Royal Arch Masons, Mishawaka Chapter. No. 83 .- Tabor Ham, H. P .: John W. Hutch- inson, secretary.
Masonie Club of Mishawaka-II. A. Edris, president : Guy Richards, secretary.
Order of Eastern Star, Mishawaka Chap- ter, No. 26, O. E. S .- Amelia Henwood, W. M .: Allie Michael, secretary.
Mishawaka Court of Honor, District Court, No. 167 .- J. A. Rishel, chancellor: Mrs. Hazel Pontius, secretary.
Modern Woodmen of America, Mishawaka Camp, No. 4788, M. W. A .- Fred Schroeder. con .: B. Kranshanski, clerk.
Woodmen of the World. Enterprise Camp. W. O. W .- E. K. Reed. C. C .: A. C. Brown. elerk.
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