Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 76

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976

USA > Indiana > Noble County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 76
USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 76

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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YORK TOWNSHIP.

weak. During the first winter, he found it extremely difficult to get provisions for love or money. He traveled for miles over the country, but found none willing to sell. At last he went to Mr. Smalley, who lived on Perry's Prairie, and told the old man that he must sell a portion of what he had, or his (Bow- man's) family would starve to death. The old man then kindly turned in and sold a portion of nearly everything he had-chickens, potatoes, corn, meat, etc .- and also agreed to sell a valuable cow for $30, provided Mr. Bowman could not get one somewhere else within three weeks. The latter searched the better part of the time without success, and finally claimed the cow at the above-named price. The streams were filled with fish, and could be caught by the thousands with a net without trouble. The net was set in the Elkhart at night, and the next morning often more than a hundred pounds of pike, red- horse, etc., would be found inclosed in the meshes. The settlers, for a number of years, living in Mr. Bowman's locality, were wont to make pilgrimages to Perry's Prairie for wheat, corn, potatoes, etc., whenever needed; and soon the expression, "Going to Egypt to buy corn," gave that locality a name (Egypt) which clings to it like Sindbad's burden. The entry of land in York was very rapid from 1835 to 1840. This brought in many strangers, who were obliged to get acquainted before any unity of action could be expected. They came from all parts of the East, and necessarily brought their local habits with them. Differences were sure to arise, until some final tendency or shape was given to neighborhood opinion, sentiment or will by the strength and inherent power of individual thought. People are much more dependent than is ordi- narily supposed. They constantly rely upon clearer and better thought, and their opinions in general may be said to be a union of many ideas stolen from numerous sources. Until some strong mind gave direction to the ideas of a neighborhood, everything went crosswise. Thus it was when the country was first settled.

After the Henshaw brothers had operated their mills a few years, they sold out to Samuel Hanna and possibly W. F. Engle. Stedman Gray, yet liv- ing at Wolf Lake, was the miller in the employ of the Henshaws, and he claims to have made the first flour in Noble County, although this is disputed by others, who insist that Mr. Hall, whose mill was in operation at a very early day, about two miles southeast of Wolf Lake, made the first. This is another unsettled question. This old mill was used many years, indeed, until but a few years ago, and was at times well patronized. The grist-mill was located on the race, a short distance below the saw-mill, but had sufficient power to operate its one small set of buhrs. It ran so slowly and irregularly, though, that the flour was poor, and when the settlers had large grists, and the roads were good, they Went usually to the Elkhart Mills. Under the various owners the mills were altered and improved. The grist-mill was destroyed by fire a few years ago. Under the management of Mitchell & Campbell the mill did good work. Joseph Bell built a saw-mill at an early day, locating it on what is yet

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known as Bell's Run, on Section 21. It was operated in the usual way by means of a dam and race. After it had been in operation a short time, Halsey Lewis started a small chair factory, and his machinery was set in motion by the water from the Bell Race. This chair factory, the only one ever in the town- ship, was a very rude affair, and the chairs were ditto, and after it had been conducted semi-successfully for a few years, it was abandoned. The saw-mill continued in operation, however, under a change of owners, for quite a number of years. The water above the dam became spread over a large section of country, and, finally, became a great nuisance, as well as a source to generate malaria. It became the talk of the neighborhood, and doctors gave as their opinion that it was the cause of several serious cases of sickness in the vicinity. Finally, public prejudice and sentiment became so fixed against it, that the neighbors united means, purchased the mill site, and destroyed the dam, per- mitting the stagnant water to move on, and effectually preventing a continuance of the nuisance. About thirty years ago, Isaac Swarthout erected a saw-mill about two miles below Port Mitchell ; but, as it did not receive satisfactory pat- ronage, it was soon permitted to fall to pieces. The saw-mills above referred to never did merchant work. Their field of labor was to supply the home demand, and this gave them sufficient work to insure continuance.

A man named Campbell erected a woolen factory at Port Mitchell about thirty years ago. It was a two-storied frame building, thirty by forty-five feet. A considerable quantity of carding and spinning was done under the manage- ment of a Mr. Walker, a practical spinner. This man also rented the building, and put in additional machinery for knitting ; but, after a number of years, he relinquished the lease, and soon afterward the property was purchased by George Baker. During the war, a thriving business was done, but at its close the patronage decreased. The factory was burned to the ground about ten years ago.

While Augusta and Port Mitchell have been the only towns of any note in York Township, yet about the time the county-seat was changed from Sparta to Augusta, a village called Van Buren was surveyed and platted on Section 20, and designed to secure, if possible, the coveted boon. But alas ! the hopes of the founder were destined to be blasted, as his claim was disregarded by the locating committee. No lots were sold, and the embryonic village expired soon after being christened.

Two villages have been established within the limits of the township. The first-Augusta-was laid out in August, 1837, by W. M. Holmes, George F. Whitaker, Thomas Gale and D. H. Colerick, owners and proprietors. The village was laid out in thirty-eight blocks, each of which, except four, contained eight lots. The exceptional four were on the sides of the square plat, and were triangular in shape. The lots were laid out at the corner of Sections 14, 15, 22 and 23, and the central block was granted as a public square. Around this square the streets were eighty feet wide, all others being sixty feet. Lot 7 of

John Walker YORK TP.

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Block 1, Lot 8 of Block 6, Lot 1 of Block 38, and Lot 2 of Block 33 were donated by the proprietors for school or church purposes. The village was laid out in an elaborate manner, and the proprietors no doubt expected great things of their village. Their expectations were in a measure realized. In accordance with the provisions of the contract entered into between the Commissioners ap- pointed to relocate the county-seat and the proprietors of the village, the latter were to furnish $4,000 toward the new court house, to pay $180, the estimated cost of relocation, to donate within one mile of said town five acres of ground for a graveyard, one acre for a seminary, one in-lot for a market-house, and one square upon which the court house was designed to be erected. This contract having been perfected, the county seat was relocated at the village in 1837. This fact immediately gave growth to various industries. Lawyers, doctors, merchants, hotel-keepers, carpenters, blacksmiths, schools, churches, etc., appeared, and the outlook was bright for the county seat. The court house was soon erected, and shortly afterward a jail. The mail route along the Fort Wayne and Goshen road was deflected and made to pass through the vil- lage. No effort was made to build a seminary, as was provided for in the con- tract. Hill & Treer opened a small store of groceries and dry goods, and soon afterward Nimmon & Colerick did the same, but not, probably, until the others had abandoned the pursuit. The village grew rapidly from the start, and reached the zenith of its prosperity and population about the time the court house was burned in March, 1843. At this time, it contained a population of about two hundred. After the court house had been burned, and the county- seat had been removed to Port Mitchell, the village languished. Half the pop- ulation immediately left, some going to Port Mitchell and some elsewhere, and when time had passed to 1850, it found the village almost deserted, and a fit emblem of loneliness. A few families yet resided there, but all hope for the future of the village had died out.

In March, 1844, pursuant to an act of the State Legislature, the Commis- sioners appointed for the purpose, after duly considering all the sites proposed, relocated the county seat at Port Mitchell. This change in the location of the county seat created a bitterness that has endured until the present day. The following is quoted from the pen of Mr. Prentiss: "The spring and summer of 1844 were unusually wet, and all the streams in the country were full. Mill- dams and bridges were swept away, and crops were much injured. The bridge west of Augusta, across the Elkhart River, was in danger ; and the citizens of Augusta and surrounding country turned out to try to save it, but it was swept away. It was on this occasion, the 1st day of July, that Wesley White lost his life. After the bridge was carried away, Mr. Colerick, having fas- tened a rope on the east side of the river, went up the stream some dis- tance, and swam across with the rope, and fastened it on the west side, so that persons there who could not swim could cross by means of the rope. There were probably twenty-five or thirty persons present. Among those on

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the west side was Mr. White, who, it appears, could not swim ; but he signified his intention of trying to cross above the rope, saying that, if he dis- covered he could not swim across, he could catch the rope when he floated down to it. Some of those present tried to dissuade him from making the at- tempt, and urged him to rely on the rope at first ; but unfortunately he relied on his own ability, if not to cross, to at least catch the rope, and so made the attempt, going some distance up the stream to make the start. He plunged in and floated rapidly down, but as he made no outcry, spectators were not alarmed, as they supposed he would catch the rope when it was reached. As he was swept down, he made an effort to seize the rope, but missed it, and then he called for help, and sank in the muddy water. He was seen twice after- ward, when he sank to rise no more. The spectators were at first not alarmed, but soon the wildest confusion and excitement prevailed, so that no one seemed in a condition to render assistance. Several efforts were made to help him, but without avail. The search was continued during the day, but the body was not discovered until the 2d, and was not buried until the 5th. His untimely death caused a profound sensation throughout the county, and created universal grief, as he was an accomplished gentleman and a competent and faithful officer."

Port Mitchell had been platted before the county seat was established there. The proprietors were Samuel Hanna and William F. Engle, who had caused the town to be laid out in May, 1838. It was situated on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 35, and the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 36. About thirty blocks of eight lots each were laid out, one of which was designed for a public square, and an open place, called " Mar- ket Space," was provided. Prior to this time, however, the Henshaws had built their mills, and two or more cabins had been erected, that of the Henshaws being on the west side of the river. Hanna and Engle opened a store about 1837, or perhaps earlier, but their goods did not exceed $600 in value, though they were afterward doubled. The growth of the village was at first slow, but in 1844, when it became known that the county seat was to be located there, a grand rush was made-lots went off like hot cakes in the morn- ing ; real estate doubled and even tripled in value; artisans and business men of all kinds put in an appearance ; industries and pursuits multiplied ; county officials flocked in, armed with voluminous volumes ; lawyers and doctors began their solicitations, and Port Mitchell received what is known at the present day as a "big boom." The population ran up to a higher figure than it had at Augusta, but the property-holders of the latter place were filled with wrath and bitterness, and angry mutterings were heard here and there. J. B. White became the first Postmaster. The mills and canal had given origin to the town, and just before the county seat was established there, the population was prob - ably about fifty. The proprietors donated several lots for schoolhouses and churches, and also contracted to furnish stipulated amounts toward the erection of public buildings. A court house was erected, as was also a building for

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county offices. All efforts, however, failed to render the location of the county seat at Port Mitchell satisfactory to a majority of the citizens of the county. and from the start efforts were made to have it re-located at the Center and at other points, ten or twelve in number. The citizens at Port Mitchell bitterly resisted this, and sought to turn the tide of public preference to their village by sundry proposed deeds of charity, but their desires were everywhere met with stubborn opposition. At last, in 1847, the removal was made to Albion, where it has since remained. That event sounded the death-knell 'of Port Mitchell, although the town, like a certain domestic animal, seemed possessed of nine lives, and refused to yield up the ghost for a long time, and even yet shows a few feeble signs of vitality. After the county seat was removed, the county officers, lawyers, etc., went away in a body, and from that onward the gradual decay of the village continued. Capital sought investment elsewhere, and, although the mills continued in operation, the citizens one by one de- parted for more promising fields.

The first schoolhouse in the township was a rough log structure erected on Section 29, about the year 1840, by David Anderson, Vincent Lane, Joseph Bradford, John Williams, Elisha Blackman, James Gray, Mr. Morris and sev- eral others, who lived in the neighborhood, and had children growing up with- out an education. These men were all early settlers, and, although considera- ble talk had been indulged in, no movement looking to the erection of the desired schoolhouse was begnn until the above-named year. The men at an appointed day gathered together with axes, teams, etc., and when night ap- peared to end their work, lo! the first schoolhouse in York was an existing reality. It is said that James McMullen was the first teacher, although this is disputed. They soon had good schools at this old house, as the men in the vicinity were prominent and sensible, and took interest and pride in the advancement of their children. It is said that the first or the second teacher was barred out by the boys on Christmas, and that after a short armistice he signed the desired articles of "treat-y." Apples and doughnuts ended the affair amicably, without blows or bloodshed. On occasions of this character, backwoods boys were illustrious arbitrators, and could soon bring all ordinary teachers to satisfactory terms ; but sometimes they met a Tartar, who replied, when asked to treat, as an early one did in York, "I'll see you in hell farther than a pigeon can fly before I'll treat." Even in this case the boys were vic- torious, as the teacher was dismissed by the Directors. Schools were late in starting up, not because they were not wanted, but because there was nothing with which to pay the teacher, save what was subscribed by those having chil- dren to send. The giant Poverty stood in the way. Section 16 of York sold at $1.25 per acre. One eighty was sold at $2 per acre, and one quarter-section for $8 per acre. This was purchased by men at Rochester who were engaged in the manufacture of bar-iron, as the land had on it (and still has) valuable beds of bog-iron ore. These various sales replenished the empty coffers of the

HISTORY OF NOBLE COUNTY. township school fund, and immediately thereafter schools sprang into existence, 1 like mushrooms from a hot-bed. School was taught at Port Mitchell as early as 1840, and some think earlier. A small log school building was built on the west side, which, after being used about two years, was replaced by one which had been used as a storeroom. After the county seat was removed to Albion, the school which had begun at Port Mitchell was continued in a schoolhouse built farther west. Good schools are reported to have been held in the village, although but little information can be learned regarding them. At the time the county seat was located there, as high as $15 was paid per month for teach- ing, which, at that day, was considered a large price. Those who were inter- ested in the early schools at Port Mitchell were the Frinks, Grays, Smiths, Engles, Bartleys and others who had children to send. Lawyer Slack's office was used for school purposes. No particular funds were required to erect one of the early schoolhouses ; but it did require sharp axes, strong arms, teams, perhaps, and logs. The trouble came when the teacher was to be paid. A $5 bill represented the same value then as five times that amount does now, and more, because exchanges were effected in the woods without money from neces- sity. Those who brought in money were obliged to pay it out immediately for this thing and that, and having nothing to sell that would bring money in return, whole neighborhoods were left without cash, and hence the settlers were required to adopt a system of exchange, or, at least, seek some other medium than ordinary money. Notes were made payable in so much corn, potatoes, wheat, etc., due at stated periods. This, of course, often led to great hard- ships. The settler who had considerable money was fortunate indeed, and usu- ally left to his heirs a large and valuable landed property.

Capt. Archibald Frink is said to have taught the neighbors' children in his own house. One corner of the room was provided with a few rough seats and desks, and here a few tow-headed pioneer children first learned their let- ters. In the fall of 1843, Miss Harriet Allen taught a term of school in a small log building, a short distance south of John Bowman's present resi- dence. The building was a deserted log dwelling, and was owned by Bowman, through whose endeavors the school was taught. Each scholar was charged 10 cents per week, and Mr. Bowman furnished the house, wood and boarded the teacher. The subscription charged was sufficient to pay the teacher, while Mr. Bowman was out fuel (a trifle), labor (more than a trifle), house rent (alas ! alas!) and the teacher's board. But the one term was taught here. Miss Allen was an excellent teacher of small children, but here her mastery of the art failed. Her knowledge in general was extremely limited, though undoubtedly the children regarded her as an oracle.

"And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew,

That one small head could carry all she knew." 1

Her services were dispensed with at the conclusion of her first term. She announced a spelling school for a given evening; but afterward, hearing that a

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number of rough young men were intending to come from Port Mitchell to spoil the occasion, she asked Mr. Bowman to be present to keep order. The occasion came, and Mr. Bowman was early on the scene, prepared for the worst. At a late hour, one of the young men appeared in the room and asked if any one present had seen his horses. It appeared that the boys, with mischief in their eyes, had started, with a team and bob-sled, for the spelling-school; but, being full of "corn juice," the horses ran away with them, tore the bob-sled into fragments and scattered the inebriated youth along the road in the snow, a fit judgment for their wicked intention. That proved an effectual damper on their spirit. The schoolhouse at Mr. Bowman's was not built until about the year 1850, as the children could be sent to either Port Mitchell or Augusta. A schoolhouse was erected in the Basset District about the same time, and one of the early teachers was Daniel Love, of Albion.

The first term of school taught in Augusta was begun on the first Monday in January, 1841, in a building that was afterward used as an office by Wesley White, whose death is recorded in this chapter. The teacher was Miss Aurelia Andrews, now Mrs. Daniel Love, of Albion. The term was for the period of three months, the teacher receiving her board and $1.25 per week for her serv- ices. She taught four terms in succession and averaged about twenty-five scholars during the whole time. One term was taught in the wing of the old jail and another in a vacant log building in the village. Daniel Love succeeded her as teacher of the public schools of Augusta, and taught three terms in suc- cession, receiving as pay his board and $12 per month. Children came to him from two or more miles around, and the average enrollment for the three terms . was not far from thirty. The four terms taught by Miss Andrews and the three taught by Mr. Love were the only ones ever taught in the village.

No churches have been built in the township. The Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and others had early organizations, and met in private dwellings and schoolhouses; but they did not flourish, and the members soon scattered, joining stronger societies in neighboring townships. Many of the citizens yet attend church in Albion and elsewhere. The sect known as the Church of God had an early organization at the residence of John Bowman, where it continued to assemble for worship for a number of years. Notwithstanding the absence of churhes, the citizens are moral and many are religious, worshiping God, as Roger Williams directed, "after the dictates of their own conscience."

CHAPTER XVII.

BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.

GREEN TOWNSHIP-EARLY EVENTS-SETTLEMENT AND SUBSEQUENT GROWTH- CUSTOMS OF THE PIONEERS-DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRIES-STORES AND MILLS-INTERESTING INCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH EARLY SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

A MONG the earliest settlers in Green were the following: Samuel Gray, George Benner, Benjamin Macemore, Jacob Eyman, William E. Bowen, David Gray, Jacob Lindsey, Oliver McWilliams, William McDaniel, Robert Gaff, David Boner, John Allen, Noah Blue, George Brown, Peter Coil, David Crimmins, John Carothers, Anson Herandean, Thomas Kiger, John Lindsey, Hiram Lindsey, John Olinger, George Ott, John Ramer, John Richard, Daniel Ragan, Solomon Sanford, Lyman B. Whelan, Oliver Strong, William Widup, Thomas Weeks, David A. Kester, Mr. Krewson, Adam Dingman, William Caswell, Chancey Walkley and Christian Kinsey. As nearly as can be learned, a man named Krewson was the first settler in Green. He was a tall, strong man, and squatted in the southwestern part in 1833 or earlier. He built a small log cabin (probably assisted by the Indians), in which were domiciled his wife and two or more children. His wife was almost as gaunt and strong as her husband, possessing a stentorian voice that was utterly destitute of melody. If reports are correct, it could be heard for miles through the woods, thunder- . ing commands to her husband and the children, and interspersing all with a volley of oaths, without which language, in her case, was impossible. This cabin was situated about fifteen rods north of the present residence of Hiram Lindsey, and was occupied by Krewson until 1834, or perhaps 1835, when the land upon which he had located and made improvements was entered at Fort Wayne by Samuel Gray, who immediately came on to take possession. Krew- son was obliged to leave, which he did, going no one knew whither. Gray took possession of his cabin and derived some little advantage from the improve- ments that had been made. Here Gray continued to reside until 1839, when he sold the property to Jacob Lindsey, who, with his family, took immediate possession. Mr. Lindsey also purchased of Gray a tract of land lying east of the Krewson property; but it afterward appeared that this transfer was unlaw- fully made, as Gray did not own the land, not having yet entered it at Fort Wayne. He had represented to Lindsey that he owned the land, and offered to part with it for an amount much greater than was necessary to enter it at the land office. The truth was unknown to Lindsey until the consideration had passed, and then it was too late to correct the fraud and Mr. Lindsey kept the land. It is stated that Mr. Gray was engaged in several transactions of this

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character, and thereby unlawfully made considerable money. Soon after this event, Mr. Lindsey was taken sick, and a pioneer doctor was called (his name is omitted for good reasons); but the patient continued to get no better, steadily growing worse, until at last, under distressing and suspicious circumstances, he died, leaving his wife and a large family of almost helpless children to live on as best they could without him. To make matters worse for this unfortunate family, the eldest son, a lad about sixteen years of age, was drowned in Lind- sey Lake, and the care of the family fell upon the mother and Hiram, a son some thirteen years of age. Hiram Lindsey and the other members of his father's family have been satisfied, since the untimely death of their husband and father, that he was poisoned by the doctor, who was probably paid for the dark deed by one who expected to profit thereby. The truth will probably ever be shrouded in mystery.

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Counties of LaGrange and Noble, Indiana : historical and biographical, Part 76

Author: F.A. Battey & Co Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co. Number of Pages: 976

Author: F.A. Battey & Co
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Chicago : Battey & Co.
Number of Pages: 976