USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 18
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 18
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Churches .- All of the churches of the township are located at Hebron. Bethlehem Church of Associate Reform Presbyterians was or- ganized on the 28th of July, 1838, by Rev. Hannan. At that time there were only fifteen members, and they had no church building. The first members were Samuel Turner and wife, Thomas Dinwiddie and wife, Berkly Oliver and wife, Susanna Dinwiddie, Sr., Susanna Dinwiddie, Jr., Margaret Dinwiddie, Mary McCarnehan, Susan P. West, John W. Dinwiddie, David T. Dinwiddie, Margaret J. Dinwiddie and Eliza A. Dinwiddie. Of these only one, Margaret J. Pierce, nee Dinwiddie, re- mains. Messrs. Samuel Turner and Thomas Dinwiddie were the first Elders, which positions they occupied until death removed them from office. Rev. Hannan remained only long enough to organize the church. Rev. Wilson Blain was the first pastor. He was ordained and installed in 1841 or 1842, and stayed until 1847, when he was released. Prior to his installation, they had had occasional services by different ministers. After Rev. Blain left, they were without a pastor until 1851, when, dur- ing the month of May, Rev. J. N. Buchanan supplied the church. He
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was soon called to the work and on November 29, 1851, he was installed. Here Rev. Buchanan preached his first sermon and here he has con- tinued to preach up to the present time, a period of thirty-one years, an unusually protracted pastorate for these latter days of restlessness and change. The first members of the congregation were poor, and for some time they assembled in the rude residences of these sturdy Christians. The first meeting was held at the house of Thomas Dinwiddie. In warm weather, the groves were used as temples, and they met for a time in the schoolhouse at the cemetery. The brethren all assisted in the erection of the first place of worship. Trees were felled, their trunks were hewed and the house was raised with no expenditure of money except for nails, glass and flooring. The seats were made of small logs split in halves. This house was located about a mile south of Hebron. The name of the congregation was changed from Bethlehem to Hebron, during the pastor- ate of Rev. Blain. The congregation occupied this building until 1852, when it erected a frame three-fourths of a mile south of Hebron, at an expense of $1,200, all of which was paid up. This was occupied in the fall of 1852. In 1864, the building was moved to Hebron, where it was used by the society until 1879, when they built the present commodious frame, at a cost of $2,500. Of the amount subscribed to build this church, every dollar was paid. The society has had a steady growth. In 1851, there were forty members; of these, only six now remain. The present membership is eighty-three, and it has been as high as ninety-five. The present Elders are David Turner, Joseph Wood, John Simpson, Hugh Fickle and H. P. Wood. This is the only organization of this denomination in Lake and Porter Counties.
The Methodists held their first meetings at the dwellings of Simeon Bryant and Absalom Morris, and later at a schoolhouse. They organized a society here in 1837, under the direction of Rev. Jacob Colclasier, who was the first minister. Aaron Wood was Presiding Elder of the confer- ence at the time. Rev. Young, Rev. Biers, Rev. William J. Forbes and Rev. Hyde were among the first ministers. Rev. Lamb, Rev. Petty- johns, Rev. Wayde, Rev. Posey, Rev. Crumpacker, Rev. Wheeler, Rev. Griffith, Rev. Greene and Rev. L. B. Kent were among the early minis- ters, in about the order given. Absalom Morris, James Dilley, Solomon Dilley and family, Mrs. Elizabeth Bryant, Mr. Gridley and wife and Gid- eon Alyea and wife are some of the first members. In 1840, a protracted meeting of eight weeks was held. The meetings were held at Hebron for four weeks, and then the place of meeting was changed to a school- house four miles east of Hebron. This was a great revival. The first church of the denomination was built in 1844, half a mile south of Hebron. It was about 20x30 feet in size, and was built of unhewn logs.
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At the first meetings, the sleepers were used for seats. Rev. Griffith was the first minister in this house. This house gave place to the present frame, built about 1859, at an expense of $1,000. The parsonage was bought in 1877, of Stillman Andrews, for $650. The Ladies' Aid So- ciety keep the church in repair, and during the present summer have ex- pended over $50 in papering, etc. Rev. Denham is the present pastor. He was preceded by Rev. C. S. Burgner, who was preceded by Rev. Lasurd, who was preceded by Rev. Buckles, who was preceded by Rev. Vaught, who was preceded by Rev. Cox, who was preceded by Rev. Michaels, who was preceded by Rev. Kinsey.
In 1877, a church, styled the " Union Mission Church," was organ- ized with a membership of eighty. The church was built in 1878, at a cost of about $2,000. The principal contributors were James King, William Netherly and E. and D. T. Siglar. The trustees of the first organization were Hiram Marsh, B. Blanchard and William Netherby. The Deacons were William Fry, James King and L. Temple.
On the 26th day of April, 1882, a Congregational Church was organ- ized of the members of the defunct Union Mission Church, with a mem- bership of forty. James King, B. F. Gossett, James Alyea, J. G. Gib- son and A. Blanchard were elected trustees. William M. Watt and William Fry were elected Deacons. The church then called Rev. L. Adams Smith to her pastorate, who has since officiated. In the Ameri- can Church Review, of Cincinnati, bearing date of January 25, 1870, we find the following notice : " We have just closed a protracted meet- ing at Hebron, Ind., on the Cincinnati & Chicago Railroad, which re- sulted in the organization of a church of twenty-six members." The following are some of the first members : Mrs. Mary E. White, who was the first one to be baptized, Joseph Dye, who was the first Deacon, and his wife, Sarah Essex, Sarah A. Johnson, Mrs. Viola Robinson, Ellis Huff and wife, Mrs. Sheldon, Isaac Margison, Mrs. Blood and Mr. Montgomery and wife. The church was built in 1878, at a cost of $1,100. The present value of the property of the church is $1,450. The membership is 130. The following are those who contributed most liberally to the building of the church with the amounts given : Joseph Cathcart, George Maxwell and James Ross each gave $100; W. W. White, $60; William Sturgeon, $50; S. Andrews, George Bruff, Hugh Swaney, William Dye and Mary Bryant each gave $25; Joseph Dye, $15; Enoch Jones, William Sawyer and Dr. Blackstone each gave $10; " Boone Grove Church " gave about $60 and " Morgan Prairie Congre- gation " gave $50. Lemuel Shortridge was the first minister, and served for three years. The first meetings were held in the Methodist Church and in the schoolhouse. William Wheeler was the second minister and
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stayed for two years, when William Lowe came for a short stay, after which there were no regular services for a time. After Rev. Lowe came Rev. William L. Streeter, Rev. Cassel and Rev. Carpenter, each of whom stayed but a short time. Rev. A. P. Maston came next for a stay of three years. Rev. Edwards, Rev. Rower, Rev. Chase, Rev. Franklin, Rev. John Ellis and Rev. Barnett came in order, each staying but a short time. For the next two years, H. B. Davis filled the pulpit, after whom came the present genial Christian gentleman, Rev. Adolphus C. Carter, who has entered upon his second year.
The Presbyterians proper, or, as they style themselves in the articles of the church, "The Presbyterian Church (O. S.)," was organized in 1860, as is shown by the following extract from the church records : " Hebron, Ind., October 29, 1860, 11 o'clock, A. M. The commission appointed by the Presbytery of Lake met in Hebron Schoolhouse, and, after a sermon by Rev. S. C. Logan from Ephesians, 4, 4-' There is one body and one Spirit,' etc., the committee proceeded to the organiza- tion of the Church of Hebron." The articles are signed by J. L. Lower and S. C. Logan, Ministers, and Ezra Reeve and Nathan Strong, P. Elders. Those who subscribed to the articles as members are Will- iam Mackey, E. Mackey, Gideon Brecount, Jane Brecount, A. A. Bur- well, Rebecca I. Burwell, Nancy Tanehill, Mary Hill, T. C. Sweeney, Jane Aylsworth, Stella McCollom, Carrie M. Wilson; Margaret M. Gill and Mary E. Hill. William Mackey and Amos A. Burwell were elected Elders, and Gideon Brecount, Clark L. Tannehill and Thomas C. Sweeney, Trustees. In April, 1868, there were twenty-six members; in 1876, there were thirty-five members. June 21, 1873, the society bought the old schoolhouse and the lot upon which it stood of the Siglar Brothers for the sum of $350. This they fitted up for a meeting-house. Rev. J. L. Lower was the first regular minister; A. Y. Moore was the next, who was succeeded by Rev. Beer, who was succeeded, in 1868, by Rev. Mckinney, who was followed by Rev. Flemming, who was fol- lowed by Rev. Spencer Baker. Since Rev. Baker's time, the congrega- tion has been supplied by students from the Presbyterian Theological Seminary at Chicago. Rev. Small is supplying the pulpit occasionally. He was preceded by Rev. Ferguson, who was preceded by Rev. Ely. Formerly, the congregation was connected with the one at Crown Point ; now it is connected with the Tassinong Church. The present member- ship of the church is twenty-five.
Secret Organizations .- The Hebron Lodge, U. D., of Freemasons, commenced operations under a dispensation dated June 9, 1874. The first officers were L. C. Dunn, W. M .; J. N. More, S. W., Pro tem .; L. P. Scott, J. W .; W. M. Nelson, S. D .; John Skelton, Treasurer ; R.
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Sheine, Tiler, Pro tem .; Samuel Irvin, Secretary, Pro tem. The charter members were L. C. Dunn, John Skelton, W. M. Nelson, S. K. Pratt, Y. Welding, Samuel Irvin and L. P. Scott. The following is a list of the others who have belonged to the lodge up to the present time: F. Mikles, Thomas V. Rockwell, B. F. Hathaway, Aaron Godwin, Andrew Godwin, Andrew Runion, G. W. Maxwell, J. L. Baker, C. G. Carman, Michael Dorn, William McGinley, J. C. Carson, John Wellinger, J. P. Brough, N. D. Edmonds, S. C. McIntire, Rufus Rice, Mott T. Perry, W. C. Shreve, E. S. Irwin, H. B. Davis, Hamilton B. Southwick, Spencer Baker, G. W. Mosier, W. B. Swearingen, C. H. Carman and John Carson. The present membership is twenty-three.
There was at one time a lodge of the I. O. O. F., but, as the records are not accessible, and the few here now who were interested can furnish no definite information, its history can not be given.
CHAPTER VII.
BY DANIEL J. COY.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP-ITS CREATION-FIRST ELECTION OF OFFICERS- THE EARLY SETTLEMENT-OLD SAW-MILLS, GRIST-MILLS, ETC .- PER- SONAL ANECDOTES -- ROLLINGS AND RAISINGS -- MERCANTILE PURSUITS- PRATTVILLE-EDUCATION AND RELIGION.
W ASHINGTON TOWNSHIP dates its birth from the organization of Porter County in 1836. The name Washington is indicative of the sterling worth and patriotic principles of the pioneer settlers. Will- iam Morgan, from Wayne County, Ohio, is said to be the first white man to settle in what is now Washington Township. He settled on the north- ern part of the prairie that bears his name early in the spring of 1833. The other first settlers besides William and Isaac Morgan, with their places of nativity, were George B. Cline, Union County, Ind .; Adam S. Campbell, Chautauqua County, N. Y .; Reason Bell, Wayne County, Ohio. During the same year, Rufus Van Pool "pitched " a claim on what is now the Oaks farm. In the fall, the house of this man was destroyed by fire, and he was compelled to move his family back to La Porte County, but returned in the following spring, and remained until the land sale in 1835; after purchasing his claim at the Government price, he sold out to David Oaks. In 1833 or 1834, Jacob Coleman located and made im- provements two miles southeast of Prattville. In 1834, James Blair " pitched " his claim near what is now called Coburg, and began to culti- vate the soil, and to make improvements. During the same year, Isaac Werninger came into the settlement, and located on what is now known
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HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY.
as the Crumpacker farm. Ruel Starr, the same year, occupied the Starr farm. In the spring of 1833, Samuel Flint and Seth Hull came into the township. Flint made the first improvements at Prattville. During the fall, Hull sold his claim to J. S. Wallace and left the settlement. Among these early settlers were found John Huntly, a Mr. Banner and a Mr. Johnson ; these men being without families, did not locate permanently. In 1834, James Baun came into the township and purchased a farm, paying $450 for 160 acres of land. At this early date no roads were found in the township ; these pioneers were compelled to follow the old " Sac trail," which passed near the present site of Valparaiso.
Early Homes .- The "log cabin " of the early settlers was built, owing to the shortness of the timber, about 18x20 feet, and if more room was desired, two of these were built side by side with a door between ; often they were placed some distance apart, the space between roofed over, and called a " stoop." The chimney was built of flat sticks, covered with what was known as " cat-in-the-clay," this being composed of straw or swamp grass, cut fine and mixed with the clay. The chimney was built upon the outside of the cabin, usually at the end. The roof was covered with " shakes," with "weight-poles " to hold them to their places. The inside of the cabin compared very favorably with the outside. Wooden pegs took the place of nails or hooks ; the table and chairs, as well as the rest of the household furniture, were usually of home manufacture, and were necessarily of the rudest pattern. Whenever a house of this kind was to be built, the word was given out, and the settlers flocked into what was known as the "raising." The first house built in this way was a double log house, the property of Isaac Morgan. The house was built in 1834, situated on the outlet of Flint's Lake, in Section 16, and it is said that about thirty settlers were present, this number including nearly all the able-bodied men of the settlement.
The early settlers obtained their supplies at first from La Porte County, afterward from Michigan City ; these supplies were hauled across the county with oxen. For several years the nearest flouring-mill was located at Kingsbury, where all the grinding of the settlement was done. The first crop planted was corn, followed by the other cereals now raised in the township. In one or two instances, farmers are said to have gone eighty or ninety miles, in order to obtain proper seed to plant in the soil of their new farms. At this early date, venison was one of the principal sources of food, the settlers depending largely upon this for their supply of meat. Hunting was one of the leading occupations, it being no extra- ordinary feat for one man to kill as high as 100 deer in one winter.
The first settlers who led the way were soon followed by others, and before the land sale, in 1835, a large number of settlers' cabins could be
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counted. The raw prairie and wild woodland were being rapidly con- verted into beautiful farms and happy homes ; better times were coming to the pioneers, who endured so many privations in order to secure com- fortable residences. They were soon to reap the results of braving the Western wilds and leaving behind them the benefits and advantages of a fully developed country.
The first white child born in this township was Reason Bell, son of Reason and Sarah Bell, of Wayne County, Ohio, his birth occurring Jan- uary 11, 1834.
The Indians .- A village of about one hundred or more Pottawatomie Indians was situated near the present site of Prattville. Their burying- ground was located on what is now Harmond Beach's orchard. These Indians traded with the early settlers, bartering their furs for arms and ammunition ; they also obtained the well-known " fire-water" that has ever degraded the poor Indian when brought in contact with it, and its vender, the white man. These Indians were of considerable annoyance, but never committed any depredations of a serious nature upon the whites. A story is related by the settlers how, at one time, two of the Indians, Wak-muck and Cha-nin-a-win, after having imbibed a sufficient quantity of whisky to make each one feel that he was the " big Injin " of the vil- lage, began quarreling, and finally ended in a fight to decide which should be the happy owner of two wives. Wak-muck came off victor. A short time after this, Cha-nin-a-win, while lying asleep under a tree, was shot by the treacherous Wak-muck. At first the white men of the settlement were inclined to take the matter into their own hands, but finally decided to leave to Indian justice the entire matter, which was to give to the squaw of the dead Indian several ponies and a considerable amount of furs, their law being that if such a crime was repeated by the same party, he must suffer death at the hands of his nearest relative.
The Indians remained here until 1836, when they moved to an In- dian village near what is now known as Hebron, where they remained until about 1842, at which date they, with the rest of their red brethren, moved beyond the rolling waters of the Mississippi.
Organization .- Up to the time of the land sale in 1835, the early settlers held what is known as a "squatter's claim." The majority bought the land they occupied, while some of them sold their claims to other settlers. After the township survey, many of them found their land cut up by township lines and roads. One instance is given, in which John Coleman, Russell Brayton and Stephen Brayton found themselves occupying the same eighty acres of land.
The first township election was held at the house of Isaac Morgan, on the 13th of April, 1836, for the purpose of electing two Justices of the
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Peace. The following-named persons voted at this election : Adam S. Campbell, David S. Holland, Benjamin Saylor, Levi Chamberton, John Saylor, Jacob Jorden, Seth Winslow, Warren Pierce, W. B. Smith, Andrew Ault, Reason Bell, George B. Cline, Wilson McLane, Frederick Yeager, Reason Reed, Joseph Todd, Michael Ault, Hiram Webster, Isaac Morgan, John Shinabarger, Henry Rinker, Daniel Drulinger, John Robinson, Warner Winslow, Isaac Werninger, Jacob Fleming, James Blair, Nelson Smith, Peter Cline, William Morgan, Anthony Boggs, Jesse McCord, John R. Sargent, Robert Fleming, Joseph Brewer and Clark Babcock. Isaac Morgan was appointed Inspector of this election ; he returned the following report :
"We, the undersigned Inspector and Judges of an election held at the house of Isaac Morgan, on the 13th day of April, 1836, do certify that for the office of Justice of the Peace Henry Rinker received 23 votes, White B. Smith 20 votes and Peter Cline 17 votes."
A county election was held at the house of Isaac Morgan on the 23d of February, 1836, for the purpose of electing one Clerk, one Recorder, two Associate Judges and three Commissioners.
In the same year, it was ordered by the Board of Commissioners, that Adam S. Campbell and Reason Bell be appointed Overseers of the Poor for Washington Township; Peter Cline, Supervisor of Roads; George B. Cline and John Shinabarger, Fence Viewers, which last office was finally dispensed with.
Early Industries .- In 1834, David Oaks kept a tavern near Prattville. He continued in the business for several years. During the years 1835 and 1836, a hotel was built about one mile north of Prattville. The building cost about $500 or $600. This tavern was owned and con- ducted by John Shinnabarger. The hotel was a two-story building, the other dimensions being 20x45 feet. The hall in the upper story was used as a ball room, where the young people of the neighborhood could meet and shake the "light fantastic toe " to their heart's content. The business of tavern-keeping was remunerative. During the years of 1834 or 1835, almost every day wagon trains could be seen wending their way over the rough roads toward the undeveloped West, where they expected to find room to build up homes of thrift and industry. There were no roads of any importance in the township up to this time. The first road was one that followed an Indian trail which passed through Prattville.
In 1835, Adam S. Campbell opened a boot and shoe shop on the farm now owned by his son. He brought his original stock from York State. In this shop, the boots and shoes of the settlement were manu- factured. In 1835, Russell Brayton opened the first blacksmith shop in the township. It was located near Prattville. During the year 1852,
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Edward Brown and Mr. Mills built a steam saw-mill at Prattville. The engine was of 25-horse power, and was obtained at Coldwater, Mich., at a cost of $2,000. It required a considerable amount of labor to bring the engine from Michigan City, but the task was at last accomplished. The frame work of the mill cost about $1,000, making the entire cost of the mill about $3,000, as near as can be remembered. The saw was a simple upright sash saw. This mill was purchased in 1835 by Daniel S. and Theron White. During the same year, the new owners added a small run of buhrs, one for grinding corn, the other for wheat. They also put in three bolts. This addition to the saw-mill cost about $1,000. The machinery was run by the same engine that was used for the saw-mill. This mill was completed so that in 1836 a fair article of flour was turned out. At the present writing, the saw-mill remains, much improved in capacity and machinery, but the flour-mill has long since been discontin- ued.
Prattville .- In 1841, the village of Prattville was laid out by Thomas Pratt, who erected a blacksmith shop, also moved a small frame house about one mile, and improved it by additions, until it answered for a dwell- ing. The original owners of the ground on which Prattville was laid out were William Morgan and Peter and George Cline. The life of Prattville was destined to be short, and to-day the town exists only in name.
Taxation .- During the year 1842, the entire tax paid by the resi- dents of Washington Township amounted to $262.61. There were 13,824.86 acres of land, valued, together with the improvements, at $47,815. The total amount of taxable property in the township was $60,643. The total amount assessed was $705.79. Not more than two- thirds of this amount was ever paid into the county treasury.
Various Enterprises .- In the year 1843, Reason Bell and Mr. King erected a tannery one and a half miles northeast of Prattville. This firm transacted a considerable amount of business, Mr. Bell furnishing the capital. Mr. King, being a tanner by trade, had charge of the work done in the tannery, and saw that the stock on hand was properly taken care of. This firm continued operations about two years. A considera- ble business was done here, and leather was shipped to various parts of the country. In 1845, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. King continu- ing to work at his trade in Michigan City. Mr. Bell continued in the business only long enough to sell the stock on hand. In connection with the tannery, a boot and shoe factory was put in operation, and was con- tinued for some time, Moses Turner having charge of the factory. Mr. Bundy erected a saw-mill, in 1844 or 1845, on the outlet of Flint's Lake. This mill was situated about one and three-fourths miles east of Prattville. The frame for the mill was erected at a considerable expense, after which
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HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY.
Mr. Bundy began to dig the race. The work was carried forward across his own farm, but he was denied the right to dig the race across the adjoining farm, owned by Truman Freeman, and a law suit was the result. After having some trouble in regard to the matter, the enterprise proved to be a failure. The frame work to the mill was taken down and used for other purposes, while Bundy's mill never existed in reality, but was only known as one of the many things that exist only in name. In the year 1846 or 1847, a race track was built on the farm of Joseph Brown. While this track cannot be called an improvement of great importance, it was the means of bringing some good stock into the country, and eventu- ally had something to do toward the organization of an agricultural society.
The office of Justice of the Peace was located on the farm owned by Adam S. Campbell, he being one of the two Justices whom the settlers felt it to be necessary to have, in order that justice might be meted out to all. This was after the first election in 1836. A grist-mill was built by Ruel Starr, on Crooked Creek, which was to be run by water-power, the wheel being a 24-inch turbine, the race being one and one-half miles in length. The mill was completed and ready for operation, but nothing more than a few bushels of corn was ever ground. The enterprise proved unsuccessful, although the mill cost $5,000. After the death of Mr. Starr, the mill was converted into a cheese factory by Mr. McGill. A considerable amount of cheese was manufactured here and shipped to Chi- cago, La Porte, Michigan City and South Bend. This factory was in operation for two years, when it was moved into Centre Township, where it yet remains.
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