USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 22
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 22
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Early Industries and Roads .- The first saw-mill in the township was built by Samuel Olinger, on Damon Run, on the place now owned by J. Wilts, in 1836. It was run by T. J. Field until 1838, when he sold it to William Johnson, who, after seven or eight years, allowed it to fall into disuse. A little later in the same year, William Gosset began the erec- tion of a saw-mill on the east bank of Salt Creek, opposite the site of the present mill. Having finished it, he sawed the lumber for several frame buildings which were erected the next year, when he also completed a grist-mill, which he ran in connection with the saw-mill until about 1844. These were of the usual capacity and arrangement of the ordinary grist and saw-mills of those days.
In 1844, the mills needing repairs, and thinking that the west bank
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HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY.
offered better facilities for them, he began the erection of the present mill, but died in 1845, before its completion. It was then bought and finished by David Skinner, one of his heirs. From this time it was successively owned by Samuel Skinner, T. J. Fifield, S. P. Robbins, Abram and Peter Stafford, Blachly Brothers, and Blachly & Son, who control it at present. When first built, these mills had a large custom. People came from places fifty and sixty miles distant, and, at times, so great was the number of customers that they were compelled to wait three and four days for their grists. At present only a moderate business is done.
Closely connected with the history of these mills is that of a some- what chimerical enterprise-the building of a steamboat for the purpose of navigating Salt Creek, and its trunk, the Calumet River. About 1865-66, Abram and Peter Stafford, and Dr. Stanton, who afterward associated with themselves W. D. Cruthers, began the construction of a steamboat for conveying wood and timber to Chicago, by way of Salt Creek and Calumet River. It was about twelve feet wide and thirty feet long, and two or three years were consumed in building. After its com- pletion, it was run up and down the creek once or twice, and was finally sunk in the Calumet River.
In 1842, a saw-mill was built by Cromwell Axe, on property now owned by William Harvey. It is still in existence. In 1858, a steam mill was built by Hunt & Kellogg. It changed hands several times, and was finally moved away. About 1854-55, Brown & Sellers erected a saw-mill on Coffee Creek. This was run a few years, but finally fell into disuse. In 1870, David Long built another mill, just below the site of the old one. In 1875, it was pulled down, and a grist-mill erected by Long & Wondes, at a cost of $5,000 or $6,000. The present owner is O. W. Wheeler, who does a large business.
During 1837-38, a chair and wheel factory was operated by Abraham Snodgrass, on Spring Creek. He soon sold out and went West, and it was used no more.
In 1836, after the county was organized, the first regularly laid out road was constructed. At the spring term of the Commissioner's court, Peter Ritter, Samuel Olinger and William Thomas were appointed to run a road from Casteel's Mill, on Coffee Creek, to William Gosset's Mill, through to the county line, which they accordingly did, and located the road where it now is. Previous to this time, Indian trails had been the only roads, save those that had been built before the county was organized. About 1851, the construction of a plank road to extend from Valparaiso to Michigan City was began. It passed through the eastern part of the township. After the building of railroads through these places, the necessity for such a road was no longer felt, and it was
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never completed. In 1874, the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad was built. Much trouble and some litigation were occasioned in procuring the right of way.
Stores and Post Ofices .- The first store was opened by McPherson & Meyers, at Salt Creek, in 1845. Their stock was small, not much larger than is usually carried by a stout peddler, and consisted princi- pally of those articles included in the comprehensive term, " Yankee notions." After three or four years of such extensive business, the store was closed, and the people of Liberty were without a mercantile enter- prise, until about 1866, when W. D. Cruthers, who had an interest in the steamboat enterprise elsewhere described, opened a store in the upper part of the mill then owned by Abram and Peter Stafford. As before, the business carried on was not large, and after being sold to Rob- bins & Miller, was closed out by them. A few years ago, the present store was opened by George Wheeler, who still conducts it, keeping the usual stock, and doing the business generally done by a small country store.
There are but two post offices within the limits of the township, one of which was opened at Woodville, a station on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, a few months since. This will doubtless form the nucleus of a thriving village, as the proprietor has already erected a building for the storage of wheat, to accommodate shippers. The other office was instituted at Salt Creek about 1858, with John Beck as the first Post- master. It has since been held successively by John Miller, Abram Stafford and George Wheeler, the present incumbent.
Elections and Population .- The first election after the organization of the township was held at Daniel Kesler's. The following is a copy of the tally-sheet and list of voters used at that election :
At an elction held at the house of Daniel T. Kesler, in Liberty Township, Porter Co., Ind., on the 30th day of April, A. D. 1836, for the purpose of electing one Justice of the Peace for said township, the following-named persons came forward and voted, to wit : Peter Ritter, Thomas J. Wyatt, William Downey, Daniel W. Lyons, Joel Crumpacker, Joel Welker, John Sefford, M. Blayloch, Frederick Wolf, Richard Clark, William Calhoun, Isaac Zane, Owen Crumpacker, Hiram Snodgrass, Jerry Todhunter and Solomon Habanz. We, the undersigned Inspectors and Judges of an election held at the house of Daniel T. Kesler, in Liberty Township, Porter Co., Ind., on the thirtieth day of April, 1836, for the pur- pose of electing one Justice of the Peace, do certify that for the office of Justice of the Peace, Peter Ritter got thirteen votes, and Thomas J. Wyatt got three votes. Given under our hands this thirtieth day of April, 1836. Jerry Todhunter, Inspector ; John Sefford, Joel Crumpacker, William Snavely, Solomon Habanz, Judges.
At the spring term of court, 1836, Daniel W. Lyons was appointed first Constable ; Jesse Morgan and Richard Clark, Overseers of the Poor ; E. Tratebas and William Downey, Fence-Viewers ; Solomon Habanz, Supervisor of Roads.
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HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY.
On August 7, of the same year, an election was held at Kesler's house for State officers, at which time twelve votes were polled. At this election, T. J. Wyatt was elected Justice of the Peace. Since that time nearly all the offices, then held in the township, have been merged into Trustee. The present Trustee is Fritz Lindermann. The population of the township in 1880 was 901.
Schools, Churches, etc .- The first school in the township was prob- ably taught in a log house, built in the Zane settlement in 1836. Mrs. Sophia Dye was the first teacher. She had about fifteen pupils, and received $2 per week. This, like all others at that time, was a subscrip- tion school. The house was built by the neighbors in common, and its furnishings were of the rudest character. Its windows were formed of oiled paper, and its seats of slabs ; the desks were made by driving pins into the wall and laying a board on them. The present frame house was built by Morris Risdon in 1854, at a cost of about $300.
A school was taught in the Dillingham settlement in 1837 by Anna Lyons, in a part of her father's (John Dillingham's) house. She had eight or nine pupils. The following year, a log house was built for school purposes, and E. P. Cole taught the first two or three terms. About 1856, a frame house was built ; this was used until 1877, when the pres- ent substantial brick building was erected, at a cost of about $600. The present teacher is Miss Mary Mead, who receives $25 per month.
A school was maintained at Salt Creek from about 1837 until 1856, though no house for that purpose had been erected until the present one was built in the last mentioned year. The first teacher in this house was Miss Kate Hoste, who received $10 per month. The present teacher is Mary Love, who has an average attendance of fourteen pupils, and receives $25 per month. The house in District No. 5 was built in 1854, by William Babcock, at a cost of $300. In District No. 1 James Bradley built the house in 1858 or 1859 ; in No. 4 a brick was built in 1869, at a cost of $700. The house in No. 7 was erected in 1875. In 1882, the number of pupils between the ages of six and twenty-one years, enumerated by the Trustee, was 343. The present schools are as good as any county schools, and fully sustain the high character for educational facilities which the State bears.
Though an exceedingly quiet and law-abiding community, the people of Liberty have never possessed a church organization. A somewhat singular, and it might be said suggestive, coincidence is, that no saloon was ever established within the same limits. Though no chapel may be seen beckoning us with white spire, no den of iniquity casts its withering curses abroad to blight the happiness of the inhabitants.
The first minister who visited this township was Stephen Jones, a
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PORTAGE TOWNSHIP.
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He came at the invitation of William Gosset, and preached at his house. The services were held at 2 P. M., on Friday, the congregation having been called together by the blasts of a tin-horn in the hands of Mrs. Gosset. There were about forty persons present. A great interest in religious matters was aroused, and during the same year the Rev. Stephen Jones conducted a camp- meeting on Salt Creek, which lasted a week. People came from far and near, and many converts were made. During the next year, William Gosset erected a small church building, which is still standing, and is used by Mrs. Gosset for a dwelling. Salt Creek was now placed upon a circuit, and services were regularly held for some years. Among those who encountered the hardships and sufferings incident to the itinerant pioneer preacher for the purpose of dispensing the Gospel to this settle- ment, may be mentioned the Revs. Beer, Young, Forbes, Posey, Griffith and Colclasier. The circuit-rider as he once existed has disap- peared, and only occasionally, except as they go to churches at a distance, do the people of Liberty have the privilege of meeting together for relig- ious services.
The only secret society ever organized here was that of the Grangers. Three Granges were organized in 1875-one at Salt Creek, another in District No. 5, and a third in the southern part of the township. For a time these societies flourished and supplied a long-felt social want-some place for friends and neighbors to meet and spend an hour or two together each week; but from a pecuniary standpoint, they were not a success, un- less in the returns they brought the farmers. A co-operative store was established in a small building owned by George Fisher, and he was placed in charge of it. Some jealousies in regard to the distribution of the goods were manifested. After about six months of not very profitable business, the store was closed, and soon after the organization was abandoned, hav- ing been in existence about two years.
CHAPTER XII.
BY G. A. GARARD.
PORTAGE TOWNSHIP-SURFACE AND SOIL-AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANI- CAL DEVELOPMENT-THE LIQUOR QUESTION-SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES -VILLAGE OF CRISMAN-LIST OF FIRST SETTLERS-REMINISCENCES.
T HE township of Portage received its name from a county of the same name in the State of Ohio. It was organized at the time of the gen- eral division of the territory of the county in 1836. Some changes have been made in its metes and bounds since that time, and an effort was made by sundry parties of Lake County at one time to have certain terri-
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HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY.
tory belonging to the above-named county set apart to Porter County. This scheme was defeated, and the western boundary of the township and county remains, as at the time when Lake County was set off, a straight line.
General Description .- In surface the township varies from a level prairie in the south to sand hills in the north. These sand hills are highest near the lake, and shade off toward the center, where they give place to a sandy plane that gradually loses its " grit " as we go south. The soil of the northern part is about all sand, while in the southern part it is a rich and productive loam.
Salt Creek cuts the southeast corner of the township, and passes out near the northeast corner of Section 32 to enter again at the northeast corner of Section 20; thence it flows north and west, entering the Calu- met in Section 31, about one-quarter of a mile west of the east line of the county. This is a fine stream, with numerous small feeders that afford abundant water for stock. Salt Creek Mill is situated on this stream, just over the line in Liberty Township. Longinus (Long) Lake is situated partly in the northwest corner of this township and partly in Lake County. It is more marsh than lake, and can boast of no beauty of scenery or surroundings. Much sand is shipped from this township to Chicago, and it may be that in time this will be a fruitful source of wealth, for the supply is almost limitless. That found south of the Calu- met is thought to be of the best quality. A peculiar kind of clay or " loam " is found near Crisman. It is used for fine molding, for calking boilers, etc. There is a large spring on the Gaylord place. It contains much iron and some sulphur. The water is thought by some to possess valuable medicinal qualities. No coal has yet been found. Some bog iron ore is found, but not in paying quantities. The southern part of the township is strictly agricultural and well improved, while the northern part promises to become the seat of great manufacturing interests.
Industries, Taverns, Wild Animals, etc .- There was a saw-mill among the sand hills, built in 1851 or 1852. It was run awhile and then abandoned. There is a cheese factory which was established about six years ago. It has been doing a good business and is still running. They have been making some butter, but have been paying more atten- tion to cheese. Several steam saw-mills have been set up in differen parts of the township, but, like the steam thresher, they did not stay long in one place.
The first tavern in the township was built on Willow Creek, among the sand hills, in 1837. An Italian by the name of Carley, who had previously kept a stand farther north, on the lake, built the house and kept it for a time. Another house was opened at the same place soon
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PORTAGE TOWNSHIP.
after by two women. These two are the only taverns that have ever been kept in the township. These were on the old stage line between Detroit and Chicago. This formerly ran along the beach of the lake, but was afterwards moved farther south. To enable the stages to cross the Calumet, a bridge sixty-four rods long was built in 1836 and 1837. This was made of poles throughout. Cribs were built of poles for piers ; poles were used for stringers, and small poles and split timber were laid across these for the floor. This rude bridge was situated a few rods below the mouth of Salt Creek.
This is a temperance township. No regular saloon has ever opened its doors here to entice the youth. An attempt was made at one time to start one at Crisman, but as the party had no license, it was closed by the people in a summary manner.
In 1836, a bear was killed in the northern part of the township. In 1838, two cubs were killed by a man named Greene in the south- eastern part. Wolves were very troublesome until the railroads were built. The whistle of the locomotive and the roar of the trains seemed to scare them away.
Early Conditions .- The first settlers endured many hardships that, to the tender-footed sons of these hardy sires, would seem beyond their powers of endurance. These sturdy pioneers sowed, and their children and their children's children are reaping an abundant harvest. The first houses were built of logs without nails. Windows were made temporarily of greased paper, and doors of a quilt with sticks across. At the time of the first settlement here, there were no envelopes or matches. A letter was written upon one side of the paper, and then it was folded and fastened with a red wafer or two in such shape that the address could be placed upon the other side. Postage then was 25 cents per letter, pay- able upon delivery. Matches made their appearance a short time later, in small boxes holding about a dozen ; these sold for a shilling (12} cents) a box Supplies were brought from Michigan City, a distance of twenty miles. The first birth is unknown. The first death was prob- ably that of a Mr. Ashton, who died in 1837. In 1838, Mrs. James died. This was a very sickly year. Probably the first marriage was that of Henry Harold to Miss Dorr. An Indian trail crossed the southern part of the township. On Section 36, Township 36, Range 6, was what had the appearance of an Indian burying-ground. Evidences of about twenty graves were to be seen.
Schools and Teachers .- This township is well supplied with schools, except, perhaps, in one locality, where another school is badly needed. There are seven houses, all of which are occupied. Four of these are brick, and all are good, substantial structures ; in fact, Portage is noted
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HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY.
for its good schoolhouses. The largest, and by many considered the best school in the township, is the one at Crisman Station. It has been brought up to its present degree of excellence by the present teacher, N. E. Yost, who has had the place for four years. The following is a list of the teachers in the township for the school year of 1881-82: N. E. Yost, at Crisman, M. L. Ferris, at Blake's, W. E. Hawthorne, at Hawthorne's schoolhouse, Miss Lottie Hewitt, at Peak's, Miss Minnie Spencer, at Robbins', Miss Rose Mitchell, at Addison Crisman's, Miss Pettit, at Sand Knob School. The first schoolhouse was built in 1840 on Section 20, Township 36, Range 6. One was built in the southwest part about the same time. Both of these were built of logs and were used for school only in the winter time. The desks were arranged around the wall. The first mentioned is still standing, and serves as a habitation for Sus scrofa. Mr. Robbins was the architect, and all the material and labor was contributed by the people who resided in the vicinity. In size it was 18x20 feet. Where Crisman now stands, in 1854 was erected a log schoolhouse, 18x24 feet. This was used about nine years. It was built entirely by voluntary contribution. The first term here was taught by Elder Bartlett, a Baptist minister. He taught two terms. Cyrus Sales taught next, and after him in order came Christina Fry, Emily Gerhart and Chancey Gaylord, who was a cripple, and who taught two terms. He was the last one to teach in the old log house. This gave place to a good-sized frame on the northeast corner of Section 12. The present neat and commodious brick was built in 1879.
The Churches .- There are three churches in the township, the Pres- byterian, the Methodist and the Swedish. The first church built was the Presbyterian in 1852, at a cost of about $800. Mr. S. P. Robbins built the church and furnished all the requisite materials and money except about $160. One hundred dollars was furnished by the missionary fund of the church and about sixty dollars was raised by subscription. After it was completed Mr. Robbins deeded it to the Trustees. The following are the names of some of those who helped to organize the church: S. P. Rob- bins and wife, Benjamin Stodard and wife, Francis James, Emily James, Russell Dorr and wife, Daniel Richardson, Mr. Leters and sister, and others. Rev. James C. Brown was the first minister. Rev. Humphrey and Rev. Ogden are the only other regular ministers that the church has had. Ministers have come in occasionally from other points and preached here. The Methodists have had the use of the church for some time, and the Presbyterians have not been having services. The Methodist Church is situated about one and a quarter miles northwest of the one above-men- tioned. It was built about two or three years later than the Presbyterian. It is not now used by them, but is used occasionally by the German
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PORTAGE TOWNSHIP.
Lutherans. Mr. McCool was the principal one in its organization and erection. It cost about $800, and is somewhat larger than the Presby- terian. The first religious services were held at Spurlock's and Herold's dwelling houses. Afterward Robbins' schoolhouse was used for the pur- pose. The first society to organize was the Methodist. Two organiza- tions were affected about the same time - one at Robbins' schoolhouse, and the other at the Grove on the west side. These date 1836 or 1837. Sabbath schools have been kept up for a part of the time at the above- mentioned places, and also at some of the schoolhouses. The Swedish Church is located in the southwestern part of the township. Here, serv- ices are sustained and good congregations assemble.
Crisman Village .- The town of Crisman was laid out by Mr. B. G. Crisman, after whom it was named. Mr. Crisman is one of the oldest settlers in all this region. A post office was established here in 1871, with Isaac Crisman as Postmaster. Mr. Crisman was followed by Charles Seydel. S. P. Sargeant took charge next, and handed the mail bag to Joseph Bender, who passed it to Joseph White, who has held it four years. The first store established here was opened shortly after the post office, and was owned by Isaac Crisman. He was succeeded by Charles Seydel, who sold to Joseph Bender, and he to Joseph White, who has kept it for four years. The store has, with a single exception, fol- lowed the post office. This is the only store that Portage has ever had.
First Settlers and First Elections .- In the spring of 1834, Jacob Wolf and family located in the solitudes of Portage with his family. His sons John, Jacob and E. Wolf were grown at the time. One of the younger sons, Josephus, still lives in the southern part of the township. He owns a large amount of land. At the same time came Berrett Dorr and family. Two of the boys, Russell and Edmund, were of age at the time. Reuben Hurlburt and family came the same spring. There was a large family of boys, of which William, Henry, Jacob, Griffith and David were born when the family came. The two Spurlock brothers and R. and Wilford Parrott finish the list for 1834. In 1835, in the spring, S. P. Robbins, Benjamin James and his son Allen came. From 1836 to 1840, the following came: Mr. Blake and family, Mr. Peak and family, Palmer Sumner, Peter Ritter, Mr. Harrison and family, Mr. Curtis and family, Mr. Smith, Mr. Arnold, Walker McCool and Thomas J. Field, who came in 1836.
The first election of the township was held April 30th, 1836, at the house of Jacob Wolf, with James Spurlock as Inspector. At an election held at the house of Jacob Wolf, Portage Township, on the first Monday in August, 1836, the following persons polled their votes : James Con- net, E. D. Wolf, John Lyons, William D. Wolf, Jacob Wolf, Sr., Milton
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HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY.
Wolf, Frederick Wolf, Russell Dorr, Henry Herold, William Gosset, Griffin Holbert, B. Dorr, John Hageman, Jacob Blake, Henry Batten, Daniel Whitaker, William Frame, George Spurlock, John Wolf, James Spurlock, Reuben Holbert, Samuel Herring, Nelson Elison, Francis Spencer, Benjamin James, George Hume, J. G. Herring, S. P. Robbins and William Holbert-total, twenty-nine. The changes in the boundary of the townships will be found in a county chapter.
Future Prospects .- A large number of Swedes have settled in the northern part, of later years. On the whole, the progress of the town- ship has been slow and steady, but sure. The rapid growth of Chicago, and the flattering promise of South Chicago, together with the tendency that manufacturing establishments show toward this section, all raise high hopes for the future. Many large manufacturing establishments have started already in the wilderness of stunted pine among the sand hills and morasses at the south end of the Great Lake, and the indications are that there are many more to follow. While all this goes on at the north, the fertile farms of the south will feed the mouths that nourish the hands that run the factories.
CHAPTER XIII.
BY G. A. GARARD.
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP-ORIGIN OF NAME-FIRST ELECTIONS-FIRST SET- TLERS-FIRST EVENTS-AN OLD FRENCH FORT-SCHOOLS-CHURCHES -INDUSTRIES-OFFICERS-CRIME-CALAMITY -- KOUTS.
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