USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 56
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 56
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Schools .- The first school in Lake County was taught by the Widow Harriet Holton in her own house at Crown Point, near the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad depot, during the winter of 1835-36. Three scholars only were in attendance. Nothing further is known re- garding this school. It is quite likely that this lady taught similar terms subsequently, and previous to the erection and use of the first school- house, though this is wholly a matter of conjecture. When the " little old black log cabin " first came into use as a school building cannot be learned, but it was not far from the year 1838. This was used until
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
1842, when a small frame structure was erected, and was referred to by Solon Robinson in 1847 as the "first respectable one in the county, and I fear that the same remark is still too true, for a decent provision for schools has hardly been yet made in any district in the county. And I don't mean to be understood that the Crown Point Schoolhouse is at all worthy the name of a decent one for the place, for it is not. Although it is better than the little old black log cabin which was in use previous to the building of this one, this is entirely too small for a community of such good Christians." The room of the new house was 15x20 feet, and, in 1846, as high as fifty scholars were in attendance around the red-hot stove in this small room, which fact was publicly deplored by Solon Rob- inson in his lecture in 1847. This small house was used more or less until 1859, though for ten years preceding that date, owing to the diminu- tive size and inconveniences of the house, and the impossibility of accom- modating the large and constantly increasing number of pupils, various private schools sprang into existence to supplement the limited public educational advantages of the place. Many parents desired to give their children better scholastic learning than that afforded at the overcrowded town school, and, as a result of this want, private enterprise performed what public enterprise had failed to do. As a necessary consequence, the small frame public schoolhouse was largely abandoned, school within its walls languished, and, for several years just previous to 1859, the house was almost, and sometimes wholly, deserted. This house stood just north of the old brick of 1859. At the latter date, the citizens of the county seat concluded to build a new public schoolhouse. This, perhaps, would not have been done, at least at that time, had not the Sons of Temperance offered to donate toward defraying the expense of constructing and erect- ing the house the sum of $1,000, provided the house was built imme- diately. This very liberal and unexpected offer spurred the " city dads " into instant activity, and the house, a commodious and excellent brick building (at that time), was straightway built at an estimated cost of $2,- 500. The Sons gave $1,000 of this amount, and, no doubt, a consider- able portion of the remainder was donated from private purses, as the township at that time would scarcely have given Crown Point $1,500, or about that, when other schools within its border were suffering for suitable or convenient houses, or were struggling along, many districts, without buildings of any kind. This, however, is merely inference. At first, there were four rooms in the brick of 1859, two above and two below, but afterward the partition was removed above, and the entire story thrown into one room. This house served the purposes of education, in a way, until the Institute property was purchased.
In the month of August, 1871, the Board of Trustees of Crown Point,
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after some preliminary consideration, ordered the purchase of the " insti- tute property "-building and lands-and the issuance of bonds of the corporation to the amount of $2,000, the purchase price of the property, the bonds to be in denominations of $500, one of them being due on each succeeding 1st of November, beginning with 1872, until the four had been paid ; but at the next meeting this order was rescinded, as it was found that the action taken by the School Trustees was invalid, owing to the fact that they had not been properly qualified as such officials. On the 26th of September, 1871, the School Trustees, J. S. Holton, J. C. Sauer- man and Job Barnard, reported to the Town Trustees that they had pur- chased the Institute property, Block 1, of the Railroad Addition, and the buildings thereon, and asked that corporate bonds to the amount of $3,600 might be issued to pay for the same. Accordingly, thirty-six bonds of $100 each were issued, though the payment of $400 of the purchase price was withheld by contract until satisfactory proof was furnished that the property was free from incumbrance. This was furnished in December, 1875, and, accordingly, four bonds of $100 each were issued in the name of Charles Marvin, assignee of Rev. T. H. Ball. Owing to the fact that the Institute property had been involved in some manner, or the owner, T. H. Ball, had become liable, E. H. Ball, of Holyoke, Mass., had secured the greater number of the above bonds. In August, 1877, $1,500 of these bonds were paid, together with $70.83 interest on the same; $1,000 of this amount was paid by the School Trustees, out of special school fund on hand at the time, but this sum was afterward replaced by the Town Trustees. In September, 1878, the remainder of the above bonds (one to eleven, inclusive), was paid, and thus the purchase of the Institute was completed.
During the summer of 1879, the propriety of building a new and comparatively costly schoolhouse began to be discussed among the citizens, until finally in December of the same year, the School Trustees filed a petition for the erection of such a structure and an estimate of the cost, with the Town Trustees, and asked the consideration of the latter, but action in the matter was deferred. Up to this time, the old brick of 1859 and the Institute building were used for school purposes ; but there was much dissatisfaction expressed, owing to the somewhat chaotic condition of educational facilities. Early in 1880, the School Trustees, Warren Cole, John Lehmann and S. A. Barr, filed their petition under oath with the Town Trustees, showing the necessity of the erection of a new school- house, with estimates and drawings of the building proposed. They asked that $10,000 in town bonds might be issued and sold to build the house ; and, after the question had been fully considered, and the citizens had been heard from, it was decided to erect the building ; and the School
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
Trustees were empowered to contract for the erection of the same on Block 1, in Railroad Addition to Crown Point, the structure, when com- pleted, not to cost more than $15,000, and to have a seating capacity of not less than 600 pupils. It was at first decided to issue twenty bonds of $500 each, and fifty bonds of $100 each, making a total of $15,000, but this was afterward changed, and the bonds were really issued in denominations to suit purchasers. The house cost somewhat more than was expected, and it was found necessary to issue bonds to the amount of $18,000, thirty-one of $500 each, and twenty-five of $100 each. The bonds draw 6 per cent interest, payable semi-annually, are due in twenty years, but may be paid after ten years, and to each are attached twenty coupons. Henry C. Greisel was appointed to negotiate the sale of the first $10,000 in bonds at their face value. The bonds were sold to Eastern capitalists, and with the proceeds the house was immediately constructed. In May, 1881, the old Institute was sold to J. M. Weis for $151. The fine brick structure is a credit to Crown Point, but it will cost about $35,000 before it is fully paid for.
There remain to be noticed private and other educational enterprises. In July, 1847, Rev. William Townley, A. M., opened a high school in a room of his dwelling, on Court street. He advertised in the Observer at Valparaiso a full academic course, and soon had a small but flourish- ing school. He advertised the following grades of study, with the tui- tion mentioned, the term to last twelve weeks : First Grade, Orthog- raphy, Reading, Writing and Arithmetic, $2.50. Second Grade, Geog- raphy, English Grammar, Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, $3. Third Grade, Algebra, Geometry, Surveying and Latin, $3.50. The school was conducted with increasing numbers and usefulness until September, 1855, when a few of the citizens met at the house of Harvey Pettibone, M. D., to consider the expediency of adopting additional measures for the education of their children, and of realizing in the fullest manner the benefits of Mr. Townley's services as an instructor of youth. David Turner was made Chairman of the meeting, and William Townley, Sec- retary, and a committee was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws necessary for the proposed educational association. The substance of the regulations adopted was as follows : The funds were divided into shares of $25 each, one-half to be paid down and the remainder sixty days after October 1, 1855. The amount to be raised must not be less than $500, and this must be used in the building of a comfortable schoolhouse. The usual officers were to be chosen annually, and the President, Secretary and Treasurer were to constitute a Board of Trustees. The number of pupils was to be limited, was to be determined by vote of the association, and no pupil was to be admitted who was " profane, obscene, turbulent.
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or unruly." Proper books were to be selected by the association. Those not members of the association, sending children to the school, were to pay tuition and a rent on the value of the property. The membership could be increased by permission and upon the payment of $25, and the ownership of one share carried the right to cast one vote. A two-thirds vote of the membership could amend the constitution. The following subscription was taken: E. M. Cramer, $50; W. A. Clark, $100; Frederick Foster, $50 ; Harvey Pettibone, $100; Thomas Clark, $100; R. A. Eddy, $25; C. M. Mason, $50; R. M. Pratt, $25; William Townley, $100; Henry Wells, $100 ; David Turner, $100; total $800. A good, substantial frame building was erected, and became known as the " Associate Academy of Crown Point." An excellent and extended course of instruction was advertised in the Observer of Valparaiso, by the Principal, Mr. Townley, and the institution multiplied its capacity for usefulness. But soon after the house was built, the entire enterprise collapsed, and the building was sold to Luther & Holton, who transformed it into a store-room. It is now used as a cigar store south of the court house.
A select and academic school was started at Crown Point in 1856, by Miss Mary E. Parsons, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke Seminary. She did not meet with the encouragement she expected, but, nevertheless, opened school, first in the Townley building, and later in a building owned by J. H. Luther, who rented her the hall, or, rather, permitted her to use it free of charge. She taught a subscription school, and con- tinued the same, except one term, until her death, in November, 1860. She was a worthy Christian lady, and an accomplished teacher of youth. Before she had used the Luther building, Miss Mary Brown had occupied it, having been employed by Mr. Luther by the week to teach his chil- dren. A few other children were allowed to attend.
In 1865, Misses Kate and Martha Knight, two well-educated young ladies from Chicago, opened a subscription school in the Luther building. After two years of teaching, they erected a school building on East street, south of Joliet street. Here they taught the higher grades of learning for a number of years, until they finally bought a two-acre lot on East street, south of South street, moved their schoolhouse thereon, and also built a dwelling. They continued to teach until 1881. Their names will not be forgotten by the citizens of Crown Point.
Another important select school was the one taught by Mrs. Sarah J. Robinson, at her room on Court street, north of the Rockwell House. She taught for several years, but, finally, in 1864, went into the Union hospitals at Nashville, Tenn.
In 1865, the Crown Point Institute was built at a total cost, includ- ing house and furniture, of about $5,300; and in September, 1865,
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
school was begun by the proprietor and Principal, Rev. T. H. Ball. It was designed to graduate young ladies.
The hopes of the founder or founders of the Institute were not fully realized, as its life was comparatively short, its termination and sale oc- curring, as stated above, in 1871, six years after the building was erected. While it continued, however, in active work, it was a credit to the genius, enterprise and learning of its proprietor and founder. It educated sev- eral hundred young ladies and gentlemen, and sent them out into the world well fitted to battle with the duties of life. The only thing to be regretted is its early and untimely death, which was caused mainly by financial embarrassments. The Pierian Society, a literary organization conducted by the students, was a most useful adjunct in rounding up the full measure of the course of study. The monthly literary paper is re- ferred to elsewhere. .
In 1866, the first Teachers' Institute in the county was conducted at Crown Point, by W. W. Cheshire, School Examiner The year before, there had been organized the Lake County Sunday School Convention. Many other interesting movements of less importance are worthy of notice.
Secret Societies .- Crown Point Lodge of Odd Fellows, No. 195, was organized October 29, 1857, with the following charter members : Z. F. Summers, Harvey Pettibone, W. A. Clark, A. S. Flint and M. C. Plinney. It was organized by O. Dunham, D. D., G. M. The charter is dated November 18, 1857. The first officers were : Harvey Pettibone, N. G .; M. C. Plinney, V. G .; A. S. Flint, Secretary ; Z. F. Summers, Treasurer. Meetings were held in various rooms about town until 1873, when the large brick wherein their hall now is was built, the Odd Fellows paying about $1,800 for the room with its furniture, painting and fine frescoing. The lodge has a present membership of twenty-five, and is on a solid financial basis. The present officers are : William Krimbill, N. G .; Reuben Fancher, V. G .; John M. Foster, Secretary; S. P. Van- winkle, Treasurer. The higher degrees were first conferred February 25, 1858. The Rebecca degree was organized March 15, 1858, Mrs. Elizabeth Plinney, Mrs. Eliza Pettibone and Mrs. Mary C. Clark taking it for the first. An Encampment was organized in 1874. The Odd Fel- lows Hall is a beautiful one.
Lake Lodge, No. 157, F. & A. M., was organized under a dis- pensation dated October, 1853, and the first meeting was held November 11, 1853. The charter members were Harvey Ball, John Wood, W. A. Clark, W. G. McGlashon, H. S. Holton, J. H. Luther, M. M. Kel- logg and C. E. Cole. The first officers were: Harvey Ball, W. M .; H. S. Holton, S. W .; John Wood, J. W .; J. H. Luther, Secretary ;
Thomas J.Hood
.₪15
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CROWN POINT AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP.
W. A. Clark, Treasurer. The present officers are: T. A. Muzzall, W. M .; W. C. Rockwell, S. W .; H. H. Meeker, J. W .; S. A. Barr, Treasurer ; Z. P. Farley, Secr-tary. Their first hall was the third story in the Register building, which cost them about $500. Their pres- ent hall, very similar to that of the Odd Fellows, and in the same build- ing, cost about $1,800. Lincoln Chapter, No. 53, R. A. M., was established in 1865. Crown Point Council, No. 44, was organized June, 1875. Eastern Star Lodge was organized in 1855, but continued working only two or three years.
The temperance society organized in 1841 was mentioned above. It did good work until about 1848, when its field of labor was usurped by the Sons of Temperance, a much stronger order, which did a vast amount of good. Its influence was felt over all the county, and kindred organi- zations were started. Before the rise of the Sons, strenuous efforts were made in 1846, at Crown Point, to prevent the granting of licenses for the sale of spirituous liquors. The following remonstrance was presented to the County Commissioners, and acted upon as indicated :
The undersigned, who are a majority of the freeholders in the town of Crown Point, would most respectfully but earnestly remonstrate against your granting a license to any person residing within said town, to retail spirituous or strong liquors within said town, for a term of three years.
JOSEPH P. SMITH, JONATHAN W. HOLTON, JOHN REED, MOSES CHURCH,
SOLON ROBINSON, LUMAN A. FOWLER, ELIZABETH EVANS, ANDREW STONE, for ANDREW C. AND M. D. F. STONE.
CROWN POINT, March 2, 1846.
The Board being satisfied that said remonstrance is signed by a majority of the free. holders in the town of Crown Point, direct that said remonstrance be spread upon the records.
The Sons had a very strong organization, which continued its work until about 1860, when active, organized work was abandoned. One of their last acts was the donation of $1,000 to the brick schoolhouse, and on one of the corner-stones may yet be seen the following memorial : " In memory of Crown Point Division No. 133, Sons of Temperance, who donated $1,000 to the erection of this building, 1859." In December, 1855, the first lodge of Good Templars in the county was organized at Crown Point. It worked actively for a few years and then went down. For many years past, the sale and consumption of liquor, especially lager beer, at Crown Point, has been large, and the inevitable results are seen. Several German societies have been organized at the county seat.
DD
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
Bank .- The First National Bank of Crown Point was organized September 11, 1874, with the following stockholders : W. C. Murphey, James Burge, David Turner, W. W. Cheshire, George Hazzard, John Brown, J. H. Luther, A. E. Bundy, M. L. Bundy and John Underwood, and with a paid-up capital of $50,000. The first officers were : James Burge, President; W. C. Murphy, Vice President ; A. E. Bundy, Cashier. The Directors were these three officers and M. L. Bundy and George Hazzard. In 1876, Mr. Murphey succeeded Mr. Bundy as cashier. The present officers are : John Brown, President ; J. H. Luther, Vice President ; W. C. Murphey, Cashier. The capital remains the same as at first, and the bank is in excellent financial condition, and has the unlimited confidence of the community.
Incorporation, etc .- The County Commissioners at the June session, 1868, passed the following order :
WHEREAS, The Board of Inspectors of an election held to decide as to the incorpora- tion of the town of Crown Point, having filed a statement of such election in detail as specified by law, which being satisfactory to the board, it is hereby declared and
Ordered, That said territory, as described, has been incorporated by the name of Crown Point.
The election of the first town officers was held at the court house June 29, 1868, and resulted as follows : Trustees-Zerah F. Summers, John H. Meyers and John C. Sauerman ; Assessor, Clerk, Treasurer and Marshal combined-Job Barnard. Election of May 3, 1869 : Trus- tees-George D. Foster, Sylvester Taylor and J. H. Hartupee ; Clerk and Treasurer combined-Job Barnard; Assessor and Marshal com- bined -- Leonard Kogeler. Election of May 2, 1870 : Trustees-Henry Pratt, Sylvester Taylor and J. H. Hartupee; Clerk and Treasurer- Thomas J. Wood ; Assessor and Marshal-Harvey J. Shoulters (173 votes polled in 1870). Election of May, 1871 : Trustees-Z. F. Sum- mers, John H. Meyers and Adam Schmal; Clerk and Treasurer-T. J. Wood; Assessor and Marshal-H. J. Shoulters. Election of May, 1872 : Trustees -- J. H. Luther, J. H. Meyers and Z. F. Summers ; Clerk and Treasurer-W. G. McGlashon; Assessor and Marshal-John Lehmann. Election of May, 1873 : Trustees-J. H. Luther, J. H. Meyers and Z. F. Summers ; Clerk and Treasurer-W. G. McGlashon ; Assessor and Marshal-John Lehmann. Election of May, 1874: Trustees-J. H. Luther, W. B. Rockwell and William Aulwurm ; Clerk and Treasurer- William T. Horine. (Some trouble was had over the other officers about this time. George Emerling was elected Marshal, but refused to serve, and then Horine was appointed ; but this action was soon rescinded, and what finally was done does not appear upon the records.) Election of May, 1875 : Trustees-E. C. Field, H. C. Greisel and William Aul- wurm ; Clerk and Treasurer-William T. Horine. Election of May,
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CROWN POINT AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP.
1876 : Trustees-W. B. Rockwell, H. C. Greisel and William Aulwurm ; Treasurer-John Krost ; Clerk -- W. T. Horine; Marshal-William Baasch. Election of May, 1877 : Trustees-J. H. Luther, H. C. Greisel and William Aulwurm ; Treasurer -- John Krost ; Clerk-W. T. Horine ; Marshal-William Baasch. Election of May, 1878: Trustees-J. H. Luther, H. C. Greisel and William Aulwurm ; Clerk and Treasurer- George Sanford ; Marshal-William Kobaldt. Election of May, 1879 : Trustees-Calvin Manahan, H. C. Greisel and William Aulwurm ; Clerk and Treasurer-George M. Eder; Marshal-William Kobaldt. Election of May, 1880 : Trustees-F. G. Russell, H. C. Greisel and Thomas A. Muzzall ; Clerk and Treasurer-G. M. Eder; Marshal-William Ko- baldt. Election of May, 1881 : Trustees-Joseph Horst, H. C. Greisel and T. A. Muzzall ; Clerk and Treasurer-G. M. Eder ; Marshal-Will- iam Kobaldt. Election of May, 1882 : Trustees-Joseph Horst, T. A. Muzzall, and W. B. Rockwell ; Clerk and Treasurer -- G. M. Eder ; Mar- shal-William Kobaldt.
Among the miscellaneous acts of the Board of Trustees have been the following : In April, 1869, all physicians of the town were appointed a Board of Health to look after cases of small-pox then within the cor- porate limits. At the same time, J. C. Sauerman was appointed to pro- cure hooks, ladders, etc., to equip a fire company. W. N. Hartupee was appointed Fire Warden in November, 1868. Tax for 1868 was 15 cents on each $100, and 25 cents on each poll. A tax of $800 ordered levied for 1870. Henry Pratt became Fire Warden November, 1870. Ten acres for a cemetery were purchased of Henry Frederick in the fall of 1871 for $1,100, he to be paid from the sale of lots. Same fall, Adam Schmal was appointed to purchase a fire hand engine, and in February, 1872, a hose cart was ordered built. In April. 1872, $500 was ordered paid for hose. Neither the hose nor the engine was paid for at that time, and the town was sued, and judgment recovered for $1,100, which in- cluded the cost of both, with costs and interest. The judgment for the hose was paid to the Akron Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio, in July, 1874, and the judgment for the engine in favor of the city of La Porte, was paid a year later. A fire company was fully organized and equipped, and articles of association were adopted in February, 1873. Attempts were made in June, 1872, to sink an artesian well, to be used in case of fires. A town pound was leased of C. Manahan, and afterward, in 1874, of J. H. Luther, on Lot 14. Goldsborough Park was made in 1874, with J. H. Ball Commissioner. Two hundred feet of two-and-a-half inch " patent carbolized engine hose " were purchased in December, 1875, for $250, which amount was to be paid May 1, 1877. A corporate seal was adopted in August, 1879. In December, 1879, part of Lot 32
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HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
was bought for an engine house for $500. The tax levied for 1882 was as follows .
Special school fund, 35 cents on each $100 valuation; tuition, 25 cents on each $100 valuation ; town bond interest, 25 cents on each $100 valuation; town fund, 20 cents on each $100 valuation ; total, $1.05 on each $100 valuation ; liquor license, $35.
Present Business .- The following is a summary of the present busi- ness enterprises of Crown Point :
Dry Goods-William Krimbill, Keller Brothers, John Schlemmer, Christopher Rich, Otto Schultz and Amos Edgerton.
Hardware-O. G. Wheeler, Rockwell & Hack, Joseph Horst and C. A. Wise.
Groceries-Hack & Rockwell, Ed Church, H. F. Pinney, Lewis Dresser, D. Longnecker and Amos Edgerton.
Drugs-H. P. Swarts, W. A. Scheddell.
Clothing Exclusively-W J. Young.
Merchant Tailors-Joseph Horn and A. Hildebrant & Son.
Jewelry-Warren Cole, F. Emerson.
Agricultural Implements-Fancher & Fessenden, H. S. Holton, John M. Foster, S. P. Vanwinkle and Henry Sasse, Jr.
Restaurants-Theodore Dill and F. E. Farley.
Milliners-Mrs. S. M. Allman, Mrs. Jennie McCummings and Mrs. Augusta Fry.
Barbers-Solomon Allen and George Volk.
Cigar Manufacturers-Eder Brothers and Fred Hagedorn.
Meat Markets-Fred Simon, Scoats & Coffin (two).
Hotels-Hack's Exchange, Rockwell House, Farmers' Hotel, Depot Hotel, Crown Point Hotel.
Real Estate Dealers-Amos Allman, W. A. Clark, T. Cleveland, C. N. Morton, J. S. Holton, John W. Hughes, Charles Jouvenat.
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