USA > Indiana > Porter County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 64
USA > Indiana > Lake County > Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana : historical and biographical > Part 64
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86
-
566
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
annual sessions were held during the winter months, and adjourned when the busy time of spring came. Sometimes there has been an interregnum of several years, but usually the class convenes at the approach of cold weather. The church class and the Sunday school class are at present in a prosperous condition.
Saint Martin's Catholic Church at Hanover Centre was first organized in about the year 1857, by Rev. Father Nick, and the class consisted of some eighteen or twenty families, among which were those of the follow - ing men : Mathias Geisen, John Scherer, John Kretz, Peter Heiser, Peter Klein, Jacob Leinen, Mathias Lauermann, J. J. Klein, Leonard Hoeltzle, John Eble, John Roethgen, George Emerling, Michael Schriver, Michael Einsle, John Rhein, Mr. Russell, Patrick Buckley and John Drickzel. The class, with the true spirit of Catholicism, grew quite rapidly in numbers, wealth and influence. Meetings were at first held in dwellings, but this was very unsatisfactory to the members who had been taught from infancy to believe that the temple of God should be a separate, imposing and sacred structure, and dedicated to the sole use of Christian worship. They, therefore, began raising funds by subscription for the erection of a church, but the construction was delayed, though finally begun in 1858 and finished in 1859. The house was a small frame structure, beautifully and tastefully arranged in the interior, and cost about $800. The successors of Father Nick have been, chronolog- ically, Fathers Ranson, Wehrle, F. Siegelack, H. Deimel, 1873; William Berg, 1876, and Charles Steurer, a young and promising man, the pres- ent pastor. The old church was used until 1867, when it was destroyed by fire. How this happened is not known, but it was supposed that kindling wood, having been left too near a heated stove, caught fire, which was communicated to the floor. The families belonging numbered at this time about forty-five. Funds were immediately subscribed, and the present fine frame church was erected at a cost of about $2,500. The architectural design and ornamentation on the interior will compare favorably with other country Catholic churches throughout the county and State. About sixty families belong to the church at present. A well-attended Sunday school has been in existence since soon after the first church was built.
St. Anthony's Catholic Church society at Klassville was first organ- ized during the last war by Bishop John Henry Luess, and soon afterward a neat frame church was erected at a cost of about $2,000. August Klass was largely instrumental in securing the construction of the house. He obtained the co-operation not only of members of the Catholic Church living in the vicinity in Indiana, but also of many residing across the line in Illinois. It is thought that Rev. Charles Ganzer was the first
567
HANOVER TOWNSHIP.
pastor of the class, though this is not certain. Other pastors in charge have been Fathers Nick, King, Fuchs, Reussen, Michael, Wehrle, Bartoz and Seigelock. The class first started with less than twenty families, but since then has had as high as between fifty and sixty. The society is prosperous. Sunday school was started at the time the house was built. Statistics .- In 1858, the condition of the township fund was as fol- lows :
ROAD FUND.
Balance from last year. $ 9 85
From County Treasurer 8 35
From other sources. 2 00
Total
$ 20 20
Paid out on orders.
16 20
Balance on hand.
$ 4 00
TOWNSHIP FUND.
Balance from last year.
$ 7 39
Received from County Treasurer. 183 57
Total
$190 96
Paid out on orders
45 25
Balance on hand
$145 71
SPECIAL SCHOOL FUND.
Balance from last year.
$151 11
From County Treasurer 178 37
Total $329 48
Paid on orders. 370 00
Balance due Treasurer.
$ 40 52
STATE REVENUE SCHOOL FUND.
Balance from last year.
$151 53
From County Treasurer. 148 98
Total
$300 51
Paid out on orders.
131 00
Balance on hand
$169 51
568
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
BY G. A. GARARD.
ST. JOHNS TOWNSHIP-ORGANIZATION AND OFFICIAL HISTORY-VILLAGES OF DYER, ST. JOHNS AND SCHERERVILLE- INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS - SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES-THE EARLY SETTLEMENT-CURIOUS AND IN- TERESTING INCIDENTS-A LARGE FARM.
T HIS township took its name from the town of St. Johns, which was named after John Hack, and not for the church of St. John (the Evan- gelist), as has been stated by some writers. The township of St. Johns was formed from Centre Township by an order of the County Commis- sioners, bearing date of June 8, 1848. It was then ordered that Town- ship 35, Range 9, and Township 25, Range 10, be constituted a town- ship to be known as St. Johns. No changes in the size or boundaries of the township have yet occurred. In March, 1865, a petition was pre- sented to the Board by sundry citizens of St. Johns Township, praying that Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, Township 35, Range 10, might be a constituted township to be known as Dyer; but the prayer of the petitioners was not answered. June 8, 1848, it was ordered, "That the first election to be held in the Township of St. Johns, shall be holden on the first Monday of August next, at the now dwelling-house of John Ennis, in said township, and that Daniel Rosecrants be and he is hereby appointed Inspector of Elections in and for said township." On the same date, it was ordered, "That the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Lake County, be authorized and directed to issue a writ of election for one ad- ditional Justice of the Peace, in and for the Township of St. Johns." At the same time, it was ordered, "That Mathew J. Hack be and is hereby appointed a Constable, in and for the Township of St. Johns." His certificate was issued June 19, 1848. It was also ordered at the same time, " That Benjamin Stallcup and E. D. Owens be and they are hereby appointed Fence Viewers, in and for the Township of St. Johns." There is on record a certificate of John Hack's election as Township Trustee, bearing date of September 29, 1858, signed by Joseph Jackson, County Auditor.
Town of Dyer .- The plat of the Town of Dyer bears date of June 1, 1855, upon the plat book. A note on the page says : "No doubt an error in date of plat of record," but does not give the correct or sup- posed date. It gives the location of the town as upon the southwest quarter of Section 12, Town 35 north, Range 10 west. The plat shows
569
ST. JOHNS TOWNSHIP.
Illinois, Indiana, Mattison, Calumet, Ross, Lake, East and West streets, the Joliet and Northern Indiana Railroad, and the State Line. Non- dorf's Addition to Dyer is stated to be a part of the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 12, Town 35, Range 10 west. The sizes of the lots, width of streets and alleys are marked upon the plat. Given under the hand and seal of B. Nondorf, March 22, 1858. The following is the surveyor's certificate with the above mentioned record : STATE OF INDIANA, LSS. LAKE COUNTY.
Before me Mathias Schmidt, Surveyor of said county, came the above named B. Non- dorf and acknowledged the execution of the above plat as his act and deed. Witness my hand and seal this March 22d, 1858.
[SEAL. ]
MATHIAS SCHMIDT, Surveyor of Lake County.
This plat was recorded March 28, 1858, and shows three blocks, Mattison street and sixteen lots. Hart's Addition to the Town of Dyer, on Sections 12 and 13, Township 35, Range 10, by A. N. Hart. Ac- knowledged before Amos Allman, Recorder of Lake County, on February 11, 1859. It shows Hart and Joliet streets, and a large number of lots. This place has been for years a great grain market. Keilman & Lowen- berg have a large grain elevator, which they are now enlarging, fitting up with steam and all the modern improvements. This was built by the Michigan Central Railroad Company and owned by them until July, 1882, when it was bought by the above-named firm. It has been run by the present owners for about eight years. J. L. Hurt managed it for a while before it came into the hands of the present owners. Du Brueil & Keilman ran it for ten years. It used to do a very large business, and it is the intention of the present owners to build up the business to its former proportions. These gentlemen handle lumber and agricultural implements also. The first business house in town was built by John Streets in 1856. He did business in it for two years, since which time a saloon has been kept in the house. Mr. Wolcott built the second store; he sold to Chase, who sold to a Jew from Chicago. It has since been used as a saloon. The third store was built by F. L. Keilman and Leon- ard Keilman in 1858. This was owned by Keilman & Austtuen in 1866, and is now kept by C. Austtuen. The fourth store was kept by D. Low- enberg, from 1866 to 1876, when he sold to August Klass, who, in three years, sold to Charles Sauter & Co., who are running the business at present. In 1875, there was a general store kept by Christopher Rich. In two years he sold to Nemping & Stummel, who manage the business now. The building was bought in 1881, of Rich, by Lowenberg. A hardware store was established in 1870, by Joseph Peshel. A furniture store was started in 1867. The Louisville & New Albany Railroad was finished to the town during the summer of 1832, which gave the town two
570
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
roads and a new impulse in business. The post office is at present in the hands of Charles J. Sauter, who has held it for two years. Julius Neifing preceded him for a period of two years, and his predecessor was was Francis Densberger, who was in charge three or four years. ] In 1876, Claudius Austgen had the office. Nick Sherer also had charge of it for a time. The last teacher of the town schools was William Es- wein, who has taught two years here. . Before him, John Kimmat taught two years, who was preceded by Thomas Patz for one year, and he by Julius Neifing, who gave such good satisfaction that he was retained for nine years. He taught the school for eight years alone, when Mr. Molle was hired as assistant. A. Streng taught the school before Mr. Neifing. The present schoolhouse has been built six years. Before it was built the school was held in a building belonging to the Catholic congregation, and is now occupied by the Sisters. Before that, there was a small, frame schoolhouse about twenty feet square. The assistant in the school has usually been one of the Sisters.
There are five saloons that furnish " refreshments " and entertain- ment suited to man or beast. Two of these are distinguished by the names, " State Line Hotel " and " Dyer Hotel." The first landlord at Dyer was a man named Page, who was also one of the first settlers of the township. There are two doctors-A. Scidler, a German, and Dr. J. W. Johns, an American, who has been in the practice here for fourteen years. Dr. Hoffman was formerly a practitioner here. John Stech established a tannery here in 1864, and still holds forth by the bridge. A blacksmith shop is run by Jacob Shaffer. Scheidt & Davis own and run a large flour and feed mill. It has been owned by them since 1875. The mill was built about twenty-five years ago. A. Du Breuil & Co. owned it for fifteen years, and bought it a short time after it was built. It has been added to until its present value, $15,000, is about double its first value. Its capacity is 100 barrels in twenty-four hours. The present owners of the mill have a fine herd of about 100 swine, of a new and valuable breed known as the Victoria. The Victorias are attracting a great deal of attention among stock men, and promise to take the lead as a breed. They have already gained many premiums and honors at fairs and live stock shows. The breed was originated by crossing the best breeds, and then breeding " in and in " from selected animals until it became a per- manent breed, with the good points of all the varieties used in the " crossing." A door and blind factory was built here in 1870, and ran about two years and a half, when it was burned. A distillery was built in 1863, ran about a year and a half, when it was closed by the Govern- ment. J. H. Kasper, of Dyer, has invented an incubator that will beat a setting hen so badly that she will quit the business and go to laying
571
ST. JOHNS TOWNSHIP.
again. It is not yet patented, but certainly ought to be. The present population of Dyer is not far from 400.
Town of St. Johns .- As already stated, the town of St. Johns was named from John Hack. The locality was called in early times " Western Prairie," or "Prairie West," but when a post office was secured the peo- ple called a meeting for the purpose of deciding upon a name. The mat- ter was discussed, and finally decided. It was agreed to name it in honor of John Hack, the first German to settle in the region. It was decided that "St." should be prefixed to John, not because they wanted to can- onize Mr. Hack, but just for euphony. An "s " was added to John, so that Mr. Hack furnished four letters and the people three, giving him a majority of one. The official history of the town of St. Johns is as fol- lows :
The town of St. Johns was laid out by Peter Thielan in the month of November, 1881, on a part of the northwest quarter of Section 33, Town No. 35 north, Range 9 west, of the Second P. M. of Lake County, Ind. The dimensions of the lots, streets and alleys are marked on the map in feet and decimals of a foot. PETER THIELAN.
OFFICE OF COUNTY SURVEYOR,
CROWN POINT, December 10, 1881.
I do hereby certify that the above is a correct map of the town of St. John. Wit- ness my hand and seal this 10th day of December, 1881. JOHN FISHER, County Surveyor. [SEAL. ]
STATE OF INDIANA, } ss.
Lake County.
Before me, Richard W. Price, Recorder in and for said county and State, personally came Peter Thielan and duly acknowledged the execution of the annexed plat. Witness my hand and seal this 17th of December, 1881. RICHARD W. PRICE, Recorder.
The plat was recorded December 17, 1881. It shows Schmal, Orth, Hack and Thielan streets and the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago depot grounds. There are thirty-three lots. Lot No. 1 contains 570 acres, and, Lot No. 2, 417,8% acres. There is a fine brick store here. It is 24x80 feet, two stories and a basement, owned by Keilman & Gerlach. This firm has been in business here sixteen years, during which time they have kept a large general stock and have done an extensive busi- ness. It is now one of the best stores in the county. H. Keilman started the first store here and conducted it for six years ; then he asso- ciated with his brother Frank, and they were partners for ten or eleven years. There are two blacksmith-shops in town. J. M. Thiel and Joseph G. Schmal are the proprietors. Both of these make wagons. There are three shoemakers in town, but no regular shoe-shop. H. Keilman kept the first tavern. There is now a combined saloon and tavern in town where accommodations suited to man or beast can be found. The town has usually had two saloons. The post office has been kept by F. Keil- man for twenty-seven years. Old Mr. Hack kept it for a number of
572
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
years at first. This town, the oldest in the township and one of the old- est in the county, has always had and still has the name of being a very peaceable place. The arrival of the locomotive has recently stirred the quiet old village and given it a new impulse on the road to prosperity. It is now able to compete with its neighboring towns, which were favored sooner by visits from the modern Mogul of commerce-the steam engine. A short distance south and east of town, upon an eminence, is the Hack Cemetery, a private burying-ground. It is entered by passing under a fine cut-stone arch, and contains a beautiful and expensive family monu- ment. Several physicians have located in town, but soon finding that the people were too healthy to require their services, they left for less fav- ored localities. It seems to be an unhealthy community-for doctors.
Town of Schererville .- The Town of Schererville was surveyed by N. D. Wright, and is situated on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 15, Township 35, Range 9 west, and on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 16, Township 35, Range 9 west. All except the fractional lots in town plat have fifty feet front and one hundred and fifty feet back. Nicholas Scherer and N. D. Wright were the proprietors. The plat shows Anna, Francisco, Mary, Margaret, Wilhelm and Joliet streets and Nicholas alley, and one hundred and eighty-four lots. It shows also the Chicago & Great Eastern Railway. The soil in and around the town is sandy, and wells are usually "driven." There are here the usual number of mechanics and artisans, The place has a population of about one hundred and fifty, and does a good business in general merchandise and stock. A good schoolhouse of one room stands in the northern part of town.
Schools and Churches .-- This township is well supplied with good schoolhouses. There are eight of them, all of which are substantial structures ; and most of them are neat and well kept. Two of these have two rooms ; the one at St. Johns and the one at Dyer. The first school of the township was taught at St. Johns by a Sister named Fran- ces, from Notre Dame. The second school was taught by Brother Bene- dict, at the same place. He was from Notre Dame also. The Sisters and Brothers maintained a school here until during the war, when George Gerlach took charge of it; after him, Edward Meyer taught for three years. He was followed by August Kerchter, who taught three years ; then A. J. Gerlach took charge of the school as Principal, with Adeline Leible as assistant. Both English and German are taught in both de- partments of the school. The first schoolhouse built in the township was a small frame in the town of St. Johns. This was used as a Catholic Church. It was built in 1849. The present house is a neat two-story frame, nicely painted. The second schoolhouse in the township was the
573
ST. JOHNS TOWNSHIP.
"Line Schoolhouse," about two and a half miles from St. Johns. It was built about the year 1854. The first teacher here was Joe Vornhultz, Esq., the second was Miss Doyle and then George F. Gerlach. The " Herman Schoolhouse," which is about three and a half miles west of St. Johns, has been built about sixteen years. Anthony Miller was its first teacher, and Aloycious Streng the second. Streng taught the school for a number of years. John Ofuloch taught the school for a time. The last teacher in this district was Bernard Boecker, who has taught here a number of terms. The other schools of the district are similar to those described. They are supplied with teachers who speak both German and English. The people of the township are equally determined that their children shall learn the English and that they shall not forget the German.
There are three churches in the township. These are all Catholic. They are located at St. Johns, Dyer and Schererville. No other denom- ination has ever organized within the township. The township is almost unanimously Catholic, as it is almost entirely German. The mother church of these three and, in fact, of Catholicism in Lake County, is the Church of St. John the Evangelist, in St. Johns. It was, for a number of years, simply a mission, butabout 1842 they built a small frame church, about half a mile southeast of the site of the present church. In 1846, they built a large log church to accommodate the rapidly increasing congregation. This was torn down in 1857. The small frame which they built at first was afterward used for a number of years as a schoolhouse. The present com- modious and handsome church was built in 1855. The present member- ship is about 110 families. The present priest is Father Anthony Heit- menn, who has been in charge twelve years. Before him, Father B. Rachor was in charge for about the same length of time. Cost of house, $10,000; present value of church property, $13,000. The first priest was Father Fisher, who organized the church. At the southeast corner of the church stands a tall, white, emblematic cross. Just south of the church is a Catholic graveyard, and just southwest of the church stands a neat, comfortable parsonage. This church is said to stand on the highest land in the county. St. Johns stands upon the water-shed. For many years, the church of St. John the Evangelist was the only one for miles around, and to it the Catholic Christians from far and near assembled for worship. Here assembled the largest congregations that have ever assem- bled at any church in the county. Finally, in the year 1867, some of the enterprising brethren in the vicinity of Dyer resolved to leave the parent church aud build them a home of their own. They did so, and in 1867, at Dyer, was born the first child of the mother church. The build- ing at Dyer cost about $5,000, and the present value of church property
574
HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY.
is about $7,000. Rev. Jacob Schmitz was the priest who organized the church. The second priest was Rev. Theodore Borge; the third, Rev. King; the fourth, Rev. Frund; the fifth, Rev. Charles Steurer ; the sixth, Rev. Joseph Flach, who is the present priest. All of these were born in Germany. The present membership is eighty families, all of whom are Germans. The following is a list of those who gave most toward the erection of the church in 1867. This is the original list, and it is very likely that many of those mentioned gave more before the church was finished : Leonard Keilman and Anton Scheidt, $200 each ; Ber- nard Greiving and Claudius Austgen, $150 each ; Nicholas Schultz, Peter Deiser, Franz Greiving and Gerard Specker, $125 each ; Jacob Schafer, $100; Mathew and Margaretha Ambre, $100; John Sauter, Moritz Peters, T. Gill, N. Ambre, T. Mangold, B. Mandorf, T. L. Du Brueil, Peter Klein, Thomas Steck and H. Specker, each $50; Adam Scholler, $40; H. Kettver, A. Tager, M. Scherer and - Austgen, $25 each; and about four times as many more contributed, according to their means or liberality, until $3,489.95 was raised. The church was repaired about two years ago, at a cost of $500, and the work seems to be in a very prosperous condition. Another of the promising progeny of the mother church is St. Michael's, at Schererville. This child was born in the year of our Lord 1874. There were from 90 to 100 families belong- ing soon after its organization, and the membership at present is about the same. The church stands upon a pleasant eminence above the town and the railroad. It was built in 1874 at a cost of $5,000. Just to the northeast of the church is a cozy priest's house, with well kept lawn in front. The value of church property is at present about $8,000. The priest now in charge is Rev. William Berg, a genial and gentlemanly man of God. He has labored here about a year and a half. His prede- cessor was Father Deimel, who was in charge for four years. He was preceded by Rev. Bathe, who stayed only five months, and before him Rev. King was in charge two years. Before this time, no one supplied the pulpit for a time.
Industries, etc .- The industries of the township have been almost entirely of an agricultural nature, or of a nature necessarily incident to rural life. It is a community of peasant proprietors, many of whom, by sturdy German industry and tenacity, have achieved a financial success that places them among the foremost of the people of solid wealth and worth of the county. The raising of grain and the rearing of stock have occupied the attention of the farmers. Within the last few years, hay has become a very valuable and important product. The township is well adapted to stock-raising. In or about the year 1842, John Hack erected at St. Johns a small distillery, where he made peach brandy and whisky for several years.
575
ST. JOHNS TOWNSHIP.
Incidents, etc .- About 1867, Henry Hohman had a strange expe- rience with a Newfoundland dog, which became enamored of the wolves, or of the wild life that they live, and concluded to leave civilization with all its charms for the freedom of the prairie and woods. In short, he went not " to the dogs," but with the wolves. He was seen many times with his wild " pack," evidently entering into their sports with great zest. Why should this seem so strange to us ? if a white man mates with a red woman, why should not a black dog mate with a red wolf-if the wolf does not object ?
In early days a peculiar "signal service " was used across this town- ship as in many other parts of the western prairies. Flags were placed upon poles along the line of the mail route to enable the mail carrier to keep his course.
Early Settlers .- It is not possible to give a full and accurate list of first settlers in this township. There were a few American families liv- ing in the region when the Germans came. Among these were Mr. Page and Mr. Wilder, and at a later date John Bothwell. After these and a few others came the Germans, first of whom was John Hack, in September, 1837. After him came the following at the times indicated by the dates with the names : Peter Thielan, 1838; Joseph Schmal with his son, John, and the rest of the family, June, 1838; Peter Orth, 1838; John Klasen, 1840; Nicholas Davis, 1840 ; John Hack, Jr., 1840; Peter Lowerman, 1840; John Teale, 1842; Peter Klein, 1843 ; Jacob Hermann, 1843; John Sponger, 1843; Jacob Klein, 1845; John Rohrmann, 1845. Mr. Austgen, the Keilmans and many others came early. So far as can be ascertained, the following are the first of the kind in the township: John Gering, the first carpenter; Jacob Her- mann, the first blacksmith ; the first death, a man by the name of Reader, and the second his wife ; the first wedding, John Ryan and Margaret Schmal, in 1839, by Squire Ball, and the first birth was perhaps a child born to this couple. The last wild cat shot in the township was shot by John Hack at Beaver's Grove about 1842.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.