USA > Indiana > Pulaski County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 44
USA > Indiana > White County > Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical > Part 44
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to 238 acres. January 1, 1866, he married Sarah B. McComb, a native of Madison County, Ohio, and daughter of Robert and Maria (Hair) Mc- Comb, and to this union have been born six daughters, of whom four are yet living-Ollie M., Cora J., Lizzie C. and Bertha R. In politics, Mr. Shriver is a Democrat, and both he and wife are members of the Method- ist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE SMITH, the youngest of the ten children of George and Catherine (Rodgers) Smith, was born in County Meath, Ireland, March 17, 1829. His father, who was a weaver, died in his native country in 1851, a member of the Catholic Church. Our subject came across the Atlantic in 1848, and for nearly two years was employed at farming in Canada. In September, 1849, he came to the United States and settled at La Fayette, Ind., and was employed at railroading and teaming until 1855; he next farmed on shares in Tippecanoe, Warren, Benton and White Counties until the spring of 1873, when he bought 160 acres wild land in this township, which he has since improved and on which he now lives. February 10, 1855, he married Mary A. Golden, a native of La Fayette, and daughter of Edward and Ellen (Kelley) Golden, both na- tives of Ireland. Of the ten children born to this marriage, seven are still living-Edward P., James J., Mary, Stephen, Margaret Ellen, Julia B. and George F. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Catholic Church, and in politics Mr. Smith is a Democrat.
ISAAC SMITH was born in Greene County, Ohio, April 21, 1830, and is the second of the six children born to Seth and Nancy (Clemens) Smith, both natives of Virginia and of English extraction, the former be- ing a descendant of a family of Quakers who landed with William Penn, and the latter of the puritans of Massachusetts. Seth Smith was reared from boyhood in Greene County, and was there married. In 1836, he moved to Madison County, Ohio, and bought a farm, which he worked un- til 1846, when he moved to South Solon and engaged in the dry goods trade for a year, and then followed the live-stock business until his death, from cholera, in August, 1849. Isaac Smith, from the age of sixteen to twenty-three years, worked out by the month at farming and cattle-driving, and then farmed four years on shares in Madison County, Ohio, where he next bought a farm, which he worked two years when he sold. moved to Greene County, and a few months later, in the fall of 1859, came to Prairie Township, this county, where he farmed on shares until the opening of 1862, in the spring of which year he came to this township and settled on his present farm of 160 acres. In August, 1862, he enlisted in Company F, Ninety-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out at Indianapolis in June, 1865. He was married, November 24, 1853, to Nancy Correll, a native of Madison County, Ohio, and of her children two boys and three girls are still living. Mr. and Mrs. Smith were among
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ROUND GROVE TOWNSHIP.
the seven organizers of Pine Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, and both still hold to that faith. In politics, he is a Republican, and he has served two terms as Township Trustee.
ELIZABETHI A. STANFORD was born in Floyd County, Ind., October 10, 1828, and is the daughter of George and Sarah (Brown) Swartz, both natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent. George Swartz moved to Floyd County when a young man, bought a farm, married, and in 1850 died, a member of the M. E. Church, of which he had for many years been a class-leader. His daughter, Elizabeth A., was married February 14, 1850, to William Stanford, who was born in London, England, February 8, 1826. He came to Floyd County, this State, when a young man, bought a farm, on which he lived seven years, and taught school in connection with farming. In 1857, he passed a year in Tippecanoe County, then taught school two years at Independence, Warren County, then bought a farm in same county on which he lived four years when he returned to Tippecanoe County and farmed on shares for awhile. In October, 1863, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was elected Second Lieutenant of his company. He served till the close of the war, and returned home in the summer of 1865, but soon after again went South on business and has not been heard from since. It is supposed that he died soon after leaving home. In the spring of 1867, Mrs. Stanford brought her family to this township, purchased a farm of eighty acres of land, which she placed under cultivation, and which she has increased to 200 acres. Mrs. Stanford has had left her six children, three boys and three girls, all married. She is and has been since her girlhood a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
EDMUND STEELY was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, Decem- ber 1, 1820, and is the seventh of the eleven children born to John and Margaret (Emmerson) Steely, who were respectively of English and Irish descent. John Steely was a small boy when taken to Pickaway County by his parents, and he was there reared and married. Soon after the last event, he entered 160 acres of land, to which he kept adding until, at the time of his death, August 6, 1842, he owned 1,200 acres in Pick- away County, besides a large tract in Indiana. Edmund Steely, in 1843, began farming for himself on the home place, which, in the division of the estate, had fallen to him. In 1851, he sold out and came to Tippe- canoe County, this State, farmed on shares a year, and in 1853 came to this township, bought 627 acres lying partly in White and partly in Tippecanoe County, on which he resided until 1876, since when he has alternated between the farm and Montmorenci, Tippecanoe County. December 1, 1842, he married Martha A. Brink, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, who bore him nine children (six yet living) and died June
A
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6, 1863. Mr. Steely was next married, November 15, 1865, to Mrs. Sarah E. (Brown) White, a native of Tippecanoe County, but to this union no children have been born. In politics, Mr. Steely is a Republican.
JAMES C. STOCKTON was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., October 19, 1847, and is the eldest of the seven children born to Charles L. and Elizabeth J. (Eastburn) Stockton, natives of Virginia and Ohio respectively. When only four years of age, Charles L. Stockton was brought by his parents to Wayne County, this State, and a few years later, in 1822, to Tippecanoe County, then an unbroken wilderness. There his father entered a large tract of land-the same on which the city of La Fayette now stands-and when a lad of ten or twelve Mr. Stockton carried water for the men who erected the first log cabin on the site of that city. On reaching his majority, he followed teaming for several years, after which he bought 240 acres of land in the northwest part of the township, then quite wild, built a log cabin of the most prim- itive character, but subsequently developed the farm on which he yet re- sides. He began life with no capital, save an ax and a stout heart, but acquired property, outside his homestead, amounting to 1,340 acres ; he was married when thirty-five years old, and is now seventy-one, and has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for many years. James C. Stockton finished his education at the Battle Ground High School, and until twenty years of age was employed on the home farm; he then married, farmed a year in Tippecanoe County, and in April, 1869, moved upon a tract of 1,020 acres of wild land in this township, and owned by his father. In March, 1872, his father deeded him 140 acres of this tract, which he has increased to 280 acres. January 23, 1868, he mar- ried Catherine E. Miller, a native of Seneca County, Ohio, and daughter of William and Mahala (Groves) Miller. To this union have been born nine children, of whom five boys and three girls are yet living. Mr. Stockton is W. M. of Octagon Lodge, No. 511, A. F. & A. M., is a Democrat, and from 1874 to 1878 was Justice of the Peace, and both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
CHARLES W. STOCKTON was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., January 4, 1852, and is the fourth of the seven children born to Charles L. and Elizabeth J. (Eastburn) Stockton ; he was educated at the common and high schools, and was employed on the home farm until twenty years of age, giving his services to his parents, and then for the next two years cultivated a part of the place, receiving the entire crop as a recompense. In January, 1873, his father deeded him 320 acres of wild land in this township, upon which he moved in the spring following, and on which he still lives. March 17, 1875, he married Sarah C. Talbert, a native of Boone County, Ind., and a daughter of James and Sarah (Larkins) Talbert, natives of New Jersey and Ohio.
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ROUND GROVE TOWNSHIP.
The Talberts were early settlers of Boone, and for many years James Talbert was a minister of the United Brethren Church. To Mr. Stock- ton's marriage have been born six children, of whom only one is now living-Wilber O. Mr. Stockton is J. W. of Octagon Lodge, No. 511, A. F. & A. M., is a Democrat in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ALEXANDER L. TELFER was born in New York City April 17, 1848, and is the eldest of the four children born to Robert and Elizabeth (Laurie) Telfer, natives of the city named. Robert Telfer was a wood engraver by profession ; at the age of eighteen he was elected Captain of the State Militia; he was married in his native city, and in 1863 came to West Point Township, this county, where he died, July 13, 1868. He was a member of no church, but held to the Universalist belief. Alexander L. Telfer was educated at the public schools of his native city, where his youthful years were passed, with the exception of a short resi- dence in Camden, N. J., and Philadelphia. In 1862, he was employed as a copyist, for nine months, in the law office of I. T. Williams, New York, and in the spring of 1863 came with his parents to this county and worked on a farm for five years. After the death of his father, he farmed on shares until 1872, and then bought seventy-eight acres in this township, on which he still resides. December 26, 1876, he married Mary E. Reddish, a native of this county and daughter of Noah and Al- mina (Bartholomew) Reddish, who were among the early settlers of White County. To this marriage have been born two children-Robert and Laurie. Mr. Telfer is a member of the Universalist Church and in pol- itics is a Republican.
MILTON W. WEAVER was born in Tippecanoe County, Ind., Nov- ember 18, 1829, and is the eldest of the eleven children born to Patrick H. and Alice (Dimmitt) Weaver, who were natives of Virginia and North Carolina. Patrick H. Weaver, when six years of age, 1809, came with his parents to this State, locating in Wayne County; in 1822, he moved to Tippecanoe County, where he still resides on his farm of 160 acres. He was a soldier during the Black Hawk war, and is now owner of con- siderable quantities of land in Tippecanoe and adjoining counties, besides his farm. Milton W. Weaver, in January, 1853, came to this township and settled on 160 acres of wild land owned by his father. This he par- tially improved and soon after bought forty acres adjoining. In the fall of 1863, he returned to Tippecanoe County, and enlisted, in December, in Company I, Eleventh Indiana Volunteer Cavalry, and was mustered out in September, 1865, at Leavenworth, Kan. In the spring of 1867, he sold his place in this township, farmed a year on shares in Tippecanoe County, and then came back to Round Grove and bought the eighty acres on which he still resides. He also owns a part of the old homestead in
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Tippecanoe County. September 16, 1852, he married Sarah Baltimore, a native of Wayne County, Ind., who has borne him twelve children, of whom eight are yet living. Mr. Weaver is Road Superintendent of the township, is a member of the Pine Grove Horse-Thief Detectives So- ciety, and in politics is a Republican.
CHARLES N. WESTFALL was born in Germany March 21, 1837, and is the youngest of the four children born to John and Christina (Kro - ger) Westfall. John was a farmer, a soldier in the German Army during the coalition against Bonaparte, and a member of the Lutheran Church. He died in Germany in 1873. Charles N. Westfall came to this country in about 1853, and for a year or so worked in New York State; in 1855, he came to Michigan City, this State, where he worked a year, thence to Chicago, thence to Racine, being employed at both places in the lumber yards ; in 1858, he returned to Michigan City, and for two years was en- gaged in fishing. He then came to this township, where he farmed by the month two years ; then farmed in Jasper County on shares one year, and in the fall of 1881, enlisted in Company K, Forty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served until June, 1862, when he was discharged for disability. For six months he again farmed in Jasper County, and then for three years in Tippecanoe County, then for two years in Benton County. In the spring of 1866, he bought eighty acres in this township, which he has since increased to 240 acres, and in the spring of 1883 started a grocery store at Dern. In 1863, he married Alice S. Hickok, a native of Ohio, who bore him six children, and died in 1873, a member of the M. E. Church. In 1874, Mr. Westfall married Adelia Win gard, a native of this county. In politics, Mr. W. is a Democrat, and both he and wife are members of the M. E. Church.
THOMAS YOUNG was born in Scotland April 14, 1818, and is one of the eight children living born to John and Jane (Bethel) Young, na- tives respectively of Ireland and Scotland. Thomas Young was reared on a farm until twenty years old, at which time he shipped as a sailor in the coasting trade, in which he remained four years ; he next shipped in the East and West India and American trade, and visited all the princi- pal seaports of the world, acting for four years as Steward of his ship. In November, 1847, he arrived in New Orleans, and was employed a few months at steamboating on the Mississippi River. He next engaged in farming and cattle-dealing in Meade County, Ky., and in 1868 bought 160 acres in this township, upon which he moved in 1871, having passed one year of the time intervening in Northeastern Mississippi. March 29, 1850, he married Susan Anderson, a native of Nelson County, Ky., who has borne him seven children, five of whom are still living-four boys and a girl. Mr. Young is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics, is a Democrat.
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PART II.
HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
BY WESTON A. GOODSPEED.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION-GEOLOGY-THE SOIL-ECONOMIC AND SAN- ITARY QUESTIONS-THE INDIANS-CREATION AND ORGANIZATION OF PULASKI COUNTY-THE COUNTY SEAT-PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS-PUBLIC LAND'S-THE CIRCUIT COURT-PUBLIC BUILDINGS-THE LAND OFFICES-THE POOR HOUSE-THE AGRI- CULTURAL SOCIETY - THE OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION - COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY-THE PETROLEUM COMPANY-STATISTICS-CATA- LOGUE OF PUBLIC OFFICERS-POLITICS.
THE physical features of Pulaski County present no special attrac- tions, yet there are certain economic questions, arising from the consideration of soil and climate, which bear more or less upon the health and happiness of the citizens, and which necessarily require some atten- tion. Geologically considered, Pulaski County lies upon the line dividing the Upper Silurian limestones from the Lower Devonian sandstones, though all these primitive rocks are covered, in some places to a great depth, by drift deposits. This line enters the county in Beaver Town- ship, thence passing northwesterly, and leaving the county near the northwestern corner of White Post Township. All that portion of the county east of this line lies within the Upper Silurian region, where, if excavations are made to a sufficient depth, limestone rocks are likely to be found next underneath the drift. All west of the line lies within the Lower Devonian region, where sandstone is likely to be found after pass- ing through the drift. As geological lines of this character are usually very irregular, these statements are, of course, only approximately correct.
The Drift .- It must be borne in mind, then, that all the surface soil of Pulaski County, from a few feet in depth along the Tippecanoe River, to more than 200 feet in depth on some of the surrounding
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
elevations, belongs to what is known as the Drift deposits, or soil which has been transported here from distant regions through the agency of ice, and deposited upon the primitive rocks of the Silurian and Devonian periods. As the rocks of these periods are too far down to ever be of much practical value, their further consideration will be dropped, and the nature and characteristics of the Drift will be noticed. Geologists sup- pose that, during a period called glacial, all the earth's surface north of about forty degrees of north latitude, was covered, sometimes to the tops of the highest mountains, with a vast body of ice, that is thought to have been formed during a period of some 12,000 years, when the north pole was turned farthest from the sun, owing to a peculiar variation in the direction of the earth's axis through a period of about 24,000 years. At least, all the evidences show that the earth's surface north of about forty degrees of north latitude was once, and for a long period, covered with vast fields of ice, and at other periods with tropical vegetation, even as far north as the eighty-second degree of north latitude. After the ice had been formed through this long period of years, the north pole slowly returned toward the sun in response to the motion of the earth mentioned, and, as it did so, the southern border of the vast ice field began to melt away. This resulted in a general southerly movement of the ice, which was forced along, pushing down the elevations of land, and slowly but surely grinding the primitive rocks into powder, sand or gravel, and transporting them to latitudes farther south. Glacial markings are found on the rocks everywhere, and all indicate that the movements of the glaciers were southerly. In this movement, the glaciers took, or scooped up, vast quantities of soil in northern localities, which became frozen in until the ice had reached the warmer sections and had thawed, when such soil was dropped upon the primitive rocks, or upon similar deposits of transported earth. This soil is now known as the " Drift," or " Bowlder deposit," and covers all Northern Indiana, including Pulaski County, to a depth of from a few feet to several hundred feet.
It will be at once seen, that soil deposited under the conditions above stated, would render the surface very uneven or billowy, forming, in some places, high hills, and, in others, deep hollows. The action of the ele- ments in subsequent periods would reduce the hills and elevate the vales. The deep hollows without outlets would become lakes. Lowland would unite with lowland, and the chain thus connected would form a brook or river. Thus is presented in outline what, no doubt, actually took place ; and thus is reached the consideration of the surface features.
The Soil .- The character of the soil and the configuration of the land, considered in relation to the effect upon life and property, may be classified as follows : 1. Nature and peculiarity of the surface features
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
and soil. 2. Economic and sanitary questions arising from their con- sideration. In regard to the first, it may be stated that about half of the county is prairie land, the other half woodland. The woodland is situ- ated mostly along the water-courses, but is sometimes found far out on prairie tracts, and is almost invariably located on the sand hills and ridges. The forest trees are usually scrubby oaks, though very large trees are often found near the streams. Hickory, sugar and soft maple, walnut, whitewood, and a few other varieties of wood are found in lim- ited quantities. The surface in the neighborhood of the streams is well drained by natural outlets, but back some distance becomes very low and level, and largely lacks natural facilities for drainage. There are large tracts of land so low and wet, that their utilization, even for pasturage, is only partly successful. The woodland soil is usually very sandy, so much so as to be quite sterile and unproductive. The prairie land is usually alluvial, richer and better for the agriculturist. Tippecanoe and Meta- monong Rivers and their branches drain the entire county. Bruce Lake, lying on the line between Harrison Township and Fulton County, is the only lake. An arm of Grand Prairie extends several miles into the southwest part of the county. Other prairies are Rocky, Two-mile, Fox- grape, Dry, Northwestern, Oliver's and Pearson's. A few of the groves are named. Farther west in Illinois, the groves are all named ; and far- ther east in Indiana, Ohio, etc., all prairies are named. Pulaski County is situated between these two extremes. The wet prairies, when properly drained, are excellent for grazing ; and the dry prairies are excellent for almost all the farm products. Soil for brick, tile and pottery is found in various portions of the county. Extensive fields of bog-iron ore underlie the wet prairie tracts in Cass, Rich Grove, Franklin, Jefferson and other townships. Several are so rich in the ore that it is only a question of time when smelting works will appear.
Drainage .- Owing to the large amount of wet land in the county, a very important subject is that of drainage. It may be said, in general, that all land should be underdrained. It is clear that in times of heavy rains the rolling lands are washed of a large portion of their richest material ; and also, as the rain itself contains many necessary elements of fertility, if it be permitted to run off without having first passed through the soil, such elements are lost, or conveyed to the low lands. Here, then, are two causes which combine to impoverish the rolling lands.
Judicious underdrainage will, in a large measure, prevent both. The following may be considered a general summary of the benefits of under- drainage :
1. The surplus water which greatly damages the growth of crops is removed.
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HISTORY OF PULASKI COUNTY.
2. The depth of the soil is increased, thus allowing the roots of plants to descend to greater and better depth for the necessary food, and beyond the action of continued droughts.
3. Air, containing vital elements of life for the plant, is admitted to the roots.
4. The soil is enabled to absorb fertilizing substances from the lower depths of the ground, that otherwise could not be used.
5. The decayed vegetation in the soil, and the nitrogenous food ab- sorbed from the air during a considerable time of fair weather, are pre- vented from being washed away by sudden freshets.
6. Such rainfalls are passed through the surface soil, which absorbs the ammonia, nitrogen, and other plant foods contained therein.
7. The surplus water, after passing through the surface soil, is car- ried off rapidly through the drains, thus preventing the severe cooling process of the evaporation of such water, and rendering the soil warm and porous.
8. The warmth and moderate moisture promote the germination of seed.
9. The cheerless labor of replanting is avoided.
10. The packing and baking of the soil is prevented; it is left open, porous and easily pulverized.
11. Winter crops are prevented from being frozen out.
12. The damages of long-continued wet weather are avoided.
13 The surface soil, from its porosity, can, in time of drought, ab- sorb moisture from the air, and draw drafts of water from the lower depths of the ground, a most desirable state of affairs.
14. The uniformity and yield of crops are satisfactory.
15. The quality of crops is greatly improved.
16. Years of useless labor are saved and enjoyed.
17. The source of half the diseases incident to humanity is de- stroyed, and all the attendant blessings follow.
Perhaps the strongest reason for a thorough system of drainage, especially about dwellings, is the certain means thus adopted for the total avoidance of the various malarial disorders resulting from the poison spread broadcast in the atmosphere by the large quantities of decaying vegetation. That many of the fevers, such as typhoid, typho-malarial, intermittent, remittent, bilious, ague, etc., and their attendants, neural- gia, pneumonia, bronchitis, diphtheria and consumption, are largely due to malarial poison, is no longer a question of doubt. In order to avoid these distressing disorders, the cause must be removed; this can only be done by judicious drainage. The real magnitude of the cause is not fully realized. Families will continue to drink from wells that are the silt-
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