USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > History of Elkhart County, Indiana; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history: portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 40
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THE TOWN AND ITS INSTITUTIONS.
The southern and western portions of the town were covered with a thrifty forest, worth probably fifteen dollars per acre or there-
460
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
abouts. The town had been christened " Pulaski," and its post- office still bare this name. There was no church in the place; but occasional meetings were held by the Methodists and United Breth- ren in the school-house. Sabbath-school was an unknown institu- tion. There was no regular whisky shop in the town; but the merchants dispensed the needful by the quart when required for medicinal or other purposes; but drunkenness had no existence in ' the community. Occasionally an individual from the wilds ot Baugo exhibited a little undue hilarity, but the instances were rare.
NEW ADDITIONS.
During the year several new comers made their appearance, among whom we recollect the Shney and Irwin families, Robert Sandford and the MeKelveys, but it was a year of wide-spread siek- ness, and the immigration came slowly. Throughout the country hardly a house was unvisited; whole families were prostrated. In Henderson Cole's family eleven were siek at one time; in the How- enstein family, nine. Some, on their recovery, gathered their house- hold goods together and turned their steps backward to the far East again; others remained to test the qualities of another season. The population of the town was abont 300, more or less.
RAILROAD MATTERS.
A survey of the Buffalo & Mississippi railroad had been made a little north of the present location of the Lake Shore road, a line designed, as John B. Chapman said, to connect the two hemi- spheres; but few ventured to hope for its construction. For an ont- let, the navigation of the St. Joseph was looked to as the main chance, and the tradition was even then spoken of, that a steamer from the mouth had onee ascended to some point in Michigan.
AN EDITOR AND A LAWYER.
Judge Beebe was the character of the place; he had been orig- inally a merchant, but was then settled to the occupation of a far- mer, and had just been elected by three votes to the office of Probate Judge. No other voters had the news. IIe was a man of more than ordinary intelligence, of great good sense and correet habits, and of honorable principles; but withal a free-thinker in religion and a practical joker. HIe had a nickname for everybody, but a warm hand for his friends. Ile discharged the duties of his office
461
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
with eminent ability and impartiality, but more men feared than loved him. The postal communication consisted of one mnail weekly from Fort Wayne to Edwardsburg, and the most welcome docu- ment it brought was the Goshen Democrat, then edited by that erratic genius, Thomas H. Bassett. When Tom was sober it came as regularly as the sun, when otherwise it came otherwise. Every- body said, even thirty-five years ago, that Elkhart was the place for a thriving town, but who of that day expected to see it as it is now? The relator's happy experiences are well worthy of attention. He saw Elkhart a nurseling in the arms of enterprising men battling with difficulties, and again he saw it a thrifty city leaping over all obstructions and making gigantic strides to reach the grade of a city. This it has done; the mission of the pioneers has been ful- filled, and a prosperous city made ready for the uses of the second generation.
MISCELLANEOUS.
It was ordered by the Board, at the session of September, 1832, that a sum not exceeding $100 be appropriated and expended on a bridge over Yellow Creek, on the State road.
In November, 1834, the Board of Commissioners received a remonstrance from Peter L. Runyan against groceries in the town of Goshen, which resulted in an ordinance to the following effect: " It is ordered that no grocery license or permit be granted until a majority of the freeholders in the town sign a petition for same."
The Court of Commissioners continued to proceed without a goblet or water vessel until September, 1836, when two pitchers and one tumbler were supplied. This tumbler exists at present.
The first coroner's inquest was held by Matthew Rippey, a Jus- tice of the Peace, in 1837, on the body of Elizabeth Vance.
The revenue of the county for the year ending November, 1837, was $2,225.21, and the expenditure from Oct. 1, 1836, to Nov. 8, 1837, $1,966.20, leaving a surplus fund of $259.01.
The 4th of July, 1837, was celebrated with eclat. A procession, marshalled by Col. Jackson and Major Violett, and headed by Capt. Myre's rifle company, proceeded to the court-house, where the reading of the Declaration of Independence, and an address for the occasion were rendered. Subsequently a recherche banquet which was spread in an arbor erected in the public square, fire- works and balloon ascents, and a grand ball at McCook's Hotel, gave the people a full opportunity to celebrate and enjoy the great- est of national anniversaries.
462
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
The amount received by Elkhart county from the surplus fund for 1837 was $5,831. This was solely intended for the purposes of aiding industry, and was to be loaned out to settlers on good security, at 8 per cent. interest, in sums not exceeding $400, and not less than $100.
The " honorable" Houston Taylor, of Benton, was lodged in the Centreville jail for passing counterfeit money. When captured there were $800 of bad coin found upon his person. The counter- feiter in attempting to escape in Marcli, 1838, was so exposed to the biting frost that his legs were frozen; however, his age and this misfortune could not save him from a term of two years in the penitentiary.
A bear measuring seven feet was killed in January, 1841, conven- ient to Goshen.
The robbery of 53 gold and silver watches and $130 worth of clothes from the stores of Mr. Geo. Stewart and Abner Stilson, occurred on the morning of Feb. 18, 1841.
The Land Bill, which provides for the disposal of funds arising from the sale of public lands, gives to Indiana its share of that fund, estimated to approximate $132,000 annually,
The first Thanksgiving Day celebrated in the county, November 25, 1841.
Oct. 16, 1843, occurred the burning of the Penwell tavern, at Elkhart; loss $2,000.
Agitating the navigation of St. Joe river and meeting at Bristol, in May, 1845.
An important paper on the proceeds of public lands was read by M. C. Dougherty at Elkhart Feb. 3, 1844.
A wolf hunt Feb. 1, 1845, by citizens of Elkhart and Noble counties.
Enumeration of Elkhart county, taken up to March, 1845, shows the number of white male residents over 21 years of age to be 2,- 134.
The warmest day. 1010, 9th July, 1846.
Fire at Bristol, $7,835 loss, 24th Feb., 1846. A store occupied by G. G. Lansing, who lost 84,500, insured for $4,000; Solomon Fowler, $1,600, insured for $$00; Wheeler & Porter, $575, insured for $500; E. Raymond, 8500; C. S. Dole, 8260; S. B. Romaine, $100, no insurance.
A grotesque-looking old woman who claimed the name of Allison was discovered roving at large through the forest in Harrison town-
463
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
ship in September, 1846. She evidently followed this wild life for some time, and was, when taken in charge by Daniel Shriver, Over- seer of the Poor, unacquainted with the ways of civilization, an unknown and unknowing waif.
1843-A RETROSPECT.
The county (which was incorporated in 1850) held a population of 6,560, as shown by the census returns of 1840, and Goshen then had only 600.
The County Commissioners were Horace H. Hall, Jonathan Wyland and Joseph D. Knox. E. W. H. Ellis was Auditor; Ira Winnegar, Assessor; Elias Carpenter, Treasurer; W. Dodge, School Commissioner; Geo. Taylor, Recorder; Jacob S. Raymer, Coroner, and W. R. Ellis and A. N. Hascall, Notaries Public. Abraham Cuppy and Samuel Taylor represented the district in the State Legislature.
The Bar was represented by Charles V. Stokes, Michael C. Dougherty, Thomas G. Harris and L. Pattorf.
The medical profession was represented by Doctors Wmn. Dodge, M. M. Latta, Joseph Grover, W. C. Matchett, W. J. Matchett, H. Wehmer, J. W. Chamberlain, E. W. H. Ellis, I. H. Henry, R. S. Kenyon, Elkhart; S. B. Kyler, Paul Henkel, Benton; L. H. Sov- ereign, Bristol; Cephas Dunning and David Sovereign, Middle- bury.
The mercantile interests were represented by Barnes & Defrees, Wolcott & Marston, James Cook, L. G. Harris, John Winder, Jackson & Fitzpatrick, of Goshen; Vail & Dair, of Benton; C. S. Dole and E. Raymond, Middlebury; S. B. Romaine, Owen Cof- fin, E. A. Lansing, L. P. Knight, Bristol; J. D. Defrees, Samnel Simonton, N. F. Broderick and Philo Moorehonse, Elkhart; and Milton Mercer, Wyland's Mills.
The postoffices of the county were administered as follows: Ho. ratio Pearson, Postmaster at Middleport, now Dunlap's Station; S. Baldwin, at Elkhart; I. Case, at Middlebury; I. R. McCord, at Goshen; Joseph Cowan, at Jackson; Solomon Fowler, at Bristol; and Sylvester Webster. at Benton. The mails were brought over the Vistnla road tri-weekly, passing west through Elkhart on Mon- days, Wednesdays and Fridays,and east on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
The Goshen Democrat was then the only journal published in the county.
464
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
The Methodist Church was represented at Goshen by Rev. L. W. Monson; at Middlebury by Rev. Erastus Doud; and Revs. Alonzo Monson and Geo. Rumsey, ministers at large within the district. The Rev. S. Ritz was Lntheran missionary. Rev. Theron C. Depew, Middlebury; Noah Cook, at Goshen, and A. S. Kedzie, at Elkhart represented the New School Presbyterians.
The Baptist ministers were B. Hess, at Elkhart, and John Hal- stead, at Benton. H. N. Strong was the accredited minister of New Jerusalem at Elkhart, and Corboly Martin, of the Christian Evan- gelists, in Jefferson township.
Elkhart county was then in the 9th judicial circuit. Ebenezer M. Chamberlain of Goshen was then President Judge, and Joseph Beane and Asa Norton, Associate Judges. Elbridge G. Chamberlain was Clerk; Ebenezer Brown, Sheriff, jailor and subsequently court bailiff. Bishop Samnel P. Beebe, of Elkhart, was Probate Judge; and James Beck, John Ferguson, Geo. Rumsey and Abner Stilson of Goshen; Samnel Gibble and John F. Smith, of Cleveland; Jonathan Cisna, of Middlebury; Daniel McCoy and John D. Elsea, of Benton; with Alonzo Gilbert, John Proctor, Jr., Samuel Brown, Lorin Brown, Elijah Adams, Sylvester Webster, Aaron K. Ball, China B. Smith, Erastus Brack, Josiah Ellston, Edwin Clark, Joseph Dalrymple, W. S. Butler and Daniel Dickenson, Township Justices of the Peace. What an increase in the number and labors of men following these vocations. To compare Elkhart county of forty years ago with the Elkhart of the present is indeed a pleasant duty, since it is the record of a well-bred boy, grown into the robust and upright man. The change is evidenced in other forms. Compare the following statement of the products of Elkhart Prairie in 1845, and rest con- tent that production of the land has kept up with the advances in population :
Farmers.
Wheat.
Corn.
Oats.
C. Myers.
2,070
5,040
300
J. W. Violett.
2,600
2,000
700
Oliver Crane ...
1,800
800
600
Henry Stauffer
400
1,000
200
Benjamin Cripe.
500
800
300
James Frier.
1,600
1,600
750
Wm. Summey
200
150
Nathan Smiley.
1,000
350
500
J. Beck. .
350
100
400
Samuel Stutzman
750
2,300
1,000
Isaac Smith.
500
800
600
L. A. Myers. .
389
700
150
Gideon Myers
425
300
150
Geo. Walker.
400
400
300
Francis Thomas
500
400
60
465
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Farmers.
Wheat.
Corn.
Oats.
Wm. Wilkinson.
1,500
1,800
1,500
Hiram Morehouse
850
860
500
Mrs. Irwin.
400
800
400
Elias Riggs
225
900
400
Wm. Simpson
400
450
100
R. D. Knox
200
325
325
John Longacre
1,000
800
400
J. Prickett.
450
500
100
Christian Shoup.
550
1,400
C. L. Hinton ..
1,000
800
700
John Miller.
1,200
1,000
800
Balsor Hess
3,000
2,000
1,500
Azel Sparklin
1,600
1,600
600
M. Bowzer
400
500
200
I. and N. Drake.
500
2,000
200
David Miller.
200
1,600
700
Wm. Latta
1,200
1,400
800
I. H. Barns.
1,000
700
300
Jacob Weybright.
600
600
400
M. Weybright.
700
1,200
700
Lewis Hayden.
1,000
100
R. McPherson.
500
400
300
M. B. Thompson.
500
1,000
1,000
John Jackson.
1,000
800
4,400
John Kiblinger
400
600
400
Elias Purl.
1,000
2,000
500
Total
34,709
45,475
20,235
The figures show the high state of the agricultural industry in 1845, as well as demonstrate what changes may occur within a term of boyish experience, or fifteen years. However, these statis- tics are insignificant when placed beside a tabulated exhibit of the productions of 1880, which will be considered in future pages. One of the many who aided in building up this prosperous county met with terrible affliction at the moment when his industry began to bear fruit. On June 3, 1873, the house of Joseph Dalrymple, of Harrison township, was totally destroyed by fire, and his wife, his daughter Clara, and his boy Eddie sacrificed to the dreadful ele- ment. It was a terrible calamity, but amid the sorrows of a deso- late father and husband, the sincere sympathy of a people was offered, and tended to allay the grief of that good old settler, who carved out for himself, and that wife and family whom he loved so well, a comfortable home in one of the most beautiful districts of the county.
THE GRAVES OF AGE AND YOUTH.
The first tenants of the old cemetery of Jackson comprised, among others, many of the early settlers and many of their children. Decoration Day brings their names into relief, so that numbers of
600
1,700
200
David Mikesell
200
Emanuel Cripe.
466
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
the living are thus led to visit the city of the dead, and, in wandering over the marked and unmarked graves of the people, to ponder on the uncertainty of this transitory world, to think on the good deeds of those who sleep beneath their feet, and to prepare themselves for the day of natural annihilation. An account of a pilgrimage to a rural burial ground, though it is itself of a melancholy char- acter, must be as interesting as it is instructive.
In Jackson cemetery are the graves of Mark B. Thompson, Dar- win Kyler, young Elsee, Albert L. Bushong and young Horn, with those of a few other soldiers who died in battle, or from wounds received in battle. W. A. Beane, in his review of the ceremonies of Decoration Day, 1872, said that he felt a deeper interest in this beautiful cemetery, in this romantic spot, than any other in the world, because, there in a row, lay seven of his dearest friends, besides hundreds of acquaintances and playmates of bygone years. On the tombstones are engraved the names of children who were buried twenty-five and thirty years ago, who, had they lived, would now be old men and women. Here are the graves of little Jerome Seaman, Jackson Thomas, a brother of Mrs. Nancy Raymond, for- merly of this place, but now living at Ganges, Michigan; little Ellen Stetler; a young son of Rev. Mr. Robinson; and a grand- son of Col. Jackson; James Longacre; and numbers whose names cannot now be remembered. Think what a number of middle- aged people there would be had they all lived. But we will not stop to moralize, but go on to give a list of those who have pre- ceded us to the other shore. Our first notice of old friends will be of the Prickett family. Elmer H. Prickett died Jan. 17, 1870, aged 45 years, 1 month and 18 days. In another place is the grave of Mrs. Josiah Mahala Prickett, mother of Elmer and Fielding Prick- ett, of Albion. She died April 7, 1833, aged only 27 years. Mr. Jacob Prickett, father of one of the editors of the Times, is buried there, and Thomas Prickett is buried by the side of his young daughter. They died on the 3d and 4th days of May, 1845, and were both buried at the same time.
Shelby Prickett, son of Thomas, fell dead in front of the church in the village of Benton, in the year 1850. Mrs. Mahala Stetter, his sister, lies in the same ground.
Mr. William Beane, father of the editor of the Democrat, died March 20, 1840. In May, 1872, his wife followed him to the grave, and in the interval five of their children were laid at rest around.
Miss Emily Horn, 20 years old, and Rosa E. Cox, a child of 12
467
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
summers, have their graves there, while adjoining are the sleeping places of the wives of Jesse D. Vail, and two of their children. There also rest Mrs. Elizabeth and Mrs. Catharine Darr.
Side by side are the graves of Edmund D. Burch and Samne. Walker. James Banta died in September, 1864, aged 49 years and 6 months. Mrs. Sarah Poorbaugh died 14 years before, and both are buried here. The wife of P. W. Roler was consigned to the grave in 1863. William Jackson, Harriet Jackson and Fred. Clark have been interred here, and over them are the unpretentious tomb- stones bearing their names.
Mrs. Elizabeth Long died in 1843, and there lay by her side two of her daughters who died while still young. Reuben D. Seaman died in 1844; his son, John D. Seaman, resides in Indianapolis at present. Francis and Margaret Thomas, and a son, Jackson, occupy one grave in the cemetery. John Dicky, Martha Longcor and Har- riet Chevington claimed a rest there, and close by is the grave of Asa Applegate. Jacob Pressler died in 1844, aged 42 years. Rev Jolın G. Walker and his wife died Feb. 3 and 4, 1855, aged respectively 68 and 72 years. Peter Frazer and his son lie side by side. Geo. Zinn died Oct. 7, 1852, aged 77 years. Chris. Myers and his wife Elizabeth claimed a single grave at the age of 80 and 73 years respectively. Geo. Zollinger and his wife are interred near by. Robert Price, William Price and numerous members of that family live together in this land of the dead. S. E. Cart- wright died at the age of 24. The daughter of Conrad and Sarah Smith, and Mrs. Julia Ann McCann are neighbors in the necropo- lis, while the Ullery family show the resting place of an infant son by a neat monument. Jesse Weddell died July 25, 1838, but his widow, now Mrs. Nancy Morehouse, dwells upon the old home- stead.
Owen T. Butler and others of the family are lying side by side. Close by are a number of their neighbors of the Darr family. Daniel Darr died Ang. 10, 1839, and by his side rest his father and mother. In 1872 old Mother Darr and Mrs. Thompson, old neigh- bors of 35 years' standing, were both ill at the same time. Now they lie close together, and young flowers have begun to spring up from their new-made graves.
Scattered here and there are the graves of Lewis Nichols, Harris K. Self, T. K. Lane, Susan Myers, wife of A. L. Myers, and three of her children; Elizabeth Simpson, wife of Wm. Simpson, who died in 1835. Elias and Chloe Riggs, her parents, aged respect- ively 84 and 79 years, all old settlers, gone to their account.
468
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
John D. Elsea died in 1863, aged 57 years, and holds a place amid a circle of his relatives, whose graves surround him. John Sipes was a young soldier. Sarah Ann Lacy, wife of Laban, died in 1845. Seges, wife of Norman Campbell, died Jan. 6, 1853, aged 52 years.
THE JACKSON LOT.
Within the burial circle of the Jackson family may be found the names of Mrs. Catharine Jackson, wife of Col. Jackson, who died in 1861, in her 67th year. She was one of the true pioneers and had a very large circle of friends. Near her is the lot of Com. J. L. Davis, of Washington City, with only one little lone grave, that of Anna Mary, who was 2 years 7 months and 20 days old, who died at Goshen. Next is Mary M., wife of Rev. R. S. Robinson, who died May 6, 1841, at the early age of 25 years and 25 days, One son is also buried by her side. Then little Mary E., infant daughter of James and Elizabeth Banta .. "Our Babe " is the only inscription on a pretty stone over the grave of the child of P. A. and M. E. Jackson. William Denny, John, Jane, Walter and Emily Denny are of a family well known throughout this section of country.
Rebecca Williamson died in 1862, aged 76 years.
On a full-length stone slab are the words, "Sacred to the mem- ory of Mrs. Mary Amanda Wolf, and her dead child." She was only 28 years and 11 months of age.
Mrs. Nancy Davis died in 1849, aged 79 years. Alexander Irwin died Ang. 22, 1835, aged 60 years. Mrs. Elizabeth Irwin, his wife, died Dec. 31, 1861, aged 71 years, and Elizabeth, their daughter, died October, 1840, while still under twelve years of age.
These were among the old residents of the county, and the parents of I. W., E. D., and Robert Irwin. Three of E. D. Irwin's chil- dren claim a pretty monument in the shape of well-kept graves. Indeed, the cemetery may be said to be well ordered; but many graves are neglected, so that they have been for years hidden in the luxuriant grasses and weeds. It is said that this cemetery is about the most ancient burial place within the boundaries of the county; that almost every citizen claims it as the resting place of a friend; though, on account of the decadence of the olden board commemorative slabs, the precise location of the graves of many is a mystery. The character of the times in which we live forbids this negligence; men should certainly have sufficient decency left
469
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
to lead them toinquire into the state of the graves of their departed relatives and friends, and thus raise up an humble or pretentious monument, as they may deen fit, over each grave now allowed to hide itself in the high grasses, or sink to the level of the surround- ing earth. The friends gone forever require this; the leaders of our civilization expect that all will follow their example according to their means, and not permit a few beautiful monuments to mo- nopolize the praises of the visitor.
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CIIAPTER VIII. LAW-ITS PILLARS AND ITS VICTIMS.
For justice all place a temple, and all seasons summer.
Man gives to man a subject for inquiry. It has been understood throughout the ages that crime is hereditary. The gambler who placed his fortune at the small mercy of a die long centuries ago may possibly be the ancestor of a present monntebank; and the creature whose passions led him to the crime of murder while yet Cæsar ruled the Roman Empire may possibly be the distant and most notorious relative of some of the monsters who disgrace the civilization of to-day. Whatever faith may be placed in the descent of criminal passions from father to son by the great majority of people claims some foundation. Demonstrations of hereditary de- sires are very common. Therefore it is not a matter for surprise to learn that he who is convicted of a great crime followed in the very footsteps of some ancestor. The advance of civilization has materially retarded an indulgence in criminal acts; it has not stopped .the workings of nature. Men who in former times followed the avocations of their fathers now seek ont varying labors, and thus the tendency of intuitive crime is held in check, though it never can be wholly subdued. Very few of such hereditary criminals join the fortunes of an early settlement. They come in after years, oftentimes with good intentions, and for a time observe all the conventionalities of life; bnt afterward the ruling passion begins to assert its terrible superiority over reason, and the result is crime, sometimes insignificant and base, sometimes monstrons and shock- ing. To preserve the lives and properties of the people against the machinations of such men, the State promulgated a number of statutes or legal rules, which not only prescribed the penalties and punishments to be inflicted on the transgressors, but also defined the manner in which snch laws should be administered. The rec- ords tell us that the people of Elkhart county put these laws in operation in 1830. The old Board of Justices was the great tribu- nal of the county, and its findings, primitive appearance, genial disposition, and above all, its desire to be impartial, made it an
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471
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
admirable institution, fully suited to the requirements of the time, and capable of adjusting all discords that might creep into exist- ence within the young settlement. The first general notice we possess of the judicial action of the old Board is given in a report made by the justices to their successors in the government of the county known as the " Board of Commissioners." The second is a record of the proceedings of the Circuit Court. Under the second order of affairs many causes of a serious character have been pre- sented. With the advance in population and knowledge new sources of disunion crept in, the matrimonial alliances were not in all cases judicious, opposing temperaments met only to oppose to the bitter end, and consequently numerons cases of the disruption of family ties ensued. Any of such cases will not have more than this reference here; but unfortunately there occurred a few mur- ders which throw a shadow over a history unexceptionally honor- able. To state some particulars regarding them is in accord with the principles of history, and for this reason alone they will have a brief notice.
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