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 62
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
selves, the discipline and the entire working arrangement, a source of great interest.
The county is proud of its schools. They are as open to the chil- dren of the humblest as of the wealthy. Social distinctions do not obtain a foothold, and through these public schools there is no royal road to educational preferment. The basis is purely mental advance- ment; and the rivalry that exists is that engendered by mental application. The goal to be won is the incentive, and the reward is one that is co-equal with the duration of life. Let the good work progress, and may the cry Educate! Educate! be raised until the school has reached perfection throughout every State and Territory of this Republic.
ELKHART VILLAGE.
We have learned something of the organization of Concord township in that chapter of the county history devoted to the records. Here it is purposed to deal specially with its history. In carrying out this intent it will be well to consider that Elkhart city is really Concord township -- not in the sense that Paris is France, but in that of wealth, number and influence. The census of 1880 leads one to such a conclusion. Out of a total township population of 8,402, no less than 6,938 congregate in the city, leav- ing only about one-fifth of that number, or 1,463. to inhabit Concord proper. The manufacturing and mercantile interests ren. der it the objective point of inquiry within the township; its educational establishments and churches contribute to make it the intellectual capital of that portion of the county, and an enterpris- ing. intelligent people offer it as a home to the industrious.
PURCHASE OF A PARADISE.
So early as 1826 the fact of its importance as a site for a town recommended itself to a few of the early settlers. Lewis Davis, whose name has been mentioned in the county history, saw the many advantages of the district; yet, for some reason unexplained, he did not seize the opportunity then presented, but, on the contrary, left his knowledge and his thoughts in this regard at the disposal of Dr. Beardsley, and with a singular philanthropy prevailed upon his Ohio friend to acquire the tract of land in the vicinity of the meeting of the waters. We have seen in the county history a record of the bona fide transactions between Dr. Havilalı Beardsley
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
and the Indian occupiers of the soil. Notwithstanding the high character of those dealings, a sale of lands agreeing in description with these transferred in April, 1831, was effected by Moran in February, 1827, and a portion of the Indian reserve placed in pos- session of Richard Godfrey, of Michigan. This transaction may be termed the beginning of a series of disputes, which were event- ually carried to the courts, and dragged, if we may use the term, their weary course through all the meshes of the law for many years. A review of the old correspondence in connection with the Moran-Godfrey transactions will explain more fully the claims of the latter on the estate of Dr. Beardsley. So early as 1826 Godfrey made overtures to the Pottawatomies regarding the purchase of their lands in the neighborhood of the confluence of the Elkhart and St. Joseph rivers; but the individuals with whom he conversed did not seem to entertain his ideas favorably. Being fully impressed with the value and beauty of the location he sought an interview with Chief Moran, and soon convinced the ruler of the band that by acceding to his offer the result would prove mutually satisfactory. During September, 1826, a petition was prepared, and sent to the department of Indian affairs; but owing to the irregularity of the act it could not be received, and was consequently returned enclosed in the letter of which the following is a copy:
To Pierre Morain: The treaty of Aug. 29, 1821, under which the petitioner, Pierre Morain or Perish, a Pottawatomie chief, holds the section of land referred to in the above petition, provided that the traets of land stipulated to be granted by said treaty shall never be leased or conveyed by the grantees or their heirs to any person whatever withont the permission of the President of the United States. It appearing to be proper in the opinion of Gov. Cass that the permission claimed should be granted, I, therefore, re- spectfully recommend that the petition be submitted to the Presi- dent of the United States for the purpose of procuring his sanction to the application.
Department of War, office Indian affairs. Approved 27th No- vember, 1826, I. B.
THOMAS J. McKENNY.
The returned documents were received, conference with Godfrey sought, and the petition at once made and sent to the President. This important document took this form:
To JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, President of the United States of America: The petition of Pierre Moran, or Perish, a Pottawatomie chief, hereby, sheweth, that by an article in the treaty of Chicago the 25th day of March, A. D. 1821; there was granted to your
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
petitioner one section of land and to his children two sections of land at the mouth of the Elkhart river; that your petitioner is con- siderably indebted to several persons and is desirons of making and also of making some permanent improvement on the lands granted his children, but has no other means at present of so doing but by sale of the said section of land belonging to him. Your petitioner therefore prays that the President will be pleased to grant him permission to sell and convey his said section of land so granted to him by the said treaty of Chicago, to enable him to carry into effect his wishes as above stated, as in duty bound will ever pray.
Detroit, May 31, 1826.
Witness, A. G. WHITNEY.
PIERRE MORAIN.
The President signified his assent in the following laconic sen- tence, and Moran was free to dispose of the Eden which was the home of his band and the cradle of his younger days.
The request of the petitioner, Pierre Moran, is granted.
28th November, 1826. J. Q. ADAMS.
The deed of conveyance followed close upon the receipt of Presi- dent Adams' approbation; so that in February, 1827, Godfrey was the nominal owner of ancient Elkhart. The deed ran as follows:
Know all men by these presents, that I, Pierre Morain, or Perish, a Pottawattamie chief as named in the treaty of Chicago, concluded by Lewis Cass and Solomon Sibley, Commissioners on the part of the United States and the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie na- tions, dated at Chicago in the State of Illinois on the twenty-ninth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and thirty-one, and that by an article of said treaty ratified the 25th day of March, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-two, there was granted to me a section of land at the mouth of the Elkhart river, with a stipula- tion that it should not be sold or leased without the consent of the President of the United States. Therefore, in consequence of his permission annexed to my petition herewith, and in considera- tion of the sum of three hundred dollars to me in hand paid by Richard Godfrey, of the county of Wayne, in the Territory of Michi- gan, the receipt of which I acknowledge, have granted, bargained, sold, and released, and by these presents do grant, bargain and release nnto the said Richard Godfrey, the section of land as above described, together with all and singular the rights, members, hered- itaments, and appurtenances to the said premises belonging or in anywise incident or appertaining, to have and to hold, all and sin- gular, the premises before mentioned unto the said Richard God- frey, his heirs and assigns for ever. And I do hereby bind myself, my heirs, executors and administrators to warrant and defend for ever, all and singular, the said premises unto the said Richard God- frey, his heirs and assigns forever. I do hereby bind myself, my
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
heirs and assigns against every person whatsoever, lawfully claim- ing or to claim the same or any part thereof. Witness my hand and seal this 2d day of February, in the year of our Lord one thou- sand eight hundred and twenty-seven (1827).
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of
JOHN PAXTON, JAS. M. MCCLOSKEY, his PIERRE X MORAIN. mark.
Whether Godfrey fulfilled his part of the contract has never been satisfactorily proven. Again, the fact of Dr. Beardsley's good faith in carrying out to the letter the part allotted him in the deed of April, 1831, cannot be doubted, nor was the approbation of Presi- dent Jackson given without an assurance that reciprocity, in good faith, existed between the aboriginal owner and the white purchaser. As has been stated, this dual acquisition of Indian lands created much trouble in the little settlement of olden times; and the pro- longation of the dispute aided, most effectually, in retarding the development of the village. The courts could scarcely ever settle the conflicting interests and opinions which existed, so that the only course left for adjusting the difficulty was arbitration or com- promise. Dr. Beardsley suggested the latter, and having obtained the acquiescence of his opponent bestowed upon him a valnable sec- tion of land east of the Elkhart river. Previously the Doctor was so conscientious as to caution all who desired to purchase lots or erect buildings against investing; because, as he said, the propri- etorship of certain portions of the property which he claimed rested on the strange antics of the law, and actually left him in a state of uncertainty. From the moment a compromise was effected the star of Elkhart's prosperity began to ascend, and by degrees continued its upward movement, until, in 1870-'71, the village cast off the swaddling clothes of its infancy, and rushed onward to com- mercial greatness within a few years.
THE ORIGINAL PLAT.
President Jackson's letter, approving Dr. Havilah Beardsley's purchase from the Indian chief Moran, arrived early in 1832, and prior to the lapse of a few months, the new proprietor was in pos- session of the favored tract. Without delay he employed Surveyor Crawford to lay out a village, and he, with commendable industry, completed the work entrusted to him and furnished Dr. Beardsley with his plat and description, which were duly recorded in April,
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
1832. The following is a copy of this document. taken from the old records of J. W. Violett's time:
STATE OF INDIANA.
Town. Elkhart.
Eikhart County.
ORIGINAL PLAT.
Beginning at the N. W. corner of lot No. 1. where there is a cedar post planted two feet in the ground in section No. 3. T. 3. N .. R. 5 E. 2d principal meridian: first. Main street. : 23 feet wide. bears N .. 20 degrees west. Second street. 66 feet wide and run- Ding parallel. Washington street, $2} feet wide, bears S .. 70 degrees west. and at right angles with Main and Second streets.
Jeferson. Jackson and Pigeon streets running parallel to Wash- ington street. Lots numbered in numerical order. 1. 2. 3. 4. etc .. throughont the plat.
All regular lots are $24 feet in front and 165 feet back. All sin- galar lots have their length given in feet on the lines and also the bearings. Eight lots in a block. and each block ent at right angles through the centers, with alleys 163 feet wide running parallel to the streets.
H. BEARDSLEY. Proprietor.
Recorded by John W. Violent, April 30. 1832.
A copy of the original plat of George Crawford was made in March. 1575. by Connty Surveyor Henry Cook, and duly recorded under oath. as a fire simile of the old map. It shows an aggregate of 4> lots, and gives prominence to a very precise description.
THE FIRST HOUSE
was constructed on the town plat by and for Horace Root. and the second by Samuel P. Beebe. This was situated on the north- west corner of Main and Jackson streets. almost on the site of the residence of Mrs. Beebe. Ranssalaer Harris inaugurated store- keeping near John Huntsman's log mill. on the north bank of the St. Joseph: but to Samuel P. Beebe must be accorded the honor of opening a mercantile establishment in the village proper. since his store once ocenpied the site of Stephen Downing's hotel. now over- shadowed by the Clifton House. Those early merchants were soon joined by Elijah Beardsley. Brodrick and Davenport. J. S. and A. Defrees and Geo. Crawford. John Newell. Presley Thompson and Angast Newton succeeded Stephen Downing in the hotel business. and together with the pioneer and mill-builder. Dr. H. Beardsley. formed the nucleus { a little settlement which was destined to extend until its name would hold a place on the commercial roll of the nations.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
A REVIEW OF MEN AND EVENTS.
The doings of old settlers are always interesting, although the subject has met with a general notice in the county history. The following may be of special interest to the people of Elkhart.
The presence of George and Mrs. Crawford as the guests of Mrs. R. D. Braden, in Elkhart city. July 10. 1876, was made the occa- sion of a most consolatory gronping of many old settlers. There were present, George Crawford, Henry Neal, N. F. Brodrick, R. D. Braden. J. D. Devor. M. Spangler, F. B. Pratt. W. J. Essick. Mrs. Hannah A. Crawford, Mrs. Rosalia Beebe, Mrs. Rachel E. Beardsley. Mrs. N. F. Brodrick, Mrs. Phila M. Seeley, Mrs. Isa- bella Henry. Mrs. Lonisa Defrees, Mrs. R. D. Braden, Mrs. John Cole. Mrs. A. M. Tucker, Mrs. John Cook. Mrs. I. B. Syphert. Mrs. F. B. Pratt.
The report of this meeting contains much that must be always of the greatest interest. The oldest settler present was Mrs. Crawford, who came hither with her parents in October. 1826. and settled on Beardsley' Prairie. In March, 1830. she, being then married to Mr. Crawford, removed with him to his new home on the north bank of the St. Joseph river. In Jannary. 1550, Mr. and Mrs. Crawford celebrated their golden wedding at La Porte. It was during this festival that Mr. A. L. Beardsley laid the seeds of that cold which brought him to his grave a few days later.
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
On the site of the present city were Jesse Rush and Andrew Noffsinger. They squatted on the northwest bank of the St. Joseph in March, 1827. or on that portion of the city now best known as Johnson's addition. Rush removed to Pleasant Plain early in 1525. and, as has been laid down in the county history, became the parent of the first white child born in the district.
Though Mrs. Crawford justly laid claim to the "oldest settler- ship." Mrs. Rosalie Beebe, a lady now 92 years of age. was the oldest person present. Her house was the first principal building constructed, immediately south of the St. Joseph river. in 1832, and may be said to vecupy the site of her present residence, near the corner of Main and Jackson streets. The chronicler of that meeting bears high testimony to the enviable characteristics of Mrs. Beebe. Like all early settlers. she and her husband, Judge S. P. Beebe, were hospitable in the extreme. Mrs. Beebe made the first
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
wedding garments, and also the first funeral costume ever intended to grace the nuptials or adorn the death bed of a white settler within the village. The lady for whom those garments were got- ten up was Mrs. Maria Ellis Woodbridge, sister of John W. Ellis. In the latter part of 1834 and the beginning of 1835 Mrs. Beebe spun sufficient yarn for 50 yards of cloth on the first spinning- wheel which appeared. in Elkhart. During the same period the lady knit 50 pairs of socks, for which she found a market in the Mishawaka settlement. Mrs. Beebe manufactured the first cake of cheese south of the St. Joseph, and Mrs. Rachel E. Beardsley the first one on the north side.
George Crawford's identification with the earlier years of the county is set forth in former pages. His utility in those olden times is now unquestioned. He was one of General Mitchell's assist- ants in 1840, when that soldier removed the Pottawatomies, Otta- was, and Winnebagoes to their new reservations.
The first grist-mill was built by him and Huntsman in 1829, near the confluence of the Christiana creek and St. Joseph river, and the first postoffice, known as Pulaski, was adminstered by him from 1829 to 1837. The labors of the ancient postmaster were not onerous, as his only duty was to examine the mails as the courier passed his residence north of the St. Joe. en route from Fort Wayne to Niles, and vice versa.
NAMING THE VILLAGE.
Dr. Beardsley gave to the tract of land lying immediately south of the river the name of Elkhart, on acount of the island at the confluence of the rivers resembling so much in form an Elk's heart. This name came into use in 1832; and three years after the Pulaski postoffice was changed across the river, henceforth to bear the name of Elkhart, and grow up with the village.
The first court was held in the house of Geo. Crawford and Chester Sage, in Pulaski, by Judges Peter Diddy and Win. Latta. This court has been fully noticed in the chapter devoted to legal gleanings in the county history.
The first physician was Dr. Havilah Beardsley, who established the practice of medicine here as early as 1830; but the first doctor devoting particular attention to the profession was Dr. Kenyon, who settled in the village of Elkhart in 1834.
John Van Frank
737
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
A temperance society was formed so early as 1830 by Thomas Morrison; but its influence was almost unrequisitioned, since drunk- enness did not prevail to any extent, and where it did take hold the society was absolutely unable to combat it. In 1842 a citizen of Chicago came hither, and. in defiance of the temperance orators, established a regular saloon. This may be considered a necessary evil, and to annihilate it is a work which man cannot accomplish. Education, the advance of knowledge and the constant building up of the intellect can alone master it.
The village school .- The settlers well remember the time when Mr. N. F. Brodrick was the conscientious school-teacher of the district. He instructed the youth of the village and adjoining settlements within the old cabin, on the banks of the Elkhart, in 1836, and even resorted to severe, if not very summary, measures to insure an observance of school discipline and close attention to study. This antique school-house was situated at the eastern ex- tremity of that portion of the city known as Washington street.
The first Sabbath-school was inaugurated therein by Mrs. Beebe, but this lady changed the meeting of children to her house, and, it is said, tanght girls of 18 summers the alphabet, together with giving them instruction in the principles of Christianity; here also she instructed J. R. Beardsley in the rudiments of the language which Americans speak, and laid the foundation of that moral knowledge which guided him and his cotemporaries throughout life.
The second school building was erected in 1837, on the site of the present lumber yard of H. E. Oakes on Second st., and hitherto occupied by the log cabin of James Bannon, which formed his home from 1833 to 1837.
The M. E. Church saw its first Elkhartian congregation assem- bled in Bannon's humble mansion in 1832. The Presbyterian faith was previously preached there by Luther Humphrey, and even before Humphrey's time the teachings of the Church of the United Brethren were inculcated in the same building by William Davis.
" Tammany Hall" was erected in 1836, on the spot now form- ing the corner of Main and Jefferson streets. In this hall the villa- gers were accustomed to meet and discuss matters pertaining to their miniature Venice. Temperance associations were strength- ened there, and such advocates of temperance as Justice N. F. Brodrick, " Little John," and the " reformed drunk," James Ban- guss, addressed large meetings, and may possibly have added a few members to their society. 44
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
The Baptist congregation was organized in old Tammany in 1:36. with but few members. The Presbyterians organized them- selves in May, 1540, within the house of Judge Beebe. and for three years made that their place of worship, until the erection of their first church. on the sontheast corner of High and Second streets. in 1×44. During those early years George Crawford and Isaiah Irwin were the presiding elders. and Noah Cook the first regular in- structor.
The first sewing-machine was introduced into the village by Mrs. Lonisa Defrees abont the year 1851. It served its purposes well, and though only an old cog-wheel Singer. it was the pride of the settlement, and the pet of the industrions old ladies for many years. Now, in 1880, it is a cherished heirloom, and forms one of the most interesting articles of household furniture in the residence of C. HI. Chase, whose lady is the daughter of the original purchaser and owner.
The first piano. brought into the village by Milo Chamberlain, is now in possession of Mrs. A. N. Chamberlain. Arriving here in the year 1550 it has, like the sewing-machine. been regarded with much interest, not only on account of its antiqne belongings. but also because each and every one of its notes awakens some en- dearing reminiscence, and calls to mind memories of many who per- formed on it or listened to its tones in days now long past. The instrument was the 167th manufactured by Dubois & Stodart, of New York. in 1839. and was purchased by the Chamberlains in 1545, while vet residing at Geneseo, in the Empire State.
The second instrument was introduced by John Davenport, in 1:52. Much more pretentious than its predecessor, and approach- ing in size and finish the pianos of the present day. it stands in testimony of the new era in piano mannfacturing. as inaugurated by .A. B. Gale, of New York, in 1:45. This second relic of the first musical eirele formed within the county is now in possession of Mrs. JJ. M. Hackathorn. The care bestowed npon it, shows the high appreciation in which it is held.
A SERIES OF HISTORICAL ITEMS.
In 1859. C. H. Chase established the Elkhart Review.
In 1×60, while some excavations were being made within the city. the workmen unearthed numerous skeletons and detached bones, and so extensive was the area over which these remains of the aborigines were scattered, that the learned among the visiting
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
crowds concluded the locality to have been the sepulehre of the tribes.
The conflagration of Dec. 8. 1860, though limited in extent, entailed heavy losses on some of the citizens.
The census of the town, taken in 1860. showed an aggregate pop- ulation of 1.623.
In 1861 the loyalty of the Elkhartians was unmistakably dem- onstrated. All seemed anxious to rush to arms in defense of the Republic. and so great was the enthusiasm of the people that not only a quota but several regiments could then be organized.
The ladies' aid society of Elkhart was organized Nov. 2, 1861. 1 month later the soldiers then engaged on Sonthern battle-fields contributed a very liberal sum for the support of wives and children at home. On May 24, 1862, another large remittance was received from them. This was very opportune; notwithstanding the provision made for the support of soldiers' families, money was still necessary. and particularly during that month. Many of the doctors of the city aeted most liberally, and gave their services gratis where such generosity was deemed necessary.
The small-pox assumed a threatening aspect in May. 1862; but fortunately such sanitary measures were taken as to stay its prog- ress.
The meetings of Unionists and fraternization of political parties may have been said to be accomplished between June 21, 1862, and Feb. 7, 1863. This patriotic course was suggested by the exigen- cies of the times, and became a precedent which gained much admiration.
The black rain fell Oct. 24-25, 1862. The shower came down fast and heavy during the night, and when the busy crowds went forth to their varied avocations next morning they waded through pools of jet-black water.
The celebration of the Fourth of July, 1863. was a magnificent assertion of the undying attachment of the people to the country.
The news of the fall of Richmond in April, 1865, was received at Elkhart with joy. The manifestations of the people were highly consolatory. and the great event was duly signalized.
The assassination of President Lincoln created a feeling of pecul- iar horror. The people, however, did not sit idly by to mourn; public meetings were called, resolutions of sympathy adopted. and the foul crime denounced.
The floods of February and March, 1866, caused the destruction of many bridges throughout the township.
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
The establishment of a ladies' library May 26 gave a new impe- tus to literary work.
A disastrous fire, which took place Dec. 12, 1567. caused heavy losses to many citizens. The great freshet of March, 1865. entailed the ruin of many bridges and much damage to property.
The improvement of the city was carried out extensively in 1869. The fire of March 11, 1869, was of a trivial character.
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