USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana, and its townships, towns and cities > Part 32
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The Eighty-seventh regiment was organized at South Bend on the 28th of August, 1862. It was mustered in at Indianapolis, and on the same day proceeded to Louisville, Kentucky, and immedi- ately entered on the campaign with Buell's army, against Bragg, engaging in the battle of Perryville. After the close of this cam- paign, it was engaged in various marches and skirmishes, and on the 23d of June, 1863, moved with the army of the Cumberland
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
and engaged in the Summer campaign against Tullahoma. which place it assisted in capturing, and them moved to Winchester, Tenn .. and soon after, over the mountains to Battle Creek on the Tennessee river. It participated in the Fall campaign against Chattanooga, and bore an honorable and conspicuous part in the bloody battle of Chicamauga, on the 19th and 20th of September, 1863. where among its numerous losses, Lieut. Abram C. Andrew, of La Porte. was killed. Col. Newell Gleason was now in command of the regi- ment, Col. Shryock, its first Colonel, having resigned on the 28th of the preceding March. On the 25th of November it was in the front line of the brigade in the storming of Mission Ridge. and afterwards engaged in the pursuit of the enemy to Ringold, Ga. It was engaged in the expedition against Dalton in February. 1864. and in the laborious campaign against Atlanta, it bore its full share of arduous duty. of march, skirmish and battle. It assisted in the pursuit of Hood after the fall of Atlanta, as far northward as Gayles- ville, Alabama. It then returned to Atlanta, and marched with Sherman to the sea, and back through the Carolinas to Goldsboro, N. C. Thence it went to Raleigh, remained there until after the surrender of Johnson's army, when it marched to Richmond, Vir- ginia. and thence to Washington, participated in the general review. and was mustered out of service on the 10th day of June, 1865.
The One Hundred and Twenty-seventh regiment (Twelfth Caval- ry,) was organized at Kendallville. on the 1st of March. 1864, with Rev. Edward Anderson as Colonel. Early in May, the regiment proceeded to Indianapolis. and thence to Louisville and Nashville. It remained at the latter place three weeks, when it was ordered to Huntsville, Ala .. and was assigned to guard railroad defenses, and watch the country between the river and the railroad, which was infested by guerillas and bush whackers. In pursuance of this duty. the regiment became engaged in many skirmishes, losing considera- ble in killed and wounded. On the 15th of September. 1864, it was ordered to Tullahoma, to garrison that post. Here it was con- stantly employed in watching the rebel General Forest. who was threatening Tullahoma with a large force, and with his forces it had several sharp skirmishes. Three companies. "C." "D." and "Il." were at Huntsville. and assisted in the defense of that place
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MILITARY RECORD.
against an attack of a portion of Forest's command on the 1st of October. It had other engagements with Forest's command at Murfreesboro and elsewhere, and proceeding to Nashville late in the Fall. it went into winter quarters. On Feby. 11, 1865, it embarked on board transport steamers, and went to Vicksburg. Miss., thence to New Orleans, arriving on the 12th of March, 1865. It next was sent to Mobile bay and participated in the operations against the defenses of Mobile. After the fall of Mobile, the regiment partici- pated in an extensive cavalry raid into Georgia, thence across Alabama, and to Columbus. Miss., where it arrived on the 20th day of May, 1865. From this place a portion of the regiment was sent to Grenada, Miss., and a part to Austin, on the Mississippi river, while the remaining companies remained at Columbus. All were engaged chiefly in protecting government cotton and other property until they were ordered to Vicksburg, where the regiment was mustered out on the 10th day of November, 1865.
The One Hundred and Twenty-eighth regiment was mustered into service on the 18th day of March, 1864, at Michigan City. On the 23d it left Michigan City by rail, and proceeded to Nashville, where it was assigned to Gen. Hovey's division, and at once started on the march to Charleston, East Tennessee, where it joined the 23d corps under command of Gen. Schofield, and on the,4th of May it left Charleston to enter on the one hundred days campaign against Atlanta. It participated in the movements about Dalton, Buzzard's Roost. and Rocky Face, and having moved with Sher- man's army through Snake Creek Gap, it shared in the battle of Resaca; and in all the subsequent campaign, in marching, flanking and fighting. it bore a distinguished part. On the 6th day of June, 1865, the Colonel, Richard P. De Hart, was wounded, and the command devolved on the Lieutenant Colonel during all the subse- quent service of the regiment. After the fall of Atlanta, the regi- ment went to Decatur, Georgia, and on the 4th of October, it moved with its corps in pursuit of Hood, who was reported march- ing northward. Then Sherman's whole army moved after him, past Alatoona, Resaca, Rome, and as far as Gaylesville, Alabama. From this place the regiment marched with its corps to Chattanoo- ga, and thence to Nashville, whence it was pushed out hurriedly
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
toward Hood's new front, as far as Pulaski, Tenn. So soon as it was ascertained that Hood was crossing the Tennessee river, a new position was taken at Columbia. Three days heavy skirmishing ensued, when the army under Schofield fell back to Franklin, where the regiment was engaged so hotly as to leave thirty-seven rebels dead in its front, though its own losses were few in number. On the 15th and 16th of December. it participated in the battle of Nashville, and assisted in the pursuit of Hood, driving his shattered and demoralized army beyond the Tennessee river. It moved next to Clifton on the river, where it embarked on steamers, and moved to Cincinnati, and thence by rail to Washington. and soon after to Alexandria. from whence on the 20th of February it embarked on an ocean steamer. and landed at Morehead City, North Carolina. moving thence by rail to Newbern. It then moved up the railroad towards Raleigh, was engaged in the battle of Wise's Forks below Kinston, on the 10th of March, where it lost heavily, and after- wards marched to Goldsboro. It was then sent to LeNoir Insti- tute, where it remained until the 9th of April, when it moved to Raleigh. with the entire army, Sherman having come from the sea. It was on duty in the city of Raleigh when the news came of the assassination, and it was only by extra vigilance that the city was saved from destruction. It was sent from Raleigh after the surren- der of Johnston's army, to Charlotte, and two months afterwards to Salisbury; where it remained in charge of the forty-three counties of Western North Carolina, until the 10th day of April. 1866, when it proceeded to Indianapolis, and was mustered out on the 18th of that month, being the last in service, of the Indiana troops.
The One Hundred and Fifty-first regiment was organized at Indianapolis, March 3, 1865, for one year's service, and did post and garrison duty at Tullahoma and Nashville, Tenn., until the 19th of September, when it was mustered out of service.
The One Hundred and Fifty-fifth regiment was organized at In- dianapolis, April 18, 1865, and moved thence to Washington. and Alexandria. and was soon afterwards assigned to garrison and post duty. in Maryland and Delaware, remaining in service until August 4th, 1865, when it was mustered out at Dover, Delaware.
The Fourth battery of light artillery, was mustered into service at
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MILITARY RECORD.
Indianapolis on the 30th day of September, 1861. It bore an eminent part in the campaigns of Buell against Bragg, Rosen- crans', including the bloody battles of Stone river and Chicamauga, and Grant's in the relief of Chattanooga, always rendering most efficient and valuable service. It was reorganized on the 14th day of October, 1864, and participated in the fight with Hood at Nash- ville. On the 1st day of August, 1865, it was mustered out of service at Indianapolis.
The Fifth battery of light artillery was mustered in November 22, 1861. It went to the front without delay, and in the month of March, 1862, it assisted in the capture of Huntsville, Ala. It bore an active and gallant part, in all the campaigns and operations of the armies of Buell, Rosecrans, Grant and Sherman, in the years 1862, '63, and '64, in Tennessee and Georgia, participated in all the important battles, and innumerable smaller engagements and skirmishes. At Pine mountain Capt. Simonson was killed, and here a gun from this artillery killed the rebel General Bishop Polk. It was mustered out on the 26th of November, '64, at Indianapolis.
The Twenty-first battery was mustered in on the 9th of Septem- ber, 1862, and immediately left for Covington, Ky. It engaged in a varied round of duty, in marches and skirmishes, in Kentucky and Tennessee. It was engaged at Hoover's Gap, Chicamauga and Mission Ridge in 1863. It was also in the fight at Nashville, on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864. On the 17th of September, 1864, Capt. Wm. W. Andrew was discharged by reason of disabili- ty, caused by wounds, and Abram P. Andrew became Captain. On the 21st day of June, 1865, it was mustered out at Indianapolis.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXI.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL.
The history of the churches of LaPorte county, must for a portion of our people, if not all of them, possess a deep interest. The author has therefore been at great pains to make this record as complete as possible, In the search for facts on this subject, he was fortunate enough to enlist the interest of Rev. G. M. Boyd. Presiding Elder of the La Porte district, who kindly furnished him the following paper, which gives a very full history of the Methodist Episcopal church in this county.
We write partly from personal observation. having been on the ground as early as the fall of 1836, but mainly from official docu- ments, such as the minutes of the annual conferences, and the journals of the quarterly conferences. In some cases we have not been able to get access to such quarterly conference minutes. as was necessary to a full knowledge of the facts we desired to bring out in our historical sketch.
In speaking of the year. the reader will bear in mind that we refer to the conference year, which in our conference has always commenced in the Fall when the annual session was held.
Another fact to be mentioned here. is, that for the first few years, the county was ecclesiastically connected with territory in other counties. the circuits being large. This will account for the fre- quent mention of other places not in the county.
In the Fall of 1832 the first session of the Indiana conference was held, and the State was divided into five Presiding Elder's districts, the most northern of which was called Missionary District.
To this. Rev. James Armstrong was appointed as Presiding El- der, or as he is called that year in the minutes. Superintendent. It is due to the memory of that eminent minister to say that his dis- trict was a laborious one, extending from near Lafayette on the Wabash to Kalamazoo in the State of Michigan; and from the Ohio
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CHURCH RECORD.
line on the east to Illinois on the west. This same Fall La Porte Mission was organized, and he received also the appointment of missonary thereto. By his arrangement as Presiding Elder. Boyd Phelps, who was stationed at Fort Wayne, and R. S. Robinson and G. M. Bostwick of St. Joseph Mission, supplied also La Porte Mis- sion, as Mr. Armstrong's extensive work gave him but little time to attend to the duties of the missionary. The number of members returned at the close of the year for the mission was one hundred and forty. Mr. Armstrong found when he came to the work, that a small class had been formed at a Mr. Aehart's near where West- ville now stands, by Jeremiah Sherwood, a local preacher who had preceded him in the county. This was the first class of Metho- dists formed in the county, if not the first Protestant organization of any kind. In the Fall of that year, Mr. Armstrong formed a class at Door Village, or on a log in the grove where the village now stands. This place like the land of Moriah, became consecrated ground. Here, during the next Summer, the infant church built a small chapel in which they worshiped for several years. It was erected on the site where the present church stands, and was the first house of worship, built north of the Wabash River. Of the men who united with that class. but few are alive. Lewis Keith and Thomas W. Sale still like veterans, linger among us. In 1833 the district was called North Western District, and Mr. Armstrong was Presiding Elder, and the mission was included in the South Bend circuit; Boyd Phelps being sent as the preacher, with Thos. P. Mc Cool as his assistant. This year several new societies or classes were organized in the county, La Porte I think was one, and an- other at Silas Hale's on Stilwell Prairie. and another at the house of Thomas Robinson in the south-west part of the county. "The circuit was large, extending from South Bend to Michigan City, and from Niles, Michigan, to the west end of Door Prairie. The numbers returned at the conference were five hundred and eleven, but how many were in the county, we cannot say. At the close of this year, Rev. James Armstrong was called from labor to reward. He died in great peace at his home ncar Door Village, lamented by all who knew him, and his remains repose in the cemetery at that
26
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ILISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
place. Perhaps no man has ever died in the county whose loss was so universally felt.
In the Fall of 1834. the district was called La Porte District. -- R. Hargrave. Presiding Elder. and S. R. Ball and T. P. MeCool, preachers. In 1835. the work was called La Porte Circuit. and R. C. Meck was sent as preacher, with Elijah Barns as a supply. This year a camp-meeting for the second time was held near Springville. It was an interesting meeting. In 1836. G. M. Boyd was appointed to the circuit with Stephen R. Jones as an assistant. This year I formed the class in the Galena woods at the house of Whitman Goit. Our preaching places were La Porte. Door Village, Robinson's. Warnock's. H. Clyburn's, near where Westville now stands: Van- Meter's. on the road from La Porte to Michigan City: Michigan City, Springville, Goit's, Wright's, near Rolling Prairie Station : Griffin's School House, Silas Hale's. Kingsbury, Admiral Burch's. and five other places outside of the county.
This year a Sabbath School was organized in La Porte. in which A. and J. B. Fravel took a deep interest. The latter gentleman in the absence of a barber, cut the hair of the gentlemen, charging them a dime each. and appropriated the funds to purchase a library for the use of the school.
The reader will pardon a little episode here. This year Daniel Webster, the eminent statesman, was making a tour through the West. It was on the fourth of July when he visited La Porte. and the little school was out in patriotic procession. Mr. Webster was standing in his carriage addressing the citizens, when the procession filed around the corner of the public square. His eye caught the scene. and turning to the crowd he exclaimed, " There, fellow citizens. is the hope of our country." The lips that uttered these words are sealed in death. but the truth of the utterance is manifest to all who observe the moral influence of the Sunday School on society.
This year our friends erected a small neat brick church on the corner lot now occupied in connection with the residence of Dr. Teegarden. Here they worshiped for several years. In 1837. Boyd Phelps and H. Van Order. were sent as circuit preachers. In 1838. Aaron Wood was appointed Presiding Elder, and R. Har- grave and J. B. Jenkins, preachers. This year Union Chapel, in
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CHURCH RECORD.
the Robinson neighborhood was erected, and the Robinson and Warnock classes united there. This house was a prominent point for Methodists for several years until Westville and New Durham became central points, and by removal, death, and other reasons this place ceased to be a place of worship. The first Methodist Church at Michigan City was erected. I think, this year. In 1839 the district was called South Bend District,-A. Wood, Presiding Elder, and Rev. Zachariah Games and G. W. Baker were appointed to the circuit. In 1840 the preachers were Z. Games and W. F. Wheeler. This year the circuit was confined to the limits of the
county. In 1841 Wade Posey and G. W. Ames, brother of Bishop Ames, were the preachers. This year a small chapel was built in Goit's neighborhood, and was called in honor of the senior preach- er, Posey Chapel. This was, in a few years, superceded by a better house, called by the same name. It still is a preaching place with a small society of good men and women. It stands upon an eleva- tion commanding an extensive view of the country, and surrounded by the graves of some of the best and purest citizens, who have departed this life.
In the Fall of 1842. W. H. Goode was appointed Presiding El- der, and A. Wood and L. W. Munson, were the preachers. Mr. Goode went one round on his district and was transferred by the Bishop to Arkansas, to take charge of missionary work, and A. Wood was re-placed on the district, and W. Griffith was employed in charge of the circuit.
In the Fall of 1843, C. M. Holliday was appointed Presiding Elder, and W. L. Huffman the preacher. At this conference, Union circuit was formed, including the west end or half of the county. and O. V. Lemon and B. Winans were the preachers. Mr. Huff- man was left in charge of the rest of the territory in the county except Mount Pleasant and Posey Chapels. I am not able to give the time when Mount Pleasant Chapel was built. neither that of Lamb's Chapel.
As the church increased, the interest in the Sunday School cause in- creased. The returns show an aggregate of three hundred and five scholars in the county. From the Fall of 1843 to 1856, all the preaching places in the county east of La Porte, except Byron and
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
McCasky's, were included in Terre Coupes and other circuits. and served by the preachers appointed thereto.
In 1844. J. B. DeMott was appointed to La Porte circuit. J. W Parrett to Michigan City, and S. Lamb to Union. This year the erection of Dormain church was commenced. but finished subsequently.
In 1845. G. W. Bowers was sent to La Porte. Jacob Cazad to Michigan City. and J. W. Parrett to Union.
In 1846. J. Daniel was appointed Presiding Elder, T. H. Senix to La Porte. J. J. Cooper to Union. with Michigan City attached thereto.
In 1847 La Porte was made a station. with H. C. Benson. pastor. Union circuit included Michigan City : and F. Taylor and J. G. D. Pettijohn were sent as preachers: and New Durham meeting house erected.
In 1848 Mr. Benson was returned to La Porte. This was the first instance of a preacher returning the second year consecutively to any charge in the county-such was the practical workings of the itineracy. F. Taylor was also returned to Union circuit, with E. J. Kirk as junior preacher.
In 1849 the appointments for the county were, LaPorte. W. Gra- ham; Union, Thos. C. Hackney. R. S. Latta. This year the present church edifice was built at Door Village.
In 1850 J. L. Smith was appointed Presiding Elder, and W. Graham to La Porte station. This year the church now ocenpied in the city was erected, partly by the efforts of Pastor and Presiding Elder as ministers. but mainly by the contributions of the people, for the people had a mind to work.
Union circuit was served this year by D. F. Strite and E. Hor- ner; Kingsbury mission by L. Moore: Michigan City by- - -
In 1851. J. Daniel was Pastor at La Porte: Union and Kings- bury. J. G. Osborn. He remained but two quarters and resigned his place. and T. P. Mathews was appointed preacher. Mr. Osborn was a physician by profession, but turned his attention to the law, and died some two years since, an honored member of the bar at Plymouth.
In 1852, J. R. Tansey was stationed in La Porte, but being transferred at the end of the first quarter to California. J. S. Don-
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CHURCH RECORD.
alson was appointed in his place. W. P. Watkins was preacher on Kingsbury circuit. This year the church on the Plymouth road, known as Salem chapel, was built. For the next three years this work was filled by Presiding Elders and preachers from Rochester and South Bend districts. In 1853 S. Taylor was sent to La Porte. In the close of this year the North-West Indiana Conference, held its session in the city, Bishop Simpson pre-
siding. This was a memorable time for our people and our friends. as they mingled with the ministers from the different parts of the conference, and enjoyed the religious services of the occasion, especially the sermons of Bishop Simpson, and Dr. Peck, now one of our Bishops. It was the second time the conference held its session in this city : Bishop Morris having held one in 1846.
In 1853, Union circuit was served by J. L. Donalson and Aaron Gurney : 1854, W. Hamilton and R. Bury ; 1855. H. B. Ball and A. Fellows: 1856. F. Taylor. H. O. Huffman.
In the remainder of this paper we will notice the different charges in the county under their respective heads.
In 1854, W. Graham was appointed Presiding Elder, and G. W. Crawford stationed preacher in La Porte. Mr. Crawford was a young man of promise, but fell a victim to consumption in early life.
In 1855. S. T. Cooper was appointed preacher. and served the church two years. Under his labors a good revival of religion occurred, and many were added to the church, and a new parsonage was built. He was succeeded in the pastorate in 1857, by J. M. Stal- lard: 1858. B. Winans was sent as Presiding Elder, and P Wiley, now professor in Asbury University, as preacher.
In 1859, A. A. Gee was stationed in the city; 1860, David Holmes, D. D .; 1861, Nelson Green; 1862. C. Skinner. The church and parsonage having by mismanagement become deeply involved in debt, Mr. Skinner had a hard, but to a good extent, a successful year. The church paid off several hundred dollars of their indebtedness.
In 1863. S. T. Cooper, Presiding Elder: G. M. Boyd, Pastor. For three years wo labored together with pleasure and profit. They were years of toil and anxiety. but of success. Over a hundred
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
sonls were converted and added to the church. and the balance of the debt on the church and parsonage, which was several hundred dollars. was paid off: and the audience room was thoroughly and beautifully refitted. and the annual conference held a pleasant session therein. Bishop Ames presiding.
In 1866. J. Thrush came as pastor. but stayed only one year. He served the church in South Bend one and a half years, and then removed to Pennsylvania and died. He was a fine preacher.
In 1867 J. Johnson was Presiding Elder, and remained on the distriet four years. during which time. L. C. Buckles served as pastor two years: T. S. Webb one. and L. Nebeker, one.
In 1871. L. Nebeker was Presiding Elder, and remained two years: the first of which JJ. Johnson was pastor. 1872. W. M. Darwoed was appointed pastor. 1873. G. M. Boyd. Presiding Elder-same pastor. In 1874, same Presiding Elder and pastor. Mr. Darwood's three years were characterized with some good revi- vals and additions, and with fine and tasteful church and parsonage improvements. In 1875. the present pastor. J. H. Cissel. was appointed, with the same Presiding Elder.
ROLLING PRAIRIE CIRCUIT.
This cirenit lay in the north and east parts of the county. and when organized in 1856. embraced Posey Chapel. Mount Pleasant. near where Rolling Prairie Station now is : Lamb's chapel. Summit school house, Salem, Bald Hill, Byron, and some other points. It was at the time included in South Bend district, with T. S. Webb. Presiding Elder, and W. Reeder and L. Moore. preachers. In 1857. same Presiding Elder. W. Reeder and C. L. Smith. preach- er». In 1855. T. S. Webb. Presiding Elder, T. C. Hackney and I. W. Joyce, preachers. At the fourth quarterly conference for this year. measures were taken to divide the circuit, which resulted in the formation of La Porte cirenit. of which we will speak here- after.
In 1859 the circuit was called Portland, and D. F. Barnes was appointed preacher. He served two years. Mr. Barnes is now a leading minister in Michigan conference. In 1861 HI. C. Fraley was sent as preacher. In 1862, J. Leach. who remained two years. In 1864 the circuit was again called Rolling Prairie. and J. E. New-
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CHURCH RECORD.
house was appointed pastor. He remained two years, during which time the church at Rolling Prairie was built. About or before this time, the neat little chapel was built at Maple Grove, by the efforts of W. Thomas and others. It is one of the most beautiful churches in the country. In 1867, J. H. Claypool was sent as pastor. In 1868, C. B. Mock. He filled the circuit two years, and was suc- ceeded in 1870 by J. L. Boyd. In 1871, E. W. Lawhon was the pastor, and was succeeded the next two years by B. H. Bradbury. In 1874. F. Cox became pastor, and was followed in 1875 bv the present pastor, G. R. Streeter.
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