USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 29
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Now to analyze and systematize the influences which generate activity, and to focalize the events whiel these influences produce, can only be done by giving separate, complete and full histories of each locality; and from these separate and complete local histories, carefully analyzed and systematized and made thoroughly reliable
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through the care with which they are prepared, may be compiled the broader histories of State and nation. And thus the subtle powers which produce the activities and events of life, either of individual men or of nations, may be seen,-in their relations, in their influence, and in their effects,-and thus the untold wealth of historical lore accrue to the stock of blessing to the world.
It is in this spirit that the present history has been undertaken. La Porte county is one of the most important counties of the great State of Indiana. While it has been developing its possibil- ities, and has been submissive to the influences that have been brought to bear upon it in this development, and these have had to do largely only with its own people, yet it has not been wholly remitted from extraneous influences, neither has it been shut up within the range of its locality-within the perimeter of its own boundaries-for the full effect of its activities. And while many of the influences that have been at work, and the results attained (which are noted in the body of the work) are similar to those in other localities, yet there are elements that are distinctively its own, and have produced results as distinctive. These have been care- fully sought after, and as fully brought out as the resources at com- mand would permit. It is these that will give the book its own individual interest.
To subserve the two purposes now developed,-that of rendering some valuable service to general history by furnishing a source from which the general historian may draw, and of individualizing a local history by arraying its distinctive elements,-has been the constant object before the mind in the compilation of the follow- ing records.
CHAPTER I.
GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
HISTORY AS CONNECTED WITH TIME AND PLACE.
It has been said by some one that geography and chronology are the eyes of history; and this statement has more truth than is apparent at first thought. Historical events must be observed through the locality in which they took place, and the time when they occurred, if the full influence of those circumstances and sur- roundings are to be discerned which have been instrumental in producing the facts which are noted and of establishing the present status of things, or that will have so much to do in securing the future conditions. Hence it follows that the locale of historical events and the time of their occurrence must be definitely associated in the mind of the reader of history if he would be a proficient in the wisdom of the past.
No one can rightly judge of the effect and influence which history has exerted over the world, especially of the facts of which it is composed, who has not these two elements, geography and chro- nology, somewhat radically fixed in the mind. This is a conclusion drawn from the following premise: If one should attempt to judge of events disassociated from geography or chronology, he would be endeavoring to determine the weight of that which never had an existence, and hence must be as imponderable as space.
To illustrate this point: Suppose the reader of history is consid- ering the connection and the bearing of the battle of Waterloo on concurrent and succeeding events, is endeavoring to cipher ont the influence which it had upon the world, in its various interests, at the time of its occurrence, that he may trace the line of its power and influence in producing the particular events that followed. In his study of this most thrilling fact, he studies the glowing accounts which he has of the terrific struggle of the contending parties. His imagination is so ronsed and warmed that he can see all the maneuvers on that hotly contested battle-field by both armies, and understands the effect of each movement in its influ- ence in determining the results of the battle. He can see how this move of Napoleon, and the counter move by the Duke of Welling- ton, the promptness of this under officer and the failure of that one, by determining the results of the conflict, contributed to the overthrow of Bonaparte and his schemes of ambition. He has a perfect view of the battle as an isolated fact, a full conception of it as a single event. But now suppose that he puts this event, of which
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he has such full conception in an isolated condition, in connection with some locality in America or Australia, and associates it with aneient or medieval times, it is most consummately apparent that he is thoroughly disqualified to judge of its bearings upon the society of the world, and to determine its effect upon subsequent events,- to trace the line of its influence in shaping the policy of the nations, for the following reason : No such event has ever transpired on the American or Australian continents, nor is there such a one associated with ancient or mediæval times; hence there is no such event in history as he is considering, though there has been a battle of Waterloo. And as the fact, as he connects it, has no existence there can be no line of influence proceeding from it, and all explorations in that direction will be useless. So of all histor- ical facts. They must have the right connection both of time and place.
As to the chronology of the events noted in this history the most careful attention will be given, and every fact will be assigned its proper time as it is narrated. The geography will now be given so that the reader may have at all times the two great instruments by which historical facts are to be judged and their proper influ- ence determined.
BOUNDARY.
The following is the boundary as determined by the Congressional surveys. Beginning at the point where parallel 41º 46' of north latitude intersects Lake Michigan, in section 12, township 38 north, range 4 west of the second principal meridian; thence east 16 miles on said parallel, 41º 50,' to the section line dividing sections 9 and 10, township 38 north, range 1 west; thenee south 8 miles to section line dividing seetions 15 and 22, township 27 north, range 1 west; thence east 2 miles to section line dividing sections 13 and 14, same township and range; thence sonth with said section line to its intersection of the Kankakee river, near the southeast corner of section 11, township 36 north, range 1 west; thence with the meanderings of the Kankakee river to its intersection of the section line dividing sections 3 and 4, township 35 north, range 1 west, in section 3 of said township and range; thence south with said section line to its intersection of the township line dividing townships 34 and 35 north; thence west with said township line to its intersection of the Kankakee river, in section 4, township 34 north, range 2 west; thence southwest with the meanderings of said Kankakee river to its intersection of the range line dividing ranges 4 and 5 west; thence north along said range line to its intersection of the shore of Lake Michigan, in section 30, township 38 north, range 4 west; thence northeast along the shore of Lake Michigan to the place of beginning. This territory includes all of townships 33, in ranges 3 and 4, north of the Kankakee river; all of townships 34, in ranges 2, 3 and 4, north of said. Kankakee river: all of townships 35 in
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
ranges 2, 3 and 4, and the west half of said township in range 1; all of townships 36 in ranges 1, 2, 3 and 4, except sections 1 and 12 in range 1; all of townships 37 in ranges 1, 2, 3 and 4, except sections 24, 25 and 36, and the nine northeast sections of range 1; half of townships 38 in range 1, and all of townships 38 in ranges 2, 3, and 4 which are south of the parallel 41º 46', north latitude, and which forms the northern boundary of the State. The county, as thus described, contains about 590 sections, or about 378,000 acres of land.
ORIGINAL TERRITORY OF INDIANA.
To get the original status of the territory included in the above boundary, we quote the following from the American Cyclopedia under the article " Indiana."
" Indiana originally constituted a part of New France, and sub- sequently of the Northwest Territory. The exact period of its first settlement is not ascertained. In 1702 a party of French Canadians descended the Wabash, and established several posts on its banks, and among others Vincennes. The Indians made little opposition to the new comers. Until 1763, when the country was ceded to the English, nothing is known of the early settlers. By the treaty of cession, however, they were confirmed in their possessions. The treaty of 1783 included Indiana in the United States. In 1788 an Indian war broke out, which caused great distress at Vincennes. In 1781 the Indians were attacked at the mouth of the Tippecanoe by Gen. Wilkinson, and by subsequent victories of Gen. Wayne a dangerous confederacy was broken up and the tribes were obliged to submit. The whole district now began to enjoy that repose of which it had been for many years deprived. By the treaty of Greenville in 1795 the United States obtained several eligible parcels of land, and settlement began to make considerable progress. On May 7, 1800, Ohio was erected into a separate Territory, while all the country W. and N. was included in the new government of Indiana. The . Territorial Government was organized July 4, with William Henry Harrison as Governor. In 1805 Michigan was also set off, and in 1809 Illinois, leaving Indiana with its present limits."
The limits of Indiana, as given by the same authority, is as fol- lows: "Indiana is situated between latitude 37° 47' and 41º 46' N., and longitude 84º 49' and SSº 2, W." Within this Territory will be found La Porte county, the exact locale of which we have already given,-touching, as it will be seen, the extreme northern limit of this extent of country, its northern line being the parallel 41º 46' of N. latitude.
ALTITUDE.
The favorable condition of any country is very much dependent upon the altitude at which it is found,-the height above the level of the sea,-in connection with its higher or lower latitude. It is
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
a well-known geographical fact, that if a sufficient altitude is reached, even under the equator itself, the intensity of the polar cold and all the conditions of the polar regions will be found. So altitude and latitude have very much to do in giving a country its elements of prosperity,-and, as a consequence, their influence has no little to do in the development of higher or lower civilizations among men as they produce favorable or unfavorable conditions for prosperity. We note this item in the locale of La Porte county in order that we may more effectually trace the causes of the prosper. ity which we shall be called upon to do in detailing its history.
Across the county, in an irregular way from east to west runs the high elevation of land, which may not in its more proper sense be called a water-shed, but which serves the purpose of separating the waters that flow, part through the Mississippi river and its tribu- taries to the Gulf of Mexico and part through the Great Lakes and their outlets to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. From the crest of this swell of land there are declensions either way,-that on the northern side being more appreciable than that on the southern side, es- pecially toward the western part of the county where it declines to the shores of Lake Michigan.
The highest point in this ridge, and the highest point in the county is about two miles north of the city of La Porte. This elevation reaches 270 feet above the level of Lake Michigan and hence is 870 feet above the ocean level. The following altitudes, given by Prof. Cox, State Geclogist, in different parts of the county, will serve to give some conception of the general conforma- tion of the land of the .county. At the depot of the Lake Shore railroad, in the city of La Porte, the elevation is 250 feet above Lake Erie, or 810 feet above the sea; at Wanatah, 150 feet above Lake Erie, or 710 feet above the ocean; at La Crosse, 102 feet above Lake Erie, or 662 feet above the ocean. From these alti- tudes, it will be seen that the southern slope of the county dips 148 feet from La Porte city to La Crosse, giving it that much of a southern declination. Does it make any difference in the ele- ments of prosperity for this part of the country that it is a declination of 148 feet rather than elevation of 148 feet? Would this reversal in the altitude produce any changes in the condi- tions of the country, and hence in the happiness of the people?
On the north of this elevation from which we are taking our survey of the altitude of the county there are what may be called two declinations,-the one inclining toward the northeast and falling as it approaches the St. Joseph river; the other inclining to the northwest, and by a very rapid descent approaches the shore of Lake Michigan. At this latter point it has fallen until the eleva -. tion is but 600 feet above the level of the sea.
Putting these various altitudes, declinations, slopes, etc., together and a tolerable accurate idea of the elevation and conformation of the surface of the county may be obtained. In the declination to the south are found all of Dewey, Hanna, Cass, Clinton, Noble,
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
Union, Johnson, Lincoln, Pleasant and Scipio, and parts of New Durham, Centre, Kankakee and Wills townships. In the decli- nation to the northeast, are found Hudson and Galena, and parts of Wills, Kankakee, Center and Springfield townships. In the decli- nation to the northwest are found all of Michigan and Cool Spring, and parts of Springfield, Centre, and New Durham townships.
SURFACE.
Although in giving the altitude of the county we have indicated something of the special characteristics of the surface, yet there are a few other things that may be noted with interest. Aside from that greater elevation, already noted, which gives tone to the sur- face generally and sweeps in an irregular way from east to west, --- or rather bearing northeast and southwest,-the surface is gently undulating, and sometimes approaching that which may more prop- erly be called " rolling." This is especially true of that part which is adjacent to the "dividing ridge." On the southern side this undulating character gently subsides as it approaches the Kankakee river until it is almost, if not entirely, lost. On the northern side, the undulating character is maintained to a greater extent than on the southern, perhaps, but there is more or less of subsidence in different localities. The general lay of these " undulations," and " rolling knolls," is in the direction of the declination in which they are situated, except in the northwestern, where they seem to have a circular conformation to correspond with the shore of Lake Michigan, with which they seem to have a close affinity. But these are broken through by the streams, which again gives the appearance of inclining toward the northwest. Those in the north- eastern declination incline to the northeast, and those in the south- ern to the sonth. With these special peculiarities of surface the drainage of the county can be made almost entirely complete.
LAKES.
Aside from the great lake which washes its northwestern part, the county contains a number of most beautiful lakes of various sizes. In many places these "undulations," or extended waving " knolls," and which in a sense may be called " convolutions," are rolled together seemingly upon each other; and in other places they take a wide detour, compassing quite an area, in the basin of which may be found these beautiful sheets of water. Among these may be mentioned Hudson or Du Chemin lake in the northeastern part of the county. It is a beautiful expanse of water. Back from its shores of white sand, it is bordered and surrounded by luxuriant vegetation and gigantic forests, and within its clear and pure waters are to be found the finest fish. It is not far from two miles in length, with an average width of half a mile. Fish lake, in the eastern part of the county, is very peculiar, especially in its shape.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
It is between three and four miles in length and less than a half a mile in width; and it is so outlined that it might with propriety be called for lakes. This peculiarity has received such notice that each of these parts has received different names. The upper part is called Upper Mud lake. It is circular in form. Its out- let to the northwest empties into the next division, which has received the name of Upper Fish lake. This has a crescent-like form, so much so that it almost doubles back upon itself. It outlet to the southwest empties into the next part, which is called Fish lake. This is about one mile in length, extending from north to south. At its southern extremity, it empties by a narrow passage into the fourth division, which has been called Lower Mud lake. This lake, or rather chain of lakes, finds its final outlet to Mud lake (which is but a widening of the Kankakee river)
through the Little Kankakee river. Without attempting any description of the remaining lakes, we will mention the following:
Root's lake, in Pleasant township; Walker's lake, Clear lake, Stony lake, Fish Trap lake, Horse Shoe lake, Pine lake, and the two Twin lakes near the city of La Porte.
While there is no large river which cuts its way through the county, yet it is well supplied with water. The lakes mentioned, together with the numerous smaller ones situated in various parts of the county, and the smaller streams which are found in almost every part, and which carry their waters to the Kankakee, the St. Joseph, or Lake Michigan, furnish an abundance of water for almost every purpose.
In the southern part of the county, as the Kankakee river is approached, on account of the low subsidence of the ground as compared with the bed of the river, what would otherwise be either lakes, such as have been mentioned, or streams of running water, are to be found marshes. However, these are losing much of their marsh character, and are yielding year by year to the encroach- ments of the plow.
Small lakes, small streams and marshes furnish the water surface of the county.
SOIL.
There is a variety of soil found in the county. There will be no attempt to analyze the soil, but for the sake of convenience, the soil of the county may be classified under four heads: 1st. Sandy soil. 2nd. Timber loam. 3rd. Prairie loam. 4th. Vegetable mold. These four varieties of soil, of course under varied conditions, will be found in the four chief localities in the county. The sandy soil is found in those townships which border upon, or are closely situ- ated upon Lake Michigan. This is the soil which is mostly found in Michigan, Cool Spring and Springfield townships, and is less productive than either of the other varieties of soil, yet most ex- cellently adapted to the growth of certain products, chief among
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
which is the potato; and besides, the quality of all the grains prodneed is of the very best. The timber loam, or that which we have designated by that name on account of the forests which it has produced, is found in Galena and Hudson townships, and is of the richest quality. These two varieties of soil, found in the north- eastern and northwestern deelinations from the summit elevation, form a belt stretching across the northern part of the county, which may be called the timber belt; for that which is now almost bare, composing the sandy districts, was formerly covered with a dense forest of pine; and in early times was one continued forest of different varieties of timber. The prairie loam, so called because it is the soil found in that belt of prairie which extends across the county from the east to the west in intimate relationship with the summit ridge, is of surpassing fertility and richness. This prairie belt ineludes the greater portion of the county, and is beautifully dotted and interspersed here and there with groves of timber. This soil is adapted to the producing of almost every variety of cereals, roots and grasses, as well as horticultural products; but it is espe- cially well adapted to the cultivation of wheat, and large crops of this grain are almost annually secured. The county has the repu- tation of being one of the great wheat-growing counties of the State, which it has obtained through the fertility of this prairie loam soil. The vegetable mold, so called because it is so largely composed of decayed vegetable matter, is found mostly in that por- tion bordering upon the Kankakee river, and which formerly was considered only as valueless marshes. As these lands are becoming relieved of their waters,-the water level being made lower and lower,-they are developing into the very richest of land; and vast crops of grains and grasses are being secured, rivaling the abun- dant crops of the prairie loam which has placed so many of the far- mers in the prairie belt in easy circumstances.
Thus it will be seen that La Porte county has been blessed with a most prolific soil, especially when it is handled with intelligence and skill.
PRODUCTIONS.
On account of the variety of the productions which the soil of this county will yield, it might be isolated from all the rest of the world, and yet its inhabitants would be blessed and happy; every variety for human necessity almost may be produced. Its virgin production of timber has been a source of immense wealth,-indeed, so lavish was this prodnetion that it has never been fully appreci- ated; and we are told that excessive wastefulness of it has been the rule from the earliest settlements. One of the most beautiful exhibitions which it is possible to have is seen in the rural parts of this county when its laughing crops of wheat, corn, oats, grass, rye, barley, potatoes, apples, peaches, pears, cherries, etc., etc., are com- ing on to their perfection. But there is more laughing, more real
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
pleasure, perhaps, when these products are safely in the cribs, the bins, the mows, the cellars, and on the tables.
MINERALS.
While the county is thus noted for its soil products, it is not so abundantly blessed in mineral deposits. Nothing of any considera- ble importance has been discovered, I believe, except bog iron ore in the Kankakee marshes. Of this ore, Prof. Cox, State Geologist, in his Report of 1873, says: "Bog iron ore occurs in considerable quantities in the marshes along the Kankakee, and when some plan is devised for converting the peat, with which it is associated, into fuel adapted to use in a blast furnace, each may add to the value of the other, and naturally tend to bring the much-abused Kankakee marsh into more favorable notice." So far, we have no informa- tion that any considerable attempt has been made to utilize these deposits in the way suggested by Prof. Cox; or, indeed, in any other way. They may, however, be a source of wealth in the future when they shall be, by that or some other means, utilized. But whatever of wealth may hereafter be obtained from this bog ore, by any means whatever, it is certain that the chief sources of wealth in the county are its soil and its intelligent management.
ANTECEDENTS.
The study of nature, as it is presented in the geologic field, is yet in its infancy. It may be that with the finite powers with which men are endowed they may never be able to fathom completely the depths of Infinite and Creative Intelligence as they are to be seen in " the earth's enfolding rocky shrouds;" but through the close obser- vation of many intelligent and close-observing men, much has been developed. The following extract from Prof. Winchell's "Sketches of Creation" so trenchantly sets forth the sublime admiration of nature which this study begets in the mind of the devont student, that we are almost impelled to give it:
" It is wonderful to behold one of Nature's great plots worked ont with such undeviating unity of purpose. Though incalculable ages have elapsed since the nucleus of the American continent was lifted above the waves, we find the announcement then made to have been faithfully prosecuted to the end. What convincing proofs of the unity of the Creative Intelligence. The plastic rocks have always been molded by the same all-providing Artificer. How it exhalts our apprehension of His infinite attributes to behold Him bringing into existence a series of secondary causes, so sim- ple in themselves, but working out a succession of results so com- plex in their details, and presenting a history stamped with such uniformity of plan, such harmony of parts and such wisdom of de- sign. But these are only His doings in the material world. When we contemplate the manifestation of His attributes presented to us
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