USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 41
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" The Chair remarked that, to perfect the organization, officers would have to be chosen. Mr. Munday nominated General Orr for President. The General positively declined, and suggested the ap- pointment of a Committee to name gentlemen for said offices; whereupon Mr. Newkirk moved that a committee of five be ap- pointed for that purpose; which was carried. The following gentle- men were designated as such Committee: Messrs. B. M. Newkirk, I. N. Whitehead, John P. Teeple, D. C. Mckellips and D. P. Closser.
" During the retirement of the Committee, the enrollment went on rapidly.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
"The. Committee recommended the following for permanent officers of the Association: For President, Charles W. Cathcart; for Secretary, A. D. Porter; for Treasurer, General Joseph Orr; for Vice-Presidents, W. A. Place for Centre township, Thomas Reynolds for Hudson township, James Catterlin for Galena town- ship, Charles Vail for Springfield township, N. Conden for Michi- gan township, Daniel Lowe for Cool Spring township, I. N. White- head for Kankakee township, James Drummond for Wills town- ship, Shadrack Noysden for Lincoln township, I. G. MeCaskey for Pleasant township, William Callison for Union township, John S. Jessup for Scipio township, D. C. MeKellips for New Durham township, James Haskell, Sr., for Clinton township, Charles Wills for Cass township, J. N. West for Hanna township, and William O'Hara for Noble township.
"On motion of Mr. N. W. Closser, the report of the Committee was received and adopted.
" Mr. Sullivan said he would be glad to hear from Judges Niles and Osborn, who, he understood, were expected to speak. In response to calls, the two gentlemen then addressed the audience for a short time. They spoke but a few sentences each, but what they said was in excellent taste and spirit,-admirably fitted to the occasion. Both testified that the life battles and struggles of a third of a century, with all the antagonisms of parties, had left nothing of rancor or bitterness between the first settlers; that they were this day at peace and amity with each other, having been preserved from sickness and death, and signally blessed with health and worldly prosperity; they were glad the meeting had been held and the association had been formed; they hoped hereafter to wit- ness and take part in very many happy reunions.
"The President, in a few concluding words, expressed the same sentiments.
" The business being all transacted, and the evening already far spent, on motion the society adjourned to meet at the call of the Executive Committee. Longafter the adjournment, there was much hearty salutation and hand-shaking among the pioneers who lingered in the hall."
Thus were called together and organized into an " Association,"' after 40 years of settlement, the early settlers of La Porte county; and thus, also, is the account of their first meeting. Many responsive memories were awakened in the minds of these 108 pioneers as they were thus called together for the first time, no doubt, and they were knit together with firmer bonds of regard and respect. This does not mean that in the course of the 40 years there had been no antagonisms; for with honest, independent men, there must be, under the impulse of diverse interests and convictions, more or less of antagonisms; but these antagonisms were in the true spirit of honesty; and none were the less respected because of the activities that were begotten under the stimulation of that interest and conviction. The honest man, following the
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
lead of his sincere conviction in an amicable way, will always find respeet and regard, even from those whose interest and convictions are adverse. And thus we find it in this first coming together of those who had been so long shaping the destinies of their respective localities both temporally, intellectually and morally.
FIRST ANNUAL REUNION.
The success of the organization and of the first meeting of the Association made it possible to secure a second profitable and enjoyable meeting. Hence we find the "old settlers," under the direction of their Executive committee, convening again in Patton's Grove on the 22d of June, 1870. The following account of this meeting is taken almost bodily from the minutes which are pre- served.
" PATTON'S GROVE, LA PORTE, IND., June 22d, 1870.
" The 'Old 'Settlers' Reunion and Pienie' to-day more than met the expectations of the most sanguine. The weather was fine, and the arrangements were almost perfect and admirable,-as indeed they had to be when our old and indefatigable friend, General Orr, worked and engineered. A spacious tent was erected for the shelter and security of the eatables; and tables with seatings for about 400 persons were prepared.
"The pioneers began to come in their carriages, buggies, etc., quite early; and by noon 500 'old settlers' were assembled in the shade.
" The meeting was called to order a little before 12 o'clock M., by Hon. C. W. Cathcart, President of the Society. He expressed his gratification at seeing the faces of so many old friends, and his gratitude that they had been spared for so happy a gathering, through much privation and peril. In conclusion, he stated that the stick which he held in his hand, and with which he had rapped them to order, was from the roof-tree of the first house built in La Porte county, in March, 1829. Mr. L. J. Benedict presented it to the Society to be used as a gavel.
"When Mr. Cathcart had coneluded, General Orr made a few remarks, sketching the origin and history of the Association, and advocating the exclusion from the gathering of all not pioneers of 33 years' standing. The present organization, he said, was an experiment. Some rule as to membership and admission had to be established; he thought the requiring of 33 years' residence wholesome and reasonable. When either the husband or the wife had been here the prescribed time, he was in favor of admitting the other; it would not do to separate husband and wife. He believed in making the reunions select and exclusive, so as to preserve the real pioneer spirit and flavor. He had, at the request of others,
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
drawn up the first call and the present regulations, and held him self responsible therefor. It would be for the Society to approve, modify or reject the same as it pleased.
THE DINNER.
"The General then observed that it was about the hour when 'old settlers' were wont to take their noon meal, and thereupon asked from the platform: 'Mrs. McClure, how is the state of the dinner?' to which the good lady promptly responded, 'Ready.' The company was then seated at thic tables, when Rev. Mr. Hack- ney, of Door Village, ascending the stand, offered up brief but appropriate thanks. Then the hearty hundreds 'fell to' and dis- cussed as fine a banquet as ever was spread and heaped up under the sky. Several baskets were not unpacked and were untouched, and yet hardly more than half set out was eaten,-enough to feed 500 hungry men was left.
" After dinner and some pleasant chatting, the Society was again called to order, and a beautiful chair was presented to the oldest settler of the county, Levi J. Benedict, Esq., of Westville, in a few chosen remarks by the President, Hon. C. W. Cathcart. The chair was manufactured by the Messrs. Furgher, of the city of La Porte, and was donated to the Society for this purpose. Mr. Benedict then presented the Society with a walnut cane, which was made out of the roof-tree of the first house built in the county. The house was erected in March, 1829, by the widow Benedict and Mr. Henly Clyburn, her son-in-law, about one mile northeast of where West- ville now stands.
" The following officers were elected for the following year: For President, Hon. C. W. Catheart; for Treasurer, General Joseph Orr; for Secretary, A. D. Porter; and Vice Presidents for each of the townships as follows: Hudson, Fleming Reynolds; Galena, James Catterlin; Springfield, Charles Vail; Michigan, R. Couden; Cool Spring, Daniel Lowe; Wills, James Drummond; Lincoln, Newlove Labourn; Johnson, Allen Henry; Pleasant, J. G. McCas- key; Centre, Col. W. A. Place; Scipio, John S. Jessup; New Durham, D. C. Mckellips; Clinton, James Haskell, Sr .; Noble, William Callison; Union, W. H. Winchell; Hanna, Jesse N. West; Cass, Charles Wills.
" A motion prevailed that when this meeting adjourned, it do so to meet again at the same place one year from date.
" On motion of Mr. J. P. Teeple all gathered on and near the stand and sang ' Auld Lang Syne,' ' Old Hundred,' ' When I can read my title clear,' ' Old Folks at Home,' 'The Yankee nation', etc. The singing was ' with the spirit and the understanding.'
" Speeches were made by many of the members of the Society, referring to the hardships they endured the first few years of their settlement in La Porte county.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
" The business being transacted, and the speeches all concluded, the Society adjourned about four o'clock P. M."
The milestones of human life are set up at each recurring epoch, and here was another one reared in the memories of these pioneers, on which were inscribed the reminiscences which were brought to remembrance by this day's intercourse and association. The enjoy- ment of this day prepared the way for another.
SECOND ANNUAL REUNION.
According to a motion at the last meeting, the "Old Settlers' Association " was to convene on the 22d of June, 1871; and accord- ingly we find them assembled in Patton's Grove at that date. The meetings of the " Association " have become very popular with the pioneers, and on this occasion, although the weather was very unpropitious and the time came in a very busy season, which doubt- less kept many away, about 700 sat down to the loaded tables,- fully 200 more than were present at the former meeting.
" After the multitude had assembled in the forenoon, the Presi- dent of the Association, Hon. C. W. Cathcart, ascended the stand and called the assembly to order, congratulating them on the suc- cess of the arrangements that had been made for the happy occasion. Everything proved well for a good time; and although he had done little if anything himself to aid it, he was grateful that the com- mittee and their helpers had been so active and successful, and congratulated them and the Society upon the prospects before them.
"At the conclusion of the President's remarks, General Orr stated that he had been around looking after the dinner arrange- ments, and was glad to announce that everything bid fair for a splendid repast, and that all would be in readiness as soon as Uncle Jacob Replogle gave three blasts on his horn, which Jacob did with a right good will, remarking as he was about to do so that the horn, or rather the conch-shell, had been in the family for 200 years, and had been handed down from father to son (named Jacob) till he obtained it. The tables were soon surrounded by as happy a crowd as it is possible to conceive. The offering of thanks was made by Rev. T. C. Hackney, of Door Village circuit of the M. E. Church. All enjoyed the hour of dinner to the fullest extent; and, after all had concluded, more than enough fragments 'to fill 12 baskets ' were taken upand distributed to the poor.
" After dinner, a choir of 40 or 50 persons, old and middle-aged, sang 'Auld Lang Syne,' which was followed by a few pertinent remarks by the President, and the singing of ' America.' Hon. George Crawford after making a few remarks, closed by introducing Mr. J. W. Wilkinson, formerly of La Porte county, but now of Berrien county, Michigan. Mr. Wilkinson gave a brief history of his arrival and sojourn in this county, -- locating near Cathcart's grove in 1835. He spoke in the highest praise, and congratulated
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
the ' old settlers ' upon their good fortune to be the inhabitants of so goodly a land. At the conclusion of his remarks ' Hail Colum- bia ' was sung with great power, and with an understanding also. Afterward Mr. Joseph Wilkinson was introduced. He made his appearance on Door prairie when a boy, having purchased a horse when nineteen years of age in Virginia and rode it to this State. He spent the years 1835-'36- 37-'38-'39 in the vicinity of Cathcart's Grove. There he first held the handles of a plow; there he made his first crop of 16 acres of most excellent corn. He had been in inany portions of the country, but had seen none that pleased him so well as La Porte county. He had always claimed this as his home since 1835. Virginia was his first home; La Porte county was next, and for 27 years he had found a home in Alabama; but he never failed to grow enthusiastic in talking about La Porte county. He had met this day old friends who came from Virginia with him, and felt that it was a good thing to be here. Mr. Wil- kinson concluding his remarks, the old hymn, ' All hail the power of Jesus' name,' was sung.
" A motion prevailed that when the Association adjourns it ad- journ to meet at this place one year from to-day.
"On motion the old officers were re-elected, save where they had died or moved away. On calling the roll, it was found that Mr. Jesse N. West, of Hanna township, had died; that Mr. Charles Wills, of Cass township, had removed to Minnesota, and that Mr. James Haskell, Sr., of Clinton township, was about to remove from the county, who all were Vice Presidents from their respective townships. Their places were filled by electing T. W. Allison for Hanna, Edmund Evans for Cass, and Dr. Philander Loomis for Clinton.
"DEATH ROLL OF OLD SETTLERS.
" During the year, the following named 'old settlers ' passed away to their reward.
" William O'Hara, born in Morgan county, Ohio, February S, 1822; settled December 11, 1833.
" Mrs. Phebe Halloway, born in Campbell county, Virginia, January, 1792.
" Sinia Replogle, born in 1804; settled in 1834.
" Rebecca Cadwallader, born in Grafton county, Virginia, Aug- ust 10, 1790; settled in 1834.
" Charles Francis, born in Hartford, Connecticut, March 19, 1794; settled in November, 1834.
"Virgil Wilcox, born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, Feb- ruary S, 1796; settled March 1, 1835.
"Oliver Porter, born in Langdon, New Hampshire, July 11, 1802; settled Oct. 27, 1834.
" Edmund M. Westervelt, born in Dutchess county, New York, December 27, 1821; settled in 1836.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
S " Jesse N. West, who died a few weeks ago.
"The Association now adjourned as per motion.
The Association seems to have been up to this time acceler- ating in speed,-the meetings growing in interest and increasing in attendance. The true pioneer spirit seems to have pervaded all their comings together.
THIRD ANNUAL REUNION.
For some time previous to the 22 of July, 1872, the old pioneers of the county had been evidently looking with a good deal of interest for the return of the day which would bring them once more together. At last it came, and with it came also a most beautiful and propitious day. A large assemblage of these aged ones, at the appointed hour, were found congregated in Patton's Grove, according to last adjournment. This attendance was not quite so large as it was on the last occasion of their meeting perhaps, but it was very large notwithstanding. It is no wonder that it did not equal in number the attendance of the reunion of 1871, for that was unprecedentedly large for gather- ings of this kind. And this will be the more apparent when it is remembered that up to this time the Association had refused to admit any to their meetings but pioneers of 33 years' standing,- not even the children of these pioneers, unless they could show the requisite 33 years' residence in the county; and to gather up 700 of these at one meeting in a single county is, to say the least, remarkable. But here they came again in large crowds, this beautiful June day, to have another season of rejoicing and associ- ation together.
"The meeting was called to order by the President, Hon. C. W. Cathcart, who made a few well-timed and appropriate remarks. The mercy of the Father in the preservations of the past year and His blessings in storehouse and barn, were recognized in the invo- cation .made by Rev. Levi Moore."
The dinner scene was but the repetition of the preceding ones so far as the sumptuous repast and the enjoyment of the hour is concerned; and to detail it, is but to repeat what has elsewhere been said.
The election of officers resulted in the re-election of the old officers: Hon. C. W. Cathcart, President; General Joseph Orr Treasurer; and A. D. Porter, Secretary.
" Speeches were made by James Forrester and several others, and the utmost good feeling prevailed. A proposition to admit the children and grandchildren of the members of the society was laid on the table; and the meeting adjourned to meet again on Saturday June 21, 1873."
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
PASSED TO THE OLD PIONEERS' LAST MEETING.
The following members, who have not been noted before, have deceased since the organization of the Society, November 29, 1869:
Amzi Clark,
Elizabeth Armstrong,
Aquilla W. Rogers,
John Evans,
William Frow,
Mrs. Ira L. Barnes,
Zebina Gould,
Jesse Petro,
Samuel Booth,
Harriet Freese,
A. A. Reynolds,
Levi Paddock,
Elizabeth Whitmore,
Mrs. - Brand,
Elizabeth Fravel,
Thomas Finley,
Dudley K. Bricket,
Mr. . - Markham,
Abram P. Andrew,
Mrs. Hugh D. Soper,
Jacob Morgan,
Mrs. - - Koontz,
Charles Kellogg,
James Lookey,
Betsey Ireland,
Mrs. - - Gardner,
William Garwood,
Mrs. Lydia Culvyhouse
Peter Freese,
Shadrack Crane,
William Sutherland,
Samuel Griffin,
Isaiah Redding,
Ed. M. Westervelt,
Charles Vail.
In the city of the dead, and in the congregations of the unseen, will these from henceforth be found.
FOURTH ANNUAL REUNION.
The 21st of June, 1873, the day designated as the one for the Fourth Annual Reunion of the Association, was a most intensely hot day, and the roads were almost intolerably dusty. These are not very favorable conditions for calling out the aged and infirm,-to take them to distant parts, -no difference how interesting the occasion might be. But notwithstanding these unfavorable conditions, at the proper hour, and in Patton's Grove, was found a fine gathering of pioneers. Every part of the county was represented, -the dis- tant as well as the near. The assemblage was " old-settler " throughout, and exclusively pioneer, there not being, according to the estimate of General Orr, a half dozen interlopers inside the inclosure. The grounds, after they were reached, proved them- selves to be in first-rate condition,-breezy, cool, and free from dust. Beneath the trees was set an ample length of tables, and here and there were conveniently placed barrels of ice-water.
Hitherto the manner of partaking of the bounteous repast that was wont to be spread, at times at least, has been that of massing the food on the tables and then all hands surround the tables and dispatch the masses; but the order to-day was different from this,- it was not en masse, but in groups and families,-not in the bar- becue style, but in the enjoyable picnic style.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
"Toward the hour of 12 o'clock, M., the contents of the baskets being spread out, and every appetite being set on the sharpest edge, just at the hour of high noon, the dinner horn of tin blew a cheer- ful blast, which was recognized by all as the necessary invitation to lay hold of the tempting bounties; which all did after appro - priate thanks had been rendered by Rev. Levi Moore. One does not have to possess to any very delicate extent the sense of the ludicrous to discover, at this distance of time, that which is exceed- ingly ' funny ' and calculated to excite the risibilities as he stands off' and sees so large a company of old patriarchs, pioneers, falling upon the tempting victuals with the keenest relish, and striving to put them where, in their opinion, they will do the most good.
" After dinner was over, the President called the meeting to order; and short and appropriate speeches were made by the fol- lowing gentlemen : P. King, Elijah Barnes, Shep. Crumpacker, Levi J. Benedict, James Moore, Benajah Fail, and others. Mrs. Dan Fry also made a pithy speech, after which Mr. Philip Fail was induced to present himself on the stage as 'the oldest settler who came to the county a man.'
" General Orr expressed himself as of the opinion that this meet- ing was the best one that had ever been held in the county. It was true, gennine ' old-settler.' It was managed on the best plan, with the least expense; and seemed to be entirely harmonions and full of good feeling,-all of which was extremely gratifying.
" The old officers were all re-elected, on the motion of W. H. H. Whitehead, by a unanimous vote of the Association.
" At the suggestion of Mr. I. N. Whitehead, the list of Vice- Presidents was read, and the following vacancies filled: Mr. E. S. Organ, vice Charles Vail, deceased, for Springfield township; Mr. William Hunt, vice James Drummond (who has removed to Kan- kakee township) for Wills township; Levi J. Benedict, vice D. C. Mckellips, deceased, for New Durham township.
" A motion prevailed to continue the rules and regulations gov- erning the holding of the reunions, no one dissenting.
" The motion for adjournment provided that the next reunion should be held on June 20, 1874.
" A LONG MORTUARY LIST.
" Following the singing of the ' Rennion in Heaven,' by the choir, the following list of the pioneers who had departed this life since the last annual reunion was read. It is proper to remark that the subjoined list were not all members of the'Association, but it was deemed well to preserve the record of their deaths:
D. C. Mckellips, John Hawkins,
A. H. Robinson, Mrs. Esther Francis, Sarah C. Hanna, Dolly Wilcox,
J.C. Heald,
Amanda Peer,
George W. Shippey,
Margaret Stoner,
30
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
John Terance,
John Holliday,
John Marston,
Barclay Underwood,
Angeline Pinney,
Olive T. Enders,
Mrs. B. Rust,
Emily Weed,
Solomon L. Palmer,
William Sheridan,
Orrin F. Whitmore,
Isaac Dodd,
Ellen Warnock,
Thomas Galycan,
William Taylor,
Aurora Case,
Levi Garwood,
Elsia Shaw,
Mrs. C. J. L. Palmer,
Henry F. Orr."
Hiram Bennett,
This list shows that thirty-one of the pioneers of the county have passed away in a single year, and, in view of this, it is not wonder- ful that these friends of many years were drawn closer and still closer together as the years rolled along.
FIFTH ANNUAL REUNION.
These annual picnic reunions of the " old settlers" have now continued until they are becoming things that are matters "of course." Men are, more or less, " creatures of habit," and, when these habits lead into the ways of pleasant experiences, it is not very hard to convince them that they are all right. Going to " the old settlers' meeting" is becoming a habit, and a very pleasant one, too.
" The fifth annual reunion of the Old Settlers' Association was held, as per adjournment, at Patton's Grove on June 20, 1874. The old pioneers greeted each other with much hand-shaking and many socialities as they congregated under the shade of the grove trees on this the occasion of their annual reunion. The attend- ance was large-500 or more-and the feeling never better. Before noon a fine array of gray heads and friendly, beaming faces were under the trees, and the heaps of well-stored baskets suggested baked chicken and the picnic pie, etc.
" About 11 o'clock A. M. the meeting was called to order by the president, Hon. Charles W. Cathcart. Rev. O. V. Lemon read a selection from the Scriptures, and a choir, led by Mr. I. N. White- head, with Miss Emma McLane at the organ, sang the ‘Anni- versary Jubilee.' This was followed by a prayer from Rev. Mr. Lemon.
" These preliminary services having been performed, Judge M. K. Farrand, the orator of the day, was introduced and read a very happy address, which was well received by the hearers. At the conclusion of the oration Mr. A. B. Salisbury sang 'John Ander- son, My Joe,' after which adjournment for dinner was announced.
" The eating was after the free-and-easy style of the picnic, -- in families, groups and neighborhoods, -- on the tables and on the green sward. There was an abundance of the best, which was enjoyed with true zest.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
" After the feast of victuals came ' the flow of soul,' the pioneers mingling in the freest chattings, talking of the old times and the new, until about 2 o'clock P. M., when Uncle Nicholas Closser, blowing a shrill, strong blast on the conch, called the afternoon assembly. The fathers and the mothers massing in front of the platform, General Joseph Orr, in the absence of the president, rapped them to order. He then requested that all on the grounds who were 80 years old and over, should take the stand; whereupon the audience was presented with the following octogenarians:
"James Warnock, who was 80 years of age March 27.
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