USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 65
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In 1834 John Talbot, built a saw-mill in the northeast part of the township, on sec. 8 or 9; before it was completed he took Whitman Goit into partnership with him. This was probably the first saw- mill that was built.
In the same year the first child, a son, to Wm. Waldruff was born. Geo. W. Barnes built a saw-mill about the same time, which is claimed by some to be the first. It was situated in the south- west part of the township, where the elections were held in an early day. During the year of 1835 Matthew Mayes had a blacksmith shop at Mayes' Corners; it was the first in the north part of the county. Shubal Smith was carrying on a wagon shop about a mile west of that point. A man named Purcell put up a lathe for turn- ing wooden bowls, on Mud creek, near the school house known as " Mud Creek School-house." The enterprise proved unsuccessful,
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and Joseph Winch afterward bought the establishment and made splint-bottom chairs and spinning-wheels.
There came this year and settled in different portions of the township, Hiram Catterlin, James Wilson, John Rodman, Jede- dialı Austin, Hiram Bement, Samnel Vance, Lewis Weed, Matthew Mayes, Robert K. Smith, James Catterlin and Jacob Hickman. Martin Bates came this year and bought land, but went away and did not return and improve it until a few years after. In January, 1836 or '37. Walter and Ezra Brown came into the township; Kel- logg Shedd (June 5), John Brewer and Henry in September. During the year 1836 Abraham Burcham, Julius Tappan, Levi Paddock and Elder Caleb B. Davis arrived. Hiram Russ came in 1837. Solomon Palmer built a saw-mill in 1838, and in 1840 James Winch came and put up a turning establishment on Barnes' creek, where he made hubs, bed-posts and almost all kinds of wood- work which required turning. He also made spinning-wheels. He was a Free-Will Baptist preacher, and died in 1853. The property was sold to W. W. Francis & Brothers, and they built a grist-mill on the site in 1841. Willis Wright and John Wright put np a turning lathe about one mile and a half west of where Engene Davis now resides; they ran it four or five years and sold it to E. S. Dodds, who continned the business for some years, until the machinery became worn out and worthless. In the same year Loami Shedd started a small wagon shop, about three quarters of a mile east of where Centre School-house vow stands. In 1846
Charles Francis & Son built a saw-mill on Galena creek a mile and a quarter above Barnes' mill. In 1848 Wm. Waldruff and Hiram Bement built a saw-mill about three-fourths of a mile below Barnes' mill, on the Barnes' branch of Galena creek. Waldruff afterward sold ont his interest to Ira L. Barnes. Bement & Barnes sold to Richard Etherington. John B. Smith started a wagon shop in 1849 on the farm belonging to R. K. Smith, on the road from La Porte to New Buffalo. In the summer of the same year Valentine F. Smith built a small turning shop on a stream emptying into the Galena, about a mile and a half west of Winch's shop. Mr. Smith continned the business until the spring of 1854. In January, 1852, Whitman Goit, one of the first settlers and a good and enterprising man, who had filled many important local positions in this town- ship, was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree while he was engaged in getting out railroad ties. On the 5th day of March next following, Kellogg Shedd was accidentally killed by the tipping over of his wagon loaded with saw-logs, while on his way to Barnes' mill. This accident ocenrred near Centre School-house. The untimely death of these two men was deeply regretted by the early settlers and their friends, of whom they had many in the county.
In 1854 R. B. Goit and Wmn. Ingersoll rebuilt the old Talbot saw-mill, which had gone to decay. In 1857 Truman Barnes built a wagon shop about a mile north of the Centre School-house. In
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1858 the Francis brothers built a grist-mill about a quarter of a mile below Waldruff & Bement's mill. It is now known as the Finley mill. W. W. Finley owns and operates it at present. It was the first and only one erected in the township. In 1859 Nathan- iel Barmon opened a general store near Barnes' mill; he sold out to Valentine F. Smith, who remained there about 18 months, then moved to Mayes' Corners. There he kept the store for a time, when he sold out to Peter M. Hess, who kept up the establishment some two or three years and then abandoned mercantile pursuits. This store was the first and almost the last attempt at merchandis- ing in the township. Mr. Bircham, who is postmaster at Hatch's mills, keeps a very limited supply of groceries and notions, but makes little pretentions, however, of keeping a stock of goods.
In the spring of 1857 Valentine F. Smith built a saw-mill about 40 rods west of Mayes' Corners. He had in connection with it a shingle mill and barrel-heading factory. It was burned in the fall of 1862. This was the first steam mill erected in the township. In 1869 Dorf & Kenton erected a steam mill in the southeast part of the township a little west of Mount Pleasant. A steam saw-mill was moved from Rolling Prairie to Galena during the same summer of 1874 by Shaw and Johnson. The first school-house was built of logs on land of Theodoric Heckman, about 1836, and Amanda Armitage was the first teacher.
Previous to 1841 religions services had been held at the school and private houses. Shubal Smith had acted as an exhorter or local preacher of the Methodist denomination, while occasionally a regu- lar clergyman, Rev. Mr. Armstrong, paid the township a visit. Previous to the time above named a minister named Posey had been assigned by the Conference to administer to the spiritual wants of that denomination in Galena. He directed his influence among his brethren to induce them to build a chapel for a place of religious worship, and a day was assigned for all to turn out from far and near, to accomplish this object. At the appointed time they came from distances as great as ten or twelve miles and worked steadily for a week, when a very comfortable and commodious log chapel was completed. It was built upon an acre of ground given by Whitman Goit for the purpose, and named Posey Chapel in honor of the founder. It has since been torn down and rebuilt, a frame structure occupying the place of the old one. The Mount Pleasant M. E. church was built in 1844, named "Lamb's Chapel," after Mr. Lamb, who appropriated the land. It is situated at the junction of the town line and La Porte roads. It is a frame building about the size of an ordinary school-house, which it very much resembles. it was built by subscription of the people of the neighborhood in 1854. The Christian denomination is largely represented, and in 1865 they erected or completed a very fair church edifice. It is located on the southeast quarter of section 20, and Rev. Caleb B. Davis was its pastor for a number of years. Mr. Davis a short time since moved to the State of Michigan, where he occasionally
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
preaches. He is an old soldier of the cross, and has done much good in the neighborhood and surrounding country, in which he lived. His neighbors regret the loss of so honorable and religious man as Mr. Davis.
1 Some 35 years ago there occurred an accident near the present locality of Shaw & Johnson's saw-mill, which is almost forgotten, as there are none left of kin to the family in the township. There came from the State of Missouri a large, powerful man named William Mathews, who was noted for his quiet, unobtrusive manners, and was industrious and devotedly attached to his only boy, a child of some six summers. One day he was cutting timber while the wind was blowing a perfect gale. He had chopped at. the trunk of a tree as much as he thought prudent, and stepped back a few yards to take a view of the situation, when suddenly he heard a crackling noise and saw the tree falling. His child was at his side; between saving himself and his boy he hesitated not a moment. He grasped him and, with one effort of his herculean arm, cast the child beyond danger. In an instant more that brave father's heart had ceased to beat, and he lay upon the earth a crushed and bleeding corpse. The widow sold the property and moved away,-where, none in the neighborhood know.
On the 15th day of August, 1874, Galena was visited by a fearful storm of hail and wind, which did great damage to the standing crops. Thousands of fruit and forest trees were uprooted or broken; fences were blown down, barns were demolished, and dwellings nnroofed. The thunder kept up one continuous roar, heard above the rushing of the mighty winds and the crashing of falling water. The lightning was a ceaseless blaze. Hail as large as pigeon's eggs came down in sheets, and cut the standing corn into pieces. It occurred at about five o'clock in the morning, and never since the first settlement of Galena had such a storm, effecting such immense loss, visited the township.
When Galena township was first settled it was amost entirely covered with timber. Its surface is rolling, and in some places hilly. The soil is loamy, warm, and produces well. It is well adapted to the raising of fruit, and peach and apple orchards are very common. Some of the finest timber in the county may be found in this township. There are many fine farms in Galena, but to clear the land and make it available for cultivation has been the work of many years.
There is much difficulty in getting at the facts relating to the early settlement of a township like Galena, which do not present themselves as to one located upon the prairie, where it often hap- pens that the settler can stand upon the top of his cabin, and at a glance take in its entire boundaries. Citizens from its extreme parts rarely meet except at general elections.
No attempt has been made to lay out a village in this township, and the county records are unincumbered with any survey made for this purpose. There has been no common point for convivial meet-
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ings within its limits where men have lounged away their hours in telling for the thousandth time the tale of their early trials and privations.
It is the boast of the citizens that intoxicating liquors have never been sold as a beverage within their township; crime and poverty have been almost entirely unknown; the inhabitants have nearly all been tillers of the soil, generally religionsly inclined, hardy and industrious, frugal and honest. The township has been slower of development than in the case of those located on the prairie, but once subdued by man's labor, the husbandman receives a rich reward; crops are more certain to yield a return, and the result is that Galena township, having a soil naturally of great depth and richness, is becoming one of the wealthiest and most prosperous sections of the county.
PERSONAL HISTORY.
The personal history of Galena township is both interesting and instructive, and we will not fail to record it. It would give ns pleasure to speak even at greater length than we do, but the large number and limited space forbids.
Charles O. Barnes was born in New York in 1843, the son of Cyrus and Elza Barnes; he married Miss Eliza F. Wilson, a daughter of Samuel Wilson, who was born in 1848 in this county, and they have had 5 children: Bertha A., Lucy A., Celestine R., Charles W. and Fred C. Mr. Barnes follows farming on sec. 18, where he owns 43 acres. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. P. O., Hesston.
Wesley Barnes was born in this county November 18, 1841, the son of Phineas and Amanda Barnes, both natives of New York State, who came to this county in 1837, where he has ever since resided, living with his son Wesley. The latter married Miss Eliza Coudon, Sept. 4, 1875, who was born in this county in 1846, and they have 2 children, Annett.and Ellen M. Mr. B. has followed butchering the most of his time, but at present is giving his atten- tion to his farm, of 75 acres. Mr. and Mrs. B. are members of the M. E. Church. P. O., Three Oaks, Mich.
Martin Bates was born in Hampshire county, Mass., in 1807, the son of Asa and Jemima Bates, now deceased; he was reared on the farm; when he became of age he worked on the farm by the month, then obtained a situation in a liquor store, which position he held until he became disgusted and resolved to quit selling fire- water, which he did. Mr. B. went to Warren county, N. Y., and there married Miss Sarah Bolster in 1830, who was born in that State in 1808, and they have had 7 children, 4 of whom are living: Alvira, Mary J., Alzora and John. Mr. B. resided in New York until 1840, at which time he came to this tp., where his wife died Oct. 24, 1855. Not only did the husband and children, but also the community in which she lived, monrn her loss. Mr. B.
C
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has had good success financially, now owning 160 acres on sec. 26, of good land. He is a member of the Methodist Church. P. O., Rolling Prairie.
Benjamin Beal was born in Pennsylvania in 1824, the son of Aaron and Ann Beal, the former also a native of that State and the latter of Virginia. After the death of his father, Benjamin was taken by his mother to Ohio, where they remained until about 1842, when they came to DeKalb county, this State, then La Grange county, and in 1849 to this county, settling first in New Durham tp., then in Centre in 1864. In 1851 he married Rachel Cora, a native of Ohio, and 2 of their 4 children are living: William and Aaron O. About the year 1851 Mr. Beal cut the timber for the top part of the Teegarden building. In early life he was in limited circumstances, but by economy and industry he has now 423 acres of well-improved land. He and his wife are members of the Chris- tian Church. Residence, sec. 7.
George H. Bean was born June 6, 1851, in Chemung county, N. Y., and is the son of James C. and Hester Bean, who came to this county in an early day. In 1869 Geo. H. married Miss Anna Shrine, who was born in Orange county, N. Y., in 1854, and their 2 children are Alice and James. Mr. B. has followed lumbering, but at present is engaged in farming, owning 80 acres on sec. 36. He and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. P. O., Rolling Prairie.
Hiram Bement was born in 1833 in Wayne county, N. Y., and is the son of Hiram and Sarah Bement; the former was born in Vermont, July 24, 1796, and the latter in New Hampshire, March 15, 1798; they came to this tp. in 1834, landing at Michigan City; he died in 1874, and she in 1862, both in this tp. Hiram, Jr., the subject of this sketch, occupies the old homestead, where he com- menced life in limited circumstances, but has been successful in business; he now owns the entire homestead, 240 acres, sec. 15. He first married Miss Lavina Spalding, who was born in Berrien county, Mich., in 1843, and they had 1 child, Maud. He again married in March, 1879, this time Miss Harriet Warner, who was born in this county in 1842. His brother Orin served about one year in Co. C, 35th Ind. Inf. P. O., Hesston.
Joseph Biege was born in Northampton county. Penn., in 1810, and is the son of John and Betsy Biege, natives of New England; he was brought up on the farm, and in 1833 he married Miss Rebecca Hicker, who was also born in Northampton county, Penn., in 1807; their 7 children are Joseph H., Fietta L., Willoboy J., John H., Rebecca E., Ellen M. and Franklin M. Mr. B. emigrated to this county in 1853, locating in Kankakee tp .; in 1858 he removed to this tp., where he has followed farming; owns 80 acres in sec. 31, and has been reasonably successful. P. O., La Porte. Eleven years ago Mr. Biege visited his aged parents in Pennsyl- vania, whom he had not seen for 33 years. On seeing his mother he said, " How do you do, mother?" Says she, "I'm not your
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.
mother." " Ain't you the mother of Joseph Biege?" rejoined he. "Yes, I am; but you are not Jo." "Yes, I be." "Mother, don't you remember that when a boy I was very sick with two fevers at the same time, which came near ending my days?" After relat- ing other incidents of his boyhood she was compelled to surrender and accept him as her long absent son. His father presently enter- ing the room, he greeted him with, " How do you do, father?" but the father also, refused to own him, when Joseph had to resort to the same plan again to identify himself to his father. Said he, " Don't you remember one occasion when Mr. desired me to vote for a certain man on election day, and I refused ? and didn't he threaten to throw me out, when you interfered and told him he might get the worst of the bargain ?" This brought the aged sire to his recollection, and then he welcomed his long-absent son with outstretched arms as if the prodigal had returned.
William H. Billings was born in 1824, in Tioga county, N. Y., the son of Charles Billings, also a native of the Empire State; he was brought to this State by Mr. Barney, who raised him to man- hood; in 1837 he settled in Lake county, and in 1847 he removed to this county, settling in this tp. in 1864. In 1846 he married Miss Mary E. Miller, who was born in North Carolina in 1831, and of their 4 children 3 are living, Josephine M., James and Willie. Mr. B. has followed farming with fair success, and now owns 40 acres of well improved land, on sec. 20. He and his wife are mem- bers of the Christian Church. P. O., Hatch's Mills.
David F. Birchim was born in this county July 9, 1842, the son of Abram and Agnes Birchim, natives of Westmoreland county, Penn., who emigrated to Ohio, and resided there until 1835, at which time they came to this State and passed through all the hardships of the early pioneers. Mr. Birchim died June 11, 1856. David F. occupies the old homestead, and has had good success as a farmer. He has added considerable to it, now owning 248 acres, the greater portion of which is under a high state of cultivation. He raises considerable stock, making a specialty of the thorough- bred Poland-China hogs.
Mr. B. married Belle Francis Jan. 25, 1866, who was born in Berkley county, Va., in 1843, and of their 5 children 3 are living, to-wit: James A., Lio Lemmon and Adda F. Mr. B. is well known throughout the county, as he has been selling the Dowagiac Drill, IXL Wind Mill, and other farm machinery. He has held the office of Constable, and is now Assessor, which office he has held for five years; is also Master of the Masonic lodge at Rolling Prairie. Residence, sec. 25; P. O., Rolling Prairie.
Benjamin Brewer was born Jan. 27, 1796, in Fayette county, Penn., is the son of Henry and Jane Brewer, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland, who emigrated to Kentucky in 1799, where they resided four years, and then moved to Clarke county, this State, where Mrs. Brewer died. Mr. B. moved to Owen county, where he died. Benjamin was married, in Clarke
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county, in 1817, to Sarah Park, who was born in 1800 in Kentucky. Neither of their 2 children is living. Mrs. B. died, and Mr. B. married Elizabeth Rony in 1825. She was born in 1803. They have had 9 children, all of whom are dead but one, Margaret (Van Wagner). She has 2 children, Rynear De Loss and Orrin J. Mr. Brewer came to this tp. in 1836, where he followed blacksmithing and farming until a few years ago, when he quit active labor and is now living a retired life. He owns 80 acres of good land on sec. 26. P. O., Rolling Prairie.
Edward S. Cudwell was born in Madison county, N. Y., in 1827, and is the son of Simeon and Maria Cadwell, natives of Connecticut. They went to New York when young, where they married, and resided until death. The former about 1831 and the latter April 6, 1840. Edward S. was left an orphan, and was raised on the farm by Fred Hitchcock. When he became of age, in 1847, he married Miss Leva Gribley, who was born in Onondaga county, N. Y., in 1828. They have had 4 children, 3 of whom are living, Elva M., Mervin E. and Edward F. Mr. C. emigrated to this county April 14, 1854, where he owns a farm of 100 acres. The first pair of boots Mr. C. ever bought he earned the money for by blacking boots; and he worked in a paper-mill for money to pur- chase his first book. He has held the office of Trustee, has been Justice of the Peace several terms, and was a Census Enumerator this year (1880). Mr. C. is Secretary of the Masonic lodge. Resi- dence, sec. 21. P. O., Hatch's Mills.
Albert Coe was born Sept. 19, 1833, in Williamsport, Pa., the son of Horace and Harriet Coe, the former a native of Pennsyl- vania, and the latter of Connecticut. They came West in an early day, and settled in Michigan, where Mr. C. resided until his death. Albert came to this State in 1844, and to this tp. in 1866, where he has opened up a nice farm of 180 acres, on sec. 23. He obtained his start in life by working on the L. S. & M. S. R. R., some 15 years, 13 of which he was engineer. . He married Miss Eliza Thorn in 1857, who was born July 24, 1836, in Rockport, N. Y .; and they have 3 children: Hattie, Mary and Willis. Mr. C. is a member of the Masonic order. P. O., Rolling Prairie.
Eugene W. Davis was born in Monongahela county, W. Va., Dec. 20, 1832. His father, Caleb, and his mother, Sarah (Wagner) Davis, were also natives of Virginia, the former of English and the latter of German descent, who came to this county in 1831, first, looking at the country, and in 1833 moved and settled on the Phineas Hunt place, in Kankakee tp., where they resided until about 1835, when they moved to Springfield tp., and built a saw-mill on sec. 25. In 1838 they came to this tp. and set- tled on sec. 30, where they resided until 1879, when they moved to Shelby, Mich., at which place they now reside. Father Davis is widely known throughout this county, having preached the gospel for many years, without taking pay for his services. He labored without money or price, doing great good to his fellow
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man. He occasionally preaches where he now resides. Eugene was reared on the farm, and received a limited education, thongh at present he is a well-read man, getting his knowledge by his own personal efforts since he became of age. He has at present one of the best private libraries in the township, if not in the county. He commenced in life without a cent. He earned his first $100 by cutting cord wood at 40 cents per cord, gaining little by little, until now he is the owner of 200 acres of well-improved land. He re- sides on sec. 29. He married Miss B. A. Barnes Oct. 9, 1853; she is the daughter of Cyrus Barnes, who is also an old settler. Miss B. was born in New York in 1835. They have had 3 children, 2 of whom are living: Arthur C. and Frances E. (now Mrs. Finley.) In addition to his large library Mr. Davis has also a very fine col- lection of geological specimens, which attracts the admiration of all visitors. P. O., Hatch's Mills.
Richard Etherington was born in 1810 in Winchester county, England, and is the son of Richard and Elizabeth Etherington, natives also of the same county. He moved to America in 1832, stopping a short time in New York State, then to Ohio, then, in 1836, to Illinois, and finally to this county, locating at La Porte. He came to this tp. in 1840, settling on sec. 27, where he has ever since lived, but is at present on sec. 34. In 1833 he married Miss Elizabeth Thorn, who was born in England in 1814, and they have had 11 children, 4 of whom are living: Eliza, Jane, Edmund and Mary. Mrs. E. died about 1850, and the next year Mr. E. married Mahala Clark, who was born in New York State in 1813, and they had one child. Mrs. E. died in 1852, and the next year Mr. E. married Lucy Perry, who was born in New Hampshire. Mr. Etherington commenced in life poor, but he now owns 1,400 acres of land, two houses and lots in Rolling Prairie, and has given his children about $20,000. He has never gone to school, but has education enough for business. P. O., Rolling Prairie.
William W. Finley, son of Jonas and Sarah Finley, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Jasper county, Ind., about 1815, was born in that county in 1830, and brought by his parents to this county in 1836; his father lived here until he died in 1873, and his mother is living with her daughter, Mrs. Ross, in Springfield tp., this county. When of age Mr. Finley left the farm, and has ever since followed milling, in which he has had success; he has owned and run several mills in the county, and at present is the sole proprietor of the flouring mill on sec. 17. This mill is 36 by 24 feet in size, three stories high and has two run of stones. In 1856 Mr. Finley married Roxy A. Holman, who was born in Monroe county, New York, in 1833, and they have had 5 children, 2 of whom are living: Almer L. and Ella E. Mrs. F. is the daughter of Thomas and Margaret Holman, the former a native of England and the latter of one of the New England States, who came to this county about 1851 and settled at Springville, where they resided until 1879, when they moved to Hudson tp. Mr. Holman is a tailor
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