USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 74
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88
This township was named by Mrs. Miriam Benedict, mother of Levi J. Benedict, who chose for it the name of her nativity, Dur- ham, Greene county, New York. The first settlers were the Benedict family, Henly Clyburn, who had married Sarah Benedict in Illinois, and Thomas Clyburn. This was the first white family that settled in La Porte county. While it is true, perhaps, that hunters and trappers may have previously resided here, their sojourn was but temporary, and they could not be regarded as set- tlers. Stephen S. Benedict, together with Miriam Benedict, his wife, and his children, Joseph H., Alpha M., Levi J., John K., Holland, James W. and Sarah Benedict, emigrated from Durham, New York, in 1827, and settled in Illinois. They stopped a short time at Chicago, and thence moved to Ottawa, where Stephen S. Benedict died. In February, 1829, the family went to Chicago, where they remained but a few days, when they resumed their journey in an easterly direction, arriving in New Durham township March 15, accompanied by Henly Clyburn. After their long and tedious journey with an ox team, the snow being a part of the time 18 inches deep, they encamped about 60 rods north of the grounds where the Westville railroad depot now stands. Previous to their arrival at this point the little company had managed to send word to Pokagon Prairie, in Berrien Co., Mich., that they wanted assistance in erecting a log cabin ; and in accordance with the request Samuel Johnson and Wm. Eahart had arrived at the designated point a day before the party encamped. These men were pleased with the country, and after assisting in erecting two cabins, went back to Michigan, and returned with their families the following April, bringing Jacob Inglewright with them, who made a claim of the farm now owned by the Hon. C. W. Cathcart.
The same year Charles and James Whittaker settled on section 23, and Wm. H. Shirley came with his family. On the 16th day of July, 1829, the first white child was born in La Porte county. It was Elizabeth Miriam Clyburn, daughter of Henly and Sarah Clyburn. In 1830 William Garwood entered 320 acres of land on
(775)
1
776
HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
section 14, in the vicinity of New Durham, and moved upon it with his family.
A large number of Ottawa and Pottawatomie Indians were encamped in this vicinity, but they gave the settlers but little trouble. They bought the surplus crops, paying for them in hides and furs. These were sold to the fur traders for cash, which enabled many of the early settlers to pay for their lands, when they would have found it very difficult to have paid for them in any other way. Only one instance is known of the Indians having committed any depredations, and that was the killing of an ox belonging to Henly Clyburn. For this he eventually received the cash, by having it stopped out of their annuities at Chicago, where they were paid. Some idea of the remoteness of neighbors, the scarcity of stock, and the consequent inconvenience of. the loss of the ox may be formed, when it is related that Mr. Clyburn was obliged to solicit the loan of a yoke of oxen from Carey mission, at Niles, Michigan, in order to make a breaking team.
Among the settlers who came to New Durham township in 1831 was Alden Tucker, who settled on section 13. But this was a comparatively dull year for settlement, and there were but few arrivals. The year 1832 witnessed many more arrivals. Among them were Josiah Bryant and family, Jeremiah and Jonathan Sher- wood, Charles Campbell and Wilson Malone. It was in this year that the Rev. James Armstrong, a pioneer Methodist preacher, conducted the first religions services in the township; and it was also in this year that the Black Hawk war occurred, of which a full account is given elsewhere in this work. The settlers had been told by the Ottawas and Pottawatomies that "as soon as the leaves on the trees became as large as a squirrel's ear" it was the intention of the Sacs to invade the settlement and murder the inhabitants. During the month of May rumors came from Chicago bringing tidings of the approach of their enemies. The settlers left their homes and retreated to Door Village, to the block house, where they stopped until all appearance of danger was passed, when they returned to their homes.
During this year the land sales occurred at Logansport. There was no pre-emption law, and settlers had much difficulty with greedy speculators, who overbid them when the land was exposed at public sale. This occurred in many instances where the settlers had expended all their means in making improvements. Much of the land thus situated, and located in New Durham township, went as high as five or six dollars per acre.
On the first day of January, 1833, Rachel B. Carter opened the first school ever taught in the township. It was in one end of a double log cabin on the farm of William Eahart, on section 22. There were eighteen scholars, and among them were Levi J. Bene- dict, W.m. Garwood and several by the names of Morgan and Eahart. Miss Carter, who afterward married in November, 1834, a Mr. Jacobus, taught this school. Indians of various ages would
777
HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
come to the cabin, wrapped in their blankets, and stand for hours at a time without uttering a word or making a motion, while they gazed curiously at the proceedings. Then they would glide away as noiselessly as they came. Upon one occasion an Indian called Twin Squaw informed Rachel that the Indians intended to kill all the whites as soon as the corn was knee high. Rachel replied that the white people were well aware of the intentions of the Indians, and taking up a handful of sand, said that soldiers were coming from the East as numerons as its grains to destroy the Indians before the corn was ankle high. The next morning there were no Indians to be found in the vicinity, and it was several months before they returned. An Indian told Rachel at one time, that they liked a few whites with them to trade with, to act as inter- preters, and that they learned many useful things of them; but when they commenced coming they came like pigeons. The Indians had a burial and dancing ground north of Petro's Grove, upon what is now the land of Lucas Hixon. As late as 1835 this ground was made use of for the purposes named. During this year a specimen of Indian justice occurred, which shows they had a very clear idea of what attorneys term "exemplary damages." An Indian had chopped a tree down, in a pigeon roost, for the pur- pose of obtaining " squabs," and as it fell it killed a pony belonging to another member of the tribe. A council was called, and after a great deal of consultation, and all the forms relating to the adminis- tration of justice had been gone through with, a decision was made to the effect that the carelessness of the offender entitled the aggrieved Indian to receive two ponies in place of the one killed. The judgment of the court was complied with.
The Ottowas and Pottawatomies were anything but neat and clean in their habits, and in their culinary department they exer- cised but little care. James M. Ray, an old settler, relates that in 1836 there were about 500 of them camped in and about Westville. At one time he passed a party of them that had captured a turtle and a coon. The turtle was thrown alive upon a bed of coals, and held with sticks until it was dead. The latter was put into a camp kettle and cooked with very little dressing. The Indians insisted that Mr. Ray should partake of their feast, but the cooking failed to excite his appetite.
During the years 1834-'5 settlers came in rapidly, and the Gov- ernment land was nearly or quite all purchased. In 1835 Leonard Woods, now of Michigan City, opened a store at Cathcart's Grove. He sold goods on credit in small amounts, to supply the immediate wants of the settlers, and he never lost a dollar from having trusted the pioneers, although many of them were strangers to him.
In 1836 an inhabitant of New Durham named Pelton started for the West with a considerable sum of money. Soon after starting he was waylaid, murdered and robbed. A man named Staves was arrested and tried for the crime, and being found guilty he was
49
778
HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
hanged at Valparaiso, the deed having been committed in Porter county.
In 1839 Israel and James Jessup built the first saw-mill in the township, near the present town of Otis. In 1844 Henry Herrold built another saw-mill south of Otis. It was run by water-power. In 1845 Philander Barnes built a mill about a mile west of Otis. In 1852 Capt. Jo. Davis and his son Caleb built a steam saw-mill in this township one and one-fourth miles north of New Durham. Other industries grew up and flourished but they were mostly in the villages, and will be described in their proper places.
In 1860 a boy named Landon was drowned in a pond near Medaris' mill, by the sinking of a canoe, in which he and another boy were sailing. The place where the pond was is now dry land. In 1867 Patrick Daily was killed by Patrick Dunn, a dispute hav- ing occurred between them; the deed was done with a wood-rack stake. Dunn was indicted for murder, and tried at the April term of Circuit Court in 1868. The defense set up was self-defense, and the jury rendered a verdict of " not guilty." In the month of May, 1862, a most remarkable murder took place in this township, about
a mile and three-fourths north of Westville. A man named Fred Miller had been missed from home several days, and his dead body was found upon the shore of Lake Michigan. He had evidently been murdered. Miller was a German, and some of his country- men had their suspicions that his wife was a party to the deed, and they hung her for a short time for the purpose of extorting a con- fession. She told them that John Poston had committed the murder in her presence, and had promised to marry her if she would not denounce him. Poston was arrested and brought before Alfred Wilson, Esq., for examination May 31, but the evidence of the woman was so contradictory and unsatisfactory that the magistrate felt constrained to acquit him. Poston afterward joined the army.
Near New Durham there are two mounds, which no doubt were built by a pre-historic race.
In the spring of 1873, Bugbee, Luff and Palmer commenced building a paper-mill on Reynolds' creek, three-fourths of a mile west of Otis, on the L. S. & M. S. railroad. In the spring of 1874, Mr. Palmer sold his interest to Daniel Webster, of Illinois; Mr. Bugbee sold to his sister, Mrs. Owen. H. D. Luff purchased Mr. Webster's interest on the first of September. It has since been destroyed by fire, and a flouring mill erected in its stead. Another paper-mill has also been built near Otis, by W. F. Cattron and others. It is situated on a branch of the Calumet, on the L., N. A. & C. railroad. The building is of brick, and the machinery is propelled by steam-power.
In this township there are four villages, Westville, Otis, Holmes- ville and New Durham, or Pin Hook, the oldest of which is
779
HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
NEW DURHAM.
As early as 1837 this place had grown to be something of a vil- lage, and a postoffice was established, with William Taylor as postmaster; but it was not until April 15, 1847, that a plat of the village was filed in the office of the county recorder, by Joseph Davis. The first house in New Durham was a log cabin, crected for a store by Leonard Woods, in 1834. During the next year, Hiram Wheeler and Woods were in partnership here in the mercan- tile business. Woods sold to William Taylor, and removed to Cathcart's Grove, where he opened another store. Taylor sold to Horner, who kept it ten years. After passing through other hands it was discontinued. In 1837 Henry Harding opened and kept a hotel in the village, and in 1838 Wm. S. Medaris carried on a wagon manufactory, and W. B. Webber a blacksmith shop. The two latter were run in connection with each other. In the fall of 1839 James Flood and William Johnson opened a tailor shop; they succeeded David Chrisman. In 1843 Richard Smith commenced the business of boot and shoe making, which he continued until 1855.
In 1846 Dr. A. G. Standiford commenced the practice of medi- cine in the town and vicinity, and was the first physician who resided there.
In 1854 a frame school-house was erected, which has since been replaced by a substantial briek building. In this year, also, the postoffice was removed from New Durham to Beaver Dam, and Sylvester Goff was appointed postmaster. This period more par- tieularly marks the decline of the town. Business declined, the different enterprises changed proprietors, and the railroad having reached Westville, the little pioneer town of New Durham ceased to be a place of any importance. Many of its buildings have been moved away. Though the town is nearly gone, the rich prairies remain, a constant source of wealth. During the days of her pros-
perity New Durham had a rival. At the crossing of the old Chicago road and plank road, at the head of Flood's Grove, little more than a half mile distant, John Armstrong opened a large gen- eral store, and Henry Herrold a blacksmith shop. For a long time there was considerable jealousy between the inhabitants of the two places. The citizens of the Flood's Grove settlement gave New Durham the cognomen of " Pinhook," and the good people of the latter place retorted by naming the settlement of their neigh- bors "Squatham."
Reckoning from the time the first house was built, the next old- est town in New Durham township is
HOLMESVILLE.
This place was laid out upon the lands of Hiram Holmes; hence its name. The plat was filed for record Oct. 2, 1855. It is situated on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 4, township
780
HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
36 north, of range 4 west. In 1833 Jacob Bryant built a saw-mill where that of Henry Larray was more recently located. He also built the first dwelling-house, which was a frame, the boards being sawed at the mill. In later years the house has been occupied by John Moorman. After this no other building was erected until the location of the railroad in 1850. In that year Mr. Prosser built a part of the house now occupied as a store and dwelling by Adolph Shaffer. Prosser sold goods in the building. In 1852 an addition was made, and it was opened as a public house. A post- office was established here in 1852, kept by Prosser, but was dis- continued in 1856. In 1853 a warehouse was built by the Michigan Southern Railway Company.
Mr. Samuel S. Davis, a very prominent and wealthy farmer, is the most enterprising man of Holmesville, and keeps the postoffice, which has been re-established; for further information concerning Mr. Davis see his biography a few pages further on. The inhabi- tants in and about Holmesville are principally Germans and Poles. There is a small grocery and saloon combined, and a blacksmith . shop in the village. There is one nice residence in Holmesville, belonging to Mr. Davis.
OTIS.
The settlement of this place was commenced in 1851, but no plat of the town was made or recorded until 1870, which was the same year the town survey was made. This was done by Solomon Tucker. Otis was first known as Salem Crossing. This name was given to it by the Michigan Southern railroad, and 'when the post- office was established, and Matthias Seberger appointed postmaster, that name was adopted by the Department at Washington. The L., N. A. & C. R. R. Co., however insisted upon calling it Lacroix, which name Tucker gave it; and it is so recorded in the county recorder's office at La Porte. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Tucker, however, it was changed to that of Packard. This third name was given by Mr. Tucker at the proposition of some parties who regarded it as a sort of compromise between the contending parties for the other names, and in honor of the Representative in Congress at that time from this district. £ And in 1872 Mr. Pack- ard recommended this changed to Otis, its present name, which was complied with.
Matthias Seberger was the first settler in Otis, arriving here in 1851. In 1853 the L. S. & M. S. and L., N. A. & C. railroads were completed, which intersect at this point, and he acted as agent for both roads. In 1854 Geo. B. Selkirk opened a grocery store, and the same year B. Parker and Isaac Weston erected a hotel, which was kept by Parker. Henry Wing bought it in 1857, and kept it until 1865. Several other business houses were erected afterward. There are now two stores, one hotel, one boot and shoe shop, one meat market, and a postoffice. Dr. Clark R. Warren
781
HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
located here in 1870, being the first resident physician in the vil- lage.
WESTVILLE
is the most important town in New Durham township, being a place of considerable business and a heavy grain market. The orig- inal town of Westville was located on the northwest quarter of section 29, in township 36, range 4 west, by W. & J. A. Cattron, and the town plat was recorded May 1, 1851. There have been several additions made to the original, by Henly Clyburn, James Concannon and others. Westville is favorably located on the Louisville, New Albany & Chicago railroad, and does a lively busi- ness.
The first permanent residence on the present site of Westville was a frame house, built by Henly Clyburn in 1836, James M. Ray doing the carpenter work. The first store was kept-by John and William Cattron, at a part of the town then known as the "Four Corners." It was opened in 1848, and in 1849 D. M. Closser opened a dry-goods and grocery store. In 1850 Jesse McCord opened a blacksmith shop. Bell Jennings opened a general store in 1851. Attempts have been made toward maintaining newspapers here, but none of them have as yet proved permanently successful. The railroad was completed in 1853, and a depot was built, which gave the first business impetus to the place. During this year a steam grist-mill was built by James Haskell. This was sold and moved away about 1860. In 1855 Jacob J. Mann & Co. built a reaper and mower establishment, and made a machine patented by them- selves. The firm did a good business up to the death of its senior member. In 1858 Tobias Miller built a steam grist-mill. It changed hands several times, and in 1870 it was burned, then owned by Mrs. Sloan Martin. In the fall of 1862 a bedstead factory was established by Reynolds, Weaver & Smith. The business was changed in 1869 to that of a chair manufactory, but did not remain so many years.
In September, 1864, by an act of the Board of County Commis- sioners, the town of Westville was incorporated. The first election under this act transpired on the 15th of the same month, and the annual charter election on the 16th day of November following. The first Council consisted of W. L. Webster, D. C. Standiford and Wm. C. Martin, Mr. Webster being elected President. G. L. Thompson was the first Clerk. James Dolman, Sr., and James Dolman, Jr., erected a grist-mill near the railroad track in 1872, and the next year sold it to E. & N. Dolman. Cattron's hall and building was finished in 1873. It is a handsome edifice, and the hall is a credit to the town.
Perhaps the one institution of which Westville may most justly feel proud is the excellent public school, which is recognized as one of the best, not only in the county, but even in all Northern Indiana. Several years ago it was brought up to a high standard
.
782
HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
of excellence by Prof. J. G. Laird, and has since been termed " The Westville High School." The school has been so successfully man- aged that many have attended it from other counties. It is an honor alike to those who have conducted it and to the people who have given it a cordial support.
Westville at present contains two dry-goods stores, three drug stores (one of them drug and groceries), one grocery store, two hardware stores, two milliner shops, two dressmakers, three black- sınith shops, two wagon-makers, three shoemakers, two undertakers, one saw-mill, one planing mill, one cradle manufactory, one ma- chinist and watchmaker, one agricultural store, one grain mer- chant, one flouring mill, one restaurant, one saloon, two hotels, two livery stables, one lawyer, one notary public, and five doctors. There is also a hook and ladder company, a lodge each of the Masons and Odd Fellows, four churches,-Baptist, Christian, Meth- odist and Catholic, -- and also an organization of the Lutheran denomination, which worships in the Baptist church. There are others now living in the township, who came to the county in an early day. Hon. Chas. W. Cathcart made a settlement in 1831, and has long been a distinguished citizen, honored in many ways by his fellow-citizens. He twice represented this district in Congress, and has always borne a prominent and leading part in public affairs. Evan Henton came in 1832, and now resides in ' Westville; and many others, the more prominent of whom we will mention among the biographical sketches a few pages further on. The town- ship is thickly settled, and is one of the most enterprising townships in the county. The fertility of the soil is unsurpassed, and its farmers are prosperous.
LOST.
In the pioneer days two sons of Rev. Mr. Armstrong, the pioneer M. E. preacher, were sent one evening with their dog and gun to hunt the cows. There came a severe storm, and, amid this storm and the gathering darkness, they lost their way. They wandered about for some time, and finally took shelter under a blown-down tree. They were not found until the afternoon of the second day, when they were very weak from hunger. But their faithful dog remained with them, and it was through his barking that they were discovered by their rescuers. This was near the old town of New Durham.
AN INSTANCE OF CRUELTY.
A resident of Westville, Mr. John P. Noble, tells us of a very cruel method that one pioneer adopted for punishing breachy stock. He said that on the night that the stars fell in 1833, he witnessed a very brutish and eruel act. One Mr. W. was annoyed by a horse jumping into his cornfield at night. On this occasion, after the
783
HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
horse got into the field, he caught it, tied a rope around its neck, fastening the other end of the rope to the middle of a rail. He then turned the poor animal loose, and beat and pounded it most nnmer- cifully, the horse attempting to run, but only banging and bruising its legs against the rail when attempting to run. After worrying the horse in this way for some time, the animal falling down at times, and plunging headlong in different directions, this brutish, cruel man left the rail suspended to the horse's neck the rest of the night, and the following morning it was fast between two trees.
THE SCHOOL SYSTEM
of this township is good, and great interest is manifested by parents in the education of their children.
RELIGIOUS.
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, of Otis, was organ- ized by Rev. Mr. Myer, of Valparaiso, in 1873. The first minister of this denomination who held services here was one Rev. Hieben, then residing in Westville. They did not have regular services at first, but the membership grew larger, and in 1876 they erected a house of worship. In 1878 there were bat 17 communicants, and now the membership numbers 42. This Church has a branch organ- ization in Westville, of 24 communicants. Rev. E. Hamman is the pastor, and resides in Otis.
Otis Catholic Church .- This Church was organized in 1871, and the same year erected a house of worship. The communicants are Poles, and the services are conducted in the Polish language. Rev. Machadziki is the pastor.
Westville M. E. Church .- In 1843 the first house of worship was built in this place by this people. It was served several years by the ministers from Union circnit, but in 1857 it was organized as a circuit, with Rev. F. Taylor as pastor. In 1858 Rev. J. John- son was pastor; in 1859-'60, Rev. Thos. Bartlett; in 1861, S. T. Cooper; 1862, G. E. Newhouse; 1863-'5, M. L. Green; 1866-'7, C. B. Mock. In 1868 it was made a "station," and Rev. J. H. Claypole served as pastor for three successive years. In 1871 R. H. Sanders; 1872-'3, J. Johnson; 1874-'5, W. P. McKinzie. In 1860, by the munificent will of Mr. West, some $5,000 was bequeated to the Church in Westville for the erection of a new house of worship, and the subscription of the friends in addition to this. The present comfortable Church was erected, and a good congregation and Sab- bath-school meet there every Sunday. Services are held every Sunday morning and evening by the pastor, Rev. D. M. Wood. The church is divided into four classes, each of which has a separate class-leader, but all under the general pastorate of the minister. The Sabbath-school is very interesting and profitable.
784
HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
Westville Baptist Church .- The Baptist Church at Westville was gathered and organized chiefly by the exertions of Elder J. M. Whitehead, who afterward was appointed Chaplain of the 15th In- diana Regiment of Volunteers, and resigned the pastorate. At the time of the organization in 1856 there were but four or five mem- bers, and since that time the Church has not been prosperous. Al- though in 1857 the membership was 61, and rapidly increased to 161 in 1861, and a good house was erected, the membership in 1874 numbered but nine. Since that time the Rev. J. C. Reed labored here, and there was quite a revival; but at present there is no pastor, and there are no regular services held by this denomination in Westville.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.