USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 77
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Wm. J. Smith was born July 21, 1831, in North Carolina, and is a son of Richard P. and Catharine (Hastings) Smith, who came to Preble county, Ohio, when Wm. J. was a child. They remained here one year, and then removed to Niles, Mich. In 1836 they came to this county. Mr. Smith was reared and educated in town, and early learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed for nine years. In 1862 he engaged in the furniture business in Westville, and continued this until 1868. He then employed himself in the manufacture and sale of chairs here for ten years. In 1878 he en- gaged in the undertaker's business; he also deals in all kinds of fur- niture, and makes and repairs to order. He was married June 28, 1857, to Miss Laura A. Duing, by whom he has 2 children: Mari - etta and Carrie.
Dr. Abram G. Standiford. Being one of the pioneers of this county Dr. Standiford is identified with its history, and therefore'
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is entitled to more than a passing notice in a work like this. He was born in Shelbyville, Ky., Jan. 27, 1816, and is a son of Francis I. and Rebecca (Smith) Standiford, natives of Maryland, who were among the early settlers of Kentucky. They were married in 1810 at Shelbyville, Ky., and had 3 children, of whom the subject of this notice is the youngest. The Doctor came to Indiana in 1836, and studied medicine at Greencastle. He attended lectures at Lexing- ton, Ky., but graduated in the Indiana Medical College, then sit- uated at La Porte. Before graduating he practiced for a time in Clay county, Ind. His first practice in this county was in 1838. He taught school most of the time from 1842 to 1845. After grad- uating in 1846 he located in New Durham tp., where he remained until 1865, when he removed to Westville. He is widely known in all parts of the county, and has practiced in nearly every tp. in the county. He was married Dec. 7, 1844, to Miss Martha Reynolds, by whom he has had 4 children; of these, 2 are living: William F., practicing physician in Westville, and Clara M. (now Mrs. Walton.), a widow.
Dr. Wm. F. Standiford was born in La Porte county July 50, 1850, and is a son of Dr. Abram G. and Martha Standiford, of Westville. He was educated in the Westville high school. He read medicine under his father, and graduated at the Rush Medical Col- lege, of Chicago, Jan. 17, 1872. He practiced 18 months in the Cook County Hospital, where he had superior advantages of learn- ing the art of surgery. He began practice in Westville in 1873, but soon after went to Texas. He remained there seven months, and in the fall of 1874 he went to Indianapolis, where he engaged in the practice of his profession until 1877. He then returned to Westville, where he has his father's practice, who is now growing too old and feeble for very active service in the profession. He was married Feb. 25, 1875, to Miss Annie E. Flood.
John Warnock was born in Scott county Dec. 15, 1803, and is a son of Michael and Nancy (Walker) Warnock, deceased, the for- mer a native of Ireland, and the latter of Virginia. The former came to America in 1775, and was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, a messmate of ex-Gov. Trimble, of Ohio. He was an early settler in Kentucky, and also came to Clarke county, Ind., in 1809. John Warnock's brother Joseph was killed in the battle of Tippe- canoe. Mr. W. came to this county in 1833. He was married in 1828, to Miss Charlotte Gazner, by whom he had one child,' Samantha (Robertson). He again married in 1840; this time Helena Dorr, of Ohio.
Dr. C. R. Warren, physician, surgeon and druggist, Otis, Ind .; ' was born March 26, 1840, in the town of Solon, Cortland county, N. Y .; at the age of ten years he moved with his parents to Evans- ville, Wis., going via the canal and lakes from Syracuse, N. Y., to Milwaukee, while the country was new and railroads hardly known.' While at Evansville his father died with consumption, and he was obliged to work the farm to support his mother and five other
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children. In his youthful days he attended school in a small log school-house, with hewed slab seats and desks formed by a board suspended to the wall. In this little log cabin a school-room, which would now be thought hardly fit for a cow stable, he obtained the first rudiments of his education. At the age of 18 he attended the Evansville Seminary, held in the old Methodist Church, for seven terms, and then he went to Hillsdale College, Mich .; while there he enlisted in the 7th Mich. Inf., just after the Bull run disaster; after serving four months, he re-enlisted during the war. During engagements he was occupied in the hospital department, helping to care for the wounded, and in this way he obtained the practical knowledge of surgery before getting the theoretical part. At the close of the war he engaged in the study of medicine with his uncle, Dr. Higday, at La Porte, and studied nearly four years; he then took his first course at Rush Medical College, Chicago, then a sum- mer course, then a thorough course in analytical chemistry, at which time he commenced practice at Otis, Ind., where in the fall of 1870, he began with only 35 cents in money, and that borrowed. He met with good success in his practice, and found himself gradually accumulating wealth. with practical experience. He again attended Rush Medical College in 1874-'5, taking a thorough course in anat- omy, practice of medicine, physical diagnosis and diseases of the eye and car. He again devoted his time to the care of suffering humanity at Otis, where he hopes to do mnuch good in the vocation he has chosen. In religion, he believes in a supreme being, the creator and ruler of the universe, and in politics he is a neutral, voting for the candidate he believes best qualified, and is liberally disposed toward others both in religion and politics.
Aug. 9, 1874, he married Miss Mima Storm, and he now has 2 children. His father, Clark Warren, was born in Cortland county, N. Y., in the town of Solon, March 11, 1814, and he died May 3, 1850, in Evansville, Wis. Minerva Warren was born in the same place June 26, 1817, and is still living, and enjoys comparatively good health.
Richard H. Wilkinson was born near Warrenton, Fauquier connty, Va., in May, 1810. His father, John Wilkinson, left his home in northern England when a young man. Coming to America, he settled in Virginia, where he married Miss Mary Neal, who was a second cousin to Joseph C. and Alice B. Neal. for many years editors of the Saturday Gazette, published at Philadelphia. Rich- ard H. is the fifth child of his parents, and was educated for the ministry. He came to Indiana in 1833, stopping at Charlestown, Clarke county, near the Ohio river. In 1835 he married Miss Julia A. Henley, sister of Hon. Thomas J. Henley, who for several terms represented his district in the Legislature of Indiana, and afterward served two terms in the U. S. Congress. In the autumn of 1837 Mr. Wilkinson removed to La Porte county, purchasing the farm where he still resides. Obtaining a license to preach, he was for a time engaged in spreading the gospel, in accordance with
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Methodist Episcopal creed, through the counties of La Porte, St. Joseph and Elkhart. The profession was abandoned for the more healthful life of a farmer. His family consists of himself, wife and 6 children. The children's names are Cora M., Harriet E., Wm. H., Cecilia E., Theophilus H. and Mrs. Lucinda A. Baum. Mr. W. also read medicine, but decided not to practice this pro- fession.
Henry Wing was born in Franklin county, Mass., Oct. 26, 1820. Ilis parents were Samuel and Martha Wing. He was raised on a farm, and educated in the common and high schools of Massachu- setts. He came with his parents to Seneca county, Ohio, in 1838. He married in 1846, Miss Rebecca McCurdy, by whom he had 2 children, Byron E. and Alice, now Mrs. John F. Loomis, of Shelby, Iowa. Mrs. Wing died in 1863. Mr. Wing again married in 1865, this time, Miss Laura Peabody, by whom he had one child, Laura. This second wife died, and Mr. Wing again married in 1875, Mrs. Bostick. Mr. Wing came to Otis, this county, in 1848, where he kept hotel until 1865; he then engaged in the mercantile business until 1879, when he moved to Westville, where he now resides. He has filled the office of Postmaster 18 years, and has been Notary Public for 12 years. He now owns a valuable farm in Porter county, Ind., near the east line, and not far from West- ville.
Levi Wolfe is a native of Bracken county, Ky., and was born Sept. 15, 1817. His parents were Peter and Sarah Wolfe. They removed to Clermont county, Ohio, when their son was quite small. Here he was reared on a farm, within four miles of the birth-place of Gen. Grant. He came to Fayette county, Ind., in 1833, and relates that they were encamped on their way when the " stars fell." He says that the shooting meteors frightened the horses so badly that in their fright they wakened the entire party of emigrants. Mr. Wolfe was married in Fayette county Feb. 11, 1838, to Miss Eliza A. Burgess, by whom he has 8 children, viz .: Henrietta, Elizabeth, George, Melinda, Ruth A., Levi J., Sarah J. and Emma. Mr. Wolfe removed with his family to this county in 1848. He owns 175 acres of land, and resides on sec. 18, where he is engaged in farming and stock-raising.
John Wolford was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, Aug. 3, 1835, and is a son of Matthias and Lucinda Wolford, also natives of Ohio. Mr. Wolford removed to Whitley county, Ind., in 1856; in the fall of the same year he went to Pikes Peak, remaining but two months, when he returned as far as Elwood, Kansas. In 18 60 he went to Salt Lake, but remained there only ;two months, and returned to Missouri. He came to Otis in the year 1861, where he engaged in farming. He was married in 1864 to Miss Mary A. Weston, by whom he has 1 child, Henry C. W. Wolford. Mr. W. resides on sec. 6, engaged in farming and stock-raising.
Moses S. Wright was born in Jackson county, Va., July 27, '27, and is a son of Joseph and Tabitha Wright, natives of Pennsyl- vania. He was reared on a farm, and educated in the common
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schools of La Porte county, having been brought here by his par- ents in 1832. They settled near New Durham, or "Pinhook." His father was a soldier in the war of 1812. In 1834 they removed to Porter county, Ind., and remained four years, when they came to Clinton tp., this county, and there Mr. Wright remained until his death in 1850. Moses has been married twice, and is the father of 6 children. His first wife was Sarah J., nee Small, who bore him one child, Mary, now deceased. His second wife was Abigail, nee Pettit, who bore him 5 children. Of these, 3 are living, viz. : Wat- son W., Victoria J. and Hamilton M. Mr. Wright is a farmer and stock-raiser; and also is proprietor of the saw-mill just west of Westville. He has been very successful in the lumber business. His promptness and desire to render satisfaction have won the con- fidence of the public, and he has thus built up a large trade.
NOBLE TOWNSHIP.
Noble township, 35 north, range 3 west, is bounded on the north by Scipio, on the west by Clinton, on the south by Hanna, and on the east by Union. It was formerly a part of Scipio township, until the year 1836, when it was separated by the following order:
"Ordered, that Scipio township be divided by the line dividing townships 35 and 36 north, of range 3 west, and that all that part of said township formerly comprising Congressional township num- ber 35 north, form a new township, to be known by the name of Noble township, and that there be an election held in said township on the first Monday of April next, for the purposes of electing Jus- tices of the Peace for said township, and that Arthur McClure be appointed inspector of said election of said township until the next annual election of township officers, and that the election for said township be held at the house of John McClane."
In that election, it is probable that John F. Allison, father of James Allison, of Noble township, was elected the first Justice of the Peace; he also built the first frame house in what is now the city of La Porte.
The contour of Noble township is somewhat irregular, a part which should rightly be included in Noble township-all of sections 1 and 12, three-fourths of section 13, and one-half of sections 24 and 25-is now included in Union township, which lies on the east. It is a very desirable township in which to locate, good farming land ranging from $50 to $100 an acre.
The first settlers of the township were Horace and Lane Mark- ham, who came as early as 1831 and located on section 8, and did honor to the township which they first had the enterprise to settle, and have long since passed from earth.
In 1832 Joseph Wheaton settled in this township and laid out the town of Union Mills; in 1833 a great many more made Noble township their home, among whom were John and Bird McLane, Samuel O'Hara,-all these still living,-Ira, Peter and Admiral Burch, Wright and Silas Loving, Jeremiah Perkins, Isaac Johnson and many others. Joseph Starrett, now living, came into the town- ship in 1834; in the same year came Richard Worrall and Samuel Mitchell. In 1835 came Theodore Wells, John, Israel and Barclay Underwood, Benjamin Shaw, Henderson Nickell, Dr. Everts, Gus- tavus Everts, Timothy Everts, John Goldsmith and John Barclay. From this time on the settlement of the township increased rapidly.
In 1834 the first wedding occurred, being the marriage of Horace Wood and Betsey McLane. Samuel O'Hara, now on section 20, Joseph Starrett, on the same section, Bird and John McLane, on
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section 5, are the oldest living settlers of Noble township. The first postoffice was established on section 6, and the first postmaster was Asaph Webster. The first store in the township was kept by a man named Smith, who is now dead.
And now having traced the history of the township from its ear- liest settlement in 1831 to 1837, when it became rapidly settled by an intelligent class of people, only a few of whom are now living, it may be advantageous to look forward toward the interests of the township in some other direction, and try to ascertain what a pre- sentiment of the coming future the pioneer settlers possessed.
SCHOOLS.
The first school-house in the township was built by E. S. Hard- ing, John Wakefield and A. G. Webster, in 1835, on Mr. Webster's farm; it was a very rudely built structure, but served to answer all purposes in its early day. Since that the educational interests of the township have been well and prudently attended to, as though- it had a premeditated affair with her excellent citizens; for now instead of one or two little log houses, there are seven good substan- tial buildings, on account of which it is unnecessary for any child of Noble township to be deprived of an education. The school- houses are located at various convenient points throughout the township, and are known by number and name. In the early settlement of the township there was for a time only one teacher, the first one being John F. Allison.
In 1837 Dr. Everts commenced the practice of medicine; he was probably the first permanently located physician in the town- ship; he was succeeded in the same profession by his three sons: Eudorus, Orpheus and Carroll. In 1839 a saw-mill was built on Mill creek by Johnson & Bros., about three-fourths of a mile below the present location of Union Mills. In 1842 Jacob Early completed a large distillery on the same creek; he did a successful business, but in 1852 it was burned to the ground. In 1843 L. A. Wakefield erected a very large ashery on the farm of A. G. Webster, and commenced to mannfacture pearl and potash; in 1846 he abandoned the business. For several years repeated attempts like these were being continually made in the direction of new enter- prises; but all failed. In 1837 Dr. Everts built a grist-mill on Mill creek where Union Mills now is; the same old mill still stands, having undergone numerous changes and repairs, and has been under several different proprietors. Mr. Hamilton, a resident of Union Mills, is now the owner, and the mill is being successfully conducted by A. C. Teeple, who is doing a first-class business.
CHURCHES.
Noble township is well supplied with churches, having three in Union Mills and one on section 34.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
The Free Methodist church, on section 34, is a small building, and was erected about seven years ago. The Methodist Protestants also worship in the same building. Each society is quite small, but both together make a respectable congregation. Rev. S. P. May is the regular pastor for the Methodist Protestants, and Rev. Graidess is the pastor for the Free Methodists.
There is also as mall party of Adventists who worship in that part of the township on the same section.
The Methodist Episcopal church, now located in Union Mills, was erected several years ago and has a respectable congregation. There was formerly an old church building about one and one-half miles south of Union Mills, on what is called Dawmin Prairie, of the same denomination. The present pastor of the Church is Rev. Stafford.
At a very early time in Noble township, there was a Congrega- tional Church organized by Rev. Davis; it was afterward organized by Rev. Stelle into a New-School Presbyterian Church. This same congregation is the one that is now at Union Mills, though the individuals composing it are not the same. Their church building was erected some time during the years intervening between 1850 and 1856. "Bethel Presbyterian Church " was its charter name. It was organized by Rev. F. P. Cummins, then a resident of La Porte, on Saturday, June 22, 1850, in District No. 1. He presided until January, 1856, when he was succeeded by Rev. Jno. Fisher, who remained about one year; then came James McKey, remaining only about six months; the next was C. A. Evans who remained only a short time. These names occupy a period of 16 years. The next pastor was Rev. F. M. Elliot, who presided about five and a half years; he was succeeded by Rev. S. E. Smith, the present incumbent, who came here in April, 1872. The charter members of the Church were: Jno. Billington, Amelia Billington, Lorenzo Billington, Mary A. Dexter, Joseph McPherson, Sarah McPherson, Bird McLane, Abbie McLane, John Moore and Ann M. Moore. Of the above, only Bird McLane and wife are now living.
The Advent Church, also at Union Mills, was organized about 20 years ago, by Rev. Plinney Morgan. From that time until the present there have been the following regular pastors respectively : F. H. Berrick, Rev. Mansfield and wife, Cornelius Pike, George Moyer, Darius Matherson, James Ferris, Frank Burr. Rev. Mansfield, who has recently left the Church to accept a situation in Illinois, was the last incumbent. At the present the Church has no regular pastor, but expect Rev. Burr about September, 1880. The following are a few of the charter members: Abram Logan and wife, Avery Freeman and wife, Daniel Church and wife, Sarah Clark and Daniel Linard.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
VILLAGES.
Union Mills, situated on sections S and 9, was first laid out by Joseph Wheaton, who built a house on the present site as early as 1832. The plat of the town, however, was not placed on record until 1849. The first grist-mill at Union Mills was built in 1837 by Dr. Sylvanus Everts. The mill was called " Union Mills " by the State charter obtained by the county; from this the town was named. The little country village grew very slowly for awhile; in 1838 there were only five log cabins in the place. In the year 1840, a small store was started by Wm. Bills; also one by Lewis Steven- son; about the same time R. N. Bennett commenced blacksmithing. Elisha Thayer started a shoemaker shop in 1841; in 1848 Mr. Elliot built a store and carried a general stock of goods; in 1860 Dr. Egbert commenced practicing medicine; in 1854 Morden & Booth opened a boot and shoe store; in 1844 Bnrdet Turner opened a butcher shop: Bnt all these business men have discontinued and others have taken their place. At first there was very little to enliven the town, there being no railroads. But after the comple- tion of the two railroads, the B. & O. and Grand Trunk, the town began anew. Since that time it has been improving slowly, and now in point of business, it is probably the third town in the county. It now has a population of 238.
In the early settlement of the place there was great difficulty in getting mail, but now four mails are received daily. F. A. Freeman is now postmaster. The town is composed of people who are wide- awake, intelligent business-like citizens.
In the place are two secret organizations, the Masonic Lodge and the Odd Fellows. The former was organized in 1876 by E. V. Arnold, and it has been in full progress ever since, and is now composed of about 36 members. The first officers were: E. V. Arnold, W. M .; Dr. Meredith, Sr. W .; Henry L. Loomis, Jr. W .; W. A. Banks, Treas .; J. B. Chipman, Sec'y. The present officers are: H. L. Loomis, W. M .; Wm. Fredrickson, Sr. W .; E. R. Smith, Jr. W .; W. A. Banks, Treas .; John Terry, Sec'y.
The I. O. O. F. Lodge was organized July 8, 1879, by the follow- ing charter members: Charles Fredrickson, Daniel Linard, A. E. Boyce, Tim McCarty and David Woodford. The first officers were: A. E. Boyce, Noble Grand; Charles Fredrickson, Vice Noble Grand; D. L. Linard, Sec'y; Augustus Block, Treas. The present officers are the same except that of Noble Grand, Charles Titus being the present incumbent. The lodge is in full progress, meets eve y Wednesday night, and has about 20 members.
And while speaking of organizations, there is still another, even more important, namely, the temperance society known as the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. It was organized by Clark Osborn, L. A. Cole and Smith Carver. The present officers are: Mrs. Alice Bacon, President; Helen Hamilton, Sec'y. Among the prominent workers in this direction are Revs. Mansfield, Smith and
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Stafford, T. McLane, Charles Brown, Mrs. Alice Bacon, "Aunt Sarah " Clark, R. N. Bennett and many others. Because the citi- zens of Union Mills, as a class, are quite temperate, there being but one saloon in the place, suffice it to say that the organization has done a great deal of good in the town and community.
The town has excellent railroad facilities, being located on the Grand Trunk road, about three-quarters of a mile from its junction with the B. & O. The business interests of the town at present may be briefly stated, as follows: one elevator, two drug stores, three dry-goods and grocery stores, also a hardware store in connec- tion with one of them, one furniture store, two boot and shoe shops, one saloon, two harness shops, three blacksmith shops, one grist-mill, one millinery shop, one dressmaking shop, one butcher shop, two wagon shops, one hotel, one barber shop, one agricultural store, three doctors, three churches and three regular pastors; there are three different organizations and one silver-cornet band, which was organized in 1876, and is composed of 13 members.
Wellsboro, situated on section 9, is at the junction of the Grand Trunk and B. & O. railroads. It is a small railroad town, only three-fourths of a mile from Union Mills. It was laid out in 1875, and for awhile grew very rapidly. It was laid out by Joseph Deets, Isaac Way, Thomas Hamilton and Wm. Fredrickson. The bnsi- ness interests of the town are about as follows: one dry-goods and grocery store, one grocery store, one hardware store, one hotel, two cooper shops, one wagon shop, one milliner store, one elevator and one postoffice; the postmaster is Mr. Chipman. Noble is the only township in the county, and probably the only one in the State, in which there are two postoffices, separated by only three-quarters of a mile.
Taken as a whole, Noble is one of the finest townships of farming land in the county. The soil is sandy, rich, and productive of large crops of corn and wheat, which are the chief articles of agriculture raised in it. The only objection to the township is that a great deal of the land, especially in the south part of the township, is marshy and sandy; however, the marsh land produces good hay. There are some foreigners in the township, there being a good many Germans and English in the southern part. As a class, the inhabitants are nearly all well-situated, high-minded, sociable, accommodating people.
Indian Point, situated in the southeastern part of the township, is a pointed piece of land which projects into the marsh as a penin- sula into the water. It was so called because it was the old Indian trail off of the main land into the marsh and timber. It was so named at a very early date in the settlement of the township, and has on it a great deal of timbered land. In the early days of the township it was inhabited by the Pottawatomie tribe of Indians, who were removed westward in 1837.
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