History of La Porte County, Indiana, Part 79

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : C.C. Chapman
Number of Pages: 930

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Geo. W. Meredith, son of Peter and Elizabeth (Haze) Meredith, was born in Indiana in 1851. His father, who is now living with him, is a native of Ohio, and of Scotch descent; his mother, who is now deceased, was a native of Ohio. In 1873 Mr. M. came to this county and settled where he now is, in Union Mills, as a practicing physician. He is doing a good business here. His receipts last year were about $3,500. He was married in 1874 to Miss Clara L. Vaill, who is now 26 years old and the mother of 2 children, both of whom are now living: George B. and Elizabeth. IIe owns here property worth about $1,000; is a member of the Masonic lodge. IIe and wife are members of the Baptist Church. Politically, Mr. M. is a Democrat, but is quite liberal in tp. political affairs, always voting for the best inan. His educational advantages were very good; is a graduate of the Indiana Medical College at Indianapolis, and received an honorary degree at the Butler University. Before studying medi- cine, Mr. M. was a carpenter, merchant, farmer, and school-teacher at different times.

George Mill, son of John and Catharine (Clinker) Mill, was born in Pennsylvania in 1812, and is of German descent; his parents were also natives of Pennsylvania. Coming to Indiana in 1844, he remained only three years, then returning to Pennsylvania; remain- ing there three years, he came to Indiana again in 1850, and settled where he now is, on sec. 14. In 1835 he was married to Elizabeth Line, and they have had 6 children, all of whom are living: Mary L., wife of Charles Stark; Henry, a farmer, at home; Peter, who is selling machinery; Sylvester, whose sketch is next given; Frank

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H., a farmer, in Pleasant tp .; Charles C., who is still at home. He owns here 180 acres of good land, which he values at about $75 per acre. Mr. M. was Township Trustee for a number of years; his wife is a member of the Advent Church. Politically, he was formerly a Republican, but is now independent in politics, always voting for the best man.

Sylvester Mill. son of George and Elizabeth (Line) Mill, both of whom are now living, was born in Pennsylvania in 1843, and is of Dutch descent. His parents are also natives of Pennsylvania. Coming to Ind. in 1850, he first settled where his father still resides, on sec. 14 of this tp .; he has lived where he now is for 5 years, on sec. 14. He owns here 20 acres of good land, worth about $40 per acre. He is a farmer, but deals in machinery a great deal. In 1864 he was married to Marietta Miller, who is now 35 years old and the mother of 9 children; all are living and at home: Clara, Mary, Stella, Liz- zie, Gertrude, Harry and Hazzie, who are twins, Sadie and Helen. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican.

James H. Miller, son of Moses and Fredrica (Mock) Miller, both of whom are still living, was born in Pennsylvania in 1839, and is of German descent; his parents are also natives of the Keystone State. Mr. M. came with his father to Ind. in the spring of 1857, and first settled in Noble tp., where his father still resides, a farmer. James was formerly a farmer, and came to Union Mills in 1878, and went into the business he is now engaged in, namely, conducting the hotel in that place. He owns the property on which he lives, worth about $600. He was married in 1867 to Miss Emma A, Learn, who is now 32 years of age, and the mother of 2 children, both of whom are living: Ella and Lew W. He has never held any offices except that of Supervisor; his educational advantages were only common. He is a member of the Masonie lodge, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. M. is a Republican.

Miss Eliza E. Nickell was born at Attica, Ind., in 1832. Her mother died when she was about 9 years old; her father is still living, a resident of La Porte. Mrs. N. was brought to this county when only 2 years old, and has been a resident of it ever since; she is now residing on sec. 18, of Noble tp. She was married in 1850 to C. H. Niekell, who died in 1867. She owns, where she lives, 160 acres of land, some of which is marsh and timber land. She is the mother of 3 children: Mary E., Emma and William H. Her educational advantages were very good for the time. She is an earnest member of the M. E. Church, and a lady of great religious worth and Christian intelligence.

Job H. Northam was born in Washington county, N. Y., Aug. 17, 1827. His parents were 'Asa and Emily (Kent) Northam, the former of Colchester, Conn., and the latter of Dorset, Vt. Mr. Northamn was raised on a farm and educated in the public schools of Michigan City and La Porte. He was a member of the Home

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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.

Militia. He was married May 31, 1855, to Olive Loomis, and they have 4 children, of whom 2 are dead. The names of the living are Susan and Harry. Mr. Northam and his family are members of high standing in the Presbyterian Church. He owns 200 acres in sec. 3.

Samuel O' Hara, son of Edward and Mary (Anthony) O'Hara, both of whom are now dead, was born in Pennsylvania in 1816, and is of Dutch-Irish descent. He went with his father from Penn- sylvania into Ohio when he was 5 years old, and after remaining there about 12 years., he came to Ind., and settled in this tp, where he still lives, on sec. 20. He owns here 200 acres of land, which he values at abont $60 per acre. In 1846 he was married to Phebe Shaw, who died in 1849; she was the mother of 2 children, of whom one is now living, Benjamin E. He was married the second time in 1852, to Miss Rhoda Lindsy, who is now 49 years old and the mother of 8 children; of these, 5 are now living, Martha A .: John W., Mary L., Samuel T., and Etta O. Mr. O'Hara's early educa- tion was very limited. Politically, he has been a Republican, but is now inclined to be a Greenbacker.

Oliver A. Porter, son of Oliver and Lydia (Cragg) P., was born in this county in 1838, and has been a resident of it all his life. In 1869 he was united in marriage to Caroline Kephart, who is now 32 years old and the mother of 3 children, all living: Hiranı, Burton and Francis. He owns where he lives, on sec. 2, 110 acres of good, well-improved land, which he values at about $60 per acre. His educational advantages were very good when young. Politically, Mr. P. is a Democrat.

Isaac N. Rambo, son of Absalom and Charlotte Evans, was born in Wayne county, Ind., in 1823, and is of English descent on his father's side, and of Scotch on his mother's side. His father was a native of Virginia, and his mother of Maryland; both are now deceased. He came to this county in the spring of 1831 and located first in Scipio tp., where he lived six years, and then went to Whitley county; after having lived there one year he came to Noble tp .. where he now is, on sec. 11. He was married in 1857 to Miss Clarissa Canfield, who died about 10 years after their marriage; she was the mother of 4 children, all of whom are living: Charles, Anna, William and Ralph. He was married the second time in 1864, to Jane Fredrickson, who is now 40 years of age, and they are the parents of one child. He owns here 80 acres of excellent land, worth about $60 per acre; owns also 160 acres of good land in Missouri. Mr. R. is now School Trustee of this tp. His educational advantages when young were fair, and he reads a great deal. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge at Union Mills. Politically, he is a Republican.

J. T. Terry, son of Thomas and Eliza Barnes, was born in New York in 1838, and is of English and American descent. Coming to Indiana in 1839, he first settled east of La Porte; came where he now is in 1865. In the latter year he was united in marriage to

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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.

Lizzie Emigh, who is now 34 years of age and is the mother of 3 children: Eva, Calie and Ina. He owns 65 acres of land where he lives, and 40 on sec. 35, worth about $50 per acre. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace; is a member of the Masonic frater- nity; his estimable wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he is a Republican. Mr. T. is one of the successful farmers of this tp., and is a man who is well liked and respected by the whole community.

Nelson J. Titus, son of James and Martha S. (Warner) Titus, both of whom are now dead, was born in Ashtabula county, Ohio, in 1834, and is of Scotch-Irish descent. His parents were both natives of New York. Coming to Indiana in 1837, he first settled in Centre tp., near La Porte, where he remained nearly two years, and then went to Scipio tp. in company with his father; after liv- ing there about 18 years, he came to Noble tp., where he has been ever since. He came to the town of Wellsboro three years ago, where he has been proprietor of the hotel. He is a carpenter by trade; owns 64 acres of good land in this tp., worth about $2,500. In 1856 he was united in marriage to Lorilla Dunham, who died in 1862; he was married the second time in 1866, to Miss Charlotte Brown, who is now 38 years of age, and the mother of one child, Nellie; his first wife was the mother of 2 children, both of whom are still living: Charles. W. and Cora. His educational advantages were poor; had to go two miles to attend subscription schools in log houses; however, he reads considerably now. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity; his wife is a member of the Methodist Church. Politically, Mr. T. is a Republican.

Orville Tryon, a successful farmer and one of the old settlers of La Porte county, was born in Vermont in 1821, and is of English descent. His father, David Tryon, now dead, was a native of Ver- E mont; his mother, whose maiden name was Minerva Castle, now also deceased, was a native of Canada. He came to Indiana in 1836 and first located at Michigan City, where he remained till 24 or 25 years ago; while there he helped build a vessel, on which he sailed two seasons; he saw the first vessel that ever entered Michigan har- bor; from that place he went to La Porte, where he lived two or three years and then came to Noble tp .; he is now on sec. 6. He was married in 1859 to Eleanor G. Bragg, who is now 50 years of age, and they are the parents of 3 children, of whom all are still liv- ing: Carrie C., Mary G. and Nellie B. He owns here 58 acres of good land, worth about $40 per acre; in Scipio tp. he owns a half sec., of which about 80 acres are marsh. His educational advan- tages when young were good, but like a great many other boys he failed to take advantage of them. Mr. T. is a hard-working man and has earned all he has by hard work. He and his wife are not members of the Church, but are both believers in Spiritualism. Politically, Mr. T. is a Republican.

Isaac Way, son of Samuel and Betsy (Preston) Way, both of whom are now dead, was born in Connecticut in 1816, and is of

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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.

English descent. His parents were also natives of Connecticut. He came to Indiana in 1838, and first settled in La Porte county ; has been in Noble tp. since 1842. He is now on sec. 9, and owns here 332 acres of good land, on secs. 9 and 10, worth about $75 per acre; he owns also 500 acres on sec. 23 of same tp. In 1842 he was united in marriage to Miss Rosanna Wellman, who died in 1876, the mother of 6 children, of whom 4 are living: Ira, who is a farmer in Scipio tp .; Ada, who is the wife of Charles Fredrickson, butcher at Union Mills; Ella, the wife of Robert Crawford, a resi- dent of Colorado, and Othie, who is still at home, 20 years old. His educational advantages were only such as were afforded by the common schools of his younger days. He has been Township Trustee for 10 years. His wife was a devoted member of the Pres- byterian Church. Politically, Mr. Way is a Republican. He is one of the very old settlers of this tp., and is now endeavoring to take life easy by ceasing from hard work and making the best of his aged days. As a man he is upright and intelligent; as a citi- zen, obedient to the calls of duty.

W. K. Wellman, son of John and Patience (Haskill) Wellman, was born in Pennsylvania in 1833, and is of Scotch descent; his mother is still living, and his father died about 45 years ago. Com- ing with his father to Indiana in 1834, he first settled in Clinton tp .; after residing there 21 years, he went to Iowa and remained 18 months; upon returning he settled again in this county; he is now on Charles Fredrickson's place, on sec. 26. He was married in 1856 to Miriam Brown, who died three years afterward; he was married a second time 21 years ago, to Laura Brown, no relation of his first wife, who is now 41 years old and the mother of the follow- ing 5 children: Ira, Ora, Rosa, Eva and Benjamin. Mr. W.s' education when young was only common. Politically, he is a Re- publican.

W. H. Worden, son of Asa and Dorothy (Bowers) Worden, who are now deceased, was born in Ohio in 1818; his parents were both natives of New York. Coming to Indiana in 1845, he first settled at Door Village, in Scipio tp., where he resided about two years; he then removed to this tp .; he is now at Union Mills engaged in blacksmithing, with his son Hiram N. In 1840 he was married to Elizabeth Bennett, who is now 61 years of age and the mother of 2 children, only one now living, Hiram. Mr. W. was formerly a farmer with his father. His educational advantages were ordinary; reads a great deal now. His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Worden is a Democrat.

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

It is alleged that in the early settlement of Northern Indiana, that part of it then denominated as Pleasant township was one of the most beautiful and lovely tracts of land in La Porte county. Judging from reliable accounts given by the old settlers, concern- ing the pristine condition of this township, surely the name " Pleas- ant " was a fit epithet; for here it was that thick forests of lofty and verdant trees, interwoven here and there beneath by tall grass, sweetly blooming and fragrant flowers, and wild strawberries grew unharmed, untouched, save by the rude hand of the. red man. Flower-clad prairies, too, broke the monotony of the gentle, rolling landscape, and the territory was dotted throughout by shining little lakes, containing pure water from heaven, where the wild deer was once wont to stoop and drink and quench its longing thirst. But those early characteristics of Pleasant township have long since been utterly transformed; however, it is still a desirable locality in which to live. A little over half a century has brought about wonderful and almost incomparable changes in the direction of civilization, progress, prosperity and happiness. A half century ago all was wild and uncultivated; the country was then inhabited by scatter- ing Indians of the Pottawatomie tribe, who roamed promiscuously about through the county from La Porte to Michigan City; these were removed in 1837, and to-day the township is settled by an intelligent class of citizens, who pride themselves in the improve- ment of their community, and who have changed the rude forests and grass-covered prairies into well-improved farms, productive of immense crops of wheat, corn and oats and fruit of all varieties; the little lakes are now mostly filled up, and form a part of the culti- vated land. These changes 50 years have wrought, and now, having noticed them, let us turn our attention to the original boundaries of this township, and also let us observe through whose instrumentality they were caused.

At the March term of the Commissioners' Court, in 1834, the Board passed the following order: "On motion of William Holmes, Kankakee township is divided by the line running east and west between townships 36 and 37, all that part south of said line in said county to constitute and form a new township of the name of Pleasant; that the house of Oliver Classon shall be the place appointed to hold elections for said township, and that James Webster be appointed inspector of elections until the April annual election, or until his successor be elected and qualified." But since that time the limits have been changed; out of the territory which

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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.

was in that year made Pleasant township, have been formed John- son, Lincoln, and Union townships, so that at the present time Pleasant is only two-thirds of a full township, containing only 24 sections; the two southern tiers of sections which should properly belong to Pleasant, now form a part of Union township.

Pleasant is township 36 north, range 2 west, and is situated near the center of the county. It is bounded on the north by Kankakee, on the east by Lincoln, on the south by Union, and on the west by Scipio. The earliest settler of the township was James Webster, who settled on section 1 as early as 1832; about the same time came his son-in-law, James Highley; they were from Virginia. In 1833 came Silas Hale and Oliver Classon, who settled on section 22; John Wilson, from Ohio, came the same year; also Andrew Har- vey, who settled on section 21, and Asa Owen, on section 22. In 1834 came Ralph Loomis, and George S. McCollum, who settled on sec. 12; and Samuel Stewart, James Van Valkenburgh and a great many others came in 1835. May 26, 1836, George Bosserman arrived, bought land, and returned to his native State; Dec. 1, 1836, he came back and located permanently; he is now on section 10, and is the only one of the old settlers thus far mentioned who is yet a resident of the township. In the same year came his brother-in-law, J. G. McCaskey. Among those now living in the township, the following may be mentioned as old settlers: W. W. Burhans, David E. Coplin, Ziba Bailey, William Everhart and Charles W. Wing. Mary A. Whitzell, now on section 22, George Bosserman, on section 10, and Ziba Bailey, on section 1, are the old- est living settlers of the township. From this time on it would be difficult to trace the settlement of the township, as the population increased very rapidly; suffice it to say that the township soon became peopled by a class of hard-working, industrious, wealthy farmers, who made the township what it is to-day. And right here, in attributing justice and deference to the history of this township and its inhabitants, it may be well to state that within the last ten years a great many old settlers and prominent men have moved away, most of them to La Porte, and are now retired farm- ers; a good many have also moved away never to revisit it, having passed from this life.

In the year 1835 or '36 Mr. Whitmer built a saw-mill on the Little Kankakee. Root and Graham also built one on the same stream, and about 1850 the Websters put up another. These mills are now no more. About 1868 a flouring mill was erected on the same stream on section one, by Jno. Forrey; this mill, the only one in the township, was soon after bought by William Forrey, who is now proprietor. He is doing a good business, both custom and merchant; sells flour in several of the neighboring towns, and runs six days out of the week. The mill is situated on the Little Kan- kakee, which runs through the northeastern part of the township, crossing sections two, one and twelve. It is the only stream in Pleasant township, and is one of the most beautiful little streams of pure sparkling, living water in the county.

Baileg

91.

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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.

RAILROADS.

The Indianapolis, Peru & Chicago railroad crosses the township diagonally from northwest to southeast. The Grand Trunk rail- road passes through the southeastern part of the township, cross- ing sections 22, 23, 24 and 13. These two roads intersect on section 23. There was formerly a little station called Stillwell situated on the line between sections 14 and 15. This was only a small place and had no railroad. When the two roads were built through the township, the junction proper took the name of Stillwell, which is only a railroad junction and does considerable railroad business. There are only a few houses in the so-called town. Dr. C. E. Young is located here and has a small drug store; there is also a postoffice, and Dr. Young is the postmaster. This is all there is by way of a town in Pleasant township.

SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.

The first school-house built in the township was known by the name of " Old Charity," or " the traveling school-house." It was a migratory concern, and was built on section eight. There seems to have been some difference of opinion as regards the proper loca- tion of the house. A history of this " traveling school-house" is given by General Packard in his History of La Porte County. We quote the following from his History of Pleasant township:

"A number of those interested were opposed to having it on the site where it was built, and they put it on wheels or rollers, and moved it to another place which suited them better. Then the other party hitched on to it one day (or night) and pulled it back to its former location. A second time it migrated; and this time it was run on the top of a stump, so as to fasten it; but it was afterward pried or cut loose, and was made to take two or three more journeys before the dispute was settled and the migratory school-house was permitted to have a permanent abiding place."

For about three years it moved about, until finally it was located on section 17, where it stands to-day, still being used for school pur- poses. In the early settlement of the township there were only two school-houses; but since that time great improvement and advance- ment have been made in this direction. There are now five good school buildings known by number and conveniently located, each district being furnished with from six to eight months' school annu- ally.

Pleasant township is blessed with only one church, the Metho- dist Episcopal, situated on section two, built in 1853, and is known as Salem Chapel. It was built by Wiley P. Watkins, who was pastor at that time; his nephew, T. C. Stringer, is the present pastor, and George Bosserman is the present trustee. Some of the charter members were J. G. McCaskey and wife, and Geo. Bosserman and wife. The congregation now numbers about 45.

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There is also a Sunday-school in connection with the Church, of which Mr. Bosserman is the Superintendent. The first preachers of Pleasant township were Elder St. Clair, "Campbellite"; Elder Spalding, Baptist; and Rev. George M. Boyd, Methodist.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Politically, Pleasant township is Republican; the population of the township in 1870 was 814; in 1880 it was 574, thus showing a decrease of 240; this is accounted for by the fact, as before men- tioned, that during the last decade a great many have died and moved away. The census enumerator, appointed for the year 1880, was Allen Burhans. The first Justice of the Peace of Pleasant township was either Geo. McCollom or Geo. Havens; the township has only one Justice; the present one is James O. Crowl. The present School Trustce is John Whitmer. There are two ceme- teries in the township, one on section two and the other on section ten. The latter is known as Salem cemetery. Comparatively few of the early settlers of this township are now living; most of them now sleep that sleep the loveliest since it dreams the least; somewhere

They sleep in secret, but their sod, Unknown by man, is marked by God.

PERSONAL.

The following sketches are short biographies of many of the pio- neers and leading citizens of Pleasant township, which will be found equally interesting to the residents of the community.

Ziba Bailey was born in Cairo, Greene county, N. Y., Dec. 5, 1807. According to the traditions of the family his paternal ancestor came from Wales and settled in Hartford, Conn., in the early days of that colony. His grandfathers on both sides lived and died in Connecticut. His father, Ebenezer Bailey, moved to Cairo, N. Y., in 1806, and engaged in farming; two or three years afterward he moved with his family to Hector, Tompkins county, N. Y., settling near Seneca lake. He was an active, influential man, and served in the war of 1812. While on the lines he was seized by an epidemic then prevalent, and died shortly after his return home, at the close of the war. He is buried at "Peach Orchard."

He married Lydia Bradley, also a native of Connecticut, and their children were Nancy, Martin, Hiram, Lydia, Ziba and Sylves- ter, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only one now living. Nancy married Joel Peck, of Tompkins county, N. Y .; Martin married Pagy Banker, reared a family of children, and died in 1851; Hiram married Elizabeth Bohr, of Pennsylvania, and brought up a large family; Lydia married Erastus Peck, of New York, and also had a family of children; Sylvester married Polly Carter, had

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one child, moved to Indiana and died; his wife and child are also dead. Mrs. Lydia Bailey died abont 1821.

Mr. Ziba Bailey, during his childhood, attended the home school, the advantages of which at that day were very limited. After the death of his mother he was bound out to his brother-in-law until of age, and he remained with him until some time after he was 21. At the age of 22 he commenced to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, at which he worked two years after coming to La Porte county. On arrival here, May 13, 1836, he settled south of La Porte city, in Scipio tp., where no improvements had been made anywhere within sight. He remained here about a year and a half; he resided one year in Centre tp., then about three years in La Porte, as a carpenter, grain dealer and farmer; then he lived ten years on sec. S, Pleasant tp .; in 1852 he bought a half of sec. 1, same tp., and moved his family there, where he has remained ever since. He started in life with nothing, and came to this county with only $450, but he now owns 710 acres of land, valued at $45 an acre. He has now one of the best farms in the county.

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History of La Porte County, Indiana, Part 79

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : C.C. Chapman Number of Pages: 930

Author: Chas. C. Chapman & Co
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : C.C. Chapman
Number of Pages: 930