USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 83
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SPRINGFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Springfield township was organized on the 6th day of January, 1835. The County Commissioners ordered an election to be held on the last Saturday in January, and appointed Judah Leaming as inspector of the election. Since its original organization, one tier of sections on the south became again a part of Centre township. The first white settler in the township was Judah Leaming. He came in 1831 and settled where the village of Springfield now stands, and was the first Justice of the Peace. He built the first cabin, and afterward the first frame house, which is now standing, in a good state of preservation. It is the building occupied by Benjamin Rhodes. Abram Cormack and Daniel Griffin were early residents, and as nearly as ean be ascertained lived in the town the first year of its settlement. In 1832 John Brown, Joseph Pagin and his sons, Erastus Quivey, John Hazelton and Charles Vail, became settlers. Mr. Vail erected a saw-mill on sec. 31.
During this year the first school-house was built, and the school was taught by Miss Emily Leaming. It was situated 80 rods west of the village of Springville. The Methodists had services about this time, when Messrs. Rose and Griffin took the lead in the exer- cises. Many attended the meetings of the Baptists, Mr. Marks eondueting the services. There was no regular place of worship for either.
In 1833 the town of Springville was surveyed by Daniel M. Leaming, upon the lands of Judah Leaming. During this year Gilbert Rose, Hiram Griffin, John Griffin and Erastus Quivey became settlers. Quivey built the mill on section 1, now known as the Ross mill.
In 1834 Ingraham Gould, Michael Fall, Ezekiel Blue, Abner Ross, Aaron Conklin, John Johnson, Henry S. Allen, John White, Mr. Ross, A. N. Shippee, Mr. Lewis and Josiah Redding became settlers. Joseph Pagin built a grist-mill, which was run until it was worn out. About the same time David Pagin built another mill on the same stream, about a mile and a half below the old one. During this year Elder Tucker, the first male teacher, took charge of the school near Springville.
James V. Hopkins came to the township in 1835, but settled in Michigan City afterward.
During this year the school-house near Springville burned; also, this year the first wedding took place, Abner Ross marrying Esther Rose. Jacob Early built a mill upon section 28, which has been worn out and rebuilt several times, the last time by E. S. Organ. In October of this year, Chas. Vail built a saw-mill, Erastus Quivey
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
assisting in its construction. Hopkins worked at the business of carpentry and also made brick, designing to build a tavern, but sold to Ingraham Gould.
Prior to 1837 many more had come into the township, among them being Samnel Lehr, John Mason, Lemnel S. Fitch, Alfred Stanton, John Blue and Michael Fall.
There are two villages in this township.
Springville takes its name from a large spring of pure cold water near by which flows out in great abundance. It was laid cut by Daniel Leaming for Judah Leaming, who was the original pro- prietor of the soil, and the plat was filed for record Ang. 19, 1835. Prior to this, in 1834, Gilbert Ross had started a store in the village, Ingraham Gould a tavern, and Abner Ross a blacksmith shop. A postoffice was established in 1835, which was kept until 1863, when it was discontinued. During most of the time of its existence it was kept by D. K. Brickett, who commenced the business of boot and shoe making in 1837 and continued it until 1853. Aaron Conklin established a tannery in 1835, and after conducting it four years, sold out to Leslie Rose. He in turn sold it to Ira C. Nye, who conducted the business successfully for many years.
Corymbo is situated on the northeast quarter of sec. 18, town 38 north, of range 3 west. The plat was acknowledged by Craigie Sharp, Jr., and filed Aug. 19, 1873. In 1861 a post-office was established, and Craigie Sharp, Jr., appointed postmaster. It has since been discontinued.
For several years between 1835 and 1844 a gang of counterfeiters infested this township; the leaders 'were men known as Van Vesler and Stroud. Van Vesler was finally detected and sent to the State prison, where he died, and Stroud is reported to have been lynched in Illinois for horse-stealing.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Following is a brief mention of several prominent residents and pioneers of Springfield township. It will be of equal interest with the foregoing items, especially to the citizens of that community.
John Ashton was born in Ireland in 1822, son of Joseph and Ann Ashton, the former a native of England, and the latter of Ireland. At the age of 18 he went to the East Indies as a soldier, thence to Australia, where he remained 14 years; he then went to England, and in 1867 came to America, locating in this tp, where he engaged in farming, and owns 150 acres of land. In 1856 he mar- ried Miss Ann Traly, also a native of Ireland. Of their 7 children, Joseph only is living. Mr. and Mrs. A. are members of the Catholic Church. P. O., Springfield.
Joseph W. Field, farmer, sec. 36; P. O., La Porte; was born in this county in 1843, son of Richard and Mahala Field, the former a native of New York and the latter of Pennsylvania, who came to this county about 1840, settling near Union Mills, and to this tp. in
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
1852. They are at present living in Marion county, Iowa. Our subject learned the blacksmith's and mason's trades, but at present gives his entire attention to farming. Dec. 24, 1867, he married Nancy Culp, who was born May 29, 1847, in Decatur county, this State. Their children are Nellie, Melissa, Levisa, Richard, Freddie and Anna. Mr. Field served four years and three months in Co. F., 9th Ind. Vet. Vol. Inf. IIe was in the commands of Millroy, Nelson, Buell, Grant, Sherman and Thomas during his time of serv- ice. He owns 91 acres of land.
James V. Hopkins was born in Bourbon county, Ky., in 1802, son of Lemnel and Mary Hopkins, the former a native of Delaware, and the latter of Pennsylvania. At the age of ten years he was taken to Ohio, and in 1835 he came to this tp., then went to Centre tp., thence to Porter county, Ind., thenee to Michigan City, and in 1852 settled on his present farm. In 1827 he married Miss Elizabeth Ross, born in New Jersey in 1804. Their 2 living chil- dren are Hazzard M. and James T. Mrs. Hopkins died in 1874; she was paralyzed for seven years. Both are members of the Christian Church. P. O., Michigan City.
C. R. Madison was born in 1847, in Denmark. His parents, Robert and Gertrude Madison, were also natives of Denmark. When 18 years old he came to America, locating in Cook county, where he worked by the month for 5 months; he then went to the pineries of Michigan where he met with a severe accident, caused by the falling of logs from the sled. In the spring of 1867 he went to Chicago, where he worked in a carriage factory until he met with another accident which caused the loss of most of his fingers; he then returned to Michigan, worked on saw-mill, thence to Wiseon- sin, Chicago, Nebraska, Iowa, Porter county, Ind., and to this county in 1873, loeating in Cool Spring tp., afterward to this tp., where he bought mill property which he is operating; also owns 15 aeres of land. In 1870 he married Christine Johnson, who was born in Sweden in 1844; their 4 children are, Gertrude, Addie, Mabel and Edda. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the M. E. Church. P. O., Michigan City. Residence sec. 6.
E. S. Organ, farmer, see. 28; P. O., La Porte; was born in 1813, in Campbell county, Va. His father, John Organ, was a native of Maryland, and his mother, Elizabeth Organ, was a native of Vir- ginia. He eame to this county in 1836, settling in La Porte, where he lived 14 years, then settled on his present farm ; he again removed to La Porte, where he filled the office of County Treasurer for 5 years, and then came back to his farm. He held the office of Trustee three times, and has been delegate to State Conventions. In 1844 he, married Miss Catharine N. Early, who was born in Campbell county Va., in 1836. Her parents, Jacob and Elizabeth Early, were also natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Organ have S living children, namely : Ellen, Alice, Docia, Francis, Walter E., Nettie, Lney and Cora. Mr. O. owns 900 acres of land in this county, 600 of which is in the home farm; both are members of the M. E. Church.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
Solomon Ross, deceased, was born in Shenandoah county, Va., Dec. 1, 1807; was raised on a farm, receiving a common-school education, he emigrated to this county in 1834 or 1835, locating in this tp., where he followed farming and operated a saw-mill and flouring mill until his death, which occurred in 1869. Feb. 9, 1849, he married Ann Finley, who was born March 23, 1833, in Decatur county, Ind. Their 5 living children are Catharine, Andrew J., Amos J., Eldora (Downey) and John S. Mrs. Ross still lives on the farm, consisting of 400 acres, her son Andrew superintending. She is a member of the Christian Church. Her parents, Jonas and Sally Finley, were also early settlers; her father was born in New York in 1805, and her mother in 1804. Nine of their 11 children are living. Mr. Finley emigrated to this State in 1818, first settling in Whitewater, where he resided for some time; then moved to Terre Haute, where he lived until 1825; he then moved to Decatur county, and finally, in 1835, to this county, first settling in Galena tp .; thence to this tp. in 1848, where he resided until his death, which occurred in 1878. He followed farm- ing and milling. Mrs. Finley lives with her daughter Ann. Mr. and Mrs. F. were members of the Lutheran Church. P. O., La Porte. Residence, sec. 1.
Amos J. Ross, son of the preceding, was born in this county in 1859; was raised partly on a farm, and followed milling a portion of the time; the latter occupation he stills follows. In 1879 he married Miss Chloe Bishop, also a native of this county, born in 1863. P. O., La Porte. Residence, sec. 1
G. W. Shippe, farmer, sec. 13; P. O., New Buffalo, Michigan; was born in this county in 1837; his parents, Nehemiah Shippe, a native of Rhode Island, and Laura Shippe, a native of New York, came to this county about the year 1834. Dec. 13, 1860, Mr. Shippe married Miss Ellen Wilson, who was born in this county in 1843. Of their 7 children, 4 are living. Both are members of the Christian Church. Mr. S. owns a good farm and is a successful farmer.
Charles Vail, son of Isaac and Sarah Vail, was born in Plain- field, New Jersey, in 1803. In early life he went to New York city, where he followed the baker's trade. In 1829 he emigrated to this State, locating in Terre Conpee Prairie, St. Joseph county, where he resided until 1832, and then came to this tp., where he erected a saw-mill on sec. 31. He followed the lumber business until his death, which occurred Feb. 25, 1872. Since that time his sons, A. S. and C., have operated the mill. Two mills have been worn out, and the third one erected on the same site. Mr. Vail was among the first settlers of this tp .; he built a school-house at his own expense, and paid teachers for 3 years. In 1832 he mar- ried Miss Olive Stanton, born in Union county, Ind. Her parents, Aaron and Lydia (Fosdick) Stanton, the former a native of Virginia, and the latter of Massachusetts, were also early settlers. Mr. Stanton died in 1850, and Mrs. Stanton about 1845.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
Mr. and Mrs. Vail have had 9 children, 7 of whom are living: Augusta V., wife of Mr. Brooks, the inventor of Brooks' water wheel; Caroline V., wife of Mr. Cushing; Isaac, Aaron S., Julia (now Mrs. Quinby), Charles and Olive (now Mrs. Riley). Mrs. Vail still occupies the old homestead. She was reared a Quaker, as was also her husband.
John A. White, farmer, sec. 6; P. O., Michigan City; was born in this county in 1836; his parents, John H. and Elizabeth White, came to this county in 1833. He has traveled through Iowa, Mis- souri, Kansas, Colorado, ,Idaho, California, Oregon, Washington Territory and many other States. In several of these States he followed carpentering. In 1865 he returned to this connty and married Miss Sarah J. Mayhew, who was born in this county in 1843. Their 4 children are: Minnie G., Hugh, Guy and Matilda. Mr. White owns a good farm upon which he bestows his entire attention. His wife is a member of the M. E. Church.
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UNION TOWNSHIP.
The township of Union includes the whole of the Congressional township No. 35, range 2 west, the 12 southern sections of town- ship 36, same range, sections 25 and 36, and part of sections 26 and 35 of township 36, range 3 west and sections 1 and 12, and part of sections 13, 24 and 25 in township 35, range 3 west. Thus it con- tains 52 sections and five fractional sections, and is the largest township in the county.
The first settler came to this township in 1831 and built a small hut on the farm of D. H. Norton. This was Thos. Stillwell, from whom the prairie takes its name. He was a " border man," and he loved the company of Indians better than that of the whites. He was for quite a while without white neighbors. It was not until 1833 that any more permanent settlements were made, Mr. John Winchell and family being the first, John and Henry Vail soon after. The Vails built the first grist-mill in this township. Mr. Winchell also erected one the same year. Other persons arrived this year; among them were Henry Mann, whose children are yet living in the township, and Henry Davis, the father of Handy Davis, who opened the first store at Kingsbury The same year Mr. N. J. and W. H. Winchell came. Jesse Winchell came in 1834. For a time he occupied the place since owned by Mr. France. Still other settlers came that year, among whom were Col. Josiah Grover, now of Valparaiso, and Gustavus Evarts, who was the second Judge of the Circuit Court. During the year 1835 the immigration was lively, among whom were Dr. Sylvanus Evarts, who was the first physician in the township, and one Mr. Farmer, who opened a blacksmith shop in Kingsbury, which was the first in the township. He died some time during the " sickly season " of 1838. Ephraim Barney came in 1835. Geo. W. Reynolds, the present Justice of the Peace, settled in Kingsbury May 4, 1835, when there were but two others in the place, which were Farmer, the blacksmith, and Davis, the merchant. Mr. Reynolds was a mechanic by trade, and put up the first buildings in the place. Mr. R.'s father, Abraham Reynolds, came in June, 1836. He died in March, 1874. In 1836 Jeremiah Hiser came. His widow is still living in the township. Daniel Shaw came in 1837; he now lives in Kingsbury.
In 1834 the first saw-mill in the township was built by David Winchell, a brother of Mrs. Geo. W. Reynolds, of Kingsbury. He sold the mill to Jacob Early, who replaced the log structure with a frame work, which stood for 30 years. This was purchased by H. P. Lans, and was torn down and replaced by another frame structure.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
Itis now owned by Mrs. V. Bedley, of Cincinnati, a sister of the But- terworth brothers. The mill is now running under the management of H. D. Lans, a son of H. P. The first mill in the township, as already stated, was built by John and Henry Vail, in the early part of 1833. It was a log building, and in 1837 was rebuilt with a frame. A fulling mill and distillery were added, and in 1838 a wool-carding machine was attached. At the death of John Vail the property passed into the hands of Lot and Edward Vail, and some time since was purchased by Messrs. Butterworth. All except the grist-mill works have long been discontinued.
The only village in the township is Kingsbury. It was laid out in 1835 by De Witt Culver. It then contained 300 lots; all of these but 51 have long since been disannulled. The first store in this village was opened by Henry Davis. After the death of Davis another store was opened by Jacob Early. Stores were opened by different persons, but did not long continue in business. Jan. 1, 1871, Mr. Brand opened a large store and has since carried it on quite extensively. Winehold Brothers also have a store. The busi- ness of Kingsbury consists of two grist-mills, two dry-goods stores (one, Mr. Brand's, has an implement and hardware store attached), one separate implement store, one drug store, two blacksmith shops, one boot and shoe shop, one grain elevator, one railroad station, one telegraph operator, one Church, of the Baptist order, and a two-story frame school-building. The upper story of this is used as a town hall. The Masonic fraternity owns a good frame building, the upper story of which is occupied as a Masonic lodge hall. In 1873 the Peninsular railroad, of Michigan, now called the Chicago & Grand Trunk railroad, was completed, much to the gratification of the wishes of the people. This has given a much brighter out- look to the business interests of Kingsbury, as it has already be- come quite a shipping point for grain.
Agriculture forms the leading pursuit of the farmers. Stock- raising is fast becoming the leading feature of employment of the people. Union township is well adapted to these branches of in- dustry. Among the leading farmers of the township, most of whom are old residents, are: William H. and N. J. Winchell, A. P. Lilley, W. W. Travis, Daniel N. Hay, Hugh Glasgow, R. D. Craft, D. B. Collings, C. Travis, Jr., John Moyer, D. P. Closser, Wm. Reynolds, E. Barney, and H. P. and E. S. Ellsworth. The prominent stock- raisers are A. P. Lilley, John Moyer and Wm. Reynolds. Moses Butterworth is a farmer, grain dealer, miller and stock-raiser. Mr. D. P. Grover is a farmer and County Commissioner. Dr. H. M. Ellsworth is the only physician in the township.
This township is fast developing. Its productive capacity is hardly equaled by that of any other. The land is being drained very rapidly, and in a few years, if the work is prosecuted zeal- ously, will become unexcelled in quality and productiveness.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL.
The first school-house in the township was built of logs in 1834, and stood near the present site of the Baptist church, in Kings- bury. This remained for about 10 years, serving as both school and meeting house. About 1844 it was pulled down and a frame one built on the same site. Meetings were also held in this building till 1854, when the Baptists erected a church edifice. In 1872, un- der the superintendence of Edward Hawkins, a large two-story frame school-building was erected. There are also six other school- houses in the township. The Baptist Church at Kingsbury was the first in the township.
About 1843 a Methodist Protestant society was organized at Kingsbury. They continued to hold their meetings until 1858, when, by the liberal contributions of C. P. Switermeister, Curtis Travis (deceased), William Goodall (deceased), Hugh Glasgow and others, they were enabled to build a church edifice, which was erected near Tracey Station, under the. administration of the Rev. B. B. Bain. Soon the German element became quite large, and having no place to worship, joined the Methodists. At this the German preacher was offended. The Germans then made an appli- cation of permission to the Methodists to worship in their church. It was granted them, and they continued to hold meetings there till 1875, when, by the assistance of their father Methodists, they erected a German Lutheran church building near Tracey Station.
The Union Bethel church, which stands on sec. 35, was built in 1878, by a society of Quakers. The Union Church, which stands on section 3, was erected about the same time by the Unionists.
The branch of the Red Ribbon Temperance Society at Kings- bury is one of the most prosperous in the county.
THE PREHISTORIC MOUNDS.
Some of the most celebrated mounds are found in this township, on sec. 21. They are 14 in number, arranged in the form of a semi- circle. They run diagonally across section 21, terminating in sec- tion 20. The first one, beginning at the north, is a large terrace of earth six rods in diameter, and 26 feet high; the next is smaller; each decreases in size and dimensions to the last, one on section 2, which is not more than two rods in diameter and 8 feet high. Con- siderable excavations have been made in these mounds, and various relics of their prehistoric origin have been found; but to give the full details of the race that built them, and for what purpose, is a matter of impossibility. Yet it is very evident that they are of very remote date, as stumps of trees fully two feet in diameter are yet standing on the mounds.
CYCLONE.
A remarkable cyclone occurred in Union township July 2, 1878. The first indication of this terrible storm was seen north of Valpa-
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
raiso. It appeared in the form of an inverted cone about 100 feet in the air. No damage was done until it struck the passenger house at Wellsboro on the B. & O. R. R., and took a part of the roof off. No more damage was done till it struck on see. 7, on the farm of Wm. Reynolds, Union township. It swept along to the farm of J. Travis, sec. 8., then arose and seemed to redonble its fury and next fell with destructive power on the residence and build- ings of A. E. Barney, removing his residence about 40 feet from its foundation, taking off the roof of the north end to the first floor, and the south end to the basement floor. His barn was completely demolished, and the corn-crib, wagon-house and two other tenant buildings were destroyed. There were at Mr. Barney's, besides his own family, Mr. H. P. and H. H. Ellsworth, Lee Rudolph and O. H. Chapman. As the storm approached, the last named persons started north through the fields in a buggy to get out of the way of its fury. They succeeded in getting about 20 rods from Barney's residence when it appeared to them that their course was leading them into the storm. They then turned their horses southward, but the storm was upon them. Mr. H. P. Ellsworth and another occupant of the buggy alighted (the others having got out before) and caught the horses and clung to the fence; but the impetuosity of the storm was so great it caught the rear part of the carriage and hurled it into the air to the height of 100 feet, at the same time Mr. H. P. Ellsworth was caught up in the air and carried about 200 feet, and fell in where a large apple-tree had been torn ont. He received no injury, and immediately returned to the wreck of Mr. Barney's house and property. Mrs. Barney and her four daughters, one 18 years of age and the others younger, ran excitedly into a small tenant honse just opposite their residence, which was occupied by one Mr. Joiner and family. This house was blown to atoms. Mrs. B. was found some distance from it with two large timbers lying across her body, showing the pathway of death. Her eldest daughter, Miss Loretta, was found near her, mortally injured, from which she died the next day. The other persons that were in the honse escaped without very serious wounds. One young man, Edward Collings, who llved at Mr. D. B. Collings', was found dead in a rail pile not far from the barn. The last seen of him he was standing in the barn door. Mr. Barney remained in his house, and escaped the terrors of the storm. The Winchell school-house was entirely destroyed. School had been dismissed only thirty minutes before it was struck. The entire section of country was left in deso- lation. All the rail fences were swept away and the hedge fenees completely stripped of their leaves.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
We append to the above, as a part of the history of Union town- ship, brief biographies of prominent citizens.
Ephraim Barney, retired farmer, sec. 17; P. O., Kingsbury ; one of the early settlers of Union tp., coming in the fall of 1835. Mr.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
Barney was born in Steuben county, N. Y., June 24, 1803. His parents were Jonathan and Mary Barney, the former a native of New Hampshire, and the latter of Pennsylvania, whose ancestors came from England. Ephraim was reared on a farın, and was edu- cated in the Prattsburg Academy, and came to this county, as above stated, in the fall of 1835, and settled on the west side of Stillwell Prairie, where he lived for about 20 years. When Mr. Barney came here he had about $1,000, which he immediately invested in land; he also entered 80 acres in the sec. where he lives. He owns at present 280 acres in sec. 17, and also 200 acres in Minnesota. He was married June 15, 1828, to Miss Ruth Holmes, by whom he had 6 children; 5 of these are living: Emeline, now Mrs. A. Mc- Clain, and residing at Erie, Ill .; Ellen, now Mrs. H. C. Schaefer; Charles, residing in La Porte; John; Blair, at Marble Rock, Iowa, and Clark, deceased. Mrs. Barney died in 1863, and Mr. Barney again married July 9, 1868, Eunice A .. Holmes.
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