USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 85
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William W. Travis .- This pioneer, whose portrait appears in this book on page 891 from a picture taken at the age of 40 years is of Eng- lish ancestry. ITis grandfather, Joshua Travis, emigrated from Eng- land when a young man, about the year 1750, and settled near New York city, where he lived many years following farming. Here he married,raised a family of children, and died at an advanced age. His widow, whose maiden name was Sally Brand, died at the age of S5, in Chautauqua county, N. Y., at the house of her son, John Travis, the father of the subject of this sketch. The latter was a farmer for many years in that county, and brought up a family of 9 children, who all came to La Porte connty to live except one who died quite young. Three of the children, Joshua, John and Curtis, located here in 1832, and were among the best early pioneers. Eliza, since deceased, also came at this time. The next to come to the county was William W., in 1841; Allen came in 1843; and Sarah and Susan arrived in 1847 or 1848. John Travis' wife, Sally, died in New York about 1851, and he afterward married Ann Eaton, and still later caine to this county, settling on the southeast quarter of sec. 34, Union tp .; three years after this he sold, and bought a farm on sec. 32, where he lived until his death in 1863.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
William W. Travis, the subject of this biography, was born in what is now the town of Broome, in Broome county, N. Y., July 12, 1816; his early years were passed on his father's farm, where he remained until he was 23 years of age, receiving a common- school education; but he surpassed the standing of his fellows, and even of the teacher, principally by the aid of a Mr. Lake, a weaver, who was well educated, and took great interest in helping young William along with his studies. Just before he was 21, he was put in charge of a school at Smith's Mills, N. Y., which he taught for one term. He afterward taught a term in the county adjoining.
April 2, 1839, Mr. Travis married Ann Waxham, daughter of James and Ann (Gill) Waxham, of Hanover, Chautauqua county, N. Y. They were natives of Cambridgeshire, Eng., five miles from the city of Ely, in which county Mr. W.'s father was a large land- holder. Mrs. Travis was born in England about 1817, and when six years of age her mother died; her father married again and emi- grated to America with his family of wife and 3 children in 1829. He was a farmer, and died at Wesleyville, near Erie, Pa.
Two years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Travis moved to Indiana, starting from New York with a two-horse wagon, on which was placed all their household goods and a good big dog, "Tige." He was a very fine large fellow and a trusty watch-dog. He had the misfortune of getting a leg broken the third day of the trip, when Mr. T. gave him his place in the wagon and walked for days; he succeeded in bringing Tige through safe to Indiana, where he proved of great service to them in various ways, especially as a protector of the house when Mr. T. was away. With the team just mentioned they made their whole journey West, 18 days and 550 miles, except 3 miles, when Mr. T. hired another team to take him that distance to his brother Curtis' house, in Pleasant tp., and return the next day. On this trip he was trusted with quite a large amount of money, all in silver, to bring to his brother, which Mrs. T. was obliged to bring the whole distance in her basket, about which she had considerable anxiety, as'she was obliged to sleep, as it were, " with one eye open " and her hand on the precious treas- ure. All came through safe.
The first summer after his arrival here Mr. Travis worked for his brothers, and also attended some of their land, on shares. In the fall he located on sec. 34, this tp., where he ran $350 in debt for 60 acres, at $S an acre. On this place was a small house, into which they moved their goods and commenced housekeeping. It took him about ten years to pay the indebtedness on the place. He subsequently bought 30 acres, then 40, and he now owns 240 acres of land adjoining his residence, on sec. 32, with fine improvements.
Mr. Travis is considered one of the foremost men in his town- ship, financially and socially. He has been successful in all his business undertakings. He is a Republican, and during the war was one of the staunchest supporters of the Union canse and of the Government. By acts and influence he did everything that he
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could in the community to further the good cause, against a very embarassing opposition. Through his exertions a number of the sick soldiers in the army were sent for, brought home, nursed up, and afterward returned to the army. He made one trip himself to look after the sick from his tp., and found one dangerously ill, whom he brought home and who finally recovered his health. Un- known to him this man was reported as his son by some of the sol- diers, and when the boys told him of it and requested him not to deny it, he let it pass and finally brought him home.
In religious matters Mr. T. is a free-thinker, and has implicit trust and confidence in the Almighty God, and in his purity and justice in all matters here and hereafter.
Mr. Travis has many times been requested to run for office, but he has always refused.
Dr. W. W. Wilcox, druggist and apothecary, Kingsbury, was born in Genesee county, N. Y., July 29, 1825. His parents were Virgil and Dolly Wilcox. In March, 1848, he enlisted in the Mexican war, in Co. H, 16th Regt. U. S. Infantry, under Gen. Taylor, and served until the close of that war. Aug. 18, 1850, he was joined in marriage to Louise Burdick, by whom he had 2 children; one of these is living, Allie (now Mrs. Closser). Mrs. Wilcox departed this life Nov. 18, 1859, and Mr. Wilcox again married Jan. 12, 1860, Miss Eliza H. Welton. Mr. Wilcox on his father's side is of English descent; three brothers named Whitlock, who were his early ancestors, were among the very first settlers in America. They came over only a short time after the Puritan fathers emigrated here. Both of his grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. His uncle, John Wilcox, was killed and scalped in the Florida war by the Indians.
Norris J. Winchell, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O., Kingsbury; was born in Franklin county, Ill., June 19, 1820; he came to this tp. with his parents, Stephen and Asenath Winchell, in 1833; the former was a native of New York, and the latter of Virginia, on James river. There midst the marshes he grew to maturity, and had access to the schools which were held in log cabins. He too, like his brother, W. H., was in destitute circumstances when he started out in life, but by his good management and faithful indus- try, which are the principal elements of prosperity, he has gained enough during life to keep him when in the decrepitude of old age. Mr. Winchell was married first Jan. 7, 1849, to Miss Eliza M. Bel- den. She died Jan. 15, 1851. He again married April 19, 1855, to Miss Sarah Smith, who was a native of Scotland. She died Oct. 15, 1857, leaving one child, Sarah S. (now Mrs. Northram). Oct. 17, 1858, he was again married to Mrs. Melissa Phelps (formerly Miss Evans), and they had one child, Dora M. (now Mrs. Ellsworth). Mrs. Winchell died in July, 1873, and he was again married, April 26, 1876, to Mary E. Carskaddon, by whom he had one child, Harold Burr. Mr. W. owns a farm of 330 acres, princi- pally in secs. 3 and 4. In politics, he is a Republican; and in religion, an Adventist.
Cf D Likley
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
William H. Winchell, brother of the preceding, was born Ang. 14, 1812, and settled in this county in 1833. In 1826 he, with his father's family, had located in Franklin county, Ill., near Terre Haute, Ind. When he came here he had but little means, but by strictest economy and the most industrious efforts has accumulated great wealth. He owns about 1,800 acres of first-class land, princi- pally on Stillwell Prairie. His property at a very low rate is estimated at $150,000. He farms on a very large scale, and raises a great deal of stock. He was married April 5, 1840, to Miss Louisa Osborn, by whom he has had 4 children, Olive M., now Mrs. Lamb, of La Porte; Francis Marion, White Rock, Ill .; Daniel, Edwin and Henrietta B.
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WILLS TOWNSHIP.
Wills township, which is number 37 north, range 1 west, is situ- ated in the eastern part of La Porte county, and is bounded on the north by Hudson and Galena, on the west by Kankakee, on the south by Pleasant and Lincoln townships, and on' the east by St. Joseph county. This township is somewhat peculiarly laid ont. It is composed of sections from both range 1 and range 2 of township 37. A portion of the Congressional township, of which Wills forms a part, lies in St. Joseph county, 12 sections on the east and northeast of Wills township being thus cut off from La Porte county. As originally constituted it included all of the present Hudson township and six sections on the east side of Galena, extending to the Michigan line. Its six southeastern sections were then in St. Joseph county. The township was organized, and its boundaries designated on the same day with Pleasant township, both being carved out of the original township of Kankakee. On the third day of March, 1834, at the regular March term of the Board of County Commissioners, the following order was passed:
" On motion of Henry F. Janes for a division of Kankakee town- ship and to form the township of Wills in the northeast corner of said county, bounded as follows, to-wit: Beginning at the south- east corner of section 33, township 37 north, of range one west, thence north with the county line to the northeast corner of La Porte county, thence west with the county line to the section line, one mile west of the range line dividing one and two west, thence south with said section line to the south side of township 37, thence east to the place of beginning; and that the house of William West shall be the place of holding elections in said township, and that Henry F. Janes be appointed inspector of elections."
Thus tracing the outlines of the township upon the map, they will be found very irregular. Why it is thus, there seems to be no good reason.
The earliest pioneer settlers of this township were John Wills and his 3 sons, John, Daniel and Charles, who came as early as 1830; they settled on section 6. These were the first permanent settlers of the township, and in all probability the name of the town- ship was derived from them; although Asa Warren, now a resident of Hudson township, claims to have visited it as early as 1829; how- ever, he did not settle then. Closely following them came a good many others who made this township their home in 1830, the names of all of whom it is not easy to obtain. A few of theni are: Joseph Lykins, John Sissany, Andrew Shaw and J. S. Garoutte. In 1831 came Matthias Dawson, James Wills and Dr. Chapman.
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
In 1832 then came John Hefner, who settled on section 23; in 1832, Joseph Starrett bought an " Indian float " and settled on it in 1833. Among other early settlers not yet mentioned were Jesse Willett, Jacob Gallion, Nimrod West and J. Clark.
During the year 1834, there came from Clarke county John Bowell and his wife; they first camped out for two weeks just over the line, in Kankakee township, and then finally settled in Wills township. Three of their children, Dr. B. C. Bowell, A. J. Bowell and Mrs. Jas. Drummond, are still residents of this township. Their mother, Elizabeth Bowell, died April 3, 1866, and on April 10, just one week afterward, her husband, John, died. Both now lie buried in the edge of Kankakee township, within 20 feet of where they camped ont for two weeks 32 years previous to their death. And thus, like them, one by one have the early pioneers of this township passed away and taken their rest in the silent halls of death; many of them now sleep on, sleep ever in the cold and silent grave, whilst the lightnings flash and the thunders roar, calmly waiting for the shining dewdrops of time itself to be gently silvered o'er, when the grave shall give up its illustrions dead and the pioneers shall be rewarded.
In the year 1834 it is said that Joseph Lykins put up the first frame house that was ever erected in the township; it was built somewhere in the northeast part.
Some time prior to 1835 came Howell Huntsman. Mr. Kitchen, George Hunt, Asher White, Edmund Jackson, Wmn. Ingraham, John Galbreath, Martin Baker, William Nixon, Andrew Fuller, Samuel Van Dalsen and a great many others.
The first grist-mill in the township was built by John Galbreath, on a branch of the Kankakee. John Wills was the first Justice of the Peace in this township.
CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
There is only one church in the township. It is a Baptist church building, situated on seetion 13, and was built in 1843. In 1837 there was built a log church which served every purpose for relig- ious worship until 1843, when the present one was built. 'June 13, 1836, a Baptist Church was organized by Elder T. Spaulding, of La Porte, and Elder T. Price, of Edwardsburg, Michigan, at the residence of James Hunt, consisting of the following charter mem- bers: James Hunt, Naney Hunt, Phebe Hunt, Sabrina Salisbury, John Salisbury, Matthias Dawson, Sarah Dawson, Alsie Dawson, Martha Whitehead, Catharine Whitehead, Martha Hunt and Cla- rissa Canada. To-day the congregation is not large, but composed of some of the best citizens of Wills township. The organizers of this Church were the earliest ministers in this community. The first school-house was built at Independence, or " Sauk Town."
There are now six good new, substantial, frame school-buildings, situated conveniently throughout the township, in which are furn- ished about nine months of school annually. The educational
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HISTORY OF LA PORTE COUNTY.
interests of this township are well cared for by the people in gen- eral, and by John W. Zigler in particular, who is now and has been School Trustee for the last 18 years, with the exception of 1S months.
VILLAGES.
There is nothing in Wills township that deserves the name of a town, and the only thing that adds to the business interests of the township is one small store at what is known as Puddletown, and two saw-mills situated upon a couple of small lakes. Puddletown was never laid out as a village, but at an early day it might possibly have deserved the name of a village. It is situated on Puddletown lake, on section 9. In 1851 a steam saw-mill was built at this place, where it remained until a few years ago, when it was removed to another location. The only thing that is now any indication of a town is a small store, kept by L. C. Vandusen, who first engaged in the boot and shoe business at that place in 1857. In 1872 he added a small stock of groceries; in 1876 he abandoned the shoe shop and now carries a small stock of groceries, drugs, dry goods, hardware and queensware. In 1856 Waters and Dugan started a blacksmith shop, and continued in that business for about three years. During the year 1862 a postoffice was established, J. W. Culp being postmaster; this was discontinued after about two years. This little country village can no longer be called a town; it was never laid out as such.
In 1837 plats were filed with the county recorder for laying out the village of Independence. It was to be situated on section 28. In 1835 Andrew Fuller started a little country store in that com- munity, but soon afterward discontinued the business. In the same year Elias Axe started a cabinet shop. In 1836 William C. Pellett bonglit out the rural village formerly owned by Mr. Baker, and started another small store. The town afterward passed into other hands. In 1837 Mr. Sparrow started a boot and shoe shop. Soon after a wagon shop and tailor shop were established, the former by a man named Chapman, and the latter by Win. Costello. About the same time two mills were built; the one a grist-mill, by John Galbreath, and the other a saw-mill by his father, Benjamin Gal- breath. These were intended to be run by water-power, but the water drying up, both mills were soon torn down. Another mill was built afterward which run until 1851, when it was removed to Puddletown. The town of Independence is now no more. Not even a building or ruin marks its former existence. The country elose by the site of this once so-called town is now known as " Sauk Town."
And still another place deserves to be mentioned under this head. It is a place on section 6 known as " Boot Jack." At this place, in 1835, a small store and trading post were started by an Indian whose name was Rice; upon his departure with the rest of the Indians soon after, it was discontinued. In 1851 Harvey Kellogg opened a
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tavern, and soon after, John Parker, father of John Parker, who is now a resident of the same place, started another. A tavern-keeper in that day did a very lucrative business, but afterward, when the railroads were surveyed through the country near by, the taverns were closed. One still stands, though somewhat dilapidated by time; and only the ruins of the other are in existence. There are several old houses in the place which still stand to perpetuate the location of "Boot Jack," and serve as a memento of the fact that a country village once existed there. The town was probably named from the pecu- liar manner in which the two roads crossed each other at this point.
RAILROADS AND WATERING FACILITIES.
Wills township does not have the advantage of a railroad station, that which is most necessary to promote the business interests of a community; however, it is situated midway between New Carlisle on the east and Rolling Prairie on the west, both of which towns receive a liberal patronage from the inhabitants of Wills township.
No rivers or creeks cross the township; for watering facilities, it is dependent entirely upon five or six small lakes which here and there dot the low lands bordering closely upon the timber. A large proportion of the land in this township is excellent for farming purposes, while a great part in the east and south is timbered land, which adequately supplies the wants of the inhabitants for fuel.
PERSONAL MENTION.
The following are short biographical sketches of many prominent citizens of Wills township, which in fact constitute a legitimate portion of its history and will be found of great interest.
Dr. B. C. Bowell, a farmer and practicing physician, of Wills tp., was born in Clarke county, Ind., in 1820; he is a son of John and Elizabeth (Carr) Bowell, deceased, natives of Pennsylvania; they lie buried in the Kankakee cemetery, within 10 feet of where they camped out when first coming to this county 46 years ago. The mother was of Irish descent, and father of Welsh descent. The Doctor, coming to La Porte county March 31, 1834, in company with his father, camped out for two weeks in this tp. and then finally located where he is now living. He was married the first time in Clarke county, Jan. 17, 1850, to Elizabeth Drummond, who died May 17, 1851; she was a native of Clarke county, and was the mother of one child, which died when an infant. He was married the second time Feb. 16, 1852, to Eliza A. Jackson, who is a native of Ohio and is now 47 years old, the mother of 7 children; of these, 4 are living: Frank A., Flora A., B. C., Jr., and Fred. J. The Doctor owns 445 acres of fine land, which he valnes at $75 per acre. He has a fine large brick-house, which he built in 1870 at a cost of $10,000. Politically, he is a Democrat; he and wife are members
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of the Christian Church. The Doctor when a boy hired out and drove seven yoke of oxen to a plow while breaking prairie. His educational advantages were quite limited, but were very good for the time; he graduated at the Eclectic Medical College, at Cincin- nati, Ohio, in 1849; commenced the practice of medicine in 1845 at New Carlisle, St. Joseph county, where he remained seven months, and then went to Chicago; here he practiced five months and then returned to Wills tp., where he has been ever since as a farmer and physician and surgeon. He has a good practice, amounting to about $3,000 annually.
Broadrick Bunton, son of Peter and Jane (Goodridge) Bunton, was born in New York in 1819, and is of Dutch descent. He came to La Porte county in 1842, and to this tp. in 1854. In 1850 he was united in marriage to Maria Dawson, a native of Indiana, who is now 45 years old, and the mother of 8 children; of these, 6 are living: James, George, John, Marion, Samuel and Hamilton. He owns 73 acres on sec. 31, of this tp., and 117 in Lincoln tp. He and wife are members of the Methodist Church. Politically, he is a Democrat. His school advantages were poor, not being able to receive sufficient education to enable him to read and write.
Jesse Coleman, a farmer on sec. 32, P. O., La Porte, is a son of Jonathan and Rachel Brown, both of whom are now deceased, and was born in Butler county, O., in 1813, and is of English descent. He came with his father to Indiana when only a small child and settled in Fayette county, where they lived 21 years. He next went to St. Joseph county, from there to this county, where he remained 10 years; he then removed to Marshall county, and returned after a few years to this county. He was married in 1836 to Dorcas Dawson, who died in 1856; he was married the second time about 20 years ago. Mr. C. owns, on sec. 32, 225 acres of land. Politically, he is a Democrat.
John L. Couchman, farmer, sec. 5; P. O., New Carlisle; is the son of George and Elbenia (Chineworth) Couchman, and was born in Wayne county, O., in 1850. He was married in 1872 to Eva E. Brown, who is now 26 years of age, a native of Indiana, and the mother of 2 children, both living: Florence and Cora. Mr. C. and wife are members of the Christian Church. Politically, he is a Republican. His educational advantages were not very good. He owns 40 acres of excellent farming land on sec. 5, worth about $75 per acre. He has worked diligently all his life, and had very little start when he commenced. He came to this tp. eight years ago.
Richard Cranmer, P. O., New Carlisle, the son of Job and Mary (Headley) Cranmer, was born in New Jersey in 1796, and is of English descent. His parents, both of whom are now deceased. were natives of New Jersey. Coming to Indiana in 1836 he first settled at New Carlisle, where he remained two years and built the first tavern at that place; he then came to this tp., where he has been ever since. He was married to Mary Bowker, who died about 16 years ago. She was a native of New Jersey and was about
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65 years of age at the time of her death. They were blessed with S children, 6 of whom are living: Samuel, Esther, Mary, Michael, Alice and Richard. His education was only such as was afforded by a subscription school. He is a member of the Methodist Church; his wife was also a member of the same. Politically, he is a Dem- ocrat, and was formerly a Whig. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace in this tp. He owns here, on sec, 4, 130 acres of land, which he values at about $50 per acre.
George Dawson, farmer, sec. 10; P. O., La Porte; was born in this county in 1857, and is of English descent; he is the son of Obadiah and Polly (Warren) Dawson, both of whom are now living in this tp. In 1876 Mr. D. was married to Miss Belle Tuley, a native of La Porte county, Ind., who is now 28 years of age and the mother of one child: Gerald, who was born July 16, 1877. His wife is the daughter of Simeon and Maria (Leming) Tuley. Mr. D. is living on his father's place, consisting of 220 acres, which he farms pretty extensively. Politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advantages were tolerably good, and he reads a good deal. Mr. D. is a hard-working man and successful farmer.
O. Dawson, a prominent farmer and old settler of Wills tp., is the son of Matthias and Alsey (Harding) Dawson, and was born in Fayette county, Ind., in 1820; lie is of English descent. Mr. D. came to this county with his father in 1833; here his father and mother both died. In 1841 he was married to Sophia Warren, who died in June, 1845; she was a native of Indiana, and at her death was 26 years of age. She was the mother of 3 children, of whom one is now living, named Nancy Jane. In 1848 he was married a second time, to Polly Warren, a sister of his first wife. She is now 55 years old and is the mother of 9 children, of whom 8 are living: Elizabeth, Mary, Rosilla, George, Ella, Aaron, Alice and Irvin. Mr. D. owns in this tp. over 500 acres of land, and has also 370 in Pleasant tp. His educational advantages were limited, but he is a man who reads considerable now. Politically, he is a Democrat. He had a small start when he commenced life for himself, and has succeeded well, financially speaking, and also in bringing up a fam- ily of children.
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