USA > Indiana > LaPorte County > History of La Porte County, Indiana > Part 86
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Gabriel Drollinger, a farmer on sec. 33 and a very old settler of this tp., was born in North Carolina in 1810, and is of German descent; he is the fifth child in a family of 7 children, whose parents were Frederick and Barbara ( Warrick) Drollinger; they were . na- tives of North Carolina, and are now both dead. Mr. D. came to Indiana in 1830 and first settled in St. Joseph county, where he lived as a hired hand most of the time for five years, and then came to La Porte county in 1835 and located in Wills tp. He was mar- ried in 1834 to Mary E. Chapman, who is now 65 years of age, a native of New York. They have had 13 children, of whom 9 are now living: Martha M., now the Widow Tennis; Polly, the wife of Joseph Hostotler, a farmer of this tp .; Josephine A., formerly the wife of Dr. Collins, of La Porte; Joseph, a farmer in Kansas;
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Jared, a farmer of this tp .; Manford, Quinby, Schuyler and George. Two of the last four are physicians in South Bend, the other two are residents of this tp. Mr. D. held the office of School Trustee in this tp. for two or three terms. Politically, he is a Republican. His education was confined to that of a subscription school in a log house, having paper for windows. Mr. D. owns 350 acres of ordi- nary land, well improved. He had no start in life, but worked as a hired hand until he was 24 years old. He has succeeded well.
Jared Drollinger, son of the preceding, is a farmer on sec. 33; P. O., Mill Creek. He was born in this tp. in 1848, and has.always been a resident of the same. In 1879 he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Jarrell, who is a native of Marshall county, Ind., and is now 25 years old; they have one child. Mr. D. has held the office of Constable in this tp. Politically, he is a Republican. He is now living on his father's place, and has worked hard all his life. He is an industrious, prudent farmer, who is highly respected in his community.
James Drummond is a farmer on sec. 1; P. O., Rolling Prairie. He is a son of James and Nancy (Griffith) Drummond, both of whom are dead, and was born in Clarke county, Indiana, Aug. 9, 1810, and is of Scotch-Welsh descent. Coming to this county in February, 1835, he first settled in this tp., where he has resided ever since. He was married March 9, 1834, to Amy J. Bowell, a native of Indiana, who is now 64 years of age and the mother of 4 children, of whom all are living: Ann E., the wife of T. J. Foster, now County Treasurer; Margaret J., the wife of J. Oglesby, a farmer in this tp .; Jesse, also a farmer in Wills tp., and Marietta, wife of George W. Roe, a resident of Chicago. Mr. D. owns 330 acres of good land, worth about $75 per acre. He has been County Com- missioner in this county. He and wife are members of the Chris- tian Church; politically, he is a Democrat. His educational advan- tages were limited; was compelled to attend school in log houses. He has worked hard during his whole life, and has earned all he has by manual labor, having had only $400 in money and a little personal property when he commenced life for himself.
Rossanna Harris, daughter of Joseph Curi and Rebecca McBride, both of whom have been dead 20 years, was born in La Porte county, Ind., in 1828, and is of Irish descent. Her parents were natives of Ireland, and when they came to America they first set- tled in New York, where they lived about 19 years, and came to Indiana in 1840. She owns here 40 acres of good land worth abont $75 per acre. She was married in 1845 to David Harris, who died in 1876; he was a native of Canada, and was 50 years old at his death. Politically, he was a Republican, and a member of the Odd Fellows lodge. Mrs. H. is the mother of 6 children, + living: William H., Charles, James, and Mary J., the wife of Dr. Conner, a resident of Michigan.
Philip Haussauer, son of Martin and Henrietta (Bruch) Hans- sauer, was born in France in 1824; his parents are now both dead.
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He was brought to America by his father when only two years old, who first settled in New York, where Philip lived until 1854, when he came to this tp. He was married to Wilhelmina Bruch, a native of Prussia, who is now 55 years old and the mother of 11 children; of the latter, 8 are now living: Henrietta, Phil., Christina, Sarah A., Franklin, Clara, Lillie and Alle. Mr. H. owns in this tp. 200 acres of land, all of which is well improved and worth about $65 per acre; he has also 80 acres in Hudson tp. He and wife are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church; politically, he is a Republican. His education was such as was given to children in his day by ordi- nary district schools. He has worked hard all his life, commencing with nothing. For awhile he worked by the month, and when mar- ried they had only $15 in money.
Joseph Hostotler, a prominent and successful farmer on sec. 22; P. O., New Carlisle; was born in Pennsylvania in 1829 and is of German descent. His parents were Joseph and Maria (Miller) Hostotler. Mr. H. came with his parents to this State in 1842 and settled in this tp., where his father and mother both died. He was married in September, 1855, in this county, to Polly Drollinger, a native of this State, who is now 43 years of age; they have had 11 children, and have S living. Politically, Mr. H. is a Democrat, but claims to be somewhat independent in home political affairs. His education was such as was afforded by the subscription schools of pioneer times. He owns in this tp. 859 acres of land, and in St. Joseph county 240 acres; there is considerable marsh and timber on it; he does not farm very extensively now, but rents most of it and raises some stock. He had very little start in life when he commenced for himself, but by hard work and careful management and industrious habits, he succeeded in accumulating considerable wealth.
Duncan M. Hunt is a farmer on sec. 1; P. O., Rolling Prairie; he is a son of Phineas and Hannah (Robison) Hunt, and was born in Kalamazoo county, Mich., in 1832; he is of Scotch descent on his father's side, and Irish on his mother's side; his father and mother are both living in Kankakee tp .; the former is a native of Ohio and is now 79 years old; the latter, a native of Virginia, is now 78 years of age. The family first settled in Scipio tp. in 1836, where they remained only two years; they next went to La Porte, where they remained but a short time; thence to Kankakee tp. After residing there 30 years the subject of this sketch came into Wills tp. about 13 years ago. In 1860 he was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. White, who is now 43 years of age and a native of La Porte county, Ind .; they have been blessed with 7 children, of whom 5 are now living: Loraette, Schuyler, Clara M., Cata and Hannah. Mr. H. owns 100 acres of land in this tp. which he values at about $45 per acre; he was elected Assessor of this tp. two years, and also was the same by appointment; he is a member of the Masonic lodge No. 191, at Rolling Prairie, and is a Republican. Mr. H. takes an active part in political matters and has been a member of
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the Central Committee since he has been in the county. His edu- cational advantages were rather poor; had to attend subscription schools in log houses; he had no start in life at all, and has earned all he has by hard work; he now owns a threshing-machine which he bought five years ago at a cost of $1,675.
Jacob R. May, a farmer on sec. 28; P. O., Mill Creek; was born in Pennsylvania in 1838, and is of Dutch descent. His parents, George and Susanna (Bolinger) May, are now both living in this tp. Mr. M. came to Indiana in 1849 and first settled in La Porte county; he came to this tp. with his father 25 years ago, and then moved ont of it, returning again in 1867. In 1S60 he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Little, a native of Pennsylvania, who is now 38 years of age. Mr. M. owns 148 acres of land in this tp., which he values at about $50 per acre. He and his estimable wife are devoted members of the Christian Church and live consistently with their profession. Politically, he is a believer in the principles and platform of the Democratic party. His educational advan- tages were limited, but he reads a great deal now. He has been an industrious man all his life, and when married he had only $12 in money and a note for $35. Mr. M. is a highly respectable citi- zen in his community, a kind and obliging neighbor, and an upright man.
Isaac Miller a farmer, on sec. 36; P. O., Rolling Prairie; was born in Union county, Ind., in 1813, and is the son of Tobias and Sarah (Henderson) Miller. Coming to this county in 1834, he first settled where he now is. He was married in 1833 to Susanna Hardman, who died in 1844. She was a native of Kentucky, and was 32 years old at her death, and was the mother of 5 children. He was married the second time in 1845, to Phebe Jones, a native of Indiana, who died April 7, 1880, leaving her husband 2 children. Mr. M. is a minister in the Dunkard Church. Politically, he is a Republican. He owns here on sec. 36, 210 acres of land, worth about $30 per acre. In his business he sets a good example of industry and economy.
Jacob Miller, a farmer on sec. 31; P. O., Rolling Prairie; was born in Union county, Ind., Nov. 11, 1826, and is of Dutch descent. He is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Petre) Miller, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania, and are now dead. His parents came to this county in November, 1835, and first settled where Jacob, the subject of this sketch, is now living. In 1841 the latter was married to Polly Davis, a native of Virginia, who died in 1877. She was the mother of 12 children, of whom 8 are now living: Eva C., Cindrilla, Daniel, John E., Benjamin E., Jacob L., Mary C. and James W. He is a member of the Methodist Protes- tant Church ; his wife was also a member of the same. Politically, he is a Democrat. He owns over 400 acres of land in this tp., and 106 in Lincoln tp. He is a hard-working, industrious man.
John P. Mills, son of David and Elizabeth (Patterson) Mills, was born in 1816, in Maryland, and is of Scotch descent. His
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parents, who were natives of Maryland, are now both deceased. Coming to this county in 1842, he first settled in La Porte, where he was a shoemaker until 23 years ago, when he came to this tp. He was married in La Porte in 1842, to Ruth J. Thomas, a native of Virginia, and now 54 years of age. She is the mother of 3 chil- dren, of whom one, George T., is now living. Mr. M. owns here 40 acres of good land worth about $60 per acre. Politically, he is a Democrat. His wife is a member of the Protestant Methodist Church. Mr. M. is an industrious, exemplary citizen.
Harvey Norris, a farmer, on sec. 29; P. O., Rolling Prairie; is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Brock) Norris, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, and are now dead; he was born in Mis- souri, in 1819, and is of Irish-Dutch descent. He was married in 1840 to Sarah A. Miller, who is now 59 years old, a native of Pennsylvania, and the mother of S children; 6 of these are living: George, Ann, Seth L., Charlotte, Harriet E. and John. Miles F. died in Alabama in the army, in Rosecrans' division, and Mary died when quite young. Mr. Norris owns here 252 acres of land, worth about $60 per acre. He was once Constable in Pleasant tp. Politically, he is a Democrat. Coming to this county in 1834, he first settled in Pleasant tp., where he remained about 17 years, and then came to this tp. His educational advantages were limited; however, he reads a good deal now. He is an industrious, faithful and exemplary citizen.
John C. Parker, the son of John and Beulah (Cranmer) Parker, who were natives of New Jersey, and came to this State at an early day, was born in this State in 1836. He was brought to this county in 1840, to Boot-Jack, where he now resides. He was married in 1863 to Caroline Shaw. She was born in this State in 1842. They have 5 children: Minnie, A., Charles A., Lydia E., Linda A. and Bessie J. Mr. Parker's early education was confined to a few months' attendance at the district school in the winter time. He now owns a farm of 762 acres on sec. 6, this tp., under a good state of cultivation. He is a member of the Christian Church, and politically, he is a Republican.
Joseph Reese was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. He is the son of John and Hannah (Wright) Reese, natives of Maryland. He came to this State in April, 1854, and located in this tp., where he has since resided. He was married in Maryland Sept. 27, 1829, to Lydia Lautzerheise, who died in 1853, leaving her husband and 8 children to mourn her loss. In 1854 be was married to Jane Spear, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1826. Mr. Reese and his wife are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Ilis early education was limited to the district school, which he attended for a few months during the winter time. Po- litically, he believes in the doctrines of the Republican party.
Daniel H. Roysdon, a farmer on sec. 33; P. O., Mill Creek, was born in this tp. in 1843. His parents, Frederick and Rosanna (Hollingshead) Roysdon, the former a native of North Carolina,
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and the latter of Ohio, are now both living in Lincoln tp. Mr. D. has been a resident of this tp. all his life, and came to the place on which he now lives in 1877. He was first married in 1863 to Anna Berridge, who died the following year; she was 18 years old at her death, and the mother of one child, Joshua. He was inarried the second time in 1865, to Nancy Coleman, a native of this State, who died at the age of 33 years, in 1877. She was the mother of 4 children, of whom 3 are living; Charles, William and Alfred. He was married the third time in 1878 to Clara Lind, a native of Ohio, who is now 20 years old and the mother of 2 children, both living: Alice, and one unnamed. Politically, Mr. R. is a Democrat. His education was such as was afforded by common schools. He owns, on sec. 33, 47 acres of land.
David Stoner, the oldest living settler of Wills tp., and the lar- gest land-holder in the county, is a farmer on sec. 18; P. O., Rolling Prairie. He is the second child in a family of 12 children, whose parents were Abram and Catharine (Flomer) Stoner, both of whom are now deceased. Mr. S. was born in Ohio in 1803, and is of Dutch descent; his parents were natives of Pennsylvania. In
1825 Mr. Stoner came to Indiana and first settled near Lafayette; here he made his home until 1832, when he removed to La Porte county and settled in Wills tp., where he still lives. When about 20 years of age, before leaving Ohio, he was there united in mar- riage to Margaret Shelly, who lived with him until 1871, when her death separated them. She was a native of Pennsylvania, was born in 1796, and was the mother of 7 children, of whom + are living: David, Sarah, Catharine and Jacob. Mr. Stoner's advan- tages for securing an education were quite inferior to those of the present day. When a boy he was compelled to attend subscription schools in log houses, having paper for windows, and rndely con- structed seats. He is a member of the Baptist Church; his wife was also a member of the same. Mr. S. owns 1,845 acres of land, 1,605 of which are in this to .; he has 240 acres in Kankakee tp. The farming land he values on an average at $50 per acre; there are several hundred acres of timber and marsh land. Heis said to . be the largest tax payer and land-owner in the county, and when he came to the State in 1825, he had only about $100 in money. All he has he has earned by hard work and careful management.
L. C. Vandusen, son of Daniel and Anna (Robins) Vandusen, was born in 1834 in Decatur county, this State, and is of Dutch descent. His father, who is now living in Michigan, and his mother, who died about 40 years ago, were natives of New York. Coming to La Porte county in 1850, he first settled at Puddletown, where he still resides. He was a farmer until 1857, when he en- gaged in the boot and shoe business, which he carried on until 1874; in 1872 he added a small stock of groceries, drugs, hardware and queensware. He now has a neat little store building. He is a member of the Christian Church, and is a Republican. In 1863 he enlisted at Puddletown under Capt. Shoemaker, of La Porte, as
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a saddler in the army. He was in the service six weeks, when on account of ill health he was sent home on a furlough, the Captain telling him to remain at home until called for. This he did, and was never ordered to return, consequently, he is in the service yet!
Jacob Weisgerber, the son of John and Ann E. (Gantz) Weisger- ber, was born in Germany in 1839, and came to America Oct. 8, 1865; he first settled in Union tp., where he remained for a time, and then came to this tp. He owns 80 acres of good land on sec. 8, which he values at about $65 per acre. He was married April 24, 1868, to Elizabeth Waller. She is a native of Germany, and was born in 1843. They have the 5 following children: John, Henry, Ann E., Philip and Fannie M. Mr. W. being a resident of Germany when a boy, had opportunities for securing a good educa- tion. He and wife are Church members, and he is a Democrat. He has worked hard all his life, and is an honest, upright citizen.
John W. Zigler, a farmer on sec. 12, is the fifth child in a fam- ily of 10 children. His parents, Michael and Elizabeth (Litterel) Zigler, were natives of Virginia, and both died upon the same day, March 28, 1848, only six hours apart, aged 55 and 48 years respect- ively; they now both lie buried in the same grave in St. Joseph county. Mr. Z. was born in Virginia in 1831, is of German descent on his father's side and of English descent on his mother's side, and was brought to Indiana when only two years old. The family first settled in St. Joseph county, where his father died; then John, the subject of this sketch, went to South Bend, where he resided until 1860, when he came to Wills tp. He was married in 1857 to Mrs. Reynolds, whose maiden name was Mary A. Folsom; she isa native of New York, and is now 50 years of age. At their mar- riage, she was the mother of 3 children: Frank, Kate and George. From her last marriage she is the mother of 5 children, of whom 4 are living: Carrie, Minnie, Charlie and Ada. Mr. Z. is a member of the Masonic lodge at Rolling Prairie, No. 291; he is also a mem- ber of the higher order, the Sir Knights, at La Porte. Politically, he is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. His educational advantages were rather poor, but lie is now School Trustee, takes eight papers, reads a great deal, and is a hard-working, liberal man.
Hon. William H. Calkins, La Porte, was born in Pike county, Ohio, Feb. 18, 1842; studied law; was admitted to the Bar, and since then has followed the legal profession. He served in the Union army from May, 1861, to December, 1865, as a member of the 14th Iowa Infantry and 12th Indiana Cavalry; was State's Attorney for the 9th Judicial District of Indiana for several years prior to 1870; was a member of the State Legislature in 1871; was defeated for Congress in 1874; was elected to the 45th Congress as a Republican ; in 1880 received the nomination of his party for Congress, and made a remarkably energetic and gentlemanly canvass. He married Miss Hattie Holton, and they have 3 children: Carroll, Dan and Lucy.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
THE PRESS.
Civilization, in its highest sense, is one of the outgrowths of the possession of truth. Men who are entirely under the power and influence of truth, and especially if that influence of truth is as broad as the relations and responsibilities of men extend, will pre- sent to the world the highest exhibition of civilization and enlight- enment, and their consequent blessings. Anything, therefore, which will bring the truth to men with the greater facility, and will enable them to put themselves under its power and influence more com- pletely, must assuredly be rated as a benign agency. And while this is true it must not fail of notice that that which is powerful for good is likewise powerful for evil, when perverted out of its legitimate use. That which is capable of producing almost unlimited good, if rightly used, will, if perverted from that use, produce a corresponding evil.
That of which we are now to write, "The Press," is one of those agencies, almost exhaustless in its power to do good, and likewise all-powerful to do evil. This statement is the more truthful in this country where it is the rule to be readers, either of papers or books, rather than non-readers. Scarcely can a family be found which does not do more or less reading, of one sort or another. He who wields the press effectively is more powerful, either for good or evil, than the gifted orator on the platform, the politician, crafty though he be, on the stump, the earnest teacher at his desk, and the devoted minister in the pulpit-all of these wield potential influence in molding the destinies of men, but the successful manipulator of the press outstrips them all.
But while the press has such powerful influence, or at least may have, yet it will not be out of place at this time to note a weakness which it has, or is liable to run into. This is especially true of the partisan political papers. These papers become so hotly partisan sometimes that they do not give the truth on either side; that which is favorable to the cause which the paper espouses is painted up in the most glowing colors, and every defect is hid from view, while the opposite course is pursued with the opposing cause; every defeet is exposed in its most glaring deformity, and every good is smirched with suspicion. Falsehoods are reported, both to build up a favorite cause or man, and to tear down that which is obnoxious. Now, this course is ruinous to the influence of that part of the press which indulges in it. Its unreliable character, as an informant of truth, cannot fail of detection, even with the most blinded partisan ;
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and let the press become so prostituted that it obtains the reputation of unreliability, and its power is gone. It is like the common gossip, unheeded and unregarded. The issue from the press that will at all times have the most influence, if such at hing could be produced, is the perfectly independent paper-a paper that will truly report facts, and facts only, on both sides as well as on one, and without coloring or distortion. And if these facts are used as bases for theories, or as premises for conclusions, none of them to be pressed out of their natural places for the purpose of securing an end, but only that use which is perfectly legitimate to be made of them,-let a paper estab- lish a reputation like this with everybody and its power to influence is immeasurable.
But the untold opportunities of the press and the immeasurable fields which it is to occupy ought to be sources of constant study with those who are working its agencies. Through it every hamlet in the world may become the next-door neighbor of every other hamlet; the results of every searcher in the realm of discovery, whether it be in the realm of physical fact or pure truth, can be made alike the possession of all; every advance made in the way of doing things which subserves the purposes of economy, ease or pleasure may be communicated to everyone else; every help which statesmanlike politics, or philanthropic religion, or practical science brings to one may be made the possession of all, and a thousand other fields may be occupied from which untold blessings may be brought to the human race.
When La Porte county began to emerge from the wilds of the wilderness which supervened while it was in the possession of " the wild men of the forest" alone, by the immigration of "the white men of civilization," it was not long until this powerful agency was brought into exercise. Michigan City claims, and rightly, too, the honor of the first enterprise of this kind in the county.
THE PAST NEWSPAPERS OF THE COUNTY, IN THE ORDER OF THEIR ESTAB- LISHMENT.
In the first half of the year 1835 James S. Castle made prepara- tions for the establishment of a paper in the county. This he did, and on the 8th day of July of that year the first number of the Michigan City Gazette was issued. This was the first paper printed in the county.
The Michigan City Gazette, 1835 .- This paper, as stated above, was first issued on July 8, 1835, with James S. Castle as editor and proprietor. However, in a short time James M. Stuart becanie the editor, and Mr. King, brother-in-law of Mr. Stuart, and long a res- ident of La Porte, was the "devil" of the office. At first the Ga- zette was Democratic in politics, but soon changed to that of the Whig party. Its career was not one of the smoothest, but some- what checkered and irregular. It continued to be issued for abont six years, suspending, probably, in 1841.
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