USA > Indiana > LaGrange County > Illustrated Historical Atlas of LaGrange County, Indiana. > Part 2
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"The first call for a meeting to raise volunteers in the county was made by J. H. Hall, al Lima, April IS, 1861, but the first actual meeting, and the first enrollment were at La Grange, April 20, 1861. Dr. J. H. Rerick drew up the first company roll. Among the men who figured prominently al the first meeting al La Grange ivere John Kromer, N. P. Osborue, M. P. Sprague, C. O. Myers, A. B. Kennedy, Andreu Ellison, Wm. S. Boyil, A. S. Case, Hfarley Crook, F. P. Griffith, Hon. Robt. Pairett, and Jas. M. Flagg. Enthusiastic meetings trere also held at Lima, Wolcottville, and various | other places, nearly simultaneously, in which all the leading men of the county took part. Prominent among the men who raised, ilrilled, and led inen into the field were Major W. B. Bingham, who had seen service in Mex- ico, and u'hou as the only mau acquainted with military lacties in the vicinity of La Grange ; Capt. Wiu. Roy, who had lately returned from five years' service in the regular army ; Geo. A. Lane, C. M. Burlingame, Dr. J. H. Rerick, who went out as Assistant Surgeon of ibe 44th Indiana Infantry. and n'as promoled Surgeon, October 23, 1863 ; Capl. Wm. Dawson ; Isaiah Piatt, who uns irounded at Shiloh, aud taken prisoner at Jonesboro, Georgia, in 1864 ; Capt. Joseph H. Danseur, who was wounded al Stone Kirer, and subsequently died of his wound ; Capt. Jncob Neuman, severely wounded at Shiloh ; Hon. Robert Parrett, who rose to the rank of Major in the 100th Regiment, aud tras killed by the fall of a tree while in the service ; Capt. Webster, who took out a company in the $8th Regiment ; Capt. J. Il. Hall, who did efficient service na a scout, and many others.
We have not been able to ascertain the names of the different regiments, batteries, and organizations with which meu from La Grange County wveic connected, but their record is like that of the whole Northtreat, most glorious. The county seal iras located at Lima upon the organization of the county, ubere it remained until 1844, when it was removed to La Grange, which 15 iu the geographical center of the county.
The ouly railtray al present in the county is the Grand Rapids aud ludiaun Rnituay, passing very nearly through the center of the county, from uorth lo south. The road does quite an extensive business in the transpor- totiou of Intuber, salt, plaster, etc., and its passenger traffic is rapidly in- creming since the completion of the road to Traverse City and Mackinau. The Canada Southern Railway has been surveyed through the south part of the county, passing through South Milford and Wolcoltrille, and will prob- ably be put in operation soon. This road has the lightest grades of any in the United States, the maximum being only 15 feel per mile.
We have not been able to obtain an accurate survey of this route. Sev- ernl lines have been run, but no definite one decided upon.
The principal loins aud villages nre La Grange, the comity sent, Lima, Wolcottrille, Ontario, Union Mills, Van Buren, Springfield, Lexington aud Sonth Milford.
Descriptions auil statistics of the different villages will be found in the histories of their respective townships.
l'here nre at present tyro newspapers published in the county, the La Gmuge Standard, at the county seal, and the Register, at Wolcottville, the Ialler lately established.
The Standard is very ably conducted, and has a very good circulation. The religious and educational advantages of the county are good.
A very peculiar class of people, calling themselves "Amish," or "Omish," inhalt the southwestern portion of the county, mostly found in Newbury and Edeu. They are somewhat like the Quakers nud Dunkarils. They do not believe in war, litigation or politics, and iguore scrupulously costly ap.
parel and gaudy colors. They believe, however, in gathering together all of Uncle Sam's greenbacks which they can reach, and understand thoroughly how to make money. They are more elannish and exclusive than eitber the Quakers or Dunkards, and mix very little with the busy world aronod them. They are gooil farmers generally, and own some of the best lands in the county
Northern Indiana, like most newly settled countries, was early infested by a gang of laivless horse thieves and counterfeiters, who were so strong, and became so audacious in their nefarious transactions as to require some- thing more available than the common process of law to reach them. The mat- ler tras eventually laken up and considered by the General Assembly of the State, and finally an act was passed and approved March 9, 1852, authoriz- ing the formation of companies for the special purpose of ferreting out and breaking up these pests upon society. The first organization under the acl was effected in Milford Township, LaGrange County, at the Bullock School House, in September, 1856. Similar organizations were perfected in various parts of Noble and La Grange Counties, and a determined war com- menced and pushed to the biller end. One man, Gregory McDougle, Iras convicted and executed al Ligonier, January 26, 1858 ; many were sent lo prison, and others fled the country, until the entire business ivas broken up, and the lives and property of citizens rendered secure. A short bol inter- esting sketch of some of the proceedings will be found in the township his- tories of Springfield and Milford, to which u e refer our readers.
We have obtained our information regarding the early settlement of the connly from as many of the old settlers now remaining as we could conve- nieolly, taking pains to see them in all parts of the county, anil are onder obligations to them for information given and favors extended.
To the county officers we are also indebted for facilities afforded us in the examination of records, and for much valuable information which we could nol obtain elsewhere.
The surveying and plalling of tournsbips and villages has been a ivork of exceeding difficulty, but we believe the Atlas will be found rery accurale, and more especially in portions of the county never before carefully surveyed or sboirn, as, for instance, the region west of Wolcottville, in Johnson and Clear Spring Townships, which on all previous maps has been a " terre iss- cognita," and we trust the work will be judged by its general fidelity and accuracy.
To any who are familiar with the difficulty of reconciling the discrepan- cies in the opinions of "old settlers," it is not necessary to inake apologies for statements nhich do not always agree iritb everybody's recollections.
LA GRANGE.
La Grange village was not settled as early as many other points in the county. The first actual seltler, as claimed by himself and generally admit- led, was C. B. Holmes who sellled, according to his own statement, in 1544- He first settled in Lima in 1842.
Mr. Holmes ivas first postmaster al La Grange, opened the first mercan- tile establishment, and was also the first justice of the peace. [.Vite .- We had expected some minutes of Mr. Holmes' recollections of early incidents connected with the settlers of Lima and La Grange, but hare not received them.]
Andieiv Ellison settled on English Prairie in 1836, bul remored to La Grange in 1844, where he has been in practice of lau ever since.
Wm. S. Boyd came also in the Spring of 1544 He erected a building on the corner where Brown's Hotel stands, Ivo feet long, and opened a bolel and store, which he conducted for ten years. He owned a farm, and fur- nislied supplies for bis hotel from bis ou'u land. He kept a general assort- ment - dry goods, drugs and medicines, hardware, etc., etc. Mr. B. built a dam on Fly Creek, in 1845, and put upva saw-mill, iebich was burned and rebuilt. He also erected a grist will in 1853-4." without a cent of money," as he says, and run it about fifteen years. He was eight years a director of the Grand Rapuls and Indiana Railway, wben he resigned, and Andrew. Et- lison, who had at first opposed the construction of the road, was appointed in his place
Mr. Bord can tell someinteresting stories of the great " Regulator " days. John P. Jones settled at Lima in 1844, as a Methodist preacher. He re- mored to La Grange in 1849, and went into the mercantile business. John Kyason, now a resident of La Grange Village, seitled on section 24, in Clay Township, adjoining the village, in the Spring of 1836. He purchased his land, October, 1835
La Grange was made the county seal in IS44. It ha- had a very steady and healthy growth, and is a place of large business, being in the midst of a good grain country, and haring the best facilities in the county for handling and shipping country products. It contains about fifteen hundred (1,500) in- habitants, and has fre churches, que school, one first-class hotel, perhaps as good as muy loun of its size in the country can boast, Iuro banks, a steam grist mill, sereral steam saw-mills, a large foundry and machine shop, tiro carriage factories, abont twenty-fire to thirty stores of various kinds, and ibe nsnal variety of mechanics. The La Grange Standard, a very ably conduct- ed provincial jourual, is also publishedl here. -
The village. although situated auny from any considerable stream or body of inter, is nevertheless quite picturesquely located on a series of elevations, scarcely approaching the dignity of hills, yet sufficiently elevated to give a charm lo the landscape and prevent monotony: Fly Creek, formerly a much more considerable stream than at present, passes through the village. There
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The first County Commissioners were Jacob Vandeventer, Edmund Lit- tletiell, and Arthur Burton's.
14
HISTORY OF LA GRANGE COUNTY-CONTINUED.
are a large number of cosy aml beautiful homes and collages in and aroneil La Grange, prominent among nhich ne may mention those of Andren Elli- son, S K. Rick, C. B. Holmes, Dr. Cutting, and those of Messrs Selby, l'iatt, McCoy, Merrill, anil others Il rua very healthy location, the water heilig excellent, and the country immediately around being dry and rolling. The original tonn plat was lail om Julie 18, 1836, by Reuben J. Dans. soll, William I. Denvers, George F. Whileken, and James McConnell.
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Inomfield is the most populous townstup in the county. It has great vanely nf surface aml cuntains a large number of fine and well cultivated farms It is nemmk able for the number of water powers which have been improved amd uned, on the tno branches of Flr Creek, there being no less Than seren willun the township.
The southern aml central portions are rolling and sometimes hilly, u lule the northern portine nre lerel aml sandy, with a large amount of inarshi along l'igeon Rner anıl Fly Creek T'here are thnice lakes wholly or in part in this tonnchip, Fish Lake, Sloan Lake, nnil Cline Lake
Among the earliest settlers irere Z. 1 .. Seuhnore, about 1834. Jawb Hoagland, J. D. Ciandel, Iliram Jacobs, and Christian Roop, in 1836, Ju. seph Richarils aml Curtis T. Harding, 1517, Jacob l'onrick and F. M. I'rice, 1538, Daniel Sargent, John Preston. Hezekiah Hoard, and John Patten, al ilifferent periods Multewy Killery seltled about the same time ac %. L. Sejlmore, 1834
The " La Grange Colleginte Institute " is situated in this township, on section 4. just south of the village of Ontario, in Lima Township.
LIMA TOWNSHIP
"This is the ohilest settled township in the county, the first settlement being made by Ilenjamin Binir zun] family in December, 1528, on the farm How onuel by George Doll, in section 26, one mile neat of Linia Village. The farm ofrued hy J. 1 .. D. Craig was also pre-empted by Mr. Blair, amt his soll, I. A Blair. Moses Rice and his con Jen, Arthur Burrows, Withan Thrall, and the Gauners, settled in 1829 , John Kroner, Lemuel Iones aml Jolin Jeweil, about 1830. Among other early settlers are one Tucker, 1831 - 2, J. 1 . Kinney, 1832-3 , Hugh Smith, 1833, John Craig amil lom AMIS, IN 1535, together nith Harrey Wond ; Abbott Fleming amil Thonirs | Spaulding, in 1837, and D. W. Cole, in 1840 J. C. Kinney purchased the Lima Gris. Mill the year before he settled, aml in 1834 or 5 irent lo Ontario, ail in company with a Mr Hubbard built a dam on Pigeon River aud elected a sair mill. He soon after soll the property lo Nathan Jenks, who put up a grist mill in tuldition. The landl now owned by Mr. Kinney's son, J & Kinney, just west of Lima, was the first land fleetled in the county.
On the fireseul site of 1.inta Village once stooil an extensive and popu. lous Indian town, extending sereral iniles along the Pigeon River, which is the best stream in the county, afforiling conenlemable poner. Linia contains four churches, in o hotels, a wind mill manufactory, anil serem other factories of more or less nale, lagethier with the usnal complement of stores, etc. . fine school building, the best in the county, Is being erected, a rien of which appears in this Vilas,
The village of Quindio, situated m the southeast part of the lou nship, was laid out nul negativeil hy Nathan Jenks, in 1836. Charles Doolittle localed here in 1$37. Just south of the village in Bloomfield Ton uship, stands the " La tiraligy Collegiale Institute," eslauhshed some thirty. fire or thirty- ix year ago, aml at present under the management of Rufue Patel, who tanie here in 1844.
ilistinelly different from That of the "oak openings" aml other lands sur. rouruling it A number of heantifl Inkes are also located in this township, among which may be mentioned Twin Lake , one and a half miles irest of Lima, and Cela Lake, lying partly m Lnus and partly in Greenfield Turnslups, Fann River, or Crooked Creek, and Ingeon River, drain what marshe. there are m the lownship. In propilion lo population, this is per- haps the wealthuest township in the county.
The Village of 1 una was laid ont October 22, 1834, by Moses and Ica Rice. Jolin Kromer, enneyor,
JOHNSON TOWNSHIP.
Among the eniliest Settlers in Johnson Torushp were Thomas Oliver on section 10, in 1535, the first >eliler helween Wright's Corners and La Giange. At that ilale the only means of tranut were by Indian Trails. Iliram Gard. ner eumne in the Spring of 1836 He hoauleil with Mr. Oliver for some time after he arrived, Z. aml A. P. Case and Robeil Mecker and Three sons, m 1836.
The Inst acinal wettler at Wright's Corners, amil possibly in the township, was. 1.evi Wright, who came about 1834. O. P. Grannis settled al I.min in 1834, remoreil tu Noble Cmninty in ISso, bought a farm in La Grange County anıl removeil there in 1856. N J. Beach, Wm. Wert, F. W. Denggoo, John MuKiliben, Thomas Koon, Benjamim Newman, I'Inlip Hower, John Carey, Jacoli Pontus, and William aml Samuel Holsinger, were early settlers, arriving al ilifferent perioile from 1837 to 1850. Wil. Dickinson, & K. Pierce aml J. F. Witiner, also settleil early
This tonnshp omnitains the greatest amount of water of any in the county. The principal lakes are Oliver, containing about qoo acres ; Adanis, abont 300 acres ; Witmer, Alwooil, and 't hinsl, somewhat antaller, and Sloan, Olin, and Nauvoo Lakes.
some of these lakes are very hne aml clear, particularly Oliver andl Ailanus, which have beautiful saudr henches and sleep blue water, All of them abound in fish, and are great places of resort fur spoilsmen in the game anil fishing seman. These lakes finit the heuilwaters of the north branch of the Elkhart River
I'le Grand Rapids anil Indiana Railway runs through this township. A sinall station called Valentine is located oll sections S and 9. At this point are post.office, store, steam inills, and a school, and there is also the finest farming region in the township surrounding it, Messrs. Gardner, Clugston, and MeGibben, having probably as good farms at any in The county.
WOLCOTTVILI.E.
The promising village of Wolcottville is situated on the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railway al the extreme south side of the lon nship and the county, in fact several nulditions to the place are in Noble County. The niain north brauch of the Elkhail River passes though the place, affording considerable water- power
Philo Taylor nas one of the first settlers, arriving in February, 1537. He oirneil the water. porrer, but sold to George Woleon, who came in Julie, 1837, Mr. Wolcott huh anil operated al different periods n eariling. mill, grist.inill, sasr-mill, and ilistillery. Dr. L. Barber settled nt Northport, in Noble County, in 1838. He erected a san-mill where Hamlin's mill non stands, about 1842 l'eler Lamson, Ozias Wright, Henry Nichols, and Nelenn Nichols, irere among ilic early settlers.
The propuseil Canada Southern and Chicago Railway has been sinveycd Unongh this place, which, when huilt, will give it the best shipping facilities of ally place in the county. "The village contains about 300 people, and is improving considerably. There are Two churches (Methodlist and Byitist), six or seven stores, Iwo hotels, a large flour and gust. mill, & saw. mill, a couple of factories for the manufacture of rakes and handles, an iron foundry, carriage nnd hlacksinith shops, and a rartety of artisans and mechanics.
A very flourishing seminary was put in operation svine years ago, which ohlaine a wide spread repilation, and turgeil out a gooilly number of competent leachers. 'T'lie free-school system has, however, gradually taken the place of private enterprise, and the seminary is not now in operation.
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
The first settlement of nhich ire hare any record was made in this town. ship by Peter Huntsman and Nehemiah Colilren, ou sections 17 anil is, mange n. in 1829, Among other early ones are Nathamel Calahan, Ami Lawrence, Asa and John Olucy. The land in this townchip came into mar- het the first Monilay in June, 1831, and during the same month Nathaniel Calahan, Obaliah amil Jolin Lawrence each entered eighty acies in sections I7 and IS, range 9. The tin] linh in the township was that of Sylvanus Olney, February 20, 1832. Hulda Lairrence iras boru December 22 of sallie year. The first sermon was preached sometime in July, 1832, by Rev. Christopher Cory, at the residence of Nathaniel Calahall, now owned by his son, Miles Calahan A school-house was built on this farm, and in the Summer of 1836 the tire school iras laughil by Clanssa Munger. During the Summer of 1834, Shelilon Martin & Brothers put up a san- mill at Van Buren Village, on l'igeon River, and the following year erected a grist. mill. These nete the first inills put up in the township. Sometime in 1836, Ilauling & Johnson built a saw-mill on Buck Creek, and a Mr. Pierce pul up a blacksmith shop al Van Buren the same year. The Village of Van Binen was laid out in 1836, surveyed by Delavan Martin. The first justice of the penec was one Piece, the same man that put up the first blacksmith shop. . \ hotel had been elected hy L. D. Brooks, aml a cooper shop by II. B, Ostrander ; ako a nagon shop by one Carey. C. C. Burns was a car- penler and joiner, The first physician was Sidney Cobh, who died after resiiling liere a year or two. William Fox succeeded him, and George and James Fox carried on a shoe shop. The mill property parseil into the hands of Jolin Dalton, amil finally were purchased hy George Narbar, who is al present operating them. The old hotel was a few years since destroyed. The rulage contains one church, a good two. story school-building, and biro stores owned by William Diches anil John Morrison. There are also tno physicians-W B. Grubb anil A. Toms, James Hagerty settled here in 1836, and is the olilest hving settler in the village. The townchip is well unteren by Fawn River, or Crooked Creek anil Pigeon River, with their Iribniaries, Marshes me numerous and extensive, one of them, Big Marsh, ' having considerable deposits of bog iron, There are also a number of lakes, Stone Lake, in the northnest portion of the township, being one of the most beautiful in the county.
CLEAR SPRING TOWNSHIP.
The greater portion uf UIns township is thickly sellled. As will be seen by reference to the map, there 15 considerable marsh m the eastern and northwestern portions of the township, causing quile an area of land to re. main unimproved, and being, except in very dry seasons, when grass is cut on them, almost worthless. A number of marshy lakes also abound, juin. cipally along The eastern boundary, which feed one branch of the Elkhart Kiver, which is here a very sluggish, dirty stream. A mill pond on the south line of the ton nship causes considerable oveillon, and lemlers still more land useless.
The first man who entered land io this township was Anthony Nelson, rho came from Oho in 1821) anil located urst in Elkhart County, and finally removed to La Grange Conuly, where he had caleiel thice eighty-acre lols in 1632 David Rogers, a bolumnicht physician from Geneva, N. Y., nas probably the next settler, as he came into the township in 1833, anul entered sixteen eighty-acre lol. Charles Roy enme with his family from about the same locality in 1836, making the trip in twenty-one days, fifteen days of the time being rainy and the roads in terrible comlition, l'his township iras named from a very bine, large spring on Mr. Roy's place, which was famous among the Indians and backu oodsmen half a century ago and more. There is a nmnher of other very fine springs on Mr. Roy's place, which have broken ont during violent thunder storms and never heen dry since. John Gibson settled on section 33 in 1$35. E. Schermerhorn came to the
comtry in 1836, nud entered laml mn Jnne of that year on section 33 in Clay Township. flas liveil on present location, section 4. Clear Spring Town- ship, since 1840. Richard Gicen located on section 35, in 1844. on land Hon onned by Willard Wemple. Nicholas Low Was also an early settler. Hanley Peck bought land il 1838, and inored on it in 1846, Orvin Kent was perhaps in this portion of the conuly as early as quy olle, but did not actually settle until after the others we linve inentioned.
GREENFIELD TOWNSHIP.
Next to Lima Township, thus is the wealthiest, perhaps, in the county. Il contains Pretty nud English Prairies, and is, taken altogether, a fue Intm- ing Township, although there are a few matches ilraining into Fawn River on the northeast, and Pigeon River on the soullnrest. The township contains the Village of Lexington, laid out about 1835 by Abrahain Brower and a man Inmeil Bull. The first settler in the township was William Miller, who located on section 25, range 10, 111 1829. John Anderson minil three sons and Samuel Bradford settled in 1830. Jacob Miller and seven snus settled in the Spring of 1831. Isaac Francis came to the county ahout 1836, and speaks of hauling whent to Fort Wayne, White l'igeon, Hillsdale anul Toledo - the latter trip taking len dlay> -amil selling il at from 50 to 6216 cents per bushel. The first couple married were Samuel Gawthrop and Ellen Wolga- molt, some linie in 1530. The first ilenth iras that of Mrs. Gairthrop. A post-office was established about 1536 al lexington, and kept in a store pul up the year before, by Abraham Brower and Peter Bisel. The fist post- office in the county was probably kept hy one Vance, on a farm now owned by Elijah Anderson, aliout 1832 Il nas soon removed Jo the farm now owned hy C. G, Nichols, and kept by Ephraim Seeley for some time, nml was finally remoreil la Mongoquinong, or Union Mills, in Springfield Township, where it has since been kept uj. The first election in the township was held in 1831. La Grange County was at that time a part of Elkhart County, and nien were enlleil on to go anny 10 Goshen and act as juryinen, huit lai's were ilifferent then, and nobody erer went.
On the second Tuesday in October, 1831, an election was helil for state legislators, which was the first election held in the conity. The issue nas orer the route of the Wahash aml Erie Canal ; one route being surveyed through this county and on west, hy way of Goshen, through to Lnke Michi- gan, and another hy way of Fort Wayne southwest along the Wahash River. The candulates nere one llauna of Fort Wayne, and Crawforil of Goshen, and on the one elected dependeil the canal roule. This was before The land in this county had been surveyed (which was not done till 1832, the lamil cuining into market the Fall of the same year), and the settlers u ere fearful that if the canal went through on the north route it would pul the price of land beyond their means of paying for it, anil so everybody voleil for Hanna w ho, of course, was elected, and the canal was dug on the Wabash roule.
NEWBURY TOWNSHIP.
Newlutry Township was sinreyel in 1830. We have not been able to obtain the name of the first settler. Among the earliest irere Almon Lan- rence, Alexander Poynter, Joseph Keasey, Amos Davis, Franklin Goodnow, Messrs. Shrake and Styles, the Nelson and Colton families, George Lollerer, Mi Hornby, Truman Wilkinson, E. Green, George Hill, and Messes, Berry and Woodluidge.
The first election was held at the house of Truman Wilkinson, on section 17. April 3, 1837. Whole number of voler>, 13. Amos Davis was elected Justice of the Peace ; Willard Colton, Constable ; Elijah West, Inspector ; Esick Green, Supervisor ; George Lotterer and Elijah West, Overseers of Poor , Franklin Govilnow and George Hilt, Road Viewvers.
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