USA > Indiana > Lake County > Reports of the historical secretary of the Old settler and historical association of Lake County, Indiana from 1901 to 1905 > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6
It may be of interest some time to a student of our history to find here the record that the place where Mr. and Mrs. Marvin made their last home and erected a spacious mansion, which now with the valuable farm passes to their adopted daughter, Mrs. Philip Stuppy, is on the spot selected fora home by Judge Robert Wilkinson in 1834, one of the very few earliest claims selected in what became Lake county.
It may be noted here, too, as a rather singular coinci- dence, that a copy of the Lake County Star, August 12, 1904, which contains a memorial sketch of Mrs. Marvin, contains also, among the Old Time News, a record of the death of her brother, Horace Fuller.
19. George Krinbill, one of three brothers who many years ago became residents in Lake county, was born in Germany, near the line of France, in September, 1826,
-68-
and came into Lake county as a merchant in 1850. A good singer and much interested in the meetings of this Asso- ciation, he died at his home in Crown Point on Tuesday evening, August 2, 1904, nearly 78 years of age. We shall hear his words of cheer and see his face among us no more. His death adds another to the number of those who will be greatly missed.
20. Mrs. John W. Hughes, who was Julia Ann Wheeler, a sister of Mrs. Z. C. Burnham of Lowell, Mrs. Manaban and Mrs. W. Krimbill of Crown Point, also of O. G. Wheel- er, died an Sunday, August 7, 1904, at her sister's home in Lowell, in the 72nd year of her age, after a residence in Lake county of nearly fifty-seven years.
21. Mrs. Jacob Platt, not a member of this Associa- tion, but whose great age and length of residence in Crown Point entitle her to notice, whose residence dates back about thirty years, who was in the 92nd year of her age, died in Crown Point, November 26, 1903. The His- torical Secretary came from Kewanna here to attend the burial service.
"A MEMORIAL. PETER SURPRISE was born of . French parentage, in a province of Lower Canada, Feb- ruary 24, 1794. He was married in early manhood to Rosanna Taylor and with her, who had then become the ' mother of three children, he removed to the State of New York in the United States. There he was for a time a charcoal burner. In 1835, or perhaps in 1834, he came as one of the earliest of our pioneers into what became Lake county, Indiana, following a party of French neigh- bors who settled in Illinois near the present Momence.
ر صسيا
一
-- 69-
In the United States, in New York and in Indiana, were born eleven more children, making fourteen children in all, eight sons and six.daughters. August 10, 1837, Solon Robinson, who was then county clerk, made out his nat- uralization papers, 'declaring him to be no longer a sub- ject of William IV of Great Britain, but a citizen of our free Republic.' [As a matter of fact Victoria had been for some months Queen of England, but the Atlantic cable and the 'ocean greyhounds,' and the long lines of rail- road, were not in existence then.] Peter Surprise was born while Washington was President; he lived about seven years in the Eighteenth Century, through all of the Nineteenth Century, and through two full years of the Twentieth, reaching the advanced age of 109 years and 6 months, being the oldest citizen of Lake county, if not of Indiana. There is no record here of one older. The wife of his young manhood died July 10, 1876, then 75 years of age. Seven of the children have also died. For nearly forty-one years his home has been with his son Henry Surprise. For several years he was not very strong in mind, but took much exercise and interest in working on the farm, until in his last year of life his sight became so dim as to confine him to the house. After a few days of illness his long life closed at 8 o'clock in the evening, August 27, 1903. Seven of his children are yet living, by name, Elizabeth, Harvey, Henry, William, Oli- ver, Elvina, and Lavina; also twenty-two grandchildren and forty great-grandchildren are in this county. Burial services were held at Creston, August 29th, conducted by Rev. T. H. Ball. Six grandsons were pall bearers, Claude
1
1
.
-70-
Binyon funeral director. A large assembly of people present."
Not all of the twenty that have now been named have been accustomed to meet with us in these anniversaries; but I think that never before in a single year have so many that were really familiar forms in these gatherings, passed from among us. Let us who are to-day the living, while we cheer and encourage each other to perform nobly the duties of life that are yet before us, be glad that they who have passed and we, through this historic organization, connected with which there is nothing friv- olous, are leaving names and records behind us which will not, cannot die. For, judging from the present and past, from the value now attached not to novels and to fiction, but to names and records in old communities of those who lived two hundred and two hundred and fifty years ago, the pioneers and founders then of colonies and states, there is good reason to believe that ours will live. until the great angel of the Apocalypse shall stand on the sea and on the earth, and lifting his right hand to heaven, declare that there shall be time no longer.
nih allal a
-71-
REPORT, AUGUST 23, 1905.
Another year has passed of the swiftly flowing time, that time which denotes a measured portion of duration, measured to us by centuries and years and months and days, and this fourth Wednesday in August for this year which we call 1905, finds us again assembled on the coun- ty Fair Ground, by the side of this little lake. Not all are living now of kindred and friends who one year ago were amid the activities of life; but let us be grateful to God, the great Ruler over all, that so many of us can meet to-day.
Events of the Past Year. The first, in the order of time, is one omitted last August, the erection of a church building in the summer of 1904 at Woodvale or Deep River, the first church house in that part of the county ,
making for Ross township three church buildings.
2. The pavers finished laying brick on the streets around the court house square August 30, 1904, and the streets were open for travel August 31st.
3. The County Fair this year was largely attended. On Thursday, which was children's day, my estimate of attendance was four thousand, and on Friday about six thousand, but the estimates of some others were much larger. On Thursday not quite two thousand tickets were sold. The single tickets sold on Friday numbered four thousand and five hundred; and of family tickets out, on the two days, there were about one hundred,
1
-72-
4. At the election, November 8th, whole number of votes cast 10,320. Of these there were: Prohibition votes, 115; Socialist vote, 386; Socialist Labor, 116; People's Party, 49; in all not Republican or Democratic, 666. Pro- bable number of voters in the county, 10,400; probable population, 40,000. In 1884 the number of votes was 4,200. Two and one-half times 4,200 would be 10,500, so that in ten years the number of voters in the county has increased nearly two and a half times. In 1896, the number of votes was 8,300.
5. A Golden Wedding Anniversary. As these do not occur so very frequently in our history, I may be permit- ved to give of this one quite a full record: Mr. Hiram S. Holton and his wife, Mrs. Gertrude Holton, celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage at their residence in Crown Point, November 23, 1904. All their. children and grandchildren were present: Mr. W. B. Holton with his wife and a son and a daughter coming from Indianap- olis; Mr. Hoyt Holton and wife coming from Washington City; Mr. Charles Holton, wife and son and daughter, coming from Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Flora Woods, with her husband, Mr. Walter Woods, coming from Englewood; and these brought with them a goodly sum of golden coin for the golden wedding. There were also present, Miss Matella Calkins and brother, a niece and nephew, from Janesville , Wis .; Mr. and Mrs. Guffin and mother from Chicago, that mother, Mrs. Charles R. Luther, being Mr. Holton's youngest sister; H. R. Luther and family from Chicago; Mrs. Flora Poppe, a sister of Mrs. Holton, and Dr. Poppe from Chicago; and Charles H. Young and wife also from Chicago. Some other kindred and many friends
-73 ---
were present, some coming Thanksgiving morning; and these did not forget to bring their tokens of regard. In all, there were enrolled of the names of the guests, one hundred and twenty-three. The rooms were neatly decorated with flowers and evergreens; refreshments were served through the day and evening; Mr. and Mrs. Holton seemed as active and vigorous as though still in the prime of life, of course its latter part; the children were very cordial and kindly to the other guests, and to be present in such a family circle for a short time was not only cheering but ennobling. We have had larger family gatherings, but none could well be more truly delightful.
6. Ice harvest in Crown Point commenced on Tues- day, January 10th, work at the lake on the Fair Ground beginning probably on Monday. The ice this year was thick and good, and the ice period lasted long.
7. On Friday, January 13, 1905, was the destructive fire of this year at East Chicago. The following is part of the statement made by Superintendent Smith, taken from the East Chicago Globe: "The Mckinley building is gone. The first large school building in East Chicago is a complete loss. The Board of Education has strug- gled manfully to place the building and grounds of the school city in a condition which would reflect credit upon the patrons and pupils of the school. To do this it has required much effort and thought. The temporary set- back to the Board of Education will be met just as it has met other obstacles in times past. The following insur- ance was carried on the building: $1500, Western Assur- ance Co .; $1500, London Assurance Co .; $1000, Home
1
-
-74-
Insurance Co .; $1000, Connecticut Mutual Insurance Co .; $1000, Hartford Insurance Co .; $2500, Commercial Union; $2500, Scottish Union Insurance Co .; $5000, Queen Insur- ance Co .; $1000, Royal Insurance Co. Making a total of $17,000, and of this amount $1600 was divided equally upon the furnace and furniture."
Another school house was destroyed by fire much ear- lier in the school year, the building known as the Binyon School House on the east side of Cedar Lake. Insurance on this house $2,600. In contrast with the first school house in this district it was a grand building.
8. On Saturday, January 14th, the day after that de- structive fire at East Chicago, the Commercial Bank of Crown Point left the Allman building and prepared for business in the elegant new building opposite the court house, just completed for use and owned by the bank stockholders. The inside work is very rich and elegant, the different rooms for the officers and visitors are beau- tiful and cozy, yet not large, and the whole appearance within is of a well arranged building for a city bank. Means, talent, and workmanship can make elegance and beauty.
9. On Wednesday of the next week, January 18, 1905, the third bank in Crown Point, capital $60,000, was opened for business in the Allman building, in the room made vacant by the removal of the Commercial Bank. This third bank is called Peoples State Bank. President, M. Grimmer; Vice President, T. S. Fancher; Cashier, Henry Aulwurm; directors, C. E. Smith, J. H. Love, T. S. Fan- cher, F. K, Siegmund, M. Grimmer, and Joseph Wilson.
ـون عمة المعلم معdis
n
-75-
10. On Saturday night, January 2Ist, the Crown Point postoffice was again removed. It is now the third door north of the Schlemmer corner. It is in a smaller room than before. The Steeb Brothers also removed with the postoffice.
II. On February 9, 1905, was established the First Na tional Bank of East Chicaeo. Capital, $50,000. Surplus, $10,000. J. G. Allen, Cashier. Deposits, May 29, 1905, $59,203.63.
12. Among additions made to the fine residences of Crown Point should be named the new home of L. C. Breyfogle, built last summer, and occupied by the family in October of 1904. As a building, it takes rank with the homes of W. L. Allman and Jay S. Crawford and the well built and furnished home of Matt. J. Brown in Eagle Creek. Mr. and Mrs. Breyfogle planned their own home, needing no architect to plan for them, and the complete- ness and perfection of the entire arrangement will make it a grand home for them and for their children in years to come. The Breyfogle family have been worth much to the material interests of Crown Point, and their removal would be a great loss. L. C. Breyfogle is a true producer of values.
13. A large interest was taken by the citizens of Crown Point in a murder trial which occupied more than a week's time of the February term of the Lake Circuit Court. The court room was packed much of the time with not only men, but with women and girls. The man who was mur- dered was Arminter Northrup of Benton Harbor, Michi_ gan, and he came into the northeastern part of the coun- ty, where his dead body was found, with Edward Dona-
F
£
السرالمت ٠٨٤ السير
-76-
hue, who was at length captured and charged with the murder. The East Chicago Globe says that in the course of the trial "the State traced Donahue's movements step by step in an unbroken chain from the time he left Benton Harbor in company with Northrup until he was captured by the police at his home in New York." The jury at the end of the trial brought in a verdict that the prisoner was guilty of murder in the first degree. On Thursday of the second week of the trial "Judge McMahan pronounced the death sentence on the prisoner," the first death sen- tence, the Star editor says, ever pronounced in Lake county. June 9th was the day set for the execution, the place to be the state prison at Michigan City. When June 9th came there was no execution, as a reprieve had been granted; and in July, Governor Hanly, in the exercise of his power to pardon, reprieve, or commute, changed the death sentence to imprisonment for life.
14. Another Golden Wedding Anniversary. On Wed- nesday, April 19, 1905, fifty full years had passed since the marriage of T. H. Ball and Martha C. Creighton, and their friends in Crown Point and at Lowell and Creston and Plum Grove thought it desirable to celebrate the day. They accordingly arranged for a surprise celebration, al- though it could not be altogher a surprise as rooms must be arranged for the reception of guests. The weather was very favorable. Flowers had come from South Alabama, where the marriage had taken place April 19, 1855. . Crown Point green-house flowers also adorned the rooms. Gold also came from the East, from the South, from the West, as well as from friends in Lake county. In the day
1
-77-
and evening there were present about two hundred guests and among them were fifty children representing Crown l'oint Public Schools, T. H. Ball being recognized as the earliest living teacher in the county. All seemed to en- joy the greetings, the rich food supplies provided by the ladies who had organized themselves into a committee of arrangements, and the events of the day, the details of which cannot here be given. The south end, the central and the north part also of the county were represented. The two who on that day completed fifty years of mar- ried life were very grateful. At this anniversary as also at the Golden Wedding of November 23d, members of Lake Lodge, 157, attended in a body to show their good will and fraternal regard.
15. In May of this year an event of large interest to the Polish inhabitants took place in East Chicago, and of Polanders in North township there are many. A head line in the East Chicago Globe reads, "Polish Citizens Celebrate Poland's Independence Day." That day, ac- cording to the same authority, was May 3, 1791. The celebration was held a few days later in May. Says the Globe: "It was the first time in the history of the city that her Polish citizens assembled to honor those who gave their lives and their all in the cause of Polish free- dom." Different Polish societies took part in the cele- bration, one bearing the name of Stanislaus. The pro- cession was showy, the Opera House "was packed" with people, the programme was lengthy, the exercises evident- ly full of interest, some in English, some in the language of l'oland. On the stage was a large picture of Washing- lon surrounded by the American. stars and stripes. On
1
-78-
the right a picture of Kosciusko, at whose fall we are told "Freedom shrieked," and on the left the Polish coat- of-arms. 'On the sides of the stage were pictures of Po- land's defenders. American flags were fully displayed, each society, says the Globe, "carried a beautiful silken flag." It was stated in one of the stirring addresses, af- ter the narration of the division of Poland by Russia, Prussia and Austria, that the spirit of freedom was still alive in the old land and that three millions of liberty loving Polanders were now American citizens.
That celebration was surely a noted event for Lake county Polanders, and by another May, according to the march of events now in Europe, there may be new facts to narrate in the history of old Warsaw.
16. AN EVENT TO BE REMEMBERED. Some months ago there was set up at Lowell a monument erected by the people, and largely by the ladies of West Creek, Cedar Creek, and Eagle Creek townships, to com- memorate and preserve the names of the men who went forth from those three townships as soldiers in the terri- ble Civil War of 1861.
Friday, June 9, 1905, was the day appointed for the unveiling and formal dedication of this monument. On that day large numbers were present in Lowell. The Tribune estimates the entire number present at four thou- sand, among them more than two hundred old soldiers. Department Commander Lucas was present, and also Governor Hanly. These both delivered addresses, which were considered excellent by those who heard them.
The following statements are from the Lowell Tribune of June 15, 1905: The monument is twenty-five and a half
1
1
-79-
feet high, "made of the best Barre granite," with nine feet base. and weighs forty-five tons.
On the east, or Eagle Creek face, are one hundred and twelve names, one of the men named having served in the regular army.
On the north, or Cedar Creek face, are the names of one hundred and fifty volunteers, of four men who were in the Mexican War, of two who were in the Spanish-
American War, and of six who were in the regular army, making in all one hundred and sixty-two soldiers for Ce- dar Creek.
On the west face are the names of one hundred and forty-four volunteers who were in the Civil War, three men who were in the Mexican War, and of one who was in the regular army, making one hundred and forty-eight for West Creek township.
On the south face of the monument are eighty-two
-80-
names, including the names of men now living in these townships or whose bodies are slumbering in these town- ships, but who did not enlist here, of whom there are six- ty-five; also the names of two soldiers of the Mexican War and of fourteen soldiers of the War of 1812; and the name of one woman, a devoted nurse in hospital work in the Union Army, who became Mrs. Abbie Cutler, the first wife of Dr. A. S. Cutler, her tombstone now standing in the cemetery at Creston. In its notice of the address of Governor Hanly, the Lowell Tribune says: "He paid a most beautiful tribute to Mrs. Abbie Cutler, the nurse in the War of the Rebellion, whose name appears on the monument." It may be added here that a fine laurel wreath was sent up from Dr. Cutler and his present wife, Mrs. M. J. Cutler, now of Rockford, Tennessee, which wreath was placed upon the monument as their tribute of loving remembrance.
In all there are on this granite monument, five hundred and four names.
The unveiling was done by the hands of Miss Rose Kimmet, the formal dedication services were conducted by Commander Lucas.
So far as the knowledge of the Historical Secretary extends this is now the second soldiers' monument in the eight counties of Nortwestern Indiana, the first having been erected several years ago at Michigan City.
17. ANOTHER MEMORABLE EVENT. On Sat- urday, July 8, 1905, took place at Hammond, the dedica- tion of the Hammond Public Library Building, a cut of which, if practicable, will be given. A full programme of exercises was arranged and carried out, commencing
,1
-81-
at eight in the evening. The dedication address was by Congressman Edgar D. Crumpacker. Cost of the build- ing, A. Murray Turner, Chairman of the Building Com- mittee, was $25,000. This amount was given by Andrew Carnegie. The building, says the Hammond News, has a capacity of 50,000 volumes.
[Through the courtesy of Editor H. H. Ragon of Low- ell, I have been enabled to present a cut of the Soldiers' Monument. I had hoped to present a cut of the Ham- mond Library building, but have been unable to do so.]
18. A Wedding Reception. The great social event in Crown Point for July, 1905, was a reception given by Mr. and Mrs. Frank E. Cooper of Grant street, in honor of the marriage of their son, Eugene S. Cooper, to Miss Gertrude Fetterley of Hammond, on Saturday, July 8th, at eight o'clock in the evening. About two hundred in- vited guests were present, including two county commis- sioners, other public men, some lawyers, physicians, and a large circle of family connections. Some were present from Hammond, friends of the bride, and Crown Point was well represented. Relatives were present from South Chicago, among them Mrs. Albert Bacon and a son and daughter.
19. Among, no doubt many, picnic excursions of the Sunday Schools of the county, the material is at hand for a record of one. This one is the Presbyterian school of Crown Point, one of the oldest in the county, Superin- tendent, Otto J. Bruce, Esq., one among a goodly number of the Christian lawyers of our land. The place selected was Cedar Point at our beautiful lake. One hundred and thirty-one persons attended, two of the large conveyances
ال ٢٠٠ المات النصرة لمه
-82-
carrying eighty-eight, mostly children. The main exer- cises were the dinner, boat-riding, (row-boats and a steam- er.) and wading in the water by the little children. The weather was very pleasant. The day was Thursday, July 13th.
20. Several years ago bicycles or wheels came among us and have been quite abundantly used; but the citizens are increasing in wealth and are keeping quite well up with the city improvements. So this year we have four automobiles in Crown Point, and probably some in our own cities. The largest and most costly one in town has lately commenced to run over a part of Indiana and a part of Illinois, and is owned by Julian Youche, who no longer rides as did his grandfather, Dr. Higgins, in a two- horse buggy. We are surely far out of the pioneer mode of life. But no two automobiles have yet come into Crown Point that would convey comfortably to Cedar Lake at one trip eighty-eight children.
21. The locusts, the variety that it is said, comes every sev- enteen years, visited us this summer. The birds devoured many, but the thousands of dead leaves on the oak trees in the woods west of Crown Point show that many thous- ands did their usual work upon the young and tender twigs.
22. The stockholders of the First National Bank of Crown Point are erecting this summer a much larger build- ing than their former one, partly on the same ground and on the next building lot south. It will be certainly a large bank building for Crown Point.
23. The city of Hammond is building, at the same time, a public bath-house on the shore of Lake Michigan,
الحمدالص فاء
-- 83-
to be 44 feet square, to be made of Washington red cedar, and to cost $1,500 .. The leaders in this movement are, according to the Hammond News, R. H. McHic, A. Mur- ray Turner, W. H. Gostlin, and J. W. Dyer. . A well man- aged bath-house is a great blessing.
24. A railroad is in process of construction this sum- mer from Indiana Harbor southward, to cross Lake Prai- rie and then the Kankakee Marsh, passing on to Danville, Illinois. It must give us thirty-three miles more of rail- road.
25. Much stone walk has been put down in Crown Point this summer. The most costly. and durable no doubt, is on the front and west side of the Lutheran church and parsonage lots. On the front, on North street, the walk is 125 feet from east to west, 5 feet in width, and 10 feet by II feet in front of the church steps. On Grant street, the walk is 132 feet from south to north, and all laid with Bedford stone, 3 inches in thickness. Most of the new walks are what are called cement or concrete walks. They are smooth. look well, are supposed to be durable, and on hot, sunny days they reflect the light and heat intensely.
THE DEATH RECORD.
26. Died October 9, 1904, at Lowell, Leander Vosburg born June 14, 1811, and therefore 93 years and 3 months of age. His wife, who was also born in 1811, died in February, 1904. They were married in 1840.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.