History of Porter County, 1882County history published by F. A. Battey and Company . . . .
Source Citation:
Goodspeed, Weston A., and Charles Blanchard. 1882.
Counties of Lake and
Porter, Indiana: Historical and Biographical. Chicago, Illinois: F. A.
Battey and Company. 771 p.
HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY
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CHAPTER VII.
BY DANIEL J. COY.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP -- ITS CREATION -- FIRST ELECTION OF OFFICERS -- THE EARLY
SETTLEMENT -- OLD SAW-MILLS, GRIST-MILLS, ETC. -- PERSONAL ANECDOTES -- ROLLINGS
AND RAISINGS -- MERCANTILE PURSUITS -- PRATTVILLE -- EDUCATION AND RELIGION.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP dates its birth from the organization of Porter County in
1836. The name Washington is indicative of the sterling worth and patriotic
principles of the pioneer settlers. William Morgan, from Wayne County, Ohio, is
said to be the first white man to settle in what is now Washington Township. He
settled on the northern part of the prairie that bears his name early in the
spring of 1833. The other first settlers besides William and Isaac Morgan, with
their places of nativity, were George B. Cline, Union County, Ind.; Adam S.
Campbell, Chautauqua County, N. Y.; Reason Bell, Wayne County, Ohio. During the
same year, Rufus Van Pool "pitched" a claim on what is now the Oaks farm. In the
fall, the house of this man was destroyed by fire, and he was compelled to move
his family back to La Porte County, but returned in the following spring, and
remained until the land sale in 1835; after purchasing his claim at the
Government price, he sold out to David Oaks. In 1833 or 1834, Jacob Coleman
located and made improvements two miles southeast of Prattville. In 1834, James
Blair "pitched" his claim near what is now called Coburg, and began to cultivate
the soil, and to make improvements. During the same year, Isaac Werninger came
into the settlement, and located on what is now known
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as the Crumpacker form. Ruel Starr, the same year, occupied the Starr farm. In
the spring of 1833, Samuel Flint and Seth Hull came into the township. Flint
made the first improvements at Prattville. During the fall, Hull sold his claim
to J. S. Wallace and left the settlement. Among these early settlers were found
John Huntly, a Mr. Banner and a Mr. Johnson; these men being without families,
did not locate permanently. In 1834, James Baun came into the township and
purchased a farm, paying $450 for 160 acres of land. At this early date no roads
were found in the township; these pioneers were compelled to follow the old "Sac
trail," which passed near the present site of Valparaiso.
Early Homes. -- The "log cabin" of the early settlers was built, owing to
the shortness of the timber, about 18x20 feet, and if more room was desired, two
of these were built side by side with a door between; often they were placed
some distance apart, the space between roofed over, and called a "stoop." The
chimney was built of flat sticks, covered with what was known as
"cat-in-the-clay," this being composed of straw or swamp grass, cut fine and
mixed with the clay. The chimney was built upon the outside of the cabin,
usually at the end. The roof was covered with "shakes," with "weight-poles" to
hold them to their places. The inside of the cabin compared very favorably with
the outside. Wooden pegs took the place of nails or hooks; the table and chairs,
as well as the rest of the household furniture, were usually of home
manufacture, and were necessarily of the rudest pattern. Whenever a house of
this kind was to be built, the word was given out, and the settlers flocked into
what was known as the "raising." The first house built in this way was a double
log house, the property of Isaac Morgan. The house was built in 1884, situated
on the outlet of Flint's Lake, in Section 16, and it is said that about thirty
settlers were present, this number including nearly all the able-bodied men of
the settlement.
The early settlers obtained their supplies at first from La Porte County,
afterward from Michigan City; these supplies were hauled across the county with
oxen. For several years the nearest flouring-mill was located at Kingsbury,
where all the grinding of the settlement was done. The first crop planted was
corn, followed by the other cereals now raised in the township. In one or two
instances, farmers are said to have gone eighty or ninety miles, in order to
obtain proper seed to plant in the soil of their new farms. At this early date,
venison was one of the principal sources of food, the settlers depending largely
upon this for their supply of meat. Hunting was one of the leading occupations,
it being no extraordinary feat for one man to kill as high as 100 deer in one
winter.
The first settlers who led the way were soon followed by others, and before the
land sale, in 1835, a large number of settlers' cabins could be
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counted. The raw prairie and wild woodland were being rapidly converted into
beautiful farms and happy homes; better times were coming to the pioneers, who
endured so many privations in order to secure comfortable residences. They were
soon to reap the results of braving the Western wilds and leaving behind them
the benefits and advantages of a fully developed country.
The first white child born in this township was Reason Bell, son of Reason and
Sarah Bell, of Wayne County, Ohio, his birth occurring January 11, 1834.
The Indians. -- A village of about one hundred or more Pottawatomie
Indians was situated near the present site of Prattville. Their burying-ground
was located on what is now Harmond Beach's orchard. These Indians traded with
the early settlers, bartering their furs for arms and ammunition; they also
obtained the well-known "fire-water" that has ever degraded the poor Indian when
brought in contact with it, and its vender, the white man. These Indians were of
considerable annoyance, but never committed any depredations of a serious nature
upon the whites. A story is related by the settlers how, at one time, two of the
Indians, Wak-muck and Cha-nin-a-win, after having imbibed a sufficient quantity
of whisky to make each one feel that he was the "big Injin" of the village,
began quarreling, and finally ended in a fight to decide which should be the
happy owner of two wives. Wak-muck came off victor. A short time after this,
Cha-nin-a-win, while lying asleep under a tree, was shot by the treacherous Wak-muck.
At first the white men of the settlement were inclined to take the matter into
their own hands, but finally decided to leave to Indian justice the entire
matter, which was to give to the squaw of the dead Indian several ponies and a
considerable amount of furs, their law being that if such a crime was repeated
by the same party, he must suffer death at the hands of his nearest relative.
The Indians remained here until 1836, when they moved to an Indian village near
what is now known as Hebron, where they remained until about 1842, at which date
they, with the rest of their red brethren, moved beyond the rolling waters of
the Mississippi.
Organization. -- Up to the time of the land sale in 1835, the early
settlers held what is known as a "squatter's claim.' The majority bought the
land they occupied, while some of them sold their claims to other settlers.
After the township survey, many of them found their land cut up by township
lines and roads. One instance is given, in which John Coleman, Russell Brayton
and Stephen Brayton found themselves occupying the same eighty acres of land.
The first township election was held at the house of Isaac Morgan, on the 13th
of April, 1836, for the purpose of electing two Justices of the
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Peace. The following-named persons voted at this election: Adam S. Campbell,
David S. Holland, Benjamin Saylor, Levi Chamberton, John Saylor, Jacob Jorden,
Seth Winslow, Warren Pierce, W. B. Smith, Andrew Ault, Reason Bell, George B.
Cline, Wilson McLane, Frederick Yeager, Reason Reed, Joseph Todd, Michael Ault,
Hiram Webster, Isaac Morgan, John Shinabarger, Henry Rinker, Daniel Drulinger,
John Robinson, Warner Winslow, Isaac Werninger, Jacob Fleming, James Blair,
Nelson Smith, Peter Cline, William Morgan, Anthony Boggs, Jesse McCord, John R.
Sargent, Robert Fleming, Joseph Brewer and Clark Babcock. Isaac Morgan was
appointed Inspector of this election; he returned the following report:
"We, the undersigned Inspector and Judges of an election held at the house of
Isaac Morgan, on the 13th day of April, 1836, do certify that for the office of
Justice of the Peace Henry Rinker received 23 votes. White B. Smith 20 votes and
Peter Cline 17 votes."
A county election was held at the house of Isaac Morgan on the 23d of February,
1836, for the purpose of electing one Clerk, one Recorder, two Associate Judges
and three Commissioners.
In the same year, it was ordered by the Board of Commissioners, that Adam S.
Campbell and Reason Bell be appointed Overseers of the Poor for Washington
Township; Peter Cline, Supervisor of Roads; George B. Cline and John
Shinabarger, Fence Viewers, which last office was finally dispensed with.
Early Industries. -- In 1834, David Oaks kept a tavern near Prattville.
He continued in the business for several years. During the years 1835 and 1836,
a hotel was built about one mile north of Prattville. The building cost about
$500 or $600. This tavern was owned and conducted by John Shinnabarger. The
hotel was a two-story building, the other dimensions being 20x45 feet. The hall
in the upper story was used as a ball room, where the young people of the
neighborhood could meet and shake the "light fantastic toe" to their heart's
content. The business of tavern-keeping was remunerative. During the years of
1834 or 1835, almost every day wagon trains could be seen wending their way over
the rough roads toward the undeveloped West, where they expected to find room to
build up homes of thrift and industry. There were no roads of any importance in
the township up to this time. The first road was one that followed an Indian
trail which passed through Prattville.
In 1835, Adam S. Campbell opened a boot and shoe shop on the farm now owned by
his son. He brought his original stock from York State. In this shop, the boots
and shoes of the settlement were manufactured. In 1835, Russell Brayton opened
the first blacksmith shop in the township. It was located near Prattville.
During the year 1852,
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Edward Brown and Mr. Mills built a steam saw-mill at Prattville. The engine was
of 25-horse power, and was obtained at Coldwater, Mich., at a cost of $2,000. It
required a considerable amount of labor to bring the engine from Michigan City,
but the task was at last accomplished. The frame work of the mill cost about
$1,000, making the entire cost of the mill about $3,000, as near as can be
remembered. The saw was a simple upright sash saw. This mill was purchased in
1835 by Daniel S. and Theron White. During the same year, the new owners added a
small run of buhrs, one for grinding corn, the other for wheat. They also put in
three bolts. This addition to the saw-mill cost about $1,000. The machinery was
run by the same engine that was used for the saw-mill. This mill was completed
so that in 1836 a fair article of flour was turned out. At the present writing,
the saw-mill remains, much improved in capacity and machinery, but the
flour-mill has long since been discontinued.
Prattville. -- In 1841, the village of Prattville was laid out by Thomas
Pratt, who erected a blacksmith shop, also moved a small frame house about one
mile, and improved it by additions, until it answered for a dwelling. The
original owners of the ground on which Prattville was laid out were William
Morgan and Peter and George Cline. The life of Prattville was destined to be
short, and to-day the town exists only in name.
Taxation. -- During the year 1842, the entire tax paid by the residents
of Washington Township amounted to $262.61. There were 13,824.86 acres of land,
valued, together with the improvements, at $47,815. The total amount of taxable
property in the township was $60,643. The total amount assessed was $705.79. Not
more than two-thirds of this amount was ever paid into the county treasury.
Various Enterprises. -- In the year 1843, Reason Bell and Mr. King
erected a tannery one and a half miles northeast of Prattville. This firm
transacted a considerable amount of business, Mr. Bell furnishing the capital.
Mr. King, being a tanner by trade, had charge of the work done in the tannery,
and saw that the stock on hand was properly taken care of. This firm continued
operations about two years. A considerable business was done here, and leather
was shipped to various parts of the country. In 1845, the partnership was
dissolved, Mr. King continuing to work at his trade in Michigan City. Mr. Bell
continued in the business only long enough to sell the stock on hand. In
connection with the tannery, a boot and shoe factory was put in operation, and
was continued for some time, Moses Turner having charge of the factory. Mr.
Bundy erected a saw-mill, in 1844 or 1845, on the outlet of Flint's Lake. This
mill was situated about one and three-fourths miles east of Prattville. The
frame for the mill was erected at a considerable expense, after which
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Mr. Bundy began to dig the race. The work was carried forward across his own
farm, but he was denied the right to dig the race across the adjoining farm,
owned by Truman Freeman, and a law suit was the result. After having some
trouble in regard to the matter, the enterprise proved to be a failure. The
frame work to the mill was taken down and used for other purposes, while Bundy's
mill never existed in reality, but was only known as one of the many things that
exist only in name. In the year 1846 or 1847, a race track was built on the farm
of Joseph Brown. While this track cannot be called an improvement of great
importance, it was the means of bringing some good stock into the country, and
eventually had something to do toward the organization of an agricultural
society.
The office of Justice of the Peace was located on the farm owned by Adam S.
Campbell, he being one of the two Justices whom the settlers felt it to be
necessary to have, in order that justice might be meted out to all. This was
after the first election in 1836. A grist-mill was built by Ruel Starr, on
Crooked Creek, which was to be run by water-power, the wheel being a 24-inch
turbine, the race being one and one-half miles in length. The mill was completed
and ready for operation, but nothing more than a few bushels of corn was ever
ground. The enterprise proved unsuccessful, although the mill cost $5,000. After
the death of Mr. Starr, the mill was converted into a cheese factory by Mr.
McGill. A considerable amount of cheese was manufactured here and shipped to
Chicago, La Porte, Michigan City and South Bend. This factory was in operation
for two years, when it was moved into Centre Township, where it yet remains.
In May of 1836, a license was granted to Andrew Ault to keep a tavern and to
sell foreign and domestic groceries; he also sold liquor, paying for the license
$10 per annum. This store was kept in a double log house, that cost about $25.
As near as can be remembered, the store was opened in 1836 or 1837. The first
stock of goods was obtained from Michigan City, .and cost in the neighborhood of
$50. This store was kept open for a number of years, and was situated about
three-fourths of a mile west of Prattville. The tavern furnished accommodations
to the many wagon trains passing through this section, and was no unimportant
item in the remunerative part of the business. In 1834 or 1835, a stock of goods
was kept in the double log house belonging to Isaac Morgan. The stock was light,
and was composed of such things as would best meet the wants of the early
settlers. The store was conducted by Mr. Holland, who obtained his supplies from
La Porte, and served as a mail carrier for the settlement. Jeremiah Hamell and
Mr. Henning opened a store in George B. Cline's double log house; this was in
1836 or 1837.
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Their stock was composed of dry goods and groceries, the value of which did not
exceed $50. They traded extensively with the Indians, exchanging arms,
ammunition and whisky for furs. They obtained their goods from Michigan City and
South Bend. In 1837, Jeremiah Hamell (now deceased) moved to Valparaiso, where
he is said to have been one of the first merchants. Stores of any importance
must necessarily be located in villages or towns. For this reason, store-keeping
has ceased to be a lucrative business in Washington Township, as there are no
villages or towns of any note in the township.
Schools. -- The first school taught in the township was conducted by Mary
Hammond in a log house, erected by A. V. Bartholomew, the teacher being paid by
subscription. Four families were represented. The school was in session three
months, during the winter of 1835 or 1836. The next school, as near as can be
remembered, was taught by Thomas Campbell, in a log house on a farm owned by Mr.
Kimmerer. This school was in session one term. The common branches were taught
here, including arithmetic, reading, spelling and writing. These schools were
taught in houses originally intended for dwellings. They were small, about 18x20
feet in size. The houses were warmed by huge fire-places, in which logs of
considerable dimensions could be rolled without much difficulty, such being the
advantages of the young seeker after knowledge in 1835 and 1836. The first
schoolhouse built in Washington Township was probably the Morgan Schoolhouse,
several old settlers to the contrary. This schoolhouse was built in 1836 or
1837; the Luther Schoolhouse was built about the same time; it is not known
positively which one was built first. It is sufficient to say that among the
first teachers are to be found the names of George Partial, Mr. Wakeman, Nancy
Trim, Judge Talcott, Mr. Pepinger (as near as the name can be spelled), Mr. Van
Hozzen, Lowring Hall and Dr. Pagan. The first schoolhouse was built of round
logs at a probable cost of $25; the accommodations throughout were of the
plainest quality. The wages paid to the earliest teachers were about $2 per
scholar, or $10 or $12 per month; this sum was considered sufficient pay to the
teacher who was required to wield the birch with sufficient force to overcome
the unruly young man of twenty summers. It was one of the principal parts of
school life to have spellings, and to bar out the teacher at Christmas; this was
often difficult to do, as the roof was usually covered with shakes, with poles
laid on to keep them down, so that it did not require a very great effort on the
part of the teacher to find an ingress at almost any part of the house. In 1838,
George Partial was barred out in this manner; being unable to effect an entrance
for three or four days, he was finally compelled to treat. The treat consisted
of "doughnuts" and such things as the kitchens of the neigh-
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borhood could furnish. The treat was brought to the schoolhouse in a two bushel
sack, and was made up of contributions from the parents of the children. The
birch was used pretty freely in those days, as a gentle reminder of the duties
and responsibilities resting upon the young aspirant.
The small log schoolhouse of 1836 has given place to the neat and commodious
house of to-day. While at that time the township could boast of but one or two,
now we find seven well-conducted schools in the township.
Churches. -- No churches have ever been built in the township, but the
people used the schoolhouses for purposes of worship at an early date. As early
as 1837, Lewis Comer preached in the Morgan Schoolhouse. It is said that a
Baptist minister (name not remembered) preached in George Cline's double log
house as early as 1835. The members of the Christian Church held regular
meetings in the Morgan Schoolhouse. There were about thirty or forty members in
attendance, but no regularly organized church. Among the earliest members of
this congregation were Reason Bell, Mr. and Mrs. Rinker, White B. Smith and
others whose names could not be obtained. There was no fixed salary for the
minister, but the congregation paid him whatever they could give that would be
of use to him or his family. It was customary for the members to gather together
and give what was called a donation surprise party, in which the minister was
often surprised by receiving many things that were of benefit to him. This
township being situated near Valparaiso, the church-going people have found it
more convenient to attend church in town than to build and maintain a church of
their own, and for this reason no churches have ever been erected in Washington
Township. The first Sabbath school in the township, as near as can be
ascertained, was organized by D. C. White in 1856; the school was taught in the
Morgan Schoolhouse. The school was small, and the Sabbath school library was
limited to a few books such as would meet the wants of the children.
Washington Township is strictly an agricultural township, and is one of the
richest in the county. It is difficult to realize the number and value of the
improvements that have been made within forty years. The round-log cabin of the
early settler has given place to the comfortable home and beautiful farms of
to-day, while the advantages of the people are in no way inferior to those of
any other portion of the State.
NAVIGATION OF
1882 HISTORY OF PORTER COUNTY
PREFACE
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I. - EARLY HISTORY OF COUNTY
CHAPTER II. - EARLY HISTORY COUNTY (Continued)
CHAPTER III. - MILITARY HISTORY
CHAPTER IV. - VALPARAISO AND CENTRE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER V. - WESTCHESTER TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER VI. - BOONE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER VII. - WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER VIII. - MORGAN TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER IX. - UNION TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER X. - JACKSON TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XI. - LIBERTY TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XII. - PORTAGE TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XIII. - PLEASANT TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XIV. - PORTER TOWNSHIP
CHAPTER XV. - PINE TOWNSHIP
Transcribed by Steven R. Shook, February 2012