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
185
CHAPTER VIII.
BY DANIEL J. COY.
MORGAN TOWNSHIP -- LIST OF FIRST AND EARLY SETTLERS -- GAME -- INCIDENTS AND
ANECDOTES -- A TRADITION -- EARLY ELECTIONS -- AN OLD TOWN -- MANUFACTURES --
CHURCHES -- SCHOOLS -- CEMETERY -- FIRST BURIAL -- RESUME.
MORGAN TOWNSHIP derives its name from Morgan Prairie, which was named for Isaac
Morgan, who was one of the first settlers upon this beautiful plain, in what is
now Washington Township.
List of First and Early Settlers. -- The following is a list of the first
and early settlers so far as obtainable: Joseph Bartholomew, 1834; Henry Adams
and family, 1834; Benjamin Spencer and family, 1834; John Baum, 1835; George
Shultz, Jacob Shultz and John Shultz, in 1834; N. S. Fairchild, Archie De Munn
and Charles Allen, in 1835; Josiah Allen and Josiah Allen's wife, in 1835. Among
the first were Rinier Blachley, Charles DeWolf, Morris Witham, William Billings,
Mr. Kinsey, Thomas Wilkins, Mr. Dillingham, John Berry, and William Minton, an
Indian trader. Lewis Comer and family came in 1835; Thomas Adams and family came
during the spring of 1835. Among those who came early are Samuel Van Dalsen,
Abraham Van Dalsen, Lyman Adkins, Elisha Adkins, Mr. Stoner, Enoch Billings,
Elias Cain, John E. Harris, Ezra Wilcox, Eason Wilcox and Hank Blanchard. John
G. Keller came in 1837; Enos Arnold in 1840; William Unrugh in 1842, and William
Benton in 1838. Henry S. Adams, of Jefferson County, Ohio, came to this region
on the 27th of April, 1833, and in May erected a cabin and laid a claim of 160
acres on Section 9, Township 34, Range 5. He brought with him his wife, mother
and three daughters. His was the first house erected in the township. In 1835,
G. W. Patten, of Ohio, settled here. Miller Parker came among the very first,
but stopped for a time in Pleasant Township. John and Stephen Bartholomew came
in 1834, but settled in Pleasant, where they lived for a time before they moved
to Morgan.
Morgan Township originated in August, 1843, when it was set apart from Pleasant.
The eastern part of it was formerly Essex Township, which was formed in
February, 1850, and named in honor of the ship commanded by Commodore Porter,
the man for whom the county was named. The two were consolidated a short time
since.
Early Incidents. -- An old settler remarks: "When I came to Mor-
186
gan Prairie, there was nothing but snakes, wolves and Indians." Game of all
kinds native to the region was abundant. H. S. Adams, Rollston Adams, Asa Cobb
and G. W. Patton, in 1851, during a hunt of five days, killed sixteen deer. In
1843, G. W. Patton and his brother shot two from a herd. Supposing that both
were dead, Mr. Patton went up to where they lay. When he reached the place, one
of them that had been more stunned than wounded started to rise, but Mr. Patton
seized it by the antlers and called to his brother to come and cut its throat.
Before his brother came up and succeeded in doing so, it had cut G. W.'s hands
and struck him on the head a number of times with its hind feet. Bees abounded,
and barrels of honeyed sweets were stored away in the hollows of trees. It is a
singular fact that bees seldom go far from the habitations of the white man. As
the buffalo retreats, the bee advances. Prairie fires were a terror to the
natives at an early day, and often swept the country with a sea of flame that
traveled with the speed of the wind, laying in ashes and raising in smoke
everything before it.
A certain Assessor of Essex Township presented a bill of $21 for assessing
twenty-one families. He said that he would have that or nothing. He got the
latter. Old Cuttanaw, who used to trade in this region with the Indians, once
told them that the needle-makers were all dead, and that he would have to charge
them $1 apiece for needles, which he did. He is the one who took the contract
for moving the Indians to their new home in the West. This occurred in 1837.
Once, at Tassinong Grove, two Indians came to trade. One of them got drunk. The
other, upbraiding him for so doing said, "Mo-a-net Che-moke-man" (mean as a
white man). Although all the Indians seemed fond of good-ne-tos (liquor), one of
the party always stayed sober and could not be induced to drink enough to become
intoxicated. It seemed to be the business of this one to stand guard and take
care of those who were too drunk to care for themselves. He took charge of the
guns and other weapons to keep those who were drinking from killing each other
or some one else. The squaws did not drink, the reason for which fact is not
stated. Enos Arnold speaks of having driven twelve yoke of oxen to a
breaking-plow on one Fourth of July, which day he celebrated by turning to the
sun three acres of prairie sod.
There was a tradition among the Indians found here that in the then distant past
the Pottawatomies had a dispute with a tribe west of them about the boundary
line between the two nations. They agreed to decide the question by fighting
three battles. The tribe that was victorious in two or three of these battles
was to have the boundary placed where they claimed that it should be. It is
supposed that these battles occurred somewhere on Morgan Prairie, but just where
187
cannot now be determined. It is possible that the old fort on the Kankakee in
Pleasant Township was erected at that time as a place of refuge in case of
defeat in the field. It is further stated that the Pottawatomies were to drive
this Western tribe to the end of the lake, but no farther. This point they
called "Bish Chi-ca-go" or "water all gone." This some claim to be the origin of
the word Chicago. If so, it is probable that the name was applied to the place
by the Indians while the whites called it Fort Dearborn, and that the Indian
name was in some way restored.
January 4, 1836, a license was granted by the County Commissioners to Hamell &
Heming for one year, for the sum of $10, to vend merchandise. Morgan Township
was then very large and a part of La Porte County.
The principal Indian trail that crossed the township entered at the northeastern
part and reached the Kankakee near the southwestern corner.
Early Officers. -- At an election of Morgan Township, held April 4, 1853,
James White, Jesse Spencer and Joseph McConnell were elected Trustees, David W.
White, Clerk, and John Brumbaugh, Treasurer. The bond of the Treasurer was $200.
May 7, 1853, notice was given of an election to be held June 11, 1853, for the
purpose of voting for or against levying a tax for the purpose of purchasing
sites for and building schoolhouses. The election was held at the time
appointed. Francis Marshall, James White, Jesse Spencer, Joseph McConnell, David
W. White, Lewis Comer, H. S. Adams and Asa Marine voted for the tax, and no
votes were cast against it. Accordingly, a tax of 50 cents on $100 was levied.
In 1854, the total receipts for road purposes were $82.20, and the expenditures
§76.50. The charges of the road superintendents for the same year were, in
Districts Nos. 1, 2 and 3, $2 each; in No. 4, $1.50; No. 5, $3; No. 6, 75 cents.
In 1854, the Treasurer's band was raised to $1,000, and was signed by John
Brumbaugh and William Stoddard. In this year, John W. Wright was elected
Justice, and Franklin Adkins and Aaron Stoner, Constables. Hiram Diblee, James
Bundy and Enos Arnold were elected Trustees. William Stoddard was Clerk, John
Brumbaugh, Treasurer. The following were the Supervisors for the different
districts: In No. 1, John Branson; No. 2, Lorenzo Mortoe; No. 3, Joseph Holies;
No. 4, Elias Cane; No. 5, John McCurdy; No. 6, John Schultz.
Tassinong. -- The town of Tassiuong, or Tassinnong Grove, as it was
formerly called, is indeed an ancient place. Its origin seems to be shrouded in
obscurity. The whites trace the locality back to 1830, but the Indians spoke of
it as an old place even then. Not that there was any town, but simply a locality
bearing the name. It is probable that
188
there was a French trading post here at a very early day. Col. Jesse Harpar, the
noted Greenback orator, started the first store here, about the year 1846. He
continued to sell goods here for a few years, and then took his wares and left.
He had a stock worth, perhaps, $800. He kept his goods in an old log building
that was used before by William Stoddard as a barn. The second store was started
by William Stoddard in a hewed-log cabin, about 1849. Here he kept goods for a
year or a year and a half, when one night almost the entire stock was stolen.
The third store was started in 1850 by Joseph Unrugh. He ran it about a year
alone, when his brother William bought an interest in the stock. They managed
the business for two or three years, when they sold out to Eaton, who sold to
Francis McCurdy, who sold to Rinker & Wright, who kept the store about two
years. In the meantime, about 1852, Abraham Ahart started a store, ran it about
two years and closed out the stock. In 1852, besides two stores, there were two
blacksmith shops, one kept by Stephen Ales and the other by A. J. Zarn. F.
McCurdy had a carpenter shop, John McCurdy a tavern, while William Maxwell and
W. Hammond kept shoe shops. Calvin Bowman and Adkins started a store in 1854.
Sylvester Pierce bought Adkins out, and has kept store here almost ever since.
He has been out of business for a short period at two different times. J. C.
Eahart started a store, and sold to Frank Adkins, who sold to Spencer, who kept
alone for a time, and then went in with Mr. Pierce. Mr. Pierce is now alone.
Bowman & Son run the other store of the town. H. King is the blacksmith. Dr. B.
A. Welch is the medical man. Dr. Gray located here in 1881, but stayed only
about six months. Before him, Dr. Davis was in town from 1856 to 1861, when he
went to the war. The present Postmaster is Sylvester Pierce, who has held the
office for over twenty years. Mr. Pierce was preceded by William Stoddard, who
kept the office for four or five years. Before him, Frank Adkins had charge for
a short time. He was preceded by John W. Wright, who was preceded by William C.
Eaton, who was preceded by John Ahart, who was preceded by John Jones, who was
the first Postmaster. The office was established in 1840. For some years, it was
two miles south of its present site, and called Tassinong Grove. Tassinong is
the only town the township has ever had, and the only post office has been
located here since it was established.
Industries, etc. -- No factories of great importance have been built
within the limits of Morgan Township. A cheese factory was started about 1857 by
Charles De Wolf, and run for two years by Edson, when it was closed. Another was
started by John Schultz in 1879. He ran it one season, when he sold the
machinery to Mr. Woodhull. It is now run by Albert Runnels and Henry Stone. They
use about a ton of
189
milk a day. At a very early day, there was a small grist-mill in the
northwestern part. This was known as the Kinsey Mill. It had only one "run of
buhrs," through which all kinds of grain were run. The water was brought through
hollow logs to an overshot wheel. This mill was owned and run by Kinsey until
1848.
Churches. -- The first religious services were held by Stephen Jones at
the house of Thomas Adams. Rev. Colklasier was the second one to conduct
religious services in the township. The third was Rev. Holly Baxter Beers.
The Presbyterian Church of Tassinong was built about 1855, at a cost of $800. It
was built by the community for all denominations. Joseph Bartholomew and George
Biggert each gave $150 toward its erection. Rev. Brown also gave liberally,
helped to organize and officiated for a time as minister. Rev. Moore and Rev.
Logan each preached here for a year; this was before the war. Since these the
Rev. Kinney and Rev. Robert Williams each in order served a year.
Then came Rev. S. R. Baker, who stayed who stayed four years, and after him Rev.
Henry Cullom stayed two years, the Rev. Frank Ferguson served a year, after whom
Rev. Ely cam for a short stay of six months. The congregation has now been
without a pastor for about a year. The church now has twenty-five communicants.
The Old School Baptists held services for a time at Morris Witham's house. Elder
French officiated for a time. They have never had a church building in the
township. The Methodists have a church and society in the northwest part of the
township. Among the first members were "Father" White and wife, William White
and wife, David White and wife, Ezra White and wife and Mr. Cornish and wife.
The Christians have a church near the center of the township. This society was
organized in June, 1840, being the first society of the Christians in the
county. The church, which is built of brick, cost about $2,000. The principal
contributors to the building fund were H. S. Adams. Lewis Comer, Aaron Stoner,
Enoch Baum, G. W. Patton, Elias Cain. Many others contributed sums according to
their means. Among the very first members were, Lewis Comer and wife, H. S.
Adams and wife, Thomas Adams and Mrs. Baum. Among the other early members were
George W. Turner and wife, Joseph McConnel and wife, Elias Cain and Mrs.
Elizabeth Stoner. Lewis Comer was this first Elder, and H. S. Adams the first
Deacon. The present officers are, G. W. Patton, N. S. Fairchild, and Jacob
Stoner, Elders; William Cain and Russell Stoner, Deacons. The present membership
is 125. Rev. Lemuel Shortage now preaches occasionally. The last regular
minister was Rev. M. Goodycoonts; before him was Rev. W. Lowe, who stayed two
years. Rev. L. Shortage commenced
190
preaching here in 1849, and has preached here more or less ever since. Rev.
Wheeler preached two years, Rev. Robert Johnson two years. Part of the time
there has been no regular minister, but different ones preached occasionally.
Schools. -- There is a difference of opinion as to where the first school
of the township was taught, but the evidence indicates that it was on Morgan
Prairie, near where Jesse Baum now lives. The house was, of course, a log one.
In size, it was about 12x14 feet. The first teacher was Miss Orilla Stoddad, a
sister of William Stoddard, now Mrs. Jackson Buel, of Valparaiso, who taught
here for a number of terms. The first term was taught in or near the year 1834.
This, like the other early schools, was supported by subscription. The following
are some of the patrons of the first school: Morris Witham, William Billings,
John Keller, Henry Adams and R. Blatsley. The location of this school was
changed after a few years to the Enoch Baum farm, where a frame building was
erected. This was used for some years, when a house was built on the present
site. The second schoolhouse was built about two miles south of the north line
of the township, and near the center from east to west. This house was a log
cabin, built in 1838 or 1839. The third house was built on the old Spencer farm,
about half a mile north of Tassinong, in 1834 or 1835. This was a log house,
about 18x20 feet. Among the early teachers here were Orilla Stoddard, Mr.
Cannaday, Eggleston Smith, David White, Oliver Stoddard, Miss Jones, Miss
Hoadley, Christopher Clines, Mr. Bloomfield and Miss Webster. The fourth
schoolhouse was built in the White settlement about thirty-five years ago. This
was a small frame, being the first frame schoolhouse of the township. The
present house here is a fine brick, built in 1878, at a cost of $1,000. District
No. 2 now has its third house, a brick, built about fifteen years ago, at a cost
of $1,200. District No. 3 has its second house, built about ten years ago, at a
cost of $800. No. 5 has its second house, a brick, built about nine years ago,
at a cost of $800. The first house here was a frame. District No. 6 has its
first house still standing; it is a frame, probably thirty years old, and has
been repaired many times. It cost about $500. The other three houses are frame.
The Stoddard or Tassinong Schoolhouse was built in 1868. Ida Freer taught here
during the winter of 1881-82, and the spring of 1882. Some of the teachers
before Miss Freer, in about the following order, are: William Harris, Anna Bray,
Mr. Hazelett, the Misses Baum, Miss Cary, Mr. Elliot, William Stoddard, Ruth
Marshall, Belle Stephens and William Bartholomew. In the old frame house, Emma
Hammond, Alvin Bartholomew, Mr. Hutchinson and Mr. Bloomfield taught. David
White and Eggleston Smith were among the first who taught in the old log house.
The second house, a
191
frame, was painted red, and stood about one· fourth of a mile south of the
present site. The following is a list of the teachers for the years indicated:
1880, in District No 1 -- Priscilla Flake, Myra Hunter and Sylvester Dill; No 2
-- Irena Baum and A. Knott; No. 3 -- Ida Freer and O. C. Tarpenning; No. 4 --
Mary Evans, Viola Williams and J. H. Platt; No. 5 -- W. J. Harris; No. 6 -- M.
F. Bennett and Stuart Mackibbin; No. 7 -- Carrie A. Ray; No. 8 -- Alice Sanborn;
No. 9 -- Ida Freer. For 1881, in No. 1 -- C. B. Diltz, R. B. Hubbard and Alice
J. Sanborn; No. 2 -- Irena Baum; No. 3 -- Irena Baum, Myra Hunter and Eva
Shepard; No. 4 -- Ida Freer and J. W. Smith; No. 5-Anna L. Bray and lda Freer;
No. 6 -- Carrie A. Ray; No.7 -- Carrie A. Ray, Viola Williams and M. M. Strong;
No. 8 -- Carrie Bond and Anna Bray; No. 9 -- Maud Shackelford. For 1882, up to
this writing, in No. 1 -- Mary E. McHugh; No. 2 -- Sylvester N. Dill, Carrie
Ray, Mary L. Nickelson and Anna Bray; No. 3 -- Maud Shackelford and Ida Winslow;
No. 5 -- Ida Freer and Joseph M. Williamson; No. 6 -- Carrie Ray and Dora
Rosecrans; No. 7 -- Viola Williams and Oreste Sherman; No. 8 -- -Anna Bray,
Oreste Sherman and Viola Williams; No. 9 -- Maud Shackelford.
Cemeteries. -- The Adams Cemetery is the largest in the township. Harriet
J. Adams was the first one buried here. First, a small plat of about one-fourth
of an acre was set apart as a burying ground. In 1867, an acre was added to the
ground. This was purchased with money raised by subscription among the people of
the country around. The ground cost about $60. This ground was deeded to the
county. Burial here is free except a fee of $2.50 which is charged upon each lot
of 8x19 feet for the purpose of keeping the grounds in repair. The neighbors
turned out in force and fenced the ground. There is a private or family
graveyard at White's Meeting House, or Salem Church, as it is often called.
The first burial of the township was that of Mr. Agnew, who was frozen to death
during a violent snow storm late in the fall of 1835. He had sent his family to
David Bryant's the day before, and was following them in a wagon containing
their household goods. A blinding snow began to fall, and he was unable to keep
the ox-team that he was driving upon the Indian trail that they must follow in
order to reach Pleasant Grove, Lake County, where Mr. Bryant lived, and where
the anxious wife was awaiting Mr. Agnew's arrival. Becoming bewildered, he
loosed the oxen and started on foot. He had gone but a short distance before he
began traveling in a circle around a stick driven into the ground. Finally
overcome by fatigue and cold, he gave way to the drowsiness of death. In the
morning the body was taken up tenderly by loving hands and borne to Morgan
Prairie, where it was placed to rest.
192
Growth of Township. -- Morgan Township carries the banner of the county
for an agricultural township. As is usual with a strictly agricultural
community, its growth has been steady and gradual. No sudden influx of settlers
has occurred since the Great Land Sale.
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