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 IX.
BY CHARLES S. HYDE.
UNION TOWNSHIP -- PHYSICAL FEATURES -- EARLY SETTLEMENT -- FIRST ELECTION --
ACCIDENTS AND INCIDENTS -- THE PAGE MURDER -- "THE HOOSIER'S NEST" -- WHEELER --
RELIGIOUS INTERESTS -- SCHOOLS -- SECRET SOCIETIES -- CHEESE FACTORIES --
MISCELLANY.
UNION TOWNSHIP was named in commemoration of the Federal Union, and is spoken of
by many as the "Peaceful Township." It was first created and organized in 1836.
It is five miles from east to west and six miles from north to south. There is
nothing peculiarly striking in its physical make-up, though it, with Jackson
Township, is the most diversified, with rolling lands and ridges, of any in the
county; yet, no part of the land is rendered unfit for easy cultivation from
this cause. The only two streams of importance are Salt Creek (Wum-tah-gi-uck --
Indian name for deer lick), which took its name from the numerous salt springs
along its coupe, and Taylor Creek; the former has its chief source in Sager's
Pond; just south of the city of Valparaiso, and, after bisecting the eastern
boundary of the township and flowing north, it cuts through the northern
boundary, near the northeast corner, and empties into the Calumet. The latter
takes its rise in Hollister's Lake (formerly Lake Ann), in the southern part of
the township, flows northeast, and empties into Deep River. The only Lake of
importance is Hollister's, and comprises some five or ten acres. At one time
there was considerable marsh land (for which Indiana seems to be peculiarly
remarkable), and in comparison with the same amount of territory in other
States, there is still considerable; but much of it has been drained and is now
plowed, and of those marshes that remain, two or three yield quite an abundance
of cranberries. The "Twenty-Mile Prairie" extends into the northern part. This
was so named because, as an old settler facetiously said, it was "twenty miles
from anywhere" -- meaning, of course, that it was twenty miles (or some multiple
of twenty) from the nearest trading post, being twenty miles from Michigan City
and La Porte, and forty miles from Chicago. The soil in the middle of the
township is chiefly sandy. There is also some loam, and so much hard clay all
over the township, that little corn is raised; but it makes a good grazing
country.
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Wheat, oats and rye are among the chief products. The southeastern part is the
hilliest, and this, as well as the entire southern part, is cut up with ravines.
To one passing along the beautiful roads intersecting the broad stretches of
prairie, here and there, the song of the reaper and mower, on his every side,
can suggest naught but thrift. In early times, deer were as numerous as sheep
now, from five to ten a day being the "sport and prey" of the hunter's bullet.
Bears were few, only now and then one straggling across the sparsely inhabited
tract. There were a few prairie wolves, but many gray wolves furnished ample
music for the youthful swain as he, in company with neighbors' daughters, went
jaunting through the "dim, unventured wood." The lynx, badger, otter and wildcat
conspired to complete the medley in the forest's depths.
Facts of First Settlement. -- Wm. B. Blachly, Benjamin McCarty, James Walton,
Mr. McAfee, John Brewer, John G. Forbes, B. Bunnel, Sylvester Forbes, Andrew
Wilson, E. W. Fouts, Joseph Wilson, George W. Turner, Lewis Walton, Richard
Henthorn, David Spurlock, John E. West, Joseph Willey, Wilford Parrott and Noah
Fouts, were among the first settlers of Union Township, having come there, some
of them in the spring of 1836, and some earlier. The following men were
residents of Union Township in 1842, as shown by the enumeration of polls:
Ebenezer Blachly, Aaron Blachly, Cornelius Blachly, Boyd Blachly, Jeremiah
Burge, William Brewer, Thomas Buel, John Brownson, B. B. Bunnel, James Burge,
Isaac Brewer, James Congdon, J. M. Curtis, H. Cross, D. G. Crogan, John Currier,
T. H. Fifield, S. Forbes, F. A. Forbes, H. G. Hollister, Stephen Hodsden, Benson
Harris, Ira G. Harris, Levi Melvin, James McAfee, Lyman Melvin, Mr. McGruder,
Wilford Parrott, Otis Robinson, D. P. Strong, O. H. Serviss, Orson Strong, C.
Spafford, Harvey Smith, John Sturdevant, Philo Shepard, Nathan Sawyer, Edward
Saunders, R. P. Saunders, Abijah Taylor, G. W. Tabor, Edmund D. Wolf, James
Walton, Stephen Welch, Joseph Willey, Joseph Wilson, H. B. Wells and John E.
West. Total forty-eight. The above men, for the year 1842, paid a total tax of
$109.41, which was distributed to three funds -- State tax, county tax and road
tax. There were 6,973.51 acres of land, valued at $15,217, including
improvements. Total amount of taxables, $24,361. Total assessment of tax,
$302.26. All this amount was not received, however. In those early times, the
experiences of the hardy pioneers were indeed weird and romantic. Indiana was
then the "far West," and where, away back in the '30's, the mournful howl of the
gray wolf made those gloomy forests more gloomy, now we are startled with the
shriek of the whistle and are found in the very midst of the din and bustle of
this wonderful age of traffic. When we realize the incredible change in forty or
fifty years, we are led to ask, Is there a limit? Yet, even then,
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they had their amusements. If a settler wished to have a cabin erected, he
invited the neighbors and they, unburdened with modern formalities, "hitched up
their shoes" and flocked in from their rustic haunts. The cabin up, they whiled
away their time in drinking beer, playing ball, etc. Dancing did not seem to be
much in vogue, but it had its substitute in the "bussing-bee" which term may,
perchance, carry a peculiar twang to the ear of the modern youth. They did their
principal trading in Michigan City; but they also traded in La Porte and
Chicago. Their sleighs were rude affairs, as might be expected, the runners
consisting of saplings curved at either end, making them like cradle-rockers;
they were fastened together with the roughest cross-pieces, and the whole
structure was drawn by oxen. They used the old "bull-tongue" plow, until this
was replaced with the "Chicago Clipper." Their drags consisted of two pieces of
rough timber crossed and fastened with wooden pegs for teeth. They dragged about
twenty acres per day. All their farm machinery, which was indeed not very
extensive, was of this rough nature. It was customary for one of the settlers to
go to mill with the grain of his neighbors. The mill being some thirty miles
away, and the motive power being several yoke of oxen, it took three days to go
and return, and, for this manifestation of brotherly love, the recompense was
one-third of the grain or flour. In 1838, John Curtis, in preference to going to
mill, made a mortar by burning out the top of a stump, and pounded his corn with
a pestle. The hams of deer sold at two and one-half cents per pound, but the
shoulders could not be sold; the hides were cut into "breaking-lashes." Calico
was from twenty-five to forty cents per yard. The population of Union Township
in 1860, was 867; 1870, 1057; 1880, 1054.
Elections. -- By order of the first Board of Commissioners a local
election was held, for the first time in this county's history, on April 30,
1836, for the purpose of electing Justices of the Peace. We give a verbatim copy
of a reference to those who voted at the first election held here: "At an
election held at the house of George W. Turner, in Union Township, Porter
County, and State of Indiana, on the 30th day of April, 1836, for the purpose of
electing one Justice of the Peace, the following-named persons came forward and
voted: John G. Forbes, B. Bunnel, Sylvester Forbes, Andrew Wilson, E. W. Fouts,
James Walton, Joseph Wilson, George W. Turner, Lewis Walton, Richard Henthorn,
David Spurlock, John E. West, Joseph Willey, Wilford Parrott, Noah Fouts. James
Walton, inspector." We also give a copy of the "Tally paper:" "We, the
undersigned Inspector and Judge at an Election, held at the house of George W.
Turner, in Union Township, Porter County, and State of Indiana, the 30th day of
April, 1836, do certify
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that for the office of Justice of the Peace Joseph Willey got fifteen votes, and
-- for the same office got -- votes. Testimony, E. W. Fouts, Joseph Willey,
Clerks; James Walton, Inspector; George W. Turner, B. Bunnel, Judges." It is
seen that fifteen voted at the election in 1836. At the election of township
officers, in the spring of 1882, the total number of votes polled, in Union
Township, is 195; at the State election, held in October, 1880, the total number
is 232; at the last Presidential election, held in November, 1880, the total
number is 245. The following is an exact copy of a return made by a Justice of
the Peace of Union Township, in 1836:
STATE OF INDIANA,
PORTER COUNTY,
Union Township.
John Burge, James Burge and Orson Strong was brought before me, Joseph Willey, a
Justice of Peace, for trial for killen sum hogs, on or about the first day of
December, 1836, and I proceeded on the 8th day aforesaid to hear the proofs and
allegations, and the defendants was acquitted for the above offense. Nicholas
Mount, tried for profane swearing, committed, and paid his fine.
(SIGNED)
JOSEPH WILLEY, J. P.
The following persons voted at the Presidential election in Union Township,
November, 1836, the election being had in a house formerly occupied by George W.
Turner: William Huntsman, A. L. Ball, M. Pierce, Wm. S. Thornburg, James Walton,
Joseph Willey, Jesse Pierce, John B. Turner, Moses Wilson, Samuel Wilson,
Preston Blake, Abraham Lute, Lewis Walton, Miles Mattox, Moses Maxwell, James
Hurd, Joseph Wilson and John Burge. Total, 18.
Accidental, Criminal, Incidental, etc. -- In November, 1872, while Royal
White, of Lake County, and his brother-in-law, McColby, were at the Cascade
Mills, Mr. White was accidentally killed. While waiting for their grist to be
ground, they passed away the time in hunting ducks on the mill-pond. After an
absence of an hour or two, they returned and deposited their guns in the wagon,
after which they hitched the team, and, as McColby was preparing to drive, Mr.
White reached into the wagon box and took the gun by the muzzle, and, in pulling
it toward him, one of the hammers caught on a sack, and the barrel, heavily
loaded with buckshot, was discharged, the load passing through the wagon box and
entering his right breast. McColby ran into the mill and notified A. G.
Hardesty, who closed the mill and went to the scene of the accident. The wounded
man was on his knees, drenched in his own blood, with both hands pressed to the
wound, but he arose and walked to the house of David Hardesty. Dr. Vincent, of
Deep River, was called, then Dr. Pratt, of Crown Point, but he was beyond the
reach of surgical skill. Splinters of the wagon box, two inches long, and
portions of gun-wadding, were taken from his lungs, a few hours before death. He
died in about three weeks. His remains were placed in the Crown Point
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Cemetery. In 1840, Gen. Brady passed through this county from Michigan with
1,100 Indians. They camped for the night on Section 20 of Union Township, and
Dr. Cornelius Blachly, on whose premises they located, says that when morning
came, the chief, who became dissatisfied from some cause, stepped to the door of
his tent, and, by a signal from him, every warrior sprang to his feet, with a
gun, ready for action. The General told them that, although they had the mastery
now and could butcher them all, yet "The Great Father at Washington would be
avenged." They finally quieted down and marched off. This year was also known as
the year of the great wheat blight.
The summer of 1836 was wet, and the harvest was backward. From 1838 to 1842-43
there was snow but once, and that was in 1841, when it was five inches deep for
two weeks. The winter of 1842-43 was one of the severest in the history of this
county; great numbers starved to death, and many froze; the snow was twelve
inches deep in April. In 1844-45, New Year's Day was warm; it was dusty and dry;
the winter was unusually mild. In 1839, nearly every able-bodied man in Union
Township left for the gold fields of California. In 1864, New Year's Day was
remarkably cold. Twenty-Mile Prairie was once an inland lake, with occasional
islands. Boyd Blachly was the first white man that ever ran a wagon from
Valparaiso to Deep River. He, with his brothers and one McCarty, also opened the
road from Valparaiso to Deep River, by hitching ten yoke of oxen to a tree some
fourteen or fifteen inches through at the base, and dragging it through the long
grass. Mr. Blachly has a relic that few, if any, in this county possess. It is a
rifle that his grandfather used in the Revolutionary war. The barrel is five
feet or more in length, and its breech is graced with an old-fashioned flint
lock. It was loaded with an ounce ball and nine buckshot. "Tell them," said he,
"that you have seen a gun that was used seven years in the Revolution, declaring
independence to you as well as me. It has killed many a Tory."
Josephus Wolf owns more land than any one man in the county -- between 3,000 and
4,000 acres. He owns part of three sections in Union Township. The death of Mrs.
McGruder was probably the first recorded in the township. The only post ofiice
is at Wheeler, which is the only village of any importance in the township.
Cornelius Blachly and father were the first physicians that settled in town.
Chauncey F. Page murdered his helpless and innocent wife, as well as his wife's
mother. He murdered her through jealousy. He also attempted the death of Miss
Fredericka Ludolph. Page had been married about two years, and, being a
watch-maker, was absent a good deal. His young wife was one of more than
ordinary mental qualities and beauty,
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and being very fond of society, she was often found there. He would not enjoy
life, nor would he allow her to enjoy it. Troubles arose in the family, and she
was forced to return to her mother's house. January 15, 1867, found Father Long
visiting his son, Christopher, on Coffee Creek. Mr. Long's house stood just
across the road from the house of his son-in-law, Ephraim Crisman, at Union
Mills. Page came to the house of his mother-in-law one night and demanded
admittance. Being refused by Mrs. Long, with an ax he shattered the door, and
shot down Mrs. Long, who was standing in the hall. He then murdered his wife,
who was in bed. He was on the point of leaving the house, when he discovered
Miss Ludolph's feet protruding from under the bed clothes; he said he felt
sorry, but she must die. She begged piteously, and promised never to tell, but
he shot her through the head; the ball passing just back of her eyes. He then
fired another shot through her right knee, and one through her right arm. After
this, he beat her over the head with a chair, but feeling her breathe, he
pounded her once more. She was conscious, but held her breath. His next act was
to saturate the bed-quilt with lamp oil and set it on fire. The burning building
was seen by Homer Smith from the house of Mr. Eglin, a short distance east,
where he was attending a party. He at once gave the alarm. Miss Ludolph was
found standing at the gate, crimson with her own blood, and almost unconscious.
Mr. Smith wrapped his coat around her and took her to her father's house. She
still lives, though badly scarred, and since then, has visited friends in
Germany. The murderer took a change of venue to La Porte County, where he was
tried, found guilty, and sentenced to the penitentiary for life. After many
unsuccessful attempts at suicide, he succeeded in taking his life. He was found
in his cell, in Michigan City Prison, suspended by the neck.
Hoosier Nest. -- As one glances over a map of Union Township, and sees,
not far from the western boundary, so suggestive a title as a "Hoosier Nest," he
cannot help but feel that there is a history connected with the "Nest" that is
decidedly peculiar. In 1835, James Snow put up one of the first frame buildings
in the county, getting his lumber from La Porte. In this, it is said, he kept
the first store in the township. This store was on the old Sac trail. In 1837,
it was purchased by Oliver Shepard, from Connecticut. Being a "down-Easter," and
thinking it would be entirely appropriate, he stuck out the sign "Hoosier Nest."
This could not fail to attract the eye of the wayfarer, and, in time, the
Hoosier Nest came to be known, it is maintained, five hundred miles away, in
most any direction. Mr. Green kept this romantic inn after Shepard, and Green's
successor was a Mr. Peters, who, with two wives and a son-in-law, lies
slumbering beneath the green sod, not a stone's throw from the old
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"Nest," which, refitted and re-adorned, stands a "silent witness of the change."
Jeremiah Burge has found a place for it in the background, and on its old site
has erected a fine brick structure, which he still occupies in his old age. and
seems to be ever ready to sit down and tell to a curious listener the many
reminiscences that hover around what he has since transformed into a horse barn.
Sunday Schools and Churches. -- Benson Harris and Ira G. Harris, of
Union, and George Bronson, of Portage Township, started the first Sunday school
in these parts. It was established in 1838 or 1839. Although the place for
meeting was just across the line, in Portage Township, yet, two of its founders
residing in Union, and, in fact, the school being more intimately connected with
Union than with Portage, it is undoubtedly proper to blend the history of these
primitive religious efforts with that of Union Township. Not the least
remarkable thing of all was their decided ignorance of the necessary equipments
of a Sunday school, and the proper manner of conducting it. For instance, they
were at a loss to know whether or not spelling books would be the correct things
to use; and they preferred to have a suggestion or two as to its strict
propriety, before they allowed the boys and girls to sit together; furthermore,
as to whether they should take their dinner, prepared at the bountiful board at
home, or feast on faith, they were again in the dark. But such preliminaries
were of little moment, when those sturdy pioneers were so determined to heed the
promptings of a Christian spirit. It was not long till the school came to have
an average attendance of eighty. In times when the nearest neighbor was far
away, this enrollment was truly wonderful. They came from all over Union
Township and townships surrounding, and even from Lake County. Sometimes the
attendance was more than one hundred. From this Sunday school some ten schools
directly grew. We little know, as do those then inexperienced, though
true-hearted settlers "the few that still live), what an influence they exerted,
and what harvests are being now reaped from seed sown by them.
In the spring of 1836, Elder Alpheus French, a Baptist minister, preached at "Blachly's
Corners." The services were conducted in a grove, and there were about
twenty-five in attendance, some coming a distance of eight or nine miles. This
was undoubtedly the first Baptist class in Porter County. Hickory Chapel, on the
Joliet Road, was probably the second church in the township. The Methodist
Church, the pioneer of church organizations in this county, had for its first
Presiding Elder the Rev. Richard Hargrave. Jacob Colclazier, a missionary, held
the first quarterly meeting in this county in a private residence on Twenty-Mile
Prairie, at the Hoosier Nest, in January, 1840. Rev. James C. Brown was
instrumental in building up and organizing the church at
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Wheeler. Union Centre Baptist Church was started by letter granted from the
First Baptist Church, of Valparaiso, bearing date April 10th, 1858, under the
supervision of Deacons Cornelius Blachly, Orrin Peck and Captain Wood; they have
a fine house of worship, ic having been remodeled and painted through the energy
of J. W. Peck and others. It is located in a fine grove at Union Centre. There
is no resident pastor. During the fall of 1875, through the efforts of Elder
French, this society received a number of additions to its membership. In 1872,
the United Brethren formed an organization at Union Centre. The upper story of
the church building was fitted for church purposes, and the lower story for
school purposes. Stephen Jones was the first traveling Methodist preacher in the
county. The salary of young preachers was about $100 per year. Older preachers
were paid in proportion to the size of their family.
Schools and Secret Societies. -- The first schoolhouse in the township
was at the Hoosier Nest, in Twenty-Mile Grove. It was a log affair 18x20 feet,
with a clapboard roof and puncheon floor. The teacher's desk consisted of a
board resting on pins driven into the wall. The second school was at Blachly's
Corners. They recited grammar in concert. Now schools are scattered throughout
the township, and the neat appearance which the school buildings present,
suggests the good judgment of the farmers, and foretells their future
educational welfare.
Evergreen Lodge, No. 403, F. & A. M., was organized at Wheeler May 25, 1869,
with the following first officers: Andrew J. Harrison, W. M.; D. S. Curtis, S.
W.; Miller Shinabarger, J. W. In 1870, the present hall, a large two-story frame
building, was purchased at a cost of $650; this is fully paid for. The present
membership is thirty-one, and the lodge is in a flourishing condition. Magenta
Lodge, No. 288, I. O. O. F., was organized at Wheeler November 20, 1867, with
the following charter members: Josephus Wolf, George Sigler, Thomas J. Stonax,
Dr. H. Green and Daniel Saunders. They own a good, well-furnished hall, worth
about $300, and the present membership is thirteen.
Milling and Merchandising. — In the spring of 1837, Boyd, Eben,
Cornelius, Aaron and Josephus Blachly, erected the first saw-mill in the county,
on a branch of Salt Creek. With their sash-saw and flutter wheel they sawed
about 1,000 feet of lumber daily. Jacob Axe framed the mill. Benjamin Long had
the second saw-mill in the township. He sawed about 2,000 feet per day. Some
twelve or thirteen years ago, there was located, on the head waters of Little
Salt Creek, a portable steam saw-mill. It was operated about two years, with an
average of 2,000 feet per day. Boyd Blachly had the first carding machine in the
county, and the only one in the township. It was built in 1843 or 1844. He
averaged
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about 150 pounds of wool per day. He also fulled and dressed the cloth. It has
since been owned by Staffer Brothers, Thomas Ailesworth, Wilson & Hardesty and
A. Wilson, the present owner. The first grist-mill in the township was conducted
by the Blachly Brothers, in the building with their saw-mill. It was built in
1846. They used one set of buhrs and a turbine wheel, and ground corn only,
averaging about eight bushels per hour. The Cascade Grist-Mills were built by
David Hardesty, on Taylor Creek. They were built about fourteen years ago, on to
a small brick mill which was constructed by him eighteen or nineteen years ago.
The structure is some 18x40 feet, and two stories high. He put in two sets of
buhrs, and, at that time, had the only overshot wheel in the county. David, son
of Benjamin Long, and George Pierce, established, in B. Long's old saw-mill,
what is now known as the Union Grist-Mill. George operated the mill awhile, but
he gave way to his nephew, George W. Pierce, the present owner. It is located on
Salt Creek. John Harris and Charles Arnold were prominent in the establishment
of the first cheese factory in the township. It was established nine or ten
years ago, and named "Cheese Factory No. 1" ("No. 2" being in Portage Township).
From twelve to twenty cheeses per day were made. A. E. Woodhull bought No. 1,
and still runs it.
The "Union Cheese Factory" was built in the spring of 1879, by the farmers of
the neighborhood. The stock was divided into forty shares, and held by about
twenty farmers. The cost of the structure was about $1,500. W. H. Jones was
first President, and Charles Arnold first Secretary. Present officers are J.
Burge, President; P. Robinson, Secretary; Farmers National Bank, Valparaiso,
Treasurer; W. Jones, W. C. Janes and Stephen Hodson, Directors. Charles Arnold,
of Wheeler, was the first cheese maker, and was succeeded by W. J. Wagoner, of
Canada, the present incumbent. The capacity is 12,000 pounds of milk per day.
The average daily consumption is about 6,500 pounds and 600 pounds of cheese.
The average consumption of milk in Cheese Factory No. 1 is nearly as much.
James Snow had the first store in the township. James Blachly and and his son
Edgar had the second store, at Blachly's Corners. It was there some five or six
years before the Fort Wayne road was run through. Among the first merchants were
Daniel and Samuel Sigler, and A. E. Woodhull, of Wheeler.
Wheeler was laid out in 1858 by T. A. E. Campbell, who owned, at that
time, the entire tract upon which the town is located. Three business houses
were built this year: First, the frame now standing back of Mr. Sigler's store,
erected by Mr. Monfort, and first occupied, in the fall of 1859, by Sigler
Brothers, who placed therein general merchandise
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valued at $4,000, and increased in a year or two to about $10,000. Second, the
Wheeler House, built by George Kimball, and conducted by him some five years,
with Ichabod Hall successor, and abandoned about ten years ago. Third, a small
saloon built by Carroll & Harner, and conducted about one year. Several saloons
have been started since then, but in all cases have been short-lived. George
Longshore was among the first residents, and was the first Postmaster. He was
succeeded by George Kimball, who was followed by Samuel Sigler, the present
incumbent. The first blacksmith shop was built in 1862 by D. McHenry. Dr. Arnold
is at present the only resident physician at Wheeler. There are at present two
business establishments: Samuel Sigler, who carries a large stock of general
merchandise, and D. B. Lott, who conducts a general store, owned by A. E.
Woodhull, of Chicago.
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