OF LA PORTE COUNTY, INDIANA; TOGETHER WITH SKETCHES OF ITS CITIES, VILLAGES AND TOWNSHIPS, EDU- PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT PERSONS, AND BIOGRAPHIES OF REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. HISTORY OF INDIANA, EMBRACING ACCOUNTS OF THE PRE-HISTORIC RACES, ABORIGINES, FRENCH, OF ITS CIVIL, POLITICAL AND MILITARY HISTORY. ILLUSTRATED. CHICAGO: CHAS. C. CHAPMAN & CO., PREFACE. The history of La Porte county possesses features of unusual interest in comparison with those of other neighboring counties. Here the sturdy pioneer located and began to exert his civilizing influence long before other sections contained a settler. This being a delightful section of country, it was early occupied by those com-' ing West in search of permanent homes. In matters of general public interest and progress, La Porte county has ever taken a leading and prominent position. Here have lived men who have taken an important part in the affairs of State and in molding the political sentiments and destiny of the country. This county has been the scene of conflict between some of the giant intellects of the nation. Here the shrewd and enterprising Easterner, the courtly Southerner and the sturdy, practical Westerner have met and mingled, have assimilated the better traits possessed by each other, and thus have formed a society, a people superior in many particulars to that of most localities. The origi nal settlers, the earliest pilgrims, have nearly all passed away. Here and there we see the bended form and whitened head of some of these veterans, but they are not numerous; most of them have gone to that country which is always new, yet where the trials, struggles and hardships of pioneer life are never known. Accurate and reliable history is most difficult to write. Those who have never experienced the difficulties incident to such labor cannot realize how nearly impossible it is, or can appreciate the earnest, honest and faithful labor of a historian. After the most careful and painstaking searches and inquiry upon any particular subject, or about any event, he will even then find many doubts as to its accuracy. Each individual will give a different account of the same events, though they be ever so honest and faithful. This fact is forcibly illustrated by Sir Walter Raleigh. While in prison in a tower of England, he engaged himself in writing the history of the world. One day a brawl occurred in the tower yard, and he desired to learn the particulars. Two of the principal actors came before him, and each related the account of the trouble; yet so widely different were they that he found it utterly impossible to tell what the facts were. He then remarked, "Here I am engaged in writing the history of events that occurred 3,000 years ago, and yet I am unable to learn the facts of what happens at my window." This has been the the channel of our experience, and that of all others who have attempted national or local history. Besides mistakes on account of these causes, doubtless there are many others to be found within these pages. To suppose that a volume of this magnitude, and containing so many thousands of names and dates and brief statements would be wholly accurate, is a supposition we presume no sane man will make. While we do not claim for this work critical accuracy or completeness, yet we are quite certain that it will be found measurably and practically so. Let it rest as the foundation for the future historian to build upon. As one of the most interesting features of this work, we present the portraits of several representative citizens. It has been our aim to have the prominent men of the day, as well as the pioneers, represented in this department; and we flatter ourselves on the uniform high character of the gentlemen whose portraits we present. They are in the strictest sense representative men. There are others, it is true, who claim equal prominence with those presented, but as a matter of course it was impossible for us to represent all the leading men of the county. As we quit our long, tedious, yet nevertheless pleasant task of compiling the History of La Porte County, we wish to return the thanks of grateful hearts to those who have so freely aided us in collecting material. To the county officials, pastors of churches, officers of societies, pioneers, and particularly the editors of the press, we are particularly grateful for the many kindnesses and courtesies shown us while laboring in the county; but most of all we wish to thank those who so liberally and materially aided the work by becoming subscribers to it. We feel that we have discharged our duties fully, have fulfilled all our promises, have earned the laborer's pay. CHICAGO, October, 1880. C. C. CHAPMAN & CO. |