Page 16 - The Newcomer - Winter 2001

A publication of the NEWTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.Indiana’sYOUNGEST County

WINTER 2001 • $2.25

The Newcomer

A publication of the NEWTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.P.O. BOX 303, Kentland, Indiana 47951

The Newcomer

Visit our web site at www.rootsweb.com/~innewton

What’s On Our Agenda . . .The Newton County Historical Society meets every fourth Monday of each month, on the same day, theFamily History Division meets at 3:00 at the Resource Center at 224 N. Third Street in Kentland and theSociety general meetings are held in different locations in the County at 7:00 p.m. All members are notifiedof the place and time each month. Don’t Forget - Memberships Make Great Gifts!!

We’d Like Your Input!! We are looking for suggestions for stories, articles and pictures for our next edition of The Newcomer. Weknow that there are many stories of our past ancestors and their way of life that are just waiting to be told! This newsletter isdesigned to do just that!! If you would like to write an article, submit a photo, contact the editor or a member of our society.

POSTAGE PAIDPERMIT

NUMBER 35Rensselaer, Indiana

47978

Visit our web site at www.rootsweb.com/~innewton

A Glimpse of Newton CountySettlements, Towns and Villages By Beth Bassett

In thisIssue . . .

When our county was established in 1860, it contained only one town proper, thatbeing the Town of Morocco, platted on January 28, 1851 by John Murphey.However, there were many settlements throughout the county named forfamilies, churches, and geographic features such as Myers, Kenoyer, Pilot

Grove, Whites Grove, and Pleasant Grove, Blue Grass, and many more I'm sure, thateventually became the towns of today's Newton County. Most generally, the land that thetowns were platted was owned by individuals, and some subsequently named after them.Many interesting stories have been recorded as to how their names were acquired, as youwill read further in my article.

With the coming of the railroads in the early 1880's, many "railroad towns" sprung up asstations and switches all over the county. Some of these stations have remained strong andprosperous, others have become only a collection of dwellings of homes and churches, anoccasional grain elevator, and several have simply become abandoned memories. The onlytownship that has never had a town or village is that of Colfax. Since most of the land wasprivately owned and contained in large ranches, there were no settlements as in other parts ofthe county. The same held true for McClellan township, which not only had ranches, but alsowas particularly coveredby Beaver Lake. Ther a i l r o a d s s i m p l yb y p a s s e d t h e s etownships and veeredeast into Jasper County,and west into Illinois.There may be otherexplanations as well.

T h e f o l l o w i n ginformation is collectedfrom the history books ofour county. Those being"Counties of Warren,Benton, Jasper andN e w t o n , I n d i a n a ; ,1833" ; John Ade ' s"Newton County 1853-1911"; the 1915 "Jasperand Newton Counties"by Hamilton-Darroch;"And They Named HerBrook", written by JohnM. Connell; the "Historyof Newton County,Indiana, 1985", and anarticle from the MoroccoCourier wri t ten byGerald Born and ClayBlaney entitled "AreaRailroading" whichappeared in February,1990. Also referenceswere made to the 1895

Continued On Page 3

Map of Newton County, 1895 depicts early railroad linesthat developed many of the towns and villages of our county.

Dues (Check One) Yearly (July 1- June 3)Student ($2) ___ Individual ($6)

___ Individual Life ($100) ___ Family ($9)___ Family Life ($175) ___ Institutional ($25)

___Contributing ($50.00)With society membership you may also join theFAMILY HISTORY DIVISION NEWTONCOUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.Dues (Check One) Yearly (July 1- June 3)

Student ($1) ___ Individual ($3)___ Individual Life ($50 ___ Family ($5) ___Family Life ($75) ___Institutional ($15) ___

Contributing ($30) ___As a member, you automatically receive a copy ofour quarterly newsletter, THE NEWCOMER free!

You will also receive notification of our monthlymeetings for each division. Dues are payable yearly(July 1-June 3), check your mailing label for statusof membership. Back issues of the Newcomer areavailable upon request for $2.25 each.Name_____________________________________

Address ___________________________________

City ____________________State ___Zip________

Send Payment to:

219-474-6944

Newton County Historical Society, Inc.Treasurer, PO Box 303, Kentland, IN 47951

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP INTHE NEWTON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC

A publication of the Newton CountyHistorical Society, Inc. Published 4 timesa year, Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.Articles for submission are encouragedand may be sent to the editor, Beth A.Bassett, 1681 East, 1100 South, Brook,Indiana 47922. Deadline for submission isthe last Friday of the second month ofeach quarter.

President, Yvonne Kay, MoroccoV. President, Denise Miller, Lake Village

Secretary, Betty Risley, KentlandTreasurer, Kay Babcock, Goodland

Past President, Sue Humphrey, KentlandFamily History Division,Gerald Born, Hammond

Member at Large - Michael HasteCounty Historian: Jim Robbins

Director, Gerald Born, HammondJanet Miller, Treasurer, Kentland

The Newcomer, Beth Bassett, Brook

Officers of the NewtonCounty Historical Society

Officers of the Family History Division

PO Box 303, 224 North Third StreetKentland, Indiana 47951

219-474-6944

The NewcomerVisit our Resource Center!Here, you will find a variety of research tools for the history buff and those seeking

family history. Microfilm of census records, from 1790 to 1910, 2 readers are available,and plenty of room to sit down and spend some time going through our other booksabout the county, family histories, maps and plat books.

We try to have volunteers at the building at a regular basis: Monday, Jim Robbinsfrom 1:00 until 4:30; Wednesday, Janet Miller from 10:00 until Noon; Nev Carlsonfrom 1:00 until 3:30; Friday, Gerald Born from 1:00 until 4:30. Please call first (219-474-6944), to ensure the building being open.

The county courthouse is just across the street within walking distance, enabling aresearcher to access county records, and we also have a computer with internet accessfor other research. We give tours of the center as well, just give us a call!

• Pictures of our Towns

• Maps of our County

Morocco, Goodland, Lake VillageMount Ayr and Brook

Railroads in 1895and Beaver Lake

Our Settlements, Townsand VillagesJ.B. Foresman

The Stowell ConnectionWho Am I?

NCHS Member Rich Miller’sLicense Plate Collection

A Glimpse of Newton Countyin the winter of 1900

Beaver Lake

Test Your Knowledge!

General InformationWindow Display Photo

Society UpdateFamily History Division UpdateMembership ApplicationMorocco Sesquicentennial NewsResource Center InformationWeb Site InformationMeeting Times and Places

See the Back Page

• Feature Stories

• Focus On Families

• Collection of A Lifetime

• Pages From The Past

• Historical Landmarks

• DoYou KnowYourCounty of Newton?

• Resource Center

• Membership News

• Join Our Membership

From the Goodland Library archives . . . most likely theGoodland Herald.

Submitted by Beth Bassett

"Uncle John", as he was generally known, startedfarming when 23 years old on the Parker farm inTippecanoe County. In 1860, he bought a farm nearDayton, which he operated until 1863, when he movedto a 2,000 acre cattle ranch in Warren county owned byJohn Purdue, who was later to found Purdue University.

In 1865, he moved back to the Dayton farm, whichin 1871 he traded for a large tract of land in Iroquoistownship, Newton county, on which the village ofForesman, named for him, is now situated. Here hepursued general farming and stock raising, and waseminently successful. At one time he owned 700 acresof land; much of this was given to his children. At thetime of his death he still owned 380 acres. He continuedfarming until 1903, when he moved to Brook, where hehad since resided. A daughter, Miss Alice Foresmanlived here with him.

Mr. Foresman was one of the few originalrepublicans still living. His first vote for president wascast in 1856 for John Fremont., his father was a Whig.

In 1880, he established on his farm the first tilefactory in this section of the state. he was ridiculed byhis friends and neighbors but continued making tile forabout 10 years, using them to drain and improve hisland.

For four years, from 1876 to 1880, he served as trustee of Iroquois township and in thiscapacity again demonstrated his progressive ideas. He increased the annual school term fromthree to seven months, a revolutionary move; in addition, he built three new school buildingand remodeled eight others. He was regarded among the best cattle men in the section of thecountry, and retained this interest even in recent years. He was a member of the Masoniclodge and of the Methodist church. Among his intimate friends was George Ade, humoristand playwright.

Surviving are seven children: John B., Jr. and Mrs. Jeanette Sunderland, of Foresman;Mrs. Martha Sunderland and Miss Alice Foresman, Brook; Frank, Tulsa, Okla; William D.,Gate, Okla, and Mrs. Mary Gwaltney, Pasadena and two brothers, Joseph of Tulsa, Okla., andGeorge of Pasadena, Cal. and a half-brother, Seth Foresman, of Dayton.

December 17, Brook, Indiana - John B. Foresman, patriarch of Newton County and longago a resident of Tippecanoe county, died at 9:15 o'clock this morning at his home here. Hewas 97 years old. Mr. Foresman had been ill but a short time and bedfast for two weeks, frominfirmities of age.

His life went back to a day far different from that of the present. In 1840 - 89 years ago- hewas awarded a silver cup at the first Tippecanoe county agricultural fair ever held inLafayette, for showing the "best and fattest" hog. This cup, incidently, is now on display inthe museum of the Tippecanoe County Historical Association. He remembered the Mexicanwar and recalled many incidents of those stirring days. Mr. Foresman was a successful farmerand stock raiser, and was a large landowner in Newton County.

He was born in Circleville, Pikaway county, Ohio in 1832, a son of Robert and Vera(Baer) Foresman. In 1833 the family moved to Tippecanoe county. He grew to manhoodthere, and in 1855 was married to Minerva B. Davis, of Attica who has since died.

Mr. Foresman died in his 98th year Tuesday at his home in Brook. He cast his first vote forFremont when republican party was born in 1856. Eighty-nine years ago he won a cup for aprize hog at the first Tippecanoe County Fair. At 97, he still drove his own automobile.

From a Tippecanoe County Paper, December 18, 1929

It is always good to stop and reflect on the past yearand think about where our Society has been and where

it is going. It has been a very busy and productive time. We have hadsome very interesting programs covering a wide variety of subjects.We have heard about the Dredging of the Rivers and Marshes ofNewton County, an interesting talk on Funeral Customs, from theEgyptian to the Present, A Show and Tell of Favorite AntiqueObjects owned by our members, How Marijuana Got Started inNewton County, The Madras Fault and Earthquakes, the KankakeeSands Project, A Peek into the Happening of 1924, Photographs andHow to Preserve Them, and Who was Ann (Lucas) Scott.Obviously they have been interesting enough to keep our memberscoming back, judging by the interest and attendance. If you missedany of them, tape recordings are available at the Resource Center inKentland.

More and more people are learning about the Resource Center atKentland and its use has increased, not only from out of townpatrons, but by our members as well. Beth Bassett has coordinatedthe work of the volunteers who faithfully keep the doors open.Among the faithful are Jim Robbins, Marlowe Davis, Janet Miller,Genevera Carlson, Nancy Prue, and Gerald Born. Not in Beth's jobdescription was mopping up the water from the melting snow, whenthe roof sprang a leak.

The Newcomer, under the chairmanship of Gerald Born, hasgrown from a four page xerox copy to a sixteen page printednewsletter, which would do any Historical Society proud. Beth hasbeen responsible for the wonderful design work and has kept thepresses rolling, as well as researching and writing articles. We havehad many contributing editors, including, John Yost, Janet Miller,Kyle Conrad, and others. Thank you one and all. We could not havedone it without you.

An exceptional effort has been put forth by Janet Miller and hervolunteers, Barbara Wiltfong, Jennie Washburn and othercontributors and helpers who have so ably decorated the window ofthe Resource Center, from Ladies Hats, to Musical Production, toSeed Corn to a One Room School, decorated for Christmas and forPresident's Birthdays. Thank you, Ladies.

This past year saw the culmination of many years work making acoloring book of Newton County History a reality. On Novembersecond a grand open house was given to preview the book and honorthe artists. You saw a picture of them in our last issue. Special thanksto Greta Taylor and Janet Miller, whose idea sparked the book andwho worked so tirelessly in bringing it to fruition.

Work on the Scott/Lucas House, which will house a museum, isalmost complete. Through the generosity of Ann (Lucas) Scott theSociety will soon be the proud owners of the property and all of thecontents of the house to be used to promote history throughout thecounty and northwest Indiana. Dan Blaney, Chair, of the HouseCommittee, with the able assistance of Sue Humphrey (and we can'tforget their husbands and wives) have worked tirelessly in cleaning,remodeling, refinishing and buying rugs and curtains for the housemaking it ready for the Society. Anyone who has visited the housecan see what a meticulous job they have done.

Learning of the above gift made it imperative to apply for a notfor profit status to be able to accept the gift. I am proud to announcethat we have received the 501 (c) 3 status for the Society and are ableto receive tax deductible gifts. The Coloring Book also prompted us

to apply for a registered retail license, in order to collect Indianasales tax on items sold for profit, either by the Society or by theMuseum. We now have this license.

Much of my tenure has been spent striving for more businesslikebasis for the Society. We now have a Finance Committee, who haveprojected a budget for the past two years, Thank you Russ Collinsand Kay Babcock for putting this into action. We received a tippingfee grant of approximately $5,000. Thank you Kay and Sue. I thinkyou were responsible. We also are indebted to the CountyCommissioners, who have allotted us approximately $10,000 forour budget. Memberships alone do not cover all of the expenses ofsuch a dynamic organization.

The Newton County Web Page, which Beth Bassett alsooversees, has been very successful. Each week several requests forinformation are received. Again Society members have volunteeredto serve as resource people for different townships where they haveknowledge of the families. Anyone having a computer and is on theInternet should visit the site, for there you will find census,marriage, and biographical data that is of interest to those who haveNewton County roots. The page was the dream of the late, BobWilliamson and Beth has carried on in the same tradition. Good job,Beth.

The Oral History Project, which is the main focus of Nancy JoPrue, continues to take shape. Nancy, with the help of Joan Triplett,has interviewed many older citizens and is putting these into writtenform. We look forward to the finished product.

The Fair Committee, chaired by Jim Robbins, had a wonderfulweek at the Punkin' Vine Fair, promoting the Society and making astatement that we are here and should be noticed. Marian Strosinski,Laurel Allis, William and Jean Phillips, Kathryn Sprinkle, andothers added an air of class and charm to the booth.

Gerald Born's Museum Committee is at work on a before andafter scrapbook of the Scott/Lucas House. They also are preparing amission statement for the museum and making plans for the future.

I cannot forget a thank you to Gerald Born and Mike Haste whorevised the Bylaws, an important job, but one which no-one wants todo.

Many significant gifts of artifacts and documents have beenreceived by the society, from a silver high school trophy donated byDon Morton to back issues of the New England Genealogical andHistorical Journal, donated by Gerald Born, to pictures anddocuments donated by Fannie and Maurice Collins, to the mostrecent, two scrapbooks of World War II soldiers donated by DianaMcCartney Bell. Space does not allow a full record of the wonderfulgifts we have received, but stop by the center and take a look. Youwill be impressed by the number and the quality.

We cannot close without a special thank you to all of ourmembers who have served refreshments to the Society. Yourcontribution has made our monthly meetings very special. A bigThank You to Sharon Collins, who has coordinated the effort.Awesome.

And finally (its beginning to sound like the Academy Awardsisn't it), I want to express my appreciation to the Board, who worktirelessly to make it all happen. Kay Babcock, who keeps the books,Betty Risley who keeps the notes, Denise Miller, who has had to fillin for me a couple of times, and Gerald Born, who heads the FamilyHistory Division, and newly elected member at large, Mike Haste,and Jim Robbins, the County Historian, as well as the outgoingofficers, who have been so gracious in helping out with their adviceand counsel. Thank you one and all. I look forward to an even moreexciting year.

Answers ToDo You KnowYour County

of Newton?By Janet Miller

1. The State of Indiana. See page 29.2. The teacher's salary was paid by theparents according to the number of childrenthey had attending school that year. Seepage 14.3. Warren T. McCray of Kentland served asGovernor of Indiana from 1921-1924. Seepage 32.4. Morocco. As the story goes men wereclearing timber to form the west edge ofMorocco, and a stranger rode up onhorseback inquiring about directions toKankakee, Illinois. The stranger waswearing a pair of leather boots topped withshiny red Morocco leather. After he hadgone, the men decided to name the townafter the boots the stranger was wearing.See page 17.5. Potawatomi. See page 3.

Page 2 - The Newcomer Winter 2001

Visit our web site at www.rootsweb.com/~innewton - Page 15

J. B. Foresman, Newton County Patriarch,Founder of Foresman

Morocco To Celebrate150 Years August 24-26thSubmitted by Donna LaCosse

The town of Morocco will becelebrating 150 years of “growth” onAugust 24, 25, and 26. Committees havebeen meeting and members are planningevents to take place on that specialweekend this summer. A fun-filledcelebration is being planned for yourthree-day visit to Morocco. Mark thedays on your calendar so you won’t missthe festivities!

The Family History Division isplanning to issue a compilation ofM o r o c c o H i s t o r y f o r t h esesquicentennial. If you have BeaverTownship roots, now is the time toprepare copy about your family.Deadline is April 1st, 2001. ContactGerald Born, or call the Resource Centerat 219-474-6944.

Attention - Special BookTo Be Published!

J. B. Foresman

The President’s CornerByYvonne Kay

!

small town known as It was plattedon October 21, 1882 by Jacob and MarthaJulian, and was located on the C. & E.I.railroad. It was located 2 miles north ofState Road 16 and 1 mile east of State Road55. The population was 10, and was alsocalled Julian Station. was laidout by John B. Foresman on December 1,1882. Eventually, with the construction ofthe new branch of the C. & E.I. railroadthrough Brook and Morocco, Foresman'sbusinesses abandoned the town for Brook.The town proper of was platted onJune 26, 1856 by Samuel Benjaman.However, it was first a settlement that waslocated 2 miles southwest of the presenttown in about 1836. According the anarticle by Aaron Lyons, that appeared inthe Brook Reporter on July 5, 1901 this ishow the town acquired it's name. "Nowthere were two creeks of about the samesize two or three miles south of the town ofBrook. Where these two brooks met it wasonly logical the location of the settlementwould help with the selection of a name."Mr. Lyons adds, "I have no desire to excitethe minds of people of Brook and havethem make pilgrimages to see those twodirty little creeks, but if you look closely atthem you can see the origin of the name ofthe town of Brook". wasnamed in a 1903 train schedule for the C. &

E. I. railroad. The schedule stated that thetrain left the main track at Percy Junction,north of Goodland and the next stop wasWeishaar Switch, then Brook, Beaver City,Morocco, and Pogue Ranch. It was located2 1/2 miles southeast of Brook, and is still

listed on many current Indiana maps, andprobably named for the Weishaar family wholived nearby.

- waseventually established in an area of dense oaktrees that was considered a land mark forearly pioneers as they traveled through theprairie. Located 2 miles west, 1/4 miles southand 3/4 west of the present town of Mt. Ayr. In1854 it was the location of one of the first postoffices in our county. It was abandoned to Mt.Airy after the railroad station was establishedthere. was originally calledMount Airy. This name could be obtainedfrom the fact that it was said to be the highestpoint in the county, or it might be after LewisMarion, who laid out the town on October 18,1882. He owned a 250 acre farm and set aside40 acres for the town.

- The town ofwas platted on April 23, 1860 by

A. J. Kent. It was first called ;n on October 25, 1860; on

February 9, 1864, and finally onJuly 20, 1868. The railroad station oflocated 3 miles west of Kentland on today'sUS 24, was originally known as Effner,Indiana. Today it a part of Illinois, still locatedat the junction of two railroads.

- Perhaps because thissettlement was situated near the banks of theold Beaver Lake it was calledThe name was retained when the railroadwent through in 1908, even though the lake

Julian.

Foresman

Brook

Weishaar Switch

Pilot Grove

Mount Ayr

KentlandKent Kent

Statio AdrianceKentland

Effner,

Lake Village.

Jackson Township

Jefferson Township

Lake Township

Visit our web site at www.rootsweb.com/~innewton - Page 13

Page 4 - The Newcomer Winter 2001route pointed out to him by one of the tribe, where he alleged

the first Indian came out of the water after transformation andConner was of the opinion it was Beaver Lake. I find nocorroborative conformation of this legend but tattooing wascommon among the tribes of this area.

In the digging of a well on one of the edges of the lake, in asection reclaimed by draining pre black swamp muck twenty footin depth, chiefly made up of decaying and decayed vegetablematter, leaves, ferns and mosses was encountered. There weremany places about the lake where such muck appeared solid butwas so soft that man and beast became mired sank to a depth ofsix or eight feet in a twinkling at times leading to fatalities,because the muck clung and prevented swimming out.

It was as early as 1853 that the first drain ditch was dugextending from the lake through five or six miles of prairienorthward to the Kankakee River. The Kankakee was abouteighty feet below the Beaver Lake level according to RichardOwen who calculated it by barometer in 1859.

Owen says of his 1859 trip, "Few, if any, bolders wereobserved after leaving Morocco on the route toward BeaverLake; the country here is rather sparsely settled, yet some finelow prairies exhibit an extensive growth of grass, which we couldscarcely distinguish from tame redtop. Ferns and mimosa busheswere common as we approached the sand ridges, with scrubbytimber. We disturbed several flocks of cranes and a few finewhite specimens of the genus Ardea, probably the A. leuce."(These are known today as American Egrets.)"We have been gradually descending," continues Owne'snarrative, "as we pass near Beaver Lake being now at least ahundred feet below the level of Morocco, until finally at theKankakee crossing in Illinois (there being no suitable bridge orferry short of Momence on the west, four or five miles west of theIndiana line) or St. Joseph County on the east. The barometermade the bed of the river 180 feet below the steam mill atMorocco."

Owen seems not to have known that one Sawyer ran a Ferry atEaton's crossing, almost due north in Jasper County, for three offour years beginning in 1857.

The ditch above referred to was one of the first projects inIndiana for the draining of water covered muck areas to releaseground for agriculture. A company was even then forming toextensively drain the whole Kankakee Region.

It was found that this first crude ditch of 1853, when completed,soon caused the shore line of the lake to recede about one hundredyards. Between 8,000 and 9,000 acres were thus reclaimed from thewater.

Ditching continued during the next fifty years by laterals andnew ditches so that as time went on the water level was lowered andlowered. In 1876 a county map illustrates the lake as one tenth itsformer size. An old resident tells me it entirely ceased to exist about1900. A writer in 1911 notes the fact that there was then no lake to beseen in the vicinity. So while man made Wawasee has increased insize, Beaver Lake, a natural body of water covering once 20 l/2square miles, has, through a period of fifty years after the white manfound it, gradually declined to naught. It was man destroyed.

Cultivation of the portion of the land at the lake began before1859, reports Owen. But today wild grass, much like our cultivatedhay, has been allowed to take much of the level old lake bed.Contrary to results obtained in many other swamp reclamationprojects, this old lake bed and its environs raise good cultivated farm

crops.An early traveler through that country (1859) described Bogus

Island, which then stood in the west center of the lake, (so calledbecause of its having been before his time a resort of a gang ofcounterfeiters who were captured in 1860) stating that it wascovered with a fine stand of wild black cherry trees. In the 1830's itwas inhabited by Indians. Today the little hill appears as a moundstill tree covered surrounded by an ocean of waving grass as far asan eye can see a sight somewhat comparable to the rippled wateraround it in the early 1800's.

In the extremely cold winter of 1838 a deer hunt on this sameisland resulted in the killing of 65 deer while as many escaped onthe glassy ice. Seven wolves and some foxes also were taken. Otherisland similar knolls standing in the water between the lake and theKankakee River, each with an Indian's or hunter's lodge upon it, inthose three quarter century ago days are Indian, French andDeserter's islands. From Newton County Enterprise, June 1, 1939

Do you have any old pictures of businesses, people, places of ourcounty - not only would we like to preserve a copy of them at ourResource Center in Kentland, but we would also like to publishthem in the Newcomer! We’ll take very good care of them!

This map of Newton County from the 1876Atlas illustrates the lake as one tenth it’s formerSize.

The C. & E. & I Railroad Depot in Brook, Indiana. It was located across thestreet from the current Brook Marathon Station, owned by George Conn.

Originally known as Tivoli, Goodland was named for it’s “good land”. Here is aview of the creek and bridge at Goodland.

Maryland.There is a lapse of time here, Elizabeth

had died in the spring of 1775. John thenmoved his family, including his second wife,Mary some 70 miles in Virginia to an Englishsettlement in 1779. Nothing more is saidabout their travels, but we found in the year1780, (a leap year), and in a tavern, sons ofJohn Padgett. John, John Jr., William andThomas were having an unfriendlyconversation with others. According to thehistory of the County, the GreatRevolutionary War was in full swing. Here,we found a paycheck #630, State of NorthCarolina, paid to Thomas Padgett (my 3rdgreat grandfather)! I was elated, now I couldbelong to the D.A.R.

In the meantime, the Padgett families hadjoined the Moravian Church and attendedregularly, holding meetings in their home.John had never approved of his mother'sEnglish church teachings. (here Is when Iwrote to England and obtained the PadgettCrest).

Rev. Rights invited us to attend hischurch on Sunday, which we did. It was aninteresting service and at the end, coffee wasserved to everyone seated and a long basketof rolls was past and all were to take one,children had coffee and rolls too. All ate themat once as the blessing was repeated. Thatevening, all were invited to a watermelonfeast. Everyone got a bob and stood on thechurch grounds next to a big wagon load ofmelons. As they were cut, everyone took aslice, eating and spitting the seeds on theground. It was a fun time for everyone.

To go on with the story, we had spentabout a week, so it was time for us to move ontoward Indiana. The families had migrated toKentucky, Indiana and Ohio. John's death islisted as June 2, 1811, having lived with thisdaughter Mary, (from his second wife), at thetime of his death.

We had learned Thomas and his familyhad moved to Indiana, purchasing land inWashington County on Lost River. We droveon our way home to Salem, Indiana. here wefound in the court house there that NathanPadgett (son of Thomas) and his wife, SaraVest had purchased 80 acres. By 1820, thehad three children according to the U.S.Census of that year. School houses in thesedays were scarce, so called because of noteachers. However, Nathan sent his childrenpart time, helping with the farming and a sawmill.

Here, my great grandfather, John Padgettwas born, named for great grandfather, onMay 19, 1825 Nathan and wife Sally, as she

was called. died at the age of 51 years,leaving her husband and their sevenchildren, John, (my great grandfather),Moses, Samuel, Richard, Sarah, Lewis andRachel, (from the US Census, 1840). Shewas buried in the Bethel Cemetery at West52nd Street, Indianapolis. We visited thiscemetery and also found Nathan's stonemarked August 2, 1850.

In the Marion County marriage recordsof the Indiana State Library, we found thatJohn Padgett (my great grandfather), hadmarried Mary Magdaline Bower onSeptember 2, 1847. They were both 22 yearsold. Mary was born in Virginia on June 7,1825, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth(Hiner) Bowers. She was brought by herparents to Marion County. They started theirhome in Marion County, farming 250 acresuntil 1850. They then moved to WashingtonTownship, Newton County, Indiana,purchasing 160 acres of prairie from theUSA, on January 10, 1853, locatedSouthwest of Morocco now. The deed wassigned by Allex McCormick, Asst.Secretary of President Millard Fillmore.They improved the land and built acomfortable home.

Here, they reared their nine children.Sarah E., deceased in infancy, John, Lewis,Elizabeth, Mary A., Micheal J., JamesAmbrose (my grandfather), Rachel C., Idaand Clara.

When the Prairie Vine Church wasorganized this family was loyal to the churchand it's principals of faith. John and Mary areburied in this cemetery, know as Prairie VineCemetery, the church is long gone, however,other Padgetts and relatives are buried there.

James (my grandfather), their youngestson, worked on the farm until his father'sdeath, January 20, 1891. John wasindependent in politics, a good Baptist,Master Mason, belonging to MoroccoLodge #372. (I thought now I could belongto the Eastern Star).

James had been married 17 years whenhis wife died, February 11, 1901 at the age of75 years. They are both at rest in Prairie VineCemetery.

I have heard my father talk about hisfather, and I can remember my grandfather,(we called him Grandpa Jim). He married atthe age of 25 and his wife Flora JenniePeterson was just 18, February 22, 1884.

They raised eight children on the homefarm, (where Vic Padgett is living), fourgirls, four boys Laura Markley, a teacher,Hershel, a farmer, Ross Mark (my father),Harley, a farmer, Denver, Beulah Corbin,

Vivian Billings and Dorthy Rich, who wasreared by her aunt following her mother'searly death.

Grandmother Flora Padgett diedsuddenly of Peritonia on March 20, 1906,and was buried in Buswell Cemetery. Ihave many happy memories of GrandpaJim, for he came to our house a lot. He'dcall my mother, Addie ElizabethMontgomery Padgett, asking what wascooking he loved my mother's cooking andwould say "I'll be coming along". Prettysoon, his old Veilly car would drive into thelane. He died of cancer, May 22, 1922 andis buried beside Grandma Flora in theBuswell cemetery, and at this date both ofmy parents, Ross and Addie and severalother Padgetts are buried there too. Also,my beloved husband, Sherwood E.Carlson, who passed on October 5th, 1975.

Now you know who I am . . . GeneveraFlora Padgett Carlson.Editor’s note: Nev Carlson is an activemember of our society, and her adventuresalong the way of tracing her family roots isnot unlike many other’s stories. Theexcitement of discovery only makes youjourney on, and on, and on. Nev publisheda book on her family entitled “WePadgetts”, which illustrates in more detailthe information contained within thisarticle. We welcome others to submit theirfamily histories and adventures in thepursuit of preserving our heritage.

Rich Miller, member of our societyand resident of WashingtonTownship, Kentland acquired acollection of license plates from his

uncle John Miller Jr. John lived inTippecanoe and Benton Counties andpassed his unique collection along to Rich inthe mid 80's. The earliest plate that he ownsis from 1915, measuring 15" x 5 1/2", and

ends with a 1999 plate with the letters andnumbers 56R25. Some years are missing,but only a few. Early plates of 1927, 1932,and 1949 are still on Rich's wish list.

A quick visit to the internet tells us thatthe first license plate for Indiana was in1913, and from Rich's collection we can see

how the plates changed in size andidentification over the years. For example,during war years, the 1943 plate measured7" x 2", and the 1944 plate measured 10 1/2"x 3 1/2". In 1951, during the Korean Warperiod, the plates were designed for "add-on" plates for the following years of 1952and 1953. Repeat use of plates was onceagain revived in 1970, by incorporating theuse of stickers that were placed in the upperright hand corner with the new plate numberfor each year. This practice remains in placetoday, with new metal plates being re-issuedabout every 2-4 years. Until 1992, a countyname sticker was placed in the lower righthand corner.

Early plates carried 2 letters, whichstood for each county. The letters ME,followed by up to 4 numbers representedNewton County. This practice stopped in1962, and the numbering began as we see ittoday. Each county was given anidentification number (Newton County is56), followed by a letter depicting thedistrict, followed by up to 4 numbers. Most

of us know that the earlier we get to thelicense branch, the lower the number we willobtain. Rich decided in 1990 that the plate56 R 25 would be perfect for his license plateidentification.

In 1956 mottos began appearing on theplates. In 1956-1957, "Drive Safely"; 1959was "Lincoln's Year"; 1960-1962, "SafetyPays"; 1966 was the 150th year ofStatehood; 1976, "The Heritage State";1980 commemorated George Rogers Clark;1982-1984 "Hoosier State"; 1985-1987"Wander" appeared, following the state'stheme of Wander Indiana; 1988-1990 "Back

Home Again!"; 1991-1993, "HoosierHospitality"; 1994-1998, "Amber Waves ofGrain"; 1998-today, "Crossroads ofAmerica".

Today, a variety of logos, colors andslogans are available for an additional price,and usually, that additional money isdonated to that university, organization orsociety that is represented on thesepersonalized, sometimes called "vanity"plates, such as FFA, D.A.R.E, Boy Scoutsand more.

Thanks Rich, for sharing this wonderfulcollection with us! Submitted by BethBassett

Page 6 - The Newcomer Winter 2001

Visit our web site at www.rootsweb.com/~innewton - Page 11

By Janet Miller

Do You KnowYour Countyof Newton?

These questions were taken fromthe Newton County HistoricalColoring Book Vol. 1, dedicated to thechildren of Newton County by theNewton County Historical Society.1. George Ade's garden was designedin what shape?2. Newton County had subscriptionschools in the early years. What is asubscription school?3. Who was the only Indiana governorto be born in Newton County?4. What town in Newton County wasnamed after a pair of boots?5. Name the main Indian tribe that livedin Newton County?See answers on Page 15.

Rich Miller’s License Plate Collection

Research your Newton County Families,

from the comfort of your home by using

our web site!

Newton County Census Records:

1860 & 1870, 1880, 1900 (Beaver Twp)

Jasper County Census Records:

1850-Index

Enter & View Newton County Queries

Newton County Look-Ups

Newton County Biographies Project

Index of “The Newcomer” Articles

New! Cemetery Records

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•

•

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•

•

•

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•

Newton County Marriage

Records thru 1971

Obituaries of Past Residents

Biographies of Past Residents

Web site directory

Do you have your copy ofthe Newton CountyHistorical Coloring Book?Why Not?219-474-6944

Rich’s oldest plate from 1915, andone from the year he and his wifeJanet were born - 1938

“Add-on” plates from the early 50’sand a slogan plate from 1957

Just a sampling of Rich’s collection.

A Collection of A Lifetime

?

Visit our web site at www.rootsweb.com/~innewton - Page 9

325 South

Pilot Grove

225

East

Page 8 - The Newcomer - Winter 2001

Focus on FamiliesFamily History Division • Gerald Born, Director • Janet Miller, Treasurer

The Stowell ConnectionBy Gerald Born

It is a mysterious serendipity that allowsconnections of families to be made.While volunteering at the NCHS

Resource Center in Kentland I was talkingwith my brother, Dr. Gordon Born, who hadstopped by at closing time to see if I wasinterested in dinner. During the course of theconversation I mentioned to him adescr ip t ion of the house of ourggggrandfather, Dr. Oliver Stowell asdescribed by his grandson, William RufusRogers Stowell in his autobiography.

I had always been interested in WRRStowell, for he, and his father, ArtimusOliver Augustus Stowell, a brother to Dr.Oliver Stowell had early joined the Mormonchurch. AOA Stowell became disillusionedwith them and returned to New York, wherehe practiced law and sat on the SupremeCourt in that state. William Rufus RogersStowell, however, not only stayed with thechurch, but led them from Nauvoo to SaltLake and participated in many of the Indianhostilities on their journey. He eventuallyrose to the position of Patriarch in the Churchof Latter Day Saints and married, had fourwives, and some twenty eight children.When the government cracked down onpolygamy, he moved to Mexico and that iswhere he wrote his autobiography.

WRR Stowell had been on a trip in the1880's to gather family information, Hestarted from Springfield, Mass. and went toStafford, Connecticut, where his grandfatherhad raised his family, I remained there untilJune 30th, then went to Stafford, Conn. Ilooked over the gravestones in the cemeteryand took dinner at a Mr. Fisk's. He wasrelated to the Stowell family by marriage asmy uncle, Jonathan Stowell, married MaryFisk. He treated me very kindly andintroduced me to a Presbyterian Deacon. Heshowed me a small book in which was arecord of the infant baptism of my father.(AOA Stowell) I went into an old fashionedhouse called the Stowell House, where myfather was born. The rafters that supportedthe roof were hand hewn timber six inchessquare. The frame of the house was also ofheavy, hewn timbers. the weather boardingwas put on with wrought nails; the chimneywas in the center of the house and thefoundation of the chimney was in the cellarand of rock work about 10 feet square. That

afternoon I walked several miles andcrossed the State line into Massachusetts toCousin Zeno Farrington's. Two cemeterieswere in sight from his house. I spent the nextday in taking names from the tombstones. Inthe afternoon I again went to Starford Streetwhere the Stowell House before spoken ofwas located. This street was laid out in theearly settlement of the county with theexpectation that it would be the main streetof a city, but time did not developexpectations. It is one mile long, twenty rodswide, with a good stone wall on each sidefour or five feet high. In the old house beforementioned, my father, and Uncles and Auntswere born." (From the Biography ofWilliam Rufus Rogers Stowell, by JamesLittle, 1893 Colonial Juarez, Mexico)

I was explaining to my brother that I hadjust been sent this item on the Internet by adistant cousin in California. Marlowe Daviswas also there doing some research on hisfamily and he piped up with, "I have aStowell in my tree." I am sure we were bothsurprised by this chance happening, but westarted then and there trying to find theconnection. He didn’t have his data at handbut said he would get it to me, which he did.

His ancestress was one Surlina Stowellwho married his ancestor, Hiram Davis. Iimmediately checked the StowellGenealogy, a large book with a thousand orso of the Stowells listed. No luck. ButMarlowe had the following letters and oncareful study, her name was spelled, Selina.But still I could not find her in the genealogy.However one of the letters contained thename of her father, Seth Stowell. And I wassure I knew who Seth Stowell was, for mygggrandfather had a first cousin by thatname, and he was listed in the book, the sonof Dr. Oliver Stowell’s oldest brother,Ephraim Stowell. On comparison of thebirth dates, we found that Seth had adaughter listed in the book as Mary or May,which may have been her middle name, forthe date of birth matched exactly.

Having made the connection, a touchingstory emerged about the life and times ofSelina(Stowell) Davis. From anothersource on the Internet I found that the couplehad been members of the PresbyterianChurch at Binghamton, Broome County,New York and had transferred their

membership to Lisle in 1828. Shortlythereafter, Hiram Davis died and Selinawas faced with the task of raising two sonswithout her husband, and obviouslywithout the means to do so, which was notan uncommon occurrence in those days..This letter from her father, Seth Stowell,dated clearly shows her dilemma. SouthNew Berlin (NY), May 5, 1833

I received yours of the 26th of April.You informed me that you wisht me to takeDan and you to put Sylvester to Smiths. Asfor advising you I am not prepared to do it.You must counsel with them that are betteracquainted with the family and then to actyour judgment. I can take Dan and schoolehim this summer and perhaps you can find aplace in the fall where he can better learnthan here, but if we live till then, we can seeabout it. I think likely Smith may do wellby him. He has made good proficiency inschool the winter past and it is for you nowto act as you think best. I can give nofurther counsel at present. We are incomfortable health at present time. I hopeyou enjoy the same blessing. Remember usto all inquiring friends. Tell Iden, that rake,I will be wanted in this place. I havenothing more at present as I suppose youwill receive one not long since. I remainyour father and friend. (To) Selina Davis(From) Seth Stowell.

From the following letter it appears thatSelina placed Sylvester with the Smithfamily who lived not far from Athens, NewYork Mrs. Smith also appears to be a friendof Selina’s sister Marilla, for Mrs. Smithasks to be remembered to her. SylvesterDavis is Marlowe’s ancestor. This letter isheaded: Ulster Mills (NY) August 20th1837.

Dear Madam: Yours of July 3rd wasrec’d soon after date. We were muchsatisfied to hear from you. I must confess Ihave neglected to write for which I mustbeg your pardon. One excuse is I wishedAlanson to write or commit first, but I findit is of no use to wait for him. You requestedAlanson or May Smith to write last fall, butI could not get them about it.

I will now undertake to write myself as Iconsider it more of a pleasure than a taskafter I once get about it. We are all in usualhealth.Sylvester enjoys better health this

summer than common. His health was verypoor through the Spring. I was afraid he wasgoing into a consumption. He has had thechicken pox, but he did not have it the sametime when the rest of the children had it. Hethinks he got it when he lived with you.

We have had one misfortune to fall. Ourlittle Adam Foster Bush. He died the 12th ofFebruary. He was 15 months and 8 days old.He was a very large and healthy child. Hewas sick but three days. I think we doatedtoo much upon him. He was a very smartchild. It was hard to part with him and I havethis consolation. I believe he is happier thanhe could possibly be upon this earth. I havetaken a girl 7 years old. Her mother is dead.She had one brother. We are much pleasedwith her. She is of a good family and hasbeen living with an uncle. He is wealthy buthas large family of girls. We concluded itwould be best to have her bound which herfather agreed to. Sylvester, Matilda Ellenand Andrew have attended school thissummer. They have a mile and a quarter togo. We shall have our new schoolhousesoon. Jane Smith was down in June and staidthree weeks. Andrew went home with herand staid 8 weeks. Major Smith and wifewent up last week and brought Andrewhome. Aunt Hannah Brookline (?) died the24th of July of consumption. I understandMr. Lee’s people are going to the west in afew weeks. You spoke of seeing Alanson.You thought in NY, you were mistaken as hewas not there.

On Thursday last we had the largest carivanof wild animals exhibited at Athens 4 milesabove here that was ever in the United States.Alanson and myself attended with the threechildren and hired folk, eleven in number ofus all. There was the largest collection ofpeople that ever was known in the countryand country village. I hope you will visit uswhen you come to these parts. Give myrespects to Marilla if you see her. Pleasewrite on the rec’pt of this and give me thenews if you have any. This from your friend.Yours with respect, (To) Selina (Stowell)Davis, (From) Matilda J. Smith Appendedto the same letter was one from Sylvester tohis mother. He appears to be wise beyond hisyears. He was 12 at the time.

Dear Mother, I now will try to write toyou for the first time. I was very glad to hearfrom you. You said Dan was contented. I amtoo. You can tell him I wished to see him andthat I think I have got a good home. Tell himI had a good show of animals last Thursdayon Tiger Point. I have studied with Mattieand geography this summer and wrote some.

I want to see you and think I shall live withyou when I get to be a man. I want you tocome and see me when you come back fromConnecticut. So now good by. Give mylove to Dan. Tell him I wont forget him. Isend my love to you too. (To) Selina Davis,(From) Sylvester Davis

Hiram Davis may have died at Lisle, NewYork, a town some twenty miles northwestof Binghamton, for in 1828, both he and hiswife transferred their membership from theFirst Presbyterian Church of Binghamton toLisle. Records also show that in 1849 Selinatransferred her membership to Oxford, thusproviding a clue to her whereabouts beforeher marriage to a Mr. Woodley. Marlowehas a copy of a photograph of Selina taken(judging from the costume and format) inthe early 1870s by a photographer inBinghamton, so it appears that she may haveremained in the same general area afterHiram’s death. These details have yet to beresearched.

From the Stowell Genealogy we learnthat Seth moved to North Plato, KaneCounty, Illinois and that Selina’s son, DanielDimmick Davis lived at a later date in Elgin,Illinois.(It is interesting to note that Selina’ssister, Fanny married a Dimmick and thatmay explain Dan’s middle name). Seth musthave moved to New York from Hartford,Connecticut, for only his youngest daughter,Marilla was born in New Berlin, the otherfive having been born in Hartford. In 1806Seth was living in Norwich, ChenangoCounty, New York, as he quits to his motherElizabeth Stowell of Pomfret, Connecticut,for love of her more comfortable support, allhis rights to estate of his father, Ephraim.Seth was the son of Ephraim Stowell andElizabeth Cutler. Ephraim’s parents wereNathan ie l S towel l and Margare tTrowbridge. Elizabeth’s parents were Sethand Elizabeth (Babcock) Cutler.

So from this poignant story of a widow andher two sons emerges the clues to helpconstruct a family history. Sylvester J.Stowell Davis eventually married LorettaM. Marsh and had five children, one ofwhom Hiram Arthur Davis married EllaChenoweth. and had Marlowe’s father,Miles Victor Davis, b in Pennville, JayCounty, Indiana. The family lived for a timein Wells County but not a lot is presentlyknown of why the family came to Indiana orwhen. The rest is, as they say, is history.

Marlowe Davis started his career with theSoil Conservation Service after a stint in theSouth Pacific during World War II and saw alot of the territory of that region. Marlowe

learned surveying on his own assisted byDon Heaton, Jim Cory and John Collins.He laid out the Ray Street Addition, theHolly Addition of Kentland and is widelyknown throughout the county. His firstwife was Dorothy Lucille Hoover whom hemarried in 1947 and his second wife is Mrs.Norma Jean (Winkle) Hambly, whom hemarried in 1962.

Putting it all in the cousins’ chart I findthat Marlowe and I are fifth cousins, onceremoved. True it is not a very closerelationship, but it does mean that we sharein a lot of the same history, starting inConnecticut with the family of Nathanieland Margaret (Trowbridge) Stowell. Ihave traveled back to Connecticut to see theTrowbridge house and visit the Pomfretcemeteries. I have gone to England to visitthe Stowell and Trowbridge ancestralhomes and have traced the wool route fromthe Highlands of Scotland to Exeter,England that was started by the Trowbridgeancestor for which King Henry VIIIknighted him. It is a rich heritageencompassing much of southern England.

The history covers quite a swath in UShistory as well, from the time youngSamuel Stowell landed in Hingham,Massachusetts in 1635 through theRevolutionary War and the War of 1812when the Stowell and Davis families weremoving into New York where they tookpart in the western expansion as that part ofthe state was opened for settlement. Thefamilies moved to Ohio and on to Indiana,his locating first in Wells County, and minein Porter County. Strange that fate wouldhave our paths cross in Kentland, Indiana,but that is what makes the study of familyhistory so interesting. We may have met acousin without realizing it.

How Can We Help?We’d love to help you discover yourfamily history - or help you findmaterials for a history project.

Give Us A Call . . .if you would like to visit ourresource center that has alibrary filled with local historybooks and information.

Like to reserve a time? Just Call Ahead -we’ll try to accommodate everyone!

219-474-6944e-mail: newtonhs@ffni.com

Iam thinking that persons like me, shouldnever, never, look backward, but alwaysahead, but why aheadI'm sitting here thinking of the days when

this wonderful country was first settled;thinking of the wonderful things that arehappening and will happen, yet I lookbackwards.

Has it ever occurred to you that you mightbe someone else you grow up, knowing whatyou learned and what has been told to you,yet who are you?

I believe I have always wondered aboutthings of this nature and why no one likes totake the time to write things down. There wasat one time "family Bibles" in whicheverything of interest to that family waswritten down. How I would like to read oneof these! I can only imagine what fun it wouldbe to remember Old Uncle John, AuntBertha, and all their children.

With this in mind, I had to go to NorthCarolina.

To start our trip, after convincing mymother, Addie to go with me along with myeight year old son, Jerry Lee, we decided togo.

I had my car serviced, so I thought. Westarted out at 4:00 a.m., on a dark night. Mymother always started early, no use to wastepart of the day! We were riding along withJerry asleep on the back seat of the car, hadgone through Lafayette on US 24 pastWabash Valley and a couple of miles whenthe car stopped. "Out of Gas". They hadserviced the car but forgot to fill it with gas.Well, I decided I'd walk back about a half of amile to a farm house where I had seen somelights, for it was pitch dark. I walked down along lane and knocked on the door. The dooropened quickly with the lady jerking meinside, asking me "how did you get here"?We have two bad dogs. She was still shakingwhen she called her husband. To make a longstory short, he got some gas and I thankedher, the he drove me back to my car. Herefused to take any money, but told me to stopat the first filling station which was about twomiles farther on south. I thanked him for hiskindness and we were on our way again,south.

The rest of the trip was uneventful withthe exception of my mother asking "Do youthink you can drive through these

mountains"? I assured her I could. Wecovered the 700 miles in 2 1/2 days,enjoying the scenery, arriving in WinstonSalem, N.C. in mid afternoon. I walked intothe Robert E. Lee Hotel, being a little carhappy, I said"Do you allow Yankees"? Theclerk laughed and assigned us to a beautifulroom on the third floor. That night mymother suffered an asthma attack. Thecigarette factor was just down the streetfrom the hotel and they were processing thetobacco. The smell was terrible. We closedall the windows, no air conditioning. I wentfor coffee for mother that always helped herbreathing. Finally we all got some sleep.

The next day, August 31, I called Rev.Douglas LaTell Rights, president of theWachovia Historical Society on SalemSquare. I had written him several letters andhad found out he was married to a lady ofNewton County, Lake Village, Adelaide L.Fries, called Cecile, and that her father hadworked in Newton County Courthouse. Wewere heartily welcomed.

We met Rev. Rights at the museumwhere he showed us around and told us thatmost of the Moravian archives were writtenin German. Here, I had some luck! Hissecretary was a German War Bride and shevolunteered to do translations, so thesearch began. There was a great storehouseof genealogical information here in themuseum.

We found my fourth great grandfather,John Padgett in the tax listing of Wachovia17751783, page 1925 in the Hope Diary.He was born in Maryland, September 9,1723 and his second wife, Mary was listed.We found we were descendants of John andhis first wife, Elizabeth Canwood. Theirson, Thomas (my 3rd great grandfather)had been born in Maryland and hadtraveled with his wife, Sarah Ann Mathewsand family to Winston Salem, N.C., andhad located on land between two creeksMuddy Creek and Salem Creek, a shortdistance from the old Hope Church.

At this point, I want to tell you wefound John's will and learned more aboutthe Moravians. We were sent to an oldcemetery near the Old Hope Church. Thiswas quite an experience. The cemetery hadnot been kept up, but we waded through theweeds and bush coming to a tree. Here we

were told the tree marked the center of thecemetery. It was divided into four quarters.Married men in one quarter, the first to diein the year, got the first grave near the tree.,a flat slab with name and date. The nextquarter, the married ladies, with the sametreatment, the third quarter, the singleladies and the 4th quarter the single men. Inone corner was the baby plat. The oldchurch was gone.

But first, I want to tell you the "firstfamily" of the Padgetts. We found andlocated them in Charles County, Maryland.John's father was Benjamin and his wifewas Mary. Benjamin died when John wasthree years old and his mother reared him inthe English church. This is about all I cantell you about Benjamin and Mary,however, my aunt, wrote me we aredescendants of the Huguenots. John spokeand wrote German or Austrian languages,and his wife Mary was English or French,decended of Mrs. George Washington.

To continue the story, John lived withhis mother until he was 20, then he marriedhis first wife, Elizabeth and in 1743, theymoved to their new home in Carroll Manor,

Page 10 - The Newcomer - Winter 2001

Visit our web site at www.rootsweb.com/~innewton - Page 7

Due to inclement weather the planned walk of RiversideCemetery, Brook, to proof the data that has been compiledby Kyle Conrad was postponed until a later date.

The family history division participated in the originalchecking of tombstone dates that had been done by Joyce andYvonne Kay a number of years ago. Kyle has been busy since thenputting together a plot map of the cemetery, reentering the data tomatch the way the rows were laid out, and has checked over 500obituaries from the Brook Reporter to verify the data. In this wayhe has found many graves that were not marked.

There has been discussion at the Family History Divisionmeetings on the best way to make the cemetery data available forthe remaining townships of Newton County (cemetery records forLake, McClellan, Beaver, and Washington townships have alreadybeen published) However due to the lengthy process involved inverifying the material it was decided that as soon as a cemetery iscomplete that it should be put on our web site, so that it will be morereadily available and so that the general public could correct andupdate the material before it is put in book form. A few of thesmaller cemeteries are ready to be put on the web after the holidaysare over.

Elsewhere in this issue will be found ordering information onthe Newton County Historical Coloring Book. The Family HistoryDivision provided one half of the seed money needed for printingof the coloring book. It is anticipated that it will be distributed tothe fourth grade classes of Newton County schools for the next twoyears thus providing a valuable aid to understanding the history ofthe county. Division members, Greta Taylor, the Art Director, andJanet Miller, Editor, and Beth Bassett, Production Manager, weremoving forces in bringing the publication to fruition. Gretacontributed a number of illustrations, Janet wrote the captions, andBeth was in charge of production and printing.

Work progresses on the Morocco Sesquicentennial History.Biographies from the 1883 History of Warren, Benton, Jasper andNewton Counties and from the 1916 Standard History of Jasperand Newton Counties have been placed on Newton County’s webpage by Gerald Born with the help of Kathy Huish of Lake County,who oversees that project on our web page.. These will be used asa basis of the biography section of the planned history. NancyCoats is busy typing newspaper articles written by Born to be usedin the narrative section of the history. Susie Hall, Janette Hall’sgranddaughter (and both members of the Society and Division) istyping material from other sources to be included and DonnaLaCosse is typing articles she did for the Morocco Courier onlocal Morocco businessmen that also will be included.

Gerald Born attended the October 19th committee meeting ofthe Morocco Sesquicentennial Committee to explain thecontribution the Society and its Family History Division is makingto the Morocco effort. We have earmarked $2,000.00 to be used asseed money for the publication of the work. Born also said thatadvertising may also be needed to help finance such an ambitiousundertaking. He is also providing periodic articles to the MoroccoCourier to help publicize the work the Family History Division ofNCHS is doing. Gerald was also able to furnish the committee ascript of Morocco Centennial’s Celebration Pageant held fiftyyears ago. It was among the materials Katherine Robinson had

provided for a chapter on the Centennial celebration that will also beincluded in the book. Who says a pack rat is a bad thing?

Bad weather interfered with the November 9th annual tour ofMorocco’s downtown for the fourth grade class given by Mr. Born.Instead he took them on a virtual tour using their own imaginationswith the aid of a map supplied by Mrs. Eason and Mrs. Gregory, thefourth grade teachers. He also told them about a family tree and howto start one. The many questions that followed proved again thatfourth graders are eager to learn.

Janet Miller and Beth Bassett have been busy distributing theColoring Book to the fourth grade classes of Newton County. Theyand Greta Taylor have met with schools in North and South Newtonto represent the Society and the Family History Division.

The Division also hopes to have a workshop in the near future onpost cards of Newton County in which the proper care andorganization of photographic materials will be discussed. MarloweDavis recently donated a scanner to our Society in order to recordphotographic images that will emerge from the workshop. So duringthese long winter months unpack the old photos and see what postcards you can uncover.

Focus on FamiliesFamily History Division • Gerald Born, Director • Janet Miller, Treasurer

Who Am I?By Genevera Carlson By Gerald Born

Gerald Born, Director of the Family History Division of theSociety, answers questions from Morocco 4th Grade Studentsregarding the Town of Morocco. Photo Submitted

This photo was taken of Nev, her motherAddie and son Jerry Lee when they werevisiting the Wachovia Museum. From theWinston-Salem Journal, Friday Morning,August 31, 1951

The current WindowDisplay depicts a oneroom school. InDecember, itfeatured Christmas,January featuredwinter weather, andFebruary reflects themany holidays. Didyou know that thefirst ground hog daywas celebrated Feb.2, 1864 and theAmerican version ofthe lore states, If thesun shines onGround Hog Day,Half the Fuel, Halfthe Hay!

Family History Division Update

NCHS Resource CenterWindowDisplay

had been drained by that time. It wasplotted in January of 1876 by RichardMalone. was the lasttown platted in Newton county. Originallyknown as Sumava Forest Resorts, Inc., itwas platted on August 18, 1927 by JamesKoutney. It is located east of 41 on theKankakee. Its settlement was directed tothe Bohemians of Chicago, who came onexcursion trains run by the developers.

was platted in 1905 by JennieConrad. All of the streets were named afterfamily members, as well as a park for herson Platt. The entrance was 1/4 mile northof the Conrad ditch and George Street (Old41). In 1827, an early trading post wasestablished east of Lake Village on theKankakee river known as

, operated byGurdon S. Hubbard, which makes it theoldest settlement in Newton County.

- Platted on January17, 1882, Roselawn was the dream of 3men, Lon Craig, Orlando Rose and JacobKeller. Craig and Rose gave tracts of landto people who wished to build a dwellingor business, and stated that it was to beknown as Roselawn. Principally a resorttown, Thayer was platted on September21, 1882 by the Atherton and Stratton firm.Wintergreen Island is where the Cox andDavid families lived before the Kankakeewas straightened.

-Robert Bartlettand Lodicie Bartlett and his wife, ofBinghamton, County of Broome and Stateof New York, do hereby lay out the town of

in Newton County, State of Indiana,October 3rd, 1907 at 4:00 o'clock P.M." Sowere the beginnings of this small hamlet.Known as a crossroads town (SR 14 and US41), the New York Central railroad also ranthrough the town. It has also been called

. was located 3 mileseast of Enos and was located on the C. & E.I. railroad. History books refer to it assomething like Pogue Station, for therewere stockyards located just north of Elmer.On our map, we see another town named

There isn't any information availableregarding this location, we can only

speculate that it was a settlement not far fromBeaver Lake. Also found on a map from the1955 Pictorial History of Newton County, wefind a small burg named Possibly thiswas a stockyard as well.

-was also a crossroads town, (US 41

and SR 16). It came into existence in the early1900's by Ridgley and Millie Weldon whohad purchased a farm at this junction. Theybuilt a filling station, a few cabins and whenUS 41 was widened, added a restaurant.was laid out by W.T. McCray on May 21,1906. It was the home of a post office in 1904and is located 1/2 mile west of the junction ofUS 41 and SR 16. According to an article thatappeared in the Rensselaer Union in 1876,

was never officially laid out as atown, but was located 3 miles north of Adeand one mile east. the Chicago, Attica andSouthern Railroad may have originallycreated the town, and at one time, the name

y was considered due to thenumber of Jessens that lived there. In 1890,on the western edge of the present fairgroundracetrack, there was a grouping of 7-8 homesthat was known as , also knownas this hamlet produced a townnewsletter that can be read in the HistoryNewton County Book, 1985

Sumava Resorts

Conrad

Trader's Pointor Blue Grass Fur Depot

Enos

Oaks Grove Elmer

Dice.

Kents.

Weldon'sCorner

Ade

Beaver City

Jessen Cit

StringtownJerseyville,

Lincoln Township

McClellan Township

Washington Township

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Page 12 - The Newcomer - Winter 2001

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By S. E. Perkins, IIIFellow of the Indiana Academy of Science

Ifind the history of the physiographic and faunal changes of a

part of northern Indiana so replete with such fascinatinghappenings that I would share the story of it.In times of the far remote past there is shown by geological

evidence that a very large body of water covered most of what is nowNewton and Jasper counties from the Kankakee River south as far asKentland to the south of the Iroquois River. It was known as LakeKankakee. It disappeared through natural causes thousands of yearsago.

Beaver Lake, the largest body of water ever to be known withinthe confines of the State of Indiana in modern times, is now also athing of the past. Lake Wawasee, formerly known as Turkey Lake,Indiana's present largest lake, amounted to little more than a pondbefore 1828, when a dam creating it was first placed by early settlers,and has acquire its present size of five and a half by one and a halfmiles, only through a series of succeeding dams.

Apparently few people living now are aware of the fact thatbefore 1849 in Barker Township, Jasper County, Indiana, as it waslaid out in the early days of the state, there was and had been so longthat the mind of man, both of the white and Indian race, ran not to thecontrary, a natural water area seven miles by five miles in extentaplacid lake of 16,000 acres six miles south of the Kankakee River,that it was a muck bottomed, and quite shallow with the exception ofa narrow twelve foot deep channel through it. Few are aware thatreeds, grasses and pond lillies grew rank in most of this primitivewater area; that a dozen "oak openings" called islands thrived there;that wild life concentrated at that lake in greatest profusionthousands of pristinely white swans, ducks and geese by myriadsalong with cranes and herons of many kinds that dozens of thesevarieties of birds bred thereabouts; that this sheet of water wasknown as Beaver Lake.

When George Culp and Thomas Randall of Virginia came byway of Gray's; Tavern on the Tippecanoe in September, 1834seeking a homestead near the rapids of the Iroquois River in JasperCounty, they reported no white settlements west of what is nowPulaski County line. There were but few white persons in the wholeregion then for it was mostly water and prairie and swamp with apaucity of habitable ground.

Beaver Lake's location was between the present towns ofMorocco and Lake Village, both of which were non-existant in 1849but sprang up soon thereafter. They were both recorded assettlements in 1859. When the first officers of the newly formedNewton County, at the direction of Thomas R. Barker, sheriff andofficial county organizer, met in Kent, now Kentland, on April 21,1860, there were but two buildings in that place.

A dike road (U.S. Road No. 41) today runs north and southbetween Morocco and Lake Village, formerly on opposite side of theeast end of Beaver Lake. The elevation of the dike on which the roadruns is only a couple of feet above the former bed of the lake. Twoditches carrying a small amount of water through the old lake bed aretoday bridged by the roadway between the above named towns, andall the rest is dry.

During 1859 the present Newton County was carved out of thewest side of Jasper County and contained all of Beaver Lake. BarkerTownship was not renamed.

Beaver Lake waspurchased from the U.S.Government in 1853 byJohn P. Dunn and AmzieB. Condit. When I saythey bought it, I mean thatthey bought the grounds u r r o u n d i n g a n d

bordering the lake, for thewater area had not up tothat time been surveyed.These two gentlemensold soon after to MichaelC. Bright. He claimed thewater area as well as theboundaries and plattedthe ground in 1857 inforty acre tracts of partwater and part land.There were 427 sucht r a c t s . B y s o m earrangement the alternatetracts were deeded to theState of Indiana. In 1865the records show the statedisposed of its tracts.

Old residents in Newton County and travelers in the vicinity ofthis prairie country remember the many beaver dames which wereto be seen in various parts of the lake. Richard Owen while StateGeologist, saw remains of beaver dames about the lake in 1859,while he passed that way on a surveying expedition. A pioneer ofMarshall County reports the fact that one dam, which he speciallyobserved in Beaver Lake, was more than a mile in length, thelongest dam made by beavers that he had ever seen. Our nativebeaver (Castor canadensis) for which the lake was named, once sonumerous in the waters of Beaver Lake, is known only by pairs inthat county (and in fact in the whole state today), instead of byhundreds of individuals, as formerly. Dr. Marcus W. Lyon, Jr. ofSouth Bend, Indiana, a mammalogist of note, has had no records atall of wild beavers within the state in recent years.

Beaver Lake was well known in those early days in spite ofthe difficulties of travel. The Indian tribes constantly visited itfor hunting and fishing. On their wanderings they carried newsof its wild life abundance. The late Judge Fabias M. Finch ofIndianapolis, many years ago wrote that the Shawnees claimedto be descended from fish and they used to have a fish tattooedon them. These Indians said the transformation took place in alake in northern Indiana. Judge Finch learned from WilliamConner, a fur dealer who lived near Finch's farm on White Riverbelow Noblesville, that he had seen the lake many times and hadhad the

LAKE

WASHINGTON

LINCOLN

MCCLELLAN

COLFAX

BEAVER

JACKSON

IROQUOIS

JEFFERSON

GRANT

McClellan & Colfax

TOWNSHIPS

NEWTON’S HISTORICAL LANDMARKS Beaver Lake

These postcard of Mount Ayr were acquired through a donation from the LemingEstate of Goodland. This depicts Chicago Street, looking east.

A scene from Lake Village, looking west from the main intersection of town.Submitted by Gerald Born

Continued From Page 1map of Newton County, showing therailroad lines and stations in our county.Copies of these books are available atvarious libraries in the county for thosewho are interested in more detailedinformation.

In order to understand the beginningsof these towns and villages, a picture of therailroad lines helps explain their locations,as shown on this map of 1895. In 1859, arailroad was built between Logansport andPeoria, which ran through Kentland andGoodland and was originally called theLogansport and Peoria Railroad. The firsttrain ran on this track on December 25,1859. The "Big Four" built a railroadthrough the southwest corner of the countyin 1871. The Monon railroad was builtthrough Roselawn and the northern part ofthe county in 1878. In 1882, the Chicagoand Eastern Illinois, known as the C. & E.I. built a railroad through Goodland,Foresman, Julian and Mount Air. Therailroad known as the Three "I" railroadwas built through the northern part ofLincoln Township in 1883. It ran fromIowa to Illinois and on through Indiana. In1888, a branch of the C.&E.I. was builtthrough Brook and Morocco, and laterextended to Momence, Illinois. As theserailroads were being constructed, ourmany towns and villages sprang intoexistence.

- In the northwestquarter of the county, wascreated to ship the cattle of AmericusPogue, who owned Pogue Ranch, to theChicago markets. A number of buildingswere constructed around the stock yards.Eventually the Pogue Ranch was sold toJohn L. Lawler, and it is presentlyencompassed in the Willow Slough Fishand Wildlife area. In the northwest quarter,in section 11, the Indiana ColonizationCompany was formed consisting of almosta whole section. A town called wasplatted in the southwest corner. It washoped that it would appeal to Italianimmigrants, however, nothing ever cameof it. The town of , laid out byJohn Murphy on January 28, 1851, wasnamed after a pair of Morocco leatherboots. While clearing the brush from thewest side of the newly platted town, a manseeking information walked up to the mendoing the work and ask directions. Theywere so struck by the beautiful Moroccored leather trim of his boots, that theydecided to name the town Morocco. And,

the story goes that because of the longstrides the stranger made, the street that heapproached them would be called WalkerStreet. It would be great to know just whowas this stranger. One theory is that the manwith the long and rapid strides was noneother than Long John Wentworth, who

traveled this area on his way to Chicago.His gait and quickness of pace waslegendary.

Two railroad stationssprung up after the arrival of the railroads inthe last quarter of the 19th century in this

township. was located 2 1/2miles north of Goodland, situated next to theC. & E.I. railroad. was 3miles west of Goodland and located on thePennsylvania Railroad and State Road 24.The flag stop known as for the T.P. & Brailroad eventually became the town of

platted in 1866 by William andTimothy Foster. The town was obviouslynamed for the "good land" which surroundedthe original flag stop.

- Located in thenortheast part of Iroquois township was the

Beaver Township

Grant Township -Iroquois Township

Pogue Station

Tripoli

Morocco

Percy Junction

Perkins Switch

Tivoli

Goodland,

Page 14 - The Newcomer - Winter 2001

Visit our web site at www.rootsweb.com/~innewton - Page 3

Pages Of The PastThe following excerpts are from The Kentland Enterprise during the winter of 1900.,

transcribed by Janet Miller

Looking north and west from the town square in Morocco. Note the sidewalkslocated over the streets themselves. Submitted by Gerald Born

This photo simply said street scene, Morocco, Indiana Submitted by Gerald Born

Kentland

Washington Township

Colfax Township

Brook

Goodland

Mt. Ayr

Lake Village

Roselawn

January 4 The time for the beginning of thetwentieth century remains an unsettledproblem and likely always will. Thequestion has been thoroughly discussed bythe wise men and the unwise, the learnedand unlearned and many leadingnewspapers and magazines have treated onthe subject. Still there seems to be adiversion of opinions, with each so positivein their belief that the question will probablynever be settled, so we will go on for the nexttwelve months, some living in thenineteenth while others are living in thetwentieth.

C. C. Kent commenced this morning torefill his mammoth ice house. But little overone half of the last winters crop was usedthis season. The ice is of a superior qualitybeing free from any snow and 8 to 9 inchesin thickness.

While out exercising his horse the otherday, the hind axle of the buggy verysuddenly gave way and let the driver drop tothe ground, and at the same time the frontpart became disconnected leaving the driversitting in the middle of the road. He said"the horse went on at a breakneck speed andhe just set there and watched 'er go." Thiswas the fate of Charles Schneider.

We are informed that George Ade willsoon leave for Manilla, and in company withJohn T. McCutcheon, make a tour of Japanand surrounding countries.

The machinery of the Herriman saw millwas loaded on cars here yesterday and willbe shipped to Kokomo to be used in afoundry.

The interior of the school house in Sec.36, Colfax tp., Newton county, wasdestroyed by fire last Saturday night,supposedly the result of tramps stopping inthe building. Loss about $200, insured in C.B. Steward's agency of this city. The schoolbuilding was practically new, having beenbuilt in 1898. Jasper County Democrat

As a stock center Brook leads all othertowns in the county. Our stock dealers,during the year just closed, marketed overtwo hundred car loads of cattle and hogs andthe prospects for the coming year are even

brighter than the past.Sunday the third fine new brick church

was dedicated in Brook. It is a beautifulstructure and will be the home of theMethodists. The building is of modernarchitecture and would be a credit to a townfar greater size than this. The interior isseated with opera chairs, heated by hot air,and lighted by its own acetylene gas plant.The dedicatory address was delivered by Dr.Halstead of Frankfort, who also preached asplendid sermon at night. Presiding ElderBeck was present and assisted with the lovefeast, which preceded the exercises proper.The congregation has erected this beautifuledifice and paid for it in advance, and nocollection was taken at any of the servicesSunday.

Miss Hauk has moved her millinerystore to the rooms east of Butler's meatmarket.

There is another case of small pox in thehome of David Colston, but like the first it isvery mild. As a precautionary measureagainst the further spread of the disease,there was no services at either of thechurches last Sunday.

Goodland physicians have vaccinatedeight hundred people since the small poxscare opened.

Elmer Stucker now flourishes the razorwith artistic skill in our barber shop. He isgenial and obliging.

Jas. Haskell, who has been sufferingwith rheumatism for the past two weeks,went to the mineral springs at AtticaMonday. Mrs. Haskell accompanied him.

Sam Barker now has a dugout on hisfarm six miles northwest of here, and isintending to spend a share of his timeclearing up his farm and getting it ready forfarming.

Angus Washburn and wife spent a fewdays the past week with Mr. Washburn'sparents southeast of Kentland. While thereAngus also made a trip to Lafayette andclosed a bargain in a farm that he had justbought.

The box supper and entertainment givenhere Saturday evening for the benefit of theschool library was a grand success. The

house was filled to the doors. Somethingover $14.00 was netted.

Sham lawsuits are becoming quitepopular here. Another one was held Fridaynight and the school house was crowdedfull. Mae Conklin sued Reub Hess fordamages his horse did to her buggy. Reubwas fined 10 cents and costs.

James Halleck was buried at Fair OaksMonday of last week. Mr. Halleck settledin Lake Township in the early '60's, on thebank of the Beaver lake ditch. He wasengaged in fruit raising, and for many yearshauled his products to Manteno, Ill., on theIllinois Central railway, which at that timewas the nearest railway station to his farm.Deceased was several times elected trusteeof Lake township, and served one term ascommissioner of Newton County. Mr.Halleck bought a tract of land near FairOaks some years ago and raised one of thebest fruit orchards in Jasper county, on theMonon route, two miles north of Fair Oaks.Many of his old Lake and Lincoln townshipfriends attended the funeral. Deceased wasin his life a man of great energy andi n d u s t r y, a f a i t h f u l f r i e n d , a naccommodating neighbor, an affectionateand indulgent husband and father, and aman that will be greatly missed in thecommunity.

What areWhortleberries Anyway?

As I read the item on page 2 of theSummer 2000 issue of the ,included in the "Pages of the Past" underRoselawn, I wondered what a Whortleberrywas. My dictionary says it is a smallEuropean shrub yielding edible blackishberries. Does this plant exist today? Is itknown by another name today? Doesanyone have any information of this berry?In what way did they use this berry, pie,jelly, jam, as a sauce? Is anyone elseinterested in finding information about thisberry? Perhaps it interests me becauseanything edible is important to me!

Newcomer

DonnaLaCosse, Morocco

Comments? Questions? We’d love to hearfrom you! 219-474-6944