Warren Township

Warren Township

This township borders on the Kankakee river and lies between Olive township on the west and German and Portage townships on the east, consisting of 26 whole and 17 fractional sections. Its width from east to west is 3^ miles, and its extreme length from north to south is 10^ miles. Its surface is generall}' rolling. From the eminences of some of tjie knolls in the northwestern part, from which Terre Coupee Prairie can be viewed, a grand and magnilicent view meets the eye. During the growing season one beholds verdant fields dotted over with fine farm residences, schoolhouses, etc. Before the hand of man had subdued these lands, and when the prairie and woodland were in their virgin State, the scenery from these eminences must have been supremely charming. With its green, flowery carpet, its undulating surface, skirted by a beautiful growth of timber that more definitely marks the boundaries, it must have presented to the eye of the lone traveler or new settler a scene most beautiful and sublimely grand. A little over half a century ago, the sound of the white man's ax had not been heard in these forests; the ringing of the anvil, the rattle of the reaper, the hum of the thresher, and the whistle of the engine would have been strange music to the ear of the wild Indian, whose song and war-whoop were the only sounds indicative of human existence. The soul-stirring music of the band, the melodious tones of the organ, and the still sweeter voices of the choir would have been in strange contrast with the howl of the wolf or the scream of the panther as they roamed fearlessly over the spot which we now find tliickly settled. The bark canoe and the majestic steamer, the rude wigwam and the stately mansion, the Indian pon}' and the iron horse, the slow messenger or courier and the lightning telegraph, but faintly illustrate the vast difierence between the savages of that period and the civilization of to-day.

But little is known of the history of Warren township prior to 1831. Nov. 19 of that year Judge Reynolds Dunn, by whom this township was named, settled upon the lands now owned by his son, J. T. Dunn. Other settlements were afterward made by W. W. Brick, Peter Wikoft', Geo. Witter and John Kingery, who came in 1832 or '3, and opened farms. Walter Field settled on section 26 in 1833; Jesse Frame and hissons, William, Nathaniel, Cornelius, Isaac, David and Jesse, settled on section 22, on Portage Prairie, in 1833. Nathaniel AVillson also came this year, perhaps before Isaac W. Phillip settled on section 8, about 1833; Harry Buckles opened up a farm on section 36 about 1836; James Dunbar, about the same time, and Joseph P. Jones took up lands on Portage (965)

Prairie in 1835; Joseph Price was an earh^ settler; Thomas Jacksou settled on section 22, and Calvin Myler on section 2i; so also John Skiles, Theophilns Case, Jacob Mikesell, Geo. Dunnahoo, Abram Brown, Jonathan Platts and Wm. Crumb were early settlers.

To those who opened up and developed the wonderful resources of Warren township the present and coming generations will owe eternal gratitude. They suffered untold privations and inconveniences, labored with unflagging energy and toil, receiving only a meager compensation; were far awa}' from their friends and their old homes, and with scared}" any means of communication with them, the pioneers were encouraged and kept up with the hope of soon establishing comfortable homes.

The children of these early settlers were not long without the instructions and discipline of the schoolmaster, for we find that as early as 1839 Dr. Howell taught school in a log house on section 26; this rude structure, which was erected b}' the contribution of the labor of the pioneers, would not compare favorably with the modern, neat and tasteful frame and brick edifices that adorn many of the knolls through this section.

There is but one church building in this township. It was erected in 1879, on section 30, at a cost of $1,000, by the Dunkard society, which is a thrifty one, with 115 members. James H. Miller is the present Pastor.

During the late war, Warren proved loyal " to the core " and furnished man}' of her brave sous as a sacrifice to retain an undivided union. Many of those who went to the front, after enduring years of untold hardships and danger, were permitted to return to their homes, where they are now living to enjoy the liberties they so nobly fought for. Many of them, however, went to return no more.

W. H. Earlier was born June 8, 1854, in Hillsdale county Mich., and is the son of L. S. and Sophia Barker, natives of New York, who emigrated to Michigan about 1828, where they still reside; W. H. was reared on the farm and received his education in the common schools. He learned telegraphing in 1872, and has been in the employ of the L. S. & M. S. R. E. Company since Jan. 13,1873, first taking charge of the office at Allen Station, which position he had only two mouths, when he was transferred to the Charleston office. In about three months he took charge of the present office at Warren Centre, whei-e he has faithfully discharged his duty as telegraph operator and ticket and freight agent. He erected a neat farm residence last season. Mr. B. married Miss Emeline Mikesell Nov. 10, 1875, who was born in this county Sept. 10, 1855, and Elsie and Charles are their children. Postoffice, Warren Centre.

James T. Dunn, a prominent farmer and stock-raiser, was liorii in Greene county, Ohio, Jan. 2, 1S29, and is the son of Jiid^je Reynolds Dunn, a farmer and a native of Somerset county, N. J., wlio named this tp. after tlie tp. in Ohio from whicli lie came. The Judge married Miss Phcebe Tatman, a native of Kentucky, and of Scotch descent. They settled in this county in 1832. James T. completed his education at the high sciiool in South Bend. October 17, 1S5S, he married Ellen Umberger. a native of Dauphin county. Pa., of German ancestry, and a respected member of the Methodist Church. Of tiieir 6 children 5 are living, 2 sons and 3 daughters. Mr. Dunn lias been successful in life. At one time he owned 400 acres of choice land in this tp. He now has 200 acres and his farm is a line one. Cost of dwelling, $4,000. In politics Mr. Dunn is a Democrat.

O. S . Dunnahoo was born in this tp. in 1839, and is the son of George and Catharine (^Mikesell) Dunnahoo, the former a native of Virofinia, and of Scotch descent, and the latter a native of Ohio, and of German descent; received ail his school education in this tp. and district No. 3; has always been a farmer, except 14 years he was employed as track foreman hy the L. S. & M. S. R. R. Company. In agriculture he has been successful, and now owns 93 acres of land. He is a Democrat; has been Tp. Trustee two terms and School Director two years. In 1867 he married Piioebe Anna "Ward, a native of this tp., and they have 4 sons and 2 daughters living.

Noah Early, farmer, was born Sept. 16, 1836, in Rockingham count}', Va., the son of Jacob and Mary Early, natives of Virginia, and of German descent, who moved to Allen county, Oliio, in 1842; in 1864 they moved to Piatt county. 111., but without unloading they returned to Ohio, where Mr. Jacob Early now resides. Noah received a common-school education. Feb. 10, 1859, he married Mary E. Vincent, who was born in Allen county, 0.,Feb. 10, 1841; of their 2 children only Emma L. is living. Mrs. E. died Oct. 17, 1864; in 1873 Mr. E. came to this county; in January of this year he married Eunice Davenport, who was born May 7- 1841, in tiiis county. Mr. E. served three years in the late war, in Co. E, 99th Ohio Inf.; was wounded in the leg at Ohickamauga; was also in the battle at Stone River and many other engagements. Mr. E. owns 161 acres of land. He and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church. They are bringing up an orphan boy named Hiram Shirk. P. O., South Bend.

Stephen Fields, deceased, was born in Ohio in 1813, the son of "Walter and Sarah (Sears) Fields, natives of Pennsylvania, and of German descent; was brought by his parents to this county when 12 years of age, settling in this tp.; received a common-school education; was married the first time to Charlotte Beyler. and they had 2 children; was married the second time, Jafl. 26, 1842, to Priscilla C. Buckles, and they had 4 sons and 4 daughters. They were both members of the Dunkard Churcli. and ^Ir. F. was a

Democrat, as also are his sons. He was Justice of the Peace eight years, and was a strict temperance man, even using no tobacco. At tlie time of his death he owned 2-iO acres of land.

Alram Frame v!?lb born June 5, 1818, in Preble county, Ohio, and the son of William and Nancy Frame, natives of Virginia, who migrated to Micliigan in 1835 and to this tp. in 1838, where they resided until death. Abram was raised on tlie farm, and he has followed farming thus far through life. He married Miss Martha Poff, a native of Floyd county, Va., June 5. 1845; she was born March 1, 1824; of their 8 cliildren 4 are living, to wit: Nathaniel A., Mary E., Daniel B. and John K. Mr. F. has been very successful financially, now owning 260 acres of No. 1 land, worth $75 per acre. Residence, sec. 23; P. O., South Bend.

Nathaniel A. Frame was born in this county April 29, 1852, and is the son of Abram and Martha Frame, father a native of Ohio, and mother of Virginia; was reared on the farm and received a common-school education; Feb. 12, 1874, married Miss Phcebe A. Chamberlain, wlio was born in this county Nov. 15, 1855; they have had 3 children: Cora E., Albert and Marvin C. Mr. F. has followed farming tlius far tlirongh life, and now owns 105 acres of land. Mr. and Mrs. F. are members of the German Baptist Church. Residence, sec. 14; P. O., South Bend.

Oeorge Kizer was born Oct. 12, 1839, in Wayne county, Ohio, and is the son of Ebenezer and Susannah Kizer, of German descent; was only six years old when his parents came to this county; was reared on the farm and has been a resident of this county all his life except eight years he lived in Michigan. He has been reasonably successful in life. He married Miss Mary A. Cameron Oct. 18, 1860, who was born in Pennsylvania; of their 8 children 7 are living: Arbella C, Lula C, Minnie A., Effie L., Osborn, Arthur F. and Olive A. Residence, sec. 27; P. O., South Bend.

Philip Korn, farmer, sec. 10; P. O., Buclianan, Mich.; was born April 15, 1829, in Baden, Germnny, and is the son of Mike and Susan Korn; he came to America in 1852 and landed at New York, where he staid five years, and thence came to Berrien county, Mich., where he resided until 1868, at which time he located in this tp. He married Miss Frances Summers, of Baden, Germany, April 2, 1854; she was born Feb. 15, 1830; they have had 9 children: Joseph, Mary, Carolina, John, Sophia, Frank, Ellen, Annie and Willie. Mrs. K. died Aug. 7, 1878. Mr. K. was formerly a tanner by trade, but at present his occupation is farming. He owns 144 acres of land.

A. Lindley, farmer, sec. 27; P. O., South Bend; was born Jan. 1, 1830, in Wayne county, Ind., and is the son of Tence and Martha Lindley, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Maryland. He was 14 years old when his parents moved from Wayne A Howard county, where he became of age; he was reared on the farm and received his education in the common schools. He married Miss Mary E. Huston Dec. 11, 1851, who was born July Ifi, 1S35, in tliis county, and they are parents of 10 children, of whom 5 are living: Viretta J., Emma L., Harvey E., Adelle F. and Melville A. Mr. L. has been very successful in life, and now owns 103 acres of good farm land. He has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and was Enumerator of the Census in his tp. this year (ISSO). He is a member of the Masonic fraternity.

John C. Marble, sec. 15; P. O., Dayton, Mich.; was born Oct. 2S, 1815, in Washington count}^, \''ermont, and is the son of Joseph and Annis Marble, the former a native of jS^ew Hampshire and the latter of Massachusetts. He emigrated to Michigan in 1831 and resided there until 1835, at which time he came to this county, and stopped a short time at Mishawaka, and visited several places; he located at Elkhart, where he was engaged in the lumbering and carpentering business for two years; he then in 1837 moved to Portage Prairie, where he followed barn building; he has built 'd^ barns thus far in his life, and many dwelling houses; he moved to this tp. in 18-13 or 'i, and settled on the farm George Witter now owns. He married Miss Catharine Holmes, of Berrien county, Mich., in March, 1857; she was born Oct. 26, 1826; they never have had any children of their own, though they have reared to manhood 6 boys, and at present are rearing Clarissa and Lucy, his brother's orphan children. Mr. Marble is a land speculator, having bought and sold thousands of acres, and is now owning 1,009 acres. His father was in the war of 1812, and grandfather in the Revolution, and wounded at Breed's Hill.

Calvin Myler, sec. 24; P. O., South Bend; is a son of James and Olive Myler, and was born March 5, 1820, in Butler county, Ohio. His father was a native of AVestmoreland county. Pa., and was born in 1797; and his mother was a native of Xew York. They were married in Butler county, Ohio, and came to this count}' May 11, 1830, and settled in this tp. Calvin Myler was married to Mary J. Scott March 20, 1842, who was born in Bartholomew county, Ind., Dec. 24, 1823, and they have had 9 children, to-wit: Wm.F., Catharine, formerly a school-teacher, Martha A., Sarah, E. J., Geo. L., who is also a teacher, John S., attending college at Valparaiso, Alexander and Charles. Mr. Myler commenced in life a poor boy, and to day he owns 221 acres of land, worth $90 per acre.

D. R. RockhiU, farmer, sec. 14; P. O., South Bend; was born in this county March 3, 1853, and is the son of Wm. D. and Sarah Rockhill; father a native of Kentucky, and mother of Ohio, who came to this county in an early day. Thomas, a brother of D. R., was born Oct. 21, 1S55, also in this county. Thomas was married Dec. 12, 1878, to Miss Emma Lindley, who was born about 1860 in this county; they have one child, Clarence. These two brotiiers are farming in partnership on their father's farm of 220 acres, and are having good success. They are enterprising young men and are highly spoken of by all who know them.

sylvania; he came to this county in 1870 and settled in this tp. the same year. May 22, 1871, he married Miss Mary Frame, who was born in this county in 18-19; they have 2 children: John A. and Edgar. Mr. Rose served four years and live months in the late war. first enlisting in Co. D, 47th Pa. Vol. Inf., afterward in Co. M, 16th Pa. Cav. He formerly worked at the shoemaker's trade, but is now following farming, owning 110 acres of land on sec. 11. P. O., South Bend.

IsMic Sellers, farmer, sec. 13; P. O., South Bend;, was born in Union count}'. Pa., Dec. 29, 1825, and is the sou of Henry and Elizabeth (Wells) Sellirs. Henry was the son of Frederick and Elizabeth Sellers, and Frederick's father was a native of Holland. Henry migrated to Pulaski county in 1847 and resided there until death. Isaac married Miss Elizabeth Shetterly May 1, 1845; she was born in Union county, Pa., Aug. 28, 1827, and they have 13 children, of whom 7 are living, to-wit: Susanna, Henry F., Geo. W"., P. M., Wm. W. and Milroy. Mr. S.'s life companion died March 9, 1876. He married Miss Mary Lower, a native of Northumberland county, Pa., Sept. 13, 1877; she was born Nov. 11, 1823, and is a member of the Keformed Church. Mr. S. has been very successful in life, now owning 171 acres of land. He is liberal in his views.

Peter Smith was born in Maryland in 1829, the son of Christian and Catherine (Sensenbaugh) Smith, natives of Maryland, and of German descent; he received his education in the common schools of this count}-. By occupation he is a farmer. He was married in February, 1865, to Mary Ann Kaley, and they have had 6 children. He is a Republican. He came to St. Joseph county in 1835, and settled in German tp. He owns 150 acres of land.

Joseph Wells^ farmer, sec. 10; P. O., Buchanan, Mich. ;wa8 born in Greene county, Ohio, Dec. 27, 1820, and is the son of Charles and Susan Wells, the former a native of Kentucky and the latter of Virginia. They were married in Ohio, moved to Cass county, Mich., in 1830, and to Berrien county in 1834, where his father died in 1837, and mother in 1871 or '2. Joseph was reared on the farm, and carried on his father's farm 14 years. He also followed blacksmithing until 1853, at which time he rented his farm and devoted his time to his trade until 1868, when he quit his trade and returned to farming, which he has since followed with success. His brother is the model farmer in Berrien county, Mich. Joseph Wells was married Dec. 11, 1S53, to Miss Sarah J. Jones, who was born in Butler county, Ohio, in September, 1827; they have 6 children living, to wit: Joseph, James L., Nannie, Libbie, Susie and John. Mr. W. bought land in this tp . in 1854, but did not settle here until 1864, since which time he has highly improved his farm, building a residence at the cost of $2,200, and his barn is wortli $1,000. His farm consists of 215 acres, worth $60 per acre. Mr. W. is a member of the Masonic lodge.

History Of St. Joseph County

(Mojer) "Witter, natives of Lancaster county, Pa., who came to this State about ISOO; mother died in Union county in 1S32, fatlier came to St. Josepli county the next year, settlinj^ on Portage Prairie, German tp., where he lived until his death. May 23, 1864. George "Witter was reared on the farm; Feb. 16, 1840, he married Sarah Miller, who was born in AVayne county, Ind., Nov. 1, 1822, and of their 12 children 8 are living: Aaron, Adeline, Lucinda, Albert, Caroline, Martin, George and Harrison. Mr. "W. came to this county in 1800; has served three years as Township Trustee, and he and his wife are members of the German Baptist Church. He owns 275 acres of land.

W. R. Zigler, farmer, sec. 25; P. O., South Bend; was born May 13, 1829, in Botetourt county, Ya., and is the son of Samuel and Margaret Zigler, also natives of Virginia, who moved to this county in 1832, settling in Centre tp., where they resided about two years; thence they moved to Penn tp., where they remained eleven years, and then moved to German tp., where the subject of our sketch gained his majority. Mr. Z. was reared on the farm; went to Iowa in 1854, wliere he remained only about nine months; while thei-e he taught one term of school and also worked at the nursery business; soon after or shortly before this trip he went to California, where he remained a short time, and on account of bad health he returned home, where we find him busily engaged in farming, which he carries on with success. He owns 198 acres of land. He married Miss E. O. Miller Oct. 29, 1858, who was born in 1834; they had one child, now deceased. Mr. Z.'s life companion died, and he married Lorinda Miller Feb. 20, 1860, who was born May 2, 1837, and also in this county. Their child is Maggie J. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church.