St. Joseph County Biography Ref. Page

UNION TOWNSHIP

This township was organized in 1835, and it now contains about 42 sections. Many of the old settlers, in passing through it on their way to some of the other townships, thought it an almost worthless tract of land on account of the marshes. During the wet season of the year it seemed as if the greater part of the country was a vast pond, with here and there a dry piece of land. It was not settled as early as some of the other townships in the county, on this account. When the Michigan road was put through the township, men began to settle along that; and as the western part is somewhat more rolling than the rest, they soon began to build their log cabins through there. As the country became cleared, and openings were made, the marsh land began to disappear, and in its place we find some of the finest farms that the county can now boast of. At present through the south central part there is a good deal of low and useless land. In every part of the township we find small swamps and marshes; but they are fast disappearing, and every year more of the low land is coming under cultivation.

Just south of Lakeville are several small lakes, the largest of which are called Pleasant and Riddle's lakes. The ground around them is quite miry and mucky. One of them is said to be quite deep. Along the east part of the township a ridge runs across it. It is mostly a black, sandy soil. The Turkey creek road follows this ridge, through the township and along it are some very fine farms. On sections 6 and 8 have been found a great many Indian relics. Among other curiosities discovered by the removal of the surface of the earth are round holes dug in the ground and nicely walled up with stones in the shape of a common kettle. Some of them have been found to be four or five feet in depth. For what purpose they had been made the people of the neighborhood are unable to surmise. A great many arrowheads, tomahawks and other things of like nature have been found here and in other parts of the township, thus bringing to our minds that but a short time ago another race of people inhabited this region, perhaps no less industrious in their way than the people who have just come and taken possession of the country.

The first settlement in the township was in the spring of 1833, when Elijah Lineback moved his family here. He erected a cabin on section 35. The same year came John Henderson with his family and settled on section 25. John, Jacob and Mark Rector came on section 1 some time in 1833. Hubbard Henderson came in 1834 and settled on section 35. In the fall of 1834 John Moon came but staid only a short time. He returned in the spring of 1835, accompanied by his brother James. John took up land on section 28, James on section 34. Eli Moon came some years later and entered land in section 27. Although James Moon came in 1835 he did not make it his permanent home till in 1841, when he removed with his family to the farm on which he now resides. James Annis came about 1836, on section 9, and Michael Hupp, Abijah Mills, William H. Robertson, Henry Hardy, Esau Lamb and Daniel Glenn settled here the same year. Amos Heston, Henry and John Riddle came in 1837. James Watson, John Shively, William Hughs, Joseph Morris, W. Nickelson, David Whitinger, John Long, Mr. Byers and Mr. Gibson are among the old settlers.

Thus we see that these sturdy pioneers have in less than 50 years turned what then appeared to be an almost worthless country to a blooming garden, a country which is now prepared to support a dense population, in comparison with what it was then, in ease and prosperity.

The greater part of the township was heavily timbered with walnut, ash, oak, hickory, white-wood and various other timber peculiar to this climate. Lumbering and milling, as a natural consequence, became quite a good business as the railroads opened up a market for their lumber.

The township contains but one village, Lakeville. It is a pleasant little village, located about the center of the township, and contains several hundred inhabitants. The people are kind, intelligent and social. Although they have no railroad, a large business is carried on by the merchants. The village contains two good country stores, a drug and hardware store, a hotel, a couple of shoe-shop and three or four blacksmith shops, a saw-mill and grist-mill, all doing well. It has also two churches, with a good school, while three M. D.'s attend to the afflicted in the town and vicinity.

The first election was held in Earl's tavern, in April of 1836. All the voters in the township were present, and 30 votes were polled. John Henderson and Jacob Rector were elected for Justices of the Peace, and one supervisor was elected. Previous to this they had gone to South Bend to vote.

SCHOOLS.
The schools of this township are in an excellent condition. None but good teachers are hired, and to them fair wages are paid during the winter terms. Most of the people take a great pride in education, and consequently a great many of the young people have been and are now being educated in our colleges and normal schools. The school buildings are mostly in good condition.

The first school house in the township was a log structure built in 1836, on the corner of James Moon's farm. It was a good house at that day, but would hardly fill the bill for one of our modern buildings. The first school was taught in the winter of 1836-�7, by James Roberson, of South Bend. This was a subscription school, and was attended by about 10 scholars. The second teacher was John Hardy.

CHURCHES.
The first church was built in 1843, by the Methodists, under the pastorship of Rev. Lawson Munson. It was built of hewed logs, on section 34, one mile north of Lakeville. This served for a place of worship until the present church was erected in Lakeville. The old house is still standing, and is occupied by a family for a dwelling house. The M. E. church building in Lakeville was commenced in 1857 and finished in 1858 . The trustees were John and James Moon, Hubbard Henderson, Martin Page and William Biglow. Mr. Harrison was the first traveling minister sent to this circuit. This was in 1839, and about the time that the society was organized. They then held their meetings in private houses, and among their members were Hubbard Henderson and wife, Milford Leonard and wife, George Hardy and wife, John D. Roberson and wife, John Price and his sister. Their first class-leader was George Hardy. They have now about 50 members in their society. As this is in the same circuit as Sumption's Prairie, for a list of their ministers see sketch of that Church in the history of Greene township.

About the same time that the Methodists started here. United Brethren ministers came in and began their labors. They soon formed a society about two miles north of Lakeville. Here they continued to hold their meetings for a number of years, when they removed to Olive Branch and formed the society which is known by that name. They worshiped in the school-house till a few years ago. The new church at Olive Branch was commenced in April of 1878 and finished in a short time. The trustees were: Joseph Shuppert, John H. Bennett, H. A. Manuel, W. Lower, Rev. N.F. Surface. John Todd was the Pastor at that time. The church is 30 by 40, and is a very neat, pretty building. Its cost was about $1,000. The society numbers now about 50 members, is out of debt and flourishing.

Another society was also organized a few years ago, on the Turkey creek road, at Annis' school-house. It, too, is prospering well.

The Advent Church. - Previous to 1862 this sect had held a few meetings in the school-house at Olive Branch. In August of that year they erected a tent and held meetings for two weeks, the ministers being J. W. Himes, D. R. Mansfield and Philip Holler. At the close of the meetings the following persons were baptized: Elijah Aultman and wife, Isaac Wright and wife, and Hattie Wright. These, with the following persons, who were members at that time, joined themselves together into a society at the close of the meetings: Edward Cordray and wife, Albert Cordray and wife, B. F. Cordray and wife. Edward Cordray was the Elder. He and Mr. Ferris have been the Elders in the society most of the time since. Two years later another tent meeting was held, with good success. They now number about 60 members, and have a fine church building well finished, in which to worship. It was commenced about March 1, 1880, with about $700 raised by subscription. Its size is 32 by 46, and cost $1,162. On the day on which it was dedicated, July 18, 1880, they raised money enough to pay all debts and $100 over.

The Christian Church has a society in Lakeville, Mr. Snow being their present Pastor. They have a good building in the village and include in their membership many of the best citizens.

The citizens of the northeastern part of the township, regardless of sect, erected a union church house in 1875. It is a good frame building, and speaks much for the enterprise of the people.

In Lakeville there is a Masonic lodge. It was started in 1867 with the following charter members: Robert Moor, W. Clenny, John Cunningham, Mahlon Heston, Michael Hupp, Isaac C. Price, Alexander Reynolds, Henry Van Lien, M. Mahon, W. Roberson. They now have a good society of about 52 members.