James Stephens was born in the State of Michigan in the year 1833, and when about fourteen years of age, came to this county with his father. Here he assisted on the farm until twenty-five years old, when he entered into the dry goods business at Valparaiso, which he followed with great success about seven years. In 1858, he married Miss Martha Leonard, and as the fruit of this union there were five children born - three girls and two boys - as follows: Clara, Eva, Lewis, Lizzie, and Willie. Mrs. Stephens departed this life in 1873. In 1880, Mr. Stephens purchased the farm of 185 acres in this township, on which he still resides and which he has improved in a manner creditable to himself and township. Mrs. Stephens died in 1873. In 1876, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary E. Kopp, widow of Louis Kopp, and to this marriage there has been one babe born. Mr. Stephens is an active member of the Republican party, and by it has been twice elected to the office of Justice of the Peace.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 389, 390 Porter Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Charles Stewart, son of William and Nancy (Wilson) Stewart, was born in Ireland in 1838, and came with his parents, when nine years old, to American. After living three years in Ohio, his father came to this township, where Charles worked in the summer and attended school in the winter until eighteen years of age, when he quit school; worked on the farm for three years; he then had three terms of school at Valparaiso, after which he served as teacher in his township one year. At this time, from failing health, he went to California, where he farmed for three years; he then returned home but went again to California, engaging in the lumber business. In 1870, he came back to this county and was married to Nancy J. Palmer, who died in 1872. On June 6, 1878, he was married to Elmina J. Williams, daughter of Miles Williams, of Lake County. This union was blessed with three children - an infant girl (deceased), Nancy E. and Charles E. In 1874, Mr. Stewart purchased forty acres of unimproved land, and soon after another forty acres, with good log house and outbuildings, all of which land is under cultivation. Mr. Stewart is a Republican, and was once elected Justice of the Peace, but declined to serve for want of time.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 390 Porter Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

William Stewart was born in Ireland July 21, 1809, and is a son of Charles and Jane (Stewart) Stewart. His father was a farmer, with whom William lived, attending school until fourteen years old, and working on the farm until 1838. At this time, he was married to Nancy Wilson. In this union he was blessed with five children - Charles, Isabel, John, and infant (deceased), and Jane, all the living being married. In 1847, Mr. and Mrs. Stewart came to American, and from New York they went to Canada, thence to Philadelphia, and thence to Caldwell County, Ohio, where they farmed for three years. In 1851, they came to this township, entered 160 acres, which they sold; then entered eighty acres in Section 15 and built a log cabin, soon after purchasing forty acres adjoining; this they devoted to stock, market produce and some hay and corn. After a lingering illness, Mr. Steward died April 16, 1882, leaving his estate to his wife. His son John was a soldier of Company I, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland. After the war, he settled to farming, and in 1868 married Martha M. Young, by whom he had six children - William J., George C., Alice J., Charles F., Robert R., and an infant girl. He purchased the homestead and gives a homestead to the family. William Stewart was a member of the U. P. Church, also a Republican.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 390 Porter Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Henry Stoner was born in Porter County, Ind., November 1, 1838, and is one of the eleven children of Daniel and Elizabeth Stoner. His life has been passed in this county. He was married February 8, 1866, to Mary A. Hayden, a native of La Porte County, and born February 17, 1846; she is a daughter of John and Abigail Hayden, of Valparaiso, Ind. Shortly after Mr. Stoner’s marriage, he moved on a farm belonging to his father-in-law, where he remained three years, he then moved on the farm which he now occupies, in Section 20, comprising 253 acres of land, all of which he owns. Mr. and Mrs. Stoner have had seven children - John, Nellie, Abigail, Gerald, Frederick and two infants deceased. Mr. Stoner is a much-esteemed gentleman; he is a member of the Masonic order, and holds the office of Township Trustee.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 353 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

William B. Stoner was born near Valparaiso, Ind., March 11, 1859. He was one of a family of seven children born to Samuel and Rachel Stoner, the old pioneers of Centre Township, this county. In 1881, our subject purchased the farm on which he now lives, and was married November 24, 1881, to Delta Dille, who was born in Porter County, also, February 17, 1860 - a daughter of Hiram and Mary Dille, now of Porter County, Ind. Mr. Stoner owns eighty acres of fine land, well improved.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 353 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

John N. Summer was born in New York State December 28, 1836, the eldest of seven children born to Christian and Magdalena (Noffsinger) Summer, natives of France, who came to America in 1833, and were married in 1834. When John N. was two years of age, his father moved to Canada. Here John went to school until fourteen years old; his father then, in 1850, moved to this township, where John worked at farming until twenty-three years of age, when he married Miss Sabina Ritter, who has borne him four children - Salvina, born April 6, 1860; Hattie A., July 18, 1863; William E., February 23, 1865; and Anna A., January 16, 1868. During the earlier years of his married life, Mr. Summer made his home with his parents, but at times, resided with his wife’s people. He is now living on a half section of land belonging to R. P. Wells, and is prospering as a farmer and carpenter. He is a member of the Mennonite Church, and is well thought of by his neighbors.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 390, 391 Porter Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Christian Summers was born in Lewis County, State of New York, December 22, 1838; he is one of the nine children comprising the family of Christian and Magdalena (Naffziger) Summers, both of whom were natives of France. When an infant, his parents moved to Canada, and in 1852 they moved to Porter County, Ind. Here Christian resided on the farm until he was twenty-two years of age, when he began railroading on the Pan Handle route. He served ten years as an engineer. In 1874, he resumed the occupation of farming, which he has since followed. On September 12, 1861, he married Barbara Orther, a native of Bavaria. To this union there followed five children, four of whom survive - Ida E. Mary M., Jeannette E. and Clara A. Mr. and Mrs. Summers are members of the Reformed Mennonite Church. Mr. Summers has a good farm of 160 acres in this township, which he has occupied five years. He is much respected by all who know him.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 346 Union Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Alexander L. Sweet, son of Richard and Catherine (Beedle) Sweet, was born in New York July 8, 1800. While yet a child, his mother died, his father being at sea for his health. On the return of the latter, he became insane on hearing of the death of his wife. Alexander’s education was limited, inasmuch as he was compelled to labor at a tender age; but, by hard study, at the age of twenty he became a teacher in a public school; he also learned the carpentering trade, and could manage a farm. When he became twenty-one years old, he went to Canada, where he married Azubah Young, daughter of John Young, by whom he had seven children - John R. (deceased), Joseph W. (deceased), Myron J., Zilpha A., Olyntuhs (deceased), Young A. and Anne A. E. In 1837, he sold his effects and came to this State, locating at La Grange, Noble County, where he farmed two years before coming into this county, and bargaining for thirty acres, but died before he could pay for them. The payment was afterward made by his widow, who now resides upon the land. Mr. Sweet was a Deacon in the Christian Church, a Republican and a respected gentleman. Four of his sons were soldiers in the late war, one of whom, Joseph W., died from disease contracted in the service; he belonged to Company E, Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry; Myron J. and Young A. were in Company I, Fifth Indiana Cavalry; and John R. in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-first Indiana Infantry.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 391 Porter Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Norman B. Tanner was born May 28, 1829, in Munson, Geauga County, Ohio; he is one of ten children born to David and Ruth (Cochron) Tanner, the former of New York and the latter of Massachusetts. Young Tanner lived with his father in Geauga County until 1840, when he moved to Union County, where Norman remained until twenty-one years of age, having received a common school education; he then married Sarah A. Cratty, a native of Union County, August 10, 1850. In 1852, his wife died. After renting awhile, in 1854, he went to Chicago and engaged as boatman, working but a short time, when he came to Porter County and worked in a saw mill, owned by Joel Wicker, of Chicago, until the mill burned in July of 1854; he now engaged in a saw mill on the old plant road near Chesterton, where he served about four years, at the end of which time he rented a farm of Mr. Dillingham. After two and a half years nearly, he bought his present farm of eighty acres of good land, well watered with spring water; he had been married to Sophronia P. Vanslyke, a native of New York. Mr. T. has been engaged more or less in lumbering, wire fence foreman and saw mill, etc., at which he made a success; he engaged in these because of lameness, which prevented his farming. In 1852, he joined the Presbyterian Church, while his present wife was a Baptist. They both afterward joined the Christian Church; he was a member of the I. O. O. F., and at present is a member of the Masonic fraternity; he has held office of Township Assessor for five years successively; he is a strong Republican and used to be a “conductor” on the “underground railroad,” He has five children - Sarah A., Ida M., George D., John L. and Schuyler S.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 368 Liberty Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Nicholas Thoesen, farmer and wood dealer at Burdick, was born in Prussia January 12, 1836, and is the youngest of the four children of Mathies and Anna M. (Jacobs) Thoesen, all of whom are in America; his parents were born in Prussia, and died, his father in 1848, and his mother in 1854. Nicholas Tohesen came to the United States with his brothers in 1857. From then until the beginning of the late war, he was in many places in Indiana, Illinois, and Mississippi. In May, 1861, he enlisted in Battery A, Illinois Light Artillery, seeing service at Pea Ridge and Vicksburg, thence to New Orleans and to Fort Morgan and Fort Gaines. While on the Gulf, he was sent to Springfield for discharge, his term having expired. He lived in La Porte County until 1869, and then came to Porter County. Returning to La Porte County, he lost $1,200 in trade, when he came again to Porter to engage in farming and chopping as a partner of A. Philipson. This season they will handle about two thousand cords. While in La Porte County, he was married to Verona Janney, November 25, 1872. They are members of the Catholic Church of Chesterton. Mr. Thoesen has both and English and German education. He formerly voted the Democratic ticker, but will hereafter support the Greenback cause.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 362 Jackson Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Henry H. Tillotson was born December 18, 1826, near Toronto, Canada; he is the eldest of seven children born to Ira B. and Mariette (Tuttle) Tillotson, the former of Canada, the latter of New York. When Henry was two years old, his parents came to Erie County, Penn.; in about Henry’s eighth year, his father died and he was reared by a man named Donaldson, and when twenty-two he began for himself. He married Matilda Smith, a native of New York, about 1848; they had one child, deceased; his wife died about 1850. Henry then went to St. Louis and engaged in railroading as contractor about two years; then to Chicago, lumbering for a time; he then came to Porter County and began milling, at which he continued for nine years. In 1861, he enlisted in the Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and served in West Virginia. When discharged, he came home and helped recruit the Seventy-third Indiana, and was commissioned Lieutenant, and served under Buell and Rosecrans. Then he went on a raid under Col. Straight to follow Bragg’s army, on which he was captured near Rome, Ga. He lay in Libby prison for a year, then was taken to Macon, Ga., thence to Charleston, S. C., where the prisoners were placed under fire of their own men; thence to Columbia, S. C., and soon after exchanged. They were held at one time as hostages for Morgan - all officers. In 1865, he bought his present farm, 109 acres, less the mill-dam of about 20 acres. He was married before he went into the service to Helen M. Schelenger, a native of Pennsylvania. His farm is good land, all improved. He is a member of two fraternities - Masonic and Odd Fellows; he was also a member of the defunct Grange. He has been Justice of the Peace six years, and was elected again, but resigned; he is a very strong Peter Cooper Greenbacker, and is an intelligent, well informed man and enterprising citizen. He has six children - Ira B., Frank J., John S., Helena R., Jennie, Edwin.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 369 Liberty Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Gilleann (Jones) Trinkle, wife of William Trinkle (deceased). Mr. Trinkle was born in Tennessee May 12, 1804, and was a son of Henry Trinkle, who was also a native of Tennessee, and moved to Washington County, Ind., in an early day, where he remained until death; his family consisted of twelve children, among them being five sons, namely; William, Stephen, Henry, Alfred and John. William, the eldest son, was married in Washington County, Ind., July 25, 1832. Mrs. Trinkle was born in Randolph County, N. C., July 5, 1815. In 1835, Mr. Trinkle moved to Porter County, Ind.; settled on the farm where his widow now lives, remaining until his death, which occurred October 13, 1867. The family consisted of ten children - Nancy (dead), Henry, Catharine, John. Lucinda, Lambert (deceased), Leander, Randolph (deceased), William and Ella. Mrs. Trinkle owns 160 acres of land, and she and husband were the second white settlers of Pleasant Township.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 377 Pleasant Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Alonzo Tucker is a native of the town of Dundee, Kane co., Ill., and was born in 1855. His early pecuniary circumstances were somewhat circumscribed, but he possessed energy and determination, and he labored with a will at farming, while still quite young, to acquire money to provide for his education, neglecting no opportunity, in the meanwhile, of attending school. December 5, 1880, he married Miss Geneva Wirick, and to this union one child (now deceased) was born. Mr. Tucker is now living on a rented farm of one hundred and sixty acres in this township, belonging to Mr. Joseph Jones, and, with the assistance of Mrs. Tucker, is just getting a good start in the world. He is prudent and economical, and with these qualities, added to temperate habits, he has success apparently placed within his grasp.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 391 Porter Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

Frederick Tulley was born in England August 25, 1824, and is the second of the nine children of Charles and Mary Tulley, both of whom were natives of England, the former born in 1797, and the latter in 1807. They remained in England until their deaths, his being in 1879 and hers in 1877. Frederick Tulley remained in England until 1854, when he came to Porter County, Ind., and where he was married, on May 15, 1856, to Eliza A. Hayden, of La Porte County, Ind., born November 19, 1836. She is a daughter of Caleb and Sarah Hayden. In 1868, Mr. Tulley purchased the property on which he now lives, and the following spring occupied the same. The farm embraces eighty-one acres of superior land, which Mr. Tulley has materially improved. Mr. and Mrs. Tulley have no children.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 353 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

John L. Weiler, son of John George and Joanna (Kuemel) Weiler, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, June 24, 1829; his father was a wagon-maker, and John L. worked with him until his twenty-fourth year, when he came to America and followed his trade for four years. Having saved some money, in 1857, he came to this State and purchased forty acres in Section 24 of this township. On July 6, 1857, he was married to Christiana Riecker, by whom he has had thirteen children - George E., Mary C. (deceased), Maria B. (deceased), Franklin W., Louisa J., Paulina J., John L. and Christiana (twins), D. (deceased), Adam and three infants, deceased. By his own diligence and his wife’s assistance, he is now the owner of a fine farm of 220 acres, with a good frame residence. In addition to general farming, he gives attention to stock-rasing. Mr. Weiler is an upright man and a highly esteemed citizen.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 391, 382 Porter Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

B. A. Welch, M. D., was born in Delaware County, Ohio, September 26, 1807. He is the fourth son of eight children born to David and Keziah Welch. Dr. Welch was educated in Delaware County, and at the age of twenty-six began the study of medicine, his father being his preceptor. On June 14, 1823, he was married to Alecta Adams, by whom he had nine children. In 1833, he moved with his father to Union County, Ohio, when he purchased his father’s library and began practice, which he followed until 1838, when he removed to Johnson County, Mo. In 1841, he returned to Delaware County, and attended lectures at Worthington, Ohio, where he graduated, and resumed practice, which he followed until 1848. He also practiced in Van Wert, Ohio. After this time he came to Porter County, where he has since practiced successfully. His wife died at Van Wert, Ohio, in 1870. In 1872, he was married to Anna E. Slain, by whom he had seven children. In 1862, he enlisted as private in the Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was soon made Hospital Steward, and soon after Assistant Surgeon, until his discharge in 1863. He re-enlisted in the Second Ohio Artillery, and served as Assistant Surgeon until the close of the war. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and a highly respected citizen.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 353, 354 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

John Welsh was born in County Meath, Ireland, December 23, 1827; he was one of a family of eight children born to Michael and Mary (Shaw) Welsh, who were natives of Ireland, where they remained until death. In the year 1850, our subject came to Herkimer County, N. Y., where he was married, October 9, 1853, to Margaret Burns, who was born in County Louth, Ireland, November 1, 1830. Shortly afterward, he moved to La Porte County, Ind., where he engaged in cheesemaking four years, after which he engaged in farming, remaining until 1859, when he moved to Porter County, where he has remained since. In 1863, he purchased and moved on the farm on which he now lives; he owns 385 acres of land in this county and 240 in Bourbon County, Kan.; he has a family of four children - John W., Henry C., Sarah A. and Joseph H.; he and wife are members of the Catholic Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 377, 378 Pleasant Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing

F. A. White was born in Porter County, Ind., March 21, 1851; he is a son of William and Adaline White; he was married in Porter County, September 25, 1874, to Alice C. Hall, of Porter County, born January 8, 1859; she was a daughter of Philip and Sarah A. Hall, who were both natives of Virginia; by this marriage, Mr. and Mrs. White have had two children - Charles E. and Willis A. Soon after his marriage, Mr. White moved on his mother’s farm, where he remained a short time, and afterward purchased and occupied the farm on which he now resides; this is a valuable property, and contains 200 acres. Mr. White is a respected citizen and a worthy man. Both he and Mrs. White are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Source: “Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana, Historical and Biographical,” Goodspeed and Blanchard, 1882 page 354 Morgan Township
Data entry volunteer: Suzan Schaeffing