Happy 200th Birthday Tippecanoe County, Indiana: Cornerstone Day Draws Magnificent Crowd

 Part 1 of 2: A History of Tippecanoe County as told by Pioneers in 1882

Indiana General Assembly Enacts Formation of Tippecanoe County on January 26, 1826

From The Lafayette Weekly Courier (Lafayette, Indiana) – Tues., Oct 31, 1882

Did you know that Tippecanoe County, Indiana, has thirteen separate townships with unique and distinct histories?  Over the next twelve months, the America/Indiana 250 Committee for Tippecanoe County will be sharing historical stories related to the people and places of these thirteen townships. We also welcome submissions from those who would like to share family histories and related photos to be included in the 250^th anniversary memoirs for Tippecanoe County. 

The Indiana General Assembly enacted the formation of Tippecanoe County on January 26, 1826, out of Wabash County. Prior to that date, “all the territory embraced in that wide district of land lying north of Montgomery County as far as Lake Michigan was called Wabash County and was attached to Montgomery County for judicial purposes.”

In October 1882, the leaders of Tippecanoe County hosted a “Cornerstone Day” to commemorate the rich history of the community. Colonel William C. Wilson, a respected attorney, and one who was known throughout the country as a great orator, was chosen to serve as the Orator of the Day for the grand event. He shared some Tippecanoe County’s early history in that speech, which was published in the October 31, 1882 Lafayette Weekly Courier:

“Fellow Countrymen, No duty could have been assigned me, by my fellow citizens, which I would endeavor to execute with great alacrity than the one I am now called upon to perform. For my whole life a resident of this valley, every motive capable of interesting prompt me to its execution. To commemorate the virtues, hardships and exploits of brave and good men is at all times a pleasing task; but when too superior talent and merit is added, that of being pioneer builders of so beautiful a country as this, it is doubly instructive and significant, inasmuch as it teaches us to appreciate and cherish this good and, this free form of government, this pure worship of conscience, these schools of popular learning, by reminding us by how much tribulation these best gifts of God to man have been secured to us. As we recall the dangers, the suffering and the triumphs of venerated ancestors and hold them up as models of patriotism and virtue, it only enables us the more to realize the serene and august presence of our country and swells the heart with full flood of American feeling.

Fifty-three years ago the pioneer settlers of Tippecanoe County assembled, upon this very ground, to execute a duty like that which is this day being performed. Since that time what astonishing changes hath “God wrought” in the prospects and condition of the people.

It is, therefore, with undiminished joy that I behold this vast assemblage, filled with patriotic pride and sparkling with delight, to consecrate, in the name of “truth and justice,” this magnificent edifice, “erected by the people of Tippecanoe County,” and by them dedicated “to public use.”

I shall therefore endeavor, pay countrymen, briefly to review what has been accomplished by enterprise and energy, loftily, heroically directed, and endeavor to forecast the future of this beautiful county in which it has pleased God to permit us to dwell.

On the 26^th day of January 1826, the General Assembly of the State of Indiana passed an act creating the municipality known as the county of Tippecanoe. Its territory contains 504 square miles. The surface of which is gently undulating with extensive level plains. About one half of the territory is composed of beautiful prairies, and the other half equality divided between rich border and heavily timbered lands. The land is very rich and fertile and is well-watered by the Wabash, Tippecanoe, Wild Cat, Wea, Burnett’s Creek, Flint, Lauramie, Buck Creek and other lesser streams, flowing through different portions of the county. Most of the streams afford valuable water power and all are well-supplied with fish of the finest variety. This beautiful valley was the home of the Indian for a period beyond the memory of man. Here they hunted the buffalo, the elk, the beaver and the otter; fished in the rivers; held their councils and solemn festivals; performed their war dances and worshipped the Great Spirit, whose beneficence had crowned them with so many blessings and had placed them in such an early paradise.

B. Wilson Smith, Col. DeHart, & Robert Hatcher at site of Fort Ouiatenon

The Jesuit missionaries were the first white men to traverse this region, in their efforts to reclaim to
civilization the Indian tribes. They were charmed with the beauty and fertility of the country and its wonderful resources, and upon their return to Canada and France, they gave such glowing descriptions that their enterprising and mercurial countrymen determined to add it to the possessions of the territory and erected posts to maintain their authority at Vincennes and Ouiatenon, eight miles southwest of Lafayette, and so industrious were the French in planting themselves firmly in the country, that by 1754 they had seventeen posts lying northwest of the Ohio River.

By the Treaty of Paris, concluded on the 10^th day of February, 1763, the French ceded to Great Britain all that portion of New France lying on the east side of the Mississippi River, except the island and the town of New Orleans, and on the same day by secret treaty ceded to Spain all her possessions on the west side of the Mississippi, and thereby the dominion of France, which had lasted nearly a hundred years, ended in America forever. At the treaty of peace between Great Britain and the United Colonies in 1783, the former ceded to the latter all her possessions on the east side of the Mississippi River, and consequently, Virginia claimed the immense territory northwest of the Ohio, which, she in turn, in 1787, ceded to the United States. From that period until the year 1822, the country now embraced within the borders of Tippecanoe County was almost an undiscovered empire. Mr. Helm says that anterior to 1822, the territory of Tippecanoe County was in a state of nature, rarely traversed by the foot of a white man.

Soon after the passage of the act creating the county, preliminary steps were taken by the settlers to put in motion the local government, and consequently, the first meeting of the justices, who by virtue of the act, were vested with the municipal authority, was held at the residence of James Brockman, on the 8^th day of July, 1826. There were present as justices: William Bush, Levi Thornton, Stephen Kennedy, and John Russel, Esqs. William Bush was elected as president. The Board examined the returns of the commissioners appointed to locate the county seat, the said commissioners locating the seat of justice at the town of Lafayette. The Board received donations from Reuben Rodney, ten acres of ground; from Robert Alexander, ten acres of land; from Samuel Sargeant, ten acres of land; from John Wilson, I.C. Elston, Jonathan W. Powers, and Samuel Sargeant, all the even numbered lots in the town of Lafayette.

The Board further directed that all that part of Tippecanoe County west of the Wabash River should be known by the name of Wabash Township; that all that part lying north of Big Wea should be known as Fairfield Township; and all that part of said county lying south of the Big Wea, be known by the name of Randolph Township.

Samuel Black, Esq., was appointed treasurer, and thus, my fellow-citizens, was set in motion your present municipal authority.

At the September session, 1826, the first road was laid out in the county, commencing at the public ground, upon which we now stand, and running on the best and most suitable ground in the direction of Crawfordsville to the southern extremity of the county, and Adam DeHart, John McFarland, and Levi Dickson were appointed to view and locate the same.

The first allowance made against the treasury was in favor of Reuben Kelsey for twenty-five dollars, money advanced, and five dollars for services; and at the March term, 1827, the sum of two dollars was allowed to James Brockman for “house rent to hold court in up to this date.” At the May term, 1827, the Board determined to build a jail on the southeast corner of the public square, to be built of square timber, twelve inches square. The contract for this work was sold to Thomas Trekel, he being “the lowest bidder,” for $260.

At the March term, 1829, the Board ordered that the county agent be directed to have a courthouse built as near the center of the Public Square as the nature of the ground will admit, after the following fashion, to-wit: Size, forty square feet in the clear, and the upper story to be twelve feet in the clear; the cupola and roof to be framed substantially. The building is to have a fireplace in each corner, &c. &c.  Such was our first Court House; and who is there indeed whose heart is so dead to every poetical or romantic feeling, as not to be moved with deep emotion, as he recalls to mind the many tragic scenes transacted within the walls of that rude structure. Here was heard the magic and glittering eloquence of the gifted Hannegan; here was witnessed the imperial presence and calm logic of Howard; the smooth and artistic finish of white; the careful and painstaking labors of Ingram; the bluff and forcible arguments of Petitt and Lockwood, and the smooth and ardent skill of Mace. Here sat the cultured and learned Porter and the brave, honest and sturdy Naylor, clothed in the ermine of justice. They have all passed away; but the rich fragrance of their memory still lingers about the temple of justice, and may it fully inspire those who come after them to strive to attain the distinction with which they were so greatly honored by their countrymen.

In the year 1827, the total amount of county tax was $221.97 ½.

The first deed recorded in the county was made by Edward Corbin to John B. Chapman in consideration of $50. It was witnessed by Morgan Shortridge and George Henkle, and acknowledged before Levi Thornton, Justice of the Peace, and recorded in Book A, Page 1. Today the record of deeds occupy seventy-seven large volumes.

The first marriage celebrated in the county was that of William Trenary and Rebecca Franklin. It was solemnized by Levi Thorton, Esq. on the 21 day of November, 1826.

The first will probated was that of James Miller, which was done on the 12^th day of November, 1826.

The first school in Lafayette was taught by Joseph Tatman in the winter of 1827-28.

The first court was held by the Hon. John R. Porter as President Judge on the 26^th day of September, 1826; at which Samuel Hoover was appointed Clerk, and the first regular session began at 10 a.m. on the 4^th day of June, and ended on the 8^th day of June, 1827.

The first case upon the docket was the appeal of James Thornton against John I. Davidson.

The Methodists here, as elsewhere throughout the West, were the pioneers in the spread of the gospel. They held class and prayer meetings at the house of John Huntsiger, as early as 1825. The first church building erected by them was dedicated in 1830, the Rev. Dr. John Strange and James Armstrong conducting the services. They were strong and powerful men.

The Presbyterian church was organized on the 26^th day of May, 1828, by Rev. James Crawford being the first pastor, and in February, 1830, the grand old man and noble Christian worker, Rev. James A. Carnahan, was its pastor.

Archibald Hatcher

The Order of Free Masons made an early lodgment among the primitive settlers of Tippecanoe County, and the members of the craft, by their deportment in society, exerted an influence for good which has extended to these days. The first branch of the order  was established on the 24^th day of May, 1842, and had enrolled amongst its members, Thos. T. Brainbridge, William Medicus, James F. Brown, E. Deming, A. Fry, Archibald Hatcher, John B. Seamans, and John Taylor. The wonderful programs of this society is demonstrated by the grand pageant this day presented to the eye.

In no part of Indiana has the order of Odd Fellows obtained a more commanding position than in Tippecanoe County. It was instituted on the 15th of November, 1843, and numbered amongst its first members, Geo. W. McLaughlan, Jas. M. Stockwell, J. B. McFarland, James M. Stockton, to whom were soon added J. G. Carnahan, R. S. Ford, and H. T. Sample.

(Stay Tuned for Part 2)