Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-04-07
Written for the Marshall Co. Republican,
Marshall County.--Its Early History.
BY WARREN TAYLOR.
CHAPTER Nv.


which published will enable US to ascertain
4 with considerable degree Of correctness who our
citizens were twenty-five years ago. Some OF
these early settlers have removed tsf other parts
some have died, and some arc vet with u.s. Con-
siderable changes have passed before their eyes.
Surrounded then with almost unbrokcn wilder
ness, they the country around them adorn-
ed with farms, orchards, elegant dwellings, and
other marks of civilization.
In October, 1886, the first Circuit Court was held
in Plymouth From records found in the Clerk $
Office. it appears that at this Court the following
6cers were present: Samuel c. Sample, Circuit
Judge; Sidney Williams and Peter Shredder, As
sociate Judges; Jeremiah Muncy, Clerk; Abncr
Caldwell, Sheriff; and Joseph L. Jcncygan, Prose-
cutting Attorney. The following gentlemen were
admitted members of the bar, viz: John II. Brad
ley. Gustavus Everts. William c. Ross, Joseph l..
Jerneygan, and Jonathan A. Liston. During this
term Of Court, which appears to have lasted but
two days, the Grand and Petit Juries we're impan-
nelled, and nine cases were disposed of. Judge
Sample whom the most Of our old citizens recollect
was mn of great abilities, both kJurist and
Statesman. After filling the Office of Judge for
several yc he resi- d. not E.r from the year
lS44, was elected to Congress. Subsequently he
became President Of the Branch Bank at South
Bsn.l, and was, / believe, acting in this capacity
when he died.
In my last number, alluded to tho purchase of
the Indian reserves in Marshall County. The
news of this purchase soon brought to these re-
serves many white settlers, who were called squat
tiers. as the lands were not then in market. These
settle would build house, and sometimes mike
mill Improvement upon the quarter section
which they wished to secure. This was consider
ed as establishing their claims. During the year
1886 and 1897. the most of the Aubenaubee and
Mcnomonee reserves, were in this way taken up.
The lnlians who still lived upon their grounds re-
s,rded those settlers as intrudcrs: disputes fire.
quently took place between them, but none Of
them. 50 far as know, terminated seriously. A
bout this time Congress passed a precmption law,
which secured l6) acres at % per acre, to all
actual settlers upon United, States Lands, if these
lands were p,id for within a specified time. The
settlers of our were included within the
provisions of this act, and the most of them sue
c,edcd in paving Tor their claims. These reserves
n)w contain many beautiful and well cultivated
FARMS
Sometime during the year 1896 another store
WIS opened in Plymouth by Mcssrs. Hobson and
Gregory. Their store room was log building,
which stool on the ground now occupied by the
Hirdware orc Of II. B. Dixon & Co., and the
Branch Bank at Plymouth At the close of tae
wear above mentioned, there were in Plymouth, so
far as can ascertain, about one dozen families-
Tint the population Of Marshall county during
'35 experienced rapid increase, Is cvidcnt from
the vote that east in August of that year.
Tie entire number of voters was l39 and il is prob
able that there were in the county at this time,
nearly quite that number Of families
In March. 1887, Union township was organized,
lnl the house Of WIliam Thompson was selected
Is the place for holding the elections of said town.
hip. Not far from this time the Goshen, the
Leesburg, and some other important roads were
riewcd and located.
In these times our COMMISSIONER Courts we're
held monthly, and our Circuit Courts twice during
he year. The second term OF the Circuit Court
Vas held in March, 81, and the third in September
70 owing The records indicate that during these
terms considerable amount Of business was trans
ac.el- At this September term John b. Niles and
Pc or A. Cosdry were admitted as members Of the
bar Several ofthe Attorneys which have been
m ,n'ioned in this number, are undoubtedly remem-
Del cd BY many of citizens. or William O.
Ross an Peter Cowdry, know nothing, conse-
Iuenty cannot describe them. Joseph L. Jer-
'eyssn. whom we have frequently seen and heard,
S dead. as have been informed. He was an a
lie lawyer and an eloquent speaker. John H. Brad .
ey. Ian elder brother of Judge lanes Bradley,)
as attained to great celebrity as member of the
esal professian- He is now, believe, at Indian
polls, engaged in extensive law practice. Gus
avus Everis, an able jurist but somewhat eccen ,
ric man, removed many years ago to Texas, and of
us career thcro am unacquainted. John b. Niles
nd Jonathan A. Liston well known as able
nsmbcrs Of the bar.
In the fall Of 1857 there were probably in Piym
nth from fifteen to twenty dwellings and several
ther buildings. Mr.. A. L. Wheeler had erected a
~ge store building, which was now filled with an
xtensive assortment Of goods. Mr. BENJAMIN
Iress was selin goods in the north part of Plym-
nth near the Court House square. Messrs. E. b.
[obson, Chester Rose, and David Steele, were al
, merchandising q . small scale. There were at y
lis time two = 1ree s>verns in the place, the :
rincipal Of vhich Vas The Y GLOW River House. :.
hich had been built by Judge Pomcroy, but was ;.
'w believe under the proprictorshp of some :.
her person. With few exceptions, the buildings :.
Plymouth at this period were small. poorly built !,
ructurcs, and the village presented rather un-
shty appearance. A considerable part of the
ound now covered with houses and cultivated u
to, was then in state of nature side walks, "a
u best buildings. and majority Of al she build q
g which Plymouth at present contains, are CON- :.
ratively Of modern origin. - T