Washington Township dates its birth from the organization of Porter County in 1836. The name Washington is indicative of the sterling worth and patriotic principles of the pioneer settlers. William Morgan, from Wayne County, Ohio, is said to be the first white man to settle in what is now Washington Township. He settled on the northern part of the prairie that bears his name early in the spring of 1833. The other first settlers besides William and Isaac Morgan, with their places nativity, were George B. Cline, Union County, Ind.; Adam S. Campbell, Chautauqua County, N.Y.; Reason Bell, Wayne County, Ohio. During the same year, Rufus Van Pool pitched a claim on what is now the Oaks farm. In the fall, the house of this man was destroyed by fire, and he was compelled to move his family back to La Porte County, but returned in the following spring, and remained until the land sale in 1835; after purchasing his claim at the Government price, he sold out to David Oaks. In 1833 or 1834, Jacob Coleman located and made improvements two miles southeast of Prattville. In 1834, James Blair pitched his claim near what is now called Coburg, and began to cultivate the soil, and to make improvements. During the same year, Isaac Weninger came into the settlement, and located on what is now known as the Crumpacker farm. Ruel Starr, the same year, occupied the Starr farm. In the spring of 1833, Samuel Flint and Seth Hull came into the township. Flint made the first improvements at Prattville. During the fall, Hall sold his claim to J.S. Wallace and left the settlement. Among these early settlers were found, John Huntly, a Mr. Banner and a Mr. Johnson; these men being without families, did not locate permanently. In 1834, James Baun came into the township and purchased a farm, paying $450 for 160 acres of land. At this early date no roads were found in the township; these pioneers were compelled to follow the old Sac trail, which passed near the present site of Valparaiso. EARLY HOMES. The log cabin of the early settlers was built, owing to the shortness of the timber, about 18 x 22 feet, and if more room was desired, two of these were built side by side with a door between; often they were placed some distance apart, the space between roofed over, and called a stoop. The chimney was built of flat sticks, covered with what was known as cat-in-the-clay, this being composed of straw or swamp grass, cut fine and mixed with the clay. The chimney was built upon the outside of the cabin, usually at the end. The roof was covered with shakes, with weight-poles to hold them to their places. The inside of the cabin compared very favorably with the outside. Wooden pegs took the place of nails or hooks; the table and chairs, as well as the rest of the household furniture, were usually of home manufacture, and were necessarily of the rudest pattern. Whenever a house of this kind was to be built, the word was given out, and the settlers flocked into what was known as the raising. The first house was built in 1834, situated on the outlet of Flint's Lake, in Section 16, and it is said that about thirty settlers were present, this number including nearly all the able-bodied men of the settlement. The early settlers obtained their supplies at first from La Porte County, afterward from Michigan City; these supplies were hauled across the county with oxen. For several years the nearest flouring-mill was located at Kingsbury, where all the grinding of the settlement was done. The first crop planted was corn, followed by the other cereals now raised in the township. In one or two instances, farmers are said to have gone eighty or ninety miles, in order to obtain proper seed to plant in the soil of their new farms. At this early date, venison was one of the principal sources of food, the settlers depending largely upon this for their supply of meat. Hunting was one of the leading occupations, it being no extra-ordinary feat for one man to kill as high as 100 deer in one winter. The first settlers who led the way were soon followed by others, and before the land sale, in 1835, a large number of settlers' cabins could be counted. The raw prairie and wild woodland were being rapidly converted into beautiful farms and happy homes; better times were coming to the pioneers, who endured so many privations in order to secure comfortable residences. They were soon to reap the results of braving the Western wilds and leaving behind them the benefits and advantages of a fully developed country. The first white child born in this township was Reason Bell, son of Reason and Sarah Bell, of Wayne County, Ohio, his birth occurring January 11, 1834. ORGANIZATION. Up to the time of the land sale in 1835, the early settlers held what is known as a squatter's claim. The majority bought the land they occupied, while some of them sold their claims to other settlers. After the township survey, many of them found their land cut up by township lines and roads. One instance is given, in which John Coleman, Russell Brayton and Stephen Brayton found themselves occupying the same eighty acres of land. The first township election was held at the house of Isaac Morgan, on the 13th of April, 1836, for the purpose of electing two Justices of the Peace. The following named persons voted at this election: Adam S. Campbell, David S. Holland, Benjamin Saylor, Levi Chamberton, John Saylor, Jacob Jorden, Seth Winslow, Warren Pierce, W.B. Smith, Andrew Ault, Reason Bell, George B. Cline, Wilson McLane, Frederick Yeager, Reason Reed, Joseph Todd, Michael Ault, Hiram Webster, Isaac Morgan, John Shinabarger, Henry Rinker, Daniel Drulinger, John Robinson, Warner Winslow, Isaac Werninger, Jacob Fleming, James Blair, Nelson Smith, peter Cline, William Morgan, Anthony Boggs, Jesse McCord, John R. Sargent, Robert Fleming, Joseph Brewer and Clark Babcock. Isaac Morgan was appointed Inspector of this election; he returned the following report. We, the undersigned Inspector and Judges of an election held at the house of Isaac Morgan, on the 13th day of April, 1836, do certify that for the office of Justice of the Peace Henry Rinker received 23 votes, White B. Smith 20 votes and Peter Cline 17 votes. In the same year, it was ordered by the Board of Commissioners, that Adam S. Campbell and Reason Bell be app9ointed Overseers of the Poor for Washington Township; Peter Cline, Supervisor of Roads; George B. Cline and John Shinabarger, Fence Viewers, which last office was fully dispensed with. EARLY INDUSTRIES. In 1834, David Oaks kept a tavern near Prattville. He continued in the business for several years. During the years 1835 and 1836, a hotel was built about one mile north of Prattville. The building cost about $500 or $600. This tavern was owned and conducted by John Shinnabarger. The hotel was a two-story building, the other dimensions being 20 x 45 feet. The hall in the upper story was used as a ball room, where the young people of the neighborhood could meet and shake the light fantastic toe to their heart's content. The business of tavern-keeping was remunerative. During the years of 1834 or 1835, almost every day wagon trains could be seen wending their way over the rough roads toward the undeveloped West, where they expected to find room to build up homes of thrift and industry. There were no roads of any importance in the township up to this time. The first road was one that followed an Indian trail which passed through Prattville. In 1835, Adam S. Campbell opened a boot and shoe shop on the farm now owned by his son. He brought his original stock from York State. In this shop, the boots and shoes of the settlement were manufactured. In 1835, Russell Brayton opened the first blacksmith shop in the township. It was located near Prattville. During the year 1852, Edward brown and Mr. Mills built a steam saw-mill at Prattville. The engine was of 25-horse power, and was obtained at Coldwater, Mich., at a cost of $2,000. It required a considerable amount of labor to bring the frame from Michigan City, but the task was at last accomplished. The frame work of the mill cost about $1,000, making the entire cost of the mill about $3,000, as near as can be remembered. The saw was simple upright sash saw. This mill was purchased in 1835 by Daniel S. and Theron White. During the same year, the new owners added a small run of buhrs, one for grinding corn, the other for wheat. They also put in three bolts. This addition to the saw-mill cost about $1,000. The machinery was run by the same engine that was used for the saw-mill. This mill was completed so that in 1836 a fair article of flour was turned out. At the present writing, the saw-mill remains, much improved in capacity and machinery, but the flour-mill has long since been discontinued. PRATTVILLE. In 1841, the village of Prattville, was laid out by Thomas Pratt, who erected a blacksmith shop, also moved a small frame house about one mile, and improved it by additions, until it answered for a dwelling. The original owners of the ground on which Prattville was laid out were William Morgan and Peter and George Cline. The life of Prattville was destined to be short, and to-day the town exists only in name. TAXATION. During the year 1842, the entire tax paid by the residents of Washington Township amounted to $262.61. There were 13,824.86 acres of land, valued, together with the improvements, at $47,815. The total amount of taxable property in the township was $60,643. The total amount assessed was $705.79. Not more than two-thirds of this amount was ever paid into the county treasury. Counties of Porter and Lake, Indiana Historical and Biographical Weston A. Goodspeed, Historical Editor Charles Blanchard, Biographical Editor F.A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1882.