MAXWELL BRINGS SIGNIFICANT HONOR

This story originally appeared as a V-M Viewpoint in The Vidette-Messenger on March 12, 1970.

A 35-year-old Morgan Township resident has brought significant honor to local agriculture and to Porter County.

Phillip A. Maxwell, who lives on Indiana 49 a mile south of U. S. 30, has just been acclaimed as Indiana Jaycees’ 1970 Outstanding Young Farmer. The award stamped the former Morgan Township High School athlete as the best in the state among an imposing entry list of 17 other statewide Jaycee club preliminary winners.

As recipient of the Indiana Jaycees OYF award, Maxwell will now represent the state at a national contest in Belleville, Ill., April 5 through 8, a distinct honor for any young man.

Winner of the local Jaycees’ first OYF award earlier this year, the judges at that time demonstrated their choice of Maxwell was no accident. This young farmer “works at his trade.”

To be eligible as a nominee for local, state, and national competition, participants had to be between 21 and 35 years of age, and derive a minimum of two-thirds of their income from farming.

Judging was done on the basis of progress in agricultural careers, soil, and natural resources conservation, and civic and social contributions to community, state, and nation.

The Porter County entry filled all these requirements admirably.

(Phil) was born into a farming family and was reared on the homestead he now occupies. Not content with getting by with the practical aspects of farming he had learned throughout his boyhood, Maxwell went to Purdue University, where he obtained a BS degree in animal husbandry.

In the 10 years he has solely operated a farm, Maxwell has consistently tried new ways to increase his profits. This includes a switch from dry to liquid fertilizer, for corn and beans; planting corn on unplowed ground; use of chemicals; and narrow plantings.

And, this young man has a goal; to expand hog production by investing in new buildings and automation.

Maxwell, operator of 1,130 acres of land, of which 1,053 are tillable, says he is farming “because I believe I can contribute more to a rural community, and feel there is no better place to raise a family and live a wholesome family life.”

He is raising a family, Cheri, 10, Debra, 8, and Mark, eight months, with his wife, the former Jane Smoker, of the prominent Wanatah area farming family.

His farming innovations hav been definite contributions to Porter County’s rural community.

Winner of the first two plateaus in local and state competition, Maxwell now goes on to the national event and possibly more honors next month.

He will take with him the best wishes of Valparaiso, Porter County, and the entire state.

LOVE OF BEES RECALLED IN HISTORY OF FARMER FROM LIBERTY TOWNSHIP

Apiary of T. S. Bull – Porter County pioneer Theodore S. Bull, who died March 30, 1891, at age 62, was commended highly in issue of American Bee Journal for system and management employed in large apiary on Farm in Liberty Township. Apiary in front of barn at right, contained 100 colonies producing honey primarily for northern states markets.

This story by Rollie Bernhart originally appeared in The Vidette-Messenger on March 23, 1964.

More than a century ago, Theodore S. Bull achieved a reputation as a beekeeper of note. His apiary on the family farm in Liberty Township, across the road from what is now Moss Lake CYO camp, was known far and wide for its unusual system, methods, and management.

According to history, Bull, grandfather of Theodore A. Bull, Washington Township, became interested in bees about four years after his birth on March 20, 1829, in Cayuga County, New York.

Whether the following account was actually the beginning of his interest in bees, apparently is not agreed upon in the genealogy of the Bull family, but at least it was a start toward the vocation in which Bull received a wide reputation.

Bags Bees

“One day, upon hearing some older members of the family telling of a bee ree having been cut, he learned where the tree was located and after preparing a box, went in search of the bees. He secured about a quart (bees, not honey).”

“Not knowing how to winter the bees, he was advised to bury them, as they would live without food. They all died. His interest survived, however, and grew with him,” the biographical sketch added.

Bull, following this experience, began to devote much time to the study of bees and their habits. He would stand for hours watching bees in movement until darkness prevented further study.”

When he was 16 years old, his father, noting his son’s increasing love for bees, bought him a colony and a patented three-brood chambered hive.

Studies Habits

Thus, from this initial colony and equipment, until he came to Porter County in 1850 with his parents, he spent his leisure hours in examining the life and progress of the little, buzzing, honey-making critters.

Two years after coming to the Liberty Township farm in Porter County, he began to expand from the original bee colony.

Seeing a swarm of bees entering a hallow tree on the farm he managed to secure them and kept them in a box-hive. Ever on the alert for progressive beekeeping equipment which would enable safe wintering, he decided upon a new moveable frame hive called the “Cottage Bee Hive.” Six colonies of bees survived in these new hives.

In 1872, Bull purchased three additional colonies of bees, according to history the only ones he ever bought.

100 Colonies

Because of his intense interest, continuous study and inherent love for the buzzing little comb builders, Bull’s apiary reached a total of 100 colonies at its peak. He never, after his initial experience at the age of four, lost a colony during the cold winters.

From the 100 colonies, Bull was able to sell several thousand pounds of excellent honey annually. His primary market was consumers in the northern states, although most of the home markets in Valparaiso and surrounding area sold the product.

Described as a man of medium size, of sanguine, nervous temperature, Bull was found of reading solid literature, especially that on bee-culture.

The reputation he finally achieved before his unexpected death on March 30, 1891, at the age of 62, is best contained in an article in the American Bee Journal.

“His apiary was kept in a very neat matter, as was his excellent farm. His methods and systematic management were admired by all its visitors. It afforded him the greatest pleasure to show his hives and explain his methods.”

March 5, 1971: Honor Tilton, 93

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on March 5, 1971.

Honor Tilton, 93

By ROLLIE BERNHART

Ira C. Tilton, 93, lawyer, author, lecturer and teacher, was honored by the Porter County Bar Association Thursday for 57 years of dedicated service to the legal profession.

Atty. Herb Douglas, member of the association’s honors committee, presented the dean of Porter County lawyers with a gavel plaque in his study at 405 Garfield.

Tilton fought back tears of gratitude as Douglas read the inscription, “In recognition of 57 years of service to the citizens of Porter County in active practice of law and Jurisprudence in Porter County in active practice of law and Jurisprudence in Porter County, Ind., by Ira C. Tilton. Presented by the Porter County Bar Association, March 4, 1971.”
Douglas made the presentation on behalf of Honors Committee chairman Quentin Blachly, who was out of the city.

A letter was read from Porter Superior Court Judge Russell Nixon, also unable to attend because of business reasons, who went back a “respectable distance” in local history to reminisce about Tilton and other members of the legal profession.

“My happy memories of those days,” Nixon wrote, “include many conversations and discussions with you, and down through the years that followed, my contact with you was always pleasant, even when adversary. We are members of a great profession. To have performed well in it is indeed an honor, and worthy of any tribute. I add my good wishes to those of your many friends.”

Tilton also received a congratulatory telegram from 2nd District Congressman Earl F. Landgrebe.

On hand to honor Tilton and listen to him reminisce about his family tree and the county legal profession after he was admitted to practice on Jan. 14, 1914 were Bar Association members George Douglas, Eng Zimmerman Jr., Circuit Court Judge Alfred J. Pvarnik, Superior Court Judge Russell Willis, James W. Chester, Raymond Kickbush; Mrs. Avery Weaver, Tilton’s daughter and law partner, Mr. Weaver, and Rollie Bernhart (who also goes back a respectable distance) of The Vidette-Messenger.

The hour spent with Tilton resulted in a remarkable demonstration of a keen and analytical mind despite advanced years. Tilton will have a 94th birthday in December.

Coming to Valparaiso from Kansas, Tilton graduated from Valparaiso University in 1909. In the years following admittance to practice law, Tilton served as city attorney, county attorney, deputy prosecutor, Circuit Court Judge, Democratic county chairman for 10 years, member of the Valparaiso School Board, and was the organizer of the PTA in Porter County.

For Service

Atty. Ira C. Tilton holds gavel plaque presented him Thursday by Atty. Herb Douglas on behalf of Porter County Bar Association in tribute to 93-year-old lawyer’s 57 years of legal service to citizens if Porter County

Jan. 30, 1951: 48,900 Marriage Licenses Issued Here In 115 Years

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 30, 1951.

48,900 Marriage Licenses Issued Here In 115 Years

By ENG. ZIMMERMAN, Sr.

Since Porter county was founded in 1836, or 115 years ago, a lot of people have agreed to “love, honor and cherish one another as long as they shall live,” according to records in the office of County Clerk Freeman Lane.

Dan Cupid, bow and arrow, and ever active since men and women have agreed to throw in their lot and try to make a go of it, has ushered 48,900 couples to the altar during those 115 years. The books in the county clerk’s office revealed that since that first marriage license was issued to Richard Henthorne and Jane Spurlock on May 5, 1836, by the first county clerk, George W. Turner, 97,800 persons have taken oaths in the office of the county clerk in the applications for marriage licenses.

According to the records, there were 14 marriage licenses granted at the clerk’s office in 1836. Between 1837 and 1840 there were 109 licenses issued, and between 1840 and 1850, the total number was 364.

From 1851 to 1955, 415 licenses were issued, and from 1856 to 1860, there were 531. In the civil war period of 1861 to 1865 they increased to 624, and the post-war period, 1865 to 1970, brought about a further increase, 760 being issued during those years.

During the five-year period from 1871 to 1875, inclusive, a total of 700 licenses were issued. The record further reveals issuance of licenses as follows: 1876 to 1880, 733: 1881 to 1885, 936; 1886 to 1890, 810; 1891 to 1895, 878; 1896 to 1900, 778; 1901 to 1905, 941.

New Marriage Law

In 1906 the new marriage law, requiring additional data from marriage applicants and signed statements that they are not afflicted with communicable diseases, nor had ever been an inmate of an insane asylum or feeble-minded institution, went into effect.

Marriages from 1906 to 1910 showed an increase rather than a decrease under the new law. During the period 983 licenses were issued. The next five-year period, 1911 to 1915, a still further increase was shown, a total of 1,217 permits being filed. This mark was surpassed during the next five years, from 1916 to 1920, when a total of 1,682 couples obtained licenses.

During the five-year period from 1921 to 1925, Valparaiso began to capitalize on the fact that it was within proximity to Chicago, Illinois couples began to come here for permits. Marriage business began to increase and the records reveal that 2,276 obtained licenses.

The boom era between 1926 and 1930 brought many couples to Valparaiso, and a checkup shows that 5,720 licenses were issued during that time. The next five years, 1931 to 1935 were almost equally as good, a total of 5,450 couples taking out permits.

Since 1936 the local marriage license bureau has enjoyed a banner business. The year 1936 in which 1,981 licenses were issued, was followed by one of the biggest booms in the marriage business ever experienced in the history of the county. The year 1937 brought Valparaiso into the limelight as a Gretna Green because of a court injunction which halted issuance of licenses at Crown Point to any but persons living in Lake county. As the injunction did not apply to Porter county, Chicago couples, who sought to evade the restrictions imposed in Lake county, came to Porter county to have the knot tied. A total of 4,218 licenses were issued during the year, the major portion coming during the last six months.

Supreme Court Ruling

A ruling of the Indiana supreme court in January 1938, in which it held an old state law constitutional, making it necessary for the bride to be a resident of the county in which the licenses is obtained, curtailed somewhat the flood of marriageable inclined couples to this city. Despite this, 2,800 licenses were issued.

Because the ancient Indiana law failed to elaborate on the residence provision, clerks in many counties continued to issue licenses where the bride claimed she was a resident of the county where the application was made. Many Chicago and out-of-the-state brides-to-be were thus able to obtain permits and sidestep the law.

The passage of the Indiana hygienic marriage law in 1940, which became effective after March 1 of that year, requiring applicants to submit to a medical examination cut down the number of marriage permits issued. However, a total of 1,661 couples were licensed during 1940.

From 1941 to 1950 the business never approached the volume of the years before the physical test law went into effect. However, the 10-year period produced 10,185 permits.

The years 1942 and 1946 were the banner ones with 1,045 and 1,245 licenses, respectively. Last year the total was 960.

Persons participating in marriage rites since the county was formed exceeds by nearly 57,000 the present population of Porter county. The figures show that on an average 413 licenses have been issued per year. The total number of licenses is 9,000 more than the present population of the county.

Dec. 7, 1940: Born Before ‘84? It Will Be Hard Thing To Prove!

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on December 7, 1940.

Born Before ‘84? It Will Be Hard Thing To Prove!

Porter county residents born before 1884 will find it impossible to get statistical records in Valparaiso and Porter county to establish their age in event it is needed for old age assistance grants or employment purposes.

An investigation made by a Vidette-Messenger reporter Friday revealed the fact that Porter county records on birth go back only fifty-six years, and in some of the years the records are incomplete, due to improper recording.

In the case of Valparaiso citizens the records are available from only 104 and part of the statistics covering the period from 1914 to 1926 are embraced in the Porter county records, the health officer during that time being in charge of both city and county recordings.

At the office of Dr. George R. Douglas, county health officer, it was ascertained that about 35 persons, mostly those seeking employment with factories and other firms, apply monthly for duplicate birth certificates. The number who applied at the office of Dr. J.C. Brown, Valparaiso city health officer, was reported to be considerably less.

Both offices now issue birth certificates to parents of new born children as soon as a birth is reported by the attending physician to the health official. In years gone by this practice was not followed.

The health officers are constantly besieged by persons seeking old age assistance for proof of their age. Sometimes the request is made to the county clerk. The Vidette-Messenger has also received letters from former residents living in all parts of the United States asking for information to include in affidavits so their ages may be established. The family Bible, if one is available, or affidavits from persons who have known the persons and can swear they are old enough to obtain old age assistance are often resorted to when birth records are not available.

At one time during the regime of Dr. M.B. Fyfe, the county birth records were turned over to the county clerk for safe-keeping, but when a new health setup was devised by a recent legislature the records were taken over by the county health official.

Nov. 4, 1950: 16,000 Are Expected To Cast Ballots

Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on November 4, 1950.

16,000 Are Expected To Cast Ballots

Porter county voters will go to the polls next Tuesday for one of the most feverish, important and crucial “off year” elections in the last 20 years of the nation’s history. More than 21,000 are registered to cast ballots, but only about 16,000 people are expected to vote.

Because of the many issues involved, international, national, state and local, this year’s runoff has assumed a heightened interest that eclipses any of past presidential campaigns. It has been both bitter and hard fought.

With stirring appeals of rival chieftains, business and civic leaders and organizations “ringing in their ears” it is expected that the voting duty will be heeded in greater fashion than in previous plebiscites.

Both Republican County Chairman Robert L. Bibler and Democratic County Chairman David Parry were equally confident that their parties would poll a substantial vote.

Portage Vote

Democrats are banking on a heavy vote in Portage township which has a large labor population employed in the Calumet district. The township has shown an abnormally large increase in population within the last few years.

Estimates on the size of the vote Tuesday vary considerably but political observers generally believe the total number of ballots to be cast will be near 16,000, with it being admitted generally that the republican county ticket will poll a majority of the votes.

Preparations for the legal machinery which will handle voting Tuesday practically are completed. Today inspectors of the 44 voting precincts received their supplies from the election commissioners at the office of County Clerk Freeman Lane.

Polls will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., giving voters 12 hours in which to cast their ballots. Every attempt will be made to get a heavy early vote to prevent any jamming at the polling places during the final hours of the day.

State candidates on whom voters will ballot Tuesday include a United States senator, secretary of state, auditor of state, auditor, treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, clerk of the supreme and appellate courts, judge of supreme court, first district; judge of supreme court, third district; judge supreme court, fifth district; two judges of appellate court, first district; two judges appellate court, second district. Also to be elected are one representative in congress; judge of the Porter circuit court; prosecutor of the 67th judicial district; one joint senator; one joint representative; clerk of the Porter circuit court, county auditor, county treasurer; county recorder, county coroner, county surveyor, county assessor, county commissioner, second district; county commissioner, third district; four county councilmen, first, second, third and fourth districts; three county councilmen-at-large.

In the twelve townships of the county, trustees, justices of the peace, constables and advisory board members are to be selected.

Every effort is being made to get out the vote. In Valparaiso a joint committee of the Valparaiso Chamber of Commerce and Valparaiso Junior Chamber of commerce has arranged to provide cars to haul the voters to the polls and also have provided for baby sitters where mothers have young children and cannot leave them.

Democrats closed their campaign in the county Friday night in the democratic headquarters, Lincolnway and Michigan, with a pre-election rally. Atty. Henry Sackett, of Gary, democratic nominee for judge of the supreme court, fifth district, was the main speaker.

New faces will be seen on precinct election boards in a number of Porter county districts next Tuesday. A number of changes have been made in inspectors, who will all be republican, and also among clerks, judges and sheriffs.

AN UNUSUAL STUNT in the Jaycees’ Get-Out-the-Vote campaign was staged in the business district today to encourage citizens to go to the polls Tuesday. Here Jack Kain, sporting the latest thing in stripes with appropriate ball-and-chain accessories, is under the scrutiny of “Guard” Walt Wieggel. The sign: “I did not vote when I had the chance,” was expected to catch the eye. Jaycee officials also hope that would-be voters will catch the idea.

(Polaroid One-Minute Photo by The Vidette-Messenger)