A late 1800s map of the village of Rolling Prairie. (Courtesy David Rumsey Map Collection)
By Fern Eddy Schultz, La Porte County Historian
In 1910, a tongue-in-cheek news article reported that La Porte was possibly in the position of being annexed by Rolling Prairie, which at that time had a population of 446. The fun article resulted from the
La Porte County Historian Fern Eddy Schultz
fact that quite a few professionals from Rolling Prairie had assumed major positions in the City of La Porte. According to rumors, the boast of Rolling Prairie was “there would be nobody worthwhile remaining” in La Porte if the sons of that village were removed. “One by one, in a never-ceasing line, they had come into prominence, affluence and influence,” each to be a partner in the scheme of annexation.
The list was indeed quite impressive, and La Porte certainly was fortunate they chose to become a part of the community. Following, as reported in the Daily Herald, are those who were former Rolling Prairie residents but selected La Porte as their choice for their homes and businesses:
— Dr. Milton S. Smith, famous eye and ear specialist, who used to peel logs in Huntsman’s yard and was at one time principal of Rolling Prairie School.
— Attorney Milton Sutherland and Dr. Orlando Sutherland, brothers, who taught school in the olden days down around Rolling Prairie, drove cows and frolicked with the boys.
— Mayor Lemuel Darrow, who spent his days fishing in Hunt’s Lake and his nights raccoon hunting. After he completed his education, Darrow was appointed justice of the peace and conducted his court in the rear of a grocery store, using a soap box for a bookcase.
— Attorney H. Wirt Worden, who couldn’t get along without milk and just had to have it so badly that he milked his neighbor’s cow to get it. He was never able to head off any sheep owing to a peculiarity of his legs and while teaching school, often amused the scholars with tightrope stunts.
— Eddie Wolfe, real estate agent, who attempted to learn telegraphy and wound up raising chickens. And Norman Wolfe, his brother, attorney, who helped his father haul wood to town.
— Melvin E. Leliter, attorney, who was a powerful, smart farmer.
— Lot V. Oglesby, grocer, who likewise had made a hit in the agricultural line.
— Dr. Bowen Bowell, who collected for his father, a physician, and took the money he received in payment for accounts for the purchase of stock and cabbage.
— Dr. Harvey H. Martin, who was one of the bright, particular stars of his class in Rolling Prairie High School.
— Dr. J. H. Fargher, who helped his father haul grain to the Rolling Prairie market.
— William A. Martin, ice man, who did odd jobs around town and always wore a smile, the kind that wouldn’t come off.
— Fred Farnam, county superintendent, a graduate of Rolling Prairie High School and formerly principal of the school.
— Hart L. Weaver, banker, who clerked in a general store and obtained his education by attending night school.
— William Plambacck, recorder, who used to be a familiar figure in a cobbler’s shop.
— William W. King, real estate man, who graduated from and later taught in the Rolling Prairie schools, proving to be a better teacher than a pupil.
— William M. Noble, in the employ of the Lake Shore Railroad during his lifetime and was educated in Rolling Prairie schools.
— Charles E. Noble, post office clerk, also a Rolling Prairie boy.
— Dr. D. Philip Sharples, who studied medicine under Dr. Drummond of Rolling Prairie.
— Edward McMurray, member of the metropolitan police force, who spent the uneventful hours of his early life in quiet precincts of the hamlet.
— Amos Wasson, also one the valiant guardians of the peace and safety of La Porte, who used to work on the elevator in Rolling Prairie.
Some towns in the county probably also provided competent individuals who held prominent position in La Porte and added to the betterment of the city. However, none had done it in such numbers.
Although the reported plan of annexation was fictional humor, it gave those involved an opportunity to know how important their presence was in La Porte.
FERN EDDY SCHULTZ is La Porte County’s official Historian. Learn more about the county’s fascinating history by visiting the La Porte County Historical Society Museum and its website, www.laportecountyhistory.org.