Descendants of Samuel Shurte

donated by Paul & Diane Shurte

Generation No. 1

1. Samuel⁷ Shurte (Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born Abt. 1809 in Bergen Co. N.J., and died 1850 in Butler Co. Ohio. He married Jennett Melville April 20, 1826 in Butler Co., Ohio, daughter of John Melville and Janet Millar. She was born May 09, 1809 in St. Andrews, Scotland, and died April 16, 1889 in Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind.
Notes for Samuel Shurte: LaPorte, IN 1850 Federal Census (INDEX - File 7 of 9) by Beverly Telfer BeverlyJo@aol.com> PG# LN# LAST NAME FIRST NAME AGE BIRTH PLACE FILE NAME
321B 11 SHURTE Andrew 13 Michigan pg0316b.txt
321B 14 SHURTE Catharine 4 Ohio pg0316b.txt
321B 10 SHURTE Isaac 14 Michigan pg0316b.txt
321B 5 SHURTE Jennette 43 Scotland pg0316b.txt
321B 8 SHURTE John 20 Michigan pg0316b.txt
321B 12 SHURTE Lewis 8 Ohio pg0316b.txt
321B 7 SHURTE Lutitia M. 22 Michigan pg0316b.txt
310B 3 SHURTE Mary A. 18 Ohio pg0305a.txt
321B 9 SHURTE Mary Ann 18 Michigan pg0316b.txt
321B 13 SHURTE Oliva Jane 6 Ohio pg0316b.txt
321B 6 SHURTE Robert 23 Ohio pg0316b.txt

[Brøderbund Family Archive #255, Ed. 1, Land Records AL, AR, FL, LA, MI, MN, OH, WI 1790-1907, Date of Import: Jan 3, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.255.1.57416.1]

Patentee Name: Shurte, Samuel Accession Number: MI0340__.270 State: Michigan Volume: 340 Page: 270 Document Number: 1158 Land Office: Monroe Aliquot Part Reference: W½SE Section Number: 15 Township: 6 South Range: 15 West Meridian/Survey Area: Michigan Principal Meridian Act/Treaty Authorizing Sale: Sale-Cash Entries Date Signed: Jan 4, 1831 Acreage: 80.00
Signed: Yes, the document on file at the BLM contains a signature.

[Brøderbund Family Archive #255, Ed. 1, Land Records AL, AR, FL, LA, MI, MN, OH, WI 1790-1907, Date of Import: Jan 9, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.255.1.57416.1]

Note: Garret Shuert (Shurte) emigrated in the spring of 1828, and located on section 25, where M. B. Randell lives, and soon after his brothers, Isaac and Samuel, came in and lived with him for a time. Isaac lived in a cabin on the bank of the river near the gas-house. Samuel lived on the east side of the creek from Dodge's machine shop. (From History of Berrien and Van Buren Counties, D. W. Ensign and Co. 1880.)

Doc. Number 1158 Samuel Shurte - Monroe Land Office legal land description of 80 acres in Cass Co. Page 427 of Cass County Register Deeds Office Michigan: Samuel Shurte and wife, Jeanette to purchase North East corner of W 1/2 quarter of section 15, Township nuber 6 South Range May 2, 1835, $60.00

Seller, S. Loux to Samuel Shurte of LaPorte, Oct. 07, 1834 for $120.00 W 1/2 SE 1/4 Section 32 Township 6 S of Range 15 W. 80 acres. ** In MI:

1) 1830 census: Samuel Shuart, with wife, 2 sons and 1 daughter all 5 or under (Robert, Lutitia, John) in LaGrange Township, Cass Co;
2) 1830 census: Isaac, in LaGrange Township, with a boy and girl under 5, and a girl 5-10 years old. Also in the family were a male 20-30 years old, then Isaac (30-40 years old) and his unnamed wife, I assume (female, 20-30). Isaac acquired 280 acres in Cass County between 1830 and 1835. (Ronald Township of Ionia County, Michigan holds the burials of Isaac and Mary Shurte, but without any dates; I wonder if it's the same Isaac, or possibly a son.)
3) Not on 1830 census: William B. Shuart acquired 120 acres of land in Cass Co. in 1837; perhaps he was the young man living with Isaac in 1830, or moved to MI after 1830.
4) Garret Shuart held land in nearby Berrien County (1830, 1831, 1833), then 80 acres in Cass County in 1839.
5) Also on the 1830 Cass County census is John Melville and his family, living in Dexter Township. In December of that year, John Melville bought 80 acres of land in Cass County. John and his wife, unnamed in the census, are both between 40 and 50 years old, with two teenage boys and two teenage girls; older daughter Jennette was already married.

ID: I7928

Name: Samuel SHURTE
Sex: M Birth: ABT 1803 in NJ? 1 Death: AFT 1846 in OH 1
Note: Probably the son or grandson of Lewis Shurte (b. 1754), descendant of a Dutch family named Sjoerts who came to America about 1696 (Judy Tullis).

Shurte Samuel - - Samuel is suppose to be buried in Butler Co.., Ohio More About Samuel Shurte: Burial: 1850, Butler Co.., Ohio Military service: Civil war Co. F, The Fighting Irish

Property: January 04, 1831, 80.0000 acers MI

Notes for Jennett Melville: CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: IN COUNTY: LaPorte DIVISION: Cass Township 27th Sept 1850

LN HN FN LAST NAME FIRST NAME AGE SEX RACE OCCUP. VAL. BIRTHPLACE School 5 53 53 SHURTE Jennette 43 F 800 Scotland

6 53 53 SHURTE Robert 23 M Farmer Ohio
7 53 53 SHURTE Lutitia M. 22 F Michigan
8 53 53 SHURTE John 20 M Farmer Michigan
9 53 53 SHURTE Mary Ann 18 F Michigan
10 53 53 SHURTE Isaac 14 M Michigan X
11 53 53 SHURTE Andrew 13 M Michigan X
12 53 53 SHURTE Lewis 8 M Ohio X
13 53 53 SHURTE Oliva Jane 6 F Ohio X
14 53 53 SHURTE Catharine 4 F Ohio X

**In Indiana: The 1850 census for Center Township in La Porte County includes Jennette Shurte's brother John Melville junior, age 38, born in Scotland, with his wife and children including Edward, 13, born in Michigan. In New Durham Township, next door, is Andrew Melville, 39, born in Scotland, with his American-born wife and children, and mother Jennette Melville, age 80, born in Scotland and living with Andrew.

I have to think that the older Jeanette was 60 or 70 at this time rather than 80, probably born about 1780. An online record has her born about 1786, possible in Cornbee, Fife. John Melville senior is buried in a LaPorte County cemetery. He died September 28, 1843 at age 67, so was born about 1776. Several John Melvilles were born and christened in 1776-7 in Scotland, so I can't yet establish who his parents might have been. ** From Judy

ID: I7929 Name: Janet MELVILLE Sex: F Birth: 19 MAY 1809 in Fife,SCOTLAND 1
Note: Moved from OH to Cass township, LaPorte county, IN with her nine children after the death of her husband. Living in LaPorte county by 1850 (Judy Tullis).
Father: John MELVILLE b: ABT 1776 in SCOTLAND Mother: Janet MILLAR b: in SCOTLAND
Marriage 1 Samuel SHURTE b: ABT 1803 in NJ? Married: 20 APR 1826 in Butler,OH 1

Children

Robert SHURTE b: 0 ___ 1827 in OH
Lutitia SHURTE b: 0 ___ 1828 in MI
John SHURTE b: 4 APR 1830 in MI
Mary Ann SHURTE b: ABT 1832 in MI
Isaac SHURTE b: ABT 1835 in MI
Andrew J. SHURTE b: 0 ___ 1837 in MI
Lewis SHURTE b: 0 ___ 1842 in OH
Olivia Jane SHURTE b: ABT 1844 in OH
Catherine SHURTE b: 0 ___ 1846 in OH

Sources:

Author: Judy Tullis Abbrev: Judy Tullis Text: judytullis@aol.com
16 Shurte Janet May 9, 1809 Apr 16, 1889 age 79 yr 10 mo 7 da-wife of Samuel
More About Jennett Melville: Burial: April 1889, Shurte Cemetery, LaGrange
Census: September 27, 1850, IN, LaPorte, Cass Twp

More About Samuel Shurte and Jennett Melville:
Marriage: April 20, 1826, Butler Co., Ohio

Children of Samuel Shurte and Jennett Melville are:

2 i. Lutitia M.⁸ Shurte, born Abt. 1827 in Butler Co. Ohio or Michigan. She married Joseph E. Knowlton October 12, 1851.

Notes for Lutitia M. Shurte: ID: I7935
Name: Lutitia SHURTE
Sex: F Birth: 0 ___ 1828 in MI 1
Father: Samuel SHURTE b: ABT 1803 in NJ?
Mother: Janet MELVILLE b: 19 MAY 1809 in Fife,SCOTLAND
Sources: Author: Judy Tullis Abbrev: Judy Tullis Text: judytullis@aol.com
More About Lutitia M. Shurte:
Census: September 27, 1850, IN, LaPorte, Cass Twp
More About Joseph Knowlton and Lutitia Shurte:
Marriage: October 12, 1851

3 ii. Robert Shurte, born Abt. 1828 in Mich. or Butler Co. Ohio.

Notes for Robert Shurte:
ID: I7934
Name: Robert SHURTE
Sex: M Birth: 0 ___ 1827 in OH 1
Father: Samuel SHURTE b: ABT 1803 in NJ?
Mother: Janet MELVILLE b: 19 MAY 1809 in Fife,SCOTLAND
Sources: Author: Judy Tullis Abbrev: Judy Tullis Text: judytullis@aol.com
More About Robert Shurte:
Census: September 27, 1850, IN, LaPorte, Cass Twp
+ 4 iii. John H. Shurte, born April 04, 1830 in Cass Co. Michigan; died November 10, 1894 in Lowell, Lake Co., Ind..

+ 5 iv. Mary Ann Shurte, born May 18, 1832 in Cass Co. Michigan; died March 17, 1905 in Ashland, Ore.

6 v. Isaac Shurte, born April 14, 1836 in Cass Co. Michigan; died June 02, 1866 in LaPorte Co..
Notes for Isaac Shurte: ID: I7941
Name: Isaac SHURTE
Sex: M Birth: ABT 1835 in MI 1
Father: Samuel SHURTE b: ABT 1803 in NJ?
Mother: Janet MELVILLE b: 19 MAY 1809 in Fife,SCOTLAND

Sources:
Author: Judy Tullis Abbrev: Judy Tullis Text: judytullis@aol.com
16 Shurte Isaac - Jun 2, 1866 age 30 yr 1 mo 18 da-son of Samuel & Janet
More About Isaac Shurte:
Burial: 1866, Morgan Cemetery, Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind
Census: September 27, 1850, IN, LaPorte, Cass Twp

+ 7 vi. Andrew Jackson Shurte, born May 14, 1838 in Cass Co. Michigan; died May 19, 1924 in Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind..

+ 8 vii. Lewis (Louis) M. Shurte, born February 14, 1842 in Butler Co. Ohio; died March 22, 1921.

+ 9 viii. Olivia Jane Shurte, born February 14, 1844 in Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio; died August 15, 1931 in Ft Wayne, Allen Co. Ind..

+ 10 ix. Catherine M. Shurte, born February 26, 1846 in Butler Co. Ohio; died June 19, 1900 in LaPorte Co., Ind..

Generation No. 2

4. John H.⁸ Shurte (Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born April 04, 1830 in Cass Co. Michigan, and died November 10, 1894 in Lowell, Lake Co., Ind.. He married Helen Marion Drury October 19, 1856 in La Porte County, Ind., daughter of Marshall Drury and Jemima McCaughey. She was born March 30, 1840, and died October 12, 1918 in Lowell, Lake County, Illinois.

Notes for John H. Shurte:
Shurtes Posted by Judy Johnson on Wed, 25 Oct 2000, in response to Paul M Shurte's search Fri, 03 Jul 1998

This looks like my family...maybe! I have Isaac Shurte (spelled Shuart) in Cass Co., MI in 1830. His wife's name was Jenette (no surname) from Scotland. The family moved to LaPorte Co., IN by 1850 (they're on the census), by which time Jenette was a widow. Based on the children's birth dates and census, I assume he died between 1846 and 1850.

Their children:

Robert, b about 1827 in Ohio; Lutitia M., b. abt 1828, Cass Co., MI; John, b 1830 (my ancestor) in Cass Co., MI; Mary Ann, b abt 1832, MI; Isaac, b abt 1836, MI; Andrew, b. abt 1837, MI. All born in Ohio: Lewis, b 1842; Oliva Jane, b 1844; and Catharine, b 1846. I don't know what county in Ohio.

Among John Shurte's children were Samuel Lewis (called Lewis) and Hattie Jeanette, possibly named for his parents.
Listed on one record in Family search in the computer about John is suggested to have been married to helen Drury 1 Oct 1878.

Shurte family.
I notice that George, in his letter of about 1924, claims to be Scottish rather than Dutch. My family claimed this also. But it seems clear that the origins are Dutch, and not just English Pilgrims living in Holland. Maybe in my family, the Scottish claim rests with John's wife, Jeanette Melville, who was born in Scotland. Isn't it odd how several generations lost track of their origins?

Also, Garret Shurte couldn't have fought in the Revolution if he was born about 1800. But surely his father Lewis did. In fact, the New Jersey Shurtes would have been pretty close to much of the battle action of the Revolutionary War.
If Garret was born in the 1790s, he might have been old enough to fight in the War of 1812 (which went on until 1814).
I'm certain that Garret's brother Samuel (father of my John) did not fight in the Civil War -- he appears to have died before 1850. I know that some of John's generation did so, including John's brother Andrew. So there might well have been at least one Samuel Shurte of this younger generation in the Civil War.

*** By Judy Tullis
ID: I7936
Name: John SHURTE
Sex: M Birth: 4 APR 1830 in MI 1
Father: Samuel SHURTE b: ABT 1803 in NJ?
Mother: Janet MELVILLE b: 19 MAY 1809 in Fife,SCOTLAND
Marriage 1 Helen Marian DRURY
Married: 10/19/1856 in Laporte,IN 1

Sources: Author: Judy Tullis
Abbrev: Judy Tullis
Text: judytullis@aol.com

More About John H. Shurte:
Burial: November 1894, Lowell Cemetery
Census: September 27, 1850, IN, LaPorte, Cass Twp
Notes for Helen Marion Drury:
HELEN M. DRURY (JEMIMA MCCAUGHEY, ELIZABETH MCCUNE, THOMAS, JAMES, FRANCIS,) died Unknown. She married JOHN SHURTE October 01, 1857.

6. Children of HELEN DRURY and JOHN SHURTE are:

i. FRANK SHURTE, b. Aft. 1858; d. Unknown; m. LIBBIE GREISEL, July 1878; d. Unknown.
ii. ADELAIDE SHURTE, b. Aft. 1858; d. Unknown; m. GEORGE SHAVER, October 24, 1876; d.
iii.SAMUEL LEWIS SHURTE, b. Aft. 1858; d. Unknown.
iv. HATTIE SHURTE, b. Aft. 1858; d. Unknown; m. ALBERT VANDECAR, December 23, 1891; d.
v.ALICE E. SHURTE, b. Aft. 1858; d. Unknown; m. JOSEPH DINWIDDIE, February 22, 1897; d.
infomation provided by Beverly Phillips

ID: I7937 Name: Helen Marian DRURY Sex: F
Marriage 1 John SHURTE b: 4 APR 1830 in MI
Married: 0 ___ 1856 in Laporte,IN 1

Sources: Author: Judy Tullis Abbrev: Judy Tullis
Text: judytullis@aol.com

More About Helen Marion Drury:
Burial: October 14, 1918, Lowell Cemetery
More About John Shurte and Helen Drury:
Marriage: October 19, 1856, La Porte County, Ind.
Marriage contract: October 01, 1857

Children of John Shurte and Helen Drury are:

+ 11 i. William Franklin (Frank)⁹ Shurte, born May 02, 1860 in Morgan Station, LaPorte Co. Ind.; died November 17, 1895 in Lowell, Lake Co., Ind..
+ 12 ii. Samuel Lewis (Lewis) Shurte, born November 23, 1867 in Sherburnville, Kankakee County, Illinois.
+ 13 iii. Hattie Jeanette Shurte, born February 07, 1871 in Jeudson, Sherburnville, Kankakee County, Illinois.
+ 14 iv. Alice Ermina Shurte, born September 12, 1878 in Lowell, Lake County, Illinois; died November 16, 1916 in Lowell, Lake County, Illinois.
+ 15 v. Henrietta Adelaide (Addie) Shurte, born August 13, 1857 in Morgan Station, LaPorte Co. Ind.; died June 03, 1941 in Lowell, Lake County, Illinois.

5. Mary Ann⁸ Shurte (Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born May 18, 1832 in Cass Co. Michigan, and died March 17, 1905 in Ashland, Ore. She married James Meeker December 22, 1850 in LaPorte, Ind.. He was born in Ashland, Ore.

Notes for Mary Ann Shurte:
CENSUS YR: 1850 STATE or TERRITORY: IN COUNTY: LaPorte DIVISION: New Durham Township
15th Oct 1850;
LN HN FN LAST NAME FIRST NAME AGE SEX RACE OCCUP. VAL. BIRTHPLAC
3 38 38 SHURTE Mary A. 18 F Ohio

ID: I7938
Name: Mary Ann SHURTE Sex: F Birth: ABT 1832 in MI 1
Death: 26 OCT 1910 in Ashland,Jackson,OR 1
Father: Samuel SHURTE b: ABT 1803 in NJ?
Mother: Janet MELVILLE b: 19 MAY 1809 in Fife,SCOTLAND
Marriage 1 James MEEKER
Married: 0 ___ 1850 in Laporte,IN 1

Children

James Lindeley MEEKER
Sources:
Author: Judy Tullis
Abbrev: Judy Tullis
Text: judytullis@aol.com

More About Mary Ann Shurte:
Census: September 27, 1850, IN, LaPorte, Cass Twp
Notes for James Meeker: ID: I7939 Name: James MEEKER Sex: M
Marriage 1 Mary Ann SHURTE b: ABT 1832 in MI
Married: 0 ___ 1850 in Laporte,IN 1

Children

James Lindeley MEEKER Sources: Author: Judy Tullis Abbrev: Judy Tullis Text: judytullis@aol.com

More About James Meeker and Mary Shurte:
Marriage: December 22, 1850, LaPorte, Ind.
Child of Mary Shurte and James Meeker is:

16 i. James Lindeley⁹ Meeker.

7. Andrew Jackson⁸ Shurte (Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born May 14, 1838 in Cass Co. Michigan, and died May 19, 1924 in Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind.. He married Charlotte Talbot April 07, 1868 in Wanatah, LaPorte Co. Ind., daughter of William Talbot and Sarah Ruddick. She was born December 22, 1850 in Stanton, Norfolk, Bristol, England, and died September 18, 1916 in Hanna, Ind..

Notes for Andrew Jackson Shurte: : I7942 Name: Andrew J. SHURTE Sex: M
Birth: 0 ___ 1837 in MI 1
Death: 24 MAY 1924 in Laporte,IN 1
Father: Samuel SHURTE b: ABT 1803 in NJ?
Mother: Janet MELVILLE b: 19 MAY 1809 in Fife,SCOTLAND
Sources:
Author: Judy Tullis
Abbrev: Judy Tullis
Text: judytullis@aol.com

Among the moving spirits in the evelopment of Cass township may be named the following: Peter WOODIN was reportedly the first permanent settler in the township, who aided in its organization and laid out its first road, a familiar friend with the Native Americans, a California gold-seeker, and who died in the township at the advanced age of ninety-one years of age.
Henry BOWMAN was a farmer, well read in German literature, who came to Cass township from Otis and from Porter County.
James O. BURNER was a dealer in drugs, medicines and agricultural implements at Wanatah.
Robert GILLHAM, *** A. J. SHURTE, William SMITH and James WILSON were farmers.

12 Shurte Andrew J May 14, 1838 May 19, 1924 Civil War - 87th Ind. Vol. Inf.
More About Andrew Jackson Shurte:
Burial: Morgan Cemetery, Cass Twp., LaPorte Co., Ind
Census: September 27, 1850, IN, LaPorte, Cass Twp
Military service: Wounded in Civil War

Notes for Charlotte Talbot:
12 Shurte Charlotte(Talbot) Dec 22, 1850 Sept 18, 1916 b. England - wife of Andrew J
More About Charlotte Talbot:
Burial: September 19, 1916, Morgan Cemetery, Cass Twp., LaPorte Co., Ind
More About Andrew Shurte and Charlotte Talbot:
Marriage: April 07, 1868, Wanatah, LaPorte Co. Ind.

Children of Andrew Shurte and Charlotte Talbot are:

+ 17 i. Roxy⁹ Shurte, born February 18, 1869 in Cass Co. Michigan; died 1967 in Hanna Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind..
18 ii. Robert Shurte, born August 26, 1872; died November 11, 1890.
Notes for Robert Shurte:
12 Shurte Robert - Nov 11, 1890 Age 17 yr 2 mo 16 da. - son of Andrew & Charlotte
More About Robert Shurte:
Burial: November 1890, Morgan Cemetery, Cass Twp. LaPort Co. Ind

+ 19 iii. Lenora Shurte, born July 02, 1875; died August 22, 1930.

20 iv. Benjamin M. Shurte, born November 14, 1878; died October 23, 1920. He married Mattie Anderson February 05, 1913 in Indiana.
Notes for Benjamin M. Shurte: 12 Shurte Benjamin M 1878 1920 -
More About Benjamin M. Shurte:
Burial: Morgan Cemetery, Cass Twp. LaPorteCo. Ind
More About Benjamin Shurte and Mattie Anderson:
Marriage: February 05, 1913, Indiana

21 v. Mary Captolia Shurte, born March 10, 1881; died Abt. 1958 in Westville, LaPorte Co. Ind.. She married Clayton Goodwin March 07, 1917 in Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind.; born Abt. 1878; died Abt. 1960.

More About Clayton Goodwin and Mary Shurte:
Marriage: March 07, 1917, Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind.

+ 22 vi. Lucretia Maude Shurte, born August 18, 1883 in Wanatah, Ind.; died December 21, 1919 in Hanna, Ind..

23 vii. Blanche Collia Shurte, born March 14, 1889; died October 27, 1934 in Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind.
More About Blanche Collia Shurte:
Burial: Hanna cemetery, Ind.

+ 24 viii. John William Shurte, born March 18, 1892 in Wanatah, Ind.; died May 09, 1964 in INdiana.

8. Lewis (Louis) M.⁸ Shurte (Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born February 14, 1842 in Butler Co. Ohio, and died March 22, 1921. He married Sarah Talbot May 08, 1875 in LaPorte Co. Ind., daughter of William Talbot and Sarah Ruddick. She was born July 11, 1852, and died September 05, 1946 in LaPorte Co., Ind..

Notes for Lewis (Louis) M. Shurte:
** SHURTE, Lewis family:
A Local Creamery and the Lowell American Legion Post #101
During the 1890's. a creamery building was built on the site of the present home of Lowell American Legion Post #101. A frame building was there first, though it was not listed in the 1909 Directory of Lake County.
Dairy farmers brought milk to the plant in ten-gallon cans. The expensive cans were reused for many years, and were repaired at the local hardware store or blacksmith shop.
Milk was shipped to Chicago by train and was also used for making butter and ice cream.

A new, two-story masonry building replaced the old frame one by 1915, when new machinery was installed, including a Chandler and Taylor-Corliss engine to run the equipment to manufacture ice cream. The "Cedar Valley Creamery" advertised "Butter without a Fault."
The Old Timer remembers the empty milk cans rolling down a conveyor to the waiting farmer and his rig. Well-known Lowell businessman Lewis Shurte worked there for a time and was sent to Purdue University for a short course in buttermaking.
The little building on the Mill St. corner was then used by Lewis Shurte as a 'cream station' -- where ice cream was made. Shurte was followed by Russell Burroughs.

Schools in Lowell:

In the 1860's, barely a decade after the founding of Lowell in 1852, the citizens were standing proud by their new school building on Main St. in Lowell, on the same site as the present old school building east of the Lowell Public Library.
Students from these early families were listed: Lynch, Spindler, Clark, Burnham, Mee, Slayton, Post, Purdy, Berg, Ackerman, Bacon, Garrison, Brannon, Shurte, Nichols, Gragg, DeWitt, Taylor, Dickey, Vosberg, Wood, Pattee, Ragon, McNay, Castle, Hepp, Hayden, Hack, Ashton, Burhans, Ceiga, Bryant, Turner, Halsted, Besig, Staff, Minninger, Farwell, Henry, Cleaver, Wood, Rumsey, Maxwell, Klein, Palmer, Gordon, Bixeman, Miller, Ennis, Gregg, Kimmet, Driscoll, Viant, and Ault, all names that have been mentioned in the "Pioneer History" column through the years.

The Kelsey Family:

Kelsey (1866-1937) married Catherine Ann Stubbs (1873-1953) on Dec. 23, 1890. They were blessed with three children: Vernal, who married Lewis Shurte; Pauline, who married Russell Burroughs; and Glen (1906-1931). Vernal's daughter, Marcia Shurte, and Pauline Burroughs kindly helped with information for this story.

Pauline's children are Mary Ann, married to John Kelly, and James N.

Lewis Shurte was a well-known businesssman in Lowell for years. He operated a cream station in downtown Lowell, sold it to his brother-in-law Russell Burroughs, and started a fox farm, which he managed for many years. The farm was on the shores of Red Wing Lake, northeast of Lowell, and was then called Shurtes Marsh. The big pond was a popular place for ice skating parties and the Shurtes would share their yard to park vehicles.

The Dinwiddie Family:

John Wilson Dinwiddie left three sons to bear his name, to share the results of his efforts, and to imitate his virtues.
Oscar, the eldest son, who was born in Will County in Illinois, moved with his father in 1852 to the large farm in Eagle Creek which was unbroken prairie and swampland. At the age of 9, after an injury to his ankle, it was determined he had a disease of the bone and at the age of 15 the leg bone was removed. Late in life the limb was amputated above the knee.
At the death of their father, Oscar and his brother Jerome assumed a greater responsibility aiding their mother in managing the large property. Oscar attended local schools, the Crown Point Institute and Chicago University, which was then very small.

In February 1874, he married Mary Joanna Robertson (born in 1852). They had five children, all born at Plum Grove: Marion Elmer, born in 1874, married to Edna Irene Groman in 1898; Joseph P., born in 1876, married to Alice Shurte in 1897; Belle Irene, born in 1879, married Forrest M. Gormley in 1900; Edwin Lorraine, born in 1882, married Elma Salisbury; and Edith Janette, born 1884, was wed to S. Neil Baird.

Lowell Businesses -: Following are some of the harness makers from Lowell's past: Frank Shurte, Hago Carstens, Alex Beatty, John Bain, Walter Staff Sr., Sam Petrie, and Nick Jourdain.

The Fuller Family:
Franklin 'Frank' Fuller (1860-1910), son of Frank, married Mary Ellen Clay, born in 1862, who came with her parents to Crown Point from Pennsylvania. Mary Ellen died in 1930 and was buried at Hot Springs, Ark. Franklin was killed by a train in 1910.
The two children of Franklin and Mary Ellen Fuller were William Arthur Fuller and Elizabeth E. Fuller Fox. William Arthur, also known as Art, was born in Crown Point in 1883 and died at Lowell in 1938. He married Hazel Shurte of Lowell, who was born in 1888. Their children were: Mable Hoelle, Harold S., Robert D., Donald Gene, Neleeta Dawn Greenwood, Junior Arthur, and Mary Ruth Fringer.

The Bruce Family:
Rev. Bruce purchased what was called the Oliver Fuller farm, a mile west of Lowell, and moved there with his family in the spring of 1875. He donated land for what was called the Bruce School on the northeast corner of what is now Parrish Ave. and State Road 2.
Rev. Bruce's grandson and namesake, John Bruce of the Oak Grove area, told us that he attended his first year of schooling at the Bruce Schoolhouse in 1906, when Rena Dahl was the teacher and Vernal Kelsey Shurte was the traveling music teacher, coming about once a week. He also remembers that the County Superintendent of Schools, Frank Heighway of Crown Point, would come quite often to see how everything was going at the school. After his first grade at Bruce School, the school was abandoned, and the fifteen or twenty children were driven in a horse drawn 'school bus' to Lake Prairie School.

"Garden of Eden":

The old ledger came from the estate of Mrs. Katie Kelsey and was loaned to the Old Timer by Marcia Shurte of Lowell.

(**from the Feb. 27, 1991, Lowell Tribun, Lowell History.)

ID: I7943 Name: Lewis SHURTE Sex: M
Birth: 0 ___ 1842 in OH 1
Death: 23 MAR 1921 in Laporte,IN 1
Father: Samuel SHURTE b: ABT 1803 in NJ?
Mother: Janet MELVILLE b: 19 MAY 1809 in Fife,SCOTLAND
Author: Judy Tullis
Abbrev: Judy Tullis: Text: judytullis@aol.com

The Early Development and History of Cass Township, LaPorte County, Indiana by Ann Mensch.
When La Porte County was established, in 1832, the area south of the southern boundary of Clinton Township, which included the present Cass Township, was part of Starke County, Indiana.
It is reported that: "the people living in that area had difficulty getting across the Kankakee River to go to Knox (the county seat of Starke County) to pay their taxes, having to go east as far as Lemon's Bridge. They asked to be annexed to La Porte County and this was done January 28, 1842." The area first being called Van Buren Township.

Due to the very wet condition of Cass township, it was not until 1839-40 that any settlers made homes there. Among the early settlers of Cass township were: Abraham EARHART; James and Thomas CONCANNON; William SMITH; William BATTERSON; John WILLS and his sons Charles, John and David, all of whom reportedly came to Cass township from Wills township; Isham CAMPBELL; Adam LEEPER; Bishop BROCKWAY; E. V. WATERS; James and Richard CANNON; Augustus W. VAIL; Hon. Edward EVANS; ** L. M. SHURTE and S. B. RUNDLETT.
Towns and settlements began to spring up as the township was settled. The earliest settlements including Callao or Morgan Station, Joprice or South Wanatah, and Wanatah.

17 Shurte Lewis M Feb 14, 1842 March 23, 1921 "Father"
More About Lewis (Louis) M. Shurte:
Burial: 1921, Morgan Cemetery, Cass Twp., LaPorte Co., Ind
Census: September 27, 1850, IN, LaPorte, Cass Twp
Occupation: Farmer
Notes for Sarah Talbot:

17 Shurte; Sarah July 11, 1852 Sept 5, 1946 "Mother" wife Lewis M. - dau Em &Sarah Talbot
More About Sarah Talbot:
Burial: 1946, Morgan Cemetery, Cass Twp., LaPorte Co., Ind
More About Lewis Shurte and Sarah Talbot:
Marriage: May 08, 1875, LaPorte Co. Ind.
Children of Lewis Shurte and Sarah Talbot are:

+ 25 i. Ada Smith⁹ Shurte.
+ 26 ii. Alta Smith Shurte, died September 03, 1948.
+ 27 iii. Cora Belle Shurte, born June 01, 1876 in Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind; died April 14, 1945 in Westville, LaPorte Co. Ind..
28 iv. Eve M. Shurte, born Abt. 1877 in Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind; died Abt. 1918 in Westville, LaPorte Co. Ind.. She married William Guy Koontz September 27, 1911; born Abt. 1879; died Abt. 1938.

More About Eve M. Shurte:
Burial: Abt. 1918, Westville, LaPorte Co. Ind.

More About William Koontz and Eve Shurte:
Marriage: September 27, 1911

+ 29 v. Grace F. Shurte, born June 18, 1880 in LaPorte Co., Ind.; died December 26, 1935 in Wanatah, Ind..

30 vi. Samuel Shurte, born May 27, 1884; died November 15, 1962.

More About Samuel Shurte:
Burial: December 30, 1962, Westville, LaPorte Co. Ind.
31 vii. Lewis Shurte, born March 10, 1886; died November 05, 1955.

More About Lewis Shurte:
Burial: December 05, 1955, Westville, LaPorte Co. Ind.

+ 32 viii. Andrew J. Shurte, born March 28, 1888; died Abt. 1935.

+ 33 ix. Harrison Shurte, born Abt. 1889 in Wantana, Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind; died January 02, 1951 in Wantana, Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind.

9. Olivia Jane⁸ Shurte (Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born February 14, 1844 in Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio, and died August 15, 1931 in Ft Wayne, Allen Co. Ind.. She married Benijah C. Skinner. He was born October 28, 1844 in Nilesville, Pa., and died November 26, 1916 in Ft Wayne, Allen Co. Ind..

Notes for Olivia Jane Shurte: ID: I7944
Name: Olivia Jane SHURTE Sex: F Birth: ABT 1844 in OH 1
Father: Samuel SHURTE b: ABT 1803 in NJ?
Mother: Janet MELVILLE b: 19 MAY 1809 in Fife,SCOTLAND

Sources: Author: Judy Tullis Abbrev: Judy Tullis Text: judytullis@aol.com

More About Olivia Jane Shurte:
Census: September 27, 1850, IN, LaPorte, Cass Twp

Children of Olivia Shurte and Benijah Skinner are:

34 i. Goldie⁹ Skinner.
35 ii. Leonard Skinner.

10. Catherine M.⁸ Shurte (Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born February 26, 1846 in Butler Co. Ohio, and died June 19, 1900 in LaPorte Co., Ind.. She married Alexander C. Jr. Campbell April 07, 1868 in LaPorte Co. Ind., son of Alexander Campbell and Susannah. He was born February 04, 1849 in LaPorte Co., Ind., and died February 08, 1923 in Hanna, LaPorte Co., Ind..
Notes for Catherine M. Shurte: ID: I2911 Name: Catherine SHURTE Sex: F Birth: 0 ___ 1846 in OH 1 Father: Samuel SHURTE b: ABT 1803 in NJ? Mother: Janet MELVILLE b: 19 MAY 1809 in Fife,SCOTLAND
Marriage 1 Alexander C. CAMPBELL b: 1849 in Laporte,IN
Married: 7 APR 1868 in Laporte,IN 2

Children
Charles CAMPBELL b: 1 AUG 1869 in Laporte,IN
Sources: Abbrev: 1850 Census Cass twp, LaPorte county, IN
Abbrev: Dorland B. Bennett
Note:
Dorland B. Bennett
13 Campbell Catharine M. (nee SHURTE) Feb 26, 1846 Jan 19, 1900 (Shurte) wife of Alexander C

More About Catherine M. Shurte:
Burial: June 19, 1900, Morgan Cemetery, Cass Twp., LaPorte Co., Ind
Census: September 27, 1850, IN, LaPorte, Cass Twp
Notes for Alexander C. Jr. Campbell:
ID: I2905
Name: Alexander C. CAMPBELL Sex: M
Birth: 1849 in Laporte,IN 1
Father: Alexander B. CAMPBELL b: 18 JUL 1811 in Pickaway,OH
Mother: Susan WOLF b: 0 ___ 1819 in VA
Marriage 1 Catherine SHURTE b: 0 ___ 1846 in OH
Married: 7 APR 1868 in Laporte,IN 1

Children
Charles CAMPBELL b: 1 AUG 1869 in Laporte,IN
13 Campbell Alexander C Feb 4, 1850 Feb 7, 1923 son of Alexander B.
Burial: February 08, 1923

Children of Catherine Shurte and Alexander Campbell are:
36 i. Charles Charlie⁹ Campbell, born January 08, 1869 in LaPorte Co., Ind.; died September 04, 1942. He married Eunice West August 19, 1926 in LaPorte County, Ind.; born July 12, 1868 in LaPorte County, Ind..
ID: I3717 Name: Charles CAMPBELL Sex: M
Birth: 1 AUG 1869 in Laporte,IN 1
Death: 9 APR 1942 in Laporte,IN 1
Father: Alexander C. CAMPBELL b: 1849 in Laporte,IN
Mother: Catherine SHURTE b: 0 ___ 1846 in OH
Marriage 1 Eunice WEST b: 12 JUL 1868 in Laporte,IN
Married: 19 AUG 1926 in Laporte,IN 1

37 ii. Catherine Janet Campbell, born September 1872 in LaPorte Co., Ind..

+ 38 iii. Carrie Dell Campbell, born November 23, 1882 in LaPorte Co., Ind..

Generation No. 3

11. William Franklin (Frank)⁹ Shurte (John H.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born May 02, 1860 in Morgan Station, LaPorte Co. Ind., and died November 17, 1895 in Lowell, Lake Co., Ind.. He married Sarah Elizabeth (Libby) Griesel March 28, 1880, daughter of Elias Griessell and Melissa Childress. She was born Abt. 1863, and died Abt. 1945

Shurte, Frank: (from the Lowell Businessesinformation dated March 25, 1987, Lowell Tribune, p 10)
The focus this month is on the north side of Commercial Ave. in Lowell, between Halsted and Mill Streets. The earliest account of a business there was from a newspaper of 1875. Dan Fry was the manager of a gun shop "in the corner building, near the bridge."

The names of a few more early business owners were listed in an account of a fire in that area in 1902: "It happened at night on May 12, when the townspeople were awakened by the ringing of the fire bell and the blowing of the whistle at the old water plant on Liberty St. Charles Collins, watchman, sounded the alarm when he discovered flames in the rear of Charles Schafer's Blacksmith shop. Quickly the flames spread to the Sirois Implement shop and to the Duckworth Paint store. The Hayden and Petrie Harness shop on the cormer of Commercial Ave. and Mill St. was soon in flames. The buildings were saved from total destruction due to the installation of the new water system after the big fire of 1898, which destroyed several blocks of buildings. It also was a great test for the new system, for the level of the water in the hundred foot stand pipe on the town square stayed at 98 feet. The volunteer firemen were able to use three hoses at the same time. Nearly all the buildings were partly covered by insurance. The Emil Sirois Implement Co. lost 31 buggies, one wagon, and many pieces of farm implements totaling $6,000, with insurance covering only $1,000. Due to the rapid start of the flames and to the fire starting in several places, it was said to be a case of arson."

Samuel Petrie, for many years a well-known harness maker in the Lowell area, was first known to be in business at a building on the present site of Midtown Hardware. The old frame building was moved south of the alley and later was demolished.
Petrie moved to the Mill St. corner, where he was a partner in the firm of Hayden and Petrie. Later, he was in business in his own frame building on the corner of Commercial and Halsted. He built the brick building now occupied by Tish's Antiques and had his shop there until he moved to the old frame structure which he had moved to Halsted St., next to his home.
Samuel passed away Oct. 23, 1943, and in January 1944 the business was sold to Guy Wells, who had moved back to Lowell from Chesterton.
In May 1945 the building was sold to Murrell Belanger, implement dealer and Indianapolis 500 race car owner, and it was moved to his farm north of Lowell.
Wells was unable to find a suitable building for his harness business, so for the first time in decades, Lowell had no harness shop. Following are some of the harness makers from Lowell's past: Frank Shurte, Hago Carstens, Alex Beatty, John Bain, Walter Staff Sr., Sam Petrie, and Nick Jourdain.
Frank Graves and his wife, Ora G. Clark Graves (1899-1953), made their home in Lowell in 1921. He started out as an auto mechanic for an Oakland and Chevrolet service and later moved his machine shop to that brick building built by Petrie, where Graves stayed for many years.

Merritt Kelsey (the subject of a 'Pioneer History' column in October 1985) began his livery stable business in a frame building that stood over the creek on the south side of Commercial Ave. In 1906 his new brick building was completed north across the street, next to the Petrie shop.

The new, two-story brick ediface measured 38-feet-by-80-feet and was said to be one of the best arranged and equipped livery stables in northwest Indiana. The cost of the real estate was $5,400, and $2,500 more was spent for equipment. The basement held 14 head of horses, with 16 more on the first floor and ample space for washing, harnessing, etc.

One unusual feature was the elevator used to hoist vehicles to the upper floor. Kelsey began with eight new buggies, two surreys, one three-seated vehicle and one bus -- all available for wedding, funerals and social parties on short notice. He later was in the garage business with George Wilson at another location, and passed away in 1937.

Soon after World War I, the brick livery stable was the site of a battery shop and garage operated by Benjamin Kitchel 'Runt' Hayhurst (1890-1960), who was born in West Creek Township. Auto batteries were rebuilt in his shop. Benjamin and his wife, Emma (Ainsworth) Hayhurst, were the parents of two daughters, Eleanor, who married Harold King, and Geneveive, who married Paul Standish.

In the 1920's the business was sold to Clayton Randolph, a World War I military veteran who was born in Crown Point on Oct. 31, 1899, the son of William and Dora Kilborn Randolph. Clayton married Alice Love, and their children are Richard Randolph and Jannie, married to Robert Kuiper.

In 1926 the Randolph Agency advertised the new Dodge Brothers automobiles: the sports roadster was $1,050, with optional rumble seat; the touring car was priced at $857; the coupe cost $915, and the sedan went for $980. Randolph sold his business to Carl Schmelter of Crown Point in 1956 and passed away in 1960 while working as manager of the Lowell Bowling Lanes.

Schmelter, who moved from Crown Point, operated the Dodge agency until 1959, when he began to sell Ford Motor products until he sold the business to Wicker Ford in 1967. During the years, the auto agency had been expanded to include a larger building to the east that had been the original Sirois Implement Company home.

An ad in the 1906 "Souvenir Album of Lake County, Ind." reveals that Anda Maxwell, another well-known Lowell business man, had spent eighteen years in the hardware, implement and buggy sales business, three of which were spent as a traveling salesman. At about that time, he purchased the business and building of the Sirois Implement Co., where he advertised a "Complete Stock."

In that same building, Maxwell was a Ford dealer in the early 1920's. His partner was Frank Nelson, a Lowell banker. O.D. Gray, who was an inventor, was also an auto dealer there for a short time. He was followed by Fred V. Alexander, who moved his business from the building now occupied by John's This and That Shoppe of W. Commercial Ave.

In March 1926 the following advertisement ran in the Lowell Tribune: "Roadster, delivered at Lowell, $439; touring car, $460; coupe, $573; four door, $641. Bargains in used cars -- 1924 touring, good shape, $225; 1924 light truck, $125; Fordson Tractor with fenders, $563; two bottom Oliver Plows for Fordson Tractor, $102."
That same year Alexander changed to the Chevrolet agency. The price of the touring car was $583. An advertisement for Ford in 1924 showed a price for the touring car at $295, Detroit.
The Felder Brothers, Clifford and Arthur, moved their auto agency into the Maxwell building in the early 1930's. The price of a Chevrolet roadster in 1930 was $495, with $71 added for delivery, spare tire and bumpers.
The Felders sold to Clarence Berdine in about 1940. Berdine moved the agency back to the south side of the street in 1943, at the time Clayton Randolph expanded his business into the larger building to the east.
Some years ago, the buildings were remodeled with a mansard-style front which covered the upper story windows. For many years, gasoline pumps were standing on the curb in front of four garages in that area, and the Randolph building had a canopy over the sidewalk, The old pumps were first filled with a hand pump and then the auto tanks were filled by gravity.

Many blacksmiths became auto mechanics, and buggy salesmen became auto dealers in the early years of the auto industry in the town of Lowell. In more recent years, the combined Kelsey building and the Sirois Implement structure was the home of an auto parts store operated by Robert Morrison and now occupied by the IMC Cycle shop. [Note from year 2001 -- The building is now a furniture store.]

More About William Shurte and Sarah Griesel:
Marriage: March 28, 1880
Marriage settlement: 1878, Lowell
Children of William Shurte and Sarah Griesel are:

+ 39 i. John Henry¹⁰ Shurte, born November 03, 1881 in Downer Grove, Ill; died December 28, 1933.
+ 40 ii. William Elias Shurte, born June 07, 1884; died Abt. 1945.
+ 41 iii. Hazel Shurte, born October 31, 1888; died Abt. 1975.
+ 42 iv. Lewis Wesley Shurte, born June 27, 1891 in Lowell, Ind.; died September 02, 1954.

12. Samuel Lewis (Lewis)⁹ Shurte (John H.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born November 23, 1867 in Sherburnville, Kankakee County, Illinois. He married Mary Edith VanSteenburg 1898.

More About Samuel Shurte and Mary VanSteenburg:
Marriage: 1898
Children of Samuel Shurte and Mary VanSteenburg are:

+ 43 i. Edwin Lewis¹⁰ Shurte, born April 05, 1911 in Peru, Ind.; died June 06, 1979 in Phoenix, Ariz..
44 ii. Nelson Shurte, born Abt. 1899; died Abt. 1899.

13. Hattie Jeanette⁹ Shurte (John H.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born February 07, 1871 in Jeudson, Sherburnville, Kankakee County, Illinois. She married Albert Vandercar December 23, 1891.

More About Albert Vandercar and Hattie Shurte:
Marriage: December 23, 1891

Children of Hattie Shurte and Albert Vandercar are:

45 i. George¹⁰ Vandercar. He married Fern Tilton.
46 ii. Lula Vandercar. He married Fay Tilton.
47 iii. Fay Vandercar. She married Pernell Jarrette.
48 iv. Madge Vandercar. She married Amos Hall.
49 v. Helen Vandercar. She married Robert Weitbrock.
50 vi. Jeanette Vandercar. She married Luther Dance.

14. Alice Ermina⁹ Shurte (John H.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born September 12, 1878 in Lowell, Lake County, Illinois, and died November 16, 1916 in Lowell, Lake County, Illinois. She married Joseph Perkins Dinwiddie February 22, 1897 in Lowell, son of Oscar Dinwiddie and Mary Robertson. He was born 1876 in Plum Grove, Ill., and died 1944.

Notes for Alice Ermina Shurte:
Shurte, Alice (Mrs. Joseph P. Dinwiddie)

The Dinwiddie Family: Many of the pioneers in Southern Lake County arrived during the years of 1835 and 1836. Among these hardy settlers was Thomas Dinwiddie, with his son John Wilson Dinwiddie and his daughter Susannah. Thomas' wife, Mary Ann Wilson Dinwiddie, followed later from Ohio.

Their claim was at the eastern edge of Lake County, near Indian Town in the Hebron area. In 1836, while their cabin was being built they stayed near the Simeon Bryant family cabin, where there is now a memorial stone to mark the spot.
Susannah, who was born in 1811, married John West in 1835. John West died in 1840 and Susannah later married Isaac Miller. She died in 1861 and is buried near Hebron. John Wilson Dinwiddie started to farm at the age of 23, but finding it not to be profitable, he went to work on the canal near Joliet. In 1847 he moved back to the area to go into business in Crown Point.

In 1852 he returned and started farming on a large scale in Eagle Creek. While serving as township trustee, he built the schools at Plum Grove, Eagle Creek, and Bryant's on the Prairie.
At that time they were rated the best schools in the county. He was also County Commissioner and was recognized as one of the most energetic and thorough businessmen and farmers in the area.
John married Mary Janette Perkins in 1844. They had eight children: Oscar, born in 1845 near Joliet, Illinois; Jerome, born 1848 at Crown Point; Augusta, born 1850 in Crown Point and died in 1855; Frances, born in 1852 in Crown Point; Henry and Mary twins born in December 1854 and died the same month; Edwin, born 1856 in Plum Grove; and Mary, born in 1859 at Plum Grove.
John was an excellent manager, highly successful, and was rapidly accumulating property when he died in 1861 at the age of 47. His death was deeply felt in the community.

His wife Mary Janette, with fine executive ability, took over management of the large estate containing about 3,500 acres of land, in the 1870's. She also raised her five small children, ran a Sabbath School, and in 1870 built a new family residence at a cost of $2,500.00.

Oscar was very progressive on his ideas and, in many ways was years ahead of his time. He once had an idea of using concave steel rails to carry wagon wheels, so the crops could be taken to the mill easier.
He helped to organize the Grange, and at one time was an officer of the National Grange. At the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893 in Chicago, Oscar was awarded a bronze medal for his exhibit of corn.

His hobby was tracing the records of the Dinwiddie family, and he collected much material in this connection. He was one the organizers of the Old Settlers Association of Lake County and its' first president in 1875, serving again in that office from 1900 to 1908, and again from 1916 to 1920. The name of the organization was changed in 1903 to "Old Settlers and Historical Association of Lake County".

Though often the victim of accidents and with continual suffering, Oscar lived to the age of 85 years, when death came to relieve him of all the years of physical suffering which would have ended life for most men long before. He spent his last years at the home of Keith and Phebe Dinwiddie in Lowell.

Keith was the son of Joseph P. Dinwiddie, and the grandson of Oscar. Many will remember Keith running the filling station at Commercial and Mill St. in Lowell, from about 1933 to 1939.
Oscar's brother, Jerome, was married to Mary Chapman in 1871. Their three children were Dr. John Abbott Dinwiddie, Grace (Hochhalter), and Daisy. Dr. Dinwiddie practiced dentistry in Lowell for many years. Later, his son Dr. George Abbott Dinwiddie was associated with his father and continued the business after the elder doctor died.
Oscar's sister, Frances Rosalia, married Frank E. Brownell, and their children were Jay Carlton, Alice, John, Claude, Catharine, Guy Carlton, Edwin and Ruth.
His brother Edwin Willis Dinwiddie was married in 1884 to Candace Belshaw of West Creek. Children of Edwin and Candace were Cora, Henry, Herbert, Mabel, Mary, Edwin W. and Willeta.
Oscar's sister, Mary E., married Walter S. Nichols in 1880. Their children were John Bernard Nichols, born in 1881, and Harry Burton Nichols, born in 1883.
In the 1870's all parts of Eagle Creek Township had other energetic farmers and moneymakers, some of who were early settlers and were making steady improvements. In those years, the range for stock was abundant, with thousands of acres of excellent pasturelands available for cattle.

Parts of the above history were taken from a biography written by M. Elmer Dinwiddie, the son of Oscar. Other parts came for the book of Oscar's own records printed in 1902 and entitled "Dinwiddie Clan Records." We are pleased to have all three of the Dinwiddie Clan books loaned to us for reference.

Oscar's book of 1902 and edited by T.H. Ball was loaned by Mrs. Clark (Zelma) Brownell and family. The 1952 Edition "The Dinwiddie Clan Record" compiled by Keith Dinwiddie was loaned to us by Bernard J. Nichols. "The Genealogical Records of the Dinwiddie Clan of Northwestern Indiana 1972" complied by Ruby Dinwiddie Lawson as Mrs. Clark Brownell of Lowell loaned a memorial to her father, Keith, to us. We also received an informative phone call from Phoebe Dinwiddie of Mesa, Arizona, who is visiting relatives in this area.

We note in looking through the records of the Dinwiddie Clan that there are many, many other familiar names listed and very many relatives still in this area, but not one with the name Dinwiddie is now living in the area. ( Found in the Lowell Tribune, 30 July 1980)

More About Joseph Dinwiddie and Alice Shurte:
Marriage: February 22, 1897, Lowell
Children of Alice Shurte and Joseph Dinwiddie are:

51 i. Lawerence Keith¹⁰ Dinwiddie, born 1897 in Lowell, Ill. He married Phebe; born in Lowell, Ill.
52 ii. Maxine Drury Dinwiddie, born 1911.

15. Henrietta Adelaide (Addie)⁹ Shurte (John H.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born August 13, 1857 in Morgan Station, LaPorte Co. Ind., and died June 03, 1941 in Lowell, Lake County, Illinois. She married George Shover October 24, 1876.

More About George Shover and Henrietta Shurte:
Marriage: October 24, 1876

Child of Henrietta Shurte and George Shover is:

53 i. Mae¹⁰ Shover. She married Fred Merrill.

17. Roxy⁹ Shurte (Andrew Jackson⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born February 18, 1869 in Cass Co. Michigan, and died 1967 in Hanna Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind.. She married Charles E. Wills February 26, 1892 in New Church, LaPorte Co., Ind. He was born Abt. 1866, and died Abt. 1927.

More About Roxy Shurte:
Burial: Hanna Cemetery
More About Charles Wills and Roxy Shurte:
Marriage: February 26, 1892, New Church, LaPorte Co., Ind

Child of Roxy Shurte and Charles Wills is:

54 i. Ethel Mae¹⁰ Wills, born October 04, 1892.

19. Lenora⁹ Shurte (Andrew Jackson⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born July 02, 1875, and died August 22, 1930. She married (1) Theodore Paul Kapelski. He was born Abt. 1875, and died May 04, 1912. She married (2) Frank Hendryx.

Notes for Lenora Shurte:
12-S Hendryx Lenora (Shurte)
July 2, 1875
Aug 22, 1930
wife/Frank T 1st marriage to Theodore Kapelski

Burial: Hanna Cemetery, Hanna Twp., Ind.

Theodore Paul Kapelski:
Burial: Salem Evangelical and Reform Cemetery, LaPorte Co. Ind.

Child of Lenora Shurte and Theodore Kapelski is:

+ 55 i. Kenneth H.¹⁰ Kapelski, born June 27, 1902 in Chicago, Ill.; died March 1977.

22. Lucretia Maude⁹ Shurte (Andrew Jackson⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born August 18, 1883 in Wanatah, Ind., and died December 21, 1919 in Hanna, Ind.. She married Orville Perry Garner June 14, 1911 in Wanatah, LaPorte Co. Ind., son of Perry Garner and Laura Wagner. He was born November 04, 1882 in Pontiac, Ill, and died February 22, 1938 in Hanna, Ind..

Notes for Lucretia Maude Shurte:
33-S Garner Maude (Shurte) Aug 28, 1883 Dec 21, 1919 wife/Orville P.
Lucretia Maude Shurte:
Burial: December 21, 1919, Hanna cemetery, Ind.

Notes for Orville Perry Garner: 33-S Garner Orville Perry Nov 4, 1882 Feb 23, 1938
Orville Perry Garner:Burial: February 22, 1938, Hanna cemetery, Ind.

More About Orville Garner and Lucretia Shurte:
Marriage: June 14, 1911, Wanatah, LaPorte Co. Ind.

Children of Lucretia Shurte and Orville Garner are:

+ 56 i. Mary Elizabeth¹⁰ Garner, born September 06, 1912 in Hanna, Ind..
+ 57 ii. Ruth Eugenia Garner, born March 28, 1914 in Hanna cemetery, Ind..
58 iii. son Garner, born December 1919; died December 1919.

Notes for son Garner:
33-S Garner Infant Dec 1919 son/O.P. & Maude

24. John William⁹ Shurte (Andrew Jackson⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born March 18, 1892 in Wanatah, Ind., and died May 09, 1964 in INdiana. He married Grace Schlundt March 22, 1930 in South Bend Methodist Church LaPorte Co. Ind.. She was born January 30, 1894, and died May 1980 in Wantah, La Porte, Michigan
[Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 L-Z, Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Jan 8, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.112.9.94798.75]
Social Security #: 313-38-2530 Issued in: Indiana
Birth date: Mar 18, 1892
Death date: May 1964 Residence code: Indiana Name: SHURTE, JOHN,SS#: 313-38-2530,State where born: IN, dob: 18 Mar 1892, dod: May 1964, Loc.IN

Notes for Grace Schlundt: [Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 L-Z, Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Jan 8, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.112.9.94798.65]

Individual: Shurte, Grace Social Security #: 305-70-2784 Issued in: Indiana
Birth date: Jan 30, 1894
Death date: May 1980
Residence code: Indiana
ZIP Code of last known residence: 46390
Location associated with this ZIP Code: Wanatah, Indiana
Localities: Haskells, La Porte, Indiana
South Wanatah, La Porte, Indiana
Thomaston, La Porte, Indiana
Wanatah, La Porte, Indiana

Child of John Shurte and Grace Schlundt is:

+ 59 i. Eugene Leroy¹⁰ Shurte, born November 20, 1931 in Wanatah, Ind..

25. Ada Smith⁹ Shurte (Lewis (Louis) M.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) She married H. G. Wojahn Abt. 1893.

Adoption: Abt. 1949, By Lewis M. Shurte, daughter of Herrick Smith
More About H. Wojahn and Ada Shurte:
Marriage: Abt. 1893
Children of Ada Shurte and H. Wojahn are:

60 i. Edward¹⁰ Wojahn, born December 25, 1895; died July 1971.
61 ii. Elmer Wojahn, born July 22, 1902; died December 1970.
62 iii. Herman Wojahn, born April 29, 1908; died February 1984.

26. Alta Smith⁹ Shurte (Lewis (Louis) M.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) died September 03, 1948. She married James Osborn May 30, 1893. He died September 03, 1943 in Westville, LaPorte Co. Ind..
Burial: September 1943, Westville, LaPorte Co. Ind.

Child of Alta Shurte and James Osborn is:

63 i. Eva Marie¹⁰ Osborn. She married James Foor; born April 02, 1916; died July 1984.

27. Cora Belle⁹ Shurte (Lewis (Louis) M.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born June 01, 1876 in Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind, and died April 14, 1945 in Westville, LaPorte Co. Ind.. She married James T. Anderson August 18, 1898. He was born Abt. 1872, and died Abt. 1925.

Cora Belle Shurte:
Burial: April 16, 1945, Westville, LaPorte Co. Ind.
Children of Cora Shurte and James Anderson are:

64 i. Mable Eva¹⁰ Anderson.

65 ii. Maybelle Anderson, born May 23, 1902 in Clinton Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind./Clinton Co., IN. She married Warren Keithline; born February 15, 1903; died January 1978.

66 iii. Bernice Anderson, born April 15, 1909. She married John Bos July 05, 1947 in Wanatah, LaPorte Co. Ind.; born September 25, 1901; died September 1981.

29. Grace F.⁹ Shurte (Lewis (Louis) M.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born June 18, 1880 in LaPorte Co., Ind., and died December 26, 1935 in Wanatah, Ind.. She married Max Drazer June 14, 1905 in Porter Co. Ind.. He was born Abt. 1874, and died Abt. 1957.
Burial: December 1935, Wanatah, Ind.

Children of Grace Shurte and Max Drazer are:

+ 67 i. Donald¹⁰ Drazer, born March 1906 in Kouts, Porter Co. Ind.; died Abt. 1954.
68 ii. Mildred Drazer, born June 1909 in Kouts, Porter Co. Ind.. She married Unk. October 1939.

More About Unk. and Mildred Drazer:
Marriage: October 1939

69 iii. Mabel Drazer, born November 1911 in Kouts, Porter Co. Ind.. She married John O'Connor June 1940 in Wanatah, LaPorte Co. Ind..

+ 70 iv. Florence Drazer, born July 09, 1919 in Kouts, Porter Co. Ind..

32. Andrew J.⁹ Shurte (Lewis (Louis) M.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born March 28, 1888, and died Abt. 1935.

Notes for Andrew J. Shurte:
17 Shurte Andrew J 1888 June 25, 1935 son Lewis M & Sarah

More About Andrew J. Shurte:
Burial: Morgan Cemetery, Cass Twp. LaPort Co. Ind

Child of Andrew J. Shurte is:

71 i. Winifred¹⁰ Shurte.

33. Harrison⁹ Shurte (Lewis (Louis) M.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born Abt. 1889 in Wantana, Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind, and died January 02, 1951 in Wantana, Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind. He married Mabel Mitzner 1916 in Wantana, Ind.. She was born June 13, 1894 in Wantana, Cass Twp. LaPorte Co. Ind, and died June 25, 1971 in Valparusa, Ind..

More About Harrison Shurte: Occupation: Farmer

Notes for Mabel Mitzner: [Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 L-Z, Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Jan 8, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.112.9.94798.81]

Individual: Shurte, Mabel Social Security #: 305-46-3462 Issued in: Indiana
ZIP Code of last known residence: 46383 Location associated with this ZIP Code: Valparaiso, Indiana

Children of Harrison Shurte and Mabel Mitzner are:

72 i. Alice¹⁰ Shurte.
+ 73 ii. Clarence Shurte, born April 29, 1917 in Valparasio, Porter Co. Ind.; died April 02, 1999 in Valparasio, Porter, In.
+ 74 iii. Lewis Leroy Shurte, born September 12, 1922 in Valparasio, Porter Co. Ind..

38. Carrie Dell⁹ Campbell (Catherine M.⁸ Shurte, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born November 23, 1882 in LaPorte Co., Ind.. She married Otto F. Shei.

Child of Carrie Campbell and Otto Shei is:

+ 75 i. Elsie M.¹⁰ Shei, born July 22, 1907; died November 23, 1982.

Generation No. 4

39. John Henry¹⁰ Shurte (William Franklin (Frank)⁹, John H.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born November 03, 1881 in Downer Grove, Ill, and died December 28, 1933. He married Mae Mable Belle Patterson. She was born 1872, and died 1922.

John H. Shurte son of William Feranklin Shurte lived in Downer Grove, Ill. Was a printer working on the Chicago paper Occupation: Printer

Children of John Shurte and Mae Patterson are:

+ 76 i. Richmond (Raymond) J.¹¹ Shurte, born February 20, 1901; died October 11, 1960 in Iowa City, Iwoa.
77 ii. Elizabeth Margaret Shurte, born 1907. She married (1) Duke Schlander. She married (2) Arthur Spencer Phelps; born April 23, 1905 in Praire du sac., Wisc.; died July 30, 1947.

Notes for Elizabeth Margaret Shurte:

ELIZABETH SHURTE married ARTHUR SPENCER JR. PHELPS, son of ARTHUR PHELPS and ADA WILLIAMS. He was born April 23, 1905 in Prairie du Sac, Wis., and died July 30, 1947.

Notes for Arthur Spencer Phelps:

ARTHUR SPENCER JR. PHELPS, son of ARTHUR PHELPS and ADA WILLIAMS. He was born April 23, 1905 in Prairie du Sac, Wis., and died July 30, 1947.

40. William Elias¹⁰ Shurte (William Franklin (Frank)⁹, John H.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born June 07, 1884, and died Abt. 1945. He married Ida Uhter. She was born 1885, and died Abt. 1959.

Children of William Shurte and Ida Uhter are:

+ 78 i. Living Shurte.
+ 79 ii. Living Shurte.
80 iii. Living Shurte. She married Living Schluntz.

41. Hazel¹⁰ Shurte (William Franklin (Frank)⁹, John H.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born October 31, 1888, and died Abt. 1975. She married William Arthur Fuller. He was born Abt. 1883, and died Abt. 1938.

Children of Hazel Shurte and William Fuller are:

81 i. Living¹¹ Fuller. He married Pauline Wood.
82 ii. Living Fuller. She married Living Nichols.
83 iii. Robert D. Fuller, born March 28, 1912 in Indiana; died August 18, 1969 in San Bernardino, Californa. He married Vera.

More About Robert D. Fuller:

Individual Note: August 19, 1969, Death Record, mother Shurte
84 iv. Living Fuller. He married Living Stout.
85 v. Living Fuller. She married Living Greenwood.
86 vi. Living Fuller. She married Living Fringer.
87 vii. Living Jr. Fuller. He married Living Schuring.

42. Lewis Wesley¹⁰ Shurte (William Franklin (Frank)⁹, John H.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born June 27, 1891 in Lowell, Ind., and died September 02, 1954. He married Vernal N. Kelsey June 04, 1913 in Lowell, Ind, daughter of Merritt Kelsey and Kathyrn E. She was born March 04, 1892 in Lowell, Ind., and died August 24, 1982 in Crown point, Ind..

Notes for Lewis Wesley Shurte:

The Kelsey Family (from the Oct. 30, 1985, Lowell Tribune, page 8) This story tells about Lewis Shurte too. The family name of Kelsey has been traced to a manor at Beckenham, County Kent, England, about 1250, during the reign of King Henry III. At that time the name was De Kelsey, showing evidence of a Norman origin. Many members of the family married titled men and women.

Early in the 1600's. William Kelsey journeyed to New England where he was one of the founders of Newtowne, now Cambridge, Mass., and also Hartford and Clinton in Connecticut. The Kelseys were very prominent in their church and their community.

John D. Kelsey (1809-1876), who had two brothers, David and Samuel, was a descendent of the traveler from England. He was born in Vermont, where he became a farmer, and later moved to Pennsylvania and then New York. He came to Lake County, Indiana, in the spring of 1860, an early settler in West Creek Township.

John D. Kelsey married Eunice Johnson and their children were: Mary, Emily and James J. When James J. Kelsey (1842-1920) was three years old, his mother passed away. His father (John D.) later married widow Barbara Westfall Turner, who became the mother of Jane, John Jr., Wykoff and Emma. Her children by her previous marriage were Mary, Martin and Perkins Turner. Wykoff Kelsey was well known in Lowell, and became a minister in Chicago, Ill.

James J. Kelsey was educated in an old hewn log schoolhouse in New York State. The seats were slabs on four wooden pins, with the desk being a broad board running part way around the room and resting on pins driven into the wall. He used a goose quill, studied the Davies Arithmetic, the Rhetorical Reader, and the Sanders Speller. He began life at the bottom of the ladder, working for nine dollars per month to earn money to bring his parents to Indiana. They later arrived with only $20.

He worked at many menial tasks and farmed with his father until August 1862, when he joined Company K, 113th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served in Iowa and Tennessee until February 1863.

He returned to the West Creek Farm, and cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln. When he retired from the farm in 1899, he moved to a house that is still standing, directly across the street from Dante's Restaurant.

In September 1863 James Kelsey married Nancy Kile (1842-1927), daughter of Reason C. Kile (1817-1899) and Nancy Jane Hayden Kile (1823-1902), and granddaughter of Nehemiah and Harriet Kitchel Hayden, 1837 pioneers of West Creek Township. The children of James Kelsey and Nancy Kile Kelsey were Laura E. (1864-1958), Merritt W. (1866-1937), and Leroy E. (1878-1944).

Laura E. Kelsey married A. Byron Chipman and their children were Mildred, who married Frank Hofbach; Edith, who married Robert Engels; and Albert, who married Emily Nelson, daughter of prominent businessman Frank Nelson of Lowell.

The Chipmans first farmed in Kankakee County, Ill., but in 1900 purchased a 240-acre farm from William Brannon in West Creek Township. Chipman placed nearly 10,000 drain tiles in the fields during 1903 and 1904, and his farm was rated one of the best in the township.

Merritt W., the eldest son, became a prominent Lowell businessman, starting out just before the turn of the century. He began his Livery Stable business in 1898. The building was built on tall pilings directly over the bed of Cedar Creek on the south side of the bridge on Commercial Ave., but the Old Timer can only remember the rotting posts standing alone near the old wooden bridge. A story is told that some of the young men of the area would ask to rent a horse that would instictively return to the stable without guidance, so that they could sleep on the way home from a barn dance or a party!

An advertisement in the 1901 Lowell Souvenir Tabloid newspaper read: "MERRITT KELSEY, LIVERY, SALE AND FEED STABLE - Good service, prices reasonable and everything first class - Phone 99." That appeared in several papers in the following years.

About the same time, this item appeared in the Social Column: "Merritt Kelsey and wife took an excursion from Momence to Fulton (near Moline) Ill., then down the Mississippi River twenty-three miles by boat last Wednesday. Had a delightful trip viewing the most magnificent scenery; had a fine supper on board, came back Thursday.

The livery business was profitable, so in 1906 Merritt finished his new brick livery stable on the north side of Commercial Ave. across from the old one. The following advertisement appeared in "Souvenir Album of Lake County, 1906": "A Model Livery Stable" - Merritt Kelsey of Lowell, with an experience in the livery business for over eight years, has completed a new two story brick building 38x80 feet on Commercial Ave. and has opened one of the best arranged and equipped livery, feed and stables in Northern Indiana. The cost of the real estate is $5,400 and the equipment $2,500. The basement is fitted up for 14 head of horses, while on the first floor is space for 16 more head; on this floor space has also been provided for vehicles, buggy washing, harness, etc. An elevator to hoist vehicles to the upper floor will be provided. At present, Mr. Kelsey has eight brand new buggies, two surreys; one three seated vehicle, and one bus, and is prepared to take care of weddings, funerals, and social parties on short notice. A share of your patronage is solicited by Mr. Kelsey."

Merritt was also a Lowell volunteer firefighter for many years, and was later associated with George Wilson in the garage business.

Pauline's children are Mary Ann, married to John Kelly, and James N.

Lewis Shurte was a well-known businessman in Lowell for years. He operated a cream station in downtown Lowell, sold it to his brother-in-law Russell Burroughs, and started a fox farm, which he managed for many years. The farm was on the shores of Red Wing Lake, northeast of Lowell, and was then called Shurtes Marsh. The big pond was a popular place for ice skating parties and the Shurtes would share their yard to park vehicles.

Merritt acquired a farm on Joe Martin Rd., but later moved into town and bought a house next to his father's on the west side of Lowell. He purchased the home from George Berg, founder of West Side Hardware, who moved to California with his family in 1922.

Merritt's brother, Leroy E. (1878-1944), was a machinist in the Lowell area. He married Mary A Ponto (1878-1950) in 1896. They had two sons, Garrett E., who passed away as a child (1898-1902), and Cecil G. Kelsey. Cecil (1900-1964) married Betty Reynolds in 1927. Their daughters are Phyllis Heintz, Anna Mary Long, and Nancie Wade. Leroy was called "Puddy" and played lineman in the "Beef Trust" semi-professional football team at Lowell, coached by the well-known Frank Maloy, a Monon Railroad station agent for many years.

Others on that team included Bernie Beckman, Tim Pattee, Christopher "Crip" Hill, Ned Regnier, Ben Lynch, Dr. Rigg, Smiley Anderson, Ed Brownell, Bill Purdy, Ralph Trump, Wells Ainsworth, Bill Callahan, Bird Viant, Ed Johnson, "Nub" Ray.

Descendents of the Kelseys of New England are now scattered the length and breadth of the North American continent, but only a few in this area boast the Kelsey name.

In 1903, Joh Zartman moved with his family from Grant Park, Ill., and purchased the Kelsey Livery Stable on the south side of Commercial Ave. in 1906. Later, he built and operated a filling station located between the Hardings Inc. and the Monon Railroad. This 'A' frame building was moved to the Buckley Homestead to use as an outbuilding. John's daughter was Martha Hathaway Smith, who operated a millinery sho[ in Lowell for decades.

Last updated on February 16, 2001 Credit to "Pioneer History" A to Z Lowel History

Lewis Wesley Shurte: Burial: September 04, 1954, Lowell, Ind.
Occupation: Raised and farmed silver foxes

Notes for Vernal N. Kelsey: [Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 L-Z, Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Jan 8, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.112.9.94798.98]

Individual: Shurte, Vernal
Social Security #: 315-38-9835 Issued in: Indiana Birth date: Mar 4, 1892 Death date: Aug 1982
Residence code: Indiana
ZIP Code of last known residence: 60014 Location associated with this ZIP Code: Crystal Lake, Illinois

More About Vernal N. Kelsey: Burial: August 24, 1982, Lowell, Ind.
Residence: August 1982, 60014 Crystal Lake, Mchenry, IL
Social Security Number: 1955, 315-38-9835 issued in Indiana
More About Lewis Shurte and Vernal Kelsey:
Marriage: June 04, 1913, Lowell, Ind

Child of Lewis Shurte and Vernal Kelsey is:

88 i. Marcia A.¹¹ Shurte, born March 30, 1918 in Lowell, Ind..

43. Edwin Lewis¹⁰ Shurte (Samuel Lewis (Lewis)⁹, John H.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born April 05, 1911 in Peru, Ind., and died June 06, 1979 in Phoenix, Ariz.. He married Elnora Evelyn Showley June 15, 1938 in St. Joseph, Mich.. She was born October 23, 1916 in Fulton Co., Ind..

More About Edwin Shurte and Elnora Showley:
Marriage: June 15, 1938, St. Joseph, Mich.
Child of Edwin Shurte and Elnora Showley is:

89 i. LuAnne¹¹ Shurte, born January 20, 1939.

55. Kenneth H.¹⁰ Kapelski (Lenora⁹ Shurte, Andrew Jackson⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born June 27, 1902 in Chicago, Ill., and died March 1977. He married Beatrice A. Kenney December 10, 1922 in Wanatah, LaPorte Co. Ind., daughter of Martin Kenney and Ida Gross. She was born August 12, 1903 in Wanatah, Ind..

More About Kenneth Kapelski and Beatrice Kenney: Marriage: December 10, 1922, Wanatah, LaPorte Co. Ind.

Child of Kenneth Kapelski and Beatrice Kenney is:

90 i. Gloria B.¹¹ Kapelski, born June 06, 1925.

56. Mary Elizabeth¹⁰ Garner (Lucretia Maude⁹ Shurte, Andrew Jackson⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born September 06, 1912 in Hanna, Ind.. She married Glen Louis Kessler February 01, 1936 in LaPorte Co. Ind.. He was born September 13, 1911 in Wellsboro, Noble Twp. LaPorte Co., Ind./Noble Co., IN, and died August 1995.

More About Glen Kessler and Mary Garner:

Marriage: February 01, 1936, LaPorte Co. Ind.

57. Ruth Eugenia¹⁰ Garner (Lucretia Maude⁹ Shurte, Andrew Jackson⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born March 28, 1914 in Hanna cemetery, Ind.. She married Ralph Franklin Yeoman July 14, 1934 in LaCross, Ind., son of Franklin Yeoman and Emma Bringle. He was born October 31, 1907, and died April 09, 1976.

More About Ralph Yeoman and Ruth Garner:

Marriage: July 14, 1934, LaCross, Ind.

59. Eugene Leroy¹⁰ Shurte (John William⁹, Andrew Jackson⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born November 20, 1931 in Wanatah, Ind.. He married Elaine Sacks August 24, 1957 in South Bend Ind., daughter of Louie Sacks and Leona Werner. She was born April 05, 1936 in Hanna, LaPorte co. Ind..

Notes for Eugene Leroy Shurte:

Eugene Shurte is listed in the Michigan City News paper as a contact for the Scare Crow Festival.

In 1996 apearing in "The Daily Lawan" News paper, "Gene" is listed as the County Hwy. Commisioner. The article explains how Opera Winfrey is angry at him and her desire to have her estate roadway covered in black top.

1999 Attended over 50 years of Ball games according to the Chicargo Tribune

More About Eugene Leroy Shurte:

Occupation: 1990, Highway Supervisor for LaPorte Co. Indiana

More About Elaine Sacks:

Residence: 1999, Live in Wanatah, Inndiana

More About Eugene Shurte and Elaine Sacks:

Marriage: August 24, 1957, South Bend Ind.

67. Donald¹⁰ Drazer (Grace F.⁹ Shurte, Lewis (Louis) M.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born March 1906 in Kouts, Porter Co. Ind., and died Abt. 1954. He married Nancy McFarland 1931 in Knox, Starke Co. Ind..

More About Donald Drazer:

Burial: Wanatah, Ind.

More About Donald Drazer and Nancy McFarland:

Marriage: 1931, Knox, Starke Co. Ind.

70. Florence¹⁰ Drazer (Grace F.⁹ Shurte, Lewis (Louis) M.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born July 09, 1919 in Kouts, Porter Co. Ind.. She married Charles P. Sanders September 1942 in Michigan City, Ind.. Death date unk

More About Charles Sanders and Florence Drazer:

Marriage: September 1942, Michigan City, Ind.

73. Clarence¹⁰ Shurte (Harrison⁹, Lewis (Louis) M.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) (Source: Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Social Security Death Index: U.S. Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index, (Release date: April 10, 2000), "CD-ROM.") was born April 29, 1917 in Valparasio, Porter Co. Ind., and died April 02, 1999 in Valparasio, Porter, In (Source: Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Social Security Death Index: U.S. Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index, (Release date: April 10, 2000), "CD-ROM," Internal Ref. #1.112.9.94798.57.). He married Alicer Iseminger 1941 in Westville, Ind..

Notes for Clarence Shurte:

[Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 L-Z, Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Jan 3, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.112.9.94798.57]

Individual: Shurte, Clarence

Social Security #: 312-38-3211

Issued in: Indiana

Birth date: Apr 29, 1917

Death date: Apr 2, 1999

Residence code: PE (Death reported by the Old Age, Survivors & Disability Insurance or the Supplemental Security Income programs)

ZIP Code of last known residence: 46383

Location associated with this ZIP Code:

Valparaiso, Indiana

[Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 L-Z, Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Jan 8, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.112.9.94798.51]

Individual: Shurte, Carl

Social Security #: 270-14-9429

Issued in: Ohio

Birth date: Jan 29, 1917

Death date: Feb 1977

Residence code: Ohio

ZIP Code of last known residence: 45216

Location associated with this ZIP Code:

Cincinnati, Ohio

ZIP Code where death benefit payment was sent: 45216

Location associated with this ZIP Code:

Cincinnati, Ohio

More About Clarence Shurte:

Residence: April 02, 1999, (46383) 520 E. 300 S. Valparaiso, Porter, In

Social Security Number: 1954, IN - 312-38-3211

More About Clarence Shurte and Alicer Iseminger:

Marriage: 1941, Westville, Ind.

74. Lewis Leroy¹⁰ Shurte (Harrison⁹, Lewis (Louis) M.⁸, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born September 12, 1922 in Valparasio, Porter Co. Ind.. He married Verna Kutkiewicz December 12, 1964 in Wantana, Ind., daughter of John Kutkiewicz and Mary. She was born January 06, 1920 in East Chicago, Ill., and died August 09, 1993.

More About Lewis Leroy Shurte: Occupation: Farmer

Notes for Verna Kutkiewicz:

[Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 L-Z, Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: Jan 8, 2001, Internal Ref. #1.112.9.94798.97]

Individual: Shurte, Verna

Social Security #: 309-46-2328

Issued in: Indiana

Birth date: Jan 6, 1918

Death date: Aug 9, 1993

ZIP Code of last known residence: 46383

Location associated with this ZIP Code:

Valparaiso, Indiana

SHURTE, VERNA 309-46-2328 IN 6 Jan 1918 9 Aug 1993 Valparaiso, Indiana 46383

More About Verna Kutkiewicz:

Burial: Graceland Cemetery, Valparaiso, Ind.

Residence: August 09, 1993, 46383 Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana

Social Security Number: 1961, 309-46-2328 issued in IN

75. Elsie M.¹⁰ Shei (Carrie Dell⁹ Campbell, Catherine M.⁸ Shurte, Samuel⁷, Lewis⁶ Syourt, Joost⁵ Shurte, Adolphus⁴ Shuart, Olphert Olvert Wolfert Shuarts Sjoert³ Sioerts, Sjoert (Shuerdt)² Olphertszen, A.¹ Shurte) was born July 22, 1907, and died November 23, 1982. She married O. Hunsley.

More About Elsie M. Shei: Burial: Hanna Cemetery, Hanna Twp., Ind.

Return to LaPorte County Biographies