Henry C. Egbert (Harry) was a military officer, born in Pennsylvania and a member of the Philadelphia Bar. He was commissioned first lieutenant in the 12th U.S. Infantry, 9/23/1861, becoming a captain 4/1/1865, having won 2 brevets and being twice captured, once exchanged and once escaped. After service in the east he was posted to California, commanding Fort Independence in the Owens River Valley from 1869-73 and Fort Yuma, 1874-75. He was captain of the 12th Infantry Battalion during the Nez Perce Campaign of 1877 and in the Bannock War of 1878 in Idaho and surrounding states. Egbert commanded Fort Verde, Arizona in 1880-82, serving in the field against Chiracahua and White Mountain Apaches. During this time he investigated in depth the Cibecue Affair of 8/1881, his report of 12/10 being a primary source about Indian participation in that and peripheral events. Egbert served at Fort Sully, Sough Dakota from 1889. He became major of the 17th Infantry 4/23/1890, lieutenant colonel, 6th Infantry 5/18/1893, colonel of the 22nd Infantry 7/1/1898, and served briefly as a Brigadier General of Volunteers during the Spanish American War. He was killed in action at Malinda, Philippine Islands.  Fort Egbert, near Eagle, Alaska was "officially named  in memory of Harry C. Egbert, an infantry colonel killed March 26, 1899, in the Phillipines" on 6/7/1899. 

____________________________

Manila, March 26 – 7:30 pm. – The United States troops, under Brig. Gen. Lloyd Wheaton, captured the town of Malinta, beyond the Tulinhan River today after a sharp fight.

Col. Harry C. Egbert of the Twenty-seventh Regular Infantry was killed. Prince Loewenstein, formerly aide de camp on the staff of Brig. Gen. Miller at Hollo, somehow got in front of the firing line, and was shot in the side, dying almost instantly. A German who accompanied him was wounded.

The American casualties today were much lighter than those of yesterday, the total losses thus far reported since the engagement commenced being 45 killed and 145 wounded.

The insurgents will make their last stand probably at Malolos, their so-called capitol. Gen MacArthur will press on tomorrow in pursuit of them in that direction.

Gen. Wheaton entered Malinta, which is a small village of huts, at 1 o’clock this afternoon.

The United State gunboat Helena and other gunboats have been shelling Malabon, about a mile northwest of Caloocan, for several hours.

The insurgents made a fierce resistance in the American advance up the railroad at Malinda. In addition to the fatal wounding of Col. Egbert, several men of the Twenty-second Infantry and several of the Oregon and Kansas regiments were killed.
 

Col. Harry C. Egbert, who was killed in the taking of Malinta, had passed through the perils of the civil war, several Indian campaigns, and the battles in front of Santiago before a Filipino bullet stopped his fighting career. He was distinguished as a brave, clear-headed, and efficient officer. He won his way to the head of a regiment by sheer force of personal ability, as he was not a graduate of West Point.

He was appointed a First Lieutenant from civil life in Pennsylvania on September 24, 1861. He saw active service with the Twelfth Regular Infantry from the start, taking part in the battles of Gaines Mills and Malvern Hill. At the battle of Cedar Mountain, on August 9, 1862, he was leading a detachment to dislodge a body of the enemy that was giving the Union lines considerable annoyance when Confederate cavalrymen executed a flank movement. Liet. Egbert was captured, and thrown into Libby Prison. He remained in captivity for a considerable time, but was finally exchanged. At the battle of Bethesda Church, on June 5, 1864, Liet. Egbert was shot down while making a charge. His gallantry on this occasion won him official notice, and he was promoted to captain on April 1, 1865.

After the war he was on garrison duty in several parts of the South. Afterward the Twelfth Regiment was stationed in the West, and when the Nez Perce outbreak occurred, in the summer of 1877, Capt. Egbert was in command of Companies B and F, together with Company A, Twenty-first Infantry. His command was ordered to Boise, Idaho in July, and there designated as part of the reserve column under Major  John Green, First Cavalry. Capt. Egbert’s battalion experienced hard fighting in the campaign. Capt. Egbert was the only officer who had served through the Civil War remaining in the Twelfth Infantry when promoted to Major of the Seventeenth Infantry on April 23, 1890. Major Egbert took part in the campaign against the hostile Sioux, in South Dakota, in the winter of 1890-91. He was appointed Lt. Col. and assigned to the Sixth Infantry on May 18,1898, and was with the regiment in the engagements before Santiago.

While leading a gallant charge up the hill at El Caney, Col Egbert was severely wounded, and although he tried to continue fighting, soon fell exhausted and was carried to the rear. Afterward he was brought to New York, and spent a time in Bellevue Hospital. On his recovery he applied for active service in the Philippines, and was assigned to the Twenty-second Infantry. Col. Egbert was a son of Medical Director Egbert, United States Navy.

Cincinnati, April 24, 1899 – The joint committee of Chamber of Commerce members and citizens appointed to the charge of the movement for a popular memorial to the late Col. Harry C Egbert, formerly of the Sixth Infantry, decided today to erect a memorial tablet in his honor on the water tower at Fort Thomas. It will be in bronze, and will stand by another tablet which is to be unveiled on July 1 in honor of the dead of the Sixth Infantry led by Col. Egbert at San Juan Hill. This tablet is the largest and finest in the country – 9 ½ by 7 ½ feet

A committee was appointed to select the design. H.F. Farney, the artist, will assist. Both tablets are to be unveiled on the same day. Col. Egbert was killed in the Philippines while leading his regiment – the Twenty-second Infantry – but his long service with the 6th, ending with a bullet wound at San Juan, while in front of the 6th, makes the position of the tablets peculiarly appropriate.

The tower is situated near the end of the trolley line running from Cincinnati to Fort Thomas, and is but a stone’s throw from the former residence of Col. Egbert while stationed at the fort. A daughter of Capt. Wetherill, an old comrade-in-arms of Col. Egbert, who was killed at San Juan, will unveil the tablet. Major Cromwell of the Sixth has been detailed to be present on the occasion.

1778- Whereas I the subscriber did, on the 27th of last month purchase a Black Horse, known by the name of the Dutch Minister’s Black, of Amwell, of a certain David Cock, of Readington, and in the evening of the said day he delivered, in the dark, a horse 23 years old to defraud me; and now refuses to give me the horse. This is to forewarn all persons not to trade with the said David Cock for the horse as I am determined to have him.

Nicholas Egbert
Readington, May 2,1778

Washington passed through New Brunswick in November, 1776. The inn where he is said to have stopped is thus spoken of in a City Directory of 1820, a date when many living men could have corrected any misstatement of fact from personal recollection.

“Let the Street Committees and renovator of old buildings ‘Spare the ancient house.’ ‘Touch not a single stone’ of the old house on the corner of Albany and Neilson (formerly Queen) streets, once kept as the public house of the city by Major Egbert, in which Lieutenant Colonel Simcoe was detained as prisoner, and whose old stone walls are all that remain unchanged. The first reading of the Declaration of Independence by Colonel Neilson, in this city was in front of this house. It is almost alone in its dignity amidst improvements that are daily sweeping into oblivion the antique edifices of former days.”

On September 9, 1776, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Edward Rutledge proceeded on their journey to Lord Howe, on Staten Island. Two of them were in chairs, but Adams was on horseback. The first night they lodged at New Brunswick, but so full was the town they had difficulty in finding accommodations. Finally Franklin and Adams were forced to content themselves with a single room at The Bell, then probably known as The Indian Queen. The chamber was but little larger than a bed. It had no chimney and only one window. Franklin insisted that the small window should be left open. Adams, with the old prejudices against night air, wished to have it closed; whereupon Franklin began a discourse on the virtues of air of any kind, and continued talking till Adams fell asleep, by which means the speaker had his own way and fresh air.

An account of the industries of New Brunswick in 1828 speaks of the Bell Tavern, White Hall, City Hotel, and best of all at that date, Mann’s Hotel, which was opposite the others at the corner of Albany and Neilson streets. Mann’s long room was the place for public meetings in the early nineteenth century, just about the time when Cornelius Vanderbilt was carrying on his business at the Bellona at the end of Burnet Street.

The creditors of Matthew Griggs and Ezekiel Handley, of South Brunswick, Middlesex County, insolvent debtors, are to meet with judges of the Court of Common Pleas on 11th May at the house of Tomas Egbert, innholder in New Brunswick.

Silas Condict, Commissioner, pursuant to directions in the act entitles “An Act to call in all contractors certificates and issue State notes to the holders…” announces that he will be attendance for the liquidation of such certificates at the following places, for one week following each date: (among the list) Major Egberts’ (Thomas), Brunswick, 16th May.

John Bray, Clerk P.T., gives notice that the New Brunswick Common Council will meet 22nd January at the house of Major Thomas Egbert for tax assessment purposes.

The New Jersey Medical Society will meet 6th May (1788) at the house of Mr. Thomas Egbert in New Brunswick, -- Henderson, Secretary

Nathaniel Ogden, bricklayer and paver, New Brunswick, intends to leave this place on Thursday next. All accounts may be settled with him at Major Thomas Egberts’ in Albany Street.

Thomas Egbert, New Brunswick, gives notice that he has removed from the upper end of Albany Street to the house named White Hall, lately kept by Mr. James Drake, (April 28, 1789) p. 438.

___________________________

John Styles of Newark Deputy Sheriff of Essex County and Keeper of the Gaol of the same County being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists on his oath doth declare that on Monday the twenty-eighth day of November last in the morning one Amos Roberts was by William Chettwood Esq. Sheriff of the s.d  County committed to the s.d  gaol on a process of Treason which the deponent has seen & believes the Sheriff gave the s.d Roberts a copy of it for that he read, that the s.d Amos Roberts continued so committed till dark in the evening of the same day when a number of people gathered about the gaol & one Joseph Roberts son of the s.d Amos demanded the keys of this depon.t  to let the s.d  Amos out which the depon.t refus’d and told him and many others there present that he was in custody for Treason and forewarn’d them from meddling with the gaol, but notwithstanding the so informing and warning them, they shut the depon.t  out into the street and his wife into the kitchen of the gaol and then proceeded towards breaking open the gaol, one Elihu Ward had an axe on his arm and the depon.t heard that Methuel Pierson with that axe cut the nails of the hinges and broke open the gaol and rescued the s.d Amos Roberts out of it, this deponent believes the number of people gathered together were between twenty and thirty who seemed all gathered for the purpose of breaking of the gaol they appearing in consultation one with another the persons that he knew and remembers among them were the s.d Joseph Roberts, Methuel Pierson, Elihu Ward, Isaac Smith, Thomas Gardner Jun.r , Benjamin Gardner,Lawrence Egburtse, Moses Baldwin son of John, Aaron Ball, Jonas Ball, Aaron Grummon a printer to Joseph Roberts, Joseph Corey--- Say that one Nehemiah Crane was present but no way encouraging or aiding—also Samuel Plum who had been aiding the sheriff in taking of s.d Amos Roberts they went off Huzzawing but not for King George as they had done at former breakings of the gaol, the depon.t says he did not hear the name of King George mentioned by them in their huzzawing and further saith no.

 sworn the 1st day of December, 1748 before Ja. Alexander, Edwd Antill
  J. Styles

____________________________________

On Thursday last, the 3rd inst., the Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery, in Essex County, rose, in which the following persons were convicted:…(at bottom of page)…Maritie Egbert, of harbouring horse thieves, judgment suspended. (Maritie Egbert, dau. of Nicholas Egbert of Readington, NJ)

___________________________________

“Considering the uncertainty of life, especially in those time of Troubles, and as I am in a few days to go down to New York, where I may fall a Victim to British Tyrants, who are arrived in order to invade that Metropolis it may be uncertain whether ever I return.”
 “The testator trusts in ‘Jesus my Redeemer whose Blood I trust will wash my guilty Soul from all its foul Stains.’”
 “I give without the least Reserve unto Jesus the beloved of my Soul my five Children to be disposed of as it pleased him But oh, that they may love Jesus.”
 “Unto my son John, a Negro Servant, which he may chuse for his Birthright.” –“Residue to my five children, who are Equally Dear to me and do therefore give them an Equal share.” “To eldest son John a just 1/5 part” “to my son Gerrit 1/5 part,” “ to eldest daughter Margrietje 1/5 part” to my daughter Mary 1/5 part” “to my youngest daughter Annie 1/5 part.” “In case any of my children should Die without lawful issue before they Arrive to the Age of 21 Years,” survivors to divide the share of deceased.
 “My Brother Andries J. DeWitt my son John and my sisters son Benjamin Nukerk Junr.” appointed executors. “And as there may be considerable trouble in settling my affairs and my Nephew Benjamin Nukerk may have so great a share thereof as to be detriment in his other business” to said Benjamin “for his care and trouble which he may have” £100 before the division of the estate.

 Signed by the testor
Lucas Elmendorph
Benjamin Nukerk
Cornelius Crispel

(!/4/1778, Lucas Elmendorph, of Hurly, yeoman, appeared before the Surrogate, proving the will, and signature of the other witnesses) Adm. granted to John C. DeWitt of Hurly, yeoman, executor.

{Andries DeWitt (s. of Tjerck Claessen DeWitt, q.v.) m. Jannetje Egbertsen. Issue: 1. Tjerck, bt.  Jan. 12,1683 (see Henry D.W.); 2 Jacob, bt. Sept. 28, 1684, d.y.; 3. Barbara b. Aug. 22,1686, d. inf.; 4. Klaes b. Apr. 30, 1688, d. inf.; 5. Barbara, b. Oct. 30, 1689m m. March 25,1715, Johaqnnes Van Deuven; 6. Jacob, b. Dec. 30, 1691, m May 9, 1731, Heyltje Van Kempen, dau. of Jan v. K & Tretje Dekker; 7. Maria, b. Jan 21, 1693, m. Oct. 30, 1713, Jan Roosa Jr., s. of Jan R. & Hilligond Van Buren; 8 Helena, b. Dec. 7, 1695, m. June 6,1719, Jacob Swits, c. of Cornelius; 9. Andries, b. Apr. 1, 1697, d. July 2, 1701; 10 Egbert, b. March 18, 1699, m. Nov. 4, 1726, Mary Nottingham; 11. Johannes, bt. March 26, 1701; 12. Andries, bt. Feb. 20, 1703, m. Dec. 3, 1731, Bergjen Nottingham}
 

  ______________________________

Set in ample gardens, which then ran down to the East River, with no intervening streets, the Walton house was fifty feet wide, with three stories and an attic, above which was a tiled and slightly sloping roof, encircled bye two rows of balustrades. The main entrance, which boasted a massive portico with fluted columns surmounted by the arms of the Walton Family, was in the middle of the building and there were spacious drawing-rooms on each side of the wide mahogany staircase. Some of the rooms were paneled in oak, and the walls of others were hung with stamped and heavily gilded leather, while porcelain tiles set with flowers and birds adorned all of the fireplaces. The Walton house in the time of its first owner, whose portrait shows him as a man of robust build, attired in brown velvet coat, with long-flapped waistcoat of white satin, was the center of a princely hospitality, and it continued for many years one of the show places of the town. Then an evil fate overtook it, and its last days were those of an overcrowded and dilapidated tenement.

The Walton house from 1784 to 1787 was occupied by the Bank of New York, the city’s first bank, in whose organization Alexander Hamilton played a leading part. An early president of this institution was Isaac Roosevelt, whose house at No. 333 Pearl St., just across the way, became after his death the city home of DeWitt Clinton. This exceptional man dwelt there when mayor and recorder of the city, and there planned the work – the building of the Erie Canal – which gives him first place among the makers of modern New York. Twelve years mayor, four times governor, federal Senator, and candidate for President, Clinton was one of the master-spirits of his age. His work for city and State was not unlike that which Hamilton accomplished for the nation, for not only a canal, but colleges, schools, asylums, and public societies found him a wise and helpful parent. He was deeply mourned when he died, but the people for whom he labored with such breadth of vision and such fruitful purpose have thus far neglected to rear a fitting monument to his memory.

DeWitt Clinton's grave

 DeWitt Family Outline
Govert Egbert Outline

______________________________________

 
Church of Bushwick, NY

On Feb. 16, 1660 a group of Huguenots living in New Amsterdam, with Pieter Jan DeWitt as interpreter, met with Pieter Stuyvesant and asked for land on which they might establish a town. Three days later Stuyvesant. his secretary and Surveyor-General Cortelyou took a boat to Long Island, where they were granted a tract of land from Mespat Kill to Bushwick Creek. On it Cortelyou laid out 22 houses around a small pond. By March 14, 1661 houses had been erected and the town enclosed by a palisade.

 

Top Picture, Old Waldensian Church, Stony Brook, 1st church on Staten Island, 1658
Middle Picture, Old Moravian Church and Parsonage, New Dorp
Bottom Picture, Later Moravian Church of New Dorp dedicated 1845

______________________________________
 

Handwritten Wills of Ezekiel Cole and James Egbert, 1812

 
 

  Elisha Egbert

From "History of St. Joseph County, Indiana"  1880
--
Born in New Jersey, at an early age Elisha's father moved to Lebanon, OH where Elisha spent his boyhood. He studied law with
Hon. Thomas Corwin. He was present at the organization of the first couts in Elkhart, St. Joseph County and La Porte County,
and at the time of his death was the last of the first members of the Bar of Northern Indiana. He was said to be the first admitted
to proactice in the courts north of the Wabash river, and was ;paintiff in the third suit on the records of St. Joseph County.  In 1834
he was appointed probate judge. With the exception of one term, which time he spent in farming, he continued to hold the position
until the office was abolished in 1852, when he was elected common pleas judge, which position he held for 18 years, up to the time
of his death.  Many were the  changes in political parties in the source of his long career, but so fully did he have the confidence of
 his fellow citizens that his election seemed to follow as a matter of course.

On the 4th of November, 1870, he was called to his reward above. Judge Egbert was a member of the Masonic order and was buried
by the members of the order in South Bend. The South Bend Commandery , in their resolutions of respect thus speaks of he.
 "In paying an appropriate tribute to the memory of our deceased Brother and Companion, it is eminently proper to state that during
 a long life, nearly all of which has been spent in our midst, he has been the one to whom the sorrowing of earth could go and have
their grief assuaged; that for more than a quarter of a century he has been a faithful Mason, in early life having presided over St. Joseph
lodge, of which he was so long an acceptable member; that he has filled highly honorable and responsible positions in the chapter in
which he belonged, and feeling, as he often said, that he had a desire to travel the full length of the Masonic road, a few months since
he presented his application for the order of Knighthood, and but quite recently passed through these solemn ceremonies, exhibiting
as he did his goodness of heart, when receiving the crowning glory of Masonry. He expressed a desire that he should be buried by the order."

He studied law in the office of Hon. Thomas Corwin, of Ohio. That generous old Roman took him into his family, borarded him, and
treated him as one of their number. When the young student got through his studies, and was admitted to the Bar, he was, like most
other Western students of law, without money and without clients. His old preceptor said to him "Now Lishe, you owe me three or four
hundred dollars, and it does not make such difference whether you can pay it or not, but I advise you to strike out into some new country
 and begin for yourself." He did so, and pitched his tent amongst us.  In 8 or 10 years afterward, Corwin was broken up by endorsement for
 friends. The grateful student, though pushed with debts himself, did not forget his benefactor. As soon as he heard of his misfortune, he
sent him six or 7 hundred dollars. I saw Corwin's reply. It was a warm and sympathetic reply, characteristic of the great and good man.

For the first year or so after Judge Egbert settled here there was very little litigation in the country. The people did not have time to
dispute much. All were intent on getting a home and honest, hard work was considered the most legitimate way of accomplishing that end.
Our young lawyer had to look to some other avocation for a living, in connection with his profession. One of the  first houses built in the
new town was a log schoolhouse. I think it was four lags high, and 16 by 20 feet square. The logs were hewed, and not less than 2 feet wide.
This was the common meeting-house for all religious purposes for several years. mr. Egbert opened a school in this house in the summer
of 1831 and taught for several quarters, at the same time practicing law and speculating a little.

In 1834 he was commissioned probate judge and held the office until 1838, when he was elected a member of the Legislature over Captain
Anthony Defrees. both candidates were Whigs. In that day nobody regarded the politcis of a candidate for the Legislature on national
questions. A Whig would vote for a Democrat for the Legislature as quick as he would for one of his own political faith, and Democrats
 would as soon vote for a WHig under the same circumstances. The party lines were never drawn until 1840.

After the Judge had got fairly on his feet, and feeling confident of his strength, he began to launch out in trade and speculation.  In July, 1834, he laid out the town of Portage, on the river about two miles below South Bend. It was just below a very sharp bend in the river, now cut off as an island. but this bend suggested another name for the town, by which it has always been known "Pin Hook." Under the Judge's fostering care, Portage began to thrive and grow. It soon had two taverns, two dry-goods stores, two physicians and a public farry across the river, and quite a collection of new houses. In a year or so it became quite a snug, thriving little village. While the Judge's town was growing and everything looked prosperous, he branched out in a variety of enterprises such as merchandising, milling and land speculations. When the hard times of 1837-8 strick the country, he found himself, like all the enterprising men, carrying a heavier load than he was able to bear, and finally did come out about where he startedin, and his town of Portage did about the same thing.


Will of William McCartney, Sr. , signed 2/9/1851, filed, 8/7/1852, South Bend, IN
I hereby urther give and bequeath to Mary Jane, wife of Samuel Higinbotham, dauther of Elisha Egbert by my daughter Eliza, to her heirs, executors and administrators to her sole, separate and exclusive use and benfit free from all right or claim of her present or any future husband, the sum of $300, with interest thereon from the date of my decease, to be paid by my executor out of my estate, to such person as my be duly appointed trustee of said Mary Jane, such trustee to receive and hold the same for her sole, sepoarte and exclusive use and benefit as aforesaid.  [ Mary Ann's sister, Sarah, was also given $300 in this will, no mention of a husband.]


From "Through the Years" a Michiaina history column coordinated by Travis Childs, from the Northen Indiana Center for History {www.centerforhistory.org]

By 1831 Elisha Egbert had accepted a temporary job as the town's 1st school teacher. In 1832 he served as an Indian scout
(during the time of the Black Hawk War hysteria). South Bend's citizens began construction of a stockade-style fort and sent
Egbert and 3 other volunteers to inspect and scout 60-70  miles around South Bend. In 1832 the first session of the St. Joseph
County Circuit Court was held in the largest available public space, the tavern of Calvin Lilly. Egbert entered the opening motion
before the court, petitioning that he and several fellow lawyers be admitted to the bar. 10/22/1832 admitted to bar in South Bend, IN
(at the time there were only 150 residents in South Bend).   On 12/7/1831, attorney Elisha Egbert opened office with Dr. J. Hardman.
Judge Elisha Egbert, in 1831, was at the home of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Vail, and is said to have named the township after Mrs. Olive Vail. 
Also in 1831, Judge Elisha Egbert ordered freeing of fugitve slave family. In 1833 probate judge.

In 1838 he was elected to the state legislature, and by 1848 he was again probate judge, where he served until 1852, when he was
named the county's first judge for common pleas. He served as a judge until his death at age 61. [ from separate source - 1848 in IN
House of Rep., in 1852 judge in common pleas court, 1856 probate judge in South Bend. ] The most famouse trial over which he
presided was the infamous fugitive slave case of 1849. A kentucky slave hunter tracked an escaped slave family to Cassopolis,
where he captured the wife and 3 sons. While the party camped near South Bend, the leader was served a writ of habeas corpus
issued by Judge Egbert on behalf of a neighbor of the former slave family. At the trial, Judge Egbert ordered the slave family
released; the enraged slave hunters brandished guns and tried to remove their captives by force. These being frontier times,
most everyone in the courtroom was armed, and the South Bend men outnumbered the Kentuckians. The former slave family
returned to freedom in Michigan, and the stalwart Judge Egbert immediately secured a warrant for the arrest of the slave hunters
 on charges of assault and riot.

His comtemporaries kenw they had a good man in Elisha Egbert. When he died obituaries appeared in South Bend from as far
away as Chicago. On the day of his funeral in 1870, the courts and schools were closed, and a huge procession of dignitaries
and school children marched in the chilly November air following his horse-drawn hearse.

  

 both of these are pictures of Elisha Egbert, (one photo, one portrait)
son of Paul and Rachel (Dilts) Egbert, res. South Bend, IN

Elisha Egberts memorial and headstone.
His first wife, Eliza McCartney is buried there too, but the stones around his grave are worn smooth by time.

---

Arthur Stanley Egbert,
killed in action, 1917, France, memorialized in Egbertville, Egbert Square & Egbert Ave., Staten Is., NY

---

Murder in Hudson Twp., LaPorte Co., IN

Hudson Township is situated on the east side of Hudson lake, sloping gently towards the shore, and under more favorable circumstances, might have become a town of considerable importance. This place was once the rival of LaPorte, and indeed, a formidable one, for the trade of the north part of the county.

In 1833  the first school house after the mission, was built. The school was taught by a man named Edwards. Charles Egbert opened a very respectable store in the same year. John D. Ross and a man named Jewett, started a blacksmith shop; Samuel Elliott carried on the business of coopering, and James F. Smith commenced keeping a tavern–the first one in the township.

In 1834, Garret Bias built the first steam saw mill that had been put in operation in the town, and James F. Smith erected the first frame house. Bias ran his mill until 1838, when he traded it for seven acres of land inside the corporate limits of Chicago, which were sold for taxes.

In 1835, the town was in the full tide of prosperity. It had two taverns, for Garret Bias had opened one; stages were arriving and leaving at all hours, the streets wee filled with an eager and busy throng, farmers came to buy and dispose of their produce, and it seemed as though no town in the vicinity of Hudson could ever compete with it in its steps towards commercial prosperity and growth. There was a monetary crash in 1836-37 with stores and the post office closing.

During the year 1839, Hon. John Reynolds went to Washington and had the post office reestablished. A grist mill was attached to the Avery mill, and a firm formed, consisting of Andrew Avery, Salem Huntington, Richard Hicks and James F. Smith. Smith did not long continue connected with it, but retired, and the business was continued under the firm name of Huntington, Avery Co. It was during this year that the water running from the lake into the canal became insufficient for propelling the machinery. In the same year a distillery was started by John Hobart.

In 1840, Andrew Avery bought out the saw and grist mill, and moved it to near where it now stands. Ox power was used as a motive power. Thos. Wood started a tailor shop and continued in business the next four years.

In December of the same year, there occurred a murder at this town, which for a time created a great deal of excitement, not only in the town of Hudson, but in the county. Charles Egbert had formerly been a merchant in Hudson, and an active business man. He had a tavern stand at one time on the road which runs along the south part of the township line. This hotel had done a good business, but Smith had made efforts to get a direct road through to LaPorte, cutting off all travel from Egbert’s place, and was successful. The parties had disputes at different times thereafter. On the evening of the 5^th of December, Egbert went into Smith’s bar room. He had on the same day purchased a dirk-knife at the store of John Reynolds. After sitting near the door for a time, he arose and turned as if to go out, but really to open the knife, and then advanced towards Smith, who raised a chair to defend himself. Andrew Foster, who afterwards said he did not see the knife, caught the other penetrating Smith’s heart, who died in a few minutes.

There is much misunderstanding in relation to the facts of this case, especially as to dates, even among those who witnessed the tragedy, and hence there is copied here, the following record from the cocket of the justice who heard the cast:

STATE OF INDIANA}

VS. } On charge of Murder.

CHARLES EGBERT }

“On the 5^th day of December, 1841, Andrew Foster a Justice of the Peace of LaPorte county, on view issued a State warrant, returnable before said Foster or any other justice of said county, and on the 6^th day of December, 1841, John C. Hale, constable of said county, returned the said warrant before me, R. Munday, a Justice of the Peace of said county, and also the body of said Charles Egbert, and on motion of Defendant’s counsel, the examination is continued until the 7^th day of December 1841, at one o’clock p.m.. At that time set for the examination, comes the plaintiff, by Wm. C. Hannah, M. H. Orton, and G. Hathaway; and the defendant in person, and by his counsel, J. A. Liston and G. A. Everts, and after hearing two of the witnesses on the part of the State, the examination was continued until the 8^th day of December, 1841, at nine o’clock a.m. At the time set fourth, December 8^th, 1841, the defendant is brought into court and after hearing more testimony on the part of the State, the examination is continued until the 9^th day of December, 1841 at nine o’clock a.m. Aft the time set the defendant is agin brought into court, and after hearing the balance of the testimony on the part of the defendant, the cause is continued until December 10^th, 1841, at nine o’clock a.m., for the argument of the counsel. At the time set, to-wit; December 10^th, 1841, the defendant is brought into court, and after hearing all the testimony and full examining all things touching this case, it is considered that the defendant give bail in the sum of five thousand dollars, and himself in the like sum, for his appearance on the first day of the next circuit court, or in default thereof to be sent to the common jail of said county, and thereupon the defendant gave bail in the sum required, but giving Elisha Egbert, Paul Egbert and Jacob Egbert. Whereupon the defendant was discharged.

Given under my hand and seal.

R. Munday, J. P.

Charles Egbert never appeared. He fled to Texas–then not a part of the United States– where he lived until after the close of the rebellion, deeply regretting his rash act. He became a religious man and a Methodist class leader. In September 1844, a scire facias was sued out. Finally an arrangement was made with the governor of the State, by which the administrators of John Egbert, who had died, should confess judgement in the sum of $1, 000, after which the bond was canceled. The confession was made, and a stay of execution taken for one hundred and eighty days. In the meantime an appear was taken to the supreme court. The case was not finally disposed of until 1853, when the judgement was set aside. The decision may be found in the fourth Indiana Reports.

Back        Next       Home