Written by Victoria Vasquez | December 17, 2024
Love is in the Air
Porter County welcomed many settlers to its newly established borders between 1836-1838. Homesteaders frequently gathered to celebrate the weddings of those who wished to plant their roots here. The Christmas season was no exception. George W. Turner, the first Clerk of the Circuit Court had issued 40 marriage licenses between May, 1836 to December, 1837. The first Christmas season wedding recorded was for David Bryant and Margaret Sternbrook. The two obtained their marriage license on December 19, 1836. Solon Robinson, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony on December 22, 1836.
It was the most wonderful time of the year for the next holiday nuptials. A Christmas Eve delight was given by George W. Turner, Clerk after issuing a marriage license on December 24, 1836 to George Coghill and Julian Ault. Officiating the nuptials was White B. Smith, Justice of the Peace, who certified that he joined together the couple in the bands of matrimony on Christmas Eve.
The next year, William Eaton and Julia Hulbert both of Porter County and of lawful age applied for a marriage license on December 2, 1837. Henry Rinker, Justice of the Peace, performed the ceremony to wed the couple on December 4, 1837.
Also ringing in the holiday spirit of joy and bliss were Russel Dorr and Emeline James both of Porter County. The couple obtained a marriage license right before Christmas on December 23, 1837 and were wedlock after the holiday on December 27, 1837 by Hawley Baxter Beers, Minister of the Gospel.
Russell Dorr was known to be one of the early settlers of Northern Indiana. He was born in Athens, Ohio in 1812. In the fall of 1834, he traveled with his family along with Jacob Wolf and his sons to eventually settle in Salt Creek near Gossett’s mill pond. By October 9, 1850, his family remained in Portage Township, where he was a farmer by trade. He later moved to Valparaiso with his wife, Emeline, to raise and educate their daughters there. Russell Dorr became a prominent citizen in Porter County. Over his lifetime, he was elected to public offices, including County Commissioner, Township Trustee and he served as a Justice of the Peace.
The Dorr and James wedding was the first marriage performed by Reverend Beers in Porter County. Beers was a Methodist Episcopal minister born in Cold Spring Harbor, New York. He came to Indiana as a member of the clergy through the North Indiana Conference in 1836. After many years of service, he passed away at Goshen, Indiana on May 6, 1873.
George W. Turner, Clerk maintained a record of all the nuptials that continued during the formative years of the county. By December 26, 1838, there were 56 marriage ceremonies performed by clergy, ministers and Justices of the Peace. Edmond D. Wolf and Louisa (Prentice) Beebe visited the court house on December 26, 1838 to obtain a marriage license. Louisa was the widow of Eldridge C. Beebe, who passed away in 1837. Enos Thomas, Justice of the Peace solemnized their vows on December 30, 1838 before the New Year. Edmond and Louisa resided in Indiana until they moved to Allen County, Kansas in 1868.
References: Porter County Clerk Archives, Marriage Records 1836-1850; http://www.biblicacyclopedia.com; http://www.ancestry.com; http://www.familysearch.com; http://www.findagrave.com; http://www.inporterco.org; http://www.genealogybank.com; Porter County Vidette, March 13, 1879.
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