Wakeland, Indiana

Early settlers in the area of Wakeland, Indiana were; William Evans, who settled in Section 18, in 1825, and Solomon Watson, who came to Section 18, in 1829. Other early landowners were: Adam Lingle Senior, 1829, H. Knox, 1833, Lewis Tucker, 1834, Eli Pomeroy, 1836, John Wingler, 1836, James Foster, 1838, and John Fouts, 1839, in Section 13. Section 24 shows George Knoy, 1829, Henry Hedrick, 1831, John Knoy, 1832, Lewis Tucker, 1834, and James Foster, 1838. Section 19 is not listed, but records show, Henry Ratts, Henry and David Hedrick, and Jacob Johns bought land in the 1830s.

Wakeland, Indiana was named for Preston D. Wakeland, a Civil War veteran, who fought in the battles of Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and Atlanta. The town reportedly had three sawmills and a store from 1864 to 1904. The post office was established on December 29, 1884 and closed June 15, 1904. The postmasters were listed as Wingler and Knoy.

In 1842, Ashland Township did not exist, however, Ray Township tax records for that year show David Hedrick, Henry Hedrick, Ephraim Ratts, John Shuler, Adam Lingle, Lewis Tucker, and John Wingler resided in the area of Wakeland.

The following list of citizens has been compiled from the "People's Directory of 1874." All appear to have lived in or near Wakeland, Indiana, according to the directions given.

ASHER, HENRY, farmer, born in Indiana, 1830.

COSTIN, GRANVILLE, farmer, born in Indiana, 1841.

GROUND, H.A., farmer, born in Indiana, 1846.

GUY, A.D., farmer.

HEDRICK, WILEY, farmer, born in Indiana, 1836.

HANCOCK, JOHN, farmer, born in Indiana, 1827.

HEDRICK, ALEXANDER, farmer, born in Indiana, 1844.

HOLMES, J.M., farmer, born in Indiana, 1848.

KANOY, DANIEL, farmer, born in Indiana, 1844.

KANOY, DAVID, farmer, born in Indiana, 1846.

KANOY, JOHN, farmer, born in North Carolina, 1801.

LITTLE, ISAAC, merchant, born in Indiana, 1811.

MARSH, M.L., farmer, born in Indiana, 1839.

POTTORFF, G.S., farmer and carpenter, born in Kentucky, 1817.

RATTS, EPHRAIM, farmer, born in Indiana, 1817.

RATTS, EPHRAIM, SENIOR, farmer, born in Indiana, 1851.

RATTS, F.G., farmer, born in Indiana, 1847.

RATTS, G.M., farmer, born in Indiana, 1833.

RATTS, HENRY, farmer, born in Indiana, 1839.

RATTS, OBADIAH, farmer, born in Indiana, 1821.

RATTS, P.P., farmer, born in Indiana, 1849.

RATTS, RHINEHART, farmer, born in Indiana, 1830.

SHULER, MARY ANN, farmer, born in North Carolina, 1829.

SHULER, EPHRAIM, farmer, born in Indiana, 1837.

SHULER, J.K., farmer, born in Indiana, 1837.

VOSHEL, E.N., farmer, born in Indiana, 1836.

WAKELAND, P.D., farmer, born in Ohio, 1830.

WARTHEN, WILLIAM A., veteran of the 1812 War, born in North Carolina, 1795.

WHITSON, JOHN, farmer, born in Kentucky, 1820.

WHITSON, NATHAN, farmer, born in Virginia, 1793.

Web Page Designed and Created by Ron Riggan for SCICAN Corporation - May 1998

All photographs and graphics by Ron Riggan. Text written and researched by Marsha Riggan