In the area of Indianola (Carroll Township) no name is more familiar than that of Sandusky, origanly Sodowsky. The family was decendedf rom James Sodowsky, a polish exile of noble birth who came to America for freedom. The name sometimes spelled "Sodowski,' sometimes 'Sandusky', Most of the family adopted the American form Sandusky, but at leat one of the brothers, Harvey, kept the old Sodowsky.
The first American ancestor came to Kentucky in1770, shortly before the arrival of Daniel Boone. Two sons, Abraham and Isaac, came to Vermilion County. Josiah, the son of Abraham and Jane Sodowsky, was born in Carroll Township, Septmeber 11, 1837. At the age of six he was afflicted with a swelling, which left him crippled in the left leg. He was educated in the district schools and exteneded his education by reading, observation and experience. Hebecame well educated and collected a large library.
Until he was twenty-five, Josiah engaged in farming and stock raising at home. When his father died, he entered into partnership with his brother, Abraham, and soon became one of the best known cattle men in the state. He was reputed to have the largest herd of Duchess cattle in the world. Cattleman came from all parts of the United States and Canada to buy from him. He was also a leading breeder of fast horses, both running and trotting stock.
In December , 1873, he married Susan Margaret Moreland of Kentucky. They had five children, but two died in infancy. It is said that he was never happier than when he had his family about him.
One of the "family" was Aunt Polly. The story is that when the Sandusky's decided to move to Illinois, they freed the slaves thay had owned in Kentucky. Traveling by wagons, the family was two days on thier journey when they discovered they had a stow-away-a young girl who decided she preferred living with her "family" to freedom. it was impossible to turn back, so the girl was brought into Illinois, and the Sanduskys vouched for her. Soon after her arrival she gave birth to a son, Gabriel, who was, as far as is known, the first black child born in Vermilion County. Aunt Polly became a fixture in the Sandusky home, loved by children and adults as well. gabriel grew to be a responsible citizen, and well thought of in the new country.
In 1855 to 1860 the Illinois Central Railroad Bill was passed, and railroads began to move into the area. Sandusky bought land in what is now Vance Township. This land, just south of Fairmount is now, was known as the Big Spring Farm.
Springs bubbled out of the ledges of limestone in the area, but they were out on the prairie, which men thought of little value. Hence, the spring attracted little attention. Everybody knew it was there and thought "what a nice place that would be for a milk house if the prairir ever got settled up." Everyone thought it would be a nice place to own. what others thought, Josiah Sandusky did. Putting $450.00 into his pockets, he went to Danville and enetered nine "40's" around the spring, amking a square farm three-fourths of a mile each way. He put this into cultivation and it proved as valuable as he thought it would be. He obtained the old Butler House from Butler's Point and put it on his farm.
Sandusky did so much to improve the grade of stock grown in this part of the state that when the prices went up the whole community benefited. He was one of the founders of the Indianols Fair Association.
When he died, February 13, 1901, he possessed about a thousand acres. at a sale after his death, his horses brought $5,000.00 and his cattle $10,000.00