The Times Hammond, Indiana Oct. 13, 1926 A page in pioneer history A glimpse into the pioneer history of East Chicago was furnished today by Mrs. Edith GROVE, 4725 Northcotte Avenue, who recalled that 38 years ago yesterday she arrived in East Chicago with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. JOHNSON, on a railroad hand car from Hammond. "Dad came here", she said, "to build the Republic Iron and Steel mills on their present site. The only quarters available at that time was a large, rambling, wooden rooming house on the corner where the First National Bank building now stands. There we lived until dad could build a home. "We were the seventh family in East Chicago and the entire male colony consisted of about 50 men who came here to help build the Republic Mills. "Sidewalks there were wooden planks, raised above the swamp land of what is now Chicago and Forsythe Avenues. We burned kerosene lamps and candles for light and our food supplies were shipped to us over the same hand car on which we made our auspicious arrival. This food came from South Chicago." "As the community grew, it was decided to found a public school for the children. My sister, Mrs. Frank HASSE, of Fort Madison, Ia., and I were the first pupils to enroll in the school; and when the First Congregational church was founded, sister and I again were the first Sunday school pupils" Mr. JOHNSON died 15 years ago, but his widow, Mrs. Hadda JOHNSON, is still living and is making her home with Mrs. GROVE. Another pioneer of those days who still lives in the city is C. C. SMITH, who conducts a real estate office at the corner of Exchange and Forsythe Avenues.