USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > A twentieth century history and biographical record of Elkhart County, Indiana > Part 1
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1800
Class_ F532
Book
E412
.1905
GPC
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46 2934
yours truly Chethough Weall.
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PREFACE.
That Americans are becoming aware of the fact that they have a history is a matter of frequent observation and remark among writers and men of affairs generally. It was one of the changes in American thought considered worthy of especial note by Hon. James Bryce, on his recent visit to this country after an absence of twenty-five years. This keen student of American institutions thus expresses the result of his observation: " Reverence for the past and a desire to maintain every sort of connection with it is a strong and growing force among educated people." Furthermore. this is one of the hopeful signs of the times. Well it is, for the nation as for the individual, when its career is anchored at both ends, is descended from a sturdy and virile ancestry and looks forward to a nat less worthy posterity, rejoices both in the memories of a splendid past and in the hopes of a brilliant future. Such a nation or individual holds true in the course of best ideals and en- deavors, is in the line of progress of the greater destiny.
It is this growing reverence for the past that renders such a work as the History of Elkhart County both valuable and timely. Even now the personalities and achievements of the county's pioneers are matters of written record only, and, too often, those records are seanty and in- sufficient and difficult of access. To gather up and piece together in historical form and according to relative importance these records is the purpose of this work, in the preparation of which the constant en- deavor has been to make a standard, comprehensive and authentic his- tory, which, while narrating in all completeness the wonderful story of the past. describes also the present. in its industrial, commercial and social aspects, with such thoroughness as to make this work a historical " base-line " from which all subsequent civic growth and progress may be computed.
In recent years genealogical or family history has found its proper recognition, and is in constant and general demand, being sought for in the great libraries, by book and magazine writers and lecturers and
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PREFACE
other investigators, from foreign fands as well as from all portions of our own country, and is in daily use in all newspaper offices. Biography teaches by example, and when the custodian of records concerning the useful men of preceding generations and of their descendants who have lived honorable and worthy lives places his knowledge in preservable and accessible form, he performs a public service in rendering honor to whom honor is due, and in inculcating the most valuable lessons of patriotism and good citizenship. All sketches have been submitted in typewritten form to the parties concerned for correction, and no effort has been spared to secure accuracy.
In the compilation of this work the editor and his assistants have everywhere received the hearty co-operation of citizens all over the county, and the interest shown by them is additional proof of the value of such an undertaking. The individual contributors have been in each instance given credit, whether they have furnished a complete chapter or quotations have been drawn from their writings. Particular ac- knowledgment is due the Elkhart County Historical Society for the use of its records and historical papers. The newspapers of the county gladly offered the use of their files, and the editors and publishers have more than once gone out of their way in extending material aid to the successful completion of the history.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
CHAPTER [-NATURE.
Elkhart county in a state of nature-An early description-Topography-Glacial period-Soil classification-Prominent features of landscape -- Natural divisions -Rivers and streams -- The lakes and their origin-Wells and springs-Oil and gas
I
CHAPTER H-ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
First possessors of Elkhart county-Their life and enstoms-Christian missionaries -Early settlers and the Indians-Indian wars -A narrative of the Black Hawk war-Final exodus of the red men 12
CHAPTER IH-EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Discoveries and first comers-Hermits and traders, Rossean and Noffsinger-Carey Mission and Isaac McCoy-Permanent settlement in late twenties-Early set- tlers in Concord township-In Jackson township-Benton township-Middle- bury township-Cleveland township-Washington township-Bango township -Jefferson township-Clinton township-Harrison township-Osolo town- ship-Union township-York township-Olive township-Locke township- Settlement in western part of county delayed-Reminiscences of early settlers -Few retarding influences in settlement- Two veterans of pioneer days. J. P. Hlawks and .A. Defrees. 21
CHAPTER IN-ORGANIZATION.
A brief history of Indiana-The famous boundary line dispute-The organization of Elkhart County-Election of a board of justice- The first record book- Division of county into townships. 39
CHAPTER V-THE COUNTY SEAT.
The appointment of five commissioners-Site of the first county seat-Act for the relocation of county seat-Second selection at Goshen-Oliver Crane -- The name Goshen-First meeting place of Circuit court-House of Chester Sage and other places for court sessions-The court house-Remodeled in 1905- The Elkhart County Asylum-County Jail. 49
CHAPTER VI -- CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
The first election-Early official acts of board of justices-The board of commis- sioners-The County Council -- The township civil government-The civil list for 1005-Former incumbents of the principal county offices. 61
CHAPTER VII-PIONEER LIFE AND CUSTOMS.
Character of early settlers-The hardships in coming to this county-First home- making-Clearing the land -Plowing and sowing .-- The old log houses, furniture and home comforts and necessities-A sickly year-Social commingling and co- operation-Clothing and food-Education and religion.
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CHAPTER VIII -- HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE
Pioneer farmers and their methods-Preparing the ground, cultivating and harvest- ing the crop- Introduction of machinery. Some of the early crops, wheat and hay -- Fruit growing-Development of live-stock industry-Hogs-Cattle-Dairy- ing-Sheep-Poultry-County fair- and Agricultural Society-Farmers' Insti- tute-Recent crops and live-stock statistics-Influence of improved transpor- tation, and improved conditions of the farming community .. 83
CHAPTER IX-THE SMALLER CENTERS.
The formation of centers of civilzation-Benton-Millersburg-Middlebury-Vis- tula -- Bristol-Waterford Mills-Jackson Township's Centers-Union town- ship-Locke-Wakarusa-Harrison township Bango, Concord. Cleveland and Osolo townships 102
CHLAPTER X-GOSHEN
Goshen founded by official enactpent-Platting and sale of lots -- First citizens -- Early days in Goshen -- Goshen markets-Growth in population and village organization-Incorporation as a town-Goshen becomes a city-City officers. 1868-1905-Fire department-Goshen postoffice-Water and Light-Other fra- tures of twentieth century Goshen. 131
CHAPTER NI-ELKILART.
Geographical posita n-Early settlement-Hlavilah Beardsley-Purchase of the city site-Sketch of Hlavilah Beardsley-Pulaski, the first postoffice-Development of the town-Pioneers and early day conditions- Water power-"Business Directory" in 1859-Municipal history, as village and as city-City officials. 1875-1905-Police department-Fire department-Elkhart postoffice. descrip- tion of the new federal building-Statistics of wealth and resources-Sketch of the late Silas Baldwin, Jacob and John W. Ellis 151
CHAPTER NI-NAPPANEE.
Rapid growth of Nappanee-General survey of its principal features-Early his- tory- Platting of the townsite-Incorporation and municipal government -- Municipal improvements-Education and the present school system-Nappanee churches-Business and professional interests. 178
CHAPTER XII-COMMUNICATION.
Indian trails and primitive means of communication-County roads Condition of early highways-Road making at present-Bridges-Ferries-Mail routes, stage routes, telegraph and telephones-Solidarity of society. 186
CHAPTER XIV-TRANSPORTATION.
Relation of transportation to general progress-River navigation-Keel boat and arks -- Dredging and other efforts to maintain navigability-Steamboating- Transformation wrought by the coming of the railroad-Early railroad and canal agitation-Wilber L. Stoney's contribution to railroad history-Recent railway construction 193
CHAPTER NV-BUSINESS. MANUFACTURING AND INDUSTRY.
Individuality versus social interdependence-pioneer wearing apparel-early cabinet makers, carpenters, blacksmiths, and other artisans-Milling in Elkhart county as described by J. P Hawks-Business in 1837-" Goshen Directory " in 1841- Mr. Henkel's reminiscences of Goshen's carly business men-Business in 1905- General survey of Elkhart county's resources Elkhart county banks-Manu- facturing-at Goshen-at Elkhart-at Nappance.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER XVI-THE ELKHART COUNTY PRESS.
The influence of the press-Northwestern Review and St. Joseph Intelligencer - Goshen Express-Goshen Democrat-Goshen News-Times-Elkhart Truth Elkhart Review- Bristol Banner-Millersburg newspapers-Middlebury-New Pari --- Wakarusa-Nappanee-Former newspapers-Mennonite Publishing Co. -Harry S. Chester and his work. 243
CHAPTER AVH-THE MEDICAL AND LEGAL PROFESSIONS
Character of the carly physicians -- Early methods of practice and hardships endured -Some pioneer physicians-Early medical societies-Elkhart County Medical Society and its membership-Elkhart county bar-Its character and carly representatives-Oldest representatives at present-Business and the law- Members of the county bar-Elkhart County Bar Association-Elkhart Cir- cuit Court 260
CHAPTER XVHI-EDUCATION.
Early provisions for education -- Development of the school system-Pioneer schools-Mrs. Hascall's description-E. B. Myers quoted-Private schools- Present school system and officials-School census for 1005- Schools of Elkhart -Professor Thomas' history-Goshen Public Schools-History of develop- ment frem pioneer times to present-Goshen High School-Goshen College .. 272
CHAPTER XIX-LIBRARIES, LITERARY AND OTHER ASSOCIATIONS. Goshen's Carnegie Library-Elkhart's Carnegie Library-Elkhart Lecture Associa- tion-St Joseph Valley Chautauqua-Elkhart County Historical Society- Goshen Lyceum 203
CHAPTER XX-SOCIAL. AND FRATERNAL HISTORY.
Social ties-Old and New Customs contrasted-Pioneers' Association-Fraternities -in Goshen-in Elkhart-Railroad Century Club-Y. M. C. A .. . . .. . 301
CHAPTER XXI-HISTORY OF CLUB MOVEMENT IN ELKHART COUNTY Origin of Women's Chibs-The first club in Indiana -- Aims and purposes-Goshen clubs-Elkhart clubs in other towns .. .. . . 310
CHAPTER XXII -- PATRIOTISM.
Soldiers of the Revolution and the War of 1812-Goshen Guards --- Mexican War -Civil War-Those who took part from Elkhart county-Spanish-American war 316
CHAPTER XXIII-THE CHURCHES.
Pioneers and religion-Early meeting places-French missionaries-Methodists- the Baptists-the Presbyterians-11. L. Vannuys and his ministry -- The Men- nonite church-German Baptist Brethren church in Jackson township-Chris- tain church at Wakarusa-Goshen churches-Some Elkhart churches- New Paris Methodist church 330
INDEX.
Abbott, Frank P., 451. Aitken. Frederick M. 743. Anderson. Leander. 525. Anderson, William H., 508. Andrews, J. B .. 590. App. 11. B .. 744. -Arnold. Ethan L., 409. Art Novelty Co., 232. Ash. Elmer E., 511.
Baker. Francis E .. 517. Baker, John IL .. 368.
Baldwin, Silas. 171.
Barger. William, 405.
Barnard, William B., 685.
Barney, George T., 360.
Barns & Defrees, 221.
Bartholomew, Edson C., 683.
Benne. Joseph .A .. 624.
Beardsley. Albert R .. 358.
Beardsley. Havilah, 151.
Bechtel. Henry, 532.
Beck. James, 215. Becknell, Irvin J., 587.
Beckner. Frank M .. 578.
Bemenderfer, George W., 723.
Bender, Benjamin C .. 463.
Berkey. Peter D., 543 .-
Berkey. Valentine, 478 ._
Blocher Christian, 668.
Blocher, John M .. 660.
Boreal Manufacturing Co., 232.
Borneman, Herman, 616.
Braden, James D .. 528.
Brick. Abraham 1 ... 772.
Brothers, Gny M .. 510.
Brothers, Mrs. Hannah, 518.
Brown Brothers Manufacturing Co., 241.
Brown, Frank W .. 448. Brumbaugh, John M., 4,39.
Buescher Manufacturing Co., 237. Burkley. John 1 .. 775.
Burns. Warren E., 784.
Burrell & Morgan, 239.
Butterfield. J. A., 493.
Buzzard, David K. 603.
Caine. George B., 774. C'ainon, Joseph II., 733. Carper. Andrew J .. 466. Cart. George W., 502.
C'auffman, Sammel K., ;11. Chamberlain, Albert N., 484. Chatten. Robert E .. 589. Chicago Telephone Supply Co. 23;
Christophel. Jonas, 504. City National Bank, 226.
Cline. W. S .. 556. Cobb. George S., 589.
Conley, Orrin 31., 612.
Conn. Charles G .. 504.
Cook, J. . A .. 434. Cook, John A., 674
Coppes, Harvey E., 437.
Coppes, John D., 665.
Coppes, Samuel D., 435.
Coppes. The Family. 500
Coppes. Zook & Mutschler Co., 240.
Cover. J. M .. 503. Cox. David B .. 770.
Crow. Edward C., 525. Culp, Alpha C., 440. Culp. Simon P .. 586.
Cummins, Stephen M .. 485.
Davenport. Robert W., 680). Davis Acetylene Co. 238.
Davis, Charles .A .. 470.
Deahl, Anthony. 791.
Deahl. Benjamin F., 548.
Defrees. Joseph 11 .. 742.
Dell. Jacob H., 470. Demarest. Melvin U .. 480.
Dills, Charles, 704. Dispensary, The Grand, 239.
Dodge. James S., 440.
Doering. Daniel. 472.
Drake, James S., 508.
Dreese, Charles 1. 785.
Dutrow, Charles E. 748.
Early. P. A .. 404. Eby Jacob. 530. Eby. Noah, 531. Edmands, Sumner A., 462.
Egbert. Haines, 506.
Ehret, Rufus C .. 401. Elkhart Bristol Board & Paper Co. 2.38. Elkhart Carriage & Harness Manufac- turing Co., 237. Elkhart Loan & Trust Co., 225. Elliott. Charlie W .. 721.
INDEX
Ells. George W. 403. Ellis, Jacob. 174. Fllis, John W., 173. Enders, John, 442. Evans, Elmer E., 607.
Farmers Bank, HC. Farmers & Traders Bank. 227.
Farrell, George W .. 515. Farver. Moses A .. 718. Fetters. Simon, 566.
Fleming. George W., 583.
Fleming. J. C., 438.
Fidler, 11. C., 467. Fieldhouse. John W .. 486.
link, John J .. 757. First National Bank, 226. First State Bank, 227.
Fisher Brothers, 121.
Fisher. Daniel 11., 370. Fisher, Elias, 427.
Fisher. Elias E., 627.
Fisher, George A., 740.
Fisher, Mrs. Laura .A .. 750.
Fisher Nicholas T., 777.
Frank. Charies E . 402.
Travier. Henry F .. 307.
Freed. Joseph 1. 418.
Freed, Joseph N .. 431. Freeland, Buckner F., 735- Friend's, George & Sons, 241. Frink. Charles W., 483.
Garber, Jacob ML., 677. Gaiman, John H., 754. Gattshall, Joshua B., 700. Goshen Buggy Top Co., 234. Gir shen Churn & Ladder Co., 232. Goshen Gas Co., 220. Goshen Manufacturing Co., 235. Geshen Milling Con -28. Goshen Opera House. 233. Goshen Pharmacal Co., 232.
Goshen Rubber Co. 231.
Goshen Rubber Works, 220.
Greenan, Lucin- J .. 758. Greene, C. T .. 542. Griner, William E. . 727.
Hale, John, 404. Hall, Tngh M .. 675. Harman, James 1 ... 708. Harper. George R., 599. Harper, Mrs. Flizabeth, 604. Harris, T. & Co. 221. Hartman, Adam R., 425. Hartman, Jacob. 450. Hartman, John, 461. Hartman, Tobias, 433. Hlascoll. Frank .A .. 225. Havenstein, George W. 466 Hawks Electric Co., 220
Hawks Furniture Co. 230 Hawks, Joel P .. 502. Hay. George W .. 414. Hazelton, Walter S., 124. Hedgepeth, Victor W. B .. 280. Ilelfrich, Louis, 766.
Herring. Frederick .A . 400.
Hilbish, Thomas, 700 Hile. William B., 450. Hinderer, Christ. 751.
Ilire, Henry, 680. Tively. J. L., 481
Hixon, Henry W .. 712.
Holdeman, Abner, 522.
Holtz, Samuel, 700.
Hubbell. Schuyler C., 585.
Huffman, Peter. ; 05.
Hughes, John, Oco.
llunsberger, Christian, Jr .. 630.
Hunsberger, Christian, Sr., 638.
Hunsberger Peter, 641.
Immel. Israel. 477.
Indiana Bugey Co., 230.
Ink -. J. S .. 455.
Ipe, Ananias, 500 Irwin. Frank J .. 537.
Irwin. John W., 535.
1 X-1. & Goshen Pump Co., 231
Jackson, Frank. 452. Jackson, Ira. 453. Johnson, Homer .A., 001.
Jones, Andrew, 043
Jones, Emery L., 403.
Inday, James .A., 672.
Kantz, Ernest. 757.
Kant, Harvey W., 728
Kantz, Hiram, 750.
Kantz. J. O .. 416.
Kavanagh. James. 575.
Kelly Foundry & Machine Co., 234.
Kent. A. P., 60%. Kidder, Hiram F .. 700.
Kinney, Martin I1 .. 464. Knickerbocker. W. 11 .. 550. Koons, Mrs. Catharine, 614.
Kran, John, 537.
Kreider, Martin K .. 500.
Kreider, William B., 500.
Lake Shore & Michigan Southern R. R . 235. Lamb. Charles 1 ... 724. Lamb, George 1 ... 406. Lamport. Alfonso 1 ... 752. Langhlin, A. A . 550 Layton, Willis A., 644. Leatherman, Jacob S., 761. Los ly, Ezra G .. 390. Lehman, Amos C .. 415.
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INDEX
Lesh. Joseph 11. 501. Lienhart, Edward, 445. Long, Nathaniel, 615. Lowry, Alfred. 388.
Manning. A. C., 219). Manning. A. Elmer, 468. Markel, Harden 1)., 545- Marks. Josephus C., 608. Mather, Joseph D., 740.
Mathews. James, 714. Menges, Austin E .. 770.
VeClure. John F., 392.
MeClure, Lewis K .. 389.
McCormick. R. S., (56.
VcMasters, George R., 661.
McNaughton, John, 378.
Milburn, George, 768. Miles, Franklin, 420.
Miles Medical Co., Dr .. 238.
Miller, Charles W., 428.
Miller. David F., 398.
Miller, John W .. 710.
Miller. Sol. 526.
Mitchel, Michael, 730.
Mitchel, William M., 732.
Monger. Charles L., 482.
Moore, Charles H., 400.
Morris, Cornelius, 034.
Mosier. Horace II .. 740.
Mummert. Ehner E., 512.
Murray, Charles L ... 656.
Murray. Gordon N .. 659.
Mutschler, Albert, 413.
Mutschler, Charles. 664.
Mutschler. George, 787.
Myers, Charles R., 678. Myers. Elam B., 607.
Neal. William .A., 510. Neff. Henry, 394.
Neidig Charles E., 686.
Neidig. David W., 402.
Newell, Jaunes E .. 788
Newell, Nathaniel C., 706.
Nen Paris Mutual Telephone Unien. 546. Nicholson, Ross. 763.
Noves Carriage Co., 230.
Page, William B., 719 Palmiter. Charles F .. 430. Paul, Benjamin F., 650
Pease. I !. W .. 745. Pence. John A., 379.
Piatt. C. C., 610. Pippenger, Levi E .. 304
Pratt, Frederick B., 6;1. Pratt. William B., 403. Puterbangh, Orville C .. 488.
Redden. William, 557. Replogk. Charles. (05.
Replogle, Josiah D .. 702. Rheubottom, D. . A., 640. Riblet, William H., 485. Riddle. John, 410. Rohrer. John, 648.
Rood, Wilson H., 554.
Roose, Wilson, 007.
Row. Benjamin, 002.
Rowdabangh, John W., 384. Rowdabangh. Solomon. 381. Rucker, Edmund P .. 736.
Salem Bank. 225.
Sander -. Daniel \ .. 390.
Sanders, Harry M .. 408.
Sanders & Egbert Co., 230.
Sage, Norman, 362.
Searer, Abraham L., 618.
Seiler, Cyrus, 496.
Shamory. Oliver IL., 767.
Sherwin, Chauncey D., 584.
Shettel, Augustus G., 737.
Shookman, MI .. 754. Showalter. W. W .. 720.
Shultz, William H .. 717.
Silvers, Charles E., 601.
Simmons, Elmer E .. 778.
Skinner, Earnest .A .. 580. Slate. George B., 498.
Smith, George .A .. 605.
Snapp, James .A., 495. Spohn, Samuel F .. 490.
Stanton. W. F., 410.
Starr, Martin V .. 739.
State Bank of Goshen. 225.
State. James H., 600. Stauffer, Harlan .A .. 632.
Stauffer, John. 432.
Stephens, Andrew. 617.
Stephens, Henry E., 618.
Stiver, Chauncey B., 491
St. Joseph Valley Bank, 227.
Stonex. Wilber L., 307. Stuckman. George. 456.
Stuckman. Peter W .. 633. Stutsman, Charles S .. 781.
Swart, Frank, 625. Swerey. C. J. 652. Sykes, Henry B .. 010.
Thomas- Albright Co., 232.
Thomas, D) W .. 666. Thomas, Solomon L., 687. Thomas, Thomas, 61. Thomas, Warren H., 622. Thompson, John E .. 568.
Thornton, Solomon, 699. Throckmorton. B. R .. 788.
Troup. Mrs. Elizabeth, 365. Troyer, Daniel I .. 458. Turner Perry L., 654. Turner, Porter, 602.
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INDEX
Ulery, John. 628 U'lery. Levi D., 631 Union, The New Paris Mutual Tele- phone, 546. L'mbenhower, J. D .. 572. U'mmel, John, 610).
L'ail. Lon W .. 570. Varns, Ellsworth. 738. Vernon, Orlando C., 004.
Wakarusa Exchange Bank, 127.
Walmer, John F .. 733.
Werden, John 1 ... 705
Warstler. John 11 .. 385.
Watts, Orrin. 500.
Wehmeyer, Charles .1. 470.
Wehmeyer, George W .. 500. Weldy. Jacob. 538. Wenger. Michael. 570. Wishright. D. M. 372.
Weybright. Family Reunion. 375. Wegbright. William 11 .. 406. Whippy. L. Burr. 762. Whitmer. Benjamin F. 582
Willard, Stanford. 551.
WVinegar, Ira B., 771.
Winegar, Quincy D. 783.
Wood. 1. 0. 423.
Work, James A .. 521.
Wyland, Charles F., 725
Wysong. Daniel. 620.
Yates, Albert. 780. Yates. Thomas S. 474.
Yoder. A. B., 400.
Yoder, Abert C. 412.
Yoder, Abraham B., 391
Yoder, X B .. 370.
Young, George ML .. 381
Zigler. Edward B. 662.
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2.4
-
- R.
10
11 c
12 R
S
M.
19
CLEVELAND
OSOLO
Bristol
River
34
35
36
F
-
Middlebury
15
Rive .32
35
34
9
10
11
12
28
R. R.
34
23
Pocke
Nappanee
13
17 R. R. 1G_
& M. S
23
26
15
UNION
8
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
NATURE.
"To him who, in the love of Nature, holds Communion with her visible forms, she speaks A various language."
Seventy-five years of civilization in Elkhart county has wrought many changes in the superficial aspects of nature, has effected many wonderful transformations ; but enough of the primitive, of life at first hand, still remains that the present generation may reconstruct the past and project upon the mental canvas the picture of this portion of the great world as it appeared to those who first beheld its forest and lake and prairie expanses. To satisfy the demands of a temporal existence
man has overthrown the primeval forests, has quarried the underlying strata of stone, has covered much of the land with his habitations and has rendered the rest subservient to his will, has intersected the country with highways and has halted or changed the streams in their course- but, withal, many of the "visible forms" of nature remain. and the incense of spiritual exaltation still attends the communion of the spirit with the first works of the Creator.
For hundreds and perhaps thousands of years before the advent of the first white settler this section of country remained in a state of nature. It was not an "unbroken wilderness;" and yet a region of beauty inhabited only by the red man and the native animals, traversed, in later years, by French missionaries and adventurers, the soldiers of different nations, hunters, trappers and explorers. Here wild flowers bloomed and faded, great trees grew and decayed, deer roamed the forests and prairies, and numerous birds lived in the leafy groves. Beau- tiful sheets of water lay like mirrors on the surface of the country, sportive fish flopped their silver sides into the sunshine, and in all the west there was no more lovely region.
No doubt the landscape beauties of Elkhart county are not fully appreciated. Prairie-dwellers, surfeiting of home surroundings, seek
2
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY
the rugged mountains; those who dwell inland long for the coasts, and every region becomes commonplace by continued residence. AAnd yet the book of nature contains few more interesting chapters than that which reveals to us the physical features of this county. One might to-day justify in his own experience most of the observations which caused a writer of 1838 to say: "In no county of the state are the proportions of prairie, oak openings and timbered lands more con- venient than in Elkhart county. No county is better watered with springs and unfailing streams. In its scenery there is nothing grand and sublime; but in the spring and summer. when clad in the fresh- ness and verdure and flowers, nothing can surpass it in beauty. Through the oak openings, far as the eye can extend, and over the broad surface of the prairies, is spread out a carpet of green, decorated with flowers of every hue ; the smooth surface of its streams and of its small, clear lakes here and there interspersed, and the bold line of forest trees which form the background of the prairie views-these are features which. when combined, give the face of nature an aspect of tranquil repose." Here we are not overpowered and awed with the grandeur of the moun- tains or the sublimity of the sea, but find close and loving communion with nature as an intimate friend.
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