Fort Wayne, Indiana, city directory, 1869-70, Part 1

Author: R.L. Polk & Co. cn
Publication date: 1869-70
Publisher: Taylor, Mich. : R.L. Polk & Co.
Number of Pages: 488


USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > Fort Wayne, Indiana, city directory, 1869-70 > Part 1


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org.


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39



M. L


Gc 977.202 F77p 1869-70


BEN


ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01711 6234


Gc 977.202 F77p 1869-70 Fort Wayne, Indiana, city directory, 1869-70


Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Allen Country Public Library Genealogy Center


http://www.archive.org/details/fortwayneind186970rlpo


84


FORT WAYNE CITY


AND


ALLEN COUNTY 4


DIRECTORY


FOR 1869-70,


CONTAINING A


Complete List of all Residents in the City;


ALSO, THE


OST OFFICE ADDRESS, ROAD HE LIVES ON, AND DISTANCE FROM FORT WAYNE OF EVERY CITIZEN OF ALLEN COUNTY.


-


AND Å


CLASSIFIED CITY AND COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.


,


COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY A. B. COOK, Jr.


>40


FORT WAYNE, IND. :


GAZETTE COMPANY, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. DAY19 & BRO., Book Binders, Bienk Book and Paper Pox Manufacturers, il Calboun Street.


3


FORT WAYNE ADVERTISEMENTS.


BASS & HANNA,


PROPRIETORS OF


Fort Wayne Machine & Car Wheel Works,


MANUFACTURERS OF


ENGINES & BOILERS,


Saw and Grist Mill Machinery, and Mill Furnishing Goods Generally.


Sole manufacturers of Tickler's Patent Smut Machine, and Ben- ham's Improved Wisell Spoke Lathe. Bending and Stuve. Machinery made to order. Building Columns, Window Caps, Grates, and Iron and Brass castings of every description furnished Promptly.


Sole Agents for the sale of Judson's Governor, Fort Wayne, Indiana.


All kinds Repairing done at short notice.


N. B .- Persons desiring to purchase Steam Machinery, will observe that as we make our own Boilers they are saved from paying an extra profit.


BASS & SMITH,


DEALERS IN


COAL,


COKE AND PIG IRON, Fort Wayne, Indiana.


Lehigh, Lackawana, Pittsburgh, Connellsville, Youghiogheny and Illinois Coal, delivered to all parts of the City.


Office at Bass & Hanna's, on Hanna St., South of R.R. Crossing", Orders received at W. B. SMITH & CO'S, No, 117 W. Columbia, St. Blacksmiths' and Foundrymens' Orders Promptly Attended to.


4


4


FORT WAYNE ADVERTISEMENTS.


J. W. SMITH, Mattress & Glue Manufacturer,


(Established 1847.)


Factory 3-4 Mile East, on Canal.


Common Husk, Sea Grass and Cotton Top Mattresses, Matress Material, &c., Constantly on Hand.


Superior Curled Hair and Spring Mattresses made to order.


Hair and Spring Mattresses Renovated and Repaired.


Particular attention paid to furnishing Hotels, Boarding Houses and Public Institutions, &c.


GLUES,


Printers Glue, Cabinet Makers Glue, Emery Glues, Glues for Oil Barrels, &c.


Pure Neats Foot Oil, the best for Harness or Leather.


Persons in need of any of the above ar- ticles will find it to their advantage to buy directly from the Factory. Call at the Factory or address,


J. W. SMITH, P. O. Box, 1182.


We are buying Glue Stock, Horse Hair, Cattle Tails, Feathers and Corn Husks, all we can get.


We continue to manufacture and have constantly on ! hand a large assortment of Draining Tile from 2 to 7 inches in calibre.


CALL OR ADDRESS AS ABOVE. CH


SOLE TILL


-


Pro


- ------ .


HORSE SHOE TILE


5


FORT WAYNE ADVERTISEMENTS.


Country and City Real Estate For Sale.


Timbered and Prairie Lands in


INDIANA, OHIO, ILLINOIS & MISSOURI,


Are offered for Sale on Reasonable Terms, by


HUGH T. HANNA,


OFFICE Northwest Corner Berry and Barr Sts.


FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.


( Post Office Drawer 1730.)


The following partial list of said Lands are offered for cash, or } cash and the balance in 1, 2 and 3-year equal payments. All communications relative to purchase should name the post-office and county in which the writer resides.


Lands in Indiana.


COUNTY.


DESCRIPTION.


ACRES


Adjoining City of


Partitions of Estates,


97


COUNTY.


TOWNSHIP.


T.


R.


ACRES.


Allen,


Maumee


31


15


235


Eel River


32


11


1140


DeKalb,


Union ..


34


13


40


Smithfield.


35


13


120


Jasper,


Hanging Grove


29


5


200


LaPorte,


Hanna


34


2


80


Union


35


2


61


Noble


35


3


42


Marshall,


Polk.


34


1


320


West


34


1


8


Beaver


29


10


40


Newton, Noble,


Elkhart.


35


9


129


York.


34


9


80


Starke, Steuben,


Washington


33


1


560


Fremont.


38


14


80


Lands in Ohio.


COUNTY.


TOWNSHIP.


T.


R.


ACRES.


Henry,


Bartlow


3


8


400


Monroe.


4


7


80


Paulding,


Latty


1


3


160


Benton


1


1


400


Van Wert,


Hoagland.


1


3


167


Allen,


Fort Wayne.


6


FORT WAYNE ADVERTISEMENTS.


PALACE OF FASHION, MERCHANT TAILORING ESTABLISHMENT.


Now on hand and constantly receiving the largest and finest stock of Fancy English, French, Scotch and American


Cassimeres, Coatings & Pantings, WEST OF NEW YORK.


Goods Selected for our trade with even more than usual care.


Workmanship challenges comparison with that of any house in this or any other city.


NO SHAM ABOUT OUR GOODS.


A dollar's worth of clothes, for every dollar you pay. Our long experience enables us to kuow exactly what we are about when we tell the Public that we have the


Most tastefully selected, Most beatifully cut, Most Elegantly finished, Most elaborately gotten up and


Most economically priced custom work of any House in the West.


CALL AT THE PALACE OF FASHION,


No. 1 Keystone Block, Fort Wayne, Ind.


Prof. A. J. Foster, Oscar Romaine, Champion Coat Cutter. Artistic Pant Draper.


MAX NIRDLINGER, Prop'r.


Fort Wayne Democrat


DAILY AND WEEKLY. ESTABLISHED IN 1833.


R. D. Dumm 0 ., Prop


Democrat Building, Cor. Calhoun & Wayne Sts.,


FORT WAYNE


INDIANA


Official Paper of the City and County.


Largest Circulation of any Paper Published in the City or County.


DAILY, per Year,


$8.00


WEEKLY, per Year,


2.00


DEMOCRAT


Steam Job Printing House.


New Types, New Presses, New Stock !


We have the most extensive Job Printing Office to be found in Indiana, and defy Competition from any quarter.


Letter Heads,


Business Cards,


Colored Posters,


Bill Heads,


Wedding Cards,


Plain Posters,


Programmes,


Circulars,


Show Bills.


Or any kind of Fancy or Ornamental Printing.


ALL ORDERS PROMPTLY FILLED.


We have the most complete Poster Office in the State, and pride ourselves on doing the finest work. Address


.T. W. HENDERSON, Business Manager. R. D. DUMM & CO.,


9


FORT WAYNE ADVERTISEMENTS.


FORT WAYNE SAVINGS BANK,


CALHOUN STREET.


Opposite the Aveline House,


Open Daily, from 9 A. M. to 4 P. M. On Saturday Evening from 7 to 8.


TRUSTEES AND OFFICERS.


A. C. HUESTIS, President ; W. H. WITHERS, First Vice President; GEO- DEWALD, Second Vice President ; JOHN HOUGH, Treasurer ; E. L. STUR. GIS, Secretary ; J. H. BASS, WM. T. PRATT, HENRY BAKER, JOHN MOR- RIS, GEO. DEWALD, W. H. WITHERS, Board of Investment.


TO DEPOSITORS.


This Bank being, by the provisions of the Law under which it is organized, & MUTUAL SAVINGS BANK, all Depositors, by the rules entitled thereto, are mu- tually interested in the profits, and will receive their reteable share after the accumulation of the surplus fund therein provided for.


LOUIS RASTETTER, MACHINIST,


MANUFACTURER OF ALL KINDS AND SIZES OF


Tower Clocks, Printing Presses, Steam Engines, and Light Machinery in General. Also, Special attention Paid to Gear Cutting Shop : North-East Cor. Jefferson and Calhoun Sts. FORT AYNE, IND.


GEORGE REITER, MANUFACTURER OF


CIGARS,


And Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Choice Brands of


500


Chewing & Smoking Tobacco, No. 3 Aveline Block, . FORT WAYNE, IND


2


10


FORT WAYNE ADVERTISEMENTS.


JOSEPH B. SAUNDERS' PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY, No. 3 Phoenix Block, Fort Wayne, Ind.


The Best Style of Work


Carte de Visite


AND LARGE


PHOTOGRAPHS, of every description ; also the smallest pic- ures enlarged to life size and painted in Oil or India Ink.


Done at Moderate Prices.


DANIEL VOLLMER, Druggist & Pharmaceutist,


PROPRIETOR OF


Dupont's Hair Renovator, Bed Bug Exterminator, Dr. Willard's Cough Balsam, Vegetable Worm Lozenges, &c. DEALER IN DRUGS, MEDICINES, PAINTS, OILS, GLASS, &C., &G. South West Corner Calhoun and Berry Streets. FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.


F. ECKART & CO., Meat Market, and Sausage Makers,


Wholesale and Retail Dealers in


Beef. Pork. Sausages, etc., and all


Kinds of Meat.


Calhoun St .. Opposite Court House.


FORT WAYNE ADVERTISEMENTS.


F. C. BOLTZ. F. F. BOLTZ.


F. F. BOLTZ & BRO., FAMILY GROCERIES,


PROVISIONS, FLOUR, FISH, OYSTERS, Preserved & Canned Fruits,


Central Grocery, No. 88 Calhoun Street, FORT WAYNE, IND. Higest Market Price Paid for all Country Produce.


GEO. C. NILL & CO.,


Chemists and'


Druggists,


DEALERS IN


Toilet and Fancy Articles, No. 78 Calhoun Street. Prescriptions Accurately Compounded.


J. G. THIEME & BRO.,


Merchant Tailors,


MANUFACTURERS OF AND DEALERS IN


Ready -Made Clothing.


At Wholesale and Retail.


No. 71 Columbia Street,


Fort Wayne, Indiana.


10


FORT WAYNE ADVERTISEMENTS.


KRUDOP, MOLLERING & BRO.,


DEALERS IN


Stone, Lime, Cement & Plaster,


ALSO CONTRACTORS OF


STONE AND BRICK WORK, East Columbia St., on Canal bet. Barr & Lafayette Sts., FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.


TO INVALIDS.


THOMAS J. KISNER, M. D., Resident Specialist.


Calhoun, 4 Doors South of Washington Street. Fort Wayne, Indiana.


Office Hours from ? P. M. to 9 P. M.


Dr. K. has had an experience of a number of years, embracing many thousand cases, in the treatment of Chronic Affections, comprising Pulmonary Consupmtion, Catarrh, Bronchitis, Sore Throat, Liver Complaints, Dyspepsia, Diarrhoea, Neuralgia, Rheumatism, Blood Diseases, Scrofula, Cancers, Piles, Fistula, Syphilis, affection of the Kidneys and Bladder, also,


FEMALE COMPLAINTS.


In the treatment of Lung Affections, he employs Medicated Inhalations and Local Appliances in connection with the most Efficient Cleansing, Tonic, Medical and Hygienic Measures of still greater value.


CONSULTATIONS FREE. COMMUNICATIONS PROMPTLY NOTICED.


CHRISTIAN HAFFNER


Respectfully announces to his old customers and the Public, that he is now occupying his new building and is prepared to furnish


Bread, Crackers, Cakes, &c.,


at all times. Special attention given to orders for CAKES for WED- DINGS, and other parties.


South West Cor. Berry and Harrison Sts., Fort Wayne, Ind.


FORT WAYNE CITY


AND


ALLEN COUNTY


DIRECTORY


FOR 1869-70,


CONTAINING A


Complete List of all Residents in the City;


ALSO, THE


POST OFFICE ADDRESS, ROAD HE LIVES ON, AND DISTANCE FROM FORT WAYNE OF EVERY CITIZEN OF ALLEN COUNTY,


AND À


Ic 917.1274 F77fc


CLASSIFIED CITY AND COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.


COMPILED AND PUBLISHED BY A. B. COOK, Jr.


FORT WAYNE, IND. : GAZETTE COMPANY, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS. DAVIS & BRO., Book Binders, Blank Book and Paper Box Manufacturers, 64 Calhoun Street.


Counting House Calendar.


1869.


S


M


TWTFS


SM


TWTFS


-


1


2


1 2 3


4


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


7


8


9|10


11 12 13


5


6


7


8


9 10


11


10 11 12 13 14 15 16


12 13 14 15


16 17 18


17 18 19 20 21 22 23


21 22 23 24 25


26|27


19 20 |21 22 23 24 25


24 25


26 27 28


29|30


28


29


30


26 27


28 29 30


31


..


1870.


S


M


T


WT


F


S


S


M


T


T


FS


S


MTWTFS


JANUARY.


..


1


1


2


3


4


5


1


2 3


4


5


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


6


7


8


9 10


11 12


6


7


8 9.10 11


12


9 10 11 12


13 14 15


13 14


15


16 17


18 19


13|14 15 16 17 18|19


16 17 18 19 20


21|22


21 22 23 24 25 26 |20


20 21 22 23 24 25 26


23 24 25


26


27


28 29


27


28


27 28 29 30 31


30|31


...


..


...


.


.


M


T


W


T


F|


S


S


M


T


W


T


FS


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


1 2 3


4


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


8


9 10


11


12


13|14


5


6


7


8


9 10


11


10|11 |12|13


14 15 16


15 16 17


18|19


120


21


12|13


: 15 16 17 18


17 18 19 20


|21 22 23


22 23 24 25 26


27 28


19 20 21 22 23 24 25


24|25


26|27


28 29 30


29 30 31


26 27


28 29 30


S


M


T


W


T


F


S


S


M


T


W


T


F


S


S


M


T


WT


FS


1|


2


1


2


3


4


5


6


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


7


8


9 10 11 12 13


4


5


6


7


8 9|10


10 11 12 13 14 15 16


14 15 16 17 18 19 20


11 12 13 14 15 16 17


17 18 19


20


21 22|23


21 22 23 24 25 26 27


18 19 20 21 22 23 24


24 25 26


27


28


29 30


28 29 30 31


25


26 27


28 29 30


31


..


..


...


...


...


...


M


T


W


T


F


S


S


M


T


W


T


FS


OCTOBER.


S


M


T


W


T


F


S


NOVEMBER.


1


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


9


10


11


12


4


5


6


7


8


9|10


910


11 12 13


14 15


13|14 15 16


17 18|19


11 12 13 14 15


16 17


16 17 18 19 20


21 22


20 21 22 23 24 25 26


18 19 20


21 22 23 24


23 24 25


26 27


28|29


27 28 29 30


25 26


27 28 29


30 31


30 31 . .


· ..


...


.


1


2


3


2


3


4


5


6


7


8


AUGUST.


1 2 3


JULY.


SEPTEMBER.


...


..


·


M


T


W


T


FS


APRIL.


1


2


MAY.


JUNE.


...


...


DECEMBER.


...


..


NOVEMBER.


1 2 3


4 5


6


.


OCTOBER.


M


WTFS


31


. .


MARCH.


S


S


FEBRUARY.


·


. ..


S


1


DECEMBER.


20 14 15 16 17 18 19


1533665


PREFACE.


To a person uninitiated, the publication of any directory, no matter how voluminous, may seem a trifling task. To us, who, through the past few months, have been laboriously engaged in preparing the present work, it seems, looking back upon its many and unavoidable annoyances, a task indeed, and one which we are only too glad to have finally completed.


While we make no pretensions of being able to present to the citizens of Fort Wayne and Allen County, a perfect Directory, we are confident that you will uphold us in the assumed confidence that this is the most nearly so, of any that you have ever had. The number of names in the City Directory proper, is larger, by nearly one thousand, than any that has ever before been issued, a reasonable argument in the substantiation of the thoroughness of the canvass, and a pleasureable one in the assurance that we may take to our- selves as being residents of a rapidly growing city, and from whose growth and increase in wealth and importance we all have a reasonable hope of re- ceiving permanent benefits.


For the County part of the Directory we claim an entire originality both in the method and amount of information condensed in each description of the man, his where and what-abouts, and are confident that to the business man, the farmer, or the curious even, this part of the book will be found to be of great advantage, and looked upon as a not despisable medium of authority.


To the business and professional men of the City and County, who have so generously extended to the work their sympathies in the form of en- couragement, by advertisments, subscriptions, and a general interest in the work itself; to the Press, who have so kindly noticed the work in its dif- ferent stages of progress ; to our publishers, the FORT WAYNE GAZETTE Co., from whom we have received not only a quid pro quo in excellence of workmanship on the book itself, but many valuable suggestions as to its arrangement, together with an unexpected interest and valuable assistance whenever or wherever it could be rendered, and to the citizens of the County who have so universally and unhesitatingly assisted the work of the can- vassers by supplying the requisite information, as also by placing their names on our subscription list, we would extend our warmest thanks, with the kindest wishes and greatest confidence in your future prosperity as a City and County.


ASA B. COOK, JR.


GENERAL INDEX.


PAGE.


Abbreviations


41


Aboit Township. 217


Adams Township. 217


Allen County Directory. 235


Appendix


following 464


Banks


30


Boundaries of Wards.


.461


Business Directory ... 445


Calendar


14


Cedar Creek Township.


220


Cemeteries


39


Changes and Omissions


See Appendix


City Government.


26


City Officers ..


26


City of Fort Wayne ..


17


Common Council.


26


County Organization.


28


Educational


32


Eel River Township.


221


Fire Department.


27


Fort Wayne City Directory.


41


Fort Wayne Post Office


29


Jackson Township ...


221


Jefferson Township.


222


Justices' Courts.


27


PAGE. Justices of the Peace in Allen Co ..... See Appendix Lake Township .. .223


Lafayette Township. 223


Madison Township 224


Marion Township.


225


Maumee Township.


225


Milan Township ..


226


Monroe Township.


226


Newspapers


40


Notaries Public


34


Perry Township


229


Pleasant Township.


230


Police Department.


27


461


Post Offices in Allen County.


Preface ..


15


Scipio Township.


230


Societies


36


Springfield Township


231


St. Joseph Township ..


232


Street Directory.


462


United States Internal Revenue


29


United States Pension Agency.


28


Washington Township.


232


Wayne Township


234


INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.


PAGE.


Atna Insurance Co., John Hough, Agent .....


.214


Aveline & Gibson, Milliners, .....


8


Aveline Honse, ..


.470


Ayres S. C., Eye and Ear Surgeon,.


456


Baker, Kilian & Bro., Pianos, &c., ..


.443


Bass & Hanna, Machine, Car Wheel and Boiler


Works, ...


3


Bass & Smith, Coal, Coke and Pig Iron, ..


3


Beardsley Jas. C., Cider Mnfr, ..


456


Boltz F. F. & Bro., Grocers, 11


Bossler H. H., Notary Public,


470


Bowen G. W., Physician and Surgeon,


.456


Colerick John, Attorney,.


434


Coverdale E. G. Attorney,.


447


Davis & Bro., Bookbinders,.


Inside Back Cover


Dawson J. W., Attorney,.


444


Dongal Allan H., Notary Public,


447


Eckart F. & Co., Meat Market,.


10


Fitch & Maples, Staves, &c ..


456


Foote & Wooster, Druggists,


Bottom Card Back Cover


Fort Wayne Savings Bank,


9


Godown J. & Co., Aztec Paint Works,


40


Gothe G. & Co., Shingles, ..


468


Haffner Christian, Bakery,


12


Hanna Hugh T., Real Estate,


5


Hanna Samuel T., Real Estate,


465


Hattersley A., Fort Wayne Brass Works,.


Top Card Front Cover


Hill C. L., Musical Instruments, &c., Head Lines, Commencing Page 282


Hoffman J. R. & Bro., Chair Stuff, &c., .. 442 Home Insurance Co., John Ilough, Agent, .. 215 Hough John, Indiana Land Agency, .. 213 Hurd O. D., Sash, Doors and Blinds .456


Indiana Staatz Zietung, Newspaper,. 451 International Fire Ins. Co., J. Hough, Ag't, ..... 216 Irwin & Skinner, Insurance Agents, ... 444 Keil & Bro., Books and Stationery, Middle Card Back Cover


Kerr J. W,, Attorney,


414


Kisner T. J., Physician


12


Krudop, Mollering & Bro.,


12


Macmanus F. A. C., Attorney,.


447


Mayer House, ...


456


Markley, Schrader & Co., Boots and Shoes ...


Side Space Back Cover


McDougal J., Carpets, &c., ....


.Inside Back Cover


Meyer Bros. & Co., Druggists,


Middle Card Front Cover


Misner & Murphy, Painters


.450


Mutual Life Ins. Co., J. Hough, Ag't,.


.. 216


Nelson De Groff & Co., Agricultural Implem'ts,


Inside Front Cover


Nill Geo. C. & Co., Druggists, ..


11


Nirdlinger Max, Clothing, &c.,


6, 7, 466, 467 and Back Bone of Cover


Nuttman & Dodez, Grocers.


Head Lines, Commencing page 384


O'Rourke Edward, Attorney,


Rastetter Lonis, Machinist,.


9


Reiter Geo., Cigars and Tobacco, ..


9


Robertson Robert S., Attorney,.


441


Root & Co., Dry Goods, &c, ....


Side Space, Front Cover, and Head Lines, com- mencing Page 42


Saunders Joseph B .. Photographer, ..


10


Schnelker B., Staves; &c ..


468


Smith J. W., Mattresses and Glue,


4


Stanley, Bicber & Co., Carriages, &c.,


468


Tavlor Il . B., Lumber.


Thiene J. G. & Bro., Merchant Tailors.


Toledo, Wabash & Western Railway,


464


Trentman B. & Son, Crockery, &c ....


Head Lines, commencing Pago 144


Tripp & Tigar, Shirt Factory,.


Underwriter's Ins. Agency, J. Hough, Ag't, ..... 215 Updegraff & Co., Millinery aud Fancy Goods, .. Top Card, Back Cover


Vollmer Daniel, Druggist,.


10


Whedon D. P., Attorney,.


Wilson H. F., Attorney,


447


Woodward M. E., Merchant Tailor,.


Bottom Card, Front Cover


Zollars A., Attorney,


14"


PAGE.


--- --


PRI TTING HOUSE IN FORT WAYNE


ATEST SAUTES OF TIGER


COMPLET


E MOST THE


FORT WAYNE GAZETTE CU .. RULES, Etc. CUIS, Etc


STEAM


Book and Job Printers


No. 54 Calhoun


Street,


ITA


COMME FORT


WAYNE, INDIANA


AN


EED.


GU


& RAIL ER PRINTING FromELLY DON'T


PRICES ALWAYS LOW & SATIS!


CTION


E


FORT WAYNE CITY


AND


ALLEN COUNTY DIRECTORY


FOR 1869-70.


THE CITY OF FORT WAYNE.


To write the history of a city like Fort Wayne, requires more than ordinary research and diligence. So many facts cluster around its early history that it is difficult to place them all in the brief limits assigned us. Yet a Directory of Fort Wayne would, without at least a resume of its history, be like the play of Ham- let with the part of Hamlet omitted-almost a tale with the gor- geous, golden sky of mid-summer, told in the dreary winter time. No compilation purporting to be a correct Directory of the Sum- mit City would be complete did it not tell, in some little measure, at least, of the founding and the founders, of the frontier settle- ment which is now the second city in the sovereign State of In- diana. No book would be complete, nor would it be accepted as such, did it not mention in some little degree the hair-breadth escapes and the "dangers by field and flood " passed through and encountered by the brave and hardy men who laid the founda- tion of our city and the basis of its present wealth and prosperity.


Fort Wayne, situated on an elevated plain, the highest we be- lieve in the State, at the junction of the St. Mary's and St. Jo- seph rivers, forming at this point the Maumee, was from the earliest period of our history as a nation, a point of great inter- est to the government of the United States. The French, who after the first permanent settlement of America by the English, forced from their apathy by the success of their ancient and he-


3


18


THE CITY OF FORT WAYNE.


reditary foes of "perfidious Albion, " were the first to discover the importance of this point as a trading centre with the aborig- ines, and as a post from which to conduct their military opera- tions. As early as the year 1700 it was visited by them, and shortly after (1719 or a little previous) they established here a military and trading centre second to none in importance in a military or commercial point of view, in what was then known as the Western or Indian country. This section was at that time in- habited by the powerful tribes of the Miamis and Pottawato- mies. In the language of the former, the site of Fort Wayne was called Kek-i-ong-gay, and in that of the latter tribe by the syn- onymous but less euphoneous name of Kek-i-ouge. The at that time Governor of Louisiana, Vandrevil, first located Fort Miami at this point. It was merely a picket fort, built very nearly on the spot now occupied by the canal acqueduct.


Four nations have at different periods been dominant here. For an unknown time the dusky Indian claimed it as his hunt- ing ground, and paddled his canoe on the waters of the three rivers. Before the province of Canada was wrested from France the lilies of St. Louis waved at the junction of the waters. In 1760 the cross of St. George replaced the lilies, and was lowered in its turn before the advancing stars and bars of the new nation of Washington, Adams and Franklin. The French power en- tirely vanished after, the massacre of an English garrison sta- ttoned here during the Pontiac war.


After the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Con- gress in 1776, and the government of the United States began its career of Empire in the broad and fertile country of the North- west, Washington contemplated the establishment here of a mil- itary post, with true martial instinct, seeing its importance as a basis of operations. His plans, however, were for the time frus- trated by the defeat of General St. Clair. In the year 1794, how- ever, the plan was consummated by General Wayne, who, after breaking the powers of the Indians at the rapids of the Maumee, selected this as a site for a post, which was completed in the same year, and named Fort Wayne ; a name which has since become " not unknown to fame " as one of the most thriving, energetic and prosperous of our inland cities. Mark the change. Seventy-five years ago where now stands the beautiful " Summit City, " with its long streets lined with business blocks crowded with merchan-


19


THE CITY OF FORT WAYNE.


dise from every clime, cloths from the factories of the east and cereals from the grain fields of the west, the savage reigned su- preme. Where now the ground is trodden by thousands en- gaged in the busy pursuit of gain -- then was heard the cry of the wild beast, and the softest tones that broke upon the air was when the savage " wooed his dusky mate. " Instead of the towering spires of the churches, the tall tree reared its bold front, and the rude bark wigwam must replace in the imagination the elegant residences of a later refinement.


The city has been greatly enlarged from its original propor- tions, and the population has increased proportionately. The population in 1810 was about 500, and in 1830, 800. A charter for incorporation as a city was granted by the Legislature in 1839, when the population consisted of scarce 1,200 souls. In 1850, however, it had attained to 4,100; to 10,300 in 1860, and now Fort Wayne ranks as the second city in the State, both in its importance as a railroad and business centre, and in the number of its inhabitants, which has increased since the census of 1860, in a very great ratio not often exceeded in this West of ours where towns spring up as by magic and become cities in every sense by what would seem to the plodders of the old world, a miraculous growth.


Various are the causes by which this result has been attained. The situation of the city, as the centre of an expansive and fer- tile country ; no city north of Indianapolis and Lafayette, with which to compete; and the facility with which commerce could be carried on by our means of communication. Of these, the Wabash & Erie canal, which was completed in the year 1842, was the first. This great work furnished a way of transporting mer- chandise to and from the lake at Toledo, Ohio, and the water power afforded the facilities for the erection of mills and manu- factories. Though the canal has passed through its energetic youth and prime, yet it still is an important avenue for the trans- portation of heavy articles, such as lumber, salt, etc., and its projectors will always be remembered with gratitude, as by its construction they gave the first impetus to the city which has since reached such proportions. In 1848 the Plank roads were built in almost every direction, thus bringing a large trade that before had no adequate way of reaching the city. Of these, though valuable in their day, we may say they are almost gone,




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