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O
ISTORY
VANDERBURGH COUNTY.
ILLUSTRATED
~188
Gc 977.201 V28h 1222025
M.L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00828 0528
.
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2010 with funding from Allen County Public Library Genealogy Center®
http://www.archive.org/details/historyofvanderb00madi
GEN ROBT. M. EVANS .
HISTORY
OF
VANDERBURGH COUNTY
INDIANA,
FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT, WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, REMINISCENCES, ETC.
ILLUSTRATED.
BRANT & FULLER, 1889.
!
DEMOCRAT PRINTING CO., .
PRINTERS AND ELECTROTYPERS, .
. MADISON, WIS.
-
1222025
PREFACE.
SURNAME FILE
#32,50
AFTER more than a year of almost ceaseless labor on the part of a large force of skilled employes, the publishers are enabled to present their patrons with the History of Vander- burgh County. The compilation of the matter which is contained in this volume has been conducted with more than the usual care, and not only the publishers, but all those engaged in the work, have been animated by a desire to have this history excel all.local histories heretofore issued in the state. Neither time nor expense have been spared which gave promise of enhancing in any way the value of the book as a work of reference on all sub- jects treated.
In many fields that were explored during the progress of this work, there had been but little, if any, former effort to rescue the fast fading facts of early times. The city of Evansville, it is true, had been previously treated of in several smaller publications, but in each instance the commercial, rather than the historical, interest was the main theme of the writers.
It has been a constant care to have the historical matter divested of any bias or par- tiality that might depreciate its value. Official records, newspapers, public documents, miscellaneous publications, private correspondence, personal recollections, the records of the Historical Society, and other sources of information have been drawn upon freely. Not only facts, but liberal quotations have been incorporated in this volume. The leading desire has been to obtain accuracy, and no pretension is made to originality of expression, nor to ornate style.
In the chapter on military matters the Adjutant General's report for the state has been abundantly quoted as the best authority attainable on such subjects, but as that is known to contain many errors, there can be no doubt that some of them have found their way into this work.
Perhaps the most notable feature of the book is the portion which contains biograph- ical sketches of leading citizens, both dead and living. The practice of publishing biog- raphies of living men has been condemned by some, but to question it seems like preferring doubtful information and the uncertainties of memory to positive personal knowledge. The neglect of personal and family history in the United States has become a matter of public comment. A recent call for a meeting at Indianapolis of descendants of Revolutionary sires met not a single response. This alone is a significant witness that family genealogy has been neglected, and that few people can trace their ancestry more than two genera tions. If biographies of living men were more frequently published, true modesty would not exceed the bounds of truth, and the enlogistic exaggerations that so often find apology in death, would be avoided. Should an excessive self-applause unduly proclaim its own achievements it will be best judged by a contemporaneous public.
Grateful acknowledgments are dne the county and city officers, the newspaper men, he officers of the Historical Society, and many citizens, for valnable assistance.
THE PUBLISHERS.
MADISON, Wis., April, 1889.
INDEX.
CHAPTERS.
Page.
I. GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY ... 17
II. INDIAN HISTORY
27 Presbyterian, Walnut Street. 269
III. COUNTY ORGANIZATION. 41 Unitarian 303
Gaming, era of. 339
Glacial deposits. 20
Grand Army Republic. 557
Grass, Daniel 44,101
Harugari. 395
Hebrew orders. 395
Home for the Friendless. 399
Homeopathy 263
Hospital for insane. 629
Hospital, St. Mary's 398
Hospital, U. S. marine. 399
Indian treaty 30
Indian tribes 29
Iron Hall. 395
Jails .. 57-59
JUDGES, Associate - Dunham, John M. 331
Lilliston, John W 331
McCrary, John .. 329
Olmstead, William. 331
Shook, William 313
Staser, Conrad. 342
Stephens, Silas, 343
JUDGES. Circuit Court -
Battell, Chas. I. 338
Burke, M. F ... 346
Dauiel, Richard 329
Embree, Elisha 338
Goodlett, J. R. E. 330 337
Hart, David,
329
Hovey, Alvin P.
3-12
Jones, James G.
317
Laird, D. T.
347 341
Lockhart, James
Niblack, William E
315
Election statistics
67-69
State, branch of .. 207
Bar, the .. 351-355
Benevolent Institutions 397
Boundary of county. 17
Brotherhood of St. Andrew 396
Building and loan 212
Catholic Knights. 392
Cemeteries. 305
Cholera in 1832 119,225 CHURCHES -
Baptist. First 289
Baptist, German 291
Baptist, General 291
Baptist, Liberty 291
135
Lands, public.
573
Library, Catholic
321
Library, city.
321
Library, county
324
Library, Willard 321
MeGaryton 97
Medical journals. 231
Medical societies,
Merom sandstone. 19
Mexican veterans 472
Mexican war.
470
Militia, early 469
Mound builders 27-29
NEWSPAPERS - Advance 571
A. O. U. W. Recorder. 571
Bulletin
570
Call
570
Courier.
562
Demokrat, 567
Gazette, Evansville 113, 559
Indiana Post 570
Journal 120,558
Pilot. 571
Public. 567
View of, in 1836 .. 123-125 Tribune . 567
Water works 190
Odd Fellowship. 385-388
Parks
195
Finances . 59 Pensions, revolutionary
Page.
Presbyterian, First Avenue. ..
274
Flood of 1832.
119
Fraternal Legion. 392
Free Masonry. 381-385
IV. THE CITY OF EVANSVILLE ..
V. CITY GOVERNMENT.
VI.
BANKS ... 207
VII. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION 223
VIII. RELIGIOUS HISTORY
269
1X. SCHOOLS.
207
X. LIBRARIES ..
315
XI. BENCH AND BAR.
327
Morgan raid. 552
Legion 549
Publie sentiment during 172-477
Sumter, fall of 474
Clerks, county 52
COURT, Circuit -
Districts. 348
First terms of 327,328
Seal of
348
Trials, important .. 330,
331,335,336,340,341, 344, 345
Coal.
92-25
Code of 1852. 343
College, Evansville Medical. 229
College, Hospital Medical.
231
Ancient Order United Workmen
390
Animals, native
575 25
Attorneys, list of
353-355
Auditors, county. 51
Avondale section
25
BANKS -
Canal 207
Citizens' National 210
First National .. 209
German National 210
Merchants' National. 211
224
Druids
392
Peoples' Savings,
211
Election, corruption of. 337
Election, first. 574 Smith, Ballard.
EVANSVILLE -
Adversity, period of. 113
Amusement, places of. 193
Brick house, first.
114
Business review
130-146
Capital of Vanderburgh county
103
Capital of Warrick county. 42,97
Census in 1838.
127
Census iu 1850
Census in 1860
134
Census in 1870.
135
Baptist, McFarland Chapel .. 992
Baptist, Missionary 292
Baptist, New Bethel 292
Baptist, Old. 291
Catholic . 293-299
Disciples of Christ 303
Episcopal Chapel. 289
Episcopal, Holy Innocents 289
Episcopal, St. Paul's
285
Free Methodist. 284
German Evangelical 300-303
German Lutheran,
299
German Reformed
303
Jewish
Methodist Episcopal
Methodist Episcopal, African.
281
Naming of
97
Opera-houses. 194
Police .. 188
Public building.
191
Public improvements. 192
Residents in 1831 116
Store, first, in 98
Valuation of property 114,
125, 131, 137, 140. 144
Methodist Episcopal, Ingle Street. 282 Methodist Episcopal, Kingsley .... 282 Methodist Episcopal, Trinity. 281
Chapel.
Presbyterian, Cumberland 275
CHURCHES-
Page.
CIVIL WAR-
Bounty aud relief .. 555
Colored troops 541
Drafts 554
Flag presentation 480
First company in. 477
Militia companies 556
XII. SECRET AND BENEVOLENT OR- DERS,
381
XIII. PERSONAL HISTORY. 400
XIV. MILITARY HISTORY
468
XV. NEWSPAPERS
558
XVI. EARLY SETTLEMENT 572
GENERAL INDEX.
Agents, county 52
Agricultural societies 82
Altitude above the sea 17
Amusements. 577
Commissioners, county
Common pleas court 348
Coroners, county 52
Court of conciliation 349
Court-houses 54-57
County agents .. 52
County seat, location of. 42,47,97,103
Hall, Samuel
Criminal circuit court. 350
Darlington, town of 98
Dentistry .. 266
Detective association 85
Parrett, William F.
346
Richardson, R. D.
347
Judges, common pleas
Judges, probate ..
048
Jury, Grand, action of.
337
Jury, Grand, first 328 328 Jury, petit, first. 31
Knight, Isaac, capture of
Knights of the Goldeu Rule. 396
Knights of Honor. 391
130 Knights and Ladies of Honor. 392
Knights of Pythias. 388-390
Lamasco 131
Census in 1888 (estimated)
145
City charter
129
City government.
188
Clark, Amos, letters of 126,127
Condition in 1820
107
Electric light ..
193
Fire department
189
Fire in 1842. 128
Gas works 193
Halls, public 193
Incorporation of 105
Laying out of . .100-104 MeGary, Hugh, influence on, 42-45, 94-96
304 276
Methodist Episcopal. African Zion
281
Methodist Episcopal, First Ger- man ....
283
Methodist Episcopal, Fifth. 281
Methodist Episcopal, Second Ger- man ..
284
Methodist Episcopal, Simpson 283 Wharf, building of. 129
337
345 349
Diseases, early
Old National 207
48
Artesian well ..
184
Presbyterian, Grace .. 272
Manufactures 142-143
Merchants in 1838. 127
Census in 1880.
14
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY.
Page. 223
Physicians, early
Bawden, Manuel
440
Fendrich, Herman
466 634
Becker, Michael
170
Fickas, S. R.
Physicians, roster of.
572
Beierlein, George C .. 583
583
Fischer, Jacob ..
Pioneers, dress of
576
Beierlein, Herman
413
Foster Family, The
Poor, expenses of.
187
Binkley, John T.
260
French, William E
Port of entry
184
Bittrolff, George A
460
Frey, Philip W
Fritsch, L.
Practice, medical, hardships of ...
221
Probate court,
53
Boehne, J. W
415
Gantner, Charles.
Public square,
77 to 82, 130
Boettieher, Edward
458
Garvin, Thomas E.
Railroads
52
Bohannon, W. S
584
Recorder, county
Gilbert, John
REGIMENTS -
482
Bowen, George D
630
Fourteenth
Gilliland, L. M.
Twenty-fourth
484
Bowles, Edward.
417
Eleventh
491
Brandenberger, Fred.
605
Goldsmith, D. W
First battery
496
Brandenberger, John.
606
Twenty-fifth
503
Brandenberger, Henry
606
Goldsmith, Oliver.
First cavalry (28th)
507
Brandis, Joseph H.
655
Thirty-second
512
Bray, Madison J
237
Goodwin, J. J ..
Thirty-fifth
513
Brentano, August
173
Sixth battery
516
Bridwell, T. C ..
432
Forty-second.
520
Bromni, Adam
412
Sixtieth
523
Browning, George B.
585
Graves, R. E.
Sixty-fifth
528
Brose, Louis D
258
Gray, Robert.
Fourth cavalry (77th).
532
Brose, George.
444
Ninety-first.
534
Buchanan, J. S.
366 367
Grill, Edward Grimwood, James G.
Tenth cavalry (125th)
535
Buchanan, Cicero
417
One hundred and thirty-sixth
537
Bullen, Thomas
Grimwood, John F Grimwood, S. N ..
One hundred and forty-third. Miscellaneous ....
541 53
Representatives, state
75-77
Burtis, J. T.
463
Gumberts, Henry, sr.
Haas, I ..
449
Hacker, William
Royal Areanum.
25
- Byrnes, T. B.
630
Happe, Andrew
School Fund
SCHOOLS -
308
Armstrong township.
308
Center township.
310
Evansville
309
Free, first.
309
Casselberry, Isaac.
362
Hawkins, Anthony C ..
Knight township.
307
Chandler, W. H
559
Perry township.
308
Scott township.
310
Pigeon township
310
Section, geological
21 53
Senators, state .. Sheriffs, county
52
Corlew, R. M.
197
Henry, James
Steamboat construction.
122
Cox, J. B
607 Henry, Robert R
Surface features
Crisp, Daniel
587
Superior court.
225
Surgery.
52
Townships, creation of
62
TOWNSHIP HISTORY -
668
Armstrong
599
German.
626
Knight
650
Perry
578
Union.
Treasurers, county. 51
United Brothers of Friendship 396
United Order of Honor 392
Vanderburgh county, creation of. 46
Voters, first in Evansville 575
Wabash & Erie canal. 121,128
War of 1812 .. 468
Warriek county, jurisdiction
Willard library .. 321
Young Men's Christian Association. 304
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Alexander, William, 263~
Alleon, John. 604
Archer, Samuel M
217
Arnold, Jacob. 459
Artes, Charles F 432
Ashby, J. W.
421
Audubon, John J 44,101
Augermeier, A. J
663 259
Bahr, William
439
Baird, L. M.
156
Evans, S. G. Ewing, F. M.
452
Kellogg, Charles H. Keene, S. W.
Baker, Conrad 364
Barker, Samuel. 643 Ewing, William D
Barnett, Henry H. 629
Fares, J. V
406 663
Kellogg, R. H. Kevekordes, Leo.
264 439 610 162 451 252 673 6,4 589 212 611 609 235 610 405 424 4224 425 379 402 1.5 355 154 169 174 635 87 205 365 43, 100 611 647 647 645 440 442 458 459 409
635 404 410 588 138 410 588 589 589 441 466 664 266 436 407 647 410 412 412 667 246 423 91 219 434 456 91 146 439 167 609 610 667
Roads.
391
Butts, Henry
402
Halloek, A. C.
Salt well ..
307
Byrne, J. J ..
Calvert, Leroy
463
Harrison, Ed.
315
Harrison, J. B.
Hartig, Simon.
Hartloff, Richard
212
Harwood, A. W
German township
309
Chandler, John J
Hayden, A. M.
Haynie, George W
Haynie, Henry
413
Hays, John J
170
Heilman, William
Heldt, Henry.
Cooke, E. B
407 261
Helfrich, Adam
Crane, James F
Crisp, R. F
586
Hess, Peter
Heubner, Peter,
Hinkle, W. B
Curnick, S. M.
Cutler, James H.
221 199
Dannettelle, John H
276
Hoffman, Christof.
Hooker, Henry
Hopkins, John S.
Hornby, C. K.
Day, Robert Dean, William
456 429
Hanning, Theodore.
Hornby, Dr. Wilham
DeBruler, James P.
241
Denby, Charles
310
Hornby, William Howell, Lee.
371
Hulvershorn, Emil.
Diehle, John G
450 262
Hulvershorn, F. W.
262
Hurst, W. S Huston. E. P.
Ichenhauser, Louis.
Edmond, Sophie
Ehrman, E. J
264 419 431
Ehret, Joseph
Eissler, Henry
Ellert, C. H
Elliott, Thomas
Ellis, Nicholas
Emery, Frank B
Enz, Stephen Erskine, Levi. Euler, Jacob, jr
425 607 608
Jones, James W Kaiser, Philip, Kamp, A. C ... Kamp, B. A. Kamp, Leopold,
Karges, A. F.
Evans, Robert M
43, 100
633
Page. 414
Baumann, G. W
Page. 605
Farrar, J. J.
Physicians of note ..
231-233
231
Pioneers, character of.
63-67
Bernardin, A.
Postoffice, establishment of
Blakey, William M.
348
Blemker, H. E
425
Froelich, Henry F.
663 361 646 215
Boon, Ratliff.
43,101
Gilbert, F. M.
568
485
Bower, William
584
Goeke, Adolph.
Gould, Charles F
Graf, J. P.
Grainger, Samuel
585
Grammer, G. J.
Eighth battery
525
Browning. Richard
Bultmann, Joseph.
586
Grote, Fred.
Burggrabe, Henry
Burnes, W. E.
423
Guerich, Louis
River commerce, early.
70-74
Butterfield, C. H.
374
Capelle, William
Carpenter, Willard.
Carson, F. P.
435 436
Clark, G. W
Compton, John W
Conlen, F. J.
Union township
Cook, Fred W
Crisp, William
586 164 430
Hodge, F. T
Hodson, George P.
Center.
659
Darby, W. J ..
Daussman, George M.
171 265 252
Scott.
639
Dixon, H. T
Hulvershorn, H. E
Dow, J. L. .
Dinsmoor, J. W
411
Dyer, Azro
. Edmond, John F Edmond, Michael
370 646 646 646
1glehart, Asa. Ingle, John Jack, Alexander. Jacobi, Otto F James, John .. Jenkins, Charles T
Johann, Albert
Johnson, M. S.
607 454 587 182 430
Ehrman, F. J.
Henze. Charles Herr, L. S.
Surveyors, county ..
Croft, Benjamin F
630
239
Hardon, R. W.
678
Grese, Herman
One hundred and twentieth
539
606
Goldsmith, M. R
Goodge, George W
272 202 664 609 608 443 448 570 634
Gerard, R. J
414 149 178 379 457 172
380
Fink, John H.
451
Bacon, C. P
Denby, G. F.
Hoefling, George, sr
Davis, F. L ... Day, Benjamin J
18
350
Casey, John J.
INDEX.
15
Page.
Page.
Page.
Kiechì. Fred.
416
Page, William A
92
Staser, Conrad.
596
King, James L.
645
Parrett, Robert ...
277,279
Staser, J. C., jr.
596
King, R. W.
648
Parrett, William F.
363
Staser, John C. 595
Kirkpatrick, W. H.
612
Parvin, James D 86
Steiner, John N 657
Klamer, Herman
656
Patrick, E. W
404
Steinmetz, Fred 624
Klee, John ..
450
Peck, William.
592
Stinchfield, Washington
658
Knapp, Charles,
257
Pfafflin, August,
89
Stinson, Harry ...
420
Knapp, Emil
268
Pittman, Charles,
267
Stoltz, Henry
440
Knight, John H.
612
Poggemeir, William
657
Stone, Jesse M.
637
Knoll, Otto.
437 Pollock, Robert A.
636
Stroud, Calvin H
660
Knowles, J. W.
589
Pollard, William S
248
Sweetser, H. M
403
Kolh, Michael ..
648 Potts, John G
592
Swormstedt, William L
221
Kratz, C. W.
613
Powell, T. E
261
Tardy, Frank
454
Kratz, John R ..
612
Pritchett, Frank
89
Taylor, T. H.
265
Kreipke, Henry ..
656
Pruitt, John F.
674
Thiele, I. A ..
418
Kreipke, John H
449
Puder, Philip P.
172
Thompson, James L.
658
Kunz, Jacob
620
Purdue, Rachel H.
617
Thuman, Charles H.
169
Lahr, A. P.
178
408
Thuman, John H.
169
Lane, Joseph
44, 101, 627
Lant, George.
454
417
Uhl, August.
Lauer, James W
198
176
Uhl, Lonis
467
Laubscher, Jacob
613
Ralston, William G.
Ullmer, Charles William
178
Lanbscher, John W
614
Read, Hiram E
Ulrich, John .
Laner. H. W.
422
Law, John ..
361
Reid, J. W
429
Vann, William R
Lawton, Jobn
Reid, M. J.
429
Legler, Louis ...
Reiman, William
665
Verwayne, A
453
Leich, August.
88
Reitman, Henry.
165
Viele, Charles .
Lennert, George
Reitz, John A., & Sons
163 Viele, George B
Lewis, S. B.
Rheinlander, John
216,497
Liz dley, H. M ..
457
Rice, Laban M.
161
Walker, Edwin,
Lewis, Walter J.
445
Richardson, R. D.
371
Walker, E. F
Lindley, James F
457
Ritchey, James S.
593
Walker, George B
213
Linthicum, Edward
Ritchey, Simpson
593
Walker, James T
375
Ritchey, William
593
Linxwiler, Isaac W
615
Ritter, Charles H.
217
Little, Samuel W.
163
Robertson, Jolin.
649
Lockwood, C. S ..
434
Lockwood, John M
Rosencranz, A. C
Loewenstein, F
Roth, Anna B.
Longhine, S. C.
616
Ruark, Dr. S.
Lorenz, George.
447
MacClement, David.
420
Runck, Rev. C. L. C.
Werkmann, Fred
McCorkle, John S.
168
Ruston. George
Ruston, John.
594
McCntchan, M. C.
201
Ruston, Robert
619
McGary, Hngh
.42,45,94,95,96,116
McJohnston, Charles F
Ruston, William H
Woods, Charles E.
409 Woods, J. S
281
Woods, William H 446
Wunderlich, Christian 90
Young, B. S
625
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Baird, L. M., facing. 202
Barker, Samuel, facing
648
Bray, Madison J., facing. 237
620 Buchanan, Cicero. 393
Buchanan, J. S., facing 66
Carpenter, Willard
313
Miller, Jacob ..
177
Schmidt, J. H. P
6:22
Carpenter, Homestead 319
Miller, W. D
591
Schmitt, Anton
Compton, J. W., facing 410
Miller, W. H.
Schmitt, August
Cook, Fred W., facing. 168
Minnis, J. S
Schmitt, Charles
622
Cox, J. B. 185
Davis, F. L. 461
Schomburg, William
Evans, Robert M. Frontispiece
Heilman, William. 151
Herr, L. S., facing 270
622 Iglehart, Asa 359
Jenkins, Charles T 83
Leich, August
597
Murphy, C. J
202 Schultze, Henry A
Mackay, D. J .. 401
Mattison, H. A. 376
Myerhoff, C. H., facing 478
162 Orr, Samuel.
631 342
566 Parvin, James D.
49
Nonweiler, Philip
Shanklin, John ..
147
Rheinlander, John
495
Nngent, John
415
Shanklin, John G.
566 Rosencranz, A. C
529
Nurre, Joseph A Orr, Samnel.
Sherwood, William B
Shanklin, John
117 427
Ortmeyer, John H
Sihler, Lonis
649 Viele, Charles.
219
Oslage, E. F.
413 Slayback, C. A.
416
Wedding, C. L
563
Otte, Charles H. W
413 Smyth, H. B
637 Weever, J. B 253
Owen, A. M.
241 Spiegel, Philip
414 Willard Library 325
..
Owen, John E
255 Staser, Clinton
378 Wunderlich, Christian
665
674
Scott, Richard
Masters, G. L.
421
Scott, Samnel
Mattison, H. A. Menke, Herman G.
368
Scott, W. J.
Schaeffer, Michael
Metcalfe, J. G.
Miller, A. J ..
667
Miller, Emil G.
621
4-11 464
Moffett, John F
617
Schnelle, H. William.
620
Morgan, Daniel
215
Morgan, Emerson B
156
Moore, John H.
Morris, C. J .
Morris, Frank
Schulte, Charles
166 165
Muhlhausen, Matthias
217
Myerhoff, Charles H
157 164
Schwartz, E. H ..
623
Myers, Michael
164
Neale, John A ..
618
Shackelford, J. M
376 Parrett, William F , facing.
Newitt, George W
Shanklin, G. W
205 437
166 Sherwood, Marcns
180
Shackelford, J. M 287
150 408 175 Sirkle, A. J .
180 88 Ullmer, C. W
Osborn, John H ...
204 454 435
Schroeter, Ulrich
596 218 415
Schrader, Charles
204 649 181 180 595 595 595 595 218
Scantlin, Thomas.
. Marlett, John J
Scott, Grandville
591
Mackey, D. J ..
Sansom, S. B
455
Maddux, Alexander.
636
Saunders, James D
Maghee, William H.
255
Saunders, James F
Maidlow Family
Scantlin, James.
Marker, Peter ...
Ruston, Walter.
424 438
McLean, William
Sample, Joseph R
McNeely, James H.
Sansom, John.
451 302 594
Wheeler, Joseph
Wills, James S
659
McCoy, John N. McCoy, P. Y ..
256
Ruston, Richard.
593
Wilton, Isaiah.
Wiltshire, J. W.
Wollenberger, Andrew
261 453 172 416
616 465 561
400
590 418 200
Martin, William
119 567
Wedding, C. L 657 155 649 619 Weever, John B. Wedding, C. V
258
Ruff. F. W ..
Wells, George N.
426 198 426 6:25 372
Weaver, C. A .. Weber, Michael
Rose, Conrad ..
246 159 374
Reavis, William
Vanderburgh, Judge Henry
624 45 638 433
Venemann, T. W
465 92
416 267
Volkmann, Carl
213 183 624 251 273
259 615
Linxwiler, George.
Walker, Joseph B
Wartman, J. W
235 467
Rahm, Emil
417 Trafton, William,
Puster, Louis.
Rahm, Ernst
Rahm, William, jr.
250 200 668 280
409 Schlag, C. F. Schmidt, Andrew 436 569 450 Schmidt, Conrad
621 464
Schor, R. F ...
Scbuttler, Bernard.
169 623
Schwartz, C. F. W
Myers, Jacob.
Seitz, Lewis ..
419
HISTORY OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY.
CHAPTER 1 .*
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY -CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES-FORMATION AND EROSION OF THE SURFACE-GLACIAL REMAINS - CONNECTED GEOLOGICAL SECTION -THE COAL MEASURES-ACTUAL SECTIONS.
ANDERBURGHI, except one, is the German township, is a high ridge with a extreme southwestern county of the spur of lower land running down through Perry, which divides the county into two systems, the northwestern being drained through Big creek and its forks into the Wabash river. The eastern and central parts of the county have their water-shed by Bluegrass, Locust and Little creeks through Big Pigeon into the Ohio.
state of Indiana, and is bounded on the west by Posey, north by Gibson, east by Warrick. The southern boundary is the Ohio, the " belle riviere " of the early French adventurers, the "beautiful river " of our own poets, the "great commercial artery " of our economic writers. Its picturesque beauty and its fleets of busy steamers are equally deserving subjects of admiration. Evansville, the city of the county, and one of the principal cities of the state, lies ISo miles distant from Indianapolis. To be geo- graphically precise, its latitude is 38° S' north, its longitude 10' 30' west from Wash- ington.
The altitude of the Ohio at low water at Evansville, is 320 feet above sea level. The elevation of Main street is 50 feet above low water, and consequently, the average altitude of the city above tide water is 370 feet.
Though the northern line of the county is but thirteen miles from that re-entrant curve of the Ohio which approaches the geographical center of the county, the drain- age of its territory is not wholly into the great river. Running from the northern . part of Scott and along the northern line of
The topography of the county is delight- fully varied. The characteristic features of a river country, the river bottoms, are here from two to six miles wide. Composed of a light, sandy loam, they are very fertile, and produce profitable crops of corn, wheat, potatoes, tobacco, and meadow grass. In the forests upon this soil we find black and white walnuts, red, white and burr oaks, red and white elms, white and black gums, cottonwood, hickory, maple, willow, syca- more, cypress, pecan, etc., with many shrubs and vines. The small brooks flowing across the county, from northeast to south and south- west, of no great capacity, and often nearly dry in summer droughts, run through val- leys one to three miles wide. These " bottoms" are level, and characteristically argillaceous, or hard and compact, and de- mand underground drainage for successful tillage long continued. Good crops of hay are grown upon them. The timber here comprises white, burr, water and jack oaks,
*Adapted for this volume from the Geological Report on Vanderburgh county, by John Collett, A. M., in " Geolog- ical Survey of Indiana, 1875."
18
GEOLOGY.
gum, elm, maple and sycamore, with beach, profusion, and the pecan may be easily and profitably cultivated. Wild grapes, plums, etc., crown the hill tops and cluster in the valleys, but the luscious persimmon, "God's fruit," is the best and most abundant, and it is believed, by cultivation could be made to rival the date. sugar tree, poplar and walnut on sandy loams. From the creek and river valleys the ascent is sometimes gentle, often by abrupt bluffs, to the table lands. In the central and northern parts, these attain an elevation of from 150 10 350 feet, and aver- age a height of 225 feet above low water in The surface of the county affords many instructive texts to the geologist, for the ap- plication of his theories to account for the present configuration. By a vast accumu- lation of observations in all parts of the world, and the formulation of theories based upon them, he is able to recount an interesting story of the past of this region, and much of the geologist's narrative is not "caviare to the general," nor recondite. There are plain records in the valleys and bluffs of phenomena concerning which all men who have thought the Ohio; and being formed as a whole, from fine sands or loam, the soil is compact, and to a degree impervious to air or moist- ure unless drained or well mixed with vege- table matter. The flat areas are wet and have characteristic openings, or prairies, but the slightly uneven surfaces are clothed with a thick growth of timber, in which post-oak, persimmon and sweet gum are characteristic. White, red and Spanish oaks, black gum, maple, white and black hickories are common. The rolling up- upon the subject are pretty well agreed. lands are richer on account of an admixture of red calcareous soil, and adds to the for- ests poplars, sugar trees, black walnut and The briefest statement of the geology of the county would mention as the oldest strata which has been brought to general notice,
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