USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Richmond > Memoirs of Wayne County and the city of Richmond, Indiana; from the earliest historical times down to the present, including a genealogical and biographical record of representative families in Wayne County, Volume I Pt. 1 > Part 1
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02300 5272
2212105
MEMOIRS
OF
WAYNE COUNTY
AND THE
CITY OF RICHMOND
INDIANA
FROM THE EARLIEST HISTORICAL TIMES DOWN TO THE PRESENT, INCLUDING A GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF REPRESENTATIVE FAMILIES IN WAYNE COUNTY
HON. HENRY CLAY FOX, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ILLUSTRATED
VOLUME I.
Pt. 1
7:20! 34 € v / MADISON, WISCONSIN WESTERN HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION 1912
Allen County Public Library Ft. Wayne, Indiana
2212105
10
02
PREFACE
In issuing the "Memoirs of Wayne County, and the City of Richmond," the publishers take the preface as a means of acknowl- · edging obligations to many who have so cordially co-operated in y; their preparation. Hon. Henry C. Fox, as editor-in-chief, has given intelligent direction and courteous suggestions, his long residence in the county and superior ability especially fitting him for the posi- tion. The chapter on "Homicide Trials in Wayne County," pre- pared by him, is of surpassing interest. Prof. Harlow Lindley has contributed chapters upon "The Making of Indiana" and "Pioneer Life a Century Ago." The value of these chapters are due not only to their subject matter, but also to the ability of the author as a historian. John B. Dougan, the genial president of the Second . National Bank, of Richmond, has edited the chapter upon "Wayne County's Financial Institutions," and he gave the work the same careful and intelligent consideration that characterizes his efforts in all matters claiming his attention. Dr. Charles S. Bond, who stands high as a physician and surgeon, has edited the chapter entitled, "Physicians and Scientists," and to his painstaking efforts and interest in the subject is due the completeness with which it is treated. Hon. William Dudley Foulke has carefully revised and edited the chapters relating to "Journalism" and "Literature," and his high standing in the field of letters is a guarantee of the thor- oughness and excellence of his work. Dr. Robert L. Kelly, the well known president of Earlham College, and one of the leading educators of Indiana, gave his valuable assistance as editor of the "Educational" chapter, the completeness of which is a source of pride and satisfaction. The chapter entitled, "Agriculture and Allied Interests," has been prepared under the supervision of Walter S. Commons and Edward Y. Teas, than whom there are none more competent to speak upon agricultural and horticultural matters.
That the "Memoirs of Wayne county and the City of Rich- mond" may prove satisfactory to our patrons is the hope of
THE PUBLISHERS.
SURNAME FILE
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I. THE MAKING OF INDIANA- French Traders - English Claims - Clark's Campaign - Virginia's Claims-Ordinances of 1784 and 1787-Indian War Increase in Population-Slav- ery Agitation-Territorial Government-Admission to the Union-Bibliography
1
CHAPTER II
PIONEER LIFE A CENTURY AGO-Revolutionary Epoch- Immigration-Clothing of the Pioneers-Early Habitations- Farming Tools-The Whipsaw -Dyeing of Cloth-The Rope Walk-Amusements of the Pioneers
CHAPTER JII. GEOLOGY AND ARCHAEOLOGY -Topography-Geology-Hud- son River Group-Antiquities -Observation of Prehistoric Earthworks
CHAPTER JV EARLY HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY-Settled by Quakers -Discovery of White Water Valley - Friends' Meetings - Early Trials and Triomphs- Internal Improvements - Es- tablishment of Schools- Building of Canals -First Railroad-Location of County Seat - Early Growth of Cen- terville - The White Water Settlement of Friends 27
CHAPTER V. EARLY HISTORY (Continued )- Indians Harass Settlers-Set- tlement on the Elkhorn-Ex- periences of Joseph Cox- George Holman and Richard Roe Captured by Indians-AC- count of Their Captivity-The Hoover Family-Jeremiah Cox-Charles Hunt and Sons -Early Mills-First Entry of Land-First Clearing at Rich- mond-Names of Early Set- tlers - Early Elections and Courts-War of 1812 15
CHAPTER VI. TOWNSHIP HISTORY-Location -Boundaries - Formations- Early Settlers $ 1
CHAPTER VIL. COUNTY SEAT HISTORY - 01- ganization of County - First Conrt - County Seat Estali-
lished at Salisbury-Removal to Centerville - Seminary of Wayne County - Removal of County Seat to Richmond - Resume .
CHAPTER VIII. OLD NATIONAL ROAD-Cession ot Virginia-Northwest Terri- tory Inaccessible - Water - Courses the Only Highways- Internal Improvements -- Con- stitutional Objections-Jeffer- son's Plan - Compact With Ohio and Other States-con- struction of the National Road -Triumph over Difficulties- Resulting Benefits 103
CHAPTER IX. WHITE WATER CANAL - TOw- path at Present a Railroad Bed - Early Difficulties in Transportation - Questions of Internal Improvements-Route Surveyed for Canal - Entho- siasm of the l'eople-Difficul- ties Overcome-Names of Con- tractors - Completion of the Canal-Branch Canals-Bene- fits Derived-Canal Succeeded by Railroads 115
CHAPTER X.
CENTERVILLE - White Water College- Churches -Public Houses-Samuel Hannah- James Rariden - John Finley - Ambrose E. Burnside - Charles 11. Test - Old Court House 137
CHAPTER XI.
NEWPORT IN ANTI-SLAVERY TIMES - Location - Name Changed to Fountain City - Early Industries - Education and Religion-Immigration of Friends - Anti-Slavery Senti- ment - Anti-Slavery News- paper - Levi Coffin and the Underground Railroad - Eliza Harris and Others Receive Assistance - Division in the Friends' Church - Anti-Saloon Sentiment in the Village ... .. 147
CHAPTER XH.
OLIVER P. MORTON - Born at Salisbury, of English Descent -Early Education-Marriage -Early Political Affiliations- Nomination for Governor and Defeated 1456 - Becomes Governor 1861 - His Ad-
During War
vi
CONTENTS.
Times-Elected United States Senator-Physical Suffering in Last Years-Death. . 1$3
CHAPTER XIII.
GEORGE W. JULIAX-Ancestry -- Early Struggles - Studies Law-Enters Politics and Be- KIns His Carrer as a States- man-Services in Congress- Political Campaigns - Public Land Policy - Personal Char- acteristics 199
CHAPTER XIV. MILITARY MATTERS-Rich- mond During the Civil War- Morgan's Raid-United States Sanitary Commission-Heart- Rending Scenes in Our Hospi- fals -- The Spanish-American War
CHAPTER XV. SOCIAL HISTORY OF WAYNE COUNTY - Elements of the Population - First Settlers in the Different Townships-Pre- dominant Characteristics - Social Problems - Population of Villages in 1910 -Slave Question -- Care of Soldiers - Caring for the Poor -Secret Societies - Charitable Institu- tions - Social Chibs - The Liquor Question .. 231
CHAPTER XVI. WAYNE COUNTY BAR-Organi- zation of County-First Court - Early Judiciary - Probate Court - Rules of Practice - Mention of Prominent Law - vers -County and Associate Judges-Judges of the Com- mon Pleas Court. and of the Wayne Circuit, Criminal, Su- perior, and Probate Courts - I'roseeuting Attorneys - Dis- triet Attorneys - Members of the Bar. 251
CHAPTER XVII.
HOMICIDE TRIALS IN WAYNE COUNTY-Legal Executions- Henry Chryst-Dissenting Opinion of Judge Eggleston- Nathaniel S. Bates-Cases in Which Judge Fox Participated as Attorney-Cases in Which He Officiated as Judge - In- temperance the Parent of Crime 277
CHAPTER XVIII. WAYNE COUNTY''S FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS-State Bank of Indiana-Other Financial Institutions of Richmond - Financial Organizations of Cambridge City-Bank of Cen- terville-Banks of Milton- Banks of Hagerstown-Foun- tain City Bank-Banks of Green's Fork, Williamsburg, Dublin and Economy .. 289
CHAPTER XIX. PHYSICIANS AND SCIENTISTS -The Early Medical Profes- sion - Physicians of Wayne County - Contributors to Scientific Literature With Bio- graphical Mention. 311
CHAPTER XX.
WAYNE COUNTY JJOURNALISM -- Early Journalism-News - papers Established from 1810
to 1865-Papers Begun Since 1865-Cambridge City, Center- ville, and Fountain City Papers-Magazines and School Papers in Richmond -Con - clusion 329
CHAPTER XXL LITERATURE OF WAYNE COUNTY - Poetry-Oratory- History and Biography-Fic- tion-Art-Educational - Per- sonal Mention of Various Writers 351
CHAPTER XXU. EDUCATION IN WAYNE COUN- TY-Pioneer Period-District Period - Location of Some Early Schools-Early Influ- ence of the Friends-Educa- tional Institutions-Schools of Richmond - School Buildings -Earlham College - Rich- mond Business College. ..... 405
CHAPTER XXIH. TEMPERANCE AND MORAL REFORM - Sons of Temper- ence - Good Templars- Women's Crusade and Other Movements -The Father Mathew Movement and Other Societies 453
CHAPTER XXIV. AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED INTERESTS-General Coin - ments - The Farm Factory - Agricultural Societies-Horti- culture and Floriculture - Early Flouring Mills -Silk Culture in Richmond. 463
CHAPTER XXV. THE GERMAN BAPTIST SO- CIETY - The Beginning - An Important Action-Houses of Worship - Special Services - The Mission Field - Member- ship and Officers. 473
CHAPTER XXVI. EARLY HISTORY OF RICH- MOND-The Settlement-Lay- ing Out of the Village-In- dustrial Enterprises - First Manufactory - First Things- Religious Societies-Historical Notes from Early Newspapers -City Charter-Henry Clay's Visit to Richmond .. 479
CHAPTER XXVII. MANUFACTURING INDUS- TRIES-Chronological Record of Establishments from 1806 to 1906-Some Important In- dustries - Interesting Figures 499
CHAPTER XXVIII RICHMOND TO-DAY-List of Manufacturing Establishments - Churches - Charitable and Philanthropic Institutions- Fraternal Organizations- Amusements-Rallroads . . .
519
CHAPTER XXIX. RICHMOND CLUBS - Nature and Origin of Clubs -Growth in the United States - Clubs of Richmond 527
CHAPTER XXX.
MEMOIR OF DAVID HOOVER. 541
INTRODUCTION.
It has been one hundred years since Wayne county was erected out of the territory formerly embraced in the county of Dearborn. It would seem that this should be an appropriate time for the citizens of Wayne county to review, step-by-step, the re- markable progress that has been made in that time. Few counties in the United States anywhere are more advanced in all that per- tains to modern civilization, and none can excel it in intelligent citizenship.
There have been previous attempts at recording the history of this county. None of them is of recent date; neither do they go into detail, which might have been done by one familiar with the history as it was being enacted. In the preparation of this his- tory, the aim has been to supplement what has gone before and not to duplicate. An effort has been made to write as accurate a history as possible of the institutional development of the county. In the preparation of the work, much use has been made of the results of local historical investigation conducted under the direc- tion of the History Department of Earlham College. The data thus obtained is perhaps as accurate as is possible to obtain for it has all been secured after a careful collection of facts from a variety of sources. Valuable data has also been secured from the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society.
Special mention should be made of materials obtained from the Senior theses of graduates in history from Earlham College, as follows: "The Whitewater Canal," Harry D. Michael; "County Seat History of Wayne County," Otis M. Elliott; "Newport Dur- ing Anti-Slavery Times," E. Anna Bailey; "Wayne County's Financial Institutions," Paul Lewis; "George W. Julian," Mar- garet Sedgewick; "Wayne County Journalism," Ethel Henderson ; Biographical outlines of persons prominent in the literary history of Wayne county, Ada Woodward; "Wayne County's Contribu- tions to Scientific Literature," Emmajean Smith ; "Early Educa- tion in Wayne County," Eva Thurston; "History of Richmond Schools." Elsie M. Marshall : "History of Earlham College," Har- low Lindley: "Social History of Wayne County," Ray K. Shiveley ; "The Wayne County Bar," Robert L. Study : and "History of Rich- mond Clubs," Lucile K. Mayr.
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
CHAPTER I.
THE MAKING OF INDIANA .*
FRENCH TRADERS-ENGLISHI CLAIMS-CLARK'S CAMPAIGN-VIRGINIA'S CLAIMS-ORDINANCES OF 1784 AND 1787-INDIAN WAR-INCREASE IN POPULATION-SLAVERY AGITATION-TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT- ADMISSION TO THE UNION-BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Little is known of North America before its discovery in 1492, but we know that in prehistoric times some human beings are sup- posed to have inhabited the central part of what is now the United States. The only evidences we have are the mounds found along the streams and in fertile places. These early inhabitants are called the Mound Builders. The first inhabitants of whom we know anything definite were Indians.
In the beginning of the Sixteenth century, after the discovery of the continent, some Jesuit missionaries explored the territory around the lakes, and a little later French traders came down from Canada and established a few trading posts along the Ohio river and smaller rivers in Indiana and Illinois. These posts began to grow, and in a few years French settlers came to the posts, forming small villages, and the French then laid claim to . the country. Trade, chiefly in furs, was carried on for several years. More French settlers came and more villages were formed. The king wanted to form a line of forts along the Maumee and Wabash rivers and on down the Mississippi to New Orleans. Three of these forts were in Indiana, of which Vincennes was the most important. Thus they were actually occupying the country a half century before the English had even explored it.
*From "Lindley, the Government of Indiana," with the consent of the publishers, Ginn & Co.
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
About the middle of the Eighteenth century the English, who already had colonies on the Atlantic coast, entered the territory, intending to make trade points and settlements. Thus both France and England claimed the territory. Immediately disputes arose, which ended in skirmishes, and the English secured pos- session of the territory at the close of the French and Indian War, in 1763, when, by the terms of the Treaty of Paris, the French claims east of the Mississippi river were transferred to England and the government was administered by English military officers. They did little to colonize it. They were opposed to the colonists of the Atlantic coast emigrating across the mountains just be- cause they were afraid the colonists would get to be too strong and powerful for English subjects. They wanted to use it for trading. But this was only an incentive to the colonists, and they began settling it immediately. The three French settlements in Indiana-Fort Wayne, Vincennes, and Quiatanon-after the French officers had abandoned them, were points where the col- onists settled in small numbers at first.
In 1772 General Gage sent out a proclamation commanding all persons who had settled west of the Alleghany Mountains to leave the country and settle in the English colonies to the east. This meant the French settlers also. These settlers had lived in the territory several years and they claimed that the land had been given to them by the French king. Gage went to England to get the king's sanction, but England was just on the border of the Revolutionary war with the colonists and the king wanted to be friendly with the French settlers so that he might have France on his side. He gave the settlers back their old laws and privileges and thus made them friendly to him. They had little to do with the war in the East, but together with the Indians they made life miserable for the few colonial settlers who had settled in the terri- tory.
Toward the close of the Revolutionary war, George Rogers Clark, acting under a commission of Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia, appeared in 1778 from across the mountains and changed the whole history of the territory. Clark was called "the Hannibal of the West." He soon saw how the British were imposing upon the French and Indians and how in turn the French, and especially the Indians, were mistreating the Virginia settlers in Kentucky. He petitioned the Virginia legislature for troops, and after some trouble and much perseverance he finally obtained a few hundred men and some supplies and went across the mountains to conquer
3
THE MAKING OF INDIANA
the West, for he saw that that was the only way the Americans could have any peace. Then followed his campaign in the "Illi- nois country," in which he gained Vincennes and Kaskaskia, suc- ceeded in winning the friendship of the French and most of the Indian tribes, and made it possible for the American colonists to settle there permanently, thus securing for Virginia a further claim upon the territory northwest of the Ohio river. as a part had been originally claimed under her colonial charter.
At the end of the Revolutionary war, in the Treaty of Paris, England was compelled to give up her claim to the territory be- tween the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi river to the colonies. The territory north of the Ohio river, called "Illinois," together with Kentucky were recognized as counties of Virginia by the Virginia legislature.
Besides Virginia, the New England colonies and New York held claims to the Northwest Territory. According to their char- ters, each had a rightful claim, but Virginia considered her claim the most stable on account of Clark's conquests. The colonies were deeply in debt, and this might be lessened by the sale of lands from the western territory. They had been united in war and all had claims to the Territory. After much discussion and persuasion from Congress the colonies all donated their claims to Congress, and the western territory became public domain ( Boyn- ton, SI). In 1783 the Virginia legislature passed an act empower- ing her delegates in Congress to make a deed ceding the territory northwest of the Ohio river to the United States, and Massachu- setts, Connecticut, and New York soon after surrendered their claim to the northern part of this territory. Congress had sug- gested that it be "disposed of for the common benefit and it be formed into distinct republican states, which shall become mem- bers of the federal union" (Boynton, 292). This acquisition of territory was effective in helping to preserve the union of the colonies.
In 1784 Congress passed an ordinance for the government of the territory northwest of the Ohio river, but it was practically inoperative, as no new settlements were made under its provi- sion. It provided for the formation of new States to have re- publican governments and be admitted into the confederation. This was Thomas Jefferson's plan. A New England land and emigration company, called the Ohio Company, attempted to col- onize the western territory. Before ceding the lands to the public many of the colonies had given grants to their soldiers to pay for
4
MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
services in the war with England.' On this account the settlers of New England would not emigrate without special guarantees of civil rights to the lands where they settled. The company urged Congress to take some action to secure the lands to the settlers, so Congress passed the Ordinance of 1787, which superseded the Ordinance of 178.4.
The Ordinance of 1787 ( Boynton, 176) applied to the Territory Northwest of the Ohio, providing for the formation, in time, of from three to five States. At first Congress was to appoint the governor, judges, and military officers of the new Territory. The governor and judges were to have legislative powers, subject to the veto of Congress. As soon as the population reached 5,000 free males, the inhabitants were to elect delegates who would form a house of representatives. This, with a governor and coun- cil* appointed by Congress, was to form the Territorial assembly. The assembly had full legislative power, which was to comply with the propositions of the Ordinance. It could appoint a dele- gate to Congress, but he could not vote there. When the popula- tion reached 60,000 the territory was to be admitted to the Con- federation on an equal basis with the thirteen original States.
The settlers were guaranteed civil rights, such as habeas corpus, trial by jury, and bail. Education was encouraged, and here was begun the liberal educational policy which has, in a large degrec, contributed to the intelligence, morality, and prosperity of the Northwest and the fruits of which we see in Indiana's present excellent school system. Other important provisions were the equal distribution of the property of persons dying intestate, the prohibition of molesting any one on account of his religion, and the forbidding of slavery "absolutely and forever," except as a punishment for crime. The Ordinance of 1787 is considered as one of the greatest state papers in American history, and we can- not fully understand and appreciate Indiana's later constitutional history without having a knowledge of this ordinance, the wise provisions of which have had such a great influence on Indiana's governmental affairs.
In 1789 the first Congress under the present Constitution of the United States recognized the binding force of this Ordinance and provided for carrying its provisions into effect. This was the first provision for government ever really exercised over the terri- tory of which Indiana is a part, after it became a part of the United States.
*This council consisted of five men selected from a list of ten submit- ted by the Territorial house of representatives.
5
THE MAKING OF INDIANA
Arthur St. Clair was elected governor of the Territory in Oc- tober, 1787, and three judges were appointed ; also necessary laws were made in accordance with the Ordinance.
There were many things which made the settling of the Terri- tory slow. The English in Canada were encouraging the Indian tribes all the while to make all the trouble they could for the set- tlers, and the Indians did a great deal of their own accord. Be- sides, there were many French settlers, especially in Indiana and Illinois. The majority of the New England settlers were in Ohio, although there were quite a number in the western part of the Territory. The French had been given large grants of land, but they were not ambitious enough to cultivate it, so they sold it to the settlers for as low as fifty cents an acre. They preferred living in poverty and spending most of their time in dancing and de- bauchery.
The Indians brought things to a head by making an attack on the settlers, resulting in a war which lasted five years. The In- dians were in the main successful until General Wayne met an army at the rapids and defeated them in August, 1794. A fort was garrisoned not far away and was called Fort Wayne, on the site of which stands the city of the same name. Congress saw that something must be done after such an uprising among the Indians, so in 1794 John Jay went to London to negotiate a treaty with England. It took him most of that year, but he accomplished his purpose. The treaty provided that the king should withdraw all his troops from posts within the United States before June, 1796. When the Indians found that their backing was gone Wayne had no trouble in exacting a treaty, whereby the United States secured most of the important locations.
The population now began to increase rapidly. Settlers could come and buy land and be sure of owning it, for the Indians gave up all claim to it. Indiana had not been settled very rapidly. The most of the settlers were in Clark's grant* and in the southeast corner of the State. The government was loose. The French and Americans were so widely different that it was hard to establish a government. Both suffered many privations after the Indian wars, for their crops had been spoiled. The Ohio settlers, how- ever, sent them food.
St. Clair and the judges devoted themselves to making some
*One hundred and fifty thousand acres were granted to George Rogers Clark by Virginia, as compensation for his military services in the Northwest Territory in behalf of the State.
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MEMOIRS OF WAYNE COUNTY
laws, and in May, 1795, they drew up an elaborate code, called the Maxwell Code, but it was never of much use.
In 1798, when it was decided that the population was suffi- cient, twenty-two representatives were chosen for delegates to a general assembly, of which number Indiana had one. President Adams chose five for a council, among whom was Vanderburg, of Vincennes, who was made president.
The Territorial house was organized Sept. 23, 1799, and on Oct. 3 Harrison was elected delegate to Congress by a majority of one over Arthur St. Clair.
In 1800 the Northwest Territory was divided by an act of Congress. All the territory east of a line which now very nearly corresponds to Indiana's eastern boundary was constituted the Northwest Territory, and all lying west of this line was named Indiana Territory, and its government was continued at Vincennes as the capital.
At this Congress Harrison also secured the passage of an Act which made him popular the rest of his life. According to law the western lands had been sold in tracts of not less than 4,000 acres, so only land companies could buy. Now Harrison secured an act which stipulated that the land should be sold in sections and half sections. He was chairman of the committee appointed to discuss the plan-the first Territorial delegate to be chairman of a committee.
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