USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > An Illustrated historical atlas of St. Joseph Co., Indiana > Part 5
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 (link on the Part 1 page).
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
that of his little band, was yet to blossom as the rose, and to be- says : "Our good God permitted me to land yesterday evening, come the home of religion, science and the arts. The land donat- the Eve of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. With what happi- ed by the bishop consisted of about six hundred acres, originally ness did I salute and embrace this dear land of America, .
purchased from the government in 1830, for one dollar and twen-
and what increase of consolation to land on the eve of so beautiful ty-five cents an acre, by the Very Rev. S. T. Badin, the first Cath-
What joy for a poor priest of the Holy Cross to olic priest ordained in the United States. Father Badin, whose a day !
be able to say his first Mass in America, on the Feast of the Ex- missionary field embraced almost the whole Northwestern terri- altation of that sacred symbol ! What a delicious day it is here tory, had become acquainted with the locality in his travels, and,
converts and the few Catholic settlers of the surrounding country as St. Mary's of the Lakes ; while by the profane it was called sim- ply the Lakes, or, more briefly, the Lake. By Father Badin it was made the center of the missions of northern Indiana and southern Michigan, and such it continued to be long after the arrival of Father Sorin.
These grounds, naturally so lovely, possessed an additional charm in the eyes of the new comers, from the fact that they had been sanctified by illustrious missionaries, whose memories were still fresh in the minds of all, namely, the Rev. L. Deseille and the Rev. B. Petit, who, but a few years before, had been eminently successful among the Indians (the Potowatomies), whom they had converted by hundreds, as the book of baptism, preserved at No- tre Dame, still shows. An interesting sketch of these saintly priests may be seen in the AVE MARIA, vol. 1, pp. 474, 484 and 518. Their bodies rest under a marble slab in the left wing of the present church.
A. H. Long, who was elected justice of the peace, came at a later day, and Hinman Curtiss, W. J. Brower, and Zelotus Ban- croft came in 1835.
It is possible that some of the above may have come a year business part of the town, and destroyed over $80,000 worth of
earlier or later, but the above is the best evidence we could ob- tain. So many came in 1835 and the following two or three years, that our space forbids the mention of their names.
Rev. Mr. Edwards, of the United Brethren church, was the first transient preacher; Rev. N. M. Wells, Presbyterian, the first resident preacher ; D. S. Brooks, the first millwright ; Benja- min Lucas, the first founder ; Mr. Stancliff, the first blacksmith ; Mr. John Skerritt, the first shoemaker; Mr. Lefferts, the first tailor ; John Inman, M. D., the first physician; Dr. Fowler, the first justice of the peace ; Henry Johnson, the first cooper; Mr. Goodrich, the first collier.
Hiram Rush and Miss Inwood were the first couple married, Rev. Wells officiating,-Indiana Yerrington, the first child born, and received its name in honor of the state,-and Mr. Moore's, the first death ; Mrs. Hurd, the mother-in-law to Mr. Earl the second. (?)
Revs. McCool and Ball were the first Methodist preachers at Mishawaka. Rev. Mr. Wells held religious worship at first in a tavern kept by Mr. Finch; afterwards in a school liouse.
In a short time from the first purchase of the land, which, by the way, was formerly occupied by an Indian village named Mishawaka ( thick woods rapids ), or ( swift waters ), houses were built in rapid succession.
Mr. Yerrington, the book-keeper of Mr. Hurd, built one on Main street; Elias Smith, Philo Hurd, L. Dean, J. White, A.
Benjamin Lucas, an old founder, put a blast furnace in opera- tion for A. M. Hurd in 1834, and cast' stoves, kettles, plows, mill-gearings, and other iron ware, so much needed among the settlers in a new country. A school house was built this year also, and the children were provided with the means for securing an education. Elias Smith built a new sawmill, and the people were supplied with lumber for building purposes. Orlando Hurd opened the " Mishawaka Hotel," and the traveling public were furnished with ample entertainment in the wilderness of the St. Joseph Valley.
In the Spring of 1834, a post office was established, and the Indian name Mishawaka was given it, and Mr. Yerrington was ap- pointed postmaster.
intermediate points.
The first ferry across the St. Joseph river was established this
In 1835, Asa Taylor built a fouring mill, and Zenas Dunbar
81
Alex Coquillard.
CITY OF
77
SOUTH BEND LAST HALF
J. Pcashaway
40
NAPOLEON
ST
82 2 FT
Samu
D.R.Leeper
62 7
ST
ST
INC
E
N
T
ST
3
4
US
ALOYSIUS
FUIMARYS
N. 150
SI
..
235
A
-
ESTWANFIE
...
..
ST
F OST
R
STANFIELD
0
N
7
.
MO
R
EA
WJ
ST
STATE
BAII
KS
ADD
2
S
ADD.
CEDAR HIGHTS
A
2
.
.
KALORAMA ST
N
IT'S
fundo2
NORTH
C
SUMMIT S'66
S
ST
NDSEY
ST.
12.
1 71
10
- -
$
OL
193
E
...
ST
2
E
R
R
Y
MILLER ST
R. BURR
5
...
115
3
E
53
d
.
MANFG
جو
E
CEDAR
ST
M
0
Z
A ST.
ANGE
PO
4
AD
ON
ST
MA
DISO
N
ST
KUNS
JAN
12
ST
FCHODL
10
ST
7
250
T
240
AŞSUMATI
W
A
T
E
R
ST
W
AT E
R
ST
4
7
S
S
LOR
.
8
A
KS
E
.
21⑈
ST
S. :
-
N'O
ST
3
Lesper
ST 82 '/2
..
S
0
ST
Z
S
..
33 FT
ST.
..
...
KFOSTER
ST BASIL
ST
G
ST
A
D :4
ST
12 5
119
IFALON
DAME
3
0+
G.VIN
THIRD
Q
1ST WARD
BARTLETT ST,
ADDİTI
ON
TARTE
S
V.3º
RCS
CO
C
9
R
IN
ST 49% FT
ADP
LLAS
BER
2
R
P
S
ST
A
nº
R
T
R
ELL
5
M
NIT
EZ
H
S
S
G
A
IV
WOOD
4
V
7
131 52
ST
ST
MAL
S
2.
67
5
S
F
.
I
SYCAMORE
BRIDGE
×
SCHOOL
N 50 50 E. 49% FT
66 FT
POR
T
A
R
S T
E SORIN 'S
LAWRENCE
A
COQILLARD ST
25
AV
C
LAS
GE
NOTRE
DDA
A V
FI
BART LETT'S
HIGHT
150
1
A
N
C
ST
V
ST 0
#
ALEXIS
..
MISHAWA
...
...
21
43
ST
ST
0
*
ero
...
Z
C
0
5
30
AV
...
14
AULA
CO
S
ST
S
.
22 F
0
A.
0
BORROUGH ST
R
WARD
S
AR
Z
81
Alex Coquillard
CITY OF 50
E.Sorin 77
SOUTH BENI FAST HALF
JJ. Peashaway
40
NAPOLE
0
N
ST
82 /2 FT
Somtu
D.R.LAPer
5
/
₦
EN
T
ST
4
5
:
***
.235
KA
En
E JANFIEL
L
FOST
STANFI
ST
ST
12 5
M
E
U
ST
STATE
BAM!
5
GHTS ADD
DAME
66 FT
THI
KALORAMA S
R
S
THIRD
1ST WARD
BARTLETT S
4
W
ADDITI
ON
SUMMIT S 66
F IR
₸
HR MART
NOTR
0
...
J
SOR
ST
FT
RR
Y
MILLER S+
BORROUGH S"
5
BURR OU GR
WARD
S
CE
DAR
ST
M
A
RI
N
ST
0
..
S
NGER
A
ISO
N
O
CO
2.8+
V.
E
W
T
T
H
LO
M
R
K
A
E
FNLT
FRANCES
.
S
WASHINGTON
R
4
W EL
W A
S
HIN
..
RST
O
Pip
ST
Z
F
F
S
N
ST
R
TAYL
GEND
HIÇAGO
5
GLASS HOUSE LOT &
ADSCL
SCOT
AD
5
MON ROE
51
ADD
0
H
FEL
R
1
TUIT'S
ENVE.
ARER BROS
G
COMPAN
BDWARD
"Indebaker
Manf.c
G.L.Frantz
DENIS
ON
97
2
YDER SO
AMPLE
S
EU-TH
BEND
F
G
c. IT'Swigart
LIZABETH S.
L
F
K
A
T
T
GA
S
5
A
SHORT
Carroll
ALwenger
OF
. Elder
LDER EI
AG
0
LOWS
SH
E
ST
CLINTON
GR
ISTAV. JUDG
ROBERTS
.OUC
NISSAN
JO ROBERT SO
RA
ETUTTS
OD
Y N
ST
W
A
E
O
CARR
MBIA
#
MY
SA
MA
DIS
N
ST
A
E
R
SYCAMORE
K
51
S.LT*
@ COOILLARD
E SORINS
A
o
..
2 PADA
6:07
C 0
7
R
L L
S
TC HOPH
LAWRENCE STSO
...
...
...
ST
5
D
M
1
S
ST
R
>ALOYSIUS
ARYS
1 50
4º
14
0
ST
S
ST 82 1/2
40
ST
ST
US
BASIL
ALEX
494
2.
CEDAR
HIGHTS
-
15
S
0
R
WARD LINE
R
A
S
A
H
NOG
OIN
A
VI
R
R
ST
VE
- 53
PF
N
WIL
AUF
COLUMBIA
R
KUNS
E
MA
-
A
Leeper
...
20
HISTORY OF NOTRE DAME-CONTINUED.
Of the six hundred acres given to them by the bishop, Father being banished as soon as detected, passion kept under healthy advertisement. As if each took another by the hand, there were Sorin and his companions found ten acres reclaimed from nature ; control, and morality inculcated by the instruction and the exam- soon two hundred entrances ; then, three, four, five, even six hun- ple of good inen, numberless souls who would otherwise have dred, until the halls were overflowing.
while beautiful " oak openings" covered all the rest, except what was occupied by the two little lakes of St. Joseph and St. Mary. On the banks of the latter stood a log church, twenty by forty. Thus, at the beginning of a long and hard winter, the little colony, a priest and seven brothers, found themselves in possession of abundance of wild land, and but little else, save their own bodily strength and unlimited confidence in Heaven.
To fulfill the terms of the contract with the bishop, it was de- termined, notivithstanding the apparent lack of means, to proceed as soon as possible to the erection of the college building. The name of the place was now changed, or rather varied, from St Mary's to Notre Dame du Lac, Our Lady of the Lake, a name which has insensibly shortened into Notre Dame. In February, 1843, the now venerable brother Vincent, the first to join the soci- had remained at St. Peter's, thus adding materially to the strength it became evident that the college could not be at once begun, and so a smaller building was put up, the present farm house. In July, the same year, a further addition was made to the numbers of the community by the arrival from France of the saintly father Coin- tet and his companions, two priests, a brother and three sisters.
The little band now felt itself strong enough to undertake the new buildings; and on the 28th of August, 1843, the cornerstone of the first college edifice of Notre Dame was laid with appropri- ate ceremonies. Before winter the building was under roof, and dents were removed from the farm house, and in August, 1844, the first commencement exercises took place. Through the spontane- ous kindness of the Hon. John D. Defrees, then member of the legislature for St. Joseph county, the institution had already re- ceived a charter, with the title and privileges of a university ; so that the actual and the legal existence of the university date from the same year, 1844 ; Notre Dame was fairly on her feet.
north, and with a sunny vineyard spread over the south. On this
island are situated the professed house of the Community and of the Sacred Heart, from the log building which Father Sorin the venerated chapel of the Portinucula.
and four stories high. This continued unchanged until 1853, when two wings, each forty by sixty, were added. It was now thought that there would be room enough for at least a genera- tion. But the error of this anticipation was discovered in a very few years, and in 1865, under the energetic presidency of Father Dillon, the old college building was, in the short space of two inonths, transformed into the present imposing structure. This edifice is one hundred and sixty feet in length, eighty feet in width, and six stories in height, and is surmounted by a colossal statue of NOTRE DAME. On the 31st of May, 1866, the new building was dedicated, and the statue blessed by Archbishop Spalding, assisted by five bishops, and a very great number of priests, in presence of the largest concourse of people ever gath- ered at Notre Dame.
the Union. In connection with the church and the college, a word may be said of the bells, for which Notre Dame is famous. The original bell of Notre Dame is that clear, sweet-toned one
lake rises the present stately Novitiate, the old missionaries that now rings out so pleasantly from St. Mary's Academy. The second bell was one of 2,400 pounds, which becoming cracked, Perhaps no more glorious spectacle can be witnessed in this was taken down and succeeded by the present great bell. This bell, with its rich musical tones, and its magnificent volume of sound, has a national reputation, being the largest in the United States, as it is one of the finest in the world. The church also possesses a chime of twenty-three bells, the finest and largest but one in the country. They were solemnly blessed in 1856 by Archbishop Purcell and Bishop Henni, of Milwaukee. With its bells, its noble organ, and its well-trained choir, it need not be vices of the church celebrated with more splendor than at Notre winter. Dame. The new church, with its glorious nave and transept, its rich altar, and its seven beautiful chapels, gems of sacred art, will be but the fitting .completion of the means here provided for the worship of Almighty God.
During the year 1844 the manual labor school was also organ- But is not only on the great days of the year, but at all times, ized, and received a charter from the state legislature. By de- that these scenes attract the willing steps of the art-loving and grees a carpenter shop, a blacksmith shop, a shoe shop, a tailor the religious. Softer shades or more inviting walks, especially shop, and others made their appearance, not at once, but one after than those bordering on St. Joseph's lake, neither poet nor her- another, as their nced was felt, or as men able to conduct them mit could desire. Nor is it ouly these retired groves and lakelets were attracted to the young community. The farm was of course gradually cleared ; everywhere the hand of labor grasped the hand of culture, and the hum of industry was mingled with the voice of prayer.
The interior history of the college, though of perhaps less in- terest to the general public, inust nevertheless not be passed over that minister to the love of the fair and the good; even the daily in silence. It may indeed be said that the inner life of a college recreation grounds, the college park, the gardens, and the farm is its real life, the life of the scholar being one of thought rather itself, are arranged and cultivated with an eye to the beautiful, as than of action. Studies, societies, libraries, cabinets, works of art, well as to the useful; and it has become a current observation and all the different appliances of learning and culture, are of on the part of strangers that there are no finer grounds in the inore significance than any grounds or buildings, however costly state than those of Notre Dame and St. Mary's.
Besides Father Sorin himself, the chief personages of this early time were Father Cointet, who has been already mentioned, and Father Granger, who arrived in 1844. Father Sortu was the Such is Notre Dame, with its attractive natural scenery, its first president, continuing in office from 1844 to 1865. Father cultivated acres, its pleasant grounds, its commodious buildings,
Granger was the first vice-president, and Father Coiutet the second. To them, therefore, must be chiefly ascribed the first shaping of the distinctive character which Notre Dame early began to assume. An examination of some of the most marked features of this character may be of interest to the reader, as it will enable him to understand in what Notre Dame differs from other schools and colleges.
The first thing that strikes us in this examination is, that at could adapt that experience to the needs of a new and rapidly de-
Notre Dame conscience is a matter of the very first consideration, the higher law, ruling in everything; the injunction of the apostle being carried out to the letter, " Whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you do, do it all for the honor and glory of God." This spirit of conscientious duty seeks the welfare of the student
In looking over the history of this period, the mind, very from his rising at morning to his retiring at night, in his study and naturally, is first arrested by the names of the successive presi-
or beautiful. The intellectual and spiritual growth of Notre Dame has been no less constant and vigorous than her physical progress ; but this growth, from its very nature, eludes the grasp. As we observe that we have passed from childhood to boyhood, and again from boyhood to manhood, but yet could not at any time discover our bodies increasing in size, or our minds cx- panding in power; so we perceive in the present intellectual development of Notre Dame a maturity which shows an im- mense growth as compared with the condition of things ten, twenty, or thirty years ago, but so gradual has that growth been that its different stages can hardly be noted. Year by year an addition was made, an improvement introduced, from the first English class organized by Father Shaw, to the present classes of
veloping country. To its accomplishment many minds of the first order, many self-sacrificing spirits, have devoted their best energics from the time of small but hopeful beginnings, in 1844, Rhetoric and Literature ; from the first Latin class called by Father to that of comparative vigor and maturity in r874.
Cointet, to the present numerous classes of Latin, Greek and An- cient Literature ; from the first Logic class assembled by Father Granger, to the present classes of Philosophy and Theology ; from in his recreation, from the moment he enters the university until dents, under whose supreme direction everything was done: Fa- the first Arithmetic class summoned by brother Gatien, to the he leaves it, even after he goes forth iuto the world, this solicitude ther Sorin, Father Patrick Dillon, Father Corby, and Father Le- is not intermitted ; for a fond mother does not hear of the well monnier. Father Sorin, as before stated, was president from 1844 doings of her child with more pleasure than does Notre Dame to 1865; Father Dillon from May, 1865, to August, 1866 ; Father listen to the praises of those who have been nurtured in her Corby from 1866 to 1872; and Fathier Lemonnier from 1872 until bosom. She is, in fact, what every college is in name, an alma his lamented death in 1874. During the same time the vice mater, a cherishing mother.
For the bodily health of the student slie provides regular hours of study, of recreation, and of repose ; ample grounds for the exercise of every manly and athletic game; abundant and healthful food ; and, if need be, the most attentive care in sick- ness.
presidents were: Father Granger, 1844-1851; Father Cointet, 1851, 1852 ; Father Shortis, 1852-1856; Father Gillespie, 1856 -185g; and again, 1860-1863; Father Patrick Dillon, 1858 1859; and again, 1863-1865; Father James Dillon, 1859, 1860; Father Corby, 1865, 1866: Father Lemonnier, 1866-1872; Dillon, Leveque and Bourget; of whom the last three, from ex- Father Brown, 1872-1874; and Father Colovin, now in office as
For his intellectual advancement she secures a quiet place of Acting President of the University.
T'he period since the war has been one of continued prosper- study, far from the din and disturbance of the city ; she saves his time for him, assigning to every hour of the twenty-four its appro- During the administration of Father Sorin the foundations of ity. It was ushered in by the building of the new college edifice, Notre Dame were deeply and solidly laid. Save the bare land, and the introduction of steam for heating, and by the establish- priate occupation ; and by unremitting attention on her own part, and the sympathy of the benevolent and the charitable, the young ment of the AVE MARIA, a widely known religions journal. The as well as by appealing to every nobler impulse in the student's community had in the beginning actually no means, except the AVE MARIA was founded, and edited for the first two years, by breast, she presses him on to the acquisition of knowledge and | blessing of heaven, their own feeble strength, and, after a time, Father Sorin. It was afterwards conducted by Father Gillespie, wisdom.
the tuition of a few students, which for many a year was a very until his untimely death in 1874. Father Gillespie also began the publication of THE SCHOLASTIC, the college paper, conducted, under his supervision, by the students. To no one indeed is
For his moral welfare, which is her chief concern, she first re- small sum indeed. But faith and industry did not go unrewarded. moves him from danger, and places before him the example of the Little by little every year was an improvement upon the last. virtuous ; the vicious, or those whose conduct would lead the un- Slowly, very slowly, the number of students crept up, from one to Notre Dame more indebted for the cultivation and encouragement wary into vice, being at once expelled from her halls. Thus vice one hundred. These spread over the country became the best of literary studies than to Father Gillespie, her first graduate.
strayed from the paths of rectitude now move forward through life as shining patterns of virtue.
But still the secret of success remains untold; not only is all this done, but it is done pleasantly ; if conscientious duty is tite of nearly forty members. The courses of study during the same mistress of the establishment, kindness is her handmaid. Every- thing is done thoroughly, but the more thoroughly because done in a spirit of Christian love and charity. Hence the warm feeling of friendship entertained for Notre Dame by all those who have once been inmates of her family circle. The rudest and most thoughtless of youth of other days has for her an enthusiastic af- fection bordering on love.
With this increase, everything else increased. The faculty, which once consisted of Father Sorin, Father Granger, and Father Cointet, advanced in numbers from year to year, until it consists tinre widened in completeness and increased in number, until at Notre Dame, according to the aspiration of a well known patron of learning, "Any one may learn anything," whether in science, in the arts, or in business, as well as in theology, Inw and medicine. Buildings have of course arisen on every side, until their ap- pearauce is rather that of a town than of a college. The first college edifice, except the farm-house, was the central part of the
The sense of the beautiful also, inspired by the surroundings of old college buildings, and was thirty-six feet deep by eighty front, Notre Dame, has no little to do with her success as an educa- ety in France, arrived with those menibers of the community who tional institution. Milton complains that Cambridge has no pleasant walks or soft shades, suited for the haunts of the muses ; and the courage of the establishment. As the spring advanced but the future poet who calls Notre Dame his alma mater will have no such complaint to make. A lovely landscape stretches avay on every side as far as the eye can reach, save where it is limited by the distant hills or forests.
To the south, scarcely two miles off, lies the pleasant and pros- pcrous city of South Bend, one of the chief manufacturing cen- ters of the country. The high wooded banks of the St. Joseph, one mile to the west, are crowned with the picturesque buildings of St. Mary's Academy. Between the academy and the college is St. Mary's lake, while to the north is St. Joseph's. Iu the during the next spring it was completed. In June the few stu- meadow between the lakes rises " the Island," wooded on the
Alinost a like history might be written of the College Church found upon the banks of St. Mary's lake, to the present gothic A continuous grove embraces bothi lakes, with the meadow edifice, now approaching completion, and which has been pro- and island between. Nestled within this grove, on the bank of nounced, even in its unfinished state, to be worthy of any city in St. Mary's lake, is St. Aloysius' Novitiate, now the Scholasticate, well beloved of many a zealous priest who here became learned in the science of the saints. On the northern shore of St. Joseph's
The mention of the good offices of Mr. Defrees in procuring the charter of the university, recalls the names of many others, both in public and private life, whose kindness is not forgotten at Notre liome. Dame. Among the former is Henry Clay, to whom the university is
indebted for its post office, which was established here in Iggr; and country than the solemu annual procession through these grounds also the late EMPEROR OF FRANCE, who, in 1866, presented to the on the feast of Corpus Christi. As the reverend line of priests institution the fine telescope which only awaits an observatory to and people winds around the lake, chanting the sacred office of make Notre Dame well known in the astronomical world. Among the church, it is a sight to give joy to the soul of the Christian its private benefactors, Notre Dame will cherish the names of Mr. and delight to the eye and the ear of the artist. Quite another and Mrs. Byerley, who received Father Sorin on his first arrival scene is presented ou commencement day, as hundreds gather on in New York, and again proved his friends in the West, and also the banks of the same charmning lake to view the spirited contest those of Mr. and Mrs. Plielan, who were always ready to help him of the boat-clubs over the waters. No college in the land has said that nowhere in America are the solemn and beautiful ser- in his need. Numerous other names, both of the great and of the a finer sheet of water for boating in the summer or skating in the lowly might be mentioned; but these must suffice.
its well ordered courses of study, and its conscientions and kindly care for the morals, the health, and the intellectual advancement of its numerous body of students. When and how has this been done ? Not in one year, or from one cause, or by one man, though chiefly by one. It is, under Providence, the quiet, steady growth of nearly one-third of a century, based at once upon the experience of the Christian ages, and upon the ready tact which
present, Commercial Department, and the various classes in the Physical and the Natural Sciences. Professor Jones, Professor O'Leary, Father Gillespie, Father Brown, Father Lemounier,- but this sketch is too short to include even the names of those who have fostered this inner and nobler life of Notre Dame. Verily, their good deeds live as their true fame, and they sought no other. The war drew off great numbers from Notre Dame, to the hos- pital and to the field. No less than seven priests went as chap- lains in the army : Fathers Corby, Cooney, Carrier, Gillen, James posure, contracted diseases which ended in death.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.