USA > Indiana > An illustrated history of the state of Indiana: being a full and authentic civil and political history of the state from its first exploration down to 1875 > Part 38
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" Among them were David Wasson, a son-in-law of Peter Fleming, afterward known as Judge Fleming, who had entered several hundred acres, on which he settled his children, reserving for himself a homestead, since known as the 'Barnes farm,' or the 'Woods' place,' and now owned by John Brown, adjoining the State line. The farm early owned by his son, Samuel Fleming, and now by James Smelser, was a part of the Judge's purchase. Charles Moffat, an early settler, lived on the south side of East Fork, near Richmond, where he built a mill. He remained there until his decease, many years ago. Hugh Moffat, a son, still resides near the homestead. A little above Amos and John Hawkins settled early with their families; and a little further on, William Ireland, long since deceased. Next, Benjamin Hill, who remained there until his death, about forty years ago. His wife survived him until 1867. Adjoining on the east was Joseph Wasson, before mentioned. Nathaniel McCoy Wasson built a cabin in 1809, on the homestead near the banks of East Fork, married and lived there until his death, in 1864. Near by was John Gay, an elderly settler, known as Major Gay, who' early sold his land to Jacob Crist, still living on the premises. John Drake, with numerous grown up sons, settled early on
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WAYNE COUNTY - PIONEER HISTORY.
their farms adjoining the Ohio line. The Drakes were of the Baptist denomination. During the prevalence of a malignant fever, at an early period of the settlement on East Fork, a number of robust, middle-aged men fell victims to it. Of this number were David and John Wasson. * * On Middle Fork, near its mouth, was William Bulla, an early settler, and son-in-law of Andrew Hoover, Sen. He early built a saw mill on his farm near the site of Burson's oil mill. He lived there until his decease, some years ago, at an advanced age. Near the lands of the Hoover families, Jesse Clark, Ralph Wright, Alexander Moore, and Amos and Abner Clawson settled. A little further up were the Staffords, Bonds, Bunkers, Swallows, Ashbys, Andrewses, and others, all of whom, we believe were from North Carolina, and chiefly Friends. They had a small log meeting house in the vicinity, and were subordinate to the White Water monthly meeting. William Bond had erected a saw mill, and Joshna Bond a cheap oil mill. Edward Bond, Sen., died a few years after he came. A little further up, Jeremiah Cox, Jr., settled, and early built a grist mill, to the great gratification of the settlers. Above Cox's mill were a few inhabitants. Among these were Isaac Commons, Robert Morrison, Barnabas Boswell, Isaac, John and William Hiatt, and John Nicholson, the farms of some of whom are now within the limits of Franklin township. Balden Ashley settled near Cox's mill, and owned the land from which has long been obtained the lime furnished the builders of Rich- mond. On the West Fork, above the lands of the Ratliff and Hoover families, already mentioned, was Joshua Pickett, an early settler. Next above was the Addington settlement, on both sides of the stream. Further up, the first settlers were the Starbucks, Swains, Harrises, Turners, and others, who were useful, enterprising citizens. Paul Swain, and William Star- buck wagoned produce of various kinds to Fort Wayne. Edward Starbuck, Sen., was an early justice of the peace. William died in middle life. Hester Starbuck, his widow, died within the last three or four years, having lived to an old age. An early settlement was also made in 1806, about four or five miles southeast of Richmond, by Jesse Davenport,
34
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
Jacob Fouts, and his sons William and Jacob, and his son-in- law, Thomas Bulla, natives of North Carolina, but immedi- ately from Ohio. By the formation of Boston, the land of Davenport was taken into that township. Other families came in soon after."* The toils and hardships of the pioneers of Wayne county were about the same as those of other sec- tions of the State. They came at an early day, and perhaps knew more of border life, in its reality, than those who settled at a later day, in close proximity to mills, etc. Their log cabins were all of the old pioneer style, and their clothing, diet and customs were those of border life. They had their troubles with the Indians, their battles with poverty, their struggles with the forest, their scarcity of flour; in short, they suffered and endured all the perils and dangers and privations of the first pioneers. But they overcame, and prospered. They hewed away the forests, and cultivated great fields of corn; they dispensed with the rude, unshapely cabin, and erected commodious dwellings. They accomplished a work for civilization.
CHAPTER LXXII.
WAYNE COUNTY - HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
W AYNE county was organized in 1810. It was then composed of "that part of Dearborn county lying east of the twelve mile purchase, and between the north and south lines of the new county, together with that portion of the purchase lying between those lines." The lands west of the purchase were not acquired until 1820. On the 25th of Feb- ruary, 1811, the first circuit court was held at the house of Richard Rue, three miles south of Richmond. The only busi-
* From Mr. Young's work.
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WAYNE COUNTY - HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
ness transacted at this session, however, was that of dividing the county into civil divisions. The next session of the court was held at the same place the following month, when a grand jury was for the first time empaneled in the county. The court consisted of Jesse D. Holman, presiding judge, and Peter Flemming and Aaron Martin, associate judges.
Immediately with the organization the wrangle of the loca- tion of the seat of justice of the county began, and, we regret to say, has scarcely terminated to this day. The first commis- sion appointed to make the location reported a site near the present town of Centerville, but owing to the lands upon which the location was made being unsold, the action of the commissioners was decided illegal. A second commission appointed to locate the capital of the county decided to accept the donation of Samuel Woods, in range three, and further decided that the name of the county seat should be Salisbury. A log court-house, for temporary use, and a jail of hewed square logs, were built, and were soon followed by a brick court-house. "Salisbury having now become an incorporated town," says Mr. Young, "the earliest in the county, and its citizens having secured - permanently, as they supposed - the public buildings, they anticipated a long and prosperous career. In this, however, they were disappointed. Efforts were soon made for the removal of the county seat to Center- ville. In the midst of the bitter strife between the Salisbury and Centerville parties, * * *
an act was passed in 1816 authorizing the removal of the county seat to Centerville, pro- vided, however, that the citizens furnish, without expense to the county, public buildings as good and of the same dimen- sions as those at Salisbury. After the removal of the county seat, Salisbury was rapidly deserted. The few frame and brick buildings were taken down, and some of them removed to Richmond. The bricks in the building on the southeast corner of Main and Pearl streets, known as Harris' corner, were for- merly in the court-house at Salisbury. There remains nothing on the site indicating that a town was ever there. The ground on which it stood is now a part of the farm of Enoch Rails- bach. Within a recent date the county seat has been removed
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
from Centerville to Richmond. In all probability it will remain there permanently."
We will now turn to the present condition of Wayne county and observe what a growth of sixty years has wrought. It would be well first to glance at its natural resources. The surface of the territory is mostly rolling, with some slight hills in the southeastern portion. The two forks of White- water, fed by numerous branches, pass through the whole county, from north to south, and supply abundant water power to every part of it. Between these streams - usually from one to four miles apart - the land swells gradually, so that from the summits, in each direction, the most delightful pros- pects are everywhere presented. The forests have disappeared, except such as have been reserved for timber, and more than three-fifths of the county is under profitable cultivation. The soil is principally a rich loam, bedded on clay, with a light mixture of sand and limestone. The soil is well adapted to wheat and corn and grass. In short, in agricultural produc- tions, in agricultural importance, it is the " banner county of Indiana." These natural advantages have been so highly im- proved and developed by skill, capital and industry, that to-day it is one of the most wealthy portions of the State. Nearly all the farmers are wealthy. Their schools are the best. Cities and towns flourish in many parts of the county, while Rich- mond, its largest city, is among the leading commercial centres of the State. Richmond is one of Indiana's finest cities. It is substantially built, is surrounded by one of the richest agricultural sections in the Northwest, has ample rail- road facilities, and is enjoying a large and healthy commerce. Since the county seat has been removed there it has taken a new start. Its educational advantages are its pride and boast. Within one mile of the city, on the National road, stands Earlham college. This institution, owned by the Friends, has one hundred and sixty acres of land in connection with its attractive buildings; this under the management of a board of trustees appointed by Indiana yearly meeting. Its first president was Barnabus C. Hobbs, who was also superintendent of public instruction for the State of Indiana at a later day.
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WAYNE COUNTY - HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
There are both preparatory and collegiate departments, with two courses of study for each-a classical and a scientific. There are six professorships. The college has a well-furnished reading-room and a library of over three thousand volumes. Both sexes are admitted, and have equal privileges and oppor- tunities.
CHAPTER LXXIII.
JAY COUNTY - PIONEER HISTORY.
P ERHAPS the ladies of Indiana of the present day will find a valuable lesson of duty in the history of the early settlement of Jay county. It is not likely they will ever be called upon to endure similar hardships, but by reading and remembering the dangers to which the pioneer women of this State were exposed, they will be able to find peace and com- fort in some of their present imaginary ills. It was only about fifty years ago that the first settlers came to Jay county, then a wilderness inhabited only by Indians. Wolves, bears and other wild animals were prowling through the woods and over the prairies, and the lonely settlers had much of danger on every hand to contend with. But even in the face of these obstacles its first settlers were a bride and bridegroom. She was a true heroine, who, nothing daunted by the thrilling tales of border life then rife in the Eastern settlements, volunteered to unite her fortune with that hardy pioneer in his resolve to find a home on the distant Wabash. Nor was her praise- worthy heroism the only example of true womanhood in those early days of Indiana. Hundreds of noble, true hearted women, fired by the indomitable energy and perseverance of their husbands, voluntarily shared the hardships and exposures of pioneer life. They came not after the log cabins had been erected, not after homes had been established, but when the only shelter was the forest and the only bed the broad bosom of the prairie. Such were some of the pioneer women of Jay county.
On the fifteenth of June, 1821, Peter Studabaker and Miss Mary Simison were joined in the bonds of wedlock at the (534)
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JAY COUNTY - PIONEER HISTORY.
home of the bride's father, at Fort Recovery, Ohio, at that time one of the Western outposts of American civilization. The marriage ceremony was not celebrated in a large and elegantly finished church, in the presence of a fashionable audience. Fort Recovery was not blessed with such marriages in those days. No, the wedding was a matter of fact occur- rence, becoming alike to the customs of pioneer life and to the circumstances which followed. The newly married couple at once set out for the West. Gathering their earthly effects together, they started in company with a few friends on the " Quaker Trace " towards Fort Wayne. Journeying along through the forest, resting and refreshing occasionally by the wayside, they at length reached the waters of the Wabash. Here they halted and the bridegroom, assisted by the parties who were with him, and in the presence of his bride, com- menced to build a cabin. Night was drawing near and the nuptial bed was yet to be prepared. Cutting four forked poles he drove one end of each into the ground, laid poles and branches across the top, covered the whole with boughs, built a fire, and then, while " Mary " was getting the supper, he pre- pared a table. The young bride at once adapted herself to the situation and in a few moments the weary travelers sat down to a comfortable meal in the little camp, fifteen miles from any other settlers and fifty from the settlements of civilization.
Night came on, and, making beds of robes and blankets, the pioneers retired to rest. No sooner had sleep overtaken them than they were awakened by the howling of distant wolves. They approached nearer and nearer. Their cries were answered by other packs which hastened to join them. Hour after hour the dismal barking and howling was con- tinued, until, at length, the foremost were snapping their teeth at the open door of the camp. It must, indeed, have been a moment of fear for the young wife when one of the men took a rifle and discharged its contents among the barking wolves without leaving his bed. But we have no record of her want of courage. It is recorded, however, to her honor, that she braved the dangers of camp life until a log cabin was erected,
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
and entered it with a resolution that never departed from her during her toils and hardships. "Thus camped and slept the first white family that ever trod the wilderness which fifteen years'afterward became Jay county." This was on the farm afterwards owned by Samuel Hall, on the south bank of the Wabash, at New Corydon. Mr. Studabaker's cabin was the first built in the territory, and was rude in every respect -- a hut twelve by sixteen, of small, round logs, with a clapboard roof, held on by "weight-poles." Unbroken forests sur- rounded this cabin for miles in every direction, and there was no mill or store within thirty miles, and no other dwelling within fifteen. "Their only companions were Indians, their only foes wolves." Mr. M. W. Montgomery, who has written a very good history of Jay county, relates this: "Mr. Studa- baker moved to the Wabash with the intention of making that his permanent home, but the frequent overflows of the river at that time discouraged him, and finally led him to move away. One evening, in the spring of 1822, several travelers stopped to stay all night. The Wabash was quite high, but not unusually so. Mrs. S. made a bed on the floor, in which the travelers retired to rest. In the night one of them thought he felt rather 'moist,' and on turning over found the puncheons were floating. They got up; one went up in the loft, and the other concluded to nap the rest of the night away on the logs of wood by the fire. But the family, being more fortunate, were on a bedstead, and slept there until morning, when they found all the puncheons except the two on which the bed-posts rested, floating about the room. Mr. Studabaker waded out and brought his canoe into the house, and took his family to dry land in the woods, where they camped till the water went down, which was in four or five days. In this way the Wabash overflowed the land about his cabin, and he moved back to Fort Recovery, after living in Jay county about two years." The same writer pays this tribute to Mrs. Studabaker: " After moving back to Fort Recovery, Peter Studabaker was engaged chiefly in farming for about twelve years, when he moved to Adams county, where he died in 1840. * * Mary, (Mrs. Studabaker,) now
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JAY COUNTY - HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE.
lives with her son, Abram, in Adams county, Indiana, in a log house, with one of those great old-fashioned cabin fire-places which so abundantly dispense warmth and cheerfulness to the inmates. It is about sixty feet from the river, upon the banks of which she has lived since her childhood days, nearly half a century. By the side of its quiet waters she was woed and won, and has devotedly braved many dangers, reared a large family, and followed her husband and several children to the tomb. She is now (1864) seventy-four years of age, and though in feeble health, her mind still retains its original vigor. Strong common sense, quick perception, and good judgment are her characteristics."
But we cannot follow all the interesting incidents of pioneer life in Jay county in detail. The experiences of some of these first families that located there would fill a volume.
Jay county was organized in 1836, and named in honor of John Jay, the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. The county seat was located by a commission appointed for the purpose, and called Portland. The first election of county officers took place in August, 1836, when the following persons were elected: Commissioners, John Pingry, Abraham Lotz, and Benjamin Goldsmith ; associate judges, James Graves, and Enoch Bowden; clerk, Christopher Hanna; sheriff, Henderson Graves. James Graves did not accept the office of judge, and Obadiah Winters was subsequently chosen. The first term of the circuit court in Jay county was held on the seventeenth day of April, 1837, at the house of Henry H. Cuppy; Hon. Charles W. Ewing, of Fort Wayne, presiding.
With the proper government, and with all the elements of success, the energetic pioneers of Jay county were not slow in the battle of general improvements. Their progress has been steady, and as rapid as could be desired. The surface of the county has no very distinguishing features. It is, perhaps, as level as any portion of the State, though in places it is beauti- fully rolling. No portion of the county has a poor soil, yet in many places the land had to be drained before it was pro- ductive. Originally the forests of the county contained an abundance of excellent lumber, including oak, ash, walnut,
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
hickory and beech, the two latter greatly predominating. In most parts of the county the farmers are prosperous, having already accumulated an independence, consisting of a well improved farm, a good residence, commodious homes, fine stock, and general thrift. The rural districts have, for the most part, good schools. Great advancement has been made in this direction during the last five years, and still greater progress will be made in the next five.
Portland, the county seat, is a thriving town, having excel- lent school advantages, an energetic population, good public improvements, and the elements of future prosperity. It is surrounded by a rich agricultural district, and cannot fail to increase in wealth and population.
CHAPTER LXXIV.
PUTNAM COUNTY - INDIANA ASBURY UNIVERSITY.
P UTNAM county was named in honor of General Israel
Putnam, of revolutionary fame. The surface in the northern and eastern parts of the county, is, in some places, level, and in others gently undulating, and before being im- proved was quite wet. In the centre and southwest it is roll- ing, and in the vicinity of the streams is, in places, quite hilly, yet but few of the hills are too steep to be cultivated. The prevailing timber is beech, sugar tree, walnut, ash, oak and poplar. The soil is, in general, a black loam, but in some parts clayey. It is a good agricultural county, and has had good prosperity, both in wealth and population.
Greencastle is the county seat, and is a thriving town of about four thousand five hundred inhabitants, with good pub- lic improvements and educational facilities. The chief attrac- tion of the place is the Indiana Asbury University. The town has excellent railroad facilities.
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PUTNAM COUNTY - ASBURY UNIVERSITY.
The Indianapolis, Vandalia and St. Louis Railroad inter- sects its southern, and the Indianapolis and St. Louis Railroad its northern limits. The Louisville, New Albany and Chicago Railroad crosses the former a mile and a half to the southwest, and passing through the western border of the city, it crosses the latter a half mile north of the public square. These three railroads, by means of their numerous connections, afford almost hourly communication with all portions of the coun- try, and render the site particularly eligible for an institution of learning. The city extends over a high plateau, bounded by the several railroads, a little more than a mile square. The founders of the university were fortunate in selecting for ite situation a place so admirably fitted by nature to all the pur- poses of educational demand. The citizens, through the lapse of the years, have added to its natural advantages whatever industry and taste could effect. With salubrity of atmosphere, purity of water, and the uniformly large grounds connected with the homes of the people, the city has been reputable for its healthfulness, and rendered desirable as a place of residence. The attractions of the place have been such as to allure a class of inhabitants very superior in their intelligence, morals and rank in social life.
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While the university is freely open to all persons of what- ever religious education and preference, it is yet under the more particular patronage, and in the interest of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. By the conditions of its organic law, it is under the supervision, in very important regards, of the several annual conferences of Indiana. These conferences have representation in its joint board of trustees and visitors, of equal numbers of ministers and laymen. The trustees are twenty-one in number, and have full authority over all the interests of the institution. There are nine visitors, clerical representatives of the conferences, who are associated with the trustees with full advisory powers, but voting only on ques- tions concerning the election and dismissal of the faculty.
As early as in 1830, a resolution was adopted by the Indiana Annual Conference to establish within its territory an institu- tion of learning of liberal character. For reasons of economy,
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
efforts were repeatedly made to arrange for the joint manage- ment of the State university on terms that would adequately meet the increasing demand of the church, which was spread- ing rapidly, under the vigorous energy of an itinerant minis- try, over every portion of the country. Failing, however, in the consummation of this plan, an appeal was made to the legislature, and a charter was granted by the session of 1836-7. The first meeting of the board of trustees was held in March, 1837, at which the organization of a preparatory department was authorized, in which instruction should be given in all the branches usually pursued in that grade of schools. This work was effected in June, 1837, by Cyrus Nutt, D. D., LL.D., at this date president of Indiana State University. An edi- fice suitable for collegiate purposes being necessary for the prosecution of the enterprise, the foundations were com- menced about the time of organizing the preparatory classes, and the corner-stone was formally laid June twenty-first, 1837, Bishop Henry Boseau officiating. In 1839, the regular col- legiate classes were formed and placed under the direction of an able faculty of instruction. This university sent out from these classes its first graduates, three in number, in June, 1840; since which period, there have been annual additions to the lists of its alumni, who, in gradual yet constantly increased numbers, have swelled to an aggregate in 1875 of five hundred and eighty-one.
In 1866, by a formal act of the board of trustees, ladies were admitted to the privileges of the institution. They were invited to all the departments of instruction, and with no discriminations, subject to the same requirements and dis- ciplines, and eligible to the same distinctions and lessons that at other periods were offered only for the advantage of gentle- men. Already large numbers have availed themselves of these liberal privileges in both the preparatory and collegiate depart- ments, and nineteen have passed, by excellence in scholarly attainment, to their graduation. Two of these graduates have won distinction in their respective classes.
By the terms of the charter, the institution is invested with full university powers, so that the board have authority to
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