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 1879 > Part 47
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Resolved, further, That we are not in favor of the government giving guarantees of money or lands to railroad corporations.
Resolved, That we recommend to the favorable consideration of congress the improvement of our great natural highways, the rivers, lakes, and canals, through which the commerce of the grain-producing region of the west must pass ; and that the jetty system proposed to deepen the mouth of the Mississippi river meets our hearty approval; and that we earnestly recommend congress, at its next session, to order a survey for a steamship canal from the southern point of Lake Michigan to the Wabash river, at or near La Fayette, Indiana, thus connecting, if found practicable, the waters of the Mississippi valley with the great lakes on the north.
The grange also passed the following resolution:
To the members of the order we most earnestly recommend to co-operate together as counties in bulking up the product of the soil, and selling wholesale to the parties who pay the highest price; and, in buying, we recognize the State business agency of the patrons as the proper channel through which the business agents of the various counties can best supply the wants of the grangers in all articles needed for the cultivation of the farm, and for the household; and the time is now at hand when the mem bers of the order must see the necessity of standing by the organization, and the business agent be required to give out, from time to time, such information as may be for the advancement and benefit of the members of the order.
In May, 1873, the executive committee appointed J. G. Kingsbury, of Indianapolis, editor and publisher of the North- western Farmer, purchasing agent, with instructions to make the best terms in his power with manufacturers of agricultural implements and machinery, and make arrangements for deal- ing direct with them. His efforts to secure favorable terms were responded to by only a few manufacturers until the fol- lowing spring, when the mumber of granges became large and the trade of the members seemed too important to be lost. Since that time a large proportion of the manufacturers of all kinds of agricultural implements have consented to deal dircet with members at their wholesale rates, and a large saving has thus been effected by those who were entitled to the benefits of the liberal arrangements secured. In making terms with manufacturers and dealers, the cash system has always been agreed upon, and no order has been filled unless accompanied
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
with the money or payable on delivery of goods. The arrangement has proved very satisfactory to dealers, who get pay for their goods promptly and without expense, and to the consumer, who by paying cash, saved from twenty to thirty per cent. of the usual cost of the article purchased. The State grange, through its executive committee, have enlarged the powers and extended the sphere of duties of the State agent, and that officer has recently opened a large ware- room in this city for the exhibition of implements of various kinds for the use of members of the order, and the prospects indicate that a very large trade will be conducted through the ageney in the future.
GOOD RESULTS.
Among the good results of the organization is the spirit of inquiry and investigation it has fostered among the mem- bers. It is safe to say that many thousands of farmers in the State now subscribe for and read agricultural papers who never did so before they became members of the grange. As an evidence of the fact, it may be mentioned that the circu- lation of the State agricultural paper, the Indiana Farmer, has more than doubled within the past year.
The charitable feature of the grange system has been nobly illustrated in the numerous and liberal donations that have been made by the granges of the State for the relief of their destitute brethren and sisters in Kansas and Nebraska. Many thousands of dollars have been sent to these afflicted States that would not have gone but for the grange organization and the charitable principles it inculcates.
So long as the members feel that they are saving money in making their purchases, and are increasing in a knowledge of their business, adding to their social joys, and promoting an interest and dignity in their profession, there is little reason to expect that the order will be discontinued or lose many of its best adherents.
CHAPTER LXXVIII.
THE GREAT WAGON AND CARRIAGE WORKS OF THE STUDEBAKER BROTHERS MANUFACTURING COMPANY AT SOUTH BEND, ST. JOSEPHI COUNTY, INDIANA.
A STRANGER, visiting South Bend twenty years ago, must have admired the beauty of her location, and the air of thriftiness surrounding the embryo city. If critical in that direction, he would have looked with pleasure upon the budding industries born of the immense hydraulic power of the beautiful St. Joseph river, and prophesied of the wonder- ful results inevitable in the then future. Perhaps the rushing waters, tumbling over their pebbly bed, as they sought for rest in the tideless Michigan, would have suggested possibilities never to be realized. Visions of cotton and woolen factories, with the whirl of spindles, and the click of looms, or the noise and bustle of other industries intimately associated with hydraulic force, might have crept upon his brain. Had he, however, looked into a little wagon shop on Michigan street, he would scarcely have imagined that there was the nucleus of not only the largest industrial concern in northern Indiana, but of the most extensive establishment of its kind in the world, at the head of which would stand the young man then so lustily working at the forge, and singing his labor-refrain upon the anvil! Yet this last would have been a fact soon to be developed; for that work-shop was the starting point of the great Studebaker factories, and that young man to-day the able president of the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company.
It would be both interesting and instructive, doubtless, to trace the history of this institution minutely, thus illustrating
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
the great possibilities of small beginnings; the results of industry and enterprise, and fortifying the fact that maturity seldom springs from sudden effort, and that growth and per- maneney have a singular co-relation. Such, however, is not the object of this article. Space, if not time, would fail ns; so we shall present, as briefly as possible, such dry facts and figures as are at hand.
It was on the sixteenth day of February, 1852, that Henry and Clement Studebaker opened their shop in South Bend, by the firm name of II. & C. Studebaker. They meant business; they did business. They had capital enough, but it was chiefly invested in bone, muscle, and indomitable will. They were hopeful, cheerful, and, finally, prosperous. Changes were made in the firm name and in its personel. Slowly, but surely, the work went on, until finally, in 1864, three of the brothers, Clement, John M., and Peter E., became equal partners, and the great house was founded by the name of Studebaker Brothers. Henry had retired and settled upon a farm near the city, where he now resides, a well satisfied and very comfortable country gentleman. The works were en- larged, and soon after Peter E. established a branch at St. Joseph, Missouri, then a famous outfitting point, and where he did an enormous business. Thus the new firm progressed, gradually enlarging its borders and strengthening its stake, until 1869, when its interests were consolidated in a joint stock company, called, as at present, the Studebaker Brothers Manufacturing Company. But their course was not destined to be an uninterrupted one. In June, 1872, they were visited by a fire which involved a loss of nearly one hundred thousand dollars. Meantime, Jacob F., the youngest brother, had come in, making up the quartette, and William Mack had become a stockholder. A large tract of land had been purchased south of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern depot, and large improvements made. Immediately after the fire another gen- tleman joined the company. It was Mr. II. L. Hlines, a former partner of John M. Studebaker, in California. Becoming superintendent of construction, Mr. Hines has done ycoman's service ever since. At once the work of enlargement on the
STUDEBAKER
NOTHEL
inen
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
new premises commenced, and was continued until in the spring of 1874, the noble works of the company, the largest of the kind in the world, were completed, or nearly so. Some- thing of their magnitude may be gathered from the following cut, which represents them at the period mentioned.
On the twenty-fourth of August, 1874, this noble pile, the beau ideal of its proprietors, the pride of the city, and the wonder of all, was nearly destroyed by fire, with a large por- tion of its contents, involving a loss of about three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, not far from one-third of which was covered by insurance. The average width of the main factory was sixty-two feet, the length aggregating eight hundred and sixty-eight feet. The outside linear measurement was abont a half mile, and its floorage measuring over five aeres! Forty forges, with blasts operated by machinery, were in the smith shop, and five large elevators brought all the floors into innne- diate connection. The capacity of the works was one com- pleted wagon cach ten minutes. Of course the loss was a very severe one, and many men would have sucembed under the pressure of such a disaster. Not so the Studebaker Brothers and their associates. The fire was hardly quenched ere the work of rebuilding began, and before the cold days of winter, larger and more convenient works were completed, with an castern frontage on Lafayette street of five hundred feet, and on the railroad five hundred and seventy-five feet. All are of brick, substantially built, and nearly all erected since the fire.
The coach and carriage factory of the company is situated some half mile from the wagon works, on the corner of Michi- gan and Jefferson streets. It embraces the old wagon shops with more recent additions. These buildings are of brick, elegantly built, ranging from two to five stories in height, and having a floorage of about two acres. They contain smith shops, with thirty-five forges, wood shops, painting, trimming and varnishing rooms, repository, offices, etc. The engraving on page 435 gives a better idea of the size and quality of these great carriage works than can be conveyed in words.
The summary of the combined establishments is as follows:
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STUDEBAKER BROTHERS CARRIAGE WORKS.
Ground occupied for manufacturing purposes. 17 acres. Aggregate length of buildings, about. 1,000 feet. Average height of buildings 3 stories.
Ground area of buildings over. 24 acres.
Aggregate area of floors, nearly S acres.
Length of sheds, abont. 4,000 feet.
Width of sheds, average .
40 feet.
Area covered by timber sheds, nearly. 7 acres.
The motive power of the factories consists of two engines, one of two hundred and the other forty horse power. Over one hundred and thirty labor-saving machines are in constant usc.
Thus these immense works are re-built, and have a capacity for extraordinary usefulness. At the present writing, nearly six hundred hands are constantly employed, at remunerative wages; a support being thus given to over two thousand inhabitants.
As showing the gradual but sure growth of this industrial concern, the following table of productions is presented, which includes seven years:
Year.
No. of vehicles.
VaInc.
1SCS
3,955
$380,000
1869
5,115
412,000
1870
6,505
573,000
1871
6,S35
625,000
1872
6,950
601,000
1873
10,280
S96,000
1874
11,050
. 1,000,000
Total.
53,690
$4,577,000
The year 1874, although marked by an extraordinary destruc- tion, is the heaviest of all.
At first glance it might be considered difficult to find a market for this immense production, and so it would, were business transacted now as it was a quarter of a century ago, or even nearer the present. Then wagons were hauled by
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
teams to the most accessible points and left on commission, or peddled through the country from farm to farm, or from town to town. Cash sales were infrequent. Cattle, horses, hogs, grain, or other property, usually formed the consideration, or for good notes time was given. Now things are different. Wagons are shipped by the car, almost by the train load, and are sold for cash, or first class commercial paper on short time. There is no barter. The west, northwest and southwest, are tributary to the company. On the plains, and prairies, on the highest traversable points of the great rocky chain, on farms, plantations and ranches, in Mexico, South America, and even Europe, the handiwork of the Studebakers is to be met with, while orders far beyond the capacity of the works are constantly on hand. The trouble is less to sell than to make. It should be remarked that the fires alluded to consumed but a trifle of the seasoned material of the company, and that a reserve sufli- cient for the construction of thirty thousand vehicles is always on hand.
The Studebaker Brothers are now in the very zenith of vigor and usefulness, and the concern bids fair to grow to even more extraordinary proportions.
THE BASS FOUNDRY AND MACHINE WORKS OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.
The Bass Foundry and Machine Works at Fort Wayne is the largest establishment of the kind in the State, and, as a car wheel foundry, the largest in the United States. It con- stitutes a very prominent feature of the great industries of Indiana, and is one of the best evidences existing of the great enterprise which has placed Fort Wayne on the road to success as a manufacturing city. The works consist of eight build- ings, (an engraving of which is presented in connection with this sketch.) and cover ten acres of ground, located at the intersection of IIanna street and the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago railroad. They were first established in a small. way, in 1853, by Messrs. Cooper, Bass & Co., as a car wheel foundry, who continued the business till 1855, when Mr. Cooper retired, and the firm style was changed to Jones, Bass
645
THE BASS FOUNDRY.
& Co. This firm struggled along until 1857. w. another change was made. At this date the works were roved to the present location, and a joint stock company was organized under the title of the Fort Wayne Machine Works. Under this arrangement, Messrs. Hanna & Bass were the principal proprietors, and continued the business until 185S, at which time Mr. J. II. Bass, the present proprietor, assumed charge. IIe first leased the works for one year, but through a careful and successful management, he soon became proprietor of the whole concern. Mr. Hanna was associated with him until 1869, when he died, leaving Kr. Bass the sole proprietor. This gentleman continued the business alone until 1873, during which time he enlarged the works, erected new build- ings, and more than quadrupled the business of the establish- ment. In the latter year a stock company was again organ- ized, with a paid up capital stock of five hundred thousand dollars, under the title of the "Bass Foundry and Machine Works," which it still holds. Mr. J. H. Bass was elected president of the company, which position he still holds.
HIe has been the chief proprietor and manager of the estab- lishment since 1S5S, and the success of the works during these years has been unparalleled. In 1858, the first year in which he controlled the business, it did not probably exceed fifteen thousand dollars, but it has been steadily and rapidly increas- ing. In 1873, the business transacted by this company exceeded one million eight hundred thousand dollars, and, as already mentioned, the works have grown to be the largest of the kind in the United States. This is certainly an evidence of the great business enterprise of Indiana, and not less so of the high business talents of Mr. J. II. Bass.
One of the compilers of this work visited the establishment in October last, and found, even in the dull times, every build- ing a scene of activity. The car-wheel shop, which is perhaps the very centre of life of the works, is a brick structure sixty- five by four hundred feet, having a capacity of turning out two hundred and fifty wheels a day. This is the largest foundry of the kind in the United States. From it car wheels are sent to Pittsburg, and throughout the whole west and
646
IJISTORY OF INDIANA.
northwest, every where attesting their superior quality. Tho general foundry is a brick building, seventy-five by one hundred and fifty feet. This, however, during the present year, will be converted into a machine shop, and a new building, sixty-tivo by three hundred feet, will be erected for the general foundry. Adjoining the present general foundry, is the machine shop, fifty by one hundred and thirty fect. This will be enlarged with the completion of the building referred to, by the addi- tion of the present general foundry, seventy-five by one hundred feet. Just west of the machine shop is the wood working shop, fifty by one hundred feet, and west of this is the boiler shop, forty by one hundred and forty feet. North of this is the blacksmith shop and forge room, seventy by one hundred and twenty feet. The offices of the concern are in a two story handsome brick structure, located on Hanna street, close to the railroad crossing, and nearly in the center of the works. This building is thirty by sixty feet, and is elegantly furnished. The offices are furnished with all the modern improvements, and are tastefully appointed, and supplied with many conveniences. In the upper story of this building are the drafting rooms.
Mr. Bass has always made a specialty of car wheels, in the production of which his immense foundry has made an envi- able reputation throughout the whole nation. The wheels produced at his works are sought after by nearly every road within reach of them, and the demand upon his facilities for producing them is increasing quite as fast as he is increasing the capacity of the establishment.
Besides car wheels, Mr. Bass is producing steam engines of an approved make and quality, boilers, mill, and heavy machinery of all kinds. The melting capacity of his works is equal to one hundred tons of pig iron per day.
But Mr. Bass has not devoted his whole attention to this one enterprise, although the results he has produced during the last ten years in connection with it seem to be very large for the work of so short a period. He has also an extensive car wheel foundry in St. Louis, Mo., or rather he is the princi- pal owner of it. This is located on Sixteenth street and the
.
THE BASS FOUNDRY AND MACHINE WORKS, FORT WAYNE.
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
Pacific railroad, and consists of two large brick buildings, with a capacity of over twenty-five tons a day. This institu- tion has been in operation over five years, and has already proved a success financially, and promises a brilliant future.
Mr. Bass has also a car wheel foundry in Chicago, of which he is sole proprietor. It is located on Forty-seventh street, near the Rock Island shops, and consists of two spacious brick buildings. This establishment has the exclusive patronage of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific railroad, and is increas- ing its business rapidly by receiving the business of other roads in the northwest.
The few hints we have given of the successful enterprise of Mr. J. II. Bass, will show that he is reaching ont widely in nis commercial operations, and as we shall see, is meeting with constant gain. Besides his general foundry and machine works, he has in Fort Wayne, St. Louis, and Chicago, facilities for turning out three hundred and fifty car wheels per day.
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PART THIRD.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
INTRODUCTORY.
In conclusion, we present brief sketches of a number of the citizens of Indiana who have become prominent in the several pursuits and professions of life. The usual alphabetical order is not observed here, but an index of names, arranged alpha- betically, will be found on page 21. In these personal sketches we have endeavored to present the deeds in the lives of the persons represented rather than to praise them. In fact we have avoided the very appearance of laudation. It is generally known that the data from which biographies are written is obtained from the persons themselves; hence the impropriety of praising the deeds of living men. To be sure, there are a few heroes of Indiana who have gone to their rest and reward, such as Generals Harrison, Tipton, and Evans, and Colonels Daviess, Vigo, and others, as well as those brave men who fell in defense of the Union -those are properly the subjects of our highest admiration ; but there is something incon- sistent, something from which a conscientious writer turns away in disgust, in " writing up " the good deeds of men still active among us. Already authors and biographers have manifested too much zeal in this department of literature-a
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HISTORY OF INDIANA.
zeal, we fear, that has too often been actuated by other than the most legitimate of objects; and a zeal also that has, we are glad to observe, been condemned most thoroughly by those very persons in whose behalf it has been exerted. We are glad to believe that we could not injure the reception of this volume in greater measure than by filling it with encomi- ums of prominent men, still active in the various pursuits in the State. Such is the dislike for biographical fame among the solid men of Indiana, that the compilers of this work have found it very difficult to obtain the information necessary for the following very brief sketches. And, if any persons are not represented whose life's work has been such as to entitle them to a place in this department, we have only to say, in justification of our position in consequence, that such persons positively refused to furnish us with the data required. No other consideration than that of the public estimation has prompted ns in the selection and preparation of the following statistics. This assertion is fully borne out by the character of that which follows.
CONRAD BAKER.
IIe was born in Franklin county, Pa., February twelfth, 1817. His father was a farmer, and he re- mained on the farm until he was about fifteen years of age. He went to school, (a classical academy,) in Chambersburgh, the county seat of his native county, some two years, and then went to Pennsylvania Col- lege, at Gettysburgh, Pa., where he remained about two years, but did not graduate. Studied law at Get- tysburgh, in the office of Messrs. Stevens & Smyser, the firm being composed of the late Thaddeus Stevens and the late Daniel M. Smyser: was admitted to the bar at Gettysburgh in 1839, and practiced there two years. Came to Indiana in 1811, and settled at Evansville,
where he practiced his profession until after the commencement of the rebellion. He was elected to the lower house of the general assembly of Indiana in 1845, and served one session. Elected judge of the courts of common pleas for the district composing the counties of Wanderburgh and Warrick, in 1852, and served about one year and resigned. He was nominated in his absence, and without his knowl- edge, for Lieutenant Governor on the Republican ticket in 1856, sen- ator Morton being the candidate for Governor on the same ticket. The Democratic ticket, headed by Wil- lard for Governor, and Hanmond for Lieutenant-Governor, was, how. ever, elected.
.
651
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Appointed by Governor Morton Colonel of Ist Indiana Cavalry, it being 28th Regiment Indiana Vol- unteers, in July, 1861; organized the regiment, and was mustered into the service in August, 1861; remained in the service until Sep- tember, 1861: served in the field in the southwest under Generals J. C. Fremont, Frederick Steel, S. R. Cur- tis, A. P. Hovey, and others, until April, 1863, when he was ordered by the War Department to Indiana- polis to organize the Provost Mar- shal General Bureau for the State of Indiana. Still retaining the place and rank of Colonel of the 1st In- diana Cavalry, he performed the duties of acting assistant provost marshal general for Indiana, from April, 1863, to the latter part of August, 1864, and as such, having the supervision of the enrollment and draft. Ile was at the same time, by virtue of this position, superintendent of volunteer recruit- ing, and had charge of all the mus- tering officers on duty in this State. In June or July, 1864, the Republi- can State Central Committee unani- mously tendered him the candidacy for the office of Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, to fill a vacancy caused by the declension of General Nathan
Kimball, who had been nominated for that office by the convention. He was elected, senator Morton he- ing elected at the same time, on the same ticket. He presided over the Senate during the session commenc- ing in January, 1865. In November, 1865, Governor Morton convened the legislature in extra session, and immediately thereafter went to Europe in quest of his health, and was gone five months. During this absence of the governor Mr. Baker acted as governor. In January, 1867, Governor Morton was elected to the United States Senate, and immediately resigned his office, whereupon the duties of the office of governor devolved upon the lieutenant-governor, and, Mr. Baker, as such, performed them during the residne of Governor Morton's term. Mr. Baker was elected governor of Indiana in October, 1868, and served as such until succeeded by Governor Hendricks, in January, 1873. IIc acted as governor, (including the five months of Governor Morton's absence in Europe,) for about six years and five months. Since the termination of his official life he has been actively engaged in the practice of his profession at Indi- anapolis.
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