Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages., Part 14

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 922

USA > Indiana > Jay County > Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages. > Part 14
USA > Indiana > Blackford County > Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana : containing portraits and biographies of some of the prominent men of the state : engravings of prominent citizens in Jay and Blackford Counties, with personal histories of many of the leading families and a concise history of Jay and Blackford Counties and their cities and villages. > Part 14

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This coal is all bituminons, but is divis- able into three well-marked varieties; cak- ing coal, non-caking coal, or block coal, and cannel coal. The total depth of the seams or measures is from 600 to 800 feet. The caking coal is in the western portion of the area described, ranging from three to eleven feet in thickness. The block coal prevails in the eastern part of the field, and has an area of 450 square miles; this coal is excellent in its raw state for making pig-iron.

The great Indiana coal field is within 150 miles of Chicago or Michigan City by rail- road, from which ports the valuable Superior iron ores are loaded from vessels that run direct from the ore banks.

Of the cannel coal, one of the finest seams to be found in the country is in Daviess County, this State. Here it is three and a half feet thick, underlaid by one and a half feet of block caking coal. Cannel coal is also found in great abundance in Perry, Greene, Parke and Fountain counties.

Numerous deposits of bog-iron ore are found in the northern part of the State, and clay iron-stones and impure carbonates are found scattered in the vicinity of the coal field. In some places the deposits are of considerable commercial value. An abund- ance of excellent lime is also found in Indi- ana, especially in Huntington County, where it is manufactured extensively.

In 1884 the number of bushels of lime burned in the State were 1,244,508; lime-

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stone quarried for building purposes, 6,012,- 110 cubic feet; cement made, 362,014 bushels; sandstone quarried, 768,376 cubic feet; gravel sold, 502,115 tons; coal mined, 1,722,089 tons; value of mineral products in the State for the year 1884, $2,500,000; value of manufactured products same year, $163,851,872; of agricultural products, $155,085,663. Total value of products in the State for the year 1884, $321,437,535.

AGRICULTURAL.

In 1852 the Legislature authorized the organization of county and district agricult- ural societies, and also established a State Board of Agriculture, and made suitable pro- visions for maintaining the same, the hold- ing of State fairs, etc.

In 1873 suitable buildings were erected at Indianapolis, for a State exposition, which was formally opened September 10, of that year. The exhibits there displayed showed that Indiana was not behind her sister States in agriculture as well as in many other in- dustrial branches.

As stated elsewhere in this work, the value of agricultural products in the State for the year 1884 amounted to $155,085,663.

In 1842 Henry Ward Beecher resided in Indianapolis, and exercised a power for good aside from his ministerial work. He edited the Indiana Farmer and Gardener, and through that medium wielded an influence toward organizing a society, which was ac- complished that year. Among Rev. Beech- er's co-laborers were Judge Coburn, Aaron Aldridge, James Sigarson, D. V. Culley, Reuben Ragan, Stephen Hampton, Cornelius Ratliff, Joshua Lindley, Abner Pope and many others. The society gave great en- couragement to the introduction of new va- rieties of fruit, but the sudden appearance of noxious insects, and the want of shipping

facilities, seriously held in check the advance of horticulture in accordance with the desires of its leaders.

In 1860 there was organized at Indianap olis the Indiana Pomological Society, with Renben Ragan as President, and William H. Loomis as Secretary.

From this date interest began to expand, but, owing to the war, but little was done, and in January, 1864, the title of the society was changed to that of the Indiana Horticult- ural Society.

The report of the society for 1868 shows for the first time a balance in the treasury of $61.55.

The society has had a steady growth, and produced grand results throughout the State, the product of apples alone in the State for the year 1884 being 4,181,147 bushels.

EDUCATION.

The subject of education is the all-impor- tant subject to any and all communities, and the early settlers of Indiana builded greater than they then knew, when they laid the foundation for future growth of the edu- cational facilities in the State.

To detail the educational resources, its ac- complishments from its incipiency to the present date, would require a number of large volumes; but as space in this work will not permit, and as the people have access to annual State reports of the school system in detail, we will here give only the leading features and enormous growth, as well as flourishing condition of Indiana's school sys- tem to the present time.

The free-school system was fully established in 1852, which has resulted in placing Indi- ana in the lead of this great nation in ed- ucational progress. In 1854 the available common school fund consisted of the congres- sional township fund, the surplus revenue

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HISTORY OF INDIANA.

fund, the saline fund, the bank tax fund and miscellaneous fund, amounting in all to $2,460,600.

This amount was increased from various sources, and entrusted to the care of the sev- eral counties of the State, and by them loaned to citizens of the county in sums not exceed- ing $300, secured by real estate.

In 1880 the available school fund derived from all sources amounted to $8,974,455.55.

In 1884 there were in the State children of school age, 722,846. Number of white children in attendance at school during the year, 461,831; number of colored children in school during the year, 7,285; total attend- ance, 469,116; number of teachers employed, 13,615, of whom 145 were colored.

And lastly we are pleased to say that In- diana has a larger school fund than any other State in the Union. The citizens may well be proud of their system of schools, as well as the judicious management of its funds, which have been steadily increased, notwithstand- ing the rapid increase of population, which has demanded an increased expenditure in various ways, which have all been promptly met, and the educational facilities steadily enlarged where any advancement could be made.

In 1802 Congress granted lands and a charter to the people residing at Vincennes, for the erection and maintenance of a semi- nary of learning; and five years thereafter an act incorporating the Vincennes University asked the Legislature to appoint a Board of Trustees and empower them to sell a town- ship of land in Gibson County, granted by Congress for the benefit of the university. The sale of the land was slow and the pro- ceeds small; the members of the board were apathetic, and failing to meet, the institution fell out of existence and out of memory.

In 1820 the State Legislature passed an

act for a State University. Bloomington was selected as the site for locating the insti- tution. The buildings were completed and the institution formally opened in 1825. The name was changed to that of the " In- diana Academy," and subsequently, in 1828, to the " Indiana College." The institution prospered until 1854, when it was destroyed by fire, and 9,000 volumes, with all the apparatus, were consumed. The new col- lege, with its additions, was completed in 1873, and the routine of studies continued.

The university may now be considered on a fixed basis, carrying out the intention of the president, who aimed at scholarship rather than numbers. The university re- ceives from the State annually $15,000, and promises, with the aid of other public grants and private donations, to vie with any other State university within the republic. .

In 1862 Congress passed an act granting to each State for college purposes public lands to the amount of 30,000 acres for each Senator and Representative in Congress. In- diana having in Congress at that time thir- teen members, became entitled to 390,000 acres; but as there was no Congress land in the State at that time, scrip was instituted, under the conditions that the sum of the proceeds of the lands should be invested in Government stocks, or other equally safe investment, drawing not less than five per centum on the par value of said stock, the principal to stand undiminished. The institution to be thus founded was to teach agricultural and the mechanical arts as its leading features. It was further provided by Congress that should the principal of the fund be diminished in any way, it should be replaced by the State to which it belongs, so that the capital of the fund shall remain forever undiminished; and further, that in order to avail themselves of the benefits of

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this act, States must comply with the pro- visos of the act within five years after it became a law, viz., to erect suitable buildings for such school.

March, 1865, the Legislature accepted of the national gift, and appointed a board of trustees to sell the land. The amount realized from land sales was $212,238.50, which sum was increased to $400,000.

May, 1869, John Purdue, of La Fayette, offered $150,000, and Tippecanoe County $50,000 more, and the title of the institu- tion was established-" Purdue University."

Donations were also made by the Battle Ground Institute, and the Institute of the Methodist Episcopal church.

The building was located on a 100-acre tract, near Chauncey, which Purdue gave in addition to his magnificent donation, and to which eighty-six and one half acres more have since been added. The university was formally opened March, 1874, and has made rapid advances to the present time.

The Indiana State Normal School was founded at Terre Haute in 1870, in accord- ance with the act of the Legislature of that year.

The principal design of this institution was to prepare thorough and competent teachers for teaching the schools of the State, and the anticipations of its founders have been fully realized, as proven by the able corps of teachers annually graduating from the insti- tntion, and entering upon their responsible missions in Indiana, as well as other States of the Union.

The Northern Indiana Normal School and Business Institute, at Valparaiso, was organ- ized in September, 1873. The school occu- pied the building known as the Valparaiso Male and Female College building. This institution has had a wonderful growth; the first year's attendance was thirty-five. At

this time every State in the Union is repre- sented, the number enrolled being over 3,000. All branches necessary to qualify students for teaching, or engaging in any line of busi- ness, are taught. The Commercial College connected with the school is of itself a great institution.

In addition to the public schools and State institutions there are a number of denomi- national and private schools, some of which have a national as well as a local reputa- tion.

Notre Dame University, near South Bend, is the most noted Catholic institution in the United States. It was founded by Father Sorin, in 1842. It has a bell weighing 13,000 pounds, tlie largest in the United States, and one of the finest in the world.

The Indiana Asbury University, at Green- castle, Methodist, was founded in 1835.

Howard College, not denominational, is located at Kokomo; founded in 1869.

Union Christian College, Christian, at Merom, was organized in 1858.

Moore's Hill College, Methodist, at Moore's Hill, was founded in 1854.

Earlham College, at Richmond, under the management of the Orthodox Friends, was founded in 1859.

Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, under Presbyterian management, was founded in 1834.

Concordia College, Lutheran, at Fort Wayne, was founded in 1850.

Hanover College, Presbyterian, was found- ed at Hanover in 1833.

Hartsville University, United Brethren, was founded at Hartsville in 1854.

Northwestern Christian University, Dis- ciples, is located at Irvinton; organized in 1854.

All these institutions are in a flourishing condition.

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HISTORY OF INDIANA.

BENEVOLENT AND PENAL INSTITUTIONS.

By the year 1830 the influx of paupers and invalid persons was so great as to demand legislation tending to make provisions for the care of such persons. The Legislature was at first slow to act on the inatter. At the present time, however, there is no State in the Union which can boast a better systemn of benevolent institutions.

In behalf of the blind, the first effort was made by James M. Ray in 1846. Through his efforts William H. Churchman camne from Kentucky with blind pupils, and gave exhibitions in Mr. Beecher's church in Indi- anapolis. These entertainments were attended by members of the Legislature, and had the desired effect. That body passed an act for founding an institution for the blind in 1847. The buildings occupy a space of eight acres at the State capital, and is now in a flourish- ing condition.

The first to awaken an interest in the State for the deaf and dumb was William Willard, himself a mute, who visited Indianapolis in 1843. He opened a school for mutes on his own account with sixteen pupils. The next year the Legislature adopted this school as a a State institution, and appointed a board of trustees for its management. The present buildings were completed in 1850, situated east of the city of Indianapolis. The grounds comprise 105 acres, devoted to pleasure grounds, agriculture, fruits, vegetables, flowers and pasture.

The question in regard to taking action in the matter of providing for the care of the insane, began to be agitated in 1832-'33. No definite action was taken, however, until 1844, when a tax was levied, and in 1845 a com- mission was appointed to obtain a site for a building. Said commission selected Mount Jackson, near the State capitol.

The Legislature of 1846 instructed the

commission to proceed to construct a suitable building. Accordingly, in 1847, the central building was completed at a cost of $75,000.

Other buildings have been erected from time to time, as needed to accommodate the increased demand, and at the present time Indiana has an institution for the insane equal to any in the West.

The State hospital not affording sufficient accommodations for her insane, March 7, 1883, an act providing for the location and erection of " Additional Hospitals for the Insane " was passed by the Legislature, and March 21 commissioners were appointed. After careful consideration three sites were located, one at Evansville, one at Logansport and one at Richmond, called respectively the Southern, Northern and Eastern hospitals. The Southern Indiana Hospital for Insane is located four miles east of Evansville, and is built on the corridor plan. The buildings are situated near the center of the hospital domain, which consists of 160 acres of highly improved land. The structure proper con- sists of a central oblong block, which is prac- tically the vestibule of the entire hospital. From the first floor and the two galleries above, entrance is had into the four lateral wings. The total capacity is 162 patients. This building has been erected at a cost of $391,887.49.

The Northern Indiana Hospital for the Insane is located a mile and a half west of Logansport, on a tract of land including 281 acres, lying on the south bank of the Wabash River, and is built on the pavilion plan. At the center of the ridge, in the maple grove, is situated the administration house. This is flanked on each side by five pavilions, ar- ranged in a straight line, which are intended and designed for the accommodation of the sick and infirm. On either side of the above named group, 205 feet distant, are located

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HISTORY OF INDIANA.

two pavilions, alike in every particular, in- tended for quiet patients. This hospital has a capacity for 342 patients, and was erected at a cost of $417,992.98.

The Eastern Indiana Hospital for the In- sane is located on a tract of 306 acres, two miles west of Richmond, and is constructed on the cottage plan. The buildings, seven- teen in number, are arranged in and around three sides of a quadrangle, 1,000 feet long, by 700 feet broad, near the center of the farm, the third, or northern side, being closed in by a grove. The southern front contains the administration house; the eastern front, five houses for female patients, and the west- ern front, similar houses for male patients. This hospital has a capacity of 443 patients, and was erected at a cost of $409,867.88.

The first penal institution established in the State, known as the State Prison South, is located at Jeffersonville. It was estab- lished in 1821, and was the only prison un- til 1859. Before this prison was established, it was customary to resort to the old-time punishment of the whipping-post. For a time the prisoners were hired to contractors; later, they were employed constructing new prison buildings, which stand on sixteen acres of ground. From 1857 to 1871, they were employed manufacturing wagons and farm implements. In 1871 the Southwestern Car Company leased of the State all convicts capable of performing labor pertaining to the manufacture of cars. This business ceased to be profitable to the company in 1873, and in 1876 all the convicts were again idle.

In 1859 the Legislature passed an act authorizing the construction of a State prison in the north part of the State, and ap- propriated $50,000 for that purpose: Michi- gan City, on Lake Michigan, was the site selected, and a large number of convicts from the prison South, were moved to that point

and began the work which has produced one of the best prisons in the country. It differs widely from the Southern, in so much as its sanitary condition has been above the average of similar institutions.

The prison reform agitation, which in this State attained telling proportions in 1869, caused a legislative measure to be brought forward which would have a tendency to ameliorate the condition of female convicts.

The Legislature of 1873 voted $50,000 for the erection of suitable buildings, which was carried into effect, and the building de- clared ready in September, 1873, located at the State capital, and known as the Indiana Reformatory Institution for Women and Girls. To this institution all female con- victs in other prisons in the State were im- mediately removed, and the institution is one of the most commendable for good re- sults to be found in any State.

In 1867 the Legislature appropriated $50,- 000, for the purpose of founding an institu- tion for the correction and reformation of juvenile offenders. A Board of Control was appointed by the Governor, who assembled in Indianapolis, April 3, 1867, and elected Charles F. Coffin as President. Governor Baker selected the site, fourteen miles from Indianapolis, near Plainfield, where a fertile farm of 225 acres was purchased.

January 1, 1868, a few buildings were ready to receive occupants; the main build- ing was completed in 1869. Everything is constructed upon modern principles, and with a view to health and comfort. The in- stitution is in a prosperous condition, and the good effects of the training received there by the young well repays the tax-payers, in the way of improving society and elerating the minds of those who would otherwise be wrecked on life's stream before attaining to years of maturity.

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Prominent Men of Indiana.

O. P.elloston

161

OLIVER PERRY MORTON.

LIVER PERRY MOR- TON, the War Governor of Indiana, and one of the most eminent United States Senators, was born in Salisbury, Wayne County, this State, August 4, 1823. The name, which is of English origin, was originally Throckmorton. When young Oli- ver became a lad he attended the academy of Professor Hoshour at Centreville, in his native county, but could not continue long there, as the family was too poor to defray his expenses. At the age of fifteen, therefore, he was placed with an older brother to learn the hatter's trade, at which lie worked four · years. Determining then to enter the pro- fession of law, he began to qualify himself by attending the Miami University, in 1843, where he remained two years. Returning to Centreville, he entered the study of law with the late Judge Newman. Succeeding well, he soon secured for himself an inde- pendent practice, a good clientage, and rapidly rose to prominence. In 1852 he was elected circuit judge; but at the end of a year he resigned, preferring to practice as an advocate.

Up to 1854 Mr. Morton was a Democrat in his party preferences; but the repeal of the Missouri Compromise caused him to

secede, and join the incoming Republican party, in which he became a leader from its beginning. He was a delegate to the Pitts- burg Convention in 1856, where he so ex- hibited his abilities that at the next Repub- lican State Convention he was nominated for Governor against Ashbel P. Willard, the Democratic nominee. His party being still young and in the minority, was defeated; but Mr. Morton came out of the contest with greatly increased notoriety and popularity.

In 1860 Judge Morton received the nomi- nation for Lieutenant-Governor of Indiana, on the ticket with Henry S. Lane, and they were elected; but only two days after their inauguration Governor Lane was elected to the United States Senate, and Mr. Morton became Governor. It was while filling this position that lie did his best public work, and created for himself a fame as lasting as the State itself. He opposed all compromise with the Rebellion, and when the Legislature passed a joint resolution providing for the appointment of peace commissioners, he selected men who were publicly known to be opposed to any compromise.

During the dark and tedious days of tlie war, in 1864, Governor Morton defeated Jo- seph E. McDonald, in the race for Governor, by a majority of 20,883 votes. The next summer he had a stroke of partial paralysis, from which he never fully recovered. The

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disease so affected the lower part of his body and his limbs, that he was never afterward able to walk without the assistance of canes; but otherwise he enjoyed a high degree of physical and mental vigor. In December following he made a voyage to Europe, where he consulted eminent physicians and received medical treatment, but only partially recov- ered. In March, 1866, he returned to the executive chair to resume his official duties.

In January, 1867, Governor Morton was elected to the United States Senate, being succeeded in his State duties by Lieutenant- Governor Baker. In 1873 Senator Morton was re-elected, and he continued a member of that body while he lived. In that position Mr. Morton ranked among the ablest states- men, was one of the four or five chiefs of his party, and, being Chairman of the Committee on Privileges and Elections, he did more in determining the policy of the Senate and of the Republican party than any other member of the Senate. It was during this period that the many vexed questions of the reconstruc- tion period came up, and with reference to all of them he favored radical and repressive measures in dealing with the rebellious States.

In the spring of 1877 Senator Morton went to Oregon as Chairman of a Senate Committee to investigate the election of Sen- ator Grover, of that State, and while there he delivered, at Salem, the last political speech of his life. During his return, by way of San Francisco, he suffered another paralytic stroke, and he was brought East on a special car, taken to the residence of his mother-in- law, Mrs. Burbanks, at Richmond, this State, and passed the remainder of his days there, dying November 1, 1877. The death of no man, with the exception of that of President Lincoln, ever created so much grief in Indi- ana as did that of Senator Morton. The lamentation, indeed, was national. The Presi-

dent of the United States directed the flags on public buildings to be placed at half-mast, and also that the Government departments be closed on the day of the funeral. The re- mains of the great statesman were interred at the spot in Crown Hill Cemetery where he stood on Soldiers' Decoration Day, in May, 1876, when he delivered a great speech to a large assemblage. Never before did so many distinguished men attend the funeral of a citizen of Indiana.

Personally, Senator Morton was character- ized by great tenacity of purpose and shrewd foresight. Taking his aim, he ceased not until he attained it, without compromise and without conciliation, if not by the means first adopted, then by another. As Governor of Indiana he exhibited wonderful energy, tact and forethought. He distanced all other Governors in putting troops in the field, and he also excelled them all in providing for their wants while there. His State pride was in- tense, and in respect to the general character of the people of his State he brought Indiana "out of the wilderness " to the front, since which time the Hoosier State has been more favorably known. In the great civil war which tried the mettle and patriotism of the people, Indiana came to the front under his guidance, yea, to the forefront. of the line. As a legislator, he originated and accom- plished much, being naturally, as well as by self-discipline, the most aggressive, bold and clear-headed Republican politician of his time. He was also well versed in the sciences, especially geology; and even in theology he knew more than many whose province it is to teach it, although he was not a member of any church.

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Author: Publication date: 1887 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company Number of Pages: 922

Author:
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 922