USA > Indiana > Washington County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 10
USA > Indiana > Harrison County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 10
USA > Indiana > Crawford County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 10
USA > Indiana > Clark County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 10
USA > Indiana > Scott County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 10
USA > Indiana > Floyd County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 10
USA > Indiana > Jennings County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 10
USA > Indiana > Jefferson County > Biographical and historical souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott, and Washington, Indiana > Part 10
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city who will sell desirable homes for mechanics and laboring men at low figures, and on monthly or annual payments in small sums.
The advantages New Albany pos- sesses in being a county seat are not the least of her many advantages ; as this alone brings to the city daily, peo- ple from all parts of the county, com- pels the holding here of all the courts, and the location in the city of all the county offices and county officers. The county offices are all upon the first floor of the magnificent court house, all of them fire-proof, and provided with vaults in which to keep the county and court records in safety. The local legis- lation of the county is transacted by a board of three county commissioners, the meetings of which convene on the first Mondays in December, March, June and September. 'The county officers are as follows: Clerk, Henry R. W. Meyer; Auditor, Robert W. Morris; Treasurer, Levi H. Scott; Sheriff, Jacob Loesch; Recorder, Charles W. Schindler ; Assessor, Wil- liam D. Richardson ; Coroner, Dr. Starr. The Township Trustee, John Hahn, who is also Township Libra- rian and Poor Overseer, has his office in the court house. All transactions relating to the county finances, the courts, taxes, roads, etc., are carried on by the county officials at the county seat. It will therefore, be seen that New Albany gains advan- tages as the county seat which the city would not otherwise possess.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
It may not be improper in this place to mention one fact that is greatly to the credit and advantage of New Albany. When the Scrib- ners founded the city they provided most liberally for the endowment of a high school, churches, and other moral and enlightened enterprises. Descended from good families them- selves, they highly prized the advan- tages of good society-society con- trolled by high moral purposes, and enlightened and refined by educa- tion and the influences of the highest civilization. Their efforts to estab- lish good society in New Albany were crowned with signal success and their good works live after them' to bless and forever keep green their memory. New Albany, since its first settlement, has been distin- guished for the morality and refine- ment of its citizens, and for the re- ligious and educational advantages it offers those who come to settle in it.
The third year after the town was laid out, a church was started; not in a splendid building, with sky- piercing spire, frescoed walls and grand organ, but in an humble cabin of logs, and from this sanctuary of the grand old forests, the song of praise to God was raised which has never died out in New Albany. This was a Methodist church, dedicated November 25, 1817, and in December of the same year the First Presby- terian church of New Albany was or- ganized. It was thus that society in
this city was first shaped in its tastes, its refinement and geniality ; and with the crowning glories of religion, and the highest morals to bless it, has continued ever since. And this is general throughout the city, in- stead of being exceptional to neigh- borhoods, as in most cities. The ex- cellent society at New Albany will always continue to be one among its chief attractions.
The city government is adminis- tered by a Mayor and Board of Com- mon Council. The city is divided into six wards of nearly equal popu- lation and each ward is entitled to two members of the Common Coun- cil. One half the Common Council is elected annually ; while the Mayor, Clerk, Treasurer, and Marshal are elected every two years. The pres-
ent officers of the city are as follows : Mayor, Hon. John J. Richards; Treasurer, Samuel M. Weir; Clerk, Robert Kraft ; Marshal, Louis Hipple, Attorney, Charles D. Kelso ; Engi- neer, Frank M. Sweeney; Chief En- gineer Fire Department, Charles Mat- thews. The Council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month and the Mayor is the president of the body. The Council annually elects twelve policemen and one chief of police to guard the city and bring vio- lators of its ordinances to justice. The City Marshal has police and constabul. lary powers, and is the superior police officer of the city. There is a police court for the administration of munic- ipal justice, of which his Honor, the
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Mayor, is the judge, and which meets daily, except Sunday, at nine o'clock in the forenoon. The city also has a Board of Health, a Board of School Trustees, and three Justices of the Peace.
The banking facilities of New Al- bany are ample, as the following con- solidated statement of the four Na- tional banks of the city on the 10th day of October, 18ss, will show :
Resources .- Loans and discounts, 81,276,612.15; overdrafts, secured and unsecured, $5,550,041; U.S. bonds to secure circulation, 8200,000; other stocks, bonds and mortgages, $41,- 707.78 ; due from approved reserve agents, $1-17,646.74; due from other National banks, $36,479.95 ; due from State banks and bankers, $12,766,51; real estate, furniture and fixtures, $48,000 ; current expenses and taxes paid, 83,622.79; checks and other cash items, 81,037.35; premiums paid, $2,593.75 ; bills of other banks 83,060 ; fractional paper currency, nickels and cents, 899.18; specie, 830,831.80 ; legal tender notes, 857,- 203; redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer, 5 per cent. of circulation, $9,000, Total resources, $1,846,- 211.04.
Liabilities,-Capital stock paid in, 8700,000; surplus fund, 8210,000 ; undivided profits, 8116,509.71; Na- tional Bank notes outstanding, 8180,- 000; dividends unpaid, $1,245 ; indi- vidual deposits subject to check, 8610,342.09; demand certificates of deposit, 81,993.70; due to other Na-
tional banks, $20,115.70 ; due to State banks and bankers, 86,004.84. Total liabilities, $1,845,211.04.
The New Albany Banking Com- pany, operating under State laws, and having no circulation, has a capital of 8400,000 and does a very large bank- ing business, being one among the oldest and most substantial banking houses in the city. It was formerly the Bank of Salem and was organized and principally owned for many years by the late Hon. W. C. DePauw.
The public buildings of New Al- bany are the county court house, a magnificent structure in the Corinthian style of architecture, costing $130,000; the New Albany opera house is a fine structure, costing 890,000; the U. S. post office and court house, the most attractive in its architecture of any Federal building in Indiana, and costing 8106,000; the city hall, an attractive building, in which are the city offices, council chamber and police stations ; elegant passenger and freight depots of the J. M. & I. railroad, and fine passenger depots and offices of the L. E. & St. L. railroad, the O. & M. railroad, the K. &. I. Bridge Daisy railroad, and the L., N. & A. & C. railroad. There are a number of pub- lic halls, including the Casino thea- tre, The People's theatre, Turner Hall, Maennerchor Hall and Vernia's Hall. There are besides these, fine halls for the Masonic Fraternity, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Knights and Ladies of Honor, and other secret benevolent orders.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Among the charitable institutions of the city are "The Associated Char- ities," a grand institution including a pharmacy, hospital, lodging rooms, lunch rooms, etc., for the poor, who may be ill or in want. This grand charity was founded by the late Hon. Washington C. DePauw, one of Indi- ana's most noted and liberal Christian philanthropists, and its endowment was provided for in his will. Mr. DePauw's memory will be kept in the hearts of the citizens of New Al- bany, and they will always refer with pride to the fact that he was a citizen of this city. During his useful life he was always eminently a wise and liberal philanthropist, and the "Asso- ciated Charities" of New Albany, with its comfortable appointments of cleanly rooms, parlors, reading and sitting rooms, bath rooms, and other conveniences, is only a moiety of his benevolent work in New Albany. When he died, the churches, the poor, the city lost a true friend. He left by will $1,500,000 to DePauw Uni- versity and over half a million to other charities of the M. E. church.
The Old Ladies' Home is an insti- tution founded by Mr. William S. Culbertson, one of New Albany's mil- lionaire citizens. It is a splendid building in a fine location on Main street, built, furnished and endowed by Mr. Culbertson as a home for worthy widows. It is an honor to the city-an honor to its founder and supporter.
Cornelia Memorial Orphan's Home,
on Kin Avenue, also built by Mr. W. S. Culbertson. It is a large and ele- gant building, well furnished and under control of a Board of Mana- gers. The county pays to this insti- tution about $3,000 per year, to cover the board of the inmates, at a nominal sum per week each.
The County Asylum is a large and fine two-story brick building, located upon a farm of two hundred and forty acres, two miles north of the city. The building has a large num- ber of rooms, all well furnished and kept scrupulously clean. A large dining room and cook room are attached, and there are bath rooms for both males and females. A large frame building near by is used as an asylum for the incurably insane. The residence of the Superintendent and his family is separate from the Asylum buildings. At this institution, the poor find asylum and support, the entire expense being borne by the county, the money for the purpose being raised by taxation. An average of about sixty persons are constant inmates of this institution.
The county jail and police station house are the only penal institutions of the city or county. The jail is attached to a fine residence building, which is occupied by the sheriff of the county, who is also the jailer.
It has long been the pride and boast of the citizens of New Albany, that this city has the best and most successful system of public free schools of any city in Indiana. Their. claim
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
in this regard is well founded, as the carefully collated official statistics of the schools will show. There are in the city ten elegant and very large brick school buildings, and two frame school buildings. The value of these build. ings is about 8175,000, and they fur- nish accommodations for fully three thousand pupils. Ten of the build- ings are used for the primary, inter- mediate and grammar schools, and one as a high school for whites, and one as a high school for colored pupils. The system of grading is a most perfect one, and works admirably and effi- ciently. Tuition is absolutely free in all departments, and the pupils who pass all the grades and graduate through the High School, receive a thorough English and scientific educa- tion, and are competent for any department of business, or for study for any of the professions. The city has three school-houses for the colored inhabitants of the city, who have the same rights to admission into their own schools as the whites have into theirs-the same law governing both. Fifty-five white and five colored teach- ers are employed in these public schools, while the average attendance of pupils is about 2,800. The annual cost of the schools is not far from 855.000, and the total number of school children in the city entitled to the privileges of the schools is 8,130. The schools are managed by a Board of three School Trustees, elected by the City Council, which secures to them .permanency and the best educa-
tors in the way of teachers. These public schools afford the poor man, the mechanic, laborer, and small dealer or trader, superior facilities for giving their children an excellent edu- cation free of all expense, so that no man who lives in New Albany can have the least excuse for permitting his sons and daughters to grow up in ignorance. It is doubtful if a better system of public free schools can be found in any section of the Union than the one now in opera- tion, with the most eminent success, at New Albany.
DePauw College for Young Ladies, is the name of an institution that is the property of the Indiana Conference of the Methodist Episcopal church. This college occupies one of the most pleasant and commanding situations in the most beautiful portion of the city of New Albany. This city has long enjoyed a high reputation for its educational advantages, as well as for the high moral and religious tone of its inhabitants. It is noted for its healthfulness, and is accessible in all directions by various railroads and by the Ohio river. The College building, originally erected for a ladies' boarding school, has been enlarged and im- proved within the past few years at an expense of nearly $20,000.
St. Mary's Female Academy is a first-class institution, under the care of the Sisters of St. Francis (Catholic). The building is one among the largest and best adapted educational edifices in the State, having accommodations
W. C.DE PAUW.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
for 800 pupils. All the branches of a thorough and accomplished educa- tion are taught, including music, the modern languages, painting, needle- work, flowers, etc. There is probably no better Catholic academy in the West than St. Mary's, and it is the pride of the Catholics of southern Indiana.
Besides those schools already named, there are five Catholic parochial schools; a German Protestant parochial school; and seven private schools. Add these private and parochial schools, colleges and academies to the grand system of public free schools, and it will readily be seen that the educational advantages of New Albany are unrivaled.
WASHINGTON C. DEPAUW. In the space allowed by the plan of this work it is impossible to do justice to the memory of this re- markable man. Yet we have decided that it is appropriate that a record of the salient points of his life should be made in the historical por- tion of this volume.
Washington Charles DePauw was born in Salem, Washington county, Ind., on the 4th day of January, 1822. As the name indicates Mr. DePauw was a descendant from a noble French family; his great grandfather, Corne- lius, having been private reader to Frederick II., of Prussia, and author of several works of note.
Charles DePauw, the grandfather of W. C. DePauw, was born at the city of Ghent, in French Flanders. When.
he arrived at a proper age he was sent to Paris to complete his education and there became acquainted with La Fay- ette. At that time the struggle for American independence was just be- ginning. He became infatuated with the American cause, joined his fortunes with those of La Fayette and sailed with that renowned commander to this country. He served throughout the war, and by the close, became so thoroughly imbued with a love for America that he sought a wife in Virginia; thence he removed with the first tide of emigration to the Blue Grass regions of Kentucky.
In that State, General John DePauw, the father of W. C. DePauw, was born. On arriving at man's estate he removed from Kentucky to Washing- ton county, Indiana. As an agent for the county, he surveyed, platted and sold the lots in Salem, and purchased four acres of the high ground on the west side, upon which the family mansion was erected.
He was, by profession, an attorney- at-law, and he became a judge. He was also a general of militia. No man in his day enjoyed more of the confidence and good-will of his fellow-men than General John De- Pauw.
His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Batist (the mother of W. C. DePauw), was a woman of superior mind and a strong and vigorous con- stitution. She died in 1878, at the advanced age of ninety-three years.
At the age of sixteen, Mr. DePauw
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
was thrown upon his own resources by the death of his father. He had only the meager education which that period, and the surrounding circum- stances would allow his parents to give; but, though young, he desired to be independent of friends and relatives, and accordingly set to work. He worked for two dollars a week, and when that was wanting he worked for nothing, rather than be idle. That energy and industry, allied with char- acter and ability bring friends, proved true in his case. Dr. Elijah Newland, the leading physician of Salem, became interested in the young man and through him, at the age of nineteen he entered the office of the County Clerk, and by his energy and faithful- ness he gained confidence and soon had virtual control of the office. When he attained his majority he was elected clerk of Washington county without opposition; to this office was joined by the action of the State Legis. lature, that of Auditor. Mr. DePauw filled both of these positions until close application and the consequent mental strain, impaired his health ; after several prostrations and through fear of apoplexy, he acted on the advice of his physicians and gave up his sedentary pursuits; his extraordi- nary memory, quick but accurate judgment and clear mental faculties fitted him for a successful life.
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His early business career was like his political one; he was true and faithful and constantly gained friends. His first investment was in a
saw and grist mill, and this proving successful he added mill after mill; with this business he combined farm- ing, merchandising and banking, at the same time investing largely in the grain trade. It is hardly necessary to state that he was fortunate in each investment; and his means rapidly increased until, at the breaking out of the war he had a large mercantile interest and two well-established banks. He was at the same time one of the largest grain dealers in the State of Indiana, and his knowledge of this trade, and his command of means rendered him able to materially assist in furnishing the Goverment with supplies. His patriotism and confidence in the success of the Union armies were such that he also invested a large amount in Government securi- ties. Here again he was successful, and at the close of the war had materially augmented his already large fortune.
Mr. DePauw used his wealth freely to encourage manufactures and to build up the city of New Albany; he made many improvements, and was largely interested in the rolling mills and iron foundries in that city. He became proprietor of DePauw's Amer- ican Plate Glass Works, at the present one of the largest and most important in the world. It is a new and valu- able industry and the interests of our country require that it should have reached the success it bas; it is a National concern that American glass should surpass in quality and take the
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
place of the French article in the markets of the world.
Mr. DePauw did everything in his power, while living, to promote this great end, and at present everything points to the success of the undertak- ing. He had, before his death, about two millions of dollars invested in manufacturing enterprises in the city of New Albany.
At the death of Mr. DePauw, his sons, Newland T. and Charles W. DePauw, succeeded to the places held by their father in the manufacturing enterprises of New Albany, which positions they fill with rare executive ability, combined with a thorough business training given them by their father. Mr. W. C. DePauw took but little part in State affairs for many years, having devoted the latter part of his life to his business and home interests, to the advancement of edu- cation and religion. He was often forced to decline positions which his party were ready to give him, and in 1872 he was assured by many promi- nent Democrats that the nomination for Governor was at his disposal.
In the Convention he was nomi- nated for Lieutenant Governor. In order to show the purposes and char- acter of the man, let us quote a few words from his letter, declining the nomination. "My early business life was spent in an intensely earnest struggle for success as a manufacturer, grain dealer and banker. Since then, I have found full work in endeavor- ing to assist in promoting the relig-
ious, benevolent and educational advantages of Indiana, and in helping to extend those advantages to the south and west. Hence I have neither the time nor inclination for politics. In these chosen fields of labor I find con- genial spirits, whom I love and under- stand. My long experience gives me hope that I may accomplish some- thing, perhaps much, for religion and humanity."
These are noble words and was a true index to Mr. DePauw's character. He expended thousands of dollars in building churches and endowing col- leges and benevolent institutions throughout this, and the neighboring States ; he assisted many worthy young men to obtain an education, and founded and kept in operation DePauw College, a Seminary of a high order, for young ladies at New Albany.
He was for many years a trustee of the State University at Bloomington, Indiana, and was, later, a trustee of the Indiana Asbury University, the leading Methodist College of the West. He was long a member of the Meth- odist church and served as a delegate of the Indiana conference at the gen- eral conferences of that church in 1872 and 1876. He was a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows' orders and was loved and respected by both. The part of his life most satisfactory to himself is that which was spent in his work for Christ in the church, in the Sunday school, in the prayer
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
meeting, and in the everyday walks of his life.
He was, throughout his life, a thor- ough business man, full of honesty and integrity. He sought a fortune within himself and found it in an earnest will and vast industry. He was eminently a self-made man, and stands out pre-eminently to-day, as one who, amid the cares of business, pre- served his reputation for honesty, integrity and morality; who never neglected the cause of religion, but valued it until the day of his death above all others.
He was a good citizen as well as a successful business man. He was a devoted husband and affectionate father, and, in fact, faithfully dis- charged all the duties of the various stations in life which he was called to fill. He was a man of unbounded charity, and the benefactions provided in his last will and testament will endure for all coming generations. To DePauw University, at Green- castle, Ind., his bequests will aggregate 81,000,000 to 82,000,000, placing the institution in the list with the most noted educational establishments of America.
To the M. E. Church Extension Society he bequeathed $100,000, and to the Missionary Society of the M. E. Church he gave $100,000. He bequeathed DePauw College for Young Women, at New Albany, to the Indiana Conference of the M. E. Church, to be used as an educational institution, or as a home for the worn-out ministers
of the M. E. Church and their widows, setting apart a sum sufficient to sup- port it. .
He founded and endowed "The United Charities," at New Albany, which is a hospital, a pharmacy, and a temporary home for the worthy poor and afflicted.
Ile gave a large sum to the Y. M. C. A., of New Albany, and to the State Association, and bequeathed $10,000 to Indiana M. E. Conference Preachers' Aid Society, giving it 820,000 during his life. His total charities and edu- cational bequests will aggregate 82,000,000.
Of Washington C. DePauw it can be well and truthfully said, " He rests from his labors, and his works do fol- low him." IFis memory will be long held in sweet remembrance by the poor of New Albany, to whom his life was a benediction.
What nobler monument can a man have, than to be enshrined in the hearts of his neighbors and the com- munity he lived to bless? Such is the monument wherein lies the grand and good deeds of this grand and good man, and where they will live in perennial freshness forever. Requiescat in pace.
New Albany may justly be termed the city of churches. Ever since the city was founded, it has been dis- tinguished for the religious character of its citizens and its church privileges. The first religious meeting held in the city was under the auspices of the Methodists. It was held in a little
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
log cabin, in which spruce beer and ginger cakes were sold by a widow woman named Reynolds, and the meeting was brought about in a very singular manner. A gentleman named Elam Genung started out one moon- light evening, after the day's labor had ended, to take a walk in the forest, in the midst of which the few cabins that then constituted the town were built. He heard the widow lady, who kept the cake and beer shop, singing a (to him) familiar religious hymn. He was attracted by her sweet voice to the cabin, and as he entered it she ceased singing. He requested her to repeat the hymn, and as she did so joined with her in singing it. At its close he asked her if she was a church mem- ber. She replied she had been in the East, before she came to Indiana Territory, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. "I, too, was a Methodist before I came here," replied Genung, "let us pray." The singing had drawn a dozen or more of the settlers to the cabin and had touched every heart by its sweet tenderness, waking memories of homes far away in the East, and religious privileges that were held dear and sacred, and when prayer was proposed all entered the cabin and there, under the giant trees, the silver moon pouring down a flood of mellow light over the scene, the first public prayer was offered in New Albany. One who was present at that meeting says of it: "It was an occasion to be remembered for a long lifetime, for God came down among us
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