USA > Indiana > Centennial history and handbook of Indiana : the story of the state from its beginning to the close of the civil war, and a general survey of progress to the present time > Part 49
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
Im-CHE Ma- Been it- county seat since the day of it- organization.
Population of Morgan county in 1890 was 18.643. 1 1900 was 20,457, and according to ( med States Census of 1910 was 21,182, of Blach 178 were of white foreign birth. There were 5.320 families in the county and 5,216 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are fourteen townships in Morgan county : Adams, Ashland. Baker, Brown, Clay, Green, Gregg, Harrison. Jackson, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, Ray and Washington. The incorporated cities and towns are Martinsville, Brooklyn, Moores- ville, Morgantown and Paragon. Martinsville is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Morgan county was $6,765,700, value of improvements was $2,599,690 and the total net value of taxables was $13.378.020. There were 3,374 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 278 miles of improved roads in Morgan county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstand- ing. $370,723.90.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 42.71 miles of steam railroad operated in Morgan county by the Fairland, Franklin & Martinsville; Indianapolis branch of the Illinois Central, and the Vincennes division of the Vandalia railroads. The Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Trac- tion Company operates 16.30 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of William D. Curtis, county superintendent of public instruction, there were ninety-seven school- houses, including seven high schools, in Morgan' county in 1914, employing 183 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 3,796. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to super- intendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $92,014.08. Estimated value of school prop- erty in the county was $347,500, and total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, $99,031.10.
Grass Fork Farm, Morgan County, Largest Goldfish Hatchery in United States.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
Industrial .- According to the report of the State Bureau of Inspection for 1912 there were seventeen industrial establishments in Martins- ville, furnishing employment to nearly 400 per- sons. The largest industries are engaged in the manufacture of rustic chairs and furniture, coop- erage, wooden ware, and building and paving brick.
Agriculture .- There were in Morgan county in 1910 over 2,700 farms, embraced in 240,000
acres. Average acres per farm, 87.2 acres. The value of all farm property was over $17,000,000, showing 96.6 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $53.47. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,700,- 000: Number of cattle 13,000, valued at $432,000; horses 9,200, valued at $876,000; hogs 32,000, valued at $229,000; sheep 11,000, valued at $46,000. The total value of poultry was ap- proximately $85.000.
NEWTON COUNTY
KENTLAND, SEAT OF JUSTICE
N TEWTON COUNTY, located in the north- western part of the State, is bounded on the north by Lake county, the Kankakee river being the dividing line between the two coun- ties ; on the east by Jasper, on the south by Ben- ton and on the west by the State of Illinois. It contains a little over 400 square miles, and the south half of the county is a rolling prairie, with skirts of timber along the banks of the streams. It is very fertile, producing as fine crops of wheat, corn, oats and hay as are raised in the State. In recent years there has been a great production of small fruits, vegetables and melons, and the indications are that this county will be- come the "truck-patch" for Chicago and the northern part of Indiana. Three miles east of Kentland, along the right of way of the Penn- sylvania Railroad Company, is a quarry said to be the finest road-building limestone in the State ; the foundation of the quarry being peculiar, as it stands on edge instead of lying flat, evidently caused from some volcanic upheaval. The stone is very hard and flintlike, and when crushed and placed on the roadway becomes almost as solid as cement. Here also is located the celebrated Orchard Lake stock farm, home of the greatest
herd of Hereford cattle in the world, the head of which is "Perfection Fairfax," the bull that was given the title, "King of Hereford Sires."
Organization. - Newton county, the last county organized in the State of Indiana, began its official existence December 9, 1859. It was first organized by the act of 1838 and later joined to Jasper county and continued as a part of that county for twenty years, until December 8, 1859, when the commissioners of Jasper county made the final border defining the boundaries of the new county. Kent, a town two miles from the southern line of the county, was made the county seat. From that period there were many efforts made to relocate the county seat until the election held June 19, 1900, when Kentland was made the permanent county seat.
Population of Newton county in 1890 was 8,803; in 1900 was 10,448, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 10,504, of which 597 were of white foreign birth. There were 2,516 families in the county and 2,490 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are ten townships in Newton county: Beaver, Col- fax, Grant. Iroquois, Jackson, Jefferson, Lake,
M CHAY
* FARM
Orchard Lake Farm, Newton County, Home of the Greatest Herd of Hereford Cattle in the World.
ENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
Lincoln. Mcclellan and Washington. The in- corporated cities and towns are Brook, Goodland, Kentland, Morocco and Mi. Avr. Kentland is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Newton county was $7,715,410. value of improvements was $1.601.170 and the total net value of taxables Was $13,758,800. There were 1,658 polls in the
Improved Roads .- There were 300 miles of improved roads in Newton county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1. 1915. AAmount of gravel road bonds outstanding. $+12,071.90.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 96 miles of steam railroad operated in Newton county by the Brazil and LaCrosse divisions of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois ; Chicago, Indian- apolis & Louisville : Danville and Kankakee divi- sions of the Chicago, Indiana & Southern ; Cin- cinnati, Lafayette & Chicago, and the Effner branch of the P., C., C. & St. L. railroads.
Educational .- According to the report of Wm. O. Schanlaub, county superintendent of Newton county, there were sixty schoolhouses, including five high schools, in Newton county in 1914, employing 105 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 2,162. The aggre- gate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $55,- 421.37. The estimated value of school property in the county was $151,500, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $28,846. St. Joseph's Parochial School is located in Kent- land.
Agriculture .- There were in Newton county in 1910 over 1,000 farms, embraced in 231,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 231.5 acres. The value of all farm property was over $24,000,000, showing 94.2 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $87.21. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,500,- 000: Number of cattle 14,000, valued at $+20,- 000; horses 7,100, valued at $844,000; hogs 17,000, valued at $149,000; sheep 5,300, valued at $25,000. The total value of poultry was $50,000.
View of Orchard Lake Stock Farm, Newton County.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
NOBLE COUNTY
ALBION, SEAT OF JUSTICE
N TOBLE COUNTY is located in the north- eastern part of the State and is separated from the State of Michigan on the north by the county of Lagrange, and is bounded on the east by Dekalb, on the south by Allen and Whitley and on the west by Kosciusko and Elkhart coun- ties. It contains 420 square miles, the surface of which is marked by twenty-three lakes, rang- ing in area from eleven acres to 1,100 acres, be- sides numerous small lakes. Those of the north- eastern part of the county flow into the Elkhart river, while the drainage of the lakes of the
In the early history of Indiana there was a fa- mous band of horse thieves and counterfeiters who had headquarters in this county. They were called "Blacklegs." This gang was notorious all over the United States, and every township was infested with them, but the safest place was in the northeastern part around Rome City at a spot called "The Tamarock." Here is where they made their bogus money. In 1852 the State Legislature enacted a law authorizing the forma- tion of companies of "Regulators" to put a stop to their operation. Several companies were
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Woodland Beach, Noble County.
southwestern half of the county is into the Tip- pecanoe river. With the exception of the arti- ficial lake at Rome City, known as Sylvan lake, there are no important summer resorts in the county.
Organization .- Noble county was first in- cluded in Randolph county, next in Allen county, then in Lagrange county and finally in 1836 Noble county was organized as it stands to-day, except for a strip two miles wide, which was joined to Whitley. The county seat was first lo- cated in Sparta township on the old Fort Wayne and Goshen trail. Next, came Augusta, near Albion. In 1844 it was located at Port Mitchell, and some buildings were constructed. In 1846, by a vote of the people, it was changed to "The Center," which was afterward called Albion, where it has since remained. The county was named after Noah Noble, Governor of Indiana from 1831 to 1837.
formed in Noble county who soon overthrew the "Blacklegs."
Many evidences of Mound Builders are found all over the county. The Indian tribes here were the Miamis and Pottawatomies, and their vil- lages were in the county as late as 1848.
Population of Noble county in 1890 was 23,359; in 1900 was 23.533, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 24.009. of which 942 were of white foreign birth. There were 6,201 families in the county and 6,090 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are thirteen townships in Noble county : Albion, .Al- len, Elkhart. Green, Jefferson, Noble, Orange, Perry, Sparta, Swan, Washington, Wayne and York. The incorporated cities and towns are Kendallville, Ligonier, Albion, Avilla, Cromwell, Wolcottville. Albion is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to
A Noble County Jewel.
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CENTENNIAL THISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Noble county was $7.501.505, value of improvements was $3,306,- 455 and the total net vahie of taxables was $19.400.245. There were 3,701 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were no improved roads in Noble county in 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $12,000.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 77.50 miles of steam railroad operated in Noble county by the B. & O. & Chicago; Grand Rapids & Indiana ; Lake Shore & Michigan Southern ; Montpelier & Chicago, by the Wabash and the Butler branch of the Vandalia railroads. The Fort Wayne & Northwestern Railroad Company operates 8.12 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of C. V. Kilgore, county superintendent of Noble county, there were eighty-seven schoolhouses, in- cluding nine high schools, in Noble county in
1914, employing 176 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 4,023. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, super- visors, principals and teachers was $97,828.07. The estimated value of school property in the county was $378,750, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $96,866. In parochial schools there were 208 pupils enrolled, under control of Catholic, German Lutheran and Adventist denominations.
Agriculture .- There were in Noble county in 1910 over 2,700 farms, embraced in 266,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 93 acres. The value of all farm property was over $22,000,000, showing 80.3 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $59.79. The total value of domestic animals was over $2,400,- 000: Number of cattle 20,000, valued at $620,- 000; horses 9,800, valued at $1,200,000; hogs 45,000, valued at $313,000; sheep 41,000, valued at $175,000. The total value of poultry was $104,000.
OHIO COUNTY
RISING SUN, SEAT OF JUSTICE
O INIO COUNTY is situated in the south- eastern corner of the State and is bounded on the north by Dearborn, on the east by the State of Ohio, on the south by Switzerland and on the west by Switzerland and Ripley counties. It is the smallest county in the State, containing but ninety square miles. The surface is very broken and marked by several ranges of rugged hills and the soil is very fertile. The Ohio river Hows along the southern border of the county. There are no railroads in the county and all products are shipped and brought by boats which ply the Ohio from Cincinnati, Lawrenceburg and Louisville and other neighboring cities.
Organization .- Ohio county was organized by a legislative act January 15, 1844, and its origin was undoubtedly due to the county seat contest in Dearborn county. The question arising as to the constitutionality of its organization has been wanted to meet the convenience of the public. Rising Sun has been the county seat since the organization Automobile bus and mail lines
have been established between Rising Sun and Aurora, which is ten miles distant.
Population of Ohio county in 1890 was 4,955; in 1900 was 4,724, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 4,329, of which 119 were of white foreign birth. There were 1,127 families in the county and 1,109 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are four townships in Ohio county: Cass. Pike, Ran- dolph and Union. Rising Sun is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Ohio county was $907,580, value of improvements was $500,195, and the total net value of taxables was $2,026,- 090. There were 690 polls in the county.
Improved Roads. - There were forty-two miles of improved roads in Ohio county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $20,141.25.
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
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Educational .- According to the report of Charles H. French, county superintendent of Ohio county, there were twenty-three school- houses, including one high school, in Ohio county in 1914, employing thirty-four teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 602. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintend- ents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $13,949.55. The estimated value of school prop- erty in the county was $29,200, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, $5.400.
Agriculture .- There were in Ohio county in 1910 over 652 farms, embraced in 54,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 81 acres. The value of all farm property was over $2,500,000, showing 39.3 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $29.95. The total value of domestic animals was over $292.000: Number of cattle 3,200, valued at $78,000 ; horses 1,500, valued at $145,000; hogs 2,600, valued at $22,000; sheep 4,300, valued at $18,000. The total value of poultry was $20,000.
ORANGE COUNTY
PAOLI, SEAT OF JUSTICE
O RANGE COUNTY, which is located in the center of the southern part of the State, is bounded on the north by Lawrence, on the east by Washington and a very small section of Crawford, on the south by Crawford and on the west by Dubois and Martin counties, and is about twenty miles north of the Ohio river. The country is of a very rugged nature and the sur- face broken with hills, a condition that makes it unsuitable for farming. Fruit growing, dairying
and stock raising is receiving marked attention, and in recent years has made considerable prog- ress.
The great resources of Orange county are its mineral waters that have made it world famous. and the magnificent establishments, the most noted of which are the French Lick hotel at French Lick Springs, and the West Baden hotel, at West Baden, besides many others more or less notable. Countless thousands from all over the
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French Lick Hotel, Orange County.
YENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
The Famous Pluto Spring, French Lick.
world have visited these institutions, enjoyed their hospitality, departing with health and vigor restored and converts to the charms of this ideal spot. Nature has given a touch of the mystic to this region, with its underground cav- erns and channels, about which have been woven many stories. Here is the wonderful Lost river, with its curious blind fish, that ripples along, only to be swallowed up, disappearing into the earth to rise again some miles away.
Organization .- Orange county was named by the early settlers who came from North Carolina after the county by that name from which they hailed. Its formal organization became effective February 1, 1816, and Paoli has been the seat of justice from its beginning.
Population of Orange county in 1890 was 14.678: in 1900 was 16,854, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 17,192, of which seventy were of white foreign birth. There were 4,011 families in the county and 3,924 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are ten townships in Orange county: French Lick, Greenfield, Jackson, North East, North West. Orangeville, Orleans, Paoli, South East and Stampers' Creek. The incorporated cities and towns are French Lick, Orleans, Paoli and West Baden. Paoli is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from
the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Orange county was $2,846,780, value of improvements was $1,711,645 and the total net value. of taxables was $6,557,520. There were 2,737 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 300 miles of improved roads in Orange county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding, $190,125.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 34.16 miles of steam railroad operated in Orange county by the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville ; Orleans, West Baden and French Lick branch of the C., I. & L. ; and the Jasper and French Lick branch of the Southern Railroad Company. The French Lick & West Baden Street Railway Com- pany operates 1.90 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Claude E. Cogswell, county superintendent of Orange county, there were ninety-two school- houses, including four high schools, in Orange county in 1914, employing 139 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 3,426. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to super- intendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $61,764.28. The estimated value of school property in the county was $148,100, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $55,903.81. The schools of Orleans town- ship are consolidated with those of the town, making a joint school between the two corpora- tions. In no other townships are the schools combined.
Agriculture .- There were in Orange county in 1910 over 2,300 farms, embraced in 260,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 100.2 acres. The value of all farm property was over $7,400,000, showing 79.8 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $19.87. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,000,- 000: Number of cattle 10,000, valued at $249,000 ; horses 5,600, valued at $502,000 ; hogs 16,000, valued at $108,000; sheep 12,000, valued at $54,000. The total value of poultry was $69,000.
Woodland Scene, French Lick Hotel Grounds.
Bridle Path Above Pluto Springs, French Lick.
Bowles' Spring, French Lick.
Walks and Grounds French Lick Hotel
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
OWEN COUNTY
SPENCER, SEAT OF JUSTICE
O WEN COUNTY. - One hundred years ago that part of the White river valley in which Owen county is located was an unbroken wilderness, but even in that time the county was noted far and wide among the Indians for its beauty and its healthy climate. To-day there are vet to be seen through the magnificent forests frequent signs that show where "Sweet Owen" now is, which was then a favorite camping place for the Indians. There is also much in evidence that this locality was formerly inhabited by pre- historic peoples, as their mounds and burial places testify. It is certain that in latter times the Delaware, Eel River, Miami and Pottawato- mie Indians swarmed the hills and valleys.
Owen county is located in the northern edge of southern Indiana. It is bounded on the north by Putnam and a small section of Morgan, on the east by Morgan and Monroe. on the south by Greene and on the west by Clay counties. It contains 396 square miles, rich in natural re-
sources and blessed with ideal conditions, well balanced between hill land and rich creek and river bottoms. The soil is diversified and very productive, and is unsurpassed for tobacco rais- ing. This county is best known, however, for its stone and coal output. At Romona is found the famous Bedford oolitic limestone, used ex- tensively in the construction of Government buildings and sold throughout America. Owen county's coal has been pronounced by the State Geologist as Indiana's best coal. It exceeds any other bituminous coal in heat units and shows only 15 per cent. ash. The county is beginning to be recognized as a splendid fruit growing lo- cality.
Organization .- Owen county was named after Colonel Abraham Owen, who was killed in the battle of Tippecanoe while serving as volunteer aid to General Harrison. It was organized Jan- uary 1, 1819. The first county seat of Owen was located about a half mile up the river from the
White River at Gosport, Owen County .- Photo by Wm. M. Herschell.
Upper Falls on Eel River, Owen County .- Photo by W'm. M. Herschell.
Cataract Falls on Eel River, Owen County .- Photo by Wm. I. Hoffmann.
CENTENNIAL. HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
present Town of Spencer on 150 acres that were donated by John Dunn. The place was called Lancaster. On account of a defect in the title to the land, commissioners were appointed to change the location, and the present site was se- leted and Spencer became the county seat Feb- rnary 12, 1820. Eel river falls, which are lo- cated in this county, are among the most re- markable of nature's handiwork in the State. They are three-fourths of a mile apart. The upper fall is forty-five feet within a short dis- tance and the lower thirty-five feet perpendicular.
Population of Owen county in 1890 was 15,040; in 1900 was 15,149, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 14,053, of which 136 were of white foreign birth. There were 3,476 families in the county and 3,320 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are thirteen townships in Owen county : Clay, Frank- lin, Harrison, Jackson, Jefferson, Jennings, La- fayette, Marion, Montgomery, Morgan, Taylor, Washington and Wayne. The incorporated cities and towns are Gosport and Spencer. Spencer is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- AAccording to the annual report of the Auditor of State from the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Owen county was $2,966,935, value of improvements was $1,136,- 070 and the total net value of taxables was $6,808,061. There were 2,099 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 240 miles of
improved roads in Owen county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstand- ing, $165,659.08.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 63.96 miles of steam railroad operated in Owen county by the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville; Indianapolis and Louisville branch of the C., I. & L .; Evansville & Indianapolis, and the Vin- cennes division of the Vandalia railroads.
Educational .- According to the report of W. H. Stone, county superintendent, there were ninety-one . schoolhouses, including six high schools, in Owen county in 1914, employing 130 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 2,645. The aggregate amount paid in sal- aries to superintendents, supervisors, principals and teachers was $50,768.16. Estimated value of school property in the county was $147,550, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $50,410.
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