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 50
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73
Agriculture .- There were in Owen county in 1910 over 1,900 farms, embraced in 251,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 116.6 acres. The value of all farm property was over $9,000,000, showing 62.3 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $26.57. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,000,- 000: Number of cattle 11,000, valued at $275,000 ; horses 5,800, valued at $520,000; hogs 15,000, valued at $106,000 ; sheep 15,000, valued at $58,000. The total value of poultry was $57,000.
PARKE COUNTY
ROCKVILLE, SEAT OF JUSTICE
P ARKE COUNTY is located in the central part of the tier of counties on the Wabash river in the western part of the State. It is bounded on the north by Fountain, on the cast by Montgomery and Putnam, on the south by t lay and Vigo and on the west by Vermilion counties. It contains about 440 square miles. It is an agricultural county, that being the principal resource. Coal mining is carried on to some ex- tent and, according to the State Mine Inspector's report for the fiscal year ending September 30,
1914, there were five mines in operation under his jurisdiction that produced 339,682 tons of coal. Parke county has become familiar to thou- sands of lovers of natural beauty by Blooming- dale Glens and Turkey Run. An effort has been made to preserve this region for the future as a State park.
Hospital for the Treatment of Tuberculosis. -By an act approved March 8, 1907, the General Assembly authorized the establishment of a hos- pital for the treatment of incipient pulmonary
Scenes in Turkey Run, Parke County, Indiana.
25
3,80
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
tuberculosis. The commission created by the for selected a site, containing 504 acres, three miles cast of Rockville and purchased it in Sep- tember. 1908.
Organization .- Parke county, named in honor of Benjamin Parke, the first member of Congress for the Territory, and afterward a territorial and then district judge, was organized January 9, 1821. The first county seats were located tem- porarily at Roseville and Armiesburg. In 1823 the locating commissioners named Rockville as the permanent seat of justice. No county build- ings were erected until 1826, when a log court- house was built, which served the dual purpose of a temple of justice and a house of worship.
Rockville has become famous as the home of Mrs. Juliet V. Strauss, familiarly known as "The Country Contributor," one of Indiana's most pro- lific writers.
Population of Parke county in 1890 was 20,296; in 1900 was 23,000, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 22,214, of which 856 were of white foreign birth. There were 5,414 families in the county and 5,349 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are thirteen townships in Parke county: Adams, Florida, Greene, Howard, Jackson, Liberty, Penn, Raccoon, Reserve, Sugar Creek, Union, Wabash and Washington. The incorporated cities and towns are Bloomingdale, Diamond, Judson, Marshall, Montezuma, Rockville and Rosedale. The county seat of Parke county is situated at Rockville.
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 Parke county was $6,782,720, value of improvements was $2,214,- 725 and the total net value of taxables was $14,815,715. There were 3,333 polls in the
Improved Roads .- There were 710 miles of
improved roads in Parke county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstand- ing, $416,549.98.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 91.45 miles of steam railroad operated in Parke county by the Central Indiana Railway, Brazil and Terre Haute divisions of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois ; Springfield division of the C., I. & W .; St. Louis division of the Big Four ; To- ledo, St. Louis & Western, and the Michigan di- vision of the Vandalia railroads. The Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Com- pany operates 4.16 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Homer J. Skeeters, county superintendent of Parke county, there were 104 schoolhouses, in- cluding eight high schools, in Parke county in 1914, employing 170 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 4,707. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, su- pervisors, principals and teachers was $77,001.75. The estimated value of school property in the county was $251,500, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $65,275. Friends' Bloomingdale Academy at Blooming- dale offers a high school course of commissioned high school grade. In addition to the academic work strong courses in manual training, domestic science and agriculture are offered.
Agriculture .- There were in Parke county in 1910 over 2,400 farms, embraced in 256,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 104.7 acres. The value of all farm property was over $18,000,000, showing 87.1 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $51.27. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,800,000: Number of cattle 14,000, valued at $464,000 ; horses 9,100, valued at $890,000; hogs 43,000, valued at $297,000 ; sheep 18,000, valued at $89,000. The total value of poultry was $90,000.
387
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
PERRY COUNTY
CANNELTON, SEAT OF JUSTICE
P ERRY COUNTY is situated on the Ohio river, just west of a central line dividing the State from north to south. It contains about 400 square miles and is bounded on the north by Dubois and Crawford counties, on the east and south by the Ohio river and on the west by Spencer and Dubois counties. It is in the coal belt and has an almost inexhaustible supply of coal which has not been extensively developed, excepting along the river. According to the State Mine Inspector's report for the fiscal year end- ng September 30, 1914, there was one mine in operation in Perry county, under his jurisdiction, which produced 3,250 tons of coal. Clay and andstone are also found in paying quantities. The county is primarily an agricultural one, Although manufacturing is carried on to some xtent. The abundant and easily accessible veins of coal in Perry county early attracted the atten- ion of capitalists to this section. The Legisla- ures of the early thirties granted liberal charters, nd many large enterprises, with several million lollars' capital, were launched, notable among which were the Indiana Cotton Mills and the American Cannel Coal Company. This lat- er company purchased 7,000 acres of land nd proceeded to lay out the town of Can- elton, on a site of 1,000 acres on a bend of he Ohio river. It became the home of the arly "boomer," and some of the optimistic laims made at that time have a familiar ring -day. Regarding one of the enterprises that vas being exploited the following was published : The mill is to contain 2,000 spindles nd make coarse ticking and flannel. "his enterprise is intended to be but the begin- ing of a movement which may result in giving he control of the price of cotton to the country here it is produced. It may, too, operate as a heck to overproduction by giving planters other means of investment besides lands and slaves, nd may result in changing the character of the resent cotton manufacturing districts of the orld, for the coal districts in this vicinity and le fertile and healthy regions around present pportunities for the increase of manufactures
to an unlimited extent. The wealth of Indiana may be eventually concentrated in this part of the State, which was so long overlooked by the emigrants." And to this an early historian added: "The home market that will here be made for our agricultural products, and the cap- ital and population which will be attracted from abroad by this affluent combination of manufac- turing advantages, warrants the anticipation that Cannelton at no distant day will become a large and important manufacturing city." Thus Perry county holds the record for first bringing Indiana and its lavish opportunities before the world.
Organization. - Perry county, which was named after Commodore Oliver H. Perry, was the fourth county organized, in 1814, and the thirteenth and last county to be created before the Territory of Indiana applied to Congress for an enabling act. In November of the same year the commissioners chose a site on the Ohio river for the new county seat and gave it the classical name of Troy; later it was moved to Washing- ton, which changed its name to Franklin, and in September, 1819, found the county seat moved to Rome. Here it remained until December 7. 1859, when it was moved to Cannelton, where a new court-house had been built and donated as an inducement to move by an enterprising coal com- pany that was interested in booming the town.
Population of Perry county in 1890 was 18,240; in 1900 was 18,778, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 18.078, of which 753 were of white foreign birth. There were 3,919 families in the county and 3.814 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are seven townships in Perry county: Anderson, Clark, Leopold, Oil, Tobin, Troy and Union. The incorporated cities and towns are Cannelton, Tell City and Troy. Cannelton 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 Perry county was
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
$1.526.180 value of improvements was $1.379,- was $139.683, and the total amount of indebted- ness, including bonds, was $22,104.93.
of0 and the total net value of taxables was $4.164.500. There were 2,608 polls in the
Improved Roads .- There were fourteen miles of improved roads in Perry county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1. 1915. AAmount of gravel road bonds outstanding. $66,500.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 8 41 miles of steam railroad operated in Perry county by the Southern Railway Company.
Educational .- According to the annual report of Lee B. Mullen, county superintendent of Perry county, there were 109 schoolhouses, in- cluding seven high schools, in the county in 1914. employing 152 teachers. The average daily at- tendance by pupils was 2,900. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, super- visors, principals and teachers was $67.493.27. Estimated value of school property in the county
Agriculture .- There were in Perry county in 1910 over 1,900 farms, embraced in 212,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 109.3 acres. The value of all farm property was over $5,100,- 000, showing 82.9 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $14.29. The total value of domestic animals was over $762,000: Number of cattle 7,300, valued at $139,000; horses 4,500, valued at $431,000 ; hogs 9.900, valued at $68,000; sheep 3,900, valued at $12,000. The total value of poultry was $41,000.
Industrial .- According to the report of the State Bureau of Inspection for 1912 there were eight industrial establishments in Cannelton, fur- nishing employment to over 200 persons. The principal products are cotton sheeting and sewer pipe. At Tell City there are sixteen industries, which employ over 500 persons. The principal products are furniture, desks and wood hames.
PIKE COUNTY
PETERSBURG, SEAT OF JUSTICE
P IKE COUNTY is situated in the southwest- ern section of the State. It is bounded on the north by Knox and Daviess, on the east by Dubois, on the south by Warrick and on the west by Gibson counties. It contains 337 square miles. part of which is hilly, while the western part is rolling and contains much fine bottom land. Great interest is taken in farming and stock rais- ing, and this is said to be one of the largest live stock shipping points in Indiana. Pike county is rich in bituminous coal deposits, most of the land being underlaid with fine workable veins of from four to nine feet in thickness. According to the State Mine Inspector's report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1914, there were thirteen mines in operation under his jurisdiction, from wInch 602,032 tons were produced.
Organization .- Pike county which was named in honor of General %. M. Pike, who fell at the capture of York April 27. 1813, was organized on February 1. 1817, with Petersburg as the county seat since it - organization.
Population of Pike county in 1890 was 18,544;
in 1900 was 20,486, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 19,684, of which 164 were of white foreign birth. There were 4,522 families in the county and 4,468 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are nine townships in Pike county : Clay, Jefferson, Lockhart, Logan, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Pa- toka and Washington. The incorporated cities and towns are Petersburg and Winslow. Peters- burg 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 Pike county was $3.578,320; value of improvements was $1,215,- 010, and the total net value of taxables was $7.347,910. There were 2,909 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were seventy-eight miles of improved roads in Pike county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstanding. $156,887.60.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are
389
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
28.72 miles of steam railroad operated in Pike county by the Evansville & Indianapolis and the Southern Railway Company of Indiana.
Agriculture .- There were in Pike county in 1910 over 2,400 farms embraced in 194,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 79.8 acres. The value of all farm property was over $9,700,000, showing 63.8 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $33.10. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,300,- 000: Number of cattle 9,700, valued at $238,000; horses 7,500, valued at $696,000; hogs 26,000, valued at $167,000; sheep 9,400, valued at $35,-
000. The total value of poultry was about $73,000.
Educational .- According to the report of Andrew Jewell, county superintendent of Pike county, there were ninety-seven schoolhouses, in- cluding six high schools, in Pike county in 1914, employing 152 teachers. The average daily at- tendance by pupils was 3,758. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, super- visors, principals and teachers was $57,264.68. Estimated value of school property in the county was $159,300, and the total amount of indebted- ness, including bonds, was $39,270.
Scene on the Patoka River. Rises in northern part of Orange county and flows west through Crawford. Dubois, Pike and Gibson counties, and empties into the Wabash River below the mouth of White River .- Photo by Wm. M. Herschell.
390
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
PORTER COUNTY
VALPARAISO, SEAT OF JUSTICE
P ORTER COUNTY, located in the north- Western part of the State, bordering on Lake Michigan, is bounded on the east by La- porte, on the south by Jasper and on the west by Lake counties. It is divided into three sections ; the southern contains the great Kankakee marsh ; the central part, the Morainic hills, and the northern section the three beaches of old Lake Chicago and the present beach of Lake Michi- gan. It contains 575 square miles. For many years the Kankakee marsh was considered al- most worthless, but since it has been drained it forms one of the most valuable parts of the county, much of which has been given to the raising of hay. Hebron, a thriving town of 800, has the distinction of shipping more native hay than any other town in the world. The proximity of Chicago has encouraged dairy farming and the county ships daily over 10,000 gallons of milk. Valuable clay deposits are found in the county, the different kinds producing several of the best varieties of brick.
The scenic beauty of the county is notable ; the two most attractive features being the group of Morainic-basin and kettle-hole lakes around Valparaiso, and the magnificent range of sand hills near Lake Michigan.
Valparaiso University was founded Septem- ber 16, 1873, by Henry B. Brown. Two years after the university was started, Oliver P. Kin- sey became associated with Mr. Brown, and to- gether they applied to their problem all of their knowledge on the subject. Valparaiso University has an enrolment of more than 5,000 students, twenty-two departments, eleven school buildings. including three in Chicago for medical and dental work and a library containing over 12,000 works ot reference. The classes are in session the entire year. Its largest department is the normal col- lege, which gives instruction to more than 1,100 students annually, and a large percentage of the students earn all or a part of their expenses at Valparaiso. The university has no secret socie- ties, nor does it compete with other institutions in the field of athletics. It is one of the largest universities in the United States in point of at-
tendance and its students come from all over the United States and foreign countries.
Organization .- Porter county, organized Feb- ruary 1, 1836, was named in honor of Commo- dore David Porter, of the United States Navy. The county seat has always been at Valparaiso, although the first plat dated July 7, 1836, bears the name of Portersville. The name of the county seat was changed to Valparaiso during the first year and it seems to have been done by the local authorities.
Population of Porter county in 1890 was 18,052; in 1900 was 19,175, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 20,540, of which 2,939 were of white foreign birth. There were 4,544 families in the county and 4,396 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are twelve townships in Porter county : Boone, Cen- ter, Jackson, Liberty, Morgan, Pine, Pleasant, Portage, Porter, Union, Washington and West- chester. The incorporated cities and towns are Valparaiso, Chesterton, Hebron and Porter. Valparaiso 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 Porter county was $6,938,790; value of improvements was $2,841,160, and the total net value of taxables was $21,950,810. There were 2,516 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 280 miles of improved roads in Porter county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstand- ing, $707,526.50.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 187.82 miles of steam railroad operated in Por- ter county by the B. & O. & Chicago; C. & O .; C. & E .: LaCrosse branch of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois; Dune Park extension of the C., I. & S .; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; Grand Trunk & Western ; L. S. & M. S .; Michigan Cen- tral ; Montpelier & Chicago by the Wabash ; New York, Chicago & St. Louis; Pere Marquette;
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
391
1
Valparaiso University, Porter County.
Logansport division of the P., C., C. & St. L .; Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago, and the In- diana Harbor Belt railroads. The Chicago, Lake Shore & South Bend and the Gary & Interurban Railroad Companies operate 42.50 miles of elec- tric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of Fred H. Cole, county superintendent of Porter county, there were ninety-one schoolhouses, in- cluding seven high schools, in Porter county in 1914, employing 164 teachers. The average daily attendance by pupils was 3,540. The ag- gregate amount paid in salaries to superintend- ents, supervisors, principals and teachers was
$102,388.42. Estimated value of school property in the county was $392,745, and the total amount of indebtedness, including bonds, was $99,310.79.
Agriculture .- There were in Porter county in 1910 over 1,900 farms embraced in 239,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 125 acres. The value of all farm property was over $19,000,000, showing 78.3 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $58.09. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,700,- 000: Number of cattle 21,000, valued at $664 .- 000; horses 8,200, valued at $869,000; hogs 17,- 000, valued at $141,000; sheep 7,700, valued at $38,000. The total value of poultry was $68,000.
POSEY COUNTY
MOUNT VERNON, SEAT OF JUSTICE
P OSEY COUNTY is located in the extreme southwestern corner or "pocket" of the State, is bounded on the north by Gibson county, on the east by Vanderburg, on the south by the Ohio river, the north bank of which separates it from the State of Kentucky, and on the west by the Wabash river, the dividing line between In- diana and Illinois. The county contains 420 square miles, and the surface is level or slightly rolling, with a few sand-clay hills, due to the ac- tion of the wind. The soils of the county are well adapted to the raising of grains and vege- cables of all kinds, including watermelons and muskmelons, for which the county has become hoted.
Within the borders of Posey county, fifty
miles from the mouth of the Wabash, is the famous town of New Harmony, which was first settled in 1814, by Frederick Rapp and a Ger- man colony from western Pennsylvania. Here he cleared an immense farm of 17,000 acres. planted fine orchards and vineyards and erected mills and manufactories, 200 neat and comfort- able houses in the town, among which were two churches, one of which was then much the largest in the State. In 1825, the celebrated Robert Owen purchased the town and a considerable part of the land for the purpose of making an experiment of his "social system," and Rapp and his company returned to Pennsylvania.
Organization .- Posey county was organized November 1, 1814, and was the twelfth in order
392
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
of organization. It was named after Thomas Posey, the second and last Governor of Indiana Territory, who aided in the creation of the county.
a new court-house at each place. The first location was at Blackford, in the northeastern corner of Mars township, the town being named after Judge Isaac Blackford, a famous lawyer in In- diana for more than forty years. In 1817, it was removed to Springfield, near the town of Har- monie, where Frederick Rapp and his colony of Rappites lived. Here it remained until, by the legislative act of February 12, 1825, it was re- moved to Mount Vernon, which has remained the county seat ever since.
Population of Posey county in 1890 was 21.529; in 1900 was 22,333, and according to United States Census of 1910 was 21,670, of which 710 were of white foreign birth. There were 5,063 families in the county and 4,984 dwellings.
Townships, Cities and Towns .- There are ten townships in Posey county: Bethel, Black, Center, Harmony, Lynn, Mars, Point, Robb, Robinson and Smith. The incorporated cities
and towns are Mount Vernon, Cynthiana, Griffin, New Harmony and Poseyville. Mount Vernon is the county seat.
Taxable Property and Polls .- According to the annual report of the Auditor of State from
Posey county had three county seat changes within the first ten years of its history, and built . the abstract of the tax duplicate for 1913, the total value of lands and lots in Posey county was $8,501,580; value of improvements was $2,797,- 105, and the total net value of taxables was $15,705,991. There were 3,079 polls in the county.
Improved Roads .- There were 210 miles of improved roads in Posey county built and under jurisdiction of the county commissioners January 1, 1915. Amount of gravel road bonds outstand- ing, $499,111.86.
Railroads-Steam and Electric .- There are 72.80 miles of steam railroad operated in Posey county by the Evansville, Mount Carmel & Northern branch of the Big Four; Mount Ver- non branch of the Chicago & Eastern Illinois ; Peoria division and the New Harmony branch of the Illinois Central, and the Louisville & Nash- ville railroads. The Evansville Railways Com- pany operates 11.69 miles of electric line in the county.
Educational .- According to the report of
ALLS
Laboratory of Dr. David Dale Owen, New Harmony. Posey County.
-
Library, Workingmen's Institute, New Harmony, Posey County.
393
CENTENNIAL HISTORY AND HANDBOOK OF INDIANA
G. E. Behrens, county superintendent of Posey county, there were seventy-eight schoolhouses, in- cluding six high schools, in the county in 1914, employing 164 teachers. The average daily at- tendance by pupils was 3,381. The aggregate amount paid in salaries to superintendents, super- visors, principals and teachers was $90,431.67. Estimated value of school property in the county was $427,350, and the total amount of indebted- ness, including bonds, was $117,007.65.
Agriculture .- There were in Posey county
in 1910 over 2,100 farms embraced in 238,000 acres. Average acres per farm, 112 acres. The value of all farm property was over $18,000,000, showing 56.5 per cent. increase over 1900. The average value of land per acre was $58.65. The total value of domestic animals was over $1,400,000: Number of cattle 8,000, valued at $190,000 ; horses 6,500, valued at $619,000; hogs 27,000, valued at $123,000; sheep 4,600, valued at $20,000. The total value of poultry was $48,000.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.