USA > Indiana > Elkhart County > History of Elkhart County, Indiana; together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history: portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 49
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576
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
1869, the sum accounted ' as received by the treasurer was $258,- 330.64, and that disbursed $118,710.09, showing a surplus of $139,620.55. This large revenue was doubtless due to the sale of bonds or debentures to meet the outlay occasioned by the public improvements then inaugurated. The value of such bonds passed into the hands of the county treasurer in the ordinary form, and moneys so received were disbursed in payment for the labor expended on such public improvements and in the administration of county affairs, leaving the huge surplus to the credit of subsequent years. It was a wise provision on the whole, and though the taxation was high, it passed by unnoticed, and prepared the way for paying off at once the large sum of money voted for the erection of the beautiful county building which now rises a monument to the tax-payers of the period. Provision had also to be inade for many radical reforms in other works pertaining to the people, and this precaution tended to the prompt payment of the public accounts within a very few years, together with leaving a surplus fund of over $20,000.
In 1879 the amount received was $155,216.44, of which $118,- 475.58 were expended, leaving a balance of $36,740.86 to be carried forward to the first year of the next decennial period. The county auditor's statement for 1880 shows that on May 31 a sum of $27,700.SS was in the treasury to the credit of the county, with all bonds redeemed, all public works paid for, the county free from all liabilities, and a magnificent property valued at $190,000. The progress has been most remarkable, though by no means strange. It is the result of an enterprise which seems to be inherent in the people; a peculiar enterprise which places their investments gen- erally above the calculations of the speculator, and leads back wealthı to the men who engaged in it. It has been said by Gold- smith in his philosophical poem on the Deserted Village, that where wealth accumulates men decay; but it does not apply here. That fortunes have been won by many of our people is a fact; but that wealth has accumulated here in the sense of the poet, and as the European phase of the case lead him rightly to conjecture, is a question; because here it is made the main spring of industry, keeps a hundred mill wheels rolling, and offers to the people em- ployment and convenience.
577
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
Year.
Receipts. '
Expenditures.
Year.
Receipts.
Expenditures.
1830
198 803
S 183 433
1856 .... $
40,910 17
37,927 60
1831. .
..
206 873
535 811
1857.
31,589 52
26,618 64
1832. .
426 10
789 123
1858. . ..
29,097 62
29,784 93
1833.
612 59
814 99
1859. . ..
33,020 58
29,777 11
1834.
797 23}
840 81
1860 ....
64,880 87
58,377 29
1835.
1,248 23
1,119 883
1861 ....
33,264 76
25,971 76
1836 ..
1,420 78
1,207 16
1862 ....
44,754 49
42,951 90
1837.
2,225 21
1,966 20
1863 ....
48,378 52
48,242 28
1838. .
2,856 81
1,772 43
1864 ...
51,689 88
43,844 59
1839 )
3,438 53
5,198 72
1866 ....
147,100 36
120,499 34
1841 ....
2,539 95
3,059 97
1867 ....
118,010 27
60,525 23
1842. ...
2,768 94
2,777 78
1868 ....
165,991 85
101,012 63
1843. ...
3,979 19
3,140'87
1869
258,330 64
118,710 09
1844 ....
4,761 35
2,994 00
1870. ...
299,799 92
230,020 46
1845 ....
4,807 03
3,961 18
1871. ...
241,988 25
221,260 78
1846. ...
5,657 56
5,624 47
1872 ... .
219,983 83
141,175 82
1847 ....
5,113 88
5,323 73
1873. .. .
237,358 81
110,218 16
1848. . . .
5,405 97
5,175 26
1874. ...
244,727 94
224,567 94
1849 ....
6,162 15
5,545 18
1875. .. .
149,182 96
135,077 09
1850 .. ..
7,329 75
6,296 28
1876 .. ..
142,087 97
135,250 43
1851 ....
5,845 63
5,425 15
1877 ....
121,525 27
106,092 48
1852 ....
11,914 59
9,926 21
1878. . . .
147,693 97
132,261 18
1853 ....
30,624 26
28,933 46
1879. ...
155,216 44
118,475 58
1854. . ..
20,873 63
22,374 90
1880. ...
153,498 89
125,798 01
1855 ....
28,649 49
24,983 74
1865. . . .
70,033 30
69,819 36
1840 )
..
In the foregoing exhibits the balances are carried forward and added to the receipts of the subsequent year. The expenditures comprise the special school tax, which is received by the treasurer and disbursed for school purposes only. In the following balance sheet for the fiscal year ending May 31, 1880, issued by Auditor Henkel, is given a detailed statement of the sources from which this large revenue is derived, and the varied channels through which it is partially returned to the people. It is a financial history in itself, showing almost a dollar to the credit of each member of the population, together with a county property at once extensive and valuable.
578
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Receipts.
Expenditures
Balance on hand May 31st, 1879
$ 36,702 02
....
County revenue. ..
51,937 06
Special school tax.
27,034 51
$ 27,034 51
Township tuition tax
13,412 86
13,412 86
Road
12,539 23
12,539 23
Dog
2,124 75
2,124 75
Township
4,036 63
4,036 63
Corporation
343 07
343 07
Redemption of land.
1,170 11
1,118 36
Shows ... ..
85 00
1,163 21
Docket fees circuit court
374 00
374 00
Jail.
2,497 69
15,587 65
Ditches.
1,111 81
1,626 42
County officers.
3 00
10,556 31
Poor.
22 00
10,284 29
Prisoners
1,641 09
Insane. .
1,556 27
School fund.
23 45
Books and stationery.
3,252 02
Printing and advertising.
102 90
972 50
Roads and highways.
2 25
2,329 25
Poor farm.
2,218 98
Juror fees ..
2,236 10
Refunded taxes.
80 01
Fox scalp bounty
12 50
Balance on hand May 31, 1880.
27,700 88
Total.
$153,498 89
$153,498 89
To render the foregoing statistics more complete a statement, compiled with much attention, is taken from the county records, showing the value of taxable property from which revenue is derivable, together with a tabulated table dealing with the property of great corporations within the county.
Total county tax levied in 1830, 8198.802
COUNTY STATISTICS.
No. Acres.
Value of Lands.
Value of Improvements.
Total.
Value of Lots. 116,426
Value of Improvements.
1839.
429,999
1841.
160,129
1849 ..
234,194
663,085
$ 304,217
967,302
121,172
1859.
288 383
2,489,565
684,001
3,173,566
181,870
236,859
1869.
200,677
4,751.731
1,142,705
5,894,436
649,229
780,178
1879.
289,893
7,027,750
1,306,856
8,334,606
1,157,452
1,267,214
Value of Per-
Year.
sonal Property.
Total Value of Taxables.
No. of Polls.
State Tax.
County Tax.
School Tax.
Road Tax.
1839
175,308
1,077
1,152
$ 3,903
3,206
1,127
1849 ..
288,960
1,377,434
1,844
5,517
4,807
1,127
1,705
1859.
1,729,318
5,881,613
3,262
11,599
11,599
7,422
6,396
1869.
3,658,479
11,285,772
4,662
19,702
78,891
20,363
11,372
1879
3,058,435
13,817,707
5,426
19,260
45,507
24,776
11,287
.....
$ 3,730
1841.
92,909
751,602
73,000
413 80
Public buildings
State benevolent institutions
10,860 75
Bridges.
Year.
Jonas, H, Myers
581
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Total Tax, in -
Year
Township Tax.
Sinking
Special Corporation
Total Am't
cluding De
Fund Tax. School Tax.
Taxea.
of Taxea.
linquenta.
1839
$ 3,785
...
1841.
8,238
1849
797
13,758
$ 17,966
1859
1,457
$ 1,144
$10,838
$ 2,333
52,789
55,765
1869
5,416
11,270
23 803
12,058
247,065
1879
3,345
19,909
23,283
143,384
151,906
In 1839 the tax on unoccupied lands and lots was $54.70.
In 1849 the State tax of $5,517, was the sum of 30 cents on the $100.
In 1869 the tax on male dogs was $1,948, and on female, $161; surveyors' fees, $50.35; county sinking fund tax, $22,540; interest tax, $11,270; township tuition tax, $12,539. The large " dupli- cate" of this year was deemed necessary at the time, because the erection of the new court-house and a general improvement of county property were undertaken this and the next year. The Michigan Southern, then the only railroad in the county, yielded half the tax levied.
In 1879 the tax on male dogs was $2,190, and on female dogs, $83. The total of corporation dog tax was $2,368. The additional special school tax was $282.50; State-house tax, $2,757.82; tuition tax $13,458; railroad and telegraph tax, $10,621.
The foregoing is certainly a progressive record. The primitive tax duplicate book of 1830 has given place to large, elaborate books, and the official work in this connection, which the years 1830 down to 1840 entailed on the clerk of the circuit court, is now performed by a county auditor and a county treasurer. The old court-house has passed away and therefore cannot be placed near the new; but the old records remain to be seen, and they bear precisely the same comparison with the county books now in use as did that old court-house with the beautiful county buildings now rising from its ruins. The duplicate of 1830 presented a few items, summing up a total of $198.802; the duplicate of 1880 gives two large folios, showing the township statistics arranged under twenty- six headings, and the total of taxation, $162,527.75. The trans- formation scene is complete.
For the purpose of comparing the census returns, we will take some one article of a class. Of animals, we will accept horses; of grain, wheat. The first census taken after the organization of the county placed the number of horses at 1,206; the second, in 1850, at 3,154; the third, in 1860, at 5,476; and the fourth, in 1870, at 7,004. The first ten years, from 1840 to 1850, the increase in the number of horses was 1,948; from 1840 to 1860 it equaled
582
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
2,322; and for the ten years ending in 1870, 1,528, or a total in- crease of 7,004 within a period of forty years. A statement fur- nished by the auditor of Elkhart county to the Department of Statistics in 1879 places the horse population at 9,529, but as the returns were not considered very precise, these figures may only be considered as an approximate to the true number.
The returns for 1840 give 44,504 bushels of wheat; for 1850, 174,716 bushels; for 1860, 370,776 bushels; for 1870, 542,000 bushels, and the county returns for 1879 place the yield at 732,240 bushels. These statistics are evidences of uncommon progress. Within ten years the old settlers must have 2,225 acres of their rich prairie under wheat alone, i. e., if we may accept twenty bushels per acre as an average product. Presuming that the productiveness of' the soil still continued, and conceding that each acre yielded twenty bushels, there must be no less than 8,736 acres under wheat in 1850. In 1860 the acreage computed on the same basis would mount up to 18,539; in 1870 to 27,100, and in 1879 to 36,612 acres, all under wheat, producing an average of twenty bushels per acre. Presum- ing that the average rates below twenty, which there is no reason to suppose, unless the season was adverse to the growth of cereals, the acreage must exceed these figures, and so far prove more favorable testimony to the farmer's industry. The fact of the cultivators being able to place so many acres under wheat, and still more under other cereals, corn and grasses, is a standard index to the wealth of the agriculturists of the county, and may be also taken as a proof of prevailing prosperity.
POPULATION OF THE COUNTY BY TOWNSHIPS.
1830
1840
1850
1860
1870
1880
Baugo.
587
702
749
740
Benton.
100
1,385
1,188
1,593
Cleveland.
419
533
549
545
Clinton.
804
1.575
2,099
2,199
Concord.
150
1,390
1,324
1,460
1,463
Elkhart.
175
1,815
1,433
1,477
1,556
Harrison.
840
1,528
1,655
1,854
Jackson
991
1,360
1,289
1,590
Jefferson ..
707
1,072
982
1,231
Locke.
171
488
882
1,361
Middlebury
1,135
1,529
1,709
1,907
Olive.
337
991
1,149
1,346
Osol
35
763
922
730
Union.
110
1,193
1,221
1,784
Washington
808
1,124
1,391
1.404
York.
453
599
906
1,000
Goshen City
600
1,200
2,042
3,133
3,968
Elkhart City
300
800
2,000
3,265
6,939
Total.
325
6.600
12,690
20,966
26,026
33,209
Indians.
600
583
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Within a period of 50 years, the population has increased 32,884. The greatest addition was made between 1850 and 1860, equaling 8,270, and the least addition between 1860 and 1870.
MARRIAGE STATISTICS.
Another means of judging the progress of the county is to look over the record of nuptial engagements, and make note of the advances in this department. In the case of Elkhart county the task is a congenial one, because it presents to us facts and figures which prove the extent of happy unions effected, and the subse- quent benefits falling like manna over the country. To give a full list of marriages is beyond the limits of a historical work; but it is just to notice the brave men and ladies who inaugurated such alliances each year, thereby setting a salutary example for others to follow.
Regarding the first marriage and birth which took place within this county, Mrs. Samuel Rensberger stated that her sister, Mary E. Hess, married Jacob Weybright early in 1830, and that the first white male child born here was Jacob Hess, who appeared upon the world's stage June 30, 1830. A Mrs. Wogoman, nee Mrs. Susan Nickerson, stated that Mrs. Mary Rush, who lived at the southwest corner of Pleasant Plain, gave birth to a son and daughter May 16, 1828, and that to Mrs. Betsy Skinner was born a son Nov. 9, 1828. This latter and valuable settler lived near Mrs. Wogoman, on the eastern portion of Elkhart Plain. Now, since marriages and births are so closely allied, this introductory reference is in place, and may be considered the preface to the following:
Number of matrimonial transactions in Elkhart county from 1830 to 1860, with names of those who annually inaugurated that business.
Date. First nuptials of each year.
Total No. for year. 1
Nov. 11, 1830, Elizabeth Leeper and Samuel Fish.
March 30, 1831, Mary Jones and Job Odle, 14
March 30, 1831, Christiana Robertson and Sam. Reynolds §
Feb'y 20, 1832, Melinda Milage and Daniel Williams
17
Jan'y 2, 1834, Maria Ellis and Timothy Woodbridge.
Jan'y 3, 1835, Julia Ann Danner and A. H. Tumbleson.
38
Jan'y 19, 1836, Hester Kelly and William Lightfoot. 54
Jan'y 6, 1837, M. J. Defrees and Jeremiah Simmons. 50
Jan'y 4, 1838, Diann Mills and John Connolly 47
Jan'y 6, 1839, Eliza Ann Cropper and Jackson Gray.
50*
"Barbara Price and David Butts were united in the bonds of matrimony by Justice Joseph Cowan on Nov. 7, 1839. The first old record contains many quaint remarks of the clerk of the first Circuit Court, and also of his deputy, W. C. Graves. On the occasion of the marriage of Lou. Wilson and Obadiah Cooley, Graves presented the bride with a poetical couplet, and also subscribed beneath, the lines :
" Till Hymen brought his love-delighted hour There dwelt no joy in Eden's rosy bower."
27
Jan'y 15, 1833, Juliana Lowderman and Enoch Bouner 36
584
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Jan'y 1, 1840, Lucy W. Clarke and Charles S. Dunbar. 64
Jan'y 3, 1841, Clementine Brodrick and John Davenport. 66
Jan'y 13, 1842, Phehe Larimer and John Eldridge. .. 71
Jan'y 8, 1843, Catharine Beckner and Wm. Miller. 56
Jan'y 9, 1844, Margaret Moore and S. S. Huyler .. 83
Jan'y
1, 1845, Irena Spencer and J. R. Tallerday. 77
Jan'y 11, 1846, Rebecca J. Corpe and Ben. Phillips 98
Jan'y 1, 1847, N. J. Wilson and James Frizzle. 104
Jan'y 2, 1848, Lucinda Ebbert and S. Young. 98
Jan'y
7, 1849, Susan Miller and J. Stutsman. 105
Jan'y
3, 1850, Agnes Vail and W. B. Weddell } Cynthia Smith and John Martin S
100
Jan'y
9, 1851, Rebecca Cormauy and Lewis Winters. 138
Jan'y
6. =
Jan'y
4, 1853, Sylvia McCaun and Jonathan Wagner
108
Jan'y
2, 1854, E. J. Wolfkell and James H. Mills.
160-161
Jan'y
1, 1855, Helen E. Barrow and T. O. Burnhous.
285
Jan'y
1, 1857, Lydia Stutsman and Win. Berkey
66 Catherine James and Barney Marker
198
=
Rebecca Barringer and D. Rodehaugh
Jan'y 1, 1858, Laura A. Tillapaugh and R. W. Cook. 170
Jan'y
1, 1859, Marion Marchland and F. Walter.
153
Jan'y
1860, M. A. Griffith and Evan Hoop
200
Jan'y
3, 1861, L. E. Robinson and James Bienz. 178
Feb.
27, 1862, Barbara Mast and J. L. G. Glick. 102
Jan'y
1, 1863, Alice Ruple and Abram Nushaum. .168
Jan'y 3, 1864, H. F. Weybright and Wm. H. Gay 206
Jan'y 1, 1865, Anna Brown and Daniel Shembarger
240
Jan'y 1, 1866, Eliza Lint and David Overhalser.
274
Jan'y
1, 1867, Harriet Karn and H. W. Watters. 240
Jan'y
1, 1868, Lavinia M. Julian and J. W. Moody 274
Jan'y
3, 1869, Caroline R. Randall aud Eldorado Verselius.
250
Jan'y 2, 1870, Christiana Freed and Jos. Landis.
214
Jan'y 2, 1871, Harriet Bowen and Smiley Smith
240
Jan'y 2, 1872, Frances Herchebode and Solomon Furtney
.232
Jan'y
1, 1874, Ellen Wert and Frank E. Zinn
66
66 M. A. Lonzo and Jacob Sager 249
66
Anna Winnegar and D. Christophel )
Jan'y
3, 1875, Jennie Hess and R. Davenport. 268
Jan'y
1, 1876, Nettie E. Watson and William Ecker 264
Jan'y
2, 1877, Mary Butler and David Brundage. 250
Jan'y
1, 1878, Kate Newell aud James Harvey
Alice C. Deardoff and T. F. Poorbaugh 264
..
Hattie Butterfield and Geo. Leer
Jan'y
2, 1879, Sarah Hoover and B. L. Weaver.
230
Jan'y
1, 1880, Emma Butler and H. G. Winters.
NUMBER OF DEATHS INDICATED BY THE APPOINTMENT
OF ADMINISTRATORS.
1870, 38; 1871, 46; 1872, 56; 1873, 50; 1874, 46; 1875, 47; 1876, 45; 1877, 48; 1878, 49; 1879, 55 .- Total, 480. This total forms but a small proportion of the deaths for the decennial period.
Jan'y 1, 1873, Mattie Martin and J. H. Virgil.
224
L. J. Brown and John Burridge
46
1, 1852, Caroline A. Hubbell and S. G. Clark) 121
W. A. Foster and Aaron Pratt
Jan'y 1, 1856, Sarah E. Judsou and C. W. Wilcox.
156
Mariette Skinner and L. P. Williams
585
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
Many died without leaving anything to administer, and therefore are not numbered in the table. This, however, is the most pleasing manner in which to regard the relinquishing of the goods of this world by a man of the world. He parted with old and young friends, and died in the consciousness that he left them sufficient means to pursue a quiet and peaceful life in a happy home.
CHAPTER XIII. TOPOGRAPHICAL AND INDUSTRIAL.
Come, come to the lovely luxuriant far West, Come recline with me under my bower, Where wild pigeon coo, and the dove builds her nest In this land of the shade and the flower.
MRS. REED, St. Joseph Co.
A few words on the topography of the county and its industrial establishments will suffice to show the advantages which surrounded the early settlers, and the rapidity with which they built up the many hives of industry that now afford labor to thousands of hardy sons of toil.
ELKHART COUNTY
is sitnate in the heart of the territory, once known as the St. Joseph country. From the Michigan State line to its southern limits is a fraction over 23 miles, and its breadth, from Noble county on the east to St. Joseph county on the west, 21 miles. Its total area is 483 square miles, or about 309,000 acres,-almost all capable of a high state of cultivation. In the records dealing with the trans- actions of the Board of Justices and Board of Commissioners, the dates affecting the organization of the county are given; but for the purposes of this topographical sketch, the names assigned to the townships by those ancient county governors are here given: Elkhart, Concord, Jackson, Benton, Middlebury, Harrison, Jeffer- son, Union, Clinton, York, Washington, Osolo, Locke, Olive, Baugo and Cleveland.
The principal agricultural products of the county are wheat, corn, flax, potatoes, oats, clover seed, with all the garden and orchard products known in this latitude. The Inxuriant grasses insure large returns under the head of dairy products, sheep- farming is extensive, while cattle and hogs sum up a large item in the wealth of the people. The county is not totally deficient in minerals, as iron ore has been discovered in many districts, and it is considered that a portion of the great coal field of Indiana stretches so far as its western boundaries.
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587
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
THE RIVERS AND STREAMS
comprise the St. Joseph and Elkhart rivers; Christiana, Yellow, Pine, and Turkey creeks: Little Elkhart, Rock Run, and Bango streams.
The St. Joseph river enters the county in York township, and · flows in a southwesterly course through Washington, Concord and Bango. The advantages it confers npon this portion of the State, and particularly on this county, can not be questioned. The St. Joseph and its tributaries have had a share in building up the city of Elkhart, and perhaps many years will not elapse until the prosperous village of Bristol will advance itself to the importance of a large and populous town.
The Elkhart river enters the county in Benton township, and taking a northwesterly course pursues its tortuous way through the townships of Jackson, Elkhart, Jefferson and Concord, making a confluence with the St. Joseph at the city of Elkhart. Along its route it furnishes a complete water-power, more particularly at Goshen, where, drawn by man from its original channel, it sets the machinery of many mills in motion and thus contributes vastly to the prosperity of the city and county.
The Christiana creek enters the county in Osolo township, and flowing south through Concord unites its swift waters with those of the St. Joseph. By this stream the first mill wheels ever set in motion here were turned, but the original structure has long ago disappeared to give place to another and more extensive enter- prise, known as Beardsley, Davenport & Cook's Paper Mills.
This little stream has acted its part well, and still continues to flow on with undiminished vigor, reminding the passing traveler of other days, when Missionary Carey had the hardihood to com- pare its swift current to his wife's loquacity, and call it Christiana in her honor.
Yellow creek is purely Elkhartian. It begins in Harrison town- ship and ends in Concord, where it empties into the Elkhart river. It, too, fulfills a part in the economy of nature.
Turkey creek enters the county in Jackson township, and forms a confluence with the Elkhart river near the village of Waterford, within a few miles of Goshen.
The Little Elkhart stream flows from the northeast and unites with the St. Joseph river at Bristol. At Middlebury the waters of
588
HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
the Little Elkhart are devoted to the use of local industries, and in its course are many good mill sites.
Stoney, Soloman's and Puterbaugh creeks are all. diminutive streams, but capable of conferring many benefits upon the districts through which they flow, and might with little trouble be made to afford a water-power.
Pine creek confers many advantages on Jefferson township. A few mills are worked by its power, and it is of inestimable value to the farming interests.
Rock Run is another Elkhartian stream; it has its source in the eastern township of Clinton, flows through Goshen, and forms a junction with the Elkhart river a few miles northwest of the city, near the Chalybeate springs. The ruins of John Carpenter's corn- mill, near the confluence, are still visible.
There are numerous springs and streams throughout the county, each one filling its place unostentatiously and well. Every conven- ience that a people can derive from rivers and streams is within their reach, so that in this respect the connty is all that can be desired.
The height of land occurs in the southern portion of the county, where the parting of the waters may be witnessed,-one set of streams flowing toward the sunny South, and the other toward the icy North. Jefferson, Elkhart, Washington and Middlebury town- ships contain some hilly tracts; but they are all capable of cultiva- tion and are highly productive. The northern townships comprise very rich lands, both timber and prairie; the southern districts were covered with heavy forests of oak, maple, beech, walnut and other species of trees when first seen by the old settlers; but the labors of 50 years have stripped the grand old woods of their primeval majesty, and now only enough remain to ornament the country and give promise of fuel and lumber for the uses of home industries. Elk- hart and Goshen are the two centers of wealth and civilization. All the conveniences of the West and luxuries of the East may be found in these little cities, so that where, a little over a half century ago, the wild Miami or Pottawatomie held his war-dance or dog feast, are to-day seen thrifty and beautiful towns and vil- lages, inhabited by a people in a high state of civilization.
A SKETCH OF OLD AND NEW INDUSTRIES.
That the manufacturing resources of Elkhart county are unsur- passed. is conceded. Forests of valuable timber, rivers of large
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HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.
volume, soil of unexcelled fertility, and a people of remarkable business enterprise were all crowded into one small county. The enterprising saw at a glance the wealth which surrounded them,- the natural resources of the land,-and grasping the situation entered without delay on that career of prosperity which placed Elkhart county among the first and wealthiest divisions in this State.
RAILROADS.
The measures taken by the early settlers to open up this country to immigrants and commerce deserve a notice in these pages. Though they did not succeed in carrying the work through to completion, they were the first to inaugurate it, and so claim the honors which usually pertain to first reformers.
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