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 64

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, C. C. Chapman & co.
Number of Pages: 1192


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 64


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Names.


Amounts.


Names. Amounts.


A. C. Post, brick store. $6,000


S. E. Barney, 2 frame houses. . . .$2,400


H. H. Chapman,


6,000


Charles Yost,


6,000


Fred. Bergman, 1,000


L. Swartz, 66 800


John Castetter, ..


5,000


Geo. Wise, 66


800


W. R. Wilson,


4,000


J. Arisman,


4,000


Charles Hughes, 66 5,000


Peter Winters,


700


Fred Peterson, 66


600


Jesse Bossler,


800


Geo. Steeples, 2 ..


. . 1,800


Cyrus Seiler, 1


1,000


Martin Winger, 2


1,800


Thos. Bigelow, 1 "


1,200


John Zeitler, frame bakery.


.... 1,000


Noah Bird, 1,000


E. Swartz, frame barn. 200


B. F. Swineheart, improvements. 150


S. E. Barney,


66


. .


1,000


J. D. Compton, 1


1,200


.6


300


E. B. Cook, 1


1,000


..


150


Mrs. J. H. Snyder, 1


..


2,000


16


2,500


Silas Fisher, 1


200


Nelson Joy,


66


300


J. B. Fisher, 1


6.


300


S. P. Neman,


300


S. D. Hoover, 1


200


Dr. Bowen,


500


James Shaw,


300


. .


250


Charles Saur,


..


600


50


M. Cauffman,


.. . 900


. .


Danforth &Chamberlain, improve- ments ..


150


Jacob Werntz,


450


H. M. Evans, improvements .. Geo. Dean,


150


W. C. Hendricks,


1,700


50


A. Bugbee, 4 6


....


300


A. Leitch, ...


200


Lewis Neman,


1,500


200


M. DeCamp. 1,500


S. Scoles,


200


Ball & Sage Co., frame building .. 200


D. C. Quimby, 66


300


J. H. Butterfield, 800


S. R. Temple, . .


50


P. S. Dodge, frame house. 1,000


C'alvin Sheldon, 66


100


J. W. Ellis. 1,200


Dudley Davidson, 66


50


L. Kelly, 1,000


Henderson, =


...


- Swab,


64


....


.. .


S. B. Castetter, 600


W. N. Sparrow. 250


S. J. Winder,


600


Geo. E. Shuey,


. . . 600


Total.


$149,000


....


F. L. Collins,


600


Phillip Rittle, ..


700


Henry Wright.


50


J. S. McKinzie,


900


Allen & Campbell,


300


John Brodrick,


600


J. S. Kauffman, ..


1,100


Saml. Daub,


..


1,500


Geo. Shriner, ..


1,500


J. W. James, 800


- Churchill, 1,000


Wm. Henry,


150


D. S. Belknap,


50


Weaver, 66 4,000


John McNaughton, 6 frame houses 3,600 H. E. Bucklen, 2 1,700 ..


Ed. Seeley. 1


1,800


Wm. Barger, 1


800


S. DeCamp,


D. S. Kahler,


M. J. Bolan,


600


Joseph Fisher, 1


650


W. F. Wickwire,


1,000


J. Primly,


350


W. H. Trump, 2


... 130


Kreider,


50


John Miller,


- King,


. .


S. Castetter, 1 700


J. W. Kellogg, 7,000


J. P. Spencer, 2 1,200


Henry Eckhart, 1 800


Hill & Miller, brick addition. 2,000


Dr. A. S. Davenport, brick house.12,000


Jos. Hull, 1,000


Congregational Soc., frame ch'ch 5,000 Furniture Co., " factory 8,000


B. F. & A. Stephens,


100


W. B. Vanderlip, 66


66


R. K. Brush,


100


100


751


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


BUILDINGS IN 1873.


Names.


Amounts.


Names.


Amounts.


J. L. Brady, frame house.


$1,200


A. K. Funk, frame house. $1,800


N. Arch,


1,000


E. P. Willard, 1,500


L. Kelley,


1,000


J. A. Work, 1,800


Mrs. Greene,


1,700


R. Every, 900


Mrs. Oakes, 66


1,100


16


550


J. Mandler, 2


2,000


S. D. Straw,


1,000


Wm. Wyrick,


66


800


Mrs. J. H. Snyder, “


1,200


A. Heald,


1,500


Rev. L. R. Royce,


1,600


Wm. Barger,


66


1,800


J. K. Gore,


2,500


Mrs. Runyan,


66


700


Sam. Scoles,


600


H. E. Bucklen, 3


2,400


T. Churchill,


1,000


T. Bigelow,


2,200


A. Brennaman,


500


Catholic Congregation


1,000


John Nye,


500


Andrew Powers,


750


J. Spotts,


1,800


C. A. Stronquest,


1,000


J. C. Stuck,


2,000


John Hulzime,


600


John Fanning, 2


1,800


Sam Winder,


.


..


500


John McNaughton, G


3,900


J. Troxel, 11


1,000


J. M. Hackathorn.


4,000


J. C. Boothroyd,


1,200


J. M. Hughes,


2,000


J. Nusbaum,


300


Mrs. J. H. Henry,


1,200


Henry ('lark,


800


J. O. Gregg, 3


2,500


800


Edward Seeley,


2,200


600


- Fulcome, frame house.


800


P. Zeiders,


800


- Robertson,


800


Phillip Rittle,


1,200


- Stronquest,


500


650


R. D. Braden,


M. Fisher,


650


Mrs. Aumiller,


יד


550


Aug. Simonson,


1,000


Julius Hunt,


Frank Reihart,


400


Jacob Altinger,


Wm. Powell,


600


McDonald Frager,.


66


1,000


Catherine Wilson,


500


N. H. Punches,


=


900


Mr. Kinsley,


1,000


E. Swartz,


=


400


V. Marks,


1,200


J. Bergman, Hill,


500


Frank Drager,


300


D. Hill, 4


5,000


Jerre Jom'dan,


1,000


Aaron Work,


700


Jos. Worley,


300


M. Moonshire,


I. A. Fletcher,


900


Mrs. Mech,


800


Mr. Fulman,


1,500


Ulrich Hege,


800


A. Mitchell,


1,000


Dan Weaver,


1,000


2,200


Mr. Webber,


2,000


J. P. Oakes,


46


900


Sam. Axtel,


700


I. G. Gatz,


1,000


D. S. Stevenson,


1,400


John Slear,


500


A. B. Miller,


Mr. Jenkins,


800


H. M. Lorman,


=


1,000


Mr. Pierce,


800


Mrs. R. D. Braden,


1,000


Andrew Row,


1,200


Chas. Eslon,


600


Mr. Kreip,


=


500


R. R. Company,


1,000


J. W. Middleton,


11


.


400


Wm. Friemund,


800


Mr. Alonzo,


200


Mr. Moody,


11


1,500


W. Cook,


. .


1,000


I. Judson,


1,800


Jacob Luce,


=


800


Chris. Theis,


600


L. Weikle,


500


Mrs. Clark,


2,000


I. Miller,


1,200


U'pson.


1,000


Total


$154,625


A. Coffin


1,000


. .


300


Joseph Abbott,


46


600


A. Valine,


500


Wm. Kunerjager, F. B. Pratt, 11


8,800


W. N. Sparrow,


....


3,900


A. E. Newstom,


E. Shrock,


. .


L. Myers,


=


. . 800


800


425


600


James Hobson,


800


=


550


R. K. Brush, Jr.,


11


1,400


James Row,


500


Mr. Lecking,


800


I. Geyser,


400


R. H. August,


. .


700


1,000


4


. . .


S. P. Wilcox,


=


700


T. Trow,


S. P. Niemand,


1,200


'Sam. Hoover, frame house.


752


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


BRICK HOUSES BEGUN AND COMPLETED.


H. L. Martin .. $1,800


Albert Kennell.


450


A. J. Leitch.


1,200


I. Stalker . 1,500


Geo. H. Clark.


1,200


Sam Scoles, 2.


2,000


J. H. Smith.


4,000


J. Mandler ..


2,000


A. Dennett .


1,500


$25,950


MANUFACTORIES AND SHOPS.


Paper Co., mill. . $70,000


Elkhart Paper Co., additions. 8,500


Excelsior Starch Works. 20,000


Forward & Little, foundry 3,000


J. H. Butterfield, shop 1,000


H. Goodspeed, shop 400


$111,600


PUBLIC BUILDINGS.


Evangelical Church Congregation$4,000 Corporation School House ..... ฿10,000


Episcopal .... 1,800


$15,800


BUSINESS HOUSES COMPLETED AND UNDER WAY.


O. T. Chamberlain, brick $5,000


Herrick E Martin, 2 brick .. $8,000


John Krau. . 5,000


Silas Baldwin, frame


1,800


N. Brodrick,


1,000


Total


$23,300


A. Work, 2


700


FRAME HOUSES CONSTRUCTING.


Gregg & O'Neil.


.$1,500


Isaac Gail. : 600


C. P. Willard.


1,500


J. Mandler. 1,000


John Sullivan 400


R. D. Berlharz. 1,000


$6,000


IMPROVEMENTS.


S. D. Straw


500


Dr. O. B. Harrington


600


James Newman.


250


Mrs. D. A. Stover. 640


H. (. Dodge.


900


J. O. Gregg. 500


C. W. Hollis.


800


M. Brodrick. 200


C. Sheldon.


150


Mrs. J. H. Henry 2,000


(". B. Brodrick 200


A. R. Burns.


1,000


E. B. Cook. 300


I. W. Iler.


1,000


S. B. Throop


200


James Cornish


1,509


Doty Bros.


200


Thomas Langin.


1,300


I. Garey


500


M. Truby.


800


G. W. Best


1,000


Dr. Eckleman.


500


W. F. Wackwire.


600


I F. Funk Bros.


150


Sam . Hoke.


1 500


F. B. Pratt.


2,000


A . Work


100


R. Every 25


John Castetler. 300


400


Mrs. John Cole.


250


O. T. Chamberlain. 500


H. Mclachlan. 1,200


450


J. Heddon.


700


J. D. Devor.


150


R. Rupert.


1,200


A. W. Dunbar.


800


Mrs. Armstrong.


450


S. S. Strong. 600


Mrs. Cornish.


250


J. M. Vanfleet.


250


J. H. Shuey.


100


$31,940


J. Fieldhouse.


300


I. Cook .. 750


W. Bargar


300


Maxon, Parmater & Co.


800


Frank Jaurctte.


D. Thompson. 75


J. A. Biglow


M. W. Pierson.


500


I. S. Kingsland 1,000


J. R. Mather. 500


Wm. Shafer. 500


W. B. Vanderlip. 7,500


I. A. Carpenter. $3,800


Muzzy & Sage Brothers. 8,500


John James, shop. 200


Samuel Whitmyer, 1 6,500


Mrs. Stillman. 400


T. J. Ments


755


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


VALUE OF BUILDINGS CONSTRUCTED.


1871.


1872.


1873.


Business Houses


$ 52.500


$ 43.000


28,300


Factories. .


50,000


8,000


111,600


Public Buildings


6,000


15.800


Dwellings. .


44,670


84,530


162,065


Improvements.


6,000


8,000


31,940


$153,170


$149,530


$349,705


ELKHART CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT.


The fire department of the city is extensive and efficient. In addition to the hose companies, Nos. 1 and 2, and the hook and ladder company, it comprises the Engine Co. The engine cost about $10,000.


Hose Co. No. 1 was organized in 1862-'3, and claims the honor of being the oldest branch of the fire department.


The Tucker Hook and Ladder Co. was formed in 1867, and has since its organization performed very creditable duty at home, and won prizes for their efficiency and discipline abroad.


The Wide-Awake Hose Co. may be said to have completed its organization in 1869, and marked its course since with signal dis- tinction.


THE POSTOFFICE


is on West Jackson street, above the press-room of the Review, and beneath the editorial and composing-rooms of that journal. The affairs of the office are well administered by F. Miller. The number of letters mailed during the first week of November, 1879, was 4,068, and of journals and circulars, 9,084, giving an aggregate of 13,152 packets. These statistics show some increase over those which the old office of Pulaski could bring forward in its palmiest days, and it is very questionable whether the yearly mails of that office, the half-yearly returns of B.D. Sherwood, the quarterly reports of R. K. Mann, or the monthly returns of R. K. Brush could fur- nish such figures. The number of boxes in the office is 1,000.


THE WATER.


The advantages of a supply of good water have been fully known to the citizens, and consequently much attention has been bestowed by them upon the subject. An instance of this was afforded dur- ing the writer's first visit to Elkhart. Mr. W. H. Replogle caused


45


756


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


an examination of the water in the Dunbar addition to be made, and this resulted in the following report from the analyst, Dr. W. A. Neal. "The well contains lime, 12 grs. per gallon; chlorides, 6 grains per gallon; magnesia, 1.25 grains per gallon; alumina, 0.88 grains per gallon; silica, 0.32 grains per gallon; iron, none; or- ganic matter, animal and vegetable; ammonia, a trace; phosphates, a trace; nitrates, unnsnal amount; nitrites, some; loss and unde- termined, 3.55 grains; total solids, 24 grains per gallon.


"The microscope reveals large numbers of monads and bacteria. The organic matter present is of a sticky, viscid character, with the peculiar odor when burnt indicating its animal origin, and that it is not wholly decomposed into ammonia, nitrates and phosphates. The water in this well is of bad quality and ought not to be nsed for drinking. The fact of its containing such a small amount of free ammonia would indicate that the probable source of pollution is at some distance. If this is so, all the water in that portion of the town will be more or less impure. Mr. Replogle tells me that he has now two cases of typhoid fever in his house.


"In contrast with this I have analyzed water from a well in the sonth part of the eity that contains no ammonia, and not the least trace of nitrates, nitrites or phosphates, which shows the water here is naturally good, and with care the most of it would remain pure."


Now, however, the citizens have comparatively good water, and plenty of it. The hydraulics meet almost all the present require- ments of the eity in this connection.


The chalybeate springs are numerous, and artesian water is found at a depth of from 50 to 150 feet. In September, 1880, a boring was made on the south side of East Pigeon street, and a strong current struck at a depth of 120 feet.


THE POWER OF THE WATERS.


The hydraulic works of Elkhart are formed on a most extensive scale. Seldom have the waters of rivers been diverted from their natural channels with more beneficial results than those attendant on the canals of the city. Everywhere throughout the eastern sec- tion, north and south of East Jackson street, the waters of these canals set in motion 10,000 wheels and reduce the raw products of the field or mine into marketable shape. They form the primary source from which employment to thousands of skilled mechanics and honest laborers springs, and the basis on which the prosperity


757


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


of the city may be said to rest. The great part played by this hydraulic system on the stage of the city's progress can not be over-estimated. For many years past the utilization of the rivers has been a subject of much attention, and though the result of all inquiry has been exceedingly magnificent, it may be presumed that the hydraulic power is only in its infancy. Mr. Chase, who has for many years taken a deep interest in public affairs, and always entertained the highest hopes for the city of his adoption, says, that here at Elkhart we have three streams: the St. Joseph, the Elkhart and Christiana. Already some of our public-spirited citizens, gentlemen who were willing to take hostage of the future, have expended thousands of dollars in utilizing the water-power of these rivers by constructing a system of hydraulics that is, per- haps, the'most noted of " sight-seeing " objects about town. As a result of their endeavor we have this gross result: From the St. Joseph (within the city limits) from 4,000 to 5,000 horse-power is secured; from the Elkhart abont 2,000 (possibly 2,500) horse-power is obtained, and from the Christiana about 600 horse-power. Part (a mere fraction, however) of this power is already utilized, and there are opportunities for almost numberless other mills and fac- tories.


To the full realization of our hopes for Elkhart as a manufactur- ing city, however, we must in fact look to the future. Surveying the field, and knowing the immense additional power that can be secured by comparatively slight outlay, the writer pauses for a moment in astonishment at the outlook.


On the north side of the St. Joseph river, above the city, there is an opportunity to increase the water-power from that stream by building a 10-foot dam, 300 feet in length, and extending a race three and a half miles, bringing it within the city limits and to the head gates of the St. Joseph hydraulics, thereby utilizing the entire volume of the St. Joseph river under a 133-foot head, and at a cost not to exceed $50,000. This would secure not less than 4,000 additional horse power-a power cheaper and better than that now controlled by the St. Joseph Hydraulic Company.


Still further power from the Elkhart river can be secured by con- structiug a 10-foot dam near the south line of Silas DeCamp's farm, three and three-fourths miles away, and by bringing a race down the south side of the river to a point at or near the Middle- bury bridge (within the city limits), thereby utilizing the entire volume of the stream with a 24-foot fall. 'This improvement would


758


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


cost about $50,000 and would give at least 3,000 additional horse power. Surveys have been made by Wm. Proctor, who assures us of the entire feasibility of the work.


These opportunities for further increasing the water-power of the city are by no means all. Two gentlemen, residents of Findlay, Ohio, whose interests here are represented by Mr. J. O. Gregg, secured one mile of river front in the southwest part of the city, and below the confluence of the St. Joseph, Elkhart and Christiana rivers, and surveys have demonstrated the practicability of develop- ing an immense water-power at that point. By building a dam 300 feet long and eight fect six inches high, a natural fall of eight and three-fourths feet can be obtained, with immense volume, i. e., the entire volume of these streams. By dredging below the dam, tak- ing out three riffles, about 100 rods long, the fall can be increased to 16 feet, and the power obtainable would be equal to the entire developed power that we now have, varionsly estimated at 7,000 to 8,000 horse power.


THE BANKS OF ELKHART.


That the monetary interests of the city have not been left unguarded is evidenced by the subscribed sketches of its banking establishments. No doubt whatever may exist in regard to the highly beneficial part they took in that serio-comic drama which resulted in raising Elkhart to the rank of a city; nor can it be questioned for a moment, that to their timely organization and subsequent good management the people owe a debt of gratitude. Let us examine the history of these useful institutions.


The First National Bank was organized among the earliest under the national banking law, being No. 206 on the list, and Feb. 20, 1864, it began business. The capital of the bank was placed at $100,000, all of which was paid in, and at its organization P. More- hous became president and Silas Baldwin cashier. Since then the management has undergone a radical change. About 12 years ago Mr. B. L. Davenport became president, a position which he retained until his deccase in 1880, and about 13 years ago Mr. John Cook was elected cashier, the active duties of that office mainly fall- ing upon the assistant cashier, Mr. Allen Cook, as his father, Mr. John Cook, finds his time largely occupied in the management of the business of the paper-mill.


The Board of Directors of the First National is composed of the president and cashier, and of Hon. J. R. Beardsley, Allen Cook,


759


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


Silas Baldwin and Frank Jauriett, but the active management of the affairs of the banking company rested with Mr. Davenport prior to his decease and now with Mr. John Cook.


While the capital of the bank remains the same as at the outset, it is really increased by the surplus, now $24,000; its circulation is over $90,000, its loans and discounts approximate $150,000; its deposits range from $70,000 to $100,000. The bank owns the property in which it transacts business, and though not originally designed for banking purposes it has been so remodeled that it affords every convenience that could be wished. The cost of the building was about $7,000, and it was erected by Silas Baldwin in 1860.


St. Joseph Valley Bank was established Feb. 25, 1872, with E. R. Kerstetter as president. The present directory comprises Col. A. M. Tucker as president, and W. H. Knickerbocker, cashier; the subscribed capital is $50,000, and its business extensive. During the eight years of its existence the bank has taken a very promi- nent place in the financial world, and has contributed its full quota to the progress made by the people of Elkhart during that impor- tant period in the history of the city.


The Elkhart Bank was organized in 1874 by Geo. W. Best, a Kentuckian lawyer.


In April, 1879, the present company was incorporated, showing a capital of $25,000 and a surplus fund of $5,000. Geo. W. Best was the first cashier; since his time, however, the official list has been changed, so that now Mr. E. R. Kerstetter is president, T. F. Garvin, cashier, and J. D. Wood, acting cashier. These gentlemen administer the affairs of their bank with marked ability and busi- ness address, so that the cordial welcome which greeted the inauguration and the continued patronage which has been accorded it are quite in keeping with its merits. The president, E. R. Kerstetter, is a young man, and a native of this county. This gentleman has been variously identified with the business interests of the county. Some years ago he was engaged in mercantile busi- ness at Goshen, and in 1866 was elected Sheriff of the county. In 1868 he was re-elected, thus serving the full limit allowed by the law, and four years ago he engaged in banking. He also is engaged in manufacturing operations, being connected with the Excelsior Starch Company and Goshen Woolen Mills, and in many other forms has identified himself with the prosperity of the county.


760


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


THE M. S. R. R. CO.'S SHOPS.


The division engine works and repair shops of the company were established in 1870. The principal department is 124x600 feet, and with the wings gives an area approximating to 100,000 feet. The T. rail and carpenter shops, two round-houses, freight houses and offices, passenger depot, etc., form a railroad town, and give employment to a force numbering between 700 and 800 men. The exhibit of receipts and shipments for June, July, August and September, 1880, will convey an idea of the immense commerce of the city, and also show clearly the part played by the railroad in building up the industries of the city.


The freight business of the summer of 1880, was as follows, in pounds:


Received.


Forwarded.


June.


$4,493,464


$1,180,636


July.


3,886,919


1,946,128


August


5,279,350


3.519,043


September.


3,407,793


2,563,386


MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MANUFACTORY.


The firm of Conn & Dupont may be said to have established the manufacture of brass-band instruments so early as 1875. Sub- sequently Monsieur Dupont retired, and the sole proprietorship devolved upon Mr. C. G. Conn, a young man, Mayor of the city, and owner of one of the greatest manufactories of brass musical instruments in the world. In 1877 the factory was moved from its old location, in rear of the Review office, to its present site east of the Elkhart river on Jackson street. This building is three floors in height, 90 feet long and 40 feet broad, and was erected at a cost of $10,000, including water-power. The stock and machinery are valued at $15,000. From a force of three men employed at the beginning, the factory now gives work to a corps of 84 skilled mechanics, who have made for it a universal reputation. The trade equals, if it does not exceed, that of all other horn manufactories in the country. The office and printing- rooms are under the control of N. G. Parker; and the laboratories under the supervision of Petrus Cocuille, The machinery is of the most approved description, and run by a 90-horse hydraulic power, and all under the direction of the enterprising proprietor. The different floors of the establishment cover an area of 12,000 fcet, and form a scene of busy life peculiarly interesting and


761


HISTORY OF ELKIIART COUNTY.


really satisfactory, so that the advancing prosperity of the manu- facturer is not to be wondered at, nor the celebrity attained by his band instruments made a subject for surprise.


THE GAS LIGHT AND COKE COMPANY.


The gas works of Elkhart were erected in 1871, by Philo More- hous, S. A. Fletcher, Sr., S. A. Fletcher, Jr. and E. J. Peck. The present stockholders are Messrs. Morehous, Norman Sage and F. Jauriette, with Superintendent E. J. Jenkins. The capital stock of the company is $50,000; but a sum of $3,000 over this amount has been invested.


The office of the company is in the western division of a range of neat buildings forming the frontage. In it are the station meter, governor, meter prover and the entire scientific apparatus. In the next building are the purifiers; the castern wing and the return building are given up to the storage of material and retort house. A full supply of the best Pittsburg coal explains the cause of the unusually exceptionally high lighting power of the gas manufact- ured, and leaves little doubt of the desire of the company to sup- ply honest light, or the ability of the superintendent to direct the carrying out of such desire. In September, 1871, the number of cubic feet manufactured was 158,000; for the corresponding month in 1880 it reached 365,000,-another proof of the advance made within a decade. The great gasometer, the grounds, the office, puri- fying room, retort, even the coal shed, all display care in arrange- ment and taste in supervision. The department given up to the storage and sale of coke, which is an important branch of the busi- ness, is also well kept; so that it is just to credit Superintendent Jenkins for industry and ability in management.


DAVENPORT & BEARDSLEY'S FLOURING MILL


is situated on the northern bank of the St. Joseph and worked by the waters of the Christiana creek. The building and machinery are substantial and approved. This mill has a very extensive trade, principally merchant work, gives employment to a number of men, and forms, as it were, the pioneer of numerous factories which will, in the near future, occupy the banks of the river.


THE HARVEST QUEEN FLOURING MILLS.


In 1869 Messrs. M. G. & N. Sage built and equipped what was then and has since remained, the largest flouring mill in Northern


762


HISTORY OF ELKHART COUNTY.


Indiana-christened the " Harvest Queen." The building itself is a frame structure, 50 x 85 feet, five floors, with flume or wheel house (containing six Leffel wheels) 10 x 16 feet. There is also a detached building known as the barrel house. The mill and equip- ments represent an investment of about $40,000. There are seven run of four-foot burrs, five being for merchant and two for custom work, and the capacity of the mill may be fairly stated at 350 bbls. of flour per day.


The cost of this building in 1869 was $10,000, and the machinery $30,000. The number of employes has not increased during the last five years, but a steady trade has been maintained and a fine quality of flour produced. In July, 1879, " magnet-searchers " were introduced for the purpose of extracting pieces of wire and other metallic substances that might possibly become intermixed with the grain. This portion of the machinery is interesting and forms one of the specialties of the concern.


THE ELKHART CITY MILLS.


When, 16 years ago, in 1864, Vincent Voisinet engaged in the flouring mill business here, he probably hoped for the time to come when he would control a larger mill than the one then run. If such was the case the hope has been realized, for in April, 1876, his new mill was started. The Elkhart City Mills are located on Jackson street, east side of the Elkhart river, in a very central location. The building is a frame structure, 26x56 feet, four floors, and from foundation to garret is as neat as a housewife's kitchen. The power is derived from the Elkhart hydraulic, using four Leffel turbine water-wheels, giving about 60-horse power. The mill, which represents an investment of about $15,000, has four run of four-foot burrs, and its ordinary work will be, running 24 hours, 125 to 150 bbls of flour per day. The entire mill is new. Its machinery is new, and careful pains have been taken in equipping it that nothing but the best, from the burrs to the bolting cloths. should be put in place. As a result, it is an interest that will reflect credit upon its proprietor, builder and the community.




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