USA > Indiana > Allen County > Fort Wayne > History of Fort Wayne, from the earliest known accounts of this point, to the present period. Embracing an extended view of the aboriginal tribes of the Northwest, including, more especially, the Miamies with a sketch of the life of General Anthony Wyane; including also a lengthy biography of pioneer settlers of Fort Wayne. Also an account of the manufacturing, mercantile, and railroad interests of Fort Wayne and vicinity > Part 41
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With such advantages-such a growth in manufacturing rela- tions and facilities-what should impede the continued and rapid progress of our city in every noble and generous point of view- every unselfish, intelligent, and patriotic relation of life!
The year following the arrival here of the first railway engine, in 1854, the "Fort Wayne Gas Company" was incorporated, March, 1855, and works erected, whose pipes now extend throughout the largest portion of the city.
The first printing office established in Fort Wayne, was that of the " Fort Wayne Sentinel," by Thomas Tigar and S. V. B. Noel, Esqs., in June, 1833,* and located in the old Masonic Hall building, which then stood on the site of Messrs. Hill & Orbison's ware- house, on Columbia street.
At the present period, there are two Daily papers and three Weeklies issued in the place, viz : the Daily and Weekly Democrat, Daily and Weekly Gazette, and a German paper, the Staats Zeitung.
In a denominational and educational point of view, Fort Wayne has long borne a most favorable reputation, as a church-going and educational-loving people. Nearly every Christian denomination has its representative here, with fifteen churches, including the synagogue of the Hebrew denomination. Some of these edifices
*It was in the Spring of this year (1833)that quite a large, elegant steamboat, called the " PHENOMENON," commanded by Capt. DENIELE, and piloted by Capt. ISAAC WOOD- COCK, of Antwerp, Ohio, came up the Maumee to Fort Wayne, and made a landing just opposite where now stands the woolen factory of French, Hanna & Co., on Water street. On behalf of the citizens of the place, David H. Colerick, Esq., gave the Cap- tain and all on board a most cordial welcome, and a gay party of citizens, of both sexes, were soon gathered on board the vessel, who, with music, dancing, and social converse, spent several hours, and till far into the night, in the most agreeable manner.
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are most handsome in their general architectural appearance, and quite commodious. In public as well as private schools, there are few places of equal size in America that can present a better show- ing in the number and regularity of pupils in attendance each week than Fort Wayne. The reader is already familiar with the locality and status of the first school and school-house in our city, as also the first schoolmaster. From these small beginnings, Fort Wayne has steadily advanced, until, at the present period, there are up- wards of 2000 pupils in regular attendance in the two spacious public school buildings, known as the "East-end" and "West-end," with a corps of some 36 teachers, and a superintendent, whose efli- ciency and care in the disciplining and culture of the youthful mind, are only equalled by their earnestness and good-nature. Jas. H. Smart, Esq., is the present worthy superintendent of our public schools, and under his supervision, for the past three years, the schools have arisen to a point of excellence unequalled anywhere in the West or East.
Among the different denominations there are also several excel- lent schools, which are largely attended. There is also a thriving commercial college here, enabling the poorest to obtain a complete commercial and business education at a very small out-lay-a rare advantage in any place.
In a collegiate relation, aside from the commercial institute, we have two most excellent institutions, the "Concordia University," and the " Fort Wayne College," both of which are admirably con- ducted and well attended.
Such is the City of Fort Wayne at the present period. Let its march still be onward. Let us advance continually, not only in things physical, but in all that pertains to the mental and spiritual welfare of every soul within and without her walls. Let us move steadily on, with the Right ever in view, adding, day by day, to the strength and durability of the great edifice of Truth and Progress, in which we all hope to find an agreeable seat in that glorious Future when the " good-time " shall have come.
NOTE TO THE READER-ERRATA .- Since the main body of the work was printed, in looking over the volume, I discovered a few typographical errors, which had been over- looked in reading proof and by the printer in the correction of the proof-sheets; all of which, however, will be readily comprehended by the intelligent reader. The most important of these are as follows : In the "Sketch of the Life of General Anthony Wayne," first pase, first line, for "not alone a valiant officer and soldier," read "not ONLY a valiant officer," &c. On page x. of same, 19th line from the top of the page, in- stead of " whither he soon returned," &c., read "WHENCE he soon returned," &c. In Chapter I, pago 5, 21st line from top of page, first word, for "colonel," read colonial. Page 6th of same Chapter, 10th line from top of page, for " purported to have been," &c., read "reported to have been," &c. Chapter XXIII, page 273, 7th line from bottom of page, for "Lieutenants Scorgin Bell," &c., read " Lieutenants Scorgin and Bell," &c. At the bottom of page 22, Chapter I, in note two, (+) beginning at first of third line from the bottom of the page, read " throwing ;" second line from bottom of same, first word, read " very ;" bottom line, same page, first word, read "fort." In Chapter II, page 25, 17th line, in a part of the edition, the word " heroines" is printed heroes. In " Prefatory Remarks," second page, 2d line, "Dr. J B. Brown," should be Dr. S. B. Brown.
Biographical Sketches OF
EARLY SETTLERS OF
FORT WAYNE ETC.
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BIOGRAPHY
OF THE LATH
HON. SAMUEL HANNA. -0-
It is the dictate of our nature, no less than of enlightened social policy, to honor the illustrious dead; to bedew with affectionate tears the silent urn of departed genius and virtue; to unburden the fulness of the surcharged heart in oulogium upon deceased benefactors; and to rehearse their noble deeds for the benefit of those who may come after us. It has been the commendable custom of all ages and all nations. Hence the following feeble tribute to one of nature's noblemen.
Samuel Hanna was born October 18th, 1797, in Scott county, Kentucky. His father, James Hanna, removed to Dayton, Ohio, in 1804, and settled on a new farm, lying contiguous to the southern boundary of that town. He was one of a numerous family, all of whom attained respectable, and most of them, distinguished positions in life. Samuel's early days were passed, like those of most boys in a new country, in assisting his father to clear up his farm, and in the enjoyment of such limited edu- cational advantages as were attainable in the West at that early day. His earliest employment, away from the protection of the parental roof, was that of post-rider, as it was called ; that is, taking newspapers from the publication office and delivering them to subscribers at their residences, located far and near over the country-an employment now obsolete, but extensively practiced fifty years ago, when post-offices were almost entirely limited to the county-seats. In this humble calling, the youth- ful Hanna passed considerable time, traversing, week after week, the then wilder- ness of western Ohio.
There is one incident connected with his first business enterprise well worthy of being recorded for the benefit of the young men who are ambitious to rise in the world.
It seems that in his nineteenth year, young Hanna occupied the position of clerk in & store in Piqua, Ohio. He and another young man, also a minor, bought out the proprietor, giving their notes for $8,000. Soon after, these notes were trans- ferred to an innocent purchaser. About the same time, the goods which they had purchased were taken from them by writ of attachment, leaving the young men without means, and incumbered by a heavy indebtedness. Hanna's partner soon relieved himself of the liability by the plea of infancy. Not so young Hanna. Although his friends advised him to the same course, representing that he had been swindled, he nobly declined, declaring that he would pay the last dollar of the debt, should providence ever favor him with the means. It is but justice to the memory of Mr. Hanna to say that he subsequently redeemed this promise, and paid the debt, in full, principal and interest.
Integrity and uprightness thus early evinced, amidst strong inducements to a con- trary course, characterized his long and useful career, and gave him immense influ- ence over his fellow men. If young men would emulate his example in this respect, the word failure would seldom be written over their business lives.
Subsequently he engaged for some time in teaching a country school ; and he is f.
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HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
represented, no doubt, truly, as having been a vigorous disciplinarian-an exact, systematic, and thorough instructor. Indeed, he seems, at that early day, to have indicated his future eminence and usefulness, by adopting and acting upon, that hon- est but homely maxim that exerted an influence so marked and so beneficial on all his subsequent career, and extended up to the hour of his death : " Whatever you find to do, do it with all your might," or, " Whatever is worth doing, is worth do- ing well.'
He attended the Indian treaty at St. Mary's, in 1818, in the character of a sutler, or purveyor, in connection with his brother Thomas, furnishing both food for men and provender for horses, all of which was hauled with an ox-team from Troy, Ohio ; he. with his own hands, hewing out feed-troughs for the stock. By this operation he realized a small amount of money. This was his first substantial acquisition- the corner-stone upon which his subsequent colossal fortune was reared. Here, too, his purpose was formed of emigrating to Fort Wayne, where he was destined to act so conspicuous and important a part in developing the resorces of the country and building up a city.
He arrived here in 1819, when he was in his twenty-second year. He found the place a mere Indian trading-post, with very few white inhabitants, and those merely remnants of the old military establishment. Outside of the " Post" and its imme- diate vicinity, there were no white settlers, and the country in every direction, for hundreds of miles, was an unbroken wilderness, swarming with the red men of the forest. He immediately entered upon mercantile pursuits in a small way, at what is now the Northwest corner of Columbia and Barr streets. The town was not then laid out. His first store-house was n rude log cabin, erected, principally, with his own hands. This primitive structure was soon superseded by a story-and-a- half frame building, and that, in after years, by a substantial brick block of business houses. These are still retained by the family and belong to the sharer of his joys and his sorrows, his toils and his trials, the trusted and honored companion of his youth, his manhood, and his old age, and who yet survives. May her remaining days be many among the living.
Of course, at that early day, his chief customers were Indians. Indian trade has always been profitable. even when conducted honestly and justly, as is universally conceded it always was by this young trader. It may here be remarked that Indian traders, as a class, have mostly been regarded as about the worst specimens of the race; being chiefly intent, by the basest arts, upon defrauding the ignorant and simple-minded children of the forest out of their annuities, or whatever little property they might, possess. But no such imputation attaches to the character of Mr. Hanna. By & course of fair and honorable dealing, first with his indian customers, and then 'with the whites, ns they came into the country and the Indians receded, he nequired a high degree of regard and consideration on the part of the people among whom he lived so many years. This regard und consideration went on increasing in vol- ume and intensity while he lived, and only culminated when the portals of the tomb shut him from mortal sight forever.
SAMUEL HANNA's splendid fortune was not acquired by defrauding his fellow-men, either white or red; but by great business sagacity, the most indomitable industry, und rigid economy. These three qualities he possessed in an eminent degree. In especially claimed credit for his economy during the early stages of his business career ; and often declared that he never expended one dollar for any personal pleasure or luxury until he was worth over fifty thousand. How many young men of the present day will be able to say this when they are old ?
From his first settlement at Fort Wayne, Mr. Hanna, at all times, and on all occasions, evinced a strong desire to build up the town, to advance its material in- tereste in every way, and to improve and develope the resources of the country ; and though notinattentive to his own individual interests, the cardinal purpose was kept stendily in view during his whole life. In all meetings of the people for the promotion of public, improvements or public welfare, he was always a conspicuous and leading actor. He early perceived the indispensible necessity of opening and improving roads and other facilities for travel and intercommunication; but to fully appreciate his designs in this respect, it may be necessary to revert to the condition of things at that time.
As has already been remarked, Fort Wayne, as he found it. was situated in a wilderness, far removed from all improvements. The country around afforded no
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SAMUEL HANNA.
supplies, except the inconsiderable amount yielded by the chase, and a very small quantity of corn grown on the bottoms in the immediate vicinity by the occupants of the "Post," or Fort, themselves. The chief supply of provisions or provender, . and almost every necessary of life, had to be brought from a distance; mostly from Miami county, Ohio, by way of St. Mary's; being transported by wagons to the. latter place, thence to Fort Wayne by flat-boats, down the St. Mary's river. The dangers and difficulties that attended the shipment of supplies through this channel, can scarcely be conceived at the present day. Imagine men with loaded teams, struggling through swamps and interminable mud, day after day, lodging in the wilderness by night, then conceive the perils of boating on a crooked, narrow stream, through dense forests, beset with fallen timber and other obstructions in its whole course. Then think of the hardy boatmen, day after day, standing for hours waist deep in water, cutting away the fallen trees and removing them, exposed to wet and cold, with no protection but the scanty garments they wore, and they saturated with water for days in succession. Such was the severity of the service, that many persons engaged in it were brought to a premature grave.
The facilities for obtaining goods were little or no better. They were, mostly, purchased in New York or Boston, and brought up the Maumee in pirogues, a most laborious task ; or packed through the wilderness from Detroit, on horses.
When it is considered that these were the best, and alinost the only sources of supply, at that early day, the gigantic difficulties in the way of founding and build- inga city, may be faintly imagined but never described, nor even fully appreciated at the present time. Mr. Hanna, though he clearly saw and deeply felt them all in their fullest force, was by no means discouraged or disheartened. They only excited the ardor and enthusiasm of his indomitable nature, and nerved him to re- doubled effort and determination. He and a few other publie spirited men, who generally followed his lead, addressed themselves to the work of their removal with resolute and untiring energy.
The fruits of their noble efforts we this day largely enjoy. Pause for a moment and contrast the present Fort Wayne and its surroundings with the Fort Wayne of 1819. Then but few people, except Indians, no schools, no churches, no improv- ed country, no town-not even a laid-out town plat. Now, a population rapidly approaching 30,000; a well cultivated, densely peopled, wealthy, productive and prosperous country in every direction ; canals, turnpikes, railroads and other facili- ties for travel and transportation, abound, bringing to the city abundant supplies of produce, goods, building materials, and whatever may conduce to the comfort and convenience of the people (giving profitable employment to many of thein ), or add material prosperity to the place. New structures are springing up in all directions as if by magic. Temples of publie worship, colleges and free schools, are being erected and beautified. Everything indicates thrift, enterprise, progress, and prosperity. Society is out of its infaney, and is rapidly assuming the propor- tions of a giant.
What has caused this wonderful transformation ?- this bleak, desolate, and savage wilderness "to blossom as the rose," and become, in this short period of time, the habitation of a great, a free, a powerful, prosperous and magnanimous people ? Such wonders are not visible everywhere. In many places, even in this favored land, instead of the rapid advances of improvement, we sec evident signs of stag- nation, of decay and dilapidation. Why this difference ? In many instances the country lacked those enterprising men so indispensable to lead the masses, and in- spire them with energetic effort, to direct those efforts, when aroused, to proper means and judicious ends-in short, to lend a powerful helping hand, and throw in the scale a heavy purse, when other resources fail. Society needs generals in civil life, as well as in war. SAMUEL HANNA was emphatically a general in civil life. His name is intimately associated and blended with every period in the history of Fort Wayne. No public enterpise of importance was ever undertaken by her citi- zens without his concurrence and aid. In truth, it would be inipossible to write the history of Fort Wayne, without, at the same time, writing a large portion of the biography of SAMUEL HANNA. His vast and controling influence is visible everywhere, and was potential for good wherever it extended.
Soon after commencing operations at Fort Wayne, SAMUEL HANNA was appoined Agent of the American Fur Company, a responsible position, which he filled for a number of years to the entire satisfaction of the Company. He was, also, Associate
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HISTORY OF FORT WAYNE.
Judge of the Circuit Court, and was repeatedly elected, at that early period, and, in subsequent years, a member of the State Legislature. To the importance of some of his services in the latter capacity, allusion will, hereafter, be made. As his means accumulated he extended his mercantile operations to other places, particularly to Lafayette, where he was, for many years, concerned in a large house with his brother Joseph ; and to Wabash, where he was connected in business with his brother Hugh, from both of which he realized large returns. He became an extensive land owner in the Wabash valley and elsewhere. The writer well remembers having heard him remark, upon setting out for Indianapolis, in 1843, that he could go by way of Lafayette and return by way of Andersontown, and feed his horse at his own corn crib every night during his journey.
The American people have been informed that a dim foreshadowing of a canal to connect Lake Erie with the Ohio river, was entertained by Gen. Washington. and other early patriots and statesmen, as one of the possibilities of the far futuret But they are indebted to Judge HAKNA for the first practical conception of tha magnificent project. It was in a familiar conversation with the late David Burr in a little summer-house attached to his then residence, at the northwest corner of Barr and Berry streets, that he first broached the subject of a canal to connect Lake Erie with the Wabash river, to that gentleman. It struck Mr. Burr favor- ably. He was a scholarly gentleman, of ability and influence, well and respect- fully remembered by the older citizens of the place. The two frequently consulted together in regard to this important matter, and partially matured a plan of opera- tions. They opened correspondence with the Indiana Representatives and Senators in Congress, and secured their favor and influence for the great undertaking. These efforts resulted, in 1827, in a grant by Congress to the State of Indiana, of each alternate section of land for six miles on each side of the proposed line, through its whole length, to aid in the construction of the canal. Strange as it may seem at the present day, a powerful opposition to the acceptance of the grant by the State, was organized in some parts thereof, and Judge HANNA was elected to the Legis- lature as the especial champion of the canal policy. The contest was ardent and protracted, but resulted in the acceptance of the grant, and an appropriation of one thousand dollars to purchase the necessary engineering instruments and pro- cure the survey and location of the summit level. Judge HANNA, David Burr, and a Mr. Jones were appointed Canal Commissioners. Judge HAMNA went to New York, purchased the instruments, and. returning by way of Detroit, packed them on horseback from that city to Fort Wayne. Civil Engineers wore scarce in the West at that day, but the commissioners procured one and immediately entered upon the survey, commencing on the St. Joseph river, six milesnbove Fort Wayne, where the feeder dam was afterwards built, Mr. Burr operating as rod-man and Judge HANNA as ax-man, both at ten dollars per month. The second day the engineer was taken sick and was compelled to abandon the work, Judge HANNA and Mr. Burr, alone, continuing and completing the survey of the summit feeder. They made their report to the succeeding session of the Legislature, and JJudge HANNA, being again a member, secured its adoption, and the passage of an Act authorizing the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal. Thus originated, and was inaugurated, almost, if not entirely, through the untiring energy, the indom- itable perseverance of these two noble pioneers, HANNA and Burr, this stupendous work of Internal Improvement-the longest continuous line of artificial water communication on the American continent; if not in the world; and which was of such incalculable value to Fort Wayne and all Northern Indiana. They are far, very far, in advance of what they would have been, had there been no Wabash and Erie Canal. Indeed, it is no exaggeration to say that they would hardly yet have been out of the primeval wilderness without that great work.
Judge HANNA was Fund Commissioner for several years, and negotiated for most of the money with which the work was carried on.
In alluding to this subject, the American Railway Review, of September 1st, 1859, says:
" Probably no ono contributed more to the success of the canal policy during the first and trying years of its progress, than SAMUEL HANNA of Fort Wayne. From 1828 to 1836, he was successively Canal Commissioner and Fund Commissioner, besides serving three years in the State Senate and one year in the House, representing, as Senator, perhaps one-third the entire area of the State, and filling, in each body, for a part of the time
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SAMUEL HANNA.
the post of Chairman of the Canal Committee. In these official stations he evinced the same judgment, tact and force of character which, nearly a quarter of a century after- wards, enabled him to render important service to the Northern section of Indiana, the enterprise of completing, under financial difficulties, such as would have discouraged men less courageous in assuming pecuniary responsibilities, that portion of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway lying west of Crestline."
Perhaps the wisdom and ability of Judge HANNA were never more strikingly displayed in any single act of his life than in the establishment and organization of the State Bank of Indiana. When the derangement of the currency and finan- cial embarrassment, consequent upon the veto of the United States Bank and other kindred measures occurred, he was a member of the Legislature. The President . had recommended the creation of more State Banks to supply the circulation, retired by the closing of that institution. Accordingly, a charter was introduced into the Indiana Legislature of such a character that Judge HANNA and other judicious members thought it ought not to pass. He opposed its passage with great power and ability, and was principally instrumental in defeating it; but it was clearly seen that a charter of some kind would pass at the next session. A com- mittee was appointed to prepare a proper charter during the vacation, to be present- ed when the Legislature again convened. Judge HANNA was made Chairman of that committee, and to him was confided the duty of drafting the proposed new charter. How well he performed the duty, may be inferred from the fact that it passed both houses of the Legislature almost precisely as it came from his hand, within a few days after their coming together, and was approved January 28th, 1834. Thus was created the State Bank of Indiana, by common consent, one of the best banking institutions that has ever existed in this country-an institution that continued in operation twenty years, affording the people a safe and sound currency, and yielding to the State a large accumulated fund at its close ; an insti- tution that exerted a marked influence on the subsequent Bank Legislation of many other states. No one ever lost a dollar by the State Bank of Indiana.
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