USA > Indiana > Miami County > History of Miami County, Indiana : from the earliest time to the present, with biographical sketches, notes, etc., together with an extended history of the Northwest, the Indiana Territory, and the state of Indiana > Part 33
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
Ross, '53; Jno. A. Beal, '54 and '55; E. T. Dicky, '56; Chan- dler C. Moore, '57; E. T. Dicky, '58 and '59; James M. Browne, '60, '61, '62, '63; resigned Sept., 1863, and E. T. Dicky filling balance of term; N. O. Ross, '64; 'Alex. Blake, '65; Jesse Higgins, '66. Under the city: Orris Blake, March to May, '67; Josiah Farrar, '67; Wm. A. McGregor, '69, '71, '73; W. B. Reyburn '75, '77, '79, '81, died March, 1882; Jno. A. Graham '82, '83' '85.
Additions to Peru have been steadily made. Those by the first proprietors were made a part of the original plat. Then follows that which was made by the will of Frances Godfroy, War Chief of the Miamis, who died in 1840. It provided for the lay- ing out of 160 acres of his section of land situated in the Five Mile Reserve, which extended from the Wabash to Eel river. This quarter adjoined the Richardville Reserve on the east. It was to be so platted that the fractional lots would supplement and complete the fractions left along the section line of the original plat. This plat was entered for rec- ord by Allen Hamilton, executor of Chief Godfroy, in June, 1840. The north and south streets named in that plat are St. Claire, Cal- houn, Clay, Adams and Columbia. The name of Clay only is re- tained. The next addition was Ewing's, east of Broadway from Sixth to Eighth, in 1845. Hood's addition in 1849, between Hood and Lafayette, Canal and Main. Whistler's subdivision from Sixth street north, between Miami and Broadway, in 1862. Shirk's ad- dition, a portion of the old Hood farm, on which one of the first brick houses in Peru was built, where the old residence of E. H. Shirk now stands, was made in 1863, from Hood to Lafayette and from Main to Eighth. Ewing's partition addition, from Fifth street north to Reserve line, east to Cass, between Fifth and Sixth, to the school grounds and the grounds north of Seventh to the railroad, in 1864. Brownell's addition, from Canal to one tier of lots north of Main and from Holman, which was the west line of Miamisport, to Forest, was laid out in 1866. Shirk's second addition in 1868. Smith's. addition, between Lafayette and Hood, Eighth and the railroad grounds, was laid out January 8, 1869. Duke's addition from Grant to old Logansport road, and Seventh to railroad ground May 5, 1870. Smith's second addition east of Grant and north of railroad, De- cember, 1870. Sterne's addition, from Grant two squares west and Main to Seventh, February, 1871. Shirk's third addition, between Seventh and Eighth, Fremont and Hood, December, 1871. Duke's second addition, west of Grant and north of Boulevard, June, 1872. Smith's third addition from Canal street north to railroad, east of Godfroy's section, 1872. Runyan's addition north of Boulevard to Thirteenth and between Runyan street on the west and Fremont on the east, June, 1873. Besides these additions of territory platted
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Os Alenwell
37I
FIRE DEPARTMENT AND WATER WORKS.
and sold, numerous sub-divisions of out lots have been made at various times as the growth of the town demanded additional build- ing lots. Some of the persons whose names appear in the records of sub-divisions are Ross & Fennimore, Fallis, Mendenhall, G. W. Ewing, Ross & Talbot, Whistler & Mitten, Brandon, Shields, Davis and Shirk, J. W. Ellis, J. M. Brown and O. P. Webb. The sub- urban corporations are South Peru and Ridgeview, the former hav- ing a population of perhaps two hundred.
The Population of Peru at different dates was as follows: In 1850, 1,266; in 1854, as taken by the town, 2,351; in 1860, 2,506; in 1867, as taken by the town, 3,227; in 1870, 3,617; in 1880, 5,280; at present, 7,000.
The Fire Department had a humble origin. The first town board of trustees had a special meeting, March 25th, 1843, "to provide measures to arrest the ravages of fire." The means provided were, five ladders, twenty-four feet long; five ditto, fourteen feet long; five roof ladders, fifteen feet long; three hooks with poles twenty-two feet long. Alexander Porter furnished the lot for $52. These were distributed to the different districts, and were the only fire apparatus for years. One of the first acts of the new government organized 1848, was to set the Marshal to hunting this "fire department." After considerable search he found three long and six shorter ladders and two hooks. In 1856, a number of incendiary fires occasioned the appointment of special policemen who served for a short time, and of a com- mittee "to take steps to secure a suitable fire engine." Anoth- er committee was later appointed to inquire as to the cost of the best hooks, ladders and fire buckets, and Jan. 1857, a small lot was ordered, but probably never obtained. It was not un- til March, 1860, that a petition presented by the citizens induc- ed the council to send F. S. Hackley, as their agent, to Day- ton, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis, to examine engines and appar- atus. In May, the old hand fire engine was bought from the City of Indianapolis, and in September the contract for the en- gine house was awarded. The cost of engine, hose and other apparatus was about $2,300, of the engine house $1,100. The expense of the fire department was about $50 to $75 a year, during the next twelve years. The energetic citizen would grab his hat at the first alarm of fire and streak it for the engine house. Arriving at the conflagration he would give a few strokes on the levers of the hand engine, get knocked in the head, his arm jerked out of joint, and then retire and tell the fellow who took his place how it ought to be done. In November, I872, an ordinance was passed to establish a fire department, and a new steam fire engine was purchased. Geo. Crowell was the first chief. The present department is very effective. It consists
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
of three companies and Alex. Appel is chief. The electric fire alarm was added about the time of the water works.
The Water Works were first agitated in 1871 but public sentiment opposed them. In 1876, Messrs. Shirk, Dukes & Co. proposed to build works under a franchise, the city to rent fire pro- tection, but no action was taken on it. The discussion continuing, the council, to test the wishes of the people, ordered an election, July, 1877, at which ballots "For Water Works" and "Against Water Works" were voted, resulting two to one in favor of them. The council at once took steps toward the work, in October, the same year, the contracts for the different parts of the work and materials being let to a number of different parties. The pump house is situated on the river near the east end of the city, corner Canal and Wayne streets. The ground contains nearly three acres. The building is brick, handsome and modern in appearance. The pumping machinery consists of two engines, run by steam, which have a combined capacity of 212 million gallons per day. The length of pipes laid is nearly twelve miles. There are 101 hydrants. An important feature in the safety, convenience and economy of the works is the reservoir, situated on the south side of the Wabash river on the hill, a little less than half a mile from the pump house. Most fortunately the elevation of this point, so convenient, is just what is needed to provide the force found the best means for ef- fectiveness and economy, the reservoir being 93 feet above the pumps. Five streams from 50 to 75 feet in height can be thrown by reservoir pressure alone.
The engines were ready for operation March, 1879, and the reservoir completed August 3rd, the same year. Since then they have been uninterruptedly in operation. The enterprise of the city has been eminently satisfactory. The net cost of construction was $109,549.93. The funds to met this was mostly raised by the sale of city bonds. The cost of operation of the works being from the first less than the income the city is already prepared to redeem a portion of them, but unfortunately, although they were mostly sold at a discount, they are now held at par and cannot be redeemed for some years. This, however, speaks well for the credit of the city. In addition to the net profits of the operation of the works, the city has had full amount of fire protection, which at the lowest rates usually charged by private companies, would be about $8,000 a year.
Until May, 1880, the works were under the control of a com- mittee of three of the council. At that time, under a legislative en- actment, a board of Water Works Trustees, consisting of James M. Brown, Andrew Fasnacht and C. H. Brownell, were elected, and since then this Board of Trustees, elected by a direct vote, have had control of the works.
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NEWSPAPERS.
The Gas Works were undertaken by the firm of H. E. and C. F. Sterne & Co., the owners of the woolen mills at that time. Work was commenced June, 1874, and they were first ready for lighting November 15, 1874. A contract was made with the city to run 25 years from date of lighting. Three and a half miles of mains were laid. The gasometer has a capacity of twenty thousand feet. The amount of gas made increases each year, and last year it was about six million feet. July 27, 1886, it was sold to the Peru American Gas Company of Philadelphia, and Wm. Tracy is now superintendent. Since taking the works the company has laid a half-mile of mains and intend laying three miles more, bringing the gas to many residences for which it was hitherto not available.
The Electric Light was added to the improvements of Peru October, 1885. The Thompson-Houston Company of Boston, Mass., put in a twenty-five light machine as a trial plant, operat- ing it with power furnished by Miller's mill. July 1, 1886, V. Q. Irvine, of Crawfordsville, purchased the plant and the ground and building, where now located on the canal next to the canal mill. He put in an 85-horse-power engine, a 112-horse-power boiler, and two nominal twenty-five light dynamos, with an actual capacity of 55 lights. They are now running near their full ca- pacity, lighting stores, the depot and part of the streets.
Newspapers .- The press dates its existence in Peru from 1837, when an association of citizens was formed, the press and material purchased of the Richmond Palladium, and Samuel Pike, of Fort Wayne, put in charge. From July 22, 1837, to January, 1839, it continued, and then followed, one after another, and printed with the same press and materials: Peru Gazette, James B. Scott and Augustus Banks, a Whig paper, July 20, 1839, to April 16, 1842; Peru Gazette Peru Democrat, a double paper, half Whig and half Democrat, James B. and John H. Scott, editors from the last date to October 15, 1842; the Cork Screw, humorous; the Peru Observer. Whig; the Peru Herald, Demo- cratic, and finally June 28, 1848, the Miami County Sentinel, the oldest paper, still in existence here. Its publication from that time has not been uninterrupted, it being continuous until 1861, when it suspended for about two years. During this period was pub- lished in 1854 for about a month a daily edition, the first daily published here. Graham was succeeded by W. B. Loughridge, he in turn by McDowell, Loughridge again in 1867. The next few years the changes of firm averaged nearly one a year. The Daily and Weekly Times, started by T. J. McDowell & Sons, 1874, was for a time consolidated with the Sentinel under the name Times-Sentinel, then again separated and continued for a few years. The Sentinel was run by Ewing & Maxey, and they were suc-
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
ceeded by S. F. Winter, who continued for about three years. For the past six years Fulwiler & Cole have been the editors and proprietors. To go back to the time just following the establish- ment of the Sentinel, and we begin with the second printing press ever brought here. Its products were all Whig-Free Press, 1852; Wabash Olio, 1853; Republican Argus, 1854; Peru News, 1855, all forerunners of the Peru Republican. That paper, still. published, was started by E. P. Loveland October 9, 1856, and un- furled above its columns the motto, "Liberty and Union, One and Inseparable, Now and Forever." where it remained until the con- clusion of the war. Other proprietors followed before one of the present owners became interested in it as one of the firm of Reed & Brown, March, 1868. After Mr. Reed had been for a few years alone, Mr. Sinks became a partner in 1873. His place was taken by W. W. Lockwood, the firm being now Reed & Lockwood. Besides the pioneer daily of 1856, there was published in 1874 a daily edition of the Times. This and a later daily enterprise failed to find sufficient support. In the summer of 1884 the Daily Four- nal was started by Crowder & Miller, continued by C. F. Crowder, who was joined by Ezra Roe. Richard Kilgore continued the paper, and January 1, 1887, C. F. Crowder, one of the founders, and Wm. Brenton, purchased the office.
The Catholic Church, first in point of members to-day, was first to build a church edifice. The first services were occasionally held by Priests who came from Bardstown, Ky. Father Badin vis- ited Peru from 1834 to 1837. During this time, in 1835, the first church was built on two lots, donated by the proprietors of the town. In the summer of this year the Rev. John Corcorass, on one of his visits, died after a brief illness and is buried in Reyburn's graveyard. Rev. M. Ruff, priest of the diocese of St. Vincennes, visited Peru in 1837. From 1837 to '42 Father M. J. Clark was the first resident pastor, but only for a time. After him the occa- sional visits were resumed by Maurice St. Palais, and continued dur- ing the time from 1842 to 1845. He was one of the pioneer Priests and his territory embraced-three States, from Vincennes to Chicago and Detroit. He had been ordained priest 1836, appointed Vicar General, Administrator 1848, Bishop of Vincennes 1849 (now diocese of Indianapolis), and died from apoplexy June 28, 1877, at St. Mary's of the Woods, near Terre Haute, where he was attending commencement. 1846 Father Fisher, '48 to '52 Father McDermot, '52 to '57 Father F. A. Carius, '57 to '60 Father C. A. Zucker, April 15, 1860, Rev. Bernard Force took permanent charge of the congregation, building the parsonage, at a cost of $2,000, and under him the Catholic cemetery was bought and con- secrated. January 1, 1864, Rev. Bernard Kroeger succeeded him. Under him was built the present brick church in 1865, at a cost of
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THE CHURCHES.
$21,000. He was followed by Father Lamour Oct. 1, 1871, to Sept. 8, 1875. The first frame church, erected in 1835 which had been for years used as the Catholic school house, burned during his incumbency and was replaced by the present brick building at a cost of $16,000. Father Lamour was succeeded by Rev. Henry Meissner, the present pastor. Owing to the large outlay necessary to rebuild the school house, and the hopes frustrated by the financial crisis through which the country had just passed, the congregation on his arrival was in debt to the amount of $16,350. Through the liberal and united efforts of the people the last note was paid December 23, 1886, and Father Meissner had the pleasure of announcing to them New Year's Day 1887, that the church was free from debt. Besides the regular con- gregation Father Meissner has spiritual charge of the Sisters of Providence at the school, seven in number, and of the Sisters of St. Francis, five in number, who are employed as nurses at Peru Hospital of the Wabash Railroad. The total membership of the church is about 1,500. The church property, embracing a quarter of a square, is on the northwest corner of Miami and Fifth street.
A school has been for years connected with the church. As early as the pastorate of Father M. J. Clark (1837-42), a school was established. The Reverend Father was a cultured gentleman, revered by the entire community and children of all denominations attended the school. The school was then, for a long time, discontinued. Prior to the pastorate of Father Force a school was taught for a few months by G. Volkert, a Badin- ese student, in a house on 5th street, opposite the residence of Rev. W. L. Huffman. Father Force opened a school in the church building, Mr. Franz Edtler being the first teacher. He was a great favorite with both parents and children, leading his pupils on delightful excursions into the woods and entering into their enjoyment. Many non-Catholic children attended the school, especially on account of the instruction in German. The school increasing, Miss Mary Force, sister to Father Force, became an assistant. Prof. Edtler left Peru to accept the position of organist in the Fort Wayne Cathedral, which place he held until his death, a period of nearly twenty-five yeara. He was suc- ceeded as teacher by Victor Stevens who continued after Father Kroeger took the place of Father Force, being assisted until this change by Miss Force, who removed with her brother, after which Mr. Stevens was unaided. When under Father Kroeger the new church was built, the old building was used exclusively as a school. The desks were remodeled, a little later the school-room enlarged, singing made obligatory and the list of students increased. When Mr. Stevens resigned his position Mr. Theo. F. Wolfram was
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
engaged, an excellent and systematic teacher. About the begin- ning of 1867 he gave up the school and was succeeded by Miss M. Kinney, late of St. Mary's, Notre Dame. Other teachers about this time, in rapid succession and in part co-jointly were Thomas Miller, a Peruvian and an almunus of Notre Dame, Mr. John Schenk of North Vernon, Ind., and the imperishable Prof. Dr. Rudolph. Ladislac Mueller, of Zanizow, the most popular teacher of the old regime, whose life reads like a romance. The second son of an ancient baronial family of Pomerania, the playmate of Prince Otto Von Bismarck, at sixteen he bore a commission as lieutenant, at eighteen was professor in ordinary of mathematics in a Prussian mili- tary academy, at twenty filled the chair of history, and at twenty-one- disinherited for professing the Catholic faith, enlisted in the the English army, and bound for the Cape, in consequence of a mutiny was cast by fate upon these shores. He engaged in min- ing speculations in Virginia and Pennsylvania, lost all he possessed, including a private library of 5,000 volumes, accepted a professor- ship in St. Vincent's College, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, taught the languages, in which he conversed fluently to the number of fifteen, lectured on Geology and Ethnology, and became eccentric in his manners. He sought Father Kroeger, who had at one time been his pupil, and offered to teach the parish school, which he did for the space of four years, when Bishop Dwenger who esteemed highly his vast erudition, besought him to accept a professorship in the chief college of the Bishop's own order, which he did, and died there recently, 1885, in the habit of a monk, full of years and in great peace of soul. The doctor was the last teacher, of both girls and boys under the old system. Under Father Kroeger, about 1870, the Ursuline Nuns of Louisville, Ky., took charge of the girls' school and were succeeded in 1874 by the Sisters of Provi- dence. They took charge of the boys' school also, Sept. 1, 188I, the last lay teacher of the boys being Mr. Frank Horn. In the school at present are 300 pupils and seven teachers engaged in teaching, including the musical and painting departments.
The Presbyterian Church was organized Thursday, November 26, 1835, at the house of William N. Hood, and consisted of thir- teen members. Rev. Samuel Newbury, the first minister of the church, presided. For a time the meetings were held in the house where organized, then in a double log cabin, remodeled into one large room on West Fifth street; then in the Smith school house on West Second street, the first school house in the county. Rev. Newbury divided his time between Peru and Wabash. During the year 1836 a church building was erected on the present church lot, John W. Timberlake and Henry Robinson being the carpenters. This was probably the first Protestant house of worship in the county, although the Methodist Church was in process of erection at the same
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THE CHURCHES.
time. During this time was organized a Sabbath School, then, and for several years, the only one in the county. October, 1837, Rev. Asa Johnson, the second pastor, took charge of the church, the Rev. Newbury giving all his time until July, 1838, when he removed to the interests of the " Peru Collegiate Insti- tute." For a time Mr. Johnson preached on alternate Sabbaths, dividing his time over four counties. In the winter of '42 and 43 a successful protracted meeting was held. The Court House burning March, 1843, court was for two years held in this church. From its erection to 1850 the church served the pur- pose of a town hall. Rev. Asa Johnson was succeeded with a few months' interval by Rev. Milton Starr, July 15, 1849, and he continued in charge of the church two years. During this time the building was moved from the blocks of wood back on the lot and placed on a solid foundation. The store box steps and store box pulpit, covered with calico and green baize, were replaced, lamps took the place of tallow candles, and the church generally improved. Mr. Starr ceasing the summer of 1851, the pulpit for a year was vacant. Rev. S. F. McCabe commenced his ministry July 10, 1852, and remained for fifteen years. The membership of the church when he began was about fifty. The salary was a little over $250. In the fall of 1854 the pres- ent church was begun, and dedicated July 4, 1858. During his ministry in Peru Mr. McCabe preached 1,277 sermons in his own pulpit, baptized 177 persons, officiated at 282 funerals, and received into the church 210 persons. Mr. McCabe resigned May 20, 1867, and removed to Illinois, thence to Topeka, Kansas. Rev. Everett B. Thomson commenced February 2, 1868, and continued one year. April 1, 1869, the Second Presbyterian Church formed a union with the First, the history of which has thus far been followed. September 5, 1869, Rev. Henry L. Brown began, . continuing one year. During this year unusually successful reviv- als were held in this and the other churches of the city, result- ing in 62 additions to this church. Rev. Samuel Wyckoff entered upon his duties Nov. 4, 1870, and continued until July, 1874. During this time the church was enlarged and improved and the lecture room built. The church was re-dedicated January 19, 1873. Rev. J. B. Parmelee began his service October 1, 1874. In April, 1876, he resigned, procured a letter of dismission from the Presbytery, and was the first minister of the Congregational Church, which continued for some years. May 1, 1877, Rev. Matthew M. Whitford accepted the call of the church and was installed a few months later, being the only installed pastor. He continued to December 31, 1882. Rev. L. P. Marshall entered upon his duties July 1, 1883, and continued to the present time. Thursday and Friday, November 26 and 27, 1885, was held the
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HISTORY OF MIAMI COUNTY.
Jubilee, or fiftieth anniversary of the church's organization. The meetings were largely attended and were full of interest. G. I. Reed, editor of the Republican, read a sketch on the history of Peru and J. H. Fetter a very complete history of the Presbyter- ian Church, from which most of these facts are taken. A remi- niscence meeting was held, participated in by many, and letters were read from a number of the ex-pastors. The church is now entirely
out of debt and in vigorous condition. The membership of the church is 256; of the Sunday School, about 180.
The Methodist Church .- In 1831 Col. Wm. M. Reyburn re- turned from Ohio and settled near Miamisport. He was'a local preacher and at the request of Mrs. Dalla Moore, Mrs. Pendleton, Mrs. Jackson, Mr. Hurst and a few others he organized a class meeting, and occasionally preached and held prayer meetings. With this organization in view the Methodist church would be entitled to the priority of age in Peru. In 1832 this little band was reinforced by George S. Fenimore and wife, and several others. It was prob- ably this same year that the society was officially recognized by Rev. Miles Huffaker and reported to the annual conference. When Miamisport was deserted for the new town of Peru this little class was known as the Methodist Society of Peru. It held its meetings at Matthew Fenimore's and besides Col. Reyburn, A. A. Tarking- ton, another local preacher, held services in this tavern. At the same time that the Presbyterian church was building, fall of 1835 and spring of 1836, Geo. Fenimore and John Garrol put up the first Methodist church on Third street. It was ceiled with boards. and neither plastered nor painted. A wooden chandelier, on the arms of which candles were stuck, hung suspended by a rope which ran up through a hole in the ceiling. Through this hole and down the rope the playful mice would come and dine on the savory tallow. The country around was now organized as Peru Circuit, and the era of circuit riding began. An approximately correct list of the preachers in this period is as follows: Miles Huffaker, '35-'36; Burris Westlake, '36-'37; September 24, 1836, Rev. Jacob Col- clazer, so long identified with this community, was licensed, in the little Third street church, to preach, by the Rev. Richard Hargrove and recommended for admission into the traveling connection ;. Merchon '37; - Reed '38; John F. Truslow '37; Wm. Wheeler, Wm. Stonax, and Nelson Green, '42-'44; - Beach '46; E. Hold- stock '47; John F. Donaldson '48. In 1849 all the country appoint- ments were stricken off and Peru was made a station. Rev. W. L. Huffman was sent as the first station preacher and organized the first station. Steps were at once taken towards the erection of a new church and the present Main street church was erected. The subscription for that purpose was contributed to by citizens of all denominations and paid in wood, plaster, work, brick, "shoemaking,"
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