USA > Indiana > St Joseph County > History of St. Joseph County, Indiana > Part 78
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Penn township is a timbered country, and in the pioneer days when there were no railroads, telegraph wires, or even wagon roads, it was difficult for the settlers to go from one cabin to another with- out becoming lost. On one occasion a gentleman had gone some distance from home to a near neighbor's on an errand, and night overtaking him on his return he got lost, and wandered in the dense forest all night, while the wild lightnings flashed around him in a threatening manner. He was not found until late the following day. If the thick timber had been the only barrier to a rapid growth of settlement and improvement in this township, the obstacle would have soon been overcome; but there was a large amount of marsh land in the township, and it was almost impossi- ble to traverse the marshes with a team; and the traveling was done by circuitous rontes to avoid these marshy tracts of land. Many of these marshes have been drained, and now constitute a portion of the most fertile land in Penn township. The same land that now yields abundant crops was then a quagmire and a pit for explorers to fall into. It would be in keeping bere to remark that there is a large marsh extending from the St. Joseph river near South Bend toward the southeast, almost the entire length of the township, or to within a half mile of the eastern line of the town- ship. This marsh varies from three-fourths of a mile to two miles in width. Near its center is an elevated, oblong tract of land con- sisting of 200 to 300 acres, which is under cultivation and known
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
as the " Island." This peculiarly shaped marsh is regarded by the citizens of this township as once forming an arm of Lake Michi- gan. This is perhaps true, as the indications are such as to lead any thinking person to such conclusions.
During the first settlement of the township the pioneers got their mail at Edwardsville, Cass Co., Mich., which was carried on horseback from Fort Wayne to that point. It here intersected the mail route between Detroit and Chicago. The residences of the pioneers consisted of log huts, and some were so poor that they made bedsteads of round poles. They did their cooking by the fire- place. A stick was fastened across the chimney at somne distance above the fire, and the kettles were suspended from this by means of iron hooks or chains. The bread was baked in a "Dutch oven."
Although these sturdy pioneers of the forest had to undergo many privations, they were a jovial class of people, and had their amusements and enjoyments, though in a rustic way, as do the people of the present day. The mill at which they first got their wheat ground was located below Niles, Mich.
INDIANS.
In those days there were ten Indian's to one "pale- face," yet they were not troublesome, save to beg and steal a little when an opportunity presented itself, which is a characteristic of the " noble red man of the forest."
The noted chief "Raccoon " was buried near the house of Mr. James Curtis, in the eastern part of the township, and for weeks his tribe would bring their provisions to his grave, and sing and dance around the grave for some time, and then eat their dinners and return to camp. Raccoon's skeleton was exhumed a short time since by the Curtis boys, who took the jaw bone to Mishawaka, where it can now be found in the Enterprise office.
At the beginning of the Black Hawk war the settlers of Penn township, knowing the great chief Pokagon and his warriors to be very powerful, sent a delegation to confer with him, and to learn what his plan of action should be for the coming campaign. He sent the glad news back to the half frightened settlers that he would remain neutral during the contest. A German who could not understand all the English vocabulary readily, was standing by and heard Pokagon's reply announced, when he became very much excited and insisted that "that damt neutral is now not 20 miles from here."
BANCROFT'S MILL.
While some were busily engaged in making farmns, others erected mills, and thus aided in improving the new country. In 1831 or '32 a saw-mill was built on Bawbawgo creek, near where the vil- lage of Oceola now stands. Several years after this, another mill
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was built a little lower down; and by extending the same race, the one dam answered for both mills. This last mill was erected by Zelotes Bancroft; but the date is not certainly known.
In 1856, this mill having been discontinued, Mr. Bancroft and his brother William erected a saw and grist-inill on the same site. It is now owned and conducted by a nephew of the preceding. Its capacity is 25 barrels per day. Mr. Bancroft is a life-long miller, and makes the best of flour. The saw-mill attachment is also run in connection with the flouring mill.
Penn township formerly contained Harris and Madison, and a portion of Centre and Portage townships. The first settlers were William and Timothy Moat, who located here about 1828, on sec- tion 17. Soon afterward came William Holt, Jesse Skinner, S. L. Cottrell, James Curtis, the Byrkits, Irelands and others. The first church edifice was built in Mishawaka. The first election was held in 1832, and Alpheus Ireland was one of the first justices of the peace. Nathan W. Young was also among the first settlers. He pre-empted land when the surveyors were at work here, and also carried chain for the Government surveyors. The beautiful prairie in Michigan known as Young's Prairie was named for him. Mr. Yonng is a natural genins, and is the author of several useful inventions, but not being financially able to have them patented, other parties are reaping the fruits of his labors. He now resides in Mishawaka.
MISHAWAKA.
In July. 1833, A. M. Hurd laid out and platted the village of " St. Joseph Iron Works," abont four miles above South Bend, on the south bank of the St. Joseph river. Jan. 1, 1835, an election was held, and James White, John J. Deming, Samuel Staneliff, Henry De Camp and Alexander Sanderlands were elected village trustees. This was the first village organization in the county. During the same year William Barbee, of Ohio, laid out an addi- tion to the cast side of the village, and on the west side another addition was made, known as Taylor's Addition. In 1836 Joseph Bartell, James R. Lawrence and Grove Lawrence laid out the town of Indiana City, on the north side of the river, opposite St. Joseph Iron Works. This land (being school land), where Mishawaka now stands, upon petition of the settlers to the School Commissioner, was purchased Jan. 1, 1833. by Mr. IInrd, who had promised to erect a blast furnace upon the site. The following spring, he, in company with William L. Earl, proceeded to ercet the furnace. At the end of the year houses and sl anties enough were erected to accommodate 100 persons. In the spring of 1834 a postoffice was established. and the Indian name " Mishawaka " was given it at the suggestion of Mr. Yerrington, who was appointed postmaster. 'the term " Mishawaka " was the name of an Indian village that once occupied Taylor's Addition to the village of St. Joseph Iron
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Works, and it signifies " Swift water," or as some render it," Thick- woods rapids." Either interpretation would be descriptive of the location, as the water at this point in the river was very swift, and also the land on either side was covered with a dense growth of heavy timber. The Indians had a small tract of land eleared where their village of Mishawaka stood, and the large eorn hills, which were of a conical shape, and about two feet high, remained there for several years after this country was settled.
While honses were being erected, and settlers and prospecting parties flocking in, the work upon the furnace was fast approaching completion, and was finished in 1834. The dam was built by the St. Joseph Iron Company in 1835, which was the first dam on the St. Joseph river, and is still standing. This company was incor- porated Jan. 22, 1835. Prior to this the river was navigable, and both tow and steam boats plied the limpid waters of this erystal stream for several years, as far up as Three Rivers, Mich.
The first flouring mill was erected in 1835 by Mr. Taylor. In 1834 a hotel was erected and run by Orlando Hurd. The first bridge across the St. Josephi river was built at Mishawaka in 1837.
In 1839 St. Joseph Iron Works with its two additions, and Indi- ana City were incorporated as one town, and named Mishawaka. The town is situated on both banks of the St. Joseph, within about a mile of the most sonthern point of that river. The site is one of very great natural beauty, and art and taste have added largely to its original loveliness. On the south side there is a gentle upward slope from the river bank, far off beyond the limits of the town. Here, embowered beneath a profusion of natural and cultivated trees, shrubbery and flowers, is built the main portion of Misha- waka. On the opposite side the banks are more precipitous, forming a high table land, seemingly designed by Nature for its present uses. To the lover of the beautiful and the sublime, a visit to the Riverside Park is one not only to be enjoyed, but a visit to be remembered. Standing among the beautiful oaks and cedars that nature has planted upon that elevated plain, his eyes are greeted by many beautiful sights at alnost the same instant. Looking directly south he sees the original Milburn Wagon Works, that tower several stories above the basement, whose walls are made bright by the reflection of the sun from the crystal waters of the beantifnl St. Joseph. Then a little beyond he observes many church spires point- ing toward the skies, seeming to say, " Behold the Lamb of God." And as he turns his eye to the southeast he is again impressed with the wonderful advancement in art, for here his eye falls upon a neatly constructed iron bridge, with hundreds of pedestrians, eques- trians and teamsters pa-sing over it daily. When he has completed his stroll in Riverside Park on the north side, as the sun gradually sinks toward the western horizon, and as he wends his way back to the Milburn House, he is struck with wonder and delight while crossing the bridge, for, looking into the swift-running water beneath, he sees hundreds of fish swimming in all directions
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whose golden sides almost dazzle his eyes when turned to such an angle as to throw the reflection of the sun's rays to his view.
The St. Joseph Iron Company continued to operate their blast furnaces until 1856, when the supply of ore failed. They also estab- lished a foundry, and put in operation other machinery which has been of great benefit to the place. After the exhanstion of the ore they began the manufacture of plows, cultivators, etc., and machin- ery. Capital stock, $200,000. Albert Hudson is president, and J. H. Whitson general superintendent. In 1868 the name was changed to St. Joseph Manufacturing Company. The hydraulic power at this place is unsurpassed at any point on the river, and the facili- ties for erecting mills are most excellent, The town is situated upon the Michigan Southern and Grand Trunk Railroads, and is easily accessible from East or West. The surrounding country is one of extraordinary fertility, and the healthfulness of the place is undisputed.
In early times there was great rivalry between Mishawaka and South Bend. They were less than four miles apart, and the advan- tages they offcred differed very slightly, except that the latter had the honor of being the county-seat. The bitterness of those days has, however, subsided, and it is now seen that the interests of the two places are identical.
Before many years the borders of the thriving towns will meet, and it is not at all improbable that in the course of time they will be joined in one municipality.
Many years ago the steamboat Diamond was wrecked by run- ning against a pier of the old Mishawaka bridge, and one life was lost.
The river at Mishawaka is abont 100 yards wide, and the fall over the dam is eight feet. The natural fall at these rapids, in a distance of but a few rods, has been ascertained by actual measure- ment to be two feet and nine inches. The race on the south side is about 400 yards in length, and the one on the north side over 200 yards. On either side there is room for further extension, and there is at all times an abundance of water for all conceivable pur- poses. Indeed, but a very small portion of this valuable power has, as yet, been utilized. The manufactories are, however, gradually and successfully increasing, of each of which we shall speak a lit- tle further on.
The population of Mishawaka in 1860 was 1,486; by the last census (1880) it was 2,640.
In 1872 the great fire destroyed 32 buildings in the business part of town, valued, together with their contents, at over $80,000. New brick buildings immediately arose upon the ruins, and about 24 new stores were opened in the brick blocks thus erected. Scarcely had the citizens of Mishawaka recovered from the terrible effects of the fire, when the great and noted Milburn Wagon Works were removed from their town to Toledo. This was another severe shock upon the growth and prosperity of Mishawaka. But her citizens are not
Notre Dame Bred.
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to be discouraged, for they have pressed forward until everything is life and bustle again. New manufactories ocenpy the old Mil- burn stand, and every enterprise seems to prosper.
ENTERPRISES.
Mishawaka Mills .- This mill was erected in 1836, and is now owned and operated by Joseph and William Miller, who pur- chased it in 1876. They have recently refitted and painted it, and it presents a striking appearance. They run five sets of burrs, making about 225 barrels of flour daily. The flour is of excellent quality, standing at the head of the market, both in the East and West.
St. Joseph Mill .- This structure was erected in 1861 by George and Casper Kuhn, and Angust Kellner. It is now owned and oper- ated by Mr. George Kuhn, who is doing a good business. He does mostly a jobbing business. Capacity of mill, 150 barrels in 24 hours. He makes patent flour, as also do the other mills in Mishawaka.
Perkins Windmill and Ax Company .- This establishment manufactures edge tools, pumps, and water tanks; but its principal business is the manufacture of the Perkins windmill, which was invented and patented by P. C. Perkins in 1869. In 1873 there was a joint company formed for its mannfacture. They are doing a large business.
Dodge Manufacturing Company .- The Dodge Manufactory was established in 1878, and incorporated in 1880. They manu- facture school furniture, wooden ware, ete. From Jan. 1, 1880, until Ang. 1 of the same year, they took 2,000,000 feet of Inmber from the stump, and sawed and worked it into goods. The com- pany is now behind with their orders, and business constantly in- creasing.
St. Joseph Valley Furniture Company .- The business of this firm was established in a wing of the Milburn Wagon Manufac- tory in 1878, with a capital stock of $50,000. They. make drawer work a specialty. This firm is shipping their chamber-suits and bedsteads mostly to Ohio and the East, and they are behind with their orders, which are accumulating upon their hands. J. A. Roper is president.
Telegraph Insulator Manufactory .- This is of recent advent into Mishawaka. It was removed from Hudson, Mich., to this place in the summer of 1880, by Robert Gilliland. The business is a thriving one, and adds material wealth to Mishawaka.
School Furniture Manufactory .- A. H. Andrews & Co., of Chicago, established a branch manufactory in Mishawaka in 1871, and are doing a good business in the mannfacture of school fur- niture.
Bostwick Refrigerator Company .- This enterprising company is engaged in the manufacture of refrigerators of all kinds, safes,
50
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
mouse-traps and furniture, and is doing an extensive business under the direction of Joseph Bostwick. the principal stockholder.
Ripple Mills .- The Ripple Mills were erected by A. Cass & Co., who owned them for several years, but recently passed into the hands of J. H. and A. Eberhart, who are doing a large business. They have five run of stones, with a capacity of 225 barrels in 24 hours. They make the best of flour, and have a large trade in the East.
There is also in Mishawaka a stave factory, a wood-pulp mill, a woolen factory, a wagon manufactory, a barrel factory, and several smaller cooper shops and minor manufactories of various kinds. All departments of trade and business are represented in Mish- awaka, the most prominent and leading representatives of which we will mention in the biographical department of the history of Mishawaka and Penn township.
RIVERSIDE PARK.
This beautiful table land, which we have already referred to, is situated on the north bank of the St. Joseph river, opposite the Milburn Wagon Works. As yet there has been nothing done to beautify the grounds, save what nature alone has done. In 1879 one Mr. Robbins Battell, of Hartford, Conn., sent Thomas McClunie, an experienced architect, here, who surveyed and platted the proposed park. Battell proposes to donate it to the town if the citizens will make of the land a park, after the prescribed improve- ments or specifications in the plat. This gentleman anticipates erecting a female seminary directly west of the park.
The first couple married in Mishawaka were Hiram Rush and Miss Inwood, by Rev. N. M. Wells. Indiana Yerrington was the first child born, receiving his name in honor of the State. The first death was that of a Mr. Moore.
Mishawaka has a fine cornet band, which discourses strains of that which " hath charms to soothe the savage ear." It is ably led and conducted by Mr. Jacob Eckstein, a first-class musician of Mishawaka, and, by the way, a subscriber for this work, whose sketch appears in the biographical department.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
The Freemasons and Odd Fellows have a fine, well-furnished hall in the third story of the Phoenix Block.
The Masonic lodge was organized May 26, 1852, A. L. 5,852. The names of the officers at the organization were as follows: R. S. Alden, W. M .; D. H. Smith, S. W .; J. Holdridge, J. W .; J. E. Hollister, Treasurer; T. S. Cowles, Secretary; A. C. Foot, S. D .; W. M. Wood, J. D., and A. L. Brimsmaid, Tyler. The society is in a flourishing condition, and adds materially to the sociability and refinement of the community.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPHI COUNTY.
Odd Fellows .- St. Joseph Lodge No. 27. I. O. O. F., was or- ganized about 1843. Among its members were Dr. Eddy and John Niles, deceased, Albert Cass, H. E. Hurlbut, A. H. Long and James Easton, still members of the order. This lodge ccased to work, and Monitor Lodge, No. 286, was instituted Aug. 13, 1867. The charter members were A. H. Long, James Easton, Washington Gibson, Philip McElvain and Thomas S. Long, the latter being the first Noble Grand. The Lodge hall was destroyed by the fire of 1872, with all the furniture; since then the lodge has furnished a new hall in the Phoenix block, as above stated, which is an honor, . not only to the lodge, but also to the order generally. The lodge has over a hundred members and is in a prosperous condition.
There is also a lodge of the Knights of Pythias, of recent organ- ization in Mishawaka.
EDUCATIONAL.
We shall now revert to the pioneer days of Mishawaka and Penn township.
There soon came a time amid the rush of business, the founda- tion of homes, and making of farms, when the enterprising settlers of this locality turned their attention to the all-important duty of educating their children. There seemed now to be something else for the little prattlers to do besides gathering nuts and acorns from under the lofty trees of the dense forests of Penn township. The pioneer school-house was soon erected. It was a small, round-log cabin, with a puncheon door hung upon wooden hinges. The floor was also made of puncheons, as were the writing desks, which were supported by pins in the wall. The seats consisted of split logs, supported upon pin legs. They sat npon these with their backs resting against the edge of the desks; and when they wished to write they just "flopped around, right about face." But the smaller ones sat upon these rustic seats with their feet dangling a foot above the floor, and with nothing against which to rest their little bowed-np backs.
The room was warmed by a huge fire-place, which occupied the entire end of the house, and was filled with logs that the boys drew into the room upon a sled. The roof consisted of clapboards, which were fastened or secured by means of poles laid lengthwise with the roof, abont three feet apart, separated by chunks or knees. The chimney was made of "cat and clay " (mud and straw) and sticks. The windows of the pioneer school-house consisted of a log removed nearly the entire length of the building, and greased paper pasted over the aperture for lights. The text-books consisted principally of a speller, Testament and an arithmetic. In those days the children did not need to dress in fine clothes, in order to rival some classmate in that direction, but all alike wore garments to school, spun and woven by their mothers.
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
The schools were first tanght entirely by subscription, and the teachers were principally of the "ox-gad persuasion," using force rather than affection as a means of obtaining and preserving good order. The first school-house in the township was erected in 1832. The schools, as well as all branches of industry, have greatly changed since then.
In Mishawaka there had been more interest taken in the public schools than in any other part of the county, and with good success. The first school-house was built here in 1834, which was a small frame building; and the first teacher was a Miss Sheldon, of White Pigeon. The schools of Mishawaka have reached a high degree of excellence, under the wise management of Prof. Elisha Sumption, who has had charge of them for seven years, but has lately resigned on account of failing health. Mishawaka has a fine high-school building, that cost abont $50,000, containing 12 rooms and offices. This is one of the finest school buildings in Northern Indiana, and speaks well for the enterprise of the flourishing town of Mishawaka.
There are 14 school districts in Penn township. There were formerly 15, but No. 7 was, in 1880, discontinued and attached to district No. 9 and to Mishawaka.
The County Superintendent of Public Instruction, Mr. Moon held his annual county teachers' institute in the high-school build- ing at Mishawaka, in Angust, 1880, and teachers were favor- ably impressed with the very able instructions there given to them by professors from Indianapolis, Terre Haute, Valparaiso and New York. The educational interests are thus being promoted, not only in Mishawaka and Penn township, but throughout the entire connty.
RELIGIOUS.
Mishawaka Baptist Church .- There was an organization of this Church in Mishawaka prior to 1840, but it has since become extinct. The present Church was organized May 14, 1867, by Elders T. P. Campbell, of South Bend, and B. P. Russell, of Niles, Mich., and brethren from the Churches of Sonth Bend, Niles and Penn town- ship. There were 18 charter members; Rev. M. T. Lamb was the first pastor, P. C. Perkins first clerk, and J. C. Snyder the first treas- rer. The first deacons were John Merriman, A. J. Ames and J. C. Snyder. Rev. F. Moro was pastor of the Church from De- cember, 1870, to November, 1871. Rev. B. P. Russell became pastor in 1874. In 1868 this society erected a house of worship, valued at $5,000. Sabbath-school each Sabbath at 12 M .; and ser- vices each alternate Sabbath morning and each Sabbath evening, by Rev. H. J. Finch, pastor. Present number of communicants, 101.
First Baptist Church of Penn Township .- Feb. 11, 1837, a meeting was held in the house of Eli B. Mead, for the purpose of constituting a Baptist Church in Penn township. Rev. Price, of
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HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH COUNTY.
Edwardsburg, Elan S. Colby, of Lockport, and Mr. Alger of Misha- waka, were present. Rev. Price was chosen moderator, and Mr. Colby made clerk of the meeting. The following persons presented letters of commendation, and expressed a desire to unite in Church fellowship: Isaiah Ferris, Jacob M. Galor, Jonathan Buck, John Barton, Lucinda Ferris, Sr., Elizabeth Ferris, Azubah Galor, Anna Buck, Delinda Barton and Parmelia Ferris. Elder Price examined them, extended to them the right-hand of fellowship, and pro- nonneed them a Church, to be known as "The First Baptist Church of Penn Township." John Barton was the first clerk and B. J. Ferris the first treasurer.
Messrs. Galor and Buck were elected trustees, to attend to select- ing ground and erecting a house of worship. In 1838 the society erected a small log house in which to worship. Rev. Adam Miller was the first pastor, they having worshiped for some time without a minister in charge. The present house was erected in 1849, a large frame building, about 43 miles south of Mishawaka. The Church grew weaker by deaths, emigration and removals to Misha- waka, until it is now extinct. It was the first Baptist Church or- ganized in the connty, and now it is numbered with the things that were. Its only survivors are Jacob M. and Azubah Galor, of Misha- waka; Parmelia Ferris, now Mrs. Moore, of Pleasant Valley; and Delinda Barton, of Kansas.
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